Massad Ayoob on . . . National Concealed Carry Reciprocity – “As written, it would appear that a resident of, say, San Francisco who currently pretty much has to get elected to the city’s Board of Supervisors to qualify for a permit, would be able to carry in their home city on a non-resident permit from Utah or Florida if HR 38 became the law of the land. And their law-abiding friends and relatives all over the country could carry for their and their loved ones’ protection while visiting. Predictably, the possibility of nationwide concealed carry drives the anti-gunners nuts.” And that’s as good a reason to pass it as any.
Idaho’s Secret Gun Committee Strikes Again – “A new year, the same old tactics. Chairman Tom Loertscher (R-32), of the House State Affairs Committee, is once again blocking pro-gun bills. Chairman Loertscher, who appears to do whatever the Secret Gun Committee tells him to do, is up to his old tricks.” Primary him.
Thanks to other firms’ diversification . . . Sturm, Ruger Is Now the Only Pure Play Gun Stock You Can Buy – “And then there was one. Not that there was a lot of choice beforehand, but after Smith & Wesson decided to pursue the rugged outdoors market and change its corporate identity, Sturm, Ruger (NYSE: RGR)remains the only pure-play gun stock you can buy. For investors deciding whether there’s still opportunity inherent in firearms, it’s worthwhile to see if it makes sense to buy Ruger.”
Caldwell® Shooting Supplies Releases Exciting New Mag Charger® Universal Pistol Loader – The new Caldwell Mag Charger Universal Pistol Loader works on almost any style pistol magazines, including 1911 style mags, and loads a large variety of calibers. It works with both single-stack and double-stack magazines. The adjustable side shims align magazines of any width, and the lock knob keeps virtually any size magazine secure. The shims are labeled with numbers for quick and easy adjustment making it easy to switch between different types of magazines. The Universal Pistol Loader will load 9mm, 10mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .45 cal ammo, and some .380 magazines.
Gun Research Will Get Even More Difficult Under NRA-Friendly Trump – “GUN VIOLENCE RESEARCH is notoriously hard to fund. Since 1996, when an National Rifle Association-pressured Congress pulled all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding for gun-related research, UC Davis epidemiologist Garen Wintemute has shelled out over $1 million of his own money to keep his Violence Prevention Research Program going. That investment has paid off; 20 years later, the UC Davis program is one of the best in the country, and this week published a study finding registered California gun owners with a DUI or other alcohol-related crime on their record are four to five times more likely to be arrested for crimes involving a firearm.” And by “best” in the country, they mean the most assiduously opposed to civilian gun ownership.
Kinetic Concealment Has Been Awarded a Multi-Layered Firearms Holster Patent – “The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted Kinetic Concealment Inc. U.S. Patent No. 9,568,275. The patent is an accomplishment that helps solidify the Kinetic Concealment brand as a true innovator in the firearms industry. The idea of the neoprene-backed leather hybrid holster came about as a way to make conceal carry more comfortable and for the user to be more open to utilizing an IWB holster without the use of an undershirt. The neoprene also acts as a moisture barrier, aiding in the fight against rust on a firearm that is holster carried for long periods of time.”
Adding capacity . . . AK-47 maker to up staff numbers as orders outpace production – “The maker of the AK-47 semi-automatic machine gun says it is to increase staff by 30 percent because of a surge in export orders. The Kalashnikov Group put out a press release from its Moscow office Monday stating that it will create a further 1,700 jobs this year. ‘Following the growth of production volume, which was driven by the rise in the number of export orders, it was decided to increase the number of the Group’s employees,’ said Alexey Krivoruchko, chief executive of the Kalashnikov Group.”
Somehow we don’t expect long lines for this service . . . Niagara County offers aid to gun owners in state recertification – “Niagara County is making a special computer and a stack of printed forms available to pistol permit holders who otherwise might have difficulty complying with the New York State recertification law. The computer and the forms are available in the pistol permit office in the basement of the Niagara County Courthouse at the corner of Park Avenue and Hawley Street in Lockport.”
Arizona bill would let city dwellers shoot snakes in yards – “Residents in Arizona cities who spot a rat or snake in their yard will be able to shoot the animals using a small-caliber gun loaded with tiny pellets under legislation that Republicans gave initial approval Tuesday. A group of scientists opposed to the proposal say it endangers people by encouraging firearm use in populated areas and puts them at risk as they approach venomous snakes. In Phoenix and other cities in Arizona, neighborhoods are commonly built on or near the desert.” But only with .22 bird or rat shot.