Alan Gura Interviewed: ..."Virtually all the decisions that addressed
the Second Amendment were styled United States v. Somebody," says Mr.
Gura. "'Somebody' was a crack dealer, a bank robber - some lowlife who
had made a spurious Second Amendment claim as part of a package of
desperate appeals." Faced with these sorts of cases, almost every
federal appeals court had desultorily endorsed the collective rights
view. That changed in 2001 with the case of Emerson v. U.S. A federal
grand jury had indicted a Texas man for possessing a pistol while under
a restraining order not to threaten his estranged wife. The trial judge
dismissed the charges on Second Amendment grounds. The Fifth U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the indictment, but held that the
Second Amendment does protect an individual right. "For the first time
ever," says Mr. Gura, "we had a clear, concise, intelligent examination
of the Second Amendment with a true analysis of the document, and the
conclusion was that it secured an individual right." What's more, "with
Emerson we had, for the first time, a circuit split" - a disagreement
among appellate courts over how to interpret the amendment...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121642051369066401.html
---
Is DC Following Washington Post Script?: The Washington D.C. City
Council has created so many hoops for handgun owners to jump through
before they can exercise their Second Amendment rights, they may require
legal counsel just to identify what the hoops are. This sorry state of
affairs is much to the satisfaction of The Washington Post, which called
for just such an obstructionist policy in an editorial. At least one of
those hoops is illegal, according to the Supreme Court, but a Post news
story spun that fact as the opinion of "opponents of the handgun ban."
Is editorial policy coloring the news?
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/KristenFyfe/2008/07/18/dc_flouts_supreme_court_on_guns,_as_washington_post_advised
---
Stephen Hunter's Advice to Prospective DC Gun Owners: Appearing this
time as "Dr. Guns," Stephen Hunter has written several firearm-oriented
novels and American Gunfight: The Plot to Kill Harry Truman and the
Shoot-Out That Stopped It. (I found this of interest not so much for its
content but the fact that it was published in the Washington Post.)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/17/AR2008071703073.html?hpid=topnews
---
Duck Hunters Face Backlash in Virginia Suburbs: Larry Hirsch got so fed
up watching ducks get shot out of the sky that he hatched a plan to get
rid of the hunter who hunkered down in the duck blind behind his Fairfax
County home. He's not a hunter, but Hirsch acquired the right to build
the only duck blind allowed in that spot on the Potomac River. Hirsch,
55, went out a few times and fired his shotgun, pretending to duck hunt
and thereby fulfilling the requirement of his license. The plan worked,
because Hirsch's landowner rights trumped those of the hunter, who had
licensed the empty spot, and he was pushed out of his duck blind at
least for a year...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/19/AR2008071901745.html
---
A Case to Watch in Tucson: A clerk at a North Side market fired on two
beer thieves Saturday afternoon after chasing them out of the store and
nearly being struck by their getaway car, police said. Nobody was
injured, and police were able to run down two suspects during a short
chase, said Officer Linda Galindo, a Tucson Police Department
spokeswoman...Police arrested a 31-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth,
both on suspicion of shoplifting. Their names were not released
Saturday. The incident is still under investigation, and detectives will
review the case before determining whether the clerk will face any
charges, Galindo said.
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/249121
---
Rule Five Reminder: A birthday party turned tragic Saturday when a child
shot himself. It happened at a house on Vine Street in Jackson. Police
said a 4-year-old went inside the home to change into swimming gear when
he got hold of a gun. That's when police said the child shot and killed
[himself]. The owner of the gun, Michael Johnson, has been arrested.
Officers arrested him for an outstanding warrant on a probation
violation and police say he will likely face more charges related to
this shooting. (Rule Five: Maintain control of your firearm. This is how
jurisdictions such as DC justify "safe storage" laws.)
http://www.wapt.com/news/16932120/detail.html
---
Limited Run of S&W No-Lock Revolvers: It appears that RSR has persuaded
S&W to produce a limited run of M-642 and M-37 revolvers without
integral key locks. It is reputed that these will use leftover frames
from pre-lock production. The topic is being discussed on several forums
- I have included links to three of them. (Personally, I would be more
inclined to spend the money on the M-40, which was apparently cleared
for production without a key lock because it incorporates a grip safety.
The steel frame should provide greater longevity and the extra ounces of
weight should provide more stability during the trigger stroke and less
recoil.)
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=378526
http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=70845&an=0&page=0
http://www.stoppingpower.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=15559
---
NRA-ILA Alerts: Alerts for the week are posted on the NRA-ILA website.
http://www.nraila.org/GrassrootsAlerts/read.aspx
---
Tangentially Related: State crime lab analyst Kathryn Troyer was running
tests on Arizona's DNA database when she stumbled across two felons with
remarkably similar genetic profiles. The men matched at nine of the 13
locations on chromosomes, or loci, commonly used to distinguish people.
The FBI estimated the odds of unrelated people sharing those genetic
markers to be as remote as 1 in 113 billion. But the mug shots of the
two felons suggested that they were not related: One was black, the
other white. In the years after her 2001 discovery, Troyer found dozens
of similar matches - each seeming to defy impossible odds...
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dna20-2008jul20,0,1506170,full.story
---
From John Farnam:
13 June 08
Getting into serious rifles:
In talking with friends in the retail gun business, I make it a point to
ask what it takes to get into a serious, Western-built, military rifle.
Most tell me the absolute minimum for any kind of AR-15 is $700.00. A
really good rifle, from top-line manufacturers I recommend, is going to
run between $900.00 and $1,500.00. Gas-piston rifles, like the RA/XCR
and SIG/556 will generally be higher than Stoner rifles, but that is
just the beginning!
Once you buy the rifle itself, you discover you need an adequate
complement of magazines, a dozen at least, at $30.00-$75.00 each. Of
course, your new rifle may also not come with sights, because there are
so many individual preferences, so a good set of iron sights will be an
additional $75.00-$250.00. Add another $50.00-$100.00 for a tactical
sling and forward attachment-point/wire-loop.
Those who, in addition, want a Micro-Aimpoint, EOTech, or other
high-tech optic can add another $400.00-$500.00.
Don't forget ammunition! One-thousand rounds of 223 will run $300.00
and up. Service ammunition, like Cor-Bon DPX, will be close to
$1.00/round. In 308, prices are, of course, proportionally higher.
Of course, you'll need training! Our weekend Urban Rifle Course will be
over $500.00. Ammunition consumed during the Course will cost nearly as
much as the Course itself. Other well-known instructors charge similar
rates.
So, to get set-up in a serious rifle, and get trained to use it, will
cost the average consumer $2,500.00, and up!
An alternative is to buy an inexpensive Kalashnikov in 5.45X39. The
rifle itself is around $400.00, and probably already comes with
acceptable iron sights, a sling, and at least two magazines. Additional
magazines are relatively inexpensive. Cheap ammunition is available in
quantity and is suitable for both practice and serious purposes.
It is rude and crude by Western standards, but still a good starting
point for those with limited resources who still want to get started in
this Art.
Serious rifle skills are, in the minds of many, becoming increasingly
important with the passing of each day. One way or another, one must
find a way.
/John
16 July 08
SIG 556 workout!
I used my SIG/556 at an Urban Rifle Course in OK earlier this week. As
expected, it performed well indeed!
Ultimately, I set up my new SIG Rifle with LaRue BUIS, front and rear.
The iron sights that come on the rifle, thought compact as previously
noted, are slow to deploy. And, the rear sight, once deployed, is
fragile and flimsy.
Between the front and rear BUIS, and well forward on the full-length top
rail, I have a Micro-Aimpoint, mounted on a LaRue Quick-Release Base.
Now, I can quickly deploy and use my LaRue BUIS through the Aimpoint
optic, or I can speedily remove the optic when necessary. The
rail-mounted sights, both optic and BUIS, hold zero well.
With regard to the ambidextrous safety, I had my gunsmith simply grind
off the paddle on the right side, leaving only a stud. Now, it doesn't
interfere with my registered (right-hand) trigger-finger.
The SIG's gas-piston system is reliable and smooth. Unlike the
pressurized-receiver/Stoner System, the 556 tolerates dirt and grit
well, and, as with the excellent DSA/FAL and RA/XCR, gas pressure is
adjustable and can be ramped-up when the weapon gets excessively dirty.
Accuracy is excellent, maybe even too good! When a rifle is this
accurate, I worry about it being too tight, and ultimately
temperamental. However, my copy, though now dirty, continues to run and
run, with a wide mixture of ammunition!
I'm using Fusil 30-round magazines. I like them, because they are made
of spring steel and thus don't dent, and they come with a powder coating
which makes them slick, corrosion resistant, and extremely reliable.
My Safariland Rapid Light, which goes so quickly on, and off,
rail-equipped pistols, also slides on the 556's right rail, making it an
excellent bedroom-gun!
I'm now traveling, via air, with my 556, broken down, locked in a hard,
plastic case inside my checked Columbia duffle. I've checked various
rifles through on hundreds of domestic flights this way, and the SIG is
no exception. It is flying with me!
SIG's 556 is a relatively heavy rifle, for the caliber. After carrying
my copy all day, I can definitely tell the difference between it and,
for example, my SabreTech M-4. However, there is not much else not to
like about the 556. Like the XCR, it is a serious rifle. No doubt!
/John
(BUIS: Back Up Iron Sights)
17 July 08
RA/XCR, now shipping in 7.62X39
Robinson Arms, appealing to cost-conscious consumers who are looking for
way to keep shooting without breaking the bank, are currently shipping
their wonderful XCR rifle, now chambered in 30-Soviet (7.62X39)
The rifle comes with one magazine, manufactured by C-Products.
Additional magazines are available at $25.00/copy. This iteration of
the XCR features a chrome-plated barrel, and is available as a complete
unit, or in kit-form, for those who already own an XCR but want the
additional capability.
As with all versions of the XCR, this one has no issue with steel-cased
ammunition.
Alex Robinson tells me the 6.8mm version of his XCR has done well also,
but current ammunition cost inflation has generated strident interest in
calibers where cheap sources of ammunition are still available.
The most wonderful rifle in the world is worth little when you can't
afford to shoot it!
It is anyone's guess how much longer cheap ammunition will be available
in 7.62X39, or 5.45X39 for that matter. In fact, banking on the latter,
S&W is currently introducing a 5.45X39 version of their excellent M&P
Carbine. I hope they're right!
In order to maintain, and advance, critical weapon skills, we have to
get rounds downrange on a regular basis, but high ammunition prices
have made regular shooting sessions fewer and further between for many.
True Operators will find a way! By contrast, losers will, as always,
spend their time seeking a presumptive excuse to lose.
Robinson Armament
PO Bx 16776
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
801 355 0401
801 355 0402 (Fax)
[email protected]_ (mailto:
[email protected])
/John
(Grandpa Wenger used to say that differences in opinion are what make
horse races. Not everyone agrees with John about the greatness of the
XCR; I am not familiar with it, hence have no personal opinion. [While I
offer rifle and shotgun training, virtually all of my students come to
me for handgun training.] As to 7.62x39mm and 5.45x39mm ammo, if you buy
into the theory of using it for its low price, stock up now - I would
expect a Democratic administration to ban its import.)
18 July 08
I should have mentioned the M1 Carbine! This from a friend and Instructor:
"Of necessity, hobby reloading is popular again! On that subject, the
30/Carbine cartridge is as easily and cheaply reloaded as are most
handgun cartridges. I crank them out by the hundreds on my Dillon!
(1) The 30/Carbine case consumes half the powder of a 223, and
one-fourth the powder of a 308.
(2) The straight-wall 30/Carbine case, combined with relatively low
pressure, sidesteps issues associated with case-stretching, head-space
shifting, and case-separation that commonly plague high-pressure, necked
cartridges.
(3) Reloaded 30/Carbine ammunition, when produced in quantity, costs no
more than 9mm, less than 40S&W, and much less than 223 or 308.
(4) 30/Carbine cases can be reused many more cycles than can most
high-pressure, rifle cartridges before ultimately having to be discarded.
Those looking for a relatively inexpensive way to get involved in the
Art of Serious Riflery should not overlook the M1 Carbine! It is a 100M
gun, but, for most domestic use, that is more than adequate."
Comment: Shame on me for failing to mention the foregoing in my last Quip!
Yes, definitely look at Kahr's version of the M1 Carbine. My copy is
handy, well put together, wonderfully reliable, and much less expensive
than most AR-15s. Ammunition is readily available and eminently
reloadable, as noted above. A real cost advantage!
/John
(A caveat on reloading the M1 Carbine round - while it has a straight,
tapered case, it is thicker than similar handgun cartridges. I have
always found that even with carbide dies, I have to use case lubricant.
Back when Accurate Arms No. 9 powder was still manufactured in Israel, I
found that 11.5 grains gave me the specified muzzle velocity and good
accuracy. Accuracy will be improved with JSP or JHP bullets, whose
jackets ensure a consistently square base. I have always liked Speer's
1835 JHP bullet for this cartridge.)
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
