The morning call., 1893-01-24
TAXING THE GUN.
A Novel Bill Offered at
Sacramento.
Sportsmen Must Get a License TO
Shoot in Every County They
Visit.

The sportsmen of this city are very much
agitated over bill thathas been introduced
at Sacramento taxing guns.
According to the reading of the bill
sportsmen who shoot in counties outside
the one they reside IN must pay tax of SIS
for carrying firearms. In other words a
sportsman who is a resident of this city
should he desire to shoot in Alameda, Contra
Costa, Sonoma or Marin counties must pay
$50 in each county for a license granting
him the privilege Of shooting.
A law Of this kind would certainly despoil
the sport Of large number OF young men
who instead of spending their pocket
money 10 saloons and over card-tables
journey to the country and enjoy an invig-
oratng tramp with the pleasures that accrue
from field sports.
The rich man who can afford to pay the
tax viii certainly support me asure of this
kind. as he will have free lance and be alOOf
from the possible company OF men who
cannot afford to become members OF
wealthy gun clubs.
Il is almost certain that bill Of this kind
will be killed. as will also one which refers
to shooting on minclused territory.
The last bill makes IL misdemeanor for
any person to enter upon lands on which are
posted signs t0rOiddiBg tTespassng.
SDOrtsmen IN general observe the notices
posted on incl0sed lands warning hunters
and tTespasSers from entering.
Uninclosed lands are those that are bar
rem and useless in their unreclaimed state
for any purpose excepting the game thereon.
Ii is a YeIl-known fact that thousands
Of acres OF uninclOSed lands lie between
Suisun and Benicla on the borders Of the
Sacramento River. These lands have been
leased by wealthy gun clubs for the purpose
Of the shooting that is TO be found thereon,
during the season for game shooting.
Through these waste lands run many nav
igable soughs which, according to the laws
Of the State, must not be fenced so as to
obstruct navigation
Four years ago the clubs who own the
shooting privileges of the Suisuu marshes
made an endeay0r TO have the same bill
that IS now pending before the Legislature
passed, but through the intercessiOn of the
State Spnrismen's Protective Association
and ex-senator Pendar II was killed at long
range.
The farmers and their sons who reside in
the vicinity OF tho Sulsun marshes have
been denied the privilege of shooting at a
duck on the lands that are at present under
lease and patroled by gamekeepers. The
birds thst frequent these marshes are
migratory in their habits and as matter Of
course cannot be protected during the close
seasons as they breed In the far north.
With the exception of the wealthy gun
clubs which have leased all OF the marsh
lands, comprising thousands Of acres In the
vicinity OF Suisuu. there is no room for
outsiders TO enjoy few hours sport.
There IS law prohibiting persons from
trespassing on lDclOsed property, bat 10 in
clude uninelosed property as well as inclOsed
the present bill regarding trespass was in
tr0duced.
4 special meeting Of the Sportsmen's
Protective Association, which has a men,
bershID OF $50. will, in all probability. be
called FOR Tuesday evening next, the 3Iss
inst, 10 consider the matter of sending rep
reSentatiVes TO Sacramento purpOsely 70
inform the lawmakers correctly oil matters
pertaining to fish and game. Tie law. ii is
thought, should certsinly be made 10 please
the majority of men who shoot and FISH and
not for the pleasure and comfort OF very
few rich sportsmen who desire to claim the
shooting rights of a largo portion OF the
avala Die shooting lands of this State.