Americans Say ‘Gun Violence’ is Criminal Justice, Not Public Health Issue
NEWTOWN, Conn. — More than eight out of ten Americans say that the misuse of guns in violent crimes is a matter for the criminal justice system, not a public health issue, and that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) should not spend resources on the study of “gun violence” but instead concentrate on viruses and disease.
These findings are among the results of a national scientific poll of 1055 likely voters conducted live by telephone Sept. 30-Oct. 2. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) commissioned this survey to determine whether adults share the view of some gun control organizations and activists that the use of guns in crime, for which they use the short-hand “gun violence,” is a public health issue.
An overwhelming 84 percent of survey respondents said gun violence is a criminal justice issue, rather than a public health issue, such as viruses. An even higher 88 percent of respondents said they do not think the CDC should spend resources on studying the use of guns in crime Continue reading
Are You Ready? Preparedness Month is Here.
“Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare”
September is National Preparedness Month (NPM). For many people, when they hear about “preppers” or “prepping,” the first thing to come to mind might not be so glamorous – maybe a doomsday fanatic hiding in their secret bunker with enough gear to outfit an army against hordes of roaming zombies or gangs of post-apocalypse thugs.
Popular media certainly does their part to further that stereotype, which can turn some people off from the idea of prepping and make starting a conversation on the topic difficult. However, most preparedness activities are much simpler than that. Forward-thinkers can take their prepping as far as they want – which could very well be a well-stocked secret bunker – but preparedness can be quite basic and start with small, easy steps. Something as basic as keeping a few days worth of food on hand, agreeing on a location to meet up (or simply communicate) with your family in the event of a disaster, or knowing what to do in an active shooter situation could save your life.
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Ready.gov’s National Preparedness Month website has a number of resources on how you can be prepared for a disaster, ways to get involved, how to create a readiness kit (e.g. a “bug out bag,” “go bag,” or “get home bag”), and more. You can find out about and take part in preparedness month activities by visiting America’s PrepareAthon.
FEMA isn’t the only big organization taking part. The Red Cross NPM site has links to download preparedness apps for your smartphone as well as tips to create a disaster plan and build a readiness kit. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also offers a number of resources and tips for staying prepared. The National Weather Service NPM site has resources to help mitigate the risk posed by severe weather.
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While National Preparedness Month is a great reminder to be prepared and an easy way to start the conversation with your friends, family and co-workers, it should not end there. Keep the conversation going year round by conducting family drills, going over plans, maintaining your supplies and visiting the Training, Survival and Prepping board on the GunLink Forums.
SAF Announces Merger Of Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership
The Second Amendment Foundation today announced that Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO) has become part of the SAF family, bringing together two stalwart gun rights organizations under one banner.
“We’re both delighted and proud to announce this merger,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “JPFO was founded 25 years ago by the late Aaron Zelman, and it has become a strong voice in defense of the Second Amendment. I’m personally confident that bringing JPFO into the SAF extended family will benefit firearms owners at many levels.”
Zelman passed away in 2010, and for the past four years, the JPFO has worked hard to maintain its position in the gun rights community.
“We see this as a tremendous opportunity,” said Gottlieb. “With SAF’s resources, we expect JPFO to continue its important work and grow to meet new challenges, educating people about the pitfalls of gun control, and the benefits of gun ownership and personal protection.”
Gottlieb said JPFO operations will be transferred from Wisconsin, where it was founded by Zelman in 1989, to the SAF offices at Liberty Park in Bellevue, Wash. JPFO editorial support staff will stay on and help maintain Continue reading
JPFO Joins Second Amendment Foundation
Open Letter Details Merger Between the Two Pro-Gun Organizations
Dear JPFO Members and Supporters,
Even before the passing of founder, Aaron Zelman, there was serious doubt as to whether or not JPFO could survive. For years Aaron struggled heroically with chronic health problems.
The results were rapidly expanding problems in administrative, database and member support and new product operations, along with no systematic fundraising program — to name just a few. Aaron delegated painfully little… But considering it all, what he accomplished goes well beyond the heroic to near miracles.
The regular staff was reduced to a devoted office manager of some 15-years, LaVonne, an equally devoted webmaster, Chris and Aaron’s two Board members, Bruce and Bob serving with him since the mid-1990s. The effort to rebuild JPFO began in earnest, facing the ominous headwinds of a diminished database and largely empty coffers.
After some months, Charles Heller stepped-in to provide Executive Director services; including media contacts.
One bright spot was the wise counsel of the JPFO advisor on spiritual matters, Rabbi Dovid Bendory, known affectionately as the “Gun Rabbi.” Continue reading
Brownells 75th Anniversary Big Book Now Available
For the 67th consecutive year, Brownell’s has released their all-encompassing catalog often referred to as the gun industry’s “Bible.” This year’s version – #67 – pays homage to Brownells 75th Anniversary with a cover that recreates Bob Brownell’s original desk where he worked on guns in the 1930s and assembled the company’s first catalog in 1947.
The 696-page Brownells Catalog #67 features the latest and most popular products for handguns, rifles, shotguns and accessories for shooters and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Presented in Brownells’ unique horizontal format, the catalog is neatly arranged into 35 individual product categories to make finding a specific product easy.
New for this year are spreads dedicated to Brownells newest product categories – Archery and Emergency & Survival Gear. The Optics & Accessories category has been expanded by six pages, and the AR-15/M16 section has grown by five pages. Additionally, a condensed Brownells historical timeline can be found near the center of the catalog; the full timeline can be found here.
“Assembling and mailing the Big Book is always a really big deal for us around here, but this year’s Book is extra special,” said Frank Brownell, Brownells Chairman of the Board. “It’s got Dad’s desk, one I remember well, featured on the cover. That desk is what started it all, so I’m delighted to see it recreated for the 75th Anniversary catalog. We’ve filled it with lots of neat stuff; I think folks will really enjoy it.”
Customers may obtain a catalog by visiting the catalog section of the Brownell’s website or by calling 800-741-0015. Continue reading
Gun Industry Sales Reflect a ‘New Normal’
Last year was an extraordinary one for firearm sales, a year unlike any other in the industry’s history. That’s a fact to be mindful of when comparing estimated sales through the first seven months of 2014 with those of the previous year, notes Steve Sanetti, President and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry.
Remove the extraordinary 2013 from the rear-view mirror and sales of firearms in America still show an almost uninterrupted rise over the past 10 years, according to national background check figures adjusted by NSSF to reflect market activity. For the first seven months of 2014, total firearm sales rank as the highest in the last decade, with the one big exception of 2013 (see chart).
(A background check is mandatory for retail purchases of firearms. NSSF adjusts background check data from the FBI’s National Instant Background Check System to remove non-sales activity such as checks conducted for concealed carry permits. This results in NSSF-adjusted NICS data being a better indicator of market conditions than overall NICS data, though NSSF-adjusted NICS figures do not correlate one to one with firearm sales.)
From January through July 2014, NSSF-adjusted NICS figures total 6.95 million background checks against 6.85 million for 2012 and 5.64 million in 2011. In 2013, the seven-month figure was 8.81 million and the annual total was a record 14.8 million. Multiple factors account for last year’s sales surge, including a fear of additional firearms-ownership restrictions, which came to pass in states such as New York, Connecticut and Maryland, as well as increasing interest in owning firearms by women and former servicemen and women.
“Those who are hostile to firearms ownership are trying to suggest Continue reading
