Alerts!

Posted March 3, 2012

The Washington state Supreme Court has declined to review an October decision by the state Court of Appeals, reaffirming that the gun ban in Seattle’s parks is illegal. This order marks a final victory for Seattle-area gun owners, the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), who had joined together to block enforcement of the ban.

"The Washington Supreme Court made the right decision in recognizing that the city violated state law," said Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action. "This decision is a clear indication why it's critically important for states to enact strong preemption laws, to prevent local governments from imposing a patchwork of firearm restrictions."

The case of Chan v. City of Seattle began in 2008, when the city of Seattle and then-Mayor Greg Nickels (D) enacted a rule that banned firearms and "dangerous weapons" from city parks, community centers and other city properties. In 2009, the city added another rule that banned guns from parks where children are "likely to be present."

In October 2009, the NRA and SAF asked the King County Superior Court to strike down the ban as a violation of Washington's preemption statute, which forbids localities from enacting this type of ban. Specifically, the preemption statute says the state preempts the field of firearm regulation, and prohibits cities from regulating firearms—a position supported by an Oct. 2008 legal opinion from state Attorney General Rob McKenna (R).

In response, the city claimed the ban wasn’t a "law" or a criminal regulation, and that it was acting in its "proprietary capacity" as a property owner.

In February 2010, the Superior Court of King County struck down the Seattle rule banning firearms from city parks, including possession by Right-to-Carry permit holders. The city appealed.

In its Oct. 31 ruling, the Court of Appeals panel wrote: "We hold that under the plain language of RCW 9.41.290 and RCW 9.41.300, the City’s attempt to regulate the possession of firearms at designated park areas and park facilities open to the public by adopting the Firearms Rule, is preempted by state law."

The opinion further stated, "The Firearms Rule regulates the possession of firearms at designated city parks and park facilities open to the general public. [The case law on which the City relies] does not support the City’s position that RCW 9.41.290 does not apply because it is acting as a property owner and setting conditions on use of its property. Except as authorized by the legislature, RCW 9.41.290 precludes a municipality from regulating the possession of firearms at city-owned park facilities open to the general public."

Posted February 9, 2012

We have just received copy of Judge Serko's Decision in the matter of Kitsap County v. Kitsap Rifle & Revolver Club.  Click here to read the decision.  A special meeting for all members has been called  for on Wednesday, 15 FEB 2012 at 7pm. This meeting will be held at :

William H. Upton Naval & Military Lodge No. 206
F. & A. M. Of Washington
878 Fifth Street
Bremerton, Washington 98337

http://www.whupton206.org/

Posted January 10, 2012

This is the NRA Alert on Range Protection Bill 1508. Please read and contact your representative immediately!

Posted September 19, 2011

Time is Running Out; Washington Hunters Must Speak Now!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has imposed a ban on the use of traditional (lead) ammunition for all upland bird hunting on all WDFW pheasant release sites across the state. This restriction was adopted by the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission two years ago but its implementation was delayed until this hunting season. The Commission adopted the restriction during the course of its 2010-2012 hunting season-setting process.

With this in mind, it is critical that hunters and sportsmen participate in the 2012-2014 season-setting process. The WDFW is now in the initial public comment phase of the process, which will end this Tuesday, September 20. You can bet that the anti-hunting extremists are participating in the process, so the importance of hunters and sportsmen participating cannot be overstated! Please see below for detail on how to submit your comments.

The current traditional ammunition restrictions pertain to quail, dove, pheasant and any upland bird hunted on the pheasant release sites. No scientific studies have been cited showing population-level impacts of lead ammunition on these species in Washington. Further, published scientific papers elsewhere admit they don’t know that there are any problems associated with the use of lead shot to hunt upland game. The WDFW seems to be acting on emotion and politics, citing the “potential” for problems associated with lead ammunition as the basis for these far-reaching restrictions.

The NRA believes that the current push to ban the use of traditional ammunition in Washington is part of a new strategy being used by anti-hunting and anti-gun activists all over the country to attack our hunting traditions and firearm freedoms. Traditional ammunition bans have a significant, chilling effect on hunting by pricing hunters out of the market while hunters’ ranks are already in decline. Having fewer hunters is a threat to the future of our hunting heritage and means less funding for wildlife and habitat conservation. The opposition’s “next logical step” will be to propose a complete, statewide ban on traditional ammunition in Washington. This is the pattern in other states so don’t think “it won’t happen here!”

Although it is too late to do anything about the existing restriction on traditional ammunition for this season, hunters and sportsmen now have the opportunity to demand that the restriction be withdrawn for the next three years and vocally oppose any further unsubstantiated restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has adopted a traditional ammunition resolution stating that "state agencies should focus regulation efforts where population-level impacts to wildlife are substantiated." (AFWA - 2010 Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle Resolution) (emphasis added).. With no population-level impacts cited, it is time to tell the WDFW that emotion and politics have no place in wildlife management.

With that in mind, it is important for you to submit your comments and concerns to the WDFW. Your voice matters! Comments must be submitted by Tuesday, September 20. Please request that the ban on the use of traditional ammunition on pheasant release sites be lifted in 2012 and beyond, and demand that there be no further unsubstantiated restrictions imposed on the use of lead in ammunition in the future.

Comments can be submitted via e-mail, by sending them to Rene Henson at Rene.Henson@dfw.wa.gov; be sure to put “2012-2014 Hunter Comment/Concern” in the subject line. You can also submit comments via regular mail, please address your letter as follows:

ATTN: Wildlife Program

Hunter Comment

600 Capitol Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501-1091

In addition to submitting specific comments by e-mail or mail, you can take the WDFW “2012-2014 Hunting Season Development Survey.” This scoping survey asks a series of questions on issues ranging from the spring black bear harvest to cougar management. At the end of the survey you can choose to submit “additional comments”; from there you can click “Other” and leave a comment relating to the regulation of lead ammunition in the comment box provided.

This alert is posted at: http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Read.aspx?id=7081.

Posted July 09, 2011

• Kitsap County v. ALL Shooting Ranges!

Kitsap County Prosecutor and the Department of Community Development have proposed new changes to the shooting range ordinance that constitutes a take over of ALL private shooting ranges to conform to the ever changing political whims of bureaucrats that don't know a sear notch from Shineola!

Read the proposed changes by clicking here.

True colors are coming through as 2 ranges in the last 10 years have been eliminated, KRRC is being sued to be shut down and now the release of proposed rules that will make all ranges subject to political correctness and/or political tyranny.  Sedition through syntax is once again being used to turn your rights into government granted privileges! 

The Kitsap County Commissioners have scheduled 1 hour to hear about the proposal this next Wednesday, July 13 from 0920 to 1020.  Call, email, and go to the Commissioners building to let them know what you think about the proposal!

For those that have a tough time opening the .pdf file above:

generally:

ORDINANCE NO. ____ -2011

WHEREAS, Kitsap County has experienced a substantial increase in population density in areas proximate to and within range of its existing shooting ranges and the County has an interest in ensuring the compatibility of shooting ranges with their surroundings and in minimizing noise impacts and potential safety hazards created by the operation of shooting ranges; and

WHEREAS, the Washington Constitution, Article XI Section 11, confers upon county legislative authorities police power to adopt regulation as necessary to protect the health, safety and well-being of its residents; and

WHEREAS, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners (Board) finds the requirement of an operating permit for the establishment, operation and expansion of all shooting range facilities will encourage recreational and educational shooting activities to be conducted in a safe manner; and

WHEREAS, the Board finds that the requirement of an operating permit will protect and preserve the health, safety and welfare of land owners and users and the general public in the vicinity of shooting ranges; and

WHEREAS, the Board finds the Kitsap County Code does not presently regulate the hours of operation for discharge of firearms at shooting ranges in unincorporated Kitsap County and that the enactment of provisions governing hours of operation will serve to protect the public health and well-being of persons living in proximity to shooting ranges.

Section 1.Kitsap County Code Chapter 10.24, Article 3 is hereby amended as follows:

Section 2. New Section. A new section is added to chapter 10.24 Kitsap County Code, "Weapons," as follows:

Section 3.Kitsap County Code Section 10.24.080. last amended by Ordinance 50C-1993, is hereby amended as follows:

Section 4.Kitsap County Code Section 10.24.103, last amended by Ordinance 50G-2000, is amended as follows:

Section 5. New Section. A new section is added to chapter 10.24 Kitsap County Code, "Weapons," as follows:

Section 6.Kitsap County Code Section 10.24.105, last amended by Ordinance 50B-1993, is amended as follows:

Section 7. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the ordinance or its application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.

Section 8. Recitals. The recitals herein shall be findings of fact and are incorporated herein by reference.

Section 9. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately.

Posted April 08, 2011

• Attention!!  Comments needed!  Please read:

• Deadline Nears On BATFE Shotgun Ban Comments

  Friday, April 08, 2011

  As reported on Jan. 28, May 1 is the deadline for public comments concerning a shotgun importation ban that has been proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. A working group within the BATFE has recommended that any shotgun (semi-automatic, pump-action or any other) that has any one of 10 specific features should be banned from importation, on the grounds that such shotguns are not “generally recognized as particularly suitable for a readily adaptable to sporting purposes.” The features in question are a folding, telescoping, or collapsible stock; a magazine of over five rounds or a drum magazine; a flash suppressor or a muzzle brake that also suppresses flash; an integrated rail system other than on top of the receiver or barrel; a light enhancing device; a forward pistol grip or similar protruding part; an “excessive” weight of over 10 pounds; an “excessive bulk” of over three inches width and/or over four inches depth; a bayonet lug; or “a grenade-launcher mount.” The working group considers “sporting purposes” to be limited to hunting, skeet, trap and sporting clays, but not to include practical shotgun matches or recreational target shooting. To have considered practical matches, the working group said, could have led to conclusions that would undercut the BATFE’s 1989 and 1998 bans on the importation of semi-automatic rifles, and its 1993 ban on the importation of various semi-automatic pistols. The working group also indicated a reluctance to accept practical matches because they test defensive firearm skills, which the working group believes are of military and police orientation. Since the law conditions a firearm’s ability to be imported on whether it is “generally recognized” as meeting the law’s sporting purpose test, it is important that the BATFE hear from members of the general public. Particularly relevant will be the comments of people who use shotguns equipped with one or more of the features for hunting or any form of competitive or recreational target shooting, and people who adapt such shotguns to a sporting purpose by simple modifications, such as attaching or removing a flashlight, attaching or removing a forward grip, or installing or removing a magazine extension or magazine plug. Comments to the BATFE may be submitted by e-mail to shotgunstudy@atf.gov, or by fax to (202) 648-9601, and must be received by May 1, 2011. Faxed comments may not exceed 5 pages. All comments must include name and mailing address.

Posted January 18, 2011

Rep. McCarthy's Magazine Ban--Worse Than First Imagined

By James Wesley, Rawles on January 19, 2011 8:35 PM

Here is some moron more on Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy's recently-introduced magazine ban legislation. I studied the bill's wording and I learned:

• The bill defines large capacity ammunition feeding devices as “a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition” (This is nearly the same as the now defunct 1994 law, but it does not exempt tubular or otherwise non-detachable magazines.)
• For Post-Enactment Devices: Prohibits the transfer, possession, or import of a large capacity ammunition feeding device manufactured after the date of enactment of the bill .
• For Pre-Enactment Devices: Prohibits the transfer or import (but not possession) of large capacity ammunition feeding devices manufactured before the date of enactment of the bill. This is a huge difference from the 1994 ban, which allowed the transfer of any "pre-ban" magazines or belts, under a grandfather clause.
• As Sebastian at the Snowflakes in H*ll blog pointed out, the ban includes any magazine that holds more than 10 cartridges, even if it is a fixed tubular magazine. (The only exception is for .22 rimfire.) So this effectively bans transfers of even pre-1898 antique Henry, Model 1866, Model 1873, and Model 1892 Winchester rifles (and replicas) with long magazines! Ditto for Colt Lightning rifles and many other pump and lever-action guns. And ditto for Astra Broomhandle Mauser pistols with integral 12 or 20 round magazines. All these guns would be "frozen" from any transfer until the death of their owner, whereupon the guns would become contraband.
• It also includes fixed tubular magazines on shotguns. It is noteworthy that many shotguns with ostensibly "7 round" or "8 round" tubular magazines actually have 12+ round magazines if you use the stubby Mini 12 gauge shells. (And remember, it will be the notorious "shoelace squad" BATFE that will be enforcing the law, so any guesses on how they will define the magazine capacity of your shotgun?)
• It includes belts and links as "large capacity ammunition feeding devices". It also requires that any magazines or links produced after the ban goes into effect must have a serial number marked. (Yes, marked on each magazine, belt, and link.) For disintegrating belt links (those ubiquitous little black steel tabs) this would create a manufacturing nightmare for military contractors! Could you imagine stamping or engraving a unique serial number on each of the hundreds of millions of links that are produced each year? How would you fit that many digits on the curved surface of a 3/4-inch long 5.56mm M249 SAW link? Micro-stamping, perhaps?
• Unlike the 1994-to-2004 Federal ban, there is no 10-year "sunset" clause. This law will be permanent!
• The term "Transfer" is not adequately defined. Let's say you were to allow someone in your family or a friend shoot your rifle or pistol with an 11+ round magazine. Then that could be construed as a felony "transfer", even if you are present during the target shooting session.
• The absurdity of this bill can best be seen when you consider that it will also control the magazines, belts, and links used for registered Class 3 full-auto guns. Who would ever want to buy a $7,000+ registered machinegun if the only magazines and belts available for purchase are limited to 10 round capacity? (The guns themselves could still be transferred with a $200 Federal tax, but the magazines, and belts could only be transferred if they held 10 rounds or less. And to be legal, any belts assembled from links after the bill is enacted would be limited to 10-round length. That is absolutely ludicrous.)
• The "transfer" portion of this law opens up innumerable opportunities for inadvertent law-breaking. What about a soldier who accidentally brings home an M16 magazine in his TA-50 dufflebag? What about someone who bids on buying the entire contents of a storage space with a lapsed contract? If they bring home a box that includes just one 11+ round magazine, then they will have committed a felony with huge fines and a possible 10 year prison sentence.
• There is no exception in the law for magazines belonging to retiring servicemen or peace officers.
• There is no exception in the law for sales of replacement parts to keep magazines in repair. So if a magazine gets dented or breaks, then it becomes permanently useless.
• Most importantly: There is no exception in the law for passing down magazines, belts, or links within a family, as gifts or bequests. Once you die, then your 11+ round magazines will become contraband, and any subsequent possessor could be charged with a felony. Your heirs might as well tuck your magazines in your casket.

Please contact your congresscritters and insist that this ill-conceived bill be vigorously opposed!

Posted December 27, 2010

Posted September 1, 2010

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/01/obama-administration-reverses-course-forbids-sale-antique-m-rifles/

Posted April 1, 2010

http://oregonfirearms.org/alertspage/Outrage.html - (No Joke!)

Posted May 11, 2009

Commissioners to consider resolution selling KRRC the land our ranges sit on.

Posted April 09, 2009

KRRC beginning negotiations with County over purchase of 130 acres! 

Posted March 2009

Gun Owners of America does not sound the "Emergency alarm" often -- and when we do, we mean it. Remember the massive land bill, S. 22, that passed out of the Senate last month? It was expected to pass quickly in the House, but your opposition to an expansion of gun control contained in the bill forced it to be pulled from the floor. GOA has just learned that after some backroom deals, the bill is headed to the floor WEDNESDAY MORNING, without any amendments to truly protect your Second Amendment rights on National Park Service (NPS) land. You have fought the battle over the NPS gun ban for a long time. Unlike U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, which allow for state and local law to govern firearms possession, NPS land is subject to a complete gun ban for any citizen who does not hold a concealed carry permit. The bill coming to the floor March 11 greatly expands NPS land, thus spreading the agency's anti-gun regulations into more areas. S. 22 is actually a compilation of over 190 bills, many of which were never even debated on their own merits. Here are just a few examples of land expansions in the bill:

Posted February 2009

Posted January 2009

H.B. 45

It didn't take long for the 111th Congress to get started with what they believe to be a mandate after the election. President Elect Obama has yet to be sworn in and they are already proposing legislation they think they can get signed into law. It is little wonder this legislation comes from the Chicago political machinery. Read this and then be alert, call your rep and let them know that you had better not see them vote for, much less sign on to, this piece of communist garbage! The price of freedom is eternal vigilance!

Posted 09 December 2008

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels plans to ban Guns with no regard for your right to self-defense and In defiance of state law. Your Attendance is Critical! Let your voice be heard NOW! On December 15, 2008 a public hearing will be held in the Bertha Knight Landes room at Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, with sign-in beginning at 5:30 p.m. This ban will infringe on your right to carry in these areas:

• All city owned property
• All city parks
• The Seattle Public library
• The Seattle Center

Please attend this important hearing.

Posted 06 December 2008

Good news for a change!

WASHINGTON – People will now be able to carry concealed firearms in some national parks and wildlife refuges.

An Interior Department rule issued Friday allows an individual to carry a loaded weapon in a park or wildlife refuge — but only if the person has a permit for a concealed weapon, and if the state where the park or refuge is located also allows loaded firearms in parks.

The rule overturns a Reagan-era regulation that has restricted loaded guns in parks and wildlife refuges. The previous regulations required that firearms be unloaded and placed somewhere that is not easily accessible, such as in a car trunk.

Assistant Interior Secretary Lyle Laverty said the new rule respects a long tradition of states and the federal government working together on natural resource issues.

The regulation allows individuals to carry concealed firearms in federal parks and wildlife refuges to the same extent they can lawfully do so under state law, Laverty said, adding that the approach is in line with rules adopted by the federal Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Those agencies let visitors carry weapons consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

The National Rifle Association hailed the rule change, which will take effect next month before President-elect Barack Obama takes office.

"We are pleased that the Interior Department recognizes the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families while enjoying America's national parks and wildlife refuges," said Chris W. Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist.

The rule will restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners on federal lands and make federal law consistent with the state where the lands are located, Cox said. The NRA led efforts to change gun regulations they called inconsistent and unclear.

A group representing park rangers, retirees and conservation organizations said the rule change will lead to confusion for visitors, rangers and other law enforcement agencies.

"Once again, political leaders in the Bush administration have ignored the preferences of the American public by succumbing to political pressure, in this case generated by the National Rifle Association," said Bill Wade, president of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees.

"This regulation will put visitors, employees and precious resources of the National Park System at risk. We will do everything possible to overturn it and return to a commonsense approach to guns in national parks that has been working for decades," Wade said.

The park rule will be published in the Federal Register next week and take effect 30 days later, well before Obama takes office Jan. 20. Overturning the rule could take months or even years, since it would require the new administration to restart the lengthy rule-making process.

From: http://www.washingtonflyfishing.com/board/showthread.php?t=53259

Posted September 2008

Washington State Has Lead Ammunition in the Crosshairs!

You think ammunition has gotten expensive??? Just wait till you see what your Governor and DOE have planned!
Please Contact the Governor and the Department of Ecology Today!

We have recently posted an alert about a Draft Lead Chemical Action Plan (CAP) that the state's Department of Ecology has released for public comment. We encourage you to read and comment on this document because it covers lead ammunition.

The Department of Ecology has told those who have sent in comments that, contrary to what we say, the CAP does not recommend a ban on lead ammunition. Instead, they say the CAP recommends a voluntary use of non-lead alternatives.

Here is a fact: Page 208 of the CAP states, Products that do not need lead and directly expose wildlife include wheel weights, small fishing weights, and some ammunition." We infer from this that if the CAP suggests some ammunition "does not need lead" then such ammunition should be banned and made from alternative materials. The plan includes a cost analysis of banning lead shot. If a ban is not a consideration then why is the Department of Ecology analyzing the cost of such action? Recommendation 9 on Page 235 of the CAP calls for a phase out of lead shot/projectiles. "Phase out" sure sounds like "ban" to us.

We have been saying for years that "lead" will become the "asbestos" of the coming decades. You can just about guarantee that lead ammunition bans are on the minds of many people involved with the CAP project. Given what we are seeing in other states by environmental-leaning government agencies and legislatures, this is not much of a stretch. And with the discussion of green bullets in the CAP, it is doubtful that the next steps will be far behind.
Examples from other states include California, where hunters were asked to voluntarily use non-lead ammunition in areas occupied by the California condor. Within two years, the request was replaced with a legislative ban on hunters' use of lead ammunition. In Arizona, the same request was made of hunters, but as soon as the California ban was signed into law, lead-ban proponents started their attack in Arizona. A symposium was held in Boise, Idaho on lead ammunition in June at which almost all speakers supported a ban on lead ammunition, regardless of cost, performance, or availability of substitutes. CAP is a preliminary step that will lead to the promotion of a legislative or regulatory ban on lead ammunition.

Please take the time to read the CAP and provide your comments to the Department of Ecology and to Governor Chris Gregoire (D) by Monday, October 6. The CAP can be viewed by visiting http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/pbt/leadcap/. Respectfully let the Governor know that there is no adequate substitute for lead ammunition and that any affects on humans and wildlife do not justify a ban as recommended by her Department of Ecology. Governor Gregoire can be reached by phone at (360) 902-4111, by fax at (360) 753-4110, or click here to send email. The Governor can also be reached by U.S. Mail at: Governor Chris Gregoire, Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504-0002.