This article is being written the morning after the Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners/Women for Gun Rights fundraiser dinner. It was a fantastic evening. As we all sat there, I looked around the room. I saw all types of people from all different backgrounds. There were firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, law enforcement, business owners, public works personnel, bakers, IT workers, military personnel, sailors, builders, lawyers, FFLs, both still working and retired. There was also an Olympian, podcasters, writers, editors, and politicians. There were 2A heavy lifters/hitters from all over. There were mothers, fathers, families, and new parents.
It was an evening where you could be sitting there, and the next thing you know, you would be talking to Amanda Suffecool, walking across the room to talk and laugh with Charlie Cook. John Petrolino, Tony Simon, Kelly Pidgeon, Shawn Abramson, Theresa Inacker, Anthony Colandro, and many of the WGR women and the CNJFO board and committee members were there to say hello and talk to. These are some really cool and amazing people. I am sure you all know their names and accomplishments; if not, look them up. They deserve it, and when you do, you will be impressed.
There was SCOTUS-winning Dick Heller, Olympian Gabby Franco, Lucretia Hughes from Georgia with an amazing story, Rabbi Andy Mars, and his son. Mike Baroody, a strong 2A advocate and the owner of the amazing venue where the event was held, was there. The Mansion on Main Street in Voorhees, NJ, is one of the most amazing places you can go. The food, staff, venue, and owner are well beyond five stars times two. There were so many people to name and list; it would take pages to do so.
As I sat there, it reminded me of the time I testified in front of the State Senate in Trenton. It was in front of the Senate committee assembled to hear testimony and vote for the so-called “Carry Killer” bill (A4769/S3214). As I took my seat in front of the committee that day, I had behind me Moms Demand Action members, Everytown for Gun Safetly, and other anti-gunners. This really was not in my notes, but I had to say something. This is not exact, but I stated that I was getting tired of these people behind me calling me and others crazed killers or worse.
I spent my whole life and career helping and saving people as a firefighter/EMT. I was tired of these things they said then and which many continue to say now. The committee president sitting in front of me began to say that was not their intention. I cut her off and stated something along the lines of “yes, it is, and it is exactly what they mean.” I could feel the hatred directed at me from the MDA/Everytown cheering section. Honestly, I am sick of them referring to any of us that way. How much do you want to bet that a huge majority of these mass shootings they refer to are committed by people that vote for the same people MDA does? Yet, we keep taking the blame and the mainstream media continues to echo it.
Those of us who fight for 2nd Amendment freedom are not extremists. We are the people I was sitting around at the CNJFO fundraiser dinner with. People we work with. People we hang out with. Friends. Family. We are the people at the beginning of this article. We work hard, want to keep most of what we earn, do not want crime and criminals overrunning us. We want good, actual education for our children and not leftist indoctrination. We want to enjoy life, help others, and be overall left alone by the elites and loony left.
As I sat there with 155+ of the most amazing people and staff, eating delicious food and desserts, I got the idea to combine these two subjects. We are a great bunch, us 2A supporters. We must stand together. We cannot allow them to demonize us. We come from all backgrounds, professions, and areas. So, a toast to a wonderful evening with wonderful people. Look forward to next year. Let’s get more involved to make the dinner even bigger. Be safe. Have fun.
