September 8, 2017 Newsletter by Jeff Pittman
US gun ownership
Why do people own guns?
A Pew Research study found that the reasons Americans own guns have changed since 1999. Then, the majority of respondents had guns for sporting purposes, but now the majority say they are for self protection. Those citing “protection” as their reason for gun ownership went from 26% in 1999 to 48% in 2013 and to 67% in 2017. Â But 57% still say they live in a household with no guns.
Criminologist Gary Kleck reports that current estimates put the number of privately-held guns in the US a bit over 400 million. The total US population is about 323 million.
Good Docs
Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership has announced 2Adoc.com, an effort to connect medical professionals who do not have an anti-gun agenda, with patients who prefer honest doctors.
Enemies
US Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth Mapp signed an emergency order Monday allowing the seizure of private guns, ammunition, explosives and property (like sandbags, pumps, gasoline, life jackets, boats, etc.) that may be “needed” by the government (as if the owner had no need for it) to protect the islands.
Mapp signed the order in preparation for Hurricane Irma. The order allows the Adjutant General of the Virgin Islands to seize private property believed necessary to protect the islands, subject to approval by the territory’s Justice Department.
The NRA is threatening to file a federal lawsuit over this abrogation of Constitutional protections.
Hurricane
Meanwhile reports indicate that President Trump ordered more than 1,000 military police, federal marshals and FBI agents to the Virgin Islands territory this week as the Coast Guard began evacuating residents and tourists terrorized by violence on the streets and looting in stores and homes damaged by Hurricane Irma. Â Lawlessness has spread across St. Croix island, with eyewitness reports of looting by men and women, children and the elderly, even police and National Guardsmen. Armed gangs were reported roaming the streets, including 300 to 500 inmates which had broken out of a hurricane-damaged prison.
Coast Guard Lt. Jeff Karonis reported that the USCG “shore party basically determined there was a complete breakdown of authority. There’s a very high indication that innocent people are going to get hurt in an act of violence there. We don’t know who is in control of the island. There is widespread looting. There doesn’t seem to be a form of control.”
(Now tell me about that gun thing again….)
We have a report that under the declared state of emergency and evacuation orders, (non-prohibited) Floridians evacuating under mandatory orders can carry CONCEALED firearms without a permit due to the passage of SB 290.
The governors of Georgia and South Carolina have also already declared emergencies in their states.
Youth Outdoorama on the Ross Barnett Reservoir (MS) Sept. 23
In celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day, the purpose of this event is to get kids and anyone interested in the outdoors to step outside for a hands-on experience with the tools and concepts of hunting and fishing in Mississippi. They will learn how to reload shells, shoot skeet and sporting clays, learn how to tie flies, fish for catfish, see elk horns, watch retrievers work, learn how knives are made, shoot bows and arrows, learn about recycling, try their hand at canoeing, learn how to use a treestand safely, learn the importance of clean water, see snakes and alligators, and so much more!
And according to a new report by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 101.6 million Americans — 40% of the US population 16 years old and older — participated in wildlife-related activities in 2016, such as hunting, fishing, and wildlife-watching.
The Only Ones
Clark County, OH, Sheriff’s Deputy Jake Shaw was conducting a traffic stop when a locally well-known newspaper photographer stopped to take photos. The photographer, with whom the deputy was well-acquainted, parked and got out under a light in plain view of the deputy, with a press pass around his neck. Then Deputy Shaw shot the photographer twice after mistaking his camera and tripod for a gun.
One or more unidentified Sacramento County, CA, sheriff’s deputies shot a man, his house and his car because he was standing in his own garage and recording video of the cops with his phone while they were serving a warrant on a neighbor. Reportedly the cops felt threatened by the phone (or whatever they mistook it for), and they also searched the victim’s house and arrested him. But they have no charges.
The Smith & Wesson Model 68 revolver.
 Ever heard of it? Me either.
Products
Cabela’s Herter’s brand shotgun shells now offer a couple of 28 gauge loads: a Dove & Quail with 1 oz. of #8 shot and a Target with 3/4 oz. of #9 shot. Â $85-89 per 250.
Speer now has Gold Dot 10mm loads with the 200 gr. GDHP bullet.
XS Sights has introduced its F8 Night Sights with a large high-contrast front sight with a photoluminescent orange colored ring surrounding the tritium. The orange paint is formulated with a focus on yellow, one of the most visible colors in low light, making it easier to see in rapidly changing light conditions. Since the orange ring absorbs ambient light, it glows in fading light, aiding shooters in finding the front sight before the tritium becomes visible. The F8 sight is also easily visible in daylight. The F8 Night Sights are backed by a 10-year, “no questions asked” warranty. After 10 years, XS will replace the sight at a discounted price. XS F8 Night Sights will be available for order for the following pistol models, with more pistol models in the months ahead. $185.
- Glock 17, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 30, 34, 40, 41, 42, 43
- Sig Sauer 9mm and .40 S&W in P226, P229, P320 and other original P series pistols
- S&W M&P Full Size, Compact and S&W M&P Shield
- Springfield XD, XDS, XDM, and XDE
- FNH FN509
The SIG MCX Rattler SBR is chambered in .300 BLK and features a 5.5″ barrel and 23.5″ OAL.
Savage is now offering its Model 10/110 BA Stealth Chassis rifle in left-hand versions in .300 Win. Mag., .338 Lapua Mag., .223 Rem., .308 Win., and 6.5 Creedmoor.
Liberty Safes is making some Colt-branded models:
- COLT 35 – Limited Edition Gloss (35 Long Gun Storage) – MSRP $3,599
- COLT 25 – Marble Gloss (27 Long Gun Storage) – MSRP $2,699
- COLT Smart Vault – Biometric Handgun Safe (Key Back-Up) – MSRP $299
Ruger’s line of Mark IV pistols has expanded to include the Mark IV Tactical and two Mark IV Standard models. The Tactical features a 4.40″ barrel with a 1/2″-28 threaded muzzle, fully adjustable sights and factory-installed upper and lower Picatinny rails. The Standard model features a tapered barrel like the original pistols and is offered in both 4.75″ and 6″ barrel lengths with fixed sights. They all come with two 10-round magazines.
Eley .177 match grade pellets. Pick your preferred diameter: 4.49mm, 4.50mm or 4.51mm.
“…in any conflict, in any defensive incident, there is a greater-than-zero chance that you’ll lose.”
So, you win all the fights you’re not in.
