WalMart Defies Anti-Biotechnology Activists

AmmoLand Gun News

Manasquan, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- Good for Wal-Mart! Despite intense pressure by anti-biotechnology activists, the retailing giant didn’t cave in to demands that it “reject” Monsanto’s genetically engineered (GE) sweet corn (maize).

Other retailers had capitulated to intimidation campaigns by Food and Water Watch, Greenpeace and similar anti-technology groups: McDonald’s, Heinz, Frito-Lay, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods. So this rare display of corporate courage, ethics and common sense should be applauded.

FWW launched its campaign in January 2012, claiming GE corn “hasn’t been tested for human safety” and contains DNA traits that “are potentially unsafe.” What utter nonsense.

All biotech crops, including GE sweet corn, have gone through years of testing, studies and approval processes by the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Nutrition, Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Environmental Protection Agency and other labs, before being placed on the market. In fact, biotech crops have been tested far more rigorously than any other foods (including organic products), hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have determined that they are safe to eat.

In the 16 years since such crops were first introduced in 1996, people have eaten more than two trillion servings of foods containing biotech ingredients – without a single documented case of injury to a person.

We all want safe, nutritious food, grown under the best agricultural and environmental practices. That’s what makes biotechnology so important. By precisely inserting specific traits into the genetic makeup of important food crops, scientists have been able to make many foods safer, equally or more nutritious, and better for the environment.

The following traits are especially important:

• Herbicide resistance. Corn that is resistant to Roundup or other herbicides enables farmers to employ no-till techniques to control weeds, instead of using cultivators to bury them too deep to grow. This preserves soil nutrients and organic matter, increases water absorption and retention, and significantly reduces erosion – improving soil fertility and crop yields, while reducing irrigation and fuel costs.
• Insect resistance. A single gene (derived from a natural soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, and inserted into the corn genome) enables corn plants to make a protein that is harmless to humans, but disrupts the digestive system of insects that munch on the plants’ roots or kernels, while leaving ladybugs, butterflies and other beneficial insects unaffected. The Bt gene augments corn plants’ natural defenses, slashes insecticide spraying (by up to 85% for sweet corn), dramatically reduces corn borer (caterpillar) and rootworm (beetle larvae) damage, keeps roots healthy and plants alive, and minimizes the amount of insect-damaged corn ears that are left to rot in fields or are rejected by consumers and thrown out by grocers.

By killing insect borers in the ears, Bt corn largely eliminates pathways for fungal contamination that leads to dangerous levels of fumonisin in corn meal. This fungal toxin causes fatal diseases in horses and is linked to esophageal cancer in people and neural tube defects (like spinal bifida) in developing fetuses.

These benefits are hugely important for US farmers; for consumers who want safe, affordable, nutritious food; and especially for farmers and consumers in poor, drought-stricken, insect-plagued regions like Africa. They mean less land must be devoted to crops, leaving more for wildlife habitat, thereby improving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable agriculture. They explain why 10% of US sweet corn is already Bt (Syngenta introduced its Bt sweet corn more than a decade ago), 70% of processed foods in American diets contain ingredients from biotech crops (including corn, squash, soybeans, canola, sugarbeets and papayas), 88% of all corn (field and sweet) grown in the USA is biotech, and 17 million farmers in 29 nations (90% in developing countries) grow biotech crops on 395 million acres.

Wal-Mart doubtless understood all or most of this – and was not going be bamboozled or intimidated by a few noisy activists who did not represent its customers, sound science or the public interest.

Those activists may actually believe their allegations. They certainly know how to generate letters and phone calls, harass businesses, and frighten urban consumers who’ve never been on a farm, know little about how their food is produced, don’t understand genetics or biotechnology, and are thus susceptible to clever hoaxes and ridiculous claims by activists, who are often enlisted and paid by organic producers and retailers that profit mightily from their land and labor-intensive alternatives to conventional food.

In any event, Wal-Mart didn’t cave. So a few months later Food and Water Watch sent out a “we give up” letter, whining that Wal-Mart had “ignored the petitions, calls and public pressure” it had orchestrated. (Its 370-word letter included nine separate pitches for contributions.)

FWW also announced that it was launching a new campaign – to get state and federal laws passed, requiring that all GE foods be labeled. The proclaimed justification for labeling is that “people have a right to know what’s in their food and how it is produced.” The real reason is that labels will make it easier for anti-biotech activists to single out and stigmatize biotech products, generate consumer anxiety, and intimidate grocers into taking nutritious and perfectly safe products off their shelves.

While “progressive” (anti-business) states like California and Oregon may go along with this nonsense, responsible legislators will tell the activists to take a hike. Or they could require that all foods carry relevant (and spooky) safety labels, and consumers be offered more detailed information (prepared by competitors).

For instance, lawmakers could mandate that organic products carry warnings like these.

• * No studies have ever demonstrated that organic products are safer or more nutritious than milk, meat, fruits or vegetables produced by conventional or biotech methods.
• * Various organic crops were developed using gamma rays, x-rays and potent chemicals like colchicine, to induce numerous (mostly unknown) mutations in seeds, in the hope that a few might be beneficial.
• * Many organic farmers regularly spray live Bt spores and proteins, copper sulfate, petroleum oils and other insecticidal chemicals, to control crop pests. Some secretly use chemical herbicides and insecticides.
• * Random testing has found that biotech corn meal has fumonisin levels well below the 500 parts per billion regulatory limit, whereas pure (non-blended) organic corn meal is often far above the limit – with some organic corn meal testing at 9,000 or even 16,000 ppb: 18-32 times above safety standards.
• * Mad cow disease was first found on an English organic farm – and some organic dairy farmers continue milking cows infected with mastitis until the animals die, rather than treating them with antibiotics.
• * The deadly spinach E. Coli outbreak several years ago was traced to a farm that was in transition from conventional to organic. Organic produce is always more susceptible to bacterial contamination, because the farmers rely on manure instead of chemical fertilizers (many derived from nitrogen in the air).

All these statements are true – but largely irrelevant. Thanks to regulations, inspections, and responsible practices by seed producers, farmers, processors and retailers, America’s food is generally very safe. The few occasional E. coli and salmonella outbreaks could be prevented by irradiating the most susceptible fruits, vegetables and meats – but anti-biotech activists also oppose irradiation. Go figure.

We’d all be better off if these ridiculous attacks on conventional and biotech (and organic) foods were simply thrown out with the garbage. Most critically, Third World farmers and families would suffer far less poverty, malnutrition, starvation, Vitamin A deficiency and deprivation, if anti-biotech activists (especially in Europe) would end their fanatical obsession about “potential” biotech “contamination” of conventional and organic foods (and flowers!) imported from Africa and other impoverished regions.

Meanwhile, let’s all congratulate Wal-Mart for taking a principled, ethical, scientific stand.

Paul Driessen is senior policy advisor for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow and Congress of Racial Equality and author of Eco-Imperialism: Green power – Black death (www.Eco-Imperialism.com)

ATF Posts Revised Form 4473

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has posted a revised Form 4473 to its website.

This follows Open Letters published in December 2011 advising Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) of upcoming changes to regulations relating to the definition of “State of residence” and the prohibitions relating to firearms possession by nonimmigrant aliens.

The revised forms may not be used to record firearms transactions, however, until the two regulatory amendments are published in the Federal Register. Until then, FFLs should use the current Form 4473, revised in August 2008.

ATF will send FFLs a supply of the new forms well before the effective date, as well as a notice of the effective date of the new regulations.

NSSF will send class one and two FFLs the revised pages for its 4473 overlay to accommodate the amended regulations.

All FFLs are encouraged by ATF to monitor its website for further information on this development.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Legislative Shoot One Way to Reach Out to Lawmakers

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- Last Friday the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Gun Owners’ Action League held the Fifth Annual Firearms Safety and Education Day for Legislators at the North Leominster Rod and Gun Club in Lunenburg, Mass.

Legislators, their families and staffs were invited to a day at the range. An all-time-high number of attendees for the event from around New England, both experienced and first-timers, enjoyed the opportunity to try their hand at various shooting disciplines.

You, too, should make a point of fostering a relationship with your local legislators.

For example, invite them to your business to see your operation, which will provide not only a great chance to get to know each other but also the stage for you to make your case for the economic impact of your business and your industry.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 6,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, co-founders of gun control group Mayors Against Illegal Guns

Florida Carry

Florida - -(Ammoland.com)- Florida Carry has discovered that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) has been involved in yet another ethically questionable, and possibly unlawful activity in their unceasing quest to infringe on the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms.

Apparently not satisfied with imposing draconian gun control laws in New York City, “hizzoner” wants to impose those same laws on all gun owners no matter where they live.

In addition to the unlawful purchase of firearms under false pretenses at an Arizona gun show ostensibly to evidence the non-existent “gun show loophole”, the group has now been exposed in facilitating the contracting of Regional Coordinators by local governments throughout the United States.

Funded primarily by grants from the United Against Illegal Guns Support Fund (UAIGSF) which is in turn funded by the Joyce Foundation, some local governments have taken the bait and hired anti-gun activists allegedly to assist them with gun violence associated with “illegal” guns.

However Florida Carry has discovered that in every city uncovered thus far, including Orlando, Florida, the grant-funded position comes with a generous city benefits package and operational expense requirements paid for by the taxpayer.

Long-time gun control activist and Tallahassee lobbyist Linda S. Vaughn currently fills the Orlando position, called “MAIG Regional Coordinator”, which shows a $60K per year salary. However the fiscal impact document shows a $24K shortfall for that position, paid out of the general fund. Her contract with the city is annual, and was most recently renewed in February 2012.

Ms. Vaughn’s duties consist primarily of distributing MAIG’s propaganda and recruiting others to do the same, under sanction from the city.

These include:

• Working with law enforcement to continue pushing for a safe concealed carry permitting scheme that includes appropriate public safety measures
• Working to pass state or county laws requiring background checks for all gun sales at gun shows and/or a state law requiring reporting of lost or stolen guns
• Working to pass a state law allowing broader local government control of gun laws so that local governments can enact gun laws that they determine would help protect public safety
• Working to pass a new state law requiring regular gun dealer inspections to detect possible sales to illegal gun traffickers
• Working with faith leaders, domestic violence prevention groups, and other partner citizen groups to support the mayors’ agenda. Recruiting 25 faith leaders who agree to regularly write letters or testify in support of coalition-backed legislation, and communicate with their congregations about the coalition’s agenda
• Supporting coalition efforts to promote responsible firearms sales at local firearms retailers. Identifying 2-3 firearms retailers in Florida to approach, either directly or through intermediaries, about signing on to the coalition’s Responsible Firearms Retailer Partnership
• Identifying and reaching out to sportsmen’s organizations sympathetic to the coalition’s mission of keeping illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists. Recruiting a core team of 5-10 sportsmen who could testify at legislative hearings in support of legislation backed by the coalition

Note that the emphasis is on promoting the desires of the coalition (MAIG), and the distribution of their propaganda through community organizations.

During our research, Florida Carry discovered that Orlando isn’t the only place where MAIG has infiltrated local government. Similar positions have been uncovered in Augusta, ME; Milwaukee, WI; Minneapolis, MN; Columbus, OH; Lewiston, ME; and Seattle, WA. The position was quietly eliminated in Jacksonville, FL ahead of the 2010 elections and was recently eliminated in Reading, PA. Questions remain about the duties of similar positions in Reading, PA.

Florida Carry believes that it is ethically improper, and perhaps even unlawful for the City of Orlando, or any other local government to fund a position whose sole purpose is to undermine Second Amendment rights, at taxpayer expense, on behalf of a private organization. The question which begs asking is, would organizations like MAIG, the Brady Campaign, and the Violence Policy Center idly sit by if the NRA or Florida Carry similarly placed operatives in local governments with the objective of using the guise of a government sanctioned office to promote a pro-gun rights agenda? We think not.

For more information on this expose, please see Florida Carry Executive Director Sean Caranna’s blog at www.allnineyards.com

If you are not already a dues paying member, Please Join Florida Carry today!

About:
Florida Carry, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing the fundamental civil right of all Floridians to keep and bear arms for self defense as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I Section 8 of the Florida Constitution. Florida Carry stands only to represent our members and the over 7 million gun owners of Florida. We are not beholden to any national organization’s agenda that may compromise that mission.

Florida Carry works tirelessly toward striking down ill-conceived gun control laws that have been proven to provide safe havens to criminals and be deadly to law abiding citizens.

Taurus Firearms

MIAMI --(Ammoland.com)- Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc. is seeking a passionate, motivated, firearms advocate for the complete management of all sales activities for our organization in the role of Sales Director for the Taurus, Rossi and Heritage firearms brands.

This career opportunity is based in Miami, FL and requires extensive domestic and international travel.

Summary of Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements strategic sales plans to accommodate corporate goals.
• Directs sales forecasting activities and sets performance goals accordingly.
• Reviews market analyses to determine customer needs, price schedules, and discount rates.
• Directs staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales program.
• Directs channel development activity and coordinates sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals.
• Advises dealers, distributors, and clients concerning sales and advertising techniques.
• Assigns sales territory to sales representatives.
• Analyzes sales statistics to formulate policy and assist dealers in promoting sales.
• Directs product simplification and standardization to eliminate unprofitable items from sales line.
• Represents company at trade association meetings to promote product.
• Delivers sales presentations to key clients in coordination with sales representatives.
• Meets with key clients, assisting sales representative with maintaining relationships, negotiating and closing deals.
• Coordinates liaison between sales department and other sales related units.
• Analyzes and controls expenditures of division to conform to budgetary requirements.
• Prepares periodic sales reports showing sales volume, potential sales, and areas of proposed client base expansion.
• Monitors and evaluates the activities and products of the competition.

*The preferred candidate will have a Master’s degree or equivalent; or four to ten years related experience and/or training. Spanish or Portuguese as a secondary language is a benefit but not a necessity.

For immediate consideration, please submit a resume to Lesley Hernandez, Compliance and Human Resources Manager via email to Humanresources@taurususa.com.

Competitive salary and benefits package, drug-free work workplace, EOE.

About Taurus:
Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc. is proud to be the U.S. importer of all Taurus brand firearms manufactured in Brazil and to be the manufacturer of the model PT-22, PT-25, PT-732 and PT-738 pistols made here in the US. Taurus International services all Taurus brand firearms under the LIFETIME REPAIR POLICY™ as well. For additional information about Taurus, visit www.taurususa.com. High-resolution images are available at www.taurusdownloads.com.

SIG SAUER Gen 2 P290 RS Microcompact Pistol

SIG SAUER

EXETER, NH --(Ammoland.com)- SIG SAUER introduces the next generation of the P290 9mm microcompact pistol.

The P290 RS includes several features based on consumer feedback. The next-gen P290 RS is shipping to dealers now.

The most noticeable change in the double-action-only P290 RS is a redesigned trigger that now offers restrike (RS) capability. In event of an ammo failure, the operator now has the option to press the trigger a second time, or manually cycle the slide.

“The most common thing we heard about the P290 was a request for restrike capability,” said Jeff Creamer, Director of Product Management. “With this second-generation pistol, we delivered on these requests as well as other feedback.”

In addition to the new restrike trigger, a recountoured beavertail minimizes hammer-bite for shooters with larger hands.

All P290 RS pistols will ship with a 6-round magazine featuring a new finger groove baseplate improving control. An additional flush magazine baseplate will be included, as well as an extended 8-round magazine.

Finally, two control levers have been reshaped. The magazine release has been reduced and contoured to reduce any chance of an inadvertent disengagement. A new slide stop has been recontoured to enhance the comfort of shooters with larger hands.

“Microcompact 9mm pistols can be a challenge to shoot,” Creamer said. “But from the beginning, the P290 offered a greater degree of shootability. With the next generation P290 RS, we’ve made an already user-friendly handgun even better.”

Become a fan of SIG SAUER on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SigSauerInc.

About SIG SAUER, Inc.
SIG SAUER, Inc. is the largest member of a worldwide business group of firearms manufacturers that includes SIG SAUER GmbH & Co. KG in Germany and SIG SAUER AG in Switzerland. This global network of companies gives SIG SAUER a world-class firearms knowledge base, unparalleled design expertise, and extensive manufacturing capacity, enabling the company to respond quickly and effectively to changing market conditions and the needs of its military, law enforcement, and commercial markets worldwide. SIG SAUER is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified company with over 600 employees. For more information on SIG SAUER, any of its products, or the SIG SAUER AcademySM, log on to www.sigsauer.com.

MILAN, Italy -- Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker (center), won the gold medal at the Italy World Cup in Men's Three-Position Rifle. Parker, a three-time Olympian, will be shooting for his fourth trip to the summer games next week on his home range at Fort Benning. (Photo by Marco Massetti, ISSF)

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- Untying a bag of experience that comes from being a three-time Olympian, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker, U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, used some of that knowledge and claimed a gold medal at the Italy Rifle and Pistol World Cup May 17 in Milan.

The win for Parker in Men’s Three-Position Rifle comes just two weeks before the final Olympic Trials for shooting commences at Fort Benning, picking the perfect time to be hitting his peak.

“This win gives me a little bit of momentum knowing that I have the world-class scores that I need and I can shoot the finals in the pressure situations,” said Parker. “The trials are going to be tough no matter how you look at it. We have a lot of shooters who are shooting really well here day in and day out.”

Parker’s win comes on the same range where he won his first World Cup medal in smallbore shooting. A longtime stalwart in air rifle competitions including three berths in the Olympics, Parker has turned his full attention to smallbore shooting the past four years and is using his vast experience to good use with the trials right around the corner.

“I had good preparation for this match,” Parker said. “The week before the match I went to the gunsmiths and had a new barrel put on my rifle. I worked a lot with Coach (Tom) Tamas after the London World Cup (in April). We re-did my kneeling position and it reaped huge benefits.

Between the preparation with the gunsmiths and our coach and the training time on the line, I was ready for this match.”

That wealth of knowledge is sure to be put to good use while competing for the few remaining slots on the U.S. Olympic shooting team. Parker said he can still clearly remember his first Olympic Trials and the ball of nerves that ensued while on the line. After three of these trials, Parker has come up with a simple solution to pre-Trial jitters. “From my past experiences you realize it’s just another match,” Parker said. “It’s a very important match, but it is just another match.

The targets are at the same distance, you are shooting the same as when you are training and you have to remember that while you are competing.”

Parker and several members of the USAMU will compete in the Olympic Team Trials for Smallbore at Fort Benning June 1-12 where the final seven spots on the U.S. Olympic shooting team will be determined.

The USAMU has four Soldiers already headed to London: Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft, Men’s Rifle Prone; Staff Sgt. Josh Richmond, Double Trap; Sgt. Glenn Eller, Double Trap; and Sgt. Vincent Hancock, Men’s Skeet. Sgt. 1st Class Josh Olson has qualified for the Paralympic Games in Air Rifle and Rifle Prone. Olson is the first active-duty Soldier to ever be nominated to the Paralympics.

MILAN, Italy -- Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker takes aim during the Men's Three-Position Rifle match at the Italy World Cup in Milan. Parker bested the field of 2012 Olympians and won the gold medal, providing momentum heading into the U.S. Olympic Team Trials that starts June 1 at Fort Benning. (Photo by Marco Massetti, ISSF)

About USAMU:
The USAMU enhances the Army’s recruiting effort, raises the standard of the Army’s marksmanship proficiency, and supports the Army’s small arms research and development initiatives in order to raise the Army’s overall combat readiness. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com.

DeLorme inReach 2-Way Satellite Communicator with GPS

DeLORME GPS

YARMOUTH, Maine -(Ammoland.com)- DeLorme, an innovation leader in navigation technology, today announced that its award-winning inReach is now compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

This innovation makes it possible for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to access an array of two-way satellite communications capabilities with the inReach and the DeLorme Earthmate App

inReach turns an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch into a global two-way satellite communicator for use outside traditional wireless coverage areas.

Users can send and receive messages to and from cell phones, email contacts and other inReach users, anywhere in the world. inReach can also be used to post messages to Facebook and Twitter.

“DeLorme is now extending the unique inReach two-way SOS, personal communication, and tracking capabilities to a far broader universe of users worldwide,” said Mike Heffron, DeLorme CEO. “This underscores our commitment to making affordable two-way satellite communication solutions available to as many people as possible.”

inReach, launched in the fall of 2011, is the first consumer-affordable satellite communicator with two-way SOS and personal text messaging, message delivery confirmation, Follow-Me/Find-Me Tracking and Location, and global coverage. iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users can now benefit from all those capabilities.

inReach is a game-changing communication solution for anyone whose activities take them beyond cell phone range. Compact and lightweight, inReach is dustproof and waterproof, buoyant, and impact-resistant. inReach uses its internal GPS for remote tracking and embedding precise location coordinates in sent messages.

In the event of an emergency, the interactive SOS capability of the inReach provides an automatically triggered remote tracking service. Users can accurately describe their situation so proper resources can be deployed, and both user and responders can provide ongoing updates until help arrives.

Because inReach provides reliable two-way connections through Iridium, the world’s furthest-reaching satellite communications network, it can be used with complete confidence anywhere in the world on land, at sea or in the air.

“This is an excellent example of how Iridium global connectivity, married with partner innovation, simplifies consumer connectivity and provides remote communication from familiar devices to existing Internet consumer communities as well as direct personal communications such as email,” said Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium.

Since late last year, inReach has earned several prestigious awards including: 2012 Backpacker Editors’ Choice, 2012 National Marine Manufacturers Association Innovation Award, 2012 CES Innovations honors, 2011 Popular Science Best of What’s New, and 2011 Gear of the Year awards from both Men’s Journal and National Geographic Adventure.

Suggested retail price for inReach is $249.95, with annual satellite subscriptions beginning at $9.95 per month. Four-month seasonal plans are also available.

• InReach is available in the U.S. and Canada at better retail and online outlets offering electronics or outdoor recreation gear. To learn more go to www.delorme.com/inreach
• The DeLorme Earthmate App is available free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
• To view an informative video, visit: http://tinyurl.com/inReachVideo

About DeLorme:
DeLorme is a longtime leader in innovative mapping and GPS products, and most recently the company has earned numerous prestigious awards for its groundbreaking integration of GPS navigation and satellite communications. The ability to develop all the critical components necessary to compete in these fast-changing technologies distinguishes DeLorme as a provider of unique solutions for both the commercial and government markets. DeLorme is based in Yarmouth, ME, U.S.A., and is home to Eartha, the world’s largest revolving globe. To learn more, visit delorme.com.

Gun Show Volunteers Need for Up Coming Gun Shows Events

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Covington VA --(Ammoland.com)- Due to family emergencies and some business requirements, the Virginia Beach Gun Show coordinator is short volunteers for the Sunday afternoon 1-4pm shift.

We need at least two people to man the table for that time slot at this weekend’s show.

Please contact Gary Moeller directly at garreth@cox.net or call his cell at 757-373-2148.

 Up Coming Gun Shows and Events!
The Virginia Citizens Defense League thanks the following member-activists who generously gave of their time to advance and help defend the rights of their fellow gun owners by working our recruiting and information booths at gun shows and events around the state.

Tea Party’s Celebrate Liberty, Richmond, April 14 Bob Sadtler, David Crosby, George Lawson, Paul Henick, Greg Trojan, and Dale Welch

Washington County, May 5-6 Bill Noell, Ed Noell, Al & Linda Steed, Ken Modica, Chris Rakes, and Owen & Amanda Sammons

Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Open House, May 19 Ed Levine, Carrie Moats, Mike Delacruz, Brian Reynolds, Ron Adkins, and Jonathan Taylor

As an all volunteer organization, VCDL depends on YOU to volunteer your time at our area events, where we recruit new activists and keep gun owners informed. No experience necessary; if it’s your first time we’ll pair you with a veteran volunteer.

To find out more about helping at our gun show tables, go to: http://www2.vcdl.org/cgi-bin/wspd_cgi.sh/vcdl/gs.html and click on any of the blue links, or contact the coordinator for the show/event listed below with which you are interested in helping.

Here are the upcoming events with which we need YOUR help:

a. VIRGINIA BEACH http://www.guns-knives.com, May 26-27

• Saturday, May 26 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 27 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Sunday, 1-4 pm slot needs volunteers!

Please contact Gary Moeller at VBgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Virginia Beach.

b. HARRISONBURG http://www.showmasters.us, May 26-27

• Saturday, May 26 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, May 27 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact John Norton and David Sayen at Shenandoahgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Harrisonburg.

c. DALE CITY http://www.olddominionshows.com, June 2-3

• Saturday, June 2 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 3 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Michael Burnham at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Dale City.

d. CHANTILLY http://www.cegunshows.com, June 8-10

• Friday, June 8 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, June 9 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, June 10 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Danny Paulson at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Chantilly.

e. FREDERICKSBURG http://www.guns-knives.com, June 30-July 1

• Saturday, June 30 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 1 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Robert Herron at Fredericksburggunshows@vcdl.org to help in Fredericksburg.

f. RICHMOND http://www.cegunshows.com, July 7-8

• Saturday, July 7 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 8 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact David Crosby at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help at the Showplace in Mechanicsville.

g. HAMPTON http://www.guns-knives.com, July 14-15

• Saturday, July 14 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 15 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Ron Lilly at HamptonRoadsgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Hampton.

h. SALEM http://www.cegunshows.com, July 21-22

• Saturday, July 21 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 22 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Salem.

i. CHANTILLY http://www.cegunshows.com, July 27-29

• Friday, July 27 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, July 28 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 29 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Danny Paulson at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Chantilly.

j. DALE CITY http://www.olddominionshows.com, August 4-5

• Saturday, August 4 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, August 5 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Michael Burnham at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Dale City.

k. ROANOKE http://www.showmasters.us, August 18-19

• Saturday, August 18 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, August 19 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Roanoke.

l. RICHMOND http://www.showmasters.us, August 25-26

• Saturday, August 25 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, August 26 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Please contact David Crosby at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help at the Richmond Raceway Complex.

About:
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. Visit: www.vcdl.org

Sinclair Bullet Proof Sample Packs

Sinclair Reloading International

Fort Wayne IN --(Ammoland.com)- Sinclair International – The World’s Premier Supplier of High-Quality Reloading Tools, Components, Ammunition, and Accessories – now carries Bullet Proof Sample Packs, an innovative, but simple must-have product for reloading enthusiasts.

The 12-bullet packs, intended to allow reloaders to test bullet performance during load development without investing in an entire box, are available for bullets from major manufacturers including Berger, Barnes, and Nosler in popular weights, types, and calibers.

“We’re always on the lookout for new products that bring real, practical value to our customers,” said Bill Gravatt, President of Sinclair International.

“The sample packs offered by Bullet Proof are a great example. The packs of 12 are perfect for investigating the accuracy potential by loading and shooting a few three shot groups.”

For a complete listing of the specific packs available, see page six of the Sinclair International 2012-A catalog, or visit www.sinclairintl.com/bpsp. ( http://tinyurl.com/budsgtn )

Sinclair International is the world’s premier supplier of high-quality reloading tools, components, ammunition and accessories, plus unique competitive shooting and hunting supplies. A member of the Brownells Group since 2007, Sinclair International stocks more than 15,000 items and supplies handloaders, shooters and hunters worldwide. To place an order, or for additional information, call 800-717-8211 or visit www.sinclairintl.com.

Olympic Team Trials For Smallbore To Be Conducted At Fort Benning

United States Army Marksmanship Unit

FORT BENNING, Ga. --(Ammoland.com)- The seven remaining positions on the U.S. Olympic Shooting team will be filled June 1-12 as the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Smallbore comes to Fort Benning.

Competitors will compete in smallbore (.22-caliber) rifle and pistol events on the grounds of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.

They will shoot in three matches and finals over the course of three days. All three match scores and the top two finals will be calculated to determine the Olympic team members.

There are two spots yet to be won in Rapid Fire Pistol and one slot remains in each of the following events: Men’s Rifle Prone; Men’s and Women’s Three-Position Rifle; Men’s Free Pistol; and Women’s Sport Pistol.

Several shooters from the USAMU are primed to be in contention for Olympic berths. Sgt. 1st Class Jason Parker is a three-time Olympian and recently won a gold medal in Men’s Three-Position Rifle at the Italy World Cup in Milan on May 17. He will be tested by several of his USAMU teammates, including Staff Sgt. George Norton, Staff Sgt. Hank Gray, Sgt. Joe Hein and Spc. Joe Hall.

Gray and Hall are looking to make it a family event in London. Gray’s wife Jamie has qualified in two Olympic shooting events and Hall’s brother Jonathan earned a spot in Men’s Air Rifle.

In Men’s Rifle Prone, USAMU Soldiers are seeking to join teammate Sgt. 1st Class Eric Uptagrafft on Team USA. Uptagrafft has already qualified in the rifle prone event after earning enough points in international competition the past two years. Among those competing for the position next to Uptagrafft are Staff Sgt. Michael McPhail, a bronze medalist at the London World Cup in April; Parker, Hein, Staff Sgt. Gray and Spc. Hall. Also in the mix is Matthew Emmons, the 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist in rifle prone who has already qualified in two other rifle events for 2012.

Sgt. Brad Balsley is a leading contender in Rapid Fire Pistol, and Sandra Uptagrafft, wife of Eric Uptagrafft, looks to join her husband in London as she will compete in Women’s Sport Pistol.

World Class Athlete Program Soldiers will also be vying for a place on the Olympic team. Lt. Cols. Rhonda Bright and Kristin Frazer, attached to the USAMU, will compete in Women’s Three-Position Rifle, while Capt. Christopher Abalo, also attached to the USAMU, will compete in Men’s Rifle Prone. Sgts. 1st Class Daryl Szarenski and Keith Sanderson, both former Olympians, will compete in pistol events.

The “Home of Champions” has hosted numerous world-class matches in its storied history. In 2011 alone, the unit hosted both the International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup USA for rifle and pistol as well as the first International Paralympic Committee World Cup ever held on U.S. soil.

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for all sports is a collaborative, three-way partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies and the local organizing committees. All athletes nominated to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team must be approved by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

About USAMU:
The USAMU enhances the Army’s recruiting effort, raises the standard of the Army’s marksmanship proficiency, and supports the Army’s small arms research and development initiatives in order to raise the Army’s overall combat readiness. For more information on the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, contact the Public Affairs Office at (706) 545-5436, Michael.Molinaro@usaac.army.mil or www.USAMU.com.

Gun Rights Examiner David Codrea

USA --(Ammoland.com)- Trigger Sports TV will present a special panel discussion on guns in Mexico over several broadcast times this week on DIRECTV and DISH Network, a release from American Trigger Sports Network announced today.

“Host James B. Towle leads a round table discussion with guests discussing the latest gun issues,” the announcement reports. Towle’s guests for this program include Armed American Radio host Mark Walters, Barbara Crown, publisher and editor of The Hunting Report, and this correspondent.

View slideshow: American Trigger Sports Network TV Panel

This episode was actually recorded last year, as reported in a December Gun Rights Examiner column, but due to production and scheduling requirements is now being broadcast for the first time. A second program recorded at that time will be aired next week.

The show will be presented on DIRECTV (Channel 608 PRST) and DISH NETWORK (Channel 240 HUNT) on the Pursuit Channel. Show times, per the ATSN release, include “Tuesdays 1:30pm PST 4:30pm EST, Thursdays 10:00pm PST, [and] Fridays-Shooting Destination Night 6:00pm PST 9:00pm EST/ 1:00am EST.”

Continue reading on Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/guns-mexico-subject-of-tv-panel-that-includes-gun-rights-examiner

About David Codrea:
David Codrea is a long-time gun rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He is a field editor for GUNS Magazine, and a blogger at The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance. Read more at www.DavidCodrea.com.

2012 U.S. Olympic Team nominees in Men's Double Trap Glenn Eller (right) and Josh Richmond

USA Shooting

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --(Ammoland.com)- The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team gained the experience of veteran talent Glenn Eller (USAMU/Katy, Texas), who earned his way onto his fourth Olympic Team Saturday outlasting the field in Men’s Double Trap.

Eller topped U.S. Army and Beijing Olympic teammate Jeff Holguin (USAMU/Yorba Linda, Calif.) to receive his Olympic nomination at the Tucson Trap & Skeet Club (TTSC).

The reigning Olympic gold medalist in the event, Eller will team with 2010 World Champion and U.S. Army teammate Josh Richmond

Glenn Eller smiles after winning a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team.

(USAMU/Hillsgrove, Pa.) to form one of the top Double Trap pairs shooting in London. Richmond didn’t compete this week as he had already qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team after his outstanding shooting the past two years.

With a finals round 49/50, Eller out-distanced Holguin by six targets with an overall score of 609 after 650 total targets between this match and a 2011 Fall Selection Match that was included in the scores. Billy Crawford (Johnstown, Ohio) finished third overall with a 601. Derek Haldeman (USAMU/Sunbury, Ohio), 584, Christian Wilkoski (Centerburg, Ohio), 543and Kelcey DePatis (Donovan, Ill.), 538, round out the top six finalists.

“I feel great about it,” said Eller afterwards. “Not many people get to go to one Olympics let alone four, so it’s an absolute honor. It’s getting harder the older I get.”

Eller’s struggles to get back to London are well documented. Losing that competitive fire after his gold medal, Eller’s problems were compounded last year when his competition shotgun was lost en route to a March 2011 International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup event in Chile and has yet to turn up. He switched to a new gun, manufactured by Beretta, but even then the road back almost didn’t happen given that until March the U.S. hadn’t secured a second Olympic quota spot in Eller’s event.

“After the gold medal there’s nowhere to go but down so I fell, stumbled and hung around down there for awhile and slowly eased my way back, but that’s what it’s all about though,” he said. “Now, I have the opportunity to go back and win another one.”

For video of Eller’s reaction afterwards, click here: http://youtu.be/xXffXIO_uNU

Reigning Olympic champion Vincent Hancock (USAMU/Eatonton, Ga.) continues to lead in Men’s Skeet with one day remaining. Hancock shot 99/100 for 443 overall targets on a picturesque day. With milder temperatures and calm wind, Jon Michael McGrath (Tulsa, Okla.) jumped ahead in today’s 100 targets hitting every last bird to land in second place. McGrath currently sits with 434 targets, but with just a one-target cushion between himself and Mark Weeks (WCAP/Clinton Township, Mich.), McGrath needs to keep pace for the second Olympic berth. Weeks shot 97 targets on the day and has 433 targets overall. BJ Blanchard (Vidor, Texas) and Frank Thompson (Alliance, Neb.) are not making things easy though. Tied at 431 targets, Blanchard and Thompson are putting the pressure on the McGrath and Weeks. Also making plenty of noise is Dustin Perry (Lovelady, Texas), a freshman at Lindenwood University, who broke through the rankings to earn a spot on the number one squad yesterday. Perry shot 98 targets-dropping two in his final round-for 430 targets. With only four targets separating the remaining five in the top squad, tomorrow’s 50 targets (and final) will require perfection.

Coming in today, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Corey Cogdell (Eagle River, Alaska) had a two-target advantage over Kayle Browning (Wooster, Ark.) in Women’s Trap, but after shooting 94/100 Saturday, the Alaska native has opened up a five-point lead over Browning. Cogdell entered the weekend six targets back in her attempt to make her second straight Olympic Team. With 50 targets left and the final still remaining for the event’s lone Olympic spot, Cogdell is in the driver’s seat with the overall standings for the top six competitors in Women’s Trap looking like this: Cogdell 413, Browning 408, Kelsey Zauhar (Lakevlle, Minn.) 404, Miranda Wilder (Diana, Texas) 401, Rachael Heiden (Clinton, Mich.) 400, Caitlin Barney Weinheimer (Kerrville, Texas) 400.

Zauhar, Wilder, Heiden and Weinheimer all shot 89/100 targets. Weinheimer, leading the event coming into Tucson, rebounded from a disappointing 77 to open, hitting 12 additional targets Saturday while Heiden, after shooting a match-high 94 targets Friday to jump into the top squad, cooled down to an 89 today.

The Trials feature action in all of shotgun’s respective disciplines including Trap (M/W), Skeet (M/W) and Men’s Double Trap. However, Olympic spots will only be available in women’s trap (1), men’s skeet (2) and men’s double trap (1).

In Men’s Trap, Jacob Turner (Richland, Wash.) still holds a five target lead with a total 429, while Collin Wietfeldt (Hemlock, Mich.), 424, is in second. Three-time Olympian Lance Bade (Vancouver, Wash.) jumped into the top three scoring 94/100 Saturday. After struggling yesterday in high winds, USA Shooting Junior Team member Dustin Anderson (Woodstock, Ga.) missed just three targets today to climb back into a tie with Bade for third position. John Mullins (Port Orchard, Wash.) rounds out the top-five.

In Women’s Skeet, Morgan Craft (Muncy Valley, Pa.) has opened up a four-point lead on the field after hitting 97/100 targets. Caitlin Connor (Winnfield, La.) had a day-high 98/100 to move into second place overall while Brandy Drozd (Bryan, Texas) fell back into third after today’s 91. Alexander Chiang (Redwood City, Calif.) and Jaiden Grinnell (Port Angeles, Wash.) are tied for fourth place.

2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Shotgun Competition Schedule:

• Sunday, May 20 – Trap & Skeet (50 Targets + FINAL)

The TTSC has served southern Arizona’s shooting sportsman since its original incorporation in 1948. The club has been in its present location, west of historic Tucson, since early 1976 when construction on the 80-acre site was completed. In preparation for the 2012 World Cup and its designated as a USA Shooting Certified Training Center, the club added 300 acres, five international bunker traps and seven new skeet fields.

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for all sports is a collaborative, three-way partnership between the U.S. Olympic Committee, the national governing bodies and the local organizing committees. All athletes nominated to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team must be approved by the U.S. Olympic Committee.

About USA Shooting:
USA Shooting, a 501c3 non-profit corporation, was chartered by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of shooting in April 1995. USA Shooting’s mission is to prepare American athletes to win Olympic medals, promote the shooting sports throughout the U.S. and govern the conduct of international shooting in the country. Check us out on the web at www.usashooting.org and on Twitter at twitter.com/USAShooting.

Compound Bow Basics - Replacing Your String & Cables

AmmoLand Gun News

USA --(Ammoland.com)- In the first installment of Compound Bow Basics I covered waxing your string and cables.

Waxing your string gives you the opportunity to observe both and to make a determination when it is time for a replacement.

Timely replacement is imperative for bow safety. A snapped string or cable can cause injury to you or others and can ruin your bow.

Examine the area of the string and cables where they emerge from the tightly wrapped areas, called servings. If you see any broken strands it is time to get a new string and/or cables.

If there is a little fuzz this area can be treated with wax. Observe where the string and cables insert into the cam on both ends of the bow. If there are any signs of separation in the serving, as though the string might pull out from its insertion point, change your string and cables before shooting the bow again.

If you want to get your own bow press and change your own strings and cables be sure that your press can handle the bow you own. It’s best to have a professional change these out for you until you have gained some experience with your bow. Also, if you begin to learn about bow maintenance you will also want to learn how to examine and maintain the cams, limbs and riser of your bow.

The following video shows how the cables and string are replaced on the Bowtech Destroyer.

About Alan Murdock:
Alan Murdock is a lifelong shooting enthusiast. From youth he has shot firearms and archery. Today he is a certified NRA basic pistol instructor and Utah Concealed Firearms instructor. His blog on shooting and personal defense can be found at www.alanmurdock.wordpress.com.

Browning Eclipse Hearing Protector

Browning Firearms

Morgan, UT --(Ammoland.com)- To protect your hearing out on the shooting range, Browning has unveiled 4 new styles of hearing protection for 2012.

Each style is designed to protect the shooter from the harmful sound levels of firearm shooting while also being comfortable to wear.

The new styles include the NDR Hearing protector, Eclipse Hearing Protector, Behind the Head Protector and the Banded Plugs.

The HDR Hearing Protector is Browning’s best hearing earmuff with a decibel reduction of NRR 37db. The padded and adjustable headband along with the soft foam earcups allow the HDR Hearing Protector Earmuffs to be worn comfortably all day on the range.

The Eclipse Hearing Protector showcases Browning’s unique corporate design. The earmuff style design features an adjustable padded head band that compacts down for easy storage. The Eclipse Hearing Protector also comes with padded ear cups and has a decibel reduction of NRR 31 db.

For shooters that like to wear ball caps while shooting, the Behind the Head Hearing Protector headband is designed to fit behind the shooter’s head. The contoured cup design is compact, lightweight, and has a decibel reduction of NRR 22db.

The foam earplugs on the Banded Plug contour to your outer ear canal for a comfortable fit and a decibel reduction of NRR 22db. The plastic headband fits comfortably around the shooters neck or head. The foam plugs are removable and the Banded Plug comes with one set of replacement foam ear plugs.

• Suggested retail value of the HDR Hearing Protector $39.99
• Suggested retail value of the Eclipse Hearing Protector $29.99
• Suggested retail value of the Behind the Head Hearing Protector $29.99
• Suggested retail value of the Banded Plugs $9.99

Please visit www.browning.com for more information about Browning products.

The Flags at the Cemetery

The Center For Vision & Values

Grove City, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Like many Americans, Memorial Day never ceases to move me.

Rivaled only by Christmas and Easter, it’s the most poignant time of the year for me, maybe because, like Christmas and Easter, it’s about life, death, and remembrance.

This Memorial Day, several images stick with me:
Recently, I was sitting at the waiting room at the nearby hospital, alternately reading something and checking email on my BlackBerry, consumed by my own little modern, technological world. Over to my left, I heard an elderly gentleman saying to another elderly gentleman, “Yes, I got there in 1943, ready to deploy to Italy….”

I looked over at the two of them. They were chatting amicably, calmly, quietly, un-ostentatiously. When the one finished a thought about the Italian campaign, the other picked up with his story about boarding a plane for Europe nearly 70 years ago.

The two men sat a few feet apart, two chairs between them. I was struck by how similar they looked. Each was probably late 80s, about 5’9”, 160 pounds, apparent good shape, minds sharp as tacks, wearing trousers on a very hot day, baseball caps, legs crossed, arms bent atop the back of a chair. They looked like farmers, and probably were farmers in their youth before they headed off to World War II. They were mirror images physically, could be mistaken for brothers, but their resemblance was more than that: each possessed a sort of serenity, a peace. You had the sense that if the doctor told them they had just weeks to live, they’d shrug their shoulders and say, “Well, that’s a tough break, Doc. But I can’t complain.”

When the one man was fetched by an attractive young nurse, he got up, smiled, and said to her, “Nice day outside, eh?”

Both had the comportment of the gentleman American farmer, the guys who, when called to duty, did their duty—a long time ago.

Like many of you reading this article, I’ve encountered these men frequently in my life, but increasingly less so. I’m in my mid-40s. I came across them much more often 20 years ago.

I recall another such instance in the early 1990s. I pulled off I-95 in rural Virginia, early in the morning. It was only my fiancé and I—before all the kids we have now. We stopped at a McDonald’s. Sitting there was a group of old men. They were talking about “The Big One,” about “W-W-Two.” One was describing what it was like at the Battle of the Bulge, as the others listened intently.

I wonder about those men at that McDonald’s in Virginia. Are they still alive? Perhaps half of them are, at best.

I’m struggling here to provide a picture of what I regrettably know is a dying breed, a special American that my kids will not encounter in their mid-40s. What a loss that will be. These WWII vets are the essence of Americana. Norman Rockwell would have painted them for the Saturday Evening Post. And they are nearing extinction. Two decades from now, a handful will be left, and they won’t be shooting the breeze in the hospital waiting room or local McDonald’s.

That brings me to another image that sticks with me:
Speaking of Norman Rockwell, I live in a quintessential American small-town: the main street with the flags, trees, barber shops, old movie theatre, churches, and people who know your name. After you cross the railroad tracks to leave town, drive about three miles, you come to a cemetery. Whizzing past that cemetery on Memorial Day literally gives pause. It looks like every second or third tombstone is festooned with a tiny American flag. Could that be possible?

Sure, it could. My town (probably like yours) was founded in the 19th century. From then on, America’s men went to war. From the Civil War to World War I to World War II to Korea to Vietnam, among other conflicts, each generation served and died. Most died years after getting home and starting families with their sweethearts. The flags at the cemetery bear witness.

Sadly, we’re currently amid a period when we’ll observe a palpable increase in the flags at the cemetery, and a corresponding decrease in the gentlemen talking about the war at the hospital or McDonald’s. It’s a process that’s irreversible. There’s nothing we mere mortals can do about it. It’s in God’s hands.

But there is something you can do. When you see these men, talk to them. Don’t miss a golden, fleeting opportunity that your children and grandchildren will not get. Listen to them, enjoy them, and remember them.

— Dr. Paul Kengor is professor of political science at Grove City College, executive director of The Center for Vision & Values, and author of the book, “The Communist: Frank Marshall Davis, The Untold Story of Barack Obama’s Mentor.” His other books include “The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism” and “Dupes: How America’s Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century.”

© 2012 by The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College. The views & opinions expressed herein may, but do not necessarily, reflect the views of Grove City College.

4 Layers of Effective Home Defense

Buckeye Firearms Foundation

Ohio --(Ammoland.com)- If there is anyplace you should feel secure, it’s in your home.

But statistically speaking, your home is the most dangerous place to be simply because you spend so much time there.

There are over 2 million reported home invasions every year, including burglaries, rapes, kidnappings, murders, and hostage situations. In a 10-year period, you face a 1 in 5 chance that your home will be invaded. Over a 20-year period, the odds are about 50/50 that you’ll be the victim of some form of home invasion.

Many people plan for this by purchasing a firearm. Being armed is always a good idea, but a gun isn’t the only answer. And it’s certainly not a “plan.” Preparing for home defense is really about creating layers of deterrence to lower the odds that a bad guy will enter your home. Plus, you need to establish a specific set of actions to take if someone does break in and presents a threat to you or your family.

For the average home owner, here are 4 simple “layers” of defense to consider:

Maintain the appearance of your home.
Burglars and bad guys are generally lazy opportunists. They look for easy targets. So if your home looks run down and your property is unkempt, you’re sending a message that you’re careless and vulnerable.

Mow your lawn and trim your shrubs on a regular basis. Clear debris from your property. Never leave ladders outside, which could be used to gain entry to upper floors or balconies. Clear away loose rocks, bricks, and other small, heavy items that can be used to batter doors or break glass.

Keep your windows shut if you are not home. Get into the habit of locking doors even if you are home. Change the factory code on your garage door opener. If the garage door does not need to be open, then keep it closed. What about your basement windows? Are they reinforced with glass block? Do you have bars over the windows? Ground level windows provide easy points of entry.

Add visual deterrents to the outside of your home.
Even if you keep up with your home’s appearance, a criminal might consider breaking in anyway. So you want to provide some visual cues that make him think twice and, ideally, encourage him to move on.

If you like dogs, get one. A big one. Criminals never want to tangle with a dog. But it’s important to make sure anyone casing your house knows you have a dog. A dog house, a big chain, a water or food dish, or dog warning signs are all great ways to send the message. And they can work even if you don’t actually have a dog. Yes, your neighbors may know the truth, but bad guys often case a house as they drive or walk by and won’t know the difference.

Video surveillance systems also offer strong deterrence. No one wants to get caught on camera. And video systems send a signal that you take security seriously. It can make criminals wander what other surprises you might have waiting for them.

Security service signs are a popular deterrent. Most security companies includes yard signs and window decals as part of their service when you install a new system. Use them. Post signs prominently at key entry points and place decals on first floor windows.

Strengthen all points of entry.
Given enough time and the proper motivation, you can enter a house any number of ways. But criminals will almost always use the obvious entry points: doors and windows.

The reliability of your doors depends on the quality of your home’s construction. It is shocking how poorly build some homes and apartments really are. A door is only as strong as the frame, so if you’re able, check the framing and reinforce it if necessary.

Replace cheap locks with heavy, high-quality deadbolts on all exterior doors. Dead bolts should go as far into the wood frame as possible with 3-inch screws securing the striker plate to the frame. If you have glass panes on your doors or windows right next to doors, use key-operated deadbolts. Locks with knobs on the inside can be unlocked by simply breaking a nearby pane of glass and reaching inside.

For windows, be sure they are all locked. By their very nature, windows are easily broken. So if you have a security system, consider having sensors connected to each window or using glass break detectors.

You can even use landscaping and lighting to strengthen points of entry. For example, install thorny bushes below windows. Remove low branches on trees that can be used to climb to upper floors or reach a skylight. Remove bushes and trees that provide cover or darkness near entry points. Add landscape lighting, motion-activated lights, or flood lights to brighten and expose entry points.

There is nothing you can do to make your house invulnerable. The idea is to do whatever you can to slow down intruders. Bad guys generally want to get in and out fast. The more time you can make them spend gaining entry, the more time there is to detect their presence, notify authorities, or take other action to protect your loved ones.

Create and practice a home defense plan.
Even if you’ve kept up with your home’s appearance, added visual deterrents, and strengthened points of entry, it’s still possible for someone to break in. And when they do, you need to be prepared. You and your family need a plan and must be able to execute that plan without confusion or hesitation.

It is difficult to provide specifics on this point, because your plan depends on your particular situation. You must consider the size and layout of your home, how many other people live with you, the ages and abilities of each member of your household, and so on. However here are a few basic considerations.

• First, it’s wise to have a “safe” room. The relative strength of this room depends on how much money you can spend. It can be nothing more than an extra bedroom that you’ve secured with a heavy door, thick hinges, reinforced frame, and a deadbolt lock. Or it could be a custom “vault” with hardened walls, survival supplies, weapons, and independent systems for power, ventilation, and communication.
• Second, it’s vital to be realistic. Your plan should take into account at least 3 different scenarios: 1) the break-in happens when you’re home, 2) the break-in happens when you’re not home, and 3) the break-in is ongoing when you arrive home.

In each of these scenarios, you must ask yourself vital questions that will affect how you react. Is it day or night? Are you armed? If you aren’t carrying your gun, can you get to if quickly? How many attackers will you face? What other family members are involved and what part do they play? Should you escape or run to your safe room?

• Finally, practice, evaluate, and make improvements. The simpler your plan, and the more scenarios it covers, the better. Run your plan the way you would a fire drill. Get the whole family involved so that everyone knows what to do. For children, this can even be turned into a game to see how fast you can execute your plan. Just as with anything else, only repetition will enable you to execute your plan efficiently when your home is breached.

For more tips on realistic self defense and gun handling, click here to sign up for my free newsletter. As part of your free subscription, you’ll get access to my 6-part video course Reality vs The Matrix Handgun Training.

Brian LaMaster is President of Innovative Tactical Concepts and a nationally-respected expert with more than 25 years of experience in armed and unarmed combatives. Brian teaches a variety of firearms and self defense courses to civilians, military, and law enforcement, including Indiana and Ohio concealed carry (CCW), home defense, and tactical rifle and shotgun. He also provides instruction in unarmed self defense and defensive knife tactics. As a Personal Protection Specialist, Brian has provided security for celebrities such as heavyweight champion boxer James “Buster” Douglas and Dave Canterbury, co-star of the Discovery Channel’s Dual Survival.

About:
Buckeye Firearms Association is a grassroots political action committee dedicated to defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities. Visit: www.buckeyefirearms.org

Chuck Norris

Dallas, TX - -(Ammoland.com)- WTHR, the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis, recently reported about how millions of illegal aliens are getting billions of dollars in U.S. tax refunds without having paid a dime in income taxes.

The story instantly went viral because it’s true. You won’t believe what illegals are getting away with, and our government is enabling them.

Here’s how it works.
Illegal immigrants cannot qualify for legitimate Social Security numbers, which would entitle them to work legally in the U.S. and file income tax returns, but the Internal Revenue Service allows them to apply for nine-digit individual taxpayer identification numbers, or ITINs, which also are used to file federal income tax returns.

In addition, a provision in the tax code permits illegals to claim “additional child tax credits,” which grant families $1,000 per “dependent” child. Roughly three-quarters of tax returns filed by illegals include these ACTCs. With the ITIN, illegals are able to get tax credits and refunds for nephews, nieces and other family members who never have touched U.S. soil.

For example, an illegal immigrant who makes $13,000 a year not only pays no taxes but also can receive a refund of $5,000 by simply filling in five ACTCs. One illegal used a fake address and said four illegal aliens lived there with 20 relatives as dependents, for a grand total tax refund of $29,000!

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, in the 2010 tax year alone, more than 3 million returns were filed with ITINs. About 2.3 million of them paid no federal income taxes and also collected a cumulative $4 billion from the Treasury in tax refunds for claiming ACTCs.

FactCheck.org confirmed: “The (Treasury Department’s inspector general’s) report stated that more than 2.3 million persons who did not have Social Security numbers valid for working in the U.S. got an average of roughly $1,800 each in 2010 in child tax credit refunds. That included 9,000 illegal immigrants who each got a total of $10,000 or more by retroactively claiming credits for tax years prior to 2010.”

A tax consultant snitched to WTHR News: “We’ve seen 10 (or) 12 dependents, most times nieces and nephews, on these tax returns. The more you put on there the more you get back. … Here’s a return right here: ‘We’ve got a $10,300 refund (for) nine nieces and nephews.’”

And if you think this is a relatively new IRS scam, consider the report for the Center for Immigration Studies prepared by Peter A. Schulkin, who holds a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University and has taught at several universities. It was a follow-up to a November 2010 memorandum titled “Child Tax Credits for Illegal Immigrants.”

In it, Schulkin “highlights new information contained in a report of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) dated July 7, 2011, (titled) ‘Individuals Who Are Not Authorized to Work in the United States Were Paid $4.2 Billion in Refundable Credits.’ The $4.2 billion is entirely the product of the Additional Child

Furthermore, Schulkin reported: “The July 7, 2011, TIGTA report echoes the message contained in the earlier March 31, 2009, TIGTA report in the statement: ‘Although the law prohibits aliens residing without authorization in the United States from receiving most Federal public benefits, an increasing number of these individuals are filing tax returns claiming the Additional Child Tax Credit … a refundable tax credit intended for working families. The payment of Federal funds through this tax benefit appears to provide an additional incentive for aliens to enter, reside, and work in the United States without authorization, which contradicts Federal law and policy to remove such incentives.’”

In fact, Schulkin’s memorandum reports a long history of IRS abuses of ACTCs by illegal immigrants — at least seven years.

FactCheck.org confirmed, “By 2005, the recent IG report said, 796,000 persons without valid Social Security numbers claimed refundable child credits totaling $924 million, and in 2008, these claims had risen to 1,526,276 persons claiming $2.1 billion in refunds.”

CNSNews.com reported that IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman was asked in April about what his agency is doing to collect taxes from illegal immigrants. He replied: “It’s a great question. And one of the pathways to citizenship that people believe is a good one is — even if you’re not in this country legally — to pay taxes.”

CNSNews.com additionally noted how, in 2006, Deputy Commissioner of Social Security James Lockhart said that in the year 2003 alone, 8.8 million W-2 forms had been filed on which the Social Security number and name did not match and the W-2 could not be attributed to a known taxpayer. The Social Security Administration pointed to the reason for both as “unauthorized work” being done by illegal aliens.

The words that continue to echo through my head are President Barack Obama’s chastising comment about the wealthy: We all must “pay our fair share” of taxes.

Illegal immigrants’ IRS abuses and theft of hardworking taxpayers’ money will not cease until Congress acts. In 2011, H.R. 1956 was proposed “to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require individuals to provide their Social Security number in order to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit.” But the legislation has had only one hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee.

Why? According to FactCheck.org, “leading Democrats are resisting a bill that would stop future payments“!

Please call your representative today and say Congress needs to act immediately to stop this pilfering of the U.S. Treasury by illegal immigrants.

We all must “pay our fair share” of taxes?

And so Rome continues to burn.

COPYRIGHT 2011 CHUCK NORRIS

About Chuck Norris:Action hero and Second Amendment activist, Chuck Norris is one of the most enduringly popular actors in the world. He has starred in more than 20 major motion pictures. His television series “Walker, Texas Ranger,” which completed its run in April 2001 after eight full seasons, is the most successful Saturday night series on CBS since “Gunsmoke.”In 2006, he added the title of columnist to his illustrious list of credits with the launch of his popular Internet column. Now Chuck is a regular contributor to AmmoLand, click the following link to See more of Chuck Norris on AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.

Gear Patriot

United States --(Ammoland.com)- This list (in no particular order) was originally compiled and published by the team over at Gear Patriot and is being republished here with their permission. Its certainly not the end-all, be-all of all the great firearms people on Twitter, but it is certainly a great resource. The list is made up of various bloggers, industry execs, firearms/gear companies, and other movers and shakers who are actively engaging the Twitter Net on a daily basis. Enjoy!

1. ITS Tactical@ITStactical – ITS Tactical is dedicated to showcasing the everyday gear and DIY projects that can help you live better on the tactical side of life. In a very short time they have built up one of the largest online networks for gun, gear and survival buffs across Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and their awesome website. If you haven’t visited ITStactical.com recently, then you are missing out.
2. Julie Goloski Golob @julieG1 – This is the official twitter profile of Julie Goloski Golob. Julie describers herself as, “World & national shooting champion, author of SHOOT, veteran, foodie, wife & proud mom with a passion for hunting, photography & the outdoors.” Julie is an active tweeter who always shares fun and informative information.
3. Dustin Ellermann@TopShotDustin – Dustin Ellermann was the Top Shot season 3 Champion and is an active tweeter about guns, parenting and life in general. His tweets are fun and let you connect with the real person behind the tweets. Check him out…
4. Epic Tactical – @EpicTactical – These guys are having a lot of fun as one of the most active tweeters in the tactical guns and gear community. They offer lots of great firearm reviews and gun talk via both Twitter and their popular website EpicTactical.com.
5. F3 Tactical – @F3Tactical – These guys are pretty new on Twitter but so far they look like they are going to build a strong reputation for themselves here. Based on their profile, they are a tactical gear shop dedicated to providing quality kit to public safety professionals, military, security and responsible, armed citizens.
6. Guns & Ammo – @GunsAndAmmoMag – This is the official twitter profile for the popular magazine and website. Guns & Ammo is one of our favorite website for their combination of gun reviews and interesting entertaining news and commentaries for gun lovers.
7. USA Carry – @USACarry – USA Carry is a great resource for gun information related to Concealed Carry, Permit Info, Reciprocity Maps, Firearm Forums, Instructor Lists. They also have frequent Free Giveaways that make them a favorite among the shooting community on Twitter.
8. The Ready Nation – @TheReadyNation – With over 16,000 followers, Jeff Davis is one of the most popular survival tweeters on Twitter. The Ready Nation shares information from across the web on topics such as Food Storage, Emergency Preparedness, MRE’s, Freeze Dried Food, Water Storage, Dehydrated Food, Expert Survival tips.
9. Rebecca Hauptman ‏ @RebeccaGuns – Guns mostly, with a side of DIY and a sprinkling of awesomeness.
10. Stephanie Hayden ‏ @StephanieRJF – Mother of 2 with a kick @ss hubby and amazing job, oh yea and Im that chick on that show #sonsofguns
11. NRA ‏ @NRA – National Rifle Association of America
12. Col Cooper’s Ghost ‏ @ColCoopersGhost - It’s just FOUR RULES! How hard could it be?
13. GunNoob ‏ @GunNoob – Gun Noob is a resource for the beginner to intermediate shooter. If you want to learn about firearms, give us a look.
14. Andrew Tuohy ‏ @VuurwapenBlog – I run VuurwapenBlog, which is a fact-based firearm and gear resource. I also work in the firearm industry.
15. FourGuysGuns ‏ @FourGuysGuns – Gun tips, advice and reviews for n00bs. Because you shouldn’t have to dress in Real Tree to appreciate Firearms and not be judged. America Wins.
16. That Texas Lady ‏ @ThatTexasLady – Gun Blogger and normal, everyday Texas girl.
17. Team Gun Blogger ‏ @TeamGunBlogger – Team Gun Blogger aims to help introduce new gun owners to the benefits of daily carry, competitive practical shooting, firearms training, and practice shooting.
18. Chuck Johnson ‏ @gunexpert – Former officer, antique gun collector, avid hunter, family man.
19. Michelle Viscusi ‏@MichelleViscusi – ”Im a badass independent woman.” Errr… wait thats not me
20. Paige Wyatt ‏ @Paigeewyatt – Make sure to watch American Guns on Discovery Channel! EverythingWyatt.com
21. Kurt Wyatt ‏ @kurtneilwyatt – i love my job almost as much as i love my fans.
22. Packing Pretty ‏ @packingpretty – Assistant Director of CRPC firearms training dept, NRA instructor, action pistol competitor, martial artist, animal lover, writer, cook, wife
23. Bruce F ‏ @Mousegunner – A blog about mouse guns and shooting gear. We cover a wide range of topics.
24. AllAK47 ‏ @AllAK47 – We want to be your primary resource for anything AK-47 or Kalashnikov related. Check us out on AllAK47.com
25. AR15.COM ‏ @AR15COM – The definitive AR15 forum on The Internet
26. Monderno ‏ @Monderno – Guns, gear, knives, survival. Tweets by Brandon.
27. GLOCK Inc. ‏ @GLOCKInc – Official Glock Twitter account
28. Randi Rogers ‏ @RandiMRogers - Pro Shooter
29. GearScout ‏ @GearScout – Gear news, about, you’ll see it on the Military Times GearScout.
30. Women’s Outdoor News ‏ @TeamWON – The Women’s Outdoor News features news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors.
31. Gun Politics Blog ‏ @GunPoliticsBlog – Gun Blog
32. Gears Of Guns ‏ @Gearsofguns – We are here to talk about firearms only. Please leave your political views at the door.
33. Glenn fleming ‏ @flemgunner – Welder for red jacket firearms and one of the guys on sons of guns
34. Charlie Watson ‏ @CWSonsofGuns – from Red Jacket Firearms. Appearing on Sons of Guns
35. Allen Forkner ‏ @GrumpyGunner – I’m the PR dude for several shooting and outdoor sporting goods companies. I get paid to talk about my favorite things in the world. Living the dream kids…
36. SHOT Show Media Day ‏ @SHOTSh_MediaDay – Follow me, Kelsey Williams, to get the latest updates on SHOT Show Media Day at the Range 2013 taking place on January 14,2013
37. Outdoor Life ‏ @outdoorlife – Outdoor Life magazine, your source for hunting and fishing adventure!
38. Shooting Times ‏ @ShootingTimesUS – Official Twitter for Shooting Times™ magazine.
39. Nick Leghorn ‏ @NickLeghorn – Staff Writer for the firearms blog The Truth About Guns focusing on long range rifle and competition shooting.
40. The Sportsmans Guide ‏ @sportsmansguide – Official Twitter Account
41. Caleb Giddings ‏ @radicaleb – Pro Shooter and former ‘TOP SHOT’ contestant.
42. Regis Giles ‏@RegisGiles – Creator/Owner of Girls Just Wanna Have Guns.com, NRA columnist, self-defense activist, hunter and conservationist.
43. Tactical Life.com ‏ @TacticalLife1 – Guns & Weapons for L.E., Special Weapons for M&P, Combat Handguns, Tactical Weapons, Tactical Knives, Guns of the Old West, Pocket Pistols, Black Guns…& more
44. Jerking the Trigger ‏ @jerkthetrigger – Tactical gear news and reviews for the regular guys.
45. SHOT Business ‏ @SHOTBusiness – SHOT Business is the modern magazine of the shooting sports industry. It is the official publication of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
46. Second Amendment Foundation (SAF)@2AFDN – Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is a non-profit working to protect 2nd Amendment gun owner rights. MOLON LABE!
47. Dan Hall ‏ @danmhall – Founder / CEO, GunUp.com | Passionate about using technology to add value and create efficiency within organizations.
48. glam gun girl ‏ @GlamGunGirl – A mom, a wife, a cook, a shooter, a Bible teacher and a shark tooth hunter.
49. Savannah ‏ @SavannieOakley – Dancer, shooter (usually not at the same time), and writer with an interest in all things tactical and elegant.
50. The ZSA Team ‏@ZOMBIESHOOTERS – ZSA is a new fast paced shooting sport that provides safe, competitive, firearms fun. So many Zombies, so little time. Raleigh NC
51. Kristen Williams ‏@TheGunChick – I heart handguns. Graduate of Gunsite Academy’s 250 and 350 classes. I’m also @TheGolfChick. Aiming for pars, birdies & bad guys.
52. Charlie Pratt ‏ @charliepratt – I work at @bold. I co-founded @gunway. I love@katieshootsit. I like to make things, and make things go.
53. Yankee Gun Nut ‏ @YankeeGunNut – Sporadic fire from a couple of big bores. We’re a couple of gun nuts behind the lines in Connecticut, bloviating about topics that interest us.
54. Shannon Salyer ‏ @SMSalyer – I do PR & marketing for the hunting & shooting industry. Dressage rider & beer snob when I’m not working!
55. Rooster ‏ @FillYerHands – Just a normal guy who likes shooting. USPSA, GSSF, NRA life member, GeorgiaCarry.org. GA Tech grad and engineer. I will question you on your BS, left or right.
56. Haus of Guns ‏@HausofGuns – Practical Gun & Gear reviews, advice, safety and tips for the Average Joe Shoote
57. Gunway ‏ @gunway – A place to share your firearms & outdoor life with others.
58. Gun Blog ‏ @gunblognews – Gun Blog and Gun News
59. RomeoTangoBravo ‏ @RomeoTangoBravo – Stay current on the ever changing landscape of firearms related issues, products, and events.
60. Shelley Rae ‏ @ShelleyShooting – Writer & Social Media Consultant for the firearms industry.
61. Heidi – Lucky Gunner ‏ @LuckyGunner – Fanatical about selling cheap ammo & providing stellar customer support. We only display what we’ve got in-stock & we ship FAST.
62. LauraBurgess ‏ @LauraBurgess – Public Relations Firm for law enforcement/military/shooting sports/fishing/boating/outdoors
63. Tom Gresham ‏ @Guntalk – Host of Gun Talk Radio, Gun Talk TV, Guns & Gear. Talk about guns and sometimes airplanes! When seconds count, the police are only minutes away!
64. Weapon Blog ‏ @WeaponBlog – The official Twitter page for the Weapon Blog.
65. Shooting Illustrated ‏ @ShootingIllustr – The Internet’s Definitive Source for the Modern Shooter. Gun Guides, Videos and Articles on Firearms.
66. GunUp ‏ @GunUp – The Leading Gun Blog Network. Gun Pricing, Product Info, News, Articles and More! Vet owned. #2A #SOT
67. AmmoLand ‏ @AmmoLand – AmmoLand.com – Shooting Sports News Service for the Ammunition, Firearms, Shooting, Hunting and Conservation communities.
68. NRAblog.com ‏ @NRAblog – The Official Blog of the NRA’s training, competitions and National Firearms Museum. www.NRAblog.com
69. Gun Nuts Media ‏ @gunnutsmedia – Gun Nuts Media: the leading online provider for information on the guns and gear of the action shooting sports!
70. Chris / Alicia Irwin@GunStoreChris – Business Man (Autodidact) Innovator w the hardest working wife by his side, Husband, Dad, Firearm Cognoscente: celebrities, athletes & everyday people @Gunstore
71. The Gun Store@Gunstore – Try One!
72. Panteao Productions@PanteaoVideos – Panteao Productions produces instructional videos taught by the top instructors in the firearms and tactical community.
73. Ladies-Shooting ‏ @LadiesShooting – Fabulous shooting & lifestyle website, just for the girls. *LAUNCHED 1.08.11* New content every other day. Contributers always welcome. Home of the S&CBC.
74. ArmedDiva ‏ @ArmedDiva – the Armed Diva Community. Stop by and join us on Facebook.com/ArmedDiva and follow my blog ArmedDivanista.com & ArmedDiva.biz for the Armed DIVApreneur!
75. SC Gun Goddess ‏ @scgungoddess – Hard Core GLOCK Girl!,SLED CWP Instructor, NRA Basic Pistol Instructor, NRA Range Safety Officer & Glock Armorer & Glock Instructor
76. Robert Farago ‏ @guntruth – The Truth About Guns explores the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns.
77. SHOT Show ‏ @nssfshotshow – The official Twitter home of NSSF’s SHOT Show.
78. WomenGunOwners ‏ @WomenGunOwners – Proud American born in Texas. Texas State HQ Director for Americac2c, #tcot, love smooth jazz, hunting, & great people. God Bless America!
79. Shooting Divas ‏ @shootingdivas – Shooting Divas believes that women should not fear having a sense of security by caring a firearm.
80. G G ‏@girlsloveguns – I’m a fledgling gun-lover : D who writes about her experiences transitioning from a girl afraid of guns to a girl in love with guns.
81. YouCanCarry ‏ @YouCanCarry – Providing information about firearms and concealed carry around the United States. Follow us on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/yjpsraa
82. BugOutBlog.com ‏ @bugoutblog – Making survival a practical matter.
83. Armed American ‏ @USP_Compact – I’m a proud responsibly armed 1st generation American Citizen. Became a Citizen of these United States in 2010, and forever humble to be welcomed here.
84. TheHomeDefender ‏@TheHomeDefender – An extension of my youtube and facebook pages. Sometimes I have opinions or events that don’t warrant a video. I’m a husband and father and will defend my home.
85. Robert Leatham ‏ @RobLeatham – Champion Action Shooter, World-Class Firearms Instructor, 6-Time IPSC World Champion, 24-Time USPSA National Champion, 16-Time Single Stack / USPSA Champion
86. Dmitri ‏ @TheFPShow – Professional Russian.
87. Nutnfancy ‏ @Nutnfancy – Tactical Gear Reviewer. Nutnfancy, The Nutnfancy Project, TNP, NutnfancyGear, Concepts of Freedom and Gear
88. Tactical Daily Deals ‏ @TacticalDeals – Find the best deals on brand name tactical, military and outdoor gear with 50%-90% discounts on our site.
89. Girl’s Guide to Guns@GirlsGuide2Guns – We heart fun, fashion, beauty and most of all, firearms. Tweets by @natalietweets & @shackels.
90. Packing In Pink@PackinginPink – Women’s PINK shooting accessories and apparel (which come in a variety of colours)
91. Armed Candy@ArmedCandy1 – Representing women learning and loving guns (& welcoming the men who love us too).
92. Rachel Ilana@Shira324 – armed and fabulous
93. Survival Spot@Survivalspot – The Practice & Philosophy of Survival
94. Off Grid Survival@offgridsurvival – Urban & Wilderness Survival • Survival Skills • Hiking, Backpacking & Gear • Prepping & Preparedness • Bushcraft, Knives, Self Defense, Hunting & Firearms
95. MichaelBane@MichaelBane – Shooter, Writer, and TV Personality
96. Sheriff Jim Wilson@sheriffjim- Cowboy, Western Entertainer, Senior field Editor, NRA Publications
97. Balloon Goes Up@BalloonGoesUp – We do not get to pick when the balloon goes up, only how well prepared we are to respond to it.
98. Massad Ayoob@MassadAyoob – Shooter, Writer, and TV Personality
99. TheSurvivalMom@TheSurvivalMom – Survival and preparedness with style! Author, blogger, speaker, and trainer.
100. Survival Cache@SurvivalCache – The Gear Site for Survivalists
101. Tactical Gear@TacticalGearMag – Tactical Gear Magazine serves law enforcement, military and personal defense readers.

Did they miss anybody? Who would you add to the list?

Thanks once again to Gear Patriot for all their hard work on this… Oh, and don’t forget to follow @GearPatriot on Twitter as well.

About:
Eric at the Gunmart Blog – Eric is a gun blogger, firearms enthusiast, and sorry excuse for a hunter. He is also an AmmoLand Shooting Sports News Columnist. Leave him some comments on this article before you go. You can also follow Eric on Facebook, Twitter and at his blog, Gunmart. Visit: GunmartBlog.com

CCRKBA.org

BELLEVUE, WA – -(Ammoland.com)- Wayne County, MI employee John Chevilott should be honored, not fired for turning over a loaded gun to the police that he found while on the job, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.

“This man was fired by the Wayne County Department of Public Services for doing the right thing,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. “We are stunned that this situation has continued for two weeks. Wayne County officials need to correct this nonsense.”

Chevilott found the gun while he was mowing the grass in the Brightmoor neighborhood, according to published reports. He picked up the gun, which had been damaged by a lawnmower and held it hoping to turn it over to the police, after he called to report the discovery. When police didn’t respond, he kept the gun and drove it to a police station after his shift. The gun turned out to have been stolen in 2005.

“The police reportedly commended Chevilott,” Gottlieb noted, “but his bosses fired him for ‘violating policy.’ Since when is it policy in Wayne County, or anywhere else, to simply leave a loaded gun lying around where it might be picked up by a child? Are morons in charge in Wayne County?”

In addition to firing Chevilott, the county also suspended his supervisor for 30 days. The local labor union has filed a grievance on Chevilott’s behalf.

“The policy Chevilott violated forbids employees from having weapons while on the job,” Gottlieb observed, “but that’s aimed at the carrying of personal weapons, not picking up loose guns found on the job and turning them over to police. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the difference, and for Mr. Chevilott’s bosses to take such an inflexible position suggests it is bullheaded stubbornness, and nothing else, that is guiding their decision.

“Mr. Chevilott should be immediately reinstated with full back pay,” Gottlieb said. “He clearly exercised responsibility by taking that gun off the street. What he did demonstrates far more civic leadership than his bosses at Wayne County.”

With more than 650,000 members and supporters nationwide, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is one of the nation’s premier gun rights organizations. As a non-profit organization, the Citizens Committee is dedicated to preserving firearms freedoms through active lobbying of elected officials and facilitating grass-roots organization of gun rights activists in local communities throughout the United States. The Citizens Committee can be reached by phone at (425) 454-4911, on the Internet at www.ccrkba.org or by email to InformationRequest@ccrkba.org.

Buying Your First Machine Gun, Silencer or Short Barreled Rifle

AmmoLand Gun News

USA --(Ammoland.com)- Did you know that as a civilian, depending on the county and state where you live, you can legally own a machinegun or suppressor?

Perhaps you do know this but you don’t know the process. To those who are committed to NFA firearm ownership, the process is not as daunting as some might think. All that is required is a good deal of money and patience.

Your first question might be what is NFA?
NFA is the National Firearms Act which put restrictions on civilian ownership of machine guns, short-barreled rifles, and suppressors. The law originally went into effect in 1934 and was revised in 1968. To own a firearm defined by NFA, a civilian must apply for the right to own the firearm through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and pay $200 for a tax stamp which will allow the firearm to be transferred from one owner to another.

There is an upside and downside to having the ability to own a machine gun or suppressor as a civilian. The upside is you have the ability as a citizen to own a machine gun or suppressor. The downside is you will have to fork over a HUGE amount of money to buy the MP5 like the one Bruce Willis uses to kill the terrorists in Die Hard.

Also, you are going to have to settle for something that was manufactured prior to May 19, 1986 (short-barreled rifles and suppressors excluded).

Additionally, you will need to check local laws to learn if you can legally own a NFA item in your area, pay the ATF the $200 transfer tax, fill out paperwork, have a local chief law enforcement officer sign off on the idea of you owning an NFA item, submit fingerprints and passport photos, and sit and wait for up to six months for the ATF to process the paperwork. Tap, tap, tap.

Or, you can simplify the process and assign your NFA firearms and suppressors to a living trust. This will allow you to skip the hassles of getting local law enforcement approval and fingerprints. See guntrustlawyer.com for details about creating a trust.

Another benefit of having a trust is you will have the ability to assign trustees who can use, possess, and transport your NFA goods. Depending on your state, you may also have the ability to conceal carry your machine pistol with a CCW permit. Check your local laws for details.

To create your gun trust you will need to work with a lawyer. Don’t try to do this with some at-home software like Quicken. It is important you use someone who knows the law well. When I had my trust created, I hired the Gun Trust Lawyer David Goldman. I suggest you use him or someone equally knowledgeable. Having a lawyer will give you a resource every time you have a question. And trust me; you will have questions along the way.

Steve Hall is a gun enthusiast and freelance author for PX Supply and contributor to the blog saltnprepper. He bought his first assault rifle when he was 18 years old and hasn’t stopped since. Steve is also the proud owner of six NFA firearms.

Gun Rights Policies with John Snyder

Arlington, VA - The year of decision comes to a head with the November elections and voters will have to decide, do they want big government, higher taxes and less freedom or the USA that the founding fathers imagined when they penned the Bill of Rights.

The choice should be easy, but it is one each of us must make this November 2012.

About John Snyder:
Named the Gun Dean by Human Events, “the senior rights activist in Washington” by Shotgun News, a “champion of the right to self-defense” by The Washington Times, and “dean of gun lobbyists” by The Washington Post and The New York Times, John M. Snyder has spent 45 years as a proponent of the individual Second Amendment civil right to keep and bear arms as a National Rifle Association editor, public affairs director of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, treasurer of the Second Amendment Foundation, and founder of www.GunRightsPolicies.org.

A former Jesuit seminarian, Snyder is founder/manager of Telum Associates, LL.C., founder/chairman of the St. Gabriel Possenti Society, Inc., a director of Council for America, and serves on the boards of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and the American Federation of Police & Concerned Citizens. He is also the author of the book Gun Saint. Visit: www.GunRightsPolicies.org

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- California Senate Bill 1221, a bill that will ban the use of hounds to hunt black bears and bobcats, passed the state’s Senate today.

The passage of SB 1221 by the senate casts a dark cloud over the future of all hunting and wildlife management in California. Senate Bill 1221 passed with a vote of 22 to 15 in favor.

The bill, which is sponsored by the radical animal rights group Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), triggered a strong outpouring of opposition from California sportsmen and women, plus sportsmen’s organizations, in the state and nationwide.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) denounced this retaliatory wildlife management bill that was created when HSUS could not have a state game commissioner removed for his legal mountain lion hunt. As the bill moved forward from introduction and through the hearing process, hundreds of opponents wearing orange “NO on SB 1221” buttons also packed the corridors of the capital to let their Senators know they opposed this anti-hunting bill.

“The California Senate today chose retribution and revenge over sound science-based wildlife management,” explained Evan Heusinkveld, USSA’s director of state services. “Despite having a Fish and Game Commission explicitly designed to handle these questions free from the politics of the statehouse, the California Senate voted in favor of a hunting ban.”

USSA has been working with the Masters of Foxhounds Association, California Houndsmen for Conservation and the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance to defeat SB 1221.

Fast Facts on SB 1221

• The bill would outlaw the use of hounds to hunt bears and bobcats.
• Hunting bears and bobcats with hounds has been legal since the state formally organized a game commission and established game management and hunting laws.
• Hounds are actually used in wildlife management practices and projects.
• Hunters using hounds to pursue bears actually take fewer bears than is recommended by the state’s game department.
• This bill is being pushed by the radical animal rights group —the Humane Society of the United States— the same group that has pushed anti-farming and puppy mill bills in California in the past.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

NRA - ILA

Charlotte, NC --(Ammoland.com)- As we reported last November, the ongoing effort to fully vindicate the fundamental, individual right to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense took a major step forward with House passage of H.R. 822, the “National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011.”

The bill, sponsored by Reps. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), has 245 cosponsors and was approved in the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 272-154.

After passage in the House, the bill was sent to the Senate, where it remains.  Since November, the Senate has failed to take any significant action on the bill.

Recently, the Attorneys General of 22 states and the territory of Guam wrote a letter of support for H.R. 822 to Reps. Stearns and Shuler, stating in part, “While some have suggested this legislation would endanger public safety, our experience suggests the opposite.  Individuals with concealed carry permits from our states have proven to be more law-abiding than non-licensees, and in many instances have been able to defend themselves and others effectively from criminal attack.  Many of our states also have laws recognizing out-of-state permits, and people carrying concealed handguns under those laws have done so without any unusual problems.”

The Attorneys General also urged the Senate to take action on the bill.

H.R. 822 would allow any person with a valid state-issued concealed firearm permit to carry a concealed firearm in any state that issues concealed firearm permits, or that does not prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms for lawful purposes. A state’s laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within its borders. The bill applies to D.C., Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. It would not create a federal licensing system; rather, it would require the states to recognize each others’ carry permits, just as they recognize drivers’ licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards.  Rep. Stearns has introduced such legislation since 1995.

To read the letter in full, please click here.

About:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org

NRA - ILA

Charlotte, NC --(Ammoland.com)- On May 11, the Bureau of Land Management announced that it was abandoning the effort to ban recreational shooting on the Sonoran Desert National Monument in Arizona.

BLM released a new proposed management plan that protects “monument objects and values” through best management practices, but does not close the monument to shooters.

This announcement is a major victory for gun owners, as it reversed BLM’s intent to close the half million-acre SDNM to recreational shooting.  The original SDNM plan mirrored BLM’s decision last year to drive shooters out of the Ironwood Forest National Monument, also in Arizona.

BLM’s announcement came as a formal statement to the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, a federal advisory council that reports to the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture on matters relating to hunting and recreational shooting.

The abrupt reversal by the BLM came shortly after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. R. 4089, “The Sportsmen’s Heritage Act.” One of the major provisions of that legislation requires congressional approval for any recreational shooting restrictions proposed on BLM-managed national monuments. The bill further directs the BLM to manage national monument land in a manner that supports, promotes, and enhances recreational shooting opportunities.

The BLM’s reversal is likely to be used by opponents of H. R. 4089 in their efforts to stop passage of the bill in the Senate.  Rest assured NRA will continue its efforts to win passage of this vital legislation. H. R. 4089 is needed to reverse BLM actions already taken to ban recreational shooting elsewhere–in 2010, the BLM closed 400,000 acres of publicly-owned, national monument lands in three states–and to prevent BLM from taking future action to ban recreational shooting in the monuments it manages.

About:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org

Illinois State Rifle Association

Illinois --(Ammoland.com)- BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and the Illinois State Police are teaming up to pass legislation to destroy your right to privacy and your gun rights in exchange for federal grant money.

HOW THEY PLAN TO DO IT: Representative Cynthia Soto – an ardent Chicago Gun Grabber – recently used parliamentary procedure to hijack an anti-drug bill (SB1034) and turn it into one of the most dangerous anti-gun bills ever put before the Illinois General Assembly.

It has been determined that Rep. Soto is just a minor player in this effort and that ERIC HOLDER and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are behind this assault on your rights. The DOJ has promised the Illinois State Police that they will get millions of dollars in federal grants if this legislation is passed. Holder feels that, if he waves a few dollars under the noses of the Illinois State Police, then they’ll sell legal gun owners down the river.

OUR MESSAGE TO ERIC HOLDER AND THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE: “Sorry folks. . . our freedom isn’t for sale!”

WHAT PASSAGE OF SB1034 WOULD MEAN:

1. You would be forced to disclose your Social Security Number to the Illinois State Police when you apply for a FOID card. Disclosing your Social Security Number to the State Police would give them unlimited access to your personal information to include your credit records, your tax returns, your payroll information and even whether you owe overdue fines at the local library. There is no reason for the State Police to have your Social Security Number except to find a way to take your guns away.
2. SB1034 would pretty much eliminate the reinstatement process for FOID holders who had their cards revoked for whatever reason. Thus, thousands of persons not prohibited under federal law from owning firearms would be denied their rights by the Illinois State Police with little hope of successful appeal.
3. In a deliberate attempt to thin the ranks of lawful gun owners, SB1034 greatly broadens the definition of “domestic violence” situations that would lead to your guns being confiscated. For example, if you and your brother get in a shoving match over the outcome of a Bears game, then you both lose your gun rights PERMANENTLY. If you discipline your children in a manner that some busybody doesn’t like, you lose your gun rights FOREVER. This provision of SB1034 falls into the bucket of “any excuse to take guns away.”
4. SB1034 would impose A MINIMUM 60-DAY WAITING PERIOD ON FIREARMS AND AMMO PURCHASES for new residents of the state. There is no other purpose for this provision other than to encourage gun owners to leave their guns behind before moving into Illinois.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO SAVE YOUR GUN RIGHTS:

1. Contact your State Representative and State Senator and politely tell the person who answers the phone that you are a law-abiding firearm owner who opposes SB1034 and that you expect your State Representative and State Senator to vote AGAINST SB1034. Remind the person that this is an election year and that you will not vote for your rep or senator if they vote for SB1034. If you do not know who your State Representative or State Senator is, then click this link to go to the Illinois Board of Elections: http://www.elections.state.il.us/DistrictLocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByAddress.aspx .
2. Please circulate this alert to all your gun-owning friends and ask them to contact their elected officials as well.
3. Please post this alert to any and all internet blogs, bulletin boards, and social networking websites to which you may belong.
4. Please make a generous donation to the ISRA by going to: http://isra.org/fight_4_your_rights/

REMEMBER – GUN CONTROL IS A DISEASE AND YOU’RE THE CURE!

About:
The ISRA is the state’s leading advocate of safe, lawful and responsible firearms ownership. Since 1903, the ISRA has represented the interests of over 1.5 million law-abiding Illinois firearm owners Visit: www.isra.org

Steyr Arms High-Capacity C9-A1 Handgun

Steyr Arms

TRUSSVILLE, Alabama --(Ammoland.com)- Steyr Arms has announced an across-the-board price reduction on its lineup of popular pistols for a limited time.

All M-A1, S-A1 and C9-A1 handguns will carry an MSRP of $560, offering an $89 savings for consumers.

All three Steyr pistol models are functionally identical, with variations in barrel lengths, grips and capacities. The M-A1 is the full-size pistol with a 4-inch cold-hammer-forged barrel, a full-length grip and high-capacity box magazine, while the S-A1 is the compact pistol with a 3.6-inch barrel, shortened grip and a 10-round magazine. Both handguns are available chambered in either 9x19mm Luger or .40 S&W. Available only in 9mm, the C9-A1 features a 3.6-inch barrel, a full-length grip with a high-capacity magazine. All barrels are cold-hammer forged with conventional rifling, and chambers are fully supported.

Steyr pistols feature innovative polymer frames that offer unparalleled ergonomics with a high grip and low barrel axis that mitigates muzzle rise, as well as a perfect grip angle for a very natural point of aim. The frames include Picatinny rails for easy mounting of illumination and laser-aiming devices. The integrated trigger safety on the Steyr pistols offers a Reset Action Systemtrigger that requires positive finger pressure to operate the double-action-only design. This recently redesigned trigger mechanism provides an exceptionally smooth trigger pull and a clean, consistent break.

Steyr pistols are highly regarded for their comfortable ergonomics, low bore axis, remarkable safety features, intuitive sighting system, amazing accuracy and extreme reliability. And now, they are available to American shooters at an even better price.

Established in 1864 in Steyr, Austria, Steyr Arms is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious firearms manufacturers. Steyr’s comprehensive lines of premium hunting rifles, precision sporting and tactical rifles, and striker-fired handguns are technically mature, and their subtle elegance also communicates the harmony between appearance and substance. Steyr’s legendary SBS actions and cold-hammer-forged barrels are distinctive and unparalleled. Steyr Arms is also the U.S. importer for Merkel firearms and Anschutz precision rimfire sporting rifles. For more information, contact Steyr Arms at 7661 Commerce Lane, Trussville, AL 35173; call (205) 655-8299; or visit www.steyrarms.com.

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- The National Shooting Sports Foundation is offering schools the opportunity to receive –free of charge-- educational videos about firearm safety and wildlife conservation.

The firearm safety videos help teach students how to react when encountering a firearm in an unsupervised situation. The conservation titles educate students on how wildlife and wild lands are protected, and how hunters support this effort with contributions amounting to more than $1 billion annually.

NSSF believes all teachers and their students, whether in public, private or home schools, can benefit from the important messages in the videos, which are contained on two DVDs. Both the Firearm Safety DVD and Conservation DVD can be ordered online. The three separate videos contained on each DVD can be previewed online as well.

The Firearm Safety DVD offers these three videos–“McGruff the Crime Dog on Gun Safety” for students in kindergarten through grade 6, “It’s Your Call: Playing It Safe Around Guns” for students in grades 6 through 9 and “Firearms Safety Depends on You,” which covers the ten commandments of gun safety and is for audiences of all ages. The first two titles help teach students how to respond if should they encounter a firearm in an unsupervised situation at school, at home or at a friend’s home.

The Conservation DVD contains “Wildlife for Tomorrow” which is designed for students in grades 4 through 7, and two other videos, “The Unendangered Species” and “What They Say About Hunting,” which are for students in grades 7 through 12. “Wildlife for Tomorrow” and “The Unendangered Species” tell the story of how game animals such as the wild turkey, white-tailed deer and Rocky Mountain elk were once endangered and have been restored to abundance. “What They Say About Hunting” takes a close look at hunting and its relevance today through a pro-and-con debate.

Teachers in more than 100,000 schools nationwide have shown these videos to students in their classrooms and praised them for handling the topics with sensitivity.

Order or preview the free videos online at http://www.nssf.org/education/video.cfm.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 7,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

New Hampshire Firearms Coalition

Milford, NH --(Ammoland.com)- Recently, Governor Lynch nominated James Bassett to the NH Supreme Court.

You probably already know how important the Supreme Court is to many issues in the state.

What you may not know, however, is how critical the makeup of the Supreme Court will shortly be to firearms owners here in New Hampshire.

Just within the last few years, the Supreme Court has severely undermined two important firearms rights laws, Range Protection and our carry license law.

You see, in a couple of cases in the last few years, the Supreme Court’s misinterpretation the “suitable person” language in our carry license law had opened the door for police chiefs to deny pistol licenses to law abiding applicants.

And that is not all, another misinterpretation by the Supreme Court, this time of NH’s Range Protection law, seriously hurt NH firearms owners.

You see, not very long after the Range Protection law was passed in 2004, the Supreme Court gutted one key provision that would have protected ranges from being required to comply with new onerous noise ordinances simply because the range’s paperwork wasn’t quite in order when they first started shooting.

With the NH Supreme Court so hostile to gun rights, we cannot afford another justice who doesn’t fully support the right to bear arms.

Unfortunately, James Bassett has a history of opposing the Second amendment. When Mr. Bassett ran for Congress as a republican back in 1994, he was a supporter of the Brady Bill, with its waiting periods and burdensome background checks.

I wish I could tell you that the important firearms related cases were behind us, and that another gun-grabber on the Supreme Court would be a minor inconvenience.

That is simply not the case, however. You see, there is lawsuit on going right now that has the potential to seriously effect thousands of Gun-owners around the state.

At issue: NH’s preemption statute.

Already firearms owners, like you and I, have lost two preliminary decisions where a lower court has misinterpreted the law to apply only to cities and towns, leaving us open to gun-grabbing regulations created by a host of anti-gun unelected bureaucrats at the state level.

When preemption was passed back in 2003, it was supposed to restrict the field of firearms regulation to just the legislature.

If the Supreme Court follows the lower court’s lead when this case gets to them, you and I will have lost a significant portion of the protections of that law.

That is why we cannot afford to have a gun-grabber like James Bassett on the Supreme Court.

The Executive Council just held a hearing Friday on his nomination, and could vote as soon as Wednesday.

My sources are telling me two Councilors, St. Hilaire and Burton, have already made up their mind to support the nomination.

Unfortunately, that means we need to convince all three of the remaining Councilors to reject the Governor’s nomination of Mr. Bassett or the balance of the court could shift even further to the gun grabbers for the foreseeable future.

That its why I need your help.

I need you to call and/or email the three other Councilors today. Let them know that it is irresponsible to trust a man to interpret the rest of the Constitution, when he doesn’t respect or understand the Second amendment to the Federal Constitution or Article 2-a of the NH Constitution.

The vote could come as soon as Wednesday, please call and/or email the councilors today. They all share an office number in Concord, 603-271-3632, or, better yet, call them each individually:

• David Wheeler, District 5, 603-672-6062, dwheeler@nh.gov
• Ray Wieczorek, District 4, 603-624-1655, or 603-345-0304, rwieczorek@nh.gov
• Chris Sununu, District 3, 603-658-1187, csununu@nh.gov

If we don’t stop James Bassett from getting on the Supreme Court now, he won’t just affect this one case that is likely to come before the court in the next year or so, he could continue to make anti-gun ruling for 15 years before he would be replaced.

That is something you and I can’t let happen.

That is why I need you to call the Executive Councilors at 603-271-3632 today.

About New Hampshire Firearms Coalition:
The New Hampshire Firearms Coalition is New Hampshire’s only No Compromise Gun Rights Organization. While many so-called “gun rights groups” work to curry favor with politicians and the media, NHFC is working aggressively to hold politicians accountable and to put a stop to gun control. Visit: www.nhfc-ontarget.org

Outdoorchannel TV

Temecula, Calif. --(Ammoland.com)- Outdoor Channel, America’s Leader In Outdoor TV, was honored for excellence in sales and digital by CableFAX, a cable industry trade publication.

At events held by the media outlet in May, Outdoor Channel received accolades for “Sales Executive of the Year” and “Best Website.”

“Outdoor Channel’s continued success, both within the realms of the outdoor entertainment business, as well as within the cable industry, demonstrates the impact of the Outdoor Channel brand,” said Tom Hornish, Chief Executive Officer, Outdoor Channel. “We are thrilled to once again be honored by CableFAX and are especially proud of Mark Romano and our digital team for their wins this year.”

On May 1st, Mark Romano, Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Marketing for Outdoor Channel’s Eastern Division, was recognized as one of CableFAX’s “Sales Executives of the Year” at a breakfast held at the Grand Hyatt in New York City. A member of the Outdoor Channel sales team since 2007, Romano has been an integral part of Outdoor Channels’ launches and migrations on cable systems over the last year including launches on Comcast XFINITY TV systems in Maryland and Virginia, and migrations on XFINITY TV systems in Greater New England, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

“I am honored to be included among this elite group of cable executives being honored by CableFAX this year,” said Mark Romano. “This award would not possible without the support of Randy Brown and the rest of the sales team, as we strive to bring Outdoor Channel and the outdoor lifestyle to more homes across the U.S.”

Outdoor Channel’s affiliate sales team was also nominated for the “Affiliate Sales Team of the Year” award for emerging and mid-size networks. The 16-person affiliate sales and marketing team, led by Randy Brown, Executive Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Marketing, made great strides in 2011, both nationally and internationally. The network saw a surge in both standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) carriage in key markets, and reached new global heights. Outdoor Channel’s viewership continues to grow, up 24 percent in the past five years. And the network has hit its highest historical subscriber base to date, now available to approximately 38 million households.

Outdoor Channel was also honored during CableFAX’s Best of the Web Awards, with OutdoorChannel.com taking home the prize for “Best Overall Website” for a small-midsize cable network. The awards were handed out today, May 21st at an event held at the Seaport Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. OutdoorChannel.com, which relaunched earlier this year, now features additional resources for media, in addition to enhanced web content, highlighting Outdoor Channel’s extensive programming library.

CableFAX is a cable industry trade publication written for operators providing the latest news and insight on mergers and acquisitions, technology breakthroughs, regulatory issues, marketing initiatives, programming and personnel changes.

About Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.
Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) owns and operates Outdoor Channel, America’s Leader In Outdoor TV, and Winnercomm Inc., an Emmy Award winning production and interactive company. Outdoor Channel offers programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, shooting, off-road motorsports, adventure and the Western lifestyle and can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic broadband website. Winnercomm Inc. is one of America’s leading and highest quality producers of live sporting events and sports series for cable and broadcast television. Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. also owns and operates the SkyCam and CableCam aerial camera systems which provide dramatic overhead camera angles for major sports events, including college and NFL football. For more information, please visit www.outdoorchannel.com.