I would call to their attention, and to your attention, the attempt by the Treasury in August of 1957 to recodify the Federal Firearms Act, with changes of regulations. A public hearing was demanded within the 30-day time limit, and to the surprise of the Treasury Department, almost 700 people, including approximately 40 Congressmen, showed up at this hearing to oppose these regulations. Needless to say, the Treasury Department withdrew entirely their proposed regulations. It is for this reason that our framers of the Constitution require that our laws be passed by Congress. A reading of the Declaration of Independence will educate anybody on the reason as to why they thought this portion of the Constitution necessary. C. RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE BILL Keeping in mind all of the objections that I have here raised concerning this bill, I should like to state here that there are certain provisions which I believe advantageous, but I believe they have no place in this bill. The attitude of the bill toward regulation of the sale and possession of "heavy ordnance" such as cannons, machine guns, and bazookas is well taken. It has been thoughtfully suggested that these regulations could well fall within amendments to the National Firearms Act, and I believe measures have been made in H.R. 6629. Secondly, the importation of "heavy ordnance" could well be managed and regulated by amendment to our tariff laws. We also advocate that bills such as Representative Casey's bill, which is before the House, but not this committee, dealing with the misuse of firearms is also helpful, and we also believe that the philosophy of the bill introduced by Congressman King, the chairman, is also an appropriate attitude and philosophy to take for the problem that you are confronted with. In passing, might I submit that conscientious and strict enforcement of the laws we presently have, with carefully drawn amendments that have been suggested to this committee for H.R. 6629, will be the greatest aid in achieving the purpose we all seek, the suppression of crime. It has been suggested to me, and I pass it on to you for thought, that the States might do well to examine the philosophy and application of our laws pertaining to juvenile offenders. They are now treated as adults by everyone except our law and its enforcing bodies. Personally, I believe that the delinquency problem has been principally due to parents' abrogation of their responsibilities. In closing, gentlemen, may I again sincerely thank you for extending to me the privilege to be heard upon this most urgent and grave matter. I respectfully suggest that there are forces and groups in the United States which are attempting to stampede this body of respected and responsible lawmakers into blindly passing an act the ramifications of which will be in derogation of the constitutional right and liberties of our people. This bill will not attain the purpose of the suppression of crime, but on the other hand will unduly and unconstitutionally hinder and infringe the rights of our public to own and bear arms. No responsible organization, gun owner, hunter, or sportsman denies the need for effective local laws aimed at the misuse of firearms in the commission of crimes, and I respect fully urge that this is the cure to be diagnosed from the disease that exists. In this regard, the associations here represented are in complete accord with the philosophy and principles announced by the National Rifle Association concerning such legislation. Guns never kill people -people kill people. There does not seem to me to be any legitimate reason based on American heritage for passing laws which will restrict the gun owning U.S. citizen that has for the entire history of this country promoted a heritage and knowledge in the use of firearms which has enabled this country to remain free as long as it has. There is no question in my mind, nor should there be in the mind of the witness who preceded me, that as a matter of fact guns don't kill people; people actually do the killing. Gentlemen, in passing our laws which have restrictive effect upon the liberties of our citizens, we should not "throw out the baby with the bath." The philosophy of the proposed bill will effect consequences on our free arms-bearing Nation of more harmful magnitude than the evils it seeks to suppress. This bill should not be passed. It cannot be denied that the more responsible, thoughtful individuals who support passage of gun legislation have an honest, forthright, well-meaning purpose, but it is well to recall the words of warning of one of the great creators of English literature when he suggested, "The most harm is often done by those who desire to do the most good." I will take no more of your time except to thank you very sincerely for the honor and privilege of appearing. (Attachments to Mr. McCracken's statement follow :) EXHIBIT A N. S. S. A. State Associations ALABAMA-Alabama Skeet Shooting Assn., Louis W. Cole, Jr., secretary, Box 2071, Birmingham. BRITISH COLUMBIA-British Columbia Skeet Shooting Assn., D. E. Norman, secretary-treasurer, 329 West 25th St.. CONNECTICUT-Connecticut Skeet Shooting Assn., Anthony DiCarlo, secretary, 85 Masarik Ave., Stratford. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-District of Columbia Skeet Shooting Assn., Laidler B. Mackall, secretary, Shoreham Bldg.. FLORIDA-Florida Skeet Shooting Assn., R. O. Beesch, secretary-treasurer. P. O. Box 3089, West Palm Beach. ILLINOIS-Illinois Skeet Shooting Assn., J. H. Sammis, secretary, 207 Crescent Ave., Peoria. KANSAS-Kansas Skeet Shooting Assn., Maj. Robert A. Gaches, secretary-treasurer, 2440 Himes Road, Manhattan. MARYLAND-Maryland Skeet Shooting Assn., Alex Suwall, secretary, 7 East Madison St., Baltimore 2. NEW JERSEY-New Jersey State Skeet Shooting Assn., Elizabeth J. Roschen, secretary-treasurer, Allaire Road, Somerdale. NORTH CAROLINA-North Carolina Skeet Shooting Assn., Lester C. Todd, Jr., Secretary, Box 4171, Charlotte 28204. OKLAHOMA-Oklahoma State Skeet Assn.. Mrs. A. L. Lundberg, secretary-treasurer, 5323 S. 73rd East Ave., Tulsa. RHODE ISLAND-Rhode Island Skeet Shooting Assn., R. E. Wallis, secretary, 20 Williams St., West Barrington. Regional Associations NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Skeet Shooting Assn., Hume Larsen, secretary-treasurer, 1721 Van Ness Ave., Fresno 21. N. S. S. A. Affiliated Clubs (Where directions to club, days and hours open are not given, clubs failed to complete ALABAMA BROOKLEY AIR FORCE BASE ROD & GUN CLUB, Mobile. Reginald A. Hoover, skeet chairman, 1903 Hunter Ave.. MORGAN COUNTY GUN CLUB, Decatur-Approximately 7 miles S.E. of Decatur on Burleson Mountain. Saturday and ALASKA FORT WAINWRIGHT ROD & GUN CLUB. On top of Birch Hill on Fort Wainwright Drive out of ski lodge and follow ARIZONA PHOENIX WINCHESTER GUN CLUB. North on Black Canyon Highway to Carefree Highway, then west 1 mi. Tues. ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK AFB ROD & GUN CLUB, Jacksonville-Ask guard at main gate for directions to skeet range, adjacent to base carbine range, Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Capt. L. G. Dudderar, skeet chairman. Box 1101, Little Rock AFB, Jacksonville. PAJARO GUN CLUB, Fort Smith. Half mile south and half mile east of smelter on south edge of Ft. Smith on Hiway 22T. Daily. 3 p.m. on. Week-ends, all day. Jim Blakemore, president, 2120 Valley Lane, Fort Smith. PARAGOULD GUN CLUB, Paragould. One mile east of Paragould city limit sign on Hiway 25. Range on left side traveling east. Sat. and Sun. afternoons. Louis Satterwhite, president, 125 Yates St., Paragould. PULASKI SKEET & TRAP CLUB, Little Rock. North on Jacksonville Expressway (US 67) to Sherwood exit; at exit stop sign turn right on Trammel Rd. under overpass then left on old Jacksonville Rd. Continue about 11⁄2 mi. to Wooten Rd. approx. 1 mi. Club on right. Daily except Mon., 4 p.m. till dark. Week-ends, noon till dark. Cerland Patten, secretary, 521 Pyramid Life Bldg., Little Rock. REED-WADE SKEET CLUB, Batesville. One mi. north on Hiway 167 and turn left 1/4 mi. west at H. D. Hill's store. Sun. 1 p.m. till dark. Frank Harris, secretary-treasurer, 482 21st St., Batesville. WEST POINSETT GUN CLUB, Weiner. One mi. north on Hiway 39 from junction of Hiways 14 and 39 at Waldenburg. Sun., 2 till 6 p.m. T. L. Wofford, secretary-treasurer, Box 336, Weiner. CALIFORNIA AERO ROD & GUN CLUB, McClellan AFB-Extreme south end of McClellan AFB. Enter Watt Ave., South Gate, and follow skeet range signs. Oct. 1 to May 1, Sun. 12:00 to 4:00; May 1 to Oct., Sun., 12:00 to 6:00, and Wed., 3:30 to 6:00, all times p.m. C. D. Smith, secretary, 3000 Stanton Circle, Carmichael. ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB, San Bernardino-North on Highway 18 to 40th St., East on 40th to Wildwood Park, to top of hill. CONVAIR GUN CLUB, San Diego-From San Diego, east on Highway 80 to Fletcher Parkway (or from El Cajon, north on Magnolia to Fletcher Parkway), turn north on Cuyamaca, 1⁄2 mile to large club sign, west Sun., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jack Swank, commissioner, 5343 Oak Park Drive, San Diego 5. DRY GULCH GUN CLUB, Norton AFB. 1st Lt. Ronald W. Lumpe, secretary-treasurer, Norton Air Force Base 92409. EDWARDS AFB ROD & GUN CLUB, Edwards-3 miles west of base headquarters on Rosamond Blvd. Thurs., 4:30 p.m. till dark; Sat., 9 a.m. till dark; and any time when arranged with chairman. Lt. Daniel Stump, skeet chairman, 13 17th St., Edwards AFB. FORT ORD ROD & GUN CLUB, Fort Ord-East Garrison ranges. Fort Ord. 1st and 2nd Sat., 4th and 5th Sun. 12 noon till 7 p.m. P. O. Box 305, Fort Ord. FRESNO COUNTY GUN CLUB, Fresno-13 mi. west of 99 Hiway in North Fresno on Shaw Ave. Sun., 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Hume Larsen, secretary, P. O. Box 331, Fresno. GOLDEN VALLEY GUN CLUB, Pacoima-In Roger Jessup Park. Open 7 days. Bennie Dilorio, secretary, 12651 Osborne St., Pacoima. HAMILTON ROD & GUN CLUB, Hamilton AFB-Capt. Michael Matula, secretary, P. O. Box 411. Hamilton AFB. KERN COUNTY GUN CLUB, Bakersfield-China Grade loop and Gordon's Ferry bridge. Wed., 2 p.m. till dark; Sun., 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. Dr. J. J. White. secretary, 1957 19th St., Bakersfield. MARINE CORPS BASE TRAP & SKEET CLUB, 29 Palms-Aboard Marine Corps Base. Sentry at main gate will furnish directions to range. Mon. thru Sat., 7:30 a.m. till 1 p.m. 3518 Cannon St., 29 Palms. MATHER AFB ROD & GUN CLUB, Mather AFB. T/Sgt. James T. Currin, range officer, Box 3068, Mather AFB 95655. MIRAMAR GUN CLUB, NAS Miramar, San Diego-Phil L. Fiske, treasurer, 1571 4th Ave.. San Diego 1. PACIFIC ROD & GUN CLUB, San Francisco-On Leke Merced Blvd. facing Lake Merced, adjacent to San Francisco police pistol range. Wed., Sat. and Sun. Frank H. Blakely, secretary, 760 Market St., San Francisco 94102. PENINSULA SPORTSMEN'S CLUB, Belmont-Henry Boos, secretary, Box 1003, San Mateo. RANCHO ANGELUS TRAP & SKEET CLUB, Gardena-19140 S. Main St.. Gardena. Sat. and Sun., 8 a.m. till dark: SANTA ANA GUN CLUB, Santa Ana-Maj. E. K. Griswold, president, 1018 N. Eastside Ave., Santa Ana. COLORADO ABERCROMBIE & FITCH BROADMOOR SHOOTING GROUNDS, Colorado Springs-Just east of parking lot at ski run, which is well marked by road signs. Sat. and Sun. all day. During week by calling Abercrombie & Fitch, phone 633-3900. Gerald Cleaver, shooting professional, Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Broadmoor Hotel. ENT ROD & GUN CLUB, Ent AFB, Colorado Springs-Located at Peterson Field, 5 miles east of Colorado Springs on Hiway 24. Daily except Tues. and Wed., 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. M/Sgt. Carl N. Poston, skeet chairman, 1305 Diana Lane, Colorado Springs. FITZSIMONS ROD & GUN CLUB, Denver. Fitzsimons Army Hospital. Lt. R. Bach, secretary, care Fitzsimons General Hospital, Box 6239, Denver. LOWRY ROD & GUN CLUB, Denver-SM/Sgt. Arthur L. Smith, USAF, secretary-treasurer, P. O. Box 128, Lowry Air Force Base. CONNECTICUT AMERICAN LEGION SKEET CLUB, Rockville-Vernon Mitchell, president, Stage Route, Tolland. CONNECTICUT YANKEES SKEET CLUB, Bridgeport-No club shooting grounds. Uses Lordship of Mohegan Rod & Gun THE FULTON SPORTSMEN-Uses Groton Rod & Gun Club fields. Sat.. 1 till 4 p.m.; Sun., 8 a.m. George Wilson, secretary, USS Fulton (AS-11) at State Pier, New London. Mail care Fleet P. O., New York, N. Y. HAMDEN FISH & GAME PROTECTIVE ASSN., Hamden-Willow St. off Whitney Ave., Sun., 10 a.m. til 1 p.m., Frank Ferraniolo, skeet chairman, 296 Norton St., New Haven 11. HARTFORD GUN CLUB, Farmington-Knott's Corners, Farmington Ave.. Farmington. Sat., 1 p.m. till 5 p.m.; Wed., HOUSATONIC GUN CLUB, Bridgeport-No club grounds. Uses Lordship for tournaments. Sat., 10 a.m. LORDSHIP GUN CLUB, Lordship-From Boston or New York via Thruway use Lordship exit. Via Merritt Parkway, use DELAWARE DOVER AFB SKEET CLUB, Dover-On Dover AFB. Lt. Raymond W. Jochumsen, secretary, 179 S. Governor's Blvd., Dover. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ANDREWS ROD & GUN CLUB, Andrews Air Force Base. Washington, D. C. beltway to Andrews turnoff or Southeast from Washington via. either Rt. 4, 5 or Suitland Parkway to Andrews AFB, then perimeter road to skeet ranges. Wed.. Sat., Sun., 12 noon till 8 p.m. Christie K. Snyder, Jr., treasurer, Box 4R, Andrews AFB, Washington, D. C. 4. NATIONAL CAPITAL GUN CLUB-Grounds at Gaithersburg, Md. From Washington, D. C. Rt. 40 to Rockville, Md.; from Rockville Rt. 28 for approx. 6 mi. to intersection with Riffleford Rd., right on Riffleford Rd. approx. 1 mi. to club. Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m. till dark. Robert A. Mazzolini, treasurer, 11403 Sherrie Lane, Wheaton, Md. FLORIDA CERA RIFLE & GUN CLUB, Pensacola. North out of Pensacola (about 10 mi.) on Hiway 29 to Chemstrand Rd. Turn JACKSONVILLE GUN CLUB, Jacksonville-South end of Imeson Airport on Gun Club Rd. approx. 500 ft. east of Main ORLANDO AFB SKEET CLUB, Orlando AFB-At main entrance to Orlando AFB, Corrine Drive and Bennett Rd., Orlando. Ask guard at gate for further directions. Wed., 4:30 p.m. till closing; Sat. and Sun., 2:30 p.m. till closing. Col. Charles Botsford, secretary, Orlando AFB. PALATKA SKEET CLUB, Palatka-West end of Lemmon St., turn right, cross railroad, continue on dirt road for 3/4 mi. Wed., 4 to 6 p.m.; Sun., 2 to 6 p.m. Mr. Quincy Masters, secretary, 3015 Crill Ave., Palatka. PALM BEACH GUN CLUB, West Palm Beach-From Sunshine State Parkway exit Lake Worth interchange, turn left 1/%1⁄2 mi., left on Jog Rd. one mile. On left at sign from U. S. 1, turn on Forrest Hills Blvd., to Jog Rd., turn left two mi. to sign. Daily except Mon., 8 a.m. till dark, Lyle Hastings, manager. Box 764-B, Jog Rd., Rt. 1, Lake Worth 33460. PENSACOLA NAVY SKEET & TRAP CLUB, Pensacola. Fields on Naval Air Station. Sun., noon till sundown. W. C. Ellington, skeet chairman, P. O. Box 3375 Myrtle Grove, Pensacola. TRAIL TRAP & SKEET CLUB, Miami-15 mi. west of city at intersection of Hiway 41 and Hiway 27 (US). Trail Glades Ranges. Daily from 10 a.m. on. John H Mercer, secretary, 1350 N.W. 74th St., Miami. TYNDALL AFB SKEET CLUB, Tyndall AFB-On Tyndall AFB 7 mi. east of Panama City on Hiway 98. Tues, to Fri. 12 to 5:00 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m. till 5 p.m.; Sun., 12:30 to 5 p.m. CWO-3 Virgil L. Edmiston, skeet chairman, Personnel Services, 4756 AFB, Tyndall AFB. WINCHESTER GUN CLUB OF FORT LAUDERDALE, Fort Lauderdale. 4951 Oakes Rd., just off US 441, south about GEORGIA ATLANTA SKEET CLUB-On US 41 north, 4 mi. north of Chattahoochee River bridge, on right across from Dobbins AFB runway. Sat. 12 noon till dark: Sun. 1 p.m. till dark: Wed. 3 p.m. till dark, May through November, Everett Chastain. secretary-treasurer. 136 Prince Ave., Marietta. BOSMA SKEET RANGE-(Marine Corps Supply Center Rod & Gun Club.) Albany. FLINT SKEET & TRAP CLUB, Albany. Go south on State Rt. 91 or 91-W (Newton Rd.) 11⁄2 mi. beyond Municipal Airport entrance to intersection with Lilly Pond Rd.. turn left and go east on Lilly Pond Rd. 1.4 mi. to club entrance on north side road. Sun. and Wed., 2 p.m. till dark. C. T. Brisbois, secretary-treasurer, 910 Eighth Ave., Albany. FOREST CITY GUN CLUB. Savannah-On Ferguson Ave near Isle of Hope. Wed., Sat. and Sun. 2 p.m. till dark. David E. Bennett, secretary-treasurer. P. O. Box 1966. Savannah. FORT BENNING TRAP & SKEET CLUB, Fort Benning. Sfc. Nelson D. Dundas, USA, secretary, P. O. Box 1419, Fort Benning 31905. FORT GORDON GUN CLUB, Fort Gordon, Augusta-Sun. 1 till 7 p.m.; Wed. 1 to 6 p.m. Sfc. R. L. DeHart, custodian, Fort Gordon Gun Club. Augusta. HUNTER ROD & GUN CLUB, Hunter AFB, Savannah-Maj. William J. Christie, secretary. Hunter AFB. Savannah. LAKE RICHARDS GUN CLUB, Columbus-Daily except Wed. as required Contact Jack A. Adams, club president, st Tom Huston Peanut Co., Columbus |