western office
updates from california
Jen “the archer” cordaro
joins sportsmen’s alliance
J
en Cordaro, the vegetarian-archer-turned-hunter with a
large social media following and who has been targeted
and harassed by animal-rights activists for posting hunting
images on the medium, has joined the Sportsmen’s
Alliance as the Western U.S. Outreach Coordinator.
“Jen’s unique combination of background,
education, messaging and interest in public policy
make her a perfect fit at Sportsmen’s Alliance,”
said Brian Lynn, vice president of marketing and
communications. “Coming from a large Southern
California city, her understanding of the state’s culture
and her interest in promoting hunting there are
valuable additions to our Western Office outreach.”
Currently working on a doctorate in public policy,
with a focus on pro-hunting policy, Cordaro also holds a
master’s degree in social and cultural anthropology from
California Institute of Integral Studies, a master’s in
human rights advocacy and non-profit management from
the University of New Hampshire and a bachelor’s in
geography from Humboldt State University.
Cordaro will work to promote the Sportsmen’s
Alliance within the context of her professional
appearances and writings, as well as driving awareness of
California-specific issues the Western Office address and
those she’s committed to personally.
“I am very excited and honored to be joining the
Sportsmen’s Alliance team and I look forward to being
part of the important policy work the Alliance influences.
It is my hope that we can make headway on issues that
California hunters, trappers and anglers are facing,
because California is ground zero for passing unfriendly
policies towards outdoorsmen and women – if they pass
here, they’re then used in other states,” said Cordaro.
“While I am excited and honored, I also feel an incredible
responsibility to represent the outdoor community with
pride, integrity and as a force to be reckoned with. We have
a lot of work to do here in California in order to protect our
heritage, and we must fight with the utmost standards.”
Cordaro will assist with the advancement of Western
U.S. policy, and will work closely with the marketing
and communications team of the Sportsmen’s Alliance to
ensure that coverage of California aligns with the most
pressing initiatives and goals of the organization.
I AM THE
ALLIANCE.
“BECAUSE I WANT TO PROTECT HUNTING.”
#IAMTHEALLIANCE
california extends ban on ivory,
impacting firearms owners
O
n Oct. 4, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into
law AB96, extending a ban on the sale or importation
with intent to sell ivory or rhinoceros horn. While it has
been illegal to sell ivory since 1977, AB 96 goes well beyond
that and removes an exemption from current law that
ensured protection for antique firearms and other works of
art adorned with ivory prior to the 1977 ban.
Under AB 96, firearms and other antiques must be
at least 100 years old and contain less than 5 percent
21
SPORTSMEN’S MONTHLY
October 2015
ivory by volume. However, the bill does not specify
how to calculate such a volume. In effect, this new law
will devalue and prevent the sale of many antique and
collectible firearms, with no impact on elephant poaching,
the real culprit for declining elephant populations across
the globe. While the intent of the bill is commendable,
in practical application it will serve little purpose other
than harming otherwise law-abiding antique collectors,
sportsmen, firearms enthusiasts and more.
Jason Matzinger
Host of Into High Country and Project Elk