A post by Maynard

Tammy is planning an educational excursion with Chris to a local gun store. I figure it’s a good occasion to put in my 2 cents.

First, some philosophy. Anyone with any intellectual integrity will acknowledge that the Second Amendment was written by men who understood that tyranny cannot prevail over an armed populace. The American Revolution began with the “shot heard ’round the world” when the British raided Lexington and Concord for the purpose of seizing arms, but the colonists shot back rather than be disarmed. This is your American heritage; discard it at your peril! The Second Amendment prevents the American government from ever doing to the American people what the British government tried to do. The Founding Fathers knew, just as today’s true Americans know, that governments are not to be trusted.

Armed people can be killed, but they cannot be subjugated. Yes, the government has more guns than you do, and bigger. But if you’re armed, the government can’t casually haul you away to a camp as is done by the tyrannies of the world. If you’re armed, they have to come in and get you. And some of them will die in the attempt. This gives would-be tyrants pause to think.

Sadly, too many of our politicians consider the Second Amendment a meaningless anachronism. The new crop of rulers, regarding themselves as beacons of enlightenment, regularly infringe the people’s right to keep and bear arms. Their attitude is, “You don’t need those nasty guns now that you’ve got Me taking care of you.” This is the world we live in. Our safety now lies, not in the Constitution which our leaders so treacherously ignore, but in the simple fact that they would have to come and take the guns. This is not as easy as taking away our medical insurance or our retirement funds, which can be done with the stroke of a pen from the safety of an air-conditioned office. No, in this case someone must face you and disarm you. And we won’t let them do that, and they know it. Molon labe, baby!

Okay, enough about our endangered heritage. As a practical matter of daily existence, I’m thinking about protecting myself, not from the government, but from my friendly neighborhood thug. For this mundane purpose, what do I want to be armed with?

The subject of guns is like beers or sports teams. There are no right answers, and the discussion never ends. Here’s my personal comment; take it or leave it.

Tammy’s “Snuffy” is one of the Smith and Wesson small frame (“J-Frame”) revolvers. This seems to me a wise choice for home and personal defense. The J-Frames are American-made and reliable. They’re small enough to carry or conceal, and they fire five cartridges of .38 Special ammunition. There are many varieties of .38 cartridges, some of which have pretty good stopping power.

For someone who devotes real time to practice, an automatic pistol is probably preferable to a revolver. The pistol is smaller and carries more bullets. But it requires a little more tender loving care and knowledge. If your pistol jams, you’d better have the reflex to cycle it manually. A revolver is much more fault-tolerant and foolproof; a truly “point and click” tool. As a practical matter, your gun battle scenario will likely be extremely short, and five bullets will be more than enough.

There are various models of J-Frames. They’re all close to the same size, but they differ in details and weights. They can be had for upwards of about $500. Some have exposed hammers, and some have shrouded or enclosed hammers. The non-exposed hammers are safer for pocket carry, because there’s no danger of the hammer catching when you pull it out of your pocket or purse. The fully enclosed hammers are double-action only, meaning the gun can’t be cocked; this has the advantage of being sealed against pocket lint getting into the works.

Ammunition is also a hotly-debated subject. Rather than babble on about my own opinions, I’ll link to this useful (in my opinion) article, “Ammunition for the Self-Defense Firearm”. The article recommends this book, In the Gravest Extreme. I’ll have to pick up a copy.

If you want a small gun that has greater stopping power than a .38 Special, consider a step up the ladder to a .44 Special-firing Charter Arms Bulldog. This is a bit larger than a J-Frame, but packs a bigger punch.

There are also smaller revolvers, although these have less stopping power. (Quoting one of the shooting masters: “If you shoot me with a .25 and I find out about it, I’m going to kick your ass!”) But if only a very small gun will do, the Black Widow from North American Arms seems to have many fans. This fires .22 Magnum cartridges.

Of course there are hundreds of other possibilities. I’ve just mentioned the ones that seem likely candidates to me.

For an extra $200 or so, you can add a Crimson Trace Laser Sight to most handguns. These are great! They make it easy to aim, and it will certainly intimidate anyone to find a red dot on their body indicating where the bullet will hit them. You can buy the laser sight yourself (plenty of good prices to be found on the Internet); all it takes to put it on the gun is five minutes and a screwdriver.

My gun is an S&W J-Frame with a shrouded hammer, to which I added a Crimson Trace. For protection within my residence, it’s loaded with standard Glaser safety slugs, which generally won’t ricochet or go through walls. I could load the +P variety, but I’m not sure the higher-power load does much good in a short barrel, and the +P makes the recoil more difficult in a light gun.

Do I need a long gun? A rifle or shotgun has greater range and stopping power. But a big gun can’t be as easily hidden, and is awkward to use in close quarters. As a city dweller, I’ve sensed a handgun is the tool I need.

On a closing note, I just want to say that, although I’m by no means a “gun nut”, I love it that Americans can not only bear arms but enjoy them. Although the anti-gun people would like to paint gun owners as bitter angry souls, anyone who has ever seen legitimate gun owners at play knows they’re having good-spirited fun. Where but in America can you find such people?

By way of illustration, I think it’s worth mentioning the S&W Model 500. This is the X-Frame, the biggest frame S&W makes. It fires the .500 Magnum cartridge, which is as big as your thumb and will knock you on your ass with the recoil. I’ve never seen one of these things up close, and I’m not recommending them other than for the “Wow!” factor.

Here are some more YouTube clips of people being exposed to the wonders of the Model 500: Clip 1, Clip 2, Clip 3, Clip 4, Clip 5. Yes, what these people are doing is in some cases not entirely safe or wise. But then, what’s the point in living a life that’s entirely safe and wise? I’ll defend these people’s rights with my life.

Here’s a video review of this amazing gun: Part 1, Part 2.

If you want to see any gun in action, just search YouTube and you’ll find someone has posted a video of anything you’re interested in.

This section is for comments from tammybruce.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Tammy agrees with or endorses any particular comment just because she lets it stand.
32 Comments | Leave a comment
  1. jgm219 says:

    Great reading as always Maynard! My wife owns a Taurus PT111 Pro 9mm with 115 grain HPs. She loves her sidearm. It’s easy to conceal, use and very accurate for a smaller handgun. I’m more aggressive, I guess. I prefer a 1911. Kind of old school but fun at the range and proven.

  2. thething1982 says:

    Maynard, wonderful post.

    I personally have several 1911’s I find them to be easy to maintain and use. I am however biased, because I love American history and the 1911 served the U.S. armed forces for long time. If you get a chance go the range and rent one. Let us know what you think if you do.

    • Maynard says:

      I’ve shot automatic pistols before, although not a 1911. Yes, they’re great. But I stand behind my statement: You don’t want to be relying on an auto in a high-pressure situation unless you’ve practiced to the point that clearing a jam is a complete reflex that you can do under extremely adverse conditions. Because these guns will jam.

  3. Laura says:

    Regarding guns, I am so glad I was born and live in Arizona

  4. Chris says:

    I’ve only recently become a gun owner. I bought my first gun in August 2009. It’s a Smith and Wesson Government 1911. It’s not exactly a beginners’ gun, as I wasn’t exactly new to firing them, just new to owning one. As thething1982 said, the Armed Forces used it for over 80 years. Stopping power was a consideration, when John Browning came up with the 1911 and the .45 ACP cartridge.

    I then went to Phoenix and obtained my permit to carry a concealed weapon from the State of Arizona. It involved a background check, fingerprinting, and an 8 hour class and firing qualification. The permit is honored in about 30 different states. That then took me to consider a concealable weapon for when I’m outside of California.

    Arizona is quite a contrast from California when it comes to guns. Starting July 29, 2010, a permit is no longer required to carry your legally owned firearm concealed. It becomes the third state with such a law, after Vermont and Alaska.

    California treats you like a royal subject– a peasant, when it comes to handling firearms. The state constitution does NOT protect its subjects’ right to keep and bear arms– one of the few states in the Republic that do not. The restrictions are Draconian, and completely designed to disarm you everywhere but inside your own home. Transporting a gun requires the gun be unloaded, in a locked case, with the ammo seperate from the gun. The state does have a concealed weapons permit program, but the law allows the local sheriff to decide, based on his/her politics or corruption, to deny one to anyone for whatever reason. And you have to show an ambiguous “good cause.” A need for self defense is NOT good cause. That makes it effectively a NO ISSUE policy in most areas, since the liberals here think you cannot be trusted to make your own deciscions and have such responsibility. You are a peasant, remember? Only someone who has bribed the sheriff or has contributed to their campaign may get one.. or you have to be in a special class– someone “important,” like a movie star. It’s funny that many anti-gun celebrities or their bodyguards have a concealed weapons permit. But us peasants, no, we must remain defenseless. “Open Carry” is still the law, but it’s a joke, due to section 12031 of the Penal Code, which requires the firearm to be unloaded, and the police can check it at any time to make sure it’s unloaded. Some dingbat Assemblyperson from San Diego is now moving to ban those scary unloaded guns, too. This state has effectively brainwashed people here into thinking that only police have guns. Seeing an average citizen with a firearm would now cause alarm and generate a call to police and create an incident where none should be.

    Since getting the Arizona permit (that California does not honor), it brought me to consider a smaller, more concealable firearm for when I am outside of the state. I took a liking to the Glock 26. It’s small, and still packs a punch. It’s simple design was attractive. It has great accuracy for being such a small firearm. Reliability of Glocks was very attractive. The 9mm is smaller than the .45 ACP, but still, I challenge someone who intends me or a loved one harm, to keep walking after several well-placed rounds…

    Very good point, Maynard, about being aware what is also behind your target, in case you miss. A missed shot can easily go through walls. A very important consideration, especially in a city like LA, with a high density. It is a reminder that one definitely needs to practice using it every so often. Owning a gun is worthless if you are not good comfortable using it, and are not good at using it.

    Gun laws in most states have been going our way– as long as you don’t live in states like California, Illinois, Connecticut, New Jersey, or New York. People are realizing their rights are being infringed, and are fighting to take them back. The McDonald vs. Chicago case in the Supreme Court is one to follow closely, and should be decided very soon. It will decide if the 2nd Amendment applies to the states.

    Such unruly peasants…

    • Maynard says:

      It’s interesting to note that our Sen. Feinstein, although she does everything she can to cut back on our rights to be armed, received what might have been the only concealed carry permit in San Francisco when she felt at risk. This is true, not just an Internet legend (check details in Wikipedia). That’s the way these people are, one rule for the masters and the other for the peasants.

    • Kelly says:

      Excellent analogy of how California treats those of us gun owners who live here, Chris. We are definitely viewed as the unruly peasants who must be protected from ourselves and controlled by “our betters”.

      I bought my 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P about a year and a half ago. The impetus was Obama’s election and my desire to take a stand against the further eroding of the Second Amendment. At first, this was purely about the principle of the matter but soon it became more than that. I found that I enjoyed shooting.

      I can’t imagine what it would be like to live somewhere without the Draconian laws that California imposes. But at the rate that California is slipping further and further into the sludge, I may find out sooner than I think.

  5. RuBegonia says:

    Gun Laws by State

    Concealed Carry Permit info by state

    Maynard, repeating your point: If your pistol jams, you’d better have the reflex to cycle it manually. A very good lesson to learn in practice. It pays to know your firearm well enough to want to give it a name. After that, “Snuffy” et al will remain in your loyal service and not bite the hand that reloads!

    Chris ~ interesting follow-up – hope you can mosey on out to the “wilder” parts of the west before the sun sets in CA.

  6. Southrider says:

    Good article Mr. Maynard, and an interesting topic. I use 3 references when I’m explaining firearms and their role in a free society.

    1. You’ve already noted Mr. Ayoob’s “In the gravest Extreme” (incidently he shoots in the local IDPA matches here, yup, he’s that good), to which I would add,

    2. The works of the late Jeff Cooper ( http://dvc.org.uk/jeff/ ) as well. There was a real American for you! And,

    3. The seminal reference on the second amendment which was done by a panel of historians, not lawyers, for the Senate Judiciary committee ( http://www.constitution.org/mil/rkba1982.txt ) . This unchallengable work concluded that:
    “The conclusion is thus inescapable that the history, concept, and
    wording of the second amendment to the Constitution of the United
    States, as well as its interpretation by every major commentator and
    court in the first half-century after its ratification, indicates that
    what is protected is an individual right of a private citizen to own and
    carry firearms in a peaceful manner.”

    If you’re not familiar with these other two I believe you’ll find them of great use.

    Finally, although guns are like golf clubs and, if you shoot in a variety of disciplines, you’ll have an equal number of ’em in time, for defensive handguns I’m convinced the same basic tools remain the right answer for a question that’s not changed appreciably for a long, long time. Rx? The airweight bodyguard .38 and the 1911 .45 (I preferr the Combat Commander model).

    R,
    Southrider

  7. CO2aintpoison says:

    Maynard – mega dittos. I happen to live in the country (large area); yet in a house (small area) – – my motto….why choose? Get as many as you can. Loved the connection link to Molon Labe – great historical story.

  8. Laura says:

    Considering what is going in AZ, with the influx of illegals, drug cartel gangs and what not, and with the high crime rate at 4 murders in one week and even though I live on the nice upper side of town and have never been exposed to any violence, I am arming up, the racial tension here is high. I have never felt like this before, its crazy, so I carry a Ruger SR9 and am getting a Walther suppressor pistol for backup and I always carry two blades on me.

    With the near approach of the immigration law going into effect and this stupid fed suit against us and if everything goes as it should, the left-wing is going to do something stupid, and they are going to feel really stupid when the law does goes into effect and realizes the sheriffs and police departments are not rounding up Hispanics. What WILL happen when AZ wins and the law goes into effect is they are going to cause mass rioting and major crime waves and I think against whites specifically; anybody who supports the law will be a target and when they are arrested for these crimes they will whine and call it racism and racial profiling, everything that goes against anything they do in opposition to the law will be called racial profiling and it will never end, because they will not see it for what it is, regardless when the obvious presents itself in that Hispanics will not be rounded up or racial profiled. It will not be racial profiling it will be called arrested for committing a crime! They brought this stupidity on themselves.

  9. varmint says:

    One revolver design I like very much for its rugged strength and the safety built into its design is the Ruger (stainless steel is most practical I think). The models such as the old Security Six, or the newer GPS 100 are designed with a special feature such that even if the gun is cocked it does not have a complete direct access path, from the hammer to the firing pin until the trigger is being squeezed and a kind of “link in the chain” is brought into place. I think it’s called a “transfer bar.” Simply dropping this gun is highly unlikely to ever result in it firing accidentally. Like its big brothers the Ruger Blackhawk and Redhawk it has reassuring heft and will handle good strong loads. The .357 Magnum caliber is very flexible in that a person desiring milder loads can use the slightly shorter .38 in it, perhaps a very mild .38 target load. Women have no problem even with full .357 Magnum loads. It’s a matter of emphasis and use. One can practice with the milder loads in developing the maximum in accuracy and to ease past any initial tendency to flinch off target. One can stay with that load or move on up and master the heavy hitting Magnum loads. I could see a Magnum being used to take a deer under survival conditions.

  10. Southrider says:

    Varmint, I’ve liked Ruger revolvers too from time to time. Both my boys learned on a single six .22 single action. Now it’s got grown up grips and an aimpoint for … well varmints.
    As for “transfer bar” tech, all modern Colt, and S+Ws revolvers have been so equipped since at least the 70s. The semi-auto analog is the ‘firing pin safety’ which blocks the striker unless the trigger is fully depressed, a feature common in good modern design semi’s (ex., Walther P99 has one, even late production PPKs don’t) since the series 80 Colts.
    SR

  11. Foreverautumn says:

    When I moved to Arizona, I became exposed to the Gun Culture here. Gun rights became a lot more important to me. In January of ’02, I bought a .40-caliber Glock 22, one of the most politically incorrect EBGs (Evil Black Guns) you can get, in my arrogant opinion. At the same time, I also joined the NRA, and a few months ago, I became a lifetime member.

    My parents, who have hunting rifles themselves, can’t seem to understand why I could possibly want to have a sidearm, let alone join the evil NRA. And they voted for Obama, of course. (Sigh)

    Currently, I’m trying to save up for an AR-15, but they want a MINIMUM of $700 for even a used one! Probably even more, now that prices have gone up since Urkel got elected. But on the other hand, I’ve gotta wonder how useful an AR would be in a home defense situation; the rounds would likely penetrate my apartment walls, and injure/kill someone in the next apartment. I wonder if a shotgun would be more appropriate. Less sexy, but cheaper, and at least I wouldn’t have to worry about killing anybody in the next apartment.

    Regarding the NRA and their recent shennanegans, I find it disappointing, but we also need to realize that they’re a political organization, and they have their own priorities and agenda, much like NOW (only not quite as bad), so we shouldn’t put all of our faith in big organizations. Along those lines, I’m giving some serious thought to joining, an organization like Gun Owners of America (GOA), or Jews For Preservation of Fireamrs (JPFO). I understand they’re very much “no compromise” when it comes to gun rights.

    Just my 2 cents worth.

  12. glwinch says:

    Sir Maynard:

    First of all, Happy Father’s Day to you and yours, and all readers.

    “A revolver is much more fault-tolerant and foolproof; a truly “point and click” tool. ”

    This is not true, Maynard. Guns like anything else are subject to the 3rd Law of Thermodynamics-There is no such thing as a free lunch. I have personally seen revolvers do the following:

    1. Jam after firing a factory loaded cartridge. (a little chunk of powder/lead had flown off and blocked the cylinder latch pin and prevented me from from closing the cylinder thus making the revolver absolutely useless)
    Cure: air hose the area (mere cleaning with gun cleaning solvent and a nylon brush was not able to clear the obstruction), and switch to different (better quality) ammo. Keep in mind this was a brand new revolver and hadn’t been broken in yet. (Break -in period, to me, is about 300 rounds). Putting your gun through a break-in period is important! The problem NEVER happened again after these procedures were followed.

    2.Stainless steel revolvers do rust internally even with periodic oiling (though it make take a decade for this to happen).
    Cure: you or a gunsmith must take apart the trigger internal mechanism for inspection and deep cleaning. You go in for a check-up with the doctor, the same applies to a revolver.

    Am I saying revolvers are bad? Absolutely not! Revolvers like autos have there strengths and weaknesses-you as a gun owner are responsible for understanding this to prevent things going wrong at the last minute. Guns are like tools or garden implements-there is a right way to employ them and wrong ways to employ them.

    “As a practical matter, your gun battle scenario will likely be extremely short, and five bullets will be more than enough.”

    I really hope so. Given Obama’s skill at solving crises-like the oil spill, a small civil disturbance will likely become horrifically large, as the Democrats refuse to bring down their favorite constituencies in the interest of public safety: community organizers, gang-bangers, etc. In that scenario, Maynard, I doubt 5 shots will ALWAYS be enough to save yourself. Does anyone remember the LA Riots of 1965 and 1992, or the WTO Riots of Dec. 1999?

    The key to gun selection is “Try before you buy”. You may find out that in various tactical considerations through classwork, your gun wasn’t what you’d thought it would be. Reliability and ergonomics are critical here. Find out now, rather than later.

    Other than these criticisms which I bring to light due to personal experience, I loved your article.

    Stay safe everyone.

  13. lreimers says:

    Thank you all so much for all of this great info! It is very helpful. And I am so looking forward to Tammy’s gun shop netcast!

  14. ladykrystyna says:

    “Our safety now lies, not in the Constitution which our leaders so treacherously ignore, but in the simple fact that they would have to come and take the guns. This is not as easy as taking away our medical insurance or our retirement funds, which can be done with the stroke of a pen from the safety of an air-conditioned office. No, in this case someone must face you and disarm you. And we won’t let them do that, and they know it.”

    This passage, Maynard, is what I’ve been saying for a while. Yes, they can chip away at it, but I really don’t see them ever just repealing the 2nd Amendment. They absolutely know it would be, unfortunately, a blood bath. Only a very small percentage would voluntarily give them up.

    The rest of us . . . not so much. From my cold dead hand.

    It’s why the Japanese, the Russians and many of our other enemies will not ever actually try and land here to take over. They really won’t get very far at all. We are our own military, when you think about it.

    And I think that’s what scares the Dems so much – they just know they could never accomplish their final takeover.

  15. glwinch says:

    To ForeverAutumn: Unless you are sure of that will be shooting more than 100 yards in your situation defensively and justifiably, consider a Ruger Mini-14. At $700 you can already pick one up (from an FFL dealer) plus get a couple hi-capacity magazines from Ruger (20 and 30 rounders). Check the Ruger.com website.

    As for the apartment issue, either a shotgun or a rifle could over-penetrate if you miss, and go into an adjoining room, FYI.

  16. tamcat says:

    I believe there is certain ammo that would prevent that from happening. Am I wrong? I own a shotgun and am not worried about that. Should I?

    • jgm219 says:

      Hi tamcat! What loads do you have now? There are tons of debates about the virtues of 00 buckshot and lead bird shot. I’ve got 2 3/4 #7 lead bird shot. I have three kids so I’m a little wary of the 00 buckshot even though it’s a knock down round. At close range, a 12 gauge is ruining some bad guy’s day.

      • tamcat says:

        Hi jgm219! What I have is a 20 guage shotgun loaded with 2 3/4 000 buckshot. I live in a house and intend to fire at close range for home security. I won’t ruin some guys day, I will end his day. I mean to kill if I fire. The Mossburg is very accurate at long range also. I handle it well. No kids in this house. I am under direction of my husband who is a handicapped Viet Nam Vet.

        • jgm219 says:

          I agree, shoot to wound is pretty pointless. With 000 buck you should be good to go. I’ve heard the same as varmint about the #4 buck also but I’ve never used it either. With a Mossy 20 gauge loaded with the two and three quarters 000 is pretty spot on with what you need. 🙂 At seven to ten feet it’ll be like close if not similiar to hitting a BG with a slug especially with a lead load.

        • varmint says:

          A 20 gauge shot shell is not as powerful as a 12 gauge, in not having as heavy a powder load, and projectile load capacity. The firearms kick is likely a bit less as well. If you are very close to a target, within 15 or 20 feet, any buck shot load ought to be lethal with good placement. In a home invasion, if the perp is wearing a jacket or anything bulky enough to hide something under it, I would want to target their head because they might have some sort of bullet proof vest under the jacket. If they are in a T-shirt I would likely go for center of mass, mid chest area most likely. It’s important to know how much spread the shot will have at the range you will likely shoot. Cardboard targets and a bit of experimentation will give you an idea of what size circle your pattern will throw at 8 feet, 15 feet and so on. Knowing this might enable you to take out more than one attacker with a single shot by catching them close enough together at the right range. When it’s close enough so the shot density is not so widely dispersed as to be possibly ineffective, yet spreading enough to catch multiple targets in the circle your shotgun will throw, may be a judgment you need to make, so get a feel for spread and density of the shot you use.
          People can move very fast and from 8 feet it is said they might get you, even with a knife, even if you have them covered. Take care and prepare.

      • varmint says:

        I’ve been told that there is a type of buckshot numbered #4 that is less likely to penetrate a wall. This would not be the straight #4 such as is used for jackrabbits, but “#4 buckshot”. Never used it myself.

  17. BeforeGoreKneel says:

    It seems attractive to bloggers on the right to bash the NRA these days. They seem to have the idea that fighting every fight should be the NRA’s business. As if lawyers and lobbyists grow on trees and the NRA should pick up their tab.

    So the NRA got a cut-out in the current anti-free-speech legislation. So what. It may turn out ro be a poison pilll and no legislation will be passed. Not a bad result, I’d say, if it happens.

    Meanwhile everyone knows that there’s something else the control idiots are planning. There’s always something.

    • aliencats says:

      Here is the email I recieved from the NRA concerning the current legislation. They responded to my email at once.
      I received your email regarding the NRA`s position on H.R. 5175, the “DISCLOSE Act”. Regrettably, our position has been misstated by some and intentionally misrepresented by others. I hope you`ll allow me to provide the proper context.

      The U.S. Supreme Court`s Citizens United decision was a significant victory for free speech and the Constitution. The NRA filed a strong brief in that case, which the Court specifically cited several times in its opinion. The DISCLOSE Act is an attempt to reverse that victory and that`s why we told Congress we oppose it.

      The NRA has never supported–nor would we ever support — any version of this bill. Those who suggest otherwise are wrong.

      The restrictions in this bill should not apply to anyone or to any organization. My job is to ensure they don`t apply to the NRA and our members. Without the NRA, the Second Amendment will be lost and I will do everything in my power to prevent that.

      We believe that any restriction on political speech is repugnant. But some of our critics believe we should put the Second Amendment at risk over a First Amendment principle to protect other organizations. That`s easy to say–unless you have a sworn duty to protect the Second Amendment above all else, as I do.

      The NRA is a single-issue organization made up of millions of individual members dedicated to protecting the Second Amendment. We do not represent the interests of other organizations. Nor do all groups fight all issues together. For example, we didn`t support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce when it backed amnesty for tens of millions of illegal aliens and we did not join the Chamber in its support of President Obama`s stimulus bill. And we`ve been in direct opposition when the Chamber has tried to restrict Second Amendment rights in publicly accessible parking lots.

      Rather than focusing on opposing this bill, some have encouraged people to blame the NRA for this Congress`s unconstitutional attack on free speech. That`s a shame. If you oppose this bill, I hope you will contact your Member of Congress and Senators so they can hear from you

  18. norm1111 says:

    Being born and raised in Southern Utah, I cut my teeth on rifles. My dad (aka Santa) gave me my first rifle in 1958, I was 8 years old. It was a single shot Winchester .22…dad said: “you have one shot, so make it a good one”. I used that rifle for years…until I was old enough to hunt big game…my dad gave me a .300 Savage lever action. I used that for years up until I was drafted…at that point in my life, I became expert on all small arms…I was infantry…and specialized in the M-60 machine gun. And carried a Colt 1911 as the side arm …supposedly to protect myself if the big gun jammed…I found it to be an extra weight. However, I would now love to have that pistol….

    These days, I have several types of historic military weapons from all over the world, in fact yesterday, my youngest son, his wife and I went out to try out my “new” 1944 7.62 X54 ..M-44 Russian. Great rifle accurate as hell……but the real reason we went out is for my daughter in law to practice with her brand spanking new Taurus .38…with the pearl pink grip….she is pretty good.

    For home defense? I have really no use for a pistol….I have a Stoeger side by side coach gun (18 inch barrels) with 3 inch 00 buck hidden in a safe place, but at the ready……

  19. aliencats says:

    I have 20gauge shotgun with pistol grip, loaded with buckshot for my house, as well as a Ruger Security six .357 revolver. However, my primary concealed weapon is a Springfieild XD 40. I pratcie everyday drawing my firearm, reloading my firearm and clearing jams. I have an inside the belt holster, outside the belt holster and a sholder unit. Each unit takes pratice, Eveymove needs to be without thought. Pratice is the only way to achieve this. One must also shoot. It is not enought to pratice dry fire, one must get to know the firearm at a range.

    • Foreverautumn says:

      See, I think that’s my single biggest problem, Aliencat; I can’t afford to practice anywhere near enough with my Glock. I need a much better-paying job. Not likely to happen, though, with Urkel and the libtards in Congress.

      Is it August yet? I need to do some RINO hunting here in Arizona…

  20. Slimfemme says:

    Are there any TAMs that live in the Chicagoland area? I’m trying to find a reputable place where I can learn how to use firearms. I already have my FOIC(Yes, silly Illinois requires that we have a firearm card. Too bad the hood rats don’t apply for one. They are having a jolly good time shooting and killing everyone!!) Please let me know your suggestions. Thanks.

  21. animalfarm says:

    Slimfemme, if you go to your local shooting range you’ll come across people using the range who are VERY eager to educate you about firearms and handling, just ask for advice! Plus, a good place to get a holster online is from Holsterama, they are very knowledgeable and helpful about getting you the right holster for conceal carry.

  22. CO2aintpoison says:

    A brief anecdote: brother lives in AZ a few miles from Phoenix. Whole family are giant libs notwithstanding my brow beating. Anyway, he used to chide me for going deer hunting with my ex; he told me he’d gone hunting once – with a paintball gun just to see if he could hit the animal without hurting it (huh?? – you gonna EAT paintballs instead of meat?). In an odd, sort of sick twist, my ex – who fancied himself a gun enthusiast and encyclopedia of knowledge, used to “practice” the holster in/holster out thing all the time. Wore his thigh holster at home all the time I entered the living room one day to find our brand new tv with a 9mm through the screen and small spirals of smoke coming out. What the…. he just sat there staring at the TV and swore me to secrecy as we headed to Circuit City to purchase a replacement. Well…that was about 8 years ago when he decided a 17 year old was a lot more fun than a 36 year old. Secret? What secret?

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