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
Keep Plugging Away; Maybe Ammo Prices Will Drop
Firearms Industry Praises Congressman Shuster for Work on Behalf of Hunters and Target Shooters
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, today praised Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, for bringing to the attention of Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood the bureaucratic obstruction within the department’s Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that is increasing the price gun owners have to pay for smokeless powder.
PHMSA is continuing to impose unnecessary regulatory burdens on smokeless powder manufacturers and distributors that result in higher shipping costs that are passed on to consumers. The increased shipping cost is due to PHMSA’s mishandling of the regulations that govern the shipment of smokeless powder. Although DOT has determined that smokeless powder can be safely shipped under less burdensome regulations, PHMSA has effectively blocked this reclassification costing manufacturers money, jobs and exports while driving up prices for consumers. Continue reading
NSSF Makes Shooting Ranges and Firearms Retailers “An Offer They Can’t Refuse”
For a limited time, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is offering retail/range memberships for as little as $35 to celebrate 35 years of the NSSF’s SHOT Show. The 35th anniversary special represents savings of over 50% for ranges and retailers with annual sales of shooting and hunting items less than $10M.
Available through the 2013 SHOT Show, this deal will provide operators of shooting ranges and retailers of firearms and accessories an even more affordable way to experience what NSSF membership has to offer. Range/Retailer membership benefits include a 24-hour FFL hotline, access to ATF compliance consulting with former ATF officials, access to NSSF research and a more.
“You can’t pass up this deal,” said Continue reading
Firearms Industry Shopping Comparison Site GunSpec Launches Version 2.0
GunSpec.com v2.0 Launches
FISHKILL, NY – GunSpec, a shopping comparison site for the firearms industry, has launched GunSpec.com v2.0. The new version provides end users with additional offerings and more robust product search features. GunSpec has expanded its list of firearm category offerings and created new categories for clothing, hunting gear, knives and emergency preparedness products.
The big news for firearms retailers is that they still have a choice of uploading their catalog offerings with a no cost, free trial and taking advantage of the industry’s first “firearms, parts and accessories only” shopping search engine site. Retailers can also boost their web store presence by taking part in the new GunSpec Premium Ad Placement program. The ad placement program is a cost-per-click advertising program that enhances the retailer’s catalog offering for a lower cost than traditional shopping engine providers. GunSpec has also beefed up its capabilities for retailers to include automated product data feeds, inventory, and reporting.
“GunSpec v2.0 is a direct result of our open Continue reading
Fast And Furious Report Released
The United States Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General has released, at long last, their report on the “Fast and Furious” Mexican gun walking scandal. Inspector General Michael Horowitz is set to testify on the report at 9:30AM on September 20.
Read the full USDOJ OIG’s report, A Review of ATF’s Operation Fast and Furious and Related Matters, here.
Stay tuned to GunLink for updates as more information becomes available.
