I started doing some research for an upcomming editorial. I recently read Steve Garby's editorial in the Black Powder Cartirdge News on how many single shot rifle shooters feel they are safe from the gun grabbers. I am writing an editorial to both support Steve and amplify his points. I doing some digging for facts I found these proposed laws that were aimed directly at us. These bills are not just federal many are state. I am asking you to join me in fighting this direct threat to our sport. 
  Serialized amunition bills are in the works in 13 states. They want ALL cartridges to have serial numbers! That will make every cartridge that you now have illegal. The laws all state that old non serial numbered cartridges must be disposed of. Call your local state Rep. to find out the penalties. The states are Arizona, Illinois, Connecticut, Hawii, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington,
  In California and Arizona there is a bill pending that banns all centerfire ammunition containing lead.
  So all they really want is all our cartridge cases and our plain based lead bullets. Its not like they want our guns.
Steve is right they want to stop all shooting! Please join with me if you live in one of the states that has these bills pending call your state representatives and senitors and make it plain that they will not be reelected if these bills pass. Go to your local gun clubs and stir them up. If we don't do something soon all our rifles will be wall hangers. 

John Merz 
AKA 40 Rod

Indeed, it is another election year, and sadly, if we happen to have a liberal Democrat as President and a Democrat controlled Congress, it is going to be a steep uphill battle. Regulatory agencies often come up with some incredibly draconian measures to foist upon the electorate, and many times it is at the urging of certain Congresspersons and Senators who know they can't get measures passed on the floor by vote. It's a back door political game. All we can do is remain vigilant and communicate to our elected officials our displeasure with these measures. Remember folks, we have clout. We nearly put Smith & Wesson out of buisness, and those poor folks employed there knew it was a given we would do that. I personally think that if a firearms or ammunition manufacturer is forced to sell serialized ammo or firearms with firing pin imprints (or any other bizarre act) by a state, then they should completely quit doing buisness with that state. No sales to individuals OR state agencies. I'm not a big fan of modern military firearms, but I certainly applaud Barret for pulling out of California. They figured as long as citizens were banned from purchaseing their product, then state agencies wouldn't have it either. I think that would get the attention of the public and government if the industry put a choke on them like that. These politicians are playing dirty, it's time we bit back hard.

Yes the OSHA regs were defeated...this time.  But it is a serious mistake to think that is the end of it.  However the last set of BP regs pretty much put most of the folks here out of the business.  How many places are willing to put up with the log book, ATF&E approved segregated storage and background checks to sell a few pounds.   In the N.VA area we have exactly two I know of in a 50 mile radius and one of those is questioning whether they will next year despite being the region’s largest firearms retailer.  Too much hassle and overhead for too little profit.  We live in a capitalistic society that often accomplishes through economics what can't be done through overt legislation.

New propellant regs are going forward with phased implementation.   While not as drastic as originally proposed, the days of selecting from shelves of powder and primers are numbered.

As to disinformation, I know a lot of hunters in CA and most of the state is very sparsely populated.  Last year CA sold over 300,000 hunting licenses, which is about the same as West Virginia.  Small compared to the overall population, but a lot of folks none the less.  Sadly the numbers are declining just about everywhere, so let's not discount the need to support each and every one of them.   

Last year 259,000 hunting liciences were sold in CA.That's one for every
140 persons last i read.No wonder the anti-gunners laugh at CA hunters.
To make any difference we need at LEAST 10% of the public on our side, this I have read is the make or break number(rebember what 12% blacks did).It's hard to get people to protest againest an anti-gun bill, most of them have given-up and left for a so-called "Free.State".Good Luck to all.I'm living in a free state for the next month or so, my wife fell
and broke her leg on a visit to Las Vegas, NV. At least we're both retired,
so loosing a jobs not a problem. She will not be able to walk for another month.

In case you are interested(the tin foil hat unit put on your tin hats)they banned Lead in Hunting Ammo because of a Lawsuit by some envil---- groups. The state is busted, it hasn't got any spare money for Lawyers(it's REALLLY BROKE).A new law was cheaper than a lawsuit. If they tried to do it in ANYTHING ELSE with banning Lead in Bullets, i'm sure it would be crushed.Besides, i showed you that Hunters are a dying species in this State. I think SPG is sore because he can't sell any more Sharps rifles for Hunting in CA, or am i wrong? I am sure that lots of persons don't like handguns in CA, but i do not believe in the JFK or any other lind of conspire's.

Yep, if we want to pass this hobby to the next generation we need to be active in our local and national pro gun organizations. Some states are better then others but I know NC and VA have active groups that are help to keep you informed. Here in VA the Virginia Citizen's Defense League is very active in campaigning against and advertising these threats. 

While email is fast and easy letters and phone calls are more effective in getting your point across. Actually rallies, local town meetings, and personal visits to representatives are most effective although not realistic for everyone to do.

I just meant if we have no numbers we cannot win.1 hunter out of every 140 persons is not enough to impress anyone, esp. a democrat in
Sacramento.There too few shooters left in CA, most of them got tired of endless bills every year and left the state.I still think we can win, but it's a hard fight here.

You folks might want to look at this site. Developed by Jeff and Chris Knox, sons of Neal Knox long time writer for the column "Knox Report" in the Shotgun News. Its for gun voters and letting them know whats going on around in the country that us gun owners should know about. Its just getting going, so not a lot of posts yet but something, we as a group should follow or at least be aware of. (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)