The Truth About Guns
Exploring the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns
Updated: 4 weeks 1 day ago
BREAKING: Mikhail Kalashnikov Dies at 94
Word comes from Russia Today that Mikhail Kalashnikov, one of the most highly decorated firearms designers in history whose designs have been produced more times than any other firearm in history, has died at the age of 94. Kalashnikov continued to work on firearm designs for the Izhevsk firearms factory until the time of his death, giving input on the latest designs destined for use by the Russian armed forces.
Frankincense, Myrrh and Cognitive Dissonance
With today being Festivus, ’tis the season for the airing of grievances. So along those lines, a certain member of my family was thoroughly outraged when Dick Metcalf was fired for his article that was widely viewed by the people of the gun as taking a soft approach to the encroachment of gun control. Apparently MSNBC had singled out RF for his opinion on the matter and she concluded that it was all Robert’s fault that Metcalf was fired. “He has free speech!” she cried, “He should be able to voice his opinions, even if you disagree!” I calmly replied . . .
that Guns & Ammo is a commercial enterprise and if we (the buyers) weren’t happy with their product, then that might concern them. “So you don’t want to listen to any opposition to your point of view?” was her response. To which I pointed out that Gu
Quote of the Day: Matt in FL Doesn’t Need No Stinkin’ Stats Edition
“You keep bringing up England, as if there exists there some higher ideal that we should aspire to. In England, the population is made up of subjects, not citizens. Those subjects have traditionally been denied the use and ownership of arms, all the way back to when that referred to swords and daggers. Times have changed, and the restrictions there have eased somewhat, but the underlying ethos remains. I, on the other hand, am a citizen, not a subject, and the ownership of guns is ingrained in my national heritage, and has been since we used those guns to win the right to no longer be called subjects. The ownership of those guns also carries the intrinsic promise that no one who calls himself an American will ever again be forced to be a subject. It’s just that simple. And no amount of regurgitating of gun control statistics will ever change that simple fact.” – Matt in FL’s comment underneath
Arapahoe High School Student’s Father Calls for Guns In Schools
James Viser, the father of a student at Arapahoe High School in Centennial Colorado. posted the following underneath our post Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America: WE ARE ALL CLAIRE’S MOTHER:
My son is an Arapahoe HS student, and no parent should experience what we did. The parents of Claire Davis have it much worse than all of us. I was astounded by MDA’s response. They clearly have no idea of how Coloradans view gun rights and who is responsible for the tragedy. Our experience:
Gun Tweet of the Day: Piers Morgan Proves the Point Edition
You know that old joke about the guy who asks a woman if she’d sleep with him for a million dollars? She says yes. “Would you sleep with me for $200?” “Of course not,” she replies. “What kind of woman do you think I am?” “We’ve already established that,” he answers. “We’re just haggling over price.” Same deal with gun control advocates. “Would you eliminate Americans’ right to own the same ‘weapons of war’ carried by the police and military?” “Yes.” “Would you imprison bloggers promoting ‘assault weapons’ for their readers?” “Of course not! What kind of people do you think we are?” “We’ve already established that. We’re just haggling over the timeline.”
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America: WE ARE ALL CLAIRE’S MOTHER
Once again, Moms Demand Mayors for Illegal Action waves the bloody shirt. This time their Facebook page is exploiting the tragic death of Claire Davis for their endless campaign for gun control. And once again MDA reveals itself as an organization dedicated to civilian disarmament. They’re for any law that limits Americans’ access to firearms. Period. But more than that, this WE ARE ALL CLAIRE’S MOTHER tag line diminishes the importance, the uniqueness of Claire Davis’ actual mother. At the risk of stating the obvious, no one other than Claire Davis’ mother is Claire Davis’ mother. None of us will ever feel the pain she does. Intruding on that grief in this way is the height of insensitivity. But what do you expect from a group that would put innocent lives in harm’s way by denying Ameri
Mayors Against Illegal Guns’ Website Still Hosted by the City of New York
Well over six months ago we pointed out that Mayors Against Illegal Guns was using NYC resources to host their website. Now that it’s December and the mayor is on his way out the door, you’d think that Bloomberg would have stopped using taxpayer funds and resources to further his personal political campaign against a constitutionally protected civil right. But three seconds of looking into the issue proves otherwise . . .
The DNS for the Mayors Against Illegal Guns website (mayorsagainstillegalguns.org)
FOSSCAD Unveils 3D Printable 75 Round Drum Magazine for AR-15 Rifles
As 3D printing becomes more mainstream and accessible, it’s no wonder that more and more gun parts are being designed to be printed on a standard 3D printer. Specifically those gun parts that keep gun control activists up at night fearing for the future. Today’s new 3D printable part is a 75 round drum magazine designed in the style of the old Romanian AK magazines but compatible with the AR-15 rifle. Needless to say, this completely circumvents any magazine restrictions that certain governments have instituted and allows a private citizen to print their own extremely high capacity magazine from the comfort of their own home. Suck on THAT, Feinstein. Semi-presser after the jump . . .
The (Israel) AR-15 75-Round 5.56mm Drum Magaz
Random Thoughts On Fags and Gun Nuts
The recent flap about Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson’s comments on homosexuality got me thinking. While I don’t share Robertson’s belief that being gay is a sin – at all – I support his right to be wrong, in public. That said, the remarks themselves were inexcusably crass. Vagina vs. anus? Really? Robertson must have known that this comment would inflame both homosexuals and heterosexuals. To what end (so to speak)? It’s certainly not the kind of language I’d expect from a “true Christian”; someone who loves the sinner but hates the sin. Nope. The comment was needlessly, heedlessly insensitive. And it reminds me of nothing so much as the comments I’ve heard as a gun guy. Or should I say “gun nut” . . .
Fag. Gun nut
Question of the Day: Can a $300 Rifle Shoot As Well As a $3k Rifle?
Field & Stream have reviewed the new-for-2013 Remington Model 783 just days ahead of 2014 . Surprise! They love it! OK, it’s “rough as a cob.” But writer David E. Petzal reckons all cheap as chips (my words) modern rifles are da bomb. “The people who make them have figured out how to construct a gun that costs $300 but will shoot as well as a rifle that costs $3,000. Such a rifle will not be pretty, nor will it be finely made. The truth of the matter is that this sort of rifle may not be made well at all. But it will function, and it will be very accurate. The secret to such astounding (and inexpensive) accuracy? St
Q-Poll: Colorado Governor Hickenlooper In Big Trouble
After Colorado’s Democratic legislators rammed through their knee-jerk magazine ban last year, angry Centennial State voters kicked two of the bastards out of office and forced a third to resign before she was voted out, too. A recent Quinnipiac University poll suggests that Democratic governor John Hickenlooper is feeling the heat of gun owners’ wrath as well. In an ominous signal of his re-election chances, his approval rating has dropped to below 50% for the first time in his term. And it’s not just because voters are offended by that horrible rug on his head, either . . .
Last month’s Q-poll revealed that Hickenlooper’s overall approval rating had dropped from a high of 66 percent just after the Aurora theater shooting, to a low of 48% in November 2013. Almost half of Coloradans (49%)
Quote of the Day: And Thank God For That Edition
“Unfortunately, a lot of people just want to shoot guns.” – Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, “Your Days Are Numbered”: On Death Threats and Gun Rights [at esquire.com]
Weekend Digest: Well, That’s Not Good News Edition
CMP Ammunition Update
“The CMP has been notified by ammunition manufacturers and distributors to expect price increases and significant delivery delays for all calibers of ammunition, especially for .22 rimfire. The price increases and delays apply to orders we have already placed with the manufacturers. Prior to 2013 CMP received deliveries of truckloads of ammo within a few weeks of placing orders. We are now being advised, as in the case of Aguila .22, that it may take several years to receive all of the 35,000,000 rounds of Aguila ammo we have on order. . .
“As a result of this situation, CMP has placed orders with several different manufacturers for large amounts of ammunition in various calibers. We expect to receive only a few pallets at a time because manufacturers and distributors are rationing the ammo to their customers. As we receive ammo, we will contact customers with oldest orders already in place with the option to purchase whatever we receive at the new prices, cancel the order, or remain on the list for the manufacturer they originally requested. A
Greenwich, CT Holds The Saddest Little Gun Turn-In Ever
On the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings, the town of Greenwich, Connecticut played host to the saddest little gun turn-in in the history of the world ever. The residents of the wealthiest per-capita town in the United States (pop. 62,000) surrendered a grand total of five rifles and one handgun to be destroyed by the Connecticut State Police . . .
The Greenwich Time, stretching journalistic descriptive license beyond any recognizable limits, called it “quite a haul” of firearms. They were even more proud that another five rifles (whoa Nelly!) were turned in prior to last Saturday’s event, bringing the ‘grand’ total to eleven unspecified guns. Also not specified: the amount of money and police time wasted by the Greenwich Police Department in hosting this pitiful
BREAKING: Arapahoe High School Shooting Victim Dies
“Claire Davis, the 17-year-old high school senior who was shot last week by a classmate at their Colorado school, died Saturday,” cnn.com reports. Ms. Davis suffered a shotgun blast to her head from classmate Karl Peterson. ”It is with heavy hearts that we share that a 4:29 p.m. this afternoon, Claire Davis passed away, with her family at her side,” Littleton Adventist Hospital said in a statement. ”Despite the best efforts of our physicians and nursing staff, and Claire’s fighting spirit, her injuries were too severe and the most advanced medical treatments could not prevent this tragic loss of life. Claire’s death is immensely heartbreaking for our entire community, our staff and our families.” Our condolences to Ms. Davis’ friends a
Firearms Storage Laws? What About Military Seepage?
Under the banner of “gun safety,” the gun control industrial complex lobbies for firearms registration, weapon and magazine restrictions, mandatory firearms training and “safe storage laws”—anything that can delay or deny Americans their natural, civil and Constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms. It’s the latter that’s the most insidious. Who can be against requiring gun owners to store their firearms safely? Do it for the children! Truth be told, safe storage laws “invite” the government into your home. “We need to inspect your gun storage”—without notice. It’s for the children! Don’t laugh. It’s already the law in the UK and Australia. What really grinds my gears: the same governments that want to check my safe storage fail to maintain their own. Che
Battle Rifle Co. Announces Spring AR-15 Fashion Lineup.
When it comes to gun fashion, the AR-15 is definitely This Year’s Girl. In fact, she’s been This Year’s Girl for at least a decade, strutting the runways and showing off the latest in rifle styles and accessories. I’m sure we’ll see a lot of her at Fashion Week the SHOT Show wearing every conceivable manner of rail, grip, stock, trigger and optic. Battle Rifle Company is previewing its Spring 2014 line ahead of the show, with a handful of ARs that might appeal to tactically fashion-conscious shooter . . .
Pictured above is the Battle Rifle Wolverine. Intended for 3-Gun competition, the Wolverine wears a 16-inch barrel and a 15-inch free-float rail. The 3-chamber muzzle brake tells you this rifle is not for law enforcement CQB entry teams. It’s available in 5.56 and .300 BLK.
Pro Tip: “Never, I mean never, wash a .260 Remington cartridge in the dishwasher”
2006lariat at ford-truck.com reports that he “found a way to make the wife very angry.” His advice: don’t go there. [h/t BL]
Question of the Day: What’s Your Definition of an Optimist?
My definition of an optimist is a man carrying a revolver with a speedloader. [Click here for Gun Digest's advice on how to "recharge your revolver".] What’s yours?
New from Arsenal: SLR-104UR “Krink” AK Rifles in 5.45×39
There’s just something awesome about a Krink. The AK-47 pattern (or, more accurately AK-74 in this case) is pretty nifty to begin with, but make it pocket size and it gets even cooler. It used to be that you needed to get a kit and build your own Krink from the receiver on up, but Arsenal has started making factory rifles with the proper gas system length and sight radius that all you need to do is get your tax stamp and then procure yourself a hacksaw. It gets better — the front sight gas block is already threaded for the typical Krink muzzle device, so when the barrel is short enough, it’ll all just work. It’s so sweet that I might just have to buy one myself. Make the jump for the presser . . .
LAS VEGAS, NV Arsenal Inc. is happy to announce the new SLR-104UR