Firearms owners get more active to protect rights

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http://www.newhampshire.com/article....articleid=3096

Gun legislation on both the state and national levels is inevitable because of the makeup of both state and national legislative bodies.

It’s time for gun owners, be they hunters, sport shooters, people who own guns for self and family protection and even trappers who own guns to dispatch their trapped animals to put down any petty differences they may have with one another and get active. If you can’t volunteer to work against some of these very restrictive laws that are in the works, the least you can do is to join the NRA or our own state’s very effective Gun Owners of New Hampshire (GO-NH).

State gun owners groups are starting to really throw their weight around. In fact, gun owners in Montana and now in several other states are pushing legislation that can prevent federal meddling into the state’s gun situation. This legislation is based on a provision of the constitution that prevents federal oversight of intrastate commerce — of products produced within a state’s boundaries and sold within that state. When applied to firearms, this legislation not only would prohibit any federal regulation of the manufacture and sale of guns built and sold within the state, but also of licensing or registration of those firearms.

Wow — that takes some courage, but anyone who believes in the reverence of our federal Constitution has to know that states rights take precedence in regulating manufacturing and commerce within a state’s boundaries.

No doubt there will be court challenges to Montana’s legislation when it is passed, but their stance looks pretty strong to anyone but those furthest to the left.

New Hampshire has some great firearms manufacturers within the state; two of real importance are Ruger and Sig Saur. In order for them to be covered under a regulation such as Montana’s they would have to produce guns that were not sold outside the state, but that could be an easy move on their part.

And this type of legislation also pertains to ammunition, which is the new target of the anti-gun groups.

For those who have an interest in getting active on these issues, the GO-NH mailing address is PO Box 847, Concord, N.H. 03302-0847. They also have a phone line staffed by volunteers: 603-225-4664. Membership in this organization provides for attorneys’ fees and costs for protective concealed carry problems.

TURKEY HUNT: A recent recap of the spring wild turkey season from Ted Walski, the head of our Wild Turkey Restoration Program, is very encouraging. Although the wet spring we had last year (and how about this year’s wet spring?) caused quite a reduction in the survival of newly hatched chicks, the total kill almost equaled last year’s record take and the amount of large birds was greater than last year.

Under Ted’s careful watch, our wild turkey flocks have settled into every town and city in the state. Which was never imagined even by Ted, the eternal optimist.

We again thank Ted for his persistence and positive outlook and for the most remarkable wildlife recovery in my lifetime. You Go Ted!