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BREAKING: Streets Continue to NOT Run Red With Blood in Open Carry States
When Oklahoma’s open carry law went into effect earlier this month they became the 15th state to allow licensed gun owners to openly carry firearms. Nearly 30 more states permit anyone not prohibited from owning a weapon to openly carry a firearm. Oklahoma’s new law pushed the open carry movement back into the news and you won’t believe what is happening in those states with laws harkening back to the Wild West…
Nothing.
Nothing out of the ordinary, anyway. The streets aren’t running red with blood (unlike in Chicago – where guns are nearly impossible to get, let alone carry – which is averaging roughly 42 murders per month). We aren’t seeing shootouts in the streets (unless you count New York – where, again, firearms are difficult to legally obtain. Carry permits? Fuggedaboutit! – where police unleash a hail of gunfire on innocent citizens who happen to be standing behind a bad guy). The biggest change will likely be increased 911 call volume to report a MWAG (man with a gun).
What else is business-as-usual? The consternation and hand-wringing from the hoplophobes worried about someone so lowly as a mere subject – er, citizen – carrying a firearm. Continue reading
Businesses Say “Thank You” with Veteran’s Day Specials
Military members are owed a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they make in order to secure the rights and freedoms that many take for granted. Since 1919, November 11th has been the day to honor veterans. President Wilson noted that the day was to be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory,” referring to the signing of the armistice which ended WWI hostilities on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Since 1954, November 11th, formerly Armistice Day has been called Veteran’s Day and marks a day set aside to honor and celebrate the services rendered by all US military veterans.
As a way of showing gratitude to those who serve our country, many businesses offer special deals for veterans. Examples of some of these deals are below. Keep in mind that, although some of these businesses are nation-wide chains, not all locations may be participating. Be sure to check with your location to find out if they are participating, what type of proof of service they may require (military ID, uniform, DD214, etc.) and other terms (e.g. dine-in only). Continue reading
Make Plans to Meet FFL Compliance Consultants at SHOT Show Reception
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is providing an opportunity for firearms retailers to gather information about FFL compliance. NSSF Retailer Members are invited to attend a 90 minute reception during the 2013 SHOT Show during which they can meet with four former ATF officials who serve as NSSF FFL Compliance Consultants.
With over 120 years of combined experience with the bureau, Wally Nelson, Nick Scouffas, Fred Gerlach and Harry McCabe are available to visit member businesses to assess ATF compliance, review internal controls and record keeping practices and help prepare for ATF compliance inspections.
Although the compliance program costs can range as high as $3000, NSSF provides subsidies for retailer members to bring the cost below $500. Retailer members who sign up for the consultation during this SHOT Show reception will receive a further discount, lowering the price to $399. Further, one reception attendee will be randomly chosen to receive an in-store audit for free.
If you are a firearms retailer who is not already an NSSF retailer member, be sure to see our previous post for information on how you become a member for as little as $35 – a savings of over 50% off the normal price.
Event Details:
Location: NSSF Member Lounge – Lido Ballroom, Venetian Hotel Level 3
Date: Wednesday January 16, 2013
Time: 4:30-6:00 PM
For more information about the event or the compliance program, contact Patrick Shay via email at pshay@nssf.org or by phone at (203) 426-1320.
ATF Reminds FFLs to Be Prepared for Natural Disasters Like Hurricane Sandy
As they often do in times of particularly severe weather, the ATF has issued a press release reminding FFLs and FEL/Ps to prepare for events such as the impending Hurricane Sandy:
In preparation for Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today urged federal firearms licensees (FFLs) and federal explosives licensees and permittees (FEL/Ps) to be prepared and protect their merchandise and facilities. ATF has prepared guidance, which is available online, regarding how to plan ahead before disasters strike.
For FFLs, an ATF brochure and video are available on ATF’s website with information regarding businesses that are affected by flooding or other such incidents. The brochure, “Disaster Preparedness for Federal Firearms Licensees,” (ATF publication 3317.7), is available at http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-3317-7.pdf. The video, “Disaster Preparedness,” is listed under ATF’s Online Education Seminars at http://www.atf.gov/training/firearms/ffl-educational-seminars/.
FEL/Ps should review the brochure, “Voluntary Steps to Prepare for a Pending Natural Disaster,” (ATF Publication 5400.16, March 2011), which is available at http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5400-16.pdf.
FEL/Ps that have additional questions concerning preparedness are urged to contact their local ATF field office or the Explosives Industry Programs Branch at 202-648-7120.
FFLs with additional questions, should contact their local ATF field office or the ATF Firearms Industry Programs Branch at 202-648-7190.
For other useful information on planning for a natural disaster, please visit www.ready.gov. Further information about ATF is available at www.atf.gov.
Indiana Librarian Finds Black Powder Pistol Inside Donated Book
Directly from the “Why Can’t This Ever Happen To Me?” files…
Phyllis Nelson, Assistant Library Director for the Valparaiso, Indiana, branch of the Porter County Public Library, contacted Valparaiso PD when a library employee opened a donated book and found an extra prize inside: A .31 caliber Arma San Marco (sic) black powder pistol.
Police, despite determining that it was not stolen, are still holding the single shot gun as evidence. Under federal law, black powder guns are excluded from the definition of “firearms” under a provision in 18 USC 921 which classifies them as an “antique firearm” and limits their regulation. Indiana Code 35-47-1-5 contains no such provision excluding black powder guns, which means that the found A.S.M pistol would be classified as a “firearm.”
Statements by library personnel indicate that thousands of books are donated each month with no donor records kept, so there is no way of knowing when or by whom the book was donated.
The brass-colored, wooden-handled single-shot .31 has been valued around $175 by several sources, although GunLink can not find a current value for the gun. The gun was found in a 1998 novel titled “Outerbridge Reach” by Robert Stone. Online images for similar model guns which we found show it in a similarly hollowed out book (albeit with different endpage art), indicating that the book could be a standard container for such a piece.
Administration Still Trying to Cover up Fast & Furious
Fast & Furious is in the news again. The Obama Administration this week filed court papers to get the lawsuit filed by the House of Representatives against Attorney General Eric Holder thrown out.
The House lawsuit asks the court to reject a claim of executive privilege by the President, who sealed thousands of documents relating to Fast & Furious, a Justice Department operation that facilitated the smuggling of thousands of U.S. weapons south of the border.
The administration calls the House lawsuit a mere “political dispute” between the branches of government. But this is much more than a political dispute. People died as a result of Fast Furious, which makes it much worse than even Watergate where no one died. Fast & Furious has led to the deaths of more than 200 Mexicans and at least one U.S. federal agent.
On a somewhat positive note Continue reading
