Trump Wins!

It's not hyperbole to say that President Donald J. Trump pulled off the biggest political comeback in history when he won the 2024 election over Vice President Kamala Harris.  Winning a landslide Electorial College Victory and what looks to be a popular vote victory, he pulled together the most diverse coalition for a Republican in modern history.  As radio host Erick-Woods Erickson wrote earlier today,"Black and Hispanic men broke in disproportionate numbers for Trump from The Bronx to Miami".  Erickson continued:

Democrats lost racial and ethnic minorities because they treated them as demographic blocks who were more interested in the power dynamics of historical grievances than how to afford groceries and keep boys out of their daughters’ bathrooms.

Last night's victory is good news for gun owners.  It means that President Trump will likely have a chance to solidify the right of center majority on the U.S. Supreme Court for a generation.  He will have the opportunity to appoint lower court positions which are also important to our rights.  And, it likely means the end of President Biden's White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, or at least the end of it in its current form.

Last night was a good night for freedom.  Now, for those of us in Virginia, we need to prepare for next year's statewide elections where we will elect a new Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attoney General.  We saw last year just how radical Virginia's gun ban Democrats are.  We will have our work cut out for us.

The Trace Gives Us Reasons to Vote for President Trump

Tom Knighton over at Bearingarms.com points out that "The Trace", Michael Bloomberg's gun control mouth piece unintentionally laid out reasons that we should vote for President Donald Trump to be the nation's 47th President. Knighton shared an X post  from the Trace's Jennifer Mascia that summed up the article.

If Trump wins he's expected to:
• fire the ATF director
• appoint a pro-gun AG
• reverse Biden's executive orders on guns including pistol brace + ghost gun rules
• shutter White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention@ByChipBrownlee and I report:https://t.co/dCiSrU6xtA

— Jennifer Mascia (@JenniferMascia) November 1, 2024

Looks like good reasons to vote for Donald Trump.  Polls open at 6:00 AM in Virginia on Tuesday.  Make sure if you didn't vote early, that you vote tomorrow.

Hunting with Hounds Update

 VSSA received the below alert from the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance and we are sharing it for our members who hunt deer and other game with hunting dogs.

We need you at DWR on October 24th @ 9AM

Folks,

DWR has finally agreed to consider the two hound proposals at their upcoming board meeting on Thursday, October 24th. These were the two proposals that had a 45-day public comment period earlier this summer regarding GPS collars and hound trespass.
From their most recent press release:

“The Board will be considering regulatory proposals 4VAC15-40-310 and 4VAC15-40-320 regarding hunting with hounds, specifically, Board proposals six and seven, which may be viewed at https://dwr.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/media/Board-Proposals.pdf.”
These two regulations, particularly the trespass one (#7), are serious impediments to hunting with hounds in Virginia.

The trespass regulation will create a Class 3 misdemeanor for dog trespass. More importantly, it specifically creates a criminal trespass offense for a singular, targeted group of people: deer and bear hound hunters. It does not include all hunters with dogs and does not include all dogs in the general population.

We need hound hunters to show up and speak up

The most important thing you can do is be there. We need hunters to talk about what hunting with hounds means to them. They need to hear why hound hunting in Virginia is important. They need to hear how it is a necessary tool for wildlife management. You are a citizen of this great Commonwealth. We need you to express why you hunt with hounds and why you love hunting with hounds.

Despite the fact the both the GPS proposal and the trespass proposal were overwhelmingly opposed by the public (80%+), we cannot assume that DWR will follow accordingly.

Be courteous. Dress nicely. Wear an orange hat. The manner in which you present yourself is important!

If you cannot make it to the meeting, you can still participate and sign up to speak online. DWR still has not published their meeting agenda or signup links. We will share them with you once they have been published.

Why we need you there

When we have multiple dogs being shot in a season and DWR says nothing.

When we have more dog injury and tracking collar violations against dogs than we do RTR violations and DWR says nothing.

When we commit a fraction of all hunting violations but are continuously being singled out as the main problem.

When DWR is slow to deal with wildlife issues.

When DWR targets select hunting populations.

Those who oppose us were not successful during the General Assembly last year.
Those who oppose us were not successful at the Virginia Supreme Court.
Those who oppose us will be at the upcoming DWR meeting.

The meeting will be at DWR headquarters:
October 24th at 9am
The address is:
7870 Villa Park Dr.
Suite 400
Henrico, VA 23228

2024 Annual Meeting Raffle Winners

VSSA's Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, September 21st.  The winners of this year's Member Raffle were drawn and the wineners are as follows: 

1st Prize - Smith & Wesson M&P FPC 9MM carbine rifle  - Winner: Lawrence S. Chester, VA
2nd Prize - $250 Cabela's Gift Card - Andy F, Springfiled VA
3rd Prize - $100 Cash - Winner - Elias A., Charlottesville, VA

Thanks to all of our members who participated in this year's raffle.

Team Trump Captain Training August 13

It is more important than ever that gun onwers be active in this year's election.  If Kamala Harris wins in November, she could possibly replace two of the pro-rights majority justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. Both Justice Alito and Jusice Thomas are in their 70s.   That's why we need every gunowner active.  You can be active by joining Trump[ Force 47, the Trump voter turnout effort.  There is Trump Captain Training on Tuesday, August 13 at 7:00 PM EDT.  The training is online and you can RSVP to attend by clicking here.  

You can also become active in NRA-ILA efforts to get out the gun vote.  Contact Andrew Brown at:

Andrew Brown
NRA-ILA Grassroots Field Coordinator (VA)
andrew@nrailafrontlines.com
https://www.nrailafrontlines.com/

Harris and Walz are The Most Anti-2nd Amendment Presidential Ticket in History

That's not hyperbole, it's a fact.  We all know how anti-rights Kamala Harris has been her entire political career, but Governor Tim Walz is the typical "I support the Second Amendment but" politician. He ran as a pro-rights candidate during his first congressional campaign and even received the NRA's endorsment over the incumbant Republican congressman and for 12 years, from 2007 to 2019, Walz represented a conservative district that borders Iowa to the south.  Walz was listed by "Guns and Ammo" in its list of "top 20 politicians for gun owners" in 2016, but like most Democrats, Walz has moved over to the anti- rights side of the isle.  Earlier this week, pro-gun You Tuber Colion Noir pointed out just how radical Harris and Walz are.

   The Daily Wire's Michael Knowles shared this clip earlier this week:

Don't sit out this election.  Gun owners need to get active now.

Ben Shapiro Trashes Biden's New Background Check Rules

On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced that the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) submitted its proposed gun dealer licensing rule for publication. The rule sets out what will determine when somebody selling firearms from their personal colletion must get a Federal Firearms License (FFL) and adds a few new ones. Biden said the changes were designed to force more gun sellers to conduct background checks before the sale can be completed. The rule points to several specific steps for determining if somebody is selling guns “predominantly for a profit” as a business. But it is still not specific on how many guns somebody can sell or how much money they can make before needing a license.

Stephen Gutsowski wrote over at The Reload (behind the pay wall) that it will likely impact how Americans sell guns, but not in the way most people probably think.

But, despite the fanfare and claims of the Biden Administration, it doesn’t significantly change the ATF’s position on who needs a license. Nor does it outlaw private sales by unlicensed people at gun shows or elsewhere.

It’s true the rule says there’s no specific number of sales that determines who needs a license. It says it doesn’t matter where a sale takes place. It says renting a table at a gun show could indicate somebody is engaged in the business.

But that’s what the ATF has been saying for a very long time. None of this is new. If you look back at a similar move under the Obama Administration in 2016, you’ll find many of the same talking points at play. One of the big talking points at the time was even those selling a single gun could have to get a license–something repeated in this rule.

“ATF will make clear that whether you are ‘engaged in the business’ depends on the facts and circumstances,” White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett said at the time. “On factors such as: whether you represent yourself as a dealer, such as making business cards or taking credit card statements. Whether you sell firearms shortly after they’re acquired or whether you buy or sell in the original packaging.”

The ATF’s 2016 guide to determining whether you need an FFL hits all the major factors included in the new rule, too.

Podcaster Ben Shapiro addressed the issue today on his show and he said this is just one more piece of the radical Democrat agenda, and that it won't have any impact on crime.  Shapiro, a gun owner, said the rule is likely to be challenged in court like most of the other gun related rules the Biden Administration has released.

Governor Youngkin Vetoes 30 Gun Ban Bills

On Tuesday, Governor Glenn Youngkin blocked a batch of 30 bills that had passed the gun ban controlled General Assembly this year.  He also amended another six bills.  If the General Assembly does not approve of the amendments, the Governor could end up vetoing those bills after the re-convened session in April.

The bills the Governor amended include:
HB 861/SB 515 Weapons; carrying into hospital that provides mental health services.
Under current law, firearms are banned from public hospitals and private hospitals have the ability to ban firearms. The Governor’s recommendation focuses on criminals who transfer firearms to a person receiving mental health treatment at a hospital.

SB 363. Firearm; removing, altering, selling, etc., or possessing w/removed, etc., serial number, penalty.
The amendment aligns the bill with federal law and federal definitions for serial numbers.

HB 173/SB 100 Plastic firearms and unfinished frames, etc.; manufacture, import, etc. prohibited, penalties.
The amendment establishes a knowledge standard for manufacturing, importing, selling, transferring or possessing any plastic firearm and introduces mandatory minimum sentences for the subsequent use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

SB 225 School bd. policy; parental notification of responsibility of safe storage of firearms in household.
The amendment directs the Department of Education to convene a workgroup to create a comprehensive list of the parental rights and responsibilities and develop an efficient method for distributing such list to parents. The Governor previously offered the same recommendation for HB 498.

The full list of bills vetoed are below:
HB 2/SB 2 - creates new penalties for transferring and possessing the most common firearms (so-called manufactured and sold in the nation based on certain components.

HB 454/SB 383 - criminalizes an individual’s possession of a firearm in a building owned or operated by a public institution of higher education

HB 585 - criminalizes home-based firearm dealers who maintain their place of business at their residence within one and a half miles of an elementary or middle school.

HB 637 - directs the Department of Criminal Justice programs to create a Substantial Risk Order Training Program.

HB 797 - amends the requirements for concealed handgun permits by requiring the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to become the exclusive certifying agency for courses essential to prove competence for obtaining a concealed handgun permit.

HB 799 - requires fingerprints to be submitted with an application for a concealed handgun permit or a renewal of such a permit.

SB 258 - would increase risk factors and considerations for "red flag" orders.

HB 1195/SB 273 - requires a waiting period to purchase a firearm.

HB 183/SB 368 - requires specific storage of firearms where a minor or person prohibiting a firearm is present and would limit individuals' access to firearms in their homes..

HB 1462/SB 447 - penalizes law-abiding Virginians for leaving a firearm in their vehicle, regardless of any other circumstances, punishing victims of crimes committed by another individual.

HB 318/SB 491 - ttargets the firearms industry with lawsuits that would put them out of business

HB 939 - prohibits possession of a firearm within 100 feet of locations used for certain voting-related and elections-related activities.

SB 338 - directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to study the social, physical, emotional, and economic health effects of gun violence.

HB 175/SB 99 - prohibiting the carrying of so-called "assault firearms" in public areas.

HB 1174/SB 327 - prohibits any individual under the age of twenty-one from purchasing a handgun or assault firearm, two broad categories of commonly used firearms.

HB 798 - prohibits the purchase, possession, or transportation of a firearm following a misdemeanor conviction of assault and battery or stalking.

HB 466 - would end reciprocity with other states regarding concealed handgun permits.

HB 362/SB 642 prohibits the purchase, possession, or transportation of a firearm following a misdemeanor conviction of assault and battery. 

HB 351 - requires firearm locking devices or certifications to sell, purchase, or transfer firearms to individuals in households where minors reside.

HB 1386 - restricts localities’ ability to adopt workplace rules for firearms.

HB 916 - establishes a "Red Flag" order Reporting System.

You can read the Governor's full veto messages by clicking here.  He offered very succinct reasons for each veto and you can use the information in those messages as you contact your Delegate of State Senator and urge the to support the Governor's vetoes.  

2024 Norman J. Sieger Devil’s Brigade Memorial Championship Match

By Viesturs Lenss

FRGC Precision Pistol Match Director

On Saturday, March 16, 2024, the Farifax Rod and Gun Club (FRGC) held the 2024 Norman J. Sieger Devil’s Brigade Memorial Championship in honor of the memory of long-time Fairfax Rod and Gun Club member Norman J. Sieger, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 98 years. This match also honors the memory of the First Special Service Force, also known as the Devil’s Brigade, of which Norm was a member during his service during World War II.

Norm Sieger and the Devil’s Brigade
Norman joined the Army at eighteen in 1942 and fought as a member of the famous joint USA and Canada First Special Service Force. Norman served in the Army with distinction for twenty-nine years, after which he settled in Northern Virginia. His service spanned three wars – WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. One of his favorite hobbies was pistol shooting, and he enjoyed many years being a part of the US Army pistol team. He was instrumental in the construction of the pistol range at the Club which is named in his honor. Norman served as the Club’s pistol match director for many years and was also a past president of the Club.

The First Special Service Force (FSSF) was formed in 1942 as a top-secret unit made up of US and Canadian soldiers. The FSSF spearheaded the Italian Campaign, taking on the impossible task of clearing the Nazis from the mountains of the Winter Line. They entered combat on December 3, 1943 with a strength of 1,800 men and completed their mission on January 17, 1944 with fewer than 500 men.

The Force’s success in clearing the mountain tops was crucial to the control of the main north/south highway to Rome. The FSSF was then moved to the Anzio beachhead, where it was assigned over 8 miles of the right flank with fewer than 1,100 men, facing a full division of 10,000 enemy soldiers. For 99 days the Force conducted continuous patrols and night raids into enemy territory at a cost of 106 killed or missing and over 300 wounded. During the Battle of Anzio, the Germans dubbed the First Special Service Force the "Devil's Brigade" because of their blackened faces and stealth in combat.

The Force was the tip of the spear on the drive to Rome and is credited with being the first Allied patrol to enter the city on June 4, 1944. Following the liberation of Rome, the Force was given the assignment of leading the landing invasion in southern France – fighting their way to the Franco-Italian border. In 251 days of combat, the Force suffered 2,314 casualties, 134% of combat strength, captured over 30,000 prisoners, won five US campaign stars, eight Canadian battle honors, and never failed a mission.

The First Special Service Force was arguably the most capable and deadly infantry organization in the Allied forces during WWII. The modern American and Canadian special operations forces trace their heritage to this unit. In 2013, the United States Congress passed a bill to award to the First Special Service Force the Congressional Gold Medal.

In cooperation with the Montana Military Museum and the First Special Service Force Association, this match offered a variety of Devil’s Brigade themed awards and prizes as pictured below.

Match Format
This match featured the Civilian marksmanship Program (CMP) 1400 Pistol Aggregate course of fire along with a Service Revolver Excellence-in-Competition (EIC) match. The CMP 1400 match combines individual matches fired using metallic sights with a 22 rimfire pistol along with a service pistol of a type suitable for use in a general duty scenario (i.e., military or law enforcement). The 22 Rimfire and Service Pistol EIC matches were included as part of the CMP 1400 Pistol Aggregate championship. For additional information on CMP pistol rules, refer to: 2024 CMP Pistol Rules

Match Winners
The weather for match day was picture perfect, so much so as to coax the cherry blossoms surrounding the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. into peak bloom the very next day! As can be expected, with such ideal weather came some great scores.

Congratulations to Gregg Miller as the Open Champion winner with a score of 1265-23x!

As the Open Winner, Gregg received a challenge coin award along with a bottle of Willie’s Distillery Devils Brigade Whiskey. Being a Virginia resident, Gregg is also the 2024 Virginia State CMP 1400 Pistol Aggregate Champion and will receive a plaque from the Virginia Shooting Sports Association.

Other class winners include:
First Master: Ben Lassiter with a score of 1256-23x
First Expert: Richard Martinez with a score of 1194-17x
First Sharpshooter: John Dowell with a score of 1190-12x

First Marksman: Theodore Weber with a score of 885-5x

Match winners (left to right) Rich Martinez, Ben Lassiter, Gregg Miller, John Dowell, and Ted Weber

The Open Winner and all Class Winners names and scores will be engraved on the new Norman J. Sieger Devil’s Brigade Memorial Championship plaque. This is the inaugural year for the plaque, and subsequent championship winners will also have their names engraved on the plaque in future years.

Excellence-in-Competiton (EIC) Matches
For the CMP Excellence-in-Competition (EIC) events, leg points were awarded in each category. Match winners are as follows:

22 Rimfire EIC
Overall Winner: Gregg Miller with a score of 277 - 3x
Highest Non-Distinguished: Ben Lassiter with a score of 274 - 5x (6 leg points)*

Service Pistol EIC
Overall Winner: Gregg Miller with a score of 273 - 6x

Highest Non-Distinguished: Rob Croxson with a score of 252 - 3x (6 leg points)*

Service Revolver EIC
Overall Winner: Ben Lassiter with a score of 349 - 4x
Highest Non-Distinguished: Ben Lassiter with a score of 349 - 4x (6 leg points)*
*Leg points awards are pending CMP approval of the EIC match.

Bounties
Bounties were earned by being the first shooter to achieve a minimum qualifying score (depending upon classification) on any slow fire target. Bounty awards were US Mint issued bronze coins that were replicas of the Gold Medal awarded to the unit. Winners of the class bounties are as follows:

Master: Don Dixon
Expert: Rich Martinez
Sharpshooter: John Dowell
Marksman: David Jensen

Prize Drawing
Congratulations also to the winners of the prize drawing for the following items:
• The Supercommandos: First Special Service Force, 1942-1944 An Illustrated History hardcover book
• Willie’s Distillery Devils Brigade Whiskey bottle (750ml)
• Böker Plus V-42 Replica Dagger

Volunteers
A special thanks to the volunteers for this match, including John Hollingshead (CRO), Carrol Kisser (LO) and Dave Jordan (LO, Range Setup). Without them, matches such as these would not be possible. THANK YOU!!!