5th Annual Poker Run
On Saturday September 9, 2017 CCDL will be hosting our 5th consecutive poker run!
Starting Location: Central Connecticut Arms - 130 Marlborough Street Portland, CT
Ending Location: Doody's Totoket Inn - 465 Foxon Road, North Branford, CT.
We are planning a HUGE party and we will be rocking with the band Wastin’ Bullets which is one of Connecticut's best honky tonk/country bands. Both motorcycles and cars are welcome to participate in the run, and EVERYONE is welcome to attend the after-party whether you ride or not.
Registration is from 9:30 - 10:30am. The cost is $20 per rider or driver and $15 per passenger. The cost includes the after-party. At the Meriden Motor Boat you will be given directions to the various locations.
At each location you will pick a playing card from a deck. You can expect to drive between 50 and 70 miles total, and it will finish at the Doody's Totoket Inn. Prizes will be awarded at the end for the top five poker hands.
If you just want to attend the party and not participate in the poker run, admission will be $15 per person payable at the door. Admission includes food and entertainment. Drinks are extra.
We’ll have special 2017 CCDL Poker Run shirts and bandanas for sale at both the start and the finish. Quantities are limited, when they are gone, that’s it.
All net proceeds go to fight for our 2nd Amendment rights.
Sponsors include: By Carrier Custom Home Builders, Connecticut Cruise News, New Haven Sportsman's Club, Newington Gun Exchange, TC Facility Services, Connecticut Sporting Arms, Chris' Indoor Range, Hoffman Gun Center & Indoor Range, Sportsmen’s Outpost, The Powerwash Guys, 3B Lawn Care, Delta Arsenal, Hotsy-Clean
We are still accepting sponsorships. To get on the t-shirts the sponsorship must be paid by July 31st. Please contact Michele McBrien at 203-645-2116 for more information.
To save time on the day of the ride, you may fill out and print the registration form in advance and bring it with you. Registration Form (pdf)
For more info: please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Last year's ride was the largest poker run in the state! Let's make it an even greater success this year!
Come join us in support of our Second Amendment Rights!
9th Annual Family Picnic
On Saturday, August 26th from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, the Connecticut Citizens Defense League will host its 8th Annual Family Picnic.
The event will take place at Boothe Memorial Park Stratford, CT 5800 Main Street in Stratford, CT – Lower Picnic Areas
This event is open to all CCDL Members and to the public free of charge. Everyone is encouraged to attend this event to celebrate our rights in Connecticut to Keep and Bear Arms. Come and get to know us, and learn more about what CCDL does to protect your rights as a gun owner in the state of Connecticut.
Come and enjoy typical picnic fare - burgers, hotdogs, salads, desserts, soft beverages, and more. This will be an alcohol free gathering.
Bring your kids! Bring your dogs!
Any lawful forms of firearm carry are allowed and encouraged! If you will be carrying a firearm, please exercise safety and caution as we will be in the eyes of the public. Firearms must remain holstered for the duration of the event to ensure safety.
CCDL merchandise and membership sign-up will be available onsite. There will be games and prizes for all to participate in and enjoy.
Please let us know if you plan to contribute a food item. Salads, desserts, and snack items are suggested.
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Note: Please do not park on the grass. If the parking lot is full (it’s a little small), you can park nearby on Putney Chapel Way (see the map below), and walk into the park from there. It’s actually almost as close as the parking lot, and you wont have to walk up and down the hill.
(Click map for larger version)
DIRECTIONS FROM RT. 15N (MERRITT PARKWAY) Take exit 53; at end of ramp take a right; bear right (almost immediately) at next intersection onto Main St. Putney; follow ¼ mile and Boothe Park will be on your left.
FROM RT. 15S (MERRITT PARKWAY) Take exit 53; at end of ramp take a left; bear right at next intersection onto Main St. Putney; follow ¼ mile and Boothe Park will be on your left.
FROM I-95N Take exit 33 and follow signs to RT 110; stay on RT 110 (East Main St.) one mile to traffic light at intersection of East Main St. and Main St.; take right onto Main St. (still RT 110); take 3rd left by bearing onto Main St. Putney (pond on left); follow for approx. ½ mile and Boothe Park will be on your right.
FROM I-95S Take exit 38 to Merritt Parkway RT 15S and follow directions above from RT 15S.
CCDL files Application to CT Supreme Court
CCDL has applied to the CT State Supreme court to submit an Amicus Curiae Brief (Friend of the Court Brief) in support of Bushmaster Firearms International LLC.
The case known as ‘Soto v Bushmaster’ has been ongoing for some time, and CCDL will withhold any further statements on the case until the court accepts our petition for the brief to be filed.
The application is a matter of public record on file with the State Supreme Court as of May 30, 2017. You may view a copy of the application here: Application-of-CCDL-for-permission-to-appear-as-amicus-curiae.pdf
Permit Issue Resolved in the City of Hartford
On May 1st, CCDL President Scott Wilson communicated with Hartford Police Chief James Rovella regarding his department's refusal to accept numerous pistol permit applications.
These particular applications were refused by the police department because they did not include an additional signed waiver that would have allowed for intrusive privacy violations. The Connecticut State Statues (29-28a) do not allow the Hartford PD to require such additional waivers in addition to the state approved application.
The CCDL President offered to schedule a meeting between CCDL and Hartford city officials to discuss this matter.
Click here to continue reading on the CCDL blog
Press Release – “Show Your Papers” Bill Defeated
04/06/2017
For Immediate Release:
(Groton, CT) – The Connecticut Citizens Defense League (The state’s largest gun rights organization) issues the following statement on HB6200 – “AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESENTATION OF A PERMIT TO CARRY A PISTOL OR REVOLVER”
Statement from CCDL President Scott Wilson:
“CCDL is pleased that HB6200 appears to be dead at this stage of the game. This bill was not only an unnecessary intrusion, it was advertised as something that is it was not.”
“The usual gun control proponents have for 2 years now failed to convince two different committees that there really is a need for what they’ve sought. We really appreciate the hard work of our members to help stop this bill. We could not have done this without the time and effort that they have dedicated.”
“Hopefully as time passes, our legislators will understand more about the issues that plague society, and start addressing the root causes of violence with real solutions.”
-End
About the CCDL: The Connecticut Citizens Defense League was formed in 2009 by a small group of concerned citizens as a non-partisan organization to advocate second amendment rights in the state of Connecticut. Since their founding, the group has grown to over 27,000 members from across the state.
Thanks to this large supportive base, the CCDL has become a fixture at the state capitol, and well-recognized by committees that see firearms related bills.
As the go-to organization in the state they are consulted regularly by lawmakers who have questions and concerns about pending legislation or existing laws. For more information on the CCDL please visit: http://www.ccdl.us
Press Contact:
Scott Wilson
860-235-7490
Statement on Boughton Exploratory Committee
11/22/2016
For Immediate Release:
(Groton, CT) - The Connecticut Citizens Defense League (The state's largest gun rights organization) release the following statement after Danbury mayor Mark Boughton announced the creation of an exploratory committee for the governor's seat in 2018.
Statement from CCDL President Scott Wilson:
"Mark Boughton was a member of the gun control group "Mayors Against Illegal Guns". The Mayor also made several public statements about recently passed anti-gun laws that were very troubling to gun owners in Connecticut.
Mayor Boughton did finally severe his affiliation with MAIG towards the end of his last gubernatorial campaign because his being associated with gun control hurt his campaign. As far as CCDL can tell, there has been no outreach or attempt by the mayor to mend any fences. We must assume his position hasn't changed in the last few years.
We hope that the mayor of Danbury is aware that gun owners do vote, and they do not forget."
Wilson also stated:
"It would be an extremely difficult hurdle for any candidate to overcome a prior platform position that included gun control in a statewide election. Mayor Boughton would not just be campaigning in Danbury, but across the entire state".
--End--
About the CCDL: The Connecticut Citizens Defense League was formed in 2009 by a small group of concerned citizens as a non-partisan organization to advocate second amendment rights in the state of Connecticut. Since their founding, the group has grown to over 25,000 members from across the state.
Thanks to this large supportive base, the CCDL has become a fixture at the state capitol, and well-recognized by committees that see firearms related bills.
As the go-to organization in the state they are consulted regularly by lawmakers who have questions and concerns about pending legislation or existing laws. For more information on the CCDL please visit http://www.ccdl.us
Press Contact:
Scott Wilson
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
860-235-7490