The Truth About Guns
Exploring the ethics, morality, business, politics, culture, technology, practice, strategy, dangers and fun of guns
Updated: 4 days 22 hours ago
State AGs Oppose California Mag Ban
When the top law enforcement officers from half of the United States band together to make their voices known on an important topic, it’s kind of a big deal.
Recently, attorneys general from 25 states filed an amicus brief against California’s unconstitutional law banning standard-capacity firearms magazines that are capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. According to a news release issued by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, the coalition of AGs filed the brief in Duncan v.
Continue reading State AGs Oppose California Mag Ban at The Truth About Guns.
NRA Finds Constitutional Friends Amid Legal Woes
If you read everything in the news of late and even talk to some gun rights supporters, you know NRA has been having a host of fits on a number of legal and organizational fronts and have quite a few forces aligned against them even from within the gun community. New York Attorney General Letitia James has tried to force the organization to be disbanded and failing in that effort has continued to move forward with a trial designed to topple the organization’s leadership based on charges of widespread corruption and malfeasance of NRA funds for personal gains.
Continue reading NRA Finds Constitutional Friends Amid Legal Woes at The Truth About Guns.
Police Need To Train For Longer Rifle Shots
In a recent article, I shared a lot of disturbing information about the Uvalde response. We already knew that the police had dropped the ball, and badly, but seeing all of the information put together really revealed all of the failings. One of the biggest ones was that there was an opportunity to put the shooter down before he had entered the building, but according to an investigative report, a police officer paused to ask for permission to shoot instead of taking the shot because it was further away than the 100 yards the officer normally trained to shoot at.
Continue reading Police Need To Train For Longer Rifle Shots at The Truth About Guns.
Ruger Announces the MAX-9 9mm, Now with a 4-Inch Barrel
January is always a big month for new releases with the annual SHOT Show coming up. There are usually some surprises at the show, but a lot of companies start dropping new products early so that folks going to the show know to come check them out. Ruger just did that with the latest version of the MAX-9, now with a 4-inch barrel. The short grip frame and longer barrel and sight radius setup is popular with concealed carry folks since it gives you a gun that’s easier to conceal but that shoots more like a full-sized pistol.
Continue reading Ruger Announces the MAX-9 9mm, Now with a 4-Inch Barrel at The Truth About Guns.
Chicago Public School Safe Passage Worker Sentenced For Selling Drugs & Gun On Way to Job
Miguel Morales was arrested last year for selling drugs and a gun to undercover cops while on his way to work as a Chicago Public Schools “Safe Passage” worker. Morales, despite a sordid criminal history including a murder conviction, somehow picked up a gig as a “Safe Passage” worker with the Chicago Public Schools.
I called the CPS Public Information line at the time of Morales’ arrest in my capacity as the Executive Director of Guns Save Life.
The AceXR VR Shooting System: “It’s Like Shooting A Competition With .22”
In some ways, hyper-realistic firearms training has been the holy grail of the defensive, police, and military shooting worlds. While there’s a lot you can do on the range, there are still some steep downsides to being limited to live fire.
The biggest one is cost, especially for those of us who can’t print money or take a cut of every transaction in town. People often have enough trouble coming up with ammo to learn the basics and take their first shooting class.
WHEN COPS LARP: Police in Elyria, OH Toss Destructive Devices At Home, Injuring Baby
What happens when a platoon of SWAT cops in a smallish-town of 52,000 descends upon the wrong home in search of a teenage punk? Well, if they toss destructive devices all around, bust out windows and storm inside like they’re on a mission in Fallujah, there’s more than a chance that their actions will have life-threatening consequences for the occupants of the targeted dwelling.
And that’s exactly what happened in Elyria, Ohio. Despite doing multiple “knock and talk” visits to a home in that city and being told that the current residents were new renters, the Elyria PD smelled a rat.
CCRKBA: More Guns Equals Less Crime
As the data for 2023 continues to roll in, the evidence is mounting to support the claims of gun rights activists that guns do indeed save lives. This recent article from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) lays out the argument from the most recent data:
Data posted at the Gun Violence Archive website shows 2023 produced fewer homicides, suicides, and gun-related injuries than in 2022, which indicates expansion of permitless carry laws, allowing more people to carry firearms for personal protection, did not result in more bloodshed as anti-gunners predicted.
Continue reading CCRKBA: More Guns Equals Less Crime at The Truth About Guns.
The TSA Shouldn’t Be Proud Of Their 2023 Gun Finding Numbers
In a recent press release, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) announced that they found a bunch of guns in 2023. But, the numbers don’t present the problem the agency thinks it does. If anything, it shows us that the agency shouldn’t exist.
The Numbers
From the press release:
During 2023, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intercepted a total of 6,737 firearms at airport security checkpoints, preventing them from getting into the secure areas of the airport and onboard aircraft.
TSA Sets New Record for Firearms Intercepted at Airports in 2023
In their 2023 year-end review, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported stopping 6,737 firearms (93% of which were loaded) from entering secure airport areas. This figure surpasses the previous record of 6,542 firearms detected in 2022.
The TSA clarifies that it does not confiscate firearms; instead, it’s up to local laws to determine what becomes of the gun and passenger. The outcome for violators can vary, with potential criminal citations or arrests in addition to a civil penalty for taking a gun to the airport.
Hornady Turns 75 in 2024
In 1949 when Joyce Hornady set out to design and manufacture a better product for handloaders, not everyone expected him to succeed. With World War II over and the economy returning to peacetime status, it seemed a good time to kick off a fledgling venture, but one catering to handloaders seemed far-fetched to many skeptics.
Incredibly, the company celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024, proving the naysayers dead wrong. And over those 75 years the company has grown into an industry behemoth that still addresses the needs of handloaders, but also those wanting to purchase quality, already manufactured ammunition.
Continue reading Hornady Turns 75 in 2024 at The Truth About Guns.
Gun Review – The Mossberg .410 590 Shotgun
The Mossberg 590 series is an undisputed American classic. Mossberg first modified the 500 into the 590 after it failed to meet a number of military specifications. Mossberg wanted that contract, so they modified the magazine tube and barrel design, and the resulting effort was the 590. The Mossberg 590 has historically been a 12-gauge. Mossberg, however, recently released 590 variants in both .410 and 20 gauge. Fortunately, we got the chance to go hands-on with the .410 590.
Continue reading Gun Review – The Mossberg .410 590 Shotgun at The Truth About Guns.
Kimber Announces the KDS9c Rail, the Latest Evolution in 1911 EDC?
Kimber just dropped a new version of their high cap, single action 9mm KDS9c, the appropriately named KDS9c Rail. If you like the 1911 but want a lightweight, modern carry version then the KDS9c Rail is it. In addition to the new light/laser rail it also comes with Truglo night sights and is optics ready. It uses 15-round magazines and comes with an extra extended 18-round magazine as well. Check out the specs and press info on the KDS9c below, and hit Kimber’s website for more details.
New Analysis Of Uvalde Shooting Reinforces Need For Fast Action, Less Permission Seeking
We’ve written a lot of articles at TTAG about the shooting in Uvalde, Texas. But now, the better part of two years later, people are still looking at the facts from that day and trying to find more and better ways of preventing this kind of tragedy from occurring in the future. One source is the ALERRT report on the tragedy, which was analyzed at the Surviving The Streets YouTube channel.
In the video, we can learn a lot more about how the situation unfolded and learn or reinforce key lessons.
Review: Marlin Glenfield Model 60 .22 LR Classic
The Marlin Glenfield Model 60 is revered by many rimfire enthusiasts as one of the most accurate and affordable semi-auto .22 rifles made. This is especially true for those made before 1983. If you can get your hands on one, don’t pass it up.
Marlin began manufacturing the Model 60 in (you guessed it) 1960. It quickly became known as an affordable, reliable, and accurate rimfire rifle enjoyed by small-game hunters and .22 plinksters alike.
Continue reading Review: Marlin Glenfield Model 60 .22 LR Classic at The Truth About Guns.
Norma Announces the Xtreme LR-22 Long Range, High Performance Rimfire Load
You don’t generally associate the venerable .22 LR round with long range or precision bullet design but that’s exactly what Norma is promising with their new Xtreme LR-22 load. While it’s still a lead bullet it uses a special “rocket tail” design to improve aerodynamics that help it maintain velocities and remain stable at longer ranges. How long you ask? Well, they’re saying out beyond 500 yards! That seems crazy for a .22 LR to me but I’m betting they can back that up.
BREAKING: Gun Rights Groups Partner on Lawsuits Against Two Virginia Cities
The Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) and Gun Owners of America (GOA) have teamed up to challenge firearms restrictions with lawsuits filed against a pair of Virginia cities.
In a lawsuit filed today in Roanoke, Virginia, the plaintiffs challenged that city’s restrictions on firearms carried in parks and at or “adjacent to” permitted events. The complaint alleges multiple constitutional violations and highlights the dangers faced by unarmed civilians in Roanoke’s nearly 13,000 acres of park land.
The Wound Report: Don’t Make Your Weekend Night One to Remember for the Wrong Reasons
Our hero was striking out for a night on the town and felt himself in need of some protection. Back when I worked in an urban emergency room, I was forever amazed at how much misery and chaos could have been avoided had folks simply made wiser life choices. No offense to the professional party animals in the audience, but nothing good happens outside the home at one o’clock in the morning. Had this gentleman simply remained in his crib and slept like normal folks, he and I never would have met.
Concealed Carry for Women: Groove Life, Groove Belt
A common barrier to concealed carry, particularly for many women, is a distaste for belts. And it’s no surprise when we’ve become accustomed to the style options of comfortable stretch pants and leggings. Thankfully, many beltless concealment options are available, but the classic Kydex holster secured to a belt is arguably the fastest method for drawing your firearm and one of the best and most comfortable ways to carry.
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with belts throughout my concealed carry journey.
Continue reading Concealed Carry for Women: Groove Life, Groove Belt at The Truth About Guns.
Rise of War In 2023 Makes Gun Ownership More Precious Than Ever
A video from the last day of 2023 at the Task & Purpose YouTube channel gives a pretty good summary of the kinds of war our world saw in 2023. Not only does it show us the potential use Americans might have for the right to keep and bear arms in the United States, but also shows us how dangerous it can be for people who have had that right infringed. (article continues after video)
One important fact he shows in the beginning is that there was more armed conflict in 2023 than in previous years, ending what had been a trend of less conflict.