Ed Avila is the owner of AR15.com. He’s just sold an arsenal of guns and gear in advance of his move from Farmington, NY to Texas. As you know, your humble scribe is in the midst of the same transition. A recent article in New Republic chronicled the whole gun guys goin’ south trend. And it’s true: civilian disarmament laws passed or about to pass in northern slave states have triggered an exodus southwards. I agree with the author’s point: aside from gun scribes (and the employees of gun manufacturers relocating to more firearms-friendly states) the push for disarmament is simply the last straw . . .
Truth be told, conservative-minded Northerners have been fleeing South for decades, escaping their home states’ high taxes, union domination and institutional corruption (leading to fiscal collapse). And now vilification. Check this comment under the New Republic piece:
I’m with Roi — this seems like a great thing for those of us who don’t get a secret thrill in our genitals every time we hold, stroke, caress, a gun. My view is that as long as gun owners shoot other gun owners, I have no problem with gun ownership. It’s when they start shooting those of us who don’t own guns that I object. Come after our lives, we come after your guns. That’s the deal. So, I’d be thrilled if all gun owners moved to Texas, Idaho and Florida. I give them all my word I will never mention the words “gun control” ever again as long as they agree to just shoot each other. One gun owner shooting another gun owner isn’t a tragedy, it’s natural selection.
It occurs to me that Northern gun owners are like Jews fleeing a country ahead of a pogrom. While I hope that the metaphor is ridiculous, I can imagine an anti-gun kristallnacht, where New York State SWAT teams swoop down on “illegal” AR-15 owners in a coordinated “law enforcement action.” One more Newtown and they’re there.
And speaking of mounting anti-gun fervor leading to flashpoint fascism, why did the New Republic author feel obliged to mention that all the gun owners headed south were white? For the same reason he wrote that TTAG makes a million dollars a year (we don’t). To stoke the fires of prejudice.
Mark my words: this will not end well. But at least I’ll be watching from the relative safety of a free state. That’s the theory anyway . . .
I suggest that the Pittsburgh PD begin to carry tactical nuclear weapons. Their one-shot stop ratios will improve dramatically. Sure, there will be some collateral damage, but what the hell. It’s for the children.
(Since y’all beat me to all the good beaver jokes…) I can’t imagine any modern caliber NOT being sufficient for beaver. If you want the pelt salvageable, I’d use 22lr or 22mag, but if you just want them dead, any rifle round will certainly do.
While I don’t blame anyone for moving because they are sick of their state’s policies, I would like to point out that if everyone leaves, there is no one left to fight with those who can’t. There comes a point where people have to be willing to stand up and say that they aren’t going to take it anymore. I’m not advocating violence or anything but actively opposing all unconstitutional policies. I don’t know about many of you, but I often contemplate when I am going to run for office in my state so I can help set the country straight and expose those who try to subvert our rights. If enough of us took up the cause, we could make a difference. It could take a very long time but it has to start some time. Mass exodus will just leave fewer states to stand up against federal grabbers who will seek to impose their will on free states.
^ THIS
Im a Pittsburgh man myself, and I just had this conversation with my a township officer last month, he said that their township (in Allegheny county, but outside city lines- and its a massively wealthy township too) allows their officers to choose between the issued Glocks in 9mm, OR supply their own Kimbers, Sigs, or S&W M&P’s in their choice of calibers. My friend officer Z carrys a nice Kimber custom 2.
Ayoob shot a cow at a slaughterhouse with the flying ashtray(45 200gr CCI). 1 shot to the head & it partly blew the head up. 1 shot….dead. Whats good enough for Massod Ayoob is plenty good enough for me with the exception of 230 grain, Randy
Those New Republic comments are pretty creepy. Can’t get on there to straighten them out because that would involve subscribing. Not happening. Felt guilty even giving them an extra page visit, as that is how online revenue is generated.
When our nation finally does split (formally or informally) into two, one with armed civilians and one without, I would ask which of those two nations will be safer?
I understand the “if you all leave, there will be no one to defend” argument (and I’m still in New York) but at some point we just have to let these failed states collapse, as they eventually will under the weight of taxes and crime. Then and only then will the majorities in those states, who elect the same foolish pols over and over again, possibly wake up. After all, a Conservative is a liberal who’s been mugged, whether by an actual mugger or the tax man doesn’t make a difference.
Finally, there’s a great movie called Shattered Glass which details the true story of New Republic writer Stephen Glass who, essentially, made his stories up. What the film also documents is that The New Republic is written by underpaid 20-something’s with precious little fact-checking or editorial oversight. Kind of explains how foolish they are.
There is a gun range inside city limits…it’s called Quick Shot and I highly recommend it. I’m all for this though. Atlantic Station needs a bigger LEO presence.
Just awful, RIP.
Although I somewhat agree about staying and fighting there comes a point where you have to realize that the state is not worth saving.
NY, CT and other heavy anti states need to hit bottom, then they can build back up more of a pro constitutional, pro gun state government and citizenry.
Would love to see a Welcome to New York sign that says ” Welcome to New York! We love guns!! ” never happen but hey you can dream!!
A terrible loss for the hunting and shooting community. Will miss watching you hunt with the AR around the world. May you have a never-ending supply of .223 and plenty of range days up there in the sky. Rest in peace.
You do know that XDm’s are from Croatia? Which is in southern Europe.
I’ve heard 5.7 x 28 mm is effective for hunting jackrabbits (but not much else). Using a suppressed PS90 to clear out “Ranch de los Kees” sounds pretty great.
Why do people make walls out of drywall? Seriously, I have only heard about walls out of drywall in the US. The rest if the world doesnt use it for a rason.
Why do people make walls out of drywall? Because we’ve run out of really nice caves.
We use drywall because it’s much less labor intensive than plaster. Unless you live in Baltimore or Chicago, most people aren’t concerned with their houses being bulletproof.
That said, stay away from the Chinese drywall.
Mostly because it is cost effective and much easier to build, tear down, rebuild and replace. While I do love the look of brick or stone homes the fact is that if the foundation starts to sag you are F&*ked out of a house. Who has time for that?
I guess the reasoning is that houses here are so cheap and because people can up and move at a moments notice. Many in the U.S. do that and don’t build a house to live in for a lifetime.
The rest of the ‘Western’ world does use it… we use it because we can and we have the environment to be able to use it effectively.
back to .357 Mag and .45 Auto???? Make the Cops use revolvers again too that’s fair.
“… looks like a good day to call in sick, heat up some wings and nachos, mix a few gin and toxics and do the coach potato thing …”
Dayum! And I just took last Thursday afternoon off to FOSP. Bad planning on my part. 🙂
I don’t have cable, dish, or an antenna. It’s only Netflix and the interwebz for me.
I am watching a “Fistful of Dollars” right now and then, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” on blu-ray. Tomorrow “For a Few Dollars More” also on blu-ray.
Nothing like owning the old Westerns on blu-ray but DVDs will work as well.
There was a time when if you had said they were selling an AK anything for 1500 bucks I would have laughed in your face. Sigh. I miss those days.
I had my heart set on guber goes to the White House, I guess a western will do, Randy
“tactical hand guard with attached flashlight that allows shooting enthusiasts to easily locate the target ”
For… you know. Midnight target shooting in the Pine Barrens.
Great idea. I, too, have Sgt. Stryker’s handle and like it. However, I like the idea of a “collapsible” handle even more and one that is angled down. As a southpaw, having it work both sides is important to me. Would definitely spring for an anodized or black one if you bring them to market. Good luck!
While reading this article, I was beginning to wonder if a large percentage/significant number of gun owners are law enforcement professionals. If so, than these various laws that target gun ownership will adversely affect the law enforcement community. Is there a disconnect where the government expects the police to enforce gun laws against themselves? After all, how long will it be before some high level government official decides that law enforcement personnel must turn in their weapons to the armory at the end of shift? I could be way off base on this. Am I missing something here, besides the fact that certain members of the general public in this article think that all gun owners are social pariahs?
Doesn’t that defeat the entire purpose of sponsorship and advertising?
I wonder if the NRA could sue for breach of contract?
It’s still listed as the NRA 500 on NASCAR’s site http://www.nascar.com/en_us/sprint-cup-series/schedule.html
.22 CCI Stingers will do the same thing. Head shots look like someone took an ice cream scoop to the silly wabbit.
Fear is the mind-killer.
To a point. After that point, it’s a life-saver.
This a total crock of crap.
I have heard the NRA mentioned on air at least once.
I sure hope the NRA suits the crap out of Fox.
Better yet maybe Nascar wont renew their contract with Fox for next year.
ESPN does a much better job of it anyway.
We’re going to see new Sandy Hook pictures? Will we now see CCTV videos of a young killer shooting his way into the school? If those existed, why haven’t we seen them?
And are we going to see photos of students being evacuated? Besides the single one, of fifteen or so children in a line? With all the photographers there, and 700 children in the school, why is there only one picture?
“… our president is saying our school acted admirably and exemplary, doing everything by the book …”
That statement is totally correct because evil does not exist in the Progressive world of rainbows and unicorns. And even if it might exist, everyone is supposed to ignore it.
More importantly, why does anyone (aside from young children, disabled, or elderly) depend on others for their personal security? If I were that student, I would acquire a semi-auto handgun and keep it discreetly in my backpack. Keep the chamber empty so it cannot possibly go “bang” by itself. And then wrap it up with a scarf or something so that no one can see it even if the backpack is open. And never, ever touch it unless there is an active shooter moving from classroom to classroom and you can hear the gunshots. Oh, and never, ever, ever, ever tell anyone that you have it in your backpack.
If you simply cannot bring yourself to do what I described above, at least keep a can of wasp spray or bear spray capable of shooting 20+ feet in your backpack. Again, wrap it up so that no one can see it even if your backpack is open. And as above never, ever, ever tell anyone it is in there. Bonus: wasp spray is basically charcoal starter fluid under pressure and makes a dandy short range improvised flame thrower. (Make sure to keep a butane cigarette lighter with the can of wasp spray if you want this additional option … and practice with one can in a remote location before carrying!)
The ‘all deliberate speed’ phrase was the source of a lot of resistance in the years following the Brown decision. My fear is the game will change and we will be ‘well regulated’ to the point of full disarmament.
I’m not going to lie, I have seen every episode of the show, I like it.
What happened was a girl named Beckey that was being mentored by a teacher (Sue) brought her father’s 1911 to school because she was worried about being a victim if there was an active shooter. She confessed to Sue and went to hand it over when she had an ND and dropped the gun which discharged again. Sue, the teacher, was actually covering for Becky and took the blame.
The whole thing seemed, to me, like it was a bunch of non-gun people with a bias trying to address recent events and issues while trying not to come across as biased. They weren’t outright saying guns were bad and also skirted the issue of armed teachers but there was the attitude of “How could someone bring a GUN into a school?” despite clearly showing how helpless and defenseless everyone was. It didn’t seem like they were trying to push an agenda or send a message but it was apparent that the people involved weren’t familiar with guns. Especially since they had a 1911 fire with the hammer down and then again just from being dropped.
I hate SNL… but that was funny.