ORANGE COUNTY NEWS
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... It already
costs a few hundred dollars to get everything you need – processing
fees, safety course, etc. – to be able to own a pistol.
However, the real threat to gun ownership is neatly tucked away
in this bill. If tacking on an additional $100 dollars isn't
enough, the proposed legislation allows local jurisdictions
to impose arbitrary additional fees on handgun owners.
If we allow local jurisdictions to decide what
extra fees to impose, they can make it prohibitively expensive for anyone other
than the wealthy to own a handgun. Local jurisdictions decidedly against gun
ownership can achieve their desired agenda without firing a shot.
This is the classic "Trojan horse" strategy.
In this case, roll out an additional $100 in handgun fees and then surprise them
with the real attack of no caps on local fees. ...
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|
 I finally finished the
Photo Album of this year's Dinner. Everyone had a good time and  several
door prizes were given out, (I won one of them.) The food was
great and the presentation was also very good and was
about how
to plan a trip to Alaska for a one week hunt camping in the
bush and one week sightseeing on the cheep. Gatto's Taxidermy Studio
had two tables set up with various mounts that everyone got a kick
out of.
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 Plate
Shoot out at Master Class
Dennis had another great Plate match at Master Class
in Monroe. It does not matter how well your shoot, "ACCURACY
AND SPEED CHALLENGED" shooters still get to have as much
fun and eat as much food as the first place shooter.
Stations
1 & 2
3rd and 4th
station |
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Run between stations |
| Gun loaded
with 6 rounds on the bench and 6 rounds loaded at each
station. At buzzer pick up gun and shoot till empty.
Run to next station, load, shoot till empty, repeat
... |
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Pataki's fee plan penalizes state's honest gun owners
By Mike Kubow
2/15/04 T H-R, My View
In an attempt to generate revenue and close New York?s
enormous budget gap, Gov. George Pataki has included in his executive
budget a proposal that targets, and seeks to profit from, law-abiding
gun owners.
The provision in budget bills S. 6056/A. 9556 will require handgun licensees
to pay a $100 "certification" fee to the state, institutes a five-year
expiration period for licenses (currently most jurisdictions issue lifetime licenses),
and charges a fee of $25 for amendments of licenses.
Additionally, this proposal would remove the caps on local processing fees, which
means fees can certainly be expected to climb, and in many jurisdictions could
price gun owners, sportsmen, and collectors right out of the market.
Instead of directly banning handguns, this proposal would simply make it too
expensive to own them. People and companies are leaving New York because of schemes
like this that benefit the rich at the expense of the little guy.
What is worse is that this legislation is a direct threat to the right to keep
and bear arms. This legislation requires gun owners at renewal to provide make,
model, caliber, and serial numbers of all "firearms." The problem is
that in 2000 the definition of firearm was changed to include anything that could
fall under the definition of "assault weapon."
It is important that all New Yorkers, whether you own handguns or not, contact
the governor and your state legislators and let them know you oppose this legislation.
Even if you don't own a handgun, if this passes, how long do you think it will
be before they do the same thing with hunting rifles and shotguns (AKA "assault
rifles")?
What to do with the budget gap without increased fees and renewable licenses?
Why not trash another one of the governor's anti-gun policies? As of Jan. 1,
2004, the Combined Ballistics Identification System (CoBIS or so-called "gun
DNA") had cost the taxpayers of New York $11,666,666 and had not been used
to solve a single crime in New York state.
Mike Kubow of Blooming Grove is chairman of
the Orange County Chapter of the Shooters' Committee on Political Education,
an organization dedicated to the
preservation of firearms ownership since 1965. |
OCShooters.com
on RNN TV
 I
called up to complain about Pataki's proposed handgun ban and
they looked at my web site and decided to
ask me on. I taped about 15 Min. but they cut it down to less
than 5 min. They did not do a very good job of cutting so you
could really
tell where they cut me off. I made all of the points that I needed
to make in the 15 min. but most of it got cut out. All in all
I had a good time and everyone was nice but I now know that
I really have a face for radio.
I felt bad that they cut the 15 min. to 5 min.
and left some of my best points out but I felt better after I realized that I
still got to tell Richard French off in the 10 min. that they had cut.
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Gander
Mtn. to have special sneak preview on March 25th
Will donate
money to clubs.
Gander Mountain's grand opening will
be on Friday, March 26th, but they are offering and EXCLUSIVE SNEAK
PREVIEW of the new Middletown stone on Thursday night, March 25th from
6:30PM to 9:00PM. What is in it for your club? When you arrive you
will give your club or group name and each member that attends increases
the chance for you organization to WIN $1,000. They
are also going to contribute 10% of anything that you purchase back
to your club or organization.
 I
was able to take a peek, (along with a reporter from the T H-R,) at the inside
of
the
new
store
while
it
was being built and it is going to be really big. They are going to be selling
bait
as
early
as 5AM in a store within a store that will be in the front and have its own entrance.
They are going to have a 4 position 25 yard Archery range to try out your new
bow in that will go along with their full service Archery area.
The gun area will be huge and it has to be to fit
in the 4 to 5 THOUSAND guns that they are going to have they will also have a
large gunsmith area and a room just to hold safes. RTVs, clothing, fishing, camping
will each have their own area to help fill the 120,000 sq feet of retail space.
Crystal Run Plaza, 100 North Galleria Dr. Middletown NY, 10941
January, 23rd 2004
Dear Outdoors Partner ,
You're invited to an EXCLUSIVE sneak preview of the NEW Middletown
Gander Mountain
store! As fellow enthusiasts of the outdoors, we hope you and your club
members can join us on Thursday, March 25th 2004, for an evening of fun
and fellowship. Stop in and take a look around, we think you'll be impressed
by Gander Mountain's tremendous selection of outdoor gear at great prices.
And to add a little extra excitement to the evening, we will be
having a drawing, with a chance for your group or organization
to WIN $1,000! To enter in the drawing, just
sign up when you arrive. Each member that attends increases the
chance for your organization to win.
The fund raising possibilities don't end there. As fellow conservationists,
we appreciate your efforts. To show our commitment to the many
outdoor groups that are active throughout the Middletown area,
Gander Mountain will donate 10% of each purchase made on the evening
of March 25th directly back to that customer's designated outdoor
organization. Here's how it works: After checking out, simply
have your members bring their cash register receipt to the Conservation
Table and present it to our associate. Let us know which organization
you would like to receive the 10% payment, and we'll take care
of the rest!
Event hours will run from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday, March
25th only. Snacks and beverages will be provided for everyone.
If you have any questions regarding the event don't hesitate to
give me a call at (845) 692-5600. We look forward to seeing you
here!
Middletown Gander Mountain is located at 100 Galleria Drive, nearby the
Galleria at Crystal Run Mall, just off of Route 211 next to Sam's Club.
Best Regards,
Joe Hardin
Middletown Gander Mountain Store Manager |
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Your op-ed
on Gov. Pataki's proposed budget didn't include all the items
in it.
Included is a proposal to impose five-year renewable
pistol licenses in all counties outside New York City, Long Island and Westchester,
charge a $100 state fee on
all pistol licenses, and allow local jurisdictions to impose additional
fees as well.
It would also require a mandatory full background
check with fingerprinting every time a license is issued or renewed for which
the state currently charges $99.
That brings the total to at least $199 every handgun owner would have to
pay.
Instead of following the lead set by 37 other states,
including neighboring Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Vermont, which require pistol
licenses be issued to all honest
citizens or else do not require any license to carry personal defense firearms,
Pataki continues to lurch even further to the left by promoting the failed
policies of the extremist gun prohibition lobby.
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Paralyzed
Vets on target in air rifle event
T H-R article by Barbara Bedell
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WHOLE ARTICLE, 2/3/04
The
United Spinal Association - The National Rifle Association
Air Rifle Championship was held at Castle Point VA Medical
Center and drew several dozen contestants from both the
facility but also from around the area including NYC, PA
and Conn. For more information, call 718-803-3782 or go
to unitedspinal.org. (Thanks again to Barbara Bedell for covering
this.)
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Orange
County Trappers Association's Annual Dinner
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WHOLE ARTICLE, 1/24/04
The Trappers had their annual dinner and over 120 people
attended, (I was not able to go,) and it was covered by Barbara Bedell
of the T H-R. Tommy Plocharczyk won the "Trapper of the Year" award,
Dick Gould won the "President's Award", and "Appreciation Awards"
were given to Bob Sutherland, Jim Peterson, Wellington Casscles
and Betty and Bob Richner. Roland Miller was given a special wall
plaque for his work.
 I
need to say thanks, again, to Barbara Bedell for covering another event that
is important to us. She is covers our events in a fair and even manner. Send
her an e-mail and say thanks.
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Time
ideal for pre-season preparation
Times Herald-Record,David Dirks,
February 03, 2004
CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE ARTICLE
From the article:
"To keep up with local hunting and shooting sports information,
www.ocshooters.com is your place for information. George Rogero
created this site for the
public benefit. He works tirelessly to keep this site updated
and filled with fresh information. Check out his site and
send George a note of
thanks for his important work."
David Dirks does a great job every Tuesday with
his column in the R H-R. He is one of the few voices that we can count on to
cover our issues fairly. Please send him an e-mail and say thanks. |
NEW YORK STATE NEWS
 GUN
GROUPS REACT TO BLOOMBERG'S INSULT,
CANCEL PLANS FOR NEW YORK
MEETING
BELLEVUE, WA-Two leading national gun rights organizations hav!
e cancelled plans to hold their 20th annual conference
in New York
City, blaming Mayor Michael Bloomberg's reported denunciation
of the National Rifle Association as "reprehensible."
The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep
and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), and the Second Amendment
Foundation (SAF), announced today that they
will take their 2005 Gun Rights Policy Conference elsewhere.
The annual three-day conference draws hundreds
of participants, and provides
over $500,000 in revenue to hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
"
Mayor Bloomberg's low opinion about the NRA, as reported in the current
issue of New York Magazine, is an insult to all firearms civil rights
organizations," said SAF Founder Alan Gottlieb. "If
that's what the mayor thinks, we'll hold our conference in a
city that is
safer, and more hospitable to citizens who support all civil
rights, including the right to own firearms and to hold opinions
that Bloomberg
finds so disagreeable."
Not only ! has Bloomberg reportedly declared war on the NRA,
so has at least one member of the New York City Council. Councilwoman
Gale
Brewer plans to introduce a resolution calling on the Republican
National Committee to denounce the NRA. Republicans will hold
their national convention in New York Aug. 30-Sept. 3.
"
It's a shame," said CCRKBA Executive Director Joe Waldron, "that
the RNC couldn't relocate its convention, too. I'm certain there
are many Republican delegates headed to New York who firmly
believe in the Second Amendment and in the goals of those organizations
that
defend firearms owners' rights on a daily basis."
"
Given the apparent atmosphere of social bigotry that seems to exist
in the New York mayor's office and council chambers," Gottlieb
explained, "we simply have no choice but to find another
location for our 2005 conference. The annual GRPC is attended
by NRA officials
and devoted NRA members, and we consider an insult to them to
also be an insult directed a! t us, as well. We will make every
effort
to advise the hundreds of thousands of our members and supporters
about this affront to their beliefs, and encourage them to spend
their vacation time, and their money, in more friendly surroundings."
The Second Amendment Foundation is the nation's oldest and largest
tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action
group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately
own
and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown
to more than 600,000 members and supporters and conducts many
programs
designed to better inform the public about the consequences
of gun control. SAF has previously funded successful firearms-related
suits
against the cities of Los Angeles; New Haven, CT; and San Francisco
on behalf of American gun owners, a lawsuit against the cities
suing gun makers & an amicus brief & fund for the Emerson
case holding the Second Amendment as an individual right. |
 Howard
Mills vs UpChuck Schumer
In what can only be called
a "surprise", Orange County's own Howard Mills has been
picked to run against UpChuck Schumer in the upcoming NY Senate
race. It
is good news that the Republicans have finally picked someone
but with only 7 months left in the race and no money in the bank,
it is going to be very hard for Mills to win. Also, it is possible
that Michael Benjamin who is also seeking the nomination, will be able
to force a primary. While that will mean more work for Mills, whoever
wins it will be better off because it will generate news, prepare the
candidate for the general election and force work at the grassroots.
While I have been supporting Michael Benjamin I
will now support Mills. He has been elected to office and has very good support
from the state Republican party and he has been very supportive of our rights.
He has always been willing to meet with us and in fact has a meeting on the 19th
with one of the local clubs in opposition to Pataki's gun tax plan. He has attended
many of the Orange County Sportsmens Federation events.
Other articles:
Assemblyman to challenge Schumer,
THE JOURNAL NEWS, 2/19/04
Mills to challenge Schumer for US Senate seat, midhudsonnews.com,
19Feb04
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Senators
say state wants to stick up gun owners
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WHOLE ARTICLE,
T H-R, 2/6/04
By Paul Ertelt,
Ottaway News Service,
peottaway@aol.com
(This article does contain some errors, the bill does not charge $100
a gun.)
Albany – Republicans in the state
Senate are at odds with Gov. George Pataki over guns and fees.
..."It's not going to make anyone safer. It's to encourage people to give up
their guns," said Sen. Owen Johnson, the Long Island Republican who chairs
the powerful Senate Finance Committee.
Also opposed to the plan are Sens. John Bonacic, R-C-Mount Hope; Bill Larkin,
R-C-Cornwall-on-Hudson; and Tom Morahan, R-C-I-New City.
"Families have an inherent right to protect themselves," said Bonacic,
who has had a pistol license since 1972. "It's a constitutional right, and
they shouldn't have to pay to maintain that right."
Chauncey Parker, Pataki's criminal justice director, said the renewal requirement
would allow the state police to keep its database current for all handgun owners.
This would, he said, enhance public safety.
The counties and New York City would continue to issue pistol licenses, and records
of those licenses would continue to be filed with state police. Pistol owners
would not be required to supply additional information to get a license, Parker
said.
"All this does is it keeps current records that the state police are required
to keep as a matter of law in New York state," he said. "It doesn't
in any way change the requirements for getting a pistol."
State police maintain records on nearly 1.2 million pistol licenses issued since
1936.
"We have no idea any longer how many are still active," said state
police spokesman Lt. Glenn Miner.
New York City and its suburban counties require pistol owners to renew their
licenses periodically, but there is no statewide renewal requirement. Colorado
is the only other state that does not require pistol permit renewals.
The fee would generate an estimated $31 million a year, with most of the money
going into the state general fund, Parker said.
Lawmakers said their constituents don't like the plan and are letting them know
it.
"Twenty-five or 30 people have communicated with me their displeasure with
this proposal," Larkin said. He said he agreed with Bonacic that the proposal
would infringe the right to bear arms.
Morahan said he doesn't see it as a gun-control issue, but he still opposes the
plan.
"I don't like it. I don't like any tax or any fee increase," he said.
Morahan said he expects the proposal will die in the budget process. |
