GunLinkBlog
Gee Whiz – Secret Service Says No Guns at Republican Convention
Here is a real shocker. As we guessed in our comment on our previous post about a petition to allow firearm carry at the Republican National Convention, the Secret Service does not want a bunch of random armed people around the event. They are apparently still expecting a fair turnout of loons, as Cleveland shells out a $1.5M brokerage fee to AON Risk Services for a $10M “protest insurance” policy for the event.
The Secret Service says only authorized law enforcement will be allowed to carry firearms at the Republican Party nominating convention, ignoring an online petition calling for convention attendees to also be permitted to carry them.
The petition, started anonymously last week on Change.org, has attracted the signatures of over 50,000 people who said they want the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, which is hosting the convention, to reverse its ban on weapons.
The Secret Service, which is responsible for security at the July event, said in a statement that only “authorized law enforcement partners…may carry a firearm inside of the protected site.”
“Individuals determined to be carrying firearms will not be allowed past a predetermined outer perimeter checkpoint, regardless of whether they possess a ticket to the event,” the statement added.
The three remaining Republican U.S. presidential candidates have each advocated allowing people to openly carry firearms. Both Texas Senator Ted Cruz and businessman Donald Trump have criticized so-called gun-free zones, especially schools, saying those policies make the sites less safe.
Many of those sharing the petition on Twitter are less interested in the issue for reasons of defending 2nd Amendment rights to firearms than pushing the Republican Party on its adherence to the issue.
Firearms were also banned at the previous Republican convention, which was held in Tampa in 2012.
There are already concerns that this year’s convention will be testier than usual, especially if no Republican presidential candidate has emerged as the party’s nominee.
A New Magazine for the Ruger 10/22 – The High Tower Armory RM-25
Ah, the Ruger 10/22. The first firearm for many shooters and a perennial favorite used for everything from plinking to small game hunting and, in some cases, military applications. With over 5 million built in the past 50+ years, over a dozen factory variants, many more dealer exclusive variants, and hundreds – if not thousands – of aftermarket accessories available, to say that the 10/22 is popular would be quite the understatement.
It could be that one of the reasons for the Ruger’s popularity over some other .22 semi-auto rifles is its reliability, due in part to its famous rotary magazine. Despite his feelings on so-called “high capacity” magazines, the late Bill Ruger did a pretty good job with this rifle and its feed system. The only problem with it is that, perhaps to Bill’s satisfaction, it only held 10 rounds.
To solve that reduced-capacity magazine issue, a number of aftermarket magazines have popped up over the past few decades with varying degrees of success. Some degrees lower than others, in my experience (yes, I’m talking about you, BC Hot Lips and Eagle). Thankfully, the folks out at High Tower Armory (HTA) in Minnesota seem to have done a good thing with their new RM-25 magazine.
The RM-25 appears to be the solution to the reduced-capacity problem of the standard factory magazine and the reliability issues with some aftermarket offerings. And while, yes, Ruger may have abandoned their namesake’s ideology and produced higher capacity BX-series magazines, HTA didn’t stop there – they also brought some welcome additions to the table. Continue reading
Petition to Allow Firearm Carry at GOP Convention Gaining Traction
Petition for Republican Convention: Let Them Carry Guns
Chris Hannas
VOA News
March 27, 2016
The three remaining Republican U.S. presidential candidates have each advocated allowing people to openly carry firearms, and an online petition is challenging them to stand behind those policies and call for firearms to be allowed at the party’s nominating convention in July.
Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena is hosting the convention, but has a policy banning any weapons from the facility. It is allowed to do so under law in the state of Ohio, where people can otherwise openly carry guns.
Both Texas Senator Ted Cruz and businessman Donald Trump have criticized so-called gun-free zones, especially schools, saying those policies make the sites less safe.
Trump said in December he would abolish gun-free zones on his first day in office, while Cruz told supporters in December the zones only create places where an attacker knows people will be unarmed. Ohio Governor and presidential candidate John Kasich last year eliminated gun-free zones at the state’s National Guard facilities.
[Nearly 45,000] people have signed the Change.org petition that says the candidates should call on the Cleveland arena to suspend its no-gun policy, for the National Rifle Association to condemn it, and for Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus to be ready to relocate the entire convention if guns are not allowed. Continue reading
Brownells pays tribute to America’s Handgun with Wilson Combat Giveaway
Brownells 1911 Catalog & Wilson Combat Sweepstakes Headline 1911 Week
For firearm enthusiasts, few things spark pride, passion and patriotism more than a 1911, be it finely polished or marked and marred by experience. To pay homage to John Moses Browning’s timeless pistol design, Brownells is committing an entire week to “America’s Handgun.”
Starting on Monday, March 28, 2016, Brownells’ dedicated 1911 catalog – No. 12 – will be available in the catalog section at Brownells.com.
The newest edition is an 82-page, all-things-1911 book featuring thousands of products from sights and optics, to ammunition, slides, frames, gunsmithing tools and much more. Virtually anything needed to build, customize, clean or repair a 1911 can easily be found with a quick scroll through the index.
Featured brands in this year’s catalog include: STI, Wilson Combat, Evolution Gun Works (EGW), Raven Concealment, Leupold and hundreds more.
In addition to the catalog, Brownells will kick off “1911 Week” with the Brownells/Wilson Combat 1911 Dream Gun Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes will feature a Wilson Combat 1911 CQB Commander model, chambered in .45 ACP. This incredible firearm is valued at $3,600.
Customers may enter the sweepstakes, view the firearm, and see full contest rules at Brownells.com/WilsonCombat1911. The sweepstakes end on April 17, 2016.
“The 1911 is certainly one of America’s most treasured firearm platforms,” said Brownells’ President Matt Buckingham. “To coincide with the release of our newest 1911 catalog, we wanted to get customers excited by running a sweepstakes for a Brownells/Wilson Combat Dream Gun. Wilson Combat has been a great partner over the years; I’m positive someone will be thrilled to win this great firearm.”
Rounding out Brownells 1911 Week will be special offers and deals on 1911-related products. Customers should stay tuned to Brownells.com all week for specifics.
Martin Zacha Named to NSSF Board of Governors
Industry Group in Charge of SHOT Show Gets New Board Member
The NSSF Board of Governors has announced the appointment of its newest board member, Martin Zacha, Vice President, Ammunition Products for Vista Outdoor. Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Outdoor Products and Shooting Sports, and has more than 40 well-recognized brands that provide consumers with a range of performance-driven, high-quality and innovative products.
Prior to his role with Vista Outdoor, Zacha was Vice President of ATK’s Sporting Group. He has more than 30 years of experience in operations management in ammunition and outdoor accessories, including time spent as the Director of Operations for 5.56mm ammunition, primers and high explosives at Winchester Ammunition’s Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. In his role with Vista Outdoor, he leads all ammunition business operations, including engineering, supply chain, distribution, product development and supporting functions at factories in Anoka, Minnesota, and Lewiston, Idaho. He and his teams are also responsible for identifying and executing sourcing opportunities.
Team GunLink is proud to be NSSF Media members and congratulates Mr. Zacha on his appointment to the NSSF Board. Continue reading
Shooting Illustrated to Join NRA Publications Available to Members
The family of magazines (publications, not the things that people in Rio Linda call “clips”) available to National Rifle Association members is growing this May.
Starting on May 1st, in addition to the current lineup of American Rifleman, American Hunter, and America’s 1st Freedom, members will be able to choose Shooting Illustrated as the publication that is included with their membership. Shooting Illustrated features new product previews, tests and analysis from the top writers in the industry, offering their expert insight into all facets of shooting.
GunLink has confirmed that existing members will be able to change their current subscription to Shooting Illustrated if they desire at any time after May 1 by to emailing membership@nrahq.org or by calling the membership hotline at 800-672-3888.
Don’t forget that May 1st is also the start of increased membership dues rates through recruiters. As you should have heard by now, general membership dues have gone up, but recruiters were given an extension to continue offering the old discounted rates until April 30. After that, even those rates will go up, so there is still time to save money by joining or renewing here – just in time to attend the NRA Show.
