Thursday, January 31, 2008

Another School Shooting, A Happy Ending

I wonder why this incident has not been mentioned by any of the local news media?

From Israel Insider:


In Gush Etzion, southeast of Jerusalem, two Palestinian gunmen wearing IDF uniforms burst into the Makor Haim yeshiva high school. Wielding guns and knives, they lightly injured two Israeli counselors before being shot dead.
I am sure that numb-nuts such as Colin Goddard would have preferred that the terrorists be allowed free reign in the school, killing as many students and teachers as possible until the police showed up.

Me? I kind of like the fact that they were killed early in the scenario, only wounding two before they were put down.

H/T to Kim du Toit. Also commenting are DoubleTapper and Say Uncle.

Oh, on the off chance you think that terrorists are not interested in attacking our schools and killing our children, you should read "Our Schools at Risk" and "Mass Slaughter in our Schools: the Terrorists' Chilling Plan".

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The GOP and Me

This quote pretty much sums up my relationship with the GOP:
God, I feel like the ex-girlfriend that just figured out her ex- only tries to get back together with her long enough to get laid. She keeps taking him back, putting out, then finds him in shower nailing her roommate Cindy.
From Joe's Crabby Shack via Anthroblogogy.

A Right AND a Duty

I have always asserted that self defense is not just a right, it is an obligation. As a society, we are all responsible for each other in at least some small way. To allow a goblin to get away with his crimes unopposed, emboldens and empowers that goblin to go out and become even more violent. This is why folks like Colin Goddard (and his Dad) piss me off so much.

The LawDog has done a much better job of explaining this responsibility in Meditations on Self Defence.

Head on over and give it a read, it is important.

As Jeff Cooper wrote:

November 1993--"Fight back! Whenever you are offered violence, fight back! The aggressor does not fear the law, so he must be taught to fear you. Whatever the risk, and at whatever the cost, fight back!"
H/T Xavier

Not Today

Last weekend I was approached about the possibility of purchasing a gun shop located in one of the suburbs of the DFW Metroplex. It was a decent deal, I could have picked up the shop for pretty much just the cost of the inventory. The current owner had bought it thinking that all he would have to do is sit at home and collect the profits, needless to say he was mistaken.

As you can probably tell by my use of the past tense, I decided to pass this one by. A lack of operating capitol was a major factor, the location was another. Add to that the fact that I would have to rebuild a customer base and most likely have to move the store front to be successful, it was not such a great deal.

Starting from scratch, with a new name would be just as time consuming and more satisfying in my opinion.

So it will be awhile yet, but one of these days you will be able to visit Green Oaks Guns and Ammo for all your gunny needs.

RINOplasty

Day by Day

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Lone Star Friends of NRA Dinner.

This is one of my favorite events of the year, and it is only one month away. The 2008 Lone Star Friends of NRA Dinner is being held on Friday, February 29th, in Mesquite Texas. Each year this dinner kicks off the Texas State Rifle Association Annual Meeting weekend.

Last year's even raised over $30,000 for the NRA Foundation and we are hopeful that this year's even will be even bigger and better. The Friends of NRA has no part in the political processes that the NRA participates in, but rather is a continual source of funding for programs designed to foster the shooting sports and get Americans involved in shooting programs. Proceeds from this even will be used to fund additional permanently endowed scholarships within the Texas A&M System as part of the George Tubb memorial Scholarship Program.

Monies are raised through sponsorships, live and silent auctions, and raffles. V and I have been sponsors for the past couple of years, and continue to sponsor this worthy cause. If you are interested in a sponsor package, you can find more information here.

The auctions and raffles will include Friends of NRA National Merchandise packages. These packages include top quality firearms, art, knives, optics and accessories from national sponsors. When you add the merchandise from local businesses and individuals, you find one heck of a lot of loot for the folks who attend the event.

This Kimber is just one example from the national package:

If you want to see more of what is available (such as the offering from Weatherby), click in the image:



2008 Merchandise Package

There will also be a 12 gun drawing. This drawing features a mix of rifles, shotguns and pistols. The 12 guns in this drawing are:

Remington 770 .270 rifle with scope

Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm pistol

Charles Daly Field Grade Camo 12 ga. pump shotgun

Savage Package Rifle, .243 with scope

Rossi 352 .38 revolver

Mossberg 505 youth 20 ga. pump shotgun

Marlin 925 .22 bolt action rifle

Smith & Wesson 22A .22 pistol

Remington 870 Express 20 ga. pump shotgun

Mossberg 702 .22 semi-auto rifle

Charles Daly Sendero .357 single action revolver

Smith & Wesson 1012 12 ga. semi-auto shotgun

Tickets for the dinner are $30.00 each. You can purchase tickets and sponsorships by calling the TSRA at 1.866.897.4353. The dinner and camaraderie are worth the price of admission. The chance to walk out of there with some gunny goodness is just icing on the cake.

V and I really hope to see you there.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Busy, busy

So JR, why haven't you posted anything tonight?

I've got empty brass to pack, and with this single stage press, it takes awhile.

I figure lots of 250 ought to be just about right.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

A Day at the Range

V is taking her CHL class on Feb. 9th so we went out to the range to work on her confidence in passing the shooting part of the class. She did good and will do just fine in the CHL class.

While at the range, spoke with a couple folks about the possibility of purchasing a gun shop that has been struggling and is now up for sale.

It sure is tempting. But I still do not have enough capitol to run it, much less do the necessary improvements to it after closing the sale. I'm going to take another look at it on Tuesday....

Saturday, January 26, 2008

News From the Sight

Syd has News from The Sight M1911, Volume 281 posted. Syd's news roundups are a great resource for gunnies and those who appreciate the right to keep and bear arms.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Breaking News!

Judge denies AFT's request for summary judgment, Red's Trading Post case now goes on trial.

US District Court Judge Edward J. Lodge has denied the BATFE's request for summary judgment in our case and has moved it on to trial.
Now that is some good news.

Read the rest here.

Work Related Stuff

One of my work projects this past week was installing a Crest Ultrasonic system in one of our production facilities. This is a six station machine with a robot to transfer baskets through each station. There are two cleaning and three rinsing baths, and one drying station. The parts baskets are built to tumble while in the baths.



( The above is a stock image, not our machine)

This is a used machine that we had mothballed a couple of years ago. After I got the machine in place and leveled, the utilities hooked up, the robot taught and everything pretty much ready to go, I needed some dirty parts to run through it for an operational check.

So guess what...


I got paid to clean brass. The left box is full of .45 ACP and the right is 5.56. The image does a lousy job of showing just how much brass is in each box. It is a good bit (I've gotten just a touch behind)

Now I get the fun of filling all that empty brass with primers, powder and bullets. Last years plan for birthday/Christmas was to purchase a progressive press. We ended up making a much needed improvement to our home security system instead, so I am still on the single stage press. Maybe it is time for my oldest grandson to learn how to size cases?

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Monster Hunter International...

...gets the JR seal of approval.

Monster Hunter International is an action packed adventure written by Larry Correia. I pre-ordered the book from Larry's site because Larry's writing on his blog was interesting. I have always enjoyed science fiction and fantasy. The relatively recent inclusion of the undead into the SF/Fantasy genre sometimes works for me, but often does not. Monster Hunter International works for me.

Larry spins a fast paced tale of the adventures surrounding Owen Zastava Pitt, underground money fighter turned CPA turned professional monster hunter. This book will keep your interest, and the pages will almost turn themselves.

This is Cool

It is rare to find an editorial in a news paper that supports an individual's right to defend themselves, and often when you do, it will not be very enthusiastic about that right.

Jeff of Alphecca found one such article.




Editor's note: The following editorial first appeared in the Colorado Springs Gazette, sister publication to this newspaper. It speaks to the importance of responsible gun ownership and its value to all law-abiding Americans.

Colorado Springs deserves an award. In three consecutive months, private citizens have taken responsibility to stop violent crime in its tracks, shooting five violent predators. They've sent a powerful message to criminals everywhere, and it goes like this: There's no easy prey in Colorado Springs.

The recent spate of foiled crime began Nov. 27...


Police can't be the only plan. It's not their primary role to enjoin crimes in progress — an unreasonable expectation of the public. Most cops would like to interrupt violent crime, but it's impossible in almost every case.
Kudos to the Colorado Springs Gazette and to the Appeal Democrat for printing this editorial.

You really should go and read the whole thing.

H/T to Ride Fast

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

A Coward Speaks Out

Yesterday, David of The War on Guns, linked to a news article that just flat out floored me. In his post, My Kind of Protest, David linked to an article that covered anti gun protesters, and the pro freedom and liberty folks who opposed them in Richmond VA.




Survivors and families of the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings faced off Monday against gun-rights advocates over a bill that would prevent criminals and the mentally ill from buying firearms at gun shows.

About 100 supporters of the measure lay on the Capitol lawn to honor the victims of gun violence, as about 200 opponents stood nearby, holding signs that read, "Here Lie Disarmed Victims."
The VCDL did an excellent job of showing up and countering the efforts of these idjits. SailorCurt has a recap of the day under "Happy John Moses Browning Day". Head on over and give it a read, it is an example of what a local gun rights organization can accomplish with a few motivated people.

The part of the news article that really caught my eye though was a verbal exchange between Jeff Knox and Colin Goddard. This exchange highlights a phenomenon that has really been bugging the heck out of me lately.


At one point, Jeff Knox, director of operations of the Manassas-based Firearms Coalition, approached survivor Colin Goddard and said students could have stopped student Seung-Hui Cho's rampage if they had been allowed to carry guns on campus.

"I would have stopped him," Knox said. "Because when I went to school, I carried a gun. It was legal; I did it."

Goddard, a Virginia Tech senior who was shot four times in the April 16 massacre, was taken aback, then said: "I feel sorry for you - the fact that you feel you need to protect yourself in every situation.

"You're afraid of crazy situations happening. I've lived through this and I know that I can't continue in my life afraid of things," he said, adding that he put his "full trust" in the police to protect society.
Hey Numbnuts, how well did that "full trust" in the police work for you at Virginia Tech? As four bullets were ripping through your terrorized body, what would you have given for somebody to put a stop to the violence? You are a liar if you say that you are glad that none of your fellow students or teachers had the tools to protect themselves, and in protecting themselves, also protect you. The fact that even after living through an extremely violent random encounter with a goblin, you refuse to protect yourself and those who may count upon you makes you a gutless wonder and a coward. The fact that you are actively lobbying to prevent folks who understand their responsibility to themselves, their loved ones and to society from being able to carry the most efficient tools to accomplish that task makes you a... I can't think of a good word that describes a coward who is so lost in his cowardice that he feels the need to shackle the rest of us with his impotence.

Folks such as Colin Goddard have been in the news quite a bit of late.

One example that Fits covered is the story of a woman who was severely beaten in front of her boyfriend and bus load of adults by a group of middle school kids in "Always Dangerous When Attacking in Packs".

Colin, I carry a firearm with me pretty much at all times. I avoid places where a concealed firearm is prohibited, and work hard to support our right to keep and bare arms. I do this for the same reason that I carry an umbrella and jack behind the back seat of my truck. Am I scared of rain or a flat tire? No, but these are the most efficient tools to deal with rain or a flat. A firearm is the most efficient tool that I have at my disposal to deal with a violent criminal. As evidenced by your scars, a person never can tell when he (or she) will be forced into a situation where dealing with a violent goblin is necessary.

Also commenting on this is Nicki with "I Feel Sorry For You..."

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

The Pistolero is on a Roll!


Now that was good.

Fred is Out

Yes I am disappointed.

I am disappointed with the South Carolina Republicans. You voted for McCain? You forgot McCain/Kennedy? You forgot McCain/Feingold? You forgot the attempt at McCain/Lieberman? A full amnesty, open borders, anti constitution candidate won the S.C. primary? I really do not know what to say.

We are going to have a choice in the general election. A choice between a far left statist, and a left leaning statist (quiet possibly a left leaning, authoritarian statist). This makes me sick. It also makes me angry, but not angry enough to just say "forget it" and sit the whole process out.

We have legislators to elect. Since we have pretty much lost the White House already, we have to work even harder to get rid of the dead wood and elect quality representatives on Capitol Hill. Look to your local elections, and fight the good fight.

D.C v Heller, The Star Telegram Weighs In.

Linda P. Campbell, a staff writer for the Star Telegram, has written a column on D.C. v Heller.


...Most of the amici (in legal lingo) on the district's side have well-known stands on gun control and could be expected to argue that the Second Amendment doesn't forbid local restrictions on personal weapons.

Then there's the brief led by the American Jewish Committee. It speaks for 23 groups as diverse as the Baptist Peace Fellowship, Citizens for a Safer Minnesota and the Gray Panthers, but also for "certain individual victims and families of victims of gun violence."

Families of 14 victims from gunman Seung-Hui Cho's April massacre at Virginia Tech University, plus three of the injured themselves, are backing the district on gun control.

"Jeri and I don't wish to take guns away from people who use them for hunting, target-shooting and self-defense in their homes and on their own property and would -- perhaps -- not even object to somebody carrying a weapon unconcealed in other places if they felt threatened in those areas," Michael Bishop told me in an e-mail on behalf of himself and his wife.

"What we do insist on is the undeniable fact that firearms were, and are, designed to kill and that one should demonstrate competence and accountability in their use. We don't believe that enacting even sensible gun legislation will prevent every murder by a firearm ..., but we do believe that allowing ... [everyone] who attempts to buy a gun to have that weapon, regardless of competence and accountability, will increase the number of firearm fatalities rather than lower them."
Mr. Bishop starts out stating that he supports hunting, sporting and self defense uses of firearms, even going so far as that he would support open carry, but he is siding with D.C in this case. We are talking about Washington D.C., the city that has an outright ban on handgun ownership by it's citizens. A ban, you know, zero tolerance. Some folks who owned handguns prior to the ban going into effect (1975) were allowed to keep their firearms. These folks are required to have a permit to transport that handgun from one room of their house to another. Long guns in the District are required to be unloaded, disassembled and locked. All ammunition must be registered. How effective is an unloaded, disassembled and locked up firearm going to be for defense? Mr. Bishop, by supporting D.C. in this case, you prove that you support the outright banning of firearms, period.

How effective has the District of Columbia Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 been in reducing violent crime in the District?

The FBI crime rate statistics from 2004 show that a person was more than twice as likely to be a victim of violent crime in Washington DC as they would be in the State of Texas. 1371 out of 100,000 citizens of Washington D.C. were victims of violent crime. You know, that means more than 1% of it's citizenry were victims of violent crime. Texas had 540 victims of violent crime/100,000 citizens. That is just violent crime, what about the murders? In gun banning, ammunition registering, Washington D.C., 35.8 out of every 100,000 citizens were murdered. In Texas, 6.1 out of every 100,000. Texas has almost 1/6th the murder rate of Washington D.C.

Restrictive firearms laws do not reduce violent crime or murder.

The author continues with:

Many of those who'll take sides in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller (briefs supporting Heller aren't in yet) will do it based on notions of individual rights or community safety that haven't been formed by personal experience with gun violence.
In this, Ma'am, you are very mistaken. That was a very insubstantial statement that has absolutely no basis in fact.

Ms. Campbell, would you agree that members of the United States Military may have some personal experience with gun violence? Members of the military, folks who have put their very lives at risk in defense of our freedom, are very often supportive of an individual right to keep and bear arms. How about those of us who have used a firearm in the defense of ourselves and those we love? What position do you think that we take on this issue? More than 1.5 million people in the United States use a firearm for self defense each year, and I will bet you dimes for dollars that each and every one of us who has had to reach for a firearm to defend ourselves, our loved ones and our homes supports our right to do so.
It's significant that families whose lives were shattered nine months ago have quietly taken the stand that more access to firearms isn't a deterrent to other Virginia Techs.
Quietly? Staging protests, working the talk show circuits, speaking in front of legislatures, and doing all they can for the anti-firearm crowd is not exactly being quiet. What is significant is the fact that SCOTUS has finally agreed to hear a Second Amendment case, a case where the plaintiff will actually show up.

Even the author of the column questions the effectiveness of D.C's gun ban:

I have my doubts about the effectiveness of the district's law. I still remember the night, almost two decades ago, that my husband and I saw a group of men fighting over a jacket across the street from our Capitol Hill home one evening. When one of them flashed a gun, we ran back inside and called the police -- who promptly came knocking on our door, with fear visible in their eyes. The officers didn't find the men we'd seen, but they confiscated a sawed-off shotgun down the street. I wonder how safe that neighborhood is now.
Yet she still shudders over the thought of free citizens being able to protect themselves.
One would remove restrictions on carrying guns at sporting events, church functions, political rallies and colleges and universities. That's a chilling prospect.
Does Linda P. Campbell really think that goblins will play by the rules? Does she really think that preventing us from protecting ourselves at "sporting events, church functions, political rallies and colleges and universities" will reduce violent crime?

You know what is kind of funny? She is in Texas, we can already carry at church functions and political rallies. She must be chilled to the bone.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Xavier's Sunday Ugly Gun

Xavier has his "Ugly Gun Sunday" post up, and this one is worse than ugly, it is an abomination.

Have a look:

ALL UNNECESSARY METAL REMOVED.



NO HOLSTER NEEDED, SIDE CLIP BY CLIPDRAW MODIFIED TO ALLOW MUCH LOWER CARRY IN PANTS.



ALL EDGES "MELTED" TO ENSURE SMOOTHER CARRY.

This 'custom' bit of gunsmithing was supposedly performed by a person with "30 plus years full time gunsmith" experience. Even if you ignore the obvious issues that make this handgun unsuitable for concealed carry, you can not ignore the poor craftsmanship evidenced by tooling marks left on pretty much each modification.

At least one person is proud of this handgun, awful proud. Minimum opening bid at AuctionArms is $2500.

Where in the World is the BATF?

Hyunchback of CZ The Day has started a new feature called "Where in the World is the BATF?". The latest installment is Back again? So soon?, commentary on the LA gang banger who conned the city out of $1.5 million dollars and sold fully automatic firearms to other gang bangers.

It is worth the read.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Are You a Dallas Cowboy's Fan?

How do you feel now that they have lost yet another playoff game? Are you angry? I mean really angry?

Well, you are not the only one.

Warning, this video is not appropriate for folks sensitive to foul language.



H/T Texican Tattler.

Friday, January 18, 2008

How LA is Solving the Gang Problem, an Update.

In my post How LA is Solving the Gang Problem, I commented on how an L.A. gang leader's arrest pretty much describes to a "T" the basic failures of the Los Angles City Counsel in their handling of the gangs in L.A. What makes this case interesting is the fact that this gang leader was also the founder of an "anti violence" group called "No Guns".

Well, to make a long story short, the Founder of Anti-Gun Group Pleads No Contest to Weapons Charges.

H/T to David with No Contest and SayUncle with Irony, and Lance with Anti-violence group founder pleads to weapons charges.

You know what really pisses me off about this case?
Arrellano also pleaded no contest to machine gun conversion and possessing a silencer and acknowledged that the crime was committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

She was given until Tuesday to surrender for sentencing and would likely be sentenced to four years in prison, prosecutors said.
Komifornia, one of the biggest anti gun, anti liberty, nanny states in the country is going to sentence this jr. goblin to only four years in prison. They stole $1,500,000 from the L.A. taxpayers. They misrepresented themselves and an anti gun/anti violence group and built fully automatic firearms for gangs. They sold these firearms to gangs for the purpose of killing rival gang members and innocent bystanders. Their entire intent and purpose was to defraud the public and provide weapons to gangs so they could further their violent criminal activities. And she only gets 4 years. What a crock of ...

So you remember Wayne Fincher? Wayne has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in federal prison for possessing fully automatic firearms. Wayne Fincher was not a drug dealer, thief, rapist, burglar or any other type of violent individual. Wayne Fincher is a leader of the Militia of Washington County, Arkansas. For more on Wayne Fincher, go here and here. And if you are interested in getting to the heart of the matter, you should read The Silver Bullet. Read the Silver Bullet, understand what Wayne was attempting to accomplish, and then contrast it with this case out of L.A.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Bloggers For Fred Thompson

As regular readers know, I am supporting Fred Thompson in his bid to become the Republican candidate for President of the United States. I support Fred because the vast majority of his voting history on Capitol Hill indicates that he reflects my point of view on most issues. I get the feeling that he is not running for this position because he wants to be president, but because he feels he needs to be in the race to give us the choice for a strong conservative.

Quite a few folks on the sidebar are also Friends of Fred.

I don't know if the man in the Big White Hat is a Friend of Fred, but he did post this hilarious video:




Fred Thompson will not only beat expectations, he will kick and stomp expectations before running over its neck with his truck.
You can't buy advertising like that.

Alan noted that Thompson beats Paul to the punch... in regards to the infamous amicus brief that the Department of Justice filed against Heller in Heller v. DC.

Stan also notes that Fred rejects Solicitor General's Amicus Brief.

Since Rudy has abandoned South Carolina, Mike asks SC Rudy Voters : Pick Fred Instead!

SayUncle has a Random observation on the Prez race.

Fits asks if Freddy's Finally Ready? mentions that Thompson Takes on Giuliani Over Guns, and that Fred Thompson Weighs in on The DC Gun Ban, and quotes Fred as saying 'My Wife ‘Would Make a Much Better First Lady Than Bill Clinton’ (I'll definitely have to agree with that one). Fits also scored a quick bit of one on one time with Fred, read about it in Fred Thompson On MEET THE FITS.

Key Taylor dedicated his Sunday Commentary to The Resurgent Fred Thompson (well worth the read) and has some good news in Fred Thompson on Fire in South Carolina.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Morgan shows how Thompson Contrasts His Record with McCain's, notes that Michigan Behind; On to South Carolina, points out the Media Spin in South Carolina on Presidential Race, and rejoices that FRED HITS GRAND SLAM IN S.C. DEBATE.

Kim breaks down Fred’s Opposition.

Keven thinks Fred Kicked Ass and posts an in depth Blogburst for Fred (with quotes and everything).

Yosemite Sam notes Cooper's View of the Election.

And last but not least:

USCitizen proposes that if you Donate to Fred! (and buy guns) I’ll match you. Now that is one heck of a deal.

If all you did was breeze through that list without clicking on a link to find out what at least a couple of these fine folks had to say about Fred, you did yourself a disservice.

What Can $10.00 Get You?

Located on the top of my sidebar are links to a couple of pistol raffles that will be coming to a close soon. These packages were put together by the good folks of Actions Speak Louder Than Words. This group includes some of the finest pistol smiths, leather workers and knife makers in the country, and they dedicate a good deal of time putting together packages for good causes. These two projects are known as LTW #4 and LTW #5.

Let us start with LTW #4. This Pistol Combo Set Raffle is for the benefit of AmericanSnipers.org!

Click Here for More Information on This Pistol Raffle


The package consists of much more than a custom pistol, but let's start with that. The pistol is being custom-built very much to a sniper theme, as if it were going to be employed on the front lines by one of AmericanSnipers.org's own. The base pistol was a Springfield Mil-Spec, a perfect, quality foundation for any custom pistol. This one actually was provided as a "special" for this raffle by the Springfield Custom Shop, meaning that the frame and slide were factory-fitted to a level appropriate for a duty gun, that is, not target-tight but precise and rattle-free. From this rock-solid baseline, the pistol is making its way through some of the finest custom 1911 shops in the country, each one not just "adding special touches", but effecting real, duty-oriented modifications to ensure perfect reliability, enhanced handling and durability, and accuracy.
This package includes some quality glass, weapon light, leather, ammo, training, cutlery and a grunch of other cool stuff.

How do you get in on this? Glad you asked. Tickets are only $10 each. Yes, you did read that correctly, only $10 per ticket. You can purchase your tickets here. The deadline for purchasing these tickets is February 3rd. The drawing will be held at SHOT Show.

Now on to LTW #5. The proceeds from this raffle are added to the funds that are generated by the Isabella de Bethencourt Memorial POSA Cops4Kids Match Against Cancer Program. These monies are donated to The Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber Cancer Institute.


Click Here For More Information


The 2007 Cops4Kids Raffle Package, worth $10,000, includes a vintage Colt Lightweight Commander pistol. This is one of the classic, most carried Colts from another generation, brought up to date with the finest gunsmithing that the 21st Century offers.

Gunsmith Ted Yost straightened the frame lines, high cut the grip frame hand cut the checkering of the front strap and mainspring housing, rounded the butt on rear of the mainspring housing, handmade the English walnut stocks, and high cut the grip frame. Georgia Pistolsmith John Harrison fit and blended the beavertail grip safety, and custom contoured the thumb safety. Master Smith C.T. Brian installed the match barrel...
You get the picture, an all around quality package that most of us could only dream of owning. Again, tickets are only $10. These tickets can be purchased here. Deadline for purchasing tickets is January 22nd and the drawing will take place at the SHOT Show on February 5th.

So which raffle should you enter? You know, with tickets going for only $10 each, you should pick up a few for each raffle.

Better hurry though, time is running out on these great opportunities.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Who Shall Guard the Guards?

David of The War on Guns has posted a guest editorial by Mike Vanderboegh. This is an important message, an illumination of where we are heading.

David Olofson is not a household name, even in the community of gun rights activists. He should be. While gunnies have been worried about the Bush administration's petty treasons to the Second Amendment in the matters of the Heller D.C. gun ban case and the appointment of the new anti-gun director of the ATF, Michael J. Sullivan, the decision in the case of US v. Olofson in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin has escaped much attention. Forget Heller. It is, in the grand scheme of things unimportant, trumped as it is by endemic government misconduct. Whether the Supreme Court decides this summer if we are citizens or serfs is immaterial if the abuses of power, constitutional rule of law and even common sense which are evident in the Olofson case are left to stand unchallenged.
Head on over and give it a read.

911 audio sheds light on sisters' final moments

In the post "Honor" Killing in North Texas, I commented on the murder of two teen aged girls by their father. These girls were killed by their Muslim father because they dated non-Muslim boys. One of the daughters lived long enough to call 911 on her cell phone, she told the operator she was dying.

Today, the police have released the 911 recording. The Star-Telegram has it here.

Listening to Sarah Said pleading for help from a dispatcher who had none to offer is heart wrenching.

Listen to the audio. If you put your hope in 911, this may be an eye opener for you.

The murdering goblin who killed his own daughters is still on the loose. Who is helping him?

For the full story:


This goblin needs to be caught, he needs to be put on a very public trial so he can attempt to defend his actions, then he needs to catch a needle.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Ouch!

When officers arrived, they found Kosch with a gunshot wound to a testicle and leg.
If that caught your attention, head on over to SailorCurt's place for more.

Being Prey is a Choice, Is it Yours?

No charges in shooting of accused stalker


The Nov. 12 shooting of Bergner as he cornered the 51-year-old woman in an upstairs bedroom closet capped a month of escalating terror -- chronicled in a series of police reports filed by the woman -- which included break-ins, vandalism and assaults in her workplace.

To hear the rest of the 911 call, go here.

H/T to SondraK

A Second Amendment Primer

Fits posts a Quickie primer for the clueless:
Well regulated; supplied. maintained, kept in good order.

Militia; all males between the ages of 18 and 40.

Since males are responsible for the safety and well being of kith and kin, no law shall be passed to deprive them of keeping and bearing the arms necessary to do so.
That's pretty much in in a nutshell.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Getting What he Deserved

I have four daughters, one step-daughter, three granddaughters and three grandsons. I have no sympathy for child molesters and can understand the actions of the father in this news article.

From the Star Telegram:




FORT WORTH, Texas -- An Arlington man faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault after police said he sodomized his 18-year-old stepson to avenge the teenager's alleged rape of the man's 8-year-old daughter.

The 32-year-old father turned himself into the Tarrant County Jail on Friday and was released Saturday after posting a $17,500 bond.

The stepson was arrested Jan. 2 and charged with suspicion of aggravated sexual assault. Police say the father caught the stepson assaulting his 8-year-old daughter, and a subsequent examination at a hospital revealed the girl had been sodomized...


...When the stepson was arrested, the man warned his wife not to get the teenager out of jail. Instead, she posted bond for the stepson's release from the Arlington jail. When the teenager called home Jan. 3 after getting released, the father took the call and drove to the jail to pick him up, police said.

Police said that instead of taking the teenager home, the Arlington man drove to an abandoned house in Fort Worth. Inside the house, he beat his stepson with a baseball bat and sodomized him with a metal tool, police said.
If I were to catch a goblin (even my stepson) molesting one of my grandchildren, I am not sure that he would be left in any shape to be arrested. That is my line in the sand. The father showed great restraint in just having the guy arrested. The mother of the goblin was quite stupid to bail his rear out of jail.

This goblin has ruined three lives. His stepsisters, his step dads, and his moms. I wonder if that gives him some sick satisfaction?

Save the Second Amendment Petition

From the email:

Congressman Eric Cantor, the Chief Deputy Republican Whip in the U.S. House, has launched a new online petition at savethesecond.com

We are trying to get as many people as possible to sign the petition; a petition we want to use to reinforce to some people in Washington, just how many people value their second amendment rights. The decision by the United States Solicitor General was outrageous; we want to take action to protect our rights.

As leaders in the defense of the second amendment, we're asking you to help us spread the word about the petition. Every post on your blog, every friend you email - these will all increase the impact of the petition and help reinforce the seriousness of this issue to the bureaucrats in Washington who seemingly want to write away our rights.

Here is a link to the petition: http://www.savethesecond.com/

Here is a link to a short video about the petition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBGtP6OPPsM

Thank you for your time. Together, we can defend our second amendment rights.

Best,

Matt
Give it a look. I have responded to Matt asking for more information and will keep you updated on this effort.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Day at the Range

Today was pretty much a perfect day for a match. Started out with a bit of frost on the windshield, but quickly warmed up into the 50's. Clear skies and calm as can be, could not have asked for much better shooting weather.

This was my first go at shooting an International Defensive Shooting Association (IDSA) match. and I had a blast. IDSA is similar to IDPA in that a shooter uses equipment that can be carried for self protection. All stages start from concealment and the stages are set up to simulate self defense shooting situations.

Scoring is easy, in IDSA you shoot each target until it is neutralized. It takes at least two shots to neutralize a target. If a target is not neutralized, 10 seconds is added on to your time. If you shoot a "no-shoot" target, 20 seconds is added on to your time. Fastest time wins.

Today's match consisted of six stages, and I ended up using two reloads on each stage. I could have gotten away with one reload on two of the stages, but one was out at 30 yards and I wanted to make sure all of my targets were neutralized.

I am not very good at shooting these dynamic matches, but I am improving and learning from each one. Today I did well in all but one stage, the stage that involved a Nissan pickup truck.

This stage started with you sitting in the drivers seat of the truck. When the buzzer sounded, you were to exit the truck, shut the door and engage four targets. With those targets neutralized, you retreated around behind the truck and engaged five (six?) more targets on the other side of the truck. I ended up blowing both of my reloads on this one and dropped two full magazines on the ground, I failed to neutralize one of the targets and just generally blew it. I had one other mental error during the match. I put one round into a target, reloaded, then continued on with the next target, another failure to neutralize that cost me 10 seconds.

I had a great time. We had a small group of shooters, and everyone was thoroughly enjoying the day and the company. Our oldest shooter was 86 years old, he was shooting a Les Baer Custom Thunder Ranch 1911.

This is another match I will have to start shooting each month.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

A Chili Cook Off

A friend of mine called the other day and asked if I would help him with a chili cook off. Of course I said yes.

To make a long story short, out of 16 entrants, we did not place in the top three. I am a tad disappointed as this batch turned out really good.

Between work, cooking chili and watching grand kids for a sick mom, not much time to blog.

On a side note, I will be shooting my first IDSA match tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Some Change is Good

Rob in Delaware has a great example of the small things we can do to bring about big changes.


Good job Rob!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

OMG, The Goblins are Rolling Their Own

Rolling their own firearms that is.

The KYPost is right on top of the story:


Police are receiving an urgent warning: be on the lookout for an old-style gun that's apparently making a comeback on the streets.

The concern? It may be impossible to tell if someone is carrying the gun.

Experts say this gun is so small it can be hidden in a belt buckle, necklace or even a flashlight.

And what's even scarier – the gun can apparently be made at home.
That is scary. Street thugs are making their own guns at home. You know what this means? Street thugs have a bit of metal working skills and the self discipline necessary to spend the time making a "Zip" gun.
Some may remember it as a "zip gun" from the 1940s and 50s – a homemade pistol disguised in everyday items.

"They've hidden them in canes or hidden them in necklaces, backs of belt buckles," says Joe Cowles, of Target World. "I've even seen them fired out of books."

Some criminals are apparently making them at home since they can't purchase guns legally at places like Target World.
Wait a second. I thought goblins could just head on over to the local gun show and purchase whatever they wanted?
"We got the information out to our officers as part of our training or officer safety bulletins," says Lieutenant Mark Briede, with the Cincinnati police department. "Our officers need to know about criminals and how they're trying to circumvent or get around the law and hide different things."
Sheew... that is good. Knowledge is power. I'm glad the police are on top of this.
The Cincinnati police department says so far they haven't come across any, but they know they could be out there.
Wait a second. Not a single one of these home made firearms have been used by, or found on a goblin?

What the hell is up with "be on the lookout for an old-style gun that's apparently making a comeback on the streets" and "...Some criminals are apparently making them at home" when you have not a single incident involving one of these "homemade" guns to report on?

This is fear mongering at it's worst, and for what purpose?

Why did this news agency publish this story about a threat that is not current?

There was a time when gentle men and ladies who did not want to be known for openly carrying firearms purchased a cane or wallet gun. They did this for self defense. A one shot firearm is not an offensive weapon.

H/T to David C. and Robb A.

If you want to see what can be done by hand with nothing but a fire, a motor and a few metal working tools, go here.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Matching Funds

USCitizen of Traction Control has announced that if you Donate to Fred! (and buy guns) I’ll match you.

Great prices and a donation to Fred. Can't beat that.

Select a Candidate Quiz

This is from Minnesota Public Radio, and for me is fairly accurate. Answer a few questions and it lists the candidates in order of magnitude that mirror your beliefs.

My results:

Fred Thompson 25.0

Duncan Hunter 24.0

John McCain 24.0

Mike Huckabee 20.0

Mitt Romney 20.0

Rudy Giuliani 19.0

Ron Paul 15.0

Bill Richardson 7.0

Barack Obama 4.0

Hillary Clinton 3.0

John Edwards 3.0

Mike Gravel 3.0

Dennis Kucinich 3.0

It was probably the Iraq war questions that made McCain score so high and Paul so low, but other than that it is pretty much spot on.

To try it yourself, go here.

H/T to Traction Control

Next Stop

South Carolina


Click to play

I know that our best days are ahead are still ahead of us if we do the right things; Strengthen our military. Protect our borders and our second amendment rights. Make the government stop spending the money of our children and grandchildren, and appoint federal judges who will follow the law instead of trying to make social policy for this country.
Fred Thompson needs our help. He needs our money and he needs our time. If you live in South Carolina, contact Fred's campaign and see what you can do to help. If you know someone in South Carolina, give them a call and ask them to support Fred. Sign up to receive updates and campaign information by becoming a "Friend of Fred". Donate money and/or time to help Fred Thompson win the Republican nomination.

To donate, click on this image:

Fred08 - Contribute Now

To learn more about Fred Thompson and what he stands for:

Fred08

A Quick Texas Tour, YouTube Style

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

From the Civilian Marksmanship Newsletter

CMP Affiliated Clubs report “Zero” accidents in Club Annual Reports!

Now that is an achievement worth celebrating.
The CMP now has 4,950 affiliated clubs and organi­zations. 4,260 of the CMP affiliates are either youth shooting sports organi­zations or regular clubs that sponsor junior activities. Each year, CMP af­filiates must submit annual reports that provide information about club ac­tivities during the past year. One of the key questions concerns whether there were any firearms-related injury-causing incidents in club activities. The CMP is pleased to report that there were no reported firearms-related injury-causing incidents among its nearly 5,000 affiliates during the 2006 program year. Reports for the 2007 program year are just starting to come in. Marksmanship is indeed one of the safest of all sports!
Zero injuries related to the sport... I wonder how the children's soccer leagues compare? High school football, basketball or track and field?

Monday, January 07, 2008

From the Comments...

... to my post, "Honor" Killing in North Texas, there is post from a group calling themselves Muslims Against Sharia. At first blush this seems to be what many have been asking for, a group of moderate Muslims speaking out against the Islamists. After reading more of what they have to offer, I am not so sure that they really are Muslim. If they are, they are putting their lives on the line as they have written a "Reform Koran" that leaves out many of the verses concerning jihad and the killing of unbelievers.

Muslims Against Sharia

Give it a read and let me know what you think.

Breaking News

From the Washington Post:

Umm.... isn't that the purpose of College Drinking Games?

H/T The Volokh Conspiracy

Video Captures Home Invasion Attempt

In an earlier post I mentioned a video intercom as an upgrade to your home security. With a video intercom, you would know exactly who and what is on the other side of your door.

A further upgrade would be a video surveillance system. The cost of these systems has decreased significantly over the past few years and many are affordable for most folks.

Last night a local woman put her system to good use.

From the Dallas Morning News:

By Monika Diaz



An attempted break-in early Sunday morning led to a terrifying and unexpected wake up call for a woman in Glenn Heights.

While four men failed to break into Carrie Shannon's home on Brentwood Street, their attempt was captured on surveillance video.

Shannon was home alone when the men tried to kick in her door around 4:35 a.m.

"I immediately jumped up," she said of when she heard the loud kicking.

After hearing the men, Shannon said she got out of bed and called police on her cell phone.
Step 1 - Dial 911

"I grabbed my handgun and I proceeded right to the back, because as soon as I saw a shadow, I was going to go ahead and start shooting," she said.
Step 2 - Arm yourself. I personally would have grabbed the handgun then dialed 911.

This homeowner had a very good security plan in effect. Video surveillance, an alarm system, a couple very secure doors and a firearm if all else fails. Note that she did not end up a victim.

Shannon's home security camera didn't miss a beat either. It even caught one of the men cutting the phone line. The video was turned over to police.
The video surveillance system caught very good images of the goblins and should be helpful to the police. Note that the goblins cut the phone line prior to attempting to kick in the door. If they had gotten in, her alarm system would have been worthless, her only protection would have been her firearm.

A good portion of the video along with an interview with the homeowner is on WFAA News 8. You can find is here. Go ahead and have a look. Her latest upgrade to her security system should put a smile on your face.

Sunday, January 06, 2008

Dial 911 and...

get this message:

"Do not hang up. You've reached the Fort Worth Police Department. If you are in need of emergency police, fire or medical attention, stay on the line. Do not hang up."
That is the recorded message you get 1 out of 5 times if you dial 911 in Fort Worth.

Cool eh?

From the Star Telegram, by Deanna Boyd - City seeks to cut number of 911 calls put on hold

Friday, January 04, 2008

It is Time to Mark Your Calendars

February 29th is the 2008 Lone Star Friends of NRA Dinner. You may recall that James Dark, the Executive Director of the Texas State Rifle Association, was going to buy me a beer for each new member recruited through this blog at this banquet. Note the word "was". Jim found a way out of this little agreement by asking me to be on the committee putting on the dinner. Can't get sloppy drunk on free beer when I'm working you see, so he put me to work.

Last year's even raised over $30,000 for the NRA Foundation and we are hopeful that this year's even will be even bigger and better. The Friends of NRA has no part in the political processes that the NRA participates in, but rather is a continual source of funding for programs designed to foster the shooting sports and get Americans involved in shooting programs. Proceeds from this even will be used to fund additional permanently endowed scholarships within the Texas A&M System as part of the George Tubb memorial Scholarship Program.

V and I are sponsors of the Friends of NRA and I know that the NRA Foundation puts our money to good use. There are several different sponsorship levels, and each level receives some great packages.

Liberty Sponsor - $200

Friends of NRA Sponsor Package


  • Sculpture of the year: Colonel Theodore Roosevelt

  • Custom designed sponsor multi-tool

  • Friends of NRA Sponsor Hat

  • Traditions (The NRA Foundation's quarterly magazine)

  • Two tickets to the Lone Star Friends of NRA Dinner.

  • Sponsor only firearm drawing.


  • Liberty Plus - $300

    Everything in the Liberty Package Plus four more tickets to the Lone Star Friends of NRA Dinner.

    Heritage - $500

    Everything in the Liberty Plus Package and...


    ...your choice of Big Sky Carvers "Baldpate" Master's Edition Widgean Decoy OR Marbles Woodcraft Jigged Bone Knife with NRA Logo Sheath.

    Freedom - $1000.00

    Everything in the Liberty Plus Package and...


    ...your choice of a Leupold RX-II Rangefinder with VX-I Scope 3x9x40 OR Charles Daly NRA 1873 Single Action. 45LC with color case and Ivory Grips.

    Pioneer - $2500

    Everything in the Liberty Plus Package and...



    ...your choice of a Brunton Eterna Scope Package Includes: 18-38x Power, 50mm Objective, Tripod and Quick Release Grip Head or SAS Weatherby 12GA Shotgun 28", Walnut Stock with chokes.

    Also available are corporate packages that involve advertising to more than 35,000 firearms owners and sponsor packages in the $5 and $10,000 ranges. If interested, contact me via the email address listed in my profile.

    Tickets for the dinner are available for $30 each and there will be a firearm given away as a door prize for attendees. V and I really enjoy this event. $60 for a couples night out is a great deal if they have a good time with folks who they could call friends. This is one of those times.

    Speaking of firearms, last year there were literally dozens of firearms given away during the raffles and auctions at the dinner. I expect no less this year.

    So mark your calender, February 29th, spend leap year day at a Friends of NRA dinner and maybe go home with a very nice firearm. It would be great if we could fill a couple of tables with folks who read this blog.

    Oh, to make it even better, there is a gun show that weekend in the same location.

    To find out more, or purchase tickets, call 1.866.TX-Rifle (866.897.4353).

    If you do not live in North Texas and would like to attend a FofNRA event, you can find your local chapter here.

    Thursday, January 03, 2008

    Fluff News of the Day

    From Fox News:


    Last Friday she was kneeboarding behind a boat off Slopen Main on the Tasman Peninsula, east of Hobart, when she was tossed from her board in rough conditions.

    In the fall she lost a nose stud from a piercing she had done only a week before Christmas.

    Brittain, 25, of Magra, never expected to see the tiny stud again.

    Enter a hungry flathead.

    You guessed it, the stud turned up in a fish caught by her fiance, Darren Triffett, when fishing with his friend Tim Hall three days later.

    Triffett and Hall were in roughly the same area where the stud was lost on Monday. When filleting one flathead they found a tiny nail-like object inside.

    "They thought it was a little tack or nail," Brittain said. "I was standing near them talking to them and realized it was the nose stud I had lost in the ocean."
    To their credit, Fox News did lead the story with:
    IT is a tale some would say smells a bit fishy, but Kristy Brittain swears it is true.
    One of my main goals when filleting a fish is to not even disturb the abdominal cavity (is it called that on a fish?), much less open any part of the digestive tract. I must be doing it wrong, at the very least I'm missing out on a lot of potential jewelry.

    "Honor" Killing in North Texas

    If you live in North Texas, this tragedy has been at the top of each newscast since New Year's Day. An Egyptian, Muslim father murders his two teen aged daughters because they dated non-Muslims.

    The murdering bastard -


    Yaser Abdel Said

    I am including his image because he is still at large. This goblin shot his two daughters several times and left their bodies in the back of his taxi cap. One of the daughters lived long enough to call 911 on her cell phone, she told the operator she was dying.

    This is what we know from the various news reports:


  • The goblin is an Egyptian Muslim who has been in the United States since the mid 1980's.


  • The goblin drove a taxi cab.


  • The goblin is still out there.


  • From all accounts, these girls were hard working, well liked, fun, intelligent high school kids.


    Amina and Sarah

    Murdered by their father because they were involved with non-Muslims.

    This happened two days ago, where is the outrage from the "moderate" Muslim community? Why isn't CAIR speaking out against this horrific act? I have seen nothing from the Imam of his mosque asking him to turn himself in. Actually, I have seen nothing at all from the local Muslim community on this incident.

    We feel kind of safe here in the United States. We think that acts such as this can not happen because once an individual has been here for awhile they will love us and want to be like us and turn away from extremism such as this. That is a nice thought, but it is not reality.

    This man murdered his own daughters, killed his own kin. This chills me. He has provided the example, I fear this will not be the last "honor" killing we see. What I fear even more is the answer to this question: If these goblins can kill their own kids for dating non-Muslims, what is to stop them from strapping on a bomb and killing the non-Muslims?

    From the Star Telegram - Slaying of popular teens stuns friends

    From WBAP News/Talk 820 - Police Standoff in Lewisville Ends

    From the Dallas Morning News - Lewisville cabdriver sought in slayings of 2 teen daughters and Lewisville High mourns deaths of two sisters

    From CBS 11 TV - Friends: Murdered Teens Were Afraid Of Their Dad

    From The Washington Times - 'Sudden Jihad Syndrome'

    From Jihad Watch - "He was really strict about guy relationships and talking to guys, as well as the things she wears" -- so he killed her

    And last but not least from Atlas Shrugs - TEXAS DAD "HONOR" KILLINGS, 17 & 18 Year-old Girls

    Wednesday, January 02, 2008

    How to teach your girlfriend to hate guns

    I saw this video earlier on Say Uncle, then this afternoon on Front Sight, Press.

    Syd has a good point in How to teach your girlfriend to hate guns , and Uncle has some good comments in Ouch.

    If you watch this frame by frame, you will notice that the shooter did an excellent job of controlling her trigger finger and getting the pistol pointed back down range after being surprised by the recoil. She done good. Hopefully she disassociated herself from the jerky boy who set her up like this.

    A Happy New Year in Delaware

    For Rob, It Really Is A Happy New Year....

    Tuesday, January 01, 2008

    New Year's Day at the Range

    The other day USCitizen of Traction Control announced A meet-up at the Sooper Sekrit Shootin’ Spot. Any excuse is a good excuse to head out to the range, but when you add beautiful weather and the promise of some full auto goodness, well then it is off to the range we go.

    We ended up with eight folks in our group with varying levels of shooting experience. I had the opportunity to coach a young lady in the firing of both pistols and long guns. She did very well and had a smile of her face that stretched from ear to ear.

    In our group we had three 9mm subguns (one with a Gem Tech can), two AR's, a couple .45ACP pistols (a Kimber and a Glock), a 12 ga and several .22's. Some other firearms made the trip, but they stayed in their cases as we had plenty on the line to keep everyone happy. I came home lighter by close to 500 rounds of 5.56, 250 rounds of .45ACP, 100 rounds of .22 and the 9mm I brought to help feed the sub guns. It was a good shoot.

    The Kimber ran perfect, the AR tried to feed a round that was bulged out in the middle so a bit of tinkering was necessary to remedy that problem and my other guns were good to go.

    USCitizen had some trouble with some magazines he was trying out, but I will let him talk about that.

    All in all a good day was had by one and all.

    Fred Thompson, A Message For Iowa Voters



    H/T to Traction Control