Four

Four “pro-gun” legislators defeat HB 1257

South Dakota Gun Owners Email Alert Network

PO Box 3845 Rapid City, SD 57709

605.415.4299

www.SDGO.org

February 24, 2009

Despite solid support from gun owners across the state, the House Education Committee voted to kill the Citizen Self-Defense bill (HB 1257) last week.

This defeat is due to four “pro-gun” Representatives. With their support, HB 1257 may have passed the committee.

Rep. Todd Schlekeway (R-Sioux Falls) and Rep. Roger Hunt (R-Brandon) both know better. They both refer to themselves as “pro-gun,” yet they both voted against HB 1257.

Even worse, Rep. Ryan Olson (R-Onida) and Rep. Jim Bolin (R-Canton) both pledged their constituents during the elections that they would vote for the Citizen Self-Defense bill. But when push came to shove, they jumped ship, broke their promises and voted to kill the bill.

Thanks to this betrayal, HB 1257 went down in the committee by a vote of 11 to 3. SDGO continued working through the end of the week to revive the bill, but the lop-sided committee vote made it nearly impossible to rally support on the House floor.

The battle for self-defense is hardly over, however. This defeat has simply extended the fight into next year. Currently, it is very important that the four double-crossing Republican Representatives hear from you.

ACTION:

Please contact the four Representatives listed below. They all present themselves as “pro-gun,” yet they all voted against the clearest pro-gun bill of the year. It is vital that they hear your respectful displeasure. It’s OK if they’re not from your district. As a committee, they represent the entire state.

Phone: Call the House Lobby at (605) 773-3851 to leave a message. Or you can contact them at home at the number listed below.

Email: Click on the links below to use the online system.

Rep. Jim Bolin

Email: http://legis.state.sd.us/email/LegislatorEmail.aspx?MemberID=129

Home phone: 605-987-2630

Rep. Ryan Olson

Email: http://legis.state.sd.us/email/LegislatorEmail.aspx?MemberID=72

Home phone: 605-258-2398

Rep. Todd Schlekeway

Email: http://legis.state.sd.us/email/LegislatorEmail.aspx?MemberID=123

Home phone: 605-310-8600

Rep. Roger Hunt