GUNS Magazine: February 1958

Because it is only a blank weapon, it should not come under the National Firearms Act of 1934 (as amended 1954). Even though it fires blanks as fast as if it were a bullet-shooting machine gun, it does not "fire a shot" nor "expel a projectile by the force of an explosive," as the definitions are in the machine gun act. Currently, because it goes "bang" and shucks out shells, the Treasury word-manglers are holding that this modified Kpist does in fact and in law "fire a shot," even though the word "shot" (as opposed to "shell") has long meant a solid missile propelled from-a gun. Apparently the Treasury noisemakers hold that in this case a "shot" must be accompanied by noise, and that the noise alone constitutes a "shot" within the meaning of the Act.

Looks like there's a long and honorable tradition that's still being followed today. Can't have citizens training themselves in a safe and fun manner, as opposed to having "those 'training accidents' that are so carefully hushed out of the papers" when it's an exclusive privilege of professionals.

I also got a kick reading that:

SOUND GUNS, RAY GUNS, AND BABY MISSILE LAUNCHERS MAY BE THE SHAPE OF SMALL ARMS FOR U.S. TROOPS WITHIN 15 YEARS

I've always loved speculations on the future, and wrote "Things to Come" back when I was writing for GUNS AND AMMO. They own the rights and it's not online, so I can't steer you to it here. Hopefully, some day my sons will be able to see how what I wrote pans out 50 years later.

The February 1958 issue of GUNS Magazine is now online, featuring these articles and plenty more, including the classic period ads. It's an 11 MB file, so those of you still on dial up may want to find something to do while it loads.

The Paw Patrol

Boston police officer George Boggs and K-9 Peggy, a Labrador retriever trained by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, hunted the area, honing in on the parking lot. Peggy, trained to sniff out explosives, hit on the left front wheel of a Chevrolet Tahoe parked next to the suspects’ Lexus. Inside the truck’s wheel well, cops spotted the grip of the .380 pistol.

"The Paw Patrol." Awwww. And she's so cute!

That's much more appealing to the public than that dry, old, boring, irrelevant Fourth Amendment, don't you think? Part of BATFU's kinder, gentler community outreach image, and fuzzy paws are so much easier to sell than slimy tentacles.

How'd you like to be walking past Officer Boggs and Peggy after a day at the range? Bet that would lead to some interesting results if you didn't comply with an immediate cavity search.

BFF

I trust John McCain to reinvigorate our economy, cut taxes, eliminate wasteful spending and to make Washington work to produce results for the people of this country. He has spent the last two decades standing up for American taxpayers. He understands the best way to move our economy forward is to allow families to keep more of what they earn, not the government.

And he's a crusader, has a great vision, in protecting the environment and also simultaneously protecting the economy. He has incredible credentials in national security, and he is an outstanding public servant who values real action over rhetoric. He is a leader in the mold of Ronald Reagan and proven time and again that in every decision he makes, he puts America first.

OH, YEAAHH!

And as predicted, there's no shortage of no-line-in-the-sand fainthearts lining up for a drink.

UPDATE: Not to be left out, My Man Mitthead is offering up his own ice-cold pitcher full of the sweet nectar. And again, the bold majority in the online citizen militia are developing a powerful thirst.

A State of War With the People

Chris Horton reminds us of a quote from John Locke we would do well to commit to heart.

A Little Weekend Work at the Office

Now what would the DoJ and/or BATFU be doing Google searching "Len Savage" on a Saturday evening...?

Something to help secure the blessings of liberty, I'll bet. You know, legitimate government functions...

"I Want POWER!!!"

Tony Blair has been holding discussions with some of his oldest allies on how he could mount a campaign later this year to become full-time president of the EU council, the prestigious new job characterised as "president of Europe".

Coming soon to a continent near you...

Ever After

The Associated Press quotes a witness who says that after the shooting was reported, she saw six police enter the store and search it before leaving.

Got that?

The police didn't get there until "after the shooting."

And, of course, there was no one on scene equipped to deal with an attack, not in the Chicago area.

This says it all:

In a Target store across the parking lot from Lane Bryant, terrified customers were herded to the front...

and

"I was so scared I couldn't think"...

[Via too many people to mention, plus I'd found it myself.]

A Mugged Liberal

A mugger knocked down U.S. Sen. John Kerry's sister and stole her purse in downtown Manhattan.

And of course, being oblivious, she never knew or saw what hit her.

As such, even if she'd had a gun, as opposed to enabling prohibitions through her campaigning and UN pursuits, it wouldn't have done much good.

I'm not saying I couldn't be surprised in public--anyone can if you don't know you're being targeted. The point is to present and conduct yourself in such a way that other targets look less observant, less confident, less equipped to respond.

This Day in History: February 3

I cannot say but I was a good deal surprised and disappointed at the contents. I never was very sanguine, as to any thing more being effected than to oblige the Garrison either to Surrender or evacuate Fort Independence and retire within the Island; as neither has been done, I wish your summons had never been sent, as I am fearful it will expose us to the ridicule of our Enemies. By falling back as far as you have done, one valuable purpose of your going down, is lost, and that is, depriving the Enemy of the forage of which they are in extreme want, and collecting it for our own use.