Where to begin? Friends, it's been a VERY busy quarter.
MSSA has adopted a policy to provide financial support for shooting teams to represent Missouri in National Matches (Contact: Kent Finlay), has provided financial support for training to those interested in making NRA programs such as "Refuse To Be A Victim" more available to Missourians (Contact: Grace Leinberger), continues to support the MO Youth Hunter Education Challenge through our sponsorship of the Light Hunting Rifle Challenge at the State Championship Matches (Contact: myself or Jan Morris), is making preparations for the 1998 MSSA Smallbore Competition Shooting Camp (Contact: John Leinberger), is working to acquire liability insurance coverage to better accommodate MSSA programs, those that participate in them and the facilities they require (Contact: myself; UPDATE: EVERY MSSA MEMBER IS NOW INDIVIDUALLY COVERED BY A $1,000,000 LIABILITY POLICY WHILE PARTICIPATING IN ANY OFFICIAL MSSA ACTIVITY!), has been more active in influencing MO legislative activity this session than I personally can recall it ever being before (Contact: myself or Tim Oliver), our internet website (http://www.geocities.com/~mssa/) has become an invaluable tool in keeping Missouri shooters updated with what we're up to and along the way has also become one of our most productive membership recruiting methods (Contact: myself), and with this issue is trying a new method of printing and mailing The Missouri Shooter to improve printing quality and timeliness of delivery while reducing costs and workload to the Association. (*Whew* Deep breath...) Contact? Maybe you. Want a volunteer job as Chief Editor?
Most of the items above I address in other articles in this newsletter, but I do want to take a few lines of print to talk about the newsletter itself.
For the past three years, Paul Fitzgerald and Bob Sliger have taken it on themselves to see to it that MSSA Members got a newsletter of substance every quarter. (Take a sec and send 'em a Thank You!) As Chief Editor, Paul would collect articles of interest from various sources including those submitted by Members, write a pretty impressive amount of copy himself, and edit it all into the Shooter we've all come to expect. Bob, as Assistant Editor and Distribution Manager, would handle all the copying, labeling, stamping, folding and mailing to see to it that you actually received it, on time, every time. They have worked very hard for MSSA, but the time is here for some new blood to step in and carry the load. Perhaps you?... We have, with this issue, started utilizing the services of a commercial printer and mailer, so the tasks Bob always handled are covered. For the past few issues, Melissa Mata has taken the text that Paul supplied and formatted it into clean copy ready for reproduction, and says she's willing to keep doing so, so we've got that base covered. What we need is an Editor, someone to see to it that she has text copy to work from each issue, whether reproduced from other sources, submitted by Members or other individuals, or even original works from the Editor. If this sounds like a task you're ready to take on, let me know ASAP, and please send any future contributions for publication to: MSSA, PO Box 10170, Columbia, MO 65205. And to Paul and Bob: A very sincere thanks for all your work, gentlemen. Best wishes, and good shooting!
Another call for assistance: our Treasurer, Jim Roan Sr., passed away last December, and I have served as Acting Treasurer since that time. There are positions open on the Board of Directors at this time (they are filled by Presidential appointment, between elections), and I'm looking for a very responsible someone interested in filling that role, as our Treasurer and voting Member of the Board of Directors. Please let me know ASAP if that sounds like your cup of tea. Since assuming the job, I have entered all of our account information into the computer program I had handy, MSMoney.
Finally, a reminder: why MSSA exists. I use the below text as my signature line on most emails I send to MO Legislators, as it serves to remind both them and me of just what it is MSSA represents. Please take a few moments to read and consider it, feel free to judge anything the MSSA Board of Directors does against its standard, and above all reflect on whether an organization dedicated to these purposes is one you should be more actively supporting and involved with.
Thanks,
Steve McGhee
A) To promote and defend the individual citizen's right to keep and bear arms for all legitimate purposes.
B) To promote and further marksmanship training and competitions in the use of rifle, pistol, shotgun and archery equipment to the end that such skill shall be of use and benefit in defense of person, property, state and nation, and in all shooting sports.
C) It shall be the further purpose of this Association to promote and perpetuate the legal sport of hunting.
Article IV, MSSA Bylaws
Established 1928
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Tournament Sponsors: Get those match dates turned in to MSSA if you want them published. Match results also--we will try to publish every match results bulletin we receive.
Next MSSA Meeting: The Association's next Board of Directors meeting will be Sat May 2, 10 AM. It will be held at the Runge Nature Center, which is located on Hwy 179 just around the corner from MDC Headquarters, in Jeff City. All MSSA members are welcome AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND!!
Newsletter: The next issue of THE SHOOTER will go out near the end of July 1998. The cutoff date for material to be sent to the editor & included is July 15, 1998.
Notice to Clubs and Other State Associations: You may reprint any material found in The Shooter, as long as you reference where it came from and the date. ALSO, change your mailing address to: MSSA, PO Box 10170, Columbia, MO 65205.
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Call to order by President McGhee at 1:02PM.
Present were S. McGhee, H. Miederhoff, P. Fitzgerald, L. Koester, R. Bull, R. Morris, J. Leinberger, G. Leinberger, K. Finlay, W. Corbett, and M. Behnke. Guests included Melissa Mata (newsletter formatter) and Gregg Pearre (NRA Field Rep).
Announcement by McGhee: Tickets available for purchase chances on an M1-A rifle. The raffle is to support Junior HP shooting and the service rifle team.
Fitzgerald used a model of production of the F/A-18 aircraft to lead into an appeal for grassroots unity and teamwork for work on various groups common goals regarding gun rights ownership. Mention of a need for all groups to unite under one umbrella organization and eliminate duplication of effort. Do not let National conflicts (LaPierre vs. Knox) influence what is best for Missouri.
Pearre comments: ILA has total legislative jurisdiction for the state. MSSA might be the best for the unifying group because of its open membership. McGhee stated that MSSA will work with the other groups. MOLIC might be the best umbrella group.
McGhee reported that he attended the NRA State Association workshop in November.
Miederhoff reported that membership records had 133 in the "Life, Benefactor, Complimentary" file, 11 clubs with current affiliation, and 354 on the annual member list. Of those annual members, 33 had memberships that expired in December and January. If they do not renew, they will be sent notices near the end of February.
Behnke moved that McGhee serve as interim Treasurer until a new one is elected or appointed. Seconded by J. Leinberger. Motion passed.
McGhee reported that the current balance in the checking account is $4415.92 with no changes in the CD's.
Finlay (XO) reported 4 requests for State Championships. He is still working on the tranfer of XO materials from Fred Smith.
Steve appointed Don Ball of the Benchrest Club chairperson for benchrest shooting. He is getting weekly legislative reports from CFM. He also has short program from NRA on how clubs can have more effective public relations.
Newsletter: Fitzgerald gives Melissa Mata credit for the formatting. McGhee says there is a need to have a list of Directors and Committee Chairs in each issue with contact information. List web site and e-mail addresses. Possibility of 6 issues? Sell advertising? List affiliation with USA shooting and CMP along with NRA and CFM. McGhee is working with an individual who could take care of copying and mailing of newsletter under a bulk mail permit. This could result in some savings to MSSA.
J. Leinberger, along with McGhee, assisted a JC scout troop earn shooting merit badges. He testified at legislative hearing, along with David Jones, about Eddie Eagle program. He said the rifle camp will be June 25-28 at MMA in Mexico provided liability insurance is in force. McGhee appointed an adhoc committee to look into insurance; included were McGhee, J. Leinberger, G. Leinberger, Fitzgerald, and Behnke.
McGhee is taking on the special events chairpersonship.
No old business.
New Business: Motion by Koester, second by G. Leinberger, that MSSA unite with group that investigates Federal Judicial appointments and recommends against those nominees who might be political activists. Motion passed.
Discussion of MSSA providing scholarships for Missouri youths to attend the Junior Shooting Camp. Need for more information and criteria.
Motion to adjourn passed at 3:52PM.
Next meeting will be May 2 at Runge Center at 10AM.
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This is just a brief collection of useful information that you can quote from any time you get into those inevitable "gun control makes us all safer" discussions... no guarantee you'll be listened to, of course, but good references to valid data and scientifically-conducted, peer-reviewed studies always seem more credible than the old reliable "Yeah? Says you!"
From the National Safety Council ("Accident Facts: 1996 Edition) and the
National Center for Health Statistics (all rates cited are per 100,000
people in the U.S. Population):
The U.S. Fatal Firearm Accident rate peaked in 1904 at just under 3.5, and
has steadily declined ever since, reaching another record low in 1995
(latest data available) at 0.5. You're 33 times more likely to be killed in an auto accident (16.7), 9 times more likely to die of a fall (4.8), 8
times as likely to die of accidental poisoning (4.0), 3 times as likely to
die drowning or in a fire (1.7 and 1.6 respectively), and over twice as
likely to die choking on an ingested object or as a result of medical
mishaps (aka malpractice), at 1.1 each. The next time you hear some medical professional preaching the need for trigger lock or "criminal storage" laws, remember this: they're over twice as likely to accidentally kill you than any gun.
From Criminologist Gary Kleck, Florida State University (Point Blank: Guns and Violence in America, Aldine de Gruyter, 1991):
Firearms are used an estimated 2.5 million times a year in the U.S. by
private citizens to successfully defend themselves against criminal attack, and in 400,000 of those cases "almost certainly" saved their life by doing so. That absolutely dwarfs the sum totals of murderous, suicidal and accidental firearm deaths annually in America, yet is never mentioned in news coverage of the issue.
From Professor John R. Lott Jr. (Crime, Deterrence, and Right-to-Carry
Concealed Handguns, by John R. Lott Jr. and David B. Mustard, University
of Chicago, 1996), the abstract for the referenced paper (Journal of Legal
Studies, January 1997):
"Using cross-sectional time-series data for U.S. counties from 1977 to
1992, we find that allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons deters
violent crimes, without increasing accidental deaths. If those states
without right-to-carry concealed gun provisions had adopted them in 1992,
county- and state-level data indicate that approximately 1,500 murders
would have been avoided yearly. Similarly, we predict that rapes would
have declined by over 4,000, robbery by over 11,000, and aggravated
assaults by over 60,000. We also find criminals substituting into property
crimes involving stealth, where the probability of contact between the
criminal and victim is minimal. Further, higher arrest rates and
conviction rates consistently reduce crime. The estimated annual gain from
all remaining states adopting these laws was at least $5.74 billion in
1992. The annual social benefit from an additional concealed hand gun
permit is as high as $5,000."
And my own recent favorite, from the same John Lott (March 27, 1998 Wall Street Journal, Page A14, The Real Lessons of the School Shootings), which make some pretty interesting points:
(P1) "This week's horrific shootings in Arkansas have, predictably, spurred calls for more gun control. But it's worth noting that the shootings occurred in one of the few places in Arkansas where possessing a gun is illegal. Arkansas, Kentucky and Mississippi - the three states that have had deadly shootings in public schools over the past half-year - all allow law-abiding adults to carry concealed handguns for self-protection, except in public schools. Indeed, federal law generally prohibits guns within 1,000 feet of a school."
(P6) "Together with my colleague William Landes, I have studied multiple-victim public shootings in the U.S. from 1977 to 1995. These were incidents in which at least two people were killed or injured in a public place; to focus on the type of shooting seen in Arkansas we excluded shootings that were the byproduct of another crime, such as robbery. The U.S. averaged 21 such shootings per year, with an average of 1.8 people killed and 2.7 wounded in each one."
(P7) "We examined a whole range of different gun laws as well as other methods of deterrence, such as the death penalty. However, only one policy succeeded in reducing deaths and injuries from these shootings - allowing law-abiding citizens to carry concealed handguns."
(P8) "The effect of "shall-issue" concealed handgun laws - which give adults the right to carry concealed handguns if they do not have a criminal record or a history of significant mental illness - has been dramatic. Thirty-one states now have such laws. When states passed them during the 19 years we studied, the number of multiple-victim public shootings declined by 84%. Deaths from these shootings plummeted on average by 90%, injuries by 82%. Higher arrest rates and increased use of the death penalty slightly reduced the incidence of these events, but the effects were never statistically significant."
(P11, Conclusion) "Attempts to outlaw guns from schools, no matter how well meaning, have backfired. Instead of making schools safe for children, we have made them safe for those intent on harming our children. Current school policies fire teachers who even accidentally bring otherwise legal concealed handguns to school. We might consider reversing this policy and begin rewarding teachers who take on the responsibility to help protect children"
That should do pretty well for a start... the right to keep and bear arms is not only a Constitutionally-protected civil right, it's good public policy for the safety of all law abiding Americans. The message for legislators? Fight mandated storage schemes for firearms. Fight (repeal!) the notion of "gun-free zones". And pass concealed carry. Ahem. DO IT FOR THE CHILDREN! (Just HAD to throw that in!)
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May 9 9AM Highpower May 16 9AM PPC Jun 20 8AM Bullseye 2700 Jul 11 9AM Bullseye 900 Jul 18 9AM PPC Aug 1 9AM Bowling Pin Aug 8 9AM Highpower Aug 15 8AM Bullseye 2700 Sep 5 9AM PPC Oct 4 1PM Highpower Oct 17 8AM Bowling Pin Oct 31 8AM NRA Sight-in day Contacts: PPC - Mike Brewer or Howard Gillam Bullseye - Shawn Lawson Highpower - Pat Pater Bowling Pin - Ken Bryant
(PageMaster's Note: See also the MSSA Match Schedules page.)
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As I write this, the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1891, a concealed-carry Bill with a referendum for April, 1999 is looking more and more like a done deal. (Sponsor) Rep. Wayne Crump has done an extraordinary job of getting House support for both the Bill and the referendum it includes. In spite of our absolutely filling the Hearing Room on March 25 with opponents of the referendum (only Rep. Crump testified for the referendum. Representatives of CFM, MSSA, WMSA, SACMO and MOLIC testified in opposition to the referendum, while St. Louis County and Jefferson County Sheriffs testified to wanting more of the money. A show of hands indicated unanimous opposition to the referendum by those not testifying.), the Committee met just 1 day later to pass it with the referendum intact.
(For what it's worth, NRA-ILA has officially declared itself neutral on the issue. Some now call for financial boycotts of NRA-ILA. I urge your continued support of NRA-ILA, in spite of our disagreement of what constitutes an acceptable method to pass CCW in Missouri. Remember, they're still the most effective voice you have in Washington.) Also, many of our supporters in the House and Senate will be term-limited out in 2000, want to get CCW on the books in Missouri during their watch, and believe the referendum is the only way to accomplish that. We may not be able to get the referendum stripped on the House or Senate floors, or to sustain a filibuster of the Bill to kill it. Like it or not, you may get the chance to vote on concealed carry in MO a year from now. (I won't take bets on which is the next of your Constitutional rights the legislature may see fit to subject to expensive popularity contests.) So, here we are.
Tim Oliver (MOLIC Legislative Strategist and past MSSA Legislative Issues Chair) has in past years taken off work with no pay to lobby in support of the interests of MO gun owners at the Capitol. He's decided to work lobbying again during this critical period in the legislative session, to keep HB1891 (and any other CCW Bills or others affecting MO gun owners) as clean as possible, so that if we do go to a vote next April in spite of our efforts, we will at least have a Bill that we can all honestly support and campaign for, instead of something we force ourselves to swallow because it beats the alternative (no CCW law in Missouri). Tim is giving up an estimated $8,000 in income as a result, something his family can not afford for him to do. I encourage every MSSA Member that is able to contribute $50 (or more) for this purpose, every MSSA Affiliated Club to consider a $500 (or more) contribution, and I will ask the MSSA Board of Directors to consider a $2,000 stipend earmarked for legislative activism in MO on behalf of MO gun owners, which may also be used to support Tim's efforts as needed. You can contact Tim at (573) 442-6333 for more information. If you'd like to contribute to this cause through MSSA, send your check or money order to:
MSSA - CCW
P.O. Box 10170
Columbia, MO 65205
To contribute directly to Tim, send to:
Tim Oliver - CCW
DARES International
2000 E Broadway Suite 307
Columbia, MO 65205
Another Bill to watch is HB1124 - Rep. Sue Shear's trigger lock Bill. This Bill has repeatedly failed in past years, but there is the sentiment among some that the legislature may just give it to her this time as a going away present (she's retiring after a VERY long stint as MO Representative). Please contact your MO Rep. and Senator, and suggest it would be more appropriate to buy her a bouquet of flowers, a watch, or even throw her a party (out of their own pockets, of course) than to screw around with criminal law as a gesture.
FYI, here's the nickel summary of some MSSA positions taken on specific Bills so far this legislative session:
HB908 - Hunter Ed. Exemption
Rep. Bill Luetkenhaus - OPPOSE
HB1061 - Adult Responsibility for Youth Actions
Rep. Charles Gross - OPPOSE (Withdrawn)
HB1124 - Gun Free Zones
Rep. Sue Shear - OPPOSE
HB1433 - Permit Exemption
Rep. Fred Pouche - SUPPORT
HB1445 - Gun Free Zones
Rep. Brian H. May - OPPOSE (Defeated)
HB1484 - Gun Free Zones
Rep. David L. Reynolds - OPPOSE
HB1585 - Expansion of Safe Schools Act
Rep. Philip Smith - OPPOSE
HB1891 - Concealed Carry with Referendum
Rep. Wayne F. Crump - OPPOSE Referendum
HCR10 - Promoting Eddie Eagle Program
Rep. Wayne F. Crump - SUPPORT
HJR35 - Expands MO RKBA
Rep. Kelly Parker - SUPPORT
SB737 - Gun Free Zones
Sen. Betty Sims - OPPOSE
SB863 - Concealed Carry with Referendum
Sen. Peter Kinder - OPPOSE Referendum
SB879 - Gun Free Zones
Sen. Phil B. Curls - OPPOSE
SB960 - Concealed Carry with Referendum
Sen. Harold Caskey - OPPOSE Referendum
Our position statements as sent to the legislators can be accessed at our MSSA internet website, at http://www.geocities.com/~mssa/molegiss.htm
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MSSA will be holding an NRA Shooting Sports Camp at the Missouri Military Academy, Mexico, MO, on June 25-28, 1998. Camps are a family affair--everyone can attend! During this competition shooting camp, participants will learn about compitition shooting, governing rules, selection and use of equipment, and how to hone and refine the skills and techniques that give a competitive edge in matches, tournaments, and championships. The camp program is designed for international smallbore rifle.
Focusing on safety and firearm education, camps provide adults, youth, families, hunters, sportsmen--literally everyone--the opportunity to come together under a formal program to learn, experience, share, and grow in appreciation of the shooting sports. They provide exposure to the many different activities available in shooting sports and offer camp participants the opportunity to explore them in a safe, controlled environment. For more info, contact John Leinberger.
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I've gotten into a number of interesting email dialogues with MO legislators during the course of this session, some gratifying, some infuriating, but all interesting. I felt comments made during one such recent exchange with Rep. David Levin were downright challenging, and with his permission I reproduce excerpts from his emails here for your consideration (Note: Rep. Levin sent me every message in all caps. I left them that way. Ahem. You know, so you can recognize his handwriting.):
"REP. SHEAR'S BILL WAS VOTED "DO PASS" THIS MORNING IN CRITICAL ISSUES COMMITTEE. I VOTED "NO". I SURE WISH YOU WOULD HELP ME I.D. YOUR FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT SO I CAN KEEP THEM POSTED. I GUARANTEE YOU MY OPPONENT WILL USE THIS "NO" VOTE TO TRY TO PAINT HE AS A BAD GUY! I NEED THE SUPPORT OF THOSE WHO WANT TO KEEP A REP. FIGHTING FOR THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS!"
"I UNDERSTAND YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A LIST OF YOUR MEMBERS. IF YOUR MEMBERS WANT TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS THEY NEED TO DO WHAT OTHERS DO. THEY NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR REPS AND SENATORS. THEY ALSO NEED TO GET INVOLVED IN THEIR LOCAL CAMPAIGNS IE HAMMERING IN YARD SIGNS, LICKING STAMPS, KNOCKING ON DOORS AND YES, WRITING A CHECK TO HELP WITH ALL THE EXPENSES OF A CAMPAIGN. IF EVERYONE WOULD DO A LITTLE THE LOAD WOULD BE LIGHT. THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE ARE THOSE WHO WIN IN THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT. WHY IS IT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS. MAYBE THEIR AREN'T ANY IN MY DISTRICT."
"THE FACT IS THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FORM OF GOVERNMENT HAVE TREMENDOUS POWER IN DETERMINING WHAT HAPPENS. MY SUPPORTERS TEND TO WANT LESS GOV'T. TAXES, REGULATIONS, ETC. IT'S HARD FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE BY GOV'T. TO GET REAL INVOLVED. THE PROBLEM IS IF THEY DON'T GET INVOLVED THE OTHERS WHO WANT MORE OF ALL THE THINGS LISTED ABOVE ARE INVOLVED AND THEY WILL GET WHAT THEY WANT IE MORE OF EVERYTHING."
"GETTING INVOLVED MIGHT MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT VARIOUS STAGES IN THEIR LIFE. IT MIGHT MEAN TOTAL COMMITMENT TO JUST WRITING A CHECK. EVERYONE CAN WRITE A CHECK FOR $5 TO $275. ANYONE CAN HELP WITH MAILINGS ETC. EACH PERSON DECIDES HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE. THE PROBLEM IS ONLY A FEW PARTICIPATE TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF MANY. ALL WE NEED IS FOR EVERY ONE OF THE "GOOD GUYS" TO DO A LITTLE. WE'RE LOOKING FOR A LOT OF GOOD MEN AND WOMEN TO DO A LITTLE. BELIEVE ME OUR FREEDOM IS AT STAKE. THE BILLS IN JEFFERSON CITY THIS YEAR ALONE ARE AN ADVANCEMENT OF SOCIALISM AND LOSS OF PERSONAL FREEDOM. IF PEOPLE WAIT UNTIL GOV'T. IS AT THEIR DOOR IT WILL BE TOO LATE! BELIEVE ME THE GOV'T HAS TAKEN YOUR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND THEY ARE ABOUT TO MARCH DOWN YOUR STREET!"
"ABRAHAM LINCOLN SAID "THE BALLOT IS STRONGER THAN THE BULLET." YOUR MEMBERS MUST ENGAGE THEMSELVES IN THE BATTLE OF THE BALLOT NOW!!!"
Sobering reading. A call to arms, no less. Think about it, my friends, then think some more. Our future IS what we make of it, and our grandchildren's as well. And, thanks to Rep. Levin for allowing me to reprint his comments.
Steve
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This issue is going out to addresses we currently have for you. MSSA would like to exchange newsletters with as many NRA State Associations as possible, and have reciprocal privileges to reprint content. If this is NOT going to the correct address (your current Editor, generally) please send it on to the appropriate person, and advise us of the correct person and address to send it to. Also, please have whoever handles YOUR mailing list to update us to: MSSA, PO Box 10170, Columbia, MO 65205. If we do NOT hear from you during the coming quarter at all, we will assume you are not interested in exchanging newsletters, and drop you from our mailing list without further contact. Thanks!
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If you have internet access, I encourage you to visit the MSSA website at http://www.geocities.com/~mssa/. There you will find timely notices of meetings and other MSSA goings on, appropriate maps, current competitive match schedules for many of our affiliated clubs, online copies of our newsletter, a page devoted to MO legislative issues, lists of our Directors and Chairpersons (with email links where possible), even a copy of our bylaws so you can occasionally refer back to see if we as an organization are doing the job we're supposed to be doing. Don't have net access? GET IT! Really.
Also, I maintain an email list of those who want me to copy to them all the legistuff I'm involved in, whether action alerts or letters to specific legislators or committees. If you'd like to join that particular little circle of online armchair activists, just send me an email at [email protected], telling me you're an MSSA member that wants to stay updated on MO legislative issues. Often, this means you'll get notices of when and where specific public hearings are being held, along with the full email list of legislators who sit on the committee that's hearing it. Just hit "Reply to All" in your email program, and you're all set to give the appropriate legiscritters a piece of your mind!
See y'all on the net...
Book Review coming Next Issue:
"The Concealed Handgun Manual"
by Chris Bird, Privateer Publications, 1997
Preview: This one's well worth adding to your bookshelf. Better yet: READ IT. Twice.
Also Next Issue:
Steve's Primer on contacting legiscritters.
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The Civilian Marksmanship Program has a publication, The First Shot, that is mailed out to all affiliated clubs, and it appears to be a first rate publication; you should ask your club officers to make copies available. In the Jan 1998 issue, much was written about the M-1 Garand, and it looks like they are going to have regular columns about the M-1. Some of the material in that issue appears below:
CMP is considering the following:
- Individual memberships in CMP
- Multiple sales of M-1 rifles to qualified individuals (1 rifle per year)
- Making available rifles on a "graded" basis, the grading might be: 1) Un-issued, complete and original. All parts matching as they left the armory. 2) Armory/Arsenal Rebuild: new or near new barrel, excellent finish, good wood but no guarantee of any matching parts. 3) Standard service grade: An M-1 rifle now sold through the CMP. Serviceable, but no guarantee of any matching parts, wood may show normal wear for an issued arm, finish may be worn, bore good with no pits, throat erosion not to exceed "5". 4) Wallhanger grade. This rifle would be safe to shoot (headspace OK) but NO guarantee on bore or metal condition/finish. Stock will not be cracked. Throat erosion may exceed 5. This M1 would be an excellent "do-it-yourself" kit for rebuilding into a match rifle. Obviously the finer grades would cost more than the Wallhanger grade, but the additional revenue would allow us to sell the lower grades for a more affordable price.
John Garand Match
The CMP has created the "John Garand Rifle Match," for as issued, "rack grade" U.S. Rifles, caliber .30, 7.62 NATO (.308 Win), and caliber .30 carbine (no 5.56mm rifles will be allowed).
The following rules will apply:
- No national match models
- No heavy barrels
- No weighted stocks
- No glass bedding
- No sticky substance on the rifle or mat
- No spotting scopes will be allowed during the firing of rapid fire stage
- Rifles to be "as issued"
- Ball ammo will be issued on the line
- No alibis during rapid fire stage
- Only wooden stocks will be allowed
- Will be fired at 200 yards
Course of fire: Two sighting shots in 2 minutes, ten shots slow fire prone in ten minutes, ten shots rapid fire sitting (from standing) in 70 seconds, ten shots standing in ten minutes.
M-1 Garand WWII Production Totals
Springfield Armory- 3,526,922 (produced from 1932-1945)
Winchester - 513,880 (produced from 1941-1945)
Total WWII production = 4,040,802
M-1 Garand Post WWII Production Totals
Springfield Armory- 661,747 (produced from 1952-1956)
Harrington & Richardson - 428,600 (produced from 1953-1956)
International Harvester - 337,623 (produced from 1953-1956)
Total Post WWII production totals = 1,427,970
M-1 Production Numbers, Manufacturers, and Dates
Beginning # Ending # Manufacturer Year Contract Complete 1 100,000 Springfield Dec 1938 100,000 165,500 Winchester May 1942 165,501 865,500 Springfield Sept 1942 865,501 1,200,000 Springfield Feb 1943 1,200,001 1,261,260 Winchester Nov 1942 1,261,261 1,357,473 Winchester Jul 1943 1,357,474 2,305,849 Springfield Dec 1943 1,357,474 1,380,000 Duplicates by Win Jan 1943 2,305,850 2,655,849 Winchester Feb 1944 X2655982 X2656148 Rock Island Experimental 2,656,149 4,200,000 Springfield Oct 1945 4,200,001 4,399,999 Springfield 1952-1954 4,400,000 4,660,000 Int Harvester 1953-1955 4,660,001 4,800,000 Har & Richardson 1953-1955 4,800,000 4,999,999 Not assigned N/A 5,000,000 5,000,500 Springfield 1954 5,000,501 5,278,245 Int Harvester 1955-1956 5,278,246 5,488,246 Springfield 1954-1955 5,488,247 5,793,847 Har & Richardson 1955-1956 5,793,848 6,099,905 Springfield 1955-1957
Editor's note: Just for grins, I checked the serial number on my M-1, and found it was made by Springfield Armory around Sept 1942. When was your's made??
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