Outdoor Life Newswire

We reported last week on a bill introduced in Illinois that would ban certain types of assault weapons and cosmetic features on firearms. The initial reaction from the gun industry was strong, but on news of the measure’s approval in a House panel, gun makers ratcheted their threats up a level.

If the bill becomes law, the firearm manufactures say, they will pack up shop and leave the state. Along with their departure at least 750 jobs would be eliminated. Springfield Armory and ArmaLite are both headquartered in Illinois.

Congressmen from both parties have pledged support, but the future vote is still uncertain. It will be interesting to see if the threat to take business elsewhere is able to curb this anti-gun legislation.

Just recently, a small town near Chicago voted to repeal arduous gun laws in the build-up to a new Cabela’s store opening in the area. Now, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Chicago Mayor Richard Daly want to undo it all. They have endorsed a bill in the state house that closely resembles the recently expired federal assault weapons ban. Without citing any facts (maybe because they don’t exist?) or giving a logical argument, the pair is trying to deliver a major blow to lawful gun owners. The language of the bill calls for an end to sales of “semiautomatic assault weapons,” .50 caliber rifles and ammunition, magazines that hold more than 10 rounds and so-called “assault weapon attachments.”

The Illinois State Rifle Association has joined with gun makers in taking a very public stand against the legislation.

You know your town might have a crime problem when the local NBA franchise, in this case the Philadelphia 76ers, unveils a program to swap firearms for pairs of basketball tickets. The operation began Wednesday and will run for one week. Keeping in line with other gun swaps, this is a “no-questions-asked” trade. Police are only looking to get weapons off the street, not pursue criminal investigations.

This is nothing new, precincts throughout the country still rely on these programs, if anything, as a publicity stunt. Gun-rights activists should be especially wary of Philadelphia’s latest effort because Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson told reporters he would be “happy if law-abiding citizens turned in their firearms, too.”

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It’s probably easier to read a book written in Mandarin Chinese than to decipher the many, many tedious gun laws in this country. Thankfully in Michigan, Rep. Tim Moore is proposing some common sense legislation. Under the state’s current law, guns cannot be transported in cars unless they are unloaded in the trunk and the owner (who must be in the car) possesses a hunting license or is driving to or from a shooting range.

The new legislation would throw out the hunting license and destination clauses, allowing gun owners to transport unloaded firearms in a vehicle’s trunk. This is certainly moving in the right direction.

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Gun control sometimes seems like a never-ending tornado. Second amendment enthusiasts have been trying to protect their rights for decades, and yet with each election or each referendum, there is resistance from the anti-firearm community. That is, until gun owners stumbled upon an unlikely superhero: Cabela’s.

In Hoffman Springs, Ill., a Chicago suburb, local officials voted unanimously to repeal antiquated firearm laws with the arrival of outdoor mega-store Cabela’s. Prior to voting, the old laws required all gun stores to report sales to the police department within 24 hours. Buyers also had to apply for a permit prior to purchasing a weapon. Now, dealers and shoppers will fall under the jurisdiction of the Illinois law.

It’s good to see that a town understands the benefits of having a community of outdoor enthusiasts (and the tax revenue that Cabela’s will bring), but why did it take a store opening to overhaul restrictive gun laws? Thoughts?

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The Canadian government, which likes to ban everything, has taken another step towards making sure no one in their fair land possesses a weapon. The country is enacting a $650 million plan (is that what, $83 U.S.?), which will force firearm owners to register, disable and even surrender some handguns. Read the awful truth here. If they really want to improve the quality of life up there try banning jean jackets.

And now, so as not to discriminate against Canadian Francophones I'll summarize the above paragraph in French:

Qu'une loi stupide, Pierre