The Truth About Guns
Exploring the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns
Updated: 4 weeks 8 hours ago
LAX Shooter Linked to “Patriot Movement”
“The 23-year-old man who allegedly killed a TSA official at Los Angeles International Airport yesterday was carrying a one-page ‘manifesto’ that included references to the ‘New World Order,’ the Federal Reserve and ‘fiat currency,’ according to a knowledgeable source with ranking law enforcement contacts.” That’s the 411 from the “Hatewatch Exclusive” from the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that has a particular fondness for focusing on far-right causes, and never misses an opportunity to bash gun clingers . . .
“Paul Anthony Ciancia, who allegedly wounde
TTAG Needs YOU! If You Know How to Run R/C Cars And Live Near Austin
TTAG’s airlifting Kirsten Joy Weiss into town for some meetings re: the 2014 Texas International Firearms Festival. TTAG’s organizing the event for some 5k people (reserved ticket sales only). We’ve hired Ms. Weiss to sign-up exhibitors. While KJW’s helping keep Austin weird she’ll be hitting the range to add to her trick shot video repertoire. Two of those productions will involve a radio-controlled car stuffed with Tannerite. Dan, Nick, Tyler and I know nothing about r/c cars. We’re going to need an experienced operator to run the cars (which we’ll buy) on Wednesday November 20th. And maybe Tuesday the 19th too. If you can help us out please let us know below. Thanks!
Question of the Day: Do Laser Sights Stop Bad Guys in Their Tracks?
“There are many true stories from Crimson Trace owners and users who report that activating the laser—and having the potential attacker see that defining red dot on their chest or body—ultimately turned the attack and saved their life.” Crimson Trace’s presser presses the point that a laser dot on a bad guy’s body can stop an attack in its tracks. It’s the same sort of claim that shotgun fans assert regarding the deterrent effect of racking a pump. Crimson Trace’s true tales of “laser sights in the real world” certainly make for compelling reading. But— laser sights have their downsides: eye fixation, revealing your location, failure to activate. Relying on a red dot to inhibit an attack might stop you from respon
TTAG Trick Shot Artist Kirsten Weiss to Shoot Henry Lever Guns
When Kirsten Weiss began her trick shot career a few commentators harrumphed. They reckoned shooting targets in the Kingdom of Far Far Away with a $3k Anschutz competition rifle was, well, cheating. So we arranged for Kirsten to shoulder a Volquartsen. Think golf clap. So then we contacted Henry Imperato of Henry Repeating Rifles for a lever gun to help Ms. Weiss get in touch with her inner Annie Oakley and shoot something more relatable. Impresario Imperato is kindly providing not one but two samples: a $340
Guns & Ammo Supports Gun Control
Click here to download a pdf of Guns & Ammo‘s column Let’s Talk Limits. Technical Editor Dick Metcalf penned the editorial for the December issue. Metcalf, a man whose technical knowledge (or lack thereof) has earned him brickbats before, bases his editorial on a distinction between “infringement” and “regulation.” “I bring this up,” Metcalf writes, “because way too many gun owners still believe that any regulati
It Could Have Been A DGU: YouTube Axe Prank Edition
What would you do if you saw a man at a gas station wearing a motorcycle helmet and jacket, attacking a motorist with this forester’s axe? Assuming that you had the cojones (and the appropriate hardware on your hip) to intervene and order him to stop, what would you do if he charged you with the axe?
Hold that thought for a minute…and jump over to The Truth About Knives for the rest of the story.
Quote of the Day: From the Mouths of Babes Edition
“I’m not going to (expletive) tell you anything. You don’t know what I’
Daily Digest: Moose On The Lam Edition
Dale writes: “In keeping with the site’s new interest in Airguns, you might find it interesting to know that Crosman makes a ‘10 meter precision PCP’ upper to fit on an AR lower.” Crosman says the upper has a removeable 10-round rotary magazine, rifled and choked free floating Lothar Walther™ barrel, airstripper, carry handle and a Picatinny rail system that accepts all mil-spec options for the sight system you prefer. $650 from Crosman. . .
Another data point in the question of “How big is an arsenal?” comes with the arrest of a Long Beach, New York man last Friday. Police arrived to investigate a disturbance call, and when the man let them into the house (whoops!), t
Kansas Town Defies State Open Carry Law
By Dean Weingarten
When liberal fascists say that they have the right to regulate something, they mean they have the power to ban it. This has been shown over and over again in the field of firearms legislation. The people of Texas removed the reconstruction era governor by force after he refused to abide by election results. Then, in the new state constitution of 1876 they restored the right to keep and bear arms that had been gutted by the carpet bagger constitution of 1869. Unfortunately, they left in a legislative loophole . . .
BREAKING: Moms Demand Action Statement on LAX Shooting
[Indianapolis, IN] Fri., Nov. 1, 2013: For the second time in six months, a deadly shooting has occurred inside an American airport. According to press reports, earlier today at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) a gunman with an assault weapon fired at least 10 rounds near security at Terminal 3, killing a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee and injuring several others . . .
This is the second airport shooting in just six months. In May, a gunman opened fire in a Houston airport before turning the gun on himself. And the TSA recently reported a record number of firearms being found at airport checkpoints in 2013, up 30 percent from last year.
Despite these tragedies and inc
Self-Defense Tip: Say NOTHING to the Police After a DGU
Over at dailycaller.com, Dan Meadows of The Shooting Channel has plenty of advice for armed Americans who find themselves involved in a defensive gun use (DGU). It’s all solid, reliable stuff. Except for this. “Advise the officers that the suspect/subject who attacked you or caused you to feel that you or someone else’s life was in imminent danger. Let them know that you felt that you were about to be attacked, or that you we
American Gun Owners Are Racists. Or Not.
“Racism and guns go together,” nydailynews.com “reports.” “That’s the finding of an international study released Thursday that says the two are linked. More specifically, odds are greater that a racist white American also keeps a gun at home and opposes gun control regulations. The conclusion wasn’t too surprising for researchers at Australia’s Monash University and Britain’s Manchester University, which sought to better understand American gun culture.” Considering the source, I’m not surprised, either. “’There had already been research showing that …
Irresponsible Gun Owner of the Day: Hartford Police Sgt. Eric Smith
Click here to see nbcconnecticut.com’s report on Hartford Police Sgt. Eric Smith’s negligent discharge, which he somehow forgot to report until someone else reported it. Smith’s memory issues aren’t entirely unexpected—given his limited powers of observation and knowledge of ballistics. (He didn’t think a .40 caliber bullet would make it through a layer or two of drywall.) Seems Smith wasn’t the only Forgetful Jones in this affair. NBC Connecticut forgot to show a picture of Sgt. Eric Smith. This isn’t the first time my Google Fu’s been challenged by an Irresponsible Gun Owner of the Day. For some reason the mainstream media doesn’t think it appropriate to show the mug (or heaven forfend the mug shot) of a law enforcement officer who fails to follow the four rules of gun safety. If it were you or me (especially me) our picture would be all over the news, with special attention given to any image showing us in a negat
A Blast From the Past: Shooting Rifles of WWI
By Craig Stockwell
Now that October’s in the rear view mirror, Veterans’ Day will be here soon. Veterans’ Day was originally meant to honor the veterans of the First World War, although today, all men and women who served our nation can take pride on November 11. The First World War and its aftermath was the most catastrophic calamity in human history to that point and I doubt that 21st century people can fathom what life must’ve been like for the men in the trenches. But a number of the rifles they used in the day are timeless and worth a look back . . . .
Today, the average soldier around the world carries a select fire rifle in some 5mm caliber with a detachable 30 round magazine (more or less) and bolt action rifles are relegated to snipers. Designated marksmen typically carry semi-automatic or altered select fire rifles like the
Question of the Day: What Should A Young Firearms Engineer Read?
Reader CA.Ben writes:
I’m a second year mechanical engineering student at a private California university. After graduation, I am fleeing this state for a more firearms-friendly locale (I’m thinking Idaho). My goal is to eventually work in the firearms industry. Right now though, I am interested in adding to my firearms knowledge, which is made difficult by the – surprise! – lack of firearms-based classes at my university. Lately I’ve been searching for good literature on firearm history and development. I own a copy of the 1975 reprint of R.K Wilson’s classic Textbook Of Automatic Pistols, and am trying to expand my library. What literary recommendations do you have for someone in my position?