It appears the gun laws were so effective they’ve had to add knives too…
Archive for the ‘2A’ Category
I’ll Just Leave This Right Here
Thursday, December 20th, 2012Why New Firearms Legislation Will Hurt The Military
Thursday, December 20th, 2012Back in July, a Congressman proposed an amendment to the Cyber Security Act that would ban high capacity magazines. I made this argument based on the negative effects the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 commonly referred to as the Assault Weapons Ban or AWB had on the US military. Rarely do legislators consider the second and third order affects of laws and only later, like ripples in a pond do these implications manifest themselves. Now, we can look at the AWB and its affects not only on crime but also on national defense. Please review this article but remember that it was published in July and there is currently no proposed legislation in debate.
From 1994 until 2004 the American firearms industry suffered under a form of prohibition. The “Assault Weapons Ban” not only covered weapon features but also magazines over 10 rounds. This legislation did nothing to alter crime and, once lifted did not result in any increased gun violence. Overall, it was useless legislation.
These very magazines and weapon features that were banned under the “Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994” have been crucial to the US Department of Defense’s and our Allies small modernization as part of operations in Iraq as well as globally against piracy, terror and general mayhem. During the 10-year period of the AWB, US businesses curtailed small arms innovation. The point of a business is to make money. When there is little market for a product (as was the case during the AWB), the business case is not there to service it. This was most definitely the situation with magazines for the M9 Beretta Handgun. Many who served early in the war will remember poorly produced high capacity magazines for that weapon. This is because there was no competition in the marketplace due to a lack of market. Rather, government contractors for that magazine were able to produce products that performed poorly on the battlefield. There was no competition. There was no innovation.
Since the ban was lifted, an entire industry has grown and flourished, producing innovative solutions for both law abiding citizens and our military alike. American troops are the best equipped in the world and other countries look to us for technical innovation in small arms.
On the heels of the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, opportunistic members of Congress have attached an amendment to (S.A. 2575) to the “Cybersecurity Act” (S. 3414) that would once again restrict these magazines that are critical to our military.
Contact your Congressional representation (switchboard 202-225-3121) and let them know how you feel about this proposed legislation and the hijacking of the Cybersecurity Act by opportunists. A strong American firearms industry contributes directly to our National Defense.
You’ve Got Your Breathing Room
Wednesday, December 19th, 2012The President has spoken. He is giving his commission until January to provide him with recommendations on additional gun control. That’s breathing room that takes emotion out of the equation. Hopefully, as the President said, “common sense will prevail.”
However, despite paying lip service to mental health issues and school safety during the beginning of his address, President Obama failed to mention them at all during the meat of the speech. Unfortunately, they are the two issues that will result in the greatest impact. It lets you know where his head is.
So now, it’s out there and he’s played to his base. So it’s time to get back to work and make something happen regarding Sequestration. By the way, a “deal” means that both sides get something. Congress and the President need to make a deal. Inaction will result in everyone losing.
Join the NRA
Wednesday, December 19th, 2012If you feel that private gun ownership is a fundamental right then you should be a member of the National Rifle Association. Join today.
Why a New AWB Soon Won’t Matter
Wednesday, December 19th, 2012Even if Congress decides to enact a new AWB tomorrow, essentially, it won’t matter. 3D printers are coming and they can’t be stopped. Along with those printers will come a whole new set of enforcement challenges. That’s why outlawing guns, or even just certain types is unworkable. Instead, society needs to come to grips with the root cause of mass shootings. Part of that answer is most assuredly going to involve mental health care. There’s no free lunch here folks. Meaning, you might want to consider your stance on public healthcare vice your position on the Second Amendment and personal ownership of firearms. We used to institutionalize the insane but stopped doing it because it cost too much. Enhanced security will also cost, and will most assuredly result in some level of compromised individual liberty. America is clamoring for a nanny state and there are those all too willing to satisfy them.
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
– President Thomas Jefferson
But I digress.
Consider the use of this argument when you debate gun grabbers. They can round up every last one of them but the technology will soon be available for virtually anyone to manufacture a firearm in the comfort of their home. And that firearm won’t necessarily be in compliance of the national firearms act or other laws governing the manufacture and features of firearms. Building these guns won’t require expensive machinery or special skills. Simply download a file and press a button. Assemble when finished.
Check out this article we published less than six months ago for some real world application of 3D printing of firearm components.
Tactical Fanboy picked this up the other day. Despite assertions elsewhere, by no means is this the first 3D printed firearm. It’s starting to make its way into the Main Stream Media and of course timing couldn’t be better so the ‘plastic’ gun and ‘anyone can print a gun’ talk has already started. To be sure, 3D printing is the next big thing. Industry is way out on front of Government on this issue as they are more concerned with patent and copyright infringement than anything else. Expect to see industry propose legislation to attempt to throttle printers in order to suppress certain types of items being produced.
The big issue in this instance is that a lower was produced. As far as ATF is concerned, that is the firearm. It is legal to build your own gun. However, as this technology proliferates, what would stop someone who cannot legally possess a firearm from printing critical parts and assembling a gun from the parts he couldn’t produce in house? A heavy question that balances liberty and social responsibility.
Will LE one day be on the lookout for unlicensed printers connecting to the network? Will everything we print have to be approved by a central server? Will printing certain items become illegal? These are all issues we will face in the not-too-distant-future. The capability presented by the 3D printer makes it an absolute Disruptive Technology.
HaveBlue of AR15.com has managed to create a working polymer AR-15 lower made from a 3D printer, specifically a mid 90’s Stratasys 3D printer. So far, the lower has been combined with a .22 LR upper, with over 200 rounds fired and no issues. A 5.56 upper was also used, with some feeding and extraction issues, however according to the creator this upper has also had problems with a standard aluminum lower.
A few other articles I’ve seen on this project have instantly jumped at the chance to (incorrectly) claim people now have the ability to create fully-functional firearms using just a 3D printer, so in the name of truth and fairness, I feel it’s important to mention that only the lower was created with the printer, not the trigger assembly and other required components.
AR-15.com thread detailing the project
Who ISN’T Price Gouging?
Tuesday, December 18th, 2012Seems like everyone and his brother is price gouging for guns, ammo and magazines. So who ISN’T gouging customers? List the company and link in the comments section. If its a local joint put their name, city and tel number in the comments.
Don’t forget the links!
Cheaper Than Dirt Suspends Online Firearm Sales
Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
Cerberus Selling Freedom Group – WOW, That Was Fast
Tuesday, December 18th, 2012“It is apparent that the Sandy Hook tragedy was a watershed event that has raised the national debate on gun control to an unprecedented level.”
-Cerberus Capital Management
Early this morning Freedom Group‘s owners Cerberus Capital Management announced the decision to sell. FGI Companies include Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, NEF, LC Smith, Parker, Dakota Arms and Mountain Khakis.
Their full statement –
We were shocked and deeply saddened by the events that took place at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT on December 14, 2012. We cannot comprehend the losses suffered by the families and friends of those killed by the unthinkable crimes committed that day. No words or actions can lessen the enormity of this event or make a dent in the pain that was inflicted on so many.
In 2006 affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. made a financial investment in Freedom Group. Freedom Group does not sell weapons or ammunition directly to consumers, through gun shows or otherwise. Sales are made only to federally licensed firearms dealers and distributors in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. We do not believe that Freedom Group or any single company or individual can prevent senseless violence or the illegal use or procurement of firearms and ammunition.
It is apparent that the Sandy Hook tragedy was a watershed event that has raised the national debate on gun control to an unprecedented level. The debate essentially focuses on the balance between public safety and the scope of the Constitutional rights under the Second Amendment. As a Firm, we are investors, not statesmen or policy makers. Our role is to make investments on behalf of our clients who are comprised of the pension plans of firemen, teachers, policemen and other municipal workers and unions, endowments, and other institutions and individuals. It is not our role to take positions, or attempt to shape or influence the gun control policy debate. That is the job of our federal and state legislators.
There are, however, actions that we as a firm can take. Accordingly, we have determined to immediately engage in a formal process to sell our investment in Freedom Group. We will retain a financial advisor to design and execute a process to sell our interests in Freedom Group, and we will then return that capital to our investors. We believe that this decision allows us to meet our obligations to the investors whose interests we are entrusted to protect without being drawn into the national debate that is more properly pursued by those with the formal charter and public responsibility to do so.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities impacted by this tragic and devastating event.
