Black Powder, White Smoke
Absurdity in the EU, Tubman on the Twenty & Jefferson Arsenal
By Joe Bilby · Originally published August 2016 · p. 8
An Unsurprising Absurdity
We are seeing hysteria from all sides and viewpoints on the terrorism issue of late, but one would think black powder shooters should have no fear that their hobbies of target shooting, hunting or historical presentations would be involved, even marginally. Not so in Europe, apparently. A bulletin from renowned Italian black powder arms manufacturer Pedersoli notes that EU bureaucrats and politicians are looking at banning or seriously restricting historical replica firearms, as ludicrous as that might sound. According to the release, on June 3, 2016, “The Dutch Presidency proposed to consider banning Category D and reproductions of antique firearms, currently not regulated at EU level, while obliging sport shooters to join recognized associations.” What this means, translated into American terms, is that the previous exception for reproductions of antique weapons (single shot firearms loaded from the muzzle), which are used by hunters, target shooters, collectors, and historical reenactors, will be ended. Those guns will now be considered modern firearms, and subject to the same restrictions, and possibly, in certain cases, banned. The consideration of black powder guns in the same category as modern arms in the EU means a lot of trial and tribulation for owners. Apparently, some EU politicians want to be seen as taking action against potential terrorism, no matter how absurd the action. Terrorists appear to have no problem getting hold of automatic weapons in Europe, even with the Union’s already strict firearms laws, so preventing anyone from owning a flintlock is doubly absurd. This act will apparently take some time for legislation to work its way through the labyrinthine EU governing bodies, and may well be derailed if people come to their senses, but it is worth keeping an eye on it. Some equally clueless politician over here may come up with the same idea – or worse.
Jefferson Arsenal
A Jersey Girl with a Gun
In the recent dustup over putting a woman on U.S. currency, my main concern was state allegiance. I was for keeping Alexander Hamilton on the ten, since he was one of the founders of Paterson and also invested in Jersey City early on – and of course spent the last day of his life in Weehawken, where he was dispatched by Jersey Guy Aaron Burr. Never enthralled with Andy Jackson, the only U.S. president who killed people in duels over petty arguments, I was for putting a woman on the twenty – but wanted a Jersey girl. My first choice was Alice Paul, the crusading suffragist of the early 20th century.
The eventual selection of Harriet Tubman met my approval as well. Tubman, an African-American woman born into slavery who guided escaping slaves north to freedom via the Underground Railroad before the Civil War and served as a guide for Union troops during the war. She was also, in my book – literally, as she is in New Jersey Goes to War, which I edited for the New Jersey Civil War 150 Committee – an honorary Jersey Girl, as she worked as a cook in Cape May hotels to fund her forays south. She also carried a gun, sometimes two, and was prepared to use them. After the war, Tubman was a member of the women’s suffrage movement. She passed away in 1913, after a full and rewarding life. I was not alone. Harriet on the Twenty was supported enthusiastically by the Second Amendment Foundation. Alan M. Gottlieb, the organization’s founder and executive vice president, said: “Here’s a courageous woman, carrying a handgun in Maryland, helping escaped slaves to freedom, and a devoutly religious person. Who better to appear on U.S. currency?”
“Ironically,” Gottlieb said, “much of Tubman’s activity occurred in Maryland. Under today’s laws in that state, she would be vigorously prosecuted for carrying a revolver because permits are difficult if not impossible to obtain, and she would likely face prison. One wonders what Harriet would think today about the way our laws have evolved.” She might wonder as well about the current legal situation in her adopted state.
I am very impressed by the offerings of the Jefferson Arsenal of Jefferson, Maryland. Jefferson Arsenal offers a wide variety of historically accurate Civil War ammunition components for both shooters and living history impressionists, including Minie balls, revolver .451 round balls, bullet lubricant, paper cartridge kits and premade inert display cartridges. Jefferson states that their products “have been carefully researched using original 19th Century sources, and exhaustively tested in the field. The result is a product that is certain to meet your expectations of quality and accuracy.” Jefferson Arsenal is veteran owned and operated, which appeals to me as a veteran myself, the son of a veteran and the father and father in law of veterans. The owner, Jon Swain, served as a rifleman in the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan. He is an alumnus of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where he studied American History. Take a look at Jefferson Arsenal’s Etsy page: https://www. etsy.com/shop/TheJeffersonArsenal Jefferson Arsenal is also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ TheJeffersonArsenal
Joseph G. Bilby received his BA and MA degrees in history from Seton Hall University and served as a lieutenant in the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. He is assistant curator of the National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey and author of more than 300 articles and 14 books including Small Arms at Gettysburg, Monmouth Court House: The Battle that Made the American Army and Freedom to All: New Jersey’s African-American Civil War Soldiers. Email [email protected]; www.hiddenhistoryofnewjerse.com.