Are You a Felon?...ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) Reinterpreted???

[les.b]

Dear Fellow Forum Members:

I just received an email from one of the West Virgina firearms rights organizations to day, the WVCDL (West Virginia Citizens Defense Leauge). This is an excellent organization, and has performed excellent work here in WV, in promoting 2nd Amendment work. The president, Keith Morgan, made us aware today of a letter from the U. S. State Department which reinterprets the way that ITAR is to be interpreted, and I am going to include a quote from his email, which I think explains the situation pretty well, as well as include a link to the actual State Department letter, (click here for letter) http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001JA6bx...eCNFMkc_I-SA== so that you can read it yourself and see if it may have the effect that it seems to.

I know, some of you are saying "State Department? What would that have to do with me?" ... If you have ever made a gun stock, or improved the accuracy of a firearm, or have an automated reloading press, this may include you.

Here is the quote from the email:

"I apologize in advance for a rare deviation from our "WV only" policy, as we feel it is imperative that we highlight a national issue. We must pass some critical information to WV gun owners, gunsmiths, and manufacturers.

President Obama has over-reached in a way that can, and if left to stand, will have a severe chilling effect on the exercise of our Second Amendment rights. And at present, based on our interpretation of a Department of State guidance letter, many of us may be considered felons as this is typed.

Thus we must make you aware of this condition.

ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) strictly regulates the export of technology that can be used for military purposes. It is broad ranging and covers many things from encryption technology, through weapons systems and training of foreign nationals. The penalty for violating ITAR regulations is severe. It includes a one million dollar fine, and 20 years in prison.

Our interpretation of the guidance letter dated 7/22 (you can click above to read the actual document) is that anyone who drills and taps a scope mount, polishes a trigger, or modifies a firearm in any way that requires tools and improves the firearm's function or accuracy, could be prosecuted as a violation of ITAR."

Well, I'll let the membership chew on this, I don't usually become an alarmist, but many of the things in the letter clearly apply to ordinary home-gunsmithing and hobby activities, and who among us would even know how to register with some international outfit, or the State Department?

I can't but feel that this was designed to have a chilling effect on our exercise of our ordinary second amendment activities, and has no relevance to crime or criminal activities, or international trafficking in "arms".

Please don't hesitate to tell me if I am misinterpreting this letter, or I am overreacting to it, as nothing would make me happier than to find out that I am wrong about this matter!!!

Best Regards, Les

[les.b]

Please note that I made some additions and edits to the above post.

Best Regards, Les

[Arik]

I would say it's probably a stretch but I guess I don't fall into the felon category since all mine are factory OEM

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[les.b]

Arik:

What worries me is the wording in the State Department letter that says that lots of the everyday things that we do as gun owners make us in violation of the new interpretation of the ITAR. I'm thinking of all the guys on this forum, or just gun hobbyists in general that this could very well sweep up. The real meat of the letter is near the end, and makes clear that you don't have to be "exporting" or have a "FFL", or be engaged in business in order for you to be required to "Register".

This reminds me of the Massachusetts Attorney General's "reinterpretation" of their 20 year old "Assault Weapons" law, where she says that folks who obeyed the law were "using loopholes".

I don't think that we should just think of whether it applies to us right now, but what if you want to make a stock for a rifle one day, do you need to register with the State Department?

Best Regards, Les

[weatherby]

This reminds me of the Massachusetts Attorney General's "reinterpretation" of their 20 year old "Assault Weapons" law, where she says that folks who obeyed the law were "using loopholes".

It should Les .....it is only for our own good right ?.....sarcasm.

Something big is brewing

[les.b]

Paul:

That is what has me worried, the AG's "Dictate" came out on July 20th, and the State Department letter came out on July 22nd, and a major political event, featuring "Gun Safety" rhetoric started when?

I am far from a conspiracy theorist, but I'm not comfortable with the looks or timing of these events, or what they portend for our future.

Best Regards, Les

[weatherby]

Les read this link on where she was just before this happened.

Healey heading to Washington, Israel to talk guns, security | WPRI 12 Eyewitness News

[les.b]

Paul:

I checked that out. Hmmmmm.... Also clicked on the link about your rally, and saw that WPRI says that there were "hundreds" of protestors at the rally. Hmmmmm ... I saw the photos and video, looked like "thousands" to me. That is just one more way to try to marginalize anyone who dares to protest peacefully.

I hope that more people read this letter from State. It has huge implications, and needs to be brought out in the open.

Best Regards, Les

[Arik]

Ok so after reading a few articles.....this has to do with manufacturers/gunsmiths. Companies that make a living on customizing (no matter how trivial) firearms. This is not about you adding your own scope or handguards. Said companies have to register at the cost of $2250 a year.

NRA-ILA | Just in Time for His Party’s Convention, Obama Administration Releases Latest Executive Gun Control


".......The AECA/ITAR require anybody who engages in the business of “manufacturing” a defense article to register with DDTC and pay a registration fee that for new applicants is currently $2,250 per year. These requirements apply, even if the business does not, and does not intend to, export any defense article. Moreover, under ITAR, “only one occasion of manufacturing … a defense article” is necessary for a commercial entity to be considered “engaged in the business” and therefore subject to the regime’s requirements."


Don't get me wrong I'm not saying this is good or irrelevant. It's certainly neither but it doesn't effect you as an owner

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[johngalt]

I wonder how this affects reloaders.

[loknload]

My take on reading this letter is that this pertains only to Manufacturers and ones that are involved with International Trade. This is International Law?
I do not understand this to be interfering with Joe Bob the gunsmith who repairs grandpas shotgun and mounts the latest scope on your Remington bolt action?

That's my take on it !
Now I'm not a Contract Attorney nor do I play one on television!

[PALADIN85020]

It seems that while everyone was distracted by the conventions, the President signed another executive order that in effect makes most gunsmiths "manufacturers" and would require them to register, fill out forms, make careful records for the government, jump through bureaucratic hoops and pay a yearly $2,500 fee. Even simple operations such as rebarreling or drilling a hole (basic modifications) would make a gunsmith a "manufacturer."

Comments?

John

[dave1918a2]

Executive Order or Action? Only the House can establish a Law that requires a Fee or tax. Once again, another illegal action by potus.

[PALADIN85020]

Originally Posted by dave1918a2

Executive Order or Action? Only the House can establish a Law that requires a Fee or tax. Once again, another illegal action by potus.

I believe POTUS believes he can re-define what constitutes a "manufacturer." The law is already in place, this just re-defines a "modifier" to mean "manufacturer." The net effect will be almost certain to put a number of gunsmiths out of business, because they don't want the hassle and/or can't afford the annual fee.

John

[Kevin J.]

I have a friend who is a retired Marine Corps armorer. He will not touch anyones firearms, even as a favor because of all the potential bs. Even before this started happening.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by Kevin J.

I have a friend who is a retired Marine Corps armorer. He will not touch anyones firearms, even as a favor because of all the potential bs. Even before this started happening.

Yea there is a lot of weird laws. If you are not a certified gunsmith who's business is gunsmithing then you can't work on my gun unless I'm there with you. At which point you're just helping a friend and teaching. If I leave it there for you that's a big no no

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[rustythread]

The devil's in the details. Re-read that text from the viewpoint of somebody who just bought and added a "+2" magazine base for his 1911 or 5906. How about fitting a .40 conversion kit to your 9mm, or a 9mm upper to a Sig you bought originally in .22.
In the law, ambiguities in a document are construed against the person who drafted the language; in the current climate, exec orders and admin regulations seem more likely to be construed against the citizen.

[les.b]

Originally Posted by Arik

Ok so after reading a few articles.....this has to do with manufacturers/gunsmiths. Companies that make a living on customizing (no matter how trivial) firearms. This is not about you adding your own scope or handguards. Said companies have to register at the cost of $2250 a year.

NRA-ILA | Just in Time for His Party’s Convention, Obama Administration Releases Latest Executive Gun Control


".......The AECA/ITAR require anybody who engages in the business of “manufacturing” a defense article to register with DDTC and pay a registration fee that for new applicants is currently $2,250 per year. These requirements apply, even if the business does not, and does not intend to, export any defense article. Moreover, under ITAR, “only one occasion of manufacturing … a defense article” is necessary for a commercial entity to be considered “engaged in the business” and therefore subject to the regime’s requirements."


Don't get me wrong I'm not saying this is good or irrelevant. It's certainly neither but it doesn't effect you as an owner

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Arik:

I hope that you are correct in your assessment. The more I read the letter (link above if someone is just joining the conversation), the less I like it. Of course a lot in any of these things depends on the interpretation and intent of the enforcement and prosecutory officials involved in applying the laws, or regulations. As we are seeing in Massachusetts right now, a law which everyone thought they understood and were abiding by, has just been reinterpreted to mean something entirely different. Those who thought they were complying with the law are being accused of using "loopholes".

There are a number of things that make me uneasy about the wording of this document. One is that one only has to perform an action one time to be defined as being a manufacturer. Another is that simple things are defined as being the trigger for registering as a manufacturer and paying the large fee. Making a stock for a gun makes you a manufacturer? What about the folks here on the forum who make handgun stocks or grips? ...Reloading cartridges on a progressive reloader makes you a manufacturer? Really? And the penalties are bizarrely high!!

I am not an alarmist, but this document and the timing of its release, and the current philosophy of the federal authorities all make me uneasy. At the very least, it will have a chilling effect on folks who are actually gunsmiths, and will certainly have a negative effect on anyone who is thinking about helping a buddy with a "gunsmithing" project. Which is perhaps what it is intended to do.

If someone were issuing similar restraints on printing newspapers, or voting, or exercising any other constitutional right, would there be any doubt that the media would be up in arms (so to speak) over the issue......

Best Regards, Les

[LDM]

If we get hit with the perfect storm in November -- Hillary in the White House, Dem majorities in the House and Senate, four SCOTUS retirements -- we will effectively see the deaths of the first, second, fourth, fifth, eighth and fourteenth amendments. All legal gun owners who are not politically or socially connected will become felons overnight. As well as anyone who dares to speak out against their tyranny.

[ladyT]

Here is some of the rule.
Also an important passage:
(3) Significant military equipment. An asterisk may precede an entry in a U.S. Munitions List category. The asterisk means the enumerated defense article is deemed to be “Significant Military Equipment” to the extent specified in §120.7 of this subchapter. Note that technical data directly related to the manufacture or production of any defense articles enumerated in any category designated as Significant Military Equipment (SME) is also designated as SME.

(e) Classified. For the purpose of this subchapter, “classified” means classified pursuant to Executive Order 13526, or predecessor order, and a security classification guide developed pursuant thereto or equivalent, or to the corresponding classification rules of another government or international organization.
Category I—Firearms, Close Assault Weapons and Combat Shotguns

*(a) Nonautomatic and semi-automatic firearms to caliber .50 inclusive (12.7 mm).

*(b) Fully automatic firearms to .50 caliber inclusive (12.7 mm).

*(c) Firearms or other weapons (e.g. insurgency-counterinsurgency, close assault weapons systems) having a special military application regardless of caliber.

*(d) Combat shotguns. This includes any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18 inches.

*(e) Silencers, mufflers, sound and flash suppressors for the articles in (a) through (d) of this category and their specifically designed, modified or adapted components and parts.

(f) Riflescopes manufactured to military specifications (See category XII(c) for controls on night sighting devices.)

*(g) Barrels, cylinders, receivers (frames) or complete breech mechanisms for the articles in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this category.

(h) Components, parts, accessories and attachments for the articles in paragraphs (a) through (g) of this category.

(i) Technical data (as defined in §120.10 of this subchapter) and defense services (as defined in §120.9 of this subchapter) directly related to the defense articles described in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this category. Technical data directly related to the manufacture or production of any defense articles described elsewhere in this category that are designated as Significant Military Equipment (SME) shall itself be designated SME.

(j) The following interpretations explain and amplify the terms used in this category and throughout this subchapter:

(1) A firearm is a weapon not over .50 caliber (12.7 mm) which is designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or which may be readily converted to do so.

(2) A rifle is a shoulder firearm which can discharge a bullet through a rifled barrel 16 inches or longer.

(3) A carbine is a lightweight shoulder firearm with a barrel under 16 inches in length.

(4) A pistol is a hand-operated firearm having a chamber integral with or permanently aligned with the bore.

(5) A revolver is a hand-operated firearm with a revolving cylinder containing chambers for individual cartridges.

(6) A submachine gun, “machine pistol” or “machine gun” is a firearm originally designed to fire, or capable of being fired, fully automatically by a single pull of the trigger.

Note: This coverage by the U.S. Munitions List in paragraphs (a) through (i) of this category excludes any non-combat shotgun with a barrel length of 18 inches or longer, BB, pellet, and muzzle loading (black powder) firearms. This category does not cover riflescopes and sighting devices that are not manufactured to military specifications. It also excludes accessories and attachments (e.g., belts, slings, after market rubber grips, cleaning kits) for firearms that do not enhance the usefulness, effectiveness, or capabilities of the firearm, components and parts. The Department of Commerce regulates the export of such items. See the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR parts 730-799). In addition, license exemptions for the items in this category are available in various parts of this subchapter (e.g., §§123.17, 123.18 and 125.4).

[ladyT]

Category II—Guns and Armament

*(a) Guns over caliber .50 (i.e., 12.7 mm), whether towed, airborne, self-propelled, or fixed, including but not limited to, howitzers, mortars, cannons, recoilless rifles, and grenade launchers.

(b) Flame throwers specifically designed or modified for military application.

(c) Apparatus and devices for launching or delivering ordnance, other than those articles controlled in Category IV.

*(d) Kinetic energy weapon systems specifically designed or modified for destruction or rendering mission-abort of a target.

(e) Signature control materials (e.g., parasitic, structural, coatings, screening) techniques, and equipment specifically designed, developed, configured, adapted or modified to alter or reduce the signature (e.g., muzzle flash suppression, radar, infrared, visual, laser/electro-optical, acoustic) of defense articles controlled by this category.

*(f) Engines specifically designed or modified for the self-propelled guns and howitzers in paragraph (a) of this category.

(g) Tooling and equipment specifically designed or modified for the production of defense articles controlled by this category.

(h) Test and evaluation equipment and test models specifically designed or modified for the articles controlled by this category. This includes but is not limited to diagnostic instrumentation and physical test models.

(i) Autoloading systems for electronic programming of projectile function for the defense articles controlled in this Category.

(j) All other components, parts, accessories, attachments and associated equipment specifically designed or modified for the articles in paragraphs (a) through (i) of this category. This includes but is not limited to mounts and carriages for the articles controlled in this category.

(k) Technical data (as defined in §120.10 of this subchapter) and defense services (as defined in §120.9 of this subchapter) directly related to the defense articles described in paragraphs (a) through (j) of this category. Technical data directly related to the manufacture or production of any defense articles described elsewhere in this category that are designated as Significant Military Equipment (SME) shall itself be designated SME.

(l) The following interpretations explain and amplify the terms used in this category and elsewhere in this subchapter:

(1) The kinetic energy weapons systems in paragraph (d) of this category include but are not limited to:

(i) Launch systems and subsystems capable of accelerating masses larger than 0.1g to velocities in excess of 1.6km/s, in single or rapid fire modes, using methods such as: electromagnetic, electrothermal, plasma, light gas, or chemical;

(ii) Prime power generation, electric armor, energy storage, thermal management; conditioning, switching or fuel-handling equipment; and the electrical interfaces between power supply gun and other turret electric drive function;

(iii) Target acquisition, tracking fire control or damage assessment systems; and

(iv) Homing seeker, guidance or divert propulsion (lateral acceleration) systems for projectiles.

(2) The articles in this category include any end item, component, accessory, attachment part, firmware, software or system that has been designed or manufactured using technical data and defense services controlled by this category.

(3) The articles specifically designed or modified for military application controlled in this category include any article specifically developed, configured, or adapted for military application.

[ladyT]

Category III—Ammunition/Ordnance



*(a) Ammunition/ordnance for the articles in Categories I and II of this section.

(b) Ammunition/ordnance handling equipment specifically designed or modified for the articles controlled in this category, such as, belting, linking, and de-linking equipment.

(c) Equipment and tooling specifically designed or modified for the production of defense articles controlled by this category.

(d) Components, parts, accessories, attachments and associated equipment specifically designed or modified for the articles in this category:

*(1) Guidance and control components for the articles in paragraph (a) of this category;

*(2) Safing, arming and fuzing components (including target detection and localization devices) for the articles in paragraph (a) of this category; and

(3) All other components, parts, accessories, attachments and associated equipment for the articles in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this category.

(e) Technical data (as defined in §120.10 of this subchapter) and defense services (as defined in §120.9 of this subchapter) directly related to the defense articles described in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this category. Technical data directly related to the manufacture or production of any defense articles described elsewhere in this category that are designated as Significant Military Equipment (SME) shall itself be designated SME.

(f) The following explains and amplifies the terms used in this category and elsewhere in this subchapter:

(1) The components, parts, accessories and attachments controlled in this category include, but are not limited to cartridge cases, powder bags (or other propellant charges), bullets, jackets, cores, shells (excluding shotgun shells), projectiles (including canister rounds and submunitions therefor), boosters, firing components therefor, primers, and other detonating devices for the defense articles controlled in this category.

(2) This category does not control cartridge and shell casings that, prior to export, have been rendered useless beyond the possibility of restoration for use as a cartridge or shell casing by means of heating, flame treatment, mangling, crushing, cutting or popping.

(3) Equipment and tooling in paragraph (c) of this category does not include equipment for hand-loading ammunition.

(4) The articles in this category include any end item, component, accessory, attachment, part, firmware, software, or system that has been designed or manufactured using technical data and defense services controlled by this category.

(5) The articles specifically designed or modified for military application controlled in this category include any article specifically developed, configured, or adapted for military application

[ladyT]

I would say barring intervention by Congress or the SCOTUS we are screwed. Right down to our cleaning mat with a parts diagram on it.

[les.b]

ladyT:

I "liked" your posts, but just to acknowledge that I hope you are wrong, but am afraid you may be right, and there is no button for that. Thanks for contributing to the thread. I am not a lawyer, and reading this stuff gives me a headache. But I think we all need to be paying attention, as best we can to the activities of those persons who hold public office, and those who seek public office.

Best Regards, Les

[les.b]

Flipmeister:

I have a few Class III items but no flamethrower! Did you see the episode of that gun show on TV a couple of years ago where they rebuilt one for Woody Williams? Woody is from my hometown, and is around still, in his 80s or maybe 90s now. When he was on the show, he actually, at his age, was able to strap it on and demonstrate its use.

We are very proud of Woody here, and our National Gaurd Armory is named for him.

A little off track, but just wanted to share.

Best Regards, Les

[ladyT]

Originally Posted by les.b

ladyT:

I "liked" your posts, but just to acknowledge that I hope you are wrong, but am afraid you may be right, and there is no button for that. Thanks for contributing to the thread. I am not a lawyer, and reading this stuff gives me a headache. But I think we all need to be paying attention, as best we can to the activities of those persons who hold public office, and those who seek public office.

Best Regards, Les

The source:
US State Department - Policy - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls

[jag312]

I just want to specific here. I have a Ruger Mini-14 GB with a folding stock, pistol grip, and flash suppressor. I didn't want to register it in California as a Category 3 Assault Weapon, so I replaced the stock with a conventional fixed stock without a pistol grip and removed the flash suppressor. Now it was a good gun and did not require registration. Am I now a manufacturer? The original stock and flash suppressor were saved for when I moved to Nevada.

[les.b]

Originally Posted by jag312

I just want to specific here. I have a Ruger Mini-14 GB with a folding stock, pistol grip, and flash suppressor. I didn't want to register it in California as a Category 3 Assault Weapon, so I replaced the stock with a conventional fixed stock without a pistol grip and removed the flash suppressor. Now it was a good gun and did not require registration. Am I now a manufacturer? The original stock and flash suppressor were saved for when I moved to Nevada.

Well, I've read that letter, and the supplementary material a dozen times, and I have no idea. I doubt if most lawyers, even those who specialize in this sort of thing would be able to tell. It is vague, and probably intentionally confusing. I'll bet that one of the purposes of this document is to confuse and intimidate us.

Best Regards, Les

[roundgunner]

A friend sent me this tonight so I came here to see if anyone knows anything about this. Is this true?


Hi Warren,
I'm assuming you have seen this???? Especially the fourth bullet; when you scroll down.


Obama regime targets gunsmiths with new executive order
Posted on July 29, 2016

President Barack Obama just quietly released a new executive order that could subject casual gunsmiths to thousands of dollars in fees and other regulatory burdens if they so much as thread a barrel on a firearm.
The executive order gives new authority to the State Department’s Directorate of Defense trade Controls, which oversees International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the underlying Arms Export Control Act (AECA).
From the State Department: “Any person who engages in the United States in the business of manufacturing or exporting or temporarily importing defense articles, or furnishing defense services, is required to register with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls … For the purpose of this subchapter, engaging in such a business requires only one occasion of manufacturing or exporting or temporarily importing a defense article or furnishing a defense service. A manufacturer who does not engage in exporting must nevertheless register.”
According to the presidential directive, firearm modifications that do not require “drilling, cutting, or machining” are not affected by the new rules.
But a commercial gunsmith who makes just one modification on the list of activities the government believes improves “the accuracy, caliber, or operation” of a firearm is subject to the new rules.
Examples of included gunsmithing activities include:
• Use of any special tooling or equipment upgrading in order to improve the capability of assembled or repaired firearms;
• Modifications to a firearm that change round capacity;
• The production of firearm parts (including, but not limited to, barrels, stocks, cylinders, breech mechanisms, triggers, silencers, or suppressors);
• The systemized production of ammunition, including the automated loading or reloading of ammunition;
• The machining or cutting of firearms, e.g., threading of muzzles or muzzle brake installation requiring machining, that results in an enhanced capability;
• Rechambering firearms through machining, cutting, or drilling;
• Chambering, cutting, or threading barrel blanks; and
• Blueprinting firearms by machining the barrel.
Any of those activities would require registration with the government and an annual $2,250 fee.
The National Rifle Association notes that the rules are needlessly confusing for a reason.
“The administration’s latest move serves as a timely reminder of how the politicized and arrogant abuse of executive power can be used to suppress Second Amendment rights and curtail lawful firearm-related commerce. That lesson should not be forgotten when voters go to the polls this November,” the 2nd Amendment group said.

[les.b]

Originally Posted by roundgunner

A friend sent me this tonight so I came here to see if anyone knows anything about this. Is this true?


Hi Warren,
I'm assuming you have seen this???? Especially the fourth bullet; when you scroll down.


Obama regime targets gunsmiths with new executive order
Posted on July 29, 2016

President Barack Obama just quietly released a new executive order that could subject casual gunsmiths to thousands of dollars in fees and other regulatory burdens if they so much as thread a barrel on a firearm.
The executive order gives new authority to the State Department’s Directorate of Defense trade Controls, which oversees International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the underlying Arms Export Control Act (AECA).
From the State Department: “Any person who engages in the United States in the business of manufacturing or exporting or temporarily importing defense articles, or furnishing defense services, is required to register with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls … For the purpose of this subchapter, engaging in such a business requires only one occasion of manufacturing or exporting or temporarily importing a defense article or furnishing a defense service. A manufacturer who does not engage in exporting must nevertheless register.”
According to the presidential directive, firearm modifications that do not require “drilling, cutting, or machining” are not affected by the new rules.
But a commercial gunsmith who makes just one modification on the list of activities the government believes improves “the accuracy, caliber, or operation” of a firearm is subject to the new rules.
Examples of included gunsmithing activities include:
• Use of any special tooling or equipment upgrading in order to improve the capability of assembled or repaired firearms;
• Modifications to a firearm that change round capacity;
• The production of firearm parts (including, but not limited to, barrels, stocks, cylinders, breech mechanisms, triggers, silencers, or suppressors);
• The systemized production of ammunition, including the automated loading or reloading of ammunition;
• The machining or cutting of firearms, e.g., threading of muzzles or muzzle brake installation requiring machining, that results in an enhanced capability;
• Rechambering firearms through machining, cutting, or drilling;
• Chambering, cutting, or threading barrel blanks; and
• Blueprinting firearms by machining the barrel.
Any of those activities would require registration with the government and an annual $2,250 fee.
The National Rifle Association notes that the rules are needlessly confusing for a reason.
“The administration’s latest move serves as a timely reminder of how the politicized and arrogant abuse of executive power can be used to suppress Second Amendment rights and curtail lawful firearm-related commerce. That lesson should not be forgotten when voters go to the polls this November,” the 2nd Amendment group said.

Warren:

Well, I put a link to this material in the first post. But I'm glad you put it out there where more folks will see it.

Yes, this material is what has me upset. I have a feeling that this "directive" is part of a much bigger picture, maybe a piece of a "picture puzzle". And when we finally get all the pieces, and move them around on the table until they make a picture... I don't think that we are going to like what we see.

You see that ordinary activities like reloading or making a "stock", even if done "one time", are enough to require you to register and pay a big fee! And who would even know how to do it, and who could afford it? And why in the world should we have to in the first place???

I don't want to have this thread shut down because we are talking "politics", but there is a pattern here, and our rights are slowly being eroded, nit by the folks who have the authority under the constitution to legislate, i.e., Congress, but by the executive branch.

I feel that another of the pieces is the recent atrocity perpetuated by the rouge Attorney General of Massachusetts. I'm sure that you are aware of this, and there is a good thread going on it as well. There are brush fires going on all over the country. Billionaire Playboy and wannabe Nanny, Michael Bloomberg is spending at least $50,000,000.00 this election season to try to elect anti-freedom candidates all over the country, and there are a lot of dot-com billionaires forking over big bucks to help him out. And don't forget the mainstream media mostly give these guys free advertising, and cheerleading.

Who do we have? Us. True, there are a lot of us. But mostly we don't have $50,000,000.00 to toss in the kitty. We have the NRA, and many good state affiliates, and some other progun groups who are also doing good work.

But I'm afraid that this is the most dangerous election of our life time. With the SCOTUS at stake, we can't afford not to become activists.

Best Regards, Les

[stu1ritter]

There is currently a petition being posted at petitions.whitehouse.gov to remove gunsmiths from the ITAR regulations. The petition is found at
Remove Gunsmithing from ITAR. | We the People: Your Voice in Our Government Please pass this around and sign the petition if you are so inclined.

Stu