Having trouble getting officials to ban guns? MAIG goes after politician’s church leaders.

Obviously disappointed that Orlando area Sheriff Demings had refused to sign the MAIG 2012 Gun Ban Manifesto because it may hurt his wife’s congressional bid, MAIG Regional Coordinator Linda Vaughn went directly to NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s group’s playbook.

She went after the leaders of their church to add the power of faith to the anti-gun dogma.

From: Reginald Mcgill [mailto:reginald.mcgill@cityoforlando.net]
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 14:48
To: Linda Vaughn
Subject: Re: Demings

 linda … i am very close to both of them. we attend the same church. we have worked on church and communnity projects/issues for decades … let ‘s talk … yes, background info will be most helpfu.  thx, rbm 

On Mon, Mar 19, 2012 at 2:33 PM, Linda Vaughn <lvaughn01@comcast.net> wrote:

Do you know or can you find out where the Demings go to church?  That would be a huge help if we could get their faith leaders involved.

I’m very disappointed to tell you that Sheriff Demings has declined to sign the law enforcement letters supporting Fix Gun Checks and opposing Conceal Carry Reciprocity.  I know Val Demings was very supportive – wondering if any of this has to do with her running for Congress.  Any insight on this?

 If you need for me to send you background on these issues again – no problem – I’m happy to do it.

Linda S. Vaughn

The underlines and emphasis above are in the original email.

Here’s another gem:

From: Linda Vaughn [mailto:lvaughn01@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 2:38 PM
To: ‘Reginald.mcgill@cityoforlando.net’
Subject: MAIG – Time Sensitive – Please respond

Hi Reggie,

I will be in my office (7^th floor) in Orlando next Wed. (21^st).  I am in the process of setting my meetings for that very busy day.  I’m sorry for the short notice but I was waiting on confirmation re meeting with Pinellas Sheriff Gualtieri. 

I need to meet with leaders in the faith community as soon as possible and I’m hoping you can arrange and participate in a meeting for Wednesday.  I am concerned that we are not moving forward with our outreach to the faith community and the need has reached urgency.  Yesterday we learned there is a senate companion to the conceal carry legislation.  We don’t know how quickly the bill will move so we have to get our forces ready to move now.  And, of course, there are many other issues to discuss with the faith community.

During our meeting on January 5 you said you would facilitate this outreach.  I followed up with two emails (see below) and subsequently left two voice messages for you.  Since I have had no response to my communications I’m concerned that something is amiss.  I sincerely hope that is not the case and would appreciate your letting me know. If things are still a go with you as Mayor Dyer’s Faith Liaison for MAIG, will you please let me know that and what we can do about Wednesday?  If personal meetings (preferably at city hall) are not possible (given the short notice, for which I apologize) perhaps we can organize a conference call.  After we’ve sorted that, will you also respond to the items mentioned in the two emails below?  And, of course, please don’t hesitate to let me know if you need more information. 

I have attached the Faith Leaders Statement of Principles for your easy reference.

I was impressed with your comprehensive connection to the faith community, Reggie and I see that you can be a great asset to MAIG’s and Mayor Dyer’s efforts to make our communities safer.  I hope all is well and that I will hear from you soon.  Thanks so much!

Sincerely,

Linda

“We must be the change we wish to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi 

Linda S. Vaughn
Regional Coordinator
Mayors Against Illegal Guns
Office of Mayor Buddy Dyer
850-294-2285

Getting their claws in to the clergy is so important to MAIG that Orlando’s gun ban czar asked for, and got, and intern to focus completely on recruiting church leaders.

From: Linda Vaughn [mailto:lvaughn01@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 18:14
To: ‘Reginald Mcgill’
Subject:

Hi Reggie,

I’d love to get an MAIG intern focused solely on the faith community – local and statewide.   It wouldn’t be a paid position but would have other perks – including the opportunity to earn a letter of recommendation for Mayor Dyer.  Can you also make that a part of our outreach?

Thanks,
Linda