The Sporting Clubs

of Niagara

Volume 9, Number 2 April 2003

Greetings again fellow firearm enthusiasts! It has been a long and cold winter. The kind of cold that can make your eyes tear up and make seeing the front sight tricky. It was so cold around the period when I wrote this that I even saw a politician with his hands in his OWN pockets!

The Firearms Act remains in a state of free fall. It is now plummeting so fast that no parachute can save it. Justice Minister Marty Cauchon has bailed out and turned the controls over to junior MP Wayne Easter, the Solicitor General. Cauchon and former Justice Minister Annie McLellan have bowed out of the Liberal leadership race. In doing so they join Allan Rock and a soon to be cast of thousands of other politicos whose careers have, or are about to come a cropper with the Firearms Act.

Although a great many citizens, politicians and newspaper editors who previously supported the Firearms Act have seen the light and recanted., those who still cling to it are getting very desperate. Watching these people try to keep the law propped up has become almost comical, while in some cases it is disturbing; They still talk about the law as if it were still alive, but just a little sick. Others remain convinced that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the law and that everything is just fine. When this latter group talk, they remind me of the Norman Bates character from the Hitchcock thriller movie "Psycho". It's as if they are still keeping the corpse of their long dead mother (the F.A.) up in the attic. Witness also the macabre spectacle of Karen Vanscoy trotting out the Justice Department's last ditch statistics aimed at saving the program. One imagines, but cannot prove, that it was the necrophiliac breath of a certain well-known female anti-firearms advocate that urged Ms Vanscoy to the podium.

The very core of Liberal party is now in a dangerously uncomfortable position. For years they have denied the faults and failings of the program no matter how strong the evidence was to the contrary. With each revelation of its weakness they continued to gush about it's supposed greatness instead of admitting the sorry truth. They have lied about it so many times that they have forever tied themselves to it, and must ride it to the end while praying for a miracle. People in such positions can be dangerous. They are becoming truly desperate and the movement of the program into the purview of the Solicitor General's Department (read R.C.M.P.) may bode sinister tidings. Lets hope no pressure is put upon the Mounties to use the tangled and convoluted F.A. to gather lots of non- violent, paperwork charges against otherwise law-abiding gun owners in an effort to "justify" the law.

We need to keep the heat on. Call or write your MP if you have not already done so. Tell them to do whatever they can to drop this mess. Call us if you need help!

Hession Report

Since it was only your money they were spending, the Liberals decided to throw more good money after bad and coughed up over $90,000 for yet another report, this one by former Liberal bureaucrat Raymond Hession.

Some of his significant conclusions and recommendations were:

-that the programme could still cost $500 million over the next 10 years unless the government streamlines it and begins collecting more licence and registration fees from gun owners (apparently we should pay for their stupidity)

-merge the Miramichi NB and Montreal licensing and registration sites into one location

-abandon some of the complex and reporting procedures now facing gun owners including:

a) dropping the requirement for authorization to transport restricted and prohibited weapons

b) remove the requirement for firearm owners to produce licences and registration certificates

c) relax import and export requirements

d) remove the requirement for owners to provide specific purposes for owning prohibited firearms

Hession also stated that his recommendations would not affect the public safety goals of the programme (of course), an interesting conclusion given that gun owners, especially those with restricted/prohibited firearms, have had to jump through many of these hoops for years, ostensibly for "safety reasons", yet he thinks they should be scrapped.

Hession also indicated that while the private takeover of the firearm registry was supposed to have taken place in early January 2003, computer glitches could delay this until the end of the year.

It remains to be seen how many of these recommendations will actually come into effect as the registry continues to wallow in red ink.

Provincial Election Alert

It looks like we may be in for a provincial election soon. You should start to think about the ways in which you can help ensure the correct party gets elected. Will you donate money? How about time? Helping a candidate get elected is fun. You get to meet people and it is exciting. You can answer phones, deliver flyers, hammer signs plus a myriad of other jobs. Of course TSCON will be publishing its ever popular Voter's Guide once the election is under way. We will help you with your choice by advising you which party best represents the interests of gun owners and outdoorsmen. Stay tuned and prepare for battle!

What is a Billion Dollars?

By now everyone is aware that when all is said and done, implementing the Firearms Act will have cost well in excess of $1 billion dollars. Unfortunately, that number is so large that most people have no idea of its magnitude, so here are a few comparisons which you can point out to your non gun-owning friends who might still think C-68 was a good idea.

A billion dollars would:

-hire 2000 police officers for 10 years

-purchase 250 MRI machines (Canada currently only has about 110 in the entire country)

-build 15 regional cancer centres the size of the one proposed for the Niagara Region (in fact, the $172 million the government wants just to run the registry for the next year would build 3 cancer centres)

So the next time someone tells you what a good idea the gun registry is, ask them which would save the most lives, any of the above or registering Uncle George's duck gun.

Dollars per Death - Where Are the Gov't. Priorities?

While the Liberals always claims that the Firearms Act is about creating a "culture of safety" for Canadians, let's look at an example of how warped their priorities really are when it comes to protecting the health and welfare of Canadians

From 1995 to 2002 the government admits to having spent about $800 million dollars on their gun control scheme. Firearm deaths (including suicides) total about 1,100 annually, or about 8,800 since 1995. Therefore, the Liberals have spent ($800 million divided by 8,800 deaths) roughly $91,000 per death on firearms control.

In comparison, breast cancer kills around 5,000 women per year (about 40,000 deaths since 1995). And how much does the government give for breast cancer research - about $7 million per year or $56 million since 1995. Total amount spent per breast cancer death - $1,400 or about 1/65th of the amount spent per firearm death.

Keep these numbers handy the next time you hear some Liberal blathering on about how this legislation is important because it makes women safer.

Muddled Media

Journalism is supposed to help inform society about things. Citizens are supposed to be able to count on journalists to tell them the truth. Journalists often "bend", "frame" or "shape" their stories in ways designed to influence their readers. It is beyond the scope of this small article to discuss exactly how they do it, or why doing so is bad. Suffice it to say that it should be up to journalists to give "just the facts, ma'am" and then let people form opinions about the issues on their own. Opinion pieces should be labeled as such. You will not find more biased examples of reporting than in news stories related to violent crime or firearms ownership. The purpose of our very popular Muddled Media section is to showcase examples gleaned from all media that indicate how most media participants (journalists, editors and proofreaders) know very little about firearms.

Our nominee for this issue's Muddle Media boob goes to crime reporter Jim Junkin of CFTO news in Toronto.

Reporting on an attempted convenience store robbery, Junkin reported that the perpetrator brandished a 'large handgun with a 14" to16" barrel' despite the fact that even on the fuzzy store security video it was clearly a Crosman 1377 pump-up style pellet gun which sports a 10" barrel. Maybe Jim was wearing magnifying glasses. Hopefully he doesn't use these same keen powers of observation when he is describing his own equipment to the ladies. They could be in for quite a disappointment.

What Are Your Guns Worth to You?

How much are you willing to pay to protect your firearm rights? We are continually amazed at how little some gun owners seem to value their property. Despite having a mailing list of over 4600 gun owning households, and with a membership fee of only $10 (the same as in 1995) the membership of TSCON hovers around 1000. It mystifies us how people who own firearms worth many hundreds or even thousands of dollars won't contribute a few dollars more to protect them. Did you know that for $100 a year you could belong to the NFA ($30), CSSA ($40), LUFA ($20) and TSCON ($10)? That the cost of two cartons of cigarettes, three cases of beer, five boxes of rifle ammo or one car tire. Aren't your guns worth $100?

If you are not supporting these and other Canadian firearm rights organizations you should be. They are there for your benefit. Please give them all the help you can!

Deadline for Registration Certificates

If you sent in your firearm registration forms but have not received your certificates, remember that you have till June 30/03 before you are legally required to produce them. In addition, if you sent in a "Letter of Intent" there is no date by which you have to send in the registrations. The law simply says you need the certificates by June 30/03. Given that there were several hundred thousand "Letters of Intent" submitted, don't be surprised if yet another extension mysteriously appears in mid to late June. We will keep you posted.

Loaning Firearms

In the last issue, several questions were raised about the legality of loaning firearms and we have some further clarification regarding this issue.

As to the legal requirement that the lender keep a record of who they loaned the firearm to, the law is silent on that. An Inspector doing an inspection of your firearms storage can demand that you "produce" any firearm that he thinks you have, but only "for the purpose of verifying the serial number or other identifying feature [FA s. 105]."

Therefore, while you might want to write down pertinent information about the borrower (licence number, address, phone number, etc.) for your own records, there seems to be no legal requirement that you do so. Your main legal obligation is to verify that the borrower has a valid firearm licence (FAC, PAL, POL) at the time of the loan.

Letter Writing Campaign

Have you written to your MP yet? Did you send in the letter we provided in the last issue? If not, WHY NOT? The whole registration system is teetering on the brink of collapse and a little push will topple it.

Over the last month, TSCON members have, with our assistance, sent over 4,000 letters to MPs and Senators. Do your part! Call, fax, e-mail or write to as many MPs as you can. Remember that postage is free. Just address the letter as follows:

MP's Name

House of Commons

Parliament Buildings

Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Pro-Gun Businesses

In the last issue we pointed out that Smokers Plus Inc., 278 Bunting Rd. in St. Catharines carries a very wide range of publications of interest to the gun owner/outdoorsperson.

If you are aware of any other businesses that value gun owners as customers rather than engaging in political games let us know and we will list them here.

Registration Forms

While the deadline for registration of all firearms has effectively been extended till June 30, 2003, the necessary forms still need to completed. This means calling the Canadian Firearm Centre and waiting the usual 60 plus minutes to speak to someone (if you can get through at all).

Some ways to avoid this are as follows:

1. If you already have at least one of the official forms (the one with your name and bar code on it that was sent out a couple of times over the past year or so), just make photocopies of it and use the copies.

Note: The CFC doesn't like this because the photocopied pages don't function well in their scanners and they often have to process them by hand. That is their problem, however, since it is their fault they haven't been able to produce the required forms.

2. If you can't get through to the CFC call your MP and insist that they get you the required forms. Since virtually all Ontario Liberal MPs voted for this mess, tell them that it is also their responsibility to help you comply with the law, since they want it so badly.

3. TSCON has generic registration forms available which do not have your name or licence number on them, but are complete in all other respects. Again, the CFC cannot scan them so they must be hand processed, but they are still acceptable. These forms are available at the TSCON table at the gun show.

Gun Show Flyers

Do you own or work at a business that employs gun owners, have customers who own guns, attend out of town gun shows, belong to a sports club, church group or service organization that includes gun owners or just know the location of some public bulletin boards?

Is so, you can help us by posting or handing out our gun show flyers.

If you are willing to do this, please contact us and we will make sure that you get flyers to distribute. Also feel free to photocopy and distribute flyers as widely as possible. Help make our gun shows a success. The money we make goes towards protecting you firearm rights.

Technical Tips

Breaking in a Target Rifle Barrel

This is the procedure as described by Ed Shilen of Shilen Rifles Inc., makers of highly successful competitive target barrels:

"For the first five shots, clean the barrel after each shot. For the next 50 shots, clean the barrel after each five shot group. The barrel is now broken in."

We would add that to avoid potential muzzle damage caused by the cleaning rod, if possible never clean the barrel from the muzzle end. Also, use a bore guide and a gun cleaning cradle to securely hold the firearm.

Gun Show Location

Our gun shows are held at:

Merritton Community Centre

7 Park Ave.

St. Catharines

If you want tables for the April 11/03 show, contact Ted Valliere right away at 905-935-3893. Shows are usually sold out and often we do not have tables for all our vendors. If you want tables, call early!

Gun Show Dates

The dates for our upcoming gun shows are:

April 11/03

Sept. 12/03

Dec. 12/03

2003 Memberships Are Now Due!!!

All 2002 memberships expired on Dec. 31/02. If your mailing label does not say "03" you are not a paid up member.

Complete an application and send it in with your cheque. Help us continue our work by supporting TSCON with a membership. Just $10 a year! Aren't your guns worth it?

While the Dec. 31/02 registration deadline has come and gone, with all the nonsense about registration certificates, Letters of Intent, etc., confusion still reigns supreme. If your organization or just a bunch of friends would like to become more informed, we would be happy to put on a presentation for your group. Just contact TSCON to make arrangements for a date and time. While we gratefully accept donations, the presentations are free of charge. So is the literature that we provide. Don't trust gun club gossip or BS from the local know-it-all. We do our best to provide you with honest, accurate, up-to-date information.

Sale!! Trigger Locks

To help you comply with the safe storage laws 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 now reduced in price to 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!

T-Shirts/Sweat Shirts

Our popular "The Sporting Clubs of Niagara" t-shirts and sweat shirts are still available. Both are very good quality and available in the following sizes:

T-shirts XL $16

T-shirts XXL $18

Sweats XL $20

Sweats XXL $22

Get yours at the gun show or from any member of the Executive.

Hats and Crests

Also due to popular demand, TSCON hats and crests are now available. Prices are as follows:

Hats w/crest - $16

Crest only - $ 5

Hat & Crest - $20

They are available at the TSCON club table at all the gun shows 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

Free Classified Ads for Members

Classified ads for shooting and hunting 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. 9 #3 Aug. 15, 2003

>Vol. 9 #4 Nov. 15, 2003

Classified Ads

For Sale: Smith & Wesson Model 14 revolver , 6 shot, 6" heavy slab barrel, Wichita Supreme 4 position sight, Pachmayr grips, honed action, hard cover carry case, trigger lock, asking $400 or best offer; call Ivan 905-934-6882

For Sale: Remington Model 760 carbine, 30-06, 18½" barrel, w/Tasco 3x9x40 scope and see thru mounts, VG, $550. Remington Model 760 rifle, 30-06, 20 ½" barrel, w/Bushnell 4X scope, EX, $600. Mossberg, 12 ga., 21" barrel, bolt action, with mag, 2 3/4", G, $75. call Chester 905-637-7531

For Sale or Loan: Boito (Brazilian) SxS Coach Gun, 12 ga., 20" barrels, IC/M chokes, EX, 95%+, asking $325; call Gerry 905-685-4480

For Sale: Ithaca XL900 shotgun, 12 ga. semi-auto,, 24" VR barrel, full choke, 2 3/4", Decelerator recoil pad, excellent, asking $350. Squires Bingham .22 LR bolt action rifle, 22" barrel, Bushnell 3x9x32 scope, sling, 6 shot clip, excellent, asking $130. Lakefield Mark II .22 LR bolt action rifle, 20" barrel, 10 shot clip, unmarked, as new, asking $100. Baikal SxS Coach Gun, 16 ga., external hammers, 20" barrel, 2 3/4", Decelerator recoil pad, double trigger, excellent, asking $225. 39 boxes of new Winchester 16 ga. shotshells, #6 shot, $6 a box or best offer, call Mike (905) 945-1961

Moved, Address Changes, Etc.

For address changes, duplicate mailings, removal of a name from the mailing list or if you want a newsletter call 905-685-4480.

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.

TSCON Inquiries?

General: 905-685-4480 or 905-937-2301
Memberships: 905-685-4480
Gun Show: 905-935-3893
FAX: 905-934-8039
Mail:
TSCON
Box 21047
St. Catharines, ON
L2M 7X2

DRAW PRIZE WINNERS

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

G u n S h o w

Friday, April 11, 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: