First, let’s be clear. Obama is my president now and I wish him well. I hope he pulls this country out of this dismal economic slide we’re in.
If that happens I don’t care who gets the credit as long as the stock market and my 401K recovers.
|
Advertisement |
In the weeks immediately following the election gun shops in some parts of the country had to call in workers who were on vacation just to handle the business.
Across the country there was a 42 percent increase in the number of background checks on the sale of firearms just in November alone.
In December they jumped another 24 percent and then 28.8 percent last month. In November alone there were 1,529,635 background checks done by the FBI.
These checks are required for any firearm purchase from a federally licensed firearm dealer. These statistics came from the FBI through the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Some firearms manufacturers are having a difficult time keeping up with the demand, which is fueled mostly by the fear the Obama administration might do something to inhibit gun ownership in this country. That fear may not be unfounded.
A bill in Congress, HR 45, would create what is currently called “Blair Holt’s Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009.”
My first question was, who is Blair Holt? Well, it seems he was a 16 year old teenager who was tragically killed by gunfire on a Chicago bus back in 2007.
Evidently, he heroically threw his body over someone else and took a bullet. Obviously, the anti-gun is using his name for the emotional effect.
If passed into law gun owners would have to submit a formal application that included photo identification, fingerprints, medical and mental health records and a completed firearms test before being allowed to license a firearm, for a fee, of course.
It would then be illegal to possess any firearm that was not licensed and registered and if you sold or purchased a firearm licenses would have to be involved by both parties.
Every sale and transfer would be recorded and if you fail to report a transfer, loss or theft of a firearm within 72 hours, or even a change of your address within 60 days, you could be charged with a crime and jailed!
There is more but that is about all the idiocy I can stand to write about. This concept borders on Communism.
I can’t imagine this bill getting very far but I can guarantee you it would be the most violated law in the United States.
Honest Americans would become instant criminals and the real criminals would be, well, still criminals.
What do they care about Blair Holt? They shot him. Now it appears young Mr. Holt will, unfortunately, become a very successful gun salesman too.
This bill was introduced Jan. 6th and referred to the Judiciary Committee where it had better die. It is so asinine as to be beyond comprehension in these United States.
I’m not a radical member of the National Rifle Association, and I hate to sound too dramatic, but if this government ever does come looking for my guns, I can only quote the late NRA President Charlton Heston, “…..from my cold, dead hands.”
Besides, I gave away or sold all my firearms. They’re gone. Poof. Disappeared.
ARCHERY CLUB
A meeting of the Three Rivers Archers archery club was held on Thursday evening and some preparations were made for winter indoor shooting.
This year the indoor range will be at the Harvest Outreach Church on 11th Street and the 210 Bypass.
A range is being set up inside that facility and archers can enter the building at the North Door Entrance.
Shooting will take place on Tuesdays and Thursday at 7 p.m.
Only TRA members can shoot free and there will be memberships available at the site.
Or you can get a membership at Gripper’s Sports across the street from Econofoods. Annual memberships are extremely reasonable and cost $10 for students, $20 for single and $30 for a family.
TRA members may bring a guest free of charge twice but after that nonmembers must pay $5 per night to shoot.
The club is in the midst of a membership drive so if you’re interested in archery you’re encouraged to come and check things out.
A Youth Shoot is also being planned for Thursday, Feb. 19th at the indoor range. For details and any other information contact Matt at 218-643-1305 or Dennis at 701-642-6761.
YOUTH DERBY
The Red River Area Sportsman’s Club is again partnering with Neil Heitkamp and Hietkamp Construction to host the annual Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, Feb. 28.
This event is always very well attended, even if it’s cold. Lots of kids enjoy a day on the ice courtesy of Neil Heitkamp, who owns Heitkamp Pond just northeast of the Minn-Dak Sugar Beet Plant.
The fishing is all catch-and-release and registration starts at 12:30 p.m. Fishing hours will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch will be served by the Heitkamp Construction crew.
The Youth Fishing Derby is open to kids high school age and below and some fishing tackle is provided for those who don’t have any. If you have any questions call the Wahpeton Rec. Dept. at 642-2811.
LEGISLATURE
The biggest thing happening in the legislature is the upcoming hearing on SB 2351, the bill to ban baiting and feeding of big game.
The Senate Natural Resources Committee is set to hear testimony on Thursday, Feb. 12th at 9:30 a.m. and I’ve heard they have three hours set aside to deal with this highly emotional subject.
There will be lots of testimony, both pro and con and it will be interesting to see how it goes.
In my opinion, those who want to retain the right to bait big game are thinking only of themselves.
Those who want to ban the practice are thinking of the resource and the quality of hunting in the future.
Sorry if that offends anyone but that’s the way I see it.
In other action, the bill that would create a season-long nonresident small game license for $125 (with $40 going to the PLOTS program) passed the Senate by a vote of 30 to 16.
SB 2264 is now in Appropriations to determine the fiscal impact.
Also, HB 1216, a bill that would change the nonresident small game format to three five-day periods passed the House 53 to 40 and is off to the Senate.
TURKEY DEADLINE
The deadline to apply for a North Dakota spring turkey license is Wednesday, February 11th.
There are 7,135 licenses available which is down 2 percent from last year, partially due to poor reproduction.
It remains to be seen how this winter will affect turkey numbers.
BizzNiss wrote on Mar 1, 2009 8:30 PM:
Liked your article. Agreed with most. Didn't like your comment about "...I'm not a radical member of the NRA..." etc. I'm a member of the NRA, and not a radical. I imagine 99.9% of our 3 million members aren't either. They are the only organization fighting for our gun rights. In business since 1871. Join today. Twenty bucks a year. "
handyman1931 wrote on Feb 24, 2009 10:38 PM:
As my father used to say "give an inch
and you will lose a mile" I grew up as a hunter, was hunting by my self from the time of age 10 on. Was taught never to point the gun at any thing I
did not intend to kill. Never shot anyone. Did kill a lot of game for food
Never for FUN. "