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California Rifle and Pistol Association

Sacramento, CA --(Ammoland.com)-December 7th was an important day for Gun Safari, firearms enthusiasts and Second Amendment supporters in Los Angeles.

A public hearing took place in Van Nuys in front of the local neighborhood council, which is one of the steps required during the application process for a conditional use permit-a requirement to operate as an FFL in Los Angeles.

It is well known to most firearm enthusiasts in the area that Los Angeles is not a Second Amendment friendly place anymore. Gun shops typically close here, not open, but with the support of Calguns, CRPA, NRA and all the supporters who showed up to let their presence be felt, it looks like that might be changing.

With a simple post on the Calguns forums, an e-mail notification by CRPA, and a flyer posted up at a local NRA meeting, we were able to get our message out to enthusiasts in our area who feel the same.

Going into the hearing we were very uncertain how the board was going to vote, we had met with them prior and were greeted by mixed opinions towards firearms. Multiple members displayed a fear and general misunderstanding of firearms/ammunition, and multiple members also stated they were simply worried about thefts, firearms winding up on the streets, and straw purchases. When our time came to be heard, one lone member who is the wife of an avid hunter, spoke on behalf of Gun Safari. Questions were asked mostly regarding security of the facility and a basic rundown of what items and services were planned on being offered by Gun Safari.

Gun Safari

It is my belief that what happened next is what swayed the vote. Members of the community in attendance were given the chance to voice their opinions, we had individuals speak in favor-not simply of a gun shop opening-but a business that will bring growth back to our community and bring a service people want back to a city that has sought the closure of such stores in the past.

After listening to their fellow community members speak, the board held a vote and passed a motion with a vote of 9-1 in favor of sending a recommendation of approval to the city council and zoning administrators for Gun Safari’s request of a conditional use permit to sell firearms and ammunition in the city of Los Angeles.

Overall the first of two hearings was a great success, with credit due to the wonderful pro-Second Amendment organizations we have operating, and most importantly the people who were willing to come out and make their voices count.

Details for the next and final meeting where a decision will be made are listed below.

• WHAT:
  Final public hearing considering allowing a new FFL in Van Nuys
• WHEN:
  Monday, January 23, 2012 at 2:00pm
• WHERE:
  6262 Van Nuys Blvd, Room 1B, Van Nuys, CA 91401
  (Click for map and directions.)

The California Rifle and Pistol Association “CRPA,” founded in 1875, is dedicated to defending the rights of law-abiding citizens to responsibly use firearms for self-defense and the defense of their loved ones, for sport, and for all other legal activities. CRPA is the official state association of the National Rifle Association. A California non-profit association, CRPA is independently directed by its own Board of Directors. CRPA’s members include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, professionals, firearm experts, the general public, and loving parents. CRPA has always worked to reduce the criminal misuse of firearms and firearms accidents, while actively promoting and organizing the competitive shooting sports and Olympic training programs in California. We are proud to say that many CRPA competitors are among the best in the world.

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Conservation plan protects endangered species; streamlined permitting benefits ratepayers.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the San Diego County Water Authority have entered into a long-term agreement that will help conserve San Diego County’s natural heritage for future generations while providing a more efficient endangered species permitting process for the Water Authority as it builds and maintains vital water supply infrastructure.

The Water Authority and the state and federal wildlife agencies signed an Implementing Agreement for a multiple species conservation plan, known as a Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP), that meets the requirements of the state’s Natural Community Conservation Planning Act and the federal Endangered Species Act.

The NCCP/HCP protects 63 plant and animal species and their habitats that may be adversely affected by the construction, operation, repair and maintenance of current and future Water Authority facilities. The 63 covered species include 26 plants, 13 birds, nine reptiles, eight mammals, five invertebrates and two amphibians.

Of the 63 covered species, 18 are currently listed as endangered or threatened pursuant to the state and/or federal Endangered Species Acts. Concurrent with signing the agreement, each wildlife agency issued the Water Authority an incidental take permit that allows limited impacts to those listed species. If any of the 45 covered species currently not listed as endangered or threatened become listed as such in the future, those species will automatically be added to the respective permit.

The comprehensive NCCP/HCP conservation strategy spans roughly 992,000 acres where covered activities could potentially occur in San Diego County and a small portion of south-central Riverside County. The Water Authority already has assembled 705 acres of preserve land to compensate for future impacts and the NCCP/HCP contains provisions for adding more preserve lands.

“This is a great example of innovative and effective environmental planning,” said Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Carlsbad Office. “Our three agencies worked closely and collaboratively to find a way to comprehensively address potential endangered species impacts from the Water Authority’s projects and activities.”

“The assembly, management, and monitoring of the preserve established under the Water Authority’s NCCP will augment and enhance the other biological preserves established under other approved regional NCCPs and several other habitat conservation plans that are in progress,” said Ed Pert, South Coast Regional Manager for the Department of Fish and Game. “We worked collaboratively with the parties involved in the NCCP/HCP to ensure that habitat protection measures would also satisfy the Water Authority’s vital mission to provide the San Diego region with a safe and reliable water supply.”

“The big benefit for our ratepayers is that this plan will save time and money as we build and operate current and future projects,” said Ken Weinberg, Director of Water Resources for the San Diego County Water Authority. “This plan precludes the need to obtain individual federal or state endangered species permits for each of our activities or projects. It also simplifies future compliance with state and federal endangered species regulations. We are very grateful and appreciative for the wildlife agencies’ help and guidance through this process.”

The state’s Natural Community Conservation Planning program and federal Habitat Conservation Plan process promote coordination and cooperation among public agencies, landowners, and other interested parties to minimize conflicts during construction and other activities that may affect endangered or threatened species. The long-term goals of such habitat conservation plans are to provide for the recovery and persistence of populations of covered species and the ecosystems on which they depend.

A copy of the plan is available at: www.sdcwa.org/habitat-conservation.

The San Diego County Water Authority is a public agency serving the San Diego region as a wholesale supplier of water from the Colorado River and Northern California. The Water Authority works through its 24 member agencies to provide a safe, reliable water supply to support the region’s $186 billion economy and the quality of life of 3.1 million residents.

The California Department of Fish and Game manages California‘s diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service.

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