NRA personalities and grassroots activists join
for an educational and entertaining evening.

George Metaksa, Paul Payne and Steve Helsley

On April 8th at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, NRA leaders, staff, speakers and activists came together in a festive and energetic evening. Multiple speakers, each highly experienced in a particular aspect of our cause, addressed the attentive, upbeat crowd, who rewarded their efforts with several ovations.

      Hosted by the Golden Gate United Members' Council, the emcee for the event was Council President Paul Norris, with speakers including Clayton Cramer, Dana Drenkowski, Steve Helsley and of course, Tanya K. Metaksa. Among other well-known defenders of our Second Amendment rights in attendance were Dr. Edgar Suter and Former NRA Board Member Fielding Greaves. These long-term Bay Area Defenders of Freedom need no introduction at any NRA event!

Clayton Cramer	Dana Drenkowski	Steve Helsley

Tanya K. Metaksa captivates the audience

      Keynote speaker Clayton Cramer, noted author and Vice-President of the NRA Members' Council of Sonoma County, presented a thorough dissertation on the recent Texas case resulting in Federal District Court Judge Sam Cummings declaring firmly that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual rather than a collective right, as gun prohibitionists are quick to claim. Clayton's work in protecting

Dr. Edgar Suter

our rights is so noteworthy, his comments are referred to in Judge Cummings' decision. (The Sonoma County Members' Council recently played a key educational role in the Petaluma city council's rejection of an ill-conceived Affordable Handgun ban. These are the firearms that gun prohibitionists have been attempting to label "Saturday Night Specials", a term of racist origin.)

      Second Amendment lawyer Dana Drenkowski educated the crowd regarding legal concerns for the modern San Francisco Bay Area gun owner, particularly when unjustly accused of being in violation of one of the 20,000 gun control laws that regulate firearms nationally. Dana reported that the District Attorney offices

Fielding Greaves

in the area often prosecute law-abiding citizens charged with minor firearms violations more aggressively than inner-city drug offenders and violent criminals. Dana regularly works with other pro-freedom legal professionals such as Don Kates to represent such unfortunate gun owners. A special NRAWinningTeam.com "Thank You!" to Dana for being one of the few to perform this important work!

      Chief Sacramento NRA Lobbyist Steve Helsley provided an update on the current spate of gun control bills before the legislature. Steve highlighted changes in SB15, SB23 and AB1040, each of which affect the California gun owner in critical ways. Steve has directed the California effort through intense legislative fury, leading the NRA to victory in virtually every major battle! Steve's comments reassured the audience, and have been available on NRAWinningTeam.com for months. NRA's commitment to our cause is exemplified in the strong, confident and professional leadership of Steve Helsley and his Sacramento staff. (Watch for NRAWinningTeam.com updates regarding the above-mentioned changes to SB15, SB23 and AB1040, coming soon.)

One of the few individuals that can follow such notable speakers and not be upstaged, Feature Guest Speaker Tanya K. Metaksa delivered a stirring speech that clearly described the incessant attack we are under, stressing the vital need for personal commitment and involment, the basis of grassroots. (Full text of Mrs. Metaksa's speech)

George and Tanya Metaksa

Selected Quotes "...The struggle to safeguard every law-abiding citizen's constitutional rights is NRA's future..." "...When I look into the Second Amendment's future, I see every one of you, but let me be perfectly honest. I see your children too, and grandchildren (yours and mine), and your great grandchildren. Because this one, this one is the long one. No quick fixes, no cheap way outs, no silver bullets. Just one very, very long haul that will outlast us all..." "...Remember: everyone here is a salesman. You're selling liberty. You're selling freedom. Each of you are an ambassador for the NRA..."

"Super Activist" button signed by Mrs. Metaksa

Mrs. Metaksa named 21 individuals in attendance for special Super Activist Awards, personally handing each a button designed specifically for the event. These special defenders of liberty include: Leslie Andes, Peter Buxtun, Clayton Cramer, Dana Drenkowski, Joe Emanuelle, Dave Golden, James Grant, Fielding Greaves, Joe Giuliani, Mike Haas, Steve Helsley, Bruce Johnson, Mark Mathews, Mark Nicely, Paul Norris, James Porterfield, Cliff Rakic, Peter Petrakis, Ted Schultz, Andy Sirkis and Bill Stewart. Pictures of some of the award winners!

If you live in California, join your local NRA-ILA Members' Council!