By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
There is at least one in every state, or at least, there should be at least one; a grassroots activist who keeps people informed, promotes citizen involvement, stays ahead of things at the state capitol during the legislative session, and even organizes workshops for people looking to get involved.
In Washington state—a place not-so-laughingly-referred to as “behind enemy lines”—that would be Jane Milhans. For several years, she has been an example for others to follow. Milhans frequently testifies before legislative committees, she has appeared on Fox News, has served at various levels in local (Pierce County, Washington) Republican organizations, and doesn’t get paid a nickel.
Long story short: Milhans is an example others can follow to make a difference.
Milhans is also an NRA-certified firearms instructor, something which didn’t come early in life. She survived a home invasion, got the perps arrested and got interested in firearms and personal protection.
“I took some lessons,” she recalled, “some NRA courses, and people encouraged me to become an instructor.”
She’s been teaching firearms safety and personal protection for more than 16 years. She recalled one class attended by a reporter for Fox News, who turned the experience into five different stories. Other reporters have also attended her classes.
She was elected to the board of the Tacoma Rifle & Revolver Club, served as its president for two terms and also serves on the board of the Washington State Rifle & Pistol Association.
Milhans became involved in gun politics in 2013. She has fought the gun prohibition lobby through two anti-gun initiative campaigns, and watched as voter apathy allowed Democrats to gain a heavy majority in the state legislature. It was during her first campaign fighting against a gun control initiative when Milhans discovered just how uninformed gun owners can be about the issue.
“It was crazy,” she recalled. “People would be opposed to gun control, yet they would vote for Democrats.”
Still, Milhans shows up in Olympia to testify against gun control bills. She has become something of a fixture, and she is always trying to recruit other gun owners to get involved.
One of her strategies was to turn gun rights into a women’s rights issue. Milhans secured a display space at the Northwest Women’s Show and was overwhelmed by the positive response.
She produced a pamphlet on communicating with legislators, explaining to people that gun owners simply cannot give up the fight.
She recently was contacted by a woman who complained that her vote doesn’t count. She subsequently learned this person hadn’t voted much in recent years.
“It’s always people who say ‘your vote doesn’t count’ who don’t vote,” Milhans observed.
During most of the year when the Legislature isn’t in session, Milhans looks for opportunities to communicate and educate people. At one time, she had about 200 people producing text messages on the issue, and she also regularly attends gun shows and conducts workshops at the Tacoma Sportsmen’s Club.
She’s got a workshop coming March 23.
Jane’s pet peeve is gun owner apathy.
“If our side would just vote,” she said, “we could stop this. But they don’t vote.”
Her ultimate goal is to change that.
“I know some people get turned off,” she said, “but we can’t give up.”
