Results of 2009 TG Summit Voting
It takes a 2/3 majority to pass an agenda item. Any item that looses by a 2/3 vote cannot be reintroduced for three years. Any item that had a majority vote but failed to get a 2/3 percentage of votes can be reintroduced the following year.
As far as this year’s vote is concerned, please see the following. As you can see by none of the five agenda items passed. After each item, I have added some comments regarding the more interesting and/or informative discussions presented during our TG meeting.
1. Should we adopt the circle of safety concept for the drawing and holstering of handguns from all types of holsters? Holsters must still comply with the 30 degree maximum cant from vertical requirement and handgun muzzles must remain within the four foot circle of safety while drawing and holstering.
Failed – 50 For - 278 Against - 4 Abstained - 15% in favor
Several clubs who shoot at ranges similar to our arrangement with ORSA mentioned that their master club would not allow this ruling to be instantiated. In fact, several also brought up that NRA would not condone this practice due to potential safety issues. IPSC, however, does allow a ‘cone’ within 1 meter, instead of the 6’ SASS proposed circle.
2. Should we allow Bisley Style Hammers mated with non Bisley Style Grips and Bisley Style Grips mated with non Bisley Style Hammers?
Failed – 204 For - 125 Against - 3 Abstained - 61% in favor
An amendment was proposed to restate this item: ‘remove all hammer restrictions on six guns’. TGs did not accept this amendment.
A gunsmith TG mentioned that last year’s Montado acceptance opened Pandora’s Box regarding hammer exchanges. But he also mentioned that putting Bisleys on regular Colt peacemakers or clones is nearly impossible.
It almost passed but not by the 2/3rds requirement. Maybe we will see it again next year.
3. Should we allow the use on adjustable sighted revolvers in all categories except Classic Cowboy and Black Powder Categories? That would be to allow them in the Duelist and Gunfighter category. They are already legal in all age based categories and B Western.
Failed - 168 For - 160 Against - 4 Abstained - 51% in favor
There was no discussion on this topic.
4. Should we eliminate the minor safety penalty for overloading a RIFLE? This will do away with the double jeopardy penalty for overloading a rifle. Penalties for leaving rounds in the rifle would still apply but if a shooter over loaded the rifle they could clear within our rules and not be charged a penalty. Note this only applies to a rifle and NOT to a revolver or shotgun.
Failed - 181 For - 148 Against - 3 Abstained - 55% in favor
An amendment to this topic was proposed ‘only one MSV will apply to a rifle over load’. It was rejected.
5. Should we create the new sanctioned shooting category “Frontier Cartridge Gunfighter.” The category would follow the equipment and ammo guidelines of the current “Frontier Cartridge” category and follow the shooting style requirements of the current “Gunfighter” Category.
Failed - 195 For - 133 Against - 4 Abstained - 59% in favor
The general consensus for those against this addition was that there are too many categories already.
When we do vote for a category all it really means is that it will be automatically included in SASS state and national shoots. It is always the case that an individual club can have any category they like if they feel there is enough participation. For that matter, a state or national shoot can also do the same.
Prior to the vote, an amendment was proposed and accepted: . . . ‘Follow the shooting style of gunfighter holsters’. This was proposed to get rid of the potential use of ‘97s in a Frontier Category which could be forwarded from the ‘gunfighter’ category.
It still didn’t have enough votes to pass.
By the way, there was also some discussion about including Josey Wales as a new category. But, it did not muster enough support. Again, it can always be optionally included anyway.
Summary and Closing Remarks
In addition to the agenda topics at hand for this year’s vote, other topics were relayed to me for consideration and discussion during the Summit.
As some of you may recall eliminating the MSV for an empty shell left in a shot gun did have the majority vote last year but the required 2/3rds. Upon request I brought up this topic to vote again this year. Even thought it was too late to include it during the 2009 voting agenda it has been added to the 2010 agenda for a vote again next year.
I also had a request to look into the situation when two bullets are fired at the same time, particularly when firing pistols. According to the shooters handbook, a single shot must be fired in the sequence of the scenario in respect to each target. If it is not distinguishable, due to timer restriction or the RO or TO ear, it is a procedural. This was confirmed by the Wild Bunch upon my bringing up the topic. Hence, please make sure each shot is clearly audible. This is particularly akin to gun fighters who sometimes in their enthusiasm fire off two shots too close together to be interpreted as being separate.
In closing, this year’s Summit was a short session. In fact, the usual four hours per day for three days gave way to two three hour sessions and one day being eliminated. It appears as if the number of proposed changes to our rules is slowly decreasing. Maybe we ‘got it right’, at least for the most part.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent our club. I am proud to so.
Silver Dust