Philosophy of Gun Control

http://http//www.gun-control-network.org/GF01.htm

First off, I'm going to make the assumption that all these statistics are true and accurate. For my point, it isn't necessary to point out the obvious flaw to this websites statement(but I will): "Worldwide, the majority of recent shooting massacres have been committed with legally-held weapons." Yes, corrupt governments use the guise of legality to massacre people with guns. This statement doesn't give credibility to the idea that the majority of gun-related homicides are committed with legal firearms.

If one were to overlay the figure on the left with amount of civil liberties individuals have in the respective countries most of us would smile and be comfortable with what's portrayed. If "non-gun related homicide and suicide rates" were overlayed, we wouldn't be shocked in the slightest.

A gun control advocate views things fairly narrowly; get rid of guns and we reduce gun crime, End of Story. Narrowly speaking this is true, but let's expand this to encompass the bigger picture. Mandating a firearms surrender is mandating a civil liberties surrender. It translates into less individual freedom and more government freedom. The gun control debate is the debate between Freedom and Safety.

Freedom is the ability to choose what to purchase and where to live for himself. Safety is having those choices restricted from himself. A slave is totally restricted in his choices, therefor totally safe from himself. When one looks at it that way the debate is between making choices or letting others choose. Between being an individual or being a slave.

A gun-control advocate would say that I am making too great a leap saying that by conceding my firearm I become a slave. Let me say that it isn't too great a leap. A concession in part is a concession in full. An individual liberty is all individual liberties, you assault one and you assault them all. You let one go, you are giving permission to let all go.

North Dakota Legislature Update

For those of you that are following, the North Dakota Legislature is considering bills to allow crossbow use in hunting during regular gun season, a measure to prohibit employers from banning employees/customers from possessing a firearm in their car in the parking lot, and a measure to make blackpowder firearms, flintlock, matchlock and percussion guns not fall under the North Dakota definition of a firearm.

More to follow...

BATFE Update

The Taurus 28ga Raging Judge has been ended by the ATF. Reasoning is because 28ga exceeds the maximum size for a handgun caliber allowed by the ATF. BS if you ask me...

Also, the Rossi Trail Judge has been ended. Similar the the Ranch Hand from last years Shot Show, the Trail Judge, has a more formed shoulder stock that makes it look and is more usable as a long gun. Its a short barrel shotgun so the ATF said no. Too bad, it would be such a handy gun. Very few pics of gun...here's the only one that I found.

Taurus CT G2 Carbine

Exciting news from the Taurus camp today - they are finally entering into the rifle/tactical realm. The CT G2 looks very similar to the HK USC and is sure to be a huge hit.

The CT G2 will be available in 9mm, 40, and 45. 16" barrel. Expect this new carbine to compete directly with both the HK USC ($1500) and Beretta CX4 Storm ($800). No word on MSRP or availability yet, but I would expect it to be available this fall in the $600-$700 range.

Smith & Wesson M&P 22lr

22lr version of the M&P 9/40/45

Taurus 28 Gauge Raging Judge

Taurus announced today that they will be manufacturing their popular Raging Judge revolver in 28 gauge. It will be available in blue or stainless and with a 6.5" barrel.


28 gauge, compared to .410 will give you a much better pattern but suffers from less available types of ammo and is still spendy. This is certainly an new weapon, but I doubt that it will really take off. If Taurus had made this in 20 gauge, we would be having a completely different conversation (albeit it would be a punishing little gun). We shall see where Taurus takes it next. One thing is for sure, Taurus is definitely on the front lines for new innovations in revolver shooting.

Meet the Smith & Wesson Governor!

Day before Shot Show 2011 begins and Smith and Wesson has already announced their first new weapon - the Smith and Wesson Governor. 28oz Scandium frame, chambered in 45 colt and 410 shotshells. I wonder who's market Smith is trying to take?

Congress to introduce High Capacity magazine ban again

Here we go again...

Representative Carolyn McCarthy announced legislation that will be introduced into the US House, along with Sen. Frank Lautenberg introducing into the Senate, legislation that would bring back the Clinton era high capacity (over ten rounds) gun magazine ban, which would include the sale of "pre-ban" magazines (unlike with the Clinton ban). Now while it is doubtful that this will ever pass, its a stark reminder of our opposition and how relentless they can be.

If, for some crazy reason, it does pass, I'd go out and buy as many Glock, Springfield XD/XDM, and Beretta 92 high cap mags. A $20 Glock high cap mag was selling for about $60-$70 during the Clinton ban.

Here's the article.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/mccarthy-hopes-to-pull-obama-off-sidelines-on-gun-safety.php#

Blame the Insane Person, not the Sane People

After the recent tragedy in Tuscan, Arizona where 6 government officials were brutally gunned down (not including the shot to the head Rep. Gabrielle Giffords took), Rep. Robert Brady and his campaign to end gun violence plans to exploit this horrific act for political gain.

Currently Rep. Brady plans to introduce legislation outlawing the use of language or symbols that could be perceived as threatening to a public official.

The Brady Campaign and other anti-gun voices are adamant in their blame of this type of gun violence on right-wing talk show personalities and Tea-party politicians claiming that they were the perpetrators. It is not fair to say that political ads using bull's-eyes or cross hairs are to blame for the criminal use of firearms. This type of legislation does nothing to stop crazed individuals from using guns to kill innocent public servants.

When politicians advocate for the 2nd amendment, they are not advocating for murder. They are advocating for maintaining the liberties and freedoms of the individual, they are advocating against a restrictive tyrannical government.

Insane people exist, and will always do insane things. Thank goodness that they constitute a small percentage of the population. Targeting that small percentage is the answer, restricting the rights of the sane percentage is not.

Hornady's new Hydraulic Forming Dies

New from Hornady! For those of us that shoot Improved cartridges, no more fireforming needed! Hornady introduces the Hydraulic Forming Die from the Hornady Custom shop. The die uses water and pressure to form the brass. This is going to be a huge money saver as compared to fireforming at the range. The hard part will be shelling out the $175 for the die set. I'm gunna save my pennies!

JBM Ballistics Announces Handheld Ballistics Computer

Exciting news in the world of long range shooting today. JBM Ballistics, who have been offering excellent ballistics software free of charge on their website for many years, just announced that they will be producing a handheld version of their software.

Now you might ask, why is this going to be any better than my Knight's Armament App on my Ipod Touch? Because, your Ipod has a battery life of around 1-2hrs vs the new JBM ballistic computer that runs on a 9v battery and has a smaller screen. Now we are talking months of battery life with no worries.

So far we know that the unit will be called BallistiComp and it's features include measuring atmospheric temp and pressure. After you input your load information, they handheld computer will tell you windage and drop, flight time, terminal ballistics, velocity, and energy. The computer is big enough to easily read, yet small enough to fit in your pocket.

Two things remain unknown - when we will be able to purchase it, and how much it will cost. If it costs anywhere close to the other competitors, it might not do so well. But if JBM keeps the cost down, this new handheld computer is gunna be a huge hit.

Interesting...

Makes sense to me, why is it so hard for the Government to understand?

Photo courtesy of Oleg Volk

Keltec KSG 12ga Bullpup Shotgun

Keltec releases photos of their new dual tube pump shotgun. It has two magazines and a selector switch on the grip to swap between the two magazines. It ejects shells through the bottom. 18.5" barrel and 26" in overall length. Ammunition capacity is 14+1. One thing is for sure, in this small of a package with the amount of ammo it can carry, it would make one hell of a home defense or truck gun. Add in the integral picatinny rail on top and on the foregrip and you have tons of options for customization. I REALLY can't wait to handle on of these! No MSRP is available yet, maybe in a few weeks...

Ruger's new LC9

Ruger introduces the big brother to the .380 LCP, the LC9. A little larger in size, 9mm, 17oz, 7+1 magazine, less than an inch thick, 3" bbl, and MSRP $443. Sure to be an excellent carry piece. Although I must say, Kahr and Taurus (P9 and 709 Slim, respectively) have been doing this for a while already. I look forward to getting one in my hands!

New gun shows! Including Tom Gresham's Gun Talk TV

Just a reminder for those of you that listen to Tom Gresham's weekly podcast on the firearm industry - he now has a TV show on VS channel. You can catch it Friday at 9am or Sunday at 7am, or just DVR it.

The first episode has aired and was about the AR-15. Was an interesting show and covered some areas that we often don't talk about in relation to Eugene Stoner's original design.

Also, if you have Outdoor Channel, new gun episodes began airing last week. Wednesday is the day with all the good shows (not just stupid guided hunts). I HIGHLY recommend "Best Defense" with Michael Bane. The first episode was about how secure your front door to your house is. They also talked about the legal ramifications of shooting someone in self defense. This season is going to be the best one yet and it is always the best 30 minutes of television on all week.

Other good shows on Wednesday to check out are American Guardian, Shooting USA, SWAT Magazine TV. Check them out, these definitely are worth your time!

Ruger's new Gunsite Scout Rifle

Ruger, in combination with Gunsite and Michael Bane, have produced a "go-to rifle" for tactical and hunting situations. Based heavily on the rifle that Jeff Cooper described in his writing, it is sure to sell well. MSRP is $995. 16.5" barrel, 308 Win, ghost sights, scout mount rail for optics, M77 action, removable flash suppressor for sound suppressor, uses Accuracy International mags, overall weight 7lbs.

Lapua begins producing 260 Remington brass!

You guys know how awesome this is for me! Finally some high end brass for my gun!

http://www.lapua.com/en/products/new-products/1