THE RANGEFINDER. THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 1

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1 THE RANGEFINDER The Newsletter of the Oak Ridge Sportsmen s Association November 2014 Volume 23 Number 11 The current membership count is approximately members Please remember that when using any of the ORSA Ranges safety should be your #1 concern. Everyone must be diligent in observing and correcting unsafe actions by anyone on the Ranges. Also remember that you should always wear proper EYE & EAR protection regardless of whether you are shooting or just watching. ORSA WEBSITE: ORSAONLINE.ORG ORSA MEMBERSHIP INFO: JOINORSA.ORG Gun Laws in Tennessee Seminar presented by Kyle A. Baisley, Attorney at Law This program will include an overview of the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, federal statutes, governing the purchase and ownership of certain types of firearms, Tennessee statutes regarding the purchase, ownership, carrying and use of firearms, the use of firearms in self-defense in Tennessee, and ongoing legislative activity surrounding Tennessee citizens rights related to carrying firearms. It is expected that this program will be approved for one hour of CLE credit for those interested. Specific Issues to be discussed: General TN Law on Going Armed for Non-Permit Holders Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit Statute (In Depth) Private Property Rights vs. 2nd Amendment Rights Guns In Bars, Parks, School Property, Courtrooms, Posted Parking Lots and Vehicles Overview of TN Self Defense Laws Overview of the National Firearms Act and NFA Items (Title II Weapons) [Commonly referred to mistakenly as Class III Items] Recent developments in Federal Case Law re: 2nd Amendment Rights When: November 18, 2014; from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Where: at the Oak Ridge Sportsman s Association Clubhouse 2625 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, Tennessee Cost: $35 for Members; $50 for Non-members. Preregistration is required. Actual payment will be received by personal checks or cash at the Clubhouse the date of the seminar. Pizza and drinks will be served. John Phillips john@infotechdecisions.com Annual Dinner This year s Annual dinner is set for Wednesday, December 3, at 7:00 pm at the Eagles Lodge. Please join us at 1650 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share. ORSA will supply the rest. Please call Ed Johnson to let him know how many will be attending so that the club can buy the proper amount of ham. Ed can be reached at Election results will be announced at the dinner. Ed Johnson edjohnson144@comcast.net Membership Renewals Please remember that all membership renewals should be sent to: ORSA, PO Box 6094, Oak Ridge, TN Please do not send registered mail to this address. Ken Palmer, Membership Secretary orsamembership@gmail.com THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 1

2 Oak Ridge Sportsmen s Association Pull for Our Veterans event benefits Wounded Warrior Project Thousands of men and women have served their country in the years since September 11, 2001, and hundreds of local citizens have contributed to a recent fund-raising effort to benefit those servicemen and women who have, in turn, been served by the Wounded Warrior Project. Members and supporters of the Oak Ridge Sportsmen s Association gathered on Sept. 20 and 21, to participate in the third annual Pull for Our Veterans Charity Skeet and Shoot. Pull for Our Veterans, for which 100 shooters each paid $100 to participate, raised $28, to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of the needs of injured service members, helping injured servicemen and women aid and assist one another, and providing unique programs and services to injured service members and their families. The two-day event included shooting, meals, both a silent and live auction, and remarks from representatives of Wounded Warrior Project. One-hundred percent of what we make on this goes to the Wounded Warrior Project, Richard Stouder, ORSA event director, said Saturday. The heart of people around here is astounding, Stouder told the crowd that gathered for Saturday night s dinner and live auction in the ORSA Clubhouse. Stouder told how ORSA members spent one Saturday a few weeks ago collecting donations outside the new Kroger Marketplace in Oak Ridge. That day-long effort garnered more than $1,000 to support the Wounded Warrior Project and many citizens including more than one veteran gave what appeared to be the last dollar or coin in their pockets, Stouder said. The heart of the community makes a real difference to Wounded Warriors like Jason Braase, an Idaho native who joined the Army National Guard on September 7, 2001, at the age of 18. Four days after Braase took the oath to serve his country, terrorists struck the United States of America, crashing planes in the North and South Towers of New York s World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania. Three years after that day, Braase deployed to Iraq. Braase and his fellow soldiers escorted government leaders, kept doctors safe, patrolled their base, escorted ballots during Iraq s first democratic election, passed out books and games to children, and handled scores of other tasks. I loved my time in service, said Braase, who was the guest speaker during Saturday s dinner. We made a massive impact on the younger generation over there. Braase s time in Iraq ended, however, when he was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) during a routine mission. The explosion caused severe damage to Braase s right leg; he lost so much blood, Braase said, he required blood transfusions from 25 donors. Doctors told him he would never walk again. Braase endured 13 surgeries over a six-month period just to piece my leg back together. What followed was a long two and a half to three-year period of intense physical rehabilitation. But, Braase not only suffered physical injuries and pain. He also suffered with mental anguish. We are trained to be invincible. During that entire time I was injured and in physical rehab, I never stopped being a soldier. I never stopped looking at people s hands, watching their eyes. My road-rage was terrible. The toughest thing we ever have to do is say, I need help, he said of military veterans. The Wounded Warrior Project gave Braase that help, from the first time his wife walked into his hospital room with a backpack that contained clothes, a toothbrush and other basic items from the non-profit organization. Wounded Warrior Project helped Braase heal not only his body but his mind, through activities, counseling and just being able to spend time with his fellow veterans. For the last two years, Braase has given back some of what the Wounded Warrior Project has given to him. He serves as a Warriors Speak spokesperson, sharing his story with citizens and groups like ORSA around the country, so I can help other warriors realize they re not alone, they can ask for help. Planning is already underway for the Fourth Annual Pull for Our Veterans event September 2015 where our goal is $50,000. Richard Stouder oakridger48@icloud.com THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 2

3 The Medal of Honor Knoxville Convention Oak Ridge Sportsmen s Association Skeet and Shoot On Saturday 13 September 2014 ORSA was privileged to host three MOH recipients and additional guests as part of the 2014 MOH Convention. MOH recipients Tommy Norris, Sammy Davis and Allen Lynch come to ORSA to enjoy shooting with our members. After a welcome and safety briefing in the ORSA clubhouse, we were able to offer the MOH recipients and the other guests several of the activities that were ongoing on Saturday. The MOH recipients could shoot from the 1000yd firing line as part of that completion, shoot with the Cowboy Action club as part of their event or shoot skeet and trap. Additionally, the Knoxville MOH Committee invited active duty military from 5th Special Forces Group at Ft Campbell to be their guests for the Saturday night gala. We were asked if we would host them and their wives for shooting. We hosted about a dozen and their wives from 10:00-2:00 including lunch served in the clubhouse. The active duty folks had a grand time shooting in all the activities described above but also took the offer to shoot pistols in the indoor range. From all the comments, both the active duty folks and their wives had a grand time. MOH recipient Allen Lynch spent a lot of time on the 1000yd line and commented that this was the best time that he has had during the convention and wished they could have been shooting all day. Thanks to all the many volunteers who made this such a great event and demonstrated the hospitality of ORSA. A special thanks to the organizers of the 1000yd and Cowboy Action competitions who allowed time for these great American heroes to participate in their respective sports. This was a very special day for ORSA and highlighted our club and members in the most positive manner. Richard Stouder oakridger48@icloud.com Is an Invitation to The ORSA Board in Your Future? A primary element contributing to our excellent safety record has always been members looking out for other members and their safety. Recently, at the Bench rest Range, we ve experienced a series of incidents that were contrary to rules of safe firearms handling and to put it bluntly, were hair-raising, We also had a couple members that were shooting past dusk. Briefly, here are the incidents. In August, there were two incidents involving a member (Member A), his guest, and another member (Member B). In the first incident, the guest s LOADED AR-15 hit the concrete floor under the cover at the benchrest range and in doing so, the rifle swept Member B, who brought this to the attention of Member A escorting that guest. Not long afterwards, both Member A and the guest were observed handling their firearms while the range was called COLD and Member B was downrange. Immediately upon learning of this, ORSA officers suspended Member A and the gate card was made inoperative. Member A was subsequently invited to the Board Meeting in September and the incident was discussed in detail. Member A was given a 30 day suspension and will be required to attend a re-orientation session. In September, there was an incident on the Bench rest range in which an individual was observed on video apparently trying to remove a live round that was stuck in their AR-15. The individual was pounding on the rifle and the muzzle was sweeping everyone in all directions. We are close to identifying this member. And finally, an individual was shooting past dusk and were asked to appear before the board. The individual was reminded that you quit shooting when it s starting to look a bit like sundown. The takeaways from these events are: Members are responsible for their guests. You are to maintain a line-of-sight proximity with your guest while on ORSA property and ensure they are familiar with safe firearms handling practices and our rules for the particular ranges you will be using. We encourage members to bring guests, but the bottom line is you are really, really responsible for their safety and behavior. The rule-of-thumb is: Don t bring anyone to ORSA that you would not trust with a firearm around yourself, or your family, and our members. As has been said many times in many ways, DO NOT HANDLE OR EVEN TOUCH FIREARMS OR ANY PART OF A FIRE ARM INCLUDING MAGAZINES while the range has been called COLD and individuals are down range. Don t do it. If you have a malfunction with a firearm- understand that it s dangerous on many levels. First, you can easily become distracted, frustrated, and even angry. Your awareness won t be what is should be regarding safety. You should take THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 3

4 a break to relax and think about how to proceed at that point. Another issue is the firearm may be unstable in terms of fire control (goes off unexpectedly) or the bolt may be out-of-battery and if a round goes off while you are pounding on it (as described above), there will be flying metal in all directions. And in trying to fix a firearm, and not having the right tools or knowledge, you may just make matters worse and increase repair costs. PLEASE, IF IT IS NOT A SIMPLE PROBLEM THAT CAN BE CORRECTED WITH MINIMAL EFFORT, CASE THE FIREARM AND TAKE IT OFF THE LINE. Stop shooting when it starts to get a bit dark. That s dusk and close to sunset. It s not safe to shoot at dusk at ORSA, and we do have neighbors that are sensitive to how we operate. The ORSA Board News IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN (hunting season) which means the red and white courses have been put to bed till spring, as in the past we still have the open course for use. There are 18 3d targets and three rubber butts for broad heads and for crossbows. The 3d targets that we removed from the open course had had the tell tale signs of being abused with broad heads. Some of those targets were just bought and put up this spring. We have signs up that tell you to shoot broad heads into rubber butts only. If people continue to shoot 3ds with broad heads we will forced to put all 3d targets up and only have the rubber butts To shoot on the open range. People it is up to you follow rules or shoot dots on the large rubber butts. If you see someone shooting broad heads into 3d tell please tell them to stop or get their names and report them to your officers,don WOOD OR JOE DARNELL so we can stop them. You have got to help by testify as to what you saw. If the act of a few bad birds continue then everyone will be punished by losing 3d to shoot at. We will be having work parties if the weather allows starting in February and I will try to have it in rangefinder. If you shoot on our summer ranges (red & white) and do not come out on Thursday nights like the rest of us do there is no way to determine how many people are actually are using the archery range. We determine how to set our budget by how many people use the course. We have also set up another course behind the pavilion which is also a small walk around. Don Wood don.wood@carlisletire.com For Sale For Private Sale: Unertl 20X, 1 1/2 Target scope. Standard mounts, standard crosswire, Unertl dot. New in original box. $600. Frederick Miller, For Private Sale: US Springfield M1884 trapdoor Rifle Cal.45/70.VG cond. including bore. $ H&R Officers Model trapdoor rifle cal.45/70, has case hardening and blue, engraved. Like new in the box $ Kimber M82 Govt..22lr Target rifle Tgt. sights, adjustable butt, unissued in original box.$ M-39 Finnish rifle, cal.7.62x54r, 100% blue, new bore, new stock $ Sako-1579 bolt action rifle,.243 Win. HB Varmint Exc. cond. with Bausch & Lomb Balvar 8 scope on detachable Kuharsky mount. Scope new factory overhaul Rifle exc. cond. early vintage ( 25% premium) Maybe 80 rounds fired 1965 era. Exc. cond-sell $ AMMO-7.62x25 spam can 1224 rounds 1985 Romanian, The good stuff. Sell $ Call Ron at or -ron4570n@comcast.net. THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 4

5 Upcoming Board Elections Members who wish to become part of the decision making process at ORSA have a chance to run for office this November. All Board seats are up for election: President, Vice-president, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer, Roads and Grounds, and Training Officer. Candidates for President Tobias Albrecht Former US Air Force Staff Sergeant and Texas Peace Officer, currently owner of Treys Clays Inc., NRA Life Member and NSSA Life Member. As an active member of ORSA for 18 years, and a permanent (bond-holding) member for 15 years I have previously held the offices of Skeet and President (4 years), ORSA Vice-President for (3 years), ORSA Roads and Grounds (2 years), ORSA President for the last 7 ½ years. Additionally, I have also served as interim Membership Secretary in 2007, 2009 and again in Throughout my membership I have organized and promoted skeet and trap leagues, various work parties, and registered shoots. This last year when the City of Oak Ridge began to enact stricter zoning requirements for shooting ranges. I attended the City Council meeting and presented ORSA favorably I then followed that effort up with expert legal counsel to secure a Letter of Understanding with the city acknowledging our Pre Existing Non Conforming Entity Status, and pre-city existence. As your ORSA President I have organized committees to actively support responsible range development and improvement of all our existing shooting facilities at ORSA. This last year s effort with R&P produced the long overdue Semi Auto Rifle range. I pledge to continue to actively pursue the modernization and incorporation of appropriate new disciplines into the ORSA facility to better accommodate our growing membership, training and youth program needs. If elected for this term, I will focus on infrastructure improvements at Action Pistol and renovation of the Indoor Range. I would like to further examine the possibility of adding Sporting Clays to venues offered at ORSA. I will continue to encourage the responsible growth of the organization through our time tested and proven member referral and sponsorship system. As your ORSA President I will continue to place ORSA, and our entire Association, first and foremost. I further pledge to make it a facility that you will be proud to be affiliated with regardless if you are an old hand or one of our new comers. We will do this together, gradually and in compliance with all city, county and state codes so as not to ever endanger our facilities future or financial well being. If you have attended an orientation in the last 8 years chances are we have met. I respectfully request your vote for President so that I may continue to serve our wonderful organization. Richard L. Stouder Richard was the Director of Technology Development and Deployment in the Global Security Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), retiring 31 March Before joining ORNL in 2001 as a Senior Program Manager he served 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as Colonel in June Career highlights include battalion command during Desert Shield, Chief of War Plans at USCENTCOM, Garrison Commander of the three Army posts in Alaska, and lastly as Chief of Operations at 3d Army/ARCENT, where he was responsible of operations of all land forces in Southwest Asia. Mr. Stouder has an undergraduate degree in Political Science and History (University of Southern Mississippi) and a graduate degree in Personnel Management (Central Michigan University). His military education includes Airborne and Ranger Schools, the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, and the National War College. Awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), National Defense Service Medal (1Star), Southwest Asia Service Medal (3BS) and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait). Richard has been a member of ORSA since He is interested in all shooting disciplines but primarily shoots skeet. He served as President of Skeet and for seven years and as such served on the ORSA Board of Directors. Richard also is a staunch supporter of our rights under the Second Amendment and writes a monthly article for the ORSA Rangefinder. As a veteran, Richard is interested in all matter of veteran s affairs and has been the event director for the Pull For Our Veterans charity skeet and trap shoot benefitting the Wounded Warrior Project. This year makes the third year of this event and is expanding to 100 shooters due to increased demand. Richard is also the event director for the skeet and trap fun shoot as part of the 2014 Knoxville Medal of Honor Convention. THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 5

6 Candidates for Vice President Jerry Zorsch Who am I? I m a retired U.S. Merchant Marine Officer, (35 yrs.) and a Veteran of Desert Storm. I ve been an ORSA Member for over 25 years and Bond Holder, NRA Life Member, NRA Range Technical Team Advisor, NRA Certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor, State of Tennessee Concealed Carry Instructor, USPSA Life Member (L-2218), member IDPA, SASS Level II Range Officer (Ranger Z), Founding Member of Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA), Charter member of JPFO. Whenever possible I also enjoy shooting Skeet,, and High Power Rifle. If you have taken advantage of the Concealed Carry Class we offer at ORSA in the last 5 years, then we have met. I have volunteered my time to help over 1,000 people get their CCW at ORSA. I would like to see ORSA continue to grow. We need to develop better relations between ourselves, our neighbors, and the surrounding community. As the City of Oak Ridge continues to grow around us, we need to be ever vigilant in protecting ourselves from anti gun neighbors, politicians, and judges. I ll work to preserve our club and the 2 nd Amendment, not just for ourselves, but for future generations. I m asking you to please vote for me for Vice President of ORSA. Candidates for Secretary Leonard Bailey I have been a member of ORSA for almost 10 years and am a bond holding, permanent member. I was also an ORSA member in the late 70s and early 80 s. My primary shooting interests are in action pistol and skeet. Over the last several years I have participated in local and state IDPA matches, local USPSA and Steel Challenge matches, and I enjoy shooting skeet on weekday mornings when time permits. I am an NRA member, an IDPA member, and a member of USPSA. For several years I served as secretary for the ORSA Action Pistol Club. My educational background includes a B.S. in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration. I was employed for seven years by the Atlantic Companies in Houston and New York City in various positions including Operations Manager for the New York Metropolitan Division. I then worked for 27 years as an Associate Professor of Business at Roane State Community College. I am now enjoying retirement. My reason for seeking the office of ORSA Secretary is a desire to serve this wonderful club in the best way that I can at this time. Candidates for Treasurer Grant Hansen I have been an active member of ORSA for over 10 years. I am an NRA member as well as an ATA (Amateur shooting Association) life member. For over the past 20 years I have served as a business consultant to small companies, advising them in the areas of accounting and finance. Prior to that, I was the controller of a multi-million dollar high tech company. I am a member of the Institute of Management Accountants and hold an MBA in accounting and finance. If elected, I will work to provide clear and complete financial information and analysis to the Board as well as the general membership. I will support all association efforts to advance the shooting sports. I thank you in advance for your consideration and vote. Candidates for Road and Grounds Keith Jimmerson Keith is a retired training spec. with two degrees from UT. A BS in education and a Masters in Health and Safety. I have enjoyed doing the Roads and Grounds for the last couple of years and would like to continue as Roads and Grounds. Candidates for Membership Secretary Ken Palmer Ken was born in Detroit, Michigan and graduated from East Detroit High School. He attended the University of Michigan for one year. Ken moved to Oliver Springs, TN with my family thirty four years ago. His trade was a tool and die maker and machinist. He accepted employment in Oak Ridge to build hydraulic chucks for Union Carbide. In the year 1997 he retired. During 1965 and 1966 he served in the US Army during the Viet Nam crisis. He is currently a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 26, in Oliver Springs. Ken has served as Membership Secretary since August, THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 6

7 Candidates for Training Officer Jody Zorsch I am the Director of Emergency Management for Morgan County, responsible for disaster planning and hazardous materials response. I am a permanent (bond holding member) and have been a member of ORSA for 15+ years. I am a certified NRA Range Officer, NRA instructor and certified TN Handgun carry permit instructor. I am a member of the NRA, SASS, TFA (Tennessee Firearms Association) and life member USPSA. In my time at ORSA I have been active over the years in USPSA, SASS and Skeet. I have been the training officer for ORSA since the position was created by the board. I have enjoyed serving in the position and getting to meet and interact with the ORSA members and the public who attend our training classes. In my years with training department we have trained over 1,000 people in the handgun permit classes. We have also held NRA Range Safety Officer classes and TWRA Hunter Safety classes. I look forward to continue the service to the club. Right to Keep and Bear Arms Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." letter to Isaac Tifany, 1819 In the past couple of months I have emphasized the importance of knowledge of gun laws, especially if you have a concealed carry license. Last month I highlighted the gun laws of Tennessee. But what if you are travelling to another state or through states to your destination? A gun owner is responsible to know the laws of those states. There are several aids for you. The first is a website where you can check the laws of those states as well as information dealing with reciprocity of your Tennessee concealed carry license. This web site is Additionally if you carry a smart phone there are apps to provide you with this information. Two apps are igunlawsfree and LegalHeat. Both are very user friendly and full of very useful information for all gun owners. Speaking of concealed gun law reciprocity, Congressman Martin Stutzman from Indiana has introduced H.R. 578 which is called the Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. What is unique about this bill is that gun owners in those states that don t require law-abiding gun owners to get permits in order to carry concealed. Current gun laws in most states actually put the gun owners from those states at risk which is ironic since these states recognize that the individual freedom of self-protection via carrying a weapon is granted by the U.S. Constitution and these rights should not be governed by state laws. Passage of H.R. 578 would allow gun owners from constitutional carry states like Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Vermont, Wyoming and Montana to finally be able to carry their concealed weapon when they are out of state. By the way, there are lawmakers in Tennessee who are considering implementing these same type of laws during the next session. Senator John Cornyn of Texas has offered a companion to H.R. 578 in the Senate. Senator Cornyn tried to attach language as an amendment to the Sportsmen s bill, S. 2363, but has been blocked by the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Democrat from Nevada. If this is important to you please let your congressman and senators know. As the anniversary of the Newtown shooting approached, the usual gun control advocacy organizations geared up their propaganda campaigns to try and convince us that guns make us less safe, and that the only common sense solution to the gun violence epidemic is gun control. Gun control activists constantly clamor that there s a gun violence epidemic in the United States, but the numbers don t reflect that statement. In fact, the argument could be made that as the firearms ownership rate increases there s a correlation to a decline in the murder rate. So perhaps, more guns equal less crime? That s the position taken by a recent study from Virginia ( that showed a decrease in violent crime as the number of firearms THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 7

8 being sold increased, and while it s an interesting possibility there s no good way to decisively prove it. On the other hand, this data does decisively disprove the gun control hypothesis that more guns = more crime. Over the last decade, the number of guns being purchased in the United States has skyrocketed. Looking at the last two years, there really hasn t been a month where the NICS checks have dropped under a million checks per month. The National Shooting Sports Foundation tracks the number of NICS checks reported by the FBI, and while the numbers are slightly lower than last year around this time (artificially high due to Obama s re-election) sales are still through the roof. And that doesn t even count the number of new gun sales in states where a concealed handgun license exempts the holder from having to pass a NICS check, such as Texas and Virginia. Ruger is shipping over 1.2 million firearms this year, and that s just one gun manufacturer and not even the largest one. Some companies have backlogs of gun orders that will take them up to 2 years to fill, and when those guns do hit the market they re quickly sold out in stores. Even without the new sales, guns are durable goods which means that they last a long time and the existing number of guns in the United States is (by some estimates) enough for eight guns for every ten people in the country. All this is to say that guns are prevalent, and more guns are being sold every year in this country. The standard cry from gun control advocates is that more guns equals more death and more crime, so if their assertion is correct we should see a direct correlation between the number of guns being sold and an increase in the death rate in this country. But the numbers say otherwise as highlighted in a CDC study. With the increasing popularity of concealed carry, there was a common thread among the gun control advocacy groups opposition: the statement that concealed carry would bring blood in the streets. That these gun nuts who carry guns everywhere they go are just looking for trouble and itching to kill someone. Well, again, that s just not right. We know that concealed carry holders are actually less likely than even the police to commit a murder. According to the Violence Policy Center, Florida has the highest murder rate among concealed carry holders, and those numbers put the murder rate at somewhere around.58/100,000. Counting domestic homicides only, police officers committed 1.85/100,000 over the same time period. Nationally, the murder rate in the United States sits right around 4.5/100,000. Therefore, you re over three times less likely to be killed in a room filled with concealed carry holders than police officers. The gun control activists like to make the claim that 90% of Americans support whatever new gun control scheme they re currently pushing. However, if you look at the results of a reputable polling organization (like Gallup) the truth is very, very different. THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 8

9 The facts of the matter are that the hunger for stricter gun control in the United States is like a fad that has run its course fewer and fewer people every year believe that gun control is a good idea. The numbers of supporters have been steadily dropping since 2002, and with the exception of a small spike in 2012 (just after the Newtown shooting) that trend has been steady. The real surprise is that the percentage of people who think gun control laws should be less strict has been steadily on the rise, and in 2014 that number tripled to 16%. Gun control advocates claim that the vast majority of Americans support new gun control laws. In reality, 56% of Americans either want gun laws to stay the same or become less strict. Common sense indeed. The burden of proof is on the gun control activists. Their assertion is that more guns equal more crime, that concealed carry means shoot-outs in the streets and deranged gun nuts looking to kill people, and that there s a gun violence epidemic that needs to be addressed. But looking at the numbers from the CDC, I don t see it. Gun sales have gone through the roof in the last six years, and at worst the numbers for firearm related deaths are stable. At best, they re declining. Not one single metric that I could find indicated that gun owners were anything less than model citizens, and that gun ownership is not the root of all evil. The best confirmation of this comes not from any study or calculation, but from the opinions of the American people themselves. Support for gun control is at an all time low. I d like to think that it s because Americans finally understand that guns are not the problem but instead it s the behavior that needs to be changed. However, facts will not change the minds of the gun control crowd because it is not about guns it is about control government control of the people. Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Ben Franklin Respectfully Quoted, p. 201, Suzy Platt, Barnes & Noble, 1993 Richard Stouder oakridger48@msn.com THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 9

10 ORSA ACTIVITIES November & December 2014 S M T W T F S October CMP Qualification 10 AM 1 PM ATA Reg 9 AM Smallbore 9 AM NRA HP Match HP 600 yards & Shoot Benchrest 11 AM 2 4 PM 3 PM HP 7 9 PM ID 9 AM 9 AM Pistol ID 5 8 PM AP Meeting Gander Mt. 7 PM ID 5-9 PM 9 AM all day CH 8 AM IDPA Match 12 4 PM 2 CMP EIC Leg 8 AM CH & HP 600 yards 9 Cowboy Set Up AP NRA 600x3 Prone HP 600 yards 9 AM 16 Bullseye Pistol 9 AM 2 PM ID Skeet & Annual Meeting & Elections CH 2 PM 23 3 Gun Nation CMP Qualification Shoot Benchrest Range 11 AM November PM Cowboy Set Up AP SCTP Coaches Clinc all day CH IDPA Meeting 2 5 PM CH 3 PM HP ID 7 9 PM ATA Reg Pistol Class ATA Reg PistolClass ATA Reg Pistol Class Gun Law Seminar 4 8 PM CH 25 ATA Reg Pistol Class AP Meeting 7 PM Gander Mt. 2 9 AM AM-1 PM Pistol ID 5 8 PM Pistol Pistol SB ORSA Board 6:30 PM CH Smallbore Smallbore Orientation 6:30 PM CH Smallbore 3 9 AM Smallbore 5 PM ID Annual Dinner 7:00 PM Eagles Lodge SB 5-9 PM ID Smallbore Orientation 6:30 PM CH R & P Meeting 6:30 CH Club House reserved for private party 4 10 PM AM 5:30 PM R & P Meeting 6:30 PM CH AM all day SCTP Coaches Clinc all day CH CMP Games 8 AM CH & HP 200 yards Cowboy Match 8:30 AM AC Pistol 15 Vintage BPC Rifle Shoot HP 8 AM USPSA Match AP-10 AM 22 CMP Rifle Clinic CH & HP 600 yards 8 AM Steele Challenge Match 3 Gun Nation 29 6 EIC Pistol Matches11 AM CR IDPA Match 12 4 PM 13 Cowboy Action Match 8:30 AM - AP SCTP Coaches Clinc all day CH USPSA Match Indoor Bullseye Match 9 AM 2 PM ID Pistol Smallbore 3 Gun Nation 28 3 Gun Nation Pistol AP Club Meeting 7 PM Gander Mt. 31 Smallbore January 1, S & T - Skeet & SB - Smallbore HP - Highpower AP Action Pistol JOAD JR Olympic Dev ID Indoor Range CR - Competition Range CH - Clubhouse THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 10

11 Oak Ridge Sportsmen s Association PO Box 6094 Oak Ridge, TN PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID Permit # 309 KNOXVILLE, TN ORSA Board of Directors President Tobias Albrecht III (before 9 p.m.) treysclaysinc@earthlink.net Vice President Jerry Zorsch zorsch@highland.net Secretary Linda Oliver (before 9 p.m.) oliverlindar@comcast.net Membership Sec Ken Palmer (before 10 p.m.) orsamembership@gmail.com Treasurer Grant Hansen (before 8 p.m.) granthansen@comcast.net Roads & Grounds Keith Jimmerson hkjimmerson@hotmail.com Rifle Mike Glasman before 9:00 p.m clocktime@tds.net Skeet & Larry McNamee (before 9 p.m.) ataorsa@gmail.com Don Wood (before 9pm) don.wood@carlisletire.com Action Pistol Mike Madden idpa45cal@comcast.net Training Officer Jody Zorsch (before 9 p.m.) jzorsch@highland.net Ex-Officio Ed Johnson edjohnson144@comcast.net RF Editor Chris Melhorn cjmelhorn@melhorns.com Webmaster Chris Melhorn cjmelhorn@melhorns.com Send membership status & contact information changes to: ORSA, PO Box 6094, Oak Ridge, TN CLUB OFFICERS CMP Program Alan Strachn Junior Activities Ed Johnson NRA Secretary Dave Ellison SASS Leon Potgieter NRA Pistol Frank Buday IDPA Bryl Adkisson IPSC/USPSA Mark Levy Steel Challenge Eric Larson Multi-Gun Bob Toner ORSA WEBSITE: ORSAONLINE.ORG THE RANGEFINDER is published monthly by the Oak Ridge Sportsmen s Association (ORSA) and is mailed to all current members. ORSA is an organization of shooters, hunters, archers, fishermen and others dedicated to outdoor sports and conservation. A limited number of complimentary paper copies are available to interested parties and businesses on a firstcome, first-serve basis. An electronic version of this newsletter is posting in the news area of the ORSA website. Send correspondence (but NOT address changes) regarding this publication to: cjmelhorn@melhorns.com with a Subject Line: ORSA Rangefinder If you wish to submit an article to the Rangefinder for publication you must first send it to Linda Oliver, secretary, via . She will then send it out via to the board. When the board approves the article the writer will be notified that it will be included in the next issue. Membership information is available at JOINORSA.ORG THE RANGEFINDER Check us out on the web at Page 11