Reminder: Long Gun Registration Bill
H5158 Public Hearing Thurs February 18 Hartford!

www.cga.ct.gov/2010/TOB/H/2010HB-05158-R00-HB.htm
 
DOs and DONTs of Public Hearings: 
DO dress well and come early - preferably around 8am

DO sign up along with anyone coming with you

DO give 45 copies of your testimony to the clerk

DO practice and rehearse your spoken testimony before the hearing. Keep it under three minutes

DO sign up your name in the roster just inside the hearing room and indicate whether you OPPOSE or SUPPORT (this case we're OPPOSING Bill # H5158)

DO address the legislators politely and answer questions if asked. If you are not comfortable or prepared to answer a question reply gracefully, "Representative/Senator, I will have to look into your question and get back to you"

DO "PASS" when called to speak if you are uncomfortable or simply wish to move the process along so that the key speaker(s) from your group can get called up faster.

DO register and sign in since even if you are only observing, so the Committee sees your name added to the list of those opposed to the bill. We want to greatly outnumber the bill's supporters.

DO be prepared to spend the entire day, possibly into the evening hours if you intend to speak.

DO be courteous and respectful of the legislators, regardless of their opinion as well as respectful and courteous to all who testify - including the anti gun opposition if you are stuck near them.

DO realize there will be elected and/or appointed officials coming in and out of the hearing room all day. They are NOT limited to 3 minutes of speaking time and can "bump" you in speaking order.

DO realize there will be other bills not related to our gun bill being heard the same day. Testimony will be interspersed with people testifying on totally unrelated subjects to ours.

DO say "thank you" to the legislators for the opportunity to speak - if you pass one in the hall, ride down the elevator or sit near one at lunch time.

DONTs

DO NOT come to the hearing with ANY weapon (gun, knife, scissors, etc) in your possession. This should be a no brainer but you'd be surprised.

DO NOT come dressed inappropriately (i.e., T-shirts, "Come and Take It" and related slogans, Gadsen Flag wear, camo outfits, etc.) This is NOT a tea party rally. This is a somber, upscale, official legislative hearing. Media will be there and anyone looking like a clown or stereotypical "gun guy" by their definition, will be zoomed in on and televised to the public - hurting gunowners' images permanently. Business Professional attire preferred. Business Casual at a minimum

DO NOT Clap, boo, or otherwise disrupt the hearing. They can kick us all out. This has been a problem at recent hearings by those not trained in the etiquette of Public Hearings.

DO NOT talk on your cell phone. and turn your cell to vibrate. If you have to use your cell phone - get up and quietly walk out of the hearing room into the lobby to use it

DO NOT walk around the back to where the legislators are seated, you will be immediately arrested. (I saw this happen last year- a guy thought he could walk over and tap a legislator on the shoulder during the hearing). The doors are on the edges of the legislators ampitheater platform. Do NOT go there. Open the door, quietly walk in or out of the room to and from your seat in the audience. That's it.

DO NOT eat or drink in the hearing room. I have seen people take sips from water bottles in their bags and that seems to be "ok" because it's not messy or disruptive - but don't walk into the hearing room and tear open a bag of chips or slobber away at a pizza. Eat lunch outside. There is a cafe there with usual serving times and it's not a bad place to hang out and converse with your peers.

That's basically it. Common sense for most people, but unfortunately every year there's at least one or a few who spoil it.

I will be posting some sample testimony tonight and tomorrow on www.ctsas.info that you can use, add to, take from, reword, etc. to your own tastes.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance.

Let's show up Thursday and let them know we're united for Freedom and for Gun Rights!

If you cannot attend the hearing, Please at least CALL

860-240-0570 and voice your opposition to Bill #H5158 An Act Concerning Firearms Regulation.

It is NOT enough to send an email. You must CALL!

Points about this and other bills are on WWW.CCDL.US and will be posted to WWW.CTSAS.INFO over the course of the next couple of days.

Address of Public Safety & Security Committee:
Public Safety and Security Committee
      Legislative Office Building
      Room 3600
      300 Capitol Avenue
      Hartford, CT 06106
      Phone: 860-240-0570
 
Thursday, Feb 18th 11:00am Sign Up done by 9:00am!