Good News from the DOD

I received an email from a shooting buddy who follows any legislation on Gun Related government matters, GREAT NEWS!

STATEMENT FROM NRA CHIEF LOBBYIST CHRIS W. COX
Military Surplus Cartridge Case Issue Resolved


Wednesday, March 18, 2009


Yesterday morning, the Department of Defense informed NRA-ILA that fired military small arms cartridge cases are once again eligible for sale, following a temporary suspension in such sales instituted last week. NRA-ILA began discussions with DoD shortly after the suspension took effect, and we were assured from the beginning that efforts were underway to resolve the issue favorably.

Yesterday afternoon, DoD additionally confirmed the lifting of the suspension to pro-Second Amendment United States Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who sent the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) a joint letter vigorously opposing the suspension, on the grounds that it had "an impact on small businesses who sell reloaded ammunition utilizing these fired casings, and upon individual gun owners who purchase spent military brass at considerable cost savings for their personal use."

Everyone who would have been impacted by the suspension, had it become permanent, owes thanks to Senator Baucus for his leadership on this issue, as well as to Sen. Tester and U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), who also weighed in strongly on behalf of gun owners and the suppliers from whom they obtain ammunition reloaded with surplus military brass.

In announcing that the suspension has been lifted, DoD also made clear that no cartridge cases that, in the absence of the suspension, would have been sold for reloading purposes were destroyed while the suspension was in effect. Such cases were instead protected by DoD during the suspension, and are again eligible for sale. With ammunition currently in short supply, that was welcome news, to be sure.

DLA also put to rest various theories and rumors that were circulated on the internet, concerning the reason for the suspension. As DLA explained to Senators Baucus and Tester, and to NRA-ILA, DoD officials responsible for the demilitarization of military property temporarily halted the release of the cartridge cases last week, pending review of a policy change issued last year by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, which, in the interest of national security, halted the sale of items within a broad category of government property including, but not limited to, surplus small arms cartridge cases.

To make cartridge cases eligible for sale once again, DoD demilitarization officials verified that the cases could be appropriately placed in a category of government property allowing for their release for use within the United States, and then executed the recategorization. Whereas during the brief suspension, fired cartridge cases would have been releaseable only if the purchaser crushed or smelted them, now the cases may be sold as before, intact and reloadable.

DoD also assured NRA-ILA that companies previously authorized to purchase cartridge cases under Trade Security Controls need no further vetting at this time, and are eligible to resume purchasing cases under the policy adopted yesterday.

In sum, a problem that could have had serious repercussions for the remanufactured ammunition industry and the countless gun owners who support it, appears to have been resolved quickly.

For more information:

http://www.nraila.org/media/PDFs/DLA.MilitaryBrass.pdf

http://www.nraila.org/media/PDFs/DLA_mcunningham.pdf

See message at the bottom of this from Top Brass Scharch web site.

Sometimes the good guys win. Many folks like to go on and on about impending doom of anti gun actions and laws, but the current climate is not REALLY a good one for pushing a big gun control agenda, and even Nancy Pelosi gets that.

Sept 11 has change the perspective of many people including so called "soccer moms". Guns are getting generally fair & good publicity on TV networks like Discovery and History Channel. Many sons and daughters are serving in the military and familiar with guns. Women are getting into shooting sports in higher numbers, and networks like Lifetime often have featured movies with major stars depicting favorable view of gun ownership. The Supreme court has ruled pretty decisively, and they will likely not change anytime soon.

The proponents of expensive bullet and firearm identification technologies are not powerful enough to overcome the reasoned opposition and the huge financial impact they would have on many citizens and industry. Plus, the most effective method of bullet and cartridge identification remains good old fashioned and highly tested forensics, very hard to argue with that.

As to the threat of environmental laws against lead, well, its not a good avenue for the anti gunners. There is no world shortage of copper and other metals. If they legislate against lead, other metals like copper / steel can be used and alternative or encapsulated bullets would become much more cost effective with more mass production, so that will not really stop shooters or gun owners like they desire. Plus, you have many police depts around the nation still relying on cost effective lead and shooting ranges. Finally, testing data will show that in the vast majority of situations, lead in the ground is not a hazard to or impact on groundwater, kids or shooters.

"Thanks to you the D.O.D Rescinded its total destruction order as of March 17, 2009. SMI Thanks everyone of you that has supported us and took the time to contact your Congressman. It worked! by letting them know how you felt they change their mind. Thanks for helping us continue in business.

Dan and Kay Scharch and all our employees"

I spent 4 hours last night emailing letters to all my representatives on how disgusted I am at our legislators and representatives. My point was how anyone could vote on a bill when they didn't read it. This is truly insanity on the part of our elected officials. They vote on bills with a blind eye!
Anyway, I have only heard back from a State Representative who is starting to realize that the populace is irritated and dismayed at the direction our country is headed. The reply wasn't what I expected, the rep actually said she herself was disgusted and assured me that she is working towards renewing the foundations of the constitution.
I think she is full of it, they only say what we want to hear. The main objective to writing letters is to tell these misfits that either they work for the people or they will be voted out. That is why it is so important for every American to get involved. If you don't voice your opinion and concerns, they will vote their conscience, that's something we don't want them to do. You must tell them how to vote as we who elected them to do our bidding.
We all must continue to be involved and be a strong voice, without that we will surely lose our rights.
Thank GOD that we as Americans have the NRA! Please consider joining or at least supporting that organization, without them this ban could still be in the topic of the week, as we run around complaining but not willing to sacrifice our time to stop it. "The squeaky wheel always get's the grease"
Matt

Unfortunately, it's not good enough that we stopped this nonsense. The persons in the government who hatched this idea and/or approved it should be fired. period.

They'll be back folks, again and again....and all we have to do is be asleep at the wheel once, and we've lost