In January, Chief of Police Correa of the Honolulu Police Dept. in Hawaii sponsored an "Omnibus Firearms Bill" in the House of Representatives in the Hawaiian Legislature: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/hearingnotices/JUD_02-12-08_.htm

The bill (HB 2999) included a ban on the .50 BMG target rifle. FCI immediately began working with the leadership of the Hawaii Rifle Assn (HRA) (Dr. Maxwell Cooper and Mark Plischke) and the NRA-ILA representative for the Hawaiian Islands, (Mrs. Carrie Herbertson). HB 2999 was one of the most onerous pieces of anti-gun legislation we've ever seen at FCI. This bill looked like it had been written by the Violence Policy Center and was a reminder of what laws must have looked like in Germany of 1937.

During our communication it became apparent the members of the Committee on Judiciary in Hawaii shared our opinion because the sponsor of the bill:
      House Judiciary Committee Vice Chair, Blake Oshiro
did not have the votes to move the bill out of the Judiciary Committee. On February 12th the bill was 'deferred', which means it was not brought up for discussion in the committee that day. It was our feeling the sponsors of the bill did not have the necessary votes to get the bill approved by the committee if it came to a vote. At that time FCI, NRA and HRA all felt the bill would die in committee for the remainder of the year. Not so!! Over the weekend of February 21-23 a media blitz occurred in Hawaii comprised of virtually every news station and newspaper in the Hawaiian Islands. The media blitz was designed to "Create Hysteria" about a problem that doesn't exist. All of a sudden it seemed like the Hawaiian Islands were under attack again, but this time it was those dreadful "50 Caliber Sniper Rifles"!! If you'd like to see a video of the media circus lead by the Chief of Police in Honolulu, click on this URL: http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/4305/40/

If you watch the video you will be able to tell how much the Chief of Police in Honolulu knows about firearms. Either he is completely uneducated in ballistics or he is intentionally lying to members of the legislature. His comments about shooting through steel 1" inch thick at 1,000 yds; having an effective range of seven (7) miles and vaporizing game animals is laughable. Never mind that the .50 BMG target rifle has never been used in any criminal incident in the entire history of the Hawaiian Islands; Never mind that passing a law that literally steals your 2nd Amendment right to own firearms; Never mind that banning a target rifle will have no impact on crime in the Hawaiian Islands, just as long they achieve their goal of banning firearms!! The media circus that took place last weekend was a classic "How to fool the American Public" taken directly from a script written by Sarah Brady or the Violence Policy Center.

Yesterday FCI was informed that HB 2999 had been re-drafted by Chief Correa and Mr. Oshiro of the Judiciary Committee. All other aspects of the bill had been stripped out of the bill and it was now a "Stand Alone" anti-fifty caliber bill. This bill as written would ban the possession and sale of any 50 BMG rifle and the ammunition. FCI was told on Wednesday morning February 27th about a hearing that would be held on Thursday the 28th!! The hearing would just be an up or down vote by committee members to move the bill to the House floor.

When I heard how this bill was going to be addressed I was very concerned that we had run into another situation similar to AB-50 in California five (5) years ago. That bill had the skids greased before it was ever introduced into committee.

To say we were disappointed in the developments in Hawaii is an understatement. Many people say, "Well what do we care?? Nobody shoots the 50 BMG in Hawaii anyway!!" Not true. We have many members in Hawaii and most of them own a rifle. They are all law abiding citizens who are professionals and who believe in the American way of life and we as an organization cannot abandon them.

Late in the evening yesterday FCI received an email from Dr. Cooper in Hawaii:

50 CALIBER BAN DEAD FOR THE YEAR

"...House Judiciary Vice-Chair Blake Oshiro announced, after waiting 15 minutes after the start time for a "decision" hearing on the omnibus bill he introduced for HPD, HB2999, that there was no quorum and that the bill is dead for the year."

If you read this article closely you will realize there is a lot more to this story than I'm allowed to say here. A lot of activity occurred behind the scenes that worked to our benefit. The thanks need to go to the representatives of the Hawaiian Rifle Association.

This has been our first battle of 2008. We dodged a bullet on this one but, as all of you are aware right now we all are facing some of the most serious challenges to own firearms that have ever been faced in American history. The issue in Hawaii is just the tip of the iceberg and there are at least six (6) more anti-50 caliber bills pending in different state legislatures that we are aware of. This is the time for all of us to come together as one and work together to protect our rights. We can't overlook what is happening in Hawaii any more than we could overlook what is happening to our members behind the iron curtain of California. If you care for your rights and are willing to get involved please contact the legislators in Hawaii at:
      http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/
and thank them for not passing this discriminating legislation. We need to let them know we appreciate their understanding and to thank them for a job well done.

NRA Membership:

I want to take this opportunity to promote the National Rifle Association of America. (NRA) If you are not already a member of NRA, I encourage you to join. If you are a member, I'm asking you to consider upgrading your membership to a higher level. The NRA is the only Civil Rights Organization in America dedicated to protecting the rights of law abiding gun owners!! I've said it before in this newsletter, "We're faced with some very serious challenges" in the near future, regardless who win the White House. The fifty caliber community is directly in the crosshairs of the anti-gunners and they are going to try to take us down first. The NRA is the only really big organization out there that is fighting every day to allow us to hold onto our guns. We all need to join NRA to make that organization as strong as we can so they can speak with one strong voice to protect all of our rights.

If there are those of you who have questions about joining NRA, please call me here at FCI and I will take the time to explain as much as I know to better help you understand how important the role of NRA is.

To join NRA, click here: https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp?CampaignID=nranews

You will never regret your decision and you will help cement the base of the organization that is up-holding our right to own firearms in America.

South Central Shooters Club 1st Match of the Year:

First match of 2008:

As most of you know the South Central Shooters Club will be holding a .50 caliber match in March 2008. This is the first sanctioned match of the shooting season, so don't miss it if you live in the Southern US Region. Several folks have been asking for information relating to the match. We want to emphasize this is a sanctioned match governed by FCSA Rules. Each competitor must be a member of FCSA and SCSC to have his/her scores recognized by FCSA. To participate in a match hosted by SCSC each shooter must be a member of SCSC.

Program Outline:

Sanctioned Fifty Caliber match at T.I.G.E.R. Valley Gun Club, Waco, TX March, 2008. Questions about the match can be directed to Barry Hamilton at: bkhlam@embarqmail.com or John Burtt at: jb50bmg@earthlink.net (note: all match forms, directions, hotel/motel lists etc. are posted on the FCSA website at www.fcsa.org just click on "Match Dates" on the home page and everything is right there if you want to join us.)

If there are any shooters who need to hire target pullers, please contact the Match Director Johnny Stout at (817) 975-3310 Target pullers will be available for $80, but it is the responsibility of each shooter to hire his/her own target puller.

The range will be open to shooters at 12 noon. There will be a $25 use fee to shoot on Friday for anybody using the range. (We're sorry about the use fee, but it's the only way we could avoid having to pay the $500 for use of the range that day.) We encourage as many shooters as possible to arrive, to register, get sighted in and sort out equipment. The more problems we solve on Friday, the earlier we can get started on Saturday.

6:30 pm Dinner as a group in Waco. Everyone has been invited to Roger Schmidt's house for dinner. Directions to his house can be found on the FCSA website home page at www.fcsa.org

7.00 am Competitors who have not pre-registered or who have not sighted in need to be on the range taking care of those matters.

7.30 am All other competitors need to be on the range for the mandatory shooters meeting.

9.00 am Commence Competition. At the end of relays 1-2: Short break for lunch and next relay set-up. After lunch, Re-commence competition. Lunch will be made available by the SCSC Club for a small donation.

After sanctioned match is complete: (3.30/4.00 pm) There will be a "Barrett Class" Semi-Auto / timed fire event shooting off the ground in Hunter Style - The cost of this event is $25 per shooter. Each Shooter will be given 5 minutes to sight their rifle in and the course of fire will be: Shoot 5 rds. in 60 seconds for score only. Repeat for a total of 20 rounds. Both bolt and semi-auto guns can compete in this fun (trial) shoot. No weight limitations on the guns. (this includes a semi-auto belt fed M2) (Bring enough sighters plus 20 rounds.)

Bar-B-Que & Membership Meeting

After all the shooting is over on Saturday, everyone is invited to stay awhile and enjoy a Southern Bar-B-Que and attend a much needed Membership Meeting. The B-B-Q is getting to be a tradition for us at the SCSC and the membership meeting is needed because this is how we get together and elect our new officers each year. We also need to bring in new folks who are willing to step up to the plate and get involved in running our club. If you feel like you could devote some time to getting involved, please give our current President (Barry Hamilton) or our Secretary (Don Heidbrier) a call and let him know you're interested. They will ensure your name is submitted for the role you feel most comfortable with.
      Barry Hamilton (713) 858-6116   Don Heidbrier (281) 389-6186

Elections will be held at the Membership Meeting for officers for this year.

Food will be cooked by a Master Chef who is coming in from out of state. Cash Donations very welcome. All proceeds go to the club. Please plan to attend and BYOB. **Good time to be had by all.

0800 am All competitors need to be on the range ready for the Shooters Meeting

0830 am Start the final day of competition. At the end of relays 1-2: Short break for lunch and next relay set-up. After lunch, Re-commence competition.

As we begin 2008, let us all remember the sacrifices our brave men & women in the military and emergency services are enduring to protect our freedom. Let us all support them in every way in their effort to defeat those who are determined to end our way of life and harm our country. Let us all resolve to remain steadfast in our determination in the next year to help defeat the enemies of this great nation. Staff at FCI

FCI Fundraiser

EDM ARMS Semi-Auto .50 BMG:
FCI would like to announce that Bill Ritchie (Owner of EDM Arms) in Redlands, CA has contacted us and offered to provide FCI one of his new Semi-Auto .50 BMG rifles to conduct our next fundraiser. FCI wants to thank Bill for his generous offer and to point out to everyone that without the solid support of the manufacturers and our members for the past nine (9) years, FCI would not have been able to accomplish all we have. We thank Bill and we thank our members.

We should have the promotion flyers available soon and we will make those available to everyone who might want to participate in our fundraiser. For our friends in California there will be a version of this fine rifle that will meet all the requirements of CA DOJ.