By Maria Heil,
Contributing Editor
National Spokeswoman, SAS

On May 13, 2003 a documentary titled "Guns & Mothers" will be airing on PBS's Independent Lens series nationwide. If you are reading this prior to May 13th, please check your local PBS listings for that week as some stations run the program at different times.

If you are reading this after May 13th and are interested in seeing the documentary, I suggest you contact your local PBS station and inquire if they plan to repeat the show or, if not, where you might get a copy of the show.

I came onto the pro-Second Amendment "activism" scene just five or six weeks before the Second Amendment Sisters' (SAS) very first event-the Armed Informed Mother's Rally & March-which was held on Mother's Day 2000 in Washington, DC. Thom Powers of Sugar Pictures actually started filming our side on this day. Taping continued over the span of a year and a half.

Among other things, this documentary chronicles the rise and fall of the so-called "Million" Mom March and the continued success of Second Amendment Sisters.

It was with great trepidation that I anticipated the arrival of my advance copy of this documentary. When we started filming I was more or less a rookie in this activist arena, let alone having ever been in front of a camera! Here it is three years later and I have learned and continue to learn so much since those first days. So, the question in my mind was, "What did I say or do wrong? Did I mess up? Are my mistakes going to have an impact on Second Amendment Sisters, or on the self-defense movement?" and of course, "Will I look good?" (Hey, it's a woman thing!)

Now, having seen it about 20 times, I can see I did make mistakes, but not major ones. However, the mistakes were not mistakes at the time, it was just that at the time, things were different, or I just didn't know how to attack a problem. Let me explain

Some of the footage was filmed at the NRA Convention in Charlotte, NC, which took place one week after the SAS rally. Our family had planned on going to the convention months before I even heard of SAS. In the convention clips I say, "I wish more people would do what I've done. Be a member of the NRA and get active!" Nothing wrong with that, right? Of course not! But now I would be saying, "Become a Second Amendment Sister!"

I also said, "thank you to the NRA because I would not havebeen there last weekend (in Washington, DC) if it hadn't been for this (NRA's Women on Target). The NRA has helped us tremendously" Again, nothing wrong with that, right? However, some will point to this statement and say it proves SAS is a branch of the NRA. Well, they could not be more wrong! The "us" I am referring to is women in general, not SAS in particular. But, I know it will come back to haunt me!

Funny thing is, at that time, I didn't know that there were any other pro-Second Amendment organizations that existed! I would have gladly thanked all the organizations that had been fighting to preserve our rights all those years. Remember, I was new to all this. Today, we are friends with a number of organizations besides the NRA, such as SAF, CCRKBA, GOA, JPFO, TRT, and a host of others.

There is also a scene from an event we held in Philadelphia right before the Republican National Convention in 2000. I was being interviewed and an anti-gun person interrupted the interview to argue with me. Not only did she say that guns are bad, but she also said that she didn't believe that she would ever be attacked. I just kept asking her what would she do if she was attacked. Of course, she never gave me an answer because she could not conceive of being attacked. However, if the same thing had happened today, I would say, "OK! We live in the United States of America, you are entitled to your opinion and you can choose not to own a gun. However, what about ME and my children? Are you going to tell me that I cannot defend myself with the most effective means of self-defense available today?" That would have been a much better argument!

Also, there was one gentleman there who stated, "Criminals are gunowners, too." To which I would now reply, "No, criminals with guns are felons!"

Knowledge is such a powerful thing!

This documentary is worth taping and watching a couple of times. Granted, the two male commentators are antis, and the Second Amendment is interpreted on the militia clause, but in spite of all that, you'll see some good things on our side. I do think that there is a subtle pro-gun slant to this documentary, which I'm not even certain Thom Powers is aware of! At any rate, please make sure you see this!

Recently I was asked, "Why do you bother, or what's the point of doing international press?" I was taken aback. I had never thought to separate the domestic press from the international press. I've never turned down a press opportunity, as I see all press coverage as positive. Even the articles that ridicule me personally, as well as women who own guns, have been used to our advantage.

Upon further reflection, it dawned on me. Much of the international press coverage of SAS is because we are such a unique concept in their country. I have realized that not only are we beginning to have an impact on women in other countries, we are also spreading the word of freedom!

Whenever SAS talks to the international press, we become ambassadors of freedom!

Not only are we working to preserve our rights here in the United States, we are also planting the seeds of freedom in other countries. "Self-defense is a Basic Human Right" no matter where one lives, however, the freedom to exercise of that right does depend upon the government.

Freedom is a seed, once planted it will grow. Its growth rate will vary from country to country, but make no mistake, it will grow!