The Truth About Guns
Exploring the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns
Updated: 16 hours 40 min ago
One More Time: What Does the AR Stand For in AR-15?
The AR-15 platform rifle is the most popular rifle in the United States. Yet somehow, the meaning of “AR” (as in the AR-15 or AR-10 rifles) continues to be the subject of much debate. We’d have thought the matter was settled long ago. Some still claim AR means “assault rifle” or even “automatic rifle.” Some of that is due to ignorance, but lots of people and media organizations have an interest in continuing to spread misinformation about the rifle’s origin and what ‘AR’ really means.
Continue reading One More Time: What Does the AR Stand For in AR-15? at The Truth About Guns.
Springfield Armory’s New 15+1 Hellcat Pro OSP With Threaded Barrel
As SIG has done with the P365 before it, Springfield has built on the success of its Hellcat micro-compact pistol, making the basis of an entire platform including bigger models, with more capacity and more features. The latest iteration in this process is the Hellcat Pro OSP with a threaded barrel. This version gives you a slim, concealable optic-ready handgun with a full 15+1 rounds of capacity that can do damn near anything you want a semi-automatic handgun to do.
Leupold Unveils the New RX-1400i TBR/W Gen 2 Laser Rangefinder
From Leupold . . .
Leupold & Stevens, Inc., provider of the world’s most rugged, lightweight, and clear sport optics, is pleased to introduce the second generation of the RX-1400i TBR/W Laser Rangefinder.
The RX-1400i TBR/W Gen 2 enters the market as the most feature-rich rangefinder in its class. With Leupold’s proprietary DNA laser engine and an exceptionally bright red display, this rangefinder will give you fast, accurate, and visible readings every time.
Serbian Government Displays Firearms Turned in During Post Mass Shooting Amnesty
By Jovana Gec, AP
Serbian authorities on Sunday displayed many of around 13,500 weapons they say people have been handed over since this month’s mass shootings, including hand grenades, automatic weapons, and anti-tank rocket launchers.
The authorities have declared a one-month amnesty period for citizens to hand over unregistered weapons or face prison sentences as part of a crackdown on guns following the two mass shootings that left 17 people dead, many of them children.
Florida Bans Use of Credit Card Tracking Codes for Firearm Purchases
Major credit card companies have attempted to monitor the transactions of firearm retailers and consumers through unique merchant codes, which could then be used to “flag” law-abiding citizens. The legislation I signed today will end this practice and will protect Floridians. pic.twitter.com/R8YwAcw9Gt
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 12, 2023
There’s been a movement among massive credit card companies to basically monitor the transactions of firearm retailers and individual consumers through unique codes that they’re calling merchant category codes or MCCs for short.
What Is The AR-15 Forward Assist And Why Do I Need It?
The AR-15 forward assist, a mechanical feature found on most AR-15 pattern rifles, is something that newbies might not totally understand. You’ll find the forward assist assembly on the right-hand side of your rifle (for most guns) directly below the charging handle.
Some details may get glossed over for the sake of brevity here, and since this is more for newbies…bear with me. Or get angry in the comments section.
The forward assist is a holdover feature from an older time, as semi-automatic rifles of the early to mid-20th century (M1, M1 Carbine, the M14, and others) had the capability of being forced into battery.
Continue reading What Is The AR-15 Forward Assist And Why Do I Need It? at The Truth About Guns.
Gun Meme of the Day: A Shot at Canik Edition
I think, so far, that Canik has remained entirely unscathed by the internet meme lords. No more!
Continue reading Gun Meme of the Day: A Shot at Canik Edition at The Truth About Guns.
The American Suppressor Association is Working to Legalize and Deregulate Cans For You and Me
The American Suppressor Association is a gun rights org that you may not be aware of. Unlike more well-known three- and four-letter operations (think: NRA, SAF, FPC, GOA, NAGR), they have a more focused niche. They’re out there working on the federal, state and local levels to ease the restrictions on the ownership and use of — you guessed it — suppressors.
Case in point: in February, the ASA filed suit in Illinois challenging the state’s ban on silencers.
Tonneau Buddy Keeps Your Guns and Gear Organized and Secure in Your Truck or SUV
From Tonneau Buddy . . .
Everyone keeps stuff in their truck or SUV, things like jumper cables, window scrapers, tow straps and tools – even rain gear, a warm jacket or a pair of boots. The problem is, where to store it all and how to keep it organized. And transporting groceries often results in tipped bags when going around a corner, leaving you with a mess.
That’s why there is Tonneau Buddy, for your tonneau-covered truck bed, and Cargo Buddy, for your large or small SUV!
Gear Review: Ruger Ready Dot RedDot Sight
The Ruger ReadyDot may have been one of the more controversial releases at NRAAM. Ruger releasing a red dot isn’t terribly unusual. They’ve made the Max-9 and Security-380 MAX pistol optics-ready, so why not provide the pistol and an optic? Red dots on handguns have become a standard, and they offer shooters a sighting solution that’s easier to use, faster to use, and can even increase your own effective range. The Ruger ReadyDot is designed specifically for the Max-9 series and utilizes the Shield RMSc footprint.
Continue reading Gear Review: Ruger Ready Dot RedDot Sight at The Truth About Guns.
New York AG Sues Mean Arms for Selling a Magazine Lock That Can Be Removed With a Drill
The Buffalo grocery store killer who murdered 10 people a year ago bought his New York-compliant AR pattern rifle legally in New York. That was after he’d been taken into custody and ordered to undergo a psych evaluation because of threats he’d made about carrying out a shooting.
The AR he purchased was apparently equipped with an MA Lock from Mean Arms when he bought it. The MA Lock makes the AR a fixed magazine rifle, but the killer then drilled out the MA Lock, modifying the AR to take standard 30-round magazines.
Civil Rights for Dummies: As a Matter of Fact, Keith, Americans Do Have the Right to Own Guns
Do Americans have the right to own guns?
It should come as no surprise that my answer to that question is an emphatic yes. That’s made obvious — or should be — through the clear and concise wording of the Second Amendment. When the founders used the phrase “keep and bear,” the word “right,” and everyone’s favorite “shall not be infringed,” they probably thought that folks would continue to understand the simple meaning and intent of words as we as a society advance, get smarter and more sophisticated.
Enter Tyrant CNC’s $2600 Ultimate AR Upgrade Giveaway
Our friends at Tyrant CNC are giving away a huge pile of AR-15 upgrades. The package includes lots of their own accessories plus gear from Holosun, GunMag Warehouse, Rise Armament, Savior Systems and more .
Here’s everything that’s included . . .
To enter CLICK HERE.
Continue reading Enter Tyrant CNC’s $2600 Ultimate AR Upgrade Giveaway at The Truth About Guns.
‘Good Intentions’ Uber Alles: Britain’s Fox Hunting Ban Has Decimated its Fox Population
By Lawrence W. Reed
Every day the world over, good intentions cover up a multitude of sins.
A visitor from another planet could hardly fail to notice that humans seem to care more about motives than results, and when results achieve the opposite of the intended effect, we’re rarely as quick to reverse course as we were to embark on the wrong path in the first place.
“God save us from people who mean well,” wrote the novelist Vikram Seth in A Suitable Boy.
Silencer Shop Renews its Tier 1 Sponsorship of the American Suppressor Association
From the American Suppressor Association . . .
The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is excited to announce that Silencer Shop has renewed their Tier 1 level sponsorship for 2023. Their renewal marks the ninth consecutive year at ASA’s top sponsorship level.
“Silencer Shop is excited to remain a Tier 1 sponsor of ASA. We support the great efforts ASA continues to make at the state and federal levels, including providing strong testimony before legislative bodies and supporting important battles in the courts to protect suppressor ownership rights,” said Dave Matheny, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Silencer Shop.
Gun Meme of the Day: I’m The Captain Now Edition
Turn that reflex into a box!
Continue reading Gun Meme of the Day: I’m The Captain Now Edition at The Truth About Guns.
German-Made Liemke Luchs Thermal Optics Now Available in U.S.
Hunting with thermal optics became popular in Europe well before it took off in the U.S., but with its growth here we’re now seeing some Euro brands becoming available on the U.S. market. One of these brands is Germany’s Liemke, which is announcing their new Luchs-1 and Luchs-2 thermal clip-on optics available through importer/distributor Blaser Group USA.
Given the substantial investment required to get into a good thermal optic, the utility provided by a clip-on is certainly nice.
5.11 Tactical 5.11 Days Anniversary Celebration Going on Now
With the arrival of May 11th and 5.11 Tactical’s 20th anniversary, this year’s “5.11 Days” event is a big one with 20 percent off effectively everything they make both online and in-store. Dan and I visited the Las Vegas 5.11 store during SHOT Show and it was pretty darn awesome. I got a pair of Coalition Pants in Ranger Green and have worn them nearly every single day since. Fantastic!
At any rate, it’s a good opportunity to take advantage of a solid discount.
Gun Review: Henry Homesteader 9mm Carbine
When Henry launched the semi-automatic Homesteader at SHOT Show this year I was surprised, of course, given the brand’s historical focus on lever guns, and I admit that my initial reaction was also a bit “meh.” So many 9mm carbines have passed through my hands that I just didn’t have it in me to get excited about yet another one. But I was wrong.
The Henry Homesteader is most assuredly not just another 9mm carbine.
Continue reading Gun Review: Henry Homesteader 9mm Carbine at The Truth About Guns.