e June 2012

GOAL News

Print Edition

The Official Monthly Publication of Gun Owners’ Action League - Protecting Your Freedom Since 1975 Dedicated to Education, Safety, Training, and Support of Massachusetts Firearms Owners

GOAL hosts MA Legislators for 4th Annual Firearms Safety and Education Day for MA Legislators. May 21, 2012 – Northborough, MA. Gun Owners’ Action League (GOAL) in conjunction with the NSSF, Smith & Wesson, Kahr Arms/ Auto Ordnance, Savage Arms, and Federal Ammunition were joined by more than 60 MA legislators and their staff for their 4th annual Firearms Safety and Education day held at North Leominster Rod & Gun Club in Lunenburg MA. The event which educates MA legislators and their staff about the proper, safe use of firearms, works to dispel the inherit fears that many who have never been exposed to the use of firearms in a positive light feel. The day began with an introduction and welcome from GOAL’s Director of Education Jon Green, who then gave a safety briefing, followed by sending the attendees in groups off to the ranges. On tap for the day was trap shooting, handgun shooting which ranged from .22 to S&W 500 Mag, and rifle shooting which also included a wide range of cali-

bers, from .22 to Winchester .300 Mag. On the line the attendees worked closely with an abundance of highly experienced instructors who showed them proper form, stressing safety, and good technique. It was truly amazing watching the many first time shooters progress in ability and confidence with those few hours of range time. It was great hearing all of the steel targets getting rung. At day’s end, the many in attendance went home with a new perspective on what it means to be a firearms enthusiast, of those, many expressed interest in acquiring an LTC, and eventually their own firearms. At GOAL we consider that a huge success. Thanks to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Smith & Wesson, Kahr Arms/Auto Ordnance, Savage Arms, Federal Ammunition, N. Leominster Rod & Gun, and all of our volunteers for ensuring the events great success.

A Great Night for GOAL

Smith & Wesson’s Jay Bathgate works with MA 5th Suffolk Rep Carlos Henriquez (center) and his aide Daniel Tavares (right)

pretty sure Zoltan won’t let Matt live that down for a long time. One great thing about events like this is the raffle prizes that can be won. This was no exception, there was a slew of them, one of which, a pellet gun, was won by Patriot Nate Solder. Nate, a country boy from the Rockies was all smiles as he went up for his new prize and I’m guessing that the squirrels in his neighborhood now have something to fear. Another great thing about events like this; the auction items! This was no exception as there were some incredible hunting opportunities up for grabs, as well as some real nice firearms.

May 12, 2012 - Hubbardston, MA. On Saturday night, May 12, 2012 GOAL was lucky enough to once again be a sponsor of the 3rd Annual Cabin Fever Dinner Dance held at the Ron Burton Training Village in Hubbardston MA. The event which raised money for former New England Patriot Matt Light’s Light Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and the Ron Burton Training Village was a resounding success. GOAL President Jay Beard was a driving force in the event, ensuring it was well organized, and flawlessly produced. Jay was also the guest auctioneer and helped emcee the event. This was great as Jay on numerous occasions spoke of GOAL and our mission to protect and defend the Second Amendment Rights

Rep George Peterson (9th Worcester) spending time with the Auto Ordnance Thompson M1

All in all, the event was once again a resounding success, a pile of money was raised for 3 great charities, a good meal was had, prizes were won and new friends were made. Best GOAL President Jay Beard presents Matt Light a GOAL “Protect Freedom” award at the event of all GOAL was able to spread the word about the challenges we face, of the citizens of Massachusetts. and our mission. Look for more The event, featuring music by The events like this from GOAL going Otters, a great spread of food, and forward. adult liquid refreshment supplied in Thanks to Matt Light and all at the part by Narragansett Beer and Cab- Light Foundation, Margrette and in Fever Whiskey had lots of mo- JoJo from the Goodwin Group, Ron ments of levity, amongst them was Burton, Steve Burton and the staff key note speaker Matt Light of the of the Burton Training Village, Ray New England Patriots who, while Ilg from Ducks Unlimited, Julie Rointroducing the Patriots players in billard from Cabin Fever Whiskey, attendance drew a mental blank and everyone else involved in enon the name of Zoltan Mesko, the suring the success of the event. We punter for the team. The players are looking forward to the 4th angot quite a kick out of that and I’m nual already! Change Service Requested

Gun Owners’ Action League PO Box 567 Northboro, MA. 01532

GOAL News Print Edition

2

May 2012

May 2012

GOAL News Print Edition

3

From the Editor

GOAL News

•

By Mike Sweeney - GOAL News Editor A Tale of Two Cities.

In This Issue:

GOAL News

Print Edition

GOAL News - Print Edition is the Official Journal of Gun Owners’ Action League. GOAL is the official state association of the National Rifle Association.

GOAL is dedicated to education, safety, training and support of Massachusetts Firearms Owners. Since 1975, GOAL has represented the interests of the law abiding citizens of Massacusetts.

Gun Owners’ Action League Officials James Wallace, Executive Director GOAL Board of Directors President: Jay Beard 1st Vice President: Lynne Roberts 2nd Vice President: David Tetzloff Treasurer: Lynne Roberts Secretary: Christopher Siano Term up in 2014 Ross Schacher Steve Moysey Wendy Parsons Joe Currie Michael Anthony Jim Finnerty Term up in 2013 David LaRosa John Beaumont Peter McBride John Sklenak Gary Wilk Mark Jester

From the Editor by Mike Sweeney From The President by Jay Beard Patriot Games by Steve Moysey Legislative Chart - House Bills Legislative Chart - Senate Bills NRA - National News NSSF - Industry News GOAL Training GOAL News - Online Tidbits Competition Listing GOAL Affiliated Club Listing MA Wildlife News Club News - Worcester Pistol & Rifle The Reloading Bench by Jim Finnerty

Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 16-17 Page 19 Page 20 Page 22

GOAL presents Women On Target events all over Massachusetts. These events are designed to introduce women ages 16 and beyond to the enjoyment of the shooting sports. Guests will learn about firearm safety and proper shooting fundamentals in a non-competitive relaxed atmosphere. Guests will also participate in a seminar on Massachusetts firearms law, and will receive a Massachusetts Basic Firearm Safety certificate allowing them to apply for a Firearms Identification Card or Class “A” or “B” License to Carry Firearms. You do not need any previous firearms experience to participate in and have a great time at these seminars. Don’t miss the fun, sign up today! Contact Angela Fisher 508-393-5333 x20 or e-mail angelafisher@ goal.org to sign up for a Women On Target Event or visit www.goal.org/ training/women_on_target.html for more info and the schedule of events. Partial Schedule: June 23, 2012 Maynard MA - Maynard Rod & Gun Club - Register with GOAL - Angela Fisher *SOLD OUT! June 30, 2012 Palmer MA - Nenameseck Sportsmen’s Club - Register with GOAL - Angela Fisher *SOLD OUT! July 8, 2012 Lunenburg MA - North Leominster Rod & Gun - Register with GOAL - Angela Fisher

Gun Owners’ Action League - GOAL News “Print Edition” is published August 25, 2012 Deerfield MA - Franklin County Sportsmen’s Club monthly and provided as a membership benefit to all classes of member- Registration TBA ship who wish to receive it. Submissions of original works are welcomed. However the editor reserves the right to reject or appropriately edit any submitted material. Reprint permission is granted provided that appropriate credit is given in the form of the statement: “Reprinted from GOAL News Print Edition”. Advertisers should contact Mike Sweeney GOAL Communications Manager at 508-393-5333 or [email protected] for rates and information. Gun Owners’ Action League PO Box 567/361 W. Main St. Northboro, MA. 01532 Phone: 508-393-5333 Fax: 508-393-5222 http://www.goal.org General e-mail [email protected] News/Communications/Web e-mail: [email protected] Training/Education e-mail: [email protected] Membership/Club e-mail: [email protected]

I have always been amazed at the difference between the laws and legislators of the state of Massachusetts and those of our neighbors to the North, New Hampshire and Vermont. Driving through Manchester N.H. recently I realized it’s very similar to Worcester and it got me to thinking about how the two cities would compare. Let’s take a look. (Stats are from neighborhoodscout.com) Worcester, MA. Population approximately 181,000 had 7 murders, 23 rapes, 369 robberies, and 1,358 Assaults. If you look at crimes per square mile the numbers jump off the chart with 214 crimes per square mile. For comparison the average of crimes per square mile for Massachusetts is 40 and for the United States it is 39.3. Manchester, NH. Population approximately 110,000 had 1 murder, 62 rapes, 154 robberies, and 327 Assaults. If you look at crimes per square mile the numbers show 130 crimes per square mile. For comparison the average of crimes per square mile for New Hampshire is 6 , compared to 40 in MA, it’s not even close! If we compare the numbers we will see that Manchester is about 40% smaller than Worcester and had significantly lower violent crime (except the rapes). As to that statistic I’m wondering how many rapes are going unreported in Worcester as it’s a significant difference. The comparison in murders isn’t even close, 7 to 1, robberies don’t compare either 369 to 154, and assaults follows suit 1,358 to 327. Manchester while being a very dangerous city by New Hampshire standards doesn’t compare to Worcester which is hands down a far more dangerous place to live. What are the chances of being a victim of crime in the two cities? In Worcester it is 1 in 103; in Manchester it is 1 in 201. I’ll take the odds of a Manchester resident every time. One other thing to think about with these statistics, both cities have sections that are very nice, and both cities have sections that are… not. The nicer sections of the cities have far less crime which means the statistics are skewed by the “not nice” sections which have to practically be war zones. If somebody with no knowledge of the identity, restrictions, laws, and regulations of each city were to take a look at these numbers, and were asked “which city do you think has the strictest laws, restrictions, and regulations regarding gun owner-

ship what do you think they would censed residents per 1,000 with a total of approximately 4,000 licensed say? individuals. It goes without saying It would probably depend on who that Massachusetts is amongst the you were asking, where they were most restrictive states in the counfrom, and what they know about try, and here we have one of the gun rights. most restrictive cities in one of the Let’s pretend it was someone that most restrictive states, a combinahas never paid attention to the is- tion that proves to be very dangersue of gun rights, somebody that ous indeed. just looked at the numbers. They This leads to my next question. Why would probably look at the two citis it that the legislators, courts, and ies and guess that Manchester must law enforcement officials of the state have the strictest laws and restricof Massachusetts have so little trust tions, “look at how much less vioin the law abiding citizens of the lent crime they have, right?” state? New Hampshire and MassaIf we were to show these numbers chusetts are not even close in terms to a gun grabber, one of the many of permitting for a firearm, in NH misguided individuals with vary- you can walk into a gun shop, show ing intentions, they would probably valid state ID and if you are not a look at the numbers and say “see, federally prohibited person you can look how bad Worcester is, it’s no walk out with a handgun, many of wonder, they get guns from New which can’t even be purchased in Hampshire and VT where there are MA as they are deemed “unsafe” (a topic for another month) the handno laws.” gun can be carried, loaded, openly Lastly, if we were to look at them with no issue. If a NH resident from our perspective we would wants to CCW they can either do so look at it and say “more guns = less with no ammunition on their percrime.” son, or apply for a NH license which But there’s more to it than that. The costs $10.00, has no restrictions and “gun grabber” example, as usual, is is issued in 14 days or less. illogical and a failure on many levWe’ve documented many times how els. First, if the lax gun law in NH many hoops a MA resident must were to blame for violence what jump through to obtain an LTC, would explain Manchester havand for a Worcester resident it’s ing so few crimes in comparison, even worse. It’s a time consuming, and more so state-wide? Secondly, expensive process set up to deter the if more restriction, regulation and law abiding every step of the way. A gun law prevents crime, how is it $100 dollar fee, a mandatory safety that Worcester with more than 5x lesson than can easily cost another the national average for violent $100, and then the wait. By law the crime per sq. mile has so much? license must be issued in 40 days, Let’s look at Worcester and how many residents wait 60, 80, 90 and many law abiding citizens are li- even over 100 days before they recensed by the state of Massachu- ceive it, and then it’s almost always setts. They rank almost dead last in with restrictions which don’t allow the amount of licensed gun owners the individual to carry concealed. at 332 out of 351 with only 21.9 liIn the past, Chief Gemme of the

Worcester P.D. made it very clear that he doesn’t believe law abiding citizens should be granted a license to carry concealed, his policies made it difficult if not impossible for a law abiding Worcester resident to obtain one. The policy worked perfectly, in Worcester the law abiding are for the most part defenseless and violent crime is out of control. It is illogical for Massachusetts to continue restricting the rights of the law abiding. There is more than enough data to show how disastrous the policies are. What we don’t know is the intent of our state officials. Is it nannystate politics? Is it a lack of trust? Maybe it’s something more sinister, a controlled effort to keep good people from fighting back, one must wonder, after all our “top cop” Martha Coakley has stated many times that “the state does not believe in self help”. Or maybe, they simply don’t know better. A tale of two cities, both have their issues, neither is perfect. One thing we do know though, at least the law abiding citizens of Manchester have a chance to fight back, and the numbers don’t lie.

SHOP

GOAL.ORG

GOAL News Print Edition

4

May 2012

From the President Moving forward always The new GOAL Board of Directors is off and running! With the elections and move to a new building behind us, I’m happy to report that GOAL has some exciting things in store with more to come. First, some old business to resolve; I want to make one thing very clear. There is only ONE Gun Owners’ Action League (GOAL). Our mission to protect and defend the Second Amendment rights of the law abiding citizens of Massachusetts remains unchanged. In addition, we will continue as we always have, to provide education and outreach programs in Massachusetts. This leads me to our next topic, the Foundation. As mentioned last month in this column, GOAL and the Foundation have parted ways. When GOAL moved out of the Foundation building it was with the hope that the two organizations would continue to work together towards one common goal, restoring our Second Amendment freedom in Massachusetts. At the time of the move, the GOAL Board of Directors extended a written invitation to Foundation President David Tetzloff. The purpose of this invitation was to get the Boards together and discuss the separation and explore each organization’s role going forward. After quite some time with no response, I finally received a phone call from David, I was saddened to hear that he along with the Foundation’s Board had decided to decline GOAL’s invitation. With that said, I wished the Foundation the best.

Nate Solder won an airgun and was thrilled!

of North Leominster Rod & Gun Club is always a great success, and once again it didn’t disappoint. Every year the attendance and popularity of this event grows, and this year was no exception. Many MA legislators and staffers got to try a huge selection of firearms which Onto the good news! Over the last were graciously supplied by Smith month we’ve been very busy pro- & Wesson, Kahr Arms, Auto Ordmoting GOAL, firearms ownership, nance, and Savage. The attendees and all of the good things that come which were a mix that ranged from with law abiding citizens using fire- seasoned firearms owners to first time shooters, learned why we love arms in a safe, lawful manner. firearms, and the shooting sports, Our first big event of the month was

5

Patriot Games What stereotype does that conjure up for the average, media biased anti-gun member of the public? I’ll come back to that in a moment, but ponder on that in the meantime.

Where do we get our impressions of countries we have never visited before and the people that live there? Their cultures, what they are like as people, how they live? Let me give you a personal example.

working with former New England Patriot Matt Light, Ducks Unlimited, and the Ron Burton Training Village as a co-sponsor of the 3rd Annual Cabin Fever Dinner Dance. (see story in this issue) GOAL, as a sponsor of the event, had staff on site and played a key role in ensuring the event’s success. This will bear significant fruit going forward, we’re excited to continue working with Matt, and making new connections which will enable us to work more effectively in our mission. Our second event of note over the last month was our annual Firearms Safety and Education Day for MA Legislators. This event, once again held on the beautiful grounds

GOAL News Print Edition

By Dr. Steve Moysey

News and Notes from GOAL Board of Directors President Jay Beard

What a month!

May 2012

With Smith & Wesson’s Director of Marketing Tom Yost

Going forward I am excited for things to come, we have a very exciting Dog Days fundraiser coming featuring a prize package that will knock your Sox off! The GOAL classroom under the ever skillful tutelage of Director of Education & Training Jon Green is set up with a new wall mount screen and projector, and this new publication is off to a great start, the feedback has been tremendous and it will only get better. Now that we are in control of our news in every format, and returning funds from advertisFinally, I’d like to thank Senator ing revenue and our classroom ofMichael Moore and the Auburn ferings back towards the mission, Sportsman’s Club. The Senator and we are going to be more effective his staff worked with GOAL and than ever. the great folks at the Auburn Club to put on a Firearm Safety and Edu- Look for great things to come! As cation Day for 30 of the Senator’s always, we rely on the support of constituents. GOAL staff provided every law abiding gun owner in the gun law lecture and emcee du- Massachusetts so please urge everyties, Club members provided the one you know to join us in our fight live fire instruction and the good to restore freedom in MassachuSenator footed the bill for the NRA setts. For less than 8 cents a day you Home Firearm Safety packets, can make a difference. Strength in course materials and provided an numbers, let’s make it happen! amazing lunch! May his fellow legThank you islators follow his lead. Jay Beard, GOAL President. we dispelled a lot of fears amongst the “newbies” and best of all had a ton of fun! Who ever thought that GOAL, and a day of fun at the range would be the topic of the day in the State House halls? I love it! I’d like to personally thank everyone that made the event possible, North Leominster Rod & Gun Club and it’s members, the NSSF, Federal Ammunition, Smith & Wesson, Kahr Arms, Auto Ordnance, Savage Arms, and last but not least the fantastic GOAL staff and volunteers.

sl gun shop

I used to teach a graduate class at Tufts University on the topic of international business. This class would be the first time the students had the opportunity to meet me and I would talk about the course for several minutes and then pause. I would then ask the student if they noticed the fact that I had a different sounding accent and, if so, where was it from? I’d write their answers on the whiteboard: Ireland, Australia and England would typically be the top contenders; although one Chinese student said I was from the BBC, as if that were a nation state. Okay, having established that I was, in fact, from England I then asked the students a question I looked forward to each time I had a new class: What do you think I am like? I asked them to write their thoughts on a reference card, having first warned the students I would be reading them out to the class. I liked to collect these cards and keep them for my own personal amusement as the comments, for a psychologist, were quite telling.

or schemas we use for things we come across every day. They save us time and cognitive processing capacity. Let me give you a good example. We all know what to do when we go to a restaurant – we get seated, the wait staff brings us waWhat did these students, who had ter, give us menus and we choose been with me for no longer than a meal. Easy! It’s easy as we have a fifteen minutes, think I was like? script in our heads as to what we are Here is a typical sampling of what supposed to do. Imagine if we had to have that explained to us every I would get: time we went out to eat? • Has a sarcastic sense of humor By stereotyping we infer that a per• Likes cricket son, or group, has a whole range of • Likes Monty Python characteristics and abilities that we • Well educated assume all members of that group • Intelligent have. Stereotypes lead to social cat• Plays soccer egorization, which is one of the • Like the Royal family reasons for prejudice attitudes, i.e. • Drinks warm beer a “them” and “us” mentality. Ste• Eats fish and chips reotypes can be either positive or While some of these may be true, negative, but they are all unfair and there was no way for the students to misleading. In general, stereotypes have figured out all of them in such reduce individuals to a rigid, inflexa short space of time. So, I would ible image; they do not account for ask, where did they get their im- the fact that human beings are compressions of this tall, English college plex and multidimensional, with professor? unique attributes. Stereotypes sugTurns out they were no different from most of us: They formed their impressions of me, as a prototypical Englishman, from watching TV shows such as Masterpiece Theater and Inspector Morse, movies, books and fictional articles and maybe watching or listening to the BBC. So they had a stereotype for English people they applied to me, and used that stereotype to describe my likes and traits. We use stereotypes for groups, people, dogs – you name it!

GUNS

BOUGHT - SOLD - REPAIRED

www.slgunshop.com

443 Fitchburg Rd., Corner of Rte, 31 & 124, Mason, NH 03048 Phone 603-878-2854 – Fax 603-878-3905 Hours MON-FRI 10am - 7pm; SAT 9am - 6pm; SUN Noon - 4pm WE GUARANTEE THE NEW & USED GUNS WE SELL Patriot players Donald Thomas and Marcus Cannon check out a rifle at the Cabin Fever event

So, when I told my folks I was going to the USA for a two year assignment, my mother almost fainted. “Oh my God!” she declared, “You’ll get shot!” So, there was her own stereotype click-whirring away like a recording in her head. You have to bear in mind that I had grown up on a steady diet of American TV which my parents also watched. Much of it was centered on the romantic notion of the “stereotypical” American family - Green Acres, The Waltons, Mister Ed (like every family should have a talking horse), and I Love Lucy. But, more vivid were the cop shows with all the guns– remember, British cops are still not armed on a routine basis – Hawaii Five O, Kojak, The Streets of San Francisco, Dragnet. My mother’s view was that human life was less valuable in America as people were shooting each other left, right and center.

gest that people or groups of people are the same, when, in fact, they are quite different. Stereotypes about human beings tend to dehumanize people, placing all members of a group into one, simple category. Take the French for example…

Stereotypes can be both helpful shortcuts for everyday life and dangerous false impressions. Let me set up an exercise in word association to give you a quick peek into your own schemas and stereotypes. We all form stereotypes – we need Read the following words and say them in order to navigate everyday out loud, or under your breath, the life. We call them heuristics - scripts first thing that comes to mind – no

pondering or Googling here, just the first thing that pops into the old My father, God rest him, took a much more culturally focused point coconut. Ready? Go! of view, again driven by his own Vacation, Puppies, Dentist, Bikers, click-whirr recording. He hated Librarians, Gentle, Poison, Taxes what he called the “AmericanizaInteresting huh? It’s funny how tion” of British culture – McDonsome of us have a negative schema alds, KFC, pool tables and Budfor Bikers. In fact, even Harley Da- weiser. “You won’t last six months vidson recognizes this and uses it in without a decent pint!” their latest advertising– billed as an All my mother could focus on was “anti-stereotype” campaign. the guns. Now, she knew I had been Now, let’s expand this word asso- around firearms in one capacity or ciation game out into the world another most of my adult life, but beyond the readership of this news- that didn’t matter. Her stereotype letter and add one more to the list. was whirring along and, to some extent, still does. Ready? Here goes … Gun owner.

Aside from the police on the streets Continued on page 6

Edward George & Associates

We concentrate in civil litigation representing closely held businesses including negotiation and court appearances in matters involving real estate, business, contracts and environmental disputes. We also concentrate in representing individuals and families in trust and probate (estate) litigation and administration and personal injury claims. We advise small businesses, clubs and associations regarding compliance with regulations, risk management, employment and related issues. We serve as general counsel to a number of corporations, LLC’s and partnerships.

110 Florence Street, 2nd Floor PO Box 393 Malden, MA 02148 Tel: 781-322-7575 Fax: 781-322-1555 email: [email protected] www.edgeorgelaw.com

GOAL News Print Edition

6

May 2012

GOAL News - Print Edition MA Castle Doctrine The GOAL Staff receives many questions about Castle Doctrine in the state of MA. We hope this clears things up a bit. As always, GOAL Members are welcome to call the GOAL office with questions, 508-393-5333. Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 278, Section 8(a): In the prosecution of a person who is an occupant of a dwelling charged with killing or injuring one who was unlawfully in said dwelling, it shall be a defense that the occupant was in his dwelling at the time of the offense and that he acted in the reasonable belief that the person unlawfully in said dwelling was about to inflict great bodily injury or death upon said occupant or upon another person lawfully in said dwelling, and that said occupant used reasonable means to defend himself or such other person lawfully in said dwelling. There shall be no duty on said occupant to retreat from such person unlawfully in said dwelling. A couple of things to note:

Would you like to save GOAL $$ and not miss a bit of news? It’s easy! You can help us out by ‘unsubscribing’ to our mailings, including this newspaper by calling us at the GOAL office; let us know that you wish to ‘go paperless’. Dont worry, we will have the monthly GOAL Newspaper posted online for free viewing every month! If you have e-mail you can also get our weekly mailing, the ever popular ‘Friday News’ by visiting our website - www.goal.org and clicking on the ‘Friday News’ logo at the bottom of any page. Every member that ‘unsubscribes’ from this newspaper contributes to our cause - the restoration of our Second Amendment freedoms in Massachusetts. Thanks The GOAL Staff and Board of Directors

Deadly Force: Force likely or intended to cause death or great bodily harm whether or not death actually occurs. Self Defense: In general, the right to protect one’s person against an injury attempted by another. In MA the courts have taken the position that self defense using deadly force is justified only if the individual being attacked has a reasonable belief that he or she is in danger of death or serious bodily harm. Otherwise reasonable force (which is non lethal force such as fists) can be used to repel a non-lethal attack. However, as applies to castle doctrine, reasonable force is not protected and so therefore cannot be relied upon if someone enters your home and threatens you with only fists.

May 2012

Martha’s Vineyard women join a national trend to gun ownership Whether they obtain licenses and guns for personal protection, hunting, or target shooting with spouses or friends, more and more women are getting firearms training, and the trends on Martha’s Vineyard and off-Island are similar. Bob DeLisle of Edgartown, 15-year president of the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club and a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) instructor, has witnessed the change firsthand. He offers gun classes required by Massachusetts General Laws for anyone seeking a Class A Firearms License, commonly known as a License to Carry (LTC).

“It doesn’t make you a marksman, but it introduces you to guns,” Mr. DeLisle said, adding there are many courses available off-Island to improve firearms skills.

Note: a dwelling cannot be a motor home, tent, or boat because they are not permanent structures. Anyone using deadly force in one of these will not be protected by this law.

He works with one or two students

An ‘occupant’ is an individual who has some sort of possessory interest in the property, i.e. a tenant or owner. If a criminal is unlawfully in your dwelling, and shows the intent to inflict serious bodily injury or death upon you or any other individual lawfully in your dwelling there is no duty of said occupant to retreat from the criminal unlawfully in that dwelling. Please note: If the criminal intruder is not threatening death or serious bodily injury, the occupant will not be covered by this law and could be charged with murder or manslaughter for using deadly force against said criminal. To be protected by this law an occupant that is prosecuted for using deadly force has the burden of producing a claim of self-defense. Once the occupant shows proof it will be upon the prosecution to prove otherwise.

Patriot Games (cont’d from page 5) of Boston, my first experience of personal gun ownership occurred, of all places, at a small Nevada airport. I was visiting to fly gliders in the famous Sierra Nevada Mountain Wave and was chatting to another Brit who had moved there several years prior. I asked him what the crime rate was like out there, and he gave me a somewhat sideways look and said “What crime rate?” He reached into his pocket and, rather like Mary Poppins pulling a floor lamp out of her carpet bag, proceeded to draw out a rather long Colt Python .357 revolver. The crime rate was low, he explained, as most folks carried a gun. He told me the tale of buying the Colt. He went to the local gun store to buy his first firearm, firmly intent on getting a .22 revolver. The gun store owner politely inquired (they are really polite in Nevada) if this was to be a personal protection carry gun,

to which my new Brit acquaintance said yes, it was. The gun store owner picked up the phone and called the local police chief. After a period of back and forth, and nodding in the direction of my new friend, the gun store owner thrust the phone at his customer and declared the police chief wanted to talk to him. The chief said, “You need more gun than that, son!” and hung up.

people need to own guns? The police are there to protect you. Why would anyone want to own more than one gun? Guns cause crime. Gun crime is on the rise. Everyone knows that guns cause road rage episodes to turn deadly. And so on. Gun owner: Make that something to be proud of and a stereotype we want to change for the better.

I really wish we had that type of supportive police chief in all of our I have been lucky enough to take Massachusetts communities! part in GOAL’s annual Firearms Safety and Education Day for MA So, I bring up the issue of stereolegislators for the past four years. types as we have to realize that, as This latest event, back in May, saw gun owners and supporters of the over 60 legislators and staffers show second amendment, we are subject up to try out various aspects of the to the stereotypical views and comshooting sports, including pistols, ments of the folks that would have rifles and sporting clays. This was us disarmed. They are rarely flatterby far the largest group we have seen ing, nearly always disparaging, nevcome out to North Leominster Rod er based on fact and almost always and Gun Club for the event. Many fall into clichéd one liners. Why do

had never shot before and so arrived with a stereotype of what they were going to experience. I’m proud to say that all the staff, instructors and volunteers all represented our shooting endeavors with grace, professionalism and class. I also have to say I have seen a significant shift in attitudes – for the better – toward guns and the second amendment in the people attending this event. I feel strongly that every time we have a chance to talk with an ill-informed person regarding gun ownership and our second amendment rights, we have a golden opportunity to reshape their stereotypes and impressions for those of us who are gun owners. Let’s use those precious moments the best we can to further the cause. And for the record, I hate cricket. Dr. Steve Moysey

7

GOAL News - Print Edition

The Basic Pistol Course needed for a handgun license includes live firing with both a revolver and a semi-automatic pistol. The student receives a 50-page manual of firearms and safety information and also must take apart, clean, and reassemble a gun.

Dwelling: A place where an individual is temporarily or permanently residing. It has to be a permanent structure, your home, apartment, cottage, and under some circumstances can include a hotel/motel room.

GOAL News Print Edition

Join GOAL! Gun Owners’ Action League is the official state firearms association in Massachusetts. We are an association of law-abiding citizens who believe in the basic right of firearms ownership for competition, recreation and self-protection. Every intrusion on our gun rights is an intrusion on all rights. The Constitutional rights and freedoms that you enjoy - and may take for granted - are becoming more fragile each day. Secure your rights for yourself, your family and future generations. Join GOAL and become part of the solution today. This newspaper is made possible by the membership of GOAL and their generous donations. If you found this paper helpful please Join - Support - Donate to GOAL. Join online at www.goal.org/joingoal.html

“fun, non-competitive atmosphere where women can learn about gun safety, how guns operate,” and more. “They always fill up,” said Mr. Green. “It’s a great day!” The GOAL classes include information about Massachusetts Firearms laws and details about obtaining a Class A license, or a Firearms Identification (FID) Card, which limits possession to rifles and shotguns. Mr. Green estimated that between the Basic Pistol Course and Women on Target programs he instructs Lindsay Trance takes aim with a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun club some 300 to 400 women each year. firing range. She is one of an increasing number of Island women learning to use firearms. at a time and classes take about four target or skeet shooting with their Most women who seek training hours. Students receive an NRA boyfriends or husbands and want- with the intent of getting a gun liBasic Pistol Course certificate that ing a gun and license of their own. cense say they do so for personal qualifies them to apply for a license “They would never think of hurting protection, Mr. Green said. to carry from their local police de- a pheasant, but they love to shoot He estimated that among the women skeet,” he said. partment. he trains, some 60 percent say they “Over the last three or four years Mr. DeLisle said that students want a gun for protection. He said there’s been an increase in gals ap- hardly ever say they want a gun for that especially in these cases GOAL plying for licenses,” Mr. DeLisle personal protection. Virtually all of instructors hope the students will said. He estimated he teaches 20 to them say they want a license for rec- go on to more advanced firearms classes after the basic course. Oth30 students per year and 25 to 30 reational shooting. ers have often enjoyed recreational percent are women, representing an John Green, who conducts training shooting with friends or family, and upward trend. classes in Northboro for the Gun now want their own gun and license Mr. DeLisle attributed the increase Owners Action League (GOAL), a to continue with the sport. to women who get interested after state advocacy group, confirmed that many more women are signing In his 12 1/2 years with GOAL, Mr. up for training. “I’m seeing more Green said, he has observed a rise and more of that,” he said in a tele- in both men and women expressing the desire to have a gun for personal phone interview. protection. The increase in students He said his six-student basic fire- seeking training so they could get a arms safety course often include gun for their own safety was espemore women than men, which has cially dramatic immediately after not always been true. “Now I see it the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Now, more and more,” he said. ironically, he said, people are initially learning to use firearms for perGOAL also offers instruction prosonal protection, “then they learn grams in cooperation with other it’s a lot of fun.” organizations. A prime example is the National Rifle Association’s Story courtesy of Pat Waring - The “Women On Target” programs. Martha’s Vineyard Times, originally published May 2, 2012 Mr. Green said the program offers a

GOAL News Print Edition

8

May 2012

May 2012

Legislative Chart - House House Bill #

Bill Title

Sponsor

HD.3995

*An Act Repealing the Ban on Modern Sporting Arms

Assistant Minority Leader George N. Peterson, Jr

H.257

*An Act Relative to the Hunting of Bear

Representative Todd M. Smola

H.270

An Act Relative to Hunting or Trapping on Private Land.

H.428

Committee Report

Senate Bill #

Bill Title

Sponsor

Support

S.661

*An Act relative to the common defense.

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Support

S.782

Representative Martin J. Walsh

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Needs further study

An Act relative to hidden compartments

Representative Stephen L. DiNatale

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Oppose

H.639

An Act Relative to the Licensing of Certain Automatic Weapons.

Representative Antonio F.D. Cabral

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

H.657

An Act relative to shooting near highway or dwelling.

Second Assistant Majority Leader Kathi-Anne Reinstein

H.665

An Act Relative to Firearms in the Commonwealth

H.667

An Act Relative to the Possession of Weapons

Committee Assignment

GOAL Position

Senate Ways and Means Chair Stephen M. Brewer

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Support

*An Act relative to the criminal firearms and trafficking division of the state police.

Senator Jennifer L. Flanagan

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Support

S.832

*An Act Relative to Deceptive Weapon Devices

Senator Richard T. Moore

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Support

S.835

An Act enhancing public safety through the use of technology

Senator Anthony Petruccelli

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Oppose

Oppose

S.1189

*An Act relative to the lawful sale of ammunition.

Senate Ways and Means Chair Stephen M. Brewer

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

S.1186

*An Act relative to an unloaded rifle or shotgun.

Senate Ways and Means Chair Stephen M. Brewer

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

Representative Timothy J. Toomey, Jr

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

S.1191

*An Act relative to small caliber ammunition.

Senate Ways and Means Chair Stephen M. Brewer

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

Representative Timothy J. Toomey, Jr

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

S.1195

An act regarding the prevention of illegal trafficking and gun violence among youth in the Commonwealth.

Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

S.1202

An Act relative to preventing illegal trafficking of firearms (Senate version of One Gun a Month)

Senator Cynthia Stone Creem

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

S.1207

An Act to increase the penalties for the illegal possession of firearms

Eileen Donoghue

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

S.1214

An Act requiring a firearms licensing authority to provide a receipt for firearm license applications.

Senator John F. Keenan

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

S.1223

*An Act prohibiting the confiscation of lawfully owned firearms during a state of emergency

Senator Richard T. Moore

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

S.1224

An Act relative to a study commission on GPS locators in firearms

Senator Anthony Petruccelli

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

S.1226

An Act relative to remove pepper spray from firearms identification

Minority Whip Richard J. Ross

Senate Committee on Ways and Means

Support

S.1234

An Act establishing the Massachusetts armor piercing law.

Senator James E. Timilty

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

S.2054

An Act relative to habitual offenders, sentencing and improving law enforcement tools

Senator Cynthia Stone Creem

Senate Committee on Ways and Means

Oppose as written

H.670

An Act Relative to the Sale of Firearms

Representative Daniel K. Webster

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H.971

An Act for Veterans Hunting and Fishing Licenses

Representative Thomas M. Stanley

Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Support

H.1150

*An Act Relative to Waterfowl Hunting

Assistant Minority Leader George N. Peterson, Jr

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Support

H1287

*An Act Regarding Breaking and Entering a Firearm Retailer, Wholesaler or Manufacturer

Representative Christine E. Canavan

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H.1318

An Act Increasing Penalties for Felons in Possession of Firearms in the Commonwealth

Representative Russell E. Holmes

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Oppose

H.1349

An Act Relative to Dangerous Weapons

Representative David M. Nangle

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Oppose

H.1552

An Act Relative to the Licensing Fees of Firearms

Representative F. Jay Barrows

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H1561

An Act to improve the ballistic database through microstamping ammunition.

Representative David Paul Linsky

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

H1562

An Act to Restrict the Issuance of Licenses to Carry Firearms

Representative David Paul Linsky

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

H.1566

*An Act Relative to Constitutional Rights

Assistant Minority Leader George N. Peterson, Jr

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H.1567

*An Act Relative to the Right to Carry Firearms

Assistant Minority Leader George N. Peterson, Jr

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H.1568

*An Act Relative to Civil Rights and Public Safety

Assistant Minority Leader George N. Peterson, Jr

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H.1822

An legislative amendment to the Constitution to exclude matters relating to fisheries and wildlife from the subject matter of initiative petitions

Representative Anne M. Gobi

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Support

H.1996

An Act relative to the moose population

Representative Anne M. Gobi

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Support

H.1997

An Act relative to the powers of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Representative Anne M. Gobi

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Needs further study

H.2166

An Act relative to security in all court buildings and facilities

Representative John V. Fernandes

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Support

H.2396

An Act relative to the supervised use of shotguns by minors participating in certain events authorized by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Representative Anne M. Gobi

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

"Ought Not To Pass"

H.2398

An Act relative to the use of shotguns

Representative Anne M. Gobi

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H.2399

An Act relative to hunting on Sundays

Representative Anne M. Gobi

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H.2400

*An Act relative to youth hunting programs

Representative Anne M. Gobi

House Committee on Ways and Means

Support

H.2402

*An Act relative to the lawful use of shotguns

Represntative Kate Hogan

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H.2404

An Act relative to a report of firearms statistics

Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Support

H.2838

An Act to prevent bulk purchasing and illegal trafficking of firearms (House version of One Gun a Month)

Representative David Paul Linsky

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

H.2916

An Act to close a loophole in the assault weapons ban and further reduce gun violence in the Commonwealth.

Representative David Paul Linsky

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Oppose

Favorable

H.2921

An Act relative to firearm licensing

Representative David B. Sullivan

Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Needs further study

H.3119

An Act relative to the powers and duties of the Director of Fisheries and Wildlife in the management and control of wildlife

Representative Paul K. Frost

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Needs further study

H.3315

An Act Valuing Our Natural Resources

Representative Anne M. Gobi

House Committee on Ways and Means

Support

H.3441

An Act to provide law enforcement with tools to prevent youth violence

Governor Deval Patrick

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Needs further study

H.3569

AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE TRANSMISSION OF FIREARMS BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION

Governor Deval Patrick

Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Oppose

H.3700

An Act Relative to the Licensing of Firearms for Persons 70 Years of Age or Older

Representative William Smitty Pignatelli

Passed by House

Support

H.3942

*An Act Relative to the Use of Crossbows

Representative Anne M. Gobi

House Committee on Bills in the Third Reading

Support

H.3946

An Act expanding the powers of the director of Fisheries and Wildlife. (“Sunday Hunting” Bill)

Representative Anne M. Gobi

Released

Favorable

Favorable

More from our FSED for MA Legislators

Rep. Kim Ferguson keeps score at the Legislators Trap Match which was once again won by Rep. Peterson.

Committee Report

This is a combina-tion of H.658, H.1578, H.2403 & S.1236

2011 - 2012 GOAL Legislation • HD.3995 An Act Repealing the Ban on Modern Sporting Arms • H.1568 GOAL’s Civil Rights and Public Safety Act • S.782 An Act Creating the Criminal Firearms and Trafficking Division • H.1287 An Act Regarding Breaking and Entering of a Firearms Retailer • H.1567 An Act Relative to the Right to Carry Firearms • H.1566 An Act Relative to Constitutional Rights • S.661 An Act Relative to the Common Defense • S.1191 An Act Relative to Small Caliber Ammunition • H.257 An Act Relative to the Hunting of Bear • H.3942 An Act Relative to the use of Crossbows for Hunting • S.832 An Act Relative to Deceptive Weapon Devices • H.2400 An Act Relative to Youth Hunting Programs • S.1189 An Act Relative to the Lawful Sale of Ammunition • S.1186 An Act Relative to an Unloaded Rifle of Shotgun • H.2402 An Act Relative to the Lawful Use of Shotguns • H.1150 An Act Relative to Waterfowl Hunting

House Committee on Ways and Means

*GOAL Sponsored Legislation

Support GOAL! Advertise In GOAL News Wanted - Silver Dollars. Paying $25 each for your Silver Dollars - Year 1878-1935 Call Lin @ 781-956-8991

9

Legislative Chart - Senate GOAL Position

Study

Committee Assignment

GOAL News Print Edition

By Advertising in GOAL News you will not only reach a great enthusiastic audience, you will also help GOAL continue to fight for your freedom via offsetting the printing costs - enabling GOAL to utilize the savings to fund programs, increase awareness, and restore freedom in MA!

State Senate candidate Gerry Dembrowski takes aim with the Savage BA10 in .300 Win Mag.

The Auto Ordnance Thompson is always popular!

GOAL News Print Edition

10

May 2012

NRA News - National Stories • All Stories Courtesy of the NRA. GOAL is the official State Association of the NRA in Massachusetts

One of the most important ways that Congress has protected the Second Amendment is through a number of general provisions included in various appropriations bills. We are happy to report that 11 provisions to protect the Second Amendment were included in the bill. Specifically, the bill makes permanent the following protections: • Curio and Relic Definition. A prohibition on the use of funds to change the definition of a “curio or relic.” This provision protects the status of collectible firearms for future generations of firearms collectors. • Physical Inventory Prohibition. Prohibition on a requirement to allow a physical inventory of federal firearms licensees. The Clinton administration proposed a rule in 2000 to require an annual inventory by all licensees. While the Bush Administration eventually withdrew the proposal, Congress has still passed this preventive provision every year since FY 2007. • Business Activity. This provision prohibits BATFE from denying federal firearms license applications or renewals based on a dealer’s lowbusiness volume alone. • Firearms Trace Data Disclaimer. A requirement that any trace data released must include a disclaimer stating that such data cannot be used to draw broad conclusions about firearms-related crime. In addition, the bill restores four provisions that the Obama administration’s budget proposed to strike: • Firearms Parts Export to Canada. A prohibition on the use of funds to require an export license for small firearms parts valued at less than $500 for export to Canada. This provision is intended to remove an unnecessary and burdensome requirement on U.S. gun manufacturers that was imposed under the Clinton Administration (restored and made permanent). • Importation of Curios and Relics. A prohibition on the use of funds to arbitrarily deny importation of qualifying curio and relic firearms. This provision ensures that collectible firearms that meet all legal requirements for importation into the United States are not banned from import by executive branch fiat (restored and made permanent). • Prohibit Funding for “Gun Walking” Operations. No funds may be used to knowingly transfer firearms to agents of drug cartels unless U.S. law enforcement personnel control or monitor the firearms at all times. This amendment is designed to prevent the Justice Department (or any government entity) from spending taxpayer dollars on “gun walking” programs like Operation Fast and Furious. • Shotgun Importation Prohibition Protection. Prohibits the Department of Justice from requiring imported shotguns to meet a “sporting purposes” test that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explo-

Old Colony Sportsmen’s Association, Inc Take A Lesson With one of our NRA Certified Instructors!

We Welcome New Members!

159 Forrest Street, P.O. Box 523, Pembroke, MA 02359 781 293- 9980 www.old-colony.org

GOAL News Print Edition

11

NSSF - Industry News All Stories Courtesy of the NSSF.

Eleven Wins for Gun Owners On Thursday, May 10, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5326-the appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, Science, and Related Agencies fiscal year 2013--by a vote of 247-163.

May 2012

History of the Modern Sporting Rifle sives has used to prohibit the importation of shotguns with one or more features disliked by the Agency, such as adjustable stocks, extended magazine tubes, etc.

advanced technology and ergonomic design to produce an exceptionally reliable, rugged and accurate The gun he was carrying, and which he had invented, was significantly sporting rifle. Produced in different different from traditional rifles of the time that could only be fired once configurations and chambered in a before having to be reloaded. The new Spencer Repeating rifle could be variety of calibers, AR-type rifles not only can be used for, indeed are exloaded with seven cartridges in a tubular magazine and featured a lever ceptionally well suited to, many types of hunting, precision target shooting under the trigger. When the lever was pushed down and then brought back as well as personal protection. In recent years, AR-type rifles have become up, the spent casing of the round that was fired was ejected and a new among the most popular sporting rifles sold in the United States. round was automatically fed into the chamber. Unfortunately, some anti-gun organizations have worked hard to mislead Upon arriving at the White House, Spencer, President Lincoln and a nathe public by calling the civilian versions of service rifles, “assault weapval aide walked over to a small park near the Treasury Building where the ons.” This anti-gun strategy is a clever ploy, much in the same way that aide set up a makeshift pine board target so that Lincoln could test the prohibitionists labeled alcoholic beverages, “demon rum.” True “assault new rifle himself. Repeatedly hitting the target, Lincoln was impressed with weapons” are in fact light machine guns capable of fully automatic fire. the accuracy, rapid-fire and multi-shot capabilities of the Spencer and imMachine guns of all types have been severely restricted from civilian ownmediately recommended the rifle to the Army. Soon tens of thousands of ership since 1934. Spencer rifles were being delivered to Union troops. While AR-type rifles do look different, they function the same way as modWhile the Spencer Repeating Arms Company foundered after the war, els of semi automatic rifles and shotguns (one shot per pull of the trigger) lever-action rifles, notably those produced by the Winchester Repeating that have been in the sporting marketplace for many decades. Arms Company, became tremendously popular rifles among pioneers, hunters and homesteaders for the very same reasons they were popular From the Kentucky rifle to the most modern sporting arm, accuracy has among the troops in the Civil War. More compact, lighter, and easier to always been the hallmark of the American rifle. Accuracy should too be the handle, they offered the owner quick and multiple shots before reloading. hallmark of any firearms debate. On an August afternoon in 1863, Christopher Spencer made his way to the White House with a rifle in hand.

The bill retains the following provision: • Transfer of BATFE Authority. A prohibition on the use of funds to transfer any duty or responsibility of the BATFE to any other agency or department. This provision was written in response to a Clinton Administration plan to transfer firearms enforcement to the FBI or Secret Service. It also prohibits the Executive branch from skirting the will of Congress by allowing another agency to implement policies the BATFE is prohibited from implementing. Finally, the bill includes two new provisions: • DOJ Funding Restriction. Disallows funds to the Department of Justice if the DOJ falsifies documents, makes misleading or inaccurate statements, or covers up or conceals information. It is intended to ensure the Department of Justice is truthful and forthright with ongoing Congressional investigations of “Operation Fast and Furious.” (Also known as the Chaffetz/Gosar/Farenthold “Fast and Furious” Amendment, this provision passed by a vote of 381-41.) Southwest Border Rifle Registration. Prohibits the use of federal funds to carry out the BATFE’s requirement that firearm dealers in the four southwestern border states file “multiple sales” reports on individuals who buy more than one detachable-magazine semi-automatic rifle of greater than .22 caliber in a five-day period. (Also known as the Rehberg/Boren Amendment, this provision passed in committee by a vote of 30-19, despite a threatened veto by President Obama.)

Statement from the NRA on Self-Defense Laws The National Rifle Association always has and always will advocate the passage and preservation of selfdefense laws. The alternative leaves the innocent in danger.

One of President Theodore Roosevelt’s favorite hunting rifles was a Winchester lever-action Model 1895. If the anti-gun movement had been active in the late 19th century, they may well have labeled such rapid-fire, high capacity magazine rifles as the “assault weapons” of their day. And it would have been as inaccurate then as it is today to label a civilian sporting rifle an “assault weapon.” For well over a century, many of our most popular sporting rifles have directly evolved from a service rifle of a particular era. Battlefield requirements in a rifle such as accuracy, ruggedness, reliability and fast follow-up shots are features equally sought by hunters and target shooters.

It’s a natural right. No law “gives” it or can take it away. It’s yours. It works. And its only alternative – the idea that distant, disinterested third parties can dictate after the fact that “you must retreat” – will never be The vast majority of states do not accepted by the American people. impose a “duty to retreat” and most Americans support laws that clarify For these reasons, the National Rithat Common Law, common-sense fle Association will work to protect right. It empowers lawful people self-defense laws on the books and to defend themselves, and deters advocate for their passage in those would-be murderers, rapists and states that do not fully respect this robbers. fundamental right.

The bolt-action centerfire rifle, for many decades America’s classic deer hunting rifle, is a descendent of the First World War battle rifle, the 1903 Springfield. The bolt-action of the Springfield offered smooth and rapid cycling of the action and allowed for the use of a more powerful cartridge, the .30/06, accurate at ranges out to 1000 yards. More than a hundred years later, the .30/06 remains as America’s most popular big game hunting cartridge.

Obama Administration threatens veto over important NRA-backed provision!

Today, the AR-15 looks like the M-16 service rifle that first saw combat in Vietnam. To be sure, the AR-15 does not look like a traditional sporting rifle. Neither, in their time, did the Spencer or the Springfield. What the AR-15 does look like is the latest iteration of a modern rifle that employs

May 8, 2012. It comes as no surprise that the Obama Administration put out a Statement of Administration Policy saying that President Obama’s senior advisors would recommend that he veto H.R. 5326 (FY2013 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill). To see the statement, please click here. Apparently, one of the reasons the President would veto H.R. 5326 is because of a NRA-backed general provision preventing funding for the new and unauthorized multiple sales reporting and registration plan proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). On Thursday, April 26, the U.S. House of Representatives

Committee on Appropriations approved this general provision offered by Congressman Rehberg (RMont.), by a vote of 30-19. Without this funding restriction, the BATFE could continue to circumvent the will of Congress by collecting information on multiple-sales of long guns by Executive Branch mandate and then, centralizing records of thousands of Americans’ gun purchases, without any legal authority. Please contact your member of Congress and tell them to leave this important provision in the bill. You can contact your member of Congress at (202) 225-3121 or by email.

The first semi-automatic (one shot per pull of the trigger) U.S. service rifle, the Springfield .30 M-1, popularly known as the Garand, saw service initially in the Second World War. Not long after the war, a wide range of semi-automatic hunting rifles as well as semi-automatic shotguns were developed by sporting arms manufacturers and have gained widespread popularity among both hunters and clay target shooters.

GOAL News Print Edition

12

May 2012

GOAL Training

May 2012

GOAL News Print Edition

13

GOAL News - Online Tidbits

News, Notes and Schedule for Upcoming Classes at GOAL

Images - Content - and Other Good Things From the WWW

Intro to the Modern Sporting Rifle - AR15

M1 Garand: Our New Service Rifle (Original 1938 Review)

This was very popular on Facebook.

Deval Patrick “Logic”

An excerpt from the August, 1938 issue of American Rifleman By Maj. G.H. Drewry For more than thirty years the Ordnance Department endeavored to obtain a satisfactory semi-automatic or self-loading rifle to replace the bolt action Springfield. These efforts were not confined to the development within the Department. Invitations were extended periodically to gun designers in this country and abroad to submit weapons for test, and tests were made of those received which showed any promise of meeting the specifications prescribed. During this period of thirty odd years many rifles were received and tested. Mechanisms embodying every known principle of operation were represented in the many types submitted.

Our 1st AR Intro! Do you have a new modern sporting rifle and lack any sort of basic training on this gun? Perhaps it’s been a few years and you need a refresher on loading, zeroing, unloading, and maintaining your AR15 style rifle. Let’s face it, successful gun use is not innate. GOAL’s Introduction to the Modern Sporting Rifle AR15 conveys the skills and knowledge to successfully handle and hit with this fantastic little rifle without embarrassing oneself on the firing line. This is accomplished through effective communication, demonstration and participation. Our first class was held on May 15th at the new GOAL headquarters with live fire at the Worcester Pistol and Rifle Club Inc. Guests viewed a short slide show on the history, terminology and state laws regarding the AR15 style rifle. Loading and unloading skills were then practiced using inert cartridges until everyone had several positive repetitions under their belt. We first broke down the rifles immediately prior to live fire for inspection as some people had never fired their rifle before. The procedure for zeroing was explained and live fire began and a 50yd zero was successfully accomplished by all. We then moved over to the 100 yard range and engaged steel plates from several positions. Even the modern sporting rifle is not immune to stoppages! We took turns remedying various stoppages including failure to fire and double feeds. The day was complete once everyone could successfully disassemble and assemble their bolt carrier group without issue. The feedback was excellent and comments including, “this was way more inclusive than what I thought it be”. “Just excellent”, “Wow, this rifle is awesome, thanks”. GOAL is pleased with the feedback and is proud to add this to our lineup of classes.

Upcoming Training with GOAL - Sign Up For A Great Class Today! • Folding Knife with Michael de Bethencourt - June 20 - Learn essential • Intro to the NRA Courses - September 20 - This class will help prepare foundation skills with the thumb opening, self-defense folding knife. NRA Instructor Candidates for successful participation in NRA Instruc• Utah Non-Resident CCW - June 25 - Get a license to carry a firearm tor courses. • Introduction to IDPA - September 25 - Learn how to compete in IDPA! recognized by 29 states! • Introduction to IDPA - September 29 - Learn how to compete in IDPA! • Basic Pistol Course (NRA LTC-002) - August 21 - Get your LTC! • Basic Firearm Safety Primer for Certified Instructors - August 23 • Basic Pistol Course (NRA LTC-002) - October 2 - Get your LTC! • Intro to the Modern Sporting Rifle - AR15 - August 28 - This course • The Art of Concealed Carry - October 4 - A must take for MA residents will cover nomenclature, proper loading and unloading, zeroing, clearing • MA Gun Law for Citizens - October 9 - Untangle the web of MA Law common malfunctions and maintenance of the AR15 style rifle. • Basic Pistol Course (NRA LTC-002) - October 30 - Get your LTC! • MA Gun Law for Citizens - August 30 - Untangle the web of MA Law • Utah Non-Resident CCW - November 8 - Get a license to carry a firearm • Secrets of Concealed Carry Snub with Michael de Bethencourt recognized by 29 states! • MA Gun Law for Citizens - November 20 - Untangle the web of MA Law September 4 - Learn methods and manipulations unique to the snub • Intro to the Modern Sporting Rifle - AR15 - September 11 - This course will cover nomenclature, proper loading and unloading, zeroing, clearing To Sign Up for Classes, call Angi at the GOAL Office, 508-393-5333 x20 common malfunctions and maintenance of the AR15 style rifle. for more information on any of the GOAL Classes visit us online at. • Basic Pistol Course (NRA LTC-002) - September 18 - Get your LTC! www.goal.org/training/schedule.html

After many tests of various calibers, it was decided that the caliber .276 cartridge developed sufficient power for a shoulder weapon and that the use of this smaller cartridge would facilitate the design of a reliable and durable self-loading rifle within the prescribed weight limit and would also reduce the load of the individual soldier due to the lighter weight of the cartridge. Of the several rifles in this caliber submitted for test, two were outstanding: the Pedersen; and the Garand, designed and developed by Mr. John C. Garand. Both Mr. Pedersen and Mr. Garand carried on their development work at the Springfield Armory. A number of each of these types were manufactured and submitted to the services for test. Both rifles performed very well. However, to adopt a weapon of this caliber involved further complication of the supply problem by the introduction

of another type of ammunition. In the meantime, Mr. Garand, who has been in the employ of the Ordnance Department at the Springfield Armory for the past eighteen years as a designer of automatic weapons, completed a test model of a semi-automatic rifle designed to function with either the Caliber .30, M1, Model 1906, or the caliber .30, M1, service cartridge. This rifle appeared so promising in its preliminary tests that decision to adopt the caliber .276 was held in abeyance. The results of continued tests of the caliber .30 weapon were so excellent that the caliber .276 project was abandoned altogether and the caliber .30 weapon as developed by Mr. Garand was adopted as the standard shoulder weapon of our Army. This action was taken in January, 1936. The new rifle, with which our troops are to be equipped, is officially known as the “U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1,” and popularly as the “Garand Semi-Automatic Rifle.” It is of the gas-operated type and employs an en-bloc type of clip holding eight rounds. It varies somewhat from the conventional type of gasoperated weapon in that there is no hole drilled in the barrel is provided with a sleeve and just as the base clears the muzzle, a small amount of gas is diverted through a port at the muzzle into a cylinder where it impinges upon the piston of the operating rod, driving it to the rear. The location of the port at the muzzle rather than at some point nearer the breech permits the use of gas at a lower pressure, thereby decreasing the stresses on the operating parts of the rifle.

Great image from NRA’s Facebook page

Fingerprints

Transmitting to Washington D.C. If they come from a law abiding citizen of MA wanting to exercise a civil right - Perfectly OK! If they come from an illegal immigrant arrested for a crime - “Racism! Profiling! That’ll hurt the relationship between law enforcement and their community!”

Please Join GOAL, help us fix MA. http://www.goal.org/joingoal.html

@MassGovernor Deval Patrick Appointment Wait. Our Facebook and Twit-

ter followers have been on this for quite some time. For those that don’t follow our social media, we’ve been counting the amount of days that GOAL has waited for Governor Patrick to grant us an appointment to discuss our Civil Rights. Today, May 31, 2012 is day 1974.

Great job Senator Moore! Our good friend Senator Mike Moore (2nd Worcester, pictured at far right) held a firearms safety and education day for his constituents with our help at the Auburn Sportsman’s Club. He sent us this great group photo, thanks Senator Moore for spreading the good word that comes with firearms ownership!

Another great shot from our recent Intro to the Modern Sporting Rifle - AR15 class, here Jon Green runs a dry fire exercise in the classroom prior to heading to the range.

Follow Us Online!

GOAL News Print Edition

14

May 2012

Competition

May 2012

GOAL News Print Edition

15

GOAL News - Print Edition

Rifle Competition - June 2012 Saturday June 2

Nashua Fish & Game

9:00 - 3x600 Any/Any Benefit Match (Not an NRA Approved Match)

Sunday June 10

Nashua Fish & Game

8:00 - 3x600 Any/Any Benefit Match (Not an NRA Approved Match)

Sunday June 10

Westfield Sportsmen’s Club

8:00 - 300 Yard - 50 record shots - National Match Course

Sunday June 17

Nashua Fish & Game

9:00 - Military Vintage / Garand / Springfield 50 rd NMC 200 yards

Saturday June 23

Nashua Fish & Game

9:00 - NRA Approved Mid Range Prone Match (300, 500 & 600 yards)

Sunday June 24

Nashua Fish & Game

8:00 - High Power Clinic

Note: Nashua Fish & Game has open 600 yard practice every Thursday morning at 9:00 squadding starts at 8:45. If you would like your clubs open to the public Rifle Competition listed here, please contact Mike Sweeney at GOAL 508-393-5333 or [email protected].

Pistol Competition - June 2012 Saturday June 2 - 3

Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford

8:00 - IDPA MA State Champ

Sunday June 3

Nenameseck Sportsmen’s Club

9:00 - Pin Shoot

Sunday June 3

Bass River Rod & Gun Club Inc.


9:30 - USPSA

Sunday June 3

North Leominster Rod & Gun Club

10:00 - Pin Shoot

Sunday June 3

Mass Rifle Accociation

12:30 - Steel

Saturday June 9

Worcester Pistol & Rifle Club

9:00 - IDPA

Sunday June 10

Harvard Sportsmen’s Club

8:00 - USPSA

Sunday June 10

Lee Sportsmen’s Association

8:30 - IDPA

Monday June 11

Mass Rifle Association

6:30 - Steel Challenge - Center-fire pistol, Static steel action shooting match

Saturday June 16

Auburn Sportsman’s Club

8:30 - Pin Shoot

Saturday June 16

Lawrence Rod & Gun Club

10:00 - Pin Shoot

Sunday June 17

Nauset Rod & Gun Club

8:30 - Action Pistol

Sunday June 17

Bass River Rod & Gun Club

9:30 - IDPA

Saturday June 23

Harvard Sportsmen’s Club

9:00 - IDPA

Sunday June 24

Rod & Gun Club of New Bedford

9:00 - USPSA

Sunday June 24

Nenameseck Sportsmen’s Club

9:00 - IDPA

Sunday June 24

Worcester Rifle & Pistol Club

11:00 - Pin Shoot

Monday June 25

Mass Rifle Association

6:30 - Static Steel, 22LR Rimfire pistol, Static steel action shooting match

Saturday June 30

Harvard Sportsmen’s Club

8:00 - Steel Challenge

Sunday July 1

Nenameseck Sportsmen’s Club

9:00 - Pin Shoot

Sunday July 1

Bass River Rod & Gun Club Inc.


9:30 - USPSA

Sunday July 1

North Leominster Rod & Gun Club

10:00 - Pin Shoot

Sunday July 1

Mass Rifle Accociation

12:30 - Steel

Note: Many of these clubs have USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challenge, or Pin Shoot practice during the week, check the clubs for more information. If you would like your clubs open to the public Pistol Competition listed here, please contact Mike Sweeney at GOAL 508-393-5333 or [email protected].

Firearms Seminar with the BATFE encourage the use of the LTC hold& MA Dept. of Criminal Justice In- ers’ PIN and they are working on a system whereby a LTC holder can formation Services. look up their pin online rather than Report from a member: contacting the licensing PD. I went to the seminar at Worcester There was a Q&A session afterwards State University on Wednesday May which dealt a variety of issues: 16, 2012. There were two presentations (by the ATF and by Jason Gui- Q: Difficulty of completing multiple MIRCS documents for a sale/ da for FRB/DCJIS). transfer of multiple firearms (i.e. The ATF portion focused on FFL needing to enter personal info each documentation/record keeping retime)? A: (Jason) pre-fill out the quirements (4473’s, Bound Book, forms and save them, completing multiple handgun purchase reportthem all when the purchaser is on ing requirements, firearm theft/ site. loss reporting) with a segment devoted to correct completion of the Q: Having a Class 3 manufacturer’s 4473 form. She also discussed what license in Mass but moving to NH would happen during a compliance and not being able to renew Class inspection and what they are look- 3 personal license? A: (Jason) you could be covered under the exemping for when they come by. tion of being involved in a business Jason Guida’s portion covered: activity if you were out & about (i.e. License types: Dealers, Gunsmith & at a range) but that is an affirmative defense and not necessarily one that License to Sell Ammunition will keep you from being arrested. Conditions of Licenses: That all parts of the law (G.L. c. 140, S 123) Q: Filling out 4473 country of birth have to be adhered to; no licenses when dealing with countries that for businesses operating out of a have changed? (i.e. Yugoslavia) A: dwelling (unless you can get anoth- (Helen - ATF) use the name of the er address number for a detached country as it was at birth. building); no online sales without Q: Why is it taking so much longer in-person presentment of MA lito get approval on NFA transactions cense; penalty for violations (previous 3 weeks, now 5 months)? Approved Weapons Roster: governs A: (Counsel for ATF, didn’t get all retail transactions; NO EXCEP- name) number of NFA transfers TIONS for law enforcement or for has skyrocketed especially as some transfers; penalty for violation; states have relaxed their laws reguns in the state prior to 10/21/98 garding NFA class items, especially are exempt from Approved Weap- silencers. [alas, not Massachusetts] ons Roster. Q: Why do multiple handgun purAssault Weapons Ban: governs all chase forms go to local PD if the retail transactions; NO EXCEP- purchaser does not live in store area TIONS for law enforcement or for & does reporting to MIRCS satisfy that requirement? A: (Helen - ATF) transfers; penalty for violation It’s regulatory and it’s to keep LE MIRCS Dealer Application: all reapprised of multiple handgun sales. tail transactions; no off-site exempA: (Jason) MIRCS reporting does tions; requires permission to use not satisfy requirement. paper recording (FA-10) Q: What happens if a dealer receives A.G. list regulations: there are 3 guns on consignment and the perAG regulations which every handson dies? A: (Jason) the guns are gun needs to have in order to pass property and will go through prothe test: 1. child safety, 2. load inbate and then need to be transferred dicators & magazine-disconnects, (4473 & MIRCS) to the inheritor or 3. tamper resistant serial numbers. the Executor could direct the guns These regulations go beyond the be sold and distribute the proceeds. EOPS list. Q: How does inheritance work? A: Jason was clear to indicate that he Massachusetts gives a grace period did not work for the A.G. nor was for the inheritor to get a license durhis department associated with the ing which the guns can be stored in A.G. (other than they both work for the house but not carried. the state) and that the ATF had invited the A.G.’s office to be present Q: How can a dealer sell to an out of at the seminar but they declined, in- state resident (guns and/or ammo)? stead sending the PowerPoint slides A: (Jason) has to go through an FFL in the purchasers state for guns, that were displayed. can’t sell ammo to out of state. Jason also discussed the MIRCS (Helen - ATF) The ATF allows sale dealer application and the difficulof a long gun to out of state resities that dealers have with that sysdents but it needs to be legal in both tem as it only works on Windows states [not legal in Mass], ATF does XP (!!) due to the drivers for the not regulate sale of ammunition. fingerprint reader. His solution is to As an aside sale of black powder

requires explosives license, not so ings. with smokeless. [again, according The chief suggested that if it has to ATF regulations] been “a few weeks” since the appliQ: Are 30 round magazines that are cation was submitted, and they still pinned to 10 round legal in mass? haven’t heard back, the licensing A: (Jason) No, case law exists but officer should call the Firearms Rehe advises law enforcement that the cord Bureau. standard is what the magazine is When calling the FRB to inquire “manufactured to” (meaning, no) about a licensing delay, 9 times out but it’s up to LE/district attorneys of 10, the FRB had received the apwhat they will prosecute. plication from the department, but [NOTE: Jason also said that while in turn, had to send the licensing ofthere was no case law, he advises LE/ ficer a note requesting more inforD.A.’s that by “statute” pre-ban mag- mation in order to process the apazines would only be legal if they plication. Because the FRB can see were in MA under a Mass license when the licensing officers log into prior to the ban date. He also advis- this system, they finally realized the es LE/D.A.’s the same about pre-ban delay was because the licensing of“assault weapons”. He also said that ficers were not logging in to check he’s never seen a case where hi-cap their messages, therefore leaving magazines were the only charge. It’s the FRB no choice but to put the usually one of the charges they tack applications aside and wait for the on once they’ve gotten someone on requested information. other charges. Not to say this is the sole reason Q: If a pre-ban gun/magazine was in for delays, but the chief did tell the state prior to the ban, then left the room that it is usually NOT the state, then came back would it be state’s fault. legal? A: (Jason) no case law exists New Marijuana Law but he stated that he felt it would be legal. Many people have asked about the new marijuana law and whether Q: What should/can a dealer do if or not that would be an automatic a customer comes in selling an obdisqualifier for an FID or LTC. Apviously post-ban assault weapon/ parently, the new civil infraction magazine? A: (Jason) A Dealer can will not show up on a BOP (Bureau take the gun in and wholesale it out of Probations) check. Therefore, it of state. He also said he’d like to will not be a disqualifier. Any marithink a dealer might give a call to juana charge that does show up will the local police but he realized how result in a denial. The licensing ofunlikely that was since dealers actuficers were also informed that civil ally have to do business in their loinfractions cannot be used to deny cales. for suitability. One thing this seminar made clear, Black Powder Handguns – No LTC it is very clear how restrictive the Needed! gun laws are in Mass. In April 2012, the court case of Notes from GOAL: Commonwealth vs. Jefferson, it was determined that firearms manufactured before 1900, including black powder handguns are exempt from the licensing requirement in G.L. c. 140, § 131. This ruling overturned the decision made in the Commonwealth v. Bibby case in 2002 where it was determined that black powder handguns were considered a firearm under On May 22, 2012, GOAL staff at- c. 140 § 121, and therefore needed tended the Firearms Legal Update an LTC to be possessed outside the seminar at the Holiday Inn Marl- home pursuant to c. 269 § 10 (a). boro, hosted by Chief Ron Glidden (Ret.). Although many topics were Because c. 140 § 131 governs licenses discussed, the following have been to carry firearms, and because § 131 concerns to GOAL members in the does not apply to firearms manufactured before 1900, a person does recent months. not need a license to carry a fireLicensing Delays arm made before 1900. However, a GOAL has received several com- person may still be convicted of the plaints regarding the extensive li- unlawful possession of ammunition censing delays throughout the loaded in a firearm manufactured Commonwealth. The chief shed before 1900 if the defendant does some light on this topic, and to my not have an FID card and the amsurprise, none of the chiefs or li- munition does not fall under some censing officers disputed his find- exemption.

GOAL News Print Edition

16

May 2012

GOAL Affiliated Clubs ACUSHNET RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB, INC. AGAWAM REVOLVER CLUB, INC. ANDOVER SPORTSMEN’S CLUB ASHFIELD ROD & GUN CLUB AUBURN SPORTSMAN’S CLUB, INC. BASS RIVER ROD & GUN CLUB, INC BLACK PATCH MUZZLE LOADERS BLACKSTONE VALLEY BEAGLE CLUB CAPE ANNE SPORTSMAN’S CLUB CAPE COD FISH & GAME ASSOCIATION CENTURY SPORTSMANS CLUB CLINTON FISH & GAME PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION, INC. CONCORD ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. COPICUT RIFLE ASSOCIATION, INC DANVERS FISH & GAME CLUB EASTERN RIFLE & REVOLVER CLUB EASTHAMPTON FISH & GAME ASSOCIATION EASTON ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. ESSEX COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S ASSOC. FALMOUTH ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. FALMOUTH SKEET CLUB, INC. FIN, FUR & FEATHER CLUB OF MATTAPOISETT, INC. FIN, FUR AND FEATHER CLUB OF WELLESLEY & NATICK FITCHBURG SPORTSMEN’S CLUB GARDNER RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB HANSON ROD & GUN CLUB HARVARD SPORTSMEN’S CLUB, INC. HAVERHILL HOUND ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. HOLBROOK SPORTSMEN’S CLUB, INC. HOLYOKE REVOLVER CLUB, INC. HOPEDALE PISTOL & RIFLE CLUB HOPKINTON SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENT SPORTSMEN’S CLUB, INC IPSWICH FISH & GAME ASSOC. INC LAWRENCE ROD & GUN CLUB LEE SPORTSMAN’S ASSOC. LEICESTER ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. LENOX SPORTSMEN’S CLUB LEOMINSTER SPORTSMEN’S ASSOC., INC LITTLETON SPORTSMAN’S CLUB LOWELL SPORTSMEN’S CLUB MARLBORO FISH & GAME ASSOC. MASPENOCK ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. MASS TRAPPERS ASSOC INC. MASSACHUSETTS ANTIQUE ARMS COLLECTORS MASSAPOAG SPORTSMEN’S CLUB MIDDLEBOROUGH SPORTSMAN’S CLUB MIT FACULTY PISTOL & RIFLE CLUB MONUMENT BEACH SPORTSMAN’S CLUB, INC. NASHOBA SPORTSMAN’S CLUB, INC. NAUSET ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. NENAMESECK SPORTSMEN’S CLUB NEW BEDFORD REVOLVER & RIFLE CLUB NIMROD LEAGUE OF HOLDEN INC. NORCO SPORTSMAN’S CLUB, INC. NORFOLK COUNTY LEAGUE OF SPORTSMEN’S CLUBS NORTH BROOKFIELD SPORTSMEN’S CLUB NORTH GRAFTON FISH, GAME & BIRD CLUB NORTH LEOMINSTER ROD & GUN CLUB NORTH READING RIFLE CLUB, INC. NORTH SHORE REDMEN RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB, INC.

215 LEONARD ST. PO BOX 502 PO BOX 255 PO BOX 326 50 ELM ST PO BOX 29 PO BOX 82 PO BOX 34 PO BOX 301 PO BOX 119 PO BOX 115 185 LANCASTER RD PO BOX 271 PO BOX 3049 PO BOX 609 315 WALNUT ST PO BOX 438 PO BOX 489 PO BOX 673 PO BOX 161 PO BOX 3157 PO BOX 102 P.O. BOX 272 PO BOX 594 PO BOX 704 PO BOX 101 PO BOX 114 PO BOX 770 PO BOX 275 PO BOX 543 PO BOX 132 95 LUMBER ST PO BOX 902 PO BOX 55 PO BOX 142 PO BOX 175 PO BOX 282 PO BOX 499 PO BOX 484 PO BOX 1037 PO BOX 102 1 MUDDY LN PO BOX 42 277 MAIN ST PO BOX 111 PO BOX 403 PO BOX 633 PO BOX 397031 14 HOLLAND STREET PO BOX 2333 PO BOX 157 PO BOX 284 246 BOLTON ST PO BOX 254 PO BOX 212 PO BOX 742 20 BOYNTON RD PO BOX 61 PO BOX 657 PO BOX 93 PO BOX 474

ACHUSHNET FEEDING HILLS ANDOVER ASHFIELD AUBURN YARMOUTHPORT MILLBURY DOUGLAS GLOUCESTER HARWICH PORT AUBURN BERLIN CONCORD WESTPORT MIDDLETON LYNN SOUTHAMPTON NORTH EASTON NEWBURYPORT FALMOUTH WAQUOIT FAIRHAVEN MILLIS FITCHBURG GARDNER HANSON HARVARD HAVERHILL HOLBROOK HOLYOKE HOPEDALE HOPKINTON N ATTLEBORO IPSWICH LAWRENCE LEE LEICESTER LENOX LEOMINSTER LITTLETON LOWELL MARLBORO MILFORD SPENCER HINGHAM SHARON MIDDLEBORO CAMBRIDGE FALMOUTH ACTON EASTHAM PALMER NEW BEDFORD HOLDEN PRINCETON WALPOLE N BROOKFIELD GRAFTON LUNENBURG NORTH READING LYNN

May 2012

GOAL News Print Edition

17

GOAL Affiliated Clubs MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA

02743 01030 01810 01330 01501 02675 01527 01516 01931 02646 01501 01503 01742 02790 01949 01905 01073 02356 01950 02541 02536 02719 02054 01420 01440 02341 01451 01831 02343 01041 01747 01748 02761 01938 01842 01238 01524 01240 01453 01460 01853 01752 01757 01562 02043 02067 02346 02139 02540 01720 02642 01069 02740 01520 01541 02081 01535 01519 01462 01864 01905

NORTH WALPOLE FISH & GAME NORTHAMPTON REVOLVER CLUB NORWOTTUCK FISH & GAME OLD COLONY SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION ORANGE GUN CLUB, INC. OTIS FISH AND GAME CLUB OTTER RIVER SPORTSMAN’S CLUB PELHAM FISH & GAME CLUB, INC. PETERSHAM GUN CLUB, INC. PLYMOUTH ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. QUABOAG SPORTSMEN’S CLUB, INC. RIVERSIDE GUN CLUB, INC. ROD & GUN CLUB OF NEW BEDFORD ROYALSTON FISH & GAME CLUB RUMFORD HUNTING & FISHING CLUB SATUCKET RIFLE & REVOLVER CLUB SCITUATE ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. SHARON FISH & GAME CLUB, INC. SHAWME FISH & GAME CLUB SHIRLEY ROD & GUN CLUB SINGLETARY ROD & GUN CLUB, INC SIPPICAN ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. SOUTH FITCHBURG HUNTING & FISHING CLUB SOUTH HADLEY SPORTING CLUB SOUTH SHORE RIFLE & PISTOL LEAGUE SOUTHBORO ROD & GUN CLUB STANDISH SPORTSMAN’S ASSOC. STONY BROOK FISH & GAME ASSOC. SWIFT RIVER SPORTSMAN’S CLUB, INC TAUNTON RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB TEWKSBURY ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. TURNERS FALLS ROD & GUN CLUB WALPOLE SPORTSMEN’S ASSOC. WAMPANOAG ROD & GUN CLUB WAYLAND ROD & GUN CLUB, INC. WESTERN MA. DUCK HUNTERS ASSOC. WESTFIELD SPORTSMAN’S CLUB WESTFORD SPORTSMEN’S CLUB WESTMINSTER ROD & GUN CLUB WICKABOAG SPORTSMEN’S CLUB WOODSMAN RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB WORCESTER COUNTY LEAGUE OF SPORTSMEN WORCESTER PISTOL & RIFLE CLUB WORTHINGTON ROD & GUN CLUB WRENTHAM SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION

PO BOX 30 PO BOX 122 PO BOX 2492 PO BOX 523 PO BOX 263 PO BOX 59 PO BOX 28 PO BOX 917 PO BOX 812 PO BOX 3121 PO BOX 677 PO BOX 152 PO BOX 79575 PO BOX 91 PO BOX 314 7 SPRING ST PO BOX 321 PO BOX 360 PO BOX 13 PO BOX 327 PO BOX 261 PO BOX 182 PO BOX 687 135 RIVER RD 25 HORNBEAM RD PO BOX 91 PO BOX 258 PO BOX 1006 350 COLD SPRING ST PO BOX 1012 79 CHANDLER ST PO BOX 44 PO BOX 91 PO BOX 3153 4 MEADOWVIEW RD PO BOX 315 PO BOX 56 PO BOX 742 PO BOX 465 PO BOX 462 30 EVERGREEN DR PO BOX 766 PO BOX 771 PO BOX 71 PO BOX 83

WALPOLE NORTHAMPTON AMHERST PEMBROKE ORANGE FORESTDALE BALDWINVILLE PELHAM PETERSHAM PLYMOUTH WARREN HUDSON N DARTMOUTH BALDWINVILLE REHOBOTH EAST BRIDGEWATER N SCITUATE SHARON SANDWICH SHIRLEY OXFORD ROCHESTER TOWNSEND SOUTH HADLEY SCITUATE SOUTHBORO EAST BRIDGEWATER WESTFORD BELCHERTOWN TAUNTON TEWKSBURY TURNERS FALLS WALPOLE ATTLEBORO WAYLAND GRANBY WESTFIELD WESTFORD WESTMINSTER W BROOKFIELD ORANGE WEST BOYLSTON BOYLSTON WORTHINGTON WRENTHAM

MA MA MA MA MA MA MA NH MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA

02081 01061 01002 02359 01364 02644 01436 03076 01366 02361 01083 01749 02747 01436 02769 02333 02060 02067 02563 01464 01540 02770 01469 01075 02066 01772 02333 01886 01007 02780 01876 01376 02081 02703 01778 01033 01086 01886 01473 01585 01364 01583 01505 01098 02093

Interested in listing your club here? GOAL Affiliated Clubs receive many benefits which will help your Board of Directors run your club more effectively, optimize operations, and give assistance with implementing programs. If your club is not listed here and your Board of Directors would like it to be, please contact GOAL Club Relations officer Tara McGrath 508-393-5333 x22 or email her: [email protected].

GOAL News Print Edition

18

May 2012

GOAL News - Print Edition

May 2012

GOAL News Print Edition

19

MA Wildlife News All Stories Courtesy of MassWildlife - Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife - http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/

Outdoor Skills & Wildlife Education Programs The Division of Fisheries & Wildlife offers a wide range of educational and skills programs. With suitable lead time, programs can be adapted to the needs of virtually any group.

Project WILD: Interdisciplinary, hands-on workshops for educaHunter Education Program: Pro- tors of K-12 students focusing vides courses in the safe handling on terrestrial and aquatic wildlife of firearms, and other outdoor and ecosystems. Encourages probactivities related to hunting and lem-solving and decision-making firearm use. Designed for novices, skills concerning the environment. courses in Basic Hunter Education, Scout leaders, youth group leaders, Bowhunter Education, Trapper homeschoolers, and both formal Education and others are offered and non-formal educators find the statewide throughout the year. Cer- materials and workshop valuable. tificates in certain courses satisfy Hours spent may be used toward

Another great shot from our recent Firearms, Safety, and Education Day for MA Legislators held on May 18th at North Leominster Rod and Gun Club. Thanks again to everyone that contributed to this great event, The NSSF, Smith & Wesson, Kahr Arms/Auto Ordnance, Savage Arms, Federal Premium Ammunition, North Leominster Rod & Gun, and most of all our volunteers, RSO’s and coaches.

What’s going on with FA-10 forms?

About a week after the state launched it we took a hard look at it, and found it to be full of issues, Has anyone been able to find them, we immediately notified our memand if so where? bers and advised that they not use this system. Back in April of 2010 MA EOPS started to change things up in re- At the same time, the state printed gard to how they want us to record carbon FA-10 forms became very our firearms transfers, first it was a scarce. Senator Downing looked dowloadable pdf form available on into it and the state promised to their website, then about a month make the old style FA-10 form availlater at the end of May they sent us able to any police department that notice that they had set up an elec- requests them. tronic means of recording transaccontinued on page 21 tions which they called an “E-FA10”.

Matt Light signs for a fan at the Cabin Fever event.

hunting license requirements for Massachusetts as well as other states and Canadian provinces. For more information, call (978) 772-0693.

GOAL Kids “Gun Safety” Contest.

• This contest will be open to all children age 10 and under (born after May 1, 2002) • All entries must be a color drawing (crayon, marker, water color, colored pencil etc..) with the theme “gun safety” • All entries must be submitted on 8.5x11 white paper • All entries must be received before June 30, 2012

• All entries become the property of Gun Owners’ Action League • Only 1 entry per child will be accepted • The GOAL Staff will choose 1 drawing that best illustrates the theme as the winning submission. • The winning submission will be awarded a Thompson “Hotshot” .22 rifle. • Artwork will be used by GOAL for a kids gun safety promotion All federal and state gun laws apply. The gun must be claimed within 60 days of the contest ending (contact Jon Green at GOAL to arrange pickup). Firearms may be shipped to another FFL at winner’s expense. The parent or legal guardian of the child must be legally able to take possession of the prize. Contest is open to GOAL members or children of GOAL members only.

Thanks Becca & Tom for the generous white board donation! 5/29/12 Thank You GOAL Members! The GOAL Staff and Board of Directors has been astounded at the outpouring of support since we inititated our transition.

Donors: Quaboag Sportsmens Club, Essex County Sportsmen’s Assoc., Easton Rod & Gun Club R.B. Baker, E. Szado, W. Humphrey, L. Vintro, R. Judd, J. Halpen III, N. Haluszka, R. Davio, P. Edwards, D. Howe, R. Listaite, R. Keddie, E. Markowitz, J. Leahy, P. Convery, R. Capobianco, W. Siart, S. Silverman, F. Schlegel, M. Fontes, P. Don Funkhouser, W. Reardon, L. Camarra, P. Brophy Jr., Rep. G. Ross, E. Anderson, J. Avitabile, A. Minty, A. Stokes, J. Phelps, G. Smith, R. Skenderian, F. Dupuis, A. Clough, R. Lieganza, N. Lister, B. Webster, J. Schlittler, R. & L. Downer, E. Asci, A. Rocco, P. Edson, G. Miller, V. Ganji, D. Neal, J. McCaffrey, C. Golaski, A. Sax, W. Hatt, N. Knight, M. Clifford, P. Kress, D. Carr, E. Walsh, R. Melanson, P. Bivona, J. Nelson, J. Martin, R. Longfellow, R. Hebson, D. Oakes Sr., W. Walsh, R. Romeri, R. Baker, P. Currier, D. Marini, W. Cosby, D. Hamblin, R. Melanson, B. Rogers, R. Berube, M. Nardella, D. O’Connor, R. Pepi, J. Cyphers, E. Mannarino, M. Anthony, N. Lister, M. Button, R. Malewicki, J. Huguenin, G. Sessler, T. Baird, R. Gajoli, A. Paillex, A. Pitisci

down the road to the nearby farm or woodlot to hunt after school are all but gone except in the most rural communities. Many youth growing up in urban or suburban communities do not have access to suitable hunting lands and many grow up in families that lack the outdoor skills and knowledge that they seek. Not only are opportunities for youth to learn and access open areas limited, but there are many competing options for ways to spend their limited leisure time including the internet, video games, organized sports and school activities. Youth Pheasant Hunts are offered though sportsmen’s clubs throughFor these reasons, the Division of out the state and may be conducted Fisheries & Wildlife has joined in on one of the six Saturdays prior partnership with sportsmen’s clubs to the start of the regular pheasant across the state and with conservahunting season. In 2012 these will tion organizations to offer special be the six Saturdays prior to Octohunting opportunities for young ber 15, 2012. hunters. Sportsmen’s clubs conduct multiple day program workshops leading up to an actual hunt in which each participant hunts under the watchful eye of a mentor. The DFW provides the necessary training materials as well as a hunting safety kit for each participant. These free programs are open to any club or organization wishing to participate.

Thank You Members! Donations and Support Keep Coming!

Gun Owners’ Action League is proud to announce our first annual GOAL Kids “Gun Safety” Drawing Contest. This contest, asking kids to draw and color based on the theme “Gun Safety” will be a great way for parents to continue discussing gun safety with their kids, and a great way for kids to apply lessons learned via drawing and coloring. To enter, the child must be a GOAL member, or the child of a GOAL member.

in the use of shotgun, rifle, archery equipment, map and compass, and more. Participants also complete the state’s Basic Hunter Education and Boat Safety programs. Program is held in August. Phone (508) 3896300.

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman: This is a program for women ages 18 and up which introduces them to outdoor skills in a safe, friendly, and non-competitive environment. It provides a venue to learn skills related to fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking under the guidance of expert instructors. There is one full weekend of activities plus many single-day events providing an opportunity to sample activities from archery to wildlife photography and from kayaking to fly-fishing. Notices are sent through an e-mail distribution network. To get on the mailing list visit the Division’s website at www.mass.gov/masswildlife and follow the prompts to the education area. For more information, call (508) 389-6300.

Archery in the Schools

The National Archery in the Schools Program is an international style target shooting program for students in grades 4–12 that can improve students’ self confidence, motivation, behavior, concentration, focus, and interest in going to school. Taught through PE departments, the program also highlights social studies, physics, and mathematics. This Youth Pheasant Hunt: program is a partnership between the DFW, National Archery in the This program includes: Schools, the Archery Trade Assn. • Instruction on firearms safety in and local schools. There are currently 10 pilot schools in Massachusetts. the field. For more information about NASP • Safe, supervised shooting incontact Tom O’Shea at (508) 389struction and practice prior to a obtaining PDPs. For more informa6327 or by email at tom.o’shea@ hunt. tion, call (508) 389-6310. state.ma.us. • Lessons on hunting ethics and Growing Up Wild: Exploring Nabehavior. ture with Young Children (ages 3-7 years) Professional development • Training on hunting regulations workshop for early childhood eduand safety. cators provides activities that build • Instruction on how to clean and on children’s sense of wonder about prepare game. nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. • A safe, supervised hunt under Educators experience a wide range the guidance of an experienced, of activities that provide a foundaresponsible adult hunter. tion for developing a child’s positive • Application of field techniques impression about nature. For inforlearned in the hunter education mation on attending or hosting a course. workshop, call (508) 389-6310.

SHOP

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG HUNTERS

The traditions and values of hunting and our outdoor heritage were and are an integral part of sustaining our conservation ethic. However, changes in lifestyles, leisure time, family activities, and access to the outdoors present significant chalMass. Junior Conservation Camp: lenges to passing this heritage on to A two week residential program for future generations. boys and girls ages 13–17 which provides a solid grounding in outdoor Young people today do not have activities and skills. Participants the same opportunities to shoot learn about fisheries, wildlife, for- or hunt as did the youth of a genestry, camping, and gain proficiency eration ago. The days of walking

GOAL.ORG

GOAL News Print Edition

20

Club News - Worcester

May 2012

Pistol & Rifle Club Incorporated

04/28/2012 at the Wachusett Country Club. All had a good time. Again many thanks from the league to the Executive Officer Report – Bill WPRC (Worcester Pistol and Rifle Hardell Club) for their support and donations. Guest speaker at the league Calendar Events meeting was Bill Davis, Central The 2102 calendar is now on line. District Supervisor, Massachusetts The club calendar is posted. Please Wildlife. remember to check the on-line version. We will remove the calendar at Turkey season is open for the remainder of the month. Always wear the club for the renovation. at least one piece of hunter orange June Schedule when going to and from your stand IDPA Practice on 06/03/12 @ 1600 and any other activities that would bring you to areas where there are IDPA Match on 06/09/12 @ 0800 other hunters. GOAL NRA Basic Pistol: Tuesday 06/05/12 @ 1300 (Outdoor Pistol A new state record for Carp was certified on April 18, 2012. Caught Range) by Shane Felch of Shrewsbury, usGOAL Intro to AR – 15: Tuesday ing a crossbow, it weighted in at 06/12/12 0800, Outdoor Rifle 46 pounds, 5 ounces, taken at Lake GOAL NRA Basic Pistol: Tuesday Quinsigamond. 06/19/12 @ 1300 (Outdoor Pistol Browning Pond – The League met Range) with Senator Brewer, RepresentaPin Shoots Sunday 06/24/12: 1200 tive Gobi and officials from the Set-Up, 1230 Registration, 1245 Mohegan Council of Boy Scouts to discuss fishing access at Browning Safety Brief (Outdoor Pistol) Pond. The Scouts plan to revise exWork Party Sunday 06/10/12 @ isting signage that currently prohib0800 its access to the pond. When access HFS Sunday 06/24/12 @ 0800, is restored the District will resume “New” GOAL Office 361 West Main trout stocking at a level reflective of the access provided. Street, Northborough, MA.

WORCESTER PISTOL & RIFLE Jared Smith, David Thomas, Derek Tran, Dean Weeks, Neil Whitney. CLUB, INC. Minutes May 3, 2012 Call To Order 7:00 by President, Al Bonofiglio Al discussed the suggestion made by Mike Yacino at the E-Board Meeting on April 19, 2012 that we eliminate the rule requiring GOAL membership. A letter will be sent to all members regarding this matter. Fallen Members: None Reports Secretary – Pat Cavallaro The E-Board minutes for April 2012 were presented. Treasurer – Mike Swett Mike provided the treasurers’ report. The report was read into the record and accepted by the membership. Membership – Brian Frappier Club membership is 620 members; 47 Life, 569 Regular, 2 Juniors, 2 Honorary On Wednesday, April 25, 2012 the Club had an Orientation Meeting. I notified 72 people of this Meeting and we had 37 Applicants show up for the Orientation. We have 33 Applicants here tonight to be voted on for Membership into the Club from that Orientation Meeting and a previous Orientation. l want to thank my wife Donna, Lee Whitney, and John Gabriel for running the Orientation Meeting along with the pre-registration in my absence. Thanks to AI Bonofiglio, Tom LaRoche, and Bill Hardell for their help in making sure this Meeting went off.

GOAL News Print Edition

21

GOAL News - Print Edition Woburn’s Sarah Scherer Earns Finals Bid In Milan

Meeting Minutes 05/03/12

General Meeting

May 2012

Please remember to contact me for any additions or deletions to the calendar. You can use the link from the club web-site under the “Club Officers” tab. Any additions / corrections need to be made two weeks out so we can get them posted online.

Worcester Pistol Team

ningham There were 18 shooters at the April match. The match winners are Joe Parks, Gordon Giusti and Carl Smith. The Pin shoots are open to anyone; club members and nonclub members as well. The next match is Sunday May 20, 2012, a week early than normal due to the Memorial Day weekend. Setup and registration start at Noon (12:00 P.M.) first shoots at 12:30 P.M. Newsletter – Mary Malesky Mary asked that all notes be submitted before the tenth of the month. Mike Burchman – Raffles Thank you to all the club members who support the club by purchasing monthly. Old Business New Business - Charlie Caliri

Please be considerate of others who are waiting to use the range. Good and Welfare of the Club:

Indoor / Outdoor Ranges:

John Gabriel: All members are required to sign in and out at all times.

Mike Henry: Routine Maintenance Continues. The next Work Party is scheduled for 05/13/12. Bring Mom to the Work Party and get an extra fours hours of credit!

Please remember to use the dud bucket. Try to remember to put duds The next scheduled Orientation only in the dud bucket. Expended Meeting will be held on Thursday, brass goes in the brass buckets. August 30, 2012 with registration starting at 7:00 P.M. and the Meet- Range Renovation Notice: ing starting at 7:30 P.M. The start of the renovation has been The Applicants here to be voted on pushed back. At this point, the Indoor Range will remain open until are: further notice. Once we receive firm Walter Barron, Eric Bergstrom, date for the renovations to begin, Marc Brady, Maria Buduo, Miwe will close the range. The Dud chael Carvalho, Bruce Clemens, Bucket and Sign-In book will move Chad Costa, Thomas Gauvin, Eric to the locker on the Outdoor Rifle Hinchliffe, Andrew Laccarino, JusRange. Your club key will open the tin Landry, Michael Mason, Jr., lock on the locker Adam Miller, Michael Montagna, Joseph Mrozinski, Matthew Murdy, Worcester County League – Dave Michael Okola, Joseph Parks, Mi- Morin chael Pashko, Irene Peterson, Joseph Last meeting: Leicester Rod and Pederson, Jake Pettes, Jr., Catherine Gun Club 4/20/12. Twenty-five Phillips, Steven Phillips, Gary Rabiclubs were present. dou, Jr., Andrew Roach, Raymond Sardagnola, Frederick Schaffer, The League Banquet was held

Story courtesy of USA Shooting

Peter Saniuk reported that the Pistol Please do not tie up space on the Team had won their league for the range with equipment while not actively shooting. year. IDPA – Michael French

Safety Point: Bill Hardell stated if you see something unsafe please call him or Al Bonofiglio, their phone numbers will be posted on the outdoor range and indoor range till building on the club is started. Building Committee – Bob Micket/ Al Bonofiglio Last IDPA Match was 04/07/2012, Total Shooters: 59. WPRC; Members 29. There were 6 stages, Match Director: Michael French. Goal Class was held on April 24, 2012 there were 6 students present. The class was taught by Jon Green (Goal Instructor) and coInstructors: Bob Flumere and Michael French.

FA-10 continued from page 18

MILAN (May 15, 2012)

Club remodeling is still awaiting approval from the Boylston Town Building Inspector. We still do not have a permit. Bob Micket has revised the plans to have two handicapped bathrooms. The plans will be presented to the Building Inspector Monday May 7, 2012. Next Meeting The next E-Board meeting is on Tuesday, 05/17/2010 at 6:30 pm

The next IDPA match is 05/12/2012. Match Director: Steve Mosey. Six The next General meeting is on Stages contingent on the club house Thursday 05/06/2012 at 7:00 pm availability. A motion to adjourn was made at Bowling Pin Shoot – John Cun- 8:15 pm.

Sarah SchererSarah Scherer (Woburn, Mass.) showcased her Olympic readiness at the International Shooting Sport Federation Milan World Cup Tuesday, advancing to the final and placing sixth in the Women’s Air Rifle event. Scherer highlighted a U.S. Team performance that secured two top-10 finishers in the event as Jamie Gray (Lebanon, Pa.) walked away with a 10th-place finish after missing a chance to join her teammate in the final.

out and shot the second-best finals score of 104.5 to climb two spots into sixth position and a final score of 501.5 (397+104.5). Gray, like Scherer, also shot 397 points in qualifying but would be eliminated during the eight-person qualifica- paid-off. It has been a great match, tion shoot-off. and the good news is that I feel good The reigning Olympic champion and everything worked as it should.”

Katerina Emmons (CZE),the wife of USA Shooting Team member Matt Emmons (Colorado Springs, Colo.), won the event. Emmons made it to the final with an equaled Scherer, a Texas Christian Univer- world record of 400 points, tying sity (TCU) junior, earned her way the mark also shot by Germany’s onto the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Sonja Pfeilschifter. Then, shooting after winning the 2012 U.S. Olym- consistently from the first to the last pic Team Trials for Airgun in Febru- shot, she finished with a total score ary. The 22-year-old Massachusetts of 505.5 points to out-distance native has had a triumphant couple Pfeilschifter, and leave her just one of months in the sport stringing tenth of a point from the current together an Olympic berth, NCAA Final World Record of 505.6 points. individual and team titles, and now “I have been away from the top for a finals spot against elite-level comso long, that I did not even have a petition. clue of what the Final World Record Scherer earned her way into the fi- was!” Emmons said, smiling right nal of eight shooters after a quali- after the match. “I have been doing fication shoot-off, and then came a lot of work, training hard, and it

While Matt cheered on Katie to victory, the two-time Olympic medalist couldn’t duplicate his wife’s success on the range posting a 25th-place finish with 594 points, or just two points off the finals pace. A thirdround score of 96/100 points would be the difference for Emmons on this day. Teammate Jonathan Hall (Carrollton, Ga.) would finish in 37th with a six-round score of 593.

Two years have passed, and we’ve been asking around, many are having a hard time finding them! Once again GOAL is going to begin digging into this issue, once again the state is breaking promises, and once again the gun owners of this state are left out in the cold. It goes without saying that many of our members do not use computers, nor trust them. We would like to ask our members to call your local police department and ask if they have the carbon 3 part FA-10 forms available. If they don’t, feel free to call the Firearms Record Bureau to request forms be sent to your P.D. 617-6604710. Also please take a moment to call your state legislators to voice your displeasure 617-722-2000.

Twenty-one USA Shooting athletes, We’ll update next month with the including 10 Olympians, are in Italy latest. for their final International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup event before the London 2012 Olympic Games. For a roster of athletes participating, including the 21-person squad for USA Shooting, click here: http://bit.ly/JPwMcO

GOAL News Print Edition

22

May 2012

May 2012

GOAL News Print Edition

The Reloading Bench By James Finnerty

Jim Finnerty has been reloading for over 30 years and is an NRA-Certified Metallic cartridge Reloading Instructor. Jim teaches the reloading classes at GOAL, and at sportsmen’s clubs and gun shops around Massachusetts. For more information, or to schedule a class at your club, please visit www.MassReloading.com.

Brass Collecting Tips The only reusable part of a fired cartridge is the case. This is fortunate for the reloader because the case is the single most expensive component. Also fortunate is the fact that there are plenty of brass cases lying around for the taking at just about every range. As you probably know, not every case is reloadable. This article will help you to decide what to keep and what to scrap.

fit into the shell holder), and they often split on the first or second firing. Not only should you not pick it up, when you find an AMERC case, you should crush the case mouth with pliers as a favor to your fellow reloaders. Some .45 ACP uses small pistol primers Traditionally, all .45 ACP ammo used large pistol primers. A while

You don’t want to leave this behind, but are they reloadable?

Get rid of any steel or aluminum cases You can’t reload steel or aluminum cases, so you’ll want to sort those out. Steel cases will stick to a magnet, and are easily detected. Aluminum cases are a dull silver color, and noticeably lighter than a brass case. However, do not automatically toss out any silver case. Nickel-plated brass cases are silver colored and reloadable. You can distinguish nickel-plated brass cases from aluminum cases by the weight and surface finish. Aluminum cases are much lighter than nickel plated brass and the nickel plated brass cases are shinier, with almost a mirror-like appearance. Aluminum cases have a dull grey, matte finish. Some steel cases are a shiny silver color, so you should subject all suspect cases to the “magnet test” to sort these out. Be careful of ‘brass’ that isn’t brass

back, several ammo companies began marketing ‘non-toxic’ .45 ACP ammo that utilized small pistol primers. Recently, at least one company began using small primers in their “regular” .45 ACP ammo as well. Small-primer .45 ACP cases are perfectly reloadable; however you should separate them from the more common .45 ACP cases with large primers so you don’t accidentally try to seat a large primer in a small pocket (it won’t fit). Discard any cases with pressure signs Learn to recognize the signs of overpressure on fired cases, and then discard any cases that exhibit them. If a case has a flattened, missing, or extruded primer, or an obvious imprint of the bolt face or extractor groove recess, then chances are that it was fired with an over pressure charge, and might not be safe to reload.

The Sellier & Bellot 9mm Range Safe and Golden Bear .223 ammo Don’t bother with Berdan primed shown below look like they are cases

You are most likely to encounter Berdan primed brass on European-manufactured military surplus ammo. Calibers that usually feature Berdan primers include 7.62x54R, brass-cased, but the cases are actu7.62x39, 7.5x55 Swiss, and 7.62x25 ally made from brass-plated steel. pistol ammo. Foreign-made NATO The look identical to brass, but can ammo such as 5.56 (.223), 7.62x51 easily be separated out with a mag(.308), and 9mm may also feature net. Berdan primers, so it is always a good idea to sort these calibers by Beware of AMERC brass headstamp, so the Berdan primed Brass with the headstamp AMERC cases can be sorted out. If you try was made by American Ammunito deprime a Berdan-primed case tion Inc in Miami, FL. To put it with a conventional sizing/decapmildly, the quality of this brass is ping die, you will probably break questionable. The flash holes are off your decapping pin. often off-center (sometimes enough to break your decapping pin), the Learn to recognize many-timescase diameter is sometimes out of fired cases spec (enough so that they will not

RUG From Left to right: A military case with a crimped primer pocket, a military case with the crimp removed, and a commercial case with an uncrimped primer pocket

If you find a pile of brass at the range in one caliber, with various headstamps that are hard to read (from repeated collisions with a bolt face), and a mix of silver and gold colored primers, chances are good that it was loaded a number of times and left behind by the reloader that fired it. You can pick it up and try to load it again, but before you do, ask yourself this question - “Why would a reloader leave this brass behind?” The likely answer is, “Because it’s worn out.” You should probably throw it away, or take it for scrap. When bottleneck rifle brass is repeatedly fired and reloaded, the case stretches and thins out. Most of the stretching occurs near the bottom of the case, 1/4” to 3/8” above the rim. You should carefully inspect any bottleneck rifle brass for cracks or a bright ring near the bottom of the case just ahead of the web, as these are indicators or excessive case stretch. On the other hand, if you find a shiny pile of brass in one caliber, with matching headstamps and primers, along with an empty ammo box in the trash from the same manufacturer, it’s a good bet that it is once-fired brass left behind by somebody that doesn’t reload. If you don’t pick it up, someone else will. Crimped Brass Military brass can be identified by its headstamp. Instead of the manufacturers name and caliber, military brass is usually headstamped with a series of numbers, letters, or symbols. For the most part it is good quality reloadable brass, however it often requires an extra step during case prep. Military ammo features crimped primers. A primer crimp is a thin burr of brass that is swaged around the rim of the primer pocket as a final step in the manufacture of the cartridge. This crimp keeps the primers from popping out under extreme conditions such as long periods of sustained full-auto fire. Most American-made ammo is

primed with Boxer primers. Some foreign ammo uses Berdan primers. Boxer-primed cases are reloadable, Berdan primed cases are not reloadable using conventional methods. The difference between the two systems is that Boxer primers feature an anvil that is a part of the primer. A Boxer primer pocket has a flat bottom and a single centered flash hole. A Berdan primer has no anvil – it’s built into the case instead. The primer pocket on a Berdan-primed case has a “bump” in the center (this is the anvil) and two smaller flash holes on either side of the anvil. Externally, Boxer and Berdan primed cases look identical. The only way you can know for sure which type of primer was used is by looking down into the case. If you see a single centered flash hole, the case is Boxer primed (and reloadable). If you see two flash holes, the case is Berdanprimed and not reloadable with standard tools and components. Crimped brass requires slightly more force to get the spent primer out. Once the primer is removed, the crimp is visible as a thin burr of metal around the rim of the primer pocket. The case cannot be repimed until the crimp is removed. Crimp removal is a one-time operation on the case, and can be done by cutting it out with a countersink bit, or by using one of the several commercially available swaging tools designed for the task.

RUG

ER®

SR4

ER®

0C™

SR9

C™

/ 9mm

Luger

/ .40 S&W

C O M P A C T P I S T O L S W I T H L A R G E C A L I B E R P O W E R. The Ruger ® SR9c™ and SR40c™ both provide a large caliber option in one of the slimmest and most ergonomic compact pistol lines on the market today. Built on the same high-performance glass-filled nylon frames, the SR9c™ and SR40c™ offer all of the ergonomic features that made the SR9® and SR40™ successful: a slim, narrow frame with a short trigger reach, reversible backstrap for an arched or flat configuration and fully ambidextrous controls.

You are most likely to encounter crimped brass in 5.56, 7.62 NATO (.308), and occasionally on 9mm and .45 ACP. Although it requires an extra preparation step, one benefit of finding crimped brass is that you can be sure that the case is only once-fired. Scrap Brass If you find brass that you cannot reload, do not throw it away. Scrap brass is currently worth over $2 per pound. A five-gallon bucket full can easily pay for a new press, a few sets of dies, or a bunch of components. Next month’s article will focus on reading pressure signs on fired brass

Adjustable, High-Visibility 3-Dot Sight System.

Ruger’s Unique Reversible Backstrap is Adjustable for a Flat or Arched Fit.

WWW.RUGER.COM ©2012 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

012712

Ships with a Finger Grip Extension Floorplate, Two Magazines and a Grip Extension Adapter.

23

SLIM, CONCEALABLE POWER IN 9MM & .40 S&W Everything superior about M&P now comes in a lightweight carry size. Choose 9mm or .40 S&W for protection slim enough to conceal yet big enough to shoot comfortably. End to end, the striker-fired M&P SHIELD features true M&P advantages from ergonomic design to simple operation, durability and a lifetime service policy. Anywhere, anytime – M&P SHIELD keeps you ready. TM

TM

Reliable. Durable. Accurate.

less than 1”

SMITH-WESSON.COM/MPSHIELD