M i n n e s o t aP o l i t i c a l A c t i o n

G u n O w n e r sC o m m i t t e e

Jana ShortalK A R E - l l T V8811 Olson Memorial HighwayMinneapolis, MN 55427

Jane HelmkeK A R E - l l T V8811 Olson Memorial HighwayMinneapolis, MN 55427

October 23'"'^, 2015

D e a r M s . S h o r t a l :

We watched with interest last night's debate between Heather Martens from ProtectMinnesota and Republican strategist Andy Parrish.

While we always welcome public debate on the subject of gun violence and theconstitutional rights of Minnesota's law-abiding gun owners, there were threeaspects of this story that we found disappointing.

First, Heather Martens may brand herself as a gun safety activist, but she is a paid,professional lobbyist and leader of a gun control organization. She does not hold anyinstructor certification from the National Rifle Association, or a certification as aNRA Range Safety Officer, nor is she a Minnesota hunter safety instructor.

Her organization. Protect Minnesota, promotes the topic of "gun safety" onlythrough proposed legislation that would restrict the constitutional rights of law-abiding Minnesotans, including bans on common hunting rifles, mandatory annualinspections of gun owners' homes, and universal registration of gun owners.

Second, Ms. Martens should have been opposed by a gun rights organization leaderthat was familiar with the topic at hand, rather than a Republican strategist. We'veincluded contact information for our approved media spokespersons and would behappy to engage in a debate at any time, or provide commentary on any storyrelated to gun violence, firearms, gun rights, firearms legislation, and related topics.

Paid for by the Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committeeand not endorsed by any candidate or candidate's committee.

PC Box 131718 - Saint Paul, Minnesota 55113 - 612-424-4032

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M i n n f f s o t a G u n O w n e r sP o l i t i c a l A c t i o n C o m m i t t e e

Finally, this story contained many facts that are simply not true. Ms. Martensportrays gun deaths at an all-time high in Minnesota, while the facts from the FBIand the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension show that crime is at its lowestrate since the 1960's.

In fact, gun deaths by all causes, including suicide and homicide, have dropped 30%since 1993, and violent homicides have dropped by nearly 50% during that time.

In Minnesota, echoing the national trend, homicides peaked in the mid-1990's, andfell significantly over the following years to 114 in 2013.

We hope this constructive criticism of this story assists with your future coverage ofth i s i s sue .

Paid for by the Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committeeand not endorsed by any candidate or candidate's committee.

PO Box 131718 - Saint Paul, Minnesota 55113 - 612-424-4032w w w . m n g o p a c . o r g