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Wednesday, February 20, 2013right00049th annual gun show a great success 2013 CHAS gun show another big successWell, all the hard work is behind us for another year! The 2013 CHAS gun show was another big success due in large part to the contributions of all those CHAS members who volunteered their time to help out with the show. Around 2,000 people came through the doors at this year's show, held January 26 and 27 at the Northlands?Expo Centre?in Edmonton.We were fortunate to have an excellent variety of displays at this year's show. This year's display winners included:Best of Show - Allan KerrJudges Choice (Frank Barrigan Memorial) - Mounted Forces Association of CanadaBest Edged (Barry Menary Memorial) - Dave CorsonBest Cartridge (Ray Laitila Memorial )- Al LeanderBest Military (Stan Beaumont Memorial) - Paul McCormackBest Historical (Ted Simmermon Memorial) - Ventura Memorial Flight Association?Thank you!A special thank you?goes out to all?volunteers who?helped with all aspects of the show from?admission and security to set up and tear down.?Our membership chair Wendy?would also like to express sincerest gratitude to those who assisted with memberships at the show. No show is without hitches but with?help it went pretty well. Even considering the computer/printer issues on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning we were able to process well over 100 applications and renewals. Thanks go to Gil, Clayton, Kevin, Jay, Bob, David, Forest, Gordon and the other Kevin for their time; and?special thanks to Kai who stepped in on Sunday morning and provided invaluable IT to get the computer and printer talking again. To view photos from the event please visit our Facebook page or needed for Sportman's Show display Volunteers and displays needed for upcoming Edmonton Sportsman's Show displayThe 2013 Edmonton Sportsman show is coming up?March 14 to 17?at Northlands Expo Centre. CHAS has a display at this event again this year and again we need volunteers to staff our booth. The display will be featuring 2 themes:1) Leagues: 3-gun, cowboy, silouette. We need?one and preferably?two members from each league (in gear) to answer questions?about activities, requirements and commitments. A display of common guns used in these leagues is also required. 2) Good gun vs "bad" gun. CHAS will be highlighting guns in various formats running from full wood, sporterized, woodland camo and tacticool (for example) to show the public that black doesn't equal evil. This is a timely message. If you have a particular rifle or shotgun in various set-ups, or know of members that you can get together with to make up a display, please advise the show committee as soon as possible. A short (1/2 - 1 typed page) discription detailing the differences and similarities must accompany the display. You can also include details about what the gun is suitable and not suitable for, or some interesting facts about the guns.To supplement this, it would be great to have a cartridge display outlining commonly used ammunition with a bit of info on each. All guns will be locked and secured. Owners of the firearms must bring to and pick up their property from the show or arrange for someone to do so. Show organizers will not be able to do that for you.To ensure that the booth is adequately manned at all times?a schedule has been established. Each shift requires?six?people. Wednesday, March 13 Set-up 08:00Thurs 12-4:30 or 4:30-9 Friday 12-4:30 or 4:30-9 Saturday 10-4:30 or 3:30-8Sunday 10-2:30 or 2:30 to end of show plus tear-down.Please contact Al at asyson@shaw.ca or at 780-668-6234 or Paul McCormack at paul.mccormack@chas.ab.ca by March 1, 2013 to indicate what shifts you wish to volunteer for, which league you are representing and what display(s) you are providing. Please note that parking and admission cost will be paid for those who volunteer.As a reminder, our club exists due to the contributions of our volunteers and volunteer involvement is a requirement of membership in CHAS. Thank you very much for your?assistance in?supporting this display.__________________________________________________________________________________________________?right000New Dominion Style league Dominion Style Shooting League debuts?Part of Canadian Historical Arms SocietyTo all who wanted something new (or old as it were) in CHAS, we would like to present the Dominion Style Shooting League (DSSL). This league encourages all olden day enthusiasts to come out and enjoy friendly competitions. We will host fun and challenging scenarios for all skill levels to enjoy. As always when dealing with these types of organizations SAFETY will be the key while ensuring a fun filled experience. This league will be a modification of other Cowboy Action style leagues. As some of the rules will be used, we will try to add our own CHAS flare to it. This is not only for the skilled but also for the newcomers that would like to try something different. Membership fees for this league are as follows*: $20 per calendar year DSSL Members: $10 per match Non-DSSL Members $20 per match ?*Must also be a CHAS member When becoming a Member of DSSL you will have to choose an alias! Do you want to be “Rooster” or “Annie Oakley”? Also for these matches it is encouraged to come and dress the part! For the guys have fun being an olden day rancher, baron, cattleman, ranch hand etc. For the ladies have fun being a gunslinger, saloon girl, rancher’s wife etc. It is only limited by your imagination. For dates and times of upcoming shoots feel free to go to our web site at and become a member of the site. There is no cost for membership to the site. We will also post links to relevant local business web sites. Send a note to the site moderator and it can be posted under “Links of Interest”. We look forward to having this an awesome first year and some fun shoots. Come out and join us! _________________________________________________________________________________________________?Reminder RE: range sign in process Genesee Range sign-in processPlease ensure that you are familiar with the sign-in?process for?the?Genesee Range and note that all members and guests, whether shooting or not, MUST be signed in at all times.???Step 1 - sign yourself into the book as a member, including the date, your name & membership numberStep 2 - sign your guest(s) in as YOUR guest(s), including the date, their name & your membership number as their host*Step 3 - print your guest's name, your name & your membership number on one of the available envelopes** and enclose?$10 which includes the?NFA Liability Insurance Fee***Step 4 - place the completed, sealed envelope (along with the enclosed, FULL amount of $10 in REAL Canadian money - NOT Canadian Tire money, Monopoly money, or what ever loose change you happen to have on you at the time!)?in the provided lock boxStep 5 - proceed to the shooting station of your choice?and enjoy a safe, responsible?and pleasant day in cordial companyNOTE:- Any guest who is under 18 years of age?AND?is accompanied by an NFA?Liability Insured?parent or a legal guardian?does not require separate liability insurance coverage. As minors, they are covered by the NFA Liability Insurance of their Parent or Legal Guardian. (If in doubt about liability insurance coverage, just pay the $10. Lunch at a fast food restaurant will cost more?and it's a small price for peace of mind.)*Remember that, although you can take as many guests as you want per range visit, ONLY THREE (3) of your guests may shoot at any one time. While?ANY of?your guests?are shooting, YOU are DIRECTLY?and ATTENTIVELY SUPERVISING them?and therefore CANNOT be shooting while they are doing so.** You must use a separate envelope for each of your guests. Each must have the guest's name, your name and your membership number printed on it & each must contain the required $10 fee.***If you don't pay this fee, NEITHER YOUR GUEST?NOR YOU?ARE?COVERED?should your guest?harm themselves,?you, someone else, or cause damage to?any property in any way. They?and you are not covered by NFA Liability Insurance?and YOU as the host member will bear full financial liability.___________________________________________________________________________________________________?right000CHAS 3-gun league readies for 2013 CHAS 3-Gun League ready for actionC.H.A.S 3-Gun League is a competitive 3-gun organization that operates within the Canadian Historical Arms Society. Our 3-gun organization was developed as an alternative to the exsting styles of 3-gun that are currently available for competitive shooter. C.H.A.S. 3-Gun focuses on shooting Practical Application Skills and Drills scenarios. Our mission statement involves running challenging, timed shooting courses that will challenge shooters of all skill levels. C.H.A.S. 3-Gun welcomes experienced shooters as well as people that are brand new to the sport or have never shot a firearm before. Our club boasts several experienced Range Officers that will aid new shooters to come out and have an enjoyable and safe experience. The C.H.A.S. 3-Gun League will host safe and challenging courses of fire throughout the year, also displaying at gun shows and presenting information as it relates to our safe and fulfilling sport.For more information visit?the web site at .2013 CHAS Three Gun League scheduleMarch 2013Meeting 10 March 13Shoot 16 March 13 ( Regular 3 Gun Shoot)April 2013Meeting 14 April 13Shoot 20 April 13 (Regular 3 Gun Shoot)May 2013Meeting 5 May 13 Shoot 11 May 13 ( Sniper Shoot)June 2013Meeting 9 June 13Shoot 15 June 13 (Zombie Shoot hosted by 3 Gun)July 2013Meeting 14 July 13Shoot 20 July 13 (Regular 3 Gun Shoot)August 2013Meeting 11 August 13Shoot 17 August 13 (Designated Marksmen Rifle Shoot)September 2013Meeting 15 Sept 13Shoot 21 Sept 13 (Regular 3 Gun Shoot)October 2013Meeting 20 Oct 13Shoot 26 Oct 13 (Regular 3 Gun Shoot)___________________________________________________________________________________________________?One of world's top snipers opens local marksman academy Sniper opens shooting school in EdmontonFebruary 12, 2013By Kris Sims, QMI Agency One of the world's best snipers has opened a gun academy in Edmonton.Retired Cpl. Rob Furlong was a member of the five-man Sniper Cell with Third Batallion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based out CFB Edmonton when he set a world record for a long distance kill shot.While on duty in Afghanistan in 2002, he took out a Taliban ambush from 2,430 m away, protecting the American soldiers nearby.Now, he wants to help train soldiers and police officers to be the best of the best, and help civilians with their aim, too."With my experience in law enforcement and seeing the need for further training in the tactical world, we could bring a police agency up to speed with their snipers in a matter of weeks," Furlong told QMI Agency. "For civilians, we have a marksmanship class on how to handle firearms, use optics and teach them how to target shoot out to 400 metres."Furlong and his team plan to travel throughout North America to help cops and soldiers hone their skills.In recognition for saving the lives of his American brothers in Afghanistan, Furlong's sniper group was awarded the Bronze Star by the U.S. military.The team was nearly ignored by the Canadian government of the time and were eventually given the "Mentions in Dispatches" by the Canadian military.To learn more about the academy and view the upcoming course calendar visit ammo stockpiling impacts Canadian supply US ammo stockpiling impacts Canadian supplyIf you shoot on a regular basis, now is the time to stock up on ammunition. That's because?concern over?firearms law changes in the US have driven civilian ammunition stockpiling to unprecedented levels--and are going to mean higher prices and reduced supplies for Canadians as well.A former CHAS member who now lives in Texas reports that ammunition costs at the weekend gun show in Austin saw 500 rounds of .223 calibre selling for?$559 and 500 rounds of 9 mm for $199. Compare that with prices?in Edmonton on Saturday where 500 rounds of .223 calibre?could be purchased for $199 and 500 rounds of 9 mm for $135.Last?week?a?CHAS member shopping at?Cabelas in Edmonton was?told that?the store?will no longer be stocking pistol calibre ammunition in Canada because it cannot keep shelves stocked in its American stores.While eastern European military surplus ammo as well as Chinese ammunition are still plentiful, and niche ammunition manufacturers in Canada also have competitive prices, expect ammunition coming from the U.S. to?become much harder to find...and much more expensive.Add to this the recent news that the US Department of Homeland Security has recently put out a tender to aquire 1.6 billion rounds in the next 5 years, and civilian ammunition supplies could become even tighter._____________US Gun dealers report shortages of ammunition USA TodayFebruary 16, 2013Gun shops are running low on ammunition from a run by customers fearful of potential gun-control legislation, according to gun retailers and customers. Retailers say much of the demand is from gun owners who are stockpiling in case certain weapons are banned.Prices have more than doubled over past year in some shops, retailers are putting limits on the amount a customer can buy, and some common types of ammunition, such as .22-caliber long rifle shells, are hard to get.The National Shooting Sports Foundation, which represents ammunition makers, retailers, hunters and sport shooters, attributes what it calls "spot shortages" around the country to rising popularity of sport-shooting and hunting, and to people who are "keeping firearms for personal and home defense."The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in December reported recently that hunting license sales were up 9% from 2006 to 2011, reversing a 25-year decline. Michael Hampton, Jr., executive director of the National Skeet Shooting Association and the National Sporting Clays Association, says participation in those sports, which includes up to 4 million participants in each sport, is growing 3-5% annually.But retailers say much of the demand is from gun owners who are stockpiling in case certain weapons are banned, who believe that economic chaos may be coming, or who are driven by rumors of inevitable background checks or rising taxes on ammunition. Gun sellers and owners say a run on ammunition began shortly after President Obama was re-elected, and has intensified in the gun-violence debate since the December mass killing of 20 children and six adults at a school in Newtown, Conn."We absolutely are in uncharted territory," said Larry Hyatt, of the family-owned Hyatt Gun Shop in Charlotte, N.C.. "Our store is 53 years old, and we have never seen anything like this. We have had some spot shortages and busy gun times in the past. This is a level (of demand) never before seen."He adds: "The political turmoil is intensifying it. People feel like this administration is very anti-gun, and they are going for the legal gun owner." Among the rumors he hears, he says, are that taxes on ammunition are going up and that background checks for ammunition purchases are coming."Whether true or not, this information is out there, and people are getting it while they can," Hyatt says.He is limiting sales of .22-caliber to one box, and is running low on everything from holsters to cleaning brushes.Mike Wastler, manager of Bart's Sports World in Glen Burnie, Md. says he is also having trouble getting guns and ammunition from manufacturers who are "producing 24/7."He says that even before Obama's re-election there was rising demand from people worried about economic chaos. Sales "went crazy" after Obama proposed banning assault weapons, he saysWastler says certain types of .22 shells are "non-existent" in his store, and that others, like 9 mm, and .40 and .45 caliber are "very, very short." So are replacements parts for guns, he says.While there are proposals to ban assault weapons, outlaw certain types of armor-piercing bullets, restrict the number of rounds in magazines for some guns, and end online ammunition sales, Obama and leading anti-gun violence proponents on Capitol Hill have not proposed background checks for ammunition, or restricting the amount of sales.The White House would not comment on the ammunition shortage, but Obama has asserted he is not out to infringe on Second Amendment rights.Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y., has introduced legislation that would effectively ban online sales of ammunition, would require ammunition sellers to have a license, and to report to federal authorities the sale of more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition to a single person. But McCarthy also says on her web site that protecting the Second Amendment right to bear arms for legal gun owners is one of her top priorities.Her spokesman, Shams Tarek, says gun-rights advocates "are putting out this fear that people are trying to take away their guns, put really onerous restrictions on them, when that is not the case."The run on ammunition comes amid Internet discussion about recent purchases of ammunition by the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration.Homeland Security solicited bids for up to 1.1 billion rounds of ammunition for over the next five years, but agency spokesman Marsha Catron says purchases may not run that high, and that most of it would go to required training for about 130,000 armed federal agents in various agencies. The DHS ammunition purchases have been steady since 2009.Last year, after the Social Security Administration solicited bids for 174,000 rounds of .357 ammunition, the agency got so many questions from the public about why it needed that powerful of a bullet that its inspector general's office put out a statement explaining why.The Social Security Administration has 295 armed agents that protect offices around the country, and that ammunition is standard issue for the arms they carry on the job, the agency said."Our special agents need to be armed and trained appropriately," read the Social Security statement. "They not only investigate allegations of Social Security fraud, but they also are called to respond to threats against Social Security offices, employees and customers."Bid winner for the Homeland Security ammunition was ATK Armament Systems, a division of Alliant Technosystems Inc., and a major supplier of guns and ammunition for the military.According to a IBISWorld, a market analyst, ATK Armament is expected to post a 10% increase in revenue, to $1.7 billion, in 2013."While most Americans have cut back on their purchases of cars, clothing and other luxuries … gun enthusiasts are working themselves into a frenzy over what another four years under the Obama administration may hold for gun laws,'' IBISWorld reported in October. "As a result, they are purchasing firearms and ammunition at record rates.''Greg Pacholczyk, who shoots everything from pistols to the AR-15 that the Obama administration wants to ban, says he is not in a frenzy, but that if he is in a store that carries ammunition, he looks to buy. The Marriottsville, Md., resident says AR-15 semi-automatic rifles are very hard to find for purchase, and that ammunition for it is hard to find, too."Gun replacement parts — if you have to find something as simple as a firing pin for an AR-15," it is very difficult, he says. "You read on the blogs people are practically giving away their first born for a little piece of metal." gun raffle winners Gun raffle winners announcedCongratulations to the winners of the 2012 CHAS gun raffle. Tickets were sold through 2012 for three prizes:?a Marlin Model 60 walnut stainless open site tubefed .22 rifle,?a Savage Axis XP in any available calibre, and a Mossberg combo 12 gauge shotgun in walnut and blue. The early bird prize?was an autographed copy of the book Sniper. 1st?prize?- Wade Hallett (Axis)2nd prize- Rod Bourgon (Shotgun)3rd prize?- Trevor Laitila (.22)_____________________________________________________________________________________________________?2013 Alberta gun show schedule 2013 Alberta gun show scheduleFebruary 23 and 24: Vegreville Wildlife Federation Gun and Accessories Show. |Vegreville.?780-632-7875 or 780-632-4966 March 2: Bud Haynes Spring Auction Sale: Bay 5, 7429-49 Ave., Red Deer.? 403-347-7301 March 2 and 3: Provost Gun Show at the Provost Culture and Recreation Centre. 5113-43 St. Provost.? 780-209-1627 March 29?and 30: ?A.A.C.C.A. Calgary B.M.O. Centre, Stampede Grounds, Fri. Mar.29th. 9:30 to 5:00; Sat. Mar. 30th. 9:30 to 4:00 Admission $10.00, Ladies & children 12 & under with an adult free. 403-771-8348?or 403-249-8383.? Apr. 6?and 7:?Drayton Valley gun show, Drayton Valley Omniplex Centre. 780-514-0917 April 12-14. Fort McMurray RV, ATV, and Boat show,? Frank Lacroix Arena. 780-374-3864 Apr. 13 and?14: Consort Gun and Hobby Show. 403-577-3818 Apr. 20 and?21: High Prairie gun show, Gordon?Buchanan Recreation Centre. High?Prairie. 780-523-5034 May 4 and 5:? Red Deer Gun Show, Agri Centre West, Westerner Park, Red Deer. 403-347-3767. May 11 and 12: Claresholm Gun Show at Claresholm Arena, Claresholm. 403-381-3183 May 24-26: Gun and Sportsman Show. Frank Lacroix Arena, Fort McMurray. 780-374-3864 June 1 and 2: Castor Gun Show, Castor Community Hall. Castor. 403-882-3835 June 14 to 16: Camrose Fun and Sportsman Show, Camrose Regional Exhibition Grounds, Camrose. 780-374-3864 July 20 and 21: Hanna Annual Rod and Gun Show, Hanna Curling Rink. Hanna. 403-854-3986 August 10- Crowsnest Pass Pistol Club's Annual Ken Allen Memorial Gun Show, Crowsnest Pass Sports Complex, Coleman. 1-866-425-0083 August 24 and 25: 6th Annual Torrington Gun Show at Ron Gorr Memorial Arena, Highway 27, Torrington. Ph 403-556-5768. September 13 to 15: Grande Prairie Gun and Sportsman Show, Evergreen Park, Grande Prairie. Ph 780-374-3864 September 21: AACCA Show, Thorncliffe Community Centre, Calgary.? Ph 403-771-8348 October 5 and 6: Medicine Hat Gun and Hobby Show at Medicine Hat Cypress Centre, Stampede Grounds,? Medicine Hat. 403-527-2615 October 5 and 6: Edmonton Gun Show at Aviation Heritage Society Hanger.? 11410 Kingway Avenue, Edmonton. 780-473-3032 or 780-455-5036 November 30 and December 1: Edmonton Gun Show at Aviation Heritage Society Hanger. 11410 Kingway Avenue, Edmonton. 780-473-3032 or 780-455-5036 December 6 to 8: Fort McMurray Gun and Christmas Show,? Syncrude Sports and Wellness Centre, Fort McMurray. 780-374-3864 January 18 and 19, 2014: Lloydminster Fish and Game Association Annual? Gun Show and Outdoor Sportsman Show, Lloydminster Exhibition Association Convention Centre Building. 306-825-7653 ___________________________________________________________________________________________?Welcome, new members! Are you new to CHAS?Are you new to the Canadian Historical Arms Society? If so, welcome to "CHAS"! As our organization continues to grow, we are pleased to welcome all individuals who have a shared interest in arms to join our organization. The Canadian Historical Arms Society was founded in 1967 by a group of individuals interested in the collection, preservation, and application of all categories of arms, from bayonet and Samurai swords, antique and modern military arms and accoutrements to black powder muzzleloaders. Today CHAS undertakes a wide variety of activities throughout the year. In addition to hosting monthly meetings, publishing this newsletter, hosting a web site at chas.ab.ca, holding an annual gun show, participating in the Edmonton Sportsman's Show and supporting a number of local charities, the club provides access to both indoor and outdoor ranges for its members to encourage active participation in shooting sports. CHAS members are of diverse ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Club members include everyone from students, homemakers, farmers and Armed Forces members to realtors, teachers, doctors and accountants. Today we are pleased to be seeing a noticeable resurgence of interest in firearms ownership, and recreational and competitive shooting as evident in our membership numbers.Make the most of your membership by getting involved! We encourage all members to attend our monthly meetings (the next meeting is Monday evening March 4 starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Timers Cabin) and invite you to get actively involved in the club. We have a wide variety of ways that you can get involved in CHAS, and as our club continues to expand we need your support to ensure CHAS continues to grow and meet your needs and interests. Please contact any member of our executive if you have any questions about CHAS, or about opportunities to get more involved with the club.For more information, please join our Facebook page or visit the CHAS web site at chas.ab.ca.___________________________________________________________________________________________________?First Cops and Cowboys shoot scheduled Join the `Cops and Cowboys` Charity Shoot? Proceeds Benefit to STARS Air AmbulanceDate: May 4,2013Five stage cowboy Action Match$35.00 Entry fee [ includes lunch one hamburger/ hotdog and soft drink]$25.00 Entry fee for members of CHAS [ includes lunch one hamburger/ hotdog and soft drink ]Spectators $10.00 [ for gun club insurance ]Lunch: $5.00 [ one hamburger/ hotdog and soft drink ]Sign in 0830-0915Safety Meeting 0915Shooting starts 0930 hrs. Limited to 20 cops and 20 cowboy/cowgirls Police; duty handgun, rifle and shotgun [ please come and shoot in uniform ]Cowboy/cowgirls; normal firearms [ two single action hands, LA rifle in pistol caliber, sxs shotgun or 97 pump ] ?Ammo: Handgun 50 roundsRifle 50 roundsShotgun 20 plusTo register please send your Name, Alias, if a cowboy shooter, SASS number, Address, City, Prov, Postal code, Phone Number, and e-mail address to:``The Rev. Mr. Jacks`` [ aka John @ Milarm ]john. paetkau@yahoo.caOr reply toJohn Paetkau C/O Milarm Co Ltd10759-99 StEdmonton ABT5H 4H6___________________________________________________________________________________________________?Tavor bullpup under media scrutiny Plans to restrict exotic rifle? Ottawa won't sayPatrick Cain, Global TV NewsDecember 21, 2012 Four months after a national police oversight group called for restrictions on an exotic Israeli assault rifle, officials in Public Safety Minister Vic Toews' office would not say whether the government had made a decision. In August, the Canadian Association of Police Boards, the national organization of civilian police oversight boards, called for tighter restrictions on a list of weapons which "are not typical hunting rifles or shotguns and should be traceable." One rifle cited was the Israeli-made Tavor Model 21, which at the moment has a non-restricted status, the same as more traditional rifles and shotguns used by farmers and hunters. The Tavor has a "bullpup" design, which shortens the overall length of a rifle by placing the bolt and magazine, and the rear of the barrel, much further back than on a traditional rifle, at the firer's shoulder. This significantly reduces the length of the weapon - the Tavors sold in Canada are much shorter than a traditional long arm like a Lee-Enfield, despite being a fully functioning rifle. "The (Calgary) police had brought forward a list of the more serious weapons that could be used in a shooting incident that could compromise public safety, could compromise police officer safety, that should not be as freely available and should be restricted," explains Brian Edy, a lawyer who sits on the Calgary Police Commission, where the resolution originated. "Any firearm that can be easily concealed is a concern," cautions Doug Carlson, a retired OPP staff sergeant who worked as a regional firearms officer in Ontario for six years. "That's just common sense. As a police officer, when you're going to an incident, if you know somebody can easily conceal a high-powered rifle, that certainly raises a concern." The British and French armies have used a bullpup rifle design since the 1980s, and the Israeli Defence Force is in the process of introducing one (a shorter version of the Tavor sold in Canada, capable of automatic fire). A redacted copy of the gun registry released to Global News earlier this year under access-to-information laws - before it was largely deleted - showed at least 341 bullpup rifles privately owned in Canada. Most are Tavors, with some examples of Belgian- and Chinese-made weapons as well. Only two bullpups were registered in 2007, but that number grew to 193 by 2010. British Columbia has the highest number, followed by Ontario and Alberta. All were classified as non-restricted weapons, meaning that they could be owned without a special licence, like conventional rifles and shotguns, and that, outside Quebec, registration records have since been destroyed along with the long gun registry. It also means that they aren't restricted to shooting ranges, unlike many other military-style semiautomatic weapons. (The Tavor) "... is constructed to be a military-type weapon. That's who should be using it, or the police. It shouldn't be available to the public without severe restrictions," Carlson says. A firearm can be reclassified from non-restricted to restricted. However, with the long gun registry no longer in existence outside Quebec, it's an open question how the federal government would notify affected gun owners. In such a situation, " ... the Canadian Firearms Program would actively communicate the change by posting a notice to its website, informing callers to its toll-free information line, in addition to issuing special bulletins to firearms businesses, police and provincial Chief Firearms Officers," an RCMP spokesperson explained in an e-mail. "Obviously a registry makes it easier to prohibit firearms," said Wendy Cukier of the Coalition for Gun Control. "Not having one doesn't prevent you from prohibiting them, it just makes it much more difficult to enforce if you no longer have any information." "If they were to designate a non-restricted firearm as restricted, you have no way of finding out who's got them any more," Carlson says. "You're just hoping that people are going to be honest." The Tavor 21's importer, Toronto-based North Sylva, and retail sellers of the rifle would not comment to Global News. A Tavor owner Global contacted would not comment for the record. globalnews.ca/6442777020/story.htmlRelated stories from Global News:LOOPHOLES: How a changing arms industry is bringing incoherence to Canada's gun control systemGame-changer in Northern Ireland, .50-calibre rifles are non-restricted hereSawing off a shotgun can mean serious prison time - but loophole allows new shotguns with 8.5-inch barrelsLoopholes allow (some) 10-round magazines in (some) semi-automatic rifles___________________________________________________________________________________?Join us on Facebook Join CHAS on FacebookWondering how the road conditions are to the range? Have a question about a gun project you're working on? Have something interesting to share? If you're a member of the Facebook social media web site, be sure to join the Canadian Historical Arms Society group. See event photos, ask questions, share information, connect with fellow members, join discussions, see news updates and more. We are now at 160 group members and counting._____________________________________________________________________________________________________?right000Historical firearms The Mauser "K98": Karabiner 98 KurzThe Karabiner 98 Kurz (often abbreviated Kar98k, K98, or K98k) was a bolt action rifle chambered for the 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridge that was adopted as the standard service rifle in 1935 by the German Wehrmacht. It was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles. Although supplemented by semi- and fully automatic rifles during World War II, it remained the primary German service rifle until the end of World War II in 1945.? During its production, more than 14.6 million were produced.HistoryThe Karabiner 98k was derived from earlier rifles, namely the Mauser Standardmodell and the Karabiner 98b, which in turn had both been developed from the Gewehr 98. Since the Karabiner 98k rifle was shorter than the earlier Karabiner 98b (the 98b was a carbine in name only, a version of Gewehr 98 long rifle with upgraded sights), it was given the designation Karabiner 98 Kurz, meaning "Carbine 98 Short". Just like its predecessor, the rifle was noted for its reliability, great accuracy and an effective range of up to 500 metres (550 yd) with iron sights and 1,000 metres (1,090 yd) with an 8× telescopic sight.DesignThe Karabiner 98k was a controlled-feed bolt-action rifle based on the Mauser M 98 system. It could be loaded with five rounds of 7.92×57mm Mauser ammunition from a stripper clip, loaded into an internal magazine. Alternately, cartridges could be loaded singly into the magazine by hand. The straight bolt handle found on the Gewehr 98 bolt was replaced by a turned-down bolt handle on the Karabiner 98k. This change made it easier to rapidly operate the bolt, reduced the amount the handle projected beyond the receiver, and enabled mounting of aiming optics directly above the receiver on the Karabiner 98k. Each rifle was furnished with a short length of cleaning rod, fitted through the bayonet stud. The joined rods from 3 rifles provided one full-length cleaning rod.The Karabiner 98k had the same disadvantages as all other military rifles designed around the year 1900 in that it was comparatively bulky and heavy, having been created during a time when military doctrine centered around highly-trained marksmen engaging at relatively long range. The rate of fire was limited by how quickly the bolt could be operated. Its magazine had only half the capacity of Great Britain's Lee-Enfield series rifles, but being internal, it made the weapon more comfortable to carry at its point of balance. An experimental trench magazine was produced during World War II for Model 98 variants that could be attached to the bottom of the internal magazine by removing the floor plate, increasing capacity to 20 rounds, though it still required loading with 5 round stripper clips. While the Americans had standardized a semi-automatic rifle in 1936 (the M1 Garand), the Germans maintained these bolt-action rifles due to their tactical doctrine of basing a squad's firepower on the light machine gun so that the role of the rifleman was largely to carry ammunition and provide covering fire for the machine gunners. They did experiments with semi-automatic rifles throughout the war (the Gewehr 43/Karabiner 43 entered limited service), and introduced the first assault rifle in 1943 - the MP43 / MP44 / StG44 series. However, the Karabiner 98k remained the primary service weapon until the last days of the war, and was manufactured until the surrender in May 1945.In close combat, however, submachine guns were often preferred, especially for urban combat where the rifle's range and low rate of fire were not very useful, although the rifle's powerful ammunition was better able to penetrate walls and other cover found in urban areas. Towards the end of the war, it was intended to phase out the Karabiner 98k in favour of the StG44, which fired the 7.92×33mm Kurz intermediate rifle round that was more powerful than the pistol cartridges of submachine guns, but that could be used like a submachine gun in close-quarters and urban fighting. Production of the StG44 was never sufficient to meet demand, being a late-war weapon.Usage historyThough most Karabiner 98k rifles went to the German armed forces, the weapon was sold abroad in the years prior to World War II. In Portugal, a large quantity of Karabiner 98k rifles made by Mauser Werke were adopted as the Espingarda 7,92 mm m/937 Mauser infantry rifle. Sweden ordered 2,500 Karabiner 98ks that were provided from the regular production run in 1939.[17] Sweden had adopted a special cartridge for their machine guns, the 8×63mm M32, which was a very powerful round and used only by Sweden. It was used in specially-chambered Ksp m/36 M1917 Browning machine guns, and the Karabiner 98ks were purchased so the machine gun troops could have rifles that fired the same round. Accordingly, the Karabiner 98ks were rechambered in Sweden for the 8x63mm and the internal box magazine of the M 98 system was adapted to match the 8x63mm cartridge, reducing the capacity to 4 rounds. A muzzle brake was installed to reduce the generated free recoil, and the resulting weapon was designated Gev?r m/1940 in Swedish service. After World War II, the Swedes discontinued use of the 8×63mm cartridge and the rifles were sold to Israel. Other pre-war exports of Karabiner 98ks were to China (an unknown number of rifles 1935 - 38), and 20,000 in 1937 to (China's then-enemy) Japan. Exports of Karabiner 98ks decreased as war drew closer, as all available production capacity was needed to equip the German Armed Forces.The Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle was widely used by all branches of the armed forces of Germany during World War II. It saw action in every theatre of war involving German forces, including occupied Europe, North Africa, the Soviet Union, Finland, and Norway. Although comparable to the weapons fielded by Germany's enemies at the beginning of the War, its disadvantages in rate of fire became more apparent as American and Soviet armies began to field more semi-automatic weapons among their troops. Still, it continued to be the main infantry rifle of the Wehrmacht until the end of the War. Resistance forces in German-occupied Europe made frequent use of captured German Karabiner 98k rifles. The Soviet Union also made extensive use of captured Karabiner 98k rifles and other German infantry weapons due to the Red Army experiencing a critical shortage of small arms during the early years of World War II. Many German soldiers used the verbal expression "Kars" as the slang name for the rifle.During World War II, the Soviet Union captured millions of Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles and re-furbished them in various arms factories in the late 1940s and early 1950s. These rifles were originally stored in the event of future hostilities with the Western Bloc. These rifles, referred to by collectors as RC ("Russian Capture") Mausers, can be identified by a crude "X" stamp on the left side of the receiver, the dull, thick reblueing and mismatched parts and electro-pencil serial numbers on smaller parts. The Soviet arsenals made no effort to match the rifle's original parts by serial number when reassembling them, and some parts (the cleaning rod, sight hood, and locking screws) were deemed unnecessary and melted down for scrap metal.Most of these rifles (along with the Mosin–Nagant rifle) were eventually shipped to communist or Marxist revolutionary movements and nations anywhere around the world from Central Europe to Southeast Asia during the early Cold War period. A steady supply of free surplus military firearms was one way that Moscow could support these movements and states whilst retaining plausible deniability as well as give Moscow a means to arm these governments and movements without providing them the latest Soviet infantry weapons (these governments and movements Moscow supported would be provided modern infantry weapons like the SKS and the AK-47 at a later date).One example of the Soviet Union providing the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle (as well as other infantry weapons captured from the Germans during and after World War II) to its communist allies during the Cold War period occurred during the Vietnam War with the Soviet Union providing military aid to the regular armed forces of North Vietnam and to the National Liberation Front (Vietcong) in South Vietnam.A considerable number of Soviet-captured Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles (as well as a number of Karabiner 98k rifles that were left behind by the French after the First Indochina War) were found in the hands of NLF guerrillas and VPA (NVA) soldiers by US, South Vietnamese, South Korean, Australian and New Zealand forces alongside Soviet-bloc rifles like the Mosin–Nagant, the SKS, and the AK-47.In the years after World War II, a number of European nations on both sides of the Iron Curtain that were invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany used the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle as their standard-issue infantry rifle, due to the large number of German weapons that were left behind by the Germans at the end of World War II.Nations like France and Norway used the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle and a number of other German weapons in the years after World War II.Norway's captured Karabiner 98k rifles were soon superseded as a standard issue weapon by the US M1 Garand, but remained in service as Norwegian Home Guard weapons until at least the 1970s, in which role they were rebarreled for the .30-06 Springfield round used by the M1, with a small cutout in the receiver so that the slightly longer US round could still be loaded with stripper clips. These Norwegian conversions had a section of the receiver flattened on the upper left side, where a new serial number (with a prefix denoting the branch of service) was stamped. Some of these rifles conversions were rechambered again to 7.62 mm NATO, but this program was canceled with only a few thousand converted when Norway adopted the AG-3 (H&K G3) as a replacement for both the M1 and the K98k. Some actions from Mauser Karabiner 98k left by German armed forces in 1945 were used by Kongsberg V?penfabrikk (currently Kongsberg Small Arms) for building both military and civilian sniper/target rifles under the Kongsberg V?penfabrikk Skarpskyttergev?r M59 - Mauser M59 and Kongsberg V?penfabrikk Skarpskyttergev?r M67 - Mauser M67 designations. These rifles were used by the Norwegian armed forces up to the 2000s.Former German Karabiner 98k rifles were widely distributed throughout the Eastern Bloc, some being refurbished 2 or 3 times by different factories. They were used by military and para-military forces (such as the East German Combat Groups of the Working Class), and were replaced by Soviet weapons in the 1960s.East German refurbished Karabiner 98ks featured Russian-style thicker blue finish, a 'sunburst' proof mark and sometimes had the factory designation '1001' applied, which was the factory where the refurbishment was carried out. Numbers were re-stamped to match the receiver and old numbers barred out. Numbers of East German and Czech refurbished Karabiner 98ks were exported to the West in the late 1980s and early 1990s and are now in the hands of collectors. Russian Capture Karabiner 98ks were exported to the West in large numbers in the early- and mid- 2000s. A small number of Karabiner 98k rifles were ordered by East Germany from Czechoslovakia in 1950, and are true 98k pattern rifles with bent bolt handle and stock inlet. Due to the Warsaw Pact practice of donating older or obsolete weapons to Socialist/Revolutionary governments/movements in the third world, very few exist in private hands, making it among the rarest Karabiner 98k rifles ever manufactured.The Yugoslavian arms producer Zastava Arms refurbished German Karabiner 98k rifles. These Pr?duzece 44 rifles are readily identifiable as the German factory code markings have been scrubbed from the receiver and replaced with the Yugoslav communist crest. The refurbished Pr?duzece 44 Karabiner 98k rifles were still being used in the Balkan wars of the 1990s.Post–World War II derivatives Many of the liberated European countries continued production of rifles similar to the Karabiner 98k, for example Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Belgium and Ceská Zbrojovka (CZ) in Czechoslovakia produced both their proprietary older models and brand new Karabiner 98k rifles, many of which were assembled from leftover German parts or using captured machinery.As with post-Nazi occupation service post-war production of derivatives was a stop-gap solution until enough numbers of more modern automatic rifles could be developed and produced. The vast majority of the 98K pattern rifles were soon stored as reserve weapons or given for very low prices to various fledgling states or rebel movements throughout the developing world.Both FN and CZ utilized a modified Kriegsmodell design, with the cleaning rod and stock disk still omitted, but the bayonet lug restored. In Czechoslovakia it was known as P-18 or pu?ka vz.98N, the first being the manufacturer's cover designation of the type, the second official army designation - rifle model 98, N for nemecká - German. In Romania, the Czechoslovak version was known under the informal name of ZB, after Zbrojovka Brno - the Czechoslovak state producer of small weapons and munitions - and it was used to arm Romania's Patriotic Guards.From 1950 to 1965, Yugoslavian Zastava Arms produced a near-copy of the Karabiner 98k imported between the wars from Fabrique Nationale called the Model 1948, which differed from the German rifle in that it had the shorter bolt-action of the Yugoslav M1924 series of rifles (not to be confused with the widely-distributed Czech Vz 24 which had a standard length action), a thicker barrel profile (Yugoslavia had low chromium iron ore deposits, so they could not produce steel as hardened as Krupp- or Sweden-steel used in other variants, and made up for it in adding extra material), and a rear sight enclosed in the wooden hand guard (the German-style hand guard began in front of the rear sight, unlike e.g. exports to South America that had a hand guard and rear sight like the M48).Contemporary useThe Bundeswehr still uses the Karabiner 98k in the Wachbataillon for military parades and show acts. In 1995 remaining swastikas and other Nazi-era markings were removed from these rifles, after criticism regarding the presence of such symbols on Wachbataillon kit by the SPD parliamentary party.During the 1990s, the Yugoslavian Karabiner 98k rifles and the Yugoslavian M48 and M48A rifles were used alongside modern automatic and semi-automatic rifles by all the warring factions of the Yugoslav wars. There are a number of photographs taken during the war in Bosnia, showing combatants and snipers using Yugoslavian-made Mauser rifles from high-rise buildings in the Bosnian city of Sarajevo.The Norwegian Army currently (2008) use the V?pensmia NM149 and NM149-F1 sniper rifles which are based on Karabiner 98k bolt actions. Besides Mauser M 98 system actions, captured by Norway at the end of World War II in 1945, contemporary components originating from several manufacturers are used by V?pensmia A/S to build the NM149 and NM149-F1.Since 2003, the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle (along with the Mosin-Nagant, the Lee-Enfield and the Yugoslavian M48) has been encountered in Iraq by US and Allied forces with Iraqi insurgents making use of the Karabiner 98k and other bolt-action rifles alongside more modern infantry weapons like the AK series rifles and the SKS carbine. The extra range afforded by the 7.92×57mm IS cartridge still makes it a viable low-cost marksmen rifle for the insurgents.Many Third World nations still have Karabiner 98k rifles in their arsenals and it will most likely be encountered in regional conflicts for many years to come.Civil useThe Karabiner 98k rifles that were used by Germany during World War II are highly sought after collector's items in many circles. The Mauser Karabiner 98k rifle remains popular among many rifle shooters and military rifle collectors due to the rifle's historical background, as well as the availability of both new and surplus 7.92×57mm IS ammunition. As of 2010, the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles that were captured by the Soviets during World War II and refurbished during the late 1940s and early 1950s have appeared in large numbers on the military surplus rifle market. These have proven popular with buyers in the United States and Canada, ranging from ex-military rifle collectors to target shooters and survivalists, due to the unique history behind the Soviet capture of Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles.The widespread availability of surplus Mauser 98k rifles and the fact that these rifles could, with relative ease, be adapted for hunting and other sport purposes made the Mauser 98k popular amongst civilian riflemen. When German hunters after World War II were allowed again to own and hunt with full bore rifles they generally started to "rearm" themselves with the then abundant and cheap former Wehrmacht service rifles. Civilian users changed these service rifles often quite extensively by mounting telescopic sights, aftermarket hunting stocks, aftermarket triggers and other accessories and changing the original military chambering. Gunsmiths rebarreled or rechambered Mauser 98K rifles for European and American sporting chamberings such as the 6.5×55mm Swedish Mauser, 7×57mm Mauser, 7×64mm, .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 8×60mm S, 8×64mm S, etc. The magnum hunting cartridges 6.5×68mm, 8×68mm S and 9.3×64mm Brenneke were even specially developed by German gunsmiths for the standard military Mauser 98 action.Surplus Mauser 98K actions were used by Schultz & Larsen in Denmark as the basis for target rifles. The actions had the German markings removed, were refinished in gray phosphate, and new serial numbers and proof marks applied. The Schultz & Larsen M52 and M58 Target Rifles used shortened and refurbished Karabiner 98k stocks. Later versions had new target stocks fitted and were available in .30-06, 6.5×55mm and 7.62mm NATO. Some of these rifles are still in competitive use today although with the benefit of new barrels. Besides conversions of original Karabiner 98k rifles other sporter variants made by a number of manufacturers such as FN Herstal, Zastava, Santa Barbara (Spain) and many others have been available at various times in a wide variety of chamberings, but most are large-bore hunting calibers.Modern civilian offspringThe Mauser-type action is widely held to be the pinnacle of bolt-action rifle design, and the vast majority of modern weapons of this type, both military and civilian, are still based on it to this day. The safety offered by its three-lug bolt and the added reliability of controlled feed (especially favored by dangerous game hunters) are considerable refinements not found in other designs.Throughout the design's history, standard sized and enlarged versions of the Mauser M 98 system have been produced for the civil market.John Rigby & Co. commissioned Mauser to develop the M 98 magnum action in the early 1900s. It was designed to function with the large sized cartridges normally used to hunt Big Five game and other dangerous game species. For this specialized type of hunting, where absolute reliability of the rifle under adverse conditions is very important, the controlled-feed M 98 system remains the standard by which other action designs are judged. In 1911 John Rigby & Co. introduced the .416 Rigby cartridge that due to its dimensions could only be used in the M 98 magnum action.Zastava Arms currently (2010) manufactures the M48/63 sporting rifle which is a short barreled variant of the Model 1948 military rifle and the Zastava M07 sniper rifle.Since 1999 the production of Mauser M 98 and M 98 Magnum rifles has been resumed in Germany by Mauser Jagdwaffen GmbH (Mauser Huntingweapons Ltd.) according to original drawings of 1936 and the respective Mauser patents.Source: American perspective.... For Valentine's Day, Vegas embraces in-your-face gun promotionCTV NewsFebruary 14, 2013?LAS VEGAS -- One Las Vegas shooting range is selling "take a shot at love" packages that include 50 submachine gun rounds. Another is offering wedding packages in which the bride and groom can pose with Uzis and ammunition belts. And a third invites lovebirds to renew their vows and shoot a paper cutout zombie in the face.Never known for its understatement or good taste, Sin City is bucking the U.S. trend of avoiding flippant gun promotions after the Connecticut school shooting in December left 20 young children dead. Instead, it is embracing tourists' newfound interest in big guns the only way it knows how: by going all in.Capitalizing on the state's relaxed gun laws, shooting ranges offer an armoury of military-grade weapons that aren't accessible in other states. And because this is Las Vegas, they also allow customers to destroy photographs of exes, make souvenir T-shirts full of holes and shoot fully-automatic weapons in barely-there bachelor party man-kinis.Some gun control advocates say the promotions trivialize the dangers of high-powered weapons."These gun stores and shooting ranges offer bad puns in poor taste in their efforts to put a happy face on firearms, yet each day more than 86 Americans die from gun violence," said Josh Sugarmann, who is executive director of the Washington D.C-based Violence Policy Center."While Las Vegas gun promoters present assault rifles with high-capacity ammunition magazines as harmless Valentine's Day props, the vast majority of Americans understand their true role: military-bred weapons that threaten police and public safety," he said.At least half a dozen ranges opened in Las Vegas last year, triggering a marketing arms race.Before visitors even pick up their bags at McCarran International Airport, they are confronted by ads for the Gun Store, Las Vegas' most venerable shooting range. One ad features a blonde posing with an MP5 submachine gun under the words, "Try one."Machine Gun Las Vegas, which opened last winter, hires former go-go dancers as hostesses and sells its "femme fetale" package with the slogan, "There's nothing like the scent of Cordite in a woman's hair." (Cordite is an alternative to gunpowder)."We give what people are asking for, whether it's the 'mob experience' and they want to test a Tommy gun, or a bachelor package, and they want a limo to take them to the club afterward," said Lianne Heck, marketing director at Range 702, which opened in October.This year, gun ranges are extending their tongue-in-cheek promotions to Valentine's Day, always a moneymaker in this matrimony-and-sex-obsessed town.The Guns and Ammo Garage is offering free vow renewals by the "Pistol Packing Preacher" for one day only. The Gun Store has built a permanent "shotgun weddings" chapel, because nothing makes a memory quite like the sound of gunfire.Bob MacDuff of Canada said his "I do's" there last July before posing with AK-47s for wedding pictures and going shooting with his 25 guests. He encourages others to celebrate their love with weapons in hand."For people who are gun people, you can't find a better option," MacDuff said.British tabloids have chided the Las Vegas gun ranges."What hope for the U.S. when couples can now get married with weapons?" read the headline of a Jan. 7 article in the Sun reporting that that no couples had cancelled their shotgun weddings after the national tragedy.Emily Miller, wedding officiant and head of marketing for the Gun Store, said the high-powered weapons allow tourists to live out a wild-west fantasy."People always want to put a spin on it, like it's a hostile or angry thing," she said. "Really, customers just want to have fun."At least one gun control advocate agrees with her.In what might be called a Valentine to the shooting range industry, a spokesman for the Washington D.C.-based Coalition to Stop Gun Violence said Vegas' public embrace of shooting might cause people to associate it with other Sin City favourites like gambling, benders and ill-conceived hook-ups."If anything, this will maybe enforce the image of guns as something that are bad for you," he said. the archives... From the pages of the Canadian Historical Arms Society's Trigger Talk newsletter, September/ October 1970 issue....How about that?The Calgary City Council passed the firearms registration bill and have written the Attorney General’s Dept. requesting provincial aid to finance this idiocy in 1971.Clubs like C.H.A.S. must get the lead out and allocate dollars to fight this before it spreads to any other localities like the flu. If the A.G. doesn’t quash it, then we may have to take it to court.The A.A.C.C.A. have been informed of this and maybe we could have some coordination and cooperation with them on this matter. Indeed, with the Edmonton Gun Club, Tofield, Hinton and any others in the province.? This back door legislation is what we firearms owners get for not being alert or not following through on any action we take.? We get this persistent anti-gun legislation because the clubs do not cooperate or take the matter too lightly.? Remember, this proposal insists that all Firearms within any building in the entire province must be registered.If indeed such legislation does come about, all firearms owners will be responsible because they will have deserved this for not having been interested? enough to fight! I sincerely believe this because it is likened to voting: If you don’t vote you have no right to complain about the government which was elected. You got what you deserved for not trying.????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? -Nick Krevosheia_________________________________________________________________________________??chas.ab.ca Canadian Historical Arms Society Box 901 Edmonton AB T5J 2L8 ................
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