The Sporting Clubs of Niagara
Newsletter
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Volume 18, Number 4 |
December 2012 |
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President’s Message
Seasons greetings and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. As the year winds down I thought it would be a good time to reflect on what we have accomplished in 2012.
The most significant, of course, was the passage of Bill C-19 which scrapped the long gun registry. For those of us who have been in this battle since the beginning it was the biggest step forward in our eighteen years of existence. To those of you who have supported us over this long period of time we say a hearty “Thank you.” and hope that this is just the first of many flawed sections of the Firearms Act that will be removed.
Another significant win was the repeal of the gun show regulations which were part of Bill C-68. They were SO important that the Liberals never implemented them but they were scheduled to come into effect on Dec. 1, 2012. Their sum effect would have been to greatly curtail gun shows in Canada. However, on October 2, 2012 Safety Minister Vic Toews announced that the Conservatives would repeal the gun show regulations which was more good news for gun owners.
On the international front, attempts by the United Nations to implement restrictive firearm trade regulations were sidetracked by opposition from several countries including Canada and the U.S.. However, the re-election of Barack Obama as President could make keeping the Americans opposed to the UN gun control scheme more difficult. Fortunately a pro-gun Congress and Senate should help to make his job a lot more difficult should Obama decide to push the UN agenda. Time will tell on this one.
Overall 2012 has been a pretty good year for Canadian gun owners. Keep writing to your MPs and sending letters and emails to the newspapers. It is having a very positive effect.
In closing I wish to note that this is my last President’s Message as my term is up at the end of the year. It’s been quite thrilling to lead this fine organization during one of the most successful periods in our history and I am very much indebted to the TSCON Executive and members, without the efforts of whom we would not be where we are today. Thank you.
Gerry Gamble
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They’re History
On Oct. 31, 2012 Safety Minister Vic Toews announced that all records in the long gun registry had been destroyed, fulfilling a long standing Conservative campaign promise.
This was a special Halloween treat for thousands of long‑gun owners across the country who have long complained that the registry made them feel like criminals.
The records still exist for long gun owners in Quebec, where there is a court order in place to protect them. However, it is interesting to note that since the registry no longer exists, there is no legal mechanism requiring Quebecers to register guns that they might acquire and no penalty if they fail to do so. Brilliant, eh?
Tony Bernardo, spokesman for the Canadian Shooting Sports Association, said he was "delighted that the data is gone. "It's always a danger that if the data is still there something or someone could use it, either as a state to seize it, or as a criminal to burglarize a home that has firearms," Bernardo said.
"For the state to force the registration of an essential piece of private property like a shotgun or a rifle, is an assault on the right to own private property in this country," Bernardo told QMI Agency. "The only time a state has ever registered firearms is to tax them or to take them. "Firearms represent symbols of freedom to many people ‑ slaves have never been allowed to own guns."
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Amnesties Ending In the last issue we alerted you that several amnesties which the Conservative put in place in 2006 are expiring. The most significant is the end of no-fee licence renewals. The fee waiver for restricted PALs ended on Sept. 17, 2012 (we hope you applied before then). However, the amnesty to encourage holders of expired POLs to return to compliance with the Firearms Act and firearms licensing regulations is still in effect until May 16, 2013. Firearm owners whose POL expired on or after January 1, 2004, may be eligible to apply for a new POL, if they meet all of the following criteria:
Their previously held POL expired naturally (was not revoked or refused):They are in possession of at least one firearm; and
They meet all public safety requirements in order to possess firearms. There is no fee for the new POL. Eligible individuals should call the Canadian Firearms Programme‘s toll‑free number: 1‑800‑731‑4000 The fee waiver for Non-Resricted PALs is also in effect until May 16, 2013. This fee waiver does NOT apply to: individuals obtaining their first licence, or individuals who held a minors licence and are applying for a PAL, or individuals who are obtaining a new licence after their licence was refused or revoked, or individuals obtaining a licence after the expiry of a firearms prohibition order. IMPORTANT You do not have to wait till your POL or PAL is near expiry to renew it. If your licence has four years left on it and you renew before the end of the amnesty you get 5 years free from the date of the renewal, or one free year. The closer you are to your expiry date the more you save (@ $12/year). Anyone with four years or less left on their POL or PAL should renew it before the waiver ends. Forms can be downloaded from the Canadian Firearm Centre website: http://www.rcmp‑grc.gc.ca/cfp‑pcaf/form‑formulaire/pdfs/979‑eng.pdf If you don’t have a computer, contact TSCON and we will send you the application form. A few other tips: 1. You do not need a passport photo on the application. Any photo that meets the size requirements is acceptable (see the “Photo Instructions” on the application form). We suggest you take a few head and shoulder digital photos at different distances against a light coloured blank wall. Digital photos are cheap so even 5 photos should cost a dollar or less. 2. Always send the application by registered mail. That way you can prove you sent it and the Firearms Centre has to sign when they receive it. 3. Photocopy your application in case the CFC loses yours (yes, they do). Save some money and reapply now. With luck the Conservatives will loosen up the licencing regulations in the next few years and your free licence may be good for 10 or more years. Call TSCON if you have any questions.
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Niagara Military Museum
The Niagara Military Museum is now open in the Armoury, 5049 Victoria Avenue in Niagara Falls Hours of operation are Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM, and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM or by appointment by calling 905‑358‑1949 and leaving a message.
The Museum has an extensive display of military artifacts and memorabilia with an emphasis on the men and women of the Niagara peninsula who have served in the armed forces or in the war effort. TSCON members have and will continue to be great supporters of the Niagara Military Museum. Therefore, for the remainder of 2012 and 2013 any member of TSCON in good standing is deemed to be an Associate Member of the Museum and is welcome to visit and participate in all Museum activities free of charge (donations are still greatly appreciated).
For further information you can talk to TSCON Directors Paul Kovacs and Norm Sawatsky or call 905‑358‑1949. TSCON has and is continuing to do great work promoting and protecting local firearm owners and the Niagara Military Museum is proud to be associated with such a great organization. Jim Doherty TSCON member VP and Curator
NOTE: In addition to cash the museum is always pleased to get donations of military memorabilia for it’s displays. Often when vets pass away the families don’t know what to do with their military gear. Now these items can find a home where visitors can appreciate their significance. If you have any goods for donation call the number above.
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Hunting Shows Cancelled
In a blatant example to caving in to political pressure, Global TV/Shaw Media has announced that effective Jan. 1/13 they will be cancelling three hunting shows (Canada in the Rough, The Canadian Tradition and Angler and Hunter TV) that air on Saturday mornings.
Global’s claims that it had nothing to do with a Vancouver Humane Society campaign to stop the shows is, quite bluntly, crap. The shows had good ratings and Global said that if they switched to fishing shows they could continue so you can read between the lines.
We are urging you to do two things: First, fax, phone, email and/or write to Global TV/Shaw Media and demand these hunting shows continue to be broadcast. Contact viewercontact@globaltv.com and greg.mclelland@shaw..ca or call 1‑877‑307‑1999. Second, if you are a Shaw subscriber, call and tell them you are cancelling their services unless the shows are put back on the air. Don't let anti‑hunting advocates take your heritage activities away! If you have already sent a complaint, reinforce your message by sending another.
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UN Marking Regulations
We have written before about the UN gun marking regulations and how they could destroy the Canadian firearm industry. The government’s Canadian Firearm Advisory Committee (on which two TSCON members sit) had recommended that the only marking necessary on guns being imported was a serial number (which is already being done) and it appeared the government was on board with this. However, when the draft document came out it appears that some Liberal minded bureaucrats had gotten their grubby little hands on it and inserted some additional marking requirements that were NOT what the CFAC had recommended. These regs were supposed to come into effect on Dec. 1/12 but thanks to some last minute alerts and pressure by the CFAC, CSSA, TSCON and others we were able to get them delayed for a year till Dec. 2013. We will be keeping a very close eye on this to make sure the same type of nonsense does not happen again.
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NRPRC Range Closure Update
Negotiations with the Niagara Region to sell the Niagara Regional Police Revolver Club property are still going on. This is a rather convoluted exercise because the property falls under the jurisdiction of so many agencies including The Niagara Region, the Niagara Escarpment Commission, the city of Thorold and Ontario CFO.
The lease has now been extended into Feb. 2013 by which time we hope to have negotiations concluded. Aside from haggling over the dollar amount, things are progressing fairly well but if problems arise we may need to mobilize once again and fill the Council chambers to prod them along. However, we hope to have the issue resolved satisfactorily by the time your receive the Feb. 2013 newsletter.
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Ian Thompson Case
The Ian Thompson case has become bogged down in some legal wrangling. First, Thompson’s lawyer, Ed Burlew, introduced a constitutional challenge claiming the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are infringed upon by the vague and unclear wording of the Safe Storage Regulations. Because of this challenge the court had set a date of October 25, 2012.
At that hearing the prosecutor tried to claim that Thompson should be guilty of unsafe storage because he had access to ammunition even though his gun was locked up. The problem is that nowhere in the Firearms Act is there a requirement to lock up ammunition if the firearm is locked up. The prosecutor is claiming that the requirement is implied but that’s not the way things work. Suffice to say, the judge was confused enough that he declared another delay till early January 2013 so he could review the law. Ian Thompson still needs financial support and you can provide it by cheque, money order, VISA, MasterCard or AMEX. Send donations “IN TRUST” to: “EDWARD BURLEW IN TRUST” (add a note that it's for Ian Thomson - file# 2667.10). Edward L. Burlew 16 John Street Thornhill, ON L3T 1X8 1‑888‑486-5677
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Bruce Montague Update
A recent court decision was rendered in which the court ordered all the goods seized when Bruce as arrested be forfeited. This was not a surprise given that the same judge who sentenced Bruce also made this decision. However, Bruce is contesting the ruling and because of the challenge the procedure to have his home also seized is on hold till the challenge is heard.
It is obvious that the intent is to grind Bruce down but he is determined to fight this to the end and we applaud him for his courage. Bruce’s legal fund is depleted and the Montagues could really use some financial assistance. Remember that Bruce fought his battle to benefit us all so let’s not forget him. Donate online at: http://www.brucemontague.ca/html/0006.html#donate or make cheques payable in whatever amount you can spare to: "Bruce Montague Scrap C-68 Fund" c/o Roger Nordlund, Trustee RR#2, Site 211, Box 7, Dryden, ON P8N 2Y5
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Red Fridays
Please remember to wear red on Fridays to show your support for our troops.
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Call for Nominations
As per The Sporting Clubs of Niagara constitution, elections for the Executive shall be held each year. The timetable to be followed is outlined below:
December Newsletter - Call for Nominations December 12 - Election meeting held January 9 - Elected Executive takes office.
All year 2012/13 members may submit nominations for the 2013 Executive. Nominations must be postmarked by Dec. 8, 2012 and must be received in writing. They cannot be received verbally. Address all nominations to: The Sporting Clubs Of Niagara P.O. Box 21047 St. Catharines, ON L2M 7X2 ATTN: Nominations
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2013 Memberships
If you received a 2013 membership card in this mailing your membership expires on Dec. 31, 2012. 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.
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New TSCON Meeting Schedule
TSCON has just celebrated its eighteenth year of operation. During that time, we have met weekly to stay updated on the firearm issue and plan strategies to defend your gun rights.
To be honest this long haul has been a grind and we need a little break. With the Conservatives in power we have a bit of breathing room so to give our Executive members a well deserved rest we will be reducing our meeting schedule. Starting on Jan. 9, 2013 we will meet the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. A complete meeting schedule for the year will be posted on our website. Newsletters and gun shows will still continue as before.
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CFO Visit
If you were at the September gun show you may have noticed two officers from the Ontario CFO doing inspections. We are pleased to say that they had no major complaints and complimented us on how well the show was run. There were only two items that came up, regular trigger locks being used on lever action guns and the fact that most guns had the actions closed which prevents observation of the chamber.
While neither of these is technically illegal we want to be cooperative and safe so we are asking vendors to do the following: 1. Install zip ties on your lever action guns which will prevent the gun from being opened. 2. Where possible, leave the actions open on any guns that are on display.
We would appreciate your cooperation regarding these two issues.
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Gun Show Dates
Dates for our 2013 gun shows are as follows: Feb.22, May 3, Sept. 6, Dec.13
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Notice to Gun Show Vendors
Late arrivals - If you think you are going to be late to the gun show you should call Gerry Gamble ASAP at the Merritton Community Centre (905-682-0098) so he can hold your tables. Otherwise, they will be rented to walk-in vendors after the 6:00 p.m. cutoff.
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Gun Show Location
Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Ave., St. Catharines. If you want tables for the Dec. 14, 2012 show contact Gerry Gamble right away(905-685-4480). THIS SHOW IS NEARLY SOLD OUT SO IF YOU WANT TABLES, CALL EARLY!
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Vendors Wanted
If you or anyone you know would like to be a vendor please call 905-685-4480 for more information. Anyone who has items to sell can rent tables. You don’t need to be a regular vendor or in the shooting/hunting business.
With the long gun registry gone, selling a gun now takes about 30 seconds with no phone call or paperwork. Now’s your chance to turn those unwanted guns into money. If you have surplus guns, parts, reloading components or other items around the house that you are not using why not rent a table and convert them to cash. The only conditions are that the majority of goods on your table must be shooting/hunting/firearm related and are legal.
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Free Classified Ads
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. 19 #1 Feb. 1, 2013 >Vol. 19 #2 April 12, 201
Remember that you have to call each time you want the ad to run. It WILL NOT be repeated without your confirmation.
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Classified Ads
For Sale: 9mm and 40 S&W brass, commercial, once fired, $10/100 for either, about 2000 available, call Stan 905-788-1322
For Sale: Maglites, 2, 3 & 6 “D” cell, regular and LED including rechargeable mag charger system. Also some 2 & 3 “C” cell and a few MiniMags. Best prices. For Sale: Schrade knives, Uncle Henry’s plus scrimshaw commemorative sporting dogs (Labrador & English Pointer), 175th Anniversary Special Edition, real beauties, certainly collectible, Call Dave 905-382-1790
For Sale: Winchester Model 12 shotgun, 12 ga., 30" plain barrel, full choke, EX, $350 OBO. Call David 905-664-6030
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TSCON Web Site
http://www.thesportingclubsofniagara.com Comments or suggestions?? Call John at 905-562-7686
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TSCON Inquiries?
General 905-685-4480 905-937-2301 Memberships 905-685-4480 Gun Show 905-685-4480 Mail TSCON Box 21047 St. Catharines, ON L2M 7X2
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TSCON Meetings
Where? St. Catharines Game and Fish Building next to the boat ramp on Lighthouse Road in St. Catharines in Port Dalhousie When? Wednesdays 7:00 pm. Who? Members and non‑ members alike are welcome to attend.
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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
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"Laws disarming honest citizens proclaim that the government is the master, not the servant, of the people."‑ Jeffrey R. Snyder, American attorney and author
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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
Dale McPherson (Etobicoke) TSCON T-shirt The Sporting Clubs of Niagara Tony Issepon (Niagara Falls) Gun Cleaning Kit The Sporting Clubs of Niagara Doug Zack (Dain City) Pocket Knife The Sporting Clubs of Niagara Howard Guinter (Hamilton) Free PAL Test (transferrable) Firearms Education School (John Kellaway)
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>>G UN S HOW<< Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, 6:00-9:30 pm Merritton Community Centre, 7 Park Ave. St. Catharines
ADMISSION $5
Buy, Sell or Trade, 120+ tables of Antique and Modern Firearms, Knives, Hunting Accessories, Militaria, Books and Gun Parts
For tables or information call Gerry @ 905‑685‑4480
“Remember Bill C-68 When You Vote”
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