April 2026 SCOPE Operations

    April 2026 proved to be a highly active and productive month for the Shooter’s Committee on Political Education (SCOPE), marked by significant organizational meetings, strategic planning efforts, leadership updates, and continued collaboration with allied Second Amendment organizations across New York State.  From voter mobilization initiatives and statewide chapter engagement to policy discussions and ongoing legal advocacy, SCOPE members and leadership remain focused on strengthening the organization’s mission and expanding its outreach in preparation for the critical 2026 election cycle and beyond.

    2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal political year both in New York State and across the country. In New York, the spotlight is on Governor Kathy Hochul as she seeks reelection. Her previous race in 2022 was notably competitive—Republican challenger Lee Zeldin came within just 378,000 votes of winning. Despite that close margin, the geographic breakdown tells a different story: Republicans carried 47 out of 62 counties, accounting for nearly 76% of the state. However, as is often the case, the population-heavy urban centers ultimately determined the outcome of the election. In light of this dynamic, there is a growing push for organizations across the state to mobilize voters and increase turnout. 

    At a recent meeting of the Steuben County SCOPE chapter, members explored strategies to increase voter turnout. Chapter member Steve Leonard stepped forward to lead a SCOPE Get Out the Vote initiative. The effort began on Saturday, April 11, when Leonard organized and led an all-day strategy session focused on voter mobilization.

    Attendees included Jack Prendergast, SCOPE Chairman; John Elwood, SCOPE President; Tom Reynolds, SCOPE Treasurer; a staff representative from Congresswoman Tenney’s office; Lynn Leonard, Vice President of the New York State Federation of Republican Women; and several members of the Steuben County SCOPE chapter. The session resulted in a preliminary plan to increase voter turnout, which was set to be presented at the All-Members meeting on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Among the proposals discussed was the creation of a marketing and communications director role within the SCOPE staff.  Steve Leonard volunteered his time and energy to become the SCOPE marketing and communication director and lead the “Get Out the Vote” initiative through the November 2026 election.

    SCOPE held its annual All-Members meeting along with its quarterly Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Montour Falls Moose Lodge in Montour Falls, New York. Highlights of the All-Members session included guest appearances by Bruce Blakeman and his lieutenant governor running mate, Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood; a presentation by Steve Leonard outlining SCOPE’s Get Out the Vote plan; and an update from SCOPE President John Elwood on the organization’s accomplishments in 2025–2026 and its objectives for 2026–2027.

The goals for the coming year include developing and implementing a social media strategy, strengthening coordination with other Second Amendment organizations across New York State, launching a Get Out the Vote initiative, continuing efforts to educate both policymakers and the public on firearms legislation, and contributing to legal efforts supporting Second Amendment rights in the state. Members also elected Tom Reynolds, Jim Tuttle, Carrie Christmas, and John Elwood as At-large directors.  Joe Atkinson, an At-large director is currently in his second year of a two year At-large term.  Approximately the 140 attendees enjoyed lunch. 

    Bruce Blakeman and Todd Hood expressed strong support for the Second Amendment. Blakeman emphasized his backing of law enforcement and said he would use executive orders to bring New York State firearms laws into alignment with the U.S. Constitution. When asked whether a Blakeman–Hood administration would support a ban on AR-15s and high-capacity magazines, Mr. Hood responded, “Absolutely not.” Both Blakeman and Hood spent a lot of time answering questions from the audience.

    The SCOPE Board of Directors met during the afternoon session, addressing several key items. These included a “Get Out the Vote” presentation by Steve Leonard, the SCOPE corporate election, approval of an updated Code of Conduct and Asset Inventory policy along with its accompanying form, an update on the Gazzola lawsuit supported by SCOPE, and a brief report on the upcoming SCOPE banquet scheduled for Saturday, September 26, at the Palmyra VFW in Palmyra, New York.

    In addition, the board approved the creation of a new staff role—SCOPE Marketing and Communications (MAR/COM) Director—and subsequently appointed Steve Leonard as the first to serve in that position.

    The results of the SCOPE corporate election are as follows: Jack Prendergast was elected Chairman, John Elwood as President, Gary Zielenski as Secretary, and Tom Reynolds as Treasurer. No additional nominations were received for any of the positions.

    At the same time, there is a clear need for more members to step forward and volunteer for leadership roles within the organization. The current leadership pipeline is very limited, with many corporate and chapter officers serving in their positions for years. While SCOPE has experienced growth in the number of chapters in recent years, at least one chapter is now closing due to a lack of members willing to run for office.

    I continue to attend SCOPE county chapter meetings, with the goal of visiting every chapter by March 2027. These visits are designed to help keep members informed about developments in lawsuits, organizational issues, and firearms legislation, while also gathering membership input on ways to strengthen SCOPE. My most recent visits were to the Steuben County chapter on Monday, April 6, 2026, and the Jefferson/Lewis County chapter of SCOPE on April 20, 2026.

     SCOPE corporate officers continue to engage with leaders of other Second Amendment organizations across New York State to coordinate efforts and messaging. On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, I met with Frank Panasuk, President of the 1791 Society, and we agreed to collaborate on as many initiatives as possible.  

    Arrangements were made for SCOPE corporate leadership to provide a briefing to New York State Assembly Leader Ed Ra on SCOPE’s “Top Ten Most Egregious Firearms Legislation” in New York State. Several potential dates in May are currently being finalized.

    Finally, the quarterly gun raffle was conducted on April 10 at 1:00 PM. 

    As April 2026 comes to a close, SCOPE remains actively engaged in strengthening its organizational structure, expanding member and chapter participation, and advancing its mission through coordinated advocacy, voter outreach, and legislative awareness efforts.  The month’s meetings, initiatives, and leadership decisions reflect a continued emphasis on preparation for the 2026 election cycle and long-term organizational sustainability.  With ongoing collaboration among county chapters, allied organizations, and dedicated volunteers, SCOPE is well positioned to build on its momentum in the months ahead while further promoting its goals across New York State.

With All Honor and Respect,
John

John R. Elwood
SCOPE President