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In this issue...
We’re Growing!!!    Number of New Firearms Owners is on the Rise
Report on Ontario’s CFO Meeting
Thoughts on Another Federal Election
Wild West comes to Guelph
Hanscome Outdoor Adventures – Giving the Gift of Adventure
Did You Know – Safe Storage & Transportation
Calling All Businesses - Consider Joining Us
Governor General Michaëlle Jean Takes a Stand
Just For Laughs

We’re Growing!!!!

Number of new firearms owners on the rise

According to recent RCMP statistics the number of people taking the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, the prerequisite for obtaining your Possession and Acquisition Licence to purchase a firearm has increased by 17.5% when compared to 2006.

“After years of decline it’s heartening to see a rise in the number of people enjoying and participating in the preservation of Canada’s firearms heritage.” said Jim Newman the executive officer of CFI. “The real dramatic growth has been the nearly 42% increase in the number of people taking the restricted firearms course.”

Gord Dickie the president of Range Burlington commented. “The demand for membership this year is higher than it’s been in years.” He continued. “We are holding a club safety course once a month for new members and can’t keep up with the demand.”

A quick check with other clubs’ executives across the country indicates that they too are experiencing this growth. With the recent move to eliminate the long gun registry and the growth that our community is experiencing – we can expect a brighter future.

“I have noticed a sizable increase in sales activity for all firearms, but particularly for restricted and the antique sales.” stated John Simpson from Simpson Auctions.

The number of people taking the Canadian Firearms Safety course has been on the rise for the last two years. We need your help to ensure that this trend continues. Together we can make a difference. Please join us today! Your support is needed and much appreciated.

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Report on Ontario’s CFO Meeting

On Saturday June 6^th, 2009 the Ontario CFO held the second annual Clubs and Ranges Seminar in Sudbury. Unfortunately, the venue limited the number of attendees to about 50 clubs and the room was full to capacity.

The purpose of these meetings is to open the lines of communication between the Firearms Office and clubs as well as offer an opportunity for the club executive to network and share common concerns and issues that arise at the club level.

Chris Wyatt in his opening remarks reiterated “the safety of shooters and the public is primary.”

As a matter of safety “Whatever is shot in the range should stay in the range”

Power point presentations were made on the range guidelines, non profit Board Governance, and the legal frame work of clubs and ranges.

Mr. Mike Mussolum - CFP made a presentation on the proposed changes to Range guidelines that will reflect the development and use of new cartridge calibers and the increasing options of range building materials available. The changes will be posted on their web site - http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng.htm.

Sergeant Peter Niedermaier outlined the 5 top historical range inspection concerns:

• Proper signage
• Back stop heights & safety area for Sheet & Trap
• Side Berms
• Range floor
• Warning Flags or Beacons

Take a look! How does your range measure up? If you need a copy of the range guide lines, we have a supply, just give us a call or send us a request by e-mail to office@canadianfirearmsinsitute.ca and we will get it out in the mail to you.

The staff of Canadian Firearms Institute meets formally with the Ontario Firearms Office quarterly and informally on a regular basis as concerns from our membership arise.

By the new year we expect to have opened dialogs with the other CFO’s across the country. If you are interested in assisting us with this process, please contact Jim Newman.

If you have a specific concern that you would like to see addressed – please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to voice your concerns.

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Many thanks to Savage Arms for their support!

Their People Make the Difference!!!

www.
SavageArms
.com

Thoughts on Another Federal Election

Will we or won’t we be going to the polls?

At this point it appears that there won’t be an election call until parliament gets back in the fall.

Either way, in order to move forward we need to continue to make ourselves heard. Introduce yourself to your local MP. Identify yourself as a firearms owner. Let him/her know that you would be happy to help. Take him/her out to the range. Let them get to know you as a person and a firearms owner.

Our goals as a community should be the same as our goals at the CFI.

• Facilitate – help the young ones, the athletes, the individuals new to the sport – support the businesses that support our community
• Advocate – do your part to ensure that our community thrives
• Communicate – share your stories, your pride and your ideas with other members of our community and the general public.
• Educate – take the time to ensure that the politicians, the media and your next door neighbour clearly understand the importance of our heritage and sport. Do your part to undo what the anti’s have accomplished. Let yourself be the example of a Canadian gun owner – not the gang bangers in the urban sprawl.

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Visit
ItsNowOrNever.ca

Wild West comes to Guelph

An Afternoon of Shooting

On May 23rd, 2009, we attended a SASS shoot at the Guelph Rod & Gun Club.

Having never had the opportunity to watch such an event – we didn’t know what to expect. We are hooked!!! The relaxed atmosphere and camaraderie of the shooters made for an entertaining afternoon. It is easy to see why this sport is the fastest growing sport in the Firearms Community.

Skill with a revolver, rifle and shotgun is required to excel – however if you don’t have the skill and you don’t mind a little ribbing – you couldn’t find a nicer bunch of folks to hang out with while you develop it.

You can find out more about the Single Action Shooting Society by visiting either one of these sites:

http://www.sassnet.com/AClubs-Canada-001A.php - this will give you a listing of clubs in Canada that participate

http://www.wssclub.com/ccc.htm Canadian Cowboy Confederacy - a group just “Aimin’ to have fun”

Once again a heartfelt thanks to all for the warm welcome and great afternoon from the CFI Gang – we are looking forward to seein’ y’all in the fall.

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Try Something New!

Visit

Learn Trapshooting.ca

Check out the website for upcoming events in your province

British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland/Labrador
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Yukon

www.Canadian
Firearms
Institute.ca

Hanscome Outdoor Adventures

Giving the gift of Adventure!

Hanscome Outdoor Adventures, in concert with the Martin J. Streef Memorial Fund, is providing opportunity for young hunting enthusiasts, those who might not otherwise have the chance, to experience the full upland game adventure. Martin J. Streef, an expert in agriculture and a personal friend of Ralph Hanscome, was stricken by cancer.

In support of Martin’s love for the outdoors and his enthusiasm for the sport of hunting, a Memorial Fund was established by Ralph Hanscome, in memory of his departed friend. Support from donations made to this fund and from Hanscome Outdoor Adventures Ltd. will be used to create the opportunity for successful youth candidate.

The adventure will include transportation to and from Hanscome Outdoor Adventures' Limestone Lodge located in Perth Andover, NB, meals, accommodation, guides, dogs, safety instruction, guns and ammunition. All a successful candidate has to do is pack some clothes and get ready for a world class hunting experience.

To be an eligible candidate, one has to be between the ages of 13 and 18, and reside in Ontario or any province east.  All recipients must have parental consent and have attended a hunter safety course. (This is the first year that this adventure has been offered and as such the location of the candidates is restricted by the location of the judges. It is the hope of the Foundation and Hanscome Outdoor Adventures that this opportunity will be extended to any candidate across the country in the ensuing years.)

There are two ways to become a candidate:

First method is for an individual to complete the online application or directly submit a written application to:         

The applicant should outline two things:

The second Method is for an individual to nominate a candidate by submitting a written or online application. The nomination must be supported with the same type of information about the potential candidate.

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In memory of
Martin J. Streef

Visit

Hanscome Outdoor Adventures

Online at

www.
HanscomeOutdoors
.com

All applications/nominations must be received by next July 31, 2009. At this time, a selection committee will set to work to choose the eligible candidates. Those chosen will be contacted over the summer months to arrange their visit to Hanscome Outdoor Adventures Ltd. on a weekend in the fall.

Did You Know?

Compliments of Our Legal Defense Network

Safe storage and transportation issues are the two major areas in which members of our community have problems. The following is a brief summary of the minimum storage and transportation rules you must adhere to.

Storage

Ammunition - Must be stored one of two ways:

• In a location that is different than where the firearms are stored
• Or in the same location as the firearms – BUT securely locked up

Non-Restricted Firearms - Storage

• Use a secure locking device (trigger lock or cable lock) to ensure that the firearm can not be fired
• Securely lock the firearm(s) in a container or room that is hard to break into. (If you use a case, its best to place the case in a locked room as well.)
• The concept is to store your firearms in such a fashion as to ensure that they are not easily accessible or easily fired.
• Storage Exceptions – A non-restricted firearm can be kept unloaded and unlocked under the following exceptions:
  • On a temporary basis if it is being used for the purpose of animal control in an area where the discharge of firearms is permitted (i.e. on the farm) – AMMUNITION must be kept separate from the firearm or locked up.
  • In a remote wilderness area and at that time the ammunition may be kept readily available.

Restricted & Prohibited Firearms

• Use a secure locking device (trigger lock or cable lock) to ensure that the firearm can not be fired and lock it in a container/cabinet or room that is hard to break into.
• Or - store the firearm in a storage container/vault or room that has been specifically designed for this purpose.
• For automatic firearms – remove the bolt or bolt carrier if it is removable and store it in separate locked area.

Safe Transportation

Non-Restricted – Unloaded and out of site (preferably in the trunk of your vehicle – or storage compartment). Ensure that your vehicle and or storage compartment is locked, and the firearm is not visible when leaving your vehicle unattended.

Restricted & Prohibited –

• Must obtain an Authorization to Transport (ATT)
• Unloaded
• Use a secure locking device (trigger lock or cable lock) to ensure that the firearm can not be fired
• The firearm must be locked in a hardy non-transparent container and then stored in the trunk or a locked compartment of the vehicle.
• Automatic firearms must have the bolt or bolt carrier removed (if removable).
• Ensure that your vehicle and or storage compartment is locked, and the firearm container is not visible when leaving your vehicle unattended.

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The Canadian Firearms Institute is proud to offer you access to our Legal Defense Network.

By working together – we work more effectively.

 Contact us if you need their assistance.

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Calling All Businesses

Consider Joining Us

If you own or operate your own business--our business partnership allows you to identify yourself and your services to the Firearms Community at large.

If you do not have a business that you wish to promote...please visit our website www.canadianfirearmsinstitute.ca to identify those that do and support them by using their services

If you would like to become a CFI-ICAF Business Partner, please follow this link to apply.

You can also take advantage of our basic directory for free, just email us the information indicated to the right of this article to and we will add you to our list.

We currently have a listing of over 3,000 retailers whose businesses are firearms related. As we grow we will be listing businesses whose owners are part of our community. Together...we are strong. Together...we can make a difference.

Thanks for your consideration!

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Gov Gen Michaëlle Jean Takes a Stand

Governor General Michaëlle Jean should be applauded for her show of support for the seal hunt and those that take part in it. For hundreds of years, seals have been hunted for food, the lamp and cooking fuel made from their oil as well as their warm pelts. Seal products nowadays include leather, meat for animal and human consumption and seal oil, which is rich in Omega-3.

Not only does this hunt provide much needed economic stimulus for the people of Atlantic Canada – it is deeply entrenched our history and cultural heritage. The uproar made by animal rights activists and their supporters is short sighted and their claims of animal cruelty virtually unfounded.

Carefully culling the seal population on an annual basis works to ensure their continued survival as a species and

We are proud to have a Governor General that can see the issues clearly and is willing to take a stand that helps to maintain and preserve part of our Canadian Culture and Heritage. Thank you Governor General Michaëlle for your integrity!

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Just For Laughs...

Dearest Redneck Son,

I'm writing this slow because I know you can't read fast. We don't live where we did when you left home. Your dad read in the newspaper that most accidents happen within 20 miles of your home, so we moved. I won't be able to send you the address because the last West Virginia family that lived here took the house numbers when they moved so they wouldn't have to change their address.

This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine. I'm not sure about it. I put a load of clothes in and pulled the chain. We haven't seen them since.

The weather isn't bad here. It only rained twice last week; the first time for three days and the second time for four days.

About that coat you wanted me to send; your Uncle Billy Bob said it would be too heavy to send in the mail with the buttons on, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets.

Bubba locked his keys in the car yesterday. We were really worried because it took him two hours to get me and your father out.

Your sister had a baby this morning, but I haven't found out what it is yet so I don't know if you are an aunt or uncle.

Uncle Bobby Ray fell into a whiskey vat last week. Some men tried to pull him out but he fought them off and drowned. We had him cremated, he burned for a day and a half..

Three of your friends went off a bridge in a pickup truck. Butch was driving. He rolled down the window and swam to safety. Your other two friends were in the back. They drowned because they couldn't get the tailgate down!

There isn't much more news at this time. Nothing much out of the normal has happened.

Your Favourite Aunt,

Mom

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