Need Help Trying to Figure Out Senator Dean?

You Are Not Alone!

Date:         February 15, 2008
TO:           USF & NRA Member and Friends
FROM:     Marion P. Hammer
                 USF Executive Director
                 NRA Past President
                 Email: USFinfo@aol.com

We have received a lot of email from members and friends who are not happy with Senator Charles Dean’s (R- Inverness) response to their letters urging him to support the right to have a firearm in private vehicles for self-defense.  It is clear most folks are just not buying his response, because nothing in his response suggests he has changed his position.

Many have copied us with their original email to Senator Dean and then forwarded Senator Dean’s response to us asking what does he mean?  Many have also asked us how to respond because they felt his letter was “double-talk,” “weasel wording," and other descriptive terms.  

Since we can’t read Senator Dean’s mind to find out exactly what he is saying, you might just want to email Senator Dean again and ask him, are you supporting or opposing the right to have a firearm in private vehicles for self-defense legislation, SB 1130 and HB 503.   

Below, we have copied the response that one member sent back to Senator Dean.  We think the email below pretty well sums it all up.  In fact, the entire string of communication including Rob’s original email and Senator Dean’s response is below.

Date: 2/14/2008 9:56:26 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Rob
To: DEAN.CHARLES.WEB@flsenate.gov
Sent from the Internet (Details)

Dear Senator Dean,

Thank you for responding to my email.

You said, "I will do what is best for the National Rifle Association, and the Second Amendment as I have done throughout my 5 years in the legislature." However, based on what you have been doing and saying recently, I don't believe you know or care what is best for NRA and the Second Amendment. Actually, with all due respect, it sounds like you have sold us out. When you made disparaging remarks about NRA leadership and claimed the NRA membership doesn't care about this issue, you were not acting in our best interests.

Further, you said, At this time, I believe it would not be prudent to overreact to this bill, as it would be more practical to sit back and see how this bill makes it thru the Legislature. Currently, the Senate Bill is waiting placed on the agenda of the Criminal Justice Committee, its first committee of reference. That sounds to me like you are working against the bill and will be trying to keep it from passing and hoping it won't pass out of the Criminal Justice Committee. Why didn't you just say, "I made a mistake. I will now actively work to pass the bill to protect your right to have a firearm in your private vehicle and will do everything I can to help NRA pass this bill." Sitting back while the anti-gun forces try to trample our gun rights is not what is best for NRA members or all gun owners who carry guns in their cars for protection.

Senator Dean, you were not elected to represent the Florida Chamber of Commerce, but elected to represent the people and uphold the Constitution of the United States, which includes the Second Amendment. The people want you to fight to protect our rights. I want you to work to protect my right to have a gun in my car for self-protection. 

Again, I ask you to reconsider your position on this matter.

Thank you.
Regards,
Rob
Florida Gun Owner


From: DEAN.CHARLES.WEB [mailto:DEAN.CHARLES.WEB@flsenate.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 7:22 PM
To: Rob
Subject: RE: Proposed Legislation to Protect Legal Firearms in Personal Automobiles while at Work

Rob-
Thank you for your recent email regarding the Preservation and Protection of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms in Motor Vehicles Act, also known as Senate Bill 1130. As a life long member of the National Rifle Association, an avid sportsman, gun owner and a former sheriff, I assure you, I am fully aware of the power and importance of the Second Amendment. Further, I agree with you- the safety of Floridians should be, and for my part is, a primary concern for legislators. I appreciate you taking the time to express your questions and concerns about this bill.
At this time, I believe it would not be prudent to overreact to this bill, as it would be more practical to sit back and see how this bill makes it thru the Legislature. Currently, the Senate Bill is waiting placed on the agenda of the Criminal Justice Committee, its first committee of reference. However, I want to reassure you, when the time comes for me to vote on this bill, I will do what is best for the National Rifle Association, and the Second Amendment as I have done throughout my 5 years in the legislature.
Thank you again for contacting me,
Charlie

From: Rob
Sent: Fri 2/8/2008 9:32 PM
To: DEAN.CHARLES.WEB
Subject: Proposed Legislation to Protect Legal Firearms in Personal Automobiles while at Work

Dear Senator Dean,

I respectfully disagree with your statements that the NRA is out of touch with the wishes of its membership on this issue.
I am also sick and tired of the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens constantly being threatened by our politicians. Honest citizens have the right to defend themselves, and that includes appropriate and timely access to said citizens' firearms.
Please reconsider your position on this matter.
Thank you.
Rob
Florida Gun Owner

FL Chamber/Sen. Charles Dean- Press Conference attacking Parking Lot bill

http://www.wjhg.com/news/headlines/15406211.html

WJHG - News

Between the headline and the text of this article is a symbol for a camera and the words, GUNS AT WORK that you can click on and it will play the actual video clip. -- SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

Senator Charles Dean (R- Inverness), appeared at the press conference held by the anti-gun FL Chamber. Senator Dean, touting his membership in NRA, disparaged NRA's leadership for pushing a bill to protect your rights, and essential claimed that the issue of having a firearm in your private vehicle for lawful purposes, while parked in a parking lot, was not important to NRA members.

Senator Dean’s contact information is below.

Email: dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov

District Address:     415 Tompkins Street
                               Inverness, FL 34450
                               Phone: (352) 860-5175

Legislative Address:     311 Senate Office Bldg.
                                     404 S. Monroe St.
                                     Tallahassee, FL  32399-1100
                                     Phone: (850) 487-5017

Email: dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov