Words versus Deeds: In speech after speech, Barack Obama has claimed he
would "uphold the Second Amendment." Mr. Obama, of course, is a polished
speaker who says "words matter." But records matter more. And while Mr.
Obama is short on experience on most issues, he's long on anti-gun votes
and even longer on rhetoric. Now's a good time to review both...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/30/obama-and-guns/
---
Do Increased Gun Sales Predict an Obama Defeat?: ...In 2004, we don't
remember hearing about anyone scared Kerry was going to take their guns
away - and we worked Pennsylvania for Kerry (Pittsburgh area). There
were a lot of gun shops and firing ranges there, and we never heard
anything about people stocking up on guns because they were scared Kerry
was going to try to take them away...In fact, the thought of Obama
becoming president freaks these people out. So much so that they're
stocking up on firearms. We just don't see how this can bode well for
Obama. These are "Reagan Democrats" and Republicans. They're Clinton
Democrats too. And they recoil at the thought of an Obama administration...
http://hillbuzz.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/this-is-fascinating-gun-sales-increase-could-predict-obama-defeat/
---
On the Other Hand: ...Hal Goldstein, owner of the Armory gun shop in
Annapolis, said, "People should be scared. Sales are definitely up," he
said. "I've got people with Obama stickers on their cars coming in to
buy. We're looking at possible a super- Democratic majority [in
Congress], and a president who's going to do what's best for the
collective. I don't want to sound paranoid, but the prices could go way
out of sight..."
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/30/gun-owners-air-worries-of-obama-white-house/
---
McCain Misses the Mark: ...Why wait, however? Putting aside the question
of Sarah Palin for the moment, one of the McCain's biggest mistakes so
far has been, in my opinion, his failure to exploit issues that
Republicans usually do well with. Take gun ownership. Guns are a potent
force in American politics. As I have pointed out before, had Al Gore
won Tennessee, Arkansas or West Virginia - all winnable states - in
2000, he would not have had to win Florida, and he would have become
president...
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/15045.html
---
Gun Sales, Permits Rise in Tennessee: Gun stores are doing big business
these days despite the sluggish economy. Sales may be slow for some
retailers but there are two reasons why the registers have been ringing
at gun stores. "I have personally never seen it like it has been this
year," said Larry Baity at Gun City USA in Nashville. He has sold a
record number of guns recently... and he knows why. When the economy
goes south, it kind of goes hand in glove, crime increases...In
Tennessee, handgun permits have skyrocketed. In September 2007, about
186,000 people had a carry permit. In July 2008, there were 196,000
people...
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9263251
---
And in Florida...: Political views and ads are driving an increase
interest in firearms. Gun sales and permit requests are up in many
places, including here in Southwest Florida. These days Mike Christoff's
Mobile Tactics gun shop and range is busier than normal. "There's a lot
of people who never even considered carrying a weapon, but are thinking
about just in case, obtaining a carry permit," Christoff says. Many of
his customers worry that if Barack Obama wins the election, their right
to bear arms could be reduced or taken away...
http://www.winknews.com/news/local/33547804.html
---
And in Kentucky...: Many Americans are cutting back on purchases these
days, but federal data shows an increase in people buying firearms and
ammunition. Some think campaign 2008 is influencing those numbers.
Owners at JT's Gun & Pawn say gun and ammo sales have tripled in the
weeks leading up to the presidential election and they say they don't
think it's a coincidence. Bryan Wilson is a gun collector, but fears
democratic talks of gun controls will make buying firearms more
difficult after the upcoming election. "People are buying them because
they are afraid they won't be able to get any and, you know, I guess
they're scared like I am," gun owner Bryan Wilson said...
http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/33591169.html
---
And in Idaho...: Sales of firearms have increased in south-central
Idaho, firearms dealers in the region say, because of fears of possible
new gun control laws if Sen. Barack Obama is elected president. Ryan
Horsley, manager of Red's Trading Post in Twin Falls, says gun owners
are concerned that certain kinds of guns could be banned. Specifically,
he said, sales of assault-type rifles, such as military-style AR-15s,
have jumped, far outselling traditional, bolt-action hunting rifles. "We
had a particular sale of them a little while ago (Oct. 10), and in one
day our sales were over $20,000," Horsley said...
http://www.2news.tv/news/33580904.html
---
And in Colorado...: As polls show Democrat Sen. Barack Obama leading in
his race with Republican Sen. John McCain for president of the United
States, more and more Americans are arming themselves. Gun sales are up
nationwide and in Colorado. "Probably an increase of 25 percent," said
Richard Taylor, manager of the Firing Line in Aurora. Time and again,
Taylor said customers, especially first-time buyers, say they're afraid
an Obama White House would mean more gun control. "If Barack Obama gets
in, people are concerned they might not be able to purchase certain
types of firearms. So that has been driving a number of the sales,"
Taylor said...
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/politics/17843159/detail.html
---
And in Ohio...: Tough economic times and fear of increased gun control
have firearms sales booming. Nationally, the industry has seen an 8-10
percent jump compared with 2007. James Dean, owner of Norton Sporting
Goods, says he's seen sales increase between 10-15 percent since summer,
thanks in part to a big jump in personal handguns. While economic
downturn typically tends to loosely correlate with increased firearm
sales, the presidential campaign could also play a big part for gun
owners concerned about increased regulation, especially if Barack Obama
is elected. Dean indicates a number of his customers have been buying
guns "because they can", anticipating that Obama would augment
restriction and gun control legislation...
http://www.610wtvn.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=268656&article=4503358
---
And in Oklahoma...: Oklahomans are purchasing more guns, and so is much
of the rest of the United States. Some gun enthusiasts are concerned
that if Senator Barack Obama is elected President, there will be a new
restrictive legislation on particular types of guns. So, many gun
buyers are going shopping before the election. Obama supports gun
control measures of certain types of guns and a ban on assault weapon
ownership. Gun shops say Tuesday's election is a hot topic among their
customers, but the focus isn't on taxes or healthcare - it's all about
guns. Gun owners are concerned about how the laws may change, depending
upon who becomes President...
http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=9269133
---
And in Arizona...: ... Kirk Optepeke agrees, "they just talk about if
Obama wins, some of our second amendment rights will be taken away from
us." And as a result gun shops across the country are seeing a spike in
sales. Nationwide, gun sales are up around 10 percent. Dealers say some
buyers fear a bad economy will lead to more robberies - and are buying
guns for self defense. But most we talked to say a possible Obama
administration is driving sales. "Specifically the assault rifles they
think are gonna be banned," Saridakis says...
http://www.azfamily.com/news/homepagetopstory/stories/phoenix-local-news-103008-gun-sales.165dc77a6.html
---
Illinois Residents Discuss CCW Referendum: Residents are urged to attend
an informational meeting regarding the concealed carry law referendum
that is on the Nov. 4 ballot. Benton Public Property Commissioner Ronnie
Baumgarte said the meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. in the Benton Elks
Lodge, 167 Industrial Park Road. Illinois Carry spokesperson Valinda
Rowe said the town hall meeting would include a question-and-answer
period... (Note that only a few of Illinois's 102 counties have similar
referenda on their ballot this year.)
http://www.bentoneveningnews.com/news/x1197766572/Q-A-meeting-set-on-concealed-carry-law
---
Ohio Removes "No Guns" Signs: Buckeye Firearms Association has just
received word from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) that the
NO GUNS signs at state rest stops have been ordered removed. In the
telephone call to Buckeye Firearms Association Leader and NRA Election
Volunteer Coordinator Rick Jones, ODOT stated that their legal
department has confirmed with multiple state departments that the signs
are to be removed. This action is in response to passage and
implementation of Senate Bill 184, which included several major fixes to
Ohio's concealed handgun licensure law, including a change designed to
allow patrons of rest stops to use the facilities without having to
disarm...
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/6170
---
Rebuttal to Jeff Knox: Jeff Knox has this day penned a letter designed
to calm his fellow sheep, entitled "Mutual Assured Destruction." You
will find it here. He makes a number of assertions in it, which I will
deal with below ad seriatim...
http://westernrifleshooters.blogspot.com/2008/10/vanderboegh-destruction-yes-mutually.html
---
More on Cooper Ouster: Montana gunsmith Dan Cooper has been ousted as
chief executive of the rifle company that bears his name after pressure
from gun owners who are angry that he is supporting Democrat Barack
Obama...Cooper contributed $3,300 to Obama's presidential campaign,
according to election records complied by the non-partisan CQ MoneyLine.
The USA TODAY article sparked outrage from some gun owners and bloggers,
including an open letter on a blog called Firearms and Freedom, urging
people to boycott the company's products. Many gun enthusiasts believe
Obama will try to restrict their right to bear arms, although he has
said he respects the Second Amendment... (Yes, I'll still respect you in
the morning.)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-10-30-gun-ceo-ousted_N.htm
---
Ruger Recalls Some LCP's: Ruger has recently received a small number of
reports from the field indicating that LCP pistols can discharge when
dropped onto a hard surface with a round in the chamber. We are firmly
committed to safety and would like to retrofit all older LCP Pistols.
The retrofit involves installation of an upgraded hammer mechanism at no
charge to the customer. We want to remind gun users that, for maximum
safety when carrying any pistol with a loaded magazine in place, the
chamber should be empty, and the slide should be closed. Any gun may
fire if dropped or struck... (A pistol with an empty chamber doesn't
provide much safety if carried for self-defense. Long-term list members
will recall being cautioned repeatedly not to purchase new models of
firearms until they have been in production for at least one year.)
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/LCPRecall/index.html
---
Take That, You Evil Gun!: It takes seconds for a handgun or rifle to
liquefy in the heat of a 2,000-degree furnace. Afterward, the molten
metal can be transformed into many things. Iron pipe. A manhole cover.
An anchor. It's a form of recycling that many local law enforcement
agencies find particularly satisfying, because it ensures that those
guns will never resurface in a criminal case. "We know they're gone
forever," said Melissa Young, an investigator with the Camden County
Prosecutor's Office, which yesterday melted down almost 300 guns in a
secret location...
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20081030_Camden_County_melts_down_consfiscated_guns.html
---
Caching Weapons: I don't believe in burying weapons. Still, I have
received so many emails about this that I guess I need to mention
something. Whatever you do, you need to keep at least one weapon set
(pistol and rifle) with you along with the accompanying ammo. But for
those with extensive arsenals who want to secure them better and outside
of the "gun safe" method, read on... (Note the comments.)
http://www.snubnose.info/wordpress/tactics/weapons-cache-101/
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
