People of the Gun

With a little hesitation and for a little fun, I have submitted my photo to Jeff Soyer, Tribal Elder of the People of the Gun for inclusion as the latest member of the Triangle of Death.

Without further ado, here you go....


I promised it would be properly themed! Yes, readers, this is your humble scribe. I have cropped out my face for reasons of privacy. I have a new job at a new company who are very skittish about things such as this. It's not that my opinions are secret (as anyone who works with me knows) but I prefer to maintain a minimum amount of secrecy in such matters lest people in HR stumble across this and get the wrong impression.

And they will.

That is a real Canadian flag laid out behind me. I carried it with me from Canada when I moved to the USA. The T-shirt features the roundel of the Royal Canadian Air Force prior to the 1967 unification of the Army, Navy and Air Force into the Canadian Forces. This shirt was quite expensive but I love the RCAF era so I brought the shirt back from my most recent trip back to visit family.

Now on to the fun stuff....the guns!

The gloves I am wearing are my regular shooting gloves. I prefer to shoot with gloves. These are Blawkhawk nomex/kevlar gauntlet style gloves. Plus, they hide my hands and any other identifying marks.

On my hip, you are getting a view of my carry gun. It is my Sig Sauer P220 chambered in .45ACP. The holster is a Blackhawk CQB positive retention paddle holster. It is a great holster for outside-the-belt carry. It is also one of the few molded holsters made for left-handed shooters and probably the best one out there for this. Yes, folks, the pistol is loaded. It is my first line of home defense.

The rifle is my CETME chambered for 7.62 NATO complete with bayonet, 20 round alloy magazine, claw mount and leather sling. The scope is a mid-level Bushnell. I also have a cheek rest fitted to the stock but I have removed it here to let you appreciate the wood.

This will be the rifle I am going deer hunting with this weekend. If you're going to post a picture of yourself with a rifle, it might as well be the biggest and the baddest (from the gun control point-of-view) that you've got. I have others but none, I think, have the PSH inducing, panty soiling aura that this rifle does.

May it be noted that if I had my FAL, that is what I would have been holding here. That would have been highly appropriate. Lacking that, this I feel is most appropriate.

May gun controllers heads explode everywhere. The shock! The horror! The raving nutjob lunacy of a non-citizen bearing arms.

Enjoy!

In Training

Going to be light posting this week since I am in employee training for the next four days. I've got a post I want to get up tonight or tomorrow so I can keep you entertained. This one is for silverly.

Thanks for the patience!

I'm an Idiot and Really Need to Learn to Read

This is what happens when you make blithe assumptions about the state of things.

Given I am a non-citizen, it is only natural that one would assume certain things were off-limits to me. Like working for an FFL where I was told I couldn't because I wasn't a US citizen.

Like my previous assumption about owning NFA Class 3 arms, I made another assumption that I couldn't hold an FFL03, otherwise known as the "Curio and Relics" (C&R) collectors license.

Wrong. I can!

There is actually a specific section of the certification form that covers lawful permanent residents. Further poking around the BATFE website reveals that US citizenship isn't even a requirement to hold an FFL01 or work for one! If I wanted to open a gun shop, I could!

Next time, I'm going to double check such assumptions more thoroughly. Too often I defer to others because they work in the business and I assume they are knowledgeable about such things. Most of the time, they're right but apparently not on all things.

Looks like yours truly will be filling out th C&R paperwork. And inquiring if the local gun shop might still want some help.

Now This is an Apology!

God, I wish I could vote in the Republican primary next year. Via Traction Control and Tammy Bruce:

Via Friends of Fred:

In light of Mike Huckabee’s heartfelt apology to Mitt Romney for making reference to Romney’s religion in the New York Times Magazine, we at the Thompson Campaign would like to offer Huckabee our own heartfelt apologies for some references we’ve made about his record as Governor of Arkansas.

We apologize for pointing out that as Governor of Arkansas, Huckabee offered in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. That’s something he’d probably just as soon no one talk about.

A recent Washington Post-ABC News Iowa poll of Iowans likely to vote in the Republican caucus stated illegal immigration as their top issue of concern, tied with the war in Iraq.

We apologize for pointing out that in 2002 Huckabee wrote Pres. Bush a letter asking him to lift the Cuban embargo. It’s easy to see how Huckabee might have missed the finer points of a 40-year embargo. While he obviously knew enough about the embargo to ask that it be lifted, Huckabee clearly didn’t know enough to ask that it not be lifted. So for that, we’re sorry.

In 2002, Governor Huckabee strongly advocated lifting the embargo against Cuba saying it “harm[s] our own agricultural and business interests,” “has not helped the people of Cuba” and has “provided Castro with a convenient excuse for his own failed system of government.” (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/29/02)

We apologize for referencing that 47% tax increase Huckabee imposed on Arkansas taxpayers when he was governor. That must be really awkward for him, now that he’s running in a GOP primary election. We notice he never points it out to voters.

Average Arkansan’s tax burden increased by over 47% between 1997 and 2005 (or $933 per person). (Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 10/9/07)

We apologize for telling reporters that a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University doesn’t, in fact, make Huckabee more qualified to fight the war on terror than say…Fred Thompson.

In an interview with CBNNews in November, Huckabee said “…I truly understand the nature of the war that we are in with Islamo fascism. These are people that want to kill us. … And I don’t know if anybody fully understands that. I’m the only guy on that stage with a theology degree.”

As Mom would say, "I bet Huckabee's ears are ringing right now.".

Folks, this is the kind of man we need in the White House. Whether I agree with Fred Thompson on some issues or not, the man is willing to stand up and just say it. Whoever the staffer was that was responsible for this "apology" deserves a raise.

Historically the popular candidates with tons of money going into the primaries often don't as well as one thinks. Remember, the media doesn't vote; people do. What the media thinks is reality and what the people who care enough about the primaries to vote in them think are often two radically different things. If Fred is 2nd or 3rd in media polls going in, odds are good he's probably more popular than they think. Or people are playing their cards close to their chest and not telling their true feelings to the media.

This is voting. I wouldn't tell the media who I was going to vote for in a primary if I know upfront because I just plain don't like them. None of their business. Ask me again when I come out and I will happily tell them. I've heard a lot of people lie about who they will or did vote for. Don't trust polls.

If only I was a citizen. You'd have one guaranteed Fred vote in the Maryland Republican primary.

Busy

Sorry folks, in the middle of Life. I have been dealing with a very nasty bug in some software at work and also in the process of switching jobs. Very stressful. Never had to do a background check, drug test and get bonded all at once.

I will work hard to get some gun porn out to you soon!

My Accent

Like this is a big surprise...

What American accent do you have? Your Result: North Central "North Central" is what professional linguists call the Minnesota accent. If you saw "Fargo" you probably didn't think the characters sounded very out of the ordinary. Outsiders probably mistake you for a Canadian a lot.
The West
The Midland
Boston
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The South
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Yes, as a matter-of-fact, I do get mistaken for a Canadian alot. I don't know why.

Have a good weekend all! Back to regular programming on Monday!

It Looks Like an AK

CNN just posted a surveillance picture of the Omaha scumbag. Looks like an AK pattern rifle to me.


The giveaway is his right arm. He's holding a pistol grip. Front sight tree and the top of the rifle also match an AK pattern rifle. You can also see the hint of the curved magazine underneath.

I hope this asshole suffers in Hell for all eternity for what he has done. No one needs a name while they're screaming in endless agony having their flesh flayed from their bones.

Finally Got It Right

If you think I care about guns more than people, you're wrong.

Why I am upset with the media is they did exactly what this nutjob wanted. And were so desperate to report any information as fact, right or wrong, they revert to their biases. In that, I can't fault them, we all have our biases.

It still doesn't make it right.

Turns out the shooter did use an AK pattern rifle. So I stand corrected. Better later than never. You know what would have been nice from the news? That they simply had said "a rifle" and left it at that. I would like to know about the people this coward murdered in cold blood. I am not interested in him. I don't care about the rough spots in his life or what drove him to it.

I am also looking at the larger picture. The instant these things happen, I cringe. I can see Paul Helmke and others like him rubbing their hands in blood-soaked glee at having being handed another propaganda opportunity. And then the media helps to feed it.

It doesn't matter the type of gun this guy use. With a six minute response time, he could used a muzzleloader to the same effect.

What does matter is the grief of the families and the fact after the scar tissue has formed, the attacks will launch anew on our rights.

There was CCW in Nebraska. As we say, an armed citizen could have stopped it. Except for the minor fact that Omaha was allowed to keep its own gun laws after Nebraska passed preemption and the mall itself specifically forbade any arms on its property.

Fat lot of good it did.

When will people realize that the illusion of safety does not equate to safety? How many more people have to die before this point gets driven home at 2750fps? Arm your security guards, permit citizens to carry concealed or openly, rifle or pistol. The next time a whackjob with a desire to go out in a blaze of glory walks into a mall or a theatre or a public park and sees three citizens with rifles slung on their backs or pistols holstered, maybe he'll think twice. Maybe he'll decide to get some help. Or maybe he'll just limit the tragedy to himself as sad as that is.

Otherwise, the only blaze of glory he'll go down is the hail of bullets aimed at him rather than by him and in the process, innocent life is spared. That is what matters.

Our attitudes towards safety need to change. We need to adopt an attitude of taking care of ourselves and trusting others to do the same. The police can't protect us. These private property owners won't protect us. The State won't let us protect us. God won't protect us.

This needs to change. Soon.

More Lying Bastards!

Let's just say I'm pissed.

Preserved for posterity courtesy of MSNBC....

Notice on the right despite the fact the article itself describes an SKS rifle, they have a picture of an AK-47?

Honesty in journalism my ass. Hell, a simple Google Image search turns up dozens of SKS images which clearly show the rifle pictured at the right is not an SKS.

Buy a gun book with pictures. It will really help.

Not all media are liars though. I looked outside to see if a frozen crevasse leading to Hell had appeared as a result of this on FOX News by John Lott. The fact they published it stuns me. This should be required reading for any journalist.

Surely, with all the reporters who appear at these crime scenes and seemingly interview virtually everyone there, why didn’t one simply mention the signs that ban guns from the premises?

He goes on to accurately describe the state of the law in Nebraska. Give it a read. This is honest journalism.

Lying Bastards!

Ok, I've tried to resist. After this involuntary protein spill that qualifies for news, I have to respond.

You know, I'd respect any major news outlet if they'd just publish facts. When they do what follows, they only look stupid. Shall we fisk?

The man who killed eight people and then himself at a Nebraska mall Wednesday came into the store and looked around before leaving and returning with an assault rifle, Omaha's police chief said Thursday.

Assault rifle? I think not. He came back with a legal civilian semi-automatic rifle. Assault rifles are highly regulated with regard to civilian possession and are capable of automatic fire. This scumbag did not use a machine gun.

Hawkins left the store and returned six minutes later concealing something -- presumably the AK-47 assault rifle used in the rampage -- under a hooded sweatshirt, Warren said.

Blatant lie. He used an SKS semi-automatic rifle. As you reveal in just a bit. It's almost like every time there is a mass shooting, the media just waits for the opportunity to insert "AK-47" somewhere.

Warren said Hawkins' body and the AK-47 with SKS 7.66 mm ammunition were found on the store's third floor.

What is SKS 7.66mm ammunition? Fools, the proper terminology is 7.62x39mm. That is the ammunition that both the SKS and the AK-47 fire. I think you tacked on the SKS part when you got confused hearing the shooter used an SKS rifle, a Russian design. You heard "SKS" and let it fly right over your head not realizing that that was the type of rifle used, contradicting your assumption about an AK-47!

God, I am getting tired of this crap. The only reason you morons get away with this is because the average citizen doesn't know any different. At least they have an excuse. You have none. You don't bother to fact check. You don't bother to be objective. You just care about getting it out there that a deadly assault rifle was used.

The SKS is nothing of the sort!!!

Listen, this is really simple. There is this place called a bookstore. In it, they sell assembled packets of printed paper bound together in a form we call a book. In this book, they often have pictures. Why not pick up a book with a title like "Rifles of the World" and look up "SKS" and "AK-47"? Even a child can tell them apart! The only thing they have in common is they fire the same ammunition.

And even that you couldn't get right. There is no such thing as 7.66mm ammunition, you fools!

Seriously, do you want a firearms consultant on staff? I'd be happy to provide my services for a fee and on the sole condition that you print exactly what I provide you with regard to guns. Guess what won't be seen if I do though? No references to "assault weapons" or "assault rifles" unless one is used. No references to "AK-47s" where none was used. No references to "high powered sniper rifle" unless one was used. Willing to agree? My fee will be modest and you could really use a clue.

However, I know you won't. Because you don't care about the truth. You care about your sensationalistic, lying political anti-gun agenda.

A Modest Pile

Most anti-gun people want us to be safe with guns. That we need to store our guns and ammo locked up and in a safe manner. We need to keep those dangerous objects secured tight to prevent them from going nuts on their own.

Think they would approve of this?


Now that is what I call proper ammo storage! This is the walk-in ammo vault from one of the shooters on the Maryland Shooters Forum. And you thought I had a lot of ammunition on hand?!?

Most shooters dream of having a vault like this! This is what I consider proper planning for emergencies. Just looking at it makes me feel inadequate in the high-velocity projectile department.

Whoa....ATF Form 4 Doesn't Appear to Require US Citizenship!

Oh. My. God.

It seems I may be issuing a correction to a previous belief. Based on my reading of the ATF Form 4, I am not prohibited as a permanent resident alien from possessing Class 3 firearms. It seems that the only requirement is being eligible to possess a firearm legally at all!

If this is the case, I may be looking at an SBR (short barreled rifle) in the not-too-distant future.

There is no way right now I will be permitted to buy a machine gun. $7000 is a little out of my range at the moment. Other priorities and all that. But well under $1000 for an SBR upper and the included $200 transfer tax is not outside the realm of doable.

If this is the case, I'm doing the happy dance right now! I need to contact a Maryland Class 3 dealer to confirm. Any Maryland readers out there have any good recommendations?

Wow! Wow! Wow!

New Shooter Report #2

On Saturday, I got to do another new shooter introduction at the NRA Range.

The fellow's name was Keith and he was a co-worker and friend of the co-worker Sammy I had done a previous introduction with. Sammy was along on this trip as well to do some additional follow-up shooting.

As a result, this session was largely a carbon-copy of my first introduction. The differences were a couple of equipment changes. Rather than my .22LR Single Six revolver, I had my Walther P22. The P22 was down for repair during my first intro but was back up and shooting for this one. Plus, Sammy had never used a .22 semi-auto pistol and this was a little more exposure for him.

The other addition was a second AR-15. Other than that, the line-up was the same as the first introduction as follows:

• Walther P22 3.4 inch barrel in .22LR
• Sig Sauer P220 in .45ACP
• Eagle Arms/Bushmaster 20 inch A2 pattern AR-15 in .223
• Eagle Arms/Model 1 11.5 inch AR-15 carbine in .223
• DPMS .22LR AR-15 upper (swapped on A2 lower from above)
• Yugo M59/66 SKS in 7.62x39mm
• Savage 93R17 in .17HMR

Unlike Sammy's intro, the NRA Range was packed at 8:30am. Because it was, I did a lot of the safety briefing and "what to do" stuff in the lounge while waiting for the firing lane. I expected to have a compressed timeline on the line itself.

Once we got out, we started with the P22. I showed him grip, how to load it, shooting controls and sighting. Once he got it, I rolled a target to 5 yards and told him to give it a shot. Which he did and parked all the rounds in the center. I handed him a second magazine and he filled out the bullseye nicely save for a couple of flyers.

I let Sammy take a turn with the P22 and then we switched to the P220. This was the most memorable moment for Keith. He fired off a few rounds turned to face me and Sammy (keeping the gun downrange at all times) grinning and said, "I like this!". Yup, the big .45 will do that to you.

His only issue was the grip. I have a Hogue grip on the Sig since I have larger hands. He found it a little difficult. I took that moment to explain that pistols are very personal choices and that what works for me won't necessarily work for him. I also said the stock grips were smaller than the aftermarket one I had fitted. The best thing for him to do is to see what fit his hand if he went looking in the future.

After two magazines each, we switched to the rifles. We started with the .22LR upper on the AR-15 and Keith got a little trigger happy. Semi-autos are very fun and he emptied two magazines rather rapidly. When we decided to step up to the full-power .223, I told him to slow down the trigger a little since the .223 was going to kick a lot more. He did and did some high-and-to-the-right shooting with the 20 inch AR. His second group was more center but Sammy had issues on impact point as well. I think some sight-in work might be in order.

Then we switched to the SKS. Sammy hadn't had a chance to try it out and I wanted to make sure they both did. Each only fired ten rounds out of it but did admirably. No comments about the heavier recoil or the rifle itself.

On a side note, this gun gave me a lot of grief. In working on it after the last trip, I had worked on trying to get the gas valve out for cleaning. Mine has been sticky and it really needs to come out. Alas, I need vice grips to turn it. I can't move it on finger pressure. Well, I had put the gun back into the cabinet with the valve turned off intending to come back to it.

Which means I forgot about it as usual and packed it into the case unchanged. And then realized it after setting out for the range. Deciding that trying to explain that wouldn't be good, I turned around, brought the case back into the house and proceeded to tap the valve back open for proper operation. At least the gun would shoot correctly.

The other major grief came after I unpacked it on the line and I went to lock the magazine closed. It wouldn't. This was a new thing. It appears the back of the magazine had bent inward a bit and wouldn't slide over the feed well. Thankfully I had my Swiss Army knife in my pocket. The can opener tool comes in real handy for tugging bent metal back into place. Definitely field expedient but it worked.

The after-range fun with the SKS will follow.

After the brief flirtation with the Commie gun, we moved to the Savage .17HMR. As should not come as a surprise, this gun was very well received. Especially given that I rolled a target to 50 yards (the range limit) and told him to fire ten shots. All landed within 4 inches of center and over half were in a two inch group with many touching holes. For a new shooter with no breath control shooting off the bag but supporting the rifle with their other hand, this isn't bad. He really like the scoped rifle. Sammy fired five rounds and parked them in an inch grouping at the same distance. Likewise very good.

Bear in mind, I've done and seen done sub-MOA groups with this gun at 50 and 100 yards. But it means that a new shooter will get a huge boost of confidence because of having such a good gun. To both of them, it makes them feel good about their nascent shooting abilities. Mine are nothing to write home about but having good equipment definitely helps. As usual, both wanted to take that gun home. I really should buy another one.

The final gun of the day was my AR-15 carbine. This was the gun I reworked with flip-up rear sight, rails, fixed stock and the holosight. Very different ergonomics. This was also the only shooting I did in this session. The reason was I needed to sight it in. Within 15 rounds, the gun was sufficiently on center and I let them take turns on it. They fired 20 rounds sitting and like my last session, I encourage each to develop some "triggeritis" and do a little rapid fire to finish up. All ten on the target.

Then we cleaned up, packed up the guns and headed out. Before we did, I gave Keith a sample of each type of round he fired during the session as a souvenir. Like the targets, giving the new shooters things to talk about and show for their efforts is important. I'm not going to miss 50 cents worth of ammo.

Overall, Keith was smiling and had a good time. He couldn't stick around to head out for lunch but very much enjoyed the .45 and the .17HMR. I caught up with him a couple days later at work and he passed along his thoughts and asked a few questions. He came away with a positive experience and even had his souvenir cartridges at work to show his co-workers. Fortunately, I work now in a pretty conservative (if self-defense prohibited) company. I told him to just be careful about showing them around too much. Makes great display pieces on the desk at home though.

One nice thing that happened is the NRA Range either got unbusy after we went in or the RSOs allowed me to continue past one hour. I'm not sure which but I noticed it after the first hour that they hadn't given me the 5 minute warning. I'm not one to argue and I was able to complete the entire session as intended. This is nice and if the staff at the NRA Range allowed me to do this because I was obviously instructing a new shooter, I thank them. Since I am regular there and I make it a point of paying the new shooter's fees, they may be cutting me some slack.

The not-so-nice part of these sessions is the cleaning afterwards. The .45 is always done first. It's my primary defensive arm and it needs to go back into the drawer. After that, I did a quick pass on the .17HMR. Not a big deal since this gun is nowhere near as dirty as a .22 or an AR-15.

Alas, those guns seem sparkling clean after shooting compared to the SKS.

For the record, I was shooting Wolf ammo. I know the stuff runs dirty. But 20 rounds should not translate into 5 hours of cleaning. Especially as the gun had not been fired in almost a year and was clean when I put it away. But since I'm me and I know the gun is a combat veteran, I decided that a little copper solvent might help. When I pushed the wet patch through, it came out black. No surprise there since it was the first patch. However, by the fifth wet/dry series and the wet patch is still coming out mostly black, I was starting to wonder.

I spent the next five hours cleaning that rifle with a two hour break in the middle to let the solvent sit. Only towards the end did I start to see a little blue. The final dry patch had a mere smidge of black on it. It was clean enough to go back into the cabinet and it did.

I still have the .22 caliber guns left to clean which includes both ARs. The SKS sucked up that much time.

That was ridiculous. I know at least the gun is very clean. But I'm not happy. The sticky gas valve needs to be addressed (with a new stainless steel one) and the bent magazine didn't improve matters. Given the gun is only "Fair" on the NRA scale with regard to bore condition (light pitting, rifling still sharp and deep but the edges are rounding, bore slightly dark), I am starting to wonder if getting another SKS might be in the cards. I'd really like a Russian SKS and let the Yugo sit as an occasional shooter. I'll figure it out by the next gun show in 2008.

And as they say and in conclusion, "A good time was had by all!". Thanks for coming, Keith! I was glad you enjoyed yourself.

Will you be next?

Five Year Plan

Just found this courtesy of Kaveman.

From the page...

Handgun Control Inc. 5 Year Plan

In December of 1993, this document was leaked by a Handgun Control Inc.

volunteer, and exposes the ultimate goals of elite anti-gunners;

The eventual elimination of ALL guns and ALL hunting!

(NOTES AND MINUTES OF MEETING OF FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1993)

ROUGH DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR

INTERNAL MEMO AND FIVE YEAR PLAN

(OF HANDGUN CONTROL INC.)

I am going to make a simple observation here.

There was another political entity that was quite enamored of Five Year Plans. As milestones, in fact, as measuring progress towards the ultimate proper human society. And I mean progress in the "Progressive" sense. The true dream of many progressives.

It was Communism.

Funny how a gun control group adopts the processes and procedures of Josef Stalin and calls them the same thing. Not so funny when you realize their goals are the same: totalitarian rule.

I'm sure in their world there will be gulags for those who don't want to follow their desires.

The only difference between their brand of communism and the one practiced by Stalin (among others) is they have the freedom to actually print stuff like this without government repercussions. In that other place of the Five Year Plan, the only entities they feel should have the guns would be putting them up against the wall and using them on them.

Not for gun control but for being intellectuals. For being elite bourgeoisie. Just because it was over 10 years ago doesn't mean their goals have changed, Comrade.

Just thought you might be interested.

Busy

Sorry folks, been very busy with work and home. I have several posts up and coming.

I did the headspace checks on my CETME. I am going to post the photos and my analysis what I learned. This is technical gun stuff for the hardcore among you. I will reiterate this: Except for a Vector Arms MP5 pattern rifle, I don't plan on obtaining any more roller-locking delayed blowback guns. Very much a pain to deal with. Wonderful engineering designs though.

I want to get my next Bite Me, Brady post up. This will be an entry that Paul Helmke should approve of. But I doubt it. There are magazines involved and those are unfit for possession by the serfs no matter the capacity.

At long last, I will become a member of the Tribe. I plan to send Jeff my photo this week for inclusion. It will be appropriately themed befitting my status as an American in spirit and in place but a Canadian by birth and culture.

And lastly, working on writeups on a couple of house bills. The reason I started to blog was to disseminate my layman's opinion on State bills being proposed here in Maryland that would affect me. It got me started in the fight. These go back to my roots.

Stay tuned. Trying to entertain.