ing urbanization of the country. This, of course, is for a variety of causes, including the availability and convenience of a place to hunt. We believe that if the acquisition, ownership, and transportation of sporting firearms is made more difficult by governmental action, this will further tend to decrease the overall number of those interested in participation in this sport.

We would comment on certain sections of S. 1592. In section 1, subsection 4, page 2, we would suggest that black powder weapons be exempted in the law. There is a legitimate sporting use for black powder muzzleloading weapons with a bore greater than one-half inch; certain early black powder breech loaders and heavy English sporting rifles fall in this same class. No one would argue that there is a legitimate hunting use to be made of devices such as bazookas and mortars, or that such weapons, with live ammunition, should not be in the hands of criminals, kooks, and paramilitary organizations. Without live ammunition, these pieces of military junk are inert curios. As such, there are two legitimate areas of possession for this type of hardware. One is in public and private museums in exhibiting the evolution of military weapons, the other is for display purposes on courthouse lawns, veterans' clubs, et cetera. We would suggest that the proper avenue of control in these instances be directed toward the sale of live fixed ammunition therefor. Black powder weapons should be exempt. In this connection let me submit an article from our State outdoor magazine, Outdoor Nebraska for October 1964.

This article tells of the activities of a group of black powder hobbyists, out in Trenton, Nebr., who meet once a month during the summer, enjoying their sport. These people are not fanatics, they are not criminals, they are not kooks-they are just Americans having fun. They have large bore black powder weapons. They even have a black powder cannon. There are similar organizations in many States-in the North-South Skirmish Association.

(The article referred to was marked "Exhibit No. 128" and follows on pp. 561-564.)

Mr. FOOTE. We were happy to see the comments on section 2(a)(1) in earlier testimony stating that it was not the intent of this section to control the individual transportation of rifles and shotguns in interstate commerce. We suggest that the language herein could be improved to most plainly indicate this. We object to the broad delegation of regulatory power to the Secretary of Treasury to control transportation by other than the owner. Definition of the term "lawful pur pose" in this subsection should be accomplished.

In that line, we point out a danger in this bill-that an individual transporting a weapon to another State for a perfectly legitimate hunting trip, can all too easily, because of the differences between laws in different States, fall afoul of the law in that State for a relatively minor hunting law violation.

This would be not a lawful purpose-it would be an unlawful purpose that he did bring that weapon in for. Under the terms of this act as I read it, this individual, for conviction of a misdemeanor in which a weapon is involved, could then be subject to extremely heavy penalties.

Senator DODD. Just a minute. Are you suggesting that we should wipe out all the State laws?

Yankee cannon; Rebel screams echo across NEBRASKAland prairie

N THE FOURTH Sunday of every month a group of Nebraskans becomes stinkers, black-powder variety. Proud of their odoriferous pursuits, they rally under the banner of the polecat and salute it with. a replica of a Civil War cannon. The flag is a gag for the boys take their membership in the Massacre Canyon Black Powder Club seriously. They get their kicks from burning, smoke-belching, nostril-stinging black powder in everything from century-old muzzle-loaders to today's slide actions.

These modern Daniel Boones hold old-fashioned shooting matches on the canyon-slashed ranch of Bill Steinke near Trenton in southwest Nebraska. The riflemen blaze away at 50-yard targets while the smoothbore fans pulverize Blue Rocks. On a bluff above the range, the cannoneers buzz around their 11⁄2-pounder.

The cannon is no toy. It digests half a pound of peasize powder at a crack and hurls 11⁄2 pounds of lead some two miles across the prairie. When it roars into action, a cloud of acrid smoke rolls over the bluff and

EXHIBIT NO. 128.-October 1964, issue of Nebraskaland, article, "Massacre

Canyon Cap Snappers."

Ramrod's gentle tamp brings out muzzle-loader's best

shoulder cannon in 13 seconds using a pre-set powder flask to throw the charge. Smaller rifles use 25 to 40 grains of FFFg. Uniform powder charges and ball weights are the keys to accuracy with muzzle gulpers.

Not all of the rifles are old although the Massacre Canyon boys prefer the old-timers They scour attics and antique shops for genuine charcoal burners, but if they fail to find one that can be rebuilt, they buy modern replicas. Bill Steinke has made several versions of the Kentucky and plans to make more.

Finding a muzzle-loader is becoming increasingly difficult. The sport of muzzle-loading and black-powder shooting has mushroomed over the past decade, with a resulting scarcity of good guns. Even a rebuilt Kentucky with only a few original parts brings a good price today. A brisk trade in selling and making guns is shaping up all over the United States. An original Pennsylvania-made Kentucky in shootable condition is worth a farm to the dedicated gun nuts.

The Massacre Canyon cap snappers are a colorful crew in buckskin and moccasins. Bill Lloyd, one of the charter members of the club, attends matches in a complete buckskin outfit Horsehair scalps dangle from his fringed jacket and a carved powder horn is draped over his shoulder..

Besides the guns and Jim Bridger getup, the boys invest important folding money in accessories for their unique sport. Bullet molds, powder flasks, shooting glasses, percussion caps, bullet pouches, and unloading gear are part of the needs for a well-equipped blackpowder burner. A friendly, co-operative bunch, the Massacre Canyon Club shares equipment so everybody can get in on the fun. Once bitten by the bug, shooters seldom rest until they have all the gear they want.

Fun is more important than competition at the regular matches, but the members do some real good shooting when they draw down for trophies. Four-inch groupings are not uncommon and sometimes ties have to be decided by pegging a string around the bullet holes. The scattergunners can run 10 Blue Rocks consistently with their double-hammered old pets.

Kids are always welcome at the matches and shooters are never too involved to answer their endless questions about the guns or their getup. The youngsters have a ball rubbing shoulders with the Twentieth Century counterparts of Kit Carson and D. Boone. A lot of sound knowledge on rifles and ballistics is mingled with the rough rawhiding among the contestants.

The club is open to new members. The initiation fee is nominal and you don't have to own a black-powder burner to join the dirty face and sore-shoulder fraternity. The boys are always generous with their guns. To join just turn north on a county road west of Trenton on the fourth Sunday of every month and follow your THE END

ears.

Cap-and-ball revolver prime addition to club's arsenal

Mr. FOOTE. No, sir; by no stretch of the imagination.
Senator DODD. What do you suggest?

Mr. FOOTE. I am suggesting there is a section of this law which puts a cloud over any individual crossing a State line who would be convicted of a relatively minor hunting law violation, and subject him to heavy Federal penalties, $2,000 fine and up to 5 years in jail.

I would expand on that, if I might, sir.

Senator DODD. Well, I wish you would. Frankly, I don't understand what you are talking about.

Mr. FOOTE. Well, let me clarify it.

Section 2(a) (1), S. 1592, says:

It shall be unlawful for any person to transport, ship, or receive any firearm in interstate commerce except