Friday News!
March 5th edition
Gun Owners Action League.
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In This Issue.
  • Front Sight!  Select Local and National News Stories
  • McDonald v. Chicago heard at Supreme Court.  GOAL Blog by Jim Wallace.
  • Support State Representative Richard Ross
  • GOAL Cup Trap Match, April 17th @ Southborough Rod & Gun Club
  • Annual Raffle!  Get your tickets today!
  • Club Corner
  • Sign up for a great class at GOAL!
  • Hunter News/Kids! Enter to win a fully guided hunting trip!
  • Note About Forwarding The Friday News!
Front Sight! News/Editorials and other tidbits from the Web.

  • S.921 Judges Disarming Law Enforcement Officers  On Wednesday, January 27, 2010 a piece of legislation had a public hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security that brought to light a very disturbing practice in our courts.
McDonald v. Chicago Heard by SCOTUS
GOAL Shield LogoFrom the GOAL Blog by GOAL Executive Director Jim Wallace.

On Tuesday, March 2, 2010 the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) heard oral arguments on the case McDonald v. Chicago. The case originated from a lawsuit filed in regard to the outright ban of handguns within the City of Chicago. The historical value of the case is that it is the next critical step following the Heller decision that will hopefully incorporate the Second Amendment through the Fourteenth Amendment.

In short, the incorporation process is what officially applies the enumerated rights in our Bill of Rights at the state and local levels. This process protects citizens from state and local governments that seek to restrict our civil rights. It is important to understand that any argument against incorporation is actually an attempt to block the courts from protecting your civil rights.

The Heller decision and now the McDonald case have brought to the national scene a fairly new twist on the Second Amendment debate. For decades the disputes across the country have always been framed as "anti-gun" or "pro-gun". Proudly we can say that has not been the case here in Massachusetts for some time.

For many years GOAL has been steadfast in our assertion that this was always a civil rights issue and that those who opposed our Second Amendment rights were indeed anti-civil rights not anti-gun (Although most of them hate guns as well). The two historical cases that the world is now talking about have slowly started to shift the national discussions from so-called "gun rights" to civil rights. Once again, GOAL and our members were well ahead of the curve on this.

Conversations about these cases are now surrounded by terms like incorporation, jurisprudence, strict scrutiny and alike. Conspicuous by their absence in discussions about these cases are the tired terms of assault weapons, high capacity weapons, cop killer bullets and so forth.  Even in the oral arguments of the McDonald case the court suggested they were not interested in the old tired arguments of so-called "gun control".

In discussing whether statistics of gun crimes should be entered into matters of ruling on civil rights, Justice Scalia said: "There is a lot of statistical disagreement on whether the Miranda rule saves lives or not, whether it results in the release of dangerous people who have confessed to their crime but the confession can't be used. We don't -- we don't resolve questions like that on the basis of statistics, do we?" Meaning, matters regarding criminal actions should not be entered into discussions regarding the civil rights of those who are not committing crimes.

Why the major shift in terminology? Actually, the shift was inevitable once the truth was exposed. Anyone who has carefully studied the matter always knew that it was always about civil rights. It is for this very reason that our adversaries always strove to be the ones to frame the argument. They knew that if they were able to successfully keep the argument around things rather than rights, they would be able to keep a certain sector of society afraid and willing to vote their way.

Likewise, they had to have known that if and when the debate turned to civil rights that they would be harshly looked upon by all of society for what they had done. Groups that are constantly fighting to destroy our civil rights are simply not prepared to enter into this new discussion and that is why they are feverishly trying to prevent the incorporation of the Second Amendment.

Our opposition has placed all of their hopes on the fact that the general public and our legislators would never separate the actions of criminals and the civil rights of lawful citizens in the discussion around the Second Amendment. Because if that ever happened, their arguments would come crashing down.

Proudly here in Massachusetts, GOAL and our members have led the way in this new discussion. Even before Heller was decided in 2008, GOAL was already drafting a piece of legislation the likes of which had never been attempted anywhere in the nation. Since January of 2009, GOAL has been giving seminars across the state on our groundbreaking legislation H.2259, the Civil Rights and Public Safety Act. (Information can be found at www.MassGunLawReform.com)

Our legislation begins the process of leading the logical progression reflected in the new discussions by separating the laws regarding gun ownership. It does so by creating a separate set of laws regarding civil rights/lawful ownership and a set of laws regarding criminal enforcement.

While no one should ever try to predict what SCOTUS will do with any given case or the legislature will do with legislation, one thing is sure. The discussions around the Second Amendment are beginning to go where they always should have. Where we always knew they belonged. While we can't predict with certainty what the future will bring for us, we can be assured of another thing that history has taught us. If civil rights are the matter of discussion, freedom shall eventually always prevail!
McDonald v. Chicago oral arguments transcript:

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/08-1521.pdf
Support State Representative Richard Ross!
SPECIAL ELECTION PRIMARY APRIL 13TH, GENERAL ELECTION MAY 11TH!  This will be to fill the MA State Senate seat representing Norfolk, Bristol, & Middlesex Counties left vacant by Scott Brown.

GOAL is officially endorsing State Representative Richard Ross.  Representative Ross is rated "A+" by GOAL.  During the 2008 legislative session Representative Ross voted with GOAL on 3 separate occasions including H.5029  (see quote from bill below)

"Resolved, That the Massachusetts House of Representatives  joins in the opinion of the United States Supreme Court and officially recognizes that the Second Amendment to the Constitution does protect an individual civil right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia and protects an individual civil right to use arms for traditionally lawful purposes and protects the lawful use of arms for self-defense within the home and officially recognizes that the core lawful purpose of the Second Amendment to the Constitution is self defense; and be it further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded by the Clerk of the House of Representatives to Gun Owners' Action League.
This Document"

If you live in Norfolk, Bristol, or Middlesex Counties please give Representative Ross all of your support and look for more news to follow as the election date draws near.
GOAL Cup Trap Match, April 17th!

Link for more info
 
GOAL ANNUAL RAFFLE!

GOAL Shield Logo

It's that time of the year again, time for the GOAL Annual Raffle!

1. Remsport Match AR15 .223 cal. Rifle
Donor: Remsport / C. Li
2. Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm.
Donor: The Powderhorn, Hyannis, MA
3. Smith & Wesson i-Bolt .30-06 Rifle
Donor: Hunter's Rendezvous, Pepperell, MA
4. One Day Deep Sea Fishing Trip for up to 6 people
Donor: Capt. George Ministeri, Jac's Mate, Wellfleet Harbor, MA
5. 32 inch LCD Flat Screen HD Television
Donor: Gun Owners' Action League, Northboro, MA
6. Mossberg 500 Combo 12 gauge Shotgun
Donor: Gun Owners' Action League
7. $500 Kittery Trading Post Gift Card
Donor: Gun Owners' Action League, Northboro, MA
8. Thompson Center Hawken .50 cal Rifle
Donor: Gun Owners' Action League, Northboro, MA

Tickets: $5.00 each. Drawing will be held at noon on 4/9/2010 .
You need not be present to win. Odds determined by number of tickets sold. All federal and
state gun laws apply. All prizes are to be claimed within 30 days from the drawing at 37 Pierce
St, Northboro MA 01532. Firearms may be shipped to another FFL at winner's expense.
Gun Owners' Action League, 37 Pierce Street, Northboro MA 01532. 508-393-5333

Print out a raffle ticket order form here!

Purchase online here!


Thank you to all of our donors for the great prizes.
Remsport Mfg./C. Li, The Powderhorn Hyannis MA, Hunters Rendezvous Pepperell MA, Captain George Ministeri Wellfleet Harbor MA.


Great Classes available at GOAL!

3/20-3/21/2010 NRA Chief Range Safety Officers Course

*2 SPOTS LEFT SIGN UP TODAY!*

This is an advanced course, students are required to be NRA Certified Range Safety Officers before they can enroll.

NRA Chief Range Safety Officers are people who possess the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to organizing, conducting, and supervising safe shooting activities and range operations. This course requires the NRA Range Safety Officer certifications as a prerequisite. The successful completion of this course will allow individuals to educate, train, and certify NRA Range Safety Officers.

***This course does not encompass the functions and responsibilities of a Range Officer, who conducts NRA competitive shooting events as defined by Rule 11.5 of the NRA Rule Books.

The Range Safety Officer course which Chief Range Safety Officers instruct consists of:

  • Range Safety Officer's roles and responsibilities
  • Range standard operating procedures
  • Range inspection and range rules
  • Firearm stoppages and malfunctions
  • Range Safety Briefings which include emergency procedures

Application for the course

*Pre-registration is required. Please call Kim Golinski at (508) 393-5333 x203 or send email to kim@goal.org to find out when the next available course is scheduled.

Class Payment Policy
Payment needs to be made at the time of registration via credit card. Cash and payment by check will be accepted but need to be received in the GOAL office no latter than 7 days (1 week) from registration
Registration will not be considered complete until payment is received.
Payments not received in the office in 7 days will result in loss of placement in class. 


Ongoing Class:

Basic Pistol* Is a 10 1/2 hour course designed for individuals who want to apply for an FID or License to Carry permit. Topics include:

  • Pistol Parts and Operation
  • Ammunition
  • Using a Pistol Safely
  • Operating a Pistol
  • Cleaning, Storing, and Transporting a Pistol
  • Shooting Fundamentals
  • The Bench Rest Shooting Position
  • Other Shooting Positions
  • Improving and Maintaining Shooting Skills
  • Massachusetts Laws Pertaining to Permit Application, Firearms Storage and Transportation

Proper handling of guns and actual firing of guns at a range is part of this course.  Sign up early for this class it always fills up fast!  (see link to full schedule below)


Cancellation and No Show Policy

7 days notice is the minimum requirement to cancel. Arrangements to be placed into another class can be made or a refund can be issued.

Cancellations after seven days will be charged for the class if the position can not be filled.
No-Shows will be charged for the class. Under certain circumstances, arrangements to attend another class can be made.


Full Schedule here!
Club Corner

GOAL is proud to offer the NSSF "First Shots" firearms training seminar for the 2010 training schedule. Upon successful completion of this course attendees are eligible to apply for a Massachusetts license to carry or firearm identification card (FID). This class is designed for beginners but is also a great refresher course.
 
GOAL is asking that our Affiliated Clubs host this seminar. Dates have been set aside and can be reserved by calling Kim Golinski at the GOAL office at 508-393-5333 x 203.
 
From the NSSF  Website:
At a First Shots seminar, you will get:
·         an educational introduction to the safe, recreational use of handguns
·         a clear understanding of the local requirements for owning and purchasing a handgun
·         individual and group training and shooting range access for continued participation
·         shooting sports opportunities for all levels of interest
For more information please got to http://www.firstshots.org/
GOAL Hunter-Junior Hunter News


Youth Hunt Essay Contest

The GOAL Foundation is sponsoring a contest for a youngster to win a deer hunt in South Carolina.

This is a great chance for a boy or girl to win a fantastic, guided, all inclusive hunting trip!

To enter the contest the boy or girl must write a short letter telling why they should be chosen for an all-expense paid hunt. They must include a recent photo along with their name, address, date of birth, phone number, and the name and phone number of a parent or guardian. Applicants must be 14-18 years of age and have a hunter safety certificate from any state.

Once the lucky winner is chosen, we'll contact both the youngster and the parent or guardian to go over the specific details of the travel and hunt arrangements.

Bang and Tom Collins, owners of the Paradise Valley Hunt Club in Ehrarhdt, South Carolina, have agreed to donate the actual hunt on one of their private properties!

The hunt in this contest would be for three days and completely guided in areas exclusively for the selected hunter only.

The dates of the hunt would be October 7-9, 2010

The parent or guardian would be able to sit with the hunter should they wish to video the event. Processing and packaging of the game would be included. All travel arrangements for the winner and parent/guardian will be taken care of, along with transportation of the equipment and supplies needed for the hunt.
For those who remember how great it felt the first time you hunted, don't be shy sending a donation to The GOAL Foundation to help us make this dream come true. Just mark your check "Junior Hunt Contest".

Entries must be postmarked by April 19, 2010.

Letters should be sent to:
The GOAL Foundation Hunt Contest
PO BOX 567
Northboro, MA. 01532
The winner will be announced in the June 2010 issue of The Outdoor Message and on this page.

 


Hunters!  Now available at the GOAL office 2010:
MA Hunting License 
MA Primitive Arms Stamp 
Waterfowl Stamp 
MA Archery Deer Stamp

Also, check out the all new GOALHunters.org!
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT FORWARDING THE FRIDAY NEWS!

Dear subscribers, it has come to our attention that some of you have become "unsubscribed" from our e-mailings as of late.

This is due to the method used when forwarding this e-mail.  PLEASE NOTE, if you would like to forward this e-mail, use the "forward" option at the bottom of this page.

Forwarding this email as you would any other could cause you to become unsubscribed should any of the recipients choose to "opt out".

If you ever do need to subscribe, or if you know anybody that would like to receive this, it is now easier than ever to get on our list, simply go to www.GOAL.org and scroll down to the bottom of any page, we have an automated subscription set up.

Thanks to all for supporting GOAL! 

Join/Support GOAL, Massachusett's Official Firearms Association of the National Rifle Association.

Protecting YOUR freedom begins here!
 
Sincerely,
 
Mike Sweeney
GOAL Communications Manager
Gun Owners' Action League