At the 2002 Sportsmen’s Association for Firearms Education (SAFE) Right to Carry Conference, From left to right: NRA Director and conference organizer John Cushman, NRA Women’s Policy Committee Member Amy Heath, ANJRPC Regional Vice President Peggy Hodgkiss, ANJRPC Regional Vice President Mike Bodner, ANJRPC Acting President Allan Johnson, ANJRPC Regional Vice President Bob Esch, ANJRPC Regional Vice President Scott Bach. Photo courtesy of Carl Albanese, ANJRPC NRA instructor and Second Amendment advocate.

ANJRPC was in very good company on Sunday, September 29 at the Sportsmen’s Association for Firearms Education (SAFE) Right to Carry Conference on Long Island. ANJRPC Board members Scott Bach, Mike Bodner, Bob Esch, Acting President Allan Johnson and I were present, as were over 1,000 firearms owners and sportsmen and women. This free conference was a great opportunity to network with fellow gunowners and mobilize our involvement in pending legislation and the upcoming November elections.

The conference is organized and hosted by John Cushman, President, SAFE and NRA Director. John and his volunteer activists are instrumental in distributing information to gunowners and hold New York politicians’ “feet to the fire!”

We were given the opportunity to hear from high profile, knowledgeable guest speakers including Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President; Kayne Robinson, NRA First Vice President; Jim Fotis, LEAA Executive Director; and Armstrong Williams, nationally syndicated columnist and talk show host. It was inspiring to hear our national leadership speak about their accomplishments and their acknowledgement of the importance of grassroots involvement and the difference WE all make every day!

Thank you to John Cushman for acknowledging the ANJRPC representatives at the conference and congratulating us on our successful outreach programs in New Jersey. He also recognized our efforts in helping the NRA Women on Target and the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association in sponsoring the inaugural women’s instructional fun shoot in New York City.

The SAFE  Conference was a reminder that we all have a talent that can be used to further our cause. Let’s work together and get the job done!

Peggy Hodgkiss

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