National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative

Knoxville, TN --(Ammoland.com)- In November, I lamented a fundamental bobwhite conservation problem – most quail hunters just go away quietly, rather than stand up and work to restore their resource, their sport and their tradition.

I was not writing about Kim Price. Kim did not, would not go away. He tenaciously applied his skills and every means available to him to aid quail conservation, until the very end. He succumbed to cancer yesterday, at the age of 57.

Kim was a professional communicator and newspaper man, and a passionate quail hunter. His current primary day job was as president and publisher of The Wetumpka Herald newspaper, in Alabama.

When the “Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative” (NBCI) was published by the former Southeast Quail Study Group (SEQSG) in March 2002, Kim and his brother, Tim, perceived an opportunity and an urgent need to reach new audiences with information about quail traditions, conservation and the NBCI. On their own initiative, and at their own risk, the Price brothers promptly created a new monthly magazine devoted to bobwhite hunting and conservation, “Covey Rise,” which is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a circulation of more than 10,000.

Kim N. Price, editor and publisher of Covey Rise, passed away in the early afternoon Jan. 16.

Kim wanted to do more than just entertain quail hunters; he wanted to apply his communications skills to help the NBCI cause. From the start, he took a professional newsman’s approach to the new magazine by seriously engaging and offering his services to the SEQSG (now the National Bobwhite Technical Committee, NBTC). He actively participated in annual meetings of the NBTC and its Outreach Subcommittee, and solicited and readily published perspectives, management information and research findings from wildlife professionals all across the bobwhite range. The Prices added real value to the NBCI by connecting more professional quail conservationists with more quail hunters, helping grow the conservation movement.

The NBCI conservatively estimates more than 357,000 people still hunt bobwhites (“State of the Bobwhite” report, www.bringbackbobwhites.org). The potential power of so many passionate people with a presumably wide array of skills and assets could change the game for quail conservation. But that potential power will not become actual power unless many of those people follow Kim Price’s leadership and personal example. The NBCI provides a vision and a united strategy; but it needs the actual power of quail hunters like Kim and Tim Price to succeed.

Ironically, Kim’s last editorial – published October 2011 – highlighted concerns about quail mortality, while confronting his own. The bobwhite quail community has lost a leader, an ally and a friend. The world needs more Kim Prices.

My condolences to Tim and the rest of Kim’s family.

“NBCI… the unified strategy to restore wild quail”

About:
The National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) is the unified strategic effort of 25 state fish and wildlife agencies and various conservation organizations – all under the umbrella of the National Bobwhite Technical Committee – to restore wild populations of bobwhite quail in this country to levels comparable to 1980. Visit: www.bringbackbobwhites.org

Aaron S. Zelman Executive Director of JPFO (Passed)

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- A year ago today, the founder of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, Aaron Zelman, passed away.

His sudden absence from our midst sent a shock wave through the true hard core freedom community.

It is appropriate today to review the official tribute JPFO prepared in Aaron’s memory. Please make sure you read the heartfelt comments others sent in to us.

It is also very appropriate to read the interview done with Aaron on the 20th Anniversary of JPFO’s founding. So much about the man’s motivation and great vision is found in this interview.

And finally, please take the time to review the list of JPFO’s projects and accomplishments.

These were just some of the fruits of Aaron Zelman’s labor on our behalf.

He was a lion for freedom. May G-d rest his soul.

Yours in Freedom, The Liberty Crew at JPFO

Protecting you by creating solutions to destroy “gun control”

Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership

About:
Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership Mission is to destroy “gun control” and to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone. Those are the twin goals of Wisconsin-based Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). Founded by Jews and initially aimed at educating the Jewish community about the historical evils that Jews have suffered when they have been disarmed, JPFO has always welcomed persons of all religious beliefs who share a common goal of opposing and reversing victim disarmament policies while advancing liberty for all.

JPFO is a non-profit tax-exempt educational civil rights organization, not a lobby. JPFO’s products and programs reach out to as many segments of the American people as possible, using bold tactics without compromise on fundamental principles. Visit www.JPFO.org – Copyright JPFO 2011

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA --(Ammoland.com)- It is with a very heavy heart that I must report the passing of Jim Kadison, a wonderful friend and previous VCDL Board of Directors member.

Jim was diagnosed with a serious illness in late 2008 and stepped down from the Board of Directors in April of 2009 so that he could concentrate on his health.

Jim was a quiet, private, religious, moral, and very humble man who was passionate about protecting ALL of our rights. His small stature belied his giant spirit, a spirit that was unyielding when it came to speaking and defending the truth.

I’m sure that most VCDL members don’t know all the important contributions Jim has made over the years in protecting the right to keep and bear arms in Virginia, so I’ll share a few items with you.

A retired lawyer, Jim provided important legal advice and sage counsel to VCDL, keeping the organization on track and focused. Board member Bruce Jackson said this about Jim in an email to VCDL’s Executive members today, “Jim was a huge voice of reason on the Board. He could be counted on to completely change the outcome of a vote with insight and logic that, while obvious to him, could be elusive for the rest of us at times.”

Indeed, I turned to Jim more times than I can count to get clarity and guidance on one issue or another. Jim always stood ready and happy to help.

And it wasn’t just words of advice that Jim offered. Whenever anything came up that might require funds to achieve, be it a court battle or some miscellaneous VCDL project, Jim was right there offering financial support. Jim’s generous donations to pro-gun politicians kept many doors open for VCDL.

Board member Dennis O’Connor, in a list of things he emailed me about Jim, noted this:

“Jim was always the consummate gentleman. In most board meetings, and especially when debate became contentious, all of us at one time or another would speak out of turn or interject our points randomly. Never Jim – I can still see him sitting there for minutes at a time patiently waiting to speak while bursting at the seams to do so. He would hold up his hand up and wait to be acknowledged. He would never, ever interrupt even the interrupters.”

Finally, one of Jim’s major rolls in VCDL was being my right-hand man during the General Assembly session from January to March each year. He was often at the General Assembly Building when I couldn’t be because of my job. He would keep his eyes and ears open and notify me immediately should anything significant arise. Jim provided critical and timely legal guidance to me when bills were being modified on the fly in a subcommittee. (Often when that happens I have only a minute or two to decide on VCDL’s position on the modified bill – Jim sure made that job a whole lot easier!)

Jim’s funeral will be at 11 AM Wednesday at:

Jim was a kind soul and he will be greatly missed by all that got to know him. Rest in Peace my friend.

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

Marshall St. John

Signal Mountain, TN --(Ammoland.com)- Dr. Marshall Carlisle St. John, 63, of Signal Mountain, died on Friday, September 2, 2011, at a local hospital.

He was born September 23, 1947, in Marshalltown, Ia., the first of four children, to Virgil and the late Betty St. John.

Marshall was a National Merit Scholar at Mason City High School in Mason City, Ia. He chose to use his gifts as a servant of the Lord.

He graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Il. He obtained a Masters of Divinity at Faith Theological Seminary in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania in 1975. In 1987, he earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Mo.

Marshall was the pastor for the Bible Presbyterian Church of Concord, N.C., from 1976 – 1989. In August of 1989, he was called to be the minister at Wayside Presbyterian Church on Signal Mountain, a position he cherished until the day illness forced him into early retirement in June, 2011. He was appointed as Wayside’s Pastor Emeritus shortly thereafter.

In addition to his ministry, Pastor St. John also served the Lord through his love of classical music as a professional cellist. He was a former member of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, and was an alternate cellist in the CSO at the time of his passing.

He had many hobbies and loved his friends, family, and God.

Mouse Guns by Marshall St John

The family would like to thank Dr. Larry Schlabach, his staff, and the nurses and caregivers on the seventh floor of Erlanger Hospital who cared for Pastor St. John over the past few weeks.

Marshall was preceded in death by his mother, Betty St. John, and his sister, Leslie Jasperson, both of Le Grande, Ia.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Grace St. John; father, Virgil St. John, Le Grande, Ia.; daughter, Rebekah (Sloan) Rogers; son, David St. John; sister, Regan Kohls, Le Grande, Ia.; sister, Martha (Ed) Collins, Colby, Ks.; granddaughters, Elizabeth and Katherine Rogers.

Visitation will be held at Chattanooga Funeral Home, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn., on Monday, September 5, from 5-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Boulevard, Signal Mountain, Tn., on Tuesday, September 6, at 2 p.m. with Pastors Gary Phillips and Travis Hutchinson officiating.

A private graveside ceremony will be held on Wednesday, September 7.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests donations be made to Wayside World Missions, 2502 Fairmount Pike, Signal Mountain, Tn. 37377, or to the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, 701 Broad Street – Tivoli Center, Chattanooga, Tn. 37402.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- Bill Stevens, who worked for more than 40 years as Federal Premium Ammunition’s conservation manager, passed away Sunday.

He was 72. During his career, Stevens increased Federal’s support of 4-H and also helped launch the 4-H Shooting Sports Program.

The same program now reaching nearly 200,000 participants each year.

He was also instrumental in recruiting other members of the firearms industry to support the 4-H family, the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance and other successful programs.

Bill Stevens

NSSF greatly appreciates Bill’s outstanding contributions to the shooting sports and conservation over the years and extends its sympathy to his family.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Charlie Cutshaw will be remembered as a prolific weapons writer and long-time friend to Horus Vision. His profound expertise and passion for weaponry stemmed from decades of dedicated service to his country. His military service, Department of Defense intelligence experience, and police work spanned more than 30 years.

Horus Vision

San Bruno, CA --(Ammoland.com)- Charles Q. Cutshaw

Experience and Expertise
Charlie had the kind of insight into weaponry that can only be gained behind weapons themselves.

He actively served as a U.S. Army officer in Vietnam, where he received a Bronze Star.

He evaluated weapons and weapons systems for the US military, and had a distinguished career in public service with the U.S. Marine Corps at Quantico, Va.

After leaving full-time public service, Charlie retired to Alabama, serving as a reserve officer for the Killen, AL Police Department.

While not busy on the police force, Charlie generously dedicated himself to sharing his knowledge and love of weaponry. Admired and respected as a prolific writer and editor, he published countless articles in various weapons publications, including SWAT Magazine, Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement, Jane’s Ammunition Handbook, AmmoLand.com, Blackhawk, and more. He also authored books on historic Russian armaments and ammunition. For examples of his writing and passion, please visit our News page for links to several of his articles.

Charlie passed away quietly on June 12, 2011 when his family made the difficult decision to remove him from life support. He’d lost all cognitive functions as a result of a serious fall in his home two days earlier. Generous to the very end, his organs were donated as he’d desired. Charlie received full police honors with an Honor Guard and motorcade escort to his memorial site.

He’s survived by a loving family including numerous grandchildren, friends and colleagues in and out of the weapons industries, as well as the passel of rescued dogs he loved and adored.

Horus Vision appreciates and honors the life, memory, accomplishments and public contributions of our friend, Charles Q. Cutshaw. Thanks to our readers for joining us in this homage.

About:
Horus brings cutting-edge technology to long-range shooting to help you shoot farther with ultimate accuracy. Horus reticles, scopes, ballistics software and accessories offer a simpler solution for making fast, precise, bulls-eye hits consistently. Our easy-to-use reticle design and targeting software deliver dramatic improvements no matter what your skill level. Visit: www.horusvision.com

Sgt. 1st Class Jason Sargent, 39, of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, passed away June 25th after a battle against terminal cancer. He was a decorated member of the Service Pistol team and his last assignment was as the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the International Pistol team. (Photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- The Fort Benning community said goodbye to one of its own Thursday.

In a ceremony at the Main Post chapel, Soldiers, Family members and civilians gathered to pay their final respects to Sgt. 1st Class Jason Sargent, who lost his courageous battle against a terminal illness June 25.

Sargent, 39, was a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit for more than five years. He was a decorated member of the Service Pistol platoon as a member of several championship teams and earned several accolades including the Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge and the President’s Hundred tab. He also was the lead instructor in numerous close quarters marksmanship training courses, which raised the combat readiness of thousands of Soldiers.

In 2010 he was named the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the unit’s International Pistol platoon, tasked with preparing Soldiers in their pursuit of the 2012 Olympic Games while they simultaneously train Soldiers and showcase the Army.

“What I admired most about Jason was his caring leadership and his utmost consideration for others,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Hodne, commander, USAMU. “I personally selected him to lead. He had the ability to draw the best out of people who already thought they were the best.”

Born in Bar Harbor, Maine, Sargent enlisted in the Army in 1993 after graduating from Ellsworth High School of Ellsworth, Maine, in 1990 and studying professional aeronautics at Embry Riddle University. His initial assignment was at Fort Rucker as an aerial observer with the 229th Attack Helicopter Regiment. He also served in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division and at Fort Carson with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment before his first assignment with the USAMU. He served in the Army Reserves before returning to active duty and the USAMU in 2008.

In 2003, Sargent volunteered to serve a combat tour in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Combined Joint Task Force-180 CJ3 Aviation NCOIC.

Sargent, who loved to fly planes and was an avid golfer, leaves behind his wife Cindi and three sons: Nicholas, 15; Andrew, 13; and William, 5.

“Sgt. 1st Class Sargent was a true and loyal friend, and he loved his family more than anything,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Wilson. “He would go out of his way to help you if you needed it. “He was a true ‘Mainer’-his goal was to retire back to Maine with his family.”

During his military career Sargent earned the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Commendation Medal, four Army Achievement Medals, three Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Deployment Ribbon, Aircraft Crewman Badge, Air Assault Badge, Distinguished Pistol Shot Badge and President’s Hundred Tab.

“Although his time on this Earth was cut short, his impact on each of us will last the rest of our lives,” Hodne concluded. “Let us live by Jason’s example, let us make each day count, and let us live with a sense of the profound impact we can all have on each other.”

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit place the casket of Sgt. 1st Class Jason Sargent on a belt at Lawson Army Airfield in preparation for his final flight home to his native Maine. Sargent, 39, passed away June 25 after a courageous fight against a terminal illness. He is survived by his wife Cindi and three children: Nicholas, Andrew and William. (U.S. Army photo by Michael Molinaro, USAMU PAO)

About USAMU:
The USAMU enhances the Army’s recruiting effort, raises the standard of the Army’s marksmanship proficiency, and supports the Army’s small arms research and development initiatives in order to raise the Army’s overall combat readiness. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com.

Joel Rosenberg, 1954-2011

Minnesota Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance

Minnesota --(Ammoland.com)- GOCRA is sad to announce that civil rights activist, author and instructor Joel Rosenberg died yesterday afternoon. He was 57, and had suffered from multiple health issues which had worsened in the last two years. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Rosenberg was the author of several textbooks on carrying a pistol with a permit, and was a prolific novelist, with more than 20 fantasy, science fiction and mystery titles published.

In 2003, Rosenberg wrote the definitive textbook on carry in Minnesota, Everything You Need to Know About (Legally) Carrying a Handgun in Minnesota, published by the American Association of Firearms Instructors, Inc. In the eight years since, Joel has taught Minnesota Permit to Carry classes to thousands of students in the Twin Cities area and around the state of Minnesota.

Rosenberg became interested in guns and self defense more than 20 years ago, after receiving a series of anonymous death threats from a professed neo-Nazi. He applied for and received an unlimited permit to carry a pistol from the Minneapolis Police, a rarity at the time, when citizens had to convince an official of a need for personal protection before being allowed to carry a gun for self defense.

Not content with securing the then-privilege for himself, Rosenberg worked with GOCRA to pass the Minnesota Citizens Personal Protection Act of 2003, and was instrumental in its re-passage in 2005 after it was suspended by a court challenge. His online forum, active from 2005 to 2010, was an electronic gathering place for activists, hobbyists, students and others interested in guns in Minnesota.

A prolific blogger and sometime gadfly, Rosenberg supported the same goals and principles as GOCRA and other organizations, but never accepted a formal role in any, preferring to be, in his words, “just a guy.”

In 2010, Rosenberg was arrested for wearing a gun into the offices of the Minneapolis Police at Minneapolis City Hall, which contains a courtroom two floors away. He was charged with carrying gun into a courthouse complex, a charge which he planned to vigorously defend as being illegal, unconstitutional, and retaliatory for his frequent criticism of the Minneapolis Police.

He is survived by his wife, Felicia Herman, and by his two daughters, Judy and Rachel.

A fund to support Rosenberg’s family, which has suffered financially from his arrest, is available at freejoel.ellegon.com.

About:
We are the Gun Owners Civil Rights Alliance, the organization behind CCRN (Concealed Carry Reform Now!). We are people from all walks of life who have banded together to preserve and protect all of our civil rights as gun owners. Visit: www.gocra-mn.org

“Charlie was a great resource of gun knowledge and many of his firearms articles are timeless pieces worth reading by everyone with an interest in shooting sports. He always took the time to speak with us and will be greatly missed, God’s Speed Friend.” – Fredy and Brian AmmoLand

AmmoLand Gun News

Manasquan, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- On June 12th, a good industry friend and an excellent gun sports writer, Charlie Cutshaw, passed away.

“He was always there for us,” says Laura of Laura Burgess Marketing. “We will surely miss him.”

Charlie was buried at Greenview Memorial (3657 Old Chisholm Road, Florence – (256) 764-2411) in the Veterans section on June 15th.

Charlie was given full police honors with an Honor Guard and motorcade escort to Greenview Memorial.

Charlie Cutshaw

CURRICULUM VITAE

Current Status:

• Contributing Editor, SWAT Magazine
• Contributing Editor, Harris Publishing.
• Industry Consultant and Small Arms Analyst, Expert Witness

Career Highlights:

• Lieutenant of Infantry, USA 1964-1967
• Ordnance Ammunition Officer 1967-1979
• Vietnam Service 1969-1970; Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Honor Medal First Class,
• Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Meritorious Unit Citation
• Civilian Technical Intelligence Officer 1980-1996
• Ground Weapons Systems Analyst in Infantry Weapons of all types, 1988-1990
• Head, U.S. Marine Corps Technical Intelligence Division, 1990-1996
• US National Representative for Small Arms & Infantry Weapons, US/UK/CAN/AUS Intelligence Coordinating Committee.
• National level small arms technical intelligence authority for US Department of Defense
• Regularly briefed US small arms industry and flag rank military officers on foreign small arms developments and technology
• Editor, Jane’s Ammunition Handbook,1996 – 2005
• Co-editor, Jane’s Infantry Weapons, 1996 – 2005
• Citizen Service Award – Florence, Alabama Police Department, 2003
• Reserve Police Officer – Killen, Alabama Police Department, 2002 – present.

Recent Projects

• Author, Tactical Firearms of the 21st Century, published March 2006
• Author, The New World of Russian Small Arms and Ammo, detailed reference book on Russian small arms, published September 1998.
• Co-author (with Valery Shilin), Legends and Reality of the AK, published March 2000.
• Co-author (with Dianne Cutshaw) comprehensive major study of firearms, law enforcement and crime in the United States.
• Recognized international authority on small arms and ammunition
• Military and law enforcement technology consultant
• Legal consultant for lawsuits, patents and criminal cases involving firearms issues.
• Industry consultant for emerging technologies and innovative military and law enforcement products
• Firearms and ammunition technology consultant to major news media – both broadcast and print, including CNN, NBC, PBS and many major newspapers.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in History, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL, 1964
• Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence (Russian Studies), Defense Intelligence College, 1988

Memberships:

• National Shooting Sports Foundation
• Life Member, National Rifle Association
• Life Member, US Army Sniper Association
• US Army Infantry Association
• National 4th Infantry Division Association
• Alabama Tactical Officers’ Association
• Blackwater Alumni Association
• Military Order of The World Wars
• Reserve Police Officers’ Association

In lieu of flowers: Please send donations to one of two of Charlie’s favorite charities. The first charity being ASPCA. Please use the following address of Linda Tiramani, ASPCA Special Giving, 520 8th ave 7th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Please include a note,“in memory of Charles Q. Cutshaw”.

The second charity is Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Ste 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Same note as before please.

Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- John Leveron – Died May 11th 2011 at age 40.

His obituary can be found here. Look for the name to right of page and then click on guest book to see some comments.

This JPFO life member and firearms enthusiast contacted me just under a year ago, and offered to provide some assistance on various matters, working almost entirely pro bono except for JPFO covering a few intrinsic expenses which were incurred.

For the most part he gave freely of his time for no reward, other than knowing he was helping the JPFO cause.

John was a very talented IT person, who knew more about the depths of the internet than many could imagine. He often said to me “You do the pages and styling, I’ll cover the behind-the-scenes stuff”, and believe me, much as I understand quite a lot of the base level technology, he was nothing less than a total wizard.

John Leveron

Many times we spend an inordinate amount of time chatting on the phone – mostly about technical matters but also just general enjoyable chat between friends with common interests.

His knowledge of the deep aspects of the internet was awesome and he helped construct what we might call a “server grid” for JPFO – a means of covering eventualities such that if one server went down we’d still be covered by others. Also helping set up a method of providing people with a means to use a torrent approach to obtaining large files of “No Guns for Jews”, so as to be able to burn their own DVDs.

Some of what he did and talked about I did not fully grasp and so now I feel a huge vacuum, which is in part and primarily the loss of a valued friend, but also an invaluable source of major technical expertise.

Rest in peace John – you will surely be very much missed and fondly remembered. Thank you.

Chris Bodine, JPFO Webmaster.

About:
Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership Mission is to destroy “gun control” and to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone. Those are the twin goals of Wisconsin-based Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). Founded by Jews and initially aimed at educating the Jewish community about the historical evils that Jews have suffered when they have been disarmed, JPFO has always welcomed persons of all religious beliefs who share a common goal of opposing and reversing victim disarmament policies while advancing liberty for all.

JPFO is a non-profit tax-exempt educational civil rights organization, not a lobby. JPFO’s products and programs reach out to as many segments of the American people as possible, using bold tactics without compromise on fundamental principles. Visit www.JPFO.org – Copyright JPFO 2011

Michigan Coalition For Responsible Gun Owners

Michigan - -(Ammoland.com)- This afternoon, I was honored to be among those who attended a memorial service for Dan Barch today in East Lansing, including several MCRGO leaders, past and present.

Dan was very active in MCRGO. He was a CPA and handled financial and administrative matters at MCRGO Headquarters for many years. Dan’s wife, Joan, was especially gracious and mentioned to those assembled how MCRGO was the major focus of Dan’s life in his last few years as he battled cancer. Dan was a tireless defender of firearms rights, a hunter and a competitive target shooter. In fact, his service was the occasion for his rabbi to utter the words “Cowboy Action Shooting” for the first time in her career, which brought a light moment of laughter to grieving family and friends.

On display in the hall afterwards, among pictures and other memoribilia, was the special plaque awarded to Dan by the Board of Directors and presented to him before his death by our Executive Director, Chuck Perricone, and his wife, Audrey, while Dan was in Hospice care. The plaque commemorates many years of faithful service.

During my last visit with Dan in hospice, shortly before he passed away, he was suffering from the effects of brain cancer and the treatments that had been prescribed. He was unable to handle too much information, and his memory was unreliable. But, he wanted to talk about the M1 Garand. I did my best to keep up. He was sharp and focused, and essentially taught me a class right there from his hospital bed. He was, like most of those who read this newsletter, a true shooter and aficianado.

We have lost a patriot, a fighter for our rights, a friend, and a shooter.

Joan, Dan’s wife, is planning to make a significant donation in ammunition and firearms to the MCRGO Foundation (www.MCRGOFoundation.org) so that his legacy will be the continuation of his life’s work. We will continue to benefit from Dan’s friendship and efforts in the future.

- Steve Dulan

About:
The Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. Formed from just eight people in 1996, we now have thousands of members and numerous affiliated clubs across the state. We’re growing larger and more effective every day.

Our mission statement is: “Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation” Visit: www.mcrgo.org

Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Ralph Conner, who passed away in 2010, held various positions with the Village of Maywood, just west of Chicago, including director of planning and development, building commissioner, enterprise zone administrator, and mayor.

He subsequently worked for The Heartland Institute as a school reform community organizer and then as local legislation manager.

Ralph was one of Chicago’s most outspoken critics of gun control and the war on drugs. He was also a popular advocate for land-value taxation, school choice, and government reform. He founded and directed the Chicago chapter of the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE).

Pro Gun Proponent Ralph Conner To Be Honored

This luncheon, the first in honor of Ralph Conner’s memory, will feature presentations by Charles L. Butler, a talk show host on WVON radio; Robert H. Meier, JPFO.org Interim Executive Director and a leader in opposing gun control legislation nationwide; and Colleen Lawson, a plaintiff in the landmark McDonald v. Chicago case, in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Chicago’s gun control laws. They will talk a little about Ralph, and more about the issues that he was so passionately devoted to.

Please join family, friends, and former colleagues of Ralph on April 20, 2011, at the University Club’s Millennium Room North, located at 76 E. Monroe Street, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission for non-family members is $25.

For more information or to reserve your place, please contact Tonya Houston at thouston@heartland.org ,or 312/377-4000.

About:
Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership Mission is to destroy “gun control” and to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone. Those are the twin goals of Wisconsin-based Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). Founded by Jews and initially aimed at educating the Jewish community about the historical evils that Jews have suffered when they have been disarmed, JPFO has always welcomed persons of all religious beliefs who share a common goal of opposing and reversing victim disarmament policies while advancing liberty for all.

JPFO is a non-profit tax-exempt educational civil rights organization, not a lobby. JPFO’s products and programs reach out to as many segments of the American people as possible, using bold tactics without compromise on fundamental principles. Visit www.JPFO.org – Copyright JPFO 2011

New Jersey Outdoor Alliance

TRENTON, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- NJOA Chairman, Anthony P Mauro, Sr. issued the following statement mourning the passing of John Adler, a former New Jersey Senator and Congressman:

“On behalf of the New Jersey Outdoor Alliance I extend my deepest sympathies to the Adler family. All of us at the NJOA were impressed with John’s quick wit, intelligence, compassion, open-mindedness, and his commitment to the best interests of the people of New Jersey.

He was a friend of those who enjoyed the great outdoors and it was our pleasure to work with him on conservation issues. John’s passing is a loss to all New Jerseyans.”

NJOA Mourns the Passing of John Adler

NJOA CF Council members:

• Reef Rescue
• NJ State Federation Sportsmen’s Clubs
• Jersey Coast Anglers Association
• NJ Trout Unlimited
• National Wild Turkey Federation
• NJ Beach Buggy Association
• Hudson River Fishermen Association
• United Bow Hunters NJ
• New Jersey Council Diving Clubs
• NJ Trappers Association
• NJ Forestry Association
• Society of American Foresters
• Quail Unlimited
• Ruffed Grouse Society
• National Animal Interest Alliance Trust
• Greater Point Pleasant Charter Boat Association
• Hi-Mar Fishing Club
• Fish Hawks
• Jersey Coast Anglers Association
• Cape May County Part and Charter Boat Association
• Round Valley Trout Association
• NJOA

Preservation through conservation.

JOIN NJOA: www.njoutdooralliance.org/support/njoa.html

About:
NJOA – The mission of New Jersey Outdoor Alliance is to serve as a grassroots coalition of outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen dedicated to environmental stewardship. We will champion the intrinsic value of natural resource conservation – including fishing, hunting and trapping, among opinion leaders and policy makers. We will support legislation, and those sponsoring legislation, that provides lasting ecological and social enrichment through sustainable use of the earths resources. Visit: www.njoutdooralliance.org

Congressional Sportsmen

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The sportsmen’s community lost a valued friend yesterday with the passing of Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Board of Directors member and well known Georgia businessman and sportsman, Gene Bishop of Dawsonville, Georgia.

“We are all deeply saddened at the passing of a wonderful man and great supporter of hunting and fishing,” said CSF President Jeff Crane.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy and the rest of Gene’s family.”

“Gene was a great friend to me both personally and professionally and to sportsmen throughout Georgia and the nation, and he will be missed by all those whose lives he has touched through the years,” said former Congressman Lindsay Thomas, Chairman of the CSF Board of Directors.

Gene Bishop

Bishop was a lifetime hunter, angler and conservationist who served on the CSF Board of Directors as well as the board of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

He was past national president of the Jaycees’ U.S. Junior Chamber International Senate, former president of the North Fulton County Chamber of Commerce, president of the Georgia Health Care Association and regional vice-president, first vice-president and national president of the American Health Care Association.

Gene also served as Georgia Southern University Boosters Chairman of the Board, where the Bishop Field House at Paulson Stadium on the university campus was named in his honor in 2007.

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- We are sad to report that a peerless friend of gun owners, retired U.S. Sen. James A. McClure, R-Idaho – who aggressively led the advancement of the Second Amendment cause in the U.S. Senate for two decades — died on February 26 at his home in Garden City, Idaho. He was 86.

The NRA and its members will most remember Sen. McClure for his ten-year fight to reform the draconian provisions of the 1968 Gun Control Act, culminating in President Ronald Reagan’s signing into law the McClure-Volkmer Act — officially known as the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act — in 1986.

Working with his stalwart Democratic colleague in the U.S. House of Representatives, Harold Volkmer, and with the total support of the NRA, the reforms curbed abusive practices that had wrecked the lives of countless innocent gun owners.

From his first days as a U.S. Senator, Jim McClure made a difference.

U.S. Sen. James McClure

His swearing in as a U.S. Senator in 1973 was a benchmark in the history of the Second Amendment — the beginning of the end of what was then touted by a smug national media and political establishment as an unstoppable war of attrition against private ownership of firearms.

After all, just months before his election in November of 1972, the U.S. Senate had passed a “Saturday Night Special” bill that would have banned one-third of the handgun models owned by peaceable Americans. It was supposed to have been another sure addition to the Gun Control Act — part of the step-at-a-time march toward total civil disarmament.

But that never happened, due in large measure to unflinching efforts by Jim McClure on behalf of the nation’s gun owners.

In subsequent Congresses, when the same legislation was pressed by the gun ban crowd, Jim McClure was there to stop it. During his tenure, not one measure demanded by the gun prohibitionists was enacted.

From the beginning, Sen. McClure organized a solid body of like-minded pro-Second Amendment senators, and as a conservative Republican he reached across the isle and broadened the gun rights coalition to include many Democrats. Sen. McClure possessed an unlimited attention span when it came to protecting the Second Amendment, a dedication that gun owners had not seen before in the Senate.

The only way to sum up Jim McClure’s tenure is to say that without him, Americans today would not possess the Second Amendment freedom we now cherish.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

AmmoLand Gun News

Erin, WI --(Ammoland.com)- Zelman was THE voice of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, and was a frequent contributor to AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.

He had written many fine and persuasive articles in support of our 2nd Amendment rights, including a seminal article that exposed the 1968 Gun Control Act’s direct connection to Nazi gun control law and by exposing the stupidity of Gun Free Zones.

Aaron had a take no prisoners way of thinking and challenged everyone from the NRA, to Washington bureaucrats to Ted Nugent in the name of the second amendment.

From his Obituary:

Zelman, Aaron S. December 21, 2010, age 64 years, of Erin, WI. Beloved husband of Nancy Zelman (nee Soderlund). Dear father of Erik and Jeremy Zelman.

Further survived by other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were at 11:00 AM Friday, December 24, 2010 at Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue, 2909 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon. Memorials to JPFO, P.O. Box 270143, Hartford, WI 53027 or Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue are appreciated.

Aaron S. Zelman Executive Director of JPFO

Arron worked tirelessly for Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms. The JPFO’s mission is to destroy “gun control” and to encourage Americans to understand and defend all of the Bill of Rights for everyone.

Those are the twin goals of Wisconsin-based Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). Founded by Jews and initially aimed at educating the Jewish community about the historical evils that Jews have suffered when they have been disarmed, JPFO has always welcomed persons of all religious beliefs who share a common goal of opposing and reversing victim disarmament policies while advancing liberty for all.

JPFO is a non-profit tax-exempt educational civil rights organization, not a lobby. JPFO’s products and programs reach out to as many segments of the American people as possible, using bold tactics without compromise on fundamental principles. Visit www.JPFO.org

Aaron’s passing means a great void has been created in the leadership to protect our god given second amendment rights.

Civilian Marksmanship Program

CAMP PERRY, OHIO - -(Ammoland.com)- Former Civilian Marksmanship Program armorer, Michael D. Gingher, 67, of Thorncreek Township, Indiana, died 3 December, 2010 at Glencrest Nursing and Rehab Center in Chicago where he was admitted after an extended illness.

Gingher was a CMP armorer, specializing in the service of M1 Garand and AR15 rifles shortly after the privatization of the CMP program in the mid to late 1990s.

Civilian Marksmanship Program armorer, Michael D. Gingher

He was considered an diligent armorer and was instrumental in assessing the quality of Danish M1 rifles and their eventual acquisition by CMP, having traveled to Denmark, according to former fellow workers.

“Mike was a good man and a hard worker,” said Mark Kovach, owner of Mid-County Firearms, Inc. in Oak Harbor, Ohio. Kovach, who worked as a CMP armorer at the time, said Gingher was always willing to put in extra time to make sure CMP customers were satisfied with rifles received through the sales program.

He was born in 1943 in Fort Wayne, Indiana and was the son of a U.S. Marine. Gingher himself served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 31 years, retiring in 1991. He also was employed by General Electric.

Gingher was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Whitley County Leatherneck Club, a was a life member of the NRA and National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. He was also a member of Midwest Gun Traders and Whitely County Korean War Veterans Honor Guard.

He will be sadly missed.

Obituary Announcements
To submit obituary announcements to Ammoland Shooting Sports News online news page, e-mail news@ammoland.com Include a written description of the person, his or her contributions to shooting sports and any of the following information: the deceased’s name, age, dates of birth and death, city the person lived in, place of death and any biographical information you would like to include. When listing survivors, please include first and last names and tell us their relationship to the deceased. If submitting a photo, please send it in jpg format. We reserve the right to edit according to our editorial style and space restrictions, and we cannot guarantee the obituary will be published. Please be sure to include your phone number in case we have any questions.

Ballistician William C. Davis

Horus Vision

San Bruno, CA --(Ammoland.com)- This month’s is dedicated to the late William C. Davis, the Master of Ballistics, whose expertise is the reason Horus’ ATrag program is in existence. We owe him a great deal of thanks for all he contributed to the world of long-range shooting.

On March 4, 2010, the renowned ballistician, engineer, and accomplished shooter, William C. Davis died at the age of 88.

Davis graduated from St. Bonaventure University in New York in 1941 with a degree in physics and mathematics. He joined the Army 1n 1942 where he fought in WWII and left his military service after the war in 1946 as a Captain.

Davis went back to St. Bonaventure to teach until 1951, in which he worked as an ordnance engineer for the U.S. government for 23 years. Some notable accomplishments during this time included heavily influencing the improvement of the M-16 rifle and standardization of small arms and ammunition between NATO countries.

In 1972, after many commendations and accomplishments, he retired from his work with the government and became self-employed, consulting and writing, among other tasks in the subjects of firearms, ammunition, and ballistics. He eventually founded Tioga Engineering in 1980, operated by him and his business partner, Charlie Fagg.

Amidst his work within Tioga Engineering, he wrote for American Rifle Magazine, where he became the Contributing Editor in 1974, and went on to write over 50 articles from there. In 1986, he earned the title of Ballistics Editor.

Other Noteworthy endeavors from Davis were the development of Handloading by William C. Davis the Very Low Drag (VLD) bullet, which lead to a win for the U.S. International Shooting Team in the 300-meter competition and writing a majority of the NRA book, Handloading in 1981. He also contributed the “Ammunition” section of the 15th Edition of Encyclopedia Britannica.

Davis is also well-known for writing the first ballistic program for PCs, written in BASIC, which he offered for free to NRA members. He went on to write a total of 14 ballistic software programs. Horus Vision’s ATrag program actually derived from Davis’ algorithms and ballistic studies. You can read A Brief Course in Ballistics for insight on his findings.

On top of his technical expertise, he was also an avid shooter as a military expert in rifle, pistol, and carbine, a Lifetime Master in the NRA Smallbore Rifle and rated as a Class AA in NRA Hunter Pistol Silhouette.

This account of William C. Davis is an understatement of his impact, not only through his insight and accomplishments, but also through his character, as he was described to be respected because of his dedicated, patient, and considerate nature.

• To read more about William C. Davis, click here.
• To read about ballistics from the master himself, click here.

About:
Horus brings cutting-edge technology to long-range shooting to help you shoot farther with ultimate accuracy. Horus reticles, scopes, ballistics software and accessories offer a simpler solution for making fast, precise, bulls-eye hits consistently. Our easy-to-use reticle design and targeting software deliver dramatic improvements no matter what your skill level. Visit: www.horusvision.com

Thompson Center Arms

ROCHESTER, N.H. --(Ammoland.com)- Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a Smith & Wesson company, mourns the loss of long-time employee and Master Gun Designer, Ken French.

Ken passed away on August 30th after battling cancer at the age of 71.

Ken’s legacy with Thompson/Center began in 1967 as the eleventh employee of the newly founded firearms manufacturer. After the retirement of founder Warren Center, Ken’s leadership and talents helped deliver dozens of successful products beginning with the Scout rifle and continuing on through the introduction of the Triumph muzzleloader. After Ken’s retirement in 2007, he enjoyed being a guiding hand to the design and development of the company’s new bolt-action platforms.

“There are few in the firearms industry that had the passion of Ken French,” stated Mark Laney, Thompson/Center Arms Director of Research and Product Development.

“His contribution to the designs for Thompson/Center in muzzleloading and single shot rifles are the identity of the company. Not only did he lead the design team, but he set up and developed the top customer service department in the industry before going on to become T/C’s Plant Manager. I, and many long-standing employees, owe a great debt to Ken as mentor, father figure and good friend. We will all miss him deeply.”

Known in the industry as a skilled shot with both handgun and rifle, Ken achieved a high level of success as a competitive silhouette shooter and was nominated as ‘Handgunner of the Year’ several times. His prowess as a woodsman rivaled his gun building talents and that’s where Ken enjoyed being most. Ken’s love of hunting brought him to all parts of the country where his hunting abilities and even-keeled personality earned him the respect of the industry’s top writers and guides.

In a quote from author J. Wayne Fears’ article called, “T/C’s Best Kept Secret: Ken French”, Ken says he was most proud “of the fact that we built really good guns, and stood behind them. If a customer had a problem, we solved it, no questions.” Ken French’s words reflect the company’s long time philosophy of ‘Customer First.’ He lived life like he designed guns -brilliantly simple- hard work, love of family, and a sense of adventure. He will be missed.

He is survived by his wife Pam, sons Ernie and Michael and daughters Darlene Small and Donna Goodwin.

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC) is a U.S.-based, global provider of products and services for safety, security, protection and sport. The company designs and constructs facility perimeter security solutions for military and commercial applications, and delivers a broad portfolio of firearms and related training to the military, law enforcement and sports markets. SWHC companies include Smith & Wesson Corp., the globally recognized manufacturer of quality firearms; Universal Safety Response, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer; and Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting firearms. SWHC facilities are located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Tennessee. For more information on Smith & Wesson and its companies, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com; www.usrgrab.com; or www.tcarms.com.

Gun Talk Radio

MANDEVILLE, LA - -(AmmoLand.com)- Michael McIntosh died last weekend.

Michael wrote for Shooting Sportsman, Sporting Classics, Double Gun Journal, and other magazines.

He wrote more than two dozen books. A beautiful writer, Michael loved double guns and wingshooting with the same passion he showed for life with. He was 66. I first met Michael almost 40 years ago in Missouri.

I was still a student at Mizzou, and he was barely older. We fished for trout. Through the years Michael became a giant in the world of wingshooting and especially the minutia of double guns.

His books are simply wonderful. Just this past week I’ve been reading (for the fourth or fifth time) Shotguns and Shooting, a delightful, simple, and easy to read treatment. McIntosh’s writing was influenced by that of John Madson, who may be the finest writer of outdoor tales we’ve ever had. John didn’t do it with flourishes or tangled syntax, but with the simple, declarative sentence. It was in reading Madson’s work that I learned the strength of verbs and the weakness of adjectives.

Michael Michael wrote for Shooting Sportsman, Sporting Classics, Double Gun Journal, and other magazines.

Michael excelled at spare verbiage. Just a few words. Always the right ones. Both Madson and McIntosh were gentlemen. Michael was…complex…and flawed. Why is it that great writers so often are? He was an incomparable companion on a trout stream, hunting lodge, or the line on a driven shoot. He was a master teacher.

Only a few words for the student — the right words.

If you enjoy shooting, or guns, or fine writing, may I suggest that you get a copy of one of Michael’s books. After learning of his death, I opened Shotguns and Shooting, and spent some time with my friend. Fortunately, you can too.

Just pull one of his books from the shelf, and there he is. What a wonderful gift.

About:
Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio is in its 15th year of national syndication, Gun Talk Radio airs live on Sundays from 2PM-5PM Eastern, and runs on 96 stations, plus SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio. All Gun Talk shows can be downloaded as podcasts through Apple iTunes or at www.guntalk.libsyn.com. More information is available at www.guntalk.com.

The Late Jim Chapman, VT

Outdoors Magazine

Vermont --(AmmoLand.com)- The great American social reformer Norman Thomas once said, “The secret of a good life is to have the right loyalties and hold them in the right scale of values.” It is hard not to read these words and think of the late Jim Chapman.

For those not fortunate enough to know him they missed one of the men who some say had the most significant impact on the sporting world in Vermont in the modern era. Among other things he was a hunter education instructor, women’s program pioneer, president of the Vermont Federation of Sportsman’s Clubs (in fact he held every position there), and a devoted mentor and teacher.

The friends and family of Outdoors Magazine know his loss will be felt across the Vermont sporting landscape. They also know his values and accomplishments should live on.

To help preserve his legacy, Outdoors asked some of Jim’s friends and colleagues to share their thoughts about him. By doing so, it is hoped that even in passing, Jim’s example will shine and inspire future generations.

“I have extremely fond memories of Jim, dating all the way back to 1982 when I started with the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. His warm, friendly smile, along with a genuine welcoming handshake will always remain etched in my mind. Jim was a true advocate of our youth and sportsmen. At many meetings throughout the past three decades, the state of Vermont could count on Jim’s support and leadership to ensure that every kid in the state of Vermont had a chance to attend the Green Mountain Conservation Camps and hunter education class. The Department’s tremendous summer kid’s camp carries national recognition today, much of that credit goes to the support of Jim and his fellow sportsmen. His quiet, yet effective and respected leadership will never be forgotten.

My sincere sympathies and prayers are with Jim and his family at this time.”

-Mark E. Scott, CWB
Director of Wildlife
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

“In December of 2005 I was at the Vermont Air National Guard hanger at the Burlington Airport for the return of my son from his first deployment. Jim Chapman was there working with the Vermont State Guard.

This was so typical of the way Jim Chapman lived his life. It was late on a cold Friday night, the flight my son was on was late. Jim was no youngster but there he was, as always, giving of his time to serve others.

Whether coaching a novice shooter, working a gun show, helping with the Friends of NRA to raise funds for Vermonter shooters, holding numerous offices with the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, serving with the Vermont State Guard or one of the numerous other groups, Jim always made his knowledge and experience available to our community.

My daughter, a military journalist for the Vermont Army National Guard, was on duty that night and she snapped a picture of Jim and me with our arms over each other’s shoulders, laughing. I am in hopes that somewhere she has that picture, for I want to have a copy of it. A photo of a happy moment with a man who was the definition of the terms ‘great guy’ and a good friend.”
-Evan Hughes
Vermont Federation of Sportsmen

“The best any of us can do is to leave people better off for having known us. In extraordinary cases a rare individual touches just not individuals, but entire communities, even a whole state. We all know Jim was this sort of rare man and extraordinary example. To say that he will be missed is an understatement, but we all know Jim will always be with us living on in the smiles and helping hand of a good friend, mentor, or neighbor. God bless his family; thank you for having shared Jim with us. We are all certainly better off for having known and worked with him—I know I am.

Thank you, Jim. Pull!”

-James Ehlers,
Executive Director
Lake Champlain International, Inc.

“Jim was a mild-mannered and kind-hearted soul who taught a lot of people how to shoot a shotgun. He even showed a stubborn bird hunter like me a few things. Jim was a patient and kind teacher of the shooting sports. It didn’t seem to matter if you were a child picking up a gun for the first time, or an experienced crack shot – Jim was nice to everyone. He was a life-long supporter of our hunting heritage in Vermont and he will be sorely missed.”

-John Gobeille
Wildlife Biologist
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

“Some say he was born with a shotgun in one hand and raffle tickets in another. A hunter and angler from day one, he began shooting skeet and trap in 1963 and since then has volunteered countless hours to numerous sporting clubs and organizations. A generous man, who is known for pulling sportsmen and women together in tough times, to reach common goals.

His years of mentoring and teaching has touched thousands, making him a pillar in Vermont’s sporting community.

Having shot over 69,000 registered skeet in competition, trap and skeet in heaven should be very worried.

Cheers Jim! Thank you! We’ll miss you.”

Frank Stanley
Vermont Traditions Coalition

Waterman, IL --(AmmoLand.com)- For those of you who have not heard, Clyde Howell passed away yesterday afternoon. There will be service for him Thursday, February 18th at 2:00 p.m. at Plattville United Methodist on the corner of Church and Plattville Roads just off Chicago Avenue. It’s a beautiful, quaint church with a steeple; you can’t miss it.

As you know the shooting and hunting sports have lost a great, great supporter. Literally thousands of adults and young people have learned to shoot on Clyde & Yvonne’s farm over the past 50+ years. Who else would have made their home open to thousands of strangers to give them the opportunity to learn about this sport we love?

At this summer’s camp we would have celebrated Clyde’s 95th birthday. Let’s turn out on Thursday to celebrate his life. It would be most fitting for as many people as possible to show up for the service to see off a gentleman who spent his entire life supporting what we love to do. And I know it would be most comforting for Yvonne to know so many of their friends were there to see him off and comfort her.

This message is forwarded from an Aurora Sportsmen’s Club alert.

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Virginia - -(AmmoLand.com)- It is with very great sadness that I must report that Mack Elliott, VCDL’s treasurer and VCDL-PAC Chairman, died Thursday morning from complications due to knee-replacement surgery.

Mack was a cornerstone of this organization, a wonderful friend, and a patriot.

To say that he will be greatly missed is a massive understatement.

Services are expected to be Monday, but I will post another alert as soon as I have the time and location of the service for those who wish to pay their final respects.

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(AmmoLand.com)- Carl Kuhn, Former ISRA Executive Vice President, passed away on August 21.

Carl practiced law for 52 years in DuPage County. He was a WWII veteran and was the past commander of the VFW Post 1824 and American Legion Post 3 in Bartlett.

He was active in firearms safety as a Range Master and a Hunter Safety Instructor in Illinois. Carl was a life member of NRA and ISRA, and was active with the NRA Foundation’s Friends of NRA program since its inception in the 1990′s.

Carl led the formation of the Fox Valley Friends of NRA Committee, and in later years had a strong role in the Three Rivers Friends of NRA Committee, these being two of the most successful such committees in Illinois.

Carl was preceded in death by his loving wife Helen three years ago. He is survived by a brother, Andrew, three sons, Eric Evan and Carl, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A Friend Remembered - Carl Kuhn 1927-2009

A visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, August 26 in Countryside Funeral Home, 950 S. Bartlett Rd., Bartlett. A memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 27 at Resurrection Catholic Church, 30 W 350 Army Trail Rd., Wayne.

About:
The mission of the Illinois State Rifle Association has not changed – only the challenges have become more taxing. One of the greater challenges, on the foreign front especially, is the way our enemies go about attacking us. The most troubling though are our domestic adversaries – they want to disarm the civilians of Illinois and to prevent us from shooting, hunting, collecting, or even owning a firearm.

The ISRA stands at the threshold of our second century, we are continuing to promote marksmanship and gun safety, but our role is widening beyond our Founders’ wildest dreams.

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Virginia - -(AmmoLand.com)- It’s with great sadness that I have to report that long time VCDL member and a personal friend of mine, Bill Gold, passed away last week, Type I diabetes having taken its toll on his heart. Bill will forever be 56.

I first talked to Bill on ham radio when he moved to Richmond from California around 1986. (Bill’s call sign was KB6GHQ in case that rings a bell with some of you who might also be hams.)

It wasn’t until much later in our friendship that we discovered that we also had a mutual interest in guns.

One of my favorite memories of Bill was from around 1998. We had just left a restaurant and we were caravanning somewhere. I was stopped right behind Bill’s van at a traffic light. His van was blocking my view of the light, so when he did a U-turn, I blindly followed him.

Just after completing the turn, I saw blue lights flashing behind me. Well, I thought, the officer couldn’t be pulling ME over for anything, so he must be on his way to an emergency. I switched lanes to allow him to pass. But, no, he was pulling me over.

Bill, seeing what has happening, pulled over with me into a parking lot.

As the Chesterfield County police officer was getting out of his car, a little surprised to see BOTH vehicles pulled over, Bill and I left our respective vehicles, CHPs in hand, and notified the officer, pretty much in unison, that we were packing.

Looking even more surprised by that interesting coincidence, he thanked us for telling him and that was the end of that issue.

Realizing what the situation probably was, he asked if I was following Bill. I said that I was.

The next question I asked was what I had done.

The officer replied there was a “no u-turn” sign at the light.

I said that I couldn’t see the light because Bill’s van had blocked my view. But, I continued, I had indeed made that illegal u-turn and understood that I deserved the ticket, nonetheless.

At that point Bill, true to his big-hearted nature, told the officer that HE deserved the ticket since he was the lead vehicle and should have noticed the sign. He said it wasn’t fair to ticket me as I was following HIM. Bill said that if the officer wanted to ticket me, that Bill wanted, and deserved, BOTH tickets.

I said, no, that I was responsible for my own actions and I would take my own ticket.

We ended up going back and forth in a tug-of-war over that damned ticket, each claiming and demanding it as their own, as the officer just stood there sort of in shock.

Finally the officer, clearly unable to figure out whether he should laugh or cry, or how he could possibly ticket a driver twice for the exact same offense, looked at both of us, shook his head in disbelief, and said, “Oh, just forget it!” He then got back into his patrol car and drove away.

Rest in peace, Bill.

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right.

Harold Swiggert

San Antonio, TX – -(AmmoLand.com)- Harold “Hal” Swiggett, age 87, passed away from the loving arms of his family to the loving arms of his Lord on Monday, March 2, 2009.

He was born to Otho Benjamin & Mildred Swiggett in Moline, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his son, Vernon Lee Swiggett. He is survived by his beloved wife, Wilma C. Swiggett; sons, Dr. Gerald Eugene Swiggett (Ida); daughter in law, Linda Swiggett; grandchildren, Donna, Darryl, Leah, Katherine, Stuart; great grandchildren, Nathan, Leanne, Jordan, Ryan, Zachary, Meredith, D.J., Haille, Cameron.

Mr. Hal Swiggett was a gun writer for over fifty years; African big game hunter with over 25 hunts with a handgun only, a 30-year contributor to Gun Digest, Field Editor of the “North American Hunter” and Senior Editor of Harris Publications.

Hal was included in the “Top Ten” Outstanding American Handgunner Award for 10 years and was awarded the first place bronze sculptor for the 10th time. He served on the committee that built the NRA National Firearms Museum. Hal was also an ordained minister giving comfort to hospital patients daily.

SERVICES
The family will be having Private Services, in lieu of flowers the family requests yard plants.

LINCOLN, Nebraska — -(OutDoorWire.com)- William J. Bailey Jr., 81, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who served as assistant director for fish and wildlife of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for nearly 22 years, died in Lincoln on January 25.

Bailey was first employed by the Commission in 1954 as a land manager in western Nebraska. From 1962 to 1964 he served as assistant chief of the Game and Management Division with the Utah Department of Fish and Game. In 1964 he returned to Nebraska and held several positions within the Commission’s Wildlife Division prior to being promoted to assistant director for fish and wildlife in July, 1971. He retired from the Commission in March, 1993.

“Bill is an icon in wildlife management in Nebraska and North America. His work with deer, wild turkey and antelope management set Nebraska on course for providing our sportsmen and women with the outstanding hunting opportunities we enjoy today,” said Commission Director Rex Amack. “His legacy in the Commission’s wildlife management programs will continue in perpetuity,” Amack continued.

Former Commissioner Charles E. Wright of Lincoln said, “Bill was a consummate gentleman, who was totally committed to Nebraska’s wildlife resources. He served the Commission and the State of Nebraska to the utmost of his ability.”

Along with his work in wildlife restoration, Bailey was instrumental in establishing needs and obtaining legislation for instream flow appropriations, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing for the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District (CNPPID) and Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) facilities, and development of the Nebraska Habitat Program.

Bailey, a native of West Virginia, was a graduate of West Virginia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in wildlife management, before earning a Master of Sciences degree in zoology and wildlife science from Pennsylvania State University.

Among Bailey’s survivors are a wife and two children. Services are pending.

TCRP Chairman Jim Range’s Memorial Service Announcement

Washington DC - -(AmmoLand.com)- The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership suffered a terrible loss this week. Jim Range, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, who founded this organization with a handful of visionary conservation leaders just seven years ago, died after a short battle with cancer. This crushing blow was felt not just here in the TRCP family, but across the conservation community and the many organizations Jim helped lead. Beyond our fraternity of conservation groups, it hit thousands of people across this country who had connected with Jim in his 40 years of working to conserve the American fish and wildlife resources he loved so much. He cherished critters and places so dearly that he often wept when talking about them. Now we weep for this man who was our champion and inspiration.

A hole has been torn in the fabric of the American sportsmen-conservation community. We will all come together to sew it up but there will always be a scar. The TRCP embodied Jim Range’s vision for fundamentally changing the role sportsmen play in the policymaking that will shape the future of hunting and fishing in this country. He entrusted us with a mission we must fulfill – to guarantee every American a quality place to hunt and fish. We can’t get there without continuing to change attitudes and open new doors in Washington. Jim got us started – let’s keep going. Whether through the TRCP or other groups, take action when called upon or on your own to ensure a future for hunting and fishing in this country. Get involved. Give. Jim wouldn’t sit still for anything that was eroding the outdoor way of life he treasured – we shouldn’t either.

Personally speaking, Jim was my very close friend and my mentor. We wore down lots of boot soles following wonderful dogs over Montana landscapes that I dream about. I will miss him so much.

Please take a minute to read the thoughts on Jim below that were passed along from our board of directors. You can also go to a memorial site for Jim, www.jimrange.com, with pictures and messages from friends. This link will take you the TRCP site to see pieces that have been written about Jim and his incredibly rich life.

-George Cooper
President & CEO
TRCP

“Jim Range was one of the most effective conservation leaders of our time. Throughout his career he worked passionately for the nation’s hunters and fishermen and everyone who loves our environment. He brought an exceptionally inclusive, pragmatic and sophisticated approach to conservation without care for personal recognition or acclaim. No one was a better companion in the stream or field. I will miss him deeply and so should everyone who loves the outdoors.”
Chip Collins
Managing Director
The Forestland Group

“While Jim had the formal training of biology and law he never practiced either profession but parlayed that training and knowledge with his remarkable skills as a craftsman of public policy. What distinguished him from everyone else was his ability to take natural resource management concepts and transform them into enacted laws & funded programs. His considerable intellect & magnetic personality enabled him through his fierce loyalty to science based conservation to be the most important “outside” influencing factor on what goes on in the “inside”. His ability to see around political corners was epic. Jim pursued the chase of the best interests of the American sportsman in the halls of government with the same gusto, passion & determination he did when chasing after sharp-tailed grouse on the golden Autumn hills of the Great Plains. In a word Jim Range is irreplaceable!”
Matt Connolly
President Emeritus
TRCP

“Jim was one of the most remarkable men I ever met. He had a passion for hunting, fishing, and wild places that was beyond measure, and that passion was contagious. He made you want to fight for conservation, and like any great general, he made you want to follow him into battle. It may be a long time before we truly appreciate the impact he had on our lands and waters, but for now it’s clear that hunters and fishermen have lost a great friend, and so have I.”
Sid Evans
Editor
Garden & Gun

“The measure of any man’s life is did he leave things better than he found them. There is simply no debate that Jim Range has left things far better than he found them. The conservation community has lost a giant and we have lost a dear friend.”
Matt Hogan
Executive Director
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

“Jim Range, in the tradition of Teddy Roosevelt, was a rough rider. He saw the role of sportsmen as the political center of gravity on the conservation continuum in America. He anchored that role in his personal and professional passion for the future of our sporting traditions. He had a rasty sense of humor and a genuine respect for the tug and pull of policy…at the center of the political tornado…right where he liked it! He called it as he saw it. He fought for what was right…win or lose. He didn’t lose many because he balanced passion with savvy. And along the way, he taught us all how to move the political needle in a completely unique style. Roosevelt, Leopold, Grinnell, Pinchot… move on over… make way in your place for another unique and irreplaceable giant of conservation. He’s left our hall and is now in yours.”
Jim Martin
Conservation Director
Berkley Conservation Institute

“Jim Range brought together an industry separated by tiny differences under a common objective. He was the great connector. Only in the TRCP do you have organizations that compete for funding united together under a common banner. It’s a joy to be part of Jim’s legacy and a joy to be a part of the TRCP.”
Christopher Merritt
General Manager
Beretta USA

“Anglers and hunters everywhere owe a debt of gratitude to Jim Range, a man they probably never heard of. Jim was the real deal…he made it his life’s mission to ensure that our outdoors are protected for everyone to enjoy. Jim didn’t believe in failure. It just wasn’t in his vocabulary. He would do whatever it took to safeguard our outdoor heritage. He had a real talent, a true gift, for being able to bring everyone else along with him. And he truly loved being outdoors. He fished and hunted all over the country with a passion for the sport and a respect for the resources that was unparalleled. I will miss him!”
Mike Nussman
President & CEO
American Sportfishing Association

“Jim Range was the most ardent conservationist I’ve ever known, as he never restricted problem solving to traditional means….. Jim was about producing results for the American Sportsman, period. And you never had to guess what he was thinking!”
Marc Pierce
Founder
Big Sky Carvers

“Jim Range made hunting and fishing better for every American. He did not seek personal accolade or fame. Every day had the purpose of making it possible that each person who wanted to be in the field, or on the water would have that opportunity. We think of Teddy Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold as legendary conservation visionaries. So too will coming generations recognize that the work and skills of Jim Range were that of a visionary. A man of action who could be comfortable visiting with those who hold the highest national office and who could also skin a rattlesnake with a cowboy, or net shad with a waterman. Jim’s legacy will live on the prairie and the waters of America for all of us to enjoy.”
Charles S. Potter, Jr.
President and CEO
Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation

“Jim Range was the best hunting buddy and the best fishing partner that any conservationist ever had. I am sorry to say that most of them never came to know of his work on their behalf. A few were fortunate enough to know of his work in the conservation community. Fewer yet knew him personally. A very fortunate few got to count him among their hunting buddies and their fishing partners. I feel really fortunate to have been included in all three groups. I will miss him greatly, but never forget my time and work with him.”
Don Rollins
Citizen Conservationist
TRCP Board of Directors

“Jim saw a changing world in which the voices of hunters and anglers were being overshadowed by people and interests who don’t hold the same reverence for ducks in flight at sunrise or elk bugling in the Fall. With his characteristic energy, he convinced colleagues and friends to form the TRCP Partnership in the tradition of Theodore Roosevelt to speak with a louder voice to assure the future of fish and wildlife and hunting and fishing. This will be one of Jim’s most enduring legacies.”
Dr. Rollin Sparrowe
TRCP Board of Directors

“Jim was an active an influential member of the Ducks Unlimited Board for over 13 years. He helped establish DU as an important player in the world of conservation policy. Jim was a great friend to me for over 25 years, he will be missed.”
Alan Wentz
Senior Group Manager
Ducks Unlimited

TCRP Chairman Jim Range’s Memorial Service Announcement

Washington, DC - -(AmmoLand.com)- Range’s Memorial Service will be held on January 27th 2009 at the Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove (click for map) in Washington DC.  We will begin promptly at 11:30 AM and the service will end at 12:15 PM. Please try to arrive 15 minutes early. Afterwards a reception will be held at Praline starting at 12:30 PM Click here for more details.

Send a message so we may post it in the Messages from Jim’s Friends portion of the site to: message@jimrange.com

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

WASHINGTON – With supreme sadness, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership today announced that its Chairman, James D. Range, passed away yesterday morning at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., after a brief battle with cancer. He was 63.

Throughout his career, Range was a tireless champion for the America’s fish and wildlife resources. Perhaps best known as a long-time advisor to former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker who helped shaped several of our country’s landmark environmental laws, Range also was known personally to countless people as a beloved confidant, friend and mentor.

“Jim Range was a dedicated, loyal and trusted member of my staff who helped to fashion some of this country’s most vital environmental legislation,” Sen. Baker said. “I will miss Jim’s counsel, but more importantly, I will miss him.”

At the time of his death, Range worked as senior policy advisor in the law firm of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz. Apart from chairing the board of the TRCP, an organization he helped to found, Range’s involvement within the American conservation community was monumental. He served on the boards of directors of Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, the Wetlands America Trust, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association, the American Bird Conservancy, the Pacific Forest Trust, the Yellowstone Park Foundation, and the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.

“Jim Range was the most ardent conservationist I’ve ever known, as he never restricted problem solving to traditional means,” said TRCP Board Member Marc Pierce. “Jim was about producing results for the American sportsman, period. And you never had to guess what he was thinking!”

An original board member and Chair of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Range also was a White House appointee to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, the Sportfishing and Boating Partnership Council and the Valles Caldera Trust.

In 2003, Range received the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Great Blue Heron Award, the highest honor given to an individual at the national level by the Department. He was also awarded the 2003 Outdoor Life Magazine Conservationist of the Year Award and the Norville Prosser Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the American Sportfishing Association.

Range was profiled by Time magazine in 2005 for his efforts to expand the availability of conservation easements, and a Wall Street Journal story that same year highlighted Range’s successful efforts to engineer the rollback of an excise tax that was unintentionally placing American fly rod manufacturers at a huge competitive disadvantage.

Range enjoyed a wide variety of outdoor activities, but loved hunting and fishing the most. He pursued both passions all over the world but ended up falling in love with Montana and its trout and game birds. He spent as much time as he could at his property on the Missouri River in Craig,Montana, the Flyway Ranch. Range graciously hosted many important events over the years for leaders from political, business, non-governmental organization and media circles. It was his personal bastion of respite as he found relief from his many commitments and busy schedule on the waters of the Missouri River with a fly rod in his hands.

“Jim Range has given me so many such rich and wonderful memories afield,” said Matthew B. Connolly Jr., president emeritus of the TRCP. “He’s also helped give American sportsmen cleaner water, more habitat and greater opportunities to pursue the joys of the chase than one can find in any other nation on earth.”

“The measure of any man’s life is did he leave things better than he found them,” said Matt Hogan of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, a TRCP board member. “There is simply no debate that Jim Range has left things far better than he found them. The conservation community has lost a giant and we have lost a dear friend.”

“Jim saw a changing world in which the voices of hunters and anglers were being overshadowed by people and interests who don’t hold the same reverence for ducks in flight at sunrise or elk bugling in the fall,” said TRCP Board Member Dr. Rollin Sparrowe. “With his characteristic energy, he convinced colleagues and friends to form the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership in the tradition of our 26th president to speak with a louder voice to assure the future of fish and wildlife and hunting and fishing. This will be one of Jim’s most enduring legacies.”

“Jim was one of the most remarkable men I ever met,” said Sid Evans, editor of Garden & Gun magazine and a TRCP board member. “He had a passion for hunting, fishing, and wild places that was beyond measure, and that passion was contagious. He made you want to fight for conservation, and like any great general, he made you want to follow him into battle. It may be a long time before we truly appreciate the impact he had on our lands and waters, but for now it’s clear that hunters and fishermen have lost a great friend, and so have I.”

“Jim Range was one of the most effective conservation leaders of our time,” said Charles Collins, managing director of The Forestland Group and a TRCP board member. “Throughout his career he worked passionately for the nation’s hunters and fishermen and everyone who loves our environment. He brought an exceptionally inclusive, pragmatic and sophisticated approach to conservation without care for personal recognition or acclaim. No one was a better companion in the stream or field. I will miss him deeply and so should everyone who loves the outdoors.”

“Jim Range made hunting and fishing better for every American,” said Charles S. Potter, Jr. “He did not seek personal accolade or fame. Every day had the purpose of making it possible that each person who wanted to be in the field or on the water would have that opportunity. We think of Teddy Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold as legendary conservation visionaries. So too will coming generations recognize that the work and skills of Jim Rangewere that of a visionary. Jim was a man of action who could be comfortable visiting with those who hold the highest national office and who could also skin a rattlesnake with a cowboy or net shad with a waterman. Jim’s legacy will live on the prairie and the waters of America for all of us to enjoy.”

In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family has requested that donations be made to the TRCP in Jim’s honor. Please visit www.trcp.org for more information.

About:
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations and grassroots partners working together to preserve the traditions of hunting and fishing.