Coordinator Name: Jared Gollnitz

Phone: 317-225-2452

Email: jpgollnitz@yahoo.com

Indiana State Second Amendment March Date Set!!!

When: Saturday, April 17th 2 – 5pm

Where: Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana State House!!!!!

via Indiana | Second Amendment March

More details available. Make sure to read the list of stipulations for open carry. See you there?

These professionals realize that law enforcement has no ability to protect individuals and no legal obligation to do so. In the final analysis, we must be prepared—and equipped—to protect ourselves. Or not.

Which means we have a choice.

We can listen to them, or we can listen to those who insist on the government making the decision for us, by not allowing us a choice.

College students across America have been strapping on empty gun holsters this week to protest laws and policies prohibiting licensed concealed carry on college campuses.

via Weapons grade: Students fight to pack heat

This will help dispel that misinformation:

At the end of March, troops of a major drug cartel launched a series of attacks on military personnel and installations in a half dozen cities in the northern Mexican states of Nueva Leon and Tamaulipas. Fortunately, things did not work out as the narco-thugs had hoped. At least 18 of them are now taking the kind of siesta from which there is no awakening and, at last count, only one Mexican soldier was injured.

Contrary to the notion that the cartels depend on semi-automatic rifles bought illegally in the United States, the cartel conducted its attacks with a variety of weapons that cannot be legally bought anywhere in our country. As the Los Angeles Times reported, “In coordinated attacks, gunmen in armored cars and equipped with grenade launchers fought army troops this week. . . . The army said it confiscated armored cars, grenade launchers, about 100 military-grade grenades, [and] explosive devices” in addition to a large quantity of ammunition.

Contrast that reality with the fiction perpetuated by politicians on both sides of the border. NRA members certainly recall that soon after President Obama took office last year, Attorney General Eric Holder stated his support for an “assault weapon” ban as the solution to Mexico’s drug violence. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Cal.), the sponsor of the federal “assault weapon” ban in 1993, soon called upon President Obama to support the Inter-American Convention Against Illegal Arms Trafficking, claiming, “According to the Mexican government, about 90 percent of the weapons they seize from Mexican drug cartels came into the country illegally from the United States.” Newspapers around the country fell for the ruse hook, line and sinker, parroting the 90 percent claim, as well as the utterly absurd, mathematically impossible claim that 2,000 guns cross from the U.S. into Mexico each day.

via Opposing Views: Armed Cartel Attacks Mexican Army; U.S. Gun Laws Not to Blame

1. We don’t carry firearms so that we can ignore other basics of personal safety. Every permit holder that I know realizes that almost all dangerous situations can be avoided by vigilance, alertness and by simply making wise choices about where one goes and what one does. We don’t walk down dark alleys. We lock our cars. We don’t get intoxicated in public or hang out around people who do. We park our cars in well lighted spots and don’t hang out in bad parts of town where we have no business. A gun is our last resort, not our first.
2. We don’t think we are cops, spies, or superheroes. We aren’t hoping that somebody tries to rob the convenience store while we are there so we can shoot a criminal. We don’t take it upon ourselves to get involved in situations that are better handled by a 911 call or by simply standing by and being a good witness. We don’t believe our guns give us any authority over our fellow citizens. We also aren’t here to be your unpaid volunteer bodyguard. We’ll be glad to tell you where we trained and point you to some good gun shops if you feel you want to take this kind of responsibility for your personal safety. Except for extraordinary circumstances your business is your business, don’t expect us to help you out of situations you could have avoided.
3. We are LESS likely, not more likely, to be involved in fights or “rage” incidents than the general public. We recognize, better than many unarmed citizens, that we are responsible for our actions. We take the responsibility of carrying a firearm very seriously. We know that loss of temper, getting into fights or angrily confronting someone after a traffic incident could easily escalate into a dangerous situation. We are more likely to go out of our way to avoid these situations. We don’t pull our guns to settle arguments or to attempt to threaten people into doing what we want.
4. We are responsible gun owners. We secure our firearms so that children and other unauthorized people cannot access them. Most of us have invested in safes, cases and lock boxes as well as other security measures to keep our firearms secure. Many of us belong to various organizations that promote firearms safety and ownership.
5. Guns are not unsafe or unpredictable. Modern firearms are well made precision instruments. Pieces do not simply break off causing them to fire. A hot day will not set them off. Most modern firearms will not discharge even if dropped. There is no reason to be afraid of a gun simply lying on a table or in a holster. It is not going to discharge on its own.
6. We do not believe in the concept of “accidental discharges”. There are no accidental discharges only negligent discharges or intentional discharges. We take responsibility for our actions and have learned how to safely handle firearms. Any case you have ever heard of about a gun “going off” was the result of negligence on somebody’s part. Our recognition of our responsibility and familiarity with firearms makes us among the safest firearms owners in America.
7. Permit holders do their best to keep our concealed weapons exactly that: concealed. However, there are times with an observant fellow citizen may spot our firearm or the print of our firearm under our clothes. We are very cognizant that concerns about terrorism and crime are in the forefront of the minds of most citizens. We also realize that our society does much to condition our fellow citizens to have sometimes irrational fears about firearms. We would encourage citizens who do happen to spot someone carrying a firearm to use good judgment and clear thinking if they feel to need to take action. Please recognize that it’s very uncommon for a criminal to use a holster. However, if you feel the need to report having spotted a firearm we would ask that you please be specific and detailed in your call to the police or in your report to a store manager or private security. Please don’t generalize or sensationalize what you observed. Comments like “there’s a guy running around in the store with a gun” or even simply “I saw a man with a gun in the store” could possibly cause a misunderstanding as to the true nature of the incident.
8. The fact that we carry a firearm to any given place does not mean that we believe that place to be inherently unsafe. If we believe a place to be unsafe, most of us would avoid that place all together if possible. However, we recognize that trouble could occur at any place and at any time. Criminals do not observe “gun free zones”. If trouble does come, we do not want the only armed persons to be perpetrators. Therefore, we don’t usually make a determination about whether or not to carry at any given time based on “how safe” we think a location is.
9. Concealed weapon permit holders are an asset to the public in times of trouble. The fact that most permit holders have the good judgment to stay out of situations better handled by a 911 call or by simply being a careful and vigilant witness does not mean that we would fail to act in situations where the use of deadly force is appropriate to save lives. Review of high profile public shooting incidents shows that when killers are confronted by armed resistance they tend to either break off the attack and flee or choose to end their own life. Lives are saved when resistance engages a violent criminal. Lives are lost when the criminal can do as he pleases.
10. The fact that criminals know that some of the population may be armed at any given time helps to deter violence against all citizens. Permit holders don’t believe that every person should necessarily be armed. We recognize that some people may not be temperamentally suited to carry a firearm or simply may wish not to for personal reasons. However we do encourage you to respect our right to arm ourselves. Even if you choose not to carry a firearm yourself please oppose measures to limit the ability of law abiding citizens to be armed. As mentioned before: criminals do not observe “gun free zones”. Help by not supporting laws that require citizens to be unarmed victims.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is getting back to basics and will emphasize its core mission of combating violent crime, conceding the lead role of investigating and stopping terrorism to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, according to an unpublished draft of its new strategic plan.

via ATF’s New Strategic Plan Focuses On Violent Crime – Main Justice

I’m in favor of getting the F out of the ATF. How about you?

Marlin is owned by Remington. My question is this: will Remington continue manufacturing at least part of the Marlin line of products elsewhere, or is this the end of the line?

I still have a very nice little Marlin 989 M2 carbine (.22 long rifle). I loved that little rifle, with its gold-plated trigger and walnut stock.

The common wisdom is that the firearms bubble is beginning to slowly deflate. We should expect to see a decrease in manufacturing capacity. But the good news is that we should be able to find ammo when we need it.

Some fellas just need to unbunch their panties and take a look at real world responsibilities. In a nation of some 320 million people, well under a million police officers simply aren’t enough to proactively protect everyone. Do the math. Self-defense is a natural personal responsibility, right up there with first responder emergency medical abilities. Those whose stomachs are too weak to accept their own capability in this regard seek to denigrate those who do live up to their responsibilities. Sad, really.

via Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » CONCEALED CARRY: AN IDEA WHOSE TIME IS HERE

They will tell you that there isn’t much change in the new laws about health care insurance, and maybe they are right. But what comes next? Speaker Pelosi has pulled every trick in the book to get this bill through. She has no regard for what is right and decent, much less for what the people want.

She is in your pocket in a big way, and it will get worse before it gets better.

So what happens next? More intrusion into the free market, for sure. Then will it be guns? Free speech will take another hit somewhere in the mix.

The United States of America is becoming a nation with which I am unfamiliar. I hope I don’t live long enough to see what I think it will become.

CITY COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSAL NO. 102, 2010

CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS-MARION COUNTY, INDIANA

INTRODUCED: 03/22/2010

REFERRED TO: Committee of the Whole

SPONSOR: Councillor Coleman

DIGEST: supports the Second Amendment to the United States Government, Article 1, Section 32 of the Indiana Constitution, and the position of Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, recently argued before the United States Supreme Court, that the Second Amendment applies to states and local units of government

via Special Resolution In Support of the 2nd amendment – INGunOwners

If you carry a sub-compact Glock for the ultimate combination of discretion and capacity, you know already that you are giving up some measure of control because of the two-finger grip you must use.

You could put an extension on the magazine and make room for your pinky, but you are giving up just a little bit of your ability to conceal your pistol.

Or you could use what I use and not give up anything at all: the finger rest extension manufactured by Gap Enterprises.

This nifty piece of work is a breeze to install on your standard sub-compact Glock magazine, and when it is in place, you have all the leverage you need in that two-finger grip. That little (warning: technical term) sticky-out-thing is just exactly right; you won’t miss the pinky.

I’ve been running this little baby for quite awhile now. I’m telling you the truth when I say that 1) I feel like I have just as good a grip on my 27 as I do on my 23 or 22 and 2) I wouldn’t make a Glock sub-compact my EDC without one of these installed on the magazine.

Gap Enterprises is a father and son company that found a niche needing to be filled. Those guys are geniuses.

The officers confirmed that the gun wasn’t loaded but that Gonzalez quite visibly was…

Let this be a lesson to us. When we carry guns, we need to use good sense and stay in control of ourselves. If we can’t do that, we don’t need to carry.

I accept and understand that human predators exist. Criminal or terrorist, they take advantage of our civilized society to prey upon the weak. They represent evil and must be confronted and defeated.

I believe that self-defense is a moral imperative, and that illegitimate force and illegal violence must be met with righteous indignation and superior violence.

I will not rely on others for the security of myself, my family and my community.

I proudly proclaim that I run with a like-minded pack. I do not amble through life with the mind-numbed herd.

I will train with my chosen weapons, maintain them and carry them in a condition of readiness at all times.

I will be mentally prepared and physically equipped to effectively respond to an attack or emergency.

I will constantly test myself against realistic standards to discover my strengths and weaknesses. I will turn weakness into strength.

I will seek to learn new skills and techniques, and then teach what I have learned to other members of the pack.

Be it with firearm or blade, empty hand or blunt object, I will hit my enemies hard, fast and true.

I will live a quiet and unobtrusive life, but I will develop and retain the capacity for swift and decisive violence.

I recognize that I am the modern equivalent of the traditional Minuteman, and that I may be called to service at any time against heavily armed enemies. I will respond effectively.

I accept that I am a pariah among some of my countrymen, and a quaint anachronism to others. I will not hold their ignorance against them.

I will win, or die trying.

I swear this creed before God, my family and my fellow citizens.

- John Farnam

(GunReports.com)–Lyle Denniston at SCOTUSblog attended the McDonald, et al., v. Chicago, et al. (08-1521) Supreme Court oral arguments March 2, and offered this gameday account of the proceedings:

The Supreme Court on Tuesday seemed poised to require state and local governments to obey the Second Amendment guarantee of a personal right to a gun, but with perhaps considerable authority to regulate that right. The dominant sentiment on the Court was to extend the Amendment beyond the federal level, based on the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of “due process,” since doing so through another part of the 14th Amendment would raise too many questions about what other rights might emerge.

via Analysis: 2d Amendment Extension Likely

I have a gun. It has never shot anyone. Not even people I’m mad at. It just lies there, like it’s sleeping.

I bought it in 1986 when Richard Ramirez was on a killing spree in Los Angeles and I had a new baby. You know, the guy who used his victim’s blood to paint pentagrams on their walls? They said he liked yellow houses. I lived in a yellow house in Laurel Canyon. It was hidden in the trees far away from other houses so no one would even hear us scream.

So, I bought a gun to protect my daughter.

Some people think owning a gun is bad.

via Big Hollywood » Victoria Jackson – Guns

FAIR OAKS, Ind. — Police say a Michigan man on a hunting trip to northwestern Indiana died after he was hit by a pickup truck driven by a fellow hunter.

via Hunter dies after pickup strikes him | The Indianapolis Star

A tragedy, for sure. Will the Brady Campaign be calling for a ban of cars and trucks?

“After this date (Feb. 22, 2010), the law allows an individual to lawfully possess a firearm within the boundaries of a national wildlife refuge in accordance with federal, state and local firearms laws,” stated the FWS in a press release. “Visitors will be allowed to possess firearms on National Wildlife Refuges provided they comply with applicable provisions of federal, state and local law.”

via New Gun Rules in National Parks

Those of us in the armed community feel that it’s important to receive some form of training. I highly advocate this as well. Train and train often. Learn as much as you can from different instructors. As always, keep things simple. When it boils down to it, it’s you and your gun. That’s it. You might use a flashlight here and there, but in most cases, you won’t while in training unless you train specifically in low-light situations.

One of the first things I tell my students that the best way to win a gunfight, is to avoid one altogether. Remember, you’re not looking for a fight. You’re aiming (no pun intended) to be on the defensive.

“What?!” You say. “That’s just crazy talk. Why do I spend all this money to train and spend so much time reloading brass to go to these expensive classes?” Because there are times you CAN’T avoid a gunfight. That is why you train. For everything else, there’s this thing we call “situational awareness.”

Situational awareness is exactly that. It is being aware of what’s going on around you, at all times. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to be Superman and have heightened senses or having your head constantly on a swivel. That doesn’t hurt, mind you… but it’s not necessarily what’s called for.

If someone looks suspicious, or something doesn’t feel right, do your best to distance yourself. Also, go with your gut instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it isn’t. Get out fast. If you’re with family, gather them quickly and go. Do not waste time. It could be nothing at all, but better safe than sorry.

We also have a very difficult task. Winning the hearts and minds of the general public. Sadly, most people only see what’s put in front of them on a television screen. They are conditioned this way, and not given all sides of the story.

We can’t do this by being hard-edged about it. Yes, we need to be firm and steadfast about our rights and our ability to keep and bear arms. Save the teeth for the politicians and the bad guys. We need to reach out and grab our greatest resource: The People.

There’s a saying that, “An armed society is a polite society”. I believe there is truth to that. In the same hand, this is how we win the hearts and minds of the people. We show them that we’re just normal people. Everyday Joes and Susies just like them. The only difference between us is that we decided we’re taking charge of our own security and safety. We decided that we aren’t going to be victims.

There are some heroes of our culture that have made it to mainstream. John Stossel immediately comes to mind for me. He’s done many news pieces for ABC that were staunchly pro-gun over the years. He’s since left ABC and has moved to the Fox Network. This is an awesome move in my opinion.

We have a culture all our own. It’s my honest belief that we owe it to the rest of the world to share our culture with them. Sure, they may not catch on at first, but it’s a chance to show them the freedom that we know, what it’s worth, and why it’s so dog-gone important.It’s not about the gun itself. It’s the freedom behind it. We have the choice to carry it. We choose to be independent people. Some people want to be protected by someone else. That’s okay, but that’s not for us. At least, not for me.

We can’t force this on people, however. We’re on the receiving end of that enough as it is. We can bring people around through facts, education, and overall exposure.  One of the best programs to do this with is the Appleseed Project. It’s relatively inexpensive, it’s a great history lesson, and it also ties in why Marksmanship is so important to the American Culture as a whole. You can get more information on their program at http://www.appleseedinfo.org .

So, to recap… here are a few points to remember:

• Keep your gear simple and don’t over-complicate things.
• Train, and train often. Your gun is a constant, it’s your skill that must improve.
• Be aware of your surroundings and move to avoid conflict when possible.
• Be kind, respectful and willing to educate.
• Expose people to the Culture in any and every way possible. Show them it’s not what they see on the television.

Stay safe.

The Art of the Dynamic Handgun is a 4-disc DVD set featuring over seven hours of actual live fire class instruction and additional instructional material.

Using a diverse group of beginner, intermediate, and advanced students, instructors Travis Haley and Chris Costa guide the class from the fundamentals of handgun operation, to problem solving, and through complex real-life scenarios. This progression from basic to advanced weapon manipulation pushes students of all skill levels to their failure points, illustrating how even the best shooters can advance and excel.

Fifty dollars well spent, my friends. I am a relative newby to the world of handguns. I have a learned a lot, but I have a lot to learn. The short time I’ve spent with this resource has already helped me, both with physical techniques and with mental approach. These DVDs will go into a regular rotation of stuff I love to watch.

You may be familiar already with Magpul Dynamics’ resources called “The Art of the Tactical Carbine”, I and II. Those are helpful and enjoyable. But I’m not a guy who is likely to be using my AR-15 in a self-defense or tactical situation. I mean, I want to be ready for what may happen, but I hope it doesn’t happen. So, while I enjoy the Carbine DVDs, there isn’t an abundance of relevant material I can put into my regimen. Your mileage may vary.

On the other hand, these handgun DVDs are chock-full of stuff that matters to me practically. The trainers — Chris Costa and Travis Haley — are giving down-to-earth advice to people just like me. They always demonstrate best practices and help the students, who vary in skill level, achieve a requisite measure of success and confidence. I kind of feel like I’m there, participating in the training, but without getting dirty and without my knees aching. Costa even includes his father as one of the students, so I have someone with which to identify. (Except I don’t use a revolver, like Dad does.)

Emphasis throughout the training is on the dynamic part of Dynamic Handgun. What could happen in the real world? How will you feel and react? How should you train for the eventuality? What are some tried and true ways to handle issues? What else should I be thinking about if I get in a fire fight?

Like live actors on a stage, Costa and Haley almost over-exaggerate their movements when they demonstrate each technique. This is a consistent feature throughout the Magpul Dynamics series, and one I certainly appreciate. Well done, gentlemen.

Beginning at the beginning with safety and grip, there is plenty in this set of DVDs for everyone. I heartily recommend “The Art of the Dynamic Handgun.”

So, folks, there’s your People Magazine review of this resource. Now we need to get Nick to do a real professional review.

Here’s the official trailer:

WASHINGTON — The nation’s Homeland Security officers lost nearly 200 guns in bowling alleys, public restrooms, unlocked cars and other unsecure areas, with some ending up in the hands of felons. The problem, outlined in a new federal report, has prompted disciplinary actions and extra training.

Most of the misplaced weapons — including handguns, shotguns and military rifles — were never found. “Most losses occurred because officers did not properly secure firearms,” says the Homeland Security inspector general report.

via Homeland Security reports losing guns – USATODAY.com

ROCKFORD, Ill. — By word of mouth, news began to spread around Rockford beginning in April 2009 that the managers of a new resale shop in the 1200 block of Broadway were willing to purchase firearms, stolen property and narcotics and, soon, business was brisk. During the next six months, the managers of “Tony Tones All Thangs Fine” purchased more than 50 firearms, including a dozen sawed-off shotguns, most of them allegedly sold illegally either by individuals who were previously convicted felons or by individuals who believed they were selling firearms to convicted felons.

When the shop closed at the end of October 2009, local, state and federal law enforcement authorities, led by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents, removed the hidden video equipment that had allowed them to view and secretly record individuals who had used the back room of “All Thangs Fine” (whose initials spell “ATF”) to make illegal sales of firearms and narcotics during the six-month undercover investigation.

Details are abundant. Check it out.

via USAO Press Release – Undercover “ATF” Resale Shop in Rockford Attracted Illegal Sales of More Than 50 Firearms and Narcotics

The very word can strike a myriad of emotions in the population of a people. Fear, Hope, Courage, Anger, Discontent, Comfort, and a plethora of others. Today, I’d like to examine what the Firearm is and how it works in relation to the person using it. Once we decipher what it is, and what it does, we can greater determine how we can use it as a benefit to society.

Merriam-Webster defines a firearm as “a weapon from which a shot is discharged by gunpowder”. Since their inception, Firearms and ammunition have vastly progressed in the areas of efficiency, speed, accuracy. From Flintlock Muskets all the way to Full-auto Machine Guns, Smooth bore pistols to semi-automatic handguns,  technology has advanced in more ways than we can imagine. Despite all of the technological advances, the idea of the firearm is still very simple: A Firearm is a weapon that is designed to damage or destroy anything that it is aimed and fired upon.

Think about that for just a moment. Now, let’s look at how a firearm works.

A Firearm discharges a round of ammunition when a succession of events happen. The Operator (the person using the weapon) squeezes the trigger, which actuates the hammer into motion, and releases the hammer to strike the firing pin, thus moving to firing pin to strike the primer of the ammunition cartridge and igniting the gunpowder, thus sending the bullet downrange. All of this is great information, but we’re merely concerned about the very first event.

The Operator squeezing the trigger. This inherently means that a Firearm must be acted upon.

Taking a shot with a firearm is a commitment. Once it’s done, there’s no turning back. No pulling the bullet back. No re-dos and no replays. Once it’s done, it’s done.

So, looking at the facts we now know, we’ve determined that a Firearm is:

• A weapon
• That must have an Operator (being the person using the weapon)
• To act upon the weapon by squeezing the trigger
• Enabling the hammer to strike the firing pin
• Enabling the firing pin to strike the primer, igniting the gunpowder
• Enabling the gunpowder to build gaseous pressure, forcing the bullet into the barrel and downrange.
• Enabling the bullet to come into contact and impact it’s intended and/or unintended target, damaging, destroying, or killing it.

Now we’ve determined what a Firearm is. We’ve also determined that, by definition, it is an inanimate object. A Firearm does not operate on it’s own. It requires an outside force to act upon it in order for it function. An Operator, being the person using the firearm, must make a choice to pull the trigger enact the sequence of events that, in milliseconds, can either damage, destroy, or kill an object or person.

You’re probably wondering why this article seems rather redundant. This is because a firearm only works in one manner. Humans also learn by repetitive action. If they encounter or do something enough in the same fashion, it becomes memory. Being cerebral or muscular memory, the Human body retains what it has learned and it will act in the same manner as it learned.

If an Operator learns to shoot a firearm in the same manner every time, it becomes memory and that Operator will shoot in the same fashion every time the Operator picks up a firearm. In turn, the Operator acts in the same manner that the firearm does, thus making the Operator as much of a weapon as the firearm the Operator wields.

In any manner that an Operator uses their firearm, they are inherently making a choice to do so. Whatever their motives are, they are responsible for the outcomes due to their choice of squeezing the trigger. Once you make this determination, you’ll take the value of your training and the quality of your own shooting much more seriously.

Nick will be writing on tactics and training and whatever else comes across his fertile mind.

For many shooters, figuring out the ballistics of their rounds is akin to some arcane form of black magic. There are so many variables involved, and some of these variables have a much greater effect than others. Everyone is basically familiar with the effects of bullet weight and muzzle velocity, and a basic computation of your external ballistics and bullet trajectory can be computed using simple physics formulas that disregard atmospheric conditions and aerodynamic drag using only these components. But there is one aspect of aerodynamic drag that does have a significant measurable effect on bullet trajectory, and that is the ballistic coefficiency of the bullet. But what is a ballistic coefficient?

What follows is a nice explanation, accessible to the average guy, of that BC you need to know for your bullet in order to do good ballistics work on your loads.

Good stuff. I plan to review a couple different pieces of ballistics software before long.

Look for Craig to provide the old school point of view from a younger generation. He loves his revolvers and his vintage rifles.

Here he is in action with his Mosin-Nagant M44 on their first date:

Free Market Ensures Gun Owners Will Get Served.

Bristol, VA –(AmmoLand.com)- OpenCarry.org applauds Starbucks’ policy to serve all lawful gun carriers world wide. It is refreshing to see yet one more company not requiring law abiding gun owners to go to the back of the bus.

“Importantly,” says John Pierce, co-founder of OpenCarry.org, “Starbucks joins most American corporations in deciding not to discriminate against lawful gun carriers.”

For example, North American computer retailer giant Best Buy Inc.’s policy is also to “not restrict our customers who are legally entitled to carry a firearm.”

See http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum57/26780-2.html.

OpenCarry.org urges all gun owners to patronize Starbucks worldwide and thank them for supporting the Second Amendment.

See news coverage at DC Gun Rights Examiner.

source: http://www.ammoland.com/2010/02/06/opencarry-org-applauds-starbucks-poli…

http://snipurl.com/uagzt

via Good reports from Starbucks via ammoland.com | PennyDean.org

Here’s a small slice

The objective of the program is to reawaken the United States as a nation of riflemen, and to imbue all the independence and responsibility which that concept implies. The course I just came home from was held at Hernando Sportsmen’s Club in Hernando County, Florida. I was most pleased to see how many young people were there, boys and girls alike: as simplistic as it sounds, the fact really is: “The children are the future.”

Do You Worry About the Aftermath of a Self Defense Shooting?

The Network’s goal is to prevent miscarriages of justice through—

• Educating members about the legalities of using deadly force for self-defense and how to interact with the criminal justice system after a shooting.
• An initial $5,000 fee deposit paid to the member’s attorney by the Network if the member has been involved in a self-defense incident. The fee deposit gets the legal defense immediately underway, with representation during questioning, and arranging for an independent investigation of the incident.
• Network members are also eligible for additional grants of financial assistance from a separate non-profit foundation if they face unmeritorious prosecution or civil action after a self-defense incident occurring during their period of membership.
• The Network publishes a monthly journal online with columns and features focused on topics of interest to armed citizens. Click here to view the latest edition, which is a PDF that will download automatically when you click the link.
• Creating a nationwide network of attorneys and legal experts which the member can draw upon in the event of a self-defense shooting.

If you possess a gun for defense of yourself and your family, we urge you to seriously consider joining the Network.

Preparation to survive the second attack—the legal aftermath of a justifiable defense shooting—is critical.

Ignore it at your own peril.

My wife and I are members? What about you?

I’ve seen the movie, and I loved it. I really appreciated the care taken with details about the firearms. I didn’t detect any firearms faux pax, and that’s unusual in films.

The book is the same way, and even more so. While the movie zeroes in on pretty much a single plot line, the book has several, which will obviously intertwine at some point, which I have not yet reached.

Stephen Hunter is definitely a gun guy, and I’m enjoying this book tremendously. Eventually, I want to read all his stuff. If you like guns and/or military books, I’m betting you will like this one.

First story: A libertarian city councilman in Indianapolis is proposing to allow law-abiding licensed people to carry guns in city parks, which is currently disallowed. The station had three soundbites. The first was a quick one from the proposer, the next two were from a couple at the dog park in Broad Ripple. Ripple is a throwback hippy/yuppy/greeny/lib neighborhood, our version of Haight-Ashbury or Greenwich Village. The couple were appalled at the thought of guns in the park. The guy, being a guy, said something like it would make him wet his pants. And the gal said they would just leave the dog park if they saw someone with a gun. She said it with a quivering voice that almost brought a tear to my eye. End of story.

Second story: A young man was killed last evening in a shootout in a city park in Indianapolis. But wait, I say, how can this be? There is a city ordinance against having guns in city parks, and yet apparently a group of seven youths, age 18 to 20, had at least two guns among them. They broke the ordinance, if you can believe it.

You see, here’s the deal. You can make all the laws you want to, but criminals don’t seem to obey them. In fact, isn’t that kind of what defines someone as a criminal? Criminal, crime. See the connection?

So, I will not put my feet on the hallowed ground of an Indianapolis city park as long as criminals are the only ones who are allowed to have guns. Do I look stupid or something?

Indianapolis has some great city parks, including Eagle Creek Park, which is one of the largest and best municipal parks in the USA. I wouldn’t go there on a dare.

I hope this ordinance passes, but I don’t give it much hope.

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.

- Second Amendment, Bill of Rights, US Constitution

The people shall have a right to bear arms, for the defense of themselves and the State.

- Section 32, Indiana Constitution

I hate to even crack the thing open. I know I’m gonna spend some money.

Kenn Blanchard and Mas Ayoob, together at SHOT Show
Steve Denney’s OK, too.

BODYGUARD 380 Pistol

Compact, sleek and ergonomic, the BODYGUARD 380 delivers personal protection in an easy-to-carry platform. Chambered for .380 ACP, the lightweight pistol features a high-strength polymer frame with a black, Melonite(R) coated stainless steel slide and barrel. The new BODYGUARD 380 is standard with a 2 3/4-inch barrel, which contributes to an overall length of 5 1/4-inches and an unloaded weight of only 11.85 ounces.

The new pistol features a double-action fire control system, which allows for rapid second-strike capability. The BODYGUARD 380 has been further enhanced with a smooth trigger pull. Adding to its simplicity, the BODYGUARD 380 is standard with a manual thumb safety and an external take down lever and slide stop. On the lower portion of the frame, the pistol has been fitted with an integral INSIGHT laser, which is easily operated by both left and right-handed shooters. With its slim-line ergonomic grip, the pistol is comfortable in the hand and points naturally. To help aid in quick sight acquisition when the laser is not in use, the pistol includes black, Melonite-coated, stainless steel, drift adjustable dovetail sights. The BODYGUARD 380 is standard with a 6+1 magazine capacity.

BODYGUARD 38 Revolver

Chambered in .38 S&W Special +P, the BODYGUARD 38 continues Smith & Wesson’s line of reliable small-frame self-defense revolvers. The BODYGUARD 38 delivers the optimal combination of accuracy and simplicity. With its lightweight design, the BODYGUARD 38 allows for discreet carry and its hammerless design provides a snag-free presentation. The five-shot revolver features a short 1.9-inch barrel, which contributes to a compact overall length of 6.6 inches.

Weighing in at 14.3 ounces, the BODYGUARD 38 features a one-piece aluminum alloy upper frame along with a steel reinforced polymer lower frame. The barrel and cylinder on the revolver are both stainless steel. The stainless steel cylinder is coated with a durable, non-reflective, matte black PVD finish for long term carrying and low light presentation. Designed to accommodate both left and right-handed shooters, the revolver features an easily manipulated ambidextrous cylinder release on the top of the frame. The revolver is further enhanced with an ergonomic one-piece rubber grip and a smooth trigger pull.

On the right side of the frame, the revolver has been fitted with an integral INSIGHT laser, allowing precise shot placement in low light conditions. For fast target acquisition when the laser is not in use, the revolver sports a notch-style rear sight and a pinned black blade front sight. The BODYGUARD 38, with its double-action only design, can be easily concealed for discreet carry.

INSIGHT Laser

At the core of the new BODYGUARD line of firearms is the capability of the INSIGHT laser. Allowing for optimal accuracy, both the BODYGUARD 380 and 38 are fitted with a red laser sight produced in conjunction with Insight Technology. A world leader in the design, development and manufacture of tactical lasers, Insight Technology designed the integrated laser system to perfectly mate with the new pistol and revolver. Accurate, durable and easily adjusted, the integral laser provides shooters with added confidence by enabling quick sight acquisition under low light conditions.

The integrated laser sighting system enables faster target acquisition for shooters of all experience levels. By working closely together and designing the firearm and laser sight system to be integral, Smith & Wesson and Insight Technology have achieved a value positioning that allows more firearm customers to afford laser sighting system technology.

To activate the laser, users simply operate the push-button design located on top of the laser sight for the revolver and on the sides of the forward frame for the pistol. Ambidextrous and easily manipulated while holding the firearm in the shooting position, the laser sight features three modes. By pushing the button once, the laser is on a constant-on mode. A second push of the button enables the laser to go into pulse mode while a third press turns the laser off. The INSIGHT laser is equipped with an automatic five-minute auto off timer, to preserve battery life. In constant on mode, the laser provides three hours of continuous run time. The laser sight can be adjusted for both windage and elevation and no assembly is required. Two Energizer 357 or equivalent batteries power the laser on the BODYGUARD handguns.

“With its advanced features and quality components, the new BODYGUARDS offer an easy-to-use, accurate and lightweight self-defense firearm,” said Golden. “The new BODYGUARD 380, 38 and their integral laser sight systems have been meticulously engineered from the ground up. Simple yet sophisticated, the new BODYGUARDS provide the satisfaction, durability and reliability that have become synonymous with Smith & Wesson firearms.”

Tomorrow it starts. Check out the countdown timer.

BEAVERTON, Ore.–Leupold is issuing a customer alert to purchasers of products, particularly via Internet sales, in regards to bogus Leupold products that are apparently being illegally imported from the People’s Republic of China.

These products bear many of the marks and trade dress of current Leupold & Stevens riflescopes making them very hard to distinguish externally from authentic Leupold products.

via Counterfeit Leupold Riflescope Warning

Details used to distinguish these counterfeit scopes are in the article.

Probably his most well-known novel is Point of Impact, on which the 2007 movie “Shooter” was based. I’ve already got Point of Impact on order from Amazon. If it is as good as the movie, I won’t be able to put it down.

Here’s a little excerpt from the interview:

One of the early motivations was that, of course, there’s also a lot of junk in popular culture about guns. We’ve all seen movies where a six-shooter fires 75 times, and the guy kills a sniper from 200 yards with a hipshot from a Colt Detective Special, and that sort of thing. One of the things from the very beginning was I wanted to portray the guns accurately. I wanted to understand what they did and what they didn’t do. I wanted to talk about how they were used, what the dynamics of firearms encounters were as opposed to what the Hollywood vision of them was. I figured Hemingway once said something like, “The way you start every morning is you try and think of ‘One True’ thing.” Well, I didn’t know much about anything except guns. So, I thought, if I can get one true thing about a gun in, maybe that would take me somewhere interesting. And so all the books sort of turn on the fulcrum of a particular gun being used or not being used, and I’ve always gone to great pains—maybe too great a pain—to make sure that I got the details right.

Hoosiers, if you aren’t a member of INGO, you’re missing the best firearms conversation to be had in these parts.

Get on board.

LAS VEGAS–Award-winning comedian Dennis Miller is scheduled to headline the State of the Industry dinner on Tuesday evening, Jan. 19, in the Palazzo Ballroom of the Venetian Hotel and Casino as part of the 2010 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show and Conference sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

via Dennis Miller to Headline NSSF State of the Industry Dinner

I’d love to be there. I listen to Dennis almost every day on the radio.

I like the looks and the form factor in this offering. I already have a full-sized SR9, and it is beautiful to look at and to shoot.

The new gun should start shipping some time this month. I’m anxious to hold one in my hand.

What do you think?

My first pocket gun was a Kel-Tec PF9. Mine came with a laser sight. Nice little package. The hard part was finding a pocket holster that would fit over the laser. I never did solve that one satisfactorily. All the holsters I found were either too loose or too tight. I ended up with one that was a little snug. If I had ever needed it in an emergency (which I didn’t), I would have had to fling off the holster, or else shoot through it, just like a cowboy.

The PF9 is a decent pocket gun, if you don’t mind 9mm. I wasn’t happy with 9mm. Plus, I didn’t shoot the gun very well, with or without the laser. Thus cameth the Glock 27.

When I bought the Glock 27, I thought it would be a pocket gun. I’m a big guy and the 27 is smaller than the other handguns I had at the time. I bought a nice pocket holster for the G27 and carried it that way for awhile. I’m a big guy, but the 27 is too big for me to carry as a pocket gun. My drawers drooped so much I could have been mistaken for a gang banger. On one side, anyway. So chalk it up to experience: a Glock subcompact is no pocket gun, though it can do in a pinch.

I had my eye on the Ruger LCP ever since I first saw a picture of it. I know. If 9mm is underpowered, why would you even consider the .380 ACP? The 9mm short?

For me, it was all about size and convenience. You won’t find a smaller handgun that can hold six or seven rounds with halfway decent power. I wanted one. I couldn’t find one. Several months went by. I still couldn’t find one.

Then a Kel-Tec P3AT presented itself to me. It was a little cheaper than the LCP and looked about the same. I bought it. I thought it would be a good pocket gun for me and a great purse gun for my wife.

The fit and finish on the Kel-Tec was a little rough, but not out of line with the price. I kind of liked the little guy. It wasn’t too snappy for me to handle, small though it is. It was a little more work to rack the slide than I expected, and I worried about how my wife — a petite gal — might handle that job. Well, she didn’t. She practically had to put the gun between her knees to slingshot the slide. That’s a no go for her.

About that time I was able to find a barely-used LCP from an INGO buddy. There was a world of difference in the fit and finish. The LCP is nice to hold and nice to shoot. By comparision, the P3AT is like sandpaper in your hand. The LCP was finally mine. The slide worked more smoothly and I hoped my wife would find it satisfactory. Unfortunately, not the case. I ended up selling the LCP and getting her a snubby .38. She can handle that just fine.

Meanwhile, I was really not happy carrying .380 for self-defense and I got more and more used to carrying my G27 at about four o’clock IWB. (The big trick is to find a suitable holster. Everyone has a box full of holsters that did not work well. I’m no exception.) I gave the P3AT to my son, who needs a little sump’n sump’n in his pocket from time to time, and more or less forgot about a pocket gun.

Until I saw the Kahr PM40. A .40 S&W handgun. The smallest .40 on the planet. Or as my gunshop guy said, “The smallest .40 that works.”

So we are giving the Kahr a go. A pocket gun it is. It isn’t really any bigger than the PF9. The downside: It’s a single-stack magazine and only holds five rounds. But that’s also the upside, because the gun is single-stack thin. Thin is in. It will require carrying an extra mag, though. Just in case. Still, five rounds is the same as my wife’s snubby. It’s better to have five .40s than nothing at all.

I haven’t shot the Kahr yet. I’ve been reading that I should expect everything from an overwhelming snap to a comfortable, soft recoil, quickly back on target. We’ll see. I’ll write an AAR when it happens.

So to sum up:

• Kel-Tec PF9 – good pocket gun, but underpowered, in my mind.
• Kel-Tec P3AT, Ruger LCP – essentially the same. Perfect pocket gun. Underpowered. The Ruger is nicer than the Kel-Tec. Duh. (Since these guns are essentially the same, I’m calling them one-and-a-half.)
• Kahr PM40 – a good pocket gun, may be an expert’s gun. Time will tell. Film at eleven.

Feel free to chime in with your comments on these guns and on other pocket guns you have used or would like to use. God bless.

1. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.)
3. Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. This is the Golden Rule. Its violation is directly responsible for about 60 percent of inadvertent discharges.
4. Identify your target, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified.

If you don’t have them committed to memory yet, you may as well do it now.