McCaskill’s So-Called “Hunter” Group Bankrolled Campaigns of Anti-Hunting PoliticiansAHSA HIDES FUNDING SOURCE

Fairfax, VA-There is a last minute effort in Missouri by a new pro-gun control group camouflaging itself as a pro-hunter organization to try to deceive Missouri voters.  The group, running a last minute advertising campaign, is hiding its source of funding, but leaders of the group have contributed to anti-hunting politicians’ campaigns in Congress. 

The leadership of the fly-by-night group, known as the American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA), contributed money to candidates backed by Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).  HSUS must not be confused with local humane, animal welfare groups.  HSUS is an extremist, animal "rights" group opposed to all forms of hunting, ranging from dove hunts to bear hunts.  HSUS’ Political Action Committee contributed to and endorsed the election of Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy.

Ray Schoenke, President of AHSA, has contributed a total of over $36,000 to Handgun Control Inc., Al Gore, Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Barbara Mikulski and Bill Clinton (OpenSecrets.org).

John E. Rosenthal, President of AHSA Foundation, has contributed to Handgun Control Inc., Al Gore, Carolyn McCarthy, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy and Bill Clinton (OpenSecrets.org).

Joseph J. Vince, Jr., AHSA Board of Directors, worked with the Brady Campaign in 2004 in their fight against the “Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act” to safeguard the lawful American firearms industry against politically motivated lawsuits.

“How can you say you’re pro-hunting and then turn around and write a check to a politician who works to destroy our hunting heritage?” said Chris W. Cox, Chairman of NRA-ILA. “AHSA’s deliberate, last minute registry in the eleventh hour of the campaign denies voters the opportunity to know the truth behind these anti-hunting extremists.  If they have nothing to hide, they would release the information. If Missouri hunters and sportsmen knew the leadership of this group has contributed to candidates endorsed by the anti-gun and anti-hunting lobby, they would see them for what they are: a complete and total fraud, and they would kick them to the curb like they deserve,” continued Cox. “AHSA has no business speaking for hunters and gun owners.  They want to dismantle hunting and gun ownership in our country.”

AHSA began running radio ads in Missouri to promote Senate candidate Claire McCaskill after only registering their Political Action Committee with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on Friday, October 27.  The group filed their statement of organization with the FEC on October 27, 2006; the day after the 12-day pre-general report was due (10/26).  In doing so, AHSA did not have to file a 12-day pre-general report, on which they would have had to disclose who is funding their organization.  By exploiting this loophole, Missouri hunters and voters will not know who is bankrolling AHSA’s last minute efforts. 

“The AHSA and Claire McCaskill are both working to camouflage their true record from the voting public,” concluded Cox. “Unfortunately for them, they must deceive voters in order to push their anti-hunting and anti-gun agendas.”

-NRA-