Concealed Carry Basics Part 1: Choosing the Right Firearm
Finding the right pistol to carry
This is the first installment in the Concealed Carry Basics series. Carrying a firearm on your person is as simple as… well, as carrying a firearm on your person. It is not rocket science – people have been carrying firearms for protection since there have been firearms – but there are pieces of information that you pick up along the way that make the practice easier, safer, and more effective. With a couple combined decades of carry experience among us, the GunLink team hopes to share some of that information with you to help make the process easier.
This article is not a primer on what specific firearm is best or which one you should get. Rather, it lays out a number of considerations that you need to make when choosing the best firearm for you and your situation.
If you are starting from scratch, head over to Firearms 101 for the basics on what firearms are, how they work, and commonly used acronyms.
Technically, the first thing you need is the mindset – the decision to carry a firearm in the first place – but the first three parts of this series are focusing predominately on the gear, with mindset coming in Part 4. For now, let’s presume that you have decided that you want to carry a firearm for protection… what next? Continue reading
White House Issues Presidential Message on National Shooting Sports Month
Today, on the first day of National Shooting Sports Month, The White House issued a Presidential message to the nation on the importance and tradition of the shooting sports in America. This annual 31-day celebration, developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) in 2017, reminds people that everyone can enjoy these safe, fun and social activities. It’s also the perfect time for an experienced shooter to mentor a newcomer in a sport that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment at every skill level.
From The White House:
Presidential Message on National Shooting Sports Month, 2019
During National Shooting Sports Month, we celebrate the cherished tradition of recreational and sport shooting activities. Shooting sports bring people together and instill comradery among a significant portion of its fellow enthusiasts. The vibrant shooting sport culture is made possible, in large part, by our steadfast protection of one of our bedrock and most-cherished liberties, the right to keep and bear arms. Continue reading
Ruger Announces New Limited Availability 10/22 Carbine
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. announces two new, limited availability models of the 10/22 Carbine. Offered with either a gray or charcoal colored stock, both of these affordable 10/22 rifles feature a factory-installed combination scope base adapter.
In production for over 50 years, the Ruger 10/22 has become America’s favorite .22 rifle. With proven performance, a legendary action and a renowned, reliable rotary magazine, the 10/22 rifle has inspired a loyal following.
As with all Ruger 10/22 models, these two new configurations boast the tried-and-true legendary action that ensures consistent, reliable performance. Each rifle features Ruger’s easy-to-use, prominent magazine release that provides for smooth, no-fuss removal of the included flush-fit magazine. These new models also retain popular 10/22 features like the push-button, cross-bolt manual safety and cold hammer-forged barrel. Each rifle ships with one detachable, 10-round rotary magazine featuring a unique rotor to separate cartridges and provide reliable feeding.
National Shooting Sports Month Kicks Off with Reminder: “A Day at the Range is a Day of Fun”
National Shooting Sports Month in August provides the perfect opportunity for experienced target shooters and newcomers alike to head to a shooting range in your area and experience what millions of Americans have long appreciated — that a day at the range is a day of fun!
This 31-day celebration of the shooting sports, developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) in 2017, reminds people that everyone can enjoy these safe, fun and social activities. It’s also the perfect time for an experienced shooter to mentor a newcomer in a sport that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment at every skill level.
National Shooting Sports Month has been growing steadily since its inception three years ago. This year’s celebration includes more than 2,000 events at ranges and retailers across the country — a new record! — and all-new Gearbox Giveaway drawings for some stellar prize packs. Experienced shooters will also discover how they can give the shooting sports a boost when they mentor someone new as part of NSSF’s nationwide +ONESM Movement.
“When you take someone to the shooting range, whether a newcomer or an experienced shooter, youth or adult, you’re going to have a good time,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Retail & Range Business Development. “Whether it’s breaking clay targets, knocking down steel plates or shooting long distance, the shooting sports are exciting, safe and social. A day at the range is a day making memories.”
The information hub for National Shooting Sports Month and its numerous Gearbox Giveaways is LetsGoShooting.org. There you can learn information about dozens of target-shooting sports involving rifle, shotgun and handgun either in a recreational or competitive format. You’ll also find the shooting ranges and firearms retailers near you, learn about National Shooting Sports Month events in your state, enter the Gearbox Giveaways, print targets, watch instructional videos and learn how to safely handle and store firearms.
For those taking the +ONE Pledge and mentoring someone new, our Range Safety and Etiquette video is a great way to kick off that first visit to a range for both. “Extend that invitation,” encouraged Snow. “You’ll be glad you did.”
Don’t have a mentor? No problem. Shooting ranges work with newcomers all the time and can help you get started with safe, supervised instruction.
Snow encourages the use of the hashtag #LetsGoShooting on social media, saying, “Sharing your experience reminds others of what they’re missing and encourages them to spend a day at the range,” said Snow. “It’s going to be a great month, and we want to know how everyone is celebrating.”
FN Expands FN 509 Line with Optics-Ready Midsize Model
FN America, LLC is pleased to announce the release of an optics-ready variant of its FN 509 Midsize pistol. The FN 509 Midsize MRD combines the highly desirable 15-round frame size with FN’s patented optics mounting platform.
The FN 509 Midsize MRD’s ideal combination of four-inch slide and barrel with midsize frame retain full-sized pistol performance in an easily concealed package. The Midsize MRD now features blacked-out cowitness iron sights that allow the user to maintain focus on the red dot of their optic with a clear sight picture. The pistol ships with two 15- or 10-round magazines and optics mounting hardware to mount more than 10 commercially available optics in a soft-sided zip case. The FN 509 Midsize MRD is now available at FN-authorized retailers nationwide and has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $799.00.
ATF, NSSF Offer $3,000 for Information on TN Gun Store Burglary
Regulators & Firearm Industry Team Up to Solve Cypress Creek Outdoors Burglary
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in conjunction with the Dyersburg Police Department and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction for those responsible for the theft of firearms from Cypress Creek Outdoors, a federal firearm licensee (FFL).
On July 20, 2019, Cypress Creek Outdoors, 305 Highway 51 Bypass N, Dyersburg, was burglarized where approximately 7 firearms were reported stolen to the Dyersburg Police Department. ATF Industry Operations Investigators responded to the FFL and are in the process of conducting an inventory to determine the exact number of firearms stolen.
ATF is offering the reward for the amount of up to $1,500, which will be matched by the NSSF for a total reward of up to $3,000. This reward is part of a larger national cooperative initiative between the NSSF and ATF in which NSSF matches ATF’s reward in cases involving the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers.
“ATF works closely with members of the firearms industry to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms. ATF Special Agent in Charge, Marcus Watson said, “ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence will leverage investigative resources combined with community partnerships to recover the stolen firearms.”
Anyone with information about this crime should contact ATF at (888) ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or Dyersburg Police Department (731) 288-7022. Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit app, available from both Google Play and the Apple App store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.
ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction involving firearms and violent crimes, and regulates the firearm industry. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.
