Latest Drop in U.S. Murder Rate Will Confound Critics of Self-Defense Laws
From NRA-ILA:
Giving a positive character to the old expression, “same old stuff,” this week the FBI preliminarily reported that violent crime has dropped yet again – for the 18th time in the last 20 years. According to the report, the estimated annual number of murders dropped 1.9 percent from 2010 to 2011 which, given the increase in the U.S. population during the year, would translate into a drop of between 2.5-3 percent in the per capita rate of murders.
The FBI is expected to report the final 2011 figures around the end of the summer. Assuming those figures match the current estimates, the nation’s murder rate has been cut by about 53 percent and the total violent crime rate has been cut by about 49 percent since 1991, when violent crime hit an all-time high. Stated another way, the nation’s murder rate has fallen to about a 48-year low, and the nation’s total violent crime rate has fallen to about a 41-year low. Continue reading
Firearms Industry Matches ATF Reward Ohio and Georgia Firearms Theft Cases
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, has offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft of firearms in two separate, presumably unrelated cases in Ohio and Georgia.
The first theft occurred on May 4 from NSSF member Vandalia Range and Armory in Vandalia, Ohio. According to the BATFE, a total of 31 firearms were stolen from the armory during the burglary.
The second incident, occurring on May 30 from Oz Cutlery, a federal firearms licensee, in Newnan, Georgia involved the theft of 11 pistols and revolvers.
In both cases, the reward offer matches a $5,000 reward offer by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ATF and local law enforcement are investigating the theft and are seeking information from the public that would lead to the resolution of these investigations.
Steve Sanetti, president of the NSSF, said, “Our matching reward Continue reading
Oversight Committee to Consider Fast and Furious Contempt Report
From oversight.house.gov:
Advisory: Oversight Committee to Consider Operation Fast and Furious Contempt Report on June 20
June 11, 2012
Comittee on Oversight & Government Reform
WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, June 20, 2012, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will convene to consider a report holding Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for his failure to produce documents specified in the Committee’s October 12, 2011, subpoena. Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa issued the following statement on the scheduling of a Committee vote on contempt:
“For over a year and a half, the House Oversight Committee, with Senator Chuck Grassley, has conducted a joint investigation of reckless conduct in Operation Fast and Furious. With the support of House leadership, the Republican Conference, and even some Democratic Members who have expressed concern to the White House over the Justice Department’s failure to cooperate, this investigation has yielded significant results. The Attorney General has acknowledged that the operation was fundamentally flawed and he has committed to take steps to ensure that it does not occur again. Evidence found in applications for wiretaps shows that although senior officials were given information about reckless tactics, they still signed affirmations that they had reviewed the investigation and determined that electronic surveillance of phones was necessary. Continue reading
Daily Caller to Give Away a US Made Pistol Every Week Until 2012 Elections
Conservative news site The Daily Caller announces promotion in which they will give away a pistol every week until the November 6, 2012, Election Da
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Daily Caller CEO Neil Patel stated that “[l]ike most Americans outside Washington, DC, New York City and most of our nation’s news rooms, large numbers of Daily Caller readers love guns. These people are already looking to our new Guns and Gear section for the latest product reviews and Second Amendment news”
This promotion seems to be the perfect way to draw readers to the site’s new Guns and Gear section, which offers reviews of ammo, guns and gear as well as news from the firearms realm including CCW and self defense issues, firearms laws, survival and military topics.
The big prize, which comes in one of three colors and is engraved with our Bill of Rights, is a model 9C1 pistol from US Manufacturer FMK. According to FMK’s website, the 23oz double-action only (DAO) 9mm pistol features a 10+1 or 14+1 capacity, mag-out safety and seven interchangeable low-profile sights. The 100% American made FMK 9C1 (MSRP $400) is also California and Massachusetts approved.
For a chance to win, visit the Daily Caller Gun Giveaway page.
Springfield Armory Introduces New Compact XD-S .45ACP Pistol
GunLink had a chance to stop by the Springfield Armory spot on the shooting line at the 2012 NSSF SHOT show Media Day at the Range and shoot their latest offering. The XD-s is so new, in fact, that this range time is the first time it’s been in the hands of people who didn’t make it.
The XD-s, the newest addition to Springfield Armory’s line of XD pistols, is a slimmer, lighter pistol that still packs the punch of a .45 ACP round. With an overall length of just over six inches and a height of four inches, the XD-s weighs in at only 29 ounces. The single stack 5+1 magazine capacity also allows it to be easily concealable with its width of just one inch (0.9” along the slide).
With a weight of just 29 ounces and a 3.3 inch barrel, one might think that recoil would be an issue with a .45 ACP caliber weapon, but that’s not the case. During our test fire, the recoil didn’t seem to be much, if any, worse than other polymer framed pistols of the same caliber, even full sized models. The manageable recoil, along with the low profile snag-free fiber optic front and steel dovetail rear sights came together to ensure that each shot fired was put on target with a satisfying “ding” following each smooth pull of the trigger.
The XD-s, which disassembles the same way as other XD models (with very minor differences regarding magazine insertion/removal when the disassembly lever is being manipulated), also shares other features with its XD brethren. The XD-s also has the Ultra Safety Assurance trigger system, grip safety, loaded chamber indicator, textured grip, Melonite finish and under-barrel, single-position Picatinny rail. Given the small stature of the XD-s, it felt a little small in my relatively large hands although, thankfully, the interchangeable backstraps and well positioned magazine release from the XD-M made it into the design along with its short trigger reset.
If you want to add an XD-s to your collection, however, you will have to wait. This slim striker-fired pistol won’t be hitting shelves until at least March of 2012 and Springfield Armory has not yet announced the price.
Former UFC Champ Lesnar Puts Hunting Charges Behind Him
Former UFC heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar, who plead guilty to the charges of failing to properly tag a mule deer, has paid his $1500 fine, made an apology and wants to move on. The initial charges dealt with failing to properly tag a deer, unlawful possession of wildlife and abandonment/wasting of the edible flesh of big game during a 2010 hunting trip in Alberta.
Lesnar has released a statement explaining “In Alberta, Americans can’t hunt without a licensed outfitter. The outfitter is there to make sure you follow the rules. I had two deer tags for the trip, which meant I could legally shoot two deer. On the first day of the trip, I shot a mule deer. On the second day, I shot a white tail. Video from the hunt has been on the Internet for over a year. After I shot the mule deer, I failed to immediately tag it.” He also explained that this was the extent of his involvement and that he was relying on the outfitter to handle the meat and ensure compliance with hunting regulations. While Lesnar plead guilty to the tagging charges and paid the associated fine, Ramona Robins, the chief crown prosecutor for Medicine Hat, Alberta, has withdrawn the charges of spoilage and illegal possession of wildlife. Lesnar’s outfitter still faces charges.
The former UFC champ apparently harbors no hard feelings about the situation and has clearly not soured on the idea of hunting in The Great White North, saying “It’s the kind of thing that happens to hunters all the time. I want to thank the Canadian authorities for their cooperation in resolving this misunderstanding. I love Canada and I can’t wait to go back to Alberta for a hunt.” He may have to wait a little while though, as he has also been suspended from hunting in Alberta for six months.
