The Sporting Clubs of Niagara

 Newsletter

 

Volume 15, Number 2                                                                                                                                            April 2009


 

President’s Message

 

In the previous newsletter we reported that a new bill to repeal the long gun registry was in the works but we had very little information beyond that so let me bring you up to speed on what has transpired since then.

 

Indeed, a private member’s bill was brought forward by long time gun owner ally MP Garry Breitkreuz.  The initial reaction by some was to question why it was a private member’s bill rather than a government bill.  While we are no parliamentary experts the best answer we have been able to come up with is that private member’s bills tend to be free votes where each MP can vote his/her conscience rather than follow party lines.  Since there are some Liberal and NDP MPs who favour scrapping the Registry, this would free them to vote for the bill.

 

In addition to eliminating the long gun registry the following were also included in the bill:

 

-merge Authorizations to Transport (ATTs) for restricted and prohibited firearms) with firearm licences (PALs & POLs)

-combine the POLs and PALs into a common licence

-10 year licencing (licences would be good for 10 years instead of the current 5 years)

-amend the 12/6 handgun grandfathering date from Feb. 1995 to Dec. 1998.  (This was actually passed by Parliament several years ago but deliberate bureaucratic foot dragging at the Canadian Firearms Centre prevented it from being enacted)

-the Auditor-General would be directed to do a cost/benefit analysis of the current firearms legislation every 5 years.

 

Contrary to what anti‑gun groups, bureaucrats and some politicians have said, the fact is that these are all reasonable and logical amendments to the Firearms Act which would have no negative impact on public safety and would save millions of dollars in the process.

 

Fast forward to March 19, 2009 when the Toronto Star ran a story about how Breitkreuz was going to be the guest speaker at the CSSA annual meeting where (horror of horrors) a handgun was going to be raffled off.  Because of the uproar caused by the liberal media the CSSA decided to spare Breitkreuz further grief and withdrew their invitation.  Keep in mind that this is a legal handgun that could only be won by someone with a valid firearm licence who would also have to go through the usual security checks by the OPP and RCMP.  In retrospect it might not have been the wisest thing to do from a PR point of view although the concept of a firearm organization raffling off a gun seems pretty reasonable.

 

Had the matter died there it would have only been a minor problem.  However, out of the blue it was revealed the next day that Breitkreuz had enquired about removing all parts of C-301 except the section dealing with eliminating the long gun registry.  It is well known that Breitkreuz has been a one man army battling against irrational firearm control since 1995 and for him to cave in on his own bill in one day with no outside influence is, quite frankly, incomprehensible.

 

Breitkreuz’ about face sent the rumour mills into warp speed.  While no names have been specifically mentioned it was very apparent that pressure had come directly from the top, hence the justifiable concern on the part of gun owners that the Prime Minister is bailing out on them.  While Harper continues to publicly state that he wants the long gun registry eliminated, the Breitkreuz situation plus some controversial quotes from two of the PM’s assistants which seem to distance him from handgun owners are making people justifiably nervous.

 

C-301 was supposed to go to second reading on April 1 but that has been delayed to May 4 and we have not seen the final draft so we do not know which, if any, of the original items have been removed.

 

All recriminations aside, this bill has a very good chance of passing in some form, any of which would be a win for gun owners.  With the possibility of another election later this year we may not get another chance.  It is, therefore, imperative that before May 4 all gun owners voice their support for Bill C-301.  Write, fax or call (e-mails get ignored) the following people and politely but firmly indicate your support for Bill C-301 and your opposition to any revisions to the bill.

 

Drive home the point that as a voter and responsible firearms owner you do not want Bill C‑301 amended to remove everything but registration and that all the provisions in that bill that support the rights of lawful firearms owners are important to you.  If you are a current Conservative Party of Canada member, volunteer or financial contributor say so. I can't stress this enough!  Be sure to carbon copy (CC) your own Member of Parliament, in addition to the Prime Minister, Public Safety Minister Peter van Loan & MP Garry Breitkreuz.

 

Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Office of the Prime Minister

80 Wellington Street

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2

Telephone: 613‑992‑4211

Fax: 613‑941‑6900

 

Public Safety Minister Peter van Loan

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Telephone: 613‑996‑7752

Fax: 613‑992‑8351

 

MP Garry Breitkreuz

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Telephone: 613‑992‑4394

Fax: 613‑992‑8676

 

Write your own MP at:

MP's Name Here

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

 

DON’T WAIT! DO IT NOW!!!!

 

Gerry Gamble


 

Current Amnesty Ends May 16/09

 

The amnesties for unregistered long guns and expired POLs and PALs that was brought in in May 2007 expires on May 16,

2009.  We have outlined these previously but because they are of importance we are running them again for your convenience.  LATE BREAKING  We have just learned that the Conservatives are proposing a ONE YEAR extension of the current amnesties (till May 16, 2010).  This information has just come out as we go to press so we have no further details.  If you could be covered by this amnesty extension please check with TSCON before May 16, 2009.

 

Unregistered Long Guns and Expired PALs

 

This amnesty protects from legal liability non-restricted firearms owners who are taking steps to obtain a licence and/or a registration certificate.  If your firearm licence expired or will expire during the period from January 1, 2004, to May 16, 2009 you are protected from legal liability if you are in the process of renewing it.  It should be noted that thinking about renewing or having a renewal form in your possession would be considered taking steps to renew and you would be protected.

Also, if you have unregistered non-restricted firearms and are taking steps to register them you are similarly free of liability.  However, the police may seize the firearms until you can prove that you have obtained a licence and/or applied to register the firearm.  Please note that this amnesty does not apply to unregistered restricted or prohibited firearms and does not apply to anyone who has never held a POL or PAL.

 

Fee Waiver

 

On May 17, 2006, the Government of Canada introduced amendments to the Firearms Fees Regulations in order to waive, for a period of two years, the fee payable for the renewal of a firearms licence, including fees that may apply when changing from a POL to a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or when an existing firearms licence is upgraded to include additional privileges.  This fee waiver has now been extended until May 16, 2009.

 

Please note that the prescribed fee will continue to be paid on applications for first time firearms licences and applications made subsequent to a licence revocation or licence refusal or following the expiry of a firearms prohibition order. Applications for PALs submitted by individuals who previously held a minors licence must also be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

 

POL Renewal (This one is important)

 

Under existing regulations, individual firearms licences are issued for five‑year terms. Unlike PALs, however, POLs could not  be renewed if they were allowed to expire and expired POL holders had to successfully complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course examination, and then apply for a PAL in order to return to compliance with the Firearms Act.  Up to and including May 16, 2009, individuals who previously held a POL and who remain in possession of registered or previously registered non‑restricted or restricted firearms may apply for a new POL.

 

Application must be made to the Canadian Firearms Centre (the forms are not online so call 1-800-731-4000 to get them). A new POL would only be issued for restricted and non‑restricted firearms, and would expire five years after issue unless the licence holder renews the POL prior to this date. If an application for a new POL is successful, certificates for non‑restricted and/or restricted firearms that were revoked with the expiry of the previous POL may be re‑issued on application to the Firearms Registrar.

 

We realize some of this may be confusing so if you have any questions call TSCON and we will try to clarify it for you.


 

Bruce Montague Update

 

At the present time we have nothing new to report on Bruce’s case.  It continues to move forward towards a trial date although one has not been set yet.  Bruce is presently lining up organizations to act as Interveners to strengthen his case as he pushes his constitutional challenge forward.

 

We are in fairly regular contact with Bruce and will keep you informed of new information as it comes out.  We continue to strongly encourage you to support Bruce in this fight.  He is an honest, decent man who challenged the government and they have persecuted him for it and he needs our help.  Please send a donation in whatever amount you can spare.  Make cheques payable as follows (please note the new address):

 

Bruce Montague Scrap C-68 Fund c/o Roger Nordlund Trustee

RR#2 Site 211 Box 7 Dryden, ON P8N 2Y5

 

More information on Bruce’s court case and constitutional challenge is available at:

 

http://www.brucemontague.ca

 

Bruce is always grateful for the support he receives.  If you want to drop him a note to let him know you appreciate what he is doing for gun owners he can be reached at:

 

Bruce Montague

RR2 Site 216 Box 46 Dryden, ON P8N 2Y5


 

United Way Pushes Handgun Ban

 

Seems the United Way is another organization that can’t tell the difference between a gang banger and a target shooter.  A March 7/09 article in The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal titled “Youth violence eyed-  Thunder Bay groups aim to identify roots, solutions” outlines how a provincial government report on youth violence included recommendations from the United Way to “...address youth violence...at a community level,".

 

Among the 30 recommendations in the report was “specifically, a province wide ban on handguns...”.  It seems that similar to other mental midgets like Toronto mayor David Miller, the United Way thinks it is OK to penalize law-abiding collectors and target shooters for the actions of drug dealers and other assorted street punks.

 

Please keep this in mind when the United Way asks you for a donation.  We suggest you bypass them completely and donate directly to the charity of your choice or, even better, donate the money you were going to give to them to the NFA or CSSA and be sure to let them know what you did.  Hit them where it hurts the most, in their wallet.


 

NLA Meeting April 18/09

 

The Niagara Landowners Association will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 PM at the Rockway Community Centre on Pelham Rd. in Rockway.  As many of you know, TSCON is an associate member of the Ontario Landowners Association of which the NLA is a part.  Speakers will include Tim Hudak, MPP for Niagara West Glanbrook, Randy Hillier, MPP for Lanark Frontenac and founder of the OLA, current OLA President Jack MacLaren, and David Honey current President of the NLA.

 

If you are a property owner who is tired of government waste, over-regulation, intrusion and taxation, this is a group you should be supporting. All are welcome to attend.

 

Since many TSCON Executive members are also NLA members we will be attending this meeting so the TSCON meeting for April 22 is CANCELLED.


 

Muddled Media

 

We haven’t had a good laugh at a gun-dumb reporter lately so here’s one to bring a smile to your face from Mike Mullen of the New Brunswick Telegraph‑Journal.  In a situation where a man was arrested in a pub with a loaded, German made, semi‑automatic pistol in his possession, Mullen described the gun as a “9 millimetre semi‑automatic Luger hollow point”.  Well, we suppose it could be dangerous if the accused could throw it hard enough.  Otherwise we’ll just have to assume that Mullen simply doesn’t know the difference between a pistol and a bullet.


 

12/6 Handguns

 

We have noted in the past few issues that the CSSA is appealing the 12/6 handgun decision.  However, there have been no new developments since December so a final resolution could still be a long ways off.  We will let you know as soon as we have any new information.


 

2009 Memberships

 

All 2008 memberships expired on Dec. 31/08.  If you received a 2009 membership card in this mailing or if your mailing label has no date or reads “08” or earlier you are NOT A PAID UP MEMBER of TSCON.

 

Non-members receive only one newsletter a year.  Can you afford to be uninformed about the firearm issue?  Not if you care about your guns, you can’t!  Please take the time to renew right now.  Maybe even throw in a few extra dollars as a donation if you can spare them.


 

Your Rights are in the Cards!

 

We continue to hear horror stories of police abusing their powers when dealing with firearm owners including one incident where a police officer parked outside a gun club and pulled over a member leaving the club for no reason except that there might be firearms in the car (after all it was a GUN club). Our laminated wallet-sized printed cards declaring your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer when it appears that the police are overstepping their authority when questioning you in dubious circumstances are proving extremely popular (which is a little scary when you think of it).

 

We are only asking for $1 per card to defray the cost of production.  If you want cards mailed to you please send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your request.  More info on this is on our website in archived copies of newsletter Vol. 11 #4 and Vol. 12 #1.


 

T-Shirts/Sweat Shirts/Hats

 

We have received a new supply of “The Sporting Clubs of Niagara” t-shirts, sweat shirts and hats (hats  available in 4 colours).  They are good quality and available in a variety of sizes and designs.  Get them while the supply lasts.  Prices as follows:

 

T-shirts M-XL$16

               XXL$18

Sweats - M-XL$25

               XXL$27

Hats w/TSCON crest $15

TSCON crest alone $6

Buy them at the gun show or from any member of the Executive.


 

TSCON Web Site

 

All our newsletters as well as other interesting and informative information are available on our web site:

http://www.vaxxine.com/scon

Comments or suggestions?? Call John at 905-562-7686


 

Red Fridays

 

In the past month the Niagara Region lost two fine young men.  Warrant Officer Dennis Brown of St. Catharines and Cpl. Tyler Crooks of Port Colborne were both killed while serving with the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan.  These men died trying to make the world a safer place for all of us. They deserve our respect so please remember to wear red on Fridays to show your support for them and all the other troops serving overseas.


 

Gun Show Location

 

Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Ave., St. Catharines

 

If you want tables for the April 24/09 show, contact Rick McConnery right away at (905-227-0724).  Shows usually sell out and often we do not have tables for all our vendors.  If you want tables, call early!


 

Gun Show Dates

 

Confirmed dates for our 2009 gun shows are as follows:

April 24

Sept. 11

Dec. 11


 

Notice to Gun Show Vendors

 

Late arrivals - If you think you are going to be late to the gun show you should call Rick McConnery ASAP at the Merritton Community Centre (905-682-0098) so he can hold your tables.  Otherwise, he will rent them to walk-in vendors after the 6:00 p.m. cutoff.


 

Free Classified Ads for Members

 

Classified ads for shooting related items are free for members.  Please call 905-685-4480 and submit ads by the dates listed for inclusion in the next newsletter:

 

>Vol. 15 #3 Aug. 10, 2009

>Vol. 15 #4 Nov. 10, 2009

 

Remember that you have to call each time you want the ad run.  It WILL NOT be repeated without your confirmation.


 

Classified Ads

 

For Sale: Winchester Model 12, 12 ga. pump shotgun, 30" plain barrel, full choke, 2 3/4" chamber, 5 shot, reblued, excellent, asking $395

Call David 905-664-6030

 

Ithaca Model 37, 12 ga. pump shotgun, 26" barrel, black synthetic stock, VG, asking $250

Winchester Model 9422, .22LR, big loop model, VG, asking $350

Ruger Single Six revolver (3 screw model), .22LR,  blued, 12" barrel, good, asking $425

Daisy VL caseless ammo rifle, collectible, .22LR, fair, asking $250

Daisy Powerline Model .45, .177 cal. pellet pistol, good, $30

12 Gauge Ammo, 13 boxes of # 7½ shot, 2 boxes of #8 shot, $4 per box

Call Mike 905-945-1961

 

For Sale: Lee Enfield #1 MK III rifle, bolt action, cal. .303, sporterized, 24" barrel, sling, ammo & two 5 shot mags, $225

Winchester Model 94 rifle, pre-‘64, lever action, cal. 30-30, 20" round barrel, VG, $475

Ruger Vaquero revolver, single action, cal. 45 Colt, with ammo & western holster & belt, new, never fired, $650

Cooey Model 84 shotgun, single shot, full choke, EX, $150

Call Terry 905-688-1110


 

Weekly Meetings

 

Where? St. Catharines Game and Fish Building, next to the boat ramp on Lighthouse Road in Port Dalhousie

When? Wednesdays, 7:00 pm.

Who? Members and non- members alike are welcome to attend.


 

Trigger Locks for Sale

 

The Sporting Clubs of Niagara has trigger locks for sale.  They aren’t fancy and they take a few seconds to put on and take off but they are legal.  Locks are only $1.00 each!  Pick them up at the club table at the gun show or call any member of the Executive. Large quantities available!


 

TSCON Inquiries?

 

General            905-685-4480 or 905-937-2301

Memberships   905-685-4480

Gun Show        905-227-0724

FAX                 905-934-8039

Mail     TSCON

             Box 21047

             St. Catharines, ON

             L2M 7X2


 

Moved, Address Changes, Etc.

 

To notify us of address changes, duplicate mailings, to be removed from the mailing list or to request a copy of the newsletter call 905‑685‑4480.


 

"Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the Act depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest."  Mahatma Gandhi


 

DRAW PRIZE WINNERS

The following members are winners in our latest draw.  Call Gerry at 905-685-4480 to arrange to claim your prize.

 

Winner                                              Prize                                                  Donated By

 

John Macari                                         TSCON T-shirt                         The Sporting Clubs of Niagara

David Lorenzen                                    Gun Cleaning Kit                                 The Sporting Clubs of Niagara

Carlyle Pinney                                     Pocket Knife                                        The Sporting Clubs of Niagara

John Lucy                                            Free PAL Test (transferrable)              Firearms Education School (John Kellaway)


 

>>>GUN  SHOW<<<

 

Friday, April 24, 2009, 6:00-10:00 pm

Merritton Community Centre

7 Park Ave., St. Catharines

 

ADMISSION $4

 

Buy, Sell or Trade, 100+ tables of Antique and Modern Firearms, Knives, Hunting Accessories and Gun Parts

 

 

For tables or information call Rick @ 905‑227‑0724

 

 

 

“Remember Bill C-68 When You Vote”