Prospective gun and ammunition buyers are being cautioned about Internet scammers

 

The National Shooting Sports Foundation – the country’s firearms and ammunition trade group assembly – is cautioning prospective gun and ammo buyers about Internet scams.

“We’ve learned from several industry firearm, ammunition and propellant manufacturers of bogus websites and web scams aimed at consumers who are eager to purchase these high-demand products,” says the trade group in a prepared statement.

Eager is not the word. As one example, over the so-called “Black Friday” period immediately following Thanksgiving, the Foundation earlier reported that the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) processed 687,788 background checks during the week leading up to and including Black Friday.

The FBI’s NICS program likewise recorded 187,585 background checks on Black Friday alone, ranking it among the Top 10 Highest Days for NICS checks, the Foundation reported earlier.

While background checks are not an absolute device for determining firearms sales they are one measuring tool employed to help understand sales trends, high and low points in such transactions.

Thus, the concern about scammers looking to make a fast buck on hard-to-find or seemingly outrageously reasonably priced ammunition is real. Especially since the buying craze for firearms and ammunition of all types continues.

The Foundation suggests that people looking to buy on-line, “...take steps to confirm the websites they are using are legitimate..”

There are many, reliable on-line firearms and ammunition retailers who offer product, though even here the prices will often be high as the rule of supply (low) butts heads with demand (high).

Suggestions include working with a local firearms/ammunition dealer which itself is increasingly dealing with on-line resources.

Prospective firearms and ammunition buyers similarly can work with fellow gun owners or with people they know who own such products if they deal with on-line suppliers. Such experienced on-line users can help steer a prospective buyer to an honest broker.

As for prospective firearms and ammunition buyers who believe they’ve have been the victim of a fraudulent transaction, the NSSF encourages that person to contact the FBI at (202) 324-3000 or the ATF at (202) 648-7080. In either case, the agency should be able to direct a person to the appropriate office.

Or a person suspecting that he or she has been scammed, can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission either on-line or by calling (800) 382-4357.

For additional information, please visit https://www2.nssf.org/e/127421/online-safety/4gj9m7/535021258?h=qU75DwpQ__G7davca3vxcTrVfeU3qYuLhaqnoe-l_Jo.

- By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

JFrischk@Ameritech.net

JFrischk4@gmail.com

Ohio's extended North Zone goose season is ill-timed

 

Molly, our intrepid black Labrador retriever, plunged ahead off the front porch, quickly being enveloped in a snowbank at the bottom of the steps before plowing her way into the backyard.

Meanwhile, Cricket, our rescue “terrier-ist” (all 20 pounds of her) stood her ground and refused to budge from the partially snow-blocked front door.

Welcome to the northern fringe of Northeast Ohio’s fabled Snow Belt.

And although the 20 inches of partly cloudy that fell overnight was exceptional, those of us who live in northern Ohio and especially in the Snow Belt of Northeast Ohio, can reasonably anticipate from one to a handful of abusive snow storms each January and February – the typical high point of winter in these parts.

Problem is, that time period also leads to wheels spinning for the state’s North Zone Waterfowl Hunting season. At least as it applies to the pursuit of Canada geese.

As stipulated by the Ohio DNR, the North Zone’s 2021-2022 season for ducks ran from October 23rd until only October 31^st, and again from November 13th (two weeks later) until January 2nd.

For geese the season makes even less sense. Make that much less sense, in fact. The goose season’s first period ran the same for the duck-hunting dates. However, the second phase also started November 13th but is to continue to February 5th.

What’s more, the proposed 2022-2023 North Zone season dates parallel those of the 2021-2022 season with a one-day adjustment.

Missing than are those two weeks of the first half of November. Note that the weather on November 1st as seen in Cleveland included a high in the low 50s.

In other words, mild temperatures, no snowfall, and much better weather that would have benefited the elderly, women, youths, and the handicapped.

Instead, the Ohio DNR’s choice features a Winter Storm Warning, dangerous snowfall, and sub-freezing temperatures.

All with the excuse that Canada geese are migrating later and thus the state needs to adjust the seasons accordingly.

Which might make some sense were it not for the simple and practical argument that it’s better to have an opportunity to hunt in nicer weather when there may be fewer geese than to conduct a season when there are more migrant birds around but with much more restricted opportunities.

At least – again - for the elderly, women, youths and the handicapped.

No one is suggesting eliminating goose hunting entirely during the month of January, of course. What is being recommended is whacking off a dozen days at the end of the current season proposal. Thereby slicing off the six days in February along with five or six days at the end of January, concluding January 24th or 25th, and then putting those days where they rightfully belong: The first 12 or so days of November.

That should be more than sufficient time for those goose hunters will relish late season hunting and who don’t mind laying out in snow and enjoying a brisk day afield.

What such a recommendation would also also provide, however, is better hunting opportunity for – once more – the elderly, women, youths, and the handicapped.

- By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

JFrischk@Ameritech.net

JFrischk4@gmail.com