Rotary Guns, Weapons, and Armament Policy

President Early and Past President Forrest attended a webinar held Monday evening on Rotary International's new and controversial policy on guns.  The meeting was at the request of District 5010 District Governor O'Brien and chaired by RI Director Dean Rohrs.  Many comments on the new policy were sent in and presented to Director Rohrs who explained the lengthy process in developing the new policy.  The main concern was that Rotary and/or it's members would be responsible for accidents and crimes committed with the guns obtained from Rotary events.  She also reminded us that the policy had to address concerns internationally - not just for America.

Most comments concerned the fact that this policy was developed without input from the clubs.  The process began in December, 2015, with a memo that a revised policy was being developed and they would get back to clubs at a later date.  That was the last notice until the new final policy came out in January this year.  There was impassioned comments made by District 5010 members mainly concerning the fact that all guns are viewed as "weapons" by R.I. and not a means of food gathering and non-lethal items. 

Information on the new policy was sent out to all out members last week so there is no need to go into detail on the specifics of what is allowed and not allowed under the new policy.  However, DG O'Brien was adamant that we were not allowed to comment on the development of the policy and it should be re-evaluated at the next RI Board of Directors meeting in June.   Director Rohr was astounded by the passion presented during this meeting and ensured us the new policy would be reviewed in June.

RI Director Dean Rohrs is asking that ALL members who have any comments concerning the new (updated) policy on firearms, weapons, and armaments, to please contact her AND Laurie McCarthy (from the RI office).  Laurie is gathering all of the comments that are submitted to her into a single document for the RI Directors to be able to read.  Should you not feel up to writing your comments down, you may call her and she will transcribe them for you.  Please understand that Laurie has absolutely NO part in the decision making, and is acting as a neutral party to gather all of the comments.  Laurie's contact information is:  < Laurie.McCarthy@Rotary.org >, and her phone number is 847-824-5289.

Please submit your comments as soon as possible.  The Rotary International Board of Directors meets in June, and the information must be submitted in a timely manner so that all of the Directors might have time to read it.