Its difficult these days to speak of these matters without being branded a conspiracy theorist or a tinfoil hat wearing nutjob or, if criticizing the President, a bigot and a racist. I'm fond of saying "the signs are all around us, all you have to do is look" and with each passing day I feel we are inching closer and closer to a totalitarian government. The facts support my position. and when you examine the totality of the circumstances you'll see why I feel that a massive upheaval is imminent.
FACT: The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) re-signed by President Obama in January 2013 gives the federal government the authority to detain any person, including an American citizen, who is deemed a threat by the administration. This detention may be conducted without benefit of counsel, without right to a hearing, and the detention period may be indefinite. Secret police scooping up citizens in the dead of night never to be seen again? Think it can't happen here? Think again.
FACT: President Obama has placed high ranking military personnel into command positions based on their answer to the question of whether or not they would be willing to fire upon American citizens. American troops using military firepower to crush civilian insurrection? Think it can't happen here? Think again.
FACT: The Department of Homeland Security, originally created in response to the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11, has evolved into a militarized national police force. They have purchased 1.6 BILLION rounds of ammunition. To put this in perspective, troops in Iraq were expending approximately less than 6 million rounds per month. With this much ammunition the DHS could sustain a shooting war for over 20 years. In addition to the ammunition, the DHS has acquired 2,717 ‘Mine Resistant Protected’ MaxxPro MRAP armored vehicles. These vehicles are capable of withstanding mine blasts, IEDs, and direct fire from .50 caliber weapons. A national police force equipped with state of the art armament making sure that all citizens toe the party line? Think it can't happen here? Think again.
FACT: In July 2012, President Obama signed an executive order titled Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Function that effectively gives the federal government, under the auspices of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the authority for complete take over and control of ALL communications in the United States. Suspension of the 1st amendment and all information controlled by the state? Think it can't happen here? Think again.
FACT: The United States is currently facing massive and sweeping gun control measures designed to disarm the American public and reduce the potential for armed resistance against government forces. While these measures are constantly touted on the basis of "public safety" the fact remains that the true intent of gun control is not to control the guns but rather to control the people. Despite rulings from the United States Supreme Court that the 2nd amendment does affirm an individual's right to keep and bear arms, despite uncontroverted evidence that Americans legally defend themselves with firearms millions of times per year, despite FBI statistics that show semi-automatic rifles are only used in a tiny fraction of crimes, despite the irrelevance of innocuous items like pistol grips, folding stocks, muzzle brakes, or bayonet lugs, the federal government does not trust its citizens with any but the most rudimentary of firearms. Magazine bans, weapons bans, registration schemes, and the ultimate confiscation of ALL firearms is their ultimate goal. A disarmed population subject to the whims of a totalitarian government? Think it can't happen here? Think again.
One of my favorite cult classic movies is "Idiocracy". It is Mike Judge's comedic depiction of an entirely average American soldier who volunteers to be a test subject in a suspended animation experiment. However, instead of only sleeping for one year, the experiment goes predictably wrong and he awakens 500 years later to find the world populated by dullards. Due to excessive reproduction by the least intelligent members of the population, he has become by de facto the smartest man in the country. While the movie is zany and obviously fictional, it contains many kernels of satirical truth. From our diets to our entertainment to our shopping habits we are slowly but surely becoming a country of lowbrow mouth breathers.
Nothing demonstrates this more accurately than the battle for gun control currently raging across the U.S. While the leftist anti-gunners love to portray American gun owners as violent unintelligent rednecks and inbreds, the reality is that the most unintelligent, the most uneducated, and the most ill conceived ideas statements, and actions come from the gun prohibitionists. I've compiled a small collection of gems from the past few months to illustrate my point.
Last month Vice President Joe Biden advised people who want to defend themselves to buy a shotgun. While this in itself is not bad advice, it was the next sage comment that induced incredulity in anyone who understands the legal and moral aspects of self defense with a firearm.
"...if there's ever a problem just walk out on the balcony here ... put that double-barreled shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house."
Apparently Mr. Biden does not understand the very basic principals of physics which dictate that those shotgun pellets have to stop somewhere. And firing blindly and indiscriminately outside the house could result in some well-deserved criminal charges for the shooter. While we were still reeling in disbelief from that nugget of wisdom, Ol' Joe outdid himself a short time later. During an interview with Field and Stream magazine on the subjects of gun control and self defense this was the Vice President's advice to the American public.
"...you want to keep someone away from your house, just fire the shotgun through the door.”
Sounds like the Girl Scouts better think twice about peddling their cookies at Joe Biden's house and heaven help the Jehovah's Witnesses.
The idiocracy isn't just limited to the second highest office in the land. In December 2012, just days after the Newtown shooting, the Journal News of New York published an interactive map showing the addresses of all of the residents in Westchester and Rockland counties who had firearms permits. They claimed it was a public safety issue and that people had a right to know who owned guns in their communities. The backlash was both predictable and severe. Their offices were flooded with angry calls and emails and within a short time the web was awash with links to the home addresses, phone numbers, and personal information of the editors, publishers, journalists, and other staff members of the Journal News. So what was the incredibly hypocritical response from the newspaper? They hired armed guards to protect their offices and their homes.
And in other incredibly stupid recent news,
Bank Of America froze the assets of American Spirit Arms, a lawfully regulated and licensed firearms manufacturer because, according to one of their managers "...We Believe you should not be selling guns and parts on the internet.”
Cable TV giant Comcast imposed a policy that refused to sell local advertising time to gun retailers.
Administrators at the University Of Colorado in Colorado Springs oppose the right of students and staff to defend themselves with firearms. Instead, they actually advised women to prevent violent sexual assaults by vomiting or urinating on themselves.
In Trappe, MD two 6 year olds were suspended from White Marsh Elementary school. Their offense? Using their fingers as pretend guns for a game of cops and robbers on the school playground.
In Baltimore, MD a second grader was suspended from Park Elementary School for two days after chewing his Poptart into the shape of a gun and saying "bang bang". In an incredibly misplaced attempt at making things right, the school then sent notes home with students advising parents that counselors would be made available for any students who were traumatized by the pastry.
In Mount Carmel, PA a kindergartner was suspended for "terroristic threats" after wielding a pink plastic Hello Kitty toy that blew bubbles.
While I compiled these incidents as a semi-humorous look at people who are controlled by their own irrational fears and kneejerk reactionary way of thinking, the reality is that it really isn't funny. Not only are we becoming victims to our own fears, we are raising our children to believe that inanimate objects are inherently evil and that it is somehow morally superior to be a victim rather than to fight back. We are promulgating the nanny state and instilling a sense of dependency on the government to protect us and defend us. Remember gun control isn't about guns its about control and when seconds count the police are minutes away. Stay safe.
I just wanted to quickly touch on the subject of safety and first aid but more specifically preparedness. Emergencies can strike anywhere and any time. You never know when you or one of your family or friends may receive a traumatic injury.
If you're like me, you spend your week days working with your hands in an environment surrounded by things like power tools, bladed tools, heavy objects, and open flames. In my spare time I'm generally at the range, on a boat, or engaging in some other activity that could potentially inflict a traumatic injury. Even relatively tame activities like yard work or cooking can result in serious accidental injuries. And you never know when you may be the first person on the scene of a vehicle crash with injuries.
Hopefully this indoor range was equipped to treat a GSW on site
Are you prepared to render first aid? And even if you possess basic first aid skills, do you have the tools on hand to deal with a major injury? Enter the "blow out kit" or "blow out bag". This is a common item used by combat troops and first responders who need to apply immediate life saving techniques, specifically for traumatic injuries like gun shot wounds, lacerations, punctures, amputations, and shrapnel injuries. The blow out kit is intended as a single-use item which contains items necessary to stop bleeding, restore breathing, treat for shock, and keep the patient stable until he or she can receive more advanced medical treatment. The idea is to have a compact portable kit that can be used quickly without having to search around for needed items.
Items commonly found in a typical blow out kit include the following:
A battle dressing or sufficient gauze to stem severe hemorrhaging
Rubber gloves
Medical tape
Elastic bandages
Blood clotting agents
Triangle bandages for slings
Foil rescue blanket
Decompression needles*
Tourniquet*
NPA – Nasopharyngeal Airway tubes*
Surgical shears
* indicates items that require additional medical training
Though you can purchase complete Blow Out Kits online and at specialty retailers, most of these items can be easily found in your home or local drugstores and pharmacies. Simply select the items that best fit your needs and place them in a large Ziploc freezer bag. Make several kits to place in various locations so that they will always be there if you need them. For anyone who has a food sealer, you can use vacuum seal bags which both seal them and make them even more compact for portability.
One for the car and one for the range bag. Blow out kits - don't leave home without one.
Clearly we all hope we never have to use them, but just like a gun, its better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it. Stay safe.
"What's the best gun to buy?" As someone who has owned, shot, carried, and instructed others in the use of firearms, this is a question I've heard many times over the years. Unfortunately there is no single correct answer. Sure, every shooter has his or her favorite brand or caliber. But ask this question of 10 gun owners and you're likely to receive 10 different answers. I always compare this question to asking "what's the best car to buy?" Obviously, as with guns, it depends on the driver.
Gun purchasers today have an almost overwhelming variety of choices
So how do you figure out which gun is best for you? As a potential new gun owner, you first need to answer a few questions. How do you intend to use the gun? Will it be strictly for home defense or do you plan to carry it concealed? Do you also plan to hunt? To shoot competitively? To spend time casually plinking with the family? Do you plan to practice regularly (hopefully the answer to this is a resounding "YES!) or do you just intend to put the gun in a drawer and hope you never need it? Do you have the physical strength and manual dexterity to safely operate your chosen firearm? Will other members of your household also be using this gun? And speaking of households, do you live in a densely populated urban area or a suburban neighborhood or do you live out in the sticks with no neighbors close by? The answers to each of these questions should influence your purchasing decisions.
Now, before we go any further let me just say this; the best gun is the one you have in your hands. What I mean by this is, when the chips are down ANY gun is better than no gun at all. You don't have to have the most modern or most expensive or most powerful gun. But if possible, you should have the most powerful gun that you can RELIABLY HIT THE TARGET WITH.
RIFLE, SHOTGUN, OR HANDGUN?
The first decision to make is which category of firearm suits your needs. Most guns can be divided into one of three categories; rifles, shotguns, and handguns. There are numerous variations of each. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Rifles are available in hundreds of varieties of calibers and configurations
Rifles are generally intended for shooting longer distances. Many rifles are chambered for high powered cartridges capable of shooting accurately up to and in excess of 1,000 yards. Centerfire rifle rounds also tend to penetrate secondary obstacles such as walls or windows. For these reasons, a rifle could be a good choice for rural settings where longer ranges may be encountered but are probably a poor choice where bystanders may be endangered by over penetrating projectiles. One potential alternative to a rifle is the pistol caliber carbine. A pistol caliber carbine is a shoulder fired weapon like a rifle but, as the name implies, they are chambered for handgun calibers. The most popular semi-automatic carbine pistol calibers include 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Lever action carbines are also commonly available in popular revolver calibers including .357 magnum, .44 magnum, and .45 Colt. The advantage of the pistol caliber carbine is longer range accuracy than a handgun with less recoil and penetration than a traditional high powered rifle. A more powerful centerfire rifle might be a good choice for the rural dweller who also plans to hunt medium to large game.
A tremendous variety of shotguns are also available
The shotgun is a very effective firearm in trained hands. If you are willing to commit to training and regular practice, it might be the right choice for you. Like rifles, the shotgun is available in a seemingly endless variety of configurations. The shotgun has been touted by many people over the years as the ultimate home defense weapon. In reality the shotgun, though very effective, has shortcomings as well. While its legendary stopping power is based largely in fact, the shotgun is also surrounded by myths and half truths.
MYTH #1: "All you have to do is point a shotgun in the general direction of your target and you'll score hits."
This is ridiculously false. A complete miss with a shotgun is not only easy, it is actually quite likely unless the shooter employs basic marksmanship skills including proper grip, position, sight picture, and trigger control. During my years teaching deputy sheriffs to fire the Remington 870 12 gauge pump I witnessed more clean misses than I care to recall. A standard 12 gauge 00 buck load contains 9 pellets of approximately .32 caliber each. A miss with a shotgun means the shooter just launched 9 bullets that missed their intended target. Some shot shells contain hundreds of shot pellets. They have to stop somewhere and as a shooter you are responsible for every one of them.
MYTH #2: "All you have to do is rack your pump shotgun and the bad guys will get scared and run away."
This is a myth that can get you killed. It bears repeating, if you're going to pull it out you better be ready to use it. If you are racking a shell into your shotgun it better be because there is a clear and present danger to yourself or others and that you are prepared to use the amount of force, up to and including deadly force, necessary to prevent serious injury or death. Bluffing is not an option nor is it an acceptable tactic. Also consider that many violent criminals are under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or mental illness. They will NOT be impressed by you and your scattergun. Finally, the sound of a shotgun being racked will give away your position and may even draw fire.
MYTH #3: Anyone can pick up a shotgun and use it to defend themselves, regardless of training or experience.
Vice President Joe Biden recently weighed in on this very topic. In an interview with Parents magazine Mr. Biden gave some very terrible and generally illegal advice.
"If you want to protect yourself, get a double barrel shotgun … have the shells of a 12 gauge shotgun, and I promise you as I told my wife, we live in an area that is wooded and is somewhat secluded, I said, Jill, if there’s ever a problem, walk out on the balcony … walk out, put that double barrel shot gun [out] and fire two blasts. I promise, you … whoever’s coming in is not gonna … you don’t need an AR-15. It’s harder to aim. It’s harder to use.... And, in fact, you don’t need 30 rounds to protect yourself. Buy a shotgun. Buy a shotgun."
There are several problems with this advice. First and foremost, as I already pointed out, you are responsible for every shot you fire. Indiscriminately firing off "two blasts" in the air is incredibly reckless and irresponsible. As for the "harder to aim, harder to use" comment, this hilarious video sums it up nicely.
And just to show that the shotgun (as well as the rifle and pistol) can be mastered by all shooters, including petite women, here is the counterpoint to that video. 13 year old competitive shooter Katie Francis demonstrates what can be accomplished with proper training and practice.
Like rifles and shotguns, pistols and revolvers are available in a staggering array of calibers and models.
Handguns are very popular because they are generally lightweight, easily concealed, and convenient to carry and store while still remaining readily available. Like all firearms, to become proficient with a pistol requires practice. As a potential new pistol owner, one must choose the proper balance of size and caliber to fit one's needs and capabilities. Today's modern combat handguns offer a variety of action types to suit most shooters. In addition to those previously listed, some of the advantages of choosing a handgun for home defense include the ease with which a pistol can be made ready, the ability to move about while still operating a telephone or light switches, and the compact size which makes it less susceptible to a gun grab than a long barreled gun.
Which finally brings me to my recommendation. Whenever I'm asked to suggest a general all around "best first gun" I almost always recommend the double action revolver with a 3" to 5" barrel chambered for .357 magnum. I am not saying this is the best gun for every person or every purpose. I am saying that this gun has many features which make it both practical and user friendly for both the beginner and the experienced shooter.
1. Simplicity - The typical double action revolver has no manual safeties, decockers, grip safeties, slide releases, magazine releases or other controls besides a cylinder release. One can instantly determine if the gun is loaded and there is no need to remember to insert a magazine, operate a slide, or take off the safety.
2. Safety - Due in large part to its simplicity, the wheelgun is one of the safest guns to operate. When loaded it remains in a state of readiness but, unless the trigger is pulled, it will not fire. The typical long double action trigger pull lessens the likelihood of accidentally pulling the trigger (but keeping your finger off the trigger guarantees it).
3. Reliability - Because of its robust design, the medium and large framed revolvers are extremely reliable. With proper maintenance and normal care, it is extremely uncommon for revolvers to fail. Unlike semiautomatics, revolvers do not suffer from failures to extract, failures to eject, failures to feed, or double feeds. With fewer moving parts, revolvers are unlikely to break. Are they indestructible? No. But most revolver owners feel confident knowing that they've got "6 for sure" on tap.
4. Effectiveness- The .357 Magnum round is one of the most effective defensive loads available. A well placed 125 grain SJHP (semi jacketed hollow point) round at 1400-1500 FPS should deter all but the most determined attacker. The .357 is also available in heavier bullet weights in the 180-200 grain range. These are useful for longer range shooting and for medium sized game such as deer and wild boar.
5. Versatility - The .357 Magnum round is basically a lengthened .38 Special round. Because of this, a revolver chambered for .357 can also safely chamber and fire .38 Special ammunition (though a .38 can not chamber or fire .357). This is an advantage because .38 Special target ammunition is generally less expensive than .357 Magnum ammo. It also produces far less recoil and blast. These factors combine to encourage revolver owners to practice regularly. The reduced recoil of .38 wadcutter target ammo also lends itself well to teaching novice shooters or shooters who are particularly recoil sensitive. In fact, some revolver owners prefer to load their .357 exclusively with .38 Special ammo for these reasons. There are many suitable defensive rounds in the .38 Special caliber as well, including standard velocity and +P (high velocity) rounds.
6. Availability - Though gun prices have jumped up across the board, there is still a readily available supply of both new and used revolvers in the U.S. And generally speaking these guns cost less than a comparable autoloader. A patient shopper can usually find just the right wheelgun to fit their needs and their budget.
Hopefully this has at least partially addressed the question of "what's the best gun to buy?" As always, reader input is welcomed.
- Double Tap
Friday, November 30, 2012
Lets talk about guns!
By way of introduction to the topic, I thought I'd cover my own background as a shooter, a gun owner, and a weapons instructor. As a former U.S. Marine, my first formal introduction to marksmanship was during rifle training at Parris Island. A few years later I shot as a member of the MCAS rifle and pistol team.
During my tenure as a deputy sheriff I was certified as a law enforcement firearms instructor and a concealed weapons permit instructor. I was a member of our agency's Drug Task Force and Special Response Team and received extensive training in firearms tactics. I have been qualified in court as an expert on firearms and the use of force.
In my free time I've shot in local IDPA, steel plate, and pin matches. I also coached the former state Junior IDPA Champion to several local and state level victories. I love teaching shooting almost as much as I enjoy shooting itself.
I don't give my resume' seeking validation, but merely to demonstrate that I do have some knowledge on the topic and that my opinions are based on real life experiences. Unfortunately the "gun culture" sometimes attracts the armchair commandos. I'm not the "deadliest pistolero since Wild Bill" nor do I claim to be the final word on all things gun, but I can at least carry on an intelligent conversation on the topic. I started this blog as a way to gather and organize my thoughts on the topics of guns and shooting as well as the political and social aspects of firearms. Reader input is welcomed.
The FOUR Basic Rules of Safe Gun Handling
For the novice shooter or for anyone who may be considering their first firearm purchase, here is your first lesson. In practically every firearms mishap someone broke one or more of the following four rules. You'll often hear euphemisms like "misfire" or "unintentional discharge" but the facts almost always indicate a rule violation. If every shooter followed these four basic rules, the vast majority of firearms accidents would be eliminated. So without further delay, here they are. Words to live by.
1. Always treat every gun as if it were loaded.
2. Never put your finger on the trigger until you are actually ready to fire.
3. Never point a gun at ANYTHING you are not willing to destroy.
4. Always be aware of your target and what is behind your target.
