March 2013 Article: Gun Ban Mania

Last month I put off the writing about gun legislation.  The media was in a frenzy about the school shootings in CT, Diane Feinstein was threatening to introduce her Gun Ban plan for 2013, and New York Governor Cuomo was in a hurry to make New York State’s laws the toughest in the country.

I thought if I waited a month maybe some of this would sort itself out. Maybe there would be an honest look at some of the other contributors to not only these highly publicized multiple shootings, but also the routine violence we are seeing in cities like Detroit and Chicago.

Well here we are a month later; the President just took the opportunity during the “State of the Union” speech to campaign for gun control with a backdrop of supporters and victims, while you and I are again being treated like a Pariah, a scourge of society.

If it feels like every anti-gun person is jumping on the bandwagon, you are not wrong.  A review of media stories since the shooting in CT shows an 8 to 1 ratio of stories demonizing guns and gun owners; versus positive stories about firearms.

Almost daily, liberal lawmakers are introducing legislation hoping to make their new gun law tougher than the last. There are 157 types of guns banned and magazine capacities limits: first 10 rounds , then 7 now 5. One even suggested a magazine capacity of 1, a single round in the chamber and one in the mag effectively making the gun a “Two Shooter”.

Two Missouri state reps introduced legislation that would require gun owners to hand over “Assault Weapons” to the appropriate law enforcement agency within 90 days or become a felon. Similar bills are under consideration in a half dozen other states; although most are not likely to pass and would be challenged in court if they did pass.

With all rifles involved in only 3% of shootings, and so-called “Assault Weapons” in even less, why are they doing this? This number is less than the percentage of murders committed with hammers and other blunt objects.

The reason being that this action is a “first step.”  The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban (AWB) did nothing to lessen gun violence and neither would this one. However, there will be Anti-gun Liberal law makers on record as voting for this ban, and pro-gun Conservatives on record as voting it down.  The next time there is a horrific shooting, and there will be a next time, these votes will be trotted out along with all the usual array of victims and “experts” to hold the pro-gun people responsible.  This will continue until the real contributors to this violence are addressed.

Where is the legislation on mental health reporting and the effects of psychotropic drugs? Links between violence in movies, videos games and how they influence young people. How do we restore the positive family influence that teaches morals, responsibility and the value of life to a culture lacking respect for others?

Where is the crackdown on violent offenders that are let loose in society with little or no punishment? FBI data shows that Chicago had 1,893 shootings in 2012, and only 6% (116) were actually prosecuted for the crimes. That record is no deterrent at all; most of these shooters know they have almost no chance of being caught.

Recently William Lansdowne, San Diego Police Chief stated:

 ”If the lawmakers play it right,

Americans can be completely

disarmed within a generation”

 

There is no mistake, this is their intent. You are not to be trusted with firearms because they know what is best for you.  

Please visit these sites to see how you can help:

www.supportsecondamendment.com/

www.secondamendmentmarch.com

 

Next Month: My “Bucket List” of Guns

February 2013 TriggerTalk Article – Gun Shows

Trigger Talk:  Gun Shows

Mention “Gun Show” and what comes to mind? Do you envision a slick Detroit Auto Show style event with glamorous booths lined with glass showcases full of the latest firearms? Perhaps you see a dark seedy hall filled with underworld characters whispering to you while looking around to see if anyone is paying attention. Or do you envision a crowded gymnasium sized room full of tables surrounded with everyday people enjoying a passion they share for firearms and accessories?

The truth is that most guns shows are like the latter, and attended by honest law abiding citizens that work hard for their money. They hope to find a bargain to stretch their shooting dollars or a particular gun to fill out their collection. Think of it as a craft show or garage sale for things that make noise.  I am not making light of a serious subject with items that require great responsibility, but to many shooters the ownership of firearms is both a hobby as well as a source of protection. I prefer the small to medium shows that contain a mix of licensed dealers, collectors, and what can only be described as a bizarre mix of miscellaneous vendors.

Let’s get something straight, a licensed dealer participating in a gun show must follow the same rules they following in their stores. Guns purchased from a dealer require a NICS (FBI Instant background check).  Here in Michigan a person cannot purchase a handgun without  a Permit to Purchase issued by Law Enforcement or be in possession of a Concealed Pistol license (CPL) .

I rarely purchase a gun at a gun show, the reason is that pricing is often the same or more than can be found at a store. I have seen beat up used guns going for more than if purchased new.  A savvy purchaser must know the value of their quest.

At a collector’s table the guns are owned by the person at the table (not a dealer) and usually selling some of their collection. Sometimes they have a specialty like old lever-action Winchesters, or guns from a certain manufacturer. Long guns such as rifles or shotguns are transacted with no background check; current law allows these private person to person sales. A “permit to purchase” or CPL is required for private sales of handguns and then a “Pistol Sales Record” must be turned in to Local law Enforcement and forwarded to the Michigan State Police.

My favorite part of the show is the other stuff you can find, my wife would call this “Junk”.  I have come home with a stack of old gun magazines from the 60’s that I bought for $5, or an old part “needed” like an authentic rifle sling to fit a vintage Russian WWII rifle. There are tables full of gun cleaning tools and supplies, new and old holsters, scopes and for whatever reason medical equipment like forceps, pipettes, dental picks etc…

I sometimes find used reloading equipment and old bullet components from an estate sale, a book or a unique pocket knife. Usually there are tables of passionate people signing up members for the NRA, Second Amendment Foundation, or Ducks Unlimited.

Mostly what I see is a group of people enjoying a few hours of enjoyment looking at guns they may have only read about, or finding a part for an old gun in their collection. People are friendly and polite to each other, horseplay and dangerous behavior is not tolerated

I would recommend attending a Gun Show soon (while you still can). For only a few dollars admission, the experience is worth the price. If you happen to find a rear sight spring for a 1942 Czech VZ24, let me know!

Next Month: Gun Legislation

January 2013 TriggerTalk Article: Staying Proficient in Winter

The gifts are opened, the eggnog is gone and you don’t have to take down Christmas lights until next week. What you really want to do is go to the range and pull the trigger several hundred times. It is freezing cold outside and you don’t want to go out in the snow, how can you keep your skills sharp in the winter?

There are a several options available: You may be lucky enough to live near one of the indoor ranges in the area. Besides warmth, some of these have the added benefit of gun rentals if you wish to try out a new gun. One local range (the Firing Line) even has a 50 yard rifle range allowing rifle calibers up to 30-06 and shotguns (slugs only), so you can stay practiced with your long guns as well.

I actually enjoy winter outdoor shooting at my local range. Dressed properly an hour shooting session is very manageable. I am usually the only one there when the temperature plunges below freezing so the range time is very efficient and without the distraction of other shooters.

Cold temperature shooting provides an insight into the effects of temperature on both man and machine. Cold fingers do a good job of simulating the loss of small motor function you may experience in a self-defense encounter; I know one instructor that advocates soaking hands in ice water before shooting to replicate the physiological effects of high adrenaline and reduced blood flow to the extremities. Can you still release the safety, pull the slide to clear a malfunction, or reload?

Temperature can affect your equipment as well. Modern ammunition is formulated to be functional at most temperatures. However, that new “Whiz Bang” super grease you got from Uncle Joe might get very thick at low temperature and slow down the slide and action of your gun creating malfunctions.  Better to know these things ahead of time.

Assuming you want to stay warm and dry there are many things you can do inside. First and foremost you need a place that you dedicate to practice that has NO ammunition in it, NO boxed or loose ammo, NO loaded magazines, NO loaded guns period!

Nobody ever had a negligent discharge (notice I said negligent not accidental) with a loaded gun, they all swear they thought it was empty.

Practice pulling your gun from your holster using your weak hand to pull your cover garment aside. Practice in front of a mirror so you can see the motion, making sure you keep the muzzle in a safe direction, never placing a portion of your body such as your arm or hand in front of the gun.

Practice magazine changes or reloading your revolver (using dummy rounds) with a speed loader or speed strip. Cycle your slide using one hand only and your pants pocket or a piece of furniture to simulate running your gun while injured.

If your gun is equipped with a laser you can place a target on the wall, draw and pull the trigger. This is great practice for point shooting and also helps you improve your trigger control. Take note of the laser movement when pulling the trigger and practice a smooth consistent pull that keeps the laser dot from dancing around the target.

A new product by Laserlyte, the “Laser Trainer” uses technology long used by Law Enforcement and the Military is now available to the public at reasonable cost.

The laser caliber specific laser emitter goes into the chamber of the gun and is triggered by the firing pin. The target records the shot location and displays by aiming at the display sensor. Another sensor resets the device to start again.

 

Next Month: Gunshows

December 2012 TriggerTalk Article: Gift ideas for the Shooter in your life

If there is a shooting enthusiast or gun owner on your Christmas list you are in luck.  We love to get  “Gun Stuff” and there is an endless supply of gifts and stocking stuffers to choose from.

 Far from being a chore, most of us like to clean our firearms almost as much as shooting them. Not only does proper maintenance provide for the durability and reliability of our guns, but taking them apart, cleaning and reassembly helps the shooter better understand the inner workings of the firearm.

  A cleaning mat will help protect guns from scratches, soaks up any dribbled solvent and keeps small pieces from rolling away. It also will protect the kitchen table from scratches if you do not have a separate work bench.

Securely holding the firearm is important and can be difficult if the gun is a rifle or shotgun.  A very versatile device is a gun vise. These bench tools come with clamps, pads and adapters to securely hold virtually any gun. They also have accessories that can be added such as magazine adapters to hold AR-15’s,  allowing the vise to be upgraded  as new or different firearms are added.

A must have for any shooter is a “Bore Snake” This is a braided cloth “rope” that is pulled through the barrel of the gun. It has copper bristles imbedded to clean powder or lead fouling, and solvent/oil can be applied with one device. They are available in various calibers and gauges so you can select one, or purchase them as a kit with all the popular calibers. Bore Snakes come in both pistol and rifle lengths.

 

A relatively recent newcomer to the gun cleaning scene is the OTIS cleaning system. This kit uses a flexible cable that is pulled through the bore from the breech end to keep debris out of the action of the gun. A kit includes a set of brushes and patch holders for cleaning and lubricating the barrel. It is stored in a small pouch and is very portable to take to the range or field if needed. This same system is now the standard used by our military in combat zones.

 

A steady rest to stabilize the firearm is important for sighting in a rifle and for target shooting.  A sandbag is a great addition to your range equipment. Available in many sizes, shapes and materials they are essential equipment for many shooters.

 

To help keep guns safe on trips to and from the range or when traveling there is a wide variety of cases, these range from inexpensive soft cases and pistol rugs to hard sided lockable rifle cases for travel on airlines. If your shooter into tactical rifles there are special cases to support their needs.

 

 

Hearing protection is critical for all shooters and there are many choices. ranging from foam ear plugs to custom fit hearing aids My favorite type is the amplified noise attenuating muffs made by Peltor. Equipped with electronic microphones these muffs allow normal conversation, but cut-off sound as soon as high sound pressure levels are detected. As an added benefit when hunting in a dark woods you can hear every twig snap, acorn crunch, and rack being rubbed on a tree.

Certain smells are often associated with fun activities: cookies baking, apple pie in the oven, freshly cut grass. When I smell gun cleaning solvent and gun oil it takes me back several decades to cleaning guns with my grandfather. That smell is Hoppe’s #9 solvent and generations of shooters recognize it. Hoppe’s now offers air fresheners (the kind you hang in your car) in that wonderful fragrance. If you want to bring a smile to every gun person’s face, there is no better fun gift than one of these air fresheners. Now if we can only get them to make it in perfume or cologne we’d be all setHave a Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year!

Next month: Keeping your shooting skills sharp in the Winter

Election Time

We are now less than two weeks from the election, the debates are over and my guess is that you are likely to have formed an opinion on which candidate you plan to vote for. 

In addition to the course we are charting for our Country, as a gun owner I think this is a very important election for a more than just a few reasons.  First of all let’s get this on the table; Owning a gun, enjoying the shooting sports, target shooting, carrying for self-defense, hunting, collecting or competing  is not an indication of political affiliation.  One of the benefits of teaching various shooting classes over the past several years is that I get to meet first hand the people who are interested in shooting. 

Several years ago I had the pleasure to shoot beside a very liberal social worker at a Military Rifle Shoot  (I was shooting an M1 Garand and he was shooting a Swiss K-31). We disagreed about several things that day except for our enjoyment of the history and precision of the fine rifles we were shooting.  Up until that point I sort of fell into the trap of  Democrat/Liberals = Anti-Gun vs. Republican/Conservative = Pro-Gun. That was an epiphany for me that day, I have made sure that I don’t make that mistake a anymore.

In many shooting classes I see people from all backgrounds, ethnicity, genders, and although I have no way of knowing, probably all sexual preferences.  We have engineers, factory workers, union members, management, students, teachers, husbands, wives, grandmothers, white, black, indian, middle-eastern, and asian.  What is important is that we all have a right to gun-ownership for whatever legal purpose we seek.

When I vote  always make sure I know the candidate’s position on the Second Amendment, from the lowest level of government to the highest.  At the local level, a vote for township trustee or supervisor could be that difference between the continued existence of a rural shooting range or closing it down.  City Councils have been known to pass ordinances the prohibit gun stores. A County Sheriffs attitude towards personal gun ownership and concealed carry sets the tone for the county’s attitude towards law-abiding citizens for traffic stops and other law enforcement actions. 

At the upper levels of government: senators and representatives propose and vote on laws that affect gun ownership and your ability to do all things from hunting to target shooting.  Most importantly they confirm Supreme Court Justices.  Two recent Supreme Court appointees professed their support of the Second Amendment during their confirmation hearings and then voted against cases that sought to reaffirm your right to keep and bear arms. We narrowly won those cases by a 5 to 4 margin.  At he highest level the person in the White house has the ability to nominate these judges. With the advanced age of some of the current Supreme Court it is likely that the next President will have an opportunity to appoint 2 or more additional judges.  We must make sure the next president is supportive of all our gun rights.

The reason I emphasize ALL of our gun rights is that there is an attempt to split gun owners into smaller groups.  The Anti-Gun Lobby is very patient and they follow the old saying “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time”  That is why you will often hear an anti-gun person state ” We are not going to take away your right to hunt, we just want to go after Assault rifles” This is an attempt to split gun owners into groups that do not support each other. and I have heard hunters say” I don’t know why they need to have an semi-automatic rifle, I do just fine with my bolt-action”  

The point is that there are all different kinds or firearms and  uses, we as gun owners need to respect that we all have different tastes and activities.  For they last decade the AR-15 platform has been the most popular firearm sold in the country. They are used for everything from plinking to competition to hunting in a wide array of calibers.  If they do not happen to be your “cup of tea” fine don’t buy one, but that does not lessen the interest and desire of others.  I do not participate in 3 Gun competitions, or Cowboy Action Shooting, but I admire those that do and appreciate the skill required to be tops at their chosen activity.  You may not like handguns and have no desire to own one, but that does not lessen the need for some to carry them for their own self-protection. 

Bottom line for me, I am not likely to agree 100% with a condidates view on every issue. We can disagree on spending priorities as long as they recognise the money supply is not limitless. My definition of social responsibility, immigration policy or even Nation Defense may not be perfectly aligned with the candidates. However, if they do not trust me as a law-abiding citizen to own and use firearms in responsible  legal manner,  they will NEVER get my vote regardless of their party affiliation. I have and will continue to reach across the aisle to politicians with the courage and conviction to support the Second Amendment.

Until next time,

Safe Shooting and Vote Wisely!

Dick Cupka

November 2012 TriggerTalk Article – When you can’t avoid a “Gun Free Zone”

Last month we talked about avoiding “Gun Free Zones” and letting store owners know the economic impact of their decision to make you un-welcome in their stores. But what can you do to protect yourself when you can’t avoid a gun free zone.

First, in Gun Free Zones  mandated by law, you must follow the rules. The State or Federal Government is not forgiving of what you may see as an infringement on your rights. The consequences both monetarily as well as limiting your future right to own and/or carry guns is not worth it. Find another way to get your business accomplished without risking a potential felony gun possession charge.

There are some common sense ways to help keep yourself safe:

• Don’t go places you suspect as being dangerous; such as known drug or solicitation neighborhoods, or poorly lit streets or alleys. This is not just an issue in big cities, small and medium sized towns have crime prone areas as well.
• Be aware of your surroundings, Keep your head on a swivel and take the headphones off when you walk or run so you can hear someone approaching.
• Cross the street if you are approaching a group of people loitering in the sidewalk.
• Distance from an attacker is your friend.  If someone approaches you in a manner that makes you feel threatened, Loudly yell  “Stop!  Do Not Come Any Closer!” it is much better to be slightly embarrassed than to let them get too close and risk assault.
• Carry one of the new high strength pepper sprays with a belt clip, you will not have time to fumble in your pockets or purse to get to it.
• Sit near an exit, with your back to a wall so you can see all entrances to the room and no threats can come at you from behind.
• If you are going to be in a darkened area such as a theater, or auditorium, carry a high intensity flashlight. Small powerful lights with 150 – 200 lumens can temporarily blind an assailant especially if equipped with a strobe function. There are several choices that are small enough to fit in your pocket from companies such as Fenix, Surefire, and Streamlight.

 

Remember, to someone with criminal intent you are “Prey”, just as the lion goes after the slowest gazelle, the criminal is looking for an easy target. If you display awareness to potential threats and appear prepared they may just decide to wait for an easier target. 

Private property such as stores or other venues is another matter and many people feel that concealed means concealed.  If you enter a store that displays a “No Guns” sign either accidently or intentionally and the proprietor suspects you are carrying, leave if requested. Failure to leave could result in a trespassing charge if Law Enforcement is called.

I once heard the story of a Law Enforcement Officer attending a public social event in uniform.  A patron questioned him on wearing his sidearm and was asked “If he was expecting trouble that night”? His reply was “No Maam, if I was EXPECTING trouble I would have brought my rifle”.   

The point is that we never know when trouble may present itself. As a private citizen the decision to carry a firearm is a personal one and carries great responsibility. The reason you carry is for your own safety or that of another. Simple precautions to prevent a confrontation and avoid a situation that requires the use of your firearm is the best outcome of all.

Next month: Christmas ideas for the Shooter in your life.

Until then …….Safe Shooting!

 

Guest Post – Good advise on hearing protection during National Audiology Awareness Month

One of the pleasures of writing a blog is the correspondence you get from time to time  in the form of comments.  I have learned many things from people that have contacted me. Sometimes it may be an opposing view, but for the most part it has been an expansion of the subject or related information.

This past week I was contact by John O’Connor who thought I may be interested in a cause he supports that affects all of us that enjoy the shooting sports.  I have an article John sent me for this post , and I fully support his recommendations.

As a young man I spent many years in very close proximety to loud farm equipment and even louder aircraft engines and propellers. I can remember that when we went shooting we thought it was less than “Manly” to wear hearing protection. This just shows the recklessness of our youth and as a result I suffer from significant amount of hearing loss at some frequencies.   

Today, I wear protection no matter how small of a caliber I am shooting. I use amplified headphones when instructing to assist with normal conversations with the student. And I must say that I have found these same amplified headphones to be a major plus when deer hunting.  Sitting in a woods that is still dark waiting for the sunrise  I can hear every twig snapped by a hoof , and every leaf nibbled!

John’s Blog post and links follow:

________________________________________________________________

Hi my name is John O’Connor, I am a father, outdoorsman and passionate about living a healthy lifestyle.  Over the past few years I have become more and more interested in hearing loss.  My father and grandfathers, who are and were all hunters, are affected by hearing loss.  I feel that there is a general lack of understanding around the issue and it is our job to spread awareness where we can.  Check out my new blog at bloggingwjohno.blogspot.com!

 

Hunting Can Contribute to Hearing Loss

Did you know that certain recreational activities can contribute to hearing loss? Activities that involve loud noises, such as hunting, can damage your hearing. If you plan on going to the shooting range or heading out into the woods you must always protect your ears from the loud noises that a gun can generate. 

When visiting a shooting range or while hunting, you should wear earmuffs that are designed to protect your hearing. If you don’t have access to ear muffs, you can just as easily wear earplugs. These will keep the loud noises from reaching your eardrum, thus protecting your hearing and decreasing the chance that you will damage your ears.

You may not always be able to notice right away that you are damaging your ears when being exposed to loud noises. While the sound of a shotgun may be uncomfortable, you may feel that since you are not necessarily exposed to the sound repeatedly, that you are not harming your ears. This quite often is not the case. Any loud noise can be damaging whether you hear it once or over and over again.

What many people do not realize is that the inner ear contains many tiny hair cells. These small structures are essential to good hearing. Once they are damaged or destroyed by loud noises, they cannot be repaired or replaced. This leads to permanent hearing loss.

When you are hunting, you should wear earplugs or earmuffs which will block the loud noise of a shot gun from reaching your inner ear. By doing this, you will be protecting your ears from irreversible damage.  My father who has been into target shooting and hunting for years, has irreversible damage to his ear drums due to not always wearing the proper hearing protection while shooting. He wears a hearing aid in order to amplify sounds and increase his hearing levels.  Although he has been affected by the loud noises from hunting, he still loves to get out there and practice at the range throughout the summer and hit the woods in the fall.  He just makes sure that he is always properly equipped with the right hearing gear in order to prevent himself from experiencing further hearing loss. 

If you like to practice shooting at the shooting range, you should protect your ears before entering the range by placing muffs or earplugs in or over your ears.  This will protect your ears from the shots fired from others’ guns while you are setting up and getting ready to shoot and while you are practicing as well.

If you’ve been a hunter for many years, perhaps you have hunted several times without protecting your hearing. It is possible that you’ve damaged your ears because of this. If this is the case, you can still continue to hunt but look to make smart choices when heading out next time and bring the right protective gear.