Minnesota Gun Owners

Political

Action

C o m m i t t e e

Jana Shortal
KARE-llTV

8811 Olson Memorial Highway

Minneapolis, MN 55427
Jane Helmke
KARE-llTV

8811 Olson Memorial Highway

Minneapolis, MN 55427
October 23'"'^, 2015
Dear Ms. Shortal:

We watched with interest last night's debate between Heather Martens from Protect
Minnesota and Republican strategist Andy Parrish.
While we always welcome public debate on the subject of gun violence and the
constitutional rights of Minnesota's law-abiding gun owners, there were three
aspects 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 any
instructor certification from the National Rifle Association, or a certification as a

NRA Range Safety Officer, nor is she a Minnesota hunter safety instructor.
Her organization. Protect Minnesota, promotes the topic of "gun safety" only
through proposed legislation that would restrict the constitutional rights of lawabiding Minnesotans, including bans on common hunting rifles, mandatory annual
inspections of gun owners' homes, and universal registration of gun owners.
Second, Ms. Martens should have been opposed by a gun rights organization leader
that was familiar with the topic at hand, rather than a Republican strategist. We've
included contact information for our approved media spokespersons and would be
happy to engage in a debate at any time, or provide commentary on any story
related to gun violence, firearms, gun rights, firearms legislation, and related topics.

Paid for by the Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committee

and not endorsed by any candidate or candidate's committee.
PC Box 131718 - Saint Paul, Minnesota 55113 - 612-424-4032
www.mngopac.org

Minnffsota Gun Owners

Political

Action

Committee

Finally, this story contained many facts that are simply not true. Ms. Martens
portrays gun deaths at an all-time high in Minnesota, while the facts from the FBI
and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension show that crime is at its lowest
rate 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, and
fell significantly over the following years to 114 in 2013.
We hope this constructive criticism of this story assists with your future coverage of
this issue.

Paid for by the Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committee

and not endorsed by any candidate or candidate's committee.
PO Box 131718 - Saint Paul, Minnesota 55113 - 612-424-4032
www.mngopac.org