Blog
Suppressors
Engineering and Performance
The Firearm Suppressor industry is still in its infancy, and it will probably remain that way until the archaic taxation penalty and bureaucratic log jam are removed from these devices.
The potential for preserving hearing health is great enough though, that people are optimistic that the law will be changed to allow the free market to lower the cost of these items.
Here is a little “inside baseball” look at the engineering behind baffle pattern design in a Soteria suppressor. This video actually shows what goes on inside of a suppressor when a shot is fired.
It's baffling (no pun intended) to consider the variables that go into producing a "perfect" suppressor for each and every firearm/ammo combination.
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Law and Order
Britain Weighs Arming More Police
Discussion over whether to arm British police represents not just a policy debate, but a moral one
Our worldview determines a good many issues and influences almost everything we do. And a culture represents the impact of worldview and assumptions, many explicitly theological assumptions, coming right down [to] the law enforcement and the understanding of what is necessary in order to understand and restrain evil. ..
The public conversation in Britain is now turning to the fact that the defense of the public, the defense of that very community or neighborhood, now might depend upon the police being armed rather than unarmed. And in this case, that means armed with guns...
While necessary for the restraint of evil, the proliferation of firearms also serves to gage the shift of society's cultural morals. That truth is not encumbered by national boundaries; hopefully the UK will eventually realize the wisdom in our 2nd Amendment.
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Law and Order
Another "Church Shooting"
Perpetrators like this one seek places where they think that their potential victims are likely to be passive and unarmed. This perp. was obviously not well versed in cultural readiness. Just as in Texas, I'd say that any person who approaches a contemporary worship service in Tennessee wearing a mask has a finite number of breaths remaining.
Tail wags to the "usher" in this case for taking action.
/fl
Culture
Advertising
One of the more irritating features of the internet is the ease with which the 'creative advertising' crowd have in gobbling up bandwidth with indiscriminate nonsense—particularly with companies that try to disguise advertising as quality control. For example, I received an email questionnaire today from a company that I do business with, with the question:
We'd love to hear your feedback about your recent shopping experience at [Brand X]. How likely are you to recommend [Brand X] to a friend or family member? Your responses help us ensure [our customers] have the best possible experience shopping at [Brand X].
The question posed has nothing to do with my recent shopping experience; if I were to answer their question truthfully, how accurate would their interpretation of my answer be? And, how would it affect anyone's "best possible experience?"
Now here is something that does make sense; it was pointed out in another article that I was reading today that "when a person wants something real bad, they quite often get it that way."
Good examples of poor craftsmanship and profound truth!
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Law: Self Defense
Rossiter v. Alaska
As one might expect, when neither the prosecutor, the defense counsel, or the trial judge understands self-defense law as it should be applied in a self-defense case, the result is a miscarriage of justice...
And guess who's on the hook for the Appeals Process!
This case is another example that illustrates the need for a comprehensive defense strategy.
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Suppressors
Hearing Health
This is a good example of why very little attention is paid to anything that anyone in The Brady Campaign says:
“There’s no evidence of a public health issue associated with hearing loss from gunfire,” Kristin Brown, of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, told the Los Angeles Times earlier this year.
Not only is there plenty of evidence, but the evidence is quantifiable. Noise above certain levels does in fact lead to permanent hearing loss.
I guess she thinks that we want to muffle the noise just because it makes our guns harder to clean, heavier, and more expensive.
Being hearing disabled, it's frustrating to have to guess at what people are saying; but, thanks to people like Kristin Brown putting their words into writing, I'm reminded that I'm not always missing a whole lot.
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Weather
Dealing with Chaos
Empathy and sympathy go out to all of those affected by Hurricane Irma. There are thousands of people left without power in South Florida. On top of that is a major fuel shortage. These things will eventually be corrected, but it takes time. Time that seem excruciatingly slow to those with damaged homes.
It was ten days without power for us in the case of Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Cold showers, cold food, and two trips to the tire store to have tires with cut sidewalls replaced. Another ten months to finally finish up re-construction.
The little 'countenance lifting' things help get through it all.
Continuing to pray for those who are struggling.
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Law
Is senility a form of evolution?
Just curious;
WASHINGTON — Judge Richard A. Posner, whose restless intellect, withering candor and superhuman output made him among the most provocative figures in American law in the last half-century, recently announced his retirement...
“Gradually, I lost interest or exhausted my interest,” he said. ..
He called his approach to judging pragmatic. His critics called it lawless. “I pay very little attention to legal rules, statutes, constitutional provisions,” Judge Posner said. “A case is just a dispute. The first thing you do is ask yourself — forget about the law — what is a sensible resolution of this dispute?”
For those so inclined to believe in evolutionary theory, it may be evident that senility is a self-perpetuating form of evolution; therefore, they can justifiably disregard all of those bothersome missing links—along with the law...
For everyone else, especially those who might possibly fall victim to an subjective analysis of poorly crafted law, the "pragmatic approach" would call for having recourse to a war chest.
For more about Judge Richard A. Posner's retirement, see A judge comes clean about how he actually judges at Albert Mohler's Daily Briefing.
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Maintenance
What to Do with Firearms and Ammunition Affected by Flood Waters
NSSF and SAAMI Provide Guidance on Dealing with Submerged Guns and Ammunition
NEWTOWN, Conn. — Firearms owners who have seen their guns and stored ammunition submerged by flood waters in storm-wracked areas are probably wondering if their firearms and ammunition can be salvaged and safely used.
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute® (SAAMI®) and National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) point to two helpful documents containing guidelines to assist gun owners in making sound decisions related to safely handling and treating or disposing of these items, emphasizing to always err on the side of caution and safety.
SAAMI, founded in 1926, is an organization that creates and publishes industry standards on firearms and ammunition. NSSF is the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry.
The SAAMI document “Guidance on Firearms That Have Been Submerged or Exposed to Extensive Amounts of Water” points out two major concerns about firearms that have been exposed to water: parts susceptible to moisture and rust damage such as metal parts, wood stocks and grips, and optics; and, secondly, infiltration of the action, barrel and safety systems by grit, silt and other foreign debris.
Always unload firearms before beginning any treatment process.
It’s important to limit moisture and corrosion damage to the component parts of the firearm. This can be accomplished by disassembling the component parts and using up to two coats of a moisture-displacing lubricant such as Hoppes #9 MDL or WD-40 to clean and stabilize the parts while, importantly, following the product’s directions so as not to damage, for instance, plastic or synthetic parts. Another tip is to allow wood stocks and grips to air-dry and not be force dried by exposure to heat.
The document emphasizes that once the firearm has been thoroughly dried, consideration must be given to having the firearm inspected and serviced by the manufacturer, an authorized service center, or a qualified gunsmith before putting the firearm back in service.
Dealing with Submerged Ammunition
To help firearms owners determine what to do with ammunition that has been affected by water and moisture, SAAMI offers another helpful document, “Guidance on Ammunition That Has Been Submerged in Water.”
Discussed are differences in moisture resistance between centerfire, rimfire and shotshell ammunition, and potential hazards associated with “drying out” cartridges, including possible deterioration and damage to cartridges due to drying methods.
Another serious hazard that could result from using compromised ammunition is the potential for a bore obstruction due to partial ignition of either the priming compound or the propellant powder charge, or both. Firing a subsequent round through an obstructed barrel can result in bodily injury, death and property damage.
SAAMI provides the following cautionary conclusion: “It would be impossible to ascertain for certain the extent of the deteriorating affect, if any, the water may have had on each individual cartridge. Therefore, the safe answer is that no attempt be made to salvage or use submerged ammunition. The ammunition should be disposed of in a safe and responsible manner. Contact your local law enforcement agency for disposal instructions in your area.
Resources:
Guidance on Ammunition That Has Been Submerged in Water
Guidance on Firearms That Have Been Submerged or Exposed to Extensive Amounts of Water
/NSSF
Weather
Irma
Irma's wind-speed was dropping as it reached Clearwater early this morning; the storm continues to weaken as it moves North into oblivion.
A full report on the storm is not available yet, but as one website comment put it, "it could have been worse."
Now for the clean-up.....
Don't buy a used vehicle without running a full title history!
/fl
Weather
Irma
Hurricane Irma heads North, up the Western shore of the Florida peninsula;
The storm is wider than the peninsula, so everyone will be affected in one way or another.
/fl
Weather
Irma
There are no doubt thousands of people in Florida, in the path of Irma, whom have never experienced a tropical storm/hurricane. Having seen gridlock conditions on some of the highways in past storms, anyone in the southern part of the state should leave now if the plan is to evacuate. I've seen both good and bad advice on the various media channels.
Lets hope that everyone is able to get out of the areas of Cat. 5 surge/flood potential and into sturdy shelters. The most tornado's will be located off the starboard bow of the storm.
They don't last long. Stay safe!
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Weather
Irma
Hurricane Irma as seen in moonlight by the VIIRS instrument on the Suomi satellite at approximately 3 am EDT Wednesday, September 6, 2017. Barbuda was in the southeastern eyewall of Irma at this time. Puerto Rico is visible at the left of the image. Image credit: NASA.
Below is live footage of Hurricane Irma destroying a camera located in St Maarten. I doubt that we will see many TV reporters doing their live 'storm-cast' standing out in this stuff:
Forecast Tracking models for 09/06/17.
This will likely be the strongest storm to hit the Florida Keys since the 1935 Labor Day storm that wound up killing several hundred people.
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Culture
Fighting $tatues
Although not specifically mentioned in this video clip, the Southern Poverty Law Center fits Prager's generic description to a T.
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Law and Order
The Sweet Essence of Freedom vs. The Stench of Tyranny
An intriguing dichotomy is presented in these two current events:
U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Orders Seizure of Privately Owned Guns, Ammo Ahead of Hurricane
With hurricane Irma expected to dump heavy rains and high winds on the U.S. Virgin Islands, Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp has ordered the Virgin Islands National Guard into active service and authorized them to seize privately-owned firearms and ammunition.
The order is worded so that they can seize firearms and ammunition as needed to carry out their duties.
A copy of the order was published by the Daily Caller.
That (arms confiscation tactic) was tried during Hurricane Katrina, and didn't work out so well, if you recall.
Contrast that with this:
I realize that the USVI is a U.S. Territory and the rules are slightly different, but those who understand the essence of freedom can see a big difference in these examples.
Give me The Lone Star State every time—even including Austin, which is a nice place to visit!
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Shotguns
Remington's new Marine Magnum 870 Tac-14 Shotgun
Remington Arms is now shipping a hybrid marinized version of their Model 870 TAC-14 shotgun. It's priced at $870, which is about double the price of the standard model.
With some of the high-quality lubricants available on the market today that are capable of keeping regular 'blue genre' firearms in pristine condition, the operating conditions would have to be pretty rough in order to justify the added expense—but I'm sure that there are cases that fall into that category.
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History
History and Contemporaneous Corporate Folly
Re: The SPLC and their bedfellows.
Speaking of history, the notorious "doomed to repeat it" category is obviously still amongst us.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the nonprofit once slavishly quoted by the mainstream media and government, has positioned itself as the industry leader in raking cash from corporations signaling their opposition to the “hate” the SPLC purports to “study.” Business is booming...
Apple Computer, the world’s most valuable company, pledged $2 million and vowed to match employee contributions to the SPLC and other groups two-to-one. The California giant then doubled down, soliciting the millions of customers on its iTunes store to make further donations to the SPLC.
Unfortunately, iPhones don't come with a built-in moral compass; but that really shouldn't surprise anyone—except maybe those who fall into the previously mentioned category.
The battle really is, as some say, Wall Street vs. Main Street, or perhaps a corollary Broadway vs. Narrow Way!
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Politics
Lingering 'Swamp Gas'
Former FBI Director James Comey started to draft a statement exonerating Hillary Clinton in the bureau's investigation into her use of a private email server before the FBI interviewed her or her key witnesses, the Senate Judiciary Committee said Thursday....
Comey's work on the statement also came before the Justice Department entered into immunity agreements with Cheryl Mills, Clinton's chief of staff while she was Secretary of State, and Heather Samuelson, who served as the State Department's White House liaison.
Comey announced in July 2016 the FBI wouldn't recommend criminal charges against Clinton.
In criminal investigations, anachronisms and incongruities are just as critical as eyewitness testimony; sometimes more so.
There is a big enough cloud of swamp gas still lingering over "the District" that I expect to see some UFO reports any day now.
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