** Attorney & Donation Methods - Status Update **
* Representation *
After communicating with approximately 25 attorneys, yesterday I hired attorney Jane C. Hogan of St. Louis to respond to the Zoo's TRO against me and "anyone acting in concert with (me) or anyone who has knowledge of this order" as it applies to carrying a firearm onto the Zoo's property.
I also hired her to counter-sue the Zoo so as to establish precedent that the Zoo's claims of being an educational institution, a day care facility, an amusement park, and a business (among other things) - are hogwash.
If you've been following the news, you may have noted that the Houston and Dallas (TX) Zoos have made similar claims. Like St. Louis, they've claimed to be anything and everything in order to ban guns. However, when challenged, Houston pulled its signage. The Dallas Zoo is in the process of being challenged.
* Donation Methods *
My sincere thanks to everyone who has previously offered to donate - here's your chance! This case will undoubtedly go to the Missouri Supreme Court, and based on estimated attorney fees and expenses, I've used the figure of $10,000 on the crowdfunding site:
https://www.gofundme.com/rp5tgsps
Also, Ms. Hogan can accept checks funds sent to her, made out to "Jane C. Hogan, IOLTA Trust. Please put "Jeffry Smith" or "St. Louis Zoo" in the memo. Her address is 5216 Chippewa Street, St. Louis, MO 63109.
Ms. Hogan wanted me to include the following statement for potential donors: "Please make clear to anyone wishing to contribute to your legal fund that their contributions do not, in any way, entitle them to control or direct the case or to receive information from my office."
* Other information *
It's been a difficult and wild ride getting to this point. I know the cause is worthwhile, I believe the Zoo's claims are about as substantial as those of the Texas zoos, and I'm confident in Ms. Hogan. This endeavor is not about whether a guy from Ohio can carry in the St. Louis Zoo: although the Zoo's claims affect mainly Missourians, it's yet another example of governmental overreach in matters of gun rights.
Our collective rights are only worth what we're willing to fight for, sometime with our presence, sometimes with our calls and letters, and sometimes with our money. I've put up a decent chunk of change to get Ms. Hogan on board, but again, this matter is only tangentially about me. I can't shoulder the entire financial burden by myself, even though I'd like to. So, to say it bluntly, Missourians and others have the opportunity to "put up or shut up".
No amount donated is insubstantial, and will go a long way towards making the path to the MO Supreme Court possible.
THANK YOU.
