All You Need to Know

Merken.  [Read]

[Via Mack H]

Meanwhile, Across the Pond in Sarah Brady Paradise

Council bosses penned in the plastic sheep on the Shoreham A27 roundabout over fears they might leave drivers in a spin. [More]

Good grief, I wonder what this lot would do with live elk?

And speaking of plastic sheep...

[Via Steve T]

I Actually Think It Would Be Neat...

...to live here. [Watch]

One of the things I love about where I live now is I get deer in my yard practically every night.

[Via Skip]

Katie Bar the Door

Vanderboegh has more emails. [Read]

Every time I hear about Dennis the Menace, I hear this in my mind...

He certainly seemed to think so.

Bullies with Weapons

The mean old scary gun owners are bullying the poor county government in Palm Beach. [Read]

I won't post this on any social media sites--I know how cyber-bullying the weaker-minded juveniles among us sometimes leads to sui...hey, now wait a minute...

Speechifyin'...

...in PA. [Read]

If you're in the area on Jan. 7, why not consider attending?

We're the Only Ones Opting for Early Retirement Enough

A retired Bedford cop shot and killed three people in his Cambridge home last night and later turned the gun on himself, according to authorities, in what prosecutors called a horrifying end to a simmering family dispute. [More]

Hey, maybe VPC can find some way to add him to their "Concealed Carry Killers" website...? Along with that other sick, but still-employed animal we talked about earlier today...

[Via Brian F]

Researchers predict UN Arms Trade Treaty will be finalized by summer

Does this mean we need not concern ourselves, that any such talk amounts to “sound and fury, signifying nothing,” and that any effort spent by grassroots activists and their representative organizations would be a waste of "political capital"?

I would not make that assumption because I would not put any underhanded maneuver beneath the enemies of freedom, and that includes a caution to those who (correctly) maintain a treaty cannot supersede the Constitution—if the folks behind this power grab had any respect for rights, they would not be behind it in the first place. [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report  looks at a globalist wish list that's being compiled.  Also listen in on someone else's conversations and find out how self defense for FFLs involves more than guns.

We're the Only Ones Employed Enough

A former rural Missouri sheriff's deputy is suspected of killing his ex-wife and her new boyfriend before leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended with a shootout at an upscale hotel hosting a Christmas party for hundreds of doctors, nurses and their families, authorities said Sunday. [More]

And we learn:

Rice had worked as a Dent County sheriff's deputy from 2004 until he was terminated in 2009, the sheriff's office said without elaborating on why Rice was fired. He previously worked for the Houston, Mo., Police Department and, after leaving the sheriff's office, got a job with the Missouri Department of Corrections. A department spokesman confirmed Sunday that Rice is a correctional officer at the South Central Correctional Center in Licking.

Seems there's always a place in the system for good "Only Ones."

[Via several of you]

How's That Again?

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) also said Lowe's is choosing to disregard the First Amendment. [More]

Followed by:

Sen. Ted Lieu, D-Torrance, told The Associated Press he would also consider legislative action if Lowe's doesn't apologize to Muslims and reinstate its ads.

This Day in History: December 12

[More]

Getting Ready to Go on Armed American Radio

Will be joining Mark Walters in the 10:15 pm Eastern segment.  Click here then find a station or listen via live stream. Don't wait for the last hour--it's on right now.

Vol. VII Update

Includes Gunwalker-related posts from yours truly, Mike Vanderboegh, Dave Workman and Kurt Hofmann made since Dec.4. [Read]

Anybody think you'll get this stuff from the "Authorized Journalists"?

Gungrabbers equate armed self-defenders with ‘executioners’

Denial and misplacing blame seem to be common traits plaguing the gun ban crowd, and Haas is no exception. Her experience has turned her into not just a vocal anti-gunner, but one who regards the act of armed self defense as an act of evil...[More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner column looks at just who the anti-gunners--in their own words--regard as their "brothers."  Hint: It ain't you and me.

Project GunTALKER

My Thursday interview with Scott Horton of Antiwar Radio is now archived online.

Click here to listen.

Hollywood gunman enabled by anti-defense sentiments and laws

For all intents and purposes, the “rampage” happened in a “gun free zone.” And the ruling class has just upped the odds in favor of the predators and against those they ostensibly represent by banning open carry.  Which, based on who they elect to office suits ‘the majority” of voters just fine... [More]

Today's Gun Rights Examiner report looks at some fish demanding their--and your--confinement in a barrel.

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.