Quote of the Day

"Our country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. Our enemies are numerous and powerful; but we have many friends, determining to be free, and heaven and earth will aid the resolution. On you depend the fortunes of America. Act worthy of yourselves."

- Joseph Warren, Boston Massacre Oration, 1775


Something to ponder as you draft up New Year's Resolutions.

DC Schools Run by the Gangs

Ah, this precious gem.

D.C. Council member David A. Catania, at-large independent who recently gained legislative oversight of education, said school security is a concern in the wake of the Newtown tragedy, but “I’ve got a more immediate safety issue.”

“Gang violence in schools actually inhibits our ability to consolidate schools,” he said, referring to a plan to close some schools and reallocate resources. “There are certain communities that, if you attempt to integrate them in a public school setting, you’re going to have a problem.”

Guess what that's code for?  "We put all the kids from Gang A into School #1 and all the kids from Gang B into School #2 and if you mix them, it'll make Lord of the Flies look tame."  I have a coworker whose spouse works in an "alternative" school.  Due to budget cuts they had to merge their "East Side" and "West Side" facilities with predictable results.  They had to move out of their place when the gangs found out where they lived and started "tagging" their front door.  Apparently trying to impose some degree of order on the cretins (i.e. try to prevent them from literally killing each other) doesn't go over well.

Guess what, DC City Council:  you don't have a gun problem.  You have a cultural problem, and no amount of money, laws, or policing will solve it.

Why do DC parents put up with such an awful school system?  Do they simply see it as a jobs program for adults and a convenient holding pen for their children?

In other news in the article, the DC mayor also blabbers on about how armed guards are useless even though he is escorted around the city with armed guards constantly.

Powder Alarms

There is some debate over at Shall not be Questioned (aka Snowflakes) over whether it is worth mobilizing Second Amendment advocates politically over current events.

Sebastian points out that the President has thrown his weight, as well as the entire machinery of the political left, behind a gun control push, and that this is a serious threat to liberty.  Some point out that the risk of exhaustion is high.

Governor Gage sent forth British Regulars to seize powder from the King's magazines, which British colonists felt was rightfully theirs.  Wild rumors flew that blood had been spilt, that war had broken out, that Boston was being bombarded.  Thousands of colonists mobilized.

It was September, 1774 -- months before "the short heard 'round the world" at Lexington Green, before Isaac Davies (the guy on the National Guard patch) took leave of hearth & home in the dead of night, before colonials fired on regulars without orders and the American war for independence began.

In fact, all through the fall of 1774, a series of so-called "powder alarms" allowed the Colonials to work the kinks out of their organization, build their networks, talk to their friends and family, and form their Committees of Safety.  Without these "dress rehearsals" April 19, 1775 would have looked a lot different.

I am not suggesting that it is time to go to the "powder box."  I am saying that the political threat is significant, and a coherent political/legislative response must be organized.  If the current mobilization of pro-liberty advocates is excessive, think of it as a dress rehearsal.  We all know that it is simply a matter of time until another lunatic or felon commits another mass shooting.  Do you think the political and media frenzy will be abated after the next tragedy?  How about after the midterm elections in 2014, especially if the Republicans lose the House due to Fiscal Cliff fallout?

The grassroots need to be awakened, the modern day political Committees of Safety (NRA-ILA, State level 2A organizations, SAF, etc) must be resourced and funded, and "we the people" need to keep our legislators on speed dial.  If this is not the gun control main effort, this modern day "political powder alarm" is a useful political dress rehearsal for the push which will inevitably come in the near to mid term future.

Merry Christmas to Me

Because my husband loves me...  A Revolution Extreme stock in purple and a purple faded WhistlePig barrel for Baby, my 10/22.  First gun we ever bought, and boy, she doesn't look a thing like she did when I took her out of the box!

Range report to come next weekend!

What are we fighting for?

Three and a half years ago, Chris decided he wanted a gun.  I didn't want anything to do with guns.  However, I love my husband and I know he's not a stupid person.  I decided that I had to give this a fair shake.  I would take a gun class and -then- tell him that I didn't want guns in my house.

Obviously, it didn't pan out that way.

Reading this post from AGirl and the post it linked to brought some things back.

When I took that class, I thought I was going to learn how to shoot a gun.  That wasn't all.  It was as defensive course, and the instructor focused as much on mindset as gun handling.  The very first thing that happened was that we went around the room and introduced ourselves and told why we were there.  That was when I began to hear stories that had never intruded upon my safe life before.

There was the woman whose abusive ex was getting out of jail.

There was the woman who was assaulted on her way home one night.

There was the woman who was attacked the mall's parking garage.  She called for help and her only answer was the squeal of tires as people left as fast as they could.

These stories struck me.  I'd never been there.  I'd never imagined being there.  Once your eyes are opened, though, you cannot close them again.

There were others, of course.  Some like me, wanting to learn just to learn.  Some wanted to learn because their husbands were away, which was true of me as well even if I hadn't thought about it that way before.  One woman wanted to learn to shoot one particular gun, because it had been her husband's.  She hadn't been able to look at it for a few years after he had died, but now could think of nothing than feeling closer to him by using his gun at the range.

This is what we are fighting for.

Blood in the Streets!

200 Utah teachers get CWPs with special school module added over the holidays.

"For 12 years, Utah educators have been able to do [carry concealed weapons at schools], even if only a small fraction do bring guns into their workplace...  since this law took effect, there have been no accidents or incidents involving educators' firearms in Utah schools, nor have there been school shootings in the state."

Just like everywhere else, expanding CWP locations has not led to any problems.  This decade-plus experiment in a laboratory needs to be publicized more.

"Deal" Alert: 20 Round Mags

Thermolds for $5 or so.  Use coupon code 4658 for a discount that basically knocks off shipping.

I have a few Thermolds I got on sale for around $3 awhile back and they are ok for range/practice mags.  They seem to induce some malfunctions and the plastic is soft so I am unsure about long term durability.  They would make a great stash for trading or charity wampum.

Despite their liabilities, they are, however, in stock.

Diane Feinstein's New AWB: No

From the Honorable Senator's website:

Summary of 2013 legislation

Following is a summary of the 2013 legislation:

• Bans the sale, transfer, importation, or manufacturing of:
• 120 specifically-named firearms
• Certain other semiautomatic rifles, handguns, shotguns that can accept a detachable magazine and have one military characteristic
• Semiautomatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds
• Strengthens the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban and various state bans by:
• Moving from a 2-characteristic test to a 1-characteristic test
• Eliminating the easy-to-remove bayonet mounts and flash suppressors from the characteristics test
• Banning firearms with “thumbhole stocks” and “bullet buttons” to address attempts to “work around” prior bans
• Bans large-capacity ammunition feeding devices capable of accepting more than 10 rounds. 
• Protects legitimate hunters and the rights of existing gun owners by:
• Grandfathering weapons legally possessed on the date of enactment
• Exempting over 900 specifically-named weapons used for hunting or sporting purposes and
• Exempting antique, manually-operated, and permanently disabled weapons
• Requires that grandfathered weapons be registered under the National Firearms Act, to include:
• Background check of owner and any transferee;
• Type and serial number of the firearm;
• Positive identification, including photograph and fingerprint;
• Certification from local law enforcement of identity and that possession would not violate State or local law; and
• Dedicated funding for ATF to implement registration

In the first defensive pistol class I took, I learned that "NO" is a legitimate complete sentence.

No.

Panic Buys

I am not jumping in to the ridiculous gun panic buying.  $1000 for a WASR-10?  $125 for a PMAG?  No thank you.

I have back ordered a bunch of mags from DSG's Christmas sale, and I did get a few dozen in stock for very competitive normal prices early in the crisis before the big wave of panic buying hit.  I stocked them deeper than originally intended but I got a good price on all of them.

I just scooped up some AR lower parts too.  It looks like crisis prices have not hit lower parts for the most part, especially the high end parts.  I was going to get a lower parts kit with an ALG trigger as a nice little boost to the stock one for a little extra, but the ALGs were all out.  Mid and high end Geisselle's, on the other hand, were in stock.  Palmetto State Armory had a Geisselle bundled with LPK, and the LPK ended up running $20 over trigger MSRP.  So I ended up with a premium trigger that I probably wouldn't have considered otherwise for a fair, heck, even decent price.  While it was more than I originally planned on spending, I think it will be really enjoyed in the long run.

Could I have gotten a better deal in a better market?  Sure.  I bet that on a sale day I could have saved forty bucks or so on the package.  However, I don't see the AR parts market getting less crazy until late 2013 at the soonest and that's assuming there is no AWB nonsense passed.  I want to have enough parts on hand to finish all my planned builds.  The next big sales will probably be summer of 2014 if there is a glut on the market.

Palmetto State Armory also had some reasonably priced .40 SW and bulk .22 LR which I stocked up on.  They even have some reasonably priced premium 5.56 (Hornady TAP FPD), but I am doing ok there.  The only premium 5.56 I'm really interested in right now is match-grade Mk262 for High Power competition.  I have a reasonable amount of bulk 5.56 on hand (although I wish I'd picked up a can of SS109 on black friday, now).

Now, I just need to wait for Fulton Armory to open up so I can order an A1 stock kit and A1 pistol grip.

If you need AR parts -- now is the time.  The BCGs are already gone and other parts are getting spotty. I think by New Year's even lower parts kits and stock kits will be tried up.

Quote of the Day: Reform Alaska Defense Laws

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
-Winston Churchill

Have you written your state senator or representative and asked them to reform state laws?  Ask them to...

• Allow retired law enforcement officers who maintain their qualification under LEOSA to carry sidearms in schools and other sensitive places.
• Modify the Alaska Statute governing "Misconduct Involving Weapons Four" to permit school employees to carry "Defensive Weapons," perhaps with training provided by AK State Troopers if that is an issue.  Currently, it is a Class A Misdemeanor for school employees to carry so much as a taser on school property.
• Allow Alaskans who hold a Concealed Weapons Permit, that is, those who have gone to extra lengths to get a background check and obtain training, to carry sidearms in "sensitive places" which are otherwise prohibited like schools or daycares.  Point out that Utah has allowed concealed weapons permit holders to carry in schools since 2006 with no problems.  This would be a great addition to our "Constitutional Carry" system.  If concerned about sidearms, at least allow CWP holders to carry "defensive weapons" such as tasers in these "sensitive places."

Anchorage Daily News Screams for Gun Control on Xmas Eve

Way to keep it classy, McClatchy -- goodwill to you, too.

They scream for:
1)  Assault Weapons Ban
2)  Mag ban
3)  Closing private sale "loophole"
4)  Licensing for all owners with mandatory training

Good fricking luck with that in Alaska.


Here's my response the the four proposals, since they want a "discussion."
1)  No AWB.  CT has an "assault weapons ban" based on the federal ban.  It did jackshit to stop the shooter.  Unless you are talking about banning all magazine fed semiautos with no grandfathering (i.e. confiscation) then such a ban is totally pointless.  There are tens of millions if not more semiauto mag fed weapons in circulation.  Even if you did attempt confiscation, compliance would be below 50%.  Canada had 40% non-compliance for their long gun registry, which was just a registry (not an outright ban).  Finally, these firearms can be handmade (especially AKM pattern weapons) or manufactured on a $10K CNC mill or smuggled in by the same criminal cartels that move drugs by the ton.
2)  No mag limits.  Mags are simply metal boxes with springs.  They are easily made or trafficked on the black market and there are hundreds of millions in circulation.  Again, unless you confiscate them there is simply no point, and even then the "ban" is easily circumvented. In the real world -- not Hollywood -- it takes multiple hits on target to stop a violent aggressor amped on drugs and adrenaline.  Lawful defenders usually only have 1-2 mags because they're in their underwear at 3 AM or lugging around a concealed weapon.  Attackers carry as many mags as they need to accomplish their plot.
3)  No end of private sales.  CT closed this loophole too and it did nothing.  The government does not have a compelling need to know which firearms are in whose private hands.  There is no way to close the "private sales" loophole without creating a de facto registry.  Besides, how the heck is someone in a remote village supposed to go to a State Trooper station hundreds of miles away to work a private transfer?  What a retarded idea for Alaska.
4)  No licensing for owners.  CT has very discretionary "may issue" licenses for owners with a mandatory safety class, and they did nothing.  Rich white women can almost always get permits.  How the frick is a poor family living in a remote Alaskan village supposed to attend their state-approved safety training class and get a photo ID license?  Many Alaskans don't even have photo IDs or driver's licenses.

We've had this "discussion."  Alaskans made it abundantly clear how they felt when they amended the State Constitution to add a clause to our State Constitution (addition in bold):  " A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.  The individual right to keep and bear arms shall not be denied or infringed by the State or a  political subdivision of the State. "  What part of "SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED" do you not understand?  We said it twice to make it abundantly clear!

You want a real idea?  How about letting folks who hold the optional Alaska CWP carry in gun free zones.  Utah has been doing this for six years with ZERO PROBLEMS.  How about letting teachers carry tasers in school (currently a class A misdemeanor)?  How about letting retired cops carry their siderams in schools?  Until the "discussion" includes ideas like that it's a gun control wet dream lecture.

Or, the editorial board can move to Kali or CT.

Hypocrisy

If armed security guards are ineffective, why do anti gun people send their children to schools with lots of them?

Keep Calm, Fight On

Something I learned very quickly after starting my first teaching job is that you will never know just how much you affect people.  At times like this it's easy to lose your cool after repeating the same thing over and over, or to just want to throw in the towel, thinking that you will never get through to people.  It's true that there are some people you will never get through to - the japetes of the world - but those people truly are few in number, even if they are vocal.  There are many more out there who are moderately on our side or moderately against us and these people we can reach - but only by realizing that our impacts go further than we know.

Over the past week and change I have been focusing my efforts on one particular forum that I have been involved with for nearly a decade.  It's a forum made up almost entirely of women.  Some of us have met in real life, some of us haven't.  We all have one thing in common.  Beyond that, we run the spectrum, including politically, with perhaps a small tendency to the left.

To be entirely honest, there were several times over the past week when I wondered why I was bothering trying to explain my position to people who felt it was okay to just insult me personally based on my beliefs.  I kept at it, though, and very recently I realized how much that work had paid off.

I had received several private comments from people supporting me, which certainly helped some but those were mostly from those who agreed with me to begin with.  Then one of the pro-gun control people made a public post in the forum in my support.  She thought that I was being unfairly attacked.  She still considers herself anti-gun, but said that her views had been softening over the past few years largely due to my influence and, while she still opposed arming teachers in general, she would have no problem with her kids being in my classroom while I was armed.

It might not seem like much, but this is huge progress, people.  She came to this over time, through knowing me as a person.  That is what we need.  Gun owners need faces.  We need to be neighbors and friends and coworkers and teachers.  It's too easy to hate what doesn't have a face.  So go out there and make those personal connections.  But while you are making them, remember that what you do will spread further than you think.  I was really astonished by what this person wrote - I hadn't expected it in the slightest.  And it made up for all the moments I wanted to give up in frustration or return in kind the insults I was receiving.  Reacting negatively is never worth it, especially on the internet where words are preserved.  Let the vitriol and hatred come from the antis.  Let us continue to respond logically and civilly.  The differences will be obvious to those who are quietly watching, and those are the majority we need to win over.  Make yourself known, but as you do, make sure that you never forget that you are representing all of us, every moment.

Quote of the Day: Crisis, Part 2

There are cases which cannot be overdone by language, and this is one. There are persons, too, who see not the full extent of the evil which threatens them; they solace themselves with hopes that the enemy, if he succeed, will be merciful. It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf, and we ought to guard equally against both. Howe's first object is, partly by threats and partly by promises, to terrify or seduce the people to deliver up their arms and receive mercy. The ministry recommended the same plan to Gage, and this is what the tories call making their peace, "a peace which passeth all understanding" indeed! A peace which would be the immediate forerunner of a worse ruin than any we have yet thought of. Ye men of Pennsylvania, do reason upon these things! Were the back counties to give up their arms, they would fall an easy prey to the Indians, who are all armed: this perhaps is what some Tories would not be sorry for. Were the home counties to deliver up their arms, they would be exposed to the resentment of the back counties who would then have it in their power to chastise their defection at pleasure. And were any one state to give up its arms, that state must be garrisoned by all Howe's army of Britons and Hessians to preserve it from the anger of the rest. Mutual fear is the principal link in the chain of mutual love, and woe be to that state that breaks the compact. Howe is mercifully inviting you to barbarous destruction, and men must be either rogues or fools that will not see it. I dwell not upon the vapors of imagination; I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as A, B, C, hold up truth to your eyes. 

- Thomas Paine, December 23...  1776

Questions?  

Quote of the Day: Crisis

Tis surprising to see how rapidly a panic will sometimes run through a country. All nations and ages have been subject to them. Britain has trembled like an ague at the report of a French fleet of flat-bottomed boats; and in the fourteenth [fifteenth] century the whole English army, after ravaging the kingdom of France, was driven back like men petrified with fear; and this brave exploit was performed by a few broken forces collected and headed by a woman, Joan of Arc. Would that heaven might inspire some Jersey maid to spirit up her countrymen, and save her fair fellow sufferers from ravage and ravishment! Yet panics, in some cases, have their uses; they produce as much good as hurt. Their duration is always short; the mind soon grows through them, and acquires a firmer habit than before. But their peculiar advantage is, that they are the touchstones of sincerity and hypocrisy, and bring things and men to light, which might otherwise have lain forever undiscovered. In fact, they have the same effect on secret traitors, which an imaginary apparition would have upon a private murderer. They sift out the hidden thoughts of man, and hold them up in public to the world. Many a disguised Tory has lately shown his head, that shall penitentially solemnize with curses the day on which Howe arrived upon the Delaware.

Thomas Paine, December 23...  1776

Wise words from a much harsher winter, and strikingly relevant for 21st century Patriots.  George Washington ordered Crisis to be read to the entire Continental Army.  Have you read it?

Ignorance, Apathy, and Laziness

Wow.  I never watch daytime TV but I found a link to this whopper.

These women are ignorant, apathy, and lazy.  They are too fricking stupid to know anything about the topic, too apathetic to learn even the fundamentals, and lazy enough to accept some spoon fed talking points.

Penn, the magician from "Penn & Teller" is smart and reasonable.  The rest of them are retarded.

This is where most people get their news, too.  Luckily, the audience claps for everything, which tells you how easily influenced they are.  I swear, one of those spray tan retards could say, "You know, I heard this killer was a Jew, those  Jews just need to be registered and maybe we can put them in camps to stop these vicious murders!"  *applause*

It is video clips like this that may me think America is screwed.

Other than the title, fairly balanced

Kids & guns...  from CNN!!?!?!

Larry Pratt Shreds a Tory

I've not been motivated to join GOA and I think they can be overly partisan.

However, I got $20 worth of value out of watching Larry Prat demolish a notorious Tory.

Sen Begich Standing Strong

Thank you for contacting me about the tragic shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
I was shocked by this horrifying event, and my heart goes out to the victims, families and the Sandy Hook community as they face this tragedy.  This was a terrible, senseless crime against some of the most vulnerable. 
In the aftermath of this awful crime, we must be vigilant about addressing future threats to public safety.  There is no simple solution, but I do not believe more restrictive gun laws will prevent criminals from committing acts of violence.  I have always been and continue to be a strong defender of Second Amendment rights for law-abiding citizens.
I believe this tragedy, and the shooting earlier this year in Aurora, Colorado, illustrate a pressing need to improve mental health services in this country.  The Sandy Hook shooter was in early adulthood, a time when mental illnesses frequently develop.  I have introduced a bill, S. 3325, the Mental Health First Aid Higher Education Act of 2012, to improve mental health services on college campuses.  This legislation would establish a program to provide training to faculty members, dormitory resident advisors, and other members of the college community to recognize the signs of mental illness and safely address crisis situations. 
We must do more to keep our communities and families safe, and legislation like this is an important step in the right direction.  I will continue working with my colleagues in the Senate to promote mental health services and prevent violence. 
Thank you again for contacting me about this tragedy.  Please continue to be in touch with your thoughts and concerns.
 

Sincerely, Mark Begich U.S. Senator

It is amazing how an election coming up in two years for a Blue Dog in a Red State will focus the mind.  Remember, the Honorable Sen Begich was a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns until it became politically inconvenient.  Keep reminding him and Sen Murkowski.  The expectation should be that not only do they continue to honor their election-year promises, but they serve as leaders in their parties on the issue.

Gov Parnell wants discussion on school security

The Governor has asked for a discussion on school security.  Time to start contacting state level officials.  No effective measures to stop future school shootings will occur at the national level or in certain states like California, Illinois, NY, CT, etc etc.  It is up to pro-self defense jurisdictions like Alaska to lead the way in reforms that will make schools safer.  The issue is especially pressing in Alaska as we have (A) a lot of very remote isolated communities with very slow police response times measured in hours and (B) higher than average mental health and substance abuse issues.

Here's my letter:

Governor Parnell,
I am writing in regard to you recent comments on the Newtown, Connecticut school tragedy.

Additional gun control level at the state level is not an appropriate solution.  Connecticut had the fifth strongest gun control laws in the country according to the Brady Campaign and they were ineffective.

Your discussion of mental illness is spot on and entirely appropriate.

We also need to look at allowing schools to defend themselves.  This may involve funding for infrastructure improvements.  However, Alaska should lead the way in innovative defensive solutions.  For example, why not allow retired police officer's to carry sidearms on school property?  Why not permit teachers to carry non-lethal weapons such as a taser after training with the Alaska State Troopers or another law enforcement agency (currently forbidden by AS 11.61.210.a.7)?  Some states are considering allowing "enhanced" concealed weapons permits that allow citizens with additional training to carry sidearms in sensitive locations.

Victim disarmament zones do not work.  Alaska can lead the way in effective solutions, especially due to the rural and remote nature of many of our communities.
I am a registered non-partisan absentee voter and vote in every primary and general election.

Thank you for your consideration.

Very Respectfully,
Chris

Call Your Senators; thank your representative

The news talking heads had me boiling mad.

So I called my senators and representative and left each of them a brief message.

Talking points:

• I am calling in regard to the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.  Gun control is unacceptable -- Connecticut has some of the nation's strictest gun control laws and they were ineffective.  Sen Begich's stand on mental health care is appropriate and likely to be the most effective solution.  I expect the Alaska delegation to take a bipartisan leadership role in opposing gun control and focusing on effective solutions.  
• I am a registered voter.  I vote in every primary and general election.
• This is my contact info.
• Gun control is unacceptable.

Keep it short; 60 seconds is plenty.  The goal is to make it very clear to the staffer which column to put your tally mark in, and that you are from the "907" area code.

I threw in a "thank you for your strong stand; I respectfully ask that you take a strong leadership role in the House and among the Alaska delegation" for Rep Young.

I will be contacting my Senators and Reps at least weekly on this issue via different means of communication:  email, phone, letters, postcards.  Do not let up.

While we're talking about shredding the Constitution

Because we all know the First Amendment only protects 18th century printing presses and ink quills.

SAF

The Second Amendment Foundation asks for $15 for an annual membership.

That's the price of a box of ammo, or three starbucks coffees, or a PMAG (at least, a PMAG last week...) to support the most effective pro-2A team in the courts we have.   SAF spearheaded Heller, got Maryland's CCW ban overturned, and recently won a big victory forcing Illinois to allow concealed carry.  Even if you don't live in an anti-gun hellhole, you benefit from the legal groundwork they are laying.  Plus, who doesn't love seeing things like this?

So, what's your excuse?

Engage

It is time to engage with political representatives.

• Rep Don Young.  He's made his position on the 2A clear.  It doesn't hurt to write and thank him as well as ask that he take a strong leadership role on the issue with his peers and the Alaska congressional delegation.
• Sen Mark Begich.  This gentleman was a former member of Mayor Bloomberg's Illegal Mayors (aka Mayors Against Illegal Guns) until it became politically inconvenient.  He's talked a good game on guns thus far but did manage to raise a competing Nationwide CCW Reciprocity bill that scuttled the first one.  Great bipartisan team work there.  He has talked about mental health but left the door open for more.  Given the rate at which Democrats are bailing he needs some spine stiffening.
• Sen Lisa Murkowski.  She has been a pretty reliable vote on Second Amendment issues and vowed to prevent any resurrection of the Assault Weapons Ban.  She did vote against the Protection in Lawful Commerce Act, which prohibits frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers.  She has been known for independent bipartisanship so it will not hurt to write her either.

Write emails.  Write letters.  Keep a stack of postcards handy and when you hear an article that makes your blood boil on the radio or TV, jot a quick -- polite -- postcard.  Let your elected leaders know how you feel.

Suggest appropriate solutions:  increased mental health care, funding for security in schools, and expanding the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act to allow retired cops to carry sidearms in schools are all good starts.

Write, write, write.

Got Mags?

DSG Arms is running a sale on AR-15 patrol rifle magazines.  PMAG with windows 10/$125, PMAG without windows 10/$100 (out of stock but backorderable), and DSG with Magpul follower 10/$90.

These are good prices.  Midway USA, my sort of "middle of the road" standard price check, is selling PMags for $12.30 each and rationing purchases to two at a time due to volume.  AIM Surplus is selling D&H Mags (which are the same bodies as the DSG mags) for $9 each and PMags for $12.30, but they are all out of stock.

I had already ordered some mags from DSG but I just stocked a few more.  At this price it does not hurt to stock them deep.  It isn't a doorbusters price but you can do much worse.  Shipping was twenty bucks, which kind of stung.

I have no affiliation with any of these companies other than as a satisfied customer.

Range Time

For the record, I will not be posting anything about the CT shooting.  It hit too close to home in too many ways for me.  Chris may or may not.

Onwards.

I spent this morning doing my monthly RSO duty at the local range.  I'd anticipated a few hours of dead time to start, given that it was pretty cold out and the pistol side is quite slow in the winters on Saturday mornings.  I didn't get any dead time, so no shooting of my own.  It was okay though - for the first three hours I only had one or two people on the range at a time.  Easy for me and let me chat and help out newer shooters some.

Around 11 I had a new person show up for RSO training and I got to work on that.  Fortunately, the range picked up so he could learn more about running a full line.  I had him calling things by the time I left, and he was doing a pretty good job.  Great to have more volunteers on board.

I also had two people offer to let me shoot their 1911s.  The second one I shot was probably the nicest gun I've ever shot.  1911s are sweet and this one was sweeter than most.  I drilled 5 through the same hole at 10 yards with really no effort on my part.  Fantastic gun!

The first one has a funny story with it.  It was early in the day, just me and a father/son duo.  The son had just bought himself a 1911 after someone else at the range let him try theirs.  He offered to let me try and I declined at first and sat back watching.  The son was shooting low left.  Father said "You're doing something wrong, it's not the gun."  I offered some corrections which helped a little.  Then father took the gun and also shot low left.  "Hmm."  He said, and they wondered whether it was them or the gun.  The son offered again to let me shoot, and this time I said yes.  I put 7 rounds into the target while they watched.

"...Welp, son."  I heard from behind me, "It sure ain't the gun."

Quote of the Day

"The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles."

—Jeff Cooper, The Art of the Rifle

There are usually many little "fails" that lead down the road to a serious tragedy such as occurred today in Connecticut.  Where was the mental health system?  Where was the family?  Where was the perimeter security?  Where was the surveillance system to sound an early alarm?  At some point, you hit the end of the line, where there are no good options, only less bad ones.  Such is the case when the only option is to double tap another human being, using deadly force to end an imminent threat.

Too bad nobody had that option today.  I'd take a gun fight where good men and women can "correct" the evil one over a massacre any day.

Paypal

I just found out that in order to receive funds via PayPal, they demand that you "get verified."  This requires either taking out a new credit card or giving PayPal access to your bank account.  I don't need or want a cruddy credit card that has high fees and no rewards program.  I sure as hell am not going to give PayPal the ability to overdraft my checking account.  I asked them if there was any other way to do this -- including willingness to pay a reasonable fee -- but they have declined to make any other option available.

They also require you to go through this asinine "verification" when you have purchased $10K of items on your account.

So, my relationship with Paypal is changing.  I am taking down the "donate" button to the right.  I'm curtailing my usage to the maximum level.

If you are interested in advertising on the blog or donating please contact me and I will work out something other than PayPal, which apparently does not want my business.

NFA Repealed!

A noted internet firearms expert has said so!

The original NFA of 1934 is now void. What is left of the original 1934 NFA is not an assault weapons ban by any stretch of the imagination.

I hope she takes a hacksaw to the barrel of her husband's hunting 30-30 or shotgun, cuts 'em down to celebrate, and drives them through a school zone on the way to the skeet range.  She's also said the Gun Free School Zones Act doesn't exist, so without the NFA or GFSZA to worry about she should be A-Ok!

Thank goodness for ignorant political opponents.

Shooting Over Property

I suspect that if this rent-a-cop wasn't an Only One moonlighting for some spare holiday cash, he'd be facing murder charges.  Sure, at the moment he discharged his weapon, he was at hazard of being run over by a car, but he certainly was not blameless in starting the altercation.  When you pursue someone and bring the fight to them then you generally give up the mantle of aggrieved innocent.

Then again Texas has some weird laws about shooting people over property.

DUI

I watched football tonight but did not hear Bob Costas tell me that we need to get rid of the easy availability of cars in the US.  I mean, can't you hear him saying:

"If [young men] didn't possess [cars], [they would] both be alive today."

Or, maybe not, because apparently cars weighing a ton and capable of going 90 miles per hour are safe to let 16 year olds drive, but OMG IS GUN.

Sporting Purposes

Looks like the ATF is looking at the "sporting purposes" exemption with regards to ammunition.  According to NRA, ATF wants to broaden the law's scope to affect any round which can penetrate a soft vest (i.e. every centerfire rifle round in existence, pretty much -- even the ubiquitous 30-30 lever gun round or the cowboy-era 45-70)  and to redefine anything which could pose a potential threat to public safety as "non sporting."  That definition would again include just about everything, including nerf darts.

As you may be aware, armor piercing ammunition is handgun ammunition with certain types of compositions which does not meet a "sporting purposes" test.  Today, with the plethora of multicaliber AR-uppers (ARs can be pistols), Thompson-Contender sporting pistols, etc there are all sorts of pistols chambered in rifle calibers.  Almost any rifle caliber can be fired out of some type of pistol.

Manufacturing or importing "AP handgun ammunition" is generally illegal, although the ATF has exempted 5.56 (SS109) and 30-06 AP (I can't even imagine shooting a 30-06 handgun...) along with many other hunting-type bullets.  The former two due to the caliber's common usage in the CMP and High Power competitions, and the latter due to their hunting usage.  Selling it requires an FFL.

Sure enough, page 30 of Bloomberg's Gun Control blueprint (h/t to Shall Not Be Questioned) states that the ATF should resume bans on importation of armor piercing ammunition.

Ok then.  A ban on manufacture or import of cheap surplus SS109 or modern hunting bullets would be a pain in the neck.  This also looks like a way to potentially stop mailorder sales of ammo by requiring it to go through an FFL.  Looks like there's some steps being taken under the radar, indeed.

AK Tactical

Featured on the local news.

AK Tactical changed my life.  They took me from a hoplophobe to what I am today.  I got my start teaching there.  Even with all the other training I've taken since, it is hands down the best pistol training I've had - if you are in the area, I cannot recommend them enough.

Georgia 'Seed

We were very pleased to welcome two new riflemen in the state of Georgia this weekend, including an 11 year old!  What an enjoyable weekend!  All of the shooters on the line were excellent students, especially the youngest.  I think almost half of our shooters were under eighteen!  I love seeing young people come out to learn about their heritage.  We also had a very skilled instructor cadre.  I always learn a lot just watching and listening to these folks.

I'm very grateful to all of the Appleseeders I've met so far.  It's been wonderful to be welcomed into the family and be able to meet so many like-minded folk in real life, as opposed to just over the internet.

The next South Carolina 'Seed will be February 23/24 and the next Augusta shoot will be in March.  Mark your calendars!

Who would need a sidearm on a college campus?

Murder-Suicide:

 A man wielding a sharp-edged weapon killed one person in a Casper neighborhood Friday before killing a male teacher and himself in front of students in a community college classroom, causing a campus-wide lockdown as authorities tried to piece together what happened
.

In Wyoming, campuses are apparently Victim Disarmament Zones, which I found surprising.  You can't carry a concealed firearm there legally without written permission from the chief of security.  A female student allegedly wrote the Casper Community College Director of Campus Security for permission.  This was the response:

Casper Collegehttp://www.caspercollege.edu/Your request to carry a weapon on Casper College property is denied. You may call Casper College Campus Security for assistance any time you are on campus by dialing 307-268-2688.  Campus Security Officers are not law enforcement officers and are not armed. Lance D. JonesDirector of Campus Security and Judicial Affairs OfficerCasper Collegeljones@caspercollege.edu

Everyone should mail Mr. Lance D. Jones a pocket mirror so he can look at himself in one and think about the consequences of decisions.  So yeah, the plan on Casper Campus is to (1) dial a phone number then (2) wait for an UNARMED overweight guy (at least judging by his photo) to show up and resolve the situation.  In September they tested their emergency management plan and less than a year ago in Dec 2011 they tested their active shooter plan.  So they were about as prepared as they would ever be for this kind of event.  Great plan.

In fact, in the last two years on Mr. Lance Jone's small campus of 5000 students (many only part time), there were three forcible sexual assaults, three aggravated assaults, four burglaries, and a robbery.  And now, he can add two murders to his score card.  That is a rate of 130 violent crimes per 100,000.  While a little more than half the overall rate in Wyoming for the same time frame it is still pretty substantial.  If you factor in the fact that many of the students are not full time then the rate on campus is probably pretty equivalent to the violent crime rate off campus.

I'm not suggesting that a firearm carried by a law abiding mature student or professor would have stopped this situation for sure.  I am saying that there would have been a substantially improved chance to prevent the nutjob from carrying out his murder in front of a room of gawking students if the professor or a student -- say, a veteran using their GI bill benefits -- had been legally armed.  And, if you're one of the dozen or so victims of violent crime on Mr. Jone's campus, then you might have benefitted from being armed.    This guy is still employed, it appears.  I would bet money that he is not terminated over this incident -- "nobody could have done anything about it, you see."

Find the folks in your AO who do have the authority to set policies like this, and politely but professionally and persistently demand change.  Write letters, make phone calls, write letters to the editor.  Sometimes they will cave quickly.  It never hurts to ask.