Newsletter April 2011

Transcription

1 Newsletter April 2011 President Ed Pszenny Vice-Pres. William Terry Secretary Rick Southgate Treasurer Ronayne Schild (508) Chief Instructor Michael Pelonzi Range Officer Lane Mann Range Const. Officer Mike Tolvanen Newsletter Editor Lisa Craig (978) (978) The Hamilton Wenham Rod and Gun Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month at the American Legion Hall, School St., Hamilton, MA. The next meeting will be on 7:30 PM. Please visit our web site. - President s Message Howdy Gang: The April Fools Day snow scare is behind us and its truly beginning to look like spring. There is quite a bit of green stuff starting to show and sunscreen can t be far behind. Just yesterday I watched several folks fishing in our pond with surprising results. Please notice that I did not say Ice Fishing. FYI, Karpy ed me a photo of a pickerel caught in our pond that had to be 18 or more in length. Nice fish... At this point, we have now ended the first quarter of the year and its time to look back a bit and think about what we have been able to accomplish. Several successful shoots have been held in spite of lousy weather. They include: a couple of Pin Shoots, the Heinz-57 Shoot and more recently, the Military Shoot. Beyond that, shoots were held on a regular basis at the shotgun range. And oh, BTW, our Junkyard Dogs defeated the Marsh Rats in the annual Dump Cup Classic. Looking down the road, more shoots are planned including a combo shotgun / hand gun event. This paper-plate shoot has been held in the past and it proved to be very entertaining and well attended. It consists of two rounds of five stand followed by 50 rounds of hand gun with top gun shooting free. I ll let you know when its next up. If that s not enough, Bill Prince is attempting to revive Cowboy Action Shooting. Give him a holler if you are interested in this fun type of shooting. With all of the shooting activity, you may have noticed a very deliberate push to insure that all range safety rules are closely observed. We will continue to emphasize safety at all of our venues and more information will be presented at the April Membership meeting. Please attend this session if at all possible. Now that weather conditions have moderated its time to start thinking about improvements that are needed at the range. Winter has certainly taken its toll and repairs are needed. Mike Tolvanen, our Range Construction Officer, will be compiling a list of improvement projects

2 and is certainly going to need your help. We ve got a lot to do but virtually all of it depends on your willingness to pitch in. As always, we are anxious to hear from youze regarding the state of the range and what should be done to improve it. So, don t be bashful. Let us know what you think and we can get started. Send an or snail mail or better yet face to face at a monthly meeting or at the range. Let s get behind Mike and make our range a place to be proud of! Thomas Shamshak, Jr of S. Hamilton, MA; William MacPhail of Beverly Farms, MA; Michael Segien of Beverly, MA; Anthony Latauskas of Danvers, MA and Leonard Sousa of Peabody, MA. All new members were asked to report to the range for orientation on Saturday, April 19th. Those who cannot make it on that day were instructed to contact Bob Young for alternate arrangements. Easter, as you all know, is coming up soon As in the past we are asking our members to observe a quiet day at the range on Easter Sunday, April 24th. We make this request without bias toward any particular religion or ethnic group. Our intent is to simply be aware and respectful of community sensibilities. The range is certainly available for other activities, but, please refrain from the use of firearms. Secretary's Report That s it for now. Thanks for tuning in and above all... Stay Well!! Ed P Minutes of the General Membership Meeting March 15, 2011 Executive Board Attendance: Ed Pszenny: President Bill Terry: Vice President Ronayne Schild: Treasurer Rick Southgate: Secretary Mike Tolvanen: Range Construction Lane Mann: Range Officer Mike Pelonzi: Range Instructor *Absent Attendance was logged in as 23 members. Meeting came to order approximately 7:30 PM. In accordance with custom, the meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence to honor all our deceased members and for all our men and women serving in the armed services fighting for our freedom. Call for New Members There was a call for new members. All stood and told membership a little about themselves and why they wanted to join. All appropriate documentation having been received, a motion was made and seconded to accept all six as new members. Welcome to Peter Creighton of Manchester, MA; Rick requested comment and/or suggestions regarding the February meeting notes as published in the March newsletter. None being offered a motion to accept the meeting notes as published was made seconded and passed on a voice vote. Rick reported on membership renewals. To date there are still about 30 members who have not renewed. Total current membership is 240 with 6 new members being added this month. This meeting marks the deadline for renewal. A surcharge of $10/month will be added to the cost of renewal starting now. Treasurer's Report Ronayne presented balances of all accounts including expenses to date. A motion was made and seconded to accept the treasurer's report. Range Construction Officer Mike Tolvanen reports that some casting lanes have been cut at the pond and that work will continue at the next work party. The floor in the clays shed will be replaced. The floor is already built and just needs to be scribed to fit. Mike asked for a motion to replace the wood backstop and add a sound attenuation 8 ft wall along left side of pistol. A motion to accept was made and seconded. A motion to accept was made and seconded. Conservation No Report.

3 Range Officer Essex County League Lane reports that the ranges have been open despite the severe weather. Thanks to all who have helped with equipment and shoveling. Mike Tolvanen reports on the Essex County League Meeting regarding the Martin Burns Subdivision. It was decided that 20 lots would be going in causing a 500' buffer zone. Sportsmen will lose about 500 acres of hunting grounds. They are also trying to get a moratorium on the Crane Pond area. There were 25 shooters at the Spam and Egg shoot. The Dogs won the Dump Cup trophy and Top Gun went to Joe Crowell who shot lights out. The St. Patrick's Day shoot has been re-scheduled from Wednesday to Thursday, March 17th due to the weather. Lane also asks members to please police safety and membership violations. Please take it seriously and report any violations. Any member found breaking club safety rules would be eligible for expulsion. Please also be aware of the club's hours of operation, which are posted at pistol/rifle as well as at shotgun. If you are uncomfortable with speaking to a suspected violator, record the license plate tag on their vehicle. Brian Lobelenz reports that due to his inability to predict his work schedule the military shoot will have to be postponed. He also reports that volunteers are needed for safety and instruction. The pistol shoots need a lot of patrolling. The Parker River Wildlife Refuge is trying to purchase Sandy Point on Plum Island. Massachusetts's saltwater licenses are good in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Stripers Forever is announcing its Mycobacteriosis Research Initiative, an effort to raise funds to further mycobacteriosis research at VIMS (Virginia Institute of Marine Science ). According to VIMS, 75% of the striped bass in Chesapeake Bay - the striper's principal spawning ground - carry the infectious disease and may eventually die from it. Without question this situation poses a serious threat to the future of the striped bass all along the Atlantic Coast. Legislation was discussed on possibility of archery hunting on Sundays. Environmental Stewardship Lane reports that the club's clay order is being delivered on Wednesday, March 30th at noon and Wednesday, April 13th around noon. Volunteers are needed to form a human chain to get the clays into their storage areas. Anyone able to help out should contact Lane. Safety Instructor The next Safety Class will take place on Sunday, March 27th. Mike reports that it has been difficult this winter due to the large amounts of ice and snow. No report. New Business The club received an invoice for Liability Insurance. Ed asked for a motion for $2615 but could be as much as $3015 because of the potential increase for tree stands and platforms at archery. Motion made and approved by a voice vote. Ed announced that member William Harris will rent the club on Friday, April 15th through Saturday, April 16th for a camp out of the Yankee Beamers Motorcycle Club. Rick and Joanne Southgate have reserved the shotgun range for private sporting lessons on Saturday, April 16th. The format used in the past was a 1.5 hour private lesson including targets. You must bring your own ammo, gun, and eye and

4 ear protection. The cost is estimated to be around $190/person. Anyone interested should contact, Rick, or Joanne, or by phone at Discussion of the efforts of Stripers Forever led to a motion by Rick Southgate to donate $250 to the cause. Motion made, passed and accepted by a voice vote. S.1224 "An Act Relative to a Study Commission on GPS Locators in Firearms." the legislation would create a commission to study the "feasibility" of GPS locators in firearms. This concept is not a new one, but what has caused quite a stir is that GOAL was named to part of the proposed commission. Several members have contacted the office about it with great concern. We have assured everyone that contacted us that we are not supporting the legislation and certainly did not request to be part of the proposed commission. Old Business The Treasurer has requested that an expense report must be included for reimbursement of funds, no exceptions. The Treasurer will not cut check without proper documentation. Discussion was held on the WIP program and how to document projects. Ed emphasized the fact that prior approval from the Range Construction Officer must be obtained for all WIP projects. He and Mike also would like to encourage participation and welcome anyone wishing to give a helping hand. Remember that 10 hours of WIP credit will get you $100 off your next years renewal dues. Goal MassGunLawReform.com is GOAL s website dedicated to reforming and rewriting MA gun laws. GOAL's Civil Rights and Public Safety Act is now H Write to your legislators in support of this important bill. Follow these bills closely! At this time we are waiting for the various committees to organize and schedule hearings for these bills. When it comes time to take action we will alert our membership at once. S.1195, "An Act Regarding the Prevention of Illegal Trafficking and Gun Violence among the Youth of the Commonwealth." Filed by Senator Sondra Chang-Diaz. Section 13 proposes to imprison for five years any retailer who accepts or KEEPS more than 15 handguns in a one year period. This legislation, if passed into law would shut down every gun shop in MA! Two Separate "One Gun a Month" - Lawful Citizens Imprisonment Act bills filed. We have talked about this bill for a decade now and everyone truly understands what an absurd proposal it is. Just the idea of placing blame and restrictions on lawful citizens in an attempt to control the actions of criminals is ludicrous. Finally some GOOD NEWS! MA State Rep Daniel Webster files "An Act Relative to the Sale of Firearms". This bill will curb the Massachusetts Attorney General's authority to regulate firearms under the consumer protection laws in Chapter 93A. GOAL CUP: Trap Shoot at Southboro Rod & Gun Club. April 16th, registration at 11:30; competition to begin at 12:30. Practice rounds will be available. $40 for 50 birds and lunch. Limited to 50 shooters, trophies include overall high, high female, high junior, and high team. Last week, H.R. 822, was introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.). The measure would allow any person with a valid state-issued concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state (currently 48 states) that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms. A state's laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within its borders. The bill also applies to Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. H.R. 822 would not create a federal licensing system. Rather, it would require the states to recognize each others' carry permits, just as they recognize drivers' licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards.

5 Winchester/Olin ammunition recall: Ranger.223 Remington 64 grain PowerPoint rifle ammunition. Reason given: It may contain incorrect propellant. Lot #s with last 4 characters of D01, D11, D21, D31, D41, and D51. Ammunition also carries the symbol number RA223R2. (886) Classified Good of the Order Ronayne announced information on a Blanket Drive for Afghan our troops. It seems our troops are giving their blankets to indigenous families to keep warm. A motion to spend $400 on blankets to send to our troops was made, seconded and approved on a voice vote. Ronayne will purchase the blankets and send them. Meeting Adjournment Ed Pszenny asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 pm. The motion was made, seconded and passed on a voice vote. Please be advised that as a courtesy, members in good standing of the HWRGC will be offered the following discounts at Magnum Sporting Goods: 5% 10% 10% 10% off all Firearms off all Ammunition off all Accessories off all Fishing Supplies (except bait) In order to receive these discounts the member must present a valid HWRGC membership card at the time of sale.

6 Old Ammo They are all I'm not much of an ammo historian and thought someone in the club may know something about them. The box to me is the cool part of the find. All the latches and hinges work well, the leather handle is broken. My neighbor said he has had them since he left the military and he is 75. Pictures below: Jeremey - tel: Please call to discuss member discounts! FOR SALE Ponsness Warren Shotshell Reloader B loader, extra tooling head, 20 and 12 GA dies, assorted shot and powder bushings, extended primer tray and cover, shovel handle, shell catch bucket, canvas cover, instruction manual, reloading book, assorted tools, some powder tins, gauge hulls, some primers. The unit is practically new and has only had about 1-2 cases of shells run through it and is excellent condition. At retail this system would retail for well over $1200. Selling the lot for $450 or BO. 140 Mt. Vernon St. Boston, MA (h)

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