This letter will explain why CCDL was founded, and the mission we intend to fulfill.

After a lot of behind the scenes preliminary work from the founding members and others who came on board shortly after our first several meetings, we have chosen a direction based on voluntary action through “hands on” participation. Additionally, following much debate, we have decided to rely on voluntary financial contributions.

If we are to grow toward our vision, we will need ideas, input and, above all, involvement from everyone at every level.  All ideas submitted during meetings are debated in committee and a consensus is then reached on future organizational structure.  We encourage everyone to attend general meetings to get a feel for how they are conducted and offer your comments.  Fresh input will be essential to becoming an effective state-wide organization commenting on issues concerning Connecticut firearms statutes.

Over the next several months, we will be asking for and identifying volunteers as committee heads to begin developing the guidelines we will use to achieve these goals:

1. To begin a dialog with members of the Connecticut Legislature to ensure our views on firearms rights are clearly communicated.
2. To convey contact information to members regarding laws our legislators may be introducing which could hinder or further our rights concerning firearms... The membership will then be requested to email, call or write their legislators to offer their positions on the language being proposed.
3. To develop plans for public gatherings at appropriate locations deemed necessary to convey our message. (local and out of state)
4. To carry the message gun ownership is a right given all citizens, in good standing, of this State.  We want the public to know it is also a right for all citizens to be responsible for and prepared to defend their lives and liberty if needed.

As CCDL grows, and we accumulate knowledge, expertise and wisdom, the “welcome message” included in this statement, will surely evolve.

It is not enough for the gun owners of Connecticut to rely solely on national organizations to defend our rights in this State. We have to become a vocal, visible and responsible organization to promote the benefits of firearms ownership to the people who may be indifferent to the rights and responsibilities we have as citizens of a magnificent free society. Please join us and become a supportive member of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League.

Carry On!

Scott Wilson Sr.

President .

CCDL, Inc.

When myself and other individuals met in person for the first time in February this year (2009) for dinner, some camaraderie and hopefully to see where we could take the foundation from that evening , I had no idea by June (5 months), we would have secured a central meeting location, formed an interim standing committee, elected interim officers, coordinated a number of organizational meetings, opened a Facebook page, built a web-site, created membership forms, written numerous drafts of by-laws, become incorporated, opened a PO Box, open a bank account, and started to look towards long term goals of this organization.

(Which to me means tormenting our legislators to write favorable pro-firearm legislation)

So far it seems like a blurr the way the time so far has blown by. But then looking back on this past months report that I had written for our Committee Meeting, And on what was accomplished to move the CCDL Organization forward towards our next phase, and knowning how hard other members and myself have worked, and their many contributions, I cannot help but smile with satisfaction on our achievements thus far.

Many thanks are owed to the VCDL for being a source of inspiration and some guidance. Thanks are also certainly in order to be given to OPENCARRY.ORG for facilitating our meeting up with each other online in the first place. "OC" also allowed us to utilize their CT forum as a mechanism to meet and debate many aspects of the Organization.

Many, many thanks are also owed to the hard work and dedication from all CCDL members that continue to believe in our cause and the ability for us to effect "real change" in not only our rights with respect to firearms, but to how gun owners and gun ownership in general may be viewed in the future by citizens of this beautiful State Of Connecticut.

Carry On Everybody!

Scott Wilson Sr.

President CCDL, Inc.