The Truth About Guns
Exploring the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns
Updated: 2 days 12 hours ago
Second Amendment Foundation Sues Illinois Over Ban on Under-21 Gun Sales
From the Second Amendment Foundation . . .
The Second Amendment Foundation has filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Illinois, challenging the state’s ban on concealed carry by young adults between the ages of 18 and 21, alleging the ban violates the Second and 14th Amendment rights of those citizens.
Joining SAF are the Illinois State Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc., and three private citizens in the 18-21-year age group, David Meyer, Eva Davis and Mitchell Nalley.
The Silencer Shop Kiosk: One Central Spot for All Your Silencer and NFA Needs
As an NFA connoisseur, I’ve endured the process of applying for suppressors, SBRs, and SBSs many times over the years. Now that I’m a licensed firearm manufacturer, my process for receiving or making NFA items is simpler and faster, but I haven’t forgotten how Silencer Shop changed the game and created the easiest way to buy a silencer.
Upon moving to Texas four years ago (and living within about 15 minutes of Silencer Shop HQ, no less), I encountered their Silencer Shop Kiosk for the first time and experienced what it meant to buy and register a suppressor in one central location, all quick-and-easy like.
Why Open Carry is a Better Idea Now Than Ever
I had thought that the open carry debate had been beaten to death. But I saw a Fox News segment about homeless camping in Austin, Texas that triggered me. Maybe the events of 2020 and so far in 2021 warrant a reconsideration of the messaging conveyed by open carry.
The Fox segment explained that Austin had, some years ago, repealed its prohibition against camping in public places whereupon the homeless took advantage to bring California to Austin.
Continue reading Why Open Carry is a Better Idea Now Than Ever at The Truth About Guns.
Original Wheel Gun Showdown: Smith & Wesson Model 686 vs Colt Python
Two classics going head to head. Yes, I know, the Colt Python and the Smith & Wesson Model 686 have been compared ad nauseam, especially since the Python was reborn. This is slightly different since both guns are originals; the Colt was made in 1978 and the S&W was made in 1988. I am not comparing the current production guns here.
Why? Because to me, the current production guns from Big Blue are a knockoff of the originals.
The New Vortex Venom 5-25×56 FFP Rifle Scope
From Vortex . . .
Vortex Optics is launching the all-new Venom® 5-25×56 FFP, the first in a new series of optics aimed at giving shooters all the tools they need to get into the game at an affordable price without compromising optical quality, or giving up the features they need to be competitive.
The Venom® 5-25×56 FFP is a perfect example of what shooters should expect from the Venom® lineup, providing new shooters an entry-level price with next-level tools.
Continue reading The New Vortex Venom 5-25×56 FFP Rifle Scope at The Truth About Guns.
The High Cost of Due Process-Free Gun Confiscation
Red flag laws, which 19 states and the District of Columbia have enacted, are commonly touted as a way to stop mass shootings. But that is far from their main use. While [California Assemblymember Phil] Ting’s tally does not include information on the motivation for GVROs, data from other states indicate that a large majority of gun confiscation orders are aimed at preventing suicide, not homicide. And even when petitioners allege that someone is a danger to others, the risk of a mass shooting is bound to be infinitesimal, since such crimes account for a tiny share of gun homicides and an even tinier share of unlawful firearm use.
Continue reading The High Cost of Due Process-Free Gun Confiscation at The Truth About Guns.
Gun Meme of the Day: Hard to Believe Edition
Ah, the Beforetimes.
It’s hard to believe that we’re still living in a world where Brownells has just 39 ammo products in stock (many of which are packages where some ammo is sold with another product such as an optic or a half dozen magazines) out of 3,068 products in their ammunition category. That’s 0.13 percent of the ammo products they carry that are actually in stock.
Granny has a point.
Continue reading Gun Meme of the Day: Hard to Believe Edition at The Truth About Guns.
This Is All Bill Clinton’s Fault
By Lee Williams
Senators Chris Murphy, (D-Conn.), and John Cornyn, (R-Texas), have met in secret recently – behind closed doors – to negotiate a way to expand federal background checks.
Citing the 2019 mass murder that killed eight people and wounded 25 near Odessa, Texas, Cornyn believes the deaths could have been avoided if the killer had undergone a background check before obtaining his home-built AR, which he purchased through a private sale.
Continue reading This Is All Bill Clinton’s Fault at The Truth About Guns.
Things That Don’t Suck: Olight PL-Pro Valkyrie Weapon Light
Olight’s PL-Pro Valkyrie is designed as a powerful, full-featured weapon light for pistols, rifles or shotguns.
The PL-Pro Valkyrie has Olight’s integral quick-release mount that makes attaching it to any rail fast and simple. It comes with interchangeable bars for either GLOCK or standard 1913 Pic rails. Olight lists the PL-Pro as being compatible with these pistols . . .
I attached the new Valkyrie to a non-GLOCK GLOCK, on which it mounted and worked well.
‘Uh, Senator….Let me clarify that.’ ATF Nominee Grilled by Skeptical Senators
By Larry Keane
Six of President Joe Biden’s executive nominees testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to make their case for senate approval, but the lion’s share of questioning – and attention – focused on the president’s pick to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), David Chipman.
The focus was well-deserved as Chipman’s years of gun control advocacy and numerous insulting remarks about law-abiding gun owners, make him a troubling nominee.
Armed Utah Teacher Stops Playground Kidnapping Attempt
Wait…we’ve been told by all of the smartest people that teachers and other school staff members carrying firearms is inherently dangerous and irresponsible. They’ve assured us that the very concept of a good guy with a gun is nothing but gun lobby propaganda and never plays out in real life.
Dateline: Ogden, Utah . . .
An armed school employee thwarted a kidnapping Tuesday after he confronted a man on a playground with his gun, according to police.
Continue reading Armed Utah Teacher Stops Playground Kidnapping Attempt at The Truth About Guns.
With Texas, More Than Half The Nation Will Soon Be a Second Amendment Sanctuary
By Lee Williams
All it takes is the stroke of a pen – one pen to be precise.
When Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs HB 2622 into law, which he’s expected to do any moment, more than half of the country will become a Second Amendment sanctuary.
According to Noah Davis of sanctuarycounties.com and its companion site constitutionalsanctuaries.com, when Abbott signs the bill, 1,715 of the country’s 3,144 counties – or roughly 54% – will either be self-declared Second Amendment Sanctuaries counties or located in states that that have declared themselves sanctuaries.
ATF Nominee David Chipman Seems Strangely Uninterested in Hunter Biden’s Alleged Illegal Gun Purchase
“Can I get your commitment that if you’re confirmed, you will in fact look into this matter and refer it for prosecution if you find that Hunter Biden violated a law?” [Senator Tom] Cotton pressed [ATF Director nominee David] Chipman.
“Senator, what I will assure you is that if ATF director, I will ensure that all violations of law are investigated and referred,” Chipman replied, again evading the Hunter Biden inquiry.
Nine Dead Including the Alleged Killer in San Jose Railyard Shooting
By Jocelyn Gecker and Terence Chea, AP
An employee opened fire Wednesday at a California rail yard serving Silicon Valley, killing eight people before ending his own life, authorities said.
The suspect was an employee of the Valley Transportation Authority, which provides bus, light rail and other transit services throughout Santa Clara County, the largest county in the Bay Area, authorities said.
The attacker was identified as 57-year-old Sam Cassidy, according to two law enforcement officials.
ATF Nominee Chipman: Every Civilian-Owned Gun is a Potential Crime Waiting to Happen
President BidenHarris’s nominee to head the federal gun regulator, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and whatever else they want to get involved in, is taking questions from senators today as part of his confirmation process. The aging senior senator from Iowa may not have his fastball anymore, but he hit the nail on the head with these comparisons illustrating what Chipman’s presence at the top of the ATF would be like . . .
Ask Josh: Building A Short Hunting Rifle
Today’s question comes to us from reader ‘London 35’ who asks . . .
I am interested in building a short barreled rifle out of the AR platform. I recently read your article about short barreled .308s and was wondering what your input on the matter would be. The goal is a small, lightweight, and maneuverable hunting rife to be used on deer and hogs at a max of 200 yards.
Continue reading Ask Josh: Building A Short Hunting Rifle at The Truth About Guns.
How to Buy A Used Gun
A recent commenter asked for some advice on buying used guns. At one point I was frequenting about a dozen gun shows a year, with almost weekly trips to pawn shops, gun shops, secondhand stores in search of the elusive bargain.
I’ve bought and sold close to 30 firearms (all but three were used) in a four-year period, bracketed by the beginning of gainful employment and at the end in marriage. What follows are some general tips on what I look for, with the benefit of hindsight, money under the bridge and years of wisdom.
Continue reading How to Buy A Used Gun at The Truth About Guns.
Law Enforcement Groups Agree, David Chipman is the Perfect Choice to Head ATF
The past year has seen continued calls for policing reform by progressive groups — but the issue of gun control is one where progressives and police have frequently found common ground.
For example, the International Association of Chiefs of Police has been a “strong supporter” of banning assault weapons, according to one of the group’s position papers, as well as the creation of a national registry for people convicted of violent gun crimes.
Gun Meme of the Day: It’s All About Context
That’s just about the size of it, yep.
Continue reading Gun Meme of the Day: It’s All About Context at The Truth About Guns.