We Need to Educate a Senator

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is one of my favorite politicians. As a Senator, she is head and shoulders above the three we have competing to become President of the United States. She is a bit soft on illegal immigration and put her foot in it with her amendment to the Department of Homeland Security 2008 budget (her rebuttal is here). The deed of Senator Hutchison's that bothers me the most occurred in a very unlikely venue.

Senator Hutchison joined with fifty-four other senators, 250 representatives, and Vice President Cheney to submit an amicus brief in favor of Heller in the SCOTUS DC v Heller case. That is what I would expect my representative to do, support an individual right to keep and bear arms. So kudos to the Senator. Where we part company is what she said during a presentation before the Heritage Foundation on DC v Heller and the Congressional Amicus Brief . You can watch the presentation here. Senator Hutchison's unfortunate comments start at 34:52 into the video. A reporter from the Dallas Morning News asked the Senators on the stage about their positions on the Assault Weapons Ban. Senator Hutchison's response started with, "I support the Assault Weapons Ban..." If that were not bad enough, she goes on to compare an owner of an EBR with someone who shouts "fire" in a movie theatre. Very disappointing.

The reason I bring all this up is because I had a chance to listen to Senator Hutchison on Rush as I headed out to grab my lunch. She reminded me of why I liked her so much. Her common sense approach to issues like high fuel and food prices, nuclear power and our energy supplies in general is spot on. There are many issues that we agree upon, she is against the Trans-Texas Corridor, an issue that is very big here in Texas. She is rumored to be planning a run for Governor of Texas during the next election cycle. She will be running against the most pro-gun Governor in modern Texas history, and he opinion on an AWB will not go over very well with the gun owners of Texas.

So... we need to educate Senator Hutchison on the error of her ways. She will be speaking at NRA annual meeting's Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to spend a moment with her to talk about this very issue. If you would please, contact the Senator and educate her on the facts about the failure of the AWB to prevent even one violent crime. I would appreciate it.

Also, if someone could grab the last portion of that video where they are talking about the AWB, that would be helpful.

Thanks

H/T to Armed and Safe for the link to the Heritage Foundation video.

A Sweep in the Works?

The Stars win in overtime to lead the series 3 - 0. What a great experience. Hockey is a spectator sport that V and I both really enjoy, we've watched well over 500 Stars games together. To see the Stars doing so well in the playoffs is exciting.

The atmosphere in the American Airlines Center was energetic to say the least, and the game winning goal in overtime had the fans leaving the center hooting and hollering for blocks. I'm still fired up.

Here are a few images from the game.

Responding to the Brady Bunch

Pretty much every gun blog out there has covered the Fox News debate between Eric Thompson, president of TGSCOM.inc (TheGunSource and TopGlock), and Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Bunch.

For those of you who have not seen the debate:



Eric Thompson does an excellent job of defending our RKBA in this debate against the professional face of the anti gun movement. Not only is Eric advocating for our right to keep and bear arms in the public arena, he is also making it easier for us to afford quality firearms for self defense.

Owner of Web-based Firearms Company that Sold to Virginia Tech and NIU Shooters to Forgo Profits to Help Prevent Future Loss of Life

GREEN BAY – A regrettable tie to two mass murders on college campuses is spurring a firearms dealer to forgo profit for the sake of preventing future loss of life...

...Today, Thompson is backing up his words with actions. For the next two weeks, Thompson will not take any profit on firearms sales from any of his over 100 Web sites. Instead, Thompson will offer guns to customers for the same cost he pays for them.

“I hope and pray I will never again be in a position where I am asked questions about selling items used in a crime,” said Thompson. “The next news story I want to be involved in is how I sold a firearm to someone who helped stop a mass murderer. By forgoing a profit, I hope to help give law-abiding citizens the tools to prevent tragedy.”

Now that is an excellent response to to the media hype that has been focused upon TheGunSource and TopGlock.

So, what did I pick up?

MFG# 5720 : Ruger SP 101, Double-Action Revolver, Model KSP-321XL, 357 Magnum Caliber, 2 1/4 Inches Barrel, Stainless Finish, Fixed Sights. This sale made it much easier to afford a Ruger, now I can even afford to feed it.

Thanks Eric, I do appreciate it.

Edit: I'll have to fix the image later. Posting from work is a pain. Fixed

NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits

Who's going?

V and I will be there. Our plane is scheduled to land at 10:30 Friday morning. We'll be in a mad rush to pick up the rental car, check in to the hotel and make it to the Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum at 12:30.

After the forum, we can relax a bit before meeting up with other gun bloggers to hang out with Michael Bane and Todd Jarrett at Bass Pro Shops in Clarksville, Indiana for happy hour.

If you need them, here are 10 Reasons To Make Last Minute Louisville Plans Now.

Wholly Guacamole Batman

Jose Theodore just got pulled from his second playoff game in a row.

Early in the second period. Detroit Red Wings 4, Colorado Avalanche 0.

Ouch!

On a positive note - The Stars win their first round game against the Sharks, in the Shark Tank. It took overtime to close the deal, but close it they did.

V and I have tickets to Tuesdays game, can't wait.

A New Member...

... of the dark side.

Pure, black evil

When Robb got the go ahead to scratch the EBR itch, he mentioned that so far as ammo goes, he was going to get:

...a 100 to start with which should be more than enough.

Anyone taking wagers on when he adds a zero or two to that estimate?

Congrats Robb

EDM Arms Semi-Auto .50 BMG Giveaway

The Fifty Caliber Institute has introduced their latest fundraiser raffle.

We are very proud to announce that EDM Arms owner, Bill Ritchie has donated one of his new, 'off the drawing boards' Semi-Auto .50 BMG rifles for our next fundraiser. Bill has always been one of the biggest supporters of our 2nd Amendment rights and now he has led the way once again by donating a rifle to FCI to help us continue our mission.

This $9000+ rifle could be yours. To enter, simply donate $25.00 or more.

$25 a chance or (5) five coupons for $100

Not only will your donation give you the opportunity to win, you will be helping the Fifty Caliber Institute fight for our right to keep and bear arms.

Red Wings/Avs

End of the first period.

The Red Wings are ahead 3 to 1.

Forsberg of the Avs is out with a groin injury. He is my favorite player in Hockey, and he is hockey strong. If he is out of a playoff game, that is some groin injury.

Update: End of the Second period.

The score is now 4/3 Red Wings. The Avs gained momentum and put the wings back on their heels. After the fourth goal, the Avs pulled Jose Theodore. Peter Budaj is now in the net for Colorado. He seems to be on his game.

Detroit needs to re-group and come out strong in the third.

Update #2: Final score 4/3. The Red Wings win game 1.

Budaj ended up facing 20 shots on goal by the Wings, none got through.

I can see this series going the full seven games.

Spring in Texas

Quite the lightening storm going on overhead.

No tornado sirens tonight, just a nice light and sound show.

A Thought on Self Improvement

Many of us probably don't get to the range as often as we should. With the price of gas and ammo going up every day, live fire practice is becoming more and more expensive.

Here is a quick and dirty training idea for those of us who carry a firearm on a daily basis.

Daily dry fire drills.

Every day when you get home from work, shopping, church or whatever, do a set of dry fire drills using the concealment and rig that you are wearing.

First, unload your firearm. Pretty basic, but it had to be said. Do whatever routine works for you to ensure that your firearm is not loaded before dry fire drills. Some folks unload their gun in one room and practice in another. I place my magazine in my hand gun safe along with the ejected round. I rack the slide three times after dropping the magazine to eject the live round. If somehow I forgot to drop the magazine, seeing rounds eject the second and third time I rack the slide would alert me to my error. I check the chamber clear before holstering the pistol, and check it clear once again before starting practice.

The drill is pretty simple. With your attire and gear exactly as it was when you were out and about, draw and dry fire ten times. Working movement into this drill makes it even more effective.

A few minutes of concentrated work every day will go a very long way towards improving your ability to protect yourself and the ones you love.

Dallas Stars Hockey

The Stars made it through the first round, handily dispatching last years Stanley Cup Champions (the Anaheim Ducks) in six games. The Stars have had a hard time getting through the first round of late, and fans across the Metroplex breathed a huge sigh of relief after last Sunday's exciting come from behind win.

Playoff hockey is the best hockey. The players are putting in that extra effort, finishing their checks with attitude, blocking shots and getting that puck down the ice. This year we are in for a treat. The Western Conference match ups from here on out are going to be hard fought and exciting games. The Avs vs. the Red Wings and the Stars vs. the Sharks, now that is some serious hockey.

What the heck, I didn't need any sleep for the next few weeks anyways.

The Eastern Conference? They are just playing for the right to be the lamb led to slaughter during the Stanley Cup Final.

One Issue Voter

Rob over at Deleware Stuff does not post often, but when he does it is well worth reading. One Issue Voter is his latest.

A Hard Week at Work

In an effort to save some money, the company I work for decided to cut the manpower in one of the groups that reports to me by half. Last Friday I had the "opportunity" to explain this to my guys and move/discharge people as appropriate. These are/were my people, and they did an excellent job. We were short handed in that group to begin with, now we will be stretched way thin.

I now have two people to maintain 925 hp of compressed air, 500+ tons of HVAC, a couple boilers, potable and hot water, plus the electrical utilities. One day shift and one night shift janitor to maintain sanitation and cleanliness on 17 restrooms, 6 break rooms and numerous offices around a production schedule that runs 20/7, and a yard worker that maintains 4 acres of lawn and landscaping. The folks I have left really are the creme of the crop and work their tails off for me. I wish I could do more for them.

So far my machine shop has escaped any cuts or budget reductions.

Fits Gets Letters

Fits answers the question:

We Get Letters

"All of the internst forums are full of ways to learn how to shoot a gun...can you receommend a gun and the right grips and holsters and how do you tell if it fits you?... who is a good teacher that teaches the basics of how to draw then shoot and how the best way is to do it?

Head on over and see what Fits has to say, it is advise well worth listening to.

I would only add that after you achieve a bit of competence, improve you skills by competing against others.

A recent post by Chris goes into some detail on double taps and controlled pairs:

Shooting on the Double

Watch the video clips, you will learn a lot.

I never thought I was shit hot with a hand gun, competition taught me that I have a ways to go to get even as good as I thought I was.

If you have a firearm for protection, it is your responsibility to know how to safely and effectively use that firearm. Read, practice, get instruction and train. If it comes down to it, your family will be glad you did.

Answering the Door

Home invasions continue make the news in the Metroplex. The goblins seem to be getting bolder every day.

From the Star Telegram:

Man stabbed in botched home invasion

ARLINGTON -- One man was stabbed and his two partners are at large after a home invasion went wrong for them Monday evening, police said.

Police Lt. Blake Miller said a man in his later teens or early 20s knocked on a door in the 2500 block of San Diego Drive about 7 p.m., saying his car broke down and that he needed a jump for his battery.

Just like a goblin to use the good will of his intended victim to gain advantage.

Miller said the man who answered the door turned to ask his son to get the jumper cables when in walked two other young men, one with a shotgun.

The dad grabbed the man with the gun and they struggled. Meanwhile, his son pulled a knife and stabbed the invader.

Now that deserves a "Good job son".

The stabbing caused the would-be robber to drop the gun, so all three fled with the dad, now armed with the shotgun, in hot pursuit through the south Arlington neighborhood, Miller said...

...Miller said the dad, realizing that running through the neighborhood with a shotgun might cause someone to shoot him, dropped the gun and went home.

It is a sad commentary on society today, but for your families sake, don't answer the door without being prepared to defend your life.

A video intercom (see an example here) might be a wise investment for a home security system.

The Lee Pro 1000

Yesterday I got the chance to set up and test drive my new Lee Pro 1000.

My previous presses (an RCBS Rock Chucker and a Reloader Special) have been heavy duty, all steel presses. So I was a bit concerned when I noticed all the light weight materials on the Lee Pro 1000. But what the heck, it was a good deal and I already had it home. Getting it setup took a bit of tinkering, but once I did, I just blew through my last 150 bullets in no time.

All I can say is "so far, so good". Another 1000 bullets are on the way from Precision Bullets, then I'll be able to give it a good shake down.

One thing is for sure. When reloading range ammo, I'll not be using a single stage press again.

An Economic Stimulus Package...

...courtesy of the Barnett Shale. This evening V and I signed the papers leasing our mineral rights to an oil and gas company for the production of natural gas. It took a bit longer than expected as the property is solely in my name, and Texas is a community property state. Some paperwork had to be modified as V needed to sign as co-owner for the lease.

Two weeks for the Title search, then I'm thinking a Ruger LCP for me and maybe an SP 101 for V.

Main Street Arts Festival

Having the Main Street Arts Festival right in your backyard (so to speak) is one of the benefits of living in the Metroplex.

This is where V and I will be spending our afternoon, and most likely part of the evening. It is a beautiful day for it.

Oh... who says you can't carry a 1911 while wearing shorts?

Something Else to Look Forward to at the NRA Annual Meeting

David Hardy and David Young will be sharing a booth at the NRA Annual Exhibits.

From the email (thanks David)

Hardy and Young will be Giving 'em Heller at NRA Exhibits Booth 1551

Those attending the 2008 NRA Annual Exhibits at the Kentucky Expo Center will have a unique and special opportunity this year as the Supreme Court considers the meaning of the Second Amendment in the DC vs Heller gun ban case. The Second Amendment Films booth (#1551) will have two notable independent Second Amendment scholars in attendance, David T. Hardy and David E. Young, both of whom have links to the Heller case.

David Hardy, attorney, author, and producer will be promoting his new documentary film, In Search of the Second Amendment, which is available on DVD. In addition to authoring the sourcebook, Origins and Development of the Second Amendment, and many law review articles advancing the individual rights nature of the Second Amendment's protection, David Hardy is a co-author of the amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in the current DC vs Heller case by Academics for the Second Amendment, and he attended the oral arguments before the Court.

David Young, historical scholar, editor, and author will be promoting his new definitive history of the Second Amendment, The Founders' View of the Right to Bear Arms, as well as The Origin of the Second Amendment, the complete Constitutional Era document collection that he edited and published. Mr. Young's books have been cited to the U.S. Supreme Court a total of fifty-five times in various briefs filed in the current DC vs Heller gun ban case, and his document collection was extensively relied on in prior appeals court pro-rights decisions leading to the current case.

If you do a search of this blog, you will find both David's mentioned on more than one occasion. I will be spending more than a few moments at booth #1551.

If you can not attend, and have questions for either David, let me know and I will ask them for you.

Tornado Sirens...

... are sounding


Love this Texas weather.

Update: All is well