Some Gun Enthusiast Words of Wisdom

·         The sword is more important than the shield, and skill is more important than either.  The final weapon is the brain.  All else is supplemental.

·         Never pick a fight with an old man.  If he is too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.

·         I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy.

·         When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away.

·         A reporter did a human interest piece on the Texas Rangers.  The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 pistol the Ranger was carrying and asked him, “Why do you carry a 45?”  The Ranger responded, “Because they don’t make a 46.”

·         An old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm.  She commented, “Sheriff, I see you have your pistol.  Are you expecting trouble?”  He replied,  “No Ma’am.  If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my shotgun as well.”

·         Beware of the man who only carries one gun.  He probably knows how to use it.

And my personal favorite:

·         I was once asked by a lady who was visiting, if I had a gun in the house.  I said I did.  She said, “Well, I certainly hope it isn’t loaded!”  To which I said, “Of course it is loaded, it won’t work without bullets!”  She then asked, “Are you that afraid of someone evil coming into your house?”  My reply was, “No, not at all.  I am also not afraid of the house catching fire either, but I have fire extinguishers around, and they are all loaded too”.

California May Soon Ban Lead Ammunition

The California Fish and Game Commission is considering a state-wide ban on the use of lead ammunition for hunting making it illegal for the Gun Enthusiast to hunt with lead ammunition.  Two years ago they were successful at banning lead ammunition in areas inhabited by the California Condor with AB 821 that was signed into law by the governor.   Now through their hunting regulations, they have extended the ban to include .22 rimfire ammunition in the condor habitat.   This incremental approach puts them in line to extend the ban to the State’s borders, which they are considering now.

Proponents of the current ban have wanted a state wide ban from the very beginning.   The California Condor simply provided an excuse to implement a smaller version of the law to get us used to the idea.  The anti-hunting and anti-gun extremists now are pushing to extend their little ban to prohibit all Gun Enthusiasts from using the less expensive lead ammunition for all purposes whether hunting or target practice statewide.

Lead is a natural element that comes from the earth.  It is an element that all humans and animals alike require in their bodies, to a small extent.  However, large enough quantities can cause lead poisoning.  But it is ridiculous to make us believe that condors are likely to eat spent lead ammunition in the first place, thereby causing them to get ‘lead poising’.   But this is the premise that made it possible for the anti-gun lobbies to garner favor with the Fish and Game Commission and convince them to enact this preposterous regulation.  But now they are going for the entire State.

There is no scientific evidence that lead ammunition is causing lead poisoning in condors or any other animals.  Similarly, there is no evidence that lead ammunition is a risk to human health or the California environment.  What is evident is that a small group of extremist activists, who have friends on the Commission, will not stop until they successfully remove some more of our freedom and make the most affordable and ballistically superior ammunition illegal to all Gun Enthusiasts.   They know the damage that this will do to hunting interests in the State.  Further, it is a loss of freedom that we will never get back if they are successful at extending the ban on lead ammunition to cover the entire state. 

Californians are encouraged to call and write Fish and Game Commission and request them to oppose all efforts to extend the ban on lead ammunition.  I personally feel we should also request that they rescind the current ban covering the condor habitat. 

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE CA. FISH & GAME COMMISSION:

Mailing Address:

California Fish and Game Commission

1416 Ninth Street

P.O. Box 944209

Sacramento, CA 94244-2090

Phone Number:

(916) 653-4899

Fax Number:

(916) 653-5040

E-Mail:  (Please include "State-wide Lead Ammo Ban" in the e-mail subject line.)

Submit written comments, via electronic mail to:  

John Carlson, Jr.,  Executive Director fgc@fgc.ca.gov  

Jon K. Fischer,  Deputy Executive Director - Regulations and Policy jfischer@fgc.ca.gov

Adrianna Shea,  Deputy Executive Director - Special Advisor to the Commissioners ashea@fgc.ca.gov

Please compose your email with all civility beginning with:  Dear Fish & Game Commissioner (name)

Top Shot Begins Today on History Channel

The History Channel's surprise hit "Top Shot" begins it's second season today.  Gun Enthusiasts discovered this sharp shooting series last season that pitted ordinary shooters against one and other with different weapons, in different scenarios, competing to win the title of "Top Shot".  What made the show interesting was all of the different types of guns they got to use each week to test their ability.  From muzzle loaders, to early lever action rifles, early revolvers and state of the art semi automatics and full automatics, they shot in different scenarios at different distances, losing at least one competitor each week. 

This season looks to be even better with even more challenging competitions and some great firearms that are sure to please the Gun Enthusiast.  From what I saw, some of the guns will include a 1911, the first military sniper rifle - the Sharps Falling Breech load rifle, a Thompson sub machine gun, ARs and many more.  Sixteen competitors from different walks of life will compete until one is left. 

Top Shot is on the History Channel Tuesday nights at 10 PM Eastern, 7 PM Pacific.  I am looking forward to it.  Let me know what you think.

GE

South Dakota Bill Would Require All to Own a Gun

A bill has been introduced by South Dakota legislators last week that would require all citizens of the State to purchase at least one gun.  The bill would require all persons, within 6 months of their 21^st birthday, to buy a gun of their preference, suitable to their temperament, “sufficient to provide for their ordinary self defense”.

The bill that was introduced by Republican representative Hal Wick from Sioux Falls and is sponsored by no less that 4 other legislators, is intended to point out the absurdity of Obama Care.  Recognizing that the bill has no real chance of proceeding, Rep. Wick said that he is introducing the bill to prove a point that the federal health care reform mandate passed last year by Congress, is unconstitutional.  In fact the federal health care bill, signed by the ‘Bamster’, was actually ruled “unconstitutional” by a federal court judge in Florida on Monday.  The unfortunate part of that ruling is that the Obama administration is thumbing their collective noses at it, in contempt of court, thereby creating a constitutional crisis – but I digress.

This bill is actually openly mocking the federal healthcare bill, and is a form of protest against Obama Care, which requires every American to purchase health care insurance or face a penalty.  It is demonstrating absurdity with absurdity.  The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Hal Wick said that he knows the bill won’t get far.  “Do I or the other co-sponsors believe that the State of South Dakota can require citizens to buy firearms?  Of course not,” he said.  “But at the same time, we do not believe the federal government can order every citizen to buy health insurance.”

Frankly, I like it.  We need more lawmakers like this that are able to think on their feet and use a little common sense when trying to combat the liberal left.  Give them back a little of their own whacked out thinking.  It is fun though, to think about the consequences of actually passing a bill like this.  For one thing, the crime rate would certainly go down – dramatically. 

The Gun Enthusiast

AB 962 Struck Down by Court

Gun Enthusiasts who live in the world of Diane Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others, as I do, were about lose a little more of our freedom on February 1, 2011.  AB 962 which was passed by the California Legislature and signed by "The Governator" last year, would have taken away our ability to purchase ammunition through the internet and have it sent to us via the mail.  This bill would have required that we register whenever we would purchase handgun ammunition in a ‘face to face’ transaction, and even leave our thumb print.  The key word here is “handgun”.  The problem with the bill is that it was vague as to just what constituted handgun ammunition.  And it is on that basis that the Court struck down implementation of that portion of the bill. 

Purchasing ammunition through the mail is one of my preferred methods as I can usually find better deals online than in our local brick and mortar shops.  This law would have effectively made it illegal for anyone to sell ammunition to California residents through the mail or internet whether in state or out.  It would have also required sellers of ammunition to collect registration information on the purchasers and a thumb print.  Fortunately, Tehama County Sheriff Clay Parker, the California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) brought suit to block implementation of the law arguing that it is “constitutionally vague” and does not spell out just what is handgun ammunition.  As a result of this lawsuit, a Fresno Superior Court Judge ruled that the law is unconstitutional and enjoined the enforcement of the measure, thereby allowing internet sales of ammunition to continue – for now. 

It is laws such as this that require each of us to be ever vigilant and aware of the efforts of the radical liberal extremists that are chipping away at our civil liberties slowly and a little bit at a time with each legislative victory.  It is a slippery slope that will ultimately, one day see the repeal of the Second Amendment and ban us from owning guns in any way, shape or form.  Imagine, if you will, being told to gather your gun collection, take it to the local police station, and watch as it is effectively thrown into the trash.  It happened in Australia and Canada and it could happen here if we do not fight back.  It is important that we support the efforts of the NRA, and CRPA with our membership and support. 

For more information on this important victory for gun owners visit the CRPA website by clicking this link:  http://www.crpa.org/_e/page/1597/mr01_18_2011.htm .  You can also read more about from the NRA by clicking this link:  http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?ID=6128

Mission Statement

Conceived in the notion that shooting is fun, The Gun Enthusiast blog is dedicated to bring news and information on the shooting experience to all who have an interest, promote safe gun practice and handling, introduce novices to different gun types, and protect our constitutional right to own and shoot firearms.  We hope to engage in healthy discussion of our gun rights, and the efforts by Government to curtail those rights.  We recognize that safety and responsible gun ownership is paramount to any gun owner.  We encourage all responsible, law abiding citizens to educate themselves on gun handling and secure the Comfort of Skill at Arms for the protection of themselves, their families and their communities.