The National Rifle Association (NRA) is worried that US Fish and Wildlife Service rules will turn antique gun owners into criminals. And now, a group of Canadians have been told to hold on to their bagpipes, and forced to cancel their participation in the “Glasgow Scottie” homecoming in Montana.
According to the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, The Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture will not be hosting the Saskatoon Police Pipes & Drums during the 2014 Glasgow Scottie Homecoming Festival weekend. The band cancelled on us August 25th. There were some issues regarding customs and the ivory on their pipes getting across the border. The band was not willing to take the chance and put their instruments in jeopardy to cross the border until the issues were resolved.
The Hill covered concerns from the NRA and musicians with this: NRA warns ivory ban will make gun owners ‘criminals overnight’
Gun owners are taking on the Obama administration over a new rule they say would trample their Second Amendment rights by banning the sale of antique firearms that contain endangered elephant ivory.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) announced Friday it is joining the fight to rollback the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s controversial ivory ban, just months after musicians began complaining about the policy.
Musicians have already won a partial exemption from the ivory ban that allows them to travel with their instruments overseas. Many older stringed instruments, such as cellos and violins, contain ivory, but musicians had been unable to perform in foreign orchestras because the rule would have allowed customs officials to confiscate their instruments when they returned to the U.S.
Montana’s lone congressman, Steve Daines (R-MT), has already introduced legislation to try and remedy the situation, according to this press release from earlier this year:
Daines’ legislation, which has received the support of the National Rifle Association, among other groups, reverses the FWS Director’s Order, which prohibits owners from selling or transporting items containing legal ivory, while doing little to prevent the illegal poaching of elephants.
“Many Montana families own ivory-containing firearms or musical instruments that have been passed down from generation to generation and represent an important part of their way of life or heritage,” Daines said. “This legislation protects law-abiding citizens who own an antique firearm, instrument, or other family heirloom that happens to contain ivory from the Director’s Order, which only punishes law-abiding Americans instead of seriously addressing the real problem of elephant poaching.”
GLASGOW CHAMBER PRESS RELEASE FROM SEPT. 2, 2014
Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture
PO Box 832 Glasgow, MT 59230 406-228-2222
SCOTTIE HOMECOMING 2014
Due to unforeseen circumstances, The Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture will not be hosting the Saskatoon Police Pipes & Drums during the 2014 Glasgow Scottie Homecoming Festival weekend. The band cancelled on us August 25th. There were some issues regarding customs and the ivory on their pipes getting across the border. The band was not willing to take the chance and put their instruments in jeopardy to cross the border until the issues were resolved. However, the Chamber has been trying to get a replacement band. We received a call last Friday and we can get the Miles City Caledonian Society to come and perform in the homecoming parade, Scottie Booster Tailgate party and half-time of the Scottie football game. They will only be able to be here on Friday, so all other regular scheduled band performances are cancelled.
We apologize for this and are doing everything in our power to get the Saskatoon Police Pipe Band back for Scottie Homecoming 2015.
If you have any questions regarding this please feel free to contact the Chamber office at 228-2222.
Don’t forget to Show your Scottie Pride and decorate your home and business windows next week. Got Spirit? Prove It!