Shot a Wild Bunch match today, and got to shoot a *Knucklebuster* (a Winchester 1897 Shotgun, which Norico/IAC(?) is currently selling clones of) for the first time. What a hoot. Got to load it up for a change as opposed to the typical 2 shot max. Also got to shoot more of my 1911, just need to get a WWI era holster, and mag pouches. Wild Bunch is sorta like Cowboy Action, but features firearms typically from 1892 to 1917. Since there’s no set standard, things can vary from club to club. Some place out West are open to the whole gamit, meaning if you can trace your firearm back to that time frame, and supply lead ammo, then bring it on out. But typically, it’s just a 1911 replacing your two SA’s.
I’m sorta pleased with my performance today. I was grinning so much I thought my face would break. But I’m contemplating putting in a lighter recoil spring, so that I can us 150grain 45auto that I can get commercially reloaded for $8/box, till I get used to the semi auto feel. I’m not so hip to using full 230grain right from the start, as a new shooter, I like to see results fast, I’d rather not waste $$$ on full loads and not hit a damn thing. Besides, Wild Bunch targets are simple steel plates with a rare knockdown. Today I had to hit a pegleg, and have a maniquin fall, but dammit, I missed!
To everyone on the Gulf Coast, you are in my prayers.
I hope we can all agree that with people lives and livelihood on the line, Gustav is not an item for political gain.
As of this writing, it’s looking more and more like a major hurricane will hit New Orleans for the second time in four years. I’ve already read a couple of sites speculating about the “delicious irony” of seeing a split-screen GOP convention, with hurricane-ravaged footage on one side of the screen. I’m sorry, but this isn’t the time to be scoring cheap political points. These are people’s lives and livelihoods we’re talking about here.
That’s not to say that I think we shouldn’t hold people responsible for their failings in Katrina, or anything of the sort. I just hope something happens so that it’s not so bad this time around, and if the worst does happen, I hope the response is worlds better this time than it was last time. I don’t care who it helps or hurts politically — that’s the least of my worries. The people of the Gulf Coast are all that matters right now. The petty politics can be sorted out later.
Cross-posted everywhere I can cross-post.
Story here.
Had the same issue here in AZ. It'd help if drafters of legislation remembered always to include a saving clause. I.e., this legislation applies to events occuring after the effective date, or prosecutions filed after its date, or cases pending on its date, or cases or appeals pending on its date. Just say what it is, and that's it. Leave it open, and anything can happen (most likely the courts find it only applies to events occurring after its date). I did some research a ways back, and found some cases indicating that a loosening of a criminal statute is given broad effect, while a tightening, under the double jeopardy clause, can't be given.
Sarah is real.You are going to have to head on over to read the rest of it
She is an honest genuine person. She truly cares about Alaskans and the people of her community. She dared to take on the Republican party here, and took that fight straight to the people. She's called for the resignation of the Head of the Alaskan Republicans and forced the former Attorney General to resign by bringing his corrupt actions to light. She has been a crusader for eliminating the 'Good Ol'Boy' politics.
And as far as the 2nd Amendment goes, let me tell you a little story...
48 hours later and I’m still fairly squeeing with glee. I may actually get to vote for a candidate instead of against one. This feels weird…
- Tam
The idea that we can vote FOR a candidate instead of AGAINST one seems fairly prevalent. I am definitely excited about Sarah Palin, and about the ticket. McCain made a bold move, and I think so far it is paying off for him in a big way.
A Scottsdale police dog was shot and killed by his handler on Friday. Police say they think the death was accidental...I wonder if all applicable considerations that would apply to non-"Only Ones" will be...uh...unleashed here.
Striker was on a leash, and while conducting the search, Coffee shot Striker, police said. Details were not available.
No intruder was found.
In addition to cooing over photos of the Obama daughters and Obama with the Kennedys, Cuomo highlighted photos of women looking adoringly at Obama: "And now, of course, the insight you're able to capture out on the trail. You say, it's so much like a religious experience for people as they meet him. Let's see the view that you get. Look at them with their hands clasped."
Look at me, Damien. It's all for you! The mayor, his police chief and numerous other city officials have denied that any such party took place. The city’s chief prosecutor dismissed the claims as “urban legend”. Yet since Yatooma took up the case last autumn, several police officers have come forward to claim that they were intimidated into silence about parties they knew to have taken place at the mayor’s home.
“I was ordered by my supervisors to keep my mouth shut and say that there never was any party,” declared Officer Tony Davis in a letter to Ella Bully-Cummings, the Detroit police chief, in March...
The police lieutenant initially in charge of the murder investigation quickly concluded that Greene had been specifically targeted by a contract killer. Lieutenant Alvin Bowman has since testified in a sworn affidavit that his attempts to investigate reports about the party and Carlita Kilpatrick’s alleged involvement were blocked by the mayor and his staff.
“Every witness . . . felt intimidated against coming forward,” said Bowman. “My squad would have solved Ms Greene’s murder but for the interference [of officials].”
At the hearing, Hammer disputed news reports that Grainger suffers from schizophrenia and should not have been issued the concealed pistol license he carried. Despite earlier statements to the contrary, prosecutors did not offer any evidence Friday that Grainger suffers from the mental illness.Huh. Could have fooled us.
"He has never had any schizophrenia," Hammer said. "He was legally qualified to possess a firearm."
Let me say right up front that my opinion here will be biased because Sarah is a friend. I met her for the first time about six years ago when she was running for Lt. Governor of Alaska. She's been on my radio show many times and with the help of listeners here in our home town she was elected to office by an
overwhelming margin.
With that out of the way I'll tell you this.
Sarah is real.
She is an honest genuine person. She truly cares about Alaskans and the people of her community. She dared to take on the Republican party here, and took that fight straight to the people. She's called for the resignation of the Head of the Alaskan Republicans and forced the former Attorney General to resign by bringing his corrupt actions to light. She has been a crusader for eliminating the 'Good Ol'Boy' politics.
And as far as the 2nd Amendment goes, let me tell you a little story.
About a year ago a friend of mine, who is a local Class III Dealer, called me complaining about how our local Trooper detachment was delaying or just outright refusing to sign several Form 1 transfers that had been submitted to them. These transfers were from a couple of Class III Dealers and other Class III holders.
I started to make some calls and after getting nowhere with the Troopers, I finally called Sarah. Although she was extremely busy she told me that she would look into it and get back to me. I thought 'well that'll take some time', but it was only 2 or 3 days later that right in the middle of my talk show I get this call out of the blue from the Commissioner of Public Safety! He tells us that the Governor had spoken to him and made if very clear that the Troopers should be doing what they are legally obligated to do, and that he apologized personally for the locals not doing it.
Long and the short, no more problems with transfers.
We're gonna hate to lose Sarah, we need her to help get us back on track to prosperity. But I think the country needs her more.
Now I can vote for McCain, without having to hold my nose so hard.
Go Sarah!!
MD
For my Friday morning thoughts see:
http://themichaeldukesshow.blogspot.com/2008/08/sarah-palin-for-vp.html
I am also directed by the Committee to request answers to the following queries, viz:
Whether the Committees have power to call out the Minute Companies whenever they think proper?
Whether we are authorized to engage the Minute-Men any and what pay, when in actual service?
Whether the Committee can be supplied with a small sum, to answer contingent charges?
It said that around 24,000 veterans are either in jail, on parole or serving community punishment orders after having been convicted of crimes. They make up around nine per cent of the prison population.That's a not-insignificant percentage, no matter how you slice it. I wonder what the root causes are? Contrary to post-Vietnam Hollywood images, returned vets tend to be, on average, more squared away than the general populace.
Looking at cnn.com earlier, first screen has 3 mentions of Sarah Palin, one of Barack Obama. And that one was about an ad he was running about Sarah Palin. Remember, this is 2 days after his speech accepting the nomination of the Democrat party. McCain and Palin have managing to be the most talked about thing in the presidential race, right after the DNC convention.
Morris, 62, can hardly believe that he opened his morning Star-Telegram and saw his father’s service weapon and his mother’s picture, in the hands of the Parker County sheriff. He had all but given up hope he would see it again.I'll take this opportune moment to remind everyone to write down the serial numbers of all of their firearms, especially ones that are passed down in the family.
"Nothing in this world that I owned had more sentimental value to me," he said. "That gun meant the world to me. It means the world to me. I was in tears when I read that article."
Last October, someone stole three guns from Morris’ house, including his father’s .45-caliber Army pistol. He filed a police report with Stephenville but did not have the serial numbers.
The custom, plexiglass hand grips came from the windshield of a crashed German bomber.Head on over and read the rest.
"His men took that windshield out and made those grips for his weapon," Jim Morris said. "They really admired him."
$7 Million in donations. It’s like the base is energized or something.
And QOTD from Tam via email:
I’m surprised you didn’t go for the more obvious one: “Maverick & Cougar: Vote Top Gun ‘08″
Ya know the really cool thing about not being a liberal nor a Democrat? It’s the fact that joke is funny and we’re not offended.
Six years ago, I started this blog. I almost forgot it was the anniversary. I usually number crunch the anniversaries but just ain’t feeling it this year.
One year ago, I joined NRA. You’d think they’d send me a notice to renew. You’d have been wrong. I still outsmarted them and re-upped for a few years.
Update: ok, some numbers:
16,663 posts
60,723 comments
2,424,771 visits
4,326,722 page views
662,290 spam comments
Hacked twice
$1,084 spent on software and hosting
$7,669 income from the blog.
A whopping $1,278 per year. but I only started selling ads like three years ago so it’s more like $2,556!
The Legacy of Liars
By Dr. Paul Gallant & Dr. Joanne Eisen
Last July, just a scant two months before the September 11 terrorist attacks, Americans witnessed an attempt by the United Nations to curb small arms possession by civilians around the world via its "Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects." President Bush refused to cooperate with efforts to control civilian ownership of firearms in the U.S. and, in accordance with U.N. demands, he was roundly excoriated by many in and outside of U.N. circles.
It’s no surprise that an organization comprised of nation-states would be more concerned with the stability of dictators than with civil liberties, especially the right of an individual to possess the tools for protection against criminals or a criminal government. And it’s not difficult to decode the rhetoric camouflaging the U.N.’s attempt to guard against both possibilities:
"The proliferation of light weapons gives greatest cause for concern when they cease to be in the control of security forces and become the charge of sub-state actors and organizations. This is the point at which control is crucial."
Police:Garage owner fatally shoots would-be robber
Baltimore police say the owner of an auto repair shop fatally shot a man trying to rob his business.
It happened around 6:30 p.m. Friday at Joe's Garage in northwest Baltimore.
Police spokesman Sterling Clifford says this was the second time that owner Joseph Goldman has shot someone trying to rob his business, but he did not have further details about the first shooting.
In Friday's incident, police say two men entered the business and displayed a handgun, but Goldman grabbed his own gun and fired at the men, hitting one.
The injured man was taken to Sinai Hospital where police say he was pronounced dead. Police did not release that man's name.
The second man fled and police are still looking for him.
Police: Woman Shoots At Men Trying To Break Into Car
Miami-Dade police said a woman opened fire on three men who were trying to break into a car in Miami Lakes early Thursday.
The three men were trying to break into a car outside a home near Northwest 57th Avenue north of the Palmetto Expressway at about 1:30 a.m., police said. Miami-Dade police said they think the men were trying to steal the car's stereo.
A man and a woman who were inside the home came outside. When the man got into a confrontation with the three men, the woman started firing a gun, police said. Neighbors said they heard between four and seven shots.
"These subjects came here to do a crime," said Bobby Williams of the Miami-Dade Police Department. "Once that crime was committed, the boyfriend came out to stop them or at least to talk to them. They attacked him, so she was in fear for her boyfriend's safety and herself."
Ilana Lopez was inside the home at the time of the shooting.
"If he was in my property, burglarizing one of our vehicles, she did what she had to do to protect it," Lopez said.
The three men took off in an SUV, which police said was stolen. Police stopped the suspects outside a nearby CVS store and arrested them.
One of the three men had been shot in the chest and was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was in critical condition, NBC 6's Steve Litz reported.
The investigation continues. The suspects were expected to face charges.
Lopez said the car stereo was stolen once before, about three weeks ago.
"What can I say? I'm just tired of this going on around here," she said.
Florida's "Castle Doctrine" allows a potential victim to respond with deadly force if an intruder or criminal has intentions of death or great bodily harm, Litz reported. If the shooting is justified, the person will not be prosecuted.
Police said the shooting appeared to be justified, so the woman who fired the shots might not face charges.
The woman had no comment for reporters Thursday morning.
The names of those involved have not been released.
Fort Worth Man Shoots, Kills Neighbor's Dogs
A North Texas family is mourning the loss of two of their pets. The nine-month-old pit bulls were shot and killed by a neighbor who says it was self defense.
The shooting happened in a neighborhood off Ten Mile Bridge Road in northwest Fort Worth.
The neighbors never had any problems before. But that all changed over the weekend.
The man who pulled the trigger says he didn't have any choice. But the dogs' owners disagree.
Kristopher Harrison has a six-year-old daughter. He says that's why he was upset when two pit bulls wandered into his backyard Saturday afternoon.
Harrison says he told his next door neighbors, if it happened again, he would shoot the dogs. And that's exactly what he did around 4 a.m. Sunday morning.
Harrison says he and a friend were taking a break from watching the Olympics when the nine-month-old dog named 'Scarface' crawled under the fence. Harrison had his shotgun with him, so he says he shot the dog and the dog's sister, 'Lady'.
"I wish he just would have went in the house and would have came and told me instead of retaliating that way," dog owner Shaylen Ross said.
One of the animals was found dead in Harrison's backyard. The other was found dead in its own backyard.
"He was showing his teeth, growling and he was coming at me," Harrison explained. "The second dog, I didn't know. I didn't think I was going to have to shoot him, because he seemed a little hesitant. But then he looked at the hole in the fence. I thought he was going to go back under, then he turned around and started coming at me and that's when I shot him."
Fort Worth Police are reviewing the case, but they say if the dogs were in the neighbor's yard when they were shot it's unlikely that any charges will be filed.
2 robbers flee, 1 finds a fight
A homeowner and his son fought off a robber Wednesday night during an attempted home invasion in southern Allen County.
Police from several local agencies flocked to the Pheasant Run housing addition south of Dunkelberg Road after an officer who responded to the robbery reported hearing shots fired and that an officer was in trouble. Police later learned that no one was shot and the officer was OK, police said.
Allen County police took a call at 9:47 p.m. reporting the home invasion. Officers arrived at 9218 Burr Oak Drive at 9:52 p.m. and heard one shot as a robbery suspect was running from the area, Sheriff Ken Fries said.
The officer didn’t know who was shooting or why and stopped chasing the suspect and focused on the shooter. The officer detained at least one person who turned out to be a neighbor. He fired one shot at the suspect – not the officer, Fries said.
Several people, including teenagers, were home when three men tried to enter the home. Two of the robbers fled, leaving one behind. The homeowner and his teenage son wrestled with the man and at some point the homeowner was hit in the head with an unknown object, police said.
The homeowner suffered a cut to his head and was treated and released. No one else was hurt, Fries said.
When police arrived, the remaining robber ran and the officer began to chase him. That’s when a neighbor thought he’d help and fired a shot toward the suspect, Fries said.
Police dogs were used to try and track the three robbers but none had been found by midnight. It was unclear whether they were armed, Fries said.
Fries said they should be considered dangerous and warned residents not to answer the door or let anyone into their home if they don’t know them or they look suspicious.
Investigators believe the home was not likely picked at random as the homeowner’s son knew one of the suspects, Fries said.
The attempted home invasion remains under investigation, he said.
