The Truth About Guns

By Stephen Masbad

There’s always that one person in the room who can’t seem to understand why I shoot. It’s often the same people who through snide, oft condescending remarks wonder how an intelligent, literate person could enjoying shooting. Surely I’m simply misguided, no? But what these people, and indeed many in the shooting community, fail to see is that beneath the veneer of camo, politics and showmanship that pervades the firearms industry lays an artistry in itself. Something that transcends simply a machine triggering a chemical reaction. It is these intangibles that have driven me to shoot . . .

Some balk at the suggestion such a mundane, earthy thing as shooting could ever be considered art, yet what is art, truly? It’s hardly something simple to define (though easy enough to defile), and yet paradoxically is simple at its core. Art, whether in a painting, a sculpture, o

TTAG Commentator Danny says “I didn’t even want to watch the video to see what went wrong. Even after the public polls were almost completely against the idea, the ’2nd Amendment is outdated’ group won this debate. How the hell does that work?” Dunno. But I do know that our natural, civil rights are enshrined in the bill of rights. Which, thank to the Founders, isn’t easy to change. Thank God. Oh, and my Richard Luger Indianapolis debate antagonist, Juan Pacheco, doesn’t want the first five of our encounters videotaped. Huh.

Turns out Transportation Security Administration Officer Gerardo Hernandez was left unattended for 33 minutes after being shot at LAX airport on Nov. 1. It was one of those “secure the perimeter” deals—despite the fact that the shooter was in custody five minutes after the TSA Agent was shot. And one of those “why the hell didn’t one of his colleagues administer first aid” deals. “Representatives for the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Airport Police said they couldn’t comment on the ongoing investigation until extensive reports are finished.” One wonders if these “extensive” reports will be released before the report on the Newtown massacre—where delayed police response may have cost lives. And which report will be the bigger whitewash. [h/t/ DrVino]

By Henry Bowman

When most people think of TASER CEWs (Conducted Electrical Weapon), they envision their use by police in gaining compliance from resistant suspects. TASERs are an additional tool in the use of force continuum and are generally considered “less lethal.” That means they fall into the same category as pepper spray, bean bag rounds or batons, in that they can be deployed even when a suspect’s actions do not meet the three criteria for legally employing lethal force . . .

For those who may not know, lethal force is justified when an aggressor displays the ability, opportunity, and intent to cause serious bodily injury or death. However, my titular question is not posed in application to police, but rather to the armed citizen.  Could using a TASER to diffuse a bad situation in which lethal force is not legally justified, land someone in hot w

“The bedrock belief of the modern pro-gun movement is insurrectionism—the perverted notion that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to shoot and kill elected officials, law enforcement officers, and military service members when one personally senses ‘tyranny.’ And pro-gun activists are never shy about indicating they are prepared to use violence to get their way if the policy and lawmaking process moves in a direction they don’t like.” So, according to the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence’s article PRO-GUN ACTIVISTS FANTASIZE ABOUT ASSASSINATING PRESIDENT OBAMA IN DALLAS, gun rights advocates are proto-terrorists at best, terrorists-in-waiting at worst. To back up this assertion, the unnamed author at CSGV scraped comments from 

If it comes down to it and you fear for your life or that of a loved one, can you actually shoot an attacker? What if your gun jams or you run it empty? Can you get past the ‘ick’ factor and, in Diana Liedorff’s example, jam a pencil in someone’s eye? Nick’s Team FNH USA teammate advises that you think through those scenarios before you’re presented with one. As Jimmy Malone famously asked, what are you prepared to do?

H.RES.411 — Resolved, That Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the following articles of impeachment be exhibited… (Introduced in House – IH)
HRES 411 IH 113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 411

Impeaching Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors . . .

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 14, 2013
Mr. OLSON (for himself, Mr. WESTMORELAND, Mr. BUCSHON, Mr. WILLIAMS, Mr. YOHO, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Mr. FARENTHOLD, Mr. FLORES, Mrs. BACHMANN, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. HUNTER, Mr. AMODEI, Mr. DUNCAN of South Carolina, Mr. BRIDENSTINE, Mr. DESJARLAIS, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. STOCKMAN, Mr. CONAWAY, Mr. ROE of Tennessee, and Mr. MASSIE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the

By Clifford Heseltine

There is a lot of interest in and discussion of the concept of Constitutional Carry these days, but what exactly are we talking about? The Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States says, exactly and succinctly: “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.” This doesn’t give you or me or “the people” the right to keep and bear arms. This amendment was simply an affirmation that the people already have the right to keep and bear arms and that the new federal government had no authority to infringe upon that. That’s not a Constitutional right; it is a natural, civil and Constitutionally protected right, one of 28 such rights listed in the first seven amendments . . .

Historically it was felt that the Bill of

“Nobody’s political career is more important than protecting the American people. Who among us is of such value that we would not say, ‘I’ll take a risk, so that our kids don’t have to take a risk and be in danger?’ So, I think there’s reason to be hopeful… And when it passes the House, some senators — well-intentioned — would no longer have the excuse: ‘It’s no use my risking my political career because it’s not going any place in the House.’ Let’s prove it. Let’s turn that around.” Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) quoted in Pelosi Tells Brady Campaign Just ’20, 30′ More Co-Sponsors Needed to Move Gun Control Bill [via

National Presto Industries announced Friday that it had finalized the purchase of DSE, Inc., a Tampa, Florida-based company that makes 40mm ammunition for use in grenade launchers. DSE is a competitor to NPI’s existing AMTEC business, which makes ammunition, fuses, cartridge cases and other military equipment. NPI is possibly the weirdest combination of companies I’ve ever seen, with the DSE/AMTEC segment servicing the defense industry, the Presto segment manufacturing the Fry Daddy, pressure cookers, and other kitchen appliances, and the Absorbent Products segment engaged in the manufacture of private label adult incontinence products.

A recent spike in home invasions around Mishawaka, Indiana has nervous homeowners dialing 911 at the slightest noi… Oh wait, no it doesn’t. Let’s try again. A recent spike in home invasions aroun

A woman lay on a bed in a small house in the woods. An old woman, her sight is gone, she can no longer walk, she can not hear well, her world has shrunk to this small house and a few of her children and friends. She is 97 years old. She hurts, her bones ache, she’s tired and yet, her mind is clear. For a time she lived in the Caribbean, rode in fast boats, knew heroes, defeat, and victory. This woman is my mother, and she knew some of the joy of life again as I read Matt Bracken’s dystopic action thriller, Castigo Cay . . .

For a week this spring, I read to her when she was awake and I was able. My sister and I took care of her as she can no longer care for herself. She was captivated by Castigo Cay, enthralled by the

In the course of discussing Obamacare’s [alleged] provision of a double secret “officer corps,” Texas Rep. Louie Gomert wonders (darkly) about Uncle Sam’s decision to stockpile ammo, including hollow points. And then he asserts “most ranges don’t let you use hollow-points; they’re too destructive of the target.” Gomert goes on to assert—rightly—that America’s “not supposed to have a secret security force.” (*cough* NSA *cough*) Or any of the hidden activities of any of the fed’s alphabet soup of law enforcement agencies. (*cough* Fast and Furious *cough*) Of course, none of that is as worrying as, say, New York’s SAFE Act. That’s the thing about conspiracy theories: it’s the conspiracy right in front of you that you need to worry about. Still, extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Right? [h/t DrVino]

You read his piece. You heard the outcry. You read his response. Now hear it right from the horse’s mouth. About the only interview former Guns & Ammo technical editor Dick Metcalf has granted is this one with Tom Gresham on Gun Talk Radio. Listen for yourself above and let slip the dogs of righteous retribution below.

As always, thanks to Aaron of The Weapons Blog for compiling this thing. Go forth and enter.

Handguns

• FLD Glock 21 Gen4 & Kimber Tactical Pro 2
  Deadline: November 29, 2013
  Added to this list: November 8, 2013
  http://www.nagr.org/fld-giveaway2.aspx
• Ruger LCP
  Deadline: November 30, 2013
  Added to this list: November 8, 2013
  http://www.clarksvillegunsandarchery.com/Sweepstakes_31.html
• Bond Arms Inc Texas Defender Derringer
  Deadline: November 30, 2013
  Added to this list: November 8, 2013
  https:/

By DrVino

This past weekend, I took a newbie shooting. He’s a nice, young member of the tribe and had expressed an interest in shooting so I took him along to one of the public ranges in the mountains near L.A. Everybody who shoots with some frequency comes to the public range with their guns in cases, supplies in boxes and target frames (rented or home-built). People who own a gun and want to “shoot it once or so”, stand out a mile away. So, immediately, when two guys (one short, shaved head, tattoos, baggy clothing and the other taller, more muscular with more tasteful arm tattoos and one of those buzzed-on-the-sides-long-and-heavily-gelled-on-top hairdos that I associate with guys who race their tricked out Acuras for pink slips) walked up in between lane breaks, they stuck out like sore thumbs . . .

These guys walked up with an uncased AR with an Eotech and no sling. The guy whose gun it appeared to be held it by the pistol grip the way you hold a bucket: dangling from

Theodore Wafer, 54, is to be charged with 2nd-degree murder, manslaughter, and a firearm charge for shooting 19 year-old Renisha McBride in the face with a shotgun on November 2nd, prosecutors announced today. Wafer is expected to turn himself in today to formally answer the charges. This case has drawn accusations of racial profiling, along with inevitable (but utterly baseless) comparisons to the Trayvon Martin case. ‘Stand Your Ground’ and ‘Castle Doctrine’ laws will play no part in this case at all . . .

Not every bump in the night is an intruder bent on mayhem and murder. Sometimes that person ringing your doorbell at 3:00 a.m. really did run out of gas or really does need you to call an ambulance. Renisha McBride’s family says the 19 year-old was disoriented from an earlier car crash when she knocked on the door of an unnamed Detroit homeowner on November 2nd.

She certainly was disoriented. The Wayne County coroner releas

By Clay Moultrie

The recent story of two students at Gonzaga University has renewed debate withing the gun owning community of how property rights relate the the 2nd Amendment. I’d like to share a few thoughts and observations and would like your input. Property rights are a fundamental right. Most of us would agree that when someone is in our home, they are expected to respect us and our property. If a threatening stranger tried to enter my home with a firearm, I wouldn’t allow it. If a guest tried to view objectionable content in my home (things covered under the 1st Amendment, but that I or my family found offensive), I would not allow it. While those individuals have a Constitutional right to possess a firearm and view that material, my property r

By Paul White

I’m new to the concealed carry world; in fact I’m still waiting for my license to get back. It should arrive in late December–a great Christmas gift! So I’m not some experienced hand at this. I’ve been attacked when I was much younger, but I’ve never been shot at. I’ve never been in law enforcement or the military. I’m not some grizzled old guy that’s going to tell you to carry a full sized 1911 with 2 spare mags and a compact 45 as a back up because nothing else is big enough, or to carry a gun that has a capacity of at least 12+1 because that’s the minimum bullets you need, or that you have to carry XYZ type of gun. I don’t have the standing to be able to do that . . .

What I am going to do is enumerate some things I realized while shopping for a concealed weapon, and working out carry options.

1) Decide roughly what yo

By Michael Holderer

The scenario: a major disaster has hit your region of the country. There’s been significant infrastructure damage in your area and surrounding states. You estimate things won’t get better for 30-60 days. Supplies of food, water and fuel are at critical levels. Emergency broadcasts are reporting some incidents of civil unrest nearby. Police are tied down taking care of their own families and dealing with only the highest priority incidents.  If you had to make a choice between a Benelli M2 shotgun with 50 shells or a suppressed Walther P22 with 200 rounds…which gun would you grab?