Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition Applauds Governor's Quick Action on Pro-Hunting Legislation

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

Wisconsin --(Ammoland.com)- The Gun Case Bill, SB 228, just passed through the Assembly yesterday. No longer will Wisconsin have the most restrictive gun case law in the country.

It is currently illegal to lay an uncased and unloaded firearm on the trunk of your car as you tighten your boots.

“Thanks to the Governor’s quick action in signing this legislation, hunters will be able to exercise safer handling of their firearms already in the 2011 deer season,” said Carl Schoettel, Vice President of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association. “Wisconsin’s gun case law has been completely impractical and has done nothing but penalize hunters for an irrelevant action, giving Wisconsin the reputation of being unfriendly to hunters.”

SB 228 is very straightforward, allowing hunters to have uncased and unloaded guns, bows and crossbows in or on their vehicle. Placing the firearm on or in the vehicle is often the safest and most practical place. Hunters should not have to put their firearm in the snow as they get out their gun-case every time they get back to their vehicle.

The other bill being signed today – SB 75 – from Senator Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls) and Representative Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), helps preserve the integrity of Wisconsin’s deer hunting seasons by permanently ending Earn-a-Buck and making October T-Zone hunts into a rarity.

“We thank the Governor for recognizing that the intention of these programs was to help maintain our deer herds and all we have to show for it is an increase in tagging violations thanks to inaccurate registrations and population estimates” said SCI Central President Joe Koback.

The programs have been incredibly unpopular and the only measurable impact on hunting has been to turn some hunters away from the sport. The Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) own statistics show fewer hunters are hunting and less deer are being harvested while their own deer population numbers continue to grow.

The Hunters Rights Coalition is Wisconsin’s only group 100% dedicated to advancing hunting opportunities and protecting the rights of Wisconsin’s hunters. The Coalition is made up of several groups including: The Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association, Wisconsin Chapters of Safari Club International, and Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs, and Educators Inc.

For more information please contact our representative: Bob Welch 608-819-0150

About:
Wi-FORCE promotes and protects the shooting sports, hunting, and the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Wisconsin. We coordinate match schedules of member clubs, sanction the state championship matches, monitor and recommend legislation, and provide training and educational programs for our members, competitors and Wisconsin shooters. Wi-FORCE supports the interaction and education of all individuals and groups interested in the shooting sports and the natural right of citizens to own arms. Visit: www.wi-force.org

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- Earlier, the Joint Committee for the Review of Administrative Rules (JCRAR) voted in a 7 to 2 bi-partisan effort to address and eliminate portions of the emergency rules promulgated by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to implement Wisconsin Act 35, the new concealed carry law.

The Committee’s action focused on several portions of the emergency rules offered by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen’s DOJ that exceeded his statutory authority and ignored clear legislative intent.

One of the most important actions involved the Legislature eliminating many of the onerous requirements associated with the information that must be provided on a license applicant’s training certificate (no training certificates issued anywhere in the country met the DOJ criteria prior to the announcement of the emergency rules).

Another involved the elimination of the requirement that all training classes be a minimum of four hours. This is an issue the Legislature debated during the process that culminated in the passage of the new law and it is clear that it never intended for the DOJ to impose any specific curriculum or length of training class requirements.

The NRA applauds members of the committee for ensuring the legislative intent and letter of the law is respected by the DOJ as it implements this essential self-defense law. Assembly Leader Scott Suder (R-69) deserves special thanks for his outstanding leadership in this rules review process.

Please contact and thank members of the JCRAR committee and Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder and thank them for ensuring the opportunity of Wisconsin residents to defend themselves and their families is not arbitrarily restricted.

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

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

Wisconsin --(Ammoland.com)- Jeff Nass has been selected as the recipient of NRA’s Institute For legislative Action (ILA) Jay M. Littlefield Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award.

Jeff Nass, current president of Wisconsin FORCE, continually goes above and beyond all expectations of a great volunteer. Under Jeff’s leadership, WI-FORCE, formally known as WRPA, (Wisconsin Rifle and Pistol Association), has gone through a complete, positive transformation to become the NRA’s “boots on the ground” in Wisconsin.

Jeff has been involved with everything from the NRA’s Education and Training Division’s programs, Range Department issues such as RTTA assignments, to working directly with the Friends of NRA and it’s grant program.

Jeff Nass Selected for Jay M. Littlefield Volunteer of the Year Award

In 2010, Jeff spent many days in the Wisconsin state capital monitoring and testifying on behalf of the NRA and Wisconsin gun owners. Jeff has always, and continues to, work directly with the NRA ILA liaison presenting a strong united front to Wisconsin legislators and media. Wisconsin gun owners and NRA members, are very fortunate to have such a dedicated volunteer at the helm of the state association.

Jeff’s credentials include NRA Training Counselor, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, and NRA Range Technical Team Advisor. Jeff is also the state coordinator for the NRA’s Field Support Team program with over 26 localized teams. He is also one of the founders and current chairman of his local Friends of NRA event in Appleton.

Please join us in congratulating Jeff on his award and more importantly thanking him for his service to Wisconsin gun owners, Wisconsin FORCE, and the NRA.

The following the award Jeff had this to say:

I am surrounded by enablers, and my wife Jenna  is the guiltiest of them all! This Saturday I am honored to receive one of three NRA-ILA “Jay M. Littlefield Memorial Volunteer of the Year Awards” at NRA headquarters. The award is an annual honor that recognizes an NRA member who “demonstrates exceptionally meritorious activism in defense of our Second Amendment rights”.

All of us are very lucky that Jenna is such a great supporter of our rights. She allows me to devote time and money supporting the Second Amendment. Without her I would not have been in a position to accomplish all that we have gotten done. We also have the best NRA Field Representative in the country in Scott Taetsch.

There is a long list of people that have helped blaze the path that I am following. If I tried to list everyone that was involved both in the forefront and behind the scenes, protecting our rights, I am sure I would miss many. Without the groundwork being set and the support of those around me, I am sure that what I have achieved would not have been obtainable. Since the NRA is flying me out to receive this award, I will be using it as an opportunity to do a face to face with several at headquarters that I have been working with to improve things in Wisconsin. If you appreciate what has been done and want to support the future, I ask that you support the NRA, Wisconsin FORCE, and the Friends of the NRA.

See you on the Range

Jeff

About:
Wi-FORCE promotes and protects the shooting sports, hunting, and the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Wisconsin. We coordinate match schedules of member clubs, sanction the state championship matches, monitor and recommend legislation, and provide training and educational programs for our members, competitors and Wisconsin shooters. Wi-FORCE supports the interaction and education of all individuals and groups interested in the shooting sports and the natural right of citizens to own arms. Visit: www.wi-force.org

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

Wisconsin --(AmmoLand.com)- It’s that time of the year when we are all running around trying to get things done by the end of the year, celebrating another year with friends and families, ad getting ready for Santa Claus and the birth of a new year. A busy time for sure!

The Board of Directors of WI-FORCE have been busy also, This year we put on the third annual NRA state convention and WI-FORCE annual meeting in Eau Clair. The turnout was great and the weekend was a huge success. We hired and worked closely with a paid lobbyist in Madison. This relationship has paid big dividends already by alerting us to important meetings on issues that your WI-FORCE President has attended and testified at.

We launched the Trigger and our subscriber list keeps growing. We look forward to making this even more valuable next Year. And by the end of the year we will have a new membership database system that will help us to better service our WI-FORCE membership in a more effective manner.

Yes, a lot of work has been done but there is still more to do and WI-FORCE needs your help. We have several Board positions open and we are having a difficult time finding people to fill the positions. If you have a little time and a willingness to help support our freedoms in Wisconsin, give Jeff Nass a call and see if a Board position would be right for you.

That’s all for this year, please accept my best wishes for a Safe, Happy and Blessed Holiday Season!

From the desk of the Pres!
by Jeff Nass

Although this year’s hunt was a disappointment to many, I hope that you enjoyed your time with friends, family, and the many other great things involved with your hunt.

As I close this year as President, I believe we have accomplished a great deal, but also see many areas that still need attention. If you know of someone that can help us move forward, please nominate them for the Board.

Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

About:
Wi-FORCE promotes and protects the shooting sports, hunting, and the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Wisconsin. We coordinate match schedules of member clubs, sanction the state championship matches, monitor and recommend legislation, and provide training and educational programs for our members, competitors and Wisconsin shooters. Wi-FORCE supports the interaction and education of all individuals and groups interested in the shooting sports and the natural right of citizens to own arms. Visit: www.wi-force.org

North Suburban Police Pistol League

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

Wisconsin --(AmmoLand.com)- The North Suburban Police Pistol League Inc, is a not-for-profit, law enforcement shooting club with over 225 law enforcement and civilian members from the Chicagoland and southern Wisconsin area.

The NSPPL is an affiliated club with the National Rifle Association, the Civilian Marksmanship Program, Illinois State Rifle Association, and WI-Force.

Many of the League’s members are certified through the National Rifle Association as Rifle & Pistol Coaches, Training Counselors, and Instructors. Through these members, the League also offers NRA Certified Instructor and Range Safety Officer training. They also have a Certified Utah Concealed Firearm Permit Instructor on staff.

Peter J. Kolovos, is the Secretary/Treasurer, and Director of Training for the NSPPL. Pete runs the day to day operation of the League. He has been involved with firearms and competitive shooting since the late 1960′s. Pete is a Benefactor Life Member of both the NRA and the ISRA. Pete is a Certified Police Firearms Instructor, a Police Sub-Machinegun instructor, a NRA Level 3 Pistol Coach, a Level 2 Rifle Coach, a Utah CFP Instructor, and an NRA Training Counselor. He has also been a member of the NSPPL Executive Board for the last ten years. Since that time Pete’s taken the organization from a mere 30 members and expanded the League and many of it’s programs to where it is today! One of the finest shooting clubs in the Midwest.

About:
Wi-FORCE promotes and protects the shooting sports, hunting, and the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Wisconsin. We coordinate match schedules of member clubs, sanction the state championship matches, monitor and recommend legislation, and provide training and educational programs for our members, competitors and Wisconsin shooters. Wi-FORCE supports the interaction and education of all individuals and groups interested in the shooting sports and the natural right of citizens to own arms. Visit: www.wi-force.org

M1 Garand Rifle

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

Wisconsin --(AmmoLand.com)- The FORCE’s remaining M1 Garand Rifles are being offered to Individual and Club members of WI-FORCE in good standing.

Since Service Rifle shooting has almost exclusively gone to the AR-15 type rifles, and since the AR-15 is much more “user friendly” for Junior shooters, the M1 Garands are being sold to raise funds to purchase more AR-15 rifles for the Program.

The Garands have all been maintained in very good serviceable condition over the years and would be great additions to anyone’s collection.

For full details, see the next edition of the Hunter-Marksman or contact Arny Seitz (the designated agent for this program – Thanks Arny!) at seitbach@wi-net.com.

And, remember, this is a fundraiser for the Juniors, not just a gun purchase!

About:
Wi-FORCE promotes and protects the shooting sports, hunting, and the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Wisconsin. We coordinate match schedules of member clubs, sanction the state championship matches, monitor and recommend legislation, and provide training and educational programs for our members, competitors and Wisconsin shooters. Wi-FORCE supports the interaction and education of all individuals and groups interested in the shooting sports and the natural right of citizens to own arms. Visit: www.wi-force.org

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

Wisconsin --(AmmoLand.com)- If you read the newspaper everyday, you can become very frightened by the future. That’s because never a day goes by that someone does not try to take away one of our freedoms in the name of safety, or political correctness, or whatever.

Opponents to our freedoms are well organized and strong. I know that “I” cannot do anything to stop them. Only a strong “WE” can serve as a defense against a strong “THEY”.

This month, I watched a club meeting at which members argued relentlessly over a relatively meaningless issue. Board members of an association to which I belong, ripped each other apart by email, including attacks on personal integrity, all over a minor issue. It’s not just me, you’ve all seen it. This is where I see our weakness. “WE” (those who pull a trigger) just can’t seem to get along with each other. It’s true at the local club level, the state level, and even the national level.

For us to succeed in this never ending battle to defend our freedoms, we must find a way to set aside petty differences of opinion and focus on the real goals.

Today WI-FORCE is an active force in Madison, and the NRA is a force in Washington, but our strength is in numbers so we must band together to succeed. It doesn’t matter if you like EVERYTHING the NRA does or what the WRPA/Wi-FORCE did in the past, now is the time to join together to make a strong “WE”.

Ask your family, friends, fellow hunters, etc., if they are members of the NRA and most importantly WI-FORCE. It is the simplest thing anyone can do to be a part of the “WE” in Wisconsin.

About:
Wi-FORCE promotes and protects the shooting sports, hunting, and the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Wisconsin. We coordinate match schedules of member clubs, sanction the state championship matches, monitor and recommend legislation, and provide training and educational programs for our members, competitors and Wisconsin shooters. Wi-FORCE supports the interaction and education of all individuals and groups interested in the shooting sports and the natural right of citizens to own arms.  Visit: www.wi-force.org

Wisconsin Firearm Owners, Ranges, Clubs & Educators

Wisconsin --(AmmoLand.com)- As we head into the fall, I encourage you to volunteer at your gun club and help out at deer rifle site in. Your expertise can help make both the site-in and hunting season a more memorable event for your neighbors and fellow trigger pullers. Please encourage membership in WI-FORCE. We are not just about competitions; we have also been working in Madison on issues, including puppy mill and cruelty to animal’s legislation, which improperly written could hurt hunters and sportsmen.

The DNR says there are over 600 clubs in Wisconsin, only 50 are WI-FORCE members. If your club is not a member, please encourage them to do so. Applications are on the website. Our progress in concealed carry has improved with the announcement that our current Governor will not run for re-election. Work is already being done on our annual convention in February. More details will be coming out soon.

Volunteers! by Paul Baumann
Lets talk about “Volunteers”. Webster defines a volunteer as “One who offers to enter into any service of his or her own free will”. In our organization, the people who serve on the Board of Directors, or serve as Dicipline Coordinators, Instructors, Match Directors, or any others that “Serve” for the benefit of WI-FORCE members, do so without any compensation other than the rare but much appreciated “Thank you”.

We volunteers are not special people in that we have special talents or lots of free time, we are special because we believe in what we are doing and recognise that we all need to take a turn pulling on the oars to keep our boat on its course.

We need your help! WI-FORCE is looking for nominations to the WI-FORCE board of directors. We need some good people who are willing to put in some time and effort to make WI-FORCE a valuable organization for the shooters of Wisconsin. Please consider helping by offering your unique talents to help our organization.

There are many ways to Volunteer within WI-FORCE. We need reporters for our newsletters. It seems when we put someone in charge of something, we immediately think that he/she will just take care of everything. WRONG! We need eyes and ears and typing fingers our there to help us produce informative articles that are of interest to all of our members.

PLEASE, share a little of yourself with our organization. You will feel good that you have contributed and I know that some of us will be there to say “Thank YOU!”.

About:
Wi-FORCE promotes and protects the shooting sports, hunting, and the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Wisconsin. We coordinate match schedules of member clubs, sanction the state championship matches, monitor and recommend legislation, and provide training and educational programs for our members, competitors and Wisconsin shooters. Wi-FORCE supports the interaction and education of all individuals and groups interested in the shooting sports and the natural right of citizens to own arms.  Visit: www.wi-force.org