McChainsaw
Inactive
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In another forum where the thread titled The tyranny continues I posted a letter from Norman Olson owner of Alansons Armory Gun Shop.
In this letter he tells the story of Mike Haag, muzzleloader enthusiast, civil war re-enactment buff, and amateur cannon maker.
I just finished a phone conversation with Mr. Haag, who impressed me as a sincere man who loves his family, the outdoors, hunting, reloading rifle and handgun cartridges, much the way that most of us here in this forum do.
Mike's hobby of cannon building and shooting has gotten him in trouble with his neighbor and thus the Michigan State Police.
Mike who lives on 5 acres in a rural area of the northern section of lower Michigan, gave notice after his dog had rolled in septic waste of his neighbors failing septic system that he get the thing fixed. This seems to have gotten the ball rolling and the events that have unfolded since have been a virtual nightmare for him and his family.
Mike assembled a homemade cannon after finding out what restrictions existed from the BATF. Mikes legal cannon which can fire a golf ball size projectile is loaded with common black powder and is more of a noise maker than "massive destructive force " that area news media has portrayed it to be. Mike indicated, though his cannon is capable of it, he has never launched a projectile other than a rubber ball and marshmallows.
His neighbor in what appears to be a get even situation turned Mike into the Michigan State Police.
After a visit from the state police in which Mike very politely told them to leave and that he was within his rights, was revisited at approxiamately 12:30 am Sunday morning by 5 state patrol officials. They served him with a warrant to inspect his premises for this "evil" cannon. The warrant stated that his neighbor had issued a complaint with the State Police of this so called "weapon of destruction". The Troopers then searched his house and then proceeded to an out building where he stored his cannon. His cannon and other black powder supplies, along with reloading supplies were then confiscated after the troopers took pictures of the articles to be confiscated.
The area government prosecuting attorney has has not charged him with any alleged offenses and Mike indicated he(the prosecuting attorney) doesn't believe any will be forthcoming.
Mikes property that was confiscated is still being held by The Michigan State Police as they issued a statement that he is still "under investigation".
The aftermath is that since this seizure of Mikes property he hasn't gotten but 5 or so hours of sleep, has not been able to eat, and has a young daughter who is afraid to sleep in her own bed, fearing the Police will return.
The area newsmedia has reported that A local man(showing a picture of his house) has a cannon capable of launching mortar like explosives seized by concerned authorities. Mike has contacted local television stations and offered to appear and tell his side of the story, and basically has been told that "cannons" sell, not the truth.
The aftermath In My Opinion
Will the Michigan State Police try to dig up whatever type of dirt on Mike Haag to make an example of him? Mike indicated that he is a little league coach. Will mothers quaking in their boots over this non incident demand his termination? What effect on his employment in the robotics field will this college educated man have to endure? Will he get his property back? All these things are up in the air at the moment.
In closing of our conversation, Mike indicated 2 things that will stick with me and left me angry and somewhat hollow inside.
Mike indicated that he never for one minute thought that something like this could happen to him and his family and that no words can even describe the sick empty feeling he has lived with since the knock on the door in the middle of the night.
Fellas, Mike needs our help, If you have interest let me know, as you or I could be the next to have a middle of the night knock on the door. Mikes request is to post this info everywhere possible, and he will contact me as the event unfolds.
WHEN WILL THE TYRANNY STOP?-------McCHAINSAW
In another forum where the thread titled The tyranny continues I posted a letter from Norman Olson owner of Alansons Armory Gun Shop.
In this letter he tells the story of Mike Haag, muzzleloader enthusiast, civil war re-enactment buff, and amateur cannon maker.
I just finished a phone conversation with Mr. Haag, who impressed me as a sincere man who loves his family, the outdoors, hunting, reloading rifle and handgun cartridges, much the way that most of us here in this forum do.
Mike's hobby of cannon building and shooting has gotten him in trouble with his neighbor and thus the Michigan State Police.
Mike who lives on 5 acres in a rural area of the northern section of lower Michigan, gave notice after his dog had rolled in septic waste of his neighbors failing septic system that he get the thing fixed. This seems to have gotten the ball rolling and the events that have unfolded since have been a virtual nightmare for him and his family.
Mike assembled a homemade cannon after finding out what restrictions existed from the BATF. Mikes legal cannon which can fire a golf ball size projectile is loaded with common black powder and is more of a noise maker than "massive destructive force " that area news media has portrayed it to be. Mike indicated, though his cannon is capable of it, he has never launched a projectile other than a rubber ball and marshmallows.
His neighbor in what appears to be a get even situation turned Mike into the Michigan State Police.
After a visit from the state police in which Mike very politely told them to leave and that he was within his rights, was revisited at approxiamately 12:30 am Sunday morning by 5 state patrol officials. They served him with a warrant to inspect his premises for this "evil" cannon. The warrant stated that his neighbor had issued a complaint with the State Police of this so called "weapon of destruction". The Troopers then searched his house and then proceeded to an out building where he stored his cannon. His cannon and other black powder supplies, along with reloading supplies were then confiscated after the troopers took pictures of the articles to be confiscated.
The area government prosecuting attorney has has not charged him with any alleged offenses and Mike indicated he(the prosecuting attorney) doesn't believe any will be forthcoming.
Mikes property that was confiscated is still being held by The Michigan State Police as they issued a statement that he is still "under investigation".
The aftermath is that since this seizure of Mikes property he hasn't gotten but 5 or so hours of sleep, has not been able to eat, and has a young daughter who is afraid to sleep in her own bed, fearing the Police will return.
The area newsmedia has reported that A local man(showing a picture of his house) has a cannon capable of launching mortar like explosives seized by concerned authorities. Mike has contacted local television stations and offered to appear and tell his side of the story, and basically has been told that "cannons" sell, not the truth.
The aftermath In My Opinion
Will the Michigan State Police try to dig up whatever type of dirt on Mike Haag to make an example of him? Mike indicated that he is a little league coach. Will mothers quaking in their boots over this non incident demand his termination? What effect on his employment in the robotics field will this college educated man have to endure? Will he get his property back? All these things are up in the air at the moment.
In closing of our conversation, Mike indicated 2 things that will stick with me and left me angry and somewhat hollow inside.
Mike indicated that he never for one minute thought that something like this could happen to him and his family and that no words can even describe the sick empty feeling he has lived with since the knock on the door in the middle of the night.
Fellas, Mike needs our help, If you have interest let me know, as you or I could be the next to have a middle of the night knock on the door. Mikes request is to post this info everywhere possible, and he will contact me as the event unfolds.
WHEN WILL THE TYRANNY STOP?-------McCHAINSAW