Thomas L. Kimball for the fine job he is doing in leading us in preserving this right: Therefore be it Resolved, That this organization express its appreciation to National Wildlife Federation for including "Gun Law" coverage in its weekly Conservation News Reports. Adopted January 12, 1964. Attest: A. J. CHRISTIANSEN, President. RALPH R. HILL, Secretary. COLORADO WILDLIFE FEDERATION, Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, Commerce Committee, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.O. DEAR SENATOR: I understand hearings are to be held on January 29-30 on firearms regulations, specifically S. 1975, and humbly ask the following to be included in the record. I am L. W. Hunnicut of Rangely, Colo., chairman of the firearms committee of Colorado Wildlife Federation, Inc. We have been following with much interest the Dodd firearms bill, S. 1975. In the beginning the conditions of this bill were intended to control the purchase of firearms, specifically handguns, by minors (juvenile delinquents) and others (addicts, felons, fugitives from justice, etc.) throug mail order, thereby circumventing local law officers. It would also help regulate some of the sellers of cheap, inferior grade firearms and help diminish the sale of many foreign surplus firearms which range from poorly designed to downright dangerous. These reasons we consider desirable, although this gun bill seems rather far reaching for a committee that was supposed to investigate juvenile delinquency. However, we will grant that juvenile delinquency and unauthorized firearms possession are, to a point at least, probably related. Then we find the words (sec. 3(d)) "as the Secretary may be regulation prescribe" which seems to circumvent the authority and duties of Congress to any views that one person may have or, in a moment of crisis, and before calm reasoning has had time to reassert itself, may be convinced it might be better to approve. As an example of what can happen we find that after the assassination of President Kennedy, the Honorable Thomas J. Dodd made some changes in this bill, which, I understand, have subsequently been withdrawn, which would have imposed a very dangerous situation upon this country and the peace-loving people who live in it. Here I am referring to the part where a police officer would have to return a signed statement that notice had been received of a firearms purchase by mail, before the firearm could be sent to the purchaser. This police veto power over the purchase of firearms could lead to severe discriminatory practices. If anyone who understands the situation as well as Senator Dodd must, after the hearings he has conducted in his subcommittee, can be persuaded, while under stress, to adopt such an amendment as this, what can be expected from the floor of the Senate if this bill is allowed to reach that level at this time. We have some wild thinking as to how the elimination of guns will suddenly remove all the bad and leave the good, but this concept seems to have worked just the opposite everywhere in the world it has been tried. Might I state: America is free and great because of guns-not in spite of them. No other country in the world has the high standard of living we enjoy here and neither does any other country have the freedom of possession and use of arms we have here. While I could go into great detail as to the reasons the two are inescapably locked together, I will not attempt to do so here as I am sure your hearings will bring all this out better than I can present it. But, must we lose all the sincere effort and time that has been devoted to the problem of firearms and juvenile delinquency because of an unfortunate experience? May we sincerely request the original Dodd bill (draft-June 1, 1962) be submitted to the Senate floor on a suspension of the rules procedure whereby no changes would be allowed and if this is not possible the bill be tabled now and reconsidered at a more sane time. Respectfully, L. W. HUNNICUTT. CONNECTICUT STATE LEAGUE OF SPORTSMEN'S CLUBS, INC., Hon. WARREN MAGNUSON, Chairman, Committee on Commerce, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Higganum, Conn., February 1, 1964. DEAR SENATOR: After very serious consideration, the Connecticut State League of Sportsmen's Clubs unanimously voted at our last meeting to oppose S. 1975 amending the Federal Firearms Act. We in no way would support any legislation which in essence would be or lead to the registration of any and all firearms, and urge you to exert your influence in supporting our stand, both vocally in Congress and otherwise in opposition to S. 1975. The tragic and unfortunate assassination of our past President would not have been prevented in any way, no more than the Sullivan law has kept the gun out of the hands of the hoodlum, the gangster, the pervert, the demented, and the mentally unsound of New York City. The registration of firearms could, as in the past, which history bears out, make our great Nation easy prey to a Communist or Fascist takeover. Let us not make a mockery of article 2 of the Constitution of the United States. Enclosed you will find a copy of the letter which was sent to Senator Thomas Dodd, the sponsor of S. 1975. The countless millions of dollars spent annually by the millions of sportsmen of our Nation who undoubtedly would just "throw in the proverbal sponge” if a gun registration law were enacted seem to have been forgotten. The economic worth is immeasurable. Again, we urge you not to support this legislation and work for its defeat. Our league consists of 52 organized sportsmen's clubs throughout our State with a membership of over 12,000 sportsmen all of whom are your constituents. Respectfully yours, WALTER A. CZAJA, Jr., President. ESTRELLA ROD & GUN CLUB, Litchfield Park, Ariz., January 6, 1964. Re all Senate bills seeking to amend the Federal Firearms Act. Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman of the Committee on Commerce, MY DEAR MR. MAGNUSON: This organization respectfully and earnestly requests that very careful study of these bills be made and every effort made to conserve and develop, rather than vanquish, all of the fine sports that utilize both rifles and handguns. This cannot be done without considerable added expense and much inconvenience on the part of interested people, if the proposed restrictions are imposed in any semblance of their entirety. It is our opinion that it is the user, rather than the weapon (rifle or brickbat), that is the perpetrator of any crime; and that as long as there is a desire for crime there will be a weapon to use for it. It is our feeling that comprehensive programs that will work toward the public training in arms safety such as NRA, senior and junior clubs and home safety programs with their tendency to develop respect for others, as well as a spirit of cooperativeness and fairplay, will do more to help cut down crime in our fair United States than the strictest regulations. We wish to be placed on record as being against registration of firearms at any government level, or requirement of license to possess arms; but not against legislation that will in some other manner prohibit undesirable citizens from obtaining any type weapons (firearms or otherwise). We also pledge our organization to assist as much as possible in the furtherance of arms familiarization and safety. Respectfully yours, EUGENE V. SKELLEY, Secretary. GIG HARBOR SPORTSMAN'S CLUB, Senator WARREN MAGNUSON, Washington, D.C. Senate Office Building, DEAR SIR: The Gig Harbor Sportsman's Club goes on record to oppose all antigun legislation not approved by the National Rifle Association. NEWTON B. BULLARD, Secretary. GRAYS HARBOR RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB, INC., Re realistic firearms legislation. DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: The Grays Harbor Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc., support the "Dodd bill" as amended according to proposals made by the National Rifle Association of America. We oppose legislation which would place restrictions on the law-abiding citizen. We are against registration of ownership of firearms, license requirements, and legislation which interfers with the rights of our citizens. We favor legislation which provides for severe penalties for the use of a weapon in committing a crime, and legislation prohibiting the sale of firearms to criminials, mental incompetents, and juveniles without parental consent. Because of the tragic death of President Kennedy by an assassins bullet many people are in favor of strict firearms control. We ask that you study this problem logically and that a realistic firearms control bill be adopted. Sincerely, RICHARD W. BOGAR, KADIAK RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB, Hon. E. L. BARTLETT, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR BARTLETT: This is in regard to your letter of December 18, 1963, to Mr. John P. Randolph of Kodiak in which you stated that we might submit a statement to be included in the printed record of hearings of the Senate Commerce Committee on Senator Dodd's bill, S. 1975, and amendments thereto. We do, indeed, desire to do so and our statement follows: 'Senator Dodd's proposed law is intended to prevent crime and if it would actually achieve that purpose, the law-abiding citizens of the United States would certainly be in favor of the bill. However, experience has proven that no legislation can prevent gangsters and criminals from securing and using firearms. A more logical and reasonable approach to this problem would be legislation which can severely penalize the illegal use of firearms and, when properly enforced, can send to prison for long periods criminals who are caught doing so. In view of this, we believe that the proposed law is really unnecessary and will, in fact, contribute to a network of technical restrictions which can trip a conscientious sportsman into being an unintentional violator. The desire to see our laws adequately enforced is never justification for additional legislation which can make a prudent law-abiding citizen an unwitting lawbreaker. Senator Dodd's proposed bill would encroach upon one of the most sacred and meaningful liberties of the individual American. The second amendment to the Constitution asserts that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." The restrictions and regulations set forth by this -bill which would be imposed upon the law-abiding citizen attempting to purchase a firearm can only be viewed as an "infringement." It is hoped that the members of the Senate Committee on Commerce will view this proposed legislation as an abridgement of the rights and liberties guaranteed to the people by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Sincerely, KENNETH R. DUGWYLER, President. KAHLOTUS SPORTS & BOOSTER CLUB, INC., Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: At our annual meeting on January 17, 1964, the members voted unanimously against all antigun legislation. We urgently request you, as our representative, to vote against any and all such measures not endorsed by the National Rifle Association, which come before Congress. Your past interest in matters pertaining to this particular area is greatly appreciated. Sincerely yours, CHESTER H. MITZ, Secretary. PRESCOTT, ARIZ., Senator WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Chairman, U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Prescott Sportsmen's Club, an affiliate of National Rifle Association, National Wildlife Federation, and Arizona Game Protective Association, request and urge a don't pass recommendation from your committee for S. 1975. We consider many regulations set forth in the bill much too restrictive and severe for the best interests of the law-abiding citizens of this country, and will not appreciably deter potential criminals. M. J. MCNARIE, President, Prescott Sportsmen's Club. SOUTH DAKOTA STATE RIFLE & PISTOL ASSOCIATION, Senator WARREN G. MAGNUSON, DEAR SENATOR MAGNUSON: This is to advise that the South Dakota Rifle & Pistol Association at a special meeting held in Pierre, S. Dak., on Saturday, January 11, 1964, approved the following resolution to the Members of the U.S. Congress: "Be it resolved by the South Dakota Rifle & Pistol Association, That we are opposed to the passage of any legislation by the U.S. Congress which would serve to further restrict in any way the lawful purchase, ownership, or use of firearms designed for hunting, competitive marksmanship, or personal protection. "We believe that any additional legislation should be addressed to the problem of wrongful use of firearms rather than to the discouragement of all use. We believe that the key to the prevention of accidents with firearms is appropriate education relating to the proper methods of handling firearms in the home, on the range, and in the field, accompanied with adequate instruction and training in marksmanship. We believe that the key to the prevention of crime with firearms is adequate penalties, properly enforced, for their misuse or abuse." We respectfully request you to bring this resolution to the attention of the other members of the Committee on Commerce and cause it to appear in the record of hearings on Senate bill 1975 and any other proposed legislation designed to place further restrictions on the lawful purchase, ownership, or use of fire arms. Sincerely yours, C. RUSSELL UNBACK, President, T. N. SCARBOROUGH, Vice President, JAMES C. SCHOOLER, Secretary, DON FITZLER, Director. Senator E. L. BARTLETT, TANANA VALLEY SPORTSMEN'S RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB, Committee on Commerce, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR: The Tanana Valley Sportsmen's Rifle & Pistol Club would like to go on record as opposing any strenuous gun legislation. Rather than preventing the dishonest from obtaining firearms, most of the bills which are now being proposed would only hinder the ownership of firearms by the lawful sportsmen and riflemen. Yours very truly, BERNIECE HODGES, Secretary. WENATCHEE SPORTSMEN'S ASSOCIATION, Hon. WARREN G. MAGNUSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. MAGNUSON: The Wenatchee Sportsmen's Association, representing a membership of 200 sportsmen and hunters, ask that you oppose all restrictive antigun legislation and urgently request you, as our Congressman, to vote against any and all such measures which come before Congress. Sincerely yours, DON C. KING. Aircrafters Gun Club, Box 2691, West Palm Beach, Fla., by C. E. Langston, Jr., chairman, judiciary committee. Amateur Trapshooting Association, Vandalia, Ohio, by William B. Saxbe, vice president. Ark-La-Tex Gun Collectors Association, Central YMCA, 400 McNeil Street, Brookings Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc., Brookings, S. Dak., by Daryl D. Peterson, president; William Barrows, secretary; Floyd Beilsman, treasurer; and others. Buckskin Rod & Gun Club, Chicago, Ill., by Lon P. Dawson, legislative chairman, 1726 West Leland Avenue, Chicago, Ill. Burlington County Game Protective League, Inc., 123 Chester Avenue, Riverside, N.J., by Stanley Du Bas, corresponding secretary. Caldwell Rod & Gun Club, Caldwell, Idaho, by Earl W. MacLeod, president. California Wildlife Federation, Inc., a resolution submitted by J. D. Flourney, president. Carmi Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc., Post Office Box 219, Carmi, Ill., by A. G. Tate, president. Christian Sportsmen's Club, by John Dahl, Jr., secretary, 222 Elleen Terrace, Hackensack, N.J. Citizens Committee on Natural Resources, 1346 Connecticut Avenue NW., Room 710, Washington, D.C., by Spencer M. Smith, Jr., secretary. Cohasset Pistol Team, Scituate, Mass., by Robert Hansell. Cohasset Rifle & Revolver Club, Cohasset, Mass., by Norman Knight, president. Colorado Division, Izaak Walton League of America, by Bruce W. Crystal, chairman, legislative committee. Colorado Wildlife Federation, Inc., by A. J. Christiansen, president, 3851 Hoyt Street, Wheat Ridge, Colo.; also by Leslie Cornforth, firearms committee, 1324 East Madison, Colorado Springs, Colo. Columbia Green Valley Rifle Revolver Association, Post Office Box 163, Middlefield, Conn., by Charles E. Lyman, III, secretary. Danville Rod Gun Club, 246 Angela Avenue, Alamo, Calif., by Frank Orza, president. Douglas County Rifle Club, by Donald Johnson, secretary, 2822 East Fifth Street, Superior, Wis. |