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PRO...

     Over the past several months, many have asked what PRO is and
how did PRO begin.  Here then is the tale of how PRO began,
compiled from previous articles published in the PROponent.
     If you have never heard of PRO, the Peoples Rights
Organization, we would like to take this time to introduce you to
our group and invite you to join us in the fight to preserve our
Second Amendment Rights.  Perhaps you haven't noticed that the
Constitution of the United States is under attack.  Perhaps you
haven't noticed that more and more criminals are walking the
streets untouched by justice, while their victims rot in jail for
using their firearms in self-defense.  Perhaps you haven't noticed
these days many politicians aren't even trying to hide their
disdain for the will of the people.  Maybe you don't even own a
firearm and perhaps you think that therefore, none of this applies
to you.  Let us fill you in on the facts.
     First and foremost PRO is dedicated to keeping all law-abiding
citizens informed of the assault on their right to keep and bear
arms.  We need every gun-owner to register to vote and then use
that voting power to call a halt to the efforts to grab every gun
in America.  Even if you are not a gun owner, we would hope that
you can come to the understanding that if you do not support the
right of the other guy to keep arms, one day soon all the rights
you value will be gone also.
     On February 21, 1989, then-Mayor Dana G. Rinehart, wrote a
letter to appointed Columbus City Councilman John P. Kennedy
instigating the ban of certain types of firearms. within the
environs of Columbus.  February 23, 1989, appointed Councilman
Kennedy replied in total agreement with Rinehart, agreeing to help
introduce and pass legislation banning semi-automatic "assault
weapons."  To this end, Kennedy enlisted the aid of former Columbus
Police Chief Dwight Joseph.  As a result, Columbus City Ordinance
951-89 was introduced in council chambers on April 24, 1989.  City
Hall was packed with opponents to the ordinance.  At this time
951-89 was read for the first time and then tabled indefinitely.
In this case, indefinitely meant the council meeting of May 22,
1989, during which 951-89 was taken from the table and defeated
7-0.
     At the same meeting, however, Council introduced 1226-89.
This ordinance was almost the same, word for word, as was 951-89.
It passed the same night, without a second reading.  The meeting
time of city council was changed in a move many felt was designed
to end-run the massive popular opposition seen at the previous
meeting.
     During the days and weeks following April 24, 1989, PRO was
born.  From standing around City Hall wondering what to do, a
disparate group of individuals met at Bill Wentzel's R & R Bait
Shop on Front Street.  Dave Buda, Scott Mote, David Stockham,
George Semos, Terry Kelley, Mike Regan and others went there to
discuss and plan strategy to combat city council's anti-Second
Amendment stance.  It was here that PRO's referendum petition drive
began.
     Though the petition drive failed, it was highly successful,
and many veteran petitioners were amazed at the amount of valid
signatures collected by a first time effort.  PRO needed 6,300
valid signatures.  We collected over 7,000.  Over 1,000 signatures
were ruled as invalid.  This was due to the people not signing the
petition as they signed the voter's registration card, or not being
a registered voter.
     From the back of a bait shop, PRO moved to a warehouse on Town
Street, and from there to Veteran's Memorial, where meetings are
held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm.
     After the failure of the petition drive, a lawsuit was
instigated against the gun ban by lawyers Dave Buda and Scott Mote.
This entailed a huge amount of pro bono work by these two
individuals, and PRO is forever in their debt.
     During this time, PRO's by-laws and Articles of Incorporation
were hammered out.  This was a hard fought and lengthy battle, with
bruised feelings all around.  Articles of Incorporation were filed
on September 20, 1989, and in December, all papers were filed and
PRO was a recognized corporation in the state of Ohio.
     Fundraising was a major concern through the early months of
PRO's beginnings.  We asked, begged and pleaded for donations and
contributions.  Held raffles for all sorts of items from camp
stools to pen and pencil holders to books.  Mike Duve proposed the
idea of PRO holding gun shows to fill the void of OGCA leaving
Columbus.  The rest of the leadership of PRO was skeptical and
leery of the idea, but Mike was put in charge of the gun show idea.
     Then came the fall of the Berlin Wall, and enterprising people
carting chunks of it back to America to sell.  PRO purchased a
dozen pieces and held a raffle.  Tickets were bought from as far
away as California and New Jersey.  This endeavor netted PRO
$80.00.
     We limped and struggled along, raising funds as we could;
backing politicians that appeared favorable to the Second
Amendment.  Most lost, but our efforts were noticed by the
political parties and the name of PRO became known.  We established
political action committees and were investigated by the FOP union
pac.  We passed muster in the eyes of the Secretary of State.
     In the summer of 1989, everyone was getting tired and
discouraged.  We had no lasting victories, and very little to cheer
about, so we threw a party.  PRO held a fish fry.  Several members
of PRO went to Lake Erie and caught fish; Wentzel froze and stored
it at his store; a meat packer donated brats; buns and rolls were
donated by Ron Herman, and a lot of others donated cooking
expertise and time to make a successful fish fry.
     This endeavor netted PRO enough money to try a gun show in
Hilliard, Ohio.  Most of our money was made back by the rental of
tables to the dealers.  Our first shows were $2 admission, and by
noon of the first day, we were in the black.  PRO now holds six gun
shows a year, thanks to the efforts of Duve and a dedicated group
of PRO members.  Admission is now $3.00 and members of PRO get in
free.
     In the fall of 1989, PRO accepted the services of Frank Jacoby
and Dennis Walker as co-editors of the newsletter then called The
Amendment.  Jerry Diaz then came up with the nifty name, PROponent.
Jerry was also the one that caught a ride to Washington, D.C., and
sat next to Chalmers P. Wylie.  Wylie was very glad when the flight
ended.  It did not change his views, but he had to listen.
     As you can see by the letters elsewhere in this edition,
Jacoby and Walker have done an excellent job as co-editors.  Jacoby
(and his laser printer), especially has given the PROponent a
polish and pizazz that has been noticed all over the country.  John
Hosford, Executive Director of the CCRKBA has rated the PROponent
one of the top five newsletters in the country.
     At our inception, PRO wanted to teach others about the safe
and proper handling of firearms.  Almost two dozen members
undertook the NRA Instructor's courses.  PRO has now given highly
successful classes in Home Firearm Safety and Personal Protection
with a Pistol.  We ask our students to grade us from 1 to 5 on
seven different questions.  Our overall rating is 94% in all
classes taught.
     PRO has had many dedicated volunteers since 1989.  Some of
them have received pieces of the Berlin Wall; some have received
certificates of appreciation, and others have received Letters of
Commendation from the Ohio House of Representatives.  PRO's most
prestigious award was implemented in 1991, at our annual Christmas
Awards Party.  The award was named after our founding president,
David W. Stockham, and awarded to Patricia Johnson.  This award
will be awarded every year to an individual that displays the high
ideals and commitment of David Stockham towards the preservation of
the Second Amendment.
     Many members of PRO have written letters to the editors of
several papers, voicing their anti-Stokes-HCI-gun grabbers view.
These same members flood the local radio talk shows when those that
want to deny us our rights under the Constitution and the Bill of
Rights are on the air.  PRO leadership, such as Dave Stockham, Ron
Herman and Dave Buda have appeared on several TV shows in the
central Ohio area.
     PRO has worked hard to get where it is now, and is continuing
to work hard in defense of everyone's Second Amendment Rights.  We
do this by the hard work and sweat of several dozen dedicated
members from all walks of life, and with the help of the general
membership with their dues and support of PRO activities.  PRO
wishes to thank all the dedicated members and supporters that have
helped make PRO what it is today.
______________________________________________________

     "Mercy to the Guilty is Cruelty to the Innocent."
     Adam Smith, more than 200 years ago.
______________________________________________________


This is from:
    dennis@bluemoon.rn.com
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