The Truth About Guns
Exploring the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns
Updated: 1 day 17 hours ago
The AceXR VR Shooting System: “It’s Like Shooting A Competition With .22”
In some ways, hyper-realistic firearms training has been the holy grail of the defensive, police, and military shooting worlds. While there’s a lot you can do on the range, there are still some steep downsides to being limited to live fire.
The biggest one is cost, especially for those of us who can’t print money or take a cut of every transaction in town. People often have enough trouble coming up with ammo to learn the basics and take their first shooting class.
WHEN COPS LARP: Police in Elyria, OH Toss Destructive Devices At Home, Injuring Baby
What happens when a platoon of SWAT cops in a smallish-town of 52,000 descends upon the wrong home in search of a teenage punk? Well, if they toss destructive devices all around, bust out windows and storm inside like they’re on a mission in Fallujah, there’s more than a chance that their actions will have life-threatening consequences for the occupants of the targeted dwelling.
And that’s exactly what happened in Elyria, Ohio. Despite doing multiple “knock and talk” visits to a home in that city and being told that the current residents were new renters, the Elyria PD smelled a rat.
CCRKBA: More Guns Equals Less Crime
As the data for 2023 continues to roll in, the evidence is mounting to support the claims of gun rights activists that guns do indeed save lives. This recent article from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) lays out the argument from the most recent data:
Data posted at the Gun Violence Archive website shows 2023 produced fewer homicides, suicides, and gun-related injuries than in 2022, which indicates expansion of permitless carry laws, allowing more people to carry firearms for personal protection, did not result in more bloodshed as anti-gunners predicted.
Continue reading CCRKBA: More Guns Equals Less Crime at The Truth About Guns.
The TSA Shouldn’t Be Proud Of Their 2023 Gun Finding Numbers
In a recent press release, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) announced that they found a bunch of guns in 2023. But, the numbers don’t present the problem the agency thinks it does. If anything, it shows us that the agency shouldn’t exist.
The Numbers
From the press release:
During 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted a total of 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft.
TSA Sets New Record for Firearms Intercepted at Airports in 2023
In their 2023 year-end review, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported stopping 6,737 firearms (93% of which were loaded) from entering secure airport areas. This figure surpasses the previous record of 6,542 firearms detected in 2022.
The TSA clarifies that it does not confiscate firearms; instead, it’s up to local laws to determine what becomes of the gun and passenger. The outcome for violators can vary, with potential criminal citations or arrests in addition to a civil penalty for taking a gun to the airport.
Hornady Turns 75 in 2024
In 1949 when Joyce Hornady set out to design and manufacture a better product for handloaders, not everyone expected him to succeed. With World War II over and the economy returning to peacetime status, it seemed a good time to kick off a fledgling venture, but one catering to handloaders seemed far-fetched to many skeptics.
Incredibly, the company celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024, proving the naysayers dead wrong. And over those 75 years the company has grown into an industry behemoth that still addresses the needs of handloaders, but also those wanting to purchase quality, already manufactured ammunition.
Continue reading Hornady Turns 75 in 2024 at The Truth About Guns.
Gun Review – The Mossberg .410 590 Shotgun
The Mossberg 590 series is an undisputed American classic. Mossberg first modified the 500 into the 590 after it failed to meet a number of military specifications. Mossberg wanted that contract, so they modified the magazine tube and barrel design, and the resulting effort was the 590. The Mossberg 590 has historically been a 12-gauge. Mossberg, however, recently released 590 variants in both .410 and 20 gauge. Fortunately, we got the chance to go hands-on with the .410 590.
Continue reading Gun Review – The Mossberg .410 590 Shotgun at The Truth About Guns.
Kimber Announces the KDS9c Rail, the Latest Evolution in 1911 EDC?
Kimber just dropped a new version of their high cap, single action 9mm KDS9c, the appropriately named KDS9c Rail. If you like the 1911 but want a lightweight, modern carry version then the KDS9c Rail is it. In addition to the new light/laser rail it also comes with Truglo night sights and is optics ready. It uses 15-round magazines and comes with an extra extended 18-round magazine as well. Check out the specs and press info on the KDS9c below, and hit Kimber’s website for more details.
New Analysis Of Uvalde Shooting Reinforces Need For Fast Action, Less Permission Seeking
We’ve written a lot of articles at TTAG about the shooting in Uvalde, Texas. But now, the better part of two years later, people are still looking at the facts from that day and trying to find more and better ways of preventing this kind of tragedy from occurring in the future. One source is the ALERRT report on the tragedy, which was analyzed at the Surviving The Streets YouTube channel.
In the video, we can learn a lot more about how the situation unfolded and learn or reinforce key lessons.
Review: Marlin Glenfield Model 60 .22 LR Classic
The Marlin Glenfield Model 60 is revered by many rimfire enthusiasts as one of the most accurate and affordable semi-auto .22 rifles made. This is especially true for those made before 1983. If you can get your hands on one, don’t pass it up.
Marlin began manufacturing the Model 60 in (you guessed it) 1960. It quickly became known as an affordable, reliable, and accurate rimfire rifle enjoyed by small-game hunters and .22 plinksters alike.
Continue reading Review: Marlin Glenfield Model 60 .22 LR Classic at The Truth About Guns.
Norma Announces the Xtreme LR-22 Long Range, High Performance Rimfire Load
You don’t generally associate the venerable .22 LR round with long range or precision bullet design but that’s exactly what Norma is promising with their new Xtreme LR-22 load. While it’s still a lead bullet it uses a special “rocket tail” design to improve aerodynamics that help it maintain velocities and remain stable at longer ranges. How long you ask? Well, they’re saying out beyond 500 yards! That seems crazy for a .22 LR to me but I’m betting they can back that up.
BREAKING: Gun Rights Groups Partner on Lawsuits Against Two Virginia Cities
The Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) and Gun Owners of America (GOA) have teamed up to challenge firearms restrictions with lawsuits filed against a pair of Virginia cities.
In a lawsuit filed today in Roanoke, Virginia, the plaintiffs challenged that city’s restrictions on firearms carried in parks and at or “adjacent to” permitted events. The complaint alleges multiple constitutional violations and highlights the dangers faced by unarmed civilians in Roanoke’s nearly 13,000 acres of park land.
The Wound Report: Don’t Make Your Weekend Night One to Remember for the Wrong Reasons
Our hero was striking out for a night on the town and felt himself in need of some protection. Back when I worked in an urban emergency room, I was forever amazed at how much misery and chaos could have been avoided had folks simply made wiser life choices. No offense to the professional party animals in the audience, but nothing good happens outside the home at one o’clock in the morning. Had this gentleman simply remained in his crib and slept like normal folks, he and I never would have met.
Concealed Carry for Women: Groove Life, Groove Belt
A common barrier to concealed carry, particularly for many women, is a distaste for belts. And it’s no surprise when we’ve become accustomed to the style options of comfortable stretch pants and leggings. Thankfully, many beltless concealment options are available, but the classic Kydex holster secured to a belt is arguably the fastest method for drawing your firearm and one of the best and most comfortable ways to carry.
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with belts throughout my concealed carry journey.
Continue reading Concealed Carry for Women: Groove Life, Groove Belt at The Truth About Guns.
Rise of War In 2023 Makes Gun Ownership More Precious Than Ever
A video from the last day of 2023 at the Task & Purpose YouTube channel gives a pretty good summary of the kinds of war our world saw in 2023. Not only does it show us the potential use Americans might have for the right to keep and bear arms in the United States, but also shows us how dangerous it can be for people who have had that right infringed. (article continues after video)
One important fact he shows in the beginning is that there was more armed conflict in 2023 than in previous years, ending what had been a trend of less conflict.
Gun Ownership For All: Fulton County Trump Prosecutor Seen In Public Carrying His Glock In Hand
Nathan Wade, the Fulton County Special Prosecutor targeting President Donald Trump has a whole bevy of problems lately, many of his own making. Then, when seen in public Thursday for the first time since news of his affair with the Soros-funded Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis, he was carrying his Glock quite openly. In fact, it was in his hand.
Was Nathan Wade sending a not-so-subtle message for folks not to mess with him?
Members, Instructors and Students Need REAL NRA Reform
As a firearms instructor, I want to share my ideas for the reform the NRA needs as it heads into a trial its leadership will NOT win. The court will order that the organization be rebuilt, but if we don’t make it clear what’s really needed, we won’t get the results we need.
If you agree, be sure to check out a petition I put up here and sign it.
Before I get started, I need to cover a bunch of background information.
Continue reading Members, Instructors and Students Need REAL NRA Reform at The Truth About Guns.
Buckeye, AZ Homeowner Shoots Backyard Prowler; Risks a Lot For His Lawnmower
Yes, there is an old expression that a man’s home is his castle. Then there’s the “Castle Doctrine” that allows homeowners wide latitude to use force to defend themselves and their homes against intruders. Some who don’t know better think they also have a blank check to use force, up to and including deadly force, against trespassers on the property outside their homes.
That’s not usually the case. And even in a tiny handful of jurisdictions that allow the use of force against trespassers, especially after dark, it’s seldom a wise or prudent thing to do.
Does an FFL Have To Log In a Firearm If It Is There Just For The Day To Be Cleaned?
The short answer is “no.” The NSSF recently wrote, “when a customer takes a firearm in for cleaning or for a quick repair, if the firearm is cleaned or repaired and returned to the customer the same day, it does not need to be logged into the A&D record and an ATF Form 4473 is not required to be completed.” According to the ATF, “the firearms acquisition and disposition (A&D) record, also known as a ‘bound book,’ is a permanently bound book or an orderly arrangement of loose-leaf pages, which must be maintained at the business premises.
Child’s Play: Youth Kills Attacker Who Had Already Murdered One Person
A double homicide police are investigating in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, has turned out to be at least one part justifiable as the second homicide was committed in self-defense. More astonishingly, the defender was a child, protecting two women apparently caught up as part of a domestic dispute. The attacker had already shot and killed a 31-year-old woman who initially provided shelter to the women and child trying to keep them all safe.
Here are how events played out Sunday, Jan.