SPORTING CLUBS OF NIAGARA

February 1996

THE SPORTING CLUBS OF NIAGARA

"Supporting You and Your Firearm Rights"

Volume 2 No. 1

OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY

The Sporting Clubs of Niagara has reached a milestone. From humble beginnings we have now been in existence for a year. We have over 800 members in and around the Niagara Region and look forward to increasing that number in our second year of serving the firearms community.

THEY SAID IT

Conservative Senator John Lynch-Staunton: "Simply put, the guiding philosophy behind the bill is that firearms should only be used by agents of the state (i.e. military and police). Bill C-68 is a major step in that direction." It looks like we gun owners aren't the only ones who think the government will confiscate guns from civilians. This guy is a senior government official.
Liberal Senator Sharon Carstairs: "Bill C-68 is not a bill aimed to deal with crime and violence but is designed to socially engineer society and to change our culture". Obviously the Liberal government doesn't like Canada the way it is (with people owning guns) and has plans to change it. Drop the Senator a note in Ottawa (c/o The Senate of Canada, Ottawa ON K1A 0A4, no postage required) and ask her just what the Liberal plans are.
Reform Party Leader Preston Manning: "A Reform Government will repeal Bill C-68". If you want to keep your guns it is pretty obvious who you should be voting for in the next election.
Reform Party Justice Critic Jack Ramsay: "Bill C-68 is nothing more than a pretence that the government is making our homes and streets safer and getting tough on criminals." It appears that Mr. Ramsay is right, as even Senator Carstairs agrees with him.
DON'T OWN HANDGUNS OR ASSAULT RIFLES? DON'T GET COMFORTABLE!
A representative from the Coalition for Gun Control has applauded Senator Carstairs' comments and stated that they now intend to lobby Allan Rock and the Justice Department for an outright ban on "ALL HANDGUNS AND SEMI-AUTOMATIC HUNTING RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS". Did you really think they would stop with Bill C-68? Not likely!!!
LIBERAL PARTY SUPPORTERS
The following firms have financially supported the Liberal Party and perhaps are not worthy of your patronage. Consider cutting up and returning your credit cards and taking your business elsewhere. If you do, notify the company and the local store managers and tell them why you are doing it. If you don't, your protest will go unnoticed. Help put a dent in the Liberal pocketbook. Just like us, they need money to function. Every dollar you take away from them makes it that much harder for them to ".....socially engineer society.....".
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Hudson Bay Company   St. Catharines (Pen Centre)   688-4441
Eaton's of Canada    St. Catharines (Pen Centre)   984-3911
Canadian Tire            (8 stores locally)
Imasco (Shopper's Drug Mart)
Gendis Inc. (Sony Canada)
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The most important thing is not to panic. Don't sell your guns and don't rush out to register them. Under no circumstances should we comply with the law any more than we have to. Don't be tempted to save a few bucks under any early registration scheme. Once your name is in the RCMP computer chances are they will never remove it no matter what happens, so they will always know what you have. Remember, you have nearly eight years before you have to register your guns. That translates into at least two more federal elections before registration is mandatory so don't be in a hurry.
CALL OR WRITE YOUR CONSERVATIVE MPP TODAY (mailing labels are available) The provincial Conservatives do not support Bill C-68. While it is a federal law, it is up to the provinces to enforce it. Tell him/her that if Mike Harris is really serious about cutting the deficit, he won't waste millions of dollars and valuable police time enforcing this useless bill. Tell him to speak to Solicitor-General Bob Runciman and ask him to challenge the bill in court on the grounds that it violates the right to property provisions of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Remember, the Conservatives are having a tough time right now so all the more reason that they might just grab at any support they feel might exist for them.
CALL YOUR LIBERAL MP. Tell them they have lost your vote in the next election because of their support of Bill C-68. Let them know that you are fed up with this government and will work to get them unelected.
SUPPORT THE REFORM PARTY. They are on your side on this issue and are our only hope to get the bill repealed.
JOIN OR REJOIN THE SPORTING CLUBS OF NIAGARA. We are continuing the fight on the local front for you and need your continued support. We have more than 800 members and over 2000 local households receive our newsletter. That says WE ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH when we talk to politicians.

WHAT'S COMING UP?
GUN SHOW
Our next and bigger Gun Show is set for Friday, March 1, 1996 at the CAW hall in St. Catharines. Our guest speaker is Garry Breitkreuz, Reform MP and one of our strongest supporters in Parliament. See the enclosed flyer for more information.
ELECTIONS
The Sporting Clubs of Niagara will be holding a general election for all positions on the Executive. See the enclosed "Call for Nominations" notice for more information.
NEW NAME
In order to become incorporated "The Sporting Clubs of Niagara" was required to adopt a new name. We are now officially registered as the "Firearms Support Clubs of Niagara", although we intend to continue to use our original name for general correspondence purposes.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Memberships in The Sporting Clubs of Niagara for 1996 are now due. If you find enclosed a blank 1996 membership form you have not rejoined for 1996. Fill it in, detach the membership card portion and keep it. Return the large registration portion with payment to the following address:

The Sporting Clubs of Niagara P.O. Box 21047 St. Catharines, Ontario L2M 7X2
ADDRESS CHANGES/DUPLICATE MAILINGS
If you are moving, receiving duplicate mailings or wish to be removed from our mailing list would you please drop us a note at the above address or call 685-4480 to have the correction made as we wish to keep our mailing list as current as possible.
HELP US TO HELP YOU
1. Join The Sporting Clubs of Niagara. For as little as $10 per year (the cost of 1 or 2 boxes of shells) you can join the fight to protect your property and recreational activities.
2. Encourage your family and friends to join. The more voters we represent the more influential we are with politicians.
3. Volunteer your assistance. We need people to submit articles, deliver newsletters, organize local rallies, serve on the Executive, etc. To find out how you can assist in any way, please contact any member of the Executive.
4. Make an extra donation. Advertising, hall rental, postage, etc. all cost money. Any amount you can spare helps in the battle to achieve the goals of the organization.
DON'T GET DISCOURAGED!!! DON'T REGISTER!!! DON'T GIVE UP!!!

YOUR EXECUTIVE
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               Ron Penfound               Jim Finley
               John Gayder                Gerry Gamble
               Ivan Chamberlain           Paul Blushak
               Barry Devereux             Max Cook
               Tom Duggan                 Dennis Dunbar
               James Houlden              John Kellaway
               Robert Lockhart            Rick McConnery
               Dave Miller                John Orth
               Bill Staff                 Bill Wagner
               Jack Warner                Shirley Warner
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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:
- February - Call for Nominations to the Executive
- March - Elections held
- April - Elected Executive takes office
We are, therefore, issuing an invitation to all members to submit nominations for the 1996-97 Executive. There are 29 positions to be filled on the Executive so you may nominate up to 29 persons who are currently full members. Please send your nominations to "The Sporting Clubs of Niagara" by mail by March 18, 1996. Nominations must be received in writing. They cannot be received verbally. Please address the nominations as follows:
THE SPORTING CLUBS OF NIAGARA
P.O. BOX 21047
ST. CATHARINES, ON L2M 7X2
ATTN: EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS

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