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.
Wiki Weapon Project Dreams of Creating a Functional Print-it-Yourself Firearm
The group known as Defense Distributed has a three-fold mission plan: 1) Create the world’s first 100% 3D printable gun, 2) Adapt the design down to cheaper 3D printers and 3) Become The Web’s Printable Gun Wiki Redoubt. What does that mean? It means they want their project to result in a scenario where you can download formatted CAD blueprint files, feed them into a 3-D printer (see “additive manufacturing”) and end up with a firearm.
Sound like science fiction? Having visions of a Star Trek-esque replicator device? The idea isn’t quite so far-fetched. The use of 3-D printing for rapid prototyping has exploded over the past decade and, as the technology continues to mature, costs continue to fall. This could make the prospect of a D.I.Y print-at-home firearm a reality before you think.
One example of how this idea could come to fruition is the printable AR15 lower receiver by Michael Guslick. Although the majority of the complete firearm’s parts are existing off-the-shelf parts, the lower receiver Continue reading
UN Arms Trade Treat is a Bust…For Now
The UN conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) has broken down and will not be submitting a draft of treaty to member nations and ABC News says “some diplomats and supporters blamed the United States for the unraveling of the monthlong negotiating conference.” Good job, United States! Amnesty International USA executive directory Suzanne Nossel was quoted: “This was stunning cowardice by the Obama administration, which at the last minute did an about-face and scuttled progress toward a global arms treaty.”
Always one to toot their own horns, the National Rifle Association (NRA) was quick to release an article, subtly entitled “NRA Stops U.N. Arms Trade Treaty.” While the gun rights lobbying group no doubt played a part in working against the measure, taking credit for the breakdown of the negotiations seems like a bit of a stretch given the hard work and grass-roots efforts of many gun rights organizations and individuals who helped spread the word, contacted representatives and did other behind-the-scenes work to protect American sovereignty when it comes to governing firearms.
This small victory, however, is certainly not cause to stop being vigilant when it comes to protecting gun rights. Conference chariman, Ambassador Roberto Garcia Moritan, a supporter of the treaty, said “we certainly are going to have a treaty in 2012.” This comes on the heels of several democratic senators attempting to slip gun control measures (S.A. 2575) into a cybersecurity bill that would make illegal the transfer or possession of ammunition feeding devices which hold more than 10 rounds. In case you couldn’t guess the list of “usual suspects” behind this measure, they include Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
If you’re already involved in organizations and activities to support your second amendment rights, keep up the great work. If not, there’s no time like the present to get started. Check out this link for a good starting point or visit the GunLink forums.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSEES
ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record Part I – Over-the-Counter (Form 4473) has been revised. This letter highlights the changes to the form. You should review the entire revised form including all of the Important Notices, Instructions to Transferee/Buyer, Instructions to Transferor/Seller, and Definitions.
All Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) must begin using this form on July 9, 2012 (not earlier). After that date, you may no longer use the previous edition (August 2008) of the Form 4473 as it will be obsolete.
The changes to Form 4473 include the following: Continue reading
GLOCK Recognizes National Safety Month with Important Firearms Safety Guidelines
Pistol manufacturer continues promoting confidence to live your life
Smyrna, Ga. — In honor of National Safety Month, GLOCK, a leading global manufacturer of pistols and accessories, wants to remind gun owners of 10 important safety rules. These safety tips will help users remain confident and safe when using a firearm.
Rule 1: Train with all your guns. Every gun is unique in the way it feels, handles and fires, so it’s important to achieve a maximum comfort level with every gun you own by practicing with each one separately at a local dealer or range. Done on a regular basis, this exercise will strengthen familiarity and muscle memory, so each gun feels as natural and comfortable as the next, even in stressful situations. While training on the range, remember to always use acceptable eye and ear protection.
Rule 2: Handle every firearm as if it’s loaded.
Rule 3: Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, away from yourself and others. A safe direction means Continue reading
Gun “Buy Back” Programs Continue, Despite Being Ineffective
Plenty of politicians and anti-gunners love gun turn-ins, often incorrectly called “buy backs.” (As one GunLink Forum user says, “How can you buy something you never owned ‘back’, using other people’s money?”) Misnomer or otherwise, the facts point to these programs being largely ineffective wastes of money, often at the expense of taxpayers.
For example, a recent Chicago Tribune OpEd states that six such events conducted over the past six years have yielded over 23,000 weapons turned in. One highly touted event alone claimed to remove over 4,000 weapons from the streets, (despite nearly all of them not being “on the streets” in the first place and nearly 700 being fakes or replicas anyway). For some, this makes little difference. As New Haven, Connecticuit, Assistant Police Chief Tobin Hensgen says in regard to gun turn-in events: “Even an unusable gun can be used to scare or intimidate.” Perhaps when the knife “buy back” events start up, we can make a little money with some rulers and silver spray paint.
Despite some of the strictest gun laws in the nation and the popular turn-in events, murders and Continue reading
