On 01/25/2018 we received our NRA magazines with the official ballots arrived in the mail - yours is or will be soon!

Thank you for supporting me in my quest to have a seat on the NRA Board - representing the investigative and security professions, and defending our Constitution and protecting our 2nd Amendment!

Your ballot will have 37 names and you are allowed to vote for 26 persons - only 25 with the most votes will be elected to the board. You can vote for one person or 25.
I am asking you to vote for one - Dean A. Beers!
 
Please forward this newsletter / ballot alert and share with your fellow NRA family, friends and colleagues:
www.DeanBeersNRA.com/nra-2018-ballot-voting.html

They can also sign up to receive private updates - http://subscribe.DeanBeersNRA.com and as things continue to happen, I will keep everyone advised.

A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Program
Assess, Leave, Impede, Violence and Expose
My good friend and colleague, Michael Julian, has develop this A.L.I.V.E. program to teach the mindset of the active killer (not all are shooters) and how to survive - the first 10 minutes of survival increase your chances exponentially! In addition, Mike has just released a book - a tool as valuable for self-preservation as your firearm is for self-defense.  But first, is his program effective?

Liz Moreno was with her boyfriend in Las Vegas when she heard what they thought was fireworks. She turned around and I saw a lady was shot in the face - and told boyfriend to run and get out. She credits the active shooter survival training class she attended a couple of years ago - what she learned just came back to her. The class was the A.L.I.V.E. Active Shooter Survival Program taught by Mike where she worked. She knew, as Mike emphasized, one of the worst things you can do in an active-shooter situation is freeze.

I recently interviewed Mike for my Facts & Forensics podcast - he went into more depth with this incredible story, and how her telling him he saved her life put him on a new passion and mission.

Look for it to be up the first week of February at www.GIMG.tv!
 10 Minutes To Live: Surviving an Active Shooter Using A.L.I.V.E. Active shooter mass killings have become a horrible reality in our society and no place is immune to them.  In this book, Michael Julian, CPI, PPS, CSP shares how essential the appropriate actions you take in the first ten minutes of an active shooting can be for your survival. How every second counts to stay alive.
 
Julian provides simple tools to help you in the event you find yourself in this type of scenario. He teaches you how to prepare yourself using a security mindset, and fight through your fear with a survival mindset so you can evaluate your situation and react appropriately.

-- Be sure and visit my blog for other 2nd Amendment commentaries are at www.DeanBeersNRA.com/2nd-amendment-blog.html

News from the NRA and NRA-ILA
Every member of the NRA knows our passion, and our NRA membership and support, is more than legislation and our 2nd Amendment – the NRA is about freedoms, civil rights, firearms, civilian and law enforcement / military firearms and non-firearms self-defense, history, conservation and much more. The NRA has over 40 committees for their advocacy of these areas. Legislation is the most important to advocate and defend our Constitution – not just our 2nd Amendment, but from our 1st (speech, assembly and redress of grievances) to our 10th Amendment (states’ rights). I firmly believe, if you believe in our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the civil rights of others - you believe in the mission of the NRA. Some say it should be the National Rights Association.
 
Follow the NRA 2nd Amendment federal and state legislation, and regulation, actions at www.nraila.org/legal-legislation
 
Please visit the above links and complete your district information for a pre-drafted letter to be emailed on your behalf. This takes about two minutes per issue – less than 15 minutes!

URGENT - ACT NOW for National Reciprocity!
https://act.nraila.org/composeletters.aspx?AlertID=1538
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a full committee mark-up of H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, TOMORROW - Wednesday 11/29/2017! It’s therefore more important than ever to urge your member of Congress to support this crucial legislation.

Ask Your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor and vote YES on H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity ActPlease contact your U.S. Representative and ask him or her to co-sponsor and vote YES on H.R.38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017. You can call the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative's office.

A word of thanks to our Veterans...I'm not a veteran - I was raised a Navy brat. I am a prolific study of history and am a strong Constitutional and fiscal conservative – a Patriot and author. These have given me an unwavering gratitude for those who are and have served in our military and public safety.
My Dad, Robert Beers, served over 20 years in the US Navy – from 1958 to 1979, during the peak of the Cold War. He was assigned to P3 squadrons that found and tracked communist submarines. I am proud of his service. Without each of you who have served, we would not be the greatest nation on Earth and our freedoms would not be secured and defended.

I am not one of you, but I am with you. We are all with you.

Veterans Day – dedicated to each of you. Its one day of the year that is exclusively yours. Make no mistake, there is not a single day in which we do not thank you.

If you served, like my Dad – from me and my family to each of you, Thank You for your service.

NRA Board Nomination - Please share and spread the word...
I will be a write-in candidate for the NRA Board. This is a long shot - not like hoping to win the lottery, and I intend to do all I can to continuing getting the word out. At the very least, this is preparing me for another attempt at a formal nomination for the 2018 process. I am told by some in the inner-circle of the NRA Board, the second time is the most common to get formally nominated.

Ballots will be in the February issue of your NRA Magazine.

Since my last update, I have been setting up NRA recruiting tables at local gun shows and signing up some new members. Most of the people you meet are already members, which is a great thing and expected - no surprise there. I have also been talking to a new local sporting good store and will be setting up one weekend day a month there, perhaps starting this month. As a new store, they are still working through the grand opening process.

Texas Mass Shooting
I would be remiss if I did not address the recent mass shooting at the church in Sutherland Springs TX just over a week ago - last Sunday, during church services. I learned that day a friend and colleague in nearby San Antonio had a cousin and uncle in the church. His cousin was unscathed and called very upset - at the time he did not know anything about his dad. Later, it would be learned he had been shot four times - both ankles, forearm, and back - he is still hospitalized in critical condition. My friend's uncle sent this statement, which was written down (due to intubation and unable to speak), "This is not about guns. This is an evil act done by an evil man."

We all know that a neighbor of the church heard the gunfire and grabbed his own AR-15 and engaged the shooter leaving the church, causing him to drop his own AR-15 and flee in his SUV. This good Samaritan ran to a truck at an intersection and told the driver what happened and they needed to go after the shooter. They gave chase, and the shooter eventually drove off the road - found seven minutes later by responding law enforcement with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The background and history of the shooter has evolved day to day. In short, he was given a Bad Conduct Discharge from the Air Force for domestic violence assault on his wife and child. Mental health issues have been exposed. Air Force personnel did not report the conviction and he was able to purchase (still illegally) four firearms from 2014 to 2017, one each year.

There were 26 people killed, from age 1 year to 77 years; and multiple surviving victims of a similar age range. These people should never be forgotten - their names and stories are now public.

The heroes stopping possible further bloodshed were Stephen Willeford, a former NRA Certified Instructor, and Johnnie Langendorff. To these unintended heroes, many thanks.

Las Vega Mass Shooting
Just prior to Texas, and shortly after my last newsletter, there was an intense mass shooting in Las Vegas. This shooter was in a hotel casino room on the 32nd floor and shot into a crowd at an outdoor music concert.

This story is still evolving. The shooter also had a troubled history, and had amassed a large collection of firearms and ammunition - and was in the room for several days. He used an AR-15 with a 'bump stock' to create repeating shots from a semi-automatic rifle. Many called for the immediate ban of the 'bump stock' - which many, including myself, had never heard of. The history of the bump stock includes being approved in 2010 by the ATF for sale to and ownership by the public under current regulations. The NRA issued a statement agreeing to have this regulation looked into. I agreed. What was immediately said was the NRA caved and agreed to a ban. False. What did happen, as predicted, was the gun control crowd called for a complete ban. The NRA immediately issued a statement opposing a ban. What the NRA did, in my opinion, was easily expose the gun control crowd for who they are.

The response of the concert attendees helping each other, as well as first responders, are credited with saving more lives.

WalMart Shooting in Thornton, CO
Between the Las Vegas and Texas events, I was attending a state private investigator association meeting when news broke of the shooting at this WalMart. One of board members lives near the store and alerted the meeting. Three persons were killed, as captured on store video. In the commotion, the shooter left as calmly as he took their lives. Also on the video are several customers drawing their own firearms. Because the police did not release suspect information for a few hours, the media blamed these concealed carry owners as causing confusion in identifying the shooter. Without revealing my sources, this is not true - as was also released to media by law enforcement. The shooter was immediately found in the videos from walking in to leaving, and consistent witness statements. What did take time was the actual identification of the shooter. Moreover, law enforcement commended the customers inside, as they drew their weapons and stayed in place - protecting themselves and those around them, and not going on a search mission. They cooperated with law enforcement and caused no problems.

The Aftermaths
May those killed be remembered by their loved ones, the survivors recover, and all heal with the grace and love of those around them.

These cannot be ignored - or exploited. As a responsible firearms shooter and owner all my life - before age five is the best I remember - I know the respect and responsibility that come with our rights. It is why I am a Patron Life Member of the NRA and advocate of our Bill of Rights - all of our rights.

Some of my most valuable lessons of respect and responsibility came from my Grandpa and his love of firearms and their history. It was no simple task going shooting with him. We could shoot any firearm we wanted, so long as we could tell him the history, how to respect it, and how to responsibly handle and shoot it. He had two collections - one collection was never fired - antiques from every military engagement from before our nation's founding, and another we could shoot. He was well known around town as a former fire chief (and our family dated back to before Colorado was a state) - it was not unusual to carry open around town. It was not unusual for school kids, especially ranchers and farmers, to have rifles in their trucks. Different days - but not different rights, respect and responsibility.

It is incumbent upon each of us to teach those around us, and correct those that simply get it wrong.

That hasn't stopped the gun control people. Citing five mass shooting events since 2012, Senators have already introduced a bill banning 'assault weapons' (although, only firearms). More restrictive than the ban from 1994 to 2004, this one only requires the rifle to be semi-automatic and have one of the 'military features' listed (pistol grip, collapsing stock, barrel heat shroud, bayonet nib, flash suppressor, threaded barrel, etc.); the only thing not listed was a mounted flashlight - and specific rifles are listed by name. There is also a new magazine capacity restrictions to five rounds, as 'most common for hunting and sport' (not what our 2nd Amendment is for). This does nothing to address the evil that exists within the person.

I'm waiting for them to ban 'high capacity' bullets - something the media has been used to describe ammunition at all of the recent shootings. I'm not sure what that is - but I might want some, just because.

Maybe if we placed bans - restricted - the 1st Amendment just enough to not incite evil nut jobs to go out and kill. Like hate speech in all its context - snowflakes would melt!

New 2nd Amendment Commentary
Common Sense Gun Control and 2nd Amendment Rights (11/08/2017)
Firearms are already heavily regulated - enforcement is abysmal. The most important factor is this - the human factor. So long as humans exist, so will good and evil. Good must always overcome evil - and that won't happen if evil is not met with hard force from good.
 
Any time there is a shooting, there is talk of gun control - no other time, and nothing about the underlying and contributing factors - such as the shooter. Let's go the 'common sense' route based on statistics - continued at www.DeanBeersNRA.com/2nd-amendment-blog/common-sense-gun-control-and-2nd-amendment-rights

-- All blog commentaries are at www.DeanBeersNRA.com/2nd-amendment-blog.html

News from the NRA and NRA-ILA
Every member of the NRA knows our passion, and our NRA membership and support, is more than legislation and our 2nd Amendment – the NRA is about freedoms, civil rights, firearms, civilian and law enforcement / military firearms and non-firearms self-defense, history, conservation and much more. The NRA has over 40 committees for their advocacy of these areas. Legislation is the most important to advocate and defend our Constitution – not just our 2nd Amendment, but from our 1st (speech, assembly and redress of grievances) to our 10th Amendment (states’ rights). I firmly believe, if you believe in our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the civil rights of others - you believe in the mission of the NRA. Some say it should be the National Rights Association.

First, an important NRA Board Nomination update...
I recently updated you of the NRA Nominating Committee’s decision. I was notified I did not make the cut. This is not a setback, it is simply a different route to the same goal.
 
Your continued support and help is needed!
 
I have just over two weeks, what remains of September, to collect at least 653 valid NRA members signatures, with your help and other NRA members. In the interest of your time and space, I have placed details of the process are at www.DeanBeersNRA.com/petition-process.html.
 
My goal is to get us a long needed seat on the NRA Board representing the investigative and security professions and develop a stronger legislative effort, defend our Constitution and protect our 2nd Amendment.
 
Please share with your fellow NRA family, friends and colleagues to receive private updates - http://subscribe.DeanBeersNRA.com and as things continue to happen, I will keep everyone advised.

New 2nd Amendment Commentary
What Are Your Rights in a Gun Free Zone?
I have provided my opinion on the emotional drivel of ‘Gun Free Zones’ – they are as effective as Drug Free Zones.  Both serve only to add a criminal charge and sentence enhancer to convictions – the latter is a criminal activity, the former makes law abiding citizens criminals. Why is this tolerated? What are your options?
-- follow this commentary at www.DeanBeersNRA.com/2nd-amendment-blog/what-are-your-rights-in-a-gun-free-zone

-- All blog commentaries are at www.DeanBeersNRA.com/2nd-amendment-blog.html

Nomination Petition Information
If you previously sent a nomination form to the NRA, we are at a new and different stage of the process. This stage requires at least 653 signatures of NRA members supporting my nomination.

Previously sent nomination forms are now void – only original NRA member signatures on the official Nomination by Petition forms, mailed by me to the NRA, are valid.
 
Please download and sign a petition, and consider asking other NRA members you know to also support me.
 
Please mail all originals to me by 09/30 – DO NOT mail to the NRA (they will be rejected). I have to Express Mail the originals, myself only (NRA rules) by Thursday 10/05/2017.
 -- Thanks! Dean
 
Dean A. Beers
P.O. Box 200030
Evans, CO. 80620-0030
 
http://www.DeanBeersNRA.com/uploads/8/7/3/8/8738199/nra_2018_petition_packet_08302017.pdf

Thoughts on my first NRA event
I attended the NRA meetings, in Springfield MO, the weekend of 09/08/2017. One of the committee meetings I sat in (not as a committee member) was the Gun Collectors Committee. The majority of the time was meeting NRA leadership, board members, and fellow non-board members. As with any group of people and association members – they were a diverse group and shared mutual camaraderie. I have the same experiences when attending multiple investigative association conferences annually. It was interesting to watch large committees meet and finalize their reports to be presented to the NRA Board. Fast, efficient and professional. Complex matters had been steered through sub-committees and recommended to the full committee, with discussion and votes approved to the board. Several issues were handled and completed in under one hour. The general board meeting – with over 60 of 76 board members present, and several NRA member guests, was similarly handled. There are over 40 committees. The meeting was opened, with officer and director reports, followed by committee reports – in under three hours (planned for all day). Everyone was organized, professional, and respectful – all business. Believe me, I left that meeting with a new perspective on how association board meetings should be run.
 
This is continued at www.DeanBeersNRA.com/2nd-amendment-newsletter.html

News from the NRA and NRA-ILA
Every member of the NRA knows our passion, and our NRA membership and support, is more than legislation and our 2nd Amendment – the NRA is about freedoms, civil rights, firearms, civilian and law enforcement / military firearms and non-firearms self-defense, history, conservation and much more. The NRA has over 40 committees for their advocacy of these areas. Legislation is the most important to advocate and defend our Constitution – not just our 2nd Amendment, but from our 1st (speech, assembly and redress of grievances) to our 10th Amendment (states’ rights). I firmly believe, if you believe in our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the civil rights of others - you believe in the mission of the NRA. Some say it should be the National Rights Association.
 
This is continued at www.DeanBeersNRA.com/2nd-amendment-newsletter.html
 
Current activities and Calls for Action of the NRA include:
The following federal and state legislative watches, and pre-drafted letters to your specific elected officials, are found at https://act.nraila.org

• Federal: Urge Your Representative to Support the SHARE Act - https://act.nraila.org/alertdetail.aspx?AlertID=1798
• Federal: Urge Your Congressman to Support the Second Amendment Guarantee Act, H.R. 3576 - https://act.nraila.org/alertdetail.aspx?AlertID=1786
• Federal: Rep. Rob Bishop Introduces the "Lawful Purpose and Self Defense Act" - https://act.nraila.org/alertdetail.aspx?AlertID=1739
• Federal: Legislation Reintroduced to Permanently Dismantle Obama-Era Enforcement Abuse - https://act.nraila.org/alertdetail.aspx?AlertID=1738
• Federal: Urge your US Senators and US Representative to Support Concealed Carry Reciprocity - https://act.nraila.org/alertdetail.aspx?AlertID=1538
• Federal: Congress Needs to Hear from You on the Hearing Protection Act of 2017 - https://act.nraila.org/alertdetail.aspx?AlertID=1422
• Michigan: Urge Committee Members to Protect Second Amendment Rights of Foster Parents - https://act.nraila.org/alertdetail.aspx?AlertID=1797
• California: OPPOSE AJR 24 to oppose national concealed carry reciprocity (above) - https://act.nraila.org/alertdetail.aspx?AlertID=1792
• Wisconsin: Urge Committee Members to Support Mentored Hunting - https://act.nraila.org/alertdetail.aspx?AlertID=1791

Please visit the above links and complete your district information for a pre-drafted letter to be emailed on your behalf. This takes about two minutes per issue – less than 15 minutes!

Stay tuned - I am planning to send a monthly informational newsletter on or about the 3rd Tuesday of each month. I will update here with important news in defending our Constitution and 2nd Amendment!