By Peggy Tartaro,
Executive Editor

The formation of the first college chapter of the Second Amendment Sisters (SAS) at Mt. Holyoke College in western Massachusetts was enough to give The New York Times a case of the vapors. While the Times may have been shocked-and forced to resort to editorial page clucking-observers of the gun rights scene were impressed anew with the remarkable achievements of SAS.

In just a few short years, the group, formed in an Internet chat room as a response to the first "Million Mom March" in 2000, has added a new dimension to the gun rights debate: a decidedly feminine face that is ready, willing and able to talk to the media-including The New York Times.

With little time and less money, SAS was able to steal a good deal of the limelight from the original "Million Mom March" held in Washington, DC. Most media outlets, which had been whipped into a frenzy about the event by its main cheerleader, talk show host Rosie O'Donnell, and a cadre of other celebrities, were forced to give almost equal time to the counter demonstration by SAS and its supporters.

While the media has not been as interested in the gun issue of late, the Second Amendment Sisters have built on their successes, creating state chapters, and now its first college chapter.

The "Moms" meanwhile, have not fared as well, despite their huge advantage in media attention, and more importantly, money.

First came the revelation that founder Donna Dees-Thomases was not quite what she said she was-a political novice with no media experience. It was revealed shortly before the May 14, 2000 event that she was on leave from her job as a publicist for CBS and that she had strong political ties to the Clinton Administration.

While the "Million Mom March" claimed victory that May, they also faced embarrassing questions about their finances, culminating in the revelation that they were operating out of free space provided by San Francisco General Hospital, under the auspices of the non-profit Trauma Foundation and Bell Campaign. Since speaker after speaker at the DC rally had promised to punish their political enemies, it seemed likely that the Federal Election Commission would also be fielding complaints about the group.

To avoid that problem, the group quickly moved to become part of Handgun Control Inc. (now the Brady Center to Prevent Handgun Violence), after laying off most of its staff. The alliance with HCI solved one problem, but effectively destroyed the group's credibility as a grassroots organization.

In 2001 plans for a second "Million Mom March" in Washington were shelved in favor of smaller rallies at state capitols. Many states did hold rallies, most of which received little attention, even in their local papers, and almost all of which were again countered with similar events put on by SAS.

The SAS college chapter was actually formed late last fall when Oklahoma native and Mt. Holyoke student Christie Caywood accepted the job of coordinator, but major media didn't catch up until late winter.
Juli Bednarzyk, SAS President, commented on the formation of the college chapter on the group's website (2asisters.org),

"Every hour of time we spend fighting for our rights today is time that we are investing in the future. In this upcoming year, SAS will focus on the importance of young people to the basic human right of self-defense and the Second Amendment. Last year saw the creation of our first College Chapter at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. We've had more requests from other colleges. We have our work cut out for us, but the interest is there!"

Caywood told us that she has heard from students at a number of other schools, including some near Mt. Holyoke, about additional SAS college chapters.

While Caywood and her compatriots are interested in the political aspects of gun ownership, they are also enthusiastic shooters. Fortunately, the Smith & Wesson Academy is in nearby Springfield, MA, affording some opportunities for recreation.

Another issue of concern to students like Caywood, a junior, is campus security. While they realize it's unlikely that students, even those in compliance with state licensing laws, would be allowed to carry on campuses, many schools, including Mt. Holyoke, have unarmed security staffs. Caywood has been a vocal advocate of more realistic security on campus, mentioning that security at nearby Amherst College is armed.

Media outlets, including Internet news sites began taking notice of the college chapter in late January, and eventually other, larger media became interested as well. Caywood has fielded an almost unending stream of calls and email inquiries since the college chapter first began to get noticed, often working with journalists late into the night.

With so much enthusiasm, Caywood and her group, which numbers about 50, decided to cast their net wider and hold what was billed as the "1st annual" New England Meet and Luncheon for Second Amendment Sisters. The event took place Feb. 23 at Mt. Holyoke's Center. It was my privilege to keynote the meeting. (And it should be noted the optimism of the young, was rewarded by the Weather Gods. That weekend was probably the warmest and sunniest we had all winter, making the 8 hour drive from Buffalo to South Hadley a pleasure and allowing a season-busting outdoor walk in nothing heavier than a blazer.)

About 35 activists attended the event. While many knew each other, it was a golden opportunity for networking, problem sharing and problem solving.

Once upon a time, I told the audience, I was considered a "kid" both in the firearms business and activist community, but I was only too happy to let a new generation step up and take on a leadership role.

I spent some time discussing the difficulties faced by gun rights activists, not just in New England, but in the entire Northeast. The differences between "town and country" are more pronounced, and the challenges to activists center on building lines of communications to those who don't know the gun community, especially in cities.

I also reminded attendees that Tanya Metaksa, former chief lobbyist of the NRA came out of the Connecticut shooting sports community and later its fractious gun politics.

Lynne Roberts, SAS' Massachusetts Coordinator took the floor next and discussed some SAS activities in the Bay State.
Among the issues she raised was getting involved in local politics and being vigilant for areas where groups such as SAS can become involved. She discussed a small Massachusetts town's local government website which contained faulty information on home gun safety. By contacting local authorities, as a member of the community, Roberts was able to have positive changes made.

Lisa Akers, Connecticut Coordinator for SAS outlined a 10-point pro-active campaign in the Nutmeg State that includes reciprocity issues and long gun permit reform.

She also discussed a .50 caliber bill that was moving in the state legislature (and which has since been defeated).

Also making an appearance as a speaker was Nancy Snow of the Gun Owners Action League (GOAL) of Massachusetts. Snow commented that she was glad she accepted the invitation to attend the event.

"Legislators don't read what they're passing," Snow warned her listeners, reminding them that they were responsible for keeping up with their legislators-and keeping their legislators up-to-date.

Snow also discussed the change in attitude toward guns and gunowners since Sept. 11-even in the notoriously anti-gun Bay State. GOAL has seen a spike in interest in the basic pistol courses the group offers, with most scheduled classes already filled to capacity.

Evelyn Logan is SAS Coordinator for New Hampshire, where she lives, as well as Vermont-despite the fact that she's a native Texan.

Logan also warned about seemingly innocuous legislation, citing SB-376-FN, whose title suggests it deals only with prohibiting the mentally ill from obtaining guns. "Who wouldn't be for that," Logan said, "unless you actually read the thing!" The bill would open medical records and raises grave concerns about privacy issues as well as preventing anyone who had ever sought mental health counseling (to deal with the loss of a loved one, for example) from becoming a gunowner.

The full morning session ended and attendees were treated to a typical New England luncheon-a fajita buffet!
Akers began the afternoon session with a presentation on applying marketing strategies to a political movement such as the Second Amendment Sisters. Trends such as increasing public impatience translate to activists by reminding them to be prepared in their presentations to non-gun groups and to capitalize on the public's lack of patience with the legislative process.

An open discussion followed, moderated by Logan, during which audience members discussed local activities, such as open club shoots, and the benefits of similar programs.

Roberts moderated a discussion of priorities and strategies for all New England activists, giving the audience action items to take back to their respective states.

Caywood recapped the day's event using a Power Point presentation she had created during the sessions. She thanked attendees and reiterated her hope that this inaugural event would not be the last gathering for New England's Sisters!

On Mar. 8, New York Times editorial page columnist Nicholas Kristof took note of the SAS college chapter under the headline "Chicks With Guns."

Kristof's piece can best (and perhaps mostly kindly) be described as "retro male paternalism." Clichés that haven't been heard since the late '80s abound, beginning with the story's lead: "A generation ago, women here at Mount Holyoke College defied convention by burning bras and moving in with boyfriends. These days, some women here are shocking the campus by embracing something even more dangerous than men-guns."

Kristof was quick to point out that because he grew up in rural Oregon and had a .22 rifle at the age of 12, he is "comfortable with guns." His comfort level, however, apparently does not extend to anyone else-especially young women-owning guns.

The column also veered off into a popular editorial page conceit-linking whatever subject one is writing about to Sept. 11, 2001.

Kristof worries that those buying guns post-Sept. 11 contribute to criminal gun fatalities claiming that, "Already since the beginning of September, more than four times as many Americans have fallen to guns as to terrorism, but quietly, one by one, with no one noticing." However quietly gun fatalities may have been counted since Sept. 11, it's difficult to believe that no one-not even the New York Times-would fail to note 12,000 plus gun deaths in six months, a figure Kristof would seem to be claiming.

This odd linkage between Sept. 11 and the foundation of the college chapter of the Second Amendment Sisters confused more than me. The day Kristof's editorial appeared I fielded a late day call from a CNN producer who wanted to do a story about "college girls getting guns because of 9-11."

Despite her interest-undeterred by my telling her that you had to be 21 to legally purchase a handgun-the story never materialized.

While the linkage with Sept. 11 events was a stretch, it would have been nice to see Christie Caywood on national television. But, I have a feeling that day is yet to come.