Phillip Hofmeister (President of Michigan OPen Carry, Inc.) addresses Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan regarding his stance on guns.
Governor Snyder,
I am a frank man, as many people who know me could echo to you, so I will get straight to the point: you need gun owners this November. I know you have read the polling numbers, it’s real close — you might lose. Those few ten-thousand gun owners that won’t vote for you (along with me) may make the difference. Aside from the people who mindlessly follow the NRA, you don’t have them. I know many of them are planning to do one of the following regarding their vote for Governor: under-vote, vote third party (Libertarian or Constitutional), or vote for Mark Schauer (just to teach you and the Republicans a lesson).
I’m not sure which I will do yet, but I do know this: I won’t be voting for you. The purpose of this letter is to express what you can do to win my vote (and more importantly my personal support and endorsement). It’s simple, really. I only ask you to do 2 things:
- Work with the State Legislature as well as Michigan Open Carry, Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners, and Michigan Gun Owners in sincerity and earnest to repeal MCL 28.425o and have the repeal signed into law before November’s election. If you don’t know how to contact those organizations, that’s okay – your chief legislative assistant (Mr. Posthumus) does. This move will make a huge electoral impact as Michigan has approximately 450,000 CPL holders — most of them active voters. If you’re looking for legislative Sponsors I would consider approaching Sen. Mike Green or Rep. Joel Johnson.
- Send an open, published letter to State Republican Chair Bobby Schostak (and his successor, should he be replaced next cycle) that says the following: if the State Party holds its convention in a venue that bans firearms, you will not attend.
Yes, between now and November the NRA-ILA will sing your praise for passing its FOIA Package. I will yell just as loudly, that FOIA package accomplished nothing. Here’s the thing you and the NRA-ILA don’t want people to know: these records were already exempt from FOIA under Mager V. Department of State Police (Michigan Supreme Court, 1999, 460 Mich. 134). I will make sure as many people know this simple fact as possible — that despite all the NRA’s praise, signing this bill accomplished nothing.
So really, that’s it — those two, small things. Let’s face it: the anti-gunners are already going to vote for Mark Schauer so you won’t be losing their vote as it has already been lost. Not to mention, the number of pro-gun voters in Michigan seemingly far surpasses the number of anti-gun voters. All you have is gain. Do these two things and I will travel the state with you as well as sing your praise on every social media.
I look forward to working with you to accomplish these goals. Mr. Posthumus knows how to contact me.