More On Virgina Tech

School spokesman Larry Hincker said the alert system worked exactly as expected.
"It's fair to say that life is very different at college campuses today. The telecommunications technology and protocols that we have available to us, that we now have in place, didn't exist years ago," he said. "We believe the system worked very well." [More]

I'm sorry-I meant moron from Virgina Tech.

How does this...this thing live with himself?

A Modest Proposal

Operation Fried Deceiver? [Read]

[Via Concerned American]

Federal judge decides who is an ‘authorized journalist’—and who is not

Indeed, just looking at the lack of media reporting on “Project Gunwalker” in the early days of the story’s development—I was practically begging them to investigate for themselves, telling them what questions to ask and who to ask them of, only to find the few who did show interest acted like they were doing us a favor and then demanded Mike Vanderboegh and I give up our sources now that they, the “pros,” might look into it… [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report looks at an exclusive club that doesn't want to let "those people" in--and the government likes that inequality just fine.

Gun Advice, Anyone?

This is from Suz:

Hi David,

I'm here to ask advice on guns and ammo. I read a handful of gun blogs, and I think most of their authors read your blog, so if you publish this, I can ask them all at once, along with others.

Next spring I'll be moving to the east coast and I'd like to make a habit of open carrying, both for personal protection and as a public statement. If I end up working in a potentially dangerous place, I will apply for a concealed carry permit, but that is farther down the road. (I don't currently carry because I'm well known in my town as the Bookmobile Driver, and I'm pretty sure "certain parties" would disapprove. That's a battle I'd rather not fight for the next few months.)

I'm looking for expertise on the pros and cons of what gun to carry. My husband and I are willing to buy a new gun eventually, but if it's manageable, I'd as soon carry one that I already have. We own two revolvers and one pistol. The pistol is a S&W .22; I enjoy shooting it and I'm fairly accurate with it. On the plus side, it's light and has a slim profile. My concerns are: I prefer revolvers for their simplicity, but more importantly, it doesn't have much oomph. If I need to shoot in self- defense, I can't afford to bet my life on the accuracy of my aim. If I shoot a thug, but miss the head or heart, he may have time to wreak plenty of havoc before he collapses. I don't even keep it readily accessible in the house. I've pretty much ruled out that gun, but I'm open to broader insights.

One revolver is a S&W .38 police service revolver, probably as old as I am. I love that gun. I like the weight, the balance, the mild kick, everything about it. My aim is extremely accurate with it. Shooting it is just plain fun. But...The other is a Ruger .357 Magnum, and it Makes. A. Statement. (which is part of my reason for carrying in the first place.) Because it's heavier and has more kick, my aim is slightly off, but only by a few inches. With a stationary target.

My husband is ex-army and my son is a small arms tech in the USMC. They both agree that the .22 is not the right gun for me. Between the revolvers, my son recommends the Ruger. Of course he's a young Marine, and rather fond of firepower. My husband (who's about the most sensible person I know) isn't exactly pleased about the open carry idea at all. He thinks it might be "asking for trouble." 10 years ago I would have agreed with him, but now I find myself appalled by the alarmed response of so many ordinary people, when they see a gun. Then again, I do spend more time around women than he does. My perception is that far too many people now associate guns only with cops, criminals and hunters. I don't like it.

So. Should I get the chip off my shoulder and only carry concealed? Concealed or open, which gun should I carry? What other (reasonably priced) guns should I consider? New or used? What kind of ammo is best for self defense? I'm looking for some wisdom born of experience.

As for my shooting habits, I will take an approved class to qualify for a permit, but my only real training is in safe handling. I'm essentially a plinker (except with the Magnum because it doesn't "plink" at all) - I occasionally blast a few twigs and paper targets in a ravine on my property. I haven't been to a range in over two decades.

With gratitude,
Suz

I don't do a lot of gun and self defense stuff on this blog because I'm in this for the ideological fight. Besides, plenty of you know a lot more than I do, so I don't pretend to be an authority on best guns, carry techniques, etc.

I support open carry on principle if that's what you want to do, but am not comfortable doing it myself. In terms of the best gun, caliber, etc., that's the stuff debates are made of. I never have been a "one size fits all for all situations" kind of person anyway, and always figured the best weapon was the one at hand, and that the most important factors in an insane situation are presence of mind and will, not meaning to minimize skill and trained reflexes.

Please feel free to weigh in and share your insights and advice by posting a comment.

When There's No Fan for it to Hit

As i remember coffee and cigarettes was hard to find and expensive through all of the time, everything else changed, sometimes was expensive and hard to find, sometimes not.

But important to remember is to make it easier to you, so obliviously, it is much easier to carry and trade candles and batteries than 20 liters of fuel. [More]

Makes a lot of sense. So much for my plan to invest in Princess Diana collector plates and Disney figurines...

[Via Skip]

Brooking No Competition?

So it is a crime...? [Read]

No Other Option

Editorial: Gun show laws aren't getting the job done [More]

I realize no one is going to register to read this, but all we need to look at are the title and subhead anyway.

I don't suppose it would occur to them that if something is proven repeatedly over time not to work you should get rid of it it instead of demanding more of it?

They have a lot of damn gall charging two bucks an article for demonstrable nonsense.

Simple Harmonic Motion

I wonder if this would work with tyrants? [Watch]

Disarm Africans!

Looks like the UN takes essentially the same position as the Klan and Jesse Jackson. [Read]

You know, this one.

Because we all know only African governments are the "Only Ones" who should have weapons.

If I Had a Hammer

Allen said he and three others surrounded the man as he got up from the spill and reacted wildly.

"He’s just swinging it around,” Allen said of the hammer. [Read]

The Fox Run Mall site isn't connecting for me this morning and I can't find anything on security or code of conduct on the Simon Malls site. Anybody from around there know mall policy on concealed carry?  I did find this...

What, Me Quirky?

Mike and David are certainly quirky, and way too direct for mainstream sensibilities, but they are the real deal.  You want the full story on Gunwalker, you go to them. [More]

Thanks, Kevin Wilmeth!  This is exactly the kind of stuff that really helps get the word out, and is especially relevant to the GRE column I have in mind for today.

Darling kid in the profile photo, btw.  Reminds me of the one I posted of me with feral sons Uday and Qusay on our old GunTruths site.  The one in the hat  is a college junior and the one in my lap is a high school senior who's as tall as I am now.

Here's an old family video of me applying my parenting skills and them responding in kind.

"Quirky" indeed.

This Day in History: December 9

His Excellency is extremely anxious to have the Roads in front and rear of the Camp accurately surveyed as speedily as possible. He therefore wishes to see you immediately at Head Quarters that he may give you particular directions as to the Business which he wants executed.  [More]