Buy at Cabela's - Support VSSA

Thursday, June 30, 2011

13th Annual Crush'n Clays Wrap-up

Over 100 shooters participated in the 13th Annual Crush'n Clays on June 11th 2011 at the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the IWLA in Centreville, Virginia.  Over the last 12 years Crush'n Clays has raised $230,000 and after this event we expect of add $15,000 - $17,000 to that total.   Crush'n Clays is not only, the longest running shooting charity that supports the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, but also, it is the longest consecutive running shooting charity event in the country.

A Sponsor/Volunteer Reception was held the evening prior at the Skeet and Trap Clubhouse.  Bucky Sills and Dominick Casciano provided a sumptuous buffet of cocktail shrimp, cheese platters, smoked venison tenderloin, smoked beef tenderloin, BBQ ribs, sausage, potato salad and desserts.  It's a small thanks to our sponsors and many volunteers.

Participants were provided with ammunition, event t-shirts and lunch.  The trap shooting event consisted of 25 targets from the 16 yard line and 25 targets from the 22 yard-line.  Both individuals and four person teams competed in the event.  In the team competition the best three of four scores were recorded for record.  All participants were eligible for individual awards using a “Lewis” class system.



The festivities began with Bob Brino, Skeet/Trap Director of the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the IWLA, providing a shotgun clinic for novice competitors.  Bob donated the targets for the event.  We all owe Bob a big thanks.

As always, the Annie Oakley drew a huge number of participants.  Many participants entered the event multiple times resulting in  over 114 entries during the day.  The Annie Oakley event also had tremendous spectator appeal, pitting the skills of one shooter against another.  Half of the entry fees of the event we awarded to the eventual winner of each squad and the other half went to St. Judes Children's Research Hospital.

The silent auction had number notable items that scored winning bid to include an Alexandria Beer Tasting & Tour (for 11guests), A Capitol Weekend, and a See Washington DC Tour.

Rick Kohne, Bucky Sills, Wayne Owens and Gilbert Ramey of Arlington-Fairfax IWLA provided a popular barbeque lunch of pork, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs and assorted side dishes.

J.R. Wingfield bested all competitors in the main event with a high score of 47.  Congratulation to J.R. for being the 2011 Crush'n Clays Champion.

The remaining individual class winners were:
Class A – Tim Tynan
Class B – Mark Crowley
Class C – Bob Petry
Class D – Kelly Sullivan

In the team competition the results were,

1st Place – Piedmont Sportsmans Club - Score 134
Lu Charette
Mark Charette
Kim Myers
J. R. Wingfield

2nd  Place -Atlantic Healthcare - Score 122
Ernie Lyles
Dale Robertson
Dominick Casciano II
Dominick Casciano III

3rd place - Palles Team - Score 120
Mark Scott
Mel Stahl
Tim Tynan
Ashly Palles

Thanks go to our sponsors the Virginia Shooting Sports Association, the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, the National Rifle Association, Bucky Sills, Dominick Casciano, Everfresh, Vienna Septic Services and all the volunteers whose tireless efforts made the event a great success..

Virginia Premier Swing State in 2012

So declares CQ Roll Call's Daily Briefing today.
Virginia’s status as the nation’s premier swing state is underscored by the numbers in the newest Quinnipiac University Poll. It found Obama’s approval and disapproval ratings in the state at an identical 48 percent. And it showed a virtual dead heat in the state’s open seat Senate contest, with Democrat Tim Kaine at 43 percent and Republican  George Allen at 42 percent.
You can read more about the poll here.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Pilot Politics Blog Corrects Bloomberg Error

Kudos to Virginian Pilot "Pilot on Politics" blogger Julian Walker for correcting the falsehood that automatic firearms are readily available at gun shows.

Bloomberg gun control group releases national ad featuring al-Qaida figure | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Women On Target -- Serious Fun!

The Rappahannock Pistol & Rifle Club’s (RP&RC) spring Women On Target (WOT) Instructional Shooting Clinic was a real success when 49 women turned out for a day of firearm instruction and shooting.  Susan Hudson, the RP&RC WOT Clinic Director reported “This program is structured to provide women an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of shooting and provides one-on-one instruction with pistols, rifles and shotguns.  About 40% of the participants had never held a gun before so this event was a perfect opportunity to expose ladies to the shooting sports.”  RP&RC president, George Chagalis gave a hearty welcome, and Barry Kennedy, the club’s training officer provided a thorough safety instruction.   As coaches provided individualized training, pistol and rifle shooters quickly honed in on their target bulls eye and ladies were proudly showing off their targets or were anxious to  share how to  hit the ‘clay targets’ on the shotgun range. 

NRA instructor Dave Petersen provides coaching on the pistol range
All the necessary equipment was provided by the RP&RC with support from the National Rifle Association and the Virginia Shooting Sports Association.  However, the real success of the clinic was due to the interest and generosity of the club members.  According to Hudson, “Without a passionate club membership to support these events, it could not be pulled together.  Over 50 club members loaned firearms, instructed ladies on the firing line or helped   during the day.  The club members had just as much fun as the WOT ladies!  It was a great day for everyone.” Participant feedback consistently mentioned the  skill and patience of the instructors. 

The RP&RC was founded in the early 1980s and their range is just outside White Stone corporate limits.  Members can use  a 25 yard, 50 yard and 100 yard firing ranges as well as a trap and wobble trap shotgun range.  The club offers programs open to the public covering  instruction in pistol, rifle and shotgun skills as well as  courses required to become a certified instructor or to qualify for a concealed carry permit.  Members of the club also enjoy a full range of ”friendly”competition shoots. 
NRA instructor Tom Smith observes form and follow through on the trap range

NRA instructors Bob Berry and Roger Briney observes form and follow through on the trap range

A highly popular local event, this WOT clinic filled within a couple of days of advertising and Hudson is already taking names of ladies interested in attending the fall WOT clinic scheduled for October 1st.  For more information about the fall WOT clinic or the RP&RC, visit the club’s website at www.rprclub.com or contact Susan Hudson on 804-453-9156. 

NRA instructor Julie Denny provides coaching on the pistol range

WOT participant, Ann Thomas, proudly displays the results of her rifle shooting...it can be done!
Thanks to Susan Hudson who provided this post and the photos.

New Gun Laws Effective Friday July 1

July 1st is the day legislation that was passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor becomes law.  There are several new laws of interest to gun owners and sportsmen that become law Friday.  They are:

HB 1411: This bill provides that a person convicted of reckless handling of a firearm while hunting may lose their right to hunt and trap for a period of 1 to 5 years.  Current law allows up to a lifetime hunting and trapping prohibition for a first conviction of reckless handling of a firearm while hunting.

HB1422/SB 839: This bill amends Virginia’s Homestead laws to add one firearm, not to exceed $3,000 in value, to the list of items that every householder shall be entitled to hold exempt from creditor process.  

HB 1552: This bill amends the language relating to the issuance of de facto concealed handgun permits. Current law states that if a court does not issue a permit or find that the applicant is disqualified, within 45 days of receipt of the application, the clerk is to certify the application and send it to the applicant. The certified application then serves as a de facto permit until the actual permit is issued or the applicant is found to be disqualified. The bill states that the clerk must mail or e-mail the certified application to the applicant within five business days of the expiration of the 45-day period.  Also, a friendly amendment added to HB 1552 will now provide delivery of the certified temporary application by electronic mail. 

HB 1856: This bill allows a concealed handgun permit holder to obtain a replacement permit in the event that the original permit is lost or destroyed. The permit holder would be required to submit a notarized statement to the clerk of the court that the permit was lost or destroyed and pay a fee not to exceed $5, and the clerk would be required to issue a replacement permit within 10 business days. The replacement permit will have the same expiration date as the original permit.

HB 1857This bill clarifies that a member of the military may provide permanent orders assigning him to the Pentagon for purposes of providing documentation of residency when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer.  It corrects a problem caused by the federal government where some military personnel who are attempting to purchase a firearm in the Commonwealth are being turned away because their permanent duty orders have assigned them to the Pentagon, which lists its official address in Washington, D.C., despite being located in Virginia. HB 1857 will clarify existing law and include the permanent orders to the Pentagon as criteria for required documentation of residence.

SB1213/HB 1501: Provides that the State Board of Elections, in cooperation with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will make mail voter registration application forms available where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

SB 757: This bill allows an individual to shoot an air rifle (BB, Airsoft or Paintball guns) on private property with permission of the property owner, as long as they take reasonable care to ensure the projectile does not cross property boundaries.  Any local ordinances that do not allow this exception will be pre-empted.  A number of localities (i.e. Fairfax and Blacksburg) have already begun amending their local ordinances to bring them into compliance with the new law. 

HB 2370This bill authorizes the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries to issue multiple-year hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses or permits. The costs of these types of licenses cannot exceed the costs of the permits or licenses if they were purchased on an annual basis.

HB 2415: This bill establishes a special hunting license for resident and nonresident veterans who have a service-connected disability of at least 70 percent as rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The resident veterans will pay one-half the cost of the annual state basic hunting license and the nonresident veterans will pay one-half the cost of the nonresident basic hunting license.

NRA's Keene: "Obama Gone in 2012"

That's a bold prediction but it's what NRA President David Keene told US News' Washington Whispers according to this post yesterday.

"Our major goal is to defeat Obama because if he's re-elected, he's going to attempt to change the Supreme Court. All he needs is one vote and he will rewrite the Second Amendment," says Keene. "The threat," he says, "in many ways is more severe than in 2000." One reason: Obama, who slapped gun owners in his campaign, has gone quiet on gun issues as president, making it harder to rally NRA members. That was until gun foe Sarah Brady revealed in April that Obama told her he was working on the issue "under the radar."
Keene is correct that a second Obama term could spell disaster for our rights, much less the country.  What is less clear is whether the NRA effort that worked so well in 2000, will resonate in 2012.   In 2000, the economy was considered to be humming along.  In 2012, unemployment is likely to be well above 8% and could be the 9% it is today.  In that type of environment, the economy is likely to overshadow any other issues that folks may in other circumstances deem important.

The NRA plans to target 25 million gun owners that are currently not registered to vote, get them registered, and get them to the polls.
Keene reveals that the NRA plans to mobilize its troops with the hopes of taking away three to five states Obama won in 2008. Keene and Wayne LaPierre, the gun group's executive vice president, plan a massive education campaign that he says will warn members about an Obama second term. He also says the NRA is seeking to register the up to 25 million gun owners not signed up to vote. He figures getting 5 million to 10 million to the polls would change the election's outcome. "We know how they'll vote," he says.
VSSA has seen the numbers, at least as they pertain to Virginia.  During the 2011 Session of the General Assembly, the NRA-ILA Virginia State Liaison had a spreadsheet and pie charts showing how many licensed hunters that are not registered to vote broken down by regions.  This information was used to help pass legislation placing voter registration forms at all locations that sell hunting and fishing licenses.  The number of hunters and anglers who are not registered to vote are staggering.  I haven't seen a comparable study of the number of Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) holders that are not registered to vote but it's a safe bet the numbers are high.  So, the field is ripe for the harvest.  The question is, will the effort pay off?  Let's hope so.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Gun Banners and Terrorists

Since someone stumbled across an Internet video earlier this month that urged terrorists to purchase guns at gunshows, the anti-rights newspaper editors and columnists have done all they can to get the country exercised about the so-called "Terrorist Loophole."  According to the gun ban lobby, this is the supposed loophole that allows people on the FBI "Terrorist Watchlist" to purchase a gun, eventhough they can't board an airplane.

NYT: When a Terrorist Wants to Buy

The part of the story these people don't tell is not everyone on that list is a terrorist or someone with terrorist ties. The late Senator Edward Kennedy was once on the list as was Congressman John Lewis.  No one other than the FBI knows how a name gets on the list, nor can anyone tell you how to get a name off that was included by error. So, before someone's civil rights are taken away, they should at least be convicted of a crime.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Holder Meeting With Anti-gun Travor

As mentioned in a post last week, the expected departure of ATF Acting Director Kenneth Melson is not necessarily good news.  While it has become clear that Melson new more about Operation Fast and Furious than the agency or DOJ have wanted to admit, his likely replacement is vigorously anti-rights.

Obama Eyeing Anti-Gun Backer to Run ATF - President Obama - Fox Nation

Friday, June 17, 2011

ATF Acting Director May Be Ousted

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Acting Director Kenneth Melson may be ousted from the agency's leadership for his involvement in Operation Fast and Furious.

Head of ATF Likely to Be Ousted - WSJ.com

Unfortunately, his replacement may be Andrew Travor, who was appointed by President Obama but who has yet to receive a confirmation hearing because of his anti-rights leaning as head of the Chicago ATF office. Travor is traveling to DC next week to meet with Attorney General Eric Holder. The Journal reports that the administration is considering naming Travor Acting Director in place of Melson.

Hat tip to NRANews.com

Sunday Hunting

Just taped an interview with Ginny Simone about DGIF's recent resolution supporting Sunday Hunting. You can here the interview on the Daily News at 5:00pm EDT on NRANews.com.

Blacksburg Reluctantly Passes New Air-gun Ordinance

The Roanoke Times reported yesterday that Blacksburg unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday that loosens restrictions on air-powered guns that are in line with new legislation (SB757), that will take effect on July 1, though the town did so with some reluctance.  Councilman John Bush told the Times that "It's probably not safe."

The new law, which was a priority for VSSA during the legislative session this year, prohibits localities from banning the use of pneumatic, or air-pressure-powered, guns on private property, so long as the guns are used reasonably and the property owner has given permission.

While Blacksburg did not make an issue of the legislation in the way that Fairfax has done, the comments make one think back to things like repeal of the restaurant ban, or "shall issue" concealed carry, where opponents predicted there would be dire consequences.  To date, restaurant carry has caused no issues, and shall issue concealed carry has been the law for almost 20 years with the prophecies of "blood in the streets" still unfulfilled.

Regarding Fairfax, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at 5:00 PM, June 21st, to hear comment on  amendments to the County Code related to where firearms and pneumatic guns may not be shot, to bring the county in line with SB 757. An alert will go out on this later today.  We need a large turnout for the public hearing to show that there is a perfectly safe way to set up an air-gun range in a backyard or garage without causing harm to others.  Those wishing to speak at the meeting can register online here.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Anti-rights Democrats Push Gun Control During Fast and Furious Hearings

Anti-gun members on the House Oversight Committee looking into ATF's gun walking scheme known as Operation Fast and Furious, faced with no way to defend the embattled agency, seized on comments made by some agents to push for more fun control.

Gun Control | House Oversight Committee | NRA | ATF | The Daily Caller

Among the members calling for new gun ban laws was Virginia's 10th District Representative Gerry Connolly. He  blamed the NRA for opposing regulations that would require tracking of multiple sales.  The problem with Connolly's charge is, tracking multiple sales is not the issue, ATF telling dealers to allow questionable sales to go through is the issue. 


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Today is Flag Day

Flag day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States by resolution of the Second Continental Congress on June 14,1777. June 14 is also the birthday of the Army.

I hope everyone will fly their American Flag today in honor of the freedoms that it represents, as well as to honor the many who have fought and given their lives to protect those freedoms.

Monday, June 13, 2011

DGIF Endorses Sunday Hunting

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Board endorsed Sunday Hunting at its June 7th meeting.

While this is good news, much work remains before hunting on Sunday becomes a reality.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Gun Ban Lobby Uses Al Qaeda Video to Push "Gun Show Loophole" Closure

A video recently spotted on jihadist forums shows American-born Al Qaeda fighter Adam Gadahn urging followers go buy guns at gun shows for use in terrorist activities.
"America is absolutely awash with easily obtainable firearms. You can go down to a gun show at the local convention center and come away with a fully automatic assault rifle without a background check and most likely without having to show an identification card. So what are you waiting for?"
Now gun ban lobby supporters like State Senator Don McEachin are using it in the hope of successfully pushing their agenda to close down Virginia's gun shows. The only problem is, there is a completely different set of regulations dealing with automatic firearms so one cannot just go and buy one from a private seller at a gun show. CBS TV6's Catie Beck covered the story here in Richmond and contacted VSSA for comment.

 

Catie has covered other firearm related stories and did a great job again of presenting the story fairly. VSSA will be addressing the issue again this afternoon on NRANews' Daily News with Ginny Simone.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Ft. Lee SCTP Skeet Shooting Team Takes First Place at Virginia State Skeet Championships

Congratulations to the Ft. Lee Dusters SCTP Skeet Shooting Team. They took first place at the Virginia State Skeet Championships on June 4th.  Lucas, shot a 97 out of a possible 100; Corey shot a 95 out of 100; and Kevin Christiansen shot 93 out of 100 : and Alex Murray shot 80 out of 100! Great group of young men....off to Nationals in Sparta, Illinois in July to compete in Sporting Clays, Skeet and Trap!!!



Thanks to team coach Jeff Atkins for pictures and scores.

Fairfax County Frets Over New Air Rifle Rules Taking Affect July 1

The Washington Examiner has this article today where Fairfax County Officials are "concerned" about a new law related to airguns. The bill, SB 757 which passed the General Assembly this session and was signed by the Governor on April 6, addresses the issue of localities restricting the discharge of "pneumatic" guns or airguns. Airgun ranges can be set up safely inside as well as outside. When setting up ranges outside in suburban back yards, they can be set up in such a way as to all but eliminate the chance of BBs and pellets leaving the property from which they are being shot. Nonetheless, boards of supervisors, town, and city councils, enact restrictions requiring large distances between homes or buildings before airguns can be discharged. Now, if you can safely set up an airgun range in a garage or basement, why shouldn't a land owner be able to do the same outside?

But that fact is lost on people like Fairfax County State Senator Dave Marsden:
"For our area, it is insane," said state Sen. Dave Marsden, D-Fairfax. "It's one thing to do this in any rural area, but to allow it in a suburban or urban area like much of Northern Virginia?"
As well as a member of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors:
"I don't think this will be well received," said Supervisor John Foust, D-Dranesville. "Our houses are much closer together, and our communities are much more dense than in much of the state. Neighbors would be justifiably concerned if someone is shooting weapons next door to them."
Here is new language (italicized) of the law that passed this year:
A. A locality may prohibit, by ordinance, the shooting of pneumatic guns in any areas of the locality that are in the opinion of the governing body so heavily populated as to make such conduct dangerous to the inhabitants thereof, and may require supervision by a parent, guardian, or other adult supervisor approved by a parent or guardian of any minor below the age of 16 in all uses of pneumatic guns on private or public property. The ordinance may specify that minors above the age of 16 may, with the written consent of a parent or guardian, use a pneumatic gun at any place designated for such use by the local governing body or on private property with the consent of the owner. The ordinance may specify that any minor, whether permitted by a parent or guardian to use a pneumatic gun or not, shall be responsible for obeying all laws, regulations and restrictions governing such use. Any penalty for a pneumatic gun offense set forth in such an ordinance shall not exceed a Class 3 misdemeanor.
B. No such ordinance authorized by subsection A shall prohibit the use of pneumatic guns at facilities approved for shooting ranges or, on other property where firearms may be discharged, or on or within private property with permission of the owner or legal possessor thereof when conducted with reasonable care to prevent a projectile from crossing the bounds of the property.
If someone shooting an airgun does not use "reasonable care" when shooting, Fairfax still has the same remedies to deal with the unsafe practice they have currently. So, one has to ask, why all the fuss?

Update: I spoke with NRANews' Cam Edwards about this on Monday's program.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Some Virginia Schools Rethinking "Zero-Tolerance" Rules

This morning's Washington Post has this story about how more schools systems, including some in Virginia, are rethinking the use of so-called "zero-tolerance" rules.  Some would more correctly call them zero-commonsense rules.  Born out of the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, school systems went to the extreme and have over the past twenty years suspended or expelled kids for simply drawing a picture of a gun or pointing their fingers like a gun at another kid.
The shift is a quiet counterpoint to a long string of high-profile cases about severe punishments for childhood misjudgments. In recent months, a high school lacrosse player was suspended in Easton, Md., and led away in handcuffs for having a pocketknife in his gear bag that he said was for fixing lacrosse sticks. Earlier, a teenager in the Virginia community of Spotsylvania was expelled for blowing plastic pellets through a tube at classmates.
Now some schools are looking to a more measured approach to school discipline. School administrators are increasingly focused on the fallout of suspensions, which are linked to lower academic achievement and students dropping out.

One example comes from Delaware.  In the Christina School District, "zero-tolerance" cases were a repeated issue.  In 2009, a 6-year-old with a camping utensil that included a knife was suspended in 2009. The district revamped their discipline procedures last year, giving administrators the discretion to consider a student’s intent and grade, as well as the risk of harm. After the change, out-of-school suspensions in the state’s largest school system fell by one-third in a year.

But just because they are backing away from "zero-tolerance" does not mean we should necessarily applaud the new policy replacing it.
One widely popular strategy, known as positive behavior support, uses structured methods for teaching behavior, with prompting, practice and intervention. Suspensions still occur, but the goal is to keep problems from happening in the first place. Nationally, 14,000 schools are involved — including schools in the District and in Loudoun, Alexandria, Fairfax, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Prince William counties.
"Positive Behavior Support" sounds a lot like an open invitation to indoctrinate against behaviors - say the use of firearms - that some might find offensive.  I no more want someone telling my kids that guns are bad simply because they are guns than I want them to suspend one of them for drawing a picture of someone hunting with a gun.

Schools should encourage the participation of parents in any policy changes to make sure they are not replacing one bad policy with another bad policy.  The Post reports in the story that those school systems that have revised their discipline policies to move away from one-size fits all "zero tolerance" rules have seen a reduction in suspensions.  That is good news.  We can only hope that the practice of treating every incident equally regardless of severity is on the way out.