It appears that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been given new direction to target indoor shooting ranges, which isn’t surprising given President Obama’s nomination of David Michaels as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. A quick review of Michaels’ background reflect his anti-gun history, including his statement that “gun violence” is an issue of “public health” that “invariably demands more and stronger regulation, not less.” See also Hans Bader’s article OSHA Nominee Is Anti-Gun Ideologue and Junk Science Peddler.
Recently, Illinois Gun Works has fallen victim to the Obama Administration’s policy of limiting firearm ownership and use, while allowing federal agencies to violate the law. One only needs to spend but a few minutes reviewing the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to realize that all federal agents involved in Fast and Furious have violated the clear letter of the law; yet, the Administration seems unconcerned, because it fits its underlying agenda to which it likely played an active role. But, I digress.
OSHA has proposed a fine in the amount of $110,000 against Illinois Gun Works, which is a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) that provides gunsmithing, indoor shooting, and safety and self-defense training. If OSHA posting a press release of the alleged violations, prior to a hearing to determine the legitimacy of the findings (can you say violation of due process and defamation?), isn’t enough to cause your stomach to turn, maybe some of the suggestions, such as eliminating training in “larger caliber” handguns such as “9 mm Luger and/or .45 Colt” and substitute “handguns of smaller caliber,” such as .22LR and “Prohibition of any shotguns and/or rifles firing in the firing range,” will cause those to understand the true motive behind these “findings.” So, instead of training with the firearm that you will rely on to save your life, you are to practice with a completely different firearm in a non-defensive caliber.
In reviewing the citation, it is clear that OSHA stacked several charges and doesn’t appear to have done its due diligence in confirming the allegations. One interesting one comes on page 13 which states, “the instructor….was exposed to eye injuries from hot, sharp, flying spent ammunition cartridges being ejected by the semi-automatic handguns.” Now, how any instructor, after being exposed to multiple eye injuries was able to continue on instructing the class is a wonderment to me….that is, unless no such injuries were sustained. More importantly, let us not overlook the fact that the instructors “did not have a dedicated lunchroom.” (Pg 46). Clearly, we can all see how that would relate to a $4200 fine, in and of itself!
As you can see, this is but another tactic that the Obama Administration is using to limit our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. If we don’t stand arm-in-arm with Illinois Gun Works, this practice will continue resulting in a deprivation of shooting ranges across the United States, something the current Administration would welcome.
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