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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Robert Zimmerman on Armed American Radio

Besides several very good firearm and pro-rights related blogs, a good source of 2nd Amendment information is available from longtime radio programs like NRANews's Cam and Company, which is on satellite radio as well as the Internet and Sportsman Channel, Tom Gresham's syndicated radio program Gun Talk, and Mark Walters' syndicated radio program Armed American Radio.   The great thing about all three is they podcast their broadcasts so if you can't listen live, you can listen at your convenience.  This past Sunday's Armed American Radio featured the Robert Zimmerman and his attorney in the first two hours, talking about his brother George and sharing information about the case that you haven't heard in the mainstream media.  It was very apparent why Robert Zimmerman was the family spokesman throughout this ordeal.  You can hear the mostly untold story here and here.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Gun Ban Group Planning "Gun Violence Prevention Summit" in Richmond

Just got this email from the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence:
I am writing to ask you to Save the Date for a very important upcoming event.
On September 7, 2013, the Center for American Progress will host a Virginia Gun Violence Prevention Strategy Summit in Richmond from 11:00AM - 4:00PM.  The exact location is still to be determined.

The summit will allow you to meet and strategize with other Virginians who care about gun violence prevention. You will be a part of a conversation to devise a coordinated state strategy to bring about the common sense reforms in gun policy that we need in Virginia.

The goals of the summit are as follows:
  • Gather all groups, advocates and committed Virginians who work on common sense gun violence prevention measures.
  • Provide an overview of the current state policies on guns, how they impact Virginians, and what we can do to make them stronger.
  • Help plan and strategize coordination across various groups and gun violence prevention goals. This conversation is most valuable if the key members of each group can be coordinated. Please send the person that best fits this description.
  • Educate and train new and experienced organizers on how they can best contribute, within the state and nationally, to the gun violence prevention fight.
  • Provide messaging and policy training, organizing skills trainings, as well as a discussions on overall strategy for the coalition, in the short term and long term.

Finally, please note that this event will be free of charge and includes lunch.

I will follow up with more details soon. I hope to see you in September!

Best regards,

Lori Haas
Organizer
For those not familiar with the Center for American Progress, it's headed by former Clinton Chief of Staff John Podesta and Clinton and Obama Administration veteran Neera Tanden.  You get a sense of where they are coming from on the gun ban agenda here.  So, based on the goals, I guess this "summit" is the left's version of a grassroots seminar.  I'll post the location when I get that information.


Thursday, July 25, 2013

National Record Set by Junior Shooter at Virginia State Pistol Championship

It is now official - Walker Buckman set a new junior national record at the Virginia State Pistol Championship at Fairfax Rod & Gun Club last month!  Walker, a 17-year old shooter from Lovettsville, Virginia, shot an incredible score of 298-16x in the .22 National Match Course, smashing the old junior national record.  Walker was also the open winner of the .22 900 aggregate portion of the state championship match with a score of 880-37x.

As it turns out, the Virginia State Championship served as a good warm-up for Walker, who followed up his record-setting performance a few weeks later by winning the junior national pistol championship at the National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.
SSgt David Carlson, Head Coach, Marine Corps Pistol Team, Weapons Training Battalion MCB Quantico said,
"On behalf of the United States Marine Corps Pistol Team, we would like to extend our congratulations to Walker.  We know that a lot of hard work and dedication went in to developing that championship performance, both on his part and for those that helped him along the way.  We look forward to hearing more great things about our young champion in the future, and look forward to seeing him next year during our season.  Congratulations!"
VSSA echos those comments.  Congratulations, Champ, on an incredible summer of shooting, and it's only half over.

Hat tip to VSSA Pistol Committee Chairman Joe Fisher.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Virginia Hunters for the Hungry Surpasses 20.9 Million Servings of Donated Food

The Lynchburg News and Advance reports that despite a dip in the number of pounds donated by hunters during the last deer season, Virginia Hunters for the Hungry has supassed 20.9 million servings of donated food since its founding in 1991.
Hunters for the Hungry, a Bedford County nonprofit that donates venison for the needy, collected roughly 279,300 pounds of deer meat in 2012 — the lowest in nine years.
It was enough to provide more than 1 million quarter-pound servings, according to the Big Island program’s recent newsletter.
“While we did provide an impressive amount of food, our donations of deer were down 28 percent from 2011,” it said.
The group attributed the reduced donations to several factors including an 8 percent drop in deer harvest statewide, as well as the economy and high food prices leading donors to share more venison with family and friends.  Hemorrhagic deer disease also eliminated up to 30 percent of the deer population in some areas.

Despite the decline, hunters are still a main source of much need protein source for the needy.

30th Annual Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show August 9-11

For the 30th year, Hugh Crittenden and the Virginia Deer Hunter's Association will hold present the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show.  As it has in the last two years, will again be held at the Richmond Raceway Complex.  The evening before the show opens, the Richmond Friends of NRA will hold their 2nd Annual Banquet.  Partnering with the VOSS paid dividends last year and this year's event should also be a success. Doors open at the FNRA event Thursday at 5:30.  The VOSS opens Friday at 4PM.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

VSSA's Crush'n Clays Scores Again

A sell out crowd of 120 shooters participated in the 15th Annual Crush'n Clays on June 8th, 2013 at the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the IWLA in Centreville, Virginia. Over the last 14 years, Crush'n Clays has raised $265,000 and after this event we expect to add $16,000 - $18,000 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.
 
The Popular Annie Oakley Event Went "Extra Innings" on the First Round
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 on the squad were recorded for record. All participants were eligible for individual awards using a “Lewis” class system.

It's a Family Affair as dad, two daughters, and one of the girl's boyfriend participated
The festivities began with Bob Brino, Skeet/Trap Director of the Arlington-Fairfax Chapter of the IWLA, providing a shotgun clinic for novice competitors. Once again, Bob donated the targets for the event. We all owe Bob a big thanks.

This year we also welcomed a new event sponsor Fishnet Security, Source Fire and Suburban Electric. Jim Hickerson, owner of Suburban Electric, is an Arlington-Fairfax IWLA member, shoots in the winter shotgun league, and is an accomplished skeet shooter. A big shout out to Jim, one of our own, for his support of Crush'n Clays. 
Sirraj was the winner of the first Annie Oakley event.  Some great shooting too!!!

As always, the Annie Oakley drew a huge number of participants. Many participants entered the event multiple times resulting in with well over 200 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 George Mason University Trap and Skeet Team,
2013 ACUI National Champions, sells raffle tickets for their team fundraiser.
Bucky Sills, Rick Kohne, Wayne Owens and Gilbert Ramey of Arlington-Fairfax IWLA provided a popular barbeque lunch of pork, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs and assorted side dishes.
Samantha Olsen, former Lindenwood University shooter and current National Assistant Coach Trainer at the NRA
J.R Wingfield, of Piedmont Sportsmans Club, bested all competitors in the main event, running all targets straight with a high score of 50. Congratulation to J.R. for, once again, being the 2013 Crush'n Clays Champion. J.R.'s has won this event several times with a perfect score. If he keeps this up, we may have to retire the plaque!

The remaining individual class winners were:
Class A – Don Sipes
Class B – David Pearson
Class C – Frank Bullard
Class D – Tim Walthall

In the team competition the results were,
1st Place -Piedmont- Score 137
J.R. Wingfield
Lu Charette
Mark Charette
Andrea Smith

2nd place – Surburban Electric – 133

Ashly Palles
Mark Scott
Brian Hickerson
Jim Hickerson
Tim Tynan

3rd Place – NRA – 126

Bill Poole
Don Sipes
Samantha Olsen
Anna Poff
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, Fishnet Security, Source Fire, Suburban Electric Corporation, Dominick Casciano, Everfresh, Vienna Septic Services and all the volunteers whose tireless efforts made the event a great success.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Some Dems Call for Boycott of Florida

So, you don't like the outcome of a trial and decide to get a little economic revenge. Won't change the outcome but makes them feel important.  I'm betting the average American sees this and yawns.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Why Gun Owners Are Right to Fight Against Gun Control

Dave Hardy's article by the above title at Reason.com is good read.

Obenshain's Momentum Continues to Build in AG Race

State Senator Mark Obenshain's campaign continues to build momentum in the first month after her found out who his Democratic opponent would be.  The Washington Post recently reported that Obenshain raised $480,000 in June, beating the record previously set by Cuccinelli in 2009 of nearly $292,000, and far outraising his competitor.  Democrat Mark Herring, a state senator from Loudoun who won a primary against former Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Fairfax last month, reported raising $206,000.  Obenshain has approximately $300,000 more in his bank account than Herring.

Mark Obenshain for AG
Obenshain is the clear choice for gun owners in the AGs race.  Herring, like his Democratic ticketmates, is running hard on enacting gun control laws.  Senator Obenshain has been a true friend of gun owners throughout his career in the State Senate.

Please contact the Obenshain campaign to see how you can help him win in November.  Your rights depend on it.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Friends of NRA Sees Growth in Virginia

2013 has been a remarkable year already for the Friends of NRA program in Virginia.  Numbers are way up on both attendance and funds raised.   There are a couple brand new committees on board for this year, and so far every committee has experienced their most successful events to date!

Listed below are some stats on event Net dollars raised to date and a listing of upcoming banquets:
Held Events:
Date          Committee                      Net Dollars   %Increase
2/28/13     Danville/Pittsylvania         $33,700.       106.35% up
3/16/13     Northern Valley               $26,205.      35%  up
3/23/13     Southern Commonwealth  $45,500.      234% up
3/29/13     Culpepper                       $18,250.       61% up
4/3/13       Three Rivers                    $10,485.       316% up
4/13/13    SWVA  (southwest VA)   $7,240.       *New committee
4/27/13    Fredericksburg                  $24,000.    *New committee
5/9/13      Hampton FONRA            $16,850.       233%up

Upcoming Events:
8/6/13                   Central Virginia FoNRA             Lynchburg, VA
8/8/13                   Greater Richmond FoNRA        Richmond, VA
9/7/13                   Southside FoNRA                      Lunenburg, VA
9/13/13                Loudoun County FoNRA            Dulles, VA
9/14/13                Heart of VA FoNRA                   Farmville, VA
9/21/13                Southern Regional FoNRA          South Boston, VA
9/27/13                Jefferson Area FoNRA                Charlottesville, VA
10/4/13                Fairfax FoNRA                            Fairfax, VA
10/5/13                Chincoteague FoNRA                  Chincoteague, VA
10/12/13              Patrick Henry FoNRA                  Martinsville, VA

Hat tip to NRA Virginia Field Rep. David Wells.

Virginia Youth Education Summit A Big Success

Eleven students from across the Commonwealth of Virginia traveled to Richmond from July 12-14 to attend the Virginia State Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) program. VSSA helped facilitate this great event thanks to a grant from the NRA Foundation.
 
Besides touring the State Capitol and learning about the legislative process in Virginia, they also visited the Colonial Shooting Academy, “the nation’s largest indoor shooting facility,” where they learned about firearm safety and marksmanship and squeezed in some rifle practice at one of their ranges.
 
You can read more about this event here.
 

VSSA Annual Meeting Set for September 28 at NRA HQ

VSSA will hold its Annual Meeting on September 28 at NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, VA.  The event begins at 4:00 PM with an opportunity to shoot at the NRA Range as well as guided tours of the National Firearms Museum.  At 6:00 PM attendees will enjoy dinner in the NRA Cafe ($15.00 for members and $20.00 for non members/guests) and the meeting will begin at 7:30 PM.  In the very near future, VSSA will announce this year's guest speaker but we are working to get a high level member of the NRA staff including NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox or NRA Executive Director of General Operations Kyle Weaver.

Chis Cox needs no introduction to longtime VSSA and NRA members.  Chris is a dynamic speaker and will surely have interesting information to share with our members should he be available to speak.  If Cox is unavailable, Weaver will also make a great speaker.  A native of Halifax County here in Virginia, he will be able to talk about grassroots gun owners and their importancemean to protecting our rights.  You can read more about Kyle Weaver here.  VSSA will announce the speaker as soon as we receive confirmation.

As part of this year's meeting, VSSA also has the Annual Meeting Raffle.  This year the first prize is the Smith and Wesson M&P Shield in .40 S&W.

Second prize is the Limited Edition Henry .22 Lever Action Rifle with the VSSA Logo lazer engraved in the stock, and third prize is a $100 Bass Pro Shop Gift Card.

The Annual Meeting mailing including election ballots and dinner reservation forms will be in member's mailboxes soon but you can download raffle tickets now by clicking here.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Holder's Claims on "Stand Your Ground" Lack Evidence

Yesterday, during his speech to the NAACP Conference in Florida, Attorney General Eric Holder said:
"Separate and apart from the case that has drawn the nation's attention, it's time to question laws that senselessly expand the concept of self-defense and sow dangerous conflict in our neighborhoods" 

The big buzz words at the U.S. Department of Justice for the last five years have been "Evidenced Based" when it comes to criminal justice programs.  Taxpayers even support a DOJ web site that is a searchable database of "evidence based" programs.  But where is the evidence that these laws have increased violence?

There is evidence however to show that "Stand Your Ground" laws have had a positive impact in protecting ordinary citizens.  Researcher Howard Nemerov wrote
On average, Stand Your Ground states experienced declines in all three violent crime rates. This data suggest that Stand Your Ground may have produced modest reductions in all three violent crime categories.
The NRA has responded to Holder's comments:

"The attorney general fails to understand that self-defense is not a concept, it's a fundamental human right," he said in a statement. "To send a message that legitimate self-defense is to blame is unconscionable, and demonstrates once again that this administration will exploit tragedies to push their political agenda."

Holder doesn't believe you and I have a legitimate reason to own a firearm at the same time he has a security detail to protect him.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

VSSA Trainers Teach Marines How to Teach NRA Training Courses

VSSA President Ernie Padgette, VSSA Vice President Tom Ciarula, and VSSA member Bucky Sills, all National Rifle Association-certified training counselors, headed to Marine Corps Base Quantico to train the Marine Corps Combat Shooting Team earlier this spring.

“We are here teaching the Marines certain NRA courses,” Padgette told  Cpl Antwaun Jefferson of the Defense Video and Distribution System.  “To be able to teach these courses to the Marine Corps population, the Marines will need to be certified and that is what we are here for.”

Classes included, but were not limited to, the basic instructor training class, basic pistol instructor class, and personal protection outside the home basic and instructor classes. The classes lasted 12-14 hours each.

The courses were offered free of charge out of consideration of the sacrifice each of the members are making to serve our nation.  By the end of the week, 11 members of the combat shooting team became certified instructors and are now authorized to teach the NRA courses.
Hat tip to DVDS.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Will Zimmerman Trial Change Self Defense in Virginia

WTVR 6 asked that question today.

The short answer is, we will continue to push for Castle Doctrine legislation at the Virginia General Assembly.

VSSA's position has always been one of support for Castle because we believe someone should not have to lose everything they have defending their actions in court before Virginia takes steps to protect our right to defend ourselves in our home or on our property.  So, when Virginia does finally pass Castle Doctrine legislation, it won't be due to what happened in Florida, it will be due to the fact a majority of the General Assembly finally has figured out that Virginians are at risk of being sued by criminals who try to do us harm in our own home until the law specifically says they cannot seek legal action against a law abiding citizen attempting to protect themselves or their families.

Here is the TV6 report.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Zinns Comes From Behind to Win at NRA Pistol Championships

If you'be been keeping up with this season of Top Shot All Stars, you've probably noticed that the competition has been pretty stiff. That is as it should be with this being the best of the best from the previous four seasons. Some of the folks who breezed through their last attempt making it to the final eight of their season are struggling sometimes this season. This past week Brian Zinns, who is an 11 time NRA Pistol Champion, had a hard time with the Mile Rifle Shot.  Then he had an uncharacteristic problem with the Henry Rifle at the "Proving Ground." It took three extra rounds to get out of the elimination challenge with the primative atlatl.

NRABlog reports that Zinns was apparently having a similar day on Thursday at the 2013 Remington/NRA Pistol Championships when at the end of the day he found himself ten points back from the leader tied for 9th place.  But after a great round on the muddy fields at Camp Perry, he ended Friday in 1st Place with one day to go.

When we left off at the conclusion of Thursday's .22 Caliber Championship, 11-time national champion Brian Zins had found himself ten points behind the leader and tied for ninth overall after his relay experienced strong winds. Twenty-four hours later, Zins is back on top. Not content to let the weather hold him back on his quest for a 12th title, Zins star went nothing short of berserk on the firing line, shooting a 880 out of 900 and leaping to the front of the pack.

Zinns went on to win the .45 Caliber Pistol Championships today.  Just goes to show one bad day doesn't make a bad shoot.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Google App Raises Concerns of Gun Owners

After learning of this issue from VSSA sister organization Kansas State Rifle Association (KSRA), I immediately went to the Google Play Store to check out the app in question. Google Play is where Android device (phones and tablets) users get games and other apps. It did not take long to see gun owners had inundated the review with negative comments and urging Google to remove the app.

It appears that it was created in response to a similar app that gun owners can use to note firearm friendly businesses, as the app in question uses the same mapping scheme.  The difference of course is this app is being used by anti-gun users to also tag residence locations. As John Lott told Fox News, this gives criminals the information they need to steal firearms.

If you have an Android device, please log-in to the Google Play Store and register your disapproval of the app.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Congressional Black Caucus Pushes Obama on Gun Control

The Hill reports that Black lawmakers yesterday pushed President Obama to reignite his push for gun control.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), who attended the meeting, said Obama is “totally committed” to passing tougher gun laws in his second term. The trick, she said, is getting Congress to agree and “not allowing the National Rifle Association to control the agenda.”

“We’ve got to fight harder and the members of the public have to continue to speak out,” Lee said. “It’s up to us; I think they [White House officials] are doing everything that they can do. It’s the House that has not allowed these bills to come to the floor.”
And that's why we can't become complacent. Between now and the 2014 election, Obama is likely to take some steps, either by renewing a legislative push, or by taking additional "executive actions" to get what he wants. We already know based on his end run around congress on Obamacare last week that he does not care what his Constitutional powers are. If he wants it, he will do it.

A Great Profile of Remington and the New York Town in Which it is Based

Charles Cooke of National Review has this great profile of the firearm manufacturer that has a long history in the New York town in which it is based. It's a good read.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

And We Thought The 3rd Amendment Was Out Dated

It appears the Henderson, Nevada Police forgot they are supposed to abide by the entire Constitution, even the parts that seem out dated.

Hat tip to From the Barrel of a Gun.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

If Only We Had Leaders Today Like Those Who Won Our Independence

On this 237th anniversary of our nation's birth, we reflect on the freedom that we won over two centuries ago.  It took special individuals, many of whom lost everything they had, so that future generations would not have to live under the yoke of tyranny.

On the Rush Limbaugh show yesterday, a caller shared how he always celebrates Independence Day by re-reading a speech that Limbaugh's father gave often on the subject.  Here is a sample of what those brave men who gathered in Philadelphia gave up:
Francis Lewis, New York delegate saw his home plundered -- and his estates in what is now Harlem -- completely destroyed by British Soldiers. Mrs. Lewis was captured and treated with great brutality. Though she was later exchanged for two British prisoners through the efforts of Congress, she died from the effects of her abuse.
William Floyd, another New York delegate, was able to escape with his wife and children across Long Island Sound to Connecticut, where they lived as refugees without income for seven years. When they came home they found a devastated ruin.
Philips Livingstone had all his great holdings in New York confiscated and his family driven out of their home. Livingstone died in 1778 still working in Congress for the cause.Louis Morris, the fourth New York delegate, saw all his timber, crops, and livestock taken. For seven years he was barred from his home and family.
John Hart of Trenton, New Jersey, risked his life to return home to see his dying wife. Hessian soldiers rode after him, and he escaped in the woods. While his wife lay on her deathbed, the soldiers ruined his farm and wrecked his homestead. Hart, 65, slept in caves and woods as he was hunted across the countryside. When at long last, emaciated by hardship, he was able to sneak home, he found his wife had already been buried, and his 13 children taken away. He never saw them again. He died a broken man in 1779, without ever finding his family. 
Thomas Nelson, signer of Virginia, was at the front in command of the Virginia military forces. With British General Charles Cornwallis in Yorktown, fire from 70 heavy American guns began to destroy Yorktown piece by piece. Lord Cornwallis and his staff moved their headquarters into Nelson's palatial home. While American cannonballs were making a shambles of the town, the house of Governor Nelson remained untouched. Nelson turned in rage to the American gunners and asked, "Why do you spare my home?" 
They replied, "Sir, out of respect to you." Nelson cried, "Give me the cannon!" and fired on his magnificent home himself, smashing it to bits. But Nelson's sacrifice was not quite over. He had raised $2 million for the Revolutionary cause by pledging his own estates. When the loans came due, a newer peacetime Congress refused to honor them, and Nelson's property was forfeited. He was never reimbursed. He died, impoverished, a few years later at the age of 50.Lives, Fortunes, Honor
You can read the entire speech here.

Happy Independence Day from the Virginia Shooting Sports Association.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Illinois Governor Thumbs Nose at Legislature Over Carry Bill.

John Lott has the details here. Basically Quinn said the legislation was to heavily influenced by the NRA so he's rewriting it. Makes me thankful I live in Virginia.

Monday, July 1, 2013

CHP Privacy Effective Today

July 1 is the day that legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor become law.  At 12:00 AM this morning, Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP) holders can rest assured that their private information is no longer available to the general public or the media by request.  The only people besides the Clerk of the Circuit Court who have access to the information now is law enforcement.

We can thank State Senator Mark Obenshain, who is currently running to be Virginia's next Attorney General, for this important protection for CHP holders.  As originally introduced, Obenshain's bill, SB1335 would have protected the personal information of CHP holders who had a protective order in effect.  But when the bill was being heard in the House of Delegates, it was amended to protect all CHP holders, with Obenshain's blessing.  This by far was the most important piece of 2nd Amendment related legislation that passed the General Assembly this year.

Also becoming law today are:

Senate Bill 1363, patroned by Senator Jill Vogel (R-27), and House Bill 2317, patroned by Delegate Rich Anderson (R-51), are companion bills that provide that residency for members of the armed forces shall include both the member’s permanent duty post and the nearby state in which the military personnel resides for the purposes of firearms purchases.

House Bill 1582, patroned by Delegate Mark Cole (R-88).  The final version of this bill permits armed security officers licensed by the Department of Criminal Justice Services to carry firearms onto private or religious school property if the officer is hired by the private or religious school to provide protection to students and employees.  This bill also prohibits the Board of Social Services from adopting any regulations that would prevent a child day center from hiring an armed security officer.

House Bill 1833, patroned by Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-31), creates separate sections to address the general criminal prohibition against carrying concealed firearms; the requirements for applying for a concealed handgun permit; the process the circuit court follows in reviewing, issuing, and denying permits; the appeals process procedures for nonresidents to obtain permits; the renewal process disqualifications; and other procedural issues.

Much if this year's General Assembly Session was spent defeating bad gun control bills in the aftermath of the Newtown shooting.  VSSA is proud to say thanks to our members and our lobbying efforts, all of those bills, that included bans on semi-automatic rifles and ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, were defeated.