Johnstown- Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett today unveiled the Sportsmen for Tom Corbett coalition during a rally at the Solomon Run Pavilion in Johnstown, announcing statewide, broad based support for his 2nd amendment stances.

“Tom Corbett is dedicated to supporting the Constitutional rights of Pennsylvanians and that includes an individual’s right to keep and bear arms,” said David Battaglia, the National Rifle Association Elections Volunteer Coordinator in Western Pennsylvania.  “Since taking office as Attorney General, Tom Corbett tripled the number of concealed carry reciprocity agreements and has shown a commitment to enforcing already existing gun laws.”

Patrick Domico, who served as a chartered member of the first Governor’s Sportsmen Advisory Council, emphasized the importance of having a Governor who understands Pennsylvania’s hunting and outdoor heritage.  “Tom Corbett’s commitment to Pennsylvania’s hunting tradition will promote both recreational and economic benefits for current and future generations.”

Corbett was joined during the announcement by members of his Sportsmen for Corbett leadership committee including 10 men and women from across the state who have endorsed Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign.    

“It is an honor to be joined in this race by the individuals here today, proud men and women who believe in standing up for the rights garnered them by the Constitution.  As Attorney General, I have worked to safeguard and protect one of our most fundamental rights and will continue to do so as Governor,” said Corbett. “I believe that local governments do not have the authority to limit an individual’s right to lawfully possess a firearm.”
 
On the national front, Tom Corbett joined with many of his colleagues earlier this year in signing an amicus brief in support of our fundamental right under the 2nd amendment in the U.S. Supreme Court case regarding Chicago’s hand gun ban - McDonald v. City of Chicago.  Corbett was involved in a similar case two years ago and was successful in urging the high court to strike down Washington D.C.’s 32-year-old ban on handguns in DC v. Heller.

A full list of the Sportsmen for Corbett leadership committee is below.

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Sportsmen for Corbett Leadership Committee

Vern Ross, is the Executive Director of the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation and has been a key member on the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners.  He has served as a corporal, infantryman, and combat photographer in the U.S. Army.  He has been involved in increasing youth hunting license sales, discovering region wildlife diversity biologists, and helped form the “Sportsmen Coalition for Ridge/Schweiker ’94.”  In 1995, Ross was named the Commonwealth's first-ever Sportsmen's Advisor to the Governor.

Patrick Domico, was a chartered member of the first Governor’s Sportsmen Advisory Council and later appointed as a Chairman.  Pat was instrumental in establishing the first Governor’s Youth Council, which shows the youth of today the value of the great outdoors.  Pat has been honored with many awards for volunteering his time and expertise by several organizations, including the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.  One of his greatest achievements was helping to push the passage of legislation that mentors youth in hunting.

David Battaglia, has been active in numerous political campaigns and serves as the National Rifle Association Elections Volunteer Coordinator for 15 counties in Western Pennsylvania.  In 2009, Dave was a guest speaker at the annual NRA meeting in Phoenix.  Dave is a self-employed manufacturer's representative.

Harold Stoneberger, owns Central Penn Sporting Clays in Wellsville, PA and is Vice President of the Safari Club International, Blue Mountain Chapter.   Harold received the 2009 Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show Youth Mentor Award for dedicating his time and resources to promoting outdoor youth sports programs.  In the past three years, he has sent 20 students to the Wyoming Wilderness School for Youth.

Jon Mirowitz, is a practicing attorney in Philadelphia and dedicates his time to lecturing on behalf of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Continuing Legal Education seminars on firearm laws.  He is also an active member of numerous organizations, some of which include the NRA, the Second Amendment Foundation, the Citizens’ Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, and the Pennsylvania Fish and Game Protective Association.

Nicholas Haden, is an avid outdoorsman whose passion includes hunting, fishing, ATV recreation and spending time throughout Penn’s Woods.   A former Nittany Lion gridiron star and NFL alumnus, Nick is currently a businessman and has been active in numerous state and federal political campaigns regarding the Second Amendment, sportsmen’s issues, resource management as well as land use and access issues.

Mary Ann Meloy, has extensive experience at the federal, state, and local levels in public administration, public affairs, government affairs, public speaking, and volunteer organizations.  Mary Ann was the Associate Director for the White House Office of Public Liaison, Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and Deputy Secretary for Administration for the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs.   Mary Ann is a member of the Reagan Alumni Association and the Pennsylvania Society, and previously served as a member of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania.

Maria Heil, was the National Spokesperson for Second Amendment Sisters from 2000-2004.  She’s a contributing editor for ‘Women & Guns’ Magazine and appeared in the PBS-aired documentary ‘Guns and Mothers.’

Tim Pawol, is a Pennsylvania based attorney and a member of the NRA’s Board of Directors.  As part of his duties, Tim serves on four committees including: finance, protest, pistol, and action pistol.  Tim is proud of the link between his day job and NRA job, in that both permit him to fight for individual civil liberties.  From the days of being a boy scout to present, Tim has never lost his passion for the outdoors.

Janet Nyce, a retired family business owner, has been hunting and fishing for 40 years.  Janet is a certified firearm instructor for the NRA and is active in numerous organizations, some of which include: the United Bow Hunters of Pennsylvania, Safari Club International, Audubon Society, Wildlife Federation and Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.  Currently, Janet is the advisor for the Governor’s Youth Council for Hunting, Fishing, and Conservation and will receive the 2010 NRA Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award.