Happy New Year!

Here's hoping for the advancement of our gun rights in 2008! Happy New Year to all of my readers!

Good deal or not?

"This is Russian 7.62x39 Golden tiger ammo, with the 124gr FMJ Boat Tail bullet, lead core, bi-metal jacket, steel case. New production, with Berdan primer and fully non-corrosive."



1,000 rounds for $169 at J&G Sales.

CeaseFire's Goals

From their website:

"CeaseFire PA Goals:

• Reduction of illegal handgun trafficking by requiring gun owners to report lost and stolen firearms, and by limiting most handgun buyers to no more than one handgun purchase per month.
• Closure of the gun show loophole at the federal level.
• Public access to federal crime gun tracing data.
• Effective product safety standards for firearms.
• The eradication of needless gun violence."

I wish they were honest and came right out and say what their ultimate goal is, the complete ban and confiscation of all legally held firearms, but that wouldn't get them anywhere. It's the same reason that HANDGUNCONTROL.ORG changed its name to the friendlier Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. I guess it was the word CONTROL that was throwing many people off. I mean who could be against preventing gun violence? Of course this still follows on the anti's fixation on the method of violence instead of the violence itself. With people like these it's all about control, period.

Anyway, going down the list. I don't think anyone is against reducing the amount of weapons in the hands of criminals, but I have serious problems with the stated remedies. For one, putting a legal requirement on law abiding gun owners to report a gun theft within a certain time frame will do nothing to stop guns from getting into the hands of criminals. Also, every gun owner that I know would willingly tell the authorities if their property was stolen. Another problem with this is what if the gun owner is out of town or doesn't realize his property is missing. There is no legal way that a criminal can be compelled to give up that his gun was stolen, so why are they trying to make criminals out of good people? This is one of those ideas, like microstamping, that may sound good on paper, but in real life it just won't work as expected.

One hand gun a month will stop or reduce gun violence. Yeah right. Didn't you folks learn anything from Virginia Tech? The killer in this case followed the law and purchased his handguns one at a time; one a month. That's because this absurd proposal was/is the law in Virginia. Nice try guys, but this just isn't going to work.

My rights aren't a loophole! Did you know that less than 1% of guns criminals used in crimes come from gun shows? Turning that on it's head, this means that more than 99% of the guns sold in the USA aren't used by criminals. There are no evil gun rays that suddenly turn the bearer into a raving, homicidal lunatic. Give it up guys, another strike for you.

The current acting director of the ATF has gone on record as saying that the trace data is already being shared with the law enforcement agencies that need access to it. In addition, public disclosure of this data could put undercover agents and operations at risk. The only reason for wanting the public to have unfettered access to the data are fishing expeditions, looking for information to bolster your rhetoric. If I had as few facts and figures on my side I'd want the same thing, but luckily the facts are on my side. I don't have to resort to pure emotion to win over public support.

I'm not really sure what they mean by "Effective product safety standards for firearms." Firearms are one of the most heavily regulated product in existence. The manufacturers already go through extraordinary lengths to make sure that their products are free from defects and malfunctions. Maybe if instead of the JHP's my Kahr CW-9 spits out at close to the speed of sound it should be shooting out fluffy bunnies instead? How about rainbows and unicorns? No, my carry gun shoots out hot and hard chunks of lead and copper with the sole purpose of stopping a threat to my and my families lives.

I don't know anyone that is against the eradication of criminal violence. Exactly what they consider "needless gun violence" is open to debate. Is me defending myself and my family from a lunatic bent on my demise considered "needless gun violence?" They don't specify. Perhaps "needless gun violence" is a gun being used by anyone except the military or police? Again with the fixation on the tool and not the person using it. Is it better if I'm killed by a criminal with a knife instead of a gun? Inquiring minds want to know...

With the addition of the anti-gun troll ATR, etc... I can tell where their sympathies really lie. As has been demonstrated time after time, they aren't looking for a dialog, they just want a vacuum chamber in which to promulgate their opinions, unencumbered by such silly little things as facts and logic.

Christmas/Birthday...

"You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt"

- Tennessee Ernie Ford

Or in my case, another year older. In addition to the mountain of clothing (which I needed, thank you guys!) I received a book from my sister and brother-in-law called: The World's Great Handguns from 1450 to the Present Day by Roger Ford. Do they know me or what? :-) I know it's not a gun or ammunition, but It's definitely up my alley!

I don't have a review ready for you yet as I have just started reading it, but I'll probably post something more about it later on when I've had a chance to read it.

Sorry for the short post, I'll get something more entertaining up later...

What do his students think of him?

Thanks to RateMyProfessors.com we get an inside look at what kind of person ATR is in real life. Does any of this sound familiar? LOL

Thanks to Robb at Sharp as a Marble for uncovering this gem!

"terrible. 8 AM class where he lectures often times about nothing we are doing. he will go on tangents for about 20 minutes. his tests are insane where he will give you a fill in the blank and the answer is just a random word (cool,boring) that you barely talked about in class. AVOID."

"He scares me. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!"

"He seems to hate all students, especially the kind of student who is really not smart enough to be in college but whose parents bought his way in anyway."

"alexander...needs to be more organized. tests are unpredictable... memorization--nothing conceptual. he talks to fast toward the end of class and gets on random tangents about things that arent important to testing. this class scares me. who knows about grades. hes kinda funny tho. interesting guy--shouldnt be a teacher"

Alexander Tristan Riley

aka Culturologist aka ATR aka NRAfourever aka BUSTED!

This pimple on societies ass left several steaming piles of crap in comments on my blog, which being rather vulgar and insulting in nature, I deleted. He also attempted to do the same on my other blog, but I intercepted those. He then proceeded to do the same at several other 2A blogs.

Shortly after this pustule did this, he started his own blog (actually third or fourth) with the sole intention of portraying gun owners as vulgar, racist and illiterate rednecks. Shortly after this another blog was opened with the sole purpose of attacking Mike Adams, with whom he apparently disagreed.

While looking through my logs and the posted logs of the other bloggers he'd hit, I noticed that all of the attacks came from Lewisburg, PA. Alex is a professor at Bucknell University which just happens to be located in Lewisburg, PA. Hmmm... BUSTED!

Shortly after this the blogs began to disappear. What would cause ATR to remove the blogs? Turns out he just became a board member of CeaseFire PA. Gee, wouldn't all of those disgusting things he'd said on his blogs and YouTube profile be an embarrassment if they were to come to light? Maybe even enough that CF PA would disavow him? You'd think so wouldn't you. That still remains to be seen. I know I wouldn't want his kind associated with me or an organization I was involved with.

Read more about this at Sharp as a Marble, Days of our Trailers, Armed and Safe, Say Uncle, Snowflakes in Hell and The War on Guns.

Dreaming the implausible dream...

Consider this editorial by Joe Klock, Sr. of the Coral Gables Gazette. I've tried to break it down into manageable chunks, but just when I thought he'd stopped with the $#!^, there was even more.

I'll comment only on parts of his editorial, if you'd like to read the whole thing click here.

"As written, B.O.R. #2. reads, "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."

Some hold that this only protects our right to have well-organized militias, while others read the same words as sanctioning the private possession of lethal weaponry.

What Madison really meant was interred with his bones, leaving interpretation to generations of English majors, history buffs, pacifists, gun-fanciers and, in their current session, the oracular whizzes of our Supreme Court."

He would have to pick the version with the most commas wouldn't he? Different versions of the second amendment exist with varying numbers of commas. With or without the commas it makes perfects sense when read in context and by studying other things the founders had to say about it.

"After extensive thought, exhaustive research and pleasurable study of "Eats, Shoots & Leaves," I have taken two firm positions on the issue: I will not speculate on what Founding Father Madison had in mind in 1789 or how he'd advise our Supremes in 2008.

Furthermore, I care not a rat's butt about that, although it might be interesting to know how he'd feel about private citizens owning AK-47s.

I do care that 30,000 Americans die annually as a result of guns in the hands of evil and/or irresponsible shooters."

Apparently you didn't do too much thought, exhaustive research and pleasurable study did you. Perhaps you'd have been better off researching the origins of the second amendment instead of a book of punctuation. Then again, since you don't care not a rats ass about the subject, you're just going to empty your gray and black water tanks on us in the form of this editorial.

Personally, I think Madison would have been fine with private ownership of Ak-47's by the unorganized militia.

Joe, would you care to back up your statistics from a non Brady or Joyce Foundation sponsored, or discredited study? I didn't think so.

"I also respect the rights of all people to defend themselves, their loved ones and their possessions against criminals, using firearms if need be.

Neither would I prevent millions of hunters from engaging in their chosen pastime, although such peculiar pursuits as shooting doves barely seem to qualify as sporting events.

Finally, I recognize that total prohibition of private gun ownership would be only a tad more popular and effective than the ill-fated banning of John Barleycorn in the Roaring (but seldom boring) 20's.

I submit, though, that those claiming the right to bear arms, either for fun or protection, assume concomitant obligations of responsibility and competence - not unlike those imposed on those who drive automobiles or perform heart transplants.

This question to those on both sides of the gun control controversy: Why not make training and licensure pre-qualifications for weapon ownership, with really heavy fines and jail sentences for those who don't comply?

No law-abiding and well-intentioned citizen should object to such a restriction, given its obvious benefit to society."

Oh my, where to start. First you respect the rights of individuals to protect themselves, their loved ones and their property with firearms. Second, you recognize hunters being able to pursue their sports whether you agree with them or not. Thirdly, you state (and I agree) that a total ban on firearms would be about as popular, and effective as prohibition was in the 1920's. Good on you for that, but then you had to flush it all away with your next statement. You state that you can't see how anyone would have an objection to treating gun ownership like driving a car. For someone who seemed to understand the rights of individuals earlier on, you prove that you really don't get it. I shouldn't be surprised.

Read the Bill of Rights Joe, I have. It's okay if you have to look them up online and read through it, I'll wait.

Done?

Okay, where in the Bill of Rights does it mention anything about driving a car, erm, horse and buggy? No? Okay, now what does the second one say? Okay, and no, it doesn't mean the National Guard or the government giving itself permission to form a militia (how stupid would that be). Now, how many times do you see "The People" and "The State" mentioned? Okay, now read the other nine (original BOR) and tell me whether or not it's clear on who has which right? Now why is the second amendment somehow different than the others? What's that? It says "Well Regulated?" Do yourself a favor and research the meaning of the phrase as it was used at the time for the correct context. Oh that's right, you really don't care about the "technical woo-woo's" as you put it.

Completely aside from this Joe, I and millions of other gun owners like me will never submit. Every gun confiscation in history was always preceded with registration. How do you think they knew where all the guns were? It sounds cliche, but "Legislation, Registration, Confiscation" has a lot more truth going for it than you'd imagine.

"This would counter the argument that if guns were banned entirely, only the criminals would be armed.

As to that lot of scoundrels, use of firearms in the commission of a violent crime could be raised to the level of a capital offense, with appropriate punishment. (Cruel and unusual, you say? Tell that to the victims and/or their families!)

Spare me, puh-leez, the legalese woo-woo and technical hair-splitting.

Simplistic though it may be, the remedy I suggest would save thousands of lives, make society safer and still allow private citizens to protect themselves, their loved ones, their hobbies and their worldly goods.

The doves are another matter, perhaps for another column when I really feel fearless."

"If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns!" *sigh* Okay, yes, it's true. Following your plan though, the government could decide to take them at anytime they want. As to more severe punishment for criminal misuse of a firearm. Before they start doing that, I think they should make murder, robbery, rape, etc... against the law first. Oh wait, murder is against the law already and many states have the death penalty. You'd think with that in mind there'd be no murders. Aren't criminals afraid of capitol punishment?

Also, regardless of what the Brady Bunch say, there are well over 20,000 gun laws already in existence with more being added all the time. It's a constant battle to make sure my rights aren't being infringed.

Simplistic? Nah, I'd never say that...I'm too polite to tell you that you're full of crap!

UPDATE: Robb over at Sharp as a Marble has an excellent post concerning the 30,000 firearm deaths a year the anti's like to crow about. Go read!

Sarah Brady Cries! Film at Eleven!

Last Friday I went up to my range to practice for the monthly Plate Match which was held the next day. I was unable to go to the match because of a family emergency, but still it was good to get some trigger time in anyway.

Thanks to Robb at Sharp as a Marble, I had a fresh supply of "Every time you hit a bullseye, Sarah Brady cries!" targets with me. Thanks Robb! They're great targets and the guys at the range loved them. :-)

Here's the scoop on the Plate Match. The .22lr division shoots a 6" plate from about 15 - 17 yards, roughly the same distance as the pistol range. Robb's targets have one big 10" target and two 6" targets. First I'd warm up on the large target and then shoot the lower targets rapid fire to simulate the Plate Match. Rapid fire meaning 3-4 shots a second until I'd emptied the magazine (10 rounds). In this case, hitting anywhere within the 6" circle is considered a hit, as it would certainly knock down the steel plate at the match. Having the targets the same size as the plates worked out great too!

Here we have an example of the target I was using:



And here are a selection of smaller targets in no particular order. I should point out that most of the "misses" on the smaller targets can be traced to screw-ups in shooting the larger target. Usually when I got a little too fast for my own good. *blush*







Next Friday, my birthday oddly enough, I intend to make another range trip to re-sight-in my SKS. Seems last time I shot it, the recoil was harsh enough to loosen the set screws on the scout mount. I took it down and applied lock-tite to them and put everything back together. When I did I noticed that the red dot was no longer anywhere near where the rifle was pointing. I've bore sighted it down the hall, but it definitely needs to be re-sighted before I trust it to 100 yards again. And yes, I'll be shooting more Sarah Brady targets too. :-) Time willing I'll try and get more hand gun practice in and perhaps try out some of my newly minted Mosin rounds. We'll see...

Speaking of 7.62x54R...

I have made fire...again!

I just finished these up last night and thought I'd share. You're looking at 100 homemade 7.62x54R rounds. These are the first for this caliber I've loaded and I think they turned out pretty good. The components I used are Prvi Partizan brass and 150 gn .311 FMJBT bullets (for 303 British but I've got a .312 bore) seated so that the COAL is 2.9", Winchester WLR primers, 43.9 gn of IMR 3031 (stick) powder (per the Sierra manual). All this and a trip through the Factory Crimp die to finish up.

Wear protection!

Nope, I'm not talking about condoms, though I'd say they're a good idea as well, I'm talking about safety glasses and hearing protection.

As a demonstration in regards to wearing safety glasses, I'm reminded of a round of Bulgarian brass cased 7.62x54R which ruptured in my Mosin Nagant M91/30 one day, several months back. When I pulled the trigger there was a weird sound like a high pressure air hose had been cut and my face felt like it did when I got badly sunburned at an air show a few years back. I looked down at my rifle and there was smoke coming out of places where it didn't normally come out of. I worked the bolt and out popped the spent case with a "T" shaped rupture. The bore turned out to be clear so the bullet had made it out just fine. I double checked the rifle just to make sure everything was alright, it was. Those M91/30's are built like tanks. For that matter, most firearms should be able to handle a case rupture. Anyway, a picture of the case is below. I keep it to remind me of the other important firearm safety rules beyond the basic four. If' I hadn't been wearing eye protection I doubt I'd be able to see today.

The Caselman Air Powered Submachine Gun

I wonder if this gun is legal to own by anyone since it is not technically a firearm, or if it would come under NFA rules...?

I'd never heard of this gun before, but it turns out that the plans are available from The Home Gunsmith website linked on the right. Instead of lead balls or BB's the gun shoots .311 diameter, 100 gn bullets loaded in a magazine. Power is supplied via an air tank charged at 3,000 PSI.

Apparently, Mr. Caselman disappeared one day and no one has heard from him since...

Part I



Part II

From all of us, to all of you!

Bad Cop, No Donut!

Tell me again why cops and the military are the Only Ones who are supposed to have guns?

Butcher says officer's actions scared many

VANCOUVER, Wash. - The owner of a Vancouver butcher shop said he and his store full of customers were scared for their lives when a man who turned out to be an off-duty Vancouver police officer pulled out a gun during an argument there Friday.

Mike Brannan, who owns Top Choice Meat Market at 12313 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., told KATU News it all started when a man he identified as Roger Evans came into the shop upset about an order. Hot pepper flake hadn't been applied to jerky made from a small deer he'd brought in for processing, and Evans felt he should not have to pay for it, Brannan said.

Several employees tried to calm Evans, whom Brannan described as very loud and very rude. Eventually Brannan met the man outside with his order, handing the roughly 40-pound meat order over to him and telling Evans never to come back.

Brannan said he thought Evans had a hold of the order but instead it dropped to the ground. That threw Brannan off balance into a pickup truck, he said.

That's when Brannan claims Evans backed up, drew his pistol and told the owner not to come any closer or he would shoot.

Brannan ran back into the store and called 911.

"Nobody knew who he was or nothing about him," Brannan said. "You would assume he was a crackhead."

Evans just backed out into the parking lot, keeping his gun out, and made a cell phone call.

"I have to admit, you know, I don't care how big, bad, tough ... you are, someone pointing a big gun at you (at) real close range is a very scary situation," Brannan said. "I mean, I didn't get no sleep last night."

Officers arrived and calmed everyone down. Vancouver police turned over the investigation to the Clark County Sheriff's Office because it involved one of their own.

The sheriff's office has not officially confirmed that the officer involved was Evans. They have also not made any arrests - a spokesman said that is because detectives do not see the officer as a threat to the public. But the investigation is continuing.

The Vancouver officer told deputies he pulled out the handgun to defend himself because he felt threatened, according to the sheriff's office. He was put on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in such incidents.

Brannan said he thinks the officer is receiving preferential treatment.

"I think he should be treated like anybody else," Brannan said. "And we all know if it was anybody else out there how they'd have been treated. They'd have been handcuffed and arrested and taken."

Reloading Issue

I finally got around to installing my .311 decapping/expander into my brand new Lee sizing die today and started to run my brand new Prvi Partizan brass through it. I've put four cases through it so far and each one of them has the same issue. It seems the opening in the sizing die is either too small or the brass is too big around at the base. I'm ending up with a slightly shaved ring about an 1/8th of an inch from the case rim where the brass is too big around to fit into the die. As a result, I cannot completely insert the case fully into the die. I'm using Hornady One Shot case lube, btw, not that I think it matters.

I tried a sample case in my Mosin Nagant M91/30 and it chambers and extracts fine. Is this something I should be worried about or is it just a cosmetic issue?

Here's a photo:



UPDATE: Reading the reviews on MidwayUSA, it appears I'm not the only one having the brass ring shaving problem. *sigh* As stated earlier, I can't even fully seat the case. Looks like Prvi Partizan, Sellier & Bellot and Winchester cases all seem to have issues with the die. Of course I tried calling Lee Precision but no one picked up the phone. More than likely because of this being Christmas Eve, but still it's frustrating.

UPDATE II: After doing more reading on the internet, I've decided this behavior is normal for this die and seems to have no impact on case integrity.

Movie Recommendation

I received Downfall from Netflix the other day and I watched it last night after the kiddos went to bed.

Downfall is the story of the last days of The Third Reich as told from the viewpoint of Hitler's personal secretary Traudl Junge. The film is based on her book Until the Final Hour, and another called Inside Hitler's Bunker: The Last Days of the Third Reich by Joachim Fest, and was shot entirely in German with English subtitles.

Unlike some other movies which portray Hitler and his Nazi henchmen as monsters, this film portrays them as human beings, just like you and I. The only exception is that these human beings happen to be responsible for starting WWII and slaughtering millions of innocent people. To their credit, at no point do the filmmakers shy away from showing just how brutal and monstrous the principals really are.

As WWII winds down to a close, an ill and increasingly feeble Hitler begins to crack up, ranting at and cursing his generals as incompetent and giving orders to armies which exist only in his mind. At times however he seems almost normal, joking with the help and complimenting the cook on the quality of his supper.

As disturbing as the film is to begin with, based on the subject matter, for me as a father the most disturbing part of the film comes when Magda Goebbels decides it is better to kill six children than to have them live in a world where there is no Third Reich and National Socialism.

Do yourself a favor and rent this DVD.

Rated R for disturbing images, violence and very brief nudity.

Quote of the day...

“The people of the various provinces are strictly forbidden to have in
their possession any swords, bows, spears, firearms, or other type of
arms. The possession of these elements makes difficult the collection of
taxes and dues and tends to permit uprising, therefore, the heads of the
provinces, official agents, and deputies are ordered to collect all
weapons mentioned above and turn them over to the government.”

Toyotomi Hideyshi, Shogun, August 29, 1558

Thank you Brady Campaign!

No, I haven't switched sides. LOL I just got an e-mail from "The Bunch" who kindly let me know that Will Ferrell, Amy Brenneman, Jeffrey Ross, James Whitmore, and Peter Weller were to be added to the list of celebrities whose work I should not support in any way.

I also found it interesting to learn that Dustin Hoffman joined their side after consulting with a Bradyite for his role in The Runaway Jury. Without weighing both sides of the issue and making an informed decision, he decided to throw all of his support behind "The Bunch." Typical. And just why I'm supposed to care what a celebrity thinks is beyond me. It's not like they aren't human just like me, they're not any smarter or wiser and definitely not any better. The moment a celebrity opens their mouth I stop listening.

Anyway, Dustin had the following to say:

'“The more I learned, the angrier I became. For example, despite the fact that more than 80% of Americans say they’re for greater gun control, it doesn’t happen, because the National Rifle Association (NRA) is the most powerful lobby in Washington, D.C."

Way to go dip-shit. I suppose this recent CNN poll doesn't mean anything to you?

"In all, 65 percent said they thought the Constitution ensures that right, and 31 percent said it did not. The question had a sampling error of plus-or-minus 3 points."

Put that in your pipe and smoke it Dustin, you worthless POS.

More Anti Tripe

The Brady Campa- er, I mean, The Denver Post spews out an anonymous editorial consisting of Brady Bunch talking points and some outright lies, like there's a difference. It's gratifying to see the vast majority of the comments take them to task on these and expose this editorial for precisely what it is.

Read the whole thing here.

"Matthew Murray has given us another reason to renew the ban on high-powered assault weapons.

Murray was the troubled young man who killed four people last Sunday and injured others at religious organizations in Arvada and Colorado Springs. Almost exactly a year before the rampage, he purchased an AK-47 assault rifle and a large shipment of ammunition. Less than two months later, he purchased another.

He was armed with a Bushmaster XM-15 assault rifle, the kind used by military and law-enforcement personnel, during his killing spree in Colorado Springs. He also had handguns. The AK-47 assault rifle was found in the trunk of his car.

Such extraordinary firepower is not meant for hunting animals or target shooting. We see only one other purpose. And so did Murray."

New Discussion Group

If you are a pro second amendment blogger, I'd like to invite you to join the discussion list here.

This group is intended for pro second amendment bloggers to communicate and discuss issues relating to the second amendment. It is also a potential way for us to plan and coordinate on important issues.

Thanks!

-Yuri

I Am Legend

I saw this movie yesterday afternoon. What can I say?

No spoilers here, everything I'm going to say can be learned from the publicity blurbs and trailers.

A must see! Great acting, effects and story. Will Smith is excellent as the "lone" survivor of post apocalyptic New York. He spends his days, hunting, gardening and tooling around the deserted streets in a variety of borrowed vehicles. He also searches for a cure to the virus which has mutated the rest of humanity into hideous monsters that come out to feed at night. The story is told in a mixture of present day action and flash backs.

Weapons: Several M-16's and 1911 style pistols, at least one grenade, a knife, gasoline and high explosives. I say M-16's because it is obvious at several points that the rifles is being fired in full auto.

This film is rated "PG-13" for a good reason as it would scare the bejesus out of the kiddies...

Target from yesterday

Yes, obviously I need to practice a bit more with this weapon, but I'm still not upset with the results so far.

I can't help but think I'd have better results with some handloaded ammo. I'll have to see about getting some brass and projectiles...

I thought this was funny!

I don't know who wrote it originally as it came to me unattributed, but here it is. Enjoy!

-------

The Night before Christmas (as it should be........)

'Twas the night before Christmas,
cold, dark and foreboding,
I sat at the work bench,
quite busy reloading.

The empties from autumn were polished so clear
for primers and powder and bullets from Speer
and Hornady´s soft-points, and Nosler´s Partitions
(my bench Ain’t no place for brand
name omissions!).

All sat in their boxes, right next to the
press with dies from Pacific, and RCBS,
when all of a sudden there came such a jolt,
I grabbed for my Benelli and whipped out my Colt.

As I spilled Hodgdon's powder all over the shelf,
I scrambled for cover, just to protect myself.

From up on the rooftop, came hoofbeats and snorting
like the noise out of L'il Rock from Clinton's cavorting!

I eased off the safety to press-check my
auto with 230-talons I'll knock 'em all blotto.

Were these rogue federal agents sent by Schumer and Reno ?
Or a staggering Ted Kennedy, in bad need of vino?

My question was answered with a knock, and some sneezing,
"It's Santa, you moron, lemme in there, I'm freezing!"

I flipped off the dead-bolt and threw the door wide
to find St. Nick a shivering, Rudolph by his side.
He eyeballed my A.K. with a nod of approval
"You're all set," he said, "for dirtball removal."

"But this is no raid, we're not here to harm you
nor persecute, prosecute, nor even disarm you."
"Instead," said dear Santa, "I needed to borrow
your .357 'till day after tomorrow."

"It's okay," he assured me, with a hint of frustration,
"I'm enrolled in the National Rifle Association."

He showed me his card, 'twas a Life Member rating,
"I've had this since me and the missus were dating!"

"And you see, Dave, ol' buddy, I've gotten real nervous
since Feinstein was elected with a promise to serve us.


So henceforth as I'm out there, my presents a stackin',
I want to assure you, I'm legally packin'',
and my gift for you this year should give you a hoot
I've told the Supreme Court to give Brady the boot!

Now, Rudy and I must be on our way,"
he said as he climbed back in his sleigh.
With the reins in his hand and my Colt in his pocket,
he jingled the sleighbells and was off like a rocket.

With a pair of speedloaders and ammo to spare,
I knew he'd be safe, he was loaded for bear!

As he faded from view, I could still hear him calling
"From D.C., where 'P.C.' is already falling.
To bad guys in L.A. , Detroit and Atlanta ,
"I'm licensed to carry, don't go messin' with Santa!"

Know your weapon!

If the bad guy had been anywhere near competent or had used a revolver, this guy would be dead now. It's a good thing the intended victim knew enough about guns to realize what he had to do. The lesson here for CCW permit holders is: If you're carrying a gun for protection, practice practice practice. Know your weapon. Personally I've preferred revolvers because they're simpler to operate, no safeties to forget to switch off. Even now that I have my Kahr CW9, it's a DAO pistol with no safety, so in that regard it's just like a revolver.

Thanks to Traction Control for the link.

-----------------

Witness turns tables on gunman trying to kill him

By DEANNA BOYD

Star-Telegram staff writer

FORT WORTH -- A witness to a slaying escaped severe injury or death early Thursday when a relative of the murder suspect tried to shoot him in the head but the gun would not fire, police said.

Lt. Dean Sullivan, police spokesman, said the witness, who had noticed that the gun's safety was still on, wrestled the gun away from the suspect, took off the safety and then shot the fleeing suspect once in the back.

Sullivan said two people who were with the suspect who had been waiting by the street then got their own guns from a car and returned fire at the witness. He said the witness retreated inside his home in the 1400 block of East Butler Street and was not injured.

The three suspects fled before police could arrive. As officers were at the scene investigating, John Peter Smith Hospital reported to police that a man with a gunshot in the back had been dropped off at the hospital by occupants of a vehicle who then left, Sullivan said.

The wounded man, whom police did not identify because he had not been formally arrested, initially told officers that he had been shot outside a nightclub but was linked by investigations to the shooting on Butler, Sullivan said. He faces a charge of aggravated assault.

"Our suspect's still in critical condition, so we haven't been able to interview him at length in regards to his side of the story," Sullivan said. "If it's determined through the course of investigation that we're able to establish some ulterior motive specifically, tampering or retaliation against a witness in that murder case, then certainly higher charges will be presented."

The victim is a witness in the June 3 shooting of Joe Abrego, 29.

Gregorio Ontiveros has been indicted on a murder charge in Abrego's death and is awaiting trial.

Police have said Ontiveros and Abrego had been drinking in the front yard of the home in the 1400 block of East Butler Street when Abrego challenged Ontiveros to a fight. They said that later, when Abrego challenged Ontiveros again, Ontiveros pulled out a gun and shot Abrego in the chest.

On Thursday, the witness told police, he was awakened shortly before 3:30 a.m. by the suspect, a relative of Ontiveros, knocking on his door.

"He opened the door, and that suspect said he needed to talk to him about the case with his [relative] coming up for trial," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said the witness replied that he didn't have anything to talk about and that there was nothing to say.

"At that time his attention was drawn to two accomplices that were standing in the street behind the suspect vehicle at the end of the driveway," Sullivan said. "He looked at them, and when he looked back, the suspect had produced a handgun and was pointing it at the victim's head. That suspect attempted to fire the weapon, but it did not discharge."

Sullivan said police are still looking for the two people who were with the suspect.

Ontiveros has been free on bail since July in connection with Abrego's death.

dboyd@star-telegram.com
DEANNA BOYD, 817-390-7655

Sanity in Maine

Click here to read the whole thing.

'Has anyone ever wondered why people with guns who have kissed sanity good-bye never take out their uncontrollable rage on the nearest police station?

Nor do they drive off to the nearest Army base, shooting range or hunting club to vent their murderous frustration.

It should only take a moment's thought to understand why: Those places have people who have relatively easy access to weapons themselves.

It's one thing to be homicidal and suicidal, but it's quite another to consider that one's murderous intent could be brought to an untimely halt through the immediate application of superior firepower.

However, there are places that draw these people like magnets, and they, too, are easy to locate: They are the places where the possession of firearms is forbidden, and that fact is widely advertised.

Some of these places even go so far as to publicly display their vulnerability to mass murder through the posting of signs that say "No Guns Permitted" or "Gun-Free Zone."'

A little of this, and a little bit of that...

I'm feeling a lot better than I was a couple of weeks ago, although I'm still not as strong as I was. How exactly do I feel you ask? Here, I'll let Ozzy Osbourne tell you.

"Back on earth (you feel me)
Back on earth (reveal me)
Back on earth (still breathing)
Back on earth (reliving)"

I was well enough to go to the range today and took my SKS along with me. I put something in the neighborhood of 80-100 rounds downrange. It felt good to get back out on the range, even if it was finger numbingly cold. The first thing I did is remove the bolt and rough bore site the red dot scope at 25 yards, and once I was hitting well I moved it out to 50, and then 100 yards.

Okay, firstly, the red dot scope has a 4 MOA dot and no magnification (nothing wrong with that), which means that at 100 yards the dot covers a 4" circle. By the time I left I was placing the vast majority of the rounds (mil-surp) within that circle at 100 yards. I'll post a picture later when my camera battery recharges. Secondly, the SKS was never intended to be a sub-MOA rifle. It was made specifically to be just good enough to hit a man sized target in battle and that's it. Yes, I'll say it. The SKS was designed to kill people. That is it's function and there's nothing wrong with that. And at risk of people misunderstanding me, that's why I have it.

May I remind everyone of the Korean shop owners (look at the bottom of the Service & the Second Day sections respectively) who defended their homes and business's during the LA riots with the very same rifle and kept the murderous hordes at bay? And do I even have to bring up Katrina? After today's range session I know I can hit a man sized object 100 yards away from me with this rifle and there's comfort in that. There's nothing like fellow rioters falling all around you screaming to make you change your course of action. If they get closer there's always the 12 gauge loaded with 00 Buckshot, the 9mm and/or the .357 Magnum.

Don't tell me I'm paranoid. In light of recent events, a person would have to be an idiot to go unarmed anywhere in public. Yes, one armed citizen is all it takes to stop a psychotic bent on mass murder. The same people who think it's crazy to carry a weapon think it's perfectly reasonable to have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in their houses. "What, are you expecting trouble?" they'll say, the obvious comeback being, "What, are you expecting a fire?"

Remember the Boy Scout Motto: "Be prepared."

Something that's eating at me a bit happened during my day at the range today. One of the RSO's (a very friendly individual) was talking to another shooter during a break in the shooting and I overheard them talking about gun shows. The RSO stated to the other that gun shows were attended by 10% legal gun owners, 10% law enforcement, and the other 80% were criminals looking to find a cheap gun. The other guy agreed and soon thereafter the "unlicensed dealer" straw man was brought up. They both seemed to think that Oregon had it right in requiring every gun sale be handled through an FFL and NICS. I interjected that in Washington, the WAC puts on the majority of gun shows and you can't buy a gun at a WAC show without being a member, and they do background checks on their members. I also pointed out that statistically, nationwide, less than .1% of crime guns come from gun shows. I never really did get a real response from the two of them. Turns out they're both employed in law enforcement. *sigh* I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out they both believed that something called an "Assault Weapon" really exists.

Anyway, I'm tired and my leg's starting to ache...and the kids need to eat something, so I'll sign off for now.

Later! :-)

Me Too!

Seriously, I don't believe it...

My blog is worth $20,887.98.
How much is your blog worth?

...and speaking of wheel barrow's full of money. I'm still waiting on my check from the NRA to come in. ;-)

The Sig Sauer P250

I don't own any Sig Sauer products, nor do I own any stock in the company. I just think this new gun looks hella cool.

Today's Delivery

I placed an order with Graf's not too long ago and it came today:


Here's what you're looking at (clockwise from the top): Lee Auto Prime II, 100 unprimed Prvi Partisan brass in 7.62x54R and 100 150gn .311 (303) Prvi Partisan projectiles. I got the .311 projectiles because my m91/30 barrel slugged out at .312 and I don't think that 1/1000th of an inch is going to make that much of a difference.

I already have primers (Winchester Large Rifle) and powder (IMR 3031) so all I need to do now is get off my ass and get them loaded up.

One small thing. The brass has discolored areas on the neck from annealing, will tumbling remove that or will I need to get some Scotch-Brite? I know it's only cosmetic...

Self-defense against suicidal killers

LINK
By Michael S. Brown
December 12, 2007

Mass shootings are becoming so regular that they are now a routine part of American life. There are almost always certain common factors. You always find one or more disturbed young men who wish to commit suicide in a way that will guarantee media immortalization. You also need a place where guns are prohibited, like a church, school or shopping center. These draw the killers like magnets.

We will never have the resources to provide police protection for all the soft targets. We will never get the media to stop turning killers into celebrities. It is unlikely we will ever get Hollywood and the video game industry to stop glorifying violence in ways that appeal to young men with money to spend. Trying to prevent access to guns is a losing proposition. As history has shown, someone who has made the decision to die is not going to flinch at the prospect of stealing guns wherever he can find them.

Media analysts seem blind to the obvious pattern in these violent attacks, but the recent violence at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs may give them a clue. In this case the attacker was quickly shot by a church member, Jesse Asssam, who had volunteered to provide armed security. Using her licensed, concealed handgun, she was able to end the attack in the early stages, saving many lives.

Contrast this to last week's attack at Omaha's Westroads Mall, where the deranged attacker was allowed to kill freely until he finally chose to end his own life. The difference is striking, not only in the number of victims, but in the message it sends to other lunatics who may wish to end their tortured existence in a way that enshrines them forever on television and the Internet. There is no glory in being shot down by a church member.

This example should be examined by everyone who has responsibility for any facility that would attract suicidal young men or homegrown terrorists. This includes churches, schools, office buildings and hospitals. Now is the time to take a survey of your employees, adult students or congregation. If you are willing to accept help from the police, why not your own people? You will find that some of them are not only quite competent with a handgun, but are willing to put themselves in the line of fire to protect innocent life. Look for the ones who already have a concealed handgun license and especially those with military or police experience.

Screen them carefully. If you would not trust them to protect your loved ones, pass them by. Help your volunteers obtain additional training. Make them part of an unpublicized security team that discusses likely threats and ways to respond. This would provide real security, not just feel-good fakery, with little or no expense.

Do this quietly, since those who don't believe in armed defense will respond with their usual strawman arguments. They'll say you want to give guns to everyone, even minors and incompetents. They'll say that fighting back makes things worse. But most of all they fear that people will be empowered to stand up in their own defense.

Wise Words From Uncle Ted

Gun-free zones get people killed
Ted Nugent
December 10, 2007 12:00 PM

Here we go again. Someone tell me why, with nearly 3,000 articles written worldwide within 48 hours following the tragic slaughter at the Omaha, Neb. Westroads Mall last week, not a single article mentioned the most important fact of all -- that there were "no guns allowed" in the mall?

What helped cause the tragedy is the liberal dream known as "gun-free zones." Guns also weren't allowed at Columbine High School, Virginia Tech University, Luby's cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, and every other location where the wanton slaughter of unarmed, helpless victims is a virtual guarantee.

It is truly anti-American and downright bizarro that private property and business owners can deny (that is, "infringe" on) this "inalienable" right bestowed upon free men by our Creator.

Consider what happened last year at a Salt Lake City mall. An armed off-duty cop properly defied that mall's "gun-free" policy and thwarted a mass shooting that was about to unfold.

How dense must someone be to hide from this information? Denial runs deep in a growing population of "we the sheeple." For shame.

When did a nation of rugged individuals turn into helpless whiners, crying and running in fear from danger and evil?

When did we abandon our natural instinct to counterpunch and attack evil, overpowering it and neutralizing it into submission?

When were we forced to dial 9-1-1, wasting precious, decisive time, instead of doing the right thing and stopping bad guys ourselves? When did we trade in independence for dependency? It's pathetic.

Every day in this country, according to the Department of Justice and other studies, armed, law-abiding citizens stop dangerous, violent confrontations from escalating into death and tragedy simply by having a gun handy to provide real "equality" on the mean streets of America.

Dedicated cops will tell you that they can't possibly be there to protect us. By the time the police show up, many innocents will likely perish at the hands of evil while good people hang around hoping and praying.

I would highly recommend that we finally learn from all these senseless tragedies. Get real. Get rid of politicians who support gun-free slaughter zones. Get rid of gun-free zones. Get a gun, learn to use it and do the right thing.

Bad guys should be shot dead, not Christmas shoppers.

Ted Nugent, the Motor City Madman, is a rock singer, hunter and board member of the National Rifle Association. Please mail letters to The Detroit News, Editorial Page, 615 W. Lafayette, Detroit, MI 48226, or fax them to (313) 222-6417 or e-mail them to letters@detnews.com.

Amazing!

Colt 1911 Handgun Assembly Animation!

From the ISRA

ISRA Action Alert:
**TOTAL COOK COUNTY GUN BAN CLEARS FIRST HURDLE**

Rabid gun-grabbers on the Cook County Board came one step closer last week
to instituting a total ban on firearm ownership in the county - except for
police and military personnel.

Introduced by Commissioner William Beavers, the so-called "Safe
Streets/Weapons Registration Ordinance" appears on the surface to be some
sort of gun registration scheme. However, closer examination reveals that
the only people who could comply with the registration requirements would
be Chicago residents who had previously registered their guns with the
city. Everyone else in Cook County would have to turn in their guns to the
police.

The ordinance would certainly ban all handguns as the ordinance disallows
registration of handguns that do not have a "chamber load"
indicator. Few, if any, handguns could comply with this requirement, so
they would have to be surrendered to the police.

The full text of Beavers' proposed ordinance may be found here:
<http://www.isra.http://wwhttp://www.isra.http://www.isra.http://www.ihttp>
To learn more about William Beavers, click this link:

<http://www.co.http://www.http://www.htt>

William Beavers is an enemy to our Constitution and an enemy to all
freedom-loving people of the United States. Call him at (312) 603-2065 and
also call his other office at (773) 731-1515 and tell them exactly what
you think of Beavers and his plan to disarm law-abiding citizens.

Another gun-hater on the Cook County Board is Larry Suffredin. Suffredin
has fielded a proposed ordinance that would shut down all gun shops in the
county.
You may read about that ordinance by clicking here:
<http://www.isra.http://wwhttp://www.isra.http://wwwhttp://www.>

Larry Suffredin is an enemy to our Constitution and an enemy to all
freedom-loving people of the United States. For full information on Larry
Suffredin, click this link:
<http://www.co.http://www.http://www.htt>
Call Suffredin at 847-864-1209 and 312-603-6383 and tell them exactly
what you think of Larry Suffredin's plan to punish law-abiding gun owners.

Even if you don't live in Cook County, or even if you don't live in
Illinois for that matter, call anyway. Freedom is at stake here.

In addition to calling these gun-hating stooges, please do the
following:

1. Post this alert to any and all Internet bulletin boards of which you
are a member.

2. Send this alert to all your gun owning friends and ask them to call
Beavers and Suffredin too!

Remember - preservation of our 2nd Amendment rights is a cultural
imperative. Gun control is a disease; you are the cure!

From Calibre Press Newsline

Yes, even the cops get it. Read the entire article:

"Several years ago a comprehensive study of active shooter incidents found that most were over too quickly for a Rapid Deployment Contact team to assemble and make entry into the kill zone. In almost every incident where an active killer was stopped before they fully ran their plan, someone on-scene took immediate action. Generally, these “Instant Responders” were security guards or ordinary citizens. Even when police officers did stop the shooter, they were either on-scene when the shooting started or the first to arrive at the call.

The church shootings in Colorado this past Sunday followed the same pattern. At the first attack, the shooter was gone before police could arrive. At the second shooting, about 12 hours later, the killer was himself killed by a courageous volunteer security worker carrying a weapon on a concealed weapons permit, thus stopping him before he could do more damage. Similarly, an off-duty officer minimized the killing last spring at a Utah mall. Just a few days before the Colorado incidents, another mall shooting in Nebraska was over before police could get on-scene."

Yes, Guns Do Save Lives

Yes they do! Here is a story about a female church member who was posted as a security guard in a Colorado church, using her own weapon. She shot and killed an armed bad guy just inside the church and saved over a hundred lives. The only deaths were in the parking lot of the church and happened before the BG entered the church. This also answers the question posed by some: "Why would you want to be armed at church?" Here's your answer. Remember, feeling safe is not the same as being safe.

--------------
Pastor: Guard, plan saved 'hundreds of lives' at church

Two teens, identified by police as Rachael Works, 16, and Stephanie Works, 18, were killed in what Boyd called "a senseless, random attack."

Boyd said the teens were sisters and were shot in the parking lot. Police said their father David Works, 51, was also shot and is hospitalized in fair condition with two gunshot wounds.

Boyd said the female security guard was a hero in preventing further bloodshed, rushing to confront the gunman just inside the church.

"She probably saved over a hundred lives," Boyd said of the guard, whom he said is not a law enforcement officer and used her personal weapon.

Boyd said the gunman, whom police have yet to identify, had no connection to the church.

"He simply showed up on our property yesterday with a gun, with the intention of hurting people, and he did," Boyd said.

The pastor also said New Life had taken extra precautions Sunday after hearing of the attack in Arvada, Colorado, early Sunday morning, in which a gunman killed two people after he was refused lodging at Youth With a Mission live-in Christian missionary center.

"Hundreds of lives were saved yesterday because of the plan that was put in place," said Boyd, who put the number of people on the church campus at the time as 7,000.

Authorities say the Arvada and Colorado Springs shootings may be related, and overnight police from Arvada executed a search warrant obtained by Colorado Springs police for an address in the Denver suburb of Englewood. Authorities did not say how the address may relate to the case.

Lt. Skip Arms of the Colorado Springs Police Department said that no motive has been determined for the gunman at the second shooting. The gunman's identity has not been released.

Police in the two cities say different weapons were used in the shootings -- a handgun in Arvada and a rifle in Colorado Springs.

The first incident took place Sunday at about 12:30 a.m. at Youth With a Mission in Arvada. Police said a man with a beard, wearing a dark jacket, glasses, and skullcap, entered the facility, got into a dispute with a staff member about whether he could stay there for the night, and then opened fire.

Investigators tried to track the gunman through fresh snow with the help of dogs, but lost his trail in a heavily walked area, Deputy Chief Gary Creager of Arvada police said.

Then shortly after 1 p.m. in Colorado Springs -- about 80 miles south of Arvada -- a black-clad gunman opened fire on worshipers at New Life.

Youth With a Mission co-founder Peter Warren identified the two killed staff members as Tiffany Johnson, 26, and Philip Crouse, 24. He said they were cleaning up from a Saturday night Christmas banquet when the attack occurred.

Another staff member, 24-year-old Dan Griebenow, was in critical condition with a bullet in his neck as of Sunday night, and a second survivor, Charlie Blanch, was shot in the legs, the group said on its Web site.

Comment Moderation

I am giving a service I was referred to a chance to work, so for the moment, comment moderation has been turned off. If I continue to have problems with trolls and immature behavior, I will turn moderation back on.

-Yuri

First Hand Omaha Mall Shooting Account

Click on over to Joe's Crabby Shack and read the whole thing. I believe this should be a MUST read for everyone. This account is from a person present in the Von Maur store, and when the shooting started he was only about 30 yards from the shooter. How he got out alive when others further away from the shooter than he was didn't is a miracle. His account is absolutely terrifying and I will never go anywhere unarmed, let alone the mall. These "Gun Free Killing Zones" have got to come down. All they do is disarm the good people while empowering the bad guys.

Here's a short excerpt from this man's account.

"When I heard the first round of gunshots, I knew what they were but didn’t want to believe it. I tried to think that they were balloons or fireworks. However, I definitely took a defensive stance ready to run.

When I saw the shooter, I stood there for nearly 5 seconds just watching.

Why?

First, he was firing 90 degrees away from me. The thing is, this image was nothing new to me. I see people shooting all the time at the range, on TV, in video games. But what my brain was having a hard time processing was that was Van Maur.

Now back to the point I referenced earlier.

Honestly, and as God as my witness, when I saw him shooting and as watched for a few seconds trying to figure out what he was going to do and what I should do, the thought that went through my mind was, “If I had a gun, I have a perfect shot.”

Yes, a perfect shot. I had a full side profile, I was close, and no one was visible behind him except a wall. I had a clear shot during the second round of fire. I told this to every cop I came in contact with. The interviewer agreed.

When I realized that I had no gun, fear instantly struck me, along with anger, and severe panic.

I ran hard.

I did not think to try to help people, I just got out."

Comment Moderation

Due to some children who couldn't control themselves, comment moderation has been switched on. What this means is, if I haven't approved your message, it won't show up until I do.

I hope everyone understands.

-Yuri

Gun Free Zones Strike Again

Apparently the gremlin today didn't care about the mall's posted "no weapons" policy. Maybe they should have made the sign bigger?

-
Mall Massacre: At Least Nine Dead

An afternoon of holiday shopping was shattered by gunfire at Westroads Mall Wednesday afternoon. Authorities say Robert Hawkins, armed with a rifle, killed nine people and injured five others, two critically, before shooting himself to death.

Creighton University Medical Center confirms two fatalities there; one man and one woman. Another person is in critical condition.

Three victims were taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, one in critical condition with a chest wound. One person has an arm wound and the third was being treated for cuts to the face.

Shortly after 4 p.m. Omaha Police Sergeant Teresa Negron said that 14 people were shot; nine had died, including the gunman and five were injured.

Names of those involved were not initially released.

Police don't believe that anyone other than the gunman who killed himself was involved.

Omaha Police Sergeant Teresa Negron said, "As far as we know, there is no other shooter inside the mall."

Police recovered a rifle believed to have been used by the killer.

Channel 6 News has confirmed that 19-year-old Robert Hawkins left a suicide note Wednesday afternoon stating, "I'm going out in style."

The woman who owns the Bellevue home where Hawkins was living says Hawkins had just lost his job.

The mall was locked down as the initial shooting report came out but several people got out of the building shortly after the gunfire and many others followed later.

Law enforcement officers converged on the scene. The police helicopter circled overhead. Members of the Emergency Response Unit were on the scene with guns drawn.

Mickey Vickory, an employee of Von Maur, said she heard shots at about 1:50 p.m. and someone shouted that someone had a gun.

"It was 10 or 12 shots," she said. "We were praying. Every last one of us was praying."

She and her co-workers and customers went into a back closet behind the wrapping room to hide, then came out about a half hour later when police shouted to come out with their hands up.

As they came out and were being taken by police to another part of the mall for safety, they saw the victims.

"We saw the bodies and we saw the blood," she said.

Teresa, an employee of JC Penney, says she got on a two-way radio and said, "If anyone can hear me, there's a man in the mall with a gun and he's shooting people."

Another witness told us she heard approximately 12 gunshots. Other witnesses told us they heard at least that many.

"Connie", a Westroads shopper we spoke with on the phone, tells us she heard the shots on the third floor of the mall. She said she hid and waited until the gunfire stopped and then crawled out of the building.

Two people were taken into custody near a bus stop but it was not clear if those men were connected to the shootings.

A witness tells us that the shooter pointed a gun over a third-floor railing in the mall and opened fire. That witness says one person was shot in the head.

Two busloads on witness were gathered together as authorities tried to figure out what happened.

Eric, the father of a woman who is a security guard at the mall, got word around 3 p.m. that his daughter was not injured in the incident. She has been on the job for about a year and told her parents she saw one of the victims get shot.

"She called my wife. She was pretty upset," Eric told us.

Witness Chuck Wright says, "I heard this bang, bang, bang. And immediately I just froze."

He says, "As I backed off, I heard bang, bang, again."

Wright says he heard a total of 12 to 15 shots fired.

"It was just panic. Nobody knew what was going on," Wright said.

Wright told us the shootings appeared to be random.

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey and Police Chief Thomas Warren were both out of town at the time of the shootings. Both are returning to the city.

Senator Ben Nelson issued a statement Wednesday evening saying, "Today the city of Omaha and the state of Nebraska have endured a terrible tragedy. Though some of our neighbors have suffered devastating losses today, I know that they can count on the support of the Omaha community at this time. Diane and I send our thoughts and prayers out to the families and friends of the victims of today's terrible violence."

The shootings happened about an hour after President Bush left town.

On Wednesday evening the White House released the following statement:

"The President is deeply saddened by the shootings in Omaha, Nebraska earlier today. His thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families this evening. Having just visited with so many members of the community in Omaha today, the President is confident that they will pull together to comfort one another as they deal with this terrible tragedy."

No posts

Sorry about not posting recently, I'm dealing with a reoccurring blood infection that takes me out of the running for a bout a week at a time. Think, fever, chills, massive headaches that don't go away, basically like the worst flu you've ever had.

I'll get back to posting as soon as I'm back in the land of the living.

-Yuri

I agree completely!

It's about time we had a holiday to honor a true American!

Click here to read the article and click here to sign the petition.

"John Browning Day
By Mike S. Adams
Monday, November 12, 2007

It is difficult to decide just what the greatest achievement of John Moses Browning was. Some may say it was the 128 different patents issued to him in less than half a century, which resulted in the production of over 80 distinctly different firearms. Other may say it was the fact that his guns ranged from those hurling a .22 short to those hurling a 37 mm projectile. Still others may say it was his willingness to change – from lever actions, to pump actions, to semi automatic actions, to automatic actions.

But I disagree with all of the above. I believe that John Browning’s greatest achievement is the example he set for all Americans with his work input not his work output. Indeed, he showed us that we can only be set free through hard work, a love of country over self, and a refusal to take credit for the achievements of others.

I think the time has come for us to acknowledge formally the man who helped us win two world wars and save countless lives with his inventions. In the process, we may begin to see that our greatest civil rights struggle is really a battle against the unholy trinity of complacency, selfishness, and economic entitlement."

Plate Match Today

I didn't win, but I had fun and that's what counts. The Volquartsen vertical compensator I put on my Ruger 22/45 worked great. I noticed a definite reduction in muzzle jump with it on. I heartily recommend it! Not only does it work, but it looks great too!



Here are a couple videos I took at the match. I'm not in these but I thought people would find them interesting.

In this first one, John Goss is in the foreground with Jim Breen on the other side with Jeffersonian officiating. They are each shooting .22's with red dot's.



Here we see Jeffersonian taking on Jim Breen for the overall match winner. The best two out of three wins. Jeffersonian is shooting his GP100 in .357 Mag while Jim is shooting a .22 again.




I was also going to sight in my SKS with the donated red dot after the match today, but the honest truth is I was so cold at that point that I chickened out and came home. I'll try and get it sighted in asap though. When I do I'll be sure and take some pictures!

Stuff Being Shot @ 5000 FPS

Happy Thanks Giving!

I hope all of my readers have a happy and bountiful Thanks Giving day!

SCOTUS Takes the Case!

I'm not feeling much better today, but I thought this was too important to let slip by. -Yuri

UPDATE: Moments after I posted this, the Brady's sent me an email wanting more money. They're clearly worried about this case and the effect it will have on gun bans and gun control laws nationwide. Follow me in giving a donation to your favorite gun rights organization!

----------

High Court to Hear D.C. Gun Ban Case

By Robert Barnes

Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 20, 2007; 1:08 PM

The Supreme Court announced today that it will decide whether the District of Columbia's ban on handguns violates the Constitution, a choice that will put the justices at the center of the controversy over the meaning of the Second Amendment for the first time in nearly 70 years.

The court's decision could have broad implications for gun-control measures locally and across the country, and will raise a hotly contested political issue just in time for the 2008 elections.

The court will hear the case after the first of the year. A decision likely would come before it adjourns at the end of June.

For years, legal scholars, historians and grammarians have debated the meaning of the amendment because of its enigmatic wording and odd punctuation:

"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."

Gun rights proponents say the words guarantee the right of an individual to possess firearms. Gun-control supporters say it conveys only a civic or "collective" right to own guns as part of service in an organized military organization.

The court's last examination of the amendment was in 1939, when it ruled in United States v. Miller that a sawed-off shotgun transported across state lines by a bootlegger was not what the amendment's authors had in mind when they were protecting arms needed for military service.

Since then, almost all of the nation's courts of appeal have read the ruling to mean the amendment conveys only a collective right to gun ownership. But the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit broke ranks last spring, becoming the first to strike down a gun-control law on Second Amendment grounds.

A panel of three Republican-appointed judges voted 2-1 that the amendment "protects an individual right to keep and bear arms" and that "once it is determined -- as we have done -- that handguns are 'Arms' referred to in the Second Amendment, it is not open to the District to ban them."

The District law, enacted in 1976, soon after the city won home rule, is one of the toughest in the nation. It prohibits residents from registering and possessing handguns in almost all circumstances. The District also requires that rifles and other long guns kept in the home be unloaded and disassembled or outfitted with trigger locks. The court struck down that law as well, saying it rendered the right to possess such a weapon for self-defense virtually useless.

It is unusual that both the losing party and the winners of that decision asked the court to consider the case. But Robert A. Levy, a wealthy entrepreneur and lawyer who is also a scholar at the libertarian Cato Institute, has worked for years to bring the matter to the Supreme Court.

He and others, including co-counsel Clark M. Neily III and Alan Gura, assembled six D.C. residents to challenge the District ban. Their idea was to present the courts with law-abiding plaintiffs who wanted the weapons for self-defense rather than people appealing criminal convictions for possessing weapons.

A federal district judge ruled against the residents, but the appeals court overturned that decision in a strongly worded opinion written by conservative Senior Judge Laurence H. Silberman.

The District argued in its petition to the Supreme Court that the decision "drastically departs from the mainstream of American jurisprudence."

The petition filed by District Attorney General Linda Singer said the appeals court was wrong for three reasons: because it recognized an individual rather than collective right; because the Second Amendment serves as a restriction only on federal interference with state-regulated militias and state-recognized gun rights; and because the District is within its rights to protect its citizens by banning a certain type of gun.

"It is eminently reasonable to permit private ownership of other types of weapons, including shotguns and rifles, but ban the easily concealed and uniquely dangerous modern handgun," said the petition. "Whatever right the Second Amendment guarantees, it does not require the District to stand by while its citizens die." (There's irony for ya! -Yuri)

No Post Today

I'm feeling quite under the weather at present and don't feel up to posting anything. When I can breath again and my throat and head stop throbbing, without medication, I'll be back.

In the meantime, may I suggest some of the many blogs I've linked to for you reading pleasure?

I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise!

On 60 Minutes Tonight

It seems that the FBI knowingly used faulty science for over 40 years and never told anyone about it. Hmmm, where else have I heard about faulty science and law enforcement?

...and why again am I supposed to trust the government?

Aside from eyewitness testimony, some of the most believable evidence presented in criminal cases in the United States comes from the FBI crime laboratory in Quantico, Va. Part of its job is to test and analyze everything from ballistics to DNA for state and local prosecutors around the country, introducing scientific credibility to often murky cases.

But a six-month investigation by 60 Minutes and The Washington Post shows that there are hundreds of defendants imprisoned around the country who were convicted with the help of a now discredited forensic tool, and that the FBI never notified them, their lawyers, or the courts, that the their cases may have been affected by faulty testimony.

The science, called bullet lead analysis, was used by the FBI for 40 years in thousands of cases, and some of the people it helped put in jail may be innocent.

More here.