Lawful gun owners obey laws, criminals do not ... even in Europe
Written by reg mathuszReuters: French gunman's arsenal spotlights illegal arms trade
Europe is often cited as a model for the way things should be and the United States is painted a maverick. Incidents like the France shooter are rare, but one thing is universal - criminals don't follow the law. That is why they are criminals. Placing additional restrictions on the law abiding doesn't curb crime.
From the article cited above:
Already tough French gun laws were tightened further earlier this month with the approval of longer jail terms and larger fines for anyone caught with an illegal firearm.
Amateur marksmen and game hunters must meet stringent criteria to obtain a gun licence including registering themselves with the authorities, proving they have no criminal record, and passing a psychological evaluation. There is also a blacklist of some 18,000 people banned from owning a gun.
The government says there are at least 7.5 million guns in legal circulation in the ownership of the state, amateur gun enthusiasts and hunters. Nobody knows how many illegal guns are in circulation, though experts put the total number of both legal and illegal guns at between 10 and 20 million in a nation of 65 million people.
Merah's frequent brushes with the law would have made it impossible for him to have legally acquired any of his weapons, gun experts say.
"There is no way he could have got these guns legally with his record," Jean-Jacques Buigne, president of the French union of amateur gun owners told Reuters. "It is out of the question."
Most of the guns he got hold of, such as the Uzi machine pistol, are in any case banned in France. The guns he used would have traced their origin back to World War Two, Eastern Europe or a more recent conflict in the Middle East, experts say.
The article finishes with:
"If you don't have a 'Kalash' you're a bit of a loser."
He is not talking about Americans or the United States. He is talking about Marseille.
Someone asked about Trijicon and I thought I would ping them. I really like that new Trijicon Accupoint 1-4 :)
Here is what I got back:
Thank you for your interest in Trijicon products. The Instructors program: You will receive (1) Optic and (1) set of Trijicon Night Sights once per calendar year. Please provide us with your credentials as well as your optic of interest then we can quote you a price.
(This was just today, so I haven't gotten a price back yet)
The Browning Tax Back Promo is back!
Purchase a new Browning firearm at retail from April 1, 2012 thru April 30, 2012 and Browning will reimburse you up to 8% in U.S.. funds for the $ales tax. See your dealer before this offer, like your tax refund, is history. (offer excludes Buck Mark and 1911-22 pistols. Offer only available in the U.S.)
For example, if you spend $1,000 and pay 8% sales tax, you can get $80 back from Browning – that's like getting an 8% discount.
It's easy -- here's how it works for you:
- For convenience, download and print a copy of the "Browning Tax Relief" program flyer found below.
- Purchase any new Browning firearm from a Preferred Browning dealer (Offer excludes Buck Mark Pistol and 1911-22 pistols).
- Make your purchase starting April 1, 2010 through April 18, 2030 at your Browning dealer.
- Make or get a copy of your receipt.
- When you get home, fill out the Tax Relief program coupon and send it in to Browning.
It's that easy!
If you purchase your new Browning in a "no sales tax" state, send in your coupon for special consideration.
Unfortunately, that doesn't cover the sales tax in my state and BuckMarks have been excluded :( I still regret selling my BuckMark Varmint.
Source: http://www.icontact-archive.com/PX0U1-9kSYPE0VolDkdw_v0wtwPqabr0?w=4#
Galco offers 30% off of their retail price list.
Additional, proceeds also benefit the NRA.
The confirmation form (needed for Galco to apply discount to order) is in DOWNLOADS.
Personal Security Systems (kydex) Holsters NRA Instructor Discount
Written by reg mathuszPSS offers a 10% discount to NRA Instructors:
Law Enforcement / Military / Instructor DiscountActive duty LEO / Mil are entitled to a 10 percent discount off the entire order (less shipping). It's our way of saying "Thanks!". NRA Certified Instructors are also eligable for this discount. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for verification before or after ordering to receive a discount / refund. All provided information is considered classified. No mention of a particular unit / operator using our gear will ever be made without expressed, written permission from the individual.
X-Concealment (kydex) Holsters NRA member discount
Written by reg mathuszNot an instructor discount but a 10% discount to all NRA members.
More...
The 2012 Ruger NRA Instructors Price List had apparently become corrupted and has been replaced with a functional PDF.
Additionally, I recently confirmed that you can request pricing on items not on the list. There are 2 empty spaces on the form that you can use to add items!
Pricing request form is now available in downloads. Please note that it is for LONG GUNS only.
This is by the request of someone on CarolinaShootersForum which for some reason I can't seem to join.
I had previously linked directly to IHEA but it no longer works. So, I requested the form.
Fax form to: 301-283-2191 EXT 1369. Include email or phone # so that you can get pricing.
The Colt kool-aid? I never said it was the only or absolutely best rifle made..here are a couple alternatives, but they are over $1000..
Written by reg mathuszAlthough I do think that overall the Colt 6920 is one of the best rifles available in the market. Bang for buck is very good and it is only a couple $100 more than some other rifles. It is however decidely less than some of my other favorites or that I would pick with a larger budget (around $1000 for the rifle alone was where I wanted to be).
Since my post about my decision to get a Colt 6920 HERE I have received some interesting feedback. AR15 discussions always seem to do that.
Rather than: rehash the chart, discuss the TDP, talk about my drinking the Colt Kool-Aid, argue the merits of a mid-length vs carbine gas system, direct impingement vs piston, or even AR snobbery (I own at least 4 non-Colt AR brands not including my own builds) and why I didn't pick someone's favorite brand, I wanted to point out a few other contenders that I looked at. I didn't choose them due to cost and/or availability but consider them outstanding. In my order:
Disclaimer: There are many excellent brands out there, but these are the ones that caught my eye.
- LaRue PredatAR 5.56 - I really like this rifle. At $1500 seems to be a great deal. It has all of things that I really like - lightweight barrel, lightweight rail, 1:8 twist, on a mid-length gas system. I actually like the fact LaRue builds one of the best rifles on their terms and not what is currently trendy -- for example 1:8 twist, Wylde chamber and no M4 feed ramps. The OBR is my top pick, if only my $ was in that range. The PredatAR was a close second but over my $1000 limit. I still might sell one of my other rifles to get it.
- BCM mid-16 - Nobody has anything bad to say about them. They are simply built tough to very high standards. They run ridiculously well in training classes like the Colts ;) Couldn't find a local dealer to look at or order one though.
- Noveske Light Basic - This is a beautiful rifle. Attention and detail on every part. Of course, world-renown for their barrels.
- LMT Defender SOPMOD - I couldn't find one at a local dealer to look at one (other than the stock). People had led me to believe that they were very affordable, but pricing was as much as some of the other options. CARbine gas system is a complaint for some. The SOPMOD stock is great! I will have to get one these!
- Colt6720 - Lightweight flat top Colt! No one seems to have seen one, so the details are sketchy. Some say it won't be an F-height FSB. It also apparently is an exclusive to Clyde Armory so there will be no discount (so, $1200 plus whatever it takes to get it to you and through your FFL). The lightweight pencil is a great idea that is becoming popular, but I put together my last "retro" pencil thin 16" for quite a bit less.
There you go - some non-Colt (and 1 Colt) options for an AR. I did consider putting another one together myself but using only 'top tier' stuff and there wasn't much of a price difference between it the 6920. Please note that this list is not all inclusive.
I will do a comparison of the 6920 and some of my other rifles (Olympic, BushMaster-Windham, RockRiver, etc) when I get it.
Federal Way Discount Guns (WA) to open new range in (Federal Way S. King County)!
Written by reg mathuszYou read about it here first! (probably)
Local Gun Shop (LGS) Federal Way Discount Guns (Federal Way, WA) will be opening an indoor range this year!!
Federal Way Discount Guns has long been my favorite local shop. They have great prices and also is where my gunsmith (Karl) is. For samples of his work check out the pics of the front and back strap stippling on my HiPower on this blog. Or check out my HiPower gallery: HERE. He also recently added a C&S hammer, sear, and a did a trigger job on it which I will be writing up shortly.
The range will be located minutes away from its current location (City of Federal Way, South King County, WA) and feature 16 modernly lit and ventilated lanes!
I actually don't have too much information on it yet and I am not sure where they are in the process of making it happen (permits? building? etc) but was told that they were looking to open during the 3rd quarter this year (2012).
I for one applaud them and look forward to shooting there and hopefully will be a place to host some training classes!
