Archive for January, 2009
Michael S. Steele, RNC Chairman, on Gun Control and Gun Rights
Posted by: | CommentsThe Republican National Committee elected a new chairman today: Michael S. Steele. Steele, a former lieutenant governor of notoriously anti-gun Maryland, will lead the Republican party in the coming years. The Republican party has traditionally been the major party that favors gun rights. Will Steele support gun rights?
I’m not so sure.
In an October 16, 2006 Washington Post interview, Steele was asked “Should people have access to buy assault weapons?” Steele’s response:
“Society should draw lines. What do you need an assault weapon for, if you’re going hunting? That’s overkill. But I don’t think that means you go to a total ban for those who want to use gun for skeet shooting or hunting or things like that” (emphasis added)
When asked his general views on gun control, Steele stated:
“I grew up under some of the strictest gun control laws in the country. You can have all the gun control laws in the country, but if you don’t enforce them, people are going to find a way to protect themselves. We need to recognize that bad people are doing bad things with these weapons. It’s not the law-abiding citizens, it’s not the person who uses it as a hobby.”
That doesn’t sound like someone who understands anything about the Second Amendment or the truth around so-called “assault weapons.”
So, let me say this to Steele: the Second Amendment isn’t about hunting or sport. It is about an inalienable right granted to us by God, and codified in the United States Constitution as one of those things that the government is not allowed to interfere with. Please educate yourself if you expect to receive the support of gun owners.
H.R. 257: Attacks Handguns, Semi-Automatic Rifles, Magazines
Posted by: | CommentsIn another attack on the Second Amendment, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee has introduced H.R. 257, the Child Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act of 2009. H.R. 257 is a broad based attack, that would criminalize a number of things, including raising the age from 18 to 21 to lawfully own or possess a handgun.
The bill would also prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from owning or possessing a “semiautomatic assault weapon” or a “large capacity ammunition feeding device.” So it would seem that we trust our troops to handle real assault rifles (you know, the kind that are fully automatic) overseas, but should a 20-year-old Marine lance corporal return to the States and obtain a semi-automatic AR-15 with (gasp) a 20-round magazine, he or she would be a felon.
Likewise, it would become criminal to transfer or sell a handgun, “semiautomatic assault weapon” or a “large capacity ammunition feeding device” to an adult who has not yet reached the arbitrary age of 21. Oh, and the penalty increases from up to one year in prison to up to five years in prison.
Further, it would also expand the requirement that all firearms, not just handguns, be sold with safety locks. The law also adds new a new law imparting criminal liability to a gun owner who’s gun is obtained by someone under 18 years old.
And as another attack on gun shows, the bill would require that all persons under 18 be accompanied by an adult while at a gun show, and affixing liability on the gun show organizer if there is an unaccompanied teen on the show floor. Conceivably, the BATFE could find a teenager at one table, while mom and dad are at another vendor, and shut down the show.
None of the above items have ever been shown to decrease crime or accidental deaths. At best, they are “feel good” measures meant to “protect children.” The reality is they are just another means to erode away our Second Amendment rights.
This bill is currently in the House Committee on the Judiciary.
How to Bury a Gun: Someone Who Did and the Results
Posted by: | CommentsThere has been a lot of talk on the Internet forums about how to bury a gun and how to bury ammunition for long term storage. Most people have never done it, and are simply making educated guesses about the best ways to do it.
In the article “Bury a gun and ammo for 15 years (and be assured everything still works when you dig it up),” Charles Wood describes the steps he took to prepare and bury a Ruger Mini-14 and ammunition some 15 years ago. Wood then describes how he retrieved the rifle, and that the rifle and ammo were in perfect condition.
So, whatever your reasoning for burying a gun, take a look at this article. There is some good information in it.
Sig Sauer P232 Pistols: Updated for 2009
Posted by: | CommentsThe Sig Sauer P232 pistol was updated for 2009. The new P232 features a newly designed slide that reduces “slide bite” on larger hands and removable sights.
For those not familar with the Sig Sauer P232, the gun is a .380 ACP pistol that is more substantial in size and weight thant the recent crop of .380 pocket guns. The P232 runs between 18.5 - 23.6 ounces, has a 3.6″ barrel, and an overall length of 6.6″. The action is a DA/SA design, and has a capacity of 6+1.
The Sig P232 is available in three finishes: black Nitron, stainless, and a two-tone stainless slide with black frame. All models of P232 are available with standard or SIGLITE Night Sights.
Good Gun Deals Can Still Be Had
Posted by: | CommentsFor the past couple of years, gun and ammunition prices have been creeping upward. Since the 2008 elections, the prices on some firearms have skyrocketed. If you are in the market for a firearm, don’t be afraid: good deals can still be had. You just have to be patient, and be ready to deal with cash when you find something you want.
For example, a friend of mine at work had a nice NYPD Smith and Wesson model 64-1 revolver. This was one of the last revolver models approved by the NYPD for carry. My friend, a retired NYPD cop, was keeping his full-sized duty gun, but was trying to get rid of this one, a 2″ barrel K-frame with a bobbed hammer. He only wanted $100 for it. I was willing to buy it sight unseen at that price, and cash quickly exchanged hands. As a Smith and Wesson revolver guy, I can’t resist picking up a pre-lock gun that has some history behind it.
In another example, my father called me just a little while ago. One of his friends has some pistols he is looking to sell for some extra money. For $150, my dad picked up a unfired FEG P9R with two magazines, holster, and ammo. Looking around at some of the auction sites, the same gun starts at $295 and goes up from there.
Recently, a local police academy was liquidating some of their unused inventory. Back in a corner of their firearms vault were more than a dozen Ruger Mini-14’s. Most of the rifles were unfired, and none had ever been issued for use on the street. In fact, most of them had merely sat in the vault for about a decade, completely unmolested. The price? $250 each. I missed out on that deal, but would have bought every one of them if I could have.
The point I am trying to make is this: unless you must purchase a specific firearm today, be patient. Ask around at work, at church, and at other gatherings. There is always someone who has a gun, but would rather have some money. Once people know you are in the market for something, word of mouth will bring the deals to you. You just have to know what you want, and be willing to pay cash immediately.
Ammunition Prices: An Update
Posted by: | CommentsI documented the rising cost of ammunition in November when I compared prices of various brands and loads from a major ammunition supply company to their prices from March 2008 and January 2007. Many of you said prices would fall for a variety of reasons. The good news is that, in some cases, you were right. However, the bad news is many of the loads are out-of-stock and you just can’t buy them.
Obviously, shopping around is always to your benefit. For example, Natchez Shooters Supplies just sent out an e-mail this morning stating the American Eagle 9mm 115gr FMJ is in stock and on sale at $9.99/50. Similar deals can be found on other brands and loads by taking a few minutes to hit all of your favorite online gun shops to compare prices.
