Exciting Changes are Underway!
AzCDL is making changes—changes in leadership, changes in strategy, and changes to stay in step with the 21st century. You’ll see the benefit of these changes in our political effectiveness and a renewed commitment to you, our members.
Celebrating our 20th anniversary is both a time to reflect on our journey so far and to plan for the future. The world was a very different place in 2005 when AzCDL’s four founders sat at a table in a diner and discussed how Arizona’s firearms laws could be better—a lot better—and decided to do more about it than just complain.
Those men realized that calls and letters to lawmakers alone were not going to get the job done, so they took the fight to the state legislature. They registered as lobbyists and spent their days working directly with elected officials to strike legal infringements and promote advances in our civil rights.
Today, nearly everyone in the legislature knows AzCDL and what we stand for. Both our friends and political enemies take notice when our lobbyists speak. We’ve recruited nearly 21,000 members since 2005, many of whom are not afraid to engage their representatives and convey the message that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be impaired!
What’s Changing
As announced in the last newsletter, long time recruiter and AzCDL Director J.D. “Duke” Schechter’s term of office expired and he did not seek reelection. Duke will remain a fixture in southern Arizona, serving as an event coordinator and trainer for new volunteers.
After a long tenure as an officer and director, Tom Woodrow is stepping down from the AzCDL board. When founding member and original Treasurer Fred Dahnke moved out of state, Tom stepped up and took over the organization’s finances, seeing us through a difficult transition. Since that time, Tom has also served as our Secretary. Tom will continue to assist during the transition.
AzCDL Treasurer Judy Churchill, whom we introduced in the previous newsletter, has joined the board of directors. Also joining the board is Chris Knox, who has been working with the board on various projects for some time and is also a director for the AzCDL PAC. You may recognize the Knox family name as one that cannot be separated from 2nd Amendment issues due to his father’s and brother’s involvement with the National Rifle Association and all three of them as authors of many articles and books on firearms and politics. The dedication Chris shows to the cause lives up to the family reputation!
Even our mailing address is changing (see side panel). Using a statutory service gives us much greater flexibility in serving you, our members, in a cost-effective manner.
What’s Not Changing
Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms is under CONSTANT ATTACK. With your help, AzCDL will always be on guard, preventing those that would disarm you from succeeding. AzCDL will always be pushing our elected officials to protect and expand your right to keep and bear arms. AzCDL will remain the watchmen on the wall.
If every AzCDL member would sign-up just one friend, it would double our impact at the Capitol and give us the resources to expand our fight against the gun-grabbers.
Don’t sit on the sidelines in the fight for freedom. Join us and be part of the winning team!
—Michael Gibbs
AzCDL President
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Two New Ways to Protect Your Right to Keep & Bear Arms!
Defend Your Rights, Win a Rifle.
Since 2005, the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL) has stood on the frontlines of Second Amendment advocacy in Arizona. From defeating unconstitutional gun control to expanding your right to carry, AzCDL has been the backbone of pro-gun legislation in the Grand Canyon State. We’ve helped pass dozens of bills that protect your rights and have successfully stopped countless others that would have eroded them.
But the fight is far from over.
To continue our efforts at the Capitol and the courtroom, we must have the resources in place to fight back—and win.
That’s why we’re proud to partner with 2A Raffles for an exclusive Daniel Defense Limited Series “Pathfinder” Raffle.
This premium package includes:
• Daniel Defense DD4 V7 SLW 5.56 NATO Rifle with 14.5”
• Lightweight Barrel
• Geissele SSP Flat Bow Trigger for Precision Shooting
• SilencerCo ASR Muzzle Brake (Suppressor-Ready)
• Primary Arms PLXc 1-8 FFP Rifle Scope in FDE
• Ambidextrous Radian Controls, Magpul Stock & Grip
TOTAL VALUE: $4,750
Every ticket purchased supports AzCDL’s mission to protect and preserve your rights. Don’t miss your chance to win this elite firearm package and stand with freedom in Arizona.
Raffle Ends: August 29 at 11:59 PM ET.
Enter now at https://2araffles.com/pathfinder-raffle/
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Does Your Mobile Phone Company Support Your Rights? Patriot Mobile Does!
AzCDL is now a Patriot Mobile affiliate!
For over 10 years, America’s ONLY Christian conservative wireless provider has given patriots like you the power to vote with your wallet—without compromising on quality or convenience. Switch to Patriot Mobile today and defend freedom with every call and text you make!
Each month, AzCDL gets a small donation for each mobile phone plan that used our promo code. You help us in the fight for your rights each time you use your cell phone!
• Unlimited talk, text and data
• 100% U.S. based customer support
• Nationwide coverage guarantee
Use code AZCDL to get a FREE Month!
https://patriotmobile.com/partners/azcdl
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Copper Dome Update
Firearms in Public Parks
Municipal firearm bans in public parks, especially those requiring a CCW permit, remain in active violation of Arizona Revised Statutes §13-3108 and Article 2, Section 26 of the Arizona Constitution. Our continuing review of city and county codes across the state reveals that many of these restrictions remain unnoticed, even by the municipalities enforcing them. These dormant codes are ripe for challenge, and we are working to identify the most egregious offenders and prepare either administrative or legal action.
College Campus Carry
In the wake of high-profile campus violence, including the tragic murders in Idaho, we are accelerating our advocacy to ensure that university students in Arizona are legally empowered to defend themselves. Article 2, Section 26 is clear: the right to keep and bear arms belongs to all citizens. That right should not evaporate at the boundary of a state-funded campus. Messaging development is underway to support legislative or constitutional clarification, and to directly challenge the prevailing disarmament policies of Arizona’s universities.
National Litigation & Multi-State Risk
Brown v. ATF (E.D. Mo. 2025)
A high-profile federal lawsuit has been filed by SAF, NRA, ASA, and FPC challenging the National Firearms Act’s (NFA) registration mandates. With the repeal of the excise tax in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act, the plaintiffs argue that the registration provisions are no longer constitutionally supportable. We are working behind the scenes to support this litigation and prepare for the implications should it reach the appellate or Supreme Court level.
Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) Threats
States like New York are using Section 898 to create liability loopholes for firearm manufacturers by redefining “public nuisance” law. We have reviewed Arizona’s legal protections and are advising legislators on proactive reinforcement strategies to ensure that similar litigation cannot gain traction in this state.
COMPLETE Civil Liability Protections for Lawful Self-Defense
We are exploring statutory reforms to protect individuals from civil lawsuits when no criminal charges are filed in self-defense cases. This will be a critical area of advocacy in the 2026 legislative session and has bipartisan interest.
CCW Access for Veterans with Unjust Discharges
A growing concern involves Arizona veterans who have been denied CCW permits due to discharge classifications that are not dishonorable under federal law. We are pursuing administrative reforms and legislative clarification to correct this disenfranchisement and restore due process rights to impacted veterans.
Post-Bruen Legal Frameworks: The U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling has reshaped the landscape for 2A litigation. Arizona cities with outdated or unconstitutional ordinances are increasingly vulnerable. Litigation-forward strategies are being mapped. Supporting litigation efforts is needed now more than ever.
Weekly Legislative Update—Open to the Public
Join us every Friday for AzCDL’s weekly legislative updates via Zoom, focused on tracking 2A-related bills, municipal ordinance challenges, and national litigation. All are welcome to attend—activists, attorneys, students, veterans, and gun owners.
Every Friday at 4:00PM Arizona time. https://zoom.us/j/95465240247
GET INVOLVED
Are you a student concerned about campus safety? Contact us to get involved in the campus carry advocacy campaign.
Do you know a city with questionable firearm ordinances? Send tips to our legislative team for investigation. Are you a veteran denied a CCW without explanation?
Reach out—your case may help us shape new policy.
Keep your powder dry and stay frosty.
—Michael Infanzon, EPIC Policy Group
AzCDL Chief Lobbyist
“AzCDL and our members are ever focused on growth, change, and progress. The future has never been brighter for our beautiful state because of the freedom‑minded members of the AzCDL who stand up, speak up, and hold the line for our rights, defending liberty and ensuring that freedom flourishes for the next generation.”
—Cheryl Todd, Vice President
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AzCDL Has a New Secretary
Please welcome Chris Knox as our new Director and Secretary
AzCDL life-member Chris Knox has spent his life in the fight for the Second Amendment and the right to keep and bear arms through his work with his father Neal and brother Jeff. He has served as their editor, proofreader, and fact-checker, as well as sometimes standing in to write their columns under his own byline.
As previously announced, Mr. Knox is on the board of directors of the AzCDL PAC and is eager to enter the world of electoral politics.
With his latest appointments, Chris is stepping even deeper into the fight by joining the AzCDL board as a director and also taking on the role of secretary for the organization.
Welcome aboard Chris!
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Join AzCDL Chief Lobbyist Michael Infanzon for our weekly Legislative Update every Friday at 4:00 PM on Zoom.
If you care about your Right to Keep and Bear Arms, this is where you get the real story — no spin, no filters — just the facts on what’s happening at the Arizona Legislature that could impact YOUR rights.
Join us live on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/95465240247
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AzCDL’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Members and 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Tickets are on-sale now at: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/azcdl-2025-annual-meeting-of-members
AZCDL is Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary!
Tickets are available now for our 2025 Annual Meeting and Anniversary Party! The event will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11 AM to 4 PM at the
Tucson Marriott University Park Hotel 880 E. 2nd Street Tucson, AZ 85719
We are expecting members from throughout the state to come and join us! Early Bird Tickets are just $40 until September 30, general admission is $50 after September 30. If you want to sit with all of your friends, you may also reserve a group table for 10 guests.
Massad Ayoob, President of the Second Amendment Foundation and renowned firearms instructor will be our keynote speaker!
Be sure to join us for:
• Legislation reports from our officers
• Catered lunch
• Legislative speakers
• Prize drawings
• Raffle prizes
• Awards presentations
• Silent auction
• Vendors and more
Sponsorship Opportunities
Are you interested in being a sponsor or vendor for the Annual Meeting?
We have two basic levels of sponsorship for this meeting. Organizations that want to promote themselves to our members may have a table in the meeting room for $150, which includes two meals for your representatives.
Those that want to sell merchandise at the meeting may sponsor a vendor table for $250 which will include 4 meals for your team. Please contact Denny Luebbert at (520) 444-9756 to secure your spot.
Major Donors
Wilkinson Wealth Management is a major donor for the event!
If you are interested in becoming a major donor, please contact AZCDL President, Michael Gibbs at president@azcdl.org.
Donations for Raffles/Auction/Door Prizes Needed
We have already received a number of great donations for our raffles, auction, and door prizes. We have two historic black powder long guns, purses, hand-made jewelry and more.
If you have firearms, ammo or other items you’d like to donate for the event, please contact Colleen Bathe (559) 769-5600 or batheazusa@proton.me. We will arrange to pick them up.
Our event team is working hard to make this a memorable event. If you have questions, ideas or you want to volunteer at the meeting, please let me know. See you there!
—Colleen Bathe
AzCDL Volunteer Coordinator
Event Team Leader
batheAZUSA@proton.me
(559)769-5600