Monday, February 06, 2006

National Right-to-Carry Bill Introduced

U.S. Representative Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) recently introduced H.R. 4547--a national Right-to-Carry (RTC) reciprocity bill that would provide national reciprocity for state carry licensees. The bill would allow any person with a valid carry permit or license issued by a state to carry a concealed firearm in any other state if they meet certain criteria. The bill would not create a federal licensing system; it would simply require the states to recognize each others' carry permits, just as they recognize drivers' licenses.For more information on the bill, please visit www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=189.
posted by Tony Fabian



Sunday, February 05, 2006

When is 65% Less than 50%?



Ever wonder why so many of the people you know fail to draw licenses when applying for a limited deer, elk, or pronghorn license? The following graph was generated by the Colorado Resident Hunters Equity Task Force and summarizes part of what their investigation revealed.
It appears that when we are told that Colorado resident hunters receive 65% of the limited draw licenses for deer, elk, and pronghorn; we weren’t being told the whole story. What wasn’t said was that the 65% we receive isn’t 65% of all licenses. 15% of the licenses, off of the top, go to landowner vouchers (a type of subsidy or welfare for large landowners) and about 14%, off of the top, goes to Private Land Only licenses. The 65% that Colorado resident hunters get is only 65% of the remaining 71%. 65% of 71% is only 46%!
It's hard to read the graph, but the bars represent the percent of deer, elk, and pronghorn licenses that go to the resident hunter in, from the left, Nevada, 90%; Idaho, 90%; Utah, 90%; Montana, 88%; Wyoming, 84%; New Mexico, 78%; and Colorado, 46%.

posted by Dave Gill



Thursday, January 26, 2006

New "World-Class" Adams County Shooting Range Proposed
Adams County commissioners, in conjunction with the Division of Wildlife, are planning a new shooting facility in close proximity to the Denver Metro Area. You can read about it in today's Denver Post at www.denverpost.com/news/ci_3437767. CSSA supports this project and urges all shooters, especially those who reside in Adams County, to call and write the Adams County commissioners and voice their support of the proposed shooting facility.

posted by Tony Fabian



Sunday, January 22, 2006

The Smoke & Mirrors "Colorado" Wildlife Commission

The Wildlife Commission has not been fair with Colorado resident hunters and their last meeting in Denver is no exception. Knowledgeable analysis of what they have done to us is that we can anticipate receiving less than 50% of the total draw licenses for deer, elk, and pronghorn. The median percentage reserved for their citizens by our neighboring states is 90%!

I expect there to be a feature article in the next issue of Colorado Shooting, but when DOW and the Wildlife Commission tell you that you are going to receive 65% of the licenses, they are playing games with smoke and mirrors (again). When someone tells us that we are going to get 65% of the pie, we tend to think we’re going to get 65% of the pie. What the smoke and mirrors crowd are actually delivering is 65% of what’s left of the pie after they subtracted 15% for a rancher set side (that’s a whole other story about welfare to ranchers and converting public property to private profit) and probably another 14% for Private Land Only licenses. Guess what, Colorado resident hunters weren’t supposed to figure out that some ranchers, outfitters, the Wildlife Commission, and the DOW have a very cozy relationship to the detriment of the average Colorado hunter. 100% minus 15% minus 14% is 71% and 65% of that 71% is about 46%.The fat cats of commercialized hunting in Colorado will probably tell us that the 15% of licenses reserved for vouchers that some ranchers get should be considered Resident licenses because the ranch is in Colorado and that some of the PLO licenses go to Colorado hunters so we should be happy. Besides, you can go online and bid for them on e-bay. Right.

It is likely that Colorado Hunters will see legislation introduced in the Colorado State House this spring to help correct some of these problems. It’s time. As has been pointed out, the Wildlife Commission is broken. Hunters don’t have reasonable representation, consistently get the short end of the stick, and will have to look elsewhere to redress the wrong that has been done to us.

posted by Dave Gill



Monday, January 16, 2006

Election Year 2006 is Here!

It's time to turn our thoughts and energies toward this year's all-important elections. In recent election cycles, gun owners have enjoyed tremendous successes. But none of our victories have happened by accident. It takes careful long-term advance planning to ensure victory for the Second Amendment on Election Day. In order for us to meet the inevitable challenges and opportunities we will face this year, our preparation must begin now. As in every election year, two things will win this year's elections for gun owners--votes and shoe leather. And no pro-Second Amendment candidate can do without both. Be assured, the anti-gun crowd is hoping you don't turn out in support of, or volunteer for, our candidates.

If you are not currently registered to vote, or if you have recently moved, please make sure you register to vote at once. And please ensure every one of your family, friends, and fellow firearm owners are registered voters as well. For information on voter registration requirements, deadlines, and applications for your state, contact the NRA-ILA Grassroots Division at (800) 392-VOTE (8683) or visit the "Voter Information" section at www.NRAILA.org.

The second part of our formula for electoral success is actively volunteering your time to the campaigns of candidates who support our rights. This is where your NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) becomes integral to our efforts. To contact your EVC, see the website listed above.

Here are some important dates to note on your calendar:

• March 21: Precinct Caucus Day.
• July 10: Last day to register to vote in the primary election.
• July 28: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the primary election if the ballot is to be mailed.
• July 29: Early voting begins for the primary election.
• Aug. 4: Last day for early voting; last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the primary election if the ballot is not to be mailed.
• Aug. 8: Primary Election Day.
• Oct. 10: Last day to register to vote in the General Election.
• Oct. 23: Early voting begins
• Oct. 27: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the General Election if mailed.
• Nov. 3: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the General Election if not mailed.
• Nov. 3: Last day for early voting.
• Nov. 7: Election Day.

posted by Tony Fabian



Thursday, December 22, 2005

Cronyism and Commercialism in Colorado

The following is a letter to the editor from the Denver Post:

"Colorado Wildlife Commission appointments

Re: "Conflict of interest looming," Dec. 18 Charlie Meyers column.

Charlie Meyers' column is solid, useful journalism that serves the interests of Colorado citizens. One would hope that a groundswell of public reaction will follow and change the ridiculous way by which members of the Colorado Wildlife Commission are selected and appointed. Handing that political cake and candy to a governor, particularly here where sweet-tooth gamesmanship brazenly permeates Colorado, is as outdated and senseless as the Mining Law of 1872. Unless and until new state legislation is enacted to give officials of leading Colorado hunting, fishing and wildlife conservation organizations exclusive authority to screen, nominate and reject all candidates for the Wildlife Commission, the time-worn crony system will continue to infuriate resident hunters and anglers, if not Division of Wildlife professionals.

George Sura, Fort Collins"

George Sura clearly stated one of the problems facing Colorado hunters.If you haven’t seen Charlie Meyers recent column in the Denver Post, it is more than interesting. We know that Colorado resident hunters consistently get the short end of the stick, but it is becoming clear who has NOT been getting the short end. Curious how your money is being spent?

The following is the link to a column by Mr. Meyers that should make your blood boil.http://www.denverpost.com/rec/ci_3317486

posted by Dave Gill



Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Colorado Resident Hunters Don’t Get A Fair Shake

Take a look at the Denver Post article on what commercial big game hunting is doing to Colorado hunters. This is a serious abuse that our DOW and Wildlife Commission are allowing. It's time for a change.

http://www.denverpost.com/rec/ci_3220587
This article from the Rocky indicates Colorado hunters have turned back the effort from greedy landowners who want even more of the Colorado big game draw licenses. The fact is they still have too many and Colorado resident hunters have too few. It's time for a change.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/recreation_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_85_4202315,00.html
posted by Dave Gill



Monday, October 31, 2005

Hillman Urges Big Effort in '06

State Treasurer and former State Senate Majority leader Mark Hillman (R-Burlington) urged CSSA members to remain actively dedicated to electing pro-Second Amendment candidates in the upcoming 2006 Election at the CSSA Annual Meeting and Elections at Gander Mountain Sporting Goods in Aurora October 29. "The fight over (Referenda) C and D is pretty much over--and regardless of which side prevails, next year's (2006) election will be far more important for the future of Colorado and the future of gun rights," said Hillman, who has already announced that he will run for State Treasurer in 2006 to replace the term-limited Mike Coffman. Hillman will serve until Coffman returns from a brief tour in Iraq with the Marine Reserves; Coffman has already announced that he will run for Secretary of State in 2006. Both Hillman and Coffman are outspoken, front-line guardians of our First Freedom to keep and bear arms, and Hillman led the State Senate opposition to HB05-1266, which doubled many resident hunting fees and imposed a new tax on Colorado hunters.
The sitting CSSA Board of Directors was returned to office for another term in 2006. They are: President Tony Fabian, Vice-President Dave Gill, Secretary/Treasurer Ben Novak, Legislative Director Tim Brown, Shooting Sports Director Ross Hartenbower, Clubs/Ranges Director George Horne and Communications Director Michael Torres.
 
posted by Tony Fabian



Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Bush Signs Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

(Washington, DC) - President George W. Bush today signed into law the National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" (S. 397) ending politically motivated lawsuits designed to bankrupt law-abiding American firearm manufacturers and retailers. S. 397 passed both chambers in Congress with broad bipartisan support."This is an historic day for freedom. I would like to thank President Bush for signing the most significant piece of pro-gun legislation in twenty years into law. History will show that this law helped save the American firearms industry from collapse under the burden of these ruinous and politically motivated lawsuits," said Wayne LaPierre, NRA's executive vice president.In late July, the Senate approved the measure 65-31. Last week, the House overwhelmingly passed the bill 283-144. The "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" was NRA's number one legislative priority and a monumental victory for the Association and its members.

posted by Tony Fabian



Tuesday, October 11, 2005

If you are a CSSA member, do we have your current e-mail?

CSSA communicates important information regularly to our membership via e-mail. Do we have your email address?

If we don't, email your email address to us at email@cssa.org.

We'll update our records and improve communications. If we don't have your email, you don't receive the full benefit of your membership. It is important. Yes, there is the quarterly Magazine, Colorado Shooting, but the problem with a quarterly magazine is it is only published once each quarter! When legislative issues are breaking, immediate communication is needed because events can occur very quickly. Reminders of events can also be emailed when the cost of snail mail postage is prohibitive.
It's important to be in touch with your State Association for many reasons, not the least of which is that, right now, this minute, you are under attack.

A few examples:

1) The USFS is closing traditional informal shooting ranges in our National Forests;

2) DOW is picking your pocket and asking environmental/conservationists to help determine where your money is spent;

3) Colorado hunters don't get a fair percentage of Colorado draw hunting licenses; and

4) The current leadership of both houses of the Colorado Legislature are urban, liberal democrat, and anti firearms and anti hunting.
If you live in Colorado and aren’t yet a CSSA member; why not?!

Click on "Join/Renew CSSA" to join or renew your membership on line.

posted by Dave Gill


Tuesday, August 30, 2005

"We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately."
We each need to tell our friends who hunt, shoot, or just own firearms, that it’s time to stop sitting back and letting someone else defend them. Their rights as well as our rights to hunt, shoot, and self-defense are under attack.

The leadership of both houses of the Colorado State Legislature changed as a result of the 2004 elections and are now Liberal, Urban, and Anti-firearms. It’s a problem.Winning is fun and together, we will win if we stick together, but Individual hunters and shooters can’t win if they stand alone. "We must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately." This is as true today as it was when Benjamin Franklin said it on July 4, 1776. This is the answer.

Together we are strong, but we are strong only when we work together. Colorado sportsmen and shooters need CSSA more than ever and CSSA needs the active support of Coloradoans if we are going to protect and support the shooting sports. This is the answer.

If you aren’t a CSSA member, join online now. You need CSSA and CSSA needs you! If you have friends and family that hunt and shoot or think it is important to preserve our traditions to pass on to the next generation, sign them up as members. They need CSSA and CSSA needs them! Have them join online at www.cssa.org today. This is the answer.

posted by Dave Gill



Friday, August 26, 2005

Want Free Admission To Colorado Gun Shows?

E-mail Michael Torres at communications@cssa.org to find out how. posted by Dave Gill



Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Firearms Appraisals

CSSA, like the NRA, frequently receives requests from members who want to know how much a firearm they have in their possession is worth. However, neither CSSA or NRA is really set up for gun appraisals. Your best bet is to find a qualified appraiser to physically inspect the particualar firearm.

There is now an online appraisal service available for firearms, and NRA members can get a 10% discount on the regular appraisal rate. For more information, go to www.gun-appraisals.com/nra.cfm.

posted by Tony Fabian


HB-1266 Update - August 2, 2005
Colorado DOW Slaps Hunters
An alliance of tax and spend politicians, Colorado DOW bureaucrats, and environmental conservationists pushed HB05-1266, a bill that discriminates against hunters and fishermen, through the Colorado Legislature. Governor Owens later sided against Colorado hunters and signed this anti-hunting travesty into law. Make no mistake, although this Bill talks about things we all want like better habitat and access, it is bad public policy and bad for the future of hunting for several reasons. Let’s look at what this bill actually says and not the smoke and mirrors that its supporters raise to hide the reality of what this bill actually does.HB05-1266 discriminates against hunters.

HB05-1266 forces hunters and fishermen to purchase a Habitat Stamp even if they only hunt and fish on their own property or on Federal lands while everyone else would be required to purchase the Habitat Stamp ONLY if they go on one of the State owned State Wildlife Areas. Careless drafting or deliberate discrimination against an identifiable group?In the version sponsored by Representative Stengel and approved by the House, money hunters pay for the Habitat Stamp might not have benefited any hunters or game animals.Nothing in the Bill guaranteed that any land acquired with money from the Habitat Stamp would be open to either hunters or the public. This bill was carefully worded so all of the money from the Habitat Stamp could go to Jumping Mouse habitat and have no public access. Careless drafting or deliberate choice of words?

The Senate amended the bill to require that 60% of money raised from the Habitat Stamp prior to 12/31/10 would be spent on big game winter range or migration corridors. There is still no guarantee that hunters will have access, but at least not ALL of the money will be used for the exclusive benefit of jumping mice.
Who Will Pay and Who Will Benefit?
Who is going to pay the lion’s share of “Habitat Stamp” money?  It’s going to be hunters and fishermen.   Not only are we the ones who have always paid the freight, we will still be the only ones paying any significant amount.  If you still think that this bill is okay, look at who will help spend what used to be your money.
Of the 9 voting members on the Habitat Stamp Committee created by this bill, there are only 4 “Sportspersons.”  Although “Sportsperson” is undefined, presumably it means hunters and fishermen.  Of the 9 voting members on this advisory board, only 2 are likely to be hunters and then again there could be none!  Two must always be “representatives of national or regionally recognized conservation organizations whose missions are focused on nongame wildlife and whose membership is composed primarily of nongame wildlife users.” 

HB 1266 GIVES & GUARANTEES non-hunting environmentalists representation at least equal to hunters!  Considering it is hunters and fishermen who have paid and will continue to pay the vast majority of the money, this is a direct and deliberate insult. Careless drafting or deliberate choice?If the “nongame wildlife users” were actually suddenly motivated to start supporting conservation financially, they could, today, buy hunting licenses even if they didn’t intend to go hunting. If they found the idea of purchasing hunting licenses repugnant, they could purchase fishing licenses. If they found the thought of purchasing fishing licenses distasteful, I suspect DOW would find a way to accept donations for specific ‘species preservation’ projects. Conservationists tell us we need to be forced to purchase the same “Habitat Stamp” that they have to buy only if they go to a State Wildlife Area so they can contribute to wildlife management! Does this make sense to anyone? Both CSSA and NRA were forced to oppose the Habitat Stamp part of this Bill because it discriminates against hunters and is bad for hunting in Colorado.

The supporters of this bill talk in glittering generalities about things we ALL want: habitat; access; better hunting; more winter range; etc.  They don’t want to talk about specifics (especially the money involved, the cost of enforcement, the discriminatory nature, and the vague and hazy language) and, as seems to be always true of bad bills and bad policies, the devil is in the details that they don’t want to talk about.  This Is A Devil Of A BAD BILL.This bill ignores what hunters have done in the past and are continuing to do for game management, species preservation, and conservation. It discriminates against us, and it is an insult to us. 

One positive effect of this bill is it has helped clarify who is the friend of Colorado hunters are and who is not. Some of the answers may surprise you.Don’t let politicians and environmentalists get away with excuses like “we need more habitat” or “big game winter range is threatened.” Ask them to tell you why this particular bill is good when it:DISCRIMINATES against hunters; and GIVES non-hunters equal representation to hunters in recommending how money extorted from hunters will be spent.
How did your representatives vote?
Remember our friends as well as those who were not our friends!A "YES" vote was a vote against hunting and in favor of discrimination.A "NO" vote was in favor of Hunters and Fishermen.

				Friends of Hunters & Fishermen
These Representatives voted against your interests and against hunting and fishing				The following Representatives voted in favor of you and hunting.
District	Representative	Party	Vote	District	Representative	Party	Vote
29	Debbie Benefield	(D)	YES	46	Dorothy Butcher	(D)	NO
9	Alice Borodkin	(D)	YES	62	Rafael Gallegos	(D)	NO
26	Betty Boyd	(D)	YES	53	Angie Paccione	(D)	NO
55	Bernie Buescher	(D)	YES	17	Mark Cloer	(R)	NO
7	Terrance Carroll	(D)	YES	39	David  Balmer	(R)	NO
36	Morgan Carroll	(D)	YES	33	Bill Berens	(R)	NO
2	Michael Cerbo	(D)	YES	63	Greg Brophy	(R)	NO
1	Fran Coleman	(D)	YES	15	Bill Cadman	(R)	NO
61	Kathleen Curry	(D)	YES	37	Lauri Clapp	(R)	NO
4	Jerry Frangas	(D)	YES	27	Bill Crane	(R)	NO
42	Michael Garcia	(D)	YES	19	Richard Decker	(R)	NO
23	Gwyn Green	(D)	YES	48	Dale Hall	(R)	NO
30	Mary Hodge	(D)	YES	43	Ted Harvey	(R)	NO
24	Cheri Jahn	(D)	YES	20	Lynn Hefley	(R)	NO
5	Joel Judd	(D)	YES	28	Jim Kerr	(R)	NO
56	Gary Lindstrom	(D)	YES	21	Keith King	(R)	NO
10	Alice Madden	(D)	YES	22	Matt Knoedler	(R)	NO
8	Rosemary Marshall	(D)	YES	16	Larry Liston	(R)	NO
47	Liane (Buffie) McFadyen	(D)	YES	49	Kevin Lundberg	(R)	NO
3	Anne McGgihon	(D)	YES	44	Mike May	(R)	NO
64	Wes Mckinley	(D)	YES	58	Ray Rose	(R)	NO
18	Mike Merrifield	(D)	YES	14	David Schulthies	(R)	NO
13	Tom Plant	(D)	YES	40	Debbie Stafford	(R)	NO
11	John (Jack) Pommer	(D)	YES	45	Jim Sullivan	(R)	NO
35	Ann Ragsdale	(D)	YES	51	Jim Welker	(R)	NO
50	James Riesberg	(D)	YES	25	John Witwer	(R)	NO
6	Andrew Romanoff	(D)	YES
31	Judy Solano	(D)	YES
34	John Soper	(D)	YES
41	Nancy Todd	(D)	YES
32	Valentin (Val) Vigil	(D)	YES
12	Paul Weissmann	(D)	YES
65	Diane  Hoppe	(R)	YES
59	Mark Larson	(R)	YES
60	Tom Massey	(R)	YES
52	Bob McCluskey	(R)	YES
54	Josh Penry	(R)	YES
38	Joe Stengel	(R)	YES
57	Al White	(R)	YES

				Friends of Hunters & Fishermen
These State Senators voted against your interests and against hunting and fishing				The following State Senators voted in favor of you and hunting.
District	Senator	Party	Vote	District	Senator	Party	Vote
7	Ron Teck	(R)	YES	1	Mark Hillman	(R)	NO
22	Norma Anderson	(R)	YES	2	Ken Kester	(R)	NO
3	Abel Tapia	(D)	YES	4	Tom Wiens	(R)	NO
6	Jim Isgar	(D)	YES	5	Lewis Entz	(R)	NO
14	Bob Bacon	(D)	YES	8	Jack Taylor	(R)	NO
16	Joan Fitz-Gerald	(D)	YES	10	Ron May	(R)	NO
17	Brandon Shaffer	(D)	YES	11	Ed Jones	(R)	NO
18	Ron Tupa	(D)	YES	12	Andy Mcelhany	(R)	NO
19	Sue Windels	(D)	YES	13	Dave Owen	(R)	NO
20	Moe Keller	(D)	YES	15	Steve Johnson	(R)	NO
21	Deanna Hanna	(D)	YES	26	Jim Dyer	(R)	NO
24	Lois Tochtrop	(D)	YES	27	Nancy Spence	(R)	NO
25	Stephanie Takis	(D)	YES	30	John Evans	(R)	NO
28	Suzanne Williams	(D)	YES	9	Doug Lamborn	(R)	exc
29	Bob Hagedorn	(D)	YES	23	Shawn MItchell	(R)	exc
31	Jennifer Veiga	(D)	YES	exc = excused
32	Dan Grossman	(D)	YES
33	Peter Groff	(D)	YES
34	Paula Sandoval	(D)	YES
35	Ken Gordon	(D)	YES