The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-08
AUTOMATIC GUNS.
Question which Hunters OF Game
Are Asked to Consider.
November Recreation.

November Recreation.
Several patents have recently been issued
that the winchester Arms Company, of
New Haven, Conn.,. IL building machinery
to to make 5 such h, gun ,. Anether gun house
being advertised and sold.
1t would seem that reasonable men. no
matter how eagerly they may seek the
mighty dollar, should be satisfied with the
weapons already on the market for de-
stroying American birds and wild animals.
We have repeating rifles, repeating shot
guns. double barrel and single barrel shot
birds and the wild animals have been re-
duced to pitiable remnants Of their once
great numbers; but now, az If not satisfied
being carried on, these big gunhouses are
putting out still more murderous engines of
destruction, for market hunters and pot
hunters.
This announcement should arouse the
indignation of every decent sportsman and
every nature lover on the continent, and
appeal to all such to write at once to the
Winchester Arms Company. protesting in
the strongest and most vigorous language
possible against the making and putting on
the market of an automatic gun.
Many people who have not kept up with
the developments Of recent years, in the
way of firearms. may not know what is
meant by an automatic gun. 1t is simply
this:
A gun with a magazine holding rum
Der or cartridges which may be discharged
as fast as a man can pull the trigger. The
cocks his gun and fires. The recoil of the
first shot throws out the empty shell,
throws a new one into the chamber and
cocks the gun ready for another shot. From
that on, all the shooter has to do Is to
swing the muzzle of his gun from one bird
| to another and pull the trigger until the
last shot is fred. Pistols built on this plan
| hold seven to ten cartridges, and it is pos
| sibe to fire all Of them in less than two
! seconds The magazine OF an automatic
| shotgun, holding six cartridges. could be
| emptied as quickly, and IL the shooter were
| an expert, as many OF the game butchers
| are, ii would be possible to kill ten more
| birds out of covey before they could get
| out Of reach.
| factor In wiping out the big game Of this
| country. Thepump gun, so called. has proven
| little short Of a national calamity. An auto
| matte shotgun would be a disgrace TO the
| Nation, and its introduction should be pro-
| hibited by law. This may not be, but the
| sale of any such weapon, 20 decent men, can
| be prevented by the creation OF q proper
public sentiment.
appeal to all readers of Recreation to
| write at once to the company mentioned
automatic gun; that they will discourage
! its use by others in every legitimate way:
and that they will not associate with any
| man who may use such a weapon.
Will every woman who loves the birds
write and protest, in the name OF decency
| and OF humanity, against the making and
selling of any such weapon?
Hero is a chance to strike telling blow
| for the protection of our birds, and / trust
| no friend Of the birds or the wild animals
| busy he she may be. When you write
| this company send me copy Of your letter
| in order that / may print as many such
| protests as possible.