Sadly, the weight of this new heavy-handed government action is becoming apparent. If anybody had their eyes on the just completed James D. Julia auction you would have seen it first hand.

Any firearm that had even a speck of ivory, such as a front sight bead, had an entry stating the following:

James D. Julia Auctioneers complies with all federal laws and regulations (Please review our Ivory Position Statement): The African ivory mounts on this item were in the country long before the January 8th, 1990’s CITE appendix. As per the President’s Executive Order of February 2014, this gun accompanied by an appropriate ESA is legal to sell and buy. However, no ivory will accompany this gun when you purchase it unless you hire John Sexton to prepare an ESA statement. If you hire John Sexton to prepare an ESA statement, the cost is $1,500.00. John Sexton is an independent consultant with appropriate qualifications to prepare ESA statements. John Sexton’s address is 1962 Portage Landing North, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408. It is the buyer’s responsibility to make payment to John Sexton for ESA statements. Documents are prepared by John Sexton and not James D. Julia Auctioneers. Once statements are prepared, a copy will be presented to Julia’s and they will then present you with the ivory mounts for this gun. Another copy should be kept with your gun.

THIS GUN WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT ITS IVORY. IF THE BUYER WISHES TO HAVE THE IVORY, THEY MUST HIRE JOHN SEXTON TO PREPARE AN ESA “ANTIQUE CERTIFICATION” (COST $1,500).

This is a copy and paste from Lot #2265. You can see it here: Lot 2265 That piece of contraband has "An ivory bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into front ramp."

Julia has posted their Ivory Position Statement here: Julia Ivory Position Statement

So boys and girls, this Executive Order signed by our President is very real and will show its impact in the months and years to come. It's shocking really. For most of us with ivory appointments on our guns it will be impossible to comply with the policies announced by the Fish & Wildlife Service: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Ivory Ban Policies. Note that every burden of proof is placed on the owner (seller). You must prove what species it is and that it was legally imported, etc. The government has no burden of proof at all.

I have very little ivory. A few doubles with ivory beads and a pair of ivory grips for a Colt 1911. I wouldn't be able to "prove" the legality of any of it under the regulations. What about you?

Curl

www.RoscoeStephenson.com

[Linked Image from rbsiii.com]