frontlines

By Tim Andrews, S.C.O.P.E. President

The 2018 elections are over and are an unmitigated disaster for gun owners, and frankly in my opinion, for New Yorkers in general. We’ve become a one-party state. Cuomo and his fellow Democrats undoubtedly feel they have a mandate to unleash their progressive agenda, including more gun control.

Following the election, Cuomo said, “We already have the strongest gun safety laws in the nation, and in the upcoming legislative session we will take additional steps to make our laws even stronger to keep our communities safe.” At the time of this writing, it looks as though Democrats will control the state Senate by a 40 – 23 majority, and that goes with the 2 to 1 majority Democrats already maintain in the state assembly.

Folks, I’m not going to try and soft pedal this, the Second Amendment is in serious jeopardy here in New York. Come January we are looking at the loss of more due process, with the governor’s Red Flag law, (Extreme Risk Protection Order law), along with much more. Let me put it this way, the sky may be the limit for Cuomo’s gun control agenda.

The governor’s comments came in a response to the recent nightclub shooting in California. Now ask yourself: Why would that shooting have anything to do with New York? On numerous occasions, Cuomo has boasted New York has the best gun laws in the country. If that’s so, why the necessity to pass more? Especially if the impetus is an incident that occurred in another state and not here. I would contend the governor’s comments and his agenda are proof this isn’t about gun safety laws as they like to call it, it’s about an all-out attack on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding New Yorkers.

So, what is there for us to do? Some will probably join the droves that have already done so and leave the state. If you are considering that alternative, I hope you choose to stay because if you go our job gets harder. It seems bleak but it’s not hopeless. The courts, especially on the federal level, thanks to President Trump have become much friendlier. We’ve already begun planning an agenda using the courts as our battleground. We still believe the unSAFE Act is unconstitutional as well as the Red Flag proposal the governor plans on passing in January.

We’re Americans, we don’t quit, we don’t give up, we have one big advantage and that is we are on the side of the Constitution. We can, and we will win this fight if we keep fighting. I know how frustrated we all are. I’m just as frustrated as anyone but whatever you do don’t give up.

I’ve never enjoyed asking for money as I know how hard you all work and how expensive it is to live in New York. However, as you surely know legal action and lawyers are expensive, costs can easily reach the tens of thousands, we need your help to fund our expanding legal agenda. I’m asking you to dig down and donate to our legal defense fund, please give as much as you can and as often as you can. You can donate through our website using your credit card, www.SCOPEny.org or you can mail your contributions to SCOPE, PO Box 165, East Aurora, NY 14052. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated.  

By Harold Moskowitz 

The first commercially successful firearm suppressor was devised by Hiram P. Maxim in 1902. He was the son of Hiram S. Maxim, inventor of the Maxim Machine Gun. The Maxim Silent Firearms Company began production in Hartford, Connecticut in 1908. He received U.S. Patent 916,885 for a “Silent Firearm” in 1909. It sold in hardware stores for around five dollars. The Sears and Roebuck mail order catalogue advertised it as a “moderator which will allow a person to protect the chicken coup without disturbing the neighbors.” Theodore Roosevelt had one on his Winchester 1894 carbine at his Sagamore Hill home on Long Island.

Maxim silencers were made for rifle calibers from .22 to .45. They could be ordered custom for large caliber Winchesters and Remington Autoloaders. Even shotloaded cartridges worked with his silencers. Company advertising claimed that the silencer “absolutely prevents report noise and reduces recoil over two-thirds.”

Despite his claims of total silence, Maxim took pains to inform potential customers that although his device stopped “all of the noise of the report,” it would not control the “noise made out in the air beyond the gun by a high velocity bullet in flight.” To provide a totally silent shot, he offered for sale modified ammunition with velocity less than 1,100 feet/second. The cartridge used a heavy bullet for maintaining strike energy at the reduced velocity. Modified ammunition was supplied for all center-fire rifle calibers at the same price as regular ammunition.

The silencer checked the muzzle blast of a firearm by forcing the gasses to whirl around inside the device. In the process the gasses were slowed down by curved vanes and allowed to leave the gun barrel gradually instead of instantly. It could be attached to a threaded rifle barrel or to a threaded thimble which could be pressed onto the gun barrel. His design placed the silencer’s chambers below the barrel so that the iron sights could be used. The bullet’s path was unimpeded by the device.

There were no governmental restrictions upon possession or use. “Gentlemen” were encouraged to use them as a consideration of other shooters. Target practice could be done without bothering the neighbors. All of the benefits of silencer use were dealt a serious blow by the National Firearms Act of 1934. Congress had been under pressure to deal with Prohibition Era violence resulting from mobster assassinations of rivals and bank robberies. The law criminalized short-barreled rifles and shotguns. Fully automatic weapons such as the Thompson submachine gun became tightly restricted weapons. Silencers, like the fully automatic weapons, could be owned after complying with bureaucratic procedures and payment of a $200 tax. It has been suggested that the silencer tax in part was to prevent poor, rural families from being able to kill deer for food off-season without being detected. According to Emily Rupert u s , w r i t i n g f o r t h e “NRABLOG’ (Oct. 5, 2016) the $200 tax in 1934 was the equivalent of $3,583.71 in today’s purchasing power.

The term “suppressor” was introduced in the 1980’s. It is more accurate than the term “silencer” since except as portrayed in Hollywood movies, a gunshot cannot truly be made silent. As with infringement of the Second Amendment, denial of access to hearing protection is a civil rights issue and should be pursued as such in any litigation or proposed bills. While hearing protection can be used at a gun range, neither hunters nor hunting dogs have hearing protection in the field. The “Dangerous Decibles Program” at the University of Northern Colorado has determined that noises exceeding 85 dB can cause permanent hearing damage over time. The program’s results indicate that a gunshot report can be between 140 and 190 dB, which would cause immediate damage.

Many European nations with very strong gun restrictions allow ownership of suppressors. Great Britain requires them by law on all hunting rifles. If forty-two U.S. states and many strict gun control European nations see suppressors as a positive health safety item, then why can’t our elected leaders entrusted with the duty to protect the health and well being of the people see the issue in the same way?

On the national level, New York Representatives Chris Collins, Claudia Tenney and Lee Zeldin, along with 158 other Republicans and three Democrats, co-sponsored the Hearing Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 367). It was introduced by Representative Jeff Duncan (S.C. 3). Eventually, it was inserted into the Sportsmen’s Heritage Recreational Enhancement Act (H.R. 3668). The measure would have amended the federal criminal code to preempt state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers as well as ending the $200 national tax. It was discharged successfully from several committees. Unfortunately, due to political considerations, it never made it to a full House vote where you could have seen how your elected representatives stood on the issue. 

By Attilio Contini, Secretary-Ulster County S.C.O.P.E. 

We continually hear the talking heads tell us the Democrats have an identity crisis. They tell us they don't know who they are but nothing could be further from the truth. They know full well. The Democrats’ problem is: they have become afraid to openly admit who they are and what they stand for.

They are afraid the American people are not ready to accept a class society where the enlightened five percent of them rule the rest of us from our cradle to the grave. They are afraid we are not ready to relinquish all our freedom and let them abolish our Constitution. In 2016 they were confident that after eight years of Obama-style socialism the American people were willing to accept the nanny-state hook, line and sinker. They had a rude awakening when Donald Trump came along with “Love America” and “Make America Great Again”.

All of a sudden, the voters responded with: Yes, we still love our Country and our Constitution, and we don't want a corrupt, criminal, degenerate, totalitarian class society. They were so ready to strike the final blow on our Free American system of government that they refuse to accept Trump's election.

They have resorted to a concerted effort of lying, deception, sabotage, and twisting or reversal of the reality of the situation to make the American people think, believe, that Trump and Conservative Republicans are the enemy of the people and the Republic. They are afraid of the truth. They know that if the truth be known the people will drive them out of office.

So far they appear to have not been able to devise a plan that will hood wink the people into believing they are still the best thing since sliced bread and are the champions of the down trodden. The Fake News tells us that they could very well prevail this November. Maybe so! They have all the wild cards including the mass media. All we have is Donald Trump. One man can do only so much against the odds of entrenched brainwashing and misinformation to keep the voters misinformed.

They have a world view that should have no place in a free country and society. We must realize the biggest security threat we have in this Country today is the enlightenment elitist Democrat Party with its entrenched 5th column Washington establishment. Our two-party system has degenerated into an almost threeparty dilemma where the new parties should be called: the Treason Party, the Don't Rock The Boat Party, and the Make America Great Again Party. We are dealing with people who are out to destroy this country politically, economically, morally, and socially. They have infested Washington to the point where they are using various agencies and the system to destroy and undermine everything and everyone who challenges them.

We frequently talk of cooperation and compromise. Do we actually see much of it in Washington and Albany anymore? It always seems the Democratic notion of compromise is: We take and the Republicans must give. The middle ground is always somewhere left of center. The problem has evolved and now it seems the liberal view point has shifted so far to the extreme left that so-called moderate is now extremely liberal.

The so-called progressives consider themselves better than the rest of us. They have become intolerant of anyone who disagrees with them. Only one side is welcome to the table of ideas. All others are irrelevant and are considered inferior extreme, irrational, false, wrong or evil. They put down, belittle, demonize, and defame everyone who disagrees with them.

They refuse to accept let alone listen to anyone with different points of view. All opportunity for compromise is unacceptable. Their intolerance has become their hallmark. This is why we are experiencing the divisiveness and total non acceptance of Donald Trump as our elected President. They think they are so much better and smarter than the rest of us that they believe they have the right to force their philosophy on us.

They refuse to accept or allow others to prevail, because they think we are obligated to do as they say. They even think they have the right to use the Government to suppress anyone who opposes them and are doing so. They are so arrogant that they believe they have the right to force President Trump out of office at all costs or impeach him, because he is “unfit and unqualified” to hold any public office let alone be President. In their mind he is too “deplorable” to be President. How dared he be elected!

They have become condescending elitists, Gods unto themselves, who think they are predestined to control and rule the rest of us. How dare we challenge them! No one's opinion or belief is worth anything except theirs. They talk about Democracy and equality but only for them.

So where does gun control fit into the scheme of things? Well, elitism is like a puzzle. They are already using violence! At some point we, the American people, are going to have to say, enough! Did you notice that Obama made a comment that his biggest regret was that he was not able to get more gun controls? He knows they need the means to be able to confiscate all guns swiftly and completely before the revolt starts.

Look at where this whole anti- Trump movement is going. The movement has been growing for years. The current corrupt sinister game actually began in 2010. Think about it. The elitists have infested our government and have a stranglehold on our higher educational system. Obama planted like-minded people thru out various departments and agencies where they can organize the total police state they plan for us. Today these people are working 24 hours a day obstructing and destroying everything Trump tries to do. It is amazing that Trump has accomplished as much as he has.

We are teetering on the edge of the cliff. We almost stepped off into the abyss of the enlightenment world view. It is time we realize what the consequences of that will be. We must step back and return to the traditionalism.

We cannot let the Swamp swallow up President Trump!  

By Richard Rossi 

SCOPE members, before we realize it another election will be upon us. This will be a critical election for all of us in NYS - I am not limiting this to gun owners because it impacts all American Citizens living in New York. Now is the time to unite and have a unified agenda to defeat our anti-America establishment in Albany.

Let me be perfectly clear, this is not a time to be ‘Summer Soldiers’ or 'Fair Weather Patriots'. It goes way beyond our Second Amendment Rights and Freedoms. We have also seen Governor Cuomo and our Albany Republicans 'chip away' at our 4th, 5th, 6th, and 14th Amendment guarantees. When the 2nd Amendment is abolished, the rest are sure to follow. Remember, unarmed citizens are not citizens but slaves, and can be easily controlled.

I would like to share something that Ronald Reagan said: "While a Constitution may set forth rights and liberties only the citizens can maintain and guarantee those freedoms. Active and informed citizenship is not just a right; It is a duty.”

In a republic, a Constitution or Charter of Rights protects certain inalienable rights that cannot be taken away by the government, even if it has been elected by a majority of voters. In a "pure democracy," the majority is not restrained in this way and can impose its will on the minority.

The key difference between a Democracy and a Republic lies in the limits placed on government by the law, which has implications for minority rights. Both forms of government tend to use a representational system — i.e., citizens vote to elect politicians to represent their interests and form the government.

For a detailed full explanation of both the differences and similarities, please see the website: https:// www.diffen.com/difference/Democracy_vs_Republic

Remember an informed voter is a citizen. Learn the facts and get involved. Vote, and get others to vote. This is our country - don't let it be taken from us.  

By Gary Perry  

Larry Sharpe cannot win New York State's gubernatorial election this November.

Unfortunately, the only viable pathway to a Larry Sharpe victory in the race was not taken by the campaign. Although originally interested and excited about using the "Opportunity To Ballot" (OTB) option as a possible pathway to victory, the Sharpe campaign has chosen not to follow that path. The OTB is a legal way for a 3rd Party candidate to force a primary election in a major political Party. Collecting the OTB designating petition signatures would have been very doable. However, winning a primary election is challenging and would have required some resources and commitment from Larry Sharpe and his campaign which they originally assured me that we would have. For reasons unclear to me, the Sharpe campaign made the decision to pass designating petitions and hope for a so-called "Wilson Pakula" certification from Ed Cox.

Our mission is to replace Andrew Cuomo as Governor, following through with the campaign slogan begun over five years ago "Cuomo's Gotta Go". Andrew Cuomo has brought the citizens of New York State increased and never-ending tax increases, increased state spending, increased corporate giveaways (billions in corporate welfare) and the never-ending corruption trials taking place in Manhattan and Buffalo that these failed economic stimulus programs breed, failed common core education, "free" college tuition and never ending anti-2nd Amendment legislation. Under Andrew Cuomo's policies NY State is bleeding manufacturing and small business and the jobs that they create. Working class families and college educated young adults are leaving the state in droves seeking good high paying jobs available in other states. Working people and retired state employees of all ages across the entire state are leaving NY State for lower taxes found in many other states. Those of us who are left who want to fix New York's failed fiscal and economic policies we know must defeat Andrew Cuomo in November. History and election statistics prove to us that Larry Sharpe appearing on only the 3rd Party Libertarian ballot line simply cannot defeat Cuomo. Going back five elections (20 years) we see failed attempt after failed attempt by 3rd Party candidates to defeat the Democrat and Republican Party candidates.

Please visit the NY State Board of Elections website and look at the previous election stats to see for y o u r s e l f a t : h t t p : / / www.elections.ny.gov/2018ElectionRes ults.html

Wealthy former New Yorker Tom Golisano ran in three successive elections as a 3rd Party candidate and had far more resources available to him than the Larry Sharpe campaign and he never came close to winning. The past two gubernatorial elections the Libertarian Party has failed to gain 50,000 votes establishing their Party on a ballot line. As the recent events have unfolded it has proven to me that the Libertarian Party knows that Larry Sharpe has literally no chance of winning the Governor's election. What the Libertarians hope to accomplish is getting 50,000 votes on the Libertarian line making it easier in future elections for Libertarian candidates to get on the ballot for many different elective office positions.

Larry Sharpe in his own words:

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MXkd15Xe1e4

This year there is a very real chance to defeat Andrew Cuomo (Cuomo's Gotta Go) with a combined Republican Party / Conservative Party / Reform Party candidate. While I will always support giving the voters a choice in a primary election the Larry Sharpe campaign has decided not to pursue the legal process to do this. Any signatures collected for Larry Sharpe on a Republican Party ballot will be null and void at the Board of Elections office in Albany when they are submitted and filed. After spending time with Republican Party candidate Marc Molinaro last week I have learned that with Marc Molinaro as the candidate we support we have a very real opportunity to defeat Cuomo (Cuomo's Gotta Go).For these reasons the only real choice, at this time, to replace Andrew Cuomo and end four more years of Cuomo's destructive tax and spend policies is to support Marc Molinaro. For those of us who continue to insist on supporting Larry Sharpe for Governor, I highly recommend getting behind the "Larry Sharpe for Governor 2022 movement". This could be, and should be, the long game or the 10 to 20-year plan several of you have spoken about. To throw away a chance to defeat Andrew Cuomo (Cuomo's Gotta Go) this year hoping to gain ballot access for the Libertarian Party is a terrible sell-out to your principled fellow Conservative family members, friends and neighbors. I cannot in good conscience even consider enslaving my children, family members and friends with four more years of Andrew Cuomo just to gain easier Ballot Access for the Libertarian Party.

What will be left of NY State and its citizens and for any 3rd Party designs after 2 - 4 more years of Andrew Cuomo doubling down on his Progressive tax and spend policies and "giveaways" as he works to position himself even further to the left as the most Progressive Governor in the country for a Presidential bid in 2020? This November a vote for Larry Sharpe is the same as a vote for Andrew Cuomo. I am asking everyone to please consider the reality of this situation here in NY State and join me in voting for Marc Molinaro in November and defeating Andrew Cuomo (Cuomo's Gotta Go) and then get behind the "Larry Sharpe For Governor 2022 movement" starting this December.

Printed with permission of author. 

By Tom Reynolds 

Not only the fringe left, but now even such main stream Democratic “intellects” like Kristin Gillibrand would call for the opening of our borders, the abolishment of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) and, of course, the neutering or repeal of the Second Amendment. They are so caught up in the Washington Merry-Go-Round that they have lost sight of what a dangerous world we live in. Ignore, for the moment, hunting and protection from our own government as reasons for gun ownership. There are a world of reasons why we need guns, but these “intellects” would disarm us while opening our borders.

Let’s take a quick world tour of places you don’t want to visit and where the civilian population certainly wishes they had guns.

Russia has a long history of and is still a symbol of internal oppression with its crackdown on rights and freedom within Russia. Corruption is widespread and believed to be a major factor in drug and sex trafficking. Externally, it invaded Crimea and supports Syria’s regime.

Want to visit Asia?

China has a record of oppression and it has unleashed a campaign of politically motivated investigations, detentions and sentencing of its own people. It threatens Taiwan, which has been independent for about 70 years. China is also trying to gain control of international waters in the South China Sea. India has long been plagued by hostility and hate along caste and religious lines. The BJP ruling party wants to make India a Hindu theocracy and has created a hostile and violent environment against religious minorities.

India has nuclear weapons and has a history of warfare with its neighbor, Pakistan.

Pakistan is infamous for its religious persecution, corruption and cooperation with terrorists. It has fought four wars with India, and also has nuclear weapons.

Want to visit the Middle East, which is dominated by Sunni and Shiite Muslims who, since Mohammed died, have hated each other almost as much as they hate infidels?

Iran is a major exporter of terrorism and a threat throughout the Middle East. It is dominated by a Muslim theocracy and its economy is a mess in spite of huge oil reserves.

Iraq has huge oil reserves and was controlled by Saddam Hussein, a dictator who brutalized his people and supported international terrorism. He was temporarily succeeded by ISIS, a radical Muslim terrorist organization which rivaled Hussein in brutal violence. Only the re-intervention of the U.S. prevents ISIS from regaining control, brutalizing its people and threatening the world with its brand of terrorism.

Afghanistan was controlled by the Taliban, which brutalized its people, and was a base for terrorists. Only the intervention of the U.S. prevents the Taliban from regaining control and again brutalizing its people and threatening the world with terrorism.

Syria has been in a civil war since 2011 which has resulted in an estimated half million deaths. The government used poison gas against its own people. It is opposed by ISIS, so the people of Syria cannot win.

The Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza continually launch rocket attacks on Israel, which happens to be the only real U.S. ally in the region.

How about an African safari? It has its share of problems with radical Muslims.

Nigeria drew headlines with the kidnapping and forced marriages of schoolgirls by the radical Muslim Boko Haram, which also uses suicide bombings. Cameroon, Niger and Chad are being drawn into the conflict.

Somalia is torn apart by the Islamic group Al-Shabab. One bombing in 2017 killed 358 people.

Armed groups in the Central African Republic use rape and sexual slavery as a tactic of war.

South Africa has one of the world’s highest violent crime rates. Its government position is to take farms away from white farmer owners leading to murders and violence against those white farmers.

How about Latin America? Amnesty International has declared it the world’s most dangerous place for journalists to work.

Columbia is a major drug exporter, with its associated violence. Groups such as FARC and ELN are behind assassinations, kidnappings and extortions.

Brazil, El Salvador and Honduras have a huge problem with crime. Venezuela is among the most violent places in South America. Although it has some of the world’s largest oil reserves, its store shelves are empty and inflation has run rampant. 

Mexico is traditionally a corrupt country and has a brutal internal war against and among drug cartels. It is a major exporter of illegal drugs into the U.S. In case you hadn’t noticed, Mexico is on our southern border.

I’ll stick to North of our border for my vacation.

Canada is on our northern border and is an island of stability, except that it has a very strange Prime Minister who may change that status.

In a world of instability, hatred and violence, what kind of idiot would want to take away the people’s ability to defend themselves? Answer: Obama, Cuomo, Gillibrand and Schumer.

I could point out that the above “Garden Spots” are dominated by the ocracies that do not tolerate religious minorities, have radical Muslims and brutalize women. In many cases they have huge reserves of oil and natural gas but also have socialist governments to waste the assets, persecute the citizens and take guns away from their citizens in order to better exploit them. But that’s another story.  

By Harold Moskowitz 

“November is coming, November is coming.” Should this call to attention create less anxiety than “the British are coming” from 1775, or from the Cold War, “the Russians are coming?” Politics, like diplomacy, is conducting war by other means. Yes, we are in a “war,” a war for determining the future of this nation and the conditions under which your descendants will live. Our nation is being undermined by internal and external forces.

The Democrat Party is no longer the party of John F. Kennedy and Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Gradually, it has been taken over by those who eagerly support a socialist central government with limited individual liberties. Several Congressional Democrats are currently members of the Democratic Socialists of America. Its members work to transform the nation from capitalism to socialism. Senator Bernie Sanders, a socialist who chose to have his honeymoon in Moscow, calls for new economic entitlements which could not long be funded even if “the one percent” was relieved of every last dollar for redistribution of wealth.

In a New York City primary race, a 28-year-old Democratic Socialist, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, defeated her long-time incumbent opponent. She campaigned on providing a national guaranteed income for all. Her entitlement wish list is longer than that of Senator Sanders. For now, congressional Democrats are distancing themselves from her for fear of a “negative” impact in the midterm elections. Privately, many of them believe the transformation from capitalism to socialism should be done slowly in smaller steps. Socialist and communist candidates are shedding their “progressive” camouflage and are indicating their goals for this nation. With their siren lure of “free” entitlements, they are making the midterm election a referendum on a socialist economic and political future for all of us. Tom Perez, the left-wing chairman of the Democratic Committee, has praised OcasioCortez as “the future of our national party.” If that is not a “red flag” for you, then revisit the historical relationship between the setting up of socialist governments and gun control. It always leads to firearm confiscation. The Second Amendment’s right to self-defense might be the only thing holding back left-wing Progressive Democrats from quickly ending U.S. sovereignty and individual liberties.

Our traditional American values are under attack, and indirectly, our Constitution. We watch as a lawfully elected President is constantly attacked. The Executive Branch of our Constitutional Republic and its authority are being undermined, perhaps irreparably. There is an expanding chasm between today’s Democrat Party and most Americans. Some wonder if there is the possibility of an eventual civil war. Yes, November is coming. A Democrat “Blue Wave” would set the stage for impeachment proceedings against the President. This would hamper his ability to effectively protect the nation. In addition, a veto-proof Democrat majority would result in a slew of anti-firearm regulations, including national firearm registration, the required first step toward confiscation.

Even without Russian interference in the November elections, their continuing efforts to interfere by dividing our people seems to be successful. The nation’s highest intelligence office, Dan Coats, has said that “much as the soviets did in the Cold War, the Russian active measures are much bigger than just elections.” He has testified that Moscow’s actions are “designed to exacerbate social and political fissures in the United States.

If Progressive Democrats continue to overload our expanding entitlement system, economic chaos will result. Since the 1960’s, their policies have eroded respect for authority in law enforcement, school classrooms, and parenting. As a result, in an economic or other crisis, the civil society could quickly unravel. At that point, you would be glad to still have access to “powder and shot.”

Where do you stand on this “referendum” on socialism and planned gun confiscation? The “Progressive” Social-Democrats are expecting big wins at all levels of government. Do you want a Governor Cuomo S.A.F.E. Act II? This election is not between Democrats and Republicans. It is between those who favor constitutionally-limited government with individual liberties and those who want an increasingly powerful government that grants entitlements paid for with ever larger shares of your income. It would offer few personal liberties and no individual right to self-defense.

Talk to those who see no benefit in voting. Explain what is at stake regardless of their political category. Gun ownership and a desire for individual liberties cross party lines. Stay focused on the preservation of our nation and values when you vote on November 6th and “keep your powder dry.”

By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn Published in New York Outdoor News, Vol 14, No 16 August 10, 2018 Reprinted with permission from Steve Piatt of Outdoor News 

Cleveland – In the political watershed year of 2016 that saw a generally pro-gun Donald Trump elected as president, the United States’ licensed firearms manufacturers expended a lot of energy making new products.

Based upon statistics provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), in 2016 licensed gun makers cranked out 11,497,441 new firearms. ATF figures for 2017 are not yet available.

The ATF figures represent the total number of firearms made per gun-type classification, not sales. It’s likely that many of these 2016-made firearms remain in the inventories of wholesalers and retailers, ATF officials said.

Also, ATF figures are for firearms made in the United States, not those imported. Firearms production is defined as being “firearms, including separate frames or receivers, actions of barreled actions, manufactured and disposed of in commerce during the (documented) calendar year,” the ATF’s report states.

In all, based upon the most current data, the United States has more than 11,000 ATF-licensed firearms manufacturers. Every U.S. firearms manufacturer pays a $2150 fee to the ATF for a license, which is good for three years.

ATF lists firearms made on a state-by-state basis, and by type: handguns, rifles, shotguns, and miscellaneous.

In New York, the major manufacturers continued to be Ilionbased Remington, which manufactured 339,507 shotguns and 296,669 rifles in 2016; Kimber, of Yonkers (220,804 pistols, 11,079 shotguns and 2,981 revolvers), and the Norwichbased CZ-USA (9,787 pistols).

Licensed manufacturers ranged from small gun shops that may have produced only a handful of firearms – or even just one – to the big names in the industry, such as Ruger, Remington, Smith & Wesson, O.F. Mossberg and Colt.

In 2015, the total firearms production in the United States topped out at 9,358,661 units. Based on ATF data dating back to 2010, 2016 easily eclipsed any other in volume of firearms produced in the United States, though the number of shotguns made in the U.S. has fallen over the past few years.

ATF statistics showed that for 2016 the number of new semiautomatic pistols made in the U.S. was 4,720,075 units, while the number of revolvers made here was 856,291. In 2010 those statistics were 2,258,450 and 558,927, respectively.

The ATF numbers also showed that for 2016, 9mm pistols ruled the manufacturing roost with some 2.28 million units made in the U.S. It was followed by .380 caliber pistols at 1.13 million units. The manufacturing of .25 caliber pistols actually outstripped that of .32 caliber pistols, though each figure was small: 13,141 units versus 10,175 units, respectively. In the “to .50” caliber statistical branch were 837,535 semiautomatic handguns.

The making of .22 caliber semi-automatic pistols stood at 447,315 units in 2016, its sibling revolver category figure being 320,775 units in 2016. Other noteworthy revolver-making figures for 2016 showed that 248,144 .38 caliber wheel guns were made in the U.S. during 2016, while 182,564 .357 Magnum revolvers were produced, along with 51,451 “up to .44 Magnum” revolvers, and 45,506 “up to .50” caliber revolvers.

About 4.24 million rifles were made in the U.S. during 2016, as well as 848,617 shotguns. (New York Outdoor News Editor Steve Piatt contributed to this story.)  

By Tom Reynolds S.C.O.P.E. Treasurer and Director 

Per SCOPE’s Articles of incorporation, we are dedicated to preserving the Constitution and in particular the Second Amendment. Let’s explore what that means. When any law is proposed, the first question should be: is it constitutional? (The second question is: if it is constitutional, is it good law?) What is the basis on which it should be decided if it is constitutional?

The late Justice Antonin Scalia was an outspoken believer that the words in the Constitution mean what they say and not what judges wish they said. The words have to be interpreted to mean what they meant when the constitution was signed or the amendment was enacted. This is known as “Textualism”. Unfortunately, the Progressive Left believes that only when their interpretations fail should the court reluctantly refer to the actual written words.

Of overriding importance, words need to be taken “In Context”. A sentence may mean one thing when standing alone but quite another when taken in context of the body within which it was written. When interpreting any part of the Constitution, that part does not stand alone and must be interpreted within the intention of the entire document; and that overriding intention was to limit the powers of the Federal Government.“The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed” must be interpreted in the context of the limited powers of the federal government to infringe on it.

Does that mean that non-federal government bodies, such as the states, can infringe on our rights? The 14th Amendment says, “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States”. What part of “No state shall…” does the liberal left not understand?

Further enforcing the founders idea of a limited government, several states insisted on a “Bill of Rights” before they would approve the Constitution. (New York was one of those that insisted, which demonstrates how far the SAFE Act has taken NYS from its roots.)The primary authors of the Federalist Papers, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, believed the Bill of Rights was not necessary since the limited powers of the government would not enable it to take away rights. Happily, those favoring a written Bill of Rights prevailed. Can you imagine today’s gun debate if there were no Second Amendment?

The Constitution was written to stand the test of time. It dealt as much with human/political behavior as it did with the functioning of government. The framers set political ambition and jealousies in opposition to each other by creating three coequal branches of government. The principles embedded in the Bill of Rights transcend time; they are applicable as long as political human nature exists.

The Second Amendment is as central to the Constitution as is the Senate, the Presidency, the Judiciary or the Commerce Clause. Those attacking the Second Amendment are not attacking some adjunct piece of the Constitution, they are attacking the Constitution itself, just as much as if they were conspiring to bypass or eliminate the powers of the Senate.

Presidents, Congress, the Supreme Court all take an oath to defend and support the Constitution of the United States against all enemies and that they will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. Defend means: secure, shield, uphold, guard, preserve, protect. Support means: care for, back, uphold, boost, defend. Per their oaths of office, they are obligated to do the same. This applies to the entire document, not just those parts that they like. Anything less violates their oath of office.

Supreme Court Justice and uber-liberal Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a dissent concerning one of Barack Obama’s overreaches, “The people should not have to wait for Congress to act”. The majority of the Supreme Court felt that the people SHOULD WAIT for Congress to act since that is the way the Constitution requires legal actions to be taken. It also raises the question of how did Sotomayor become the people’s unelected representative? If there is a group that believes the Constitution is outdated and changes are needed, the legal way is by amending the Constitution. It’s been done twenty seven times. Only one of those Amendments took rights away from the people (Eighteen – Prohibition) and that one was the only Amendment ever reversed.

“We the people” are in charge, not unelected judges and we need to take back that power. As Alexander Hamilton said, “Liberty can have nothing to fear from judges who uphold the law. But liberty has everything to fear if judges try to legislate, too.” Justices must not be allowed to usurp the people’s constitutional powers by rewriting laws to align with their personal views. The Constitution is a living document in the sense that its principles live on and are applicable to all generations.  

By Tom Reynolds S.C.O.P.E. Treasurer and Director 

Are you tired of politicians lording over us as our masters and telling us what to do? We can strike back by voting. Angry about Upstate New York’s values, rights and economy being trampled down by New York City politicians? Upstate gun owners, themselves, have the ability to turn that around; all they have to do is vote! When people say they do not have a voice, that’s only because they are not speaking by not voting. Want to say “up yours” to the politicians? Vote!

SCOPE estimates there are 5.5 million gun owners in New York State. The lowest estimates for NYS are 4 million gun owners. There are 19 million people in NY State, so between 1 out of 4 and 1 out of 5 New Yorkers is a gun owner. As New York City makes it very difficult to own a gun, the vast majority of these gun owners are in Upstate New York.

In 2017, there were a total of 2.017 million union workers in New York State verses 5.5 million gun owners. If we could get just one-half of all gun owners to vote, we would be the biggest political force in NY State.

In 2014, there were less than 4 million total votes cast in the governor’s race. Cuomo got 2.1 million votes and his challenger (Astorino) got 1.6 million votes. Since not everyone who voted for Astorino was a gun owner and some gun owners probably voted for Cuomo, it’s reasonable to suggest that only about 1.2 million gun owners voted, or about 1 out of 4 gun owners.

If you want a politician’s attention, one needs to supply money or votes. It costs nothing to vote. Politicians are well aware that gun owners will not vote; one party feels free to attack us and our rights and the other party has shown no overwhelming need to defend us, since neither pays a price in elections.

Some gun owners will say they don’t vote because they don’t like either candidate. I can sympathize with that as I often vote for the lesser-of-two-evils, since one candidate is really awful. But if we want to change that and if we want to start voting for instead of against candidates, we have to first establish a presence and that is only done by voting. Once you are in the system, we can primary the lesser-of-twoevils and get real candidates for whom we want to vote.

The leaders of SCOPE, as well as other 2A organizations, are more than willing to do the heavy lifting. But they need numbers backing them up to give them credibility and those numbers only come from the voting booth. You start taking back your government and saying “up yours” to the political class by voting.

Time is of the essence. If you are not registered to vote, the last day to register is October 12thin order to vote this November. If you are registered then VOTE, YOUR RIGHTS DEPEND ON IT!