Professional Documents
Culture Documents
www.nranews.com
April 2011
Following the tragedy in Tucson, anti-gunners in Congress and the media have wasted no time in hammering out new gun-ban restrictions.
D I G I TA L
Apr11
FIREARMS
RUGER The new Gunsite Scout Rifle is a Model 77-based bolt-action chambered in .308-Win.
DIGITAL
BO N U S :
KEL-TEC
KS G
AT
SH OT
KEL-TEC The pump-action KSG, Kel-Tecs first entry into the shotgun market, features dual tube magazines holding 14 rounds of 2 3/4-inch 12-ga. loads.
SMITH & WESSON Representing Smith & Wessons first foray into the .410-bore revolver market, the Governor accommodates .410-bore shotshells, .45 Colt cartridges and .45 ACP rounds.
CHIAPPA The uniquely styled Rhino boasts a 4-inch barrel with accessory rail and is chambered in .357 Mag.
ROSSI The Trail Judge, with oversized lever loop, shortened stock and 12-inch barrel, is a .45 Colt/.410-bore version of the venerable Ranch Hand.
Apr11
D I G I TA L
B O N U S:
F I O CC H I
I N
ACTI ON
AMMUNITION
WINCHESTER The new Blind Side waterfowl loads feature Hex pellets and the Diamond Cut wad, combined to deliver one of the most deadly loads on the market today.
SIERRA The new line of BlitzKing bullets is specially designed to deliver the accuracy and performance needed for varmint hunting.
HORNADY The new Steel Match line from Hornady provides the highlest levels of accuracy while costing up to 40 percent less than comparable brass case match ammo.
FIOCCHI New for 2011, the Chemical Tracer line of shotshells provides a daytime visible trace that travels with the cloud of shot as it hits or misses the target, dramatically enhancing training capabilities for law enforcement and target shooters.
Apr11
OPTICS
BSA
VORTEX The Viper HS series offers a 4x zoom range that provides magnification versatility, plus an ultra-friendly eye box with increased eye relief that gets shooters on target quickly and easily.
The new Goldstar line offers four configurations featuring 1-inch tubes, fully multicoated lenses, EZ Hunter reticles and lifetime warranty.
NIKON The EDG binoculars come in five configurations, each featuring Nikons ED glass.
LEUPOLD The VX-6 riflescopes feature a powerful 6:1 zoom ratio that offers a wider range of magnification compared to standard scopes.
DIGITAL
BO N U S :
LEUP OLD
AT
SH OT
2 01 1
ZEISS The Dialyt field spotter boasts a rubber-coated metal body thats fully waterproof and dust proof.
WEAVER
Two new additions to the 40/44 series includes a model designed for muzzleloaders in states where magnification is prohibited.
Apr11
D I G I TA L
B O N U S:
N RA N E WS
AT
S HOT
NRA IS THERE
And just like other events important to gun owners, NRANews.com this year was once again covering the annual SHOT Show live and on location. Speaking with some of the biggest names in the industry, politics, media and the battle for our gun rightswhile giving viewers a first look at many of the products making a debut at the eventNRANews.com has become the source for coverage of this and other gatherings critical to gun owners. Be it the matches at Camp Perry, the National Police Shooting Championships, the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)and, of course, live each year from the Exhibit Hall floor at the NRA Annual Meetings & ExhibitsNRANews is unrivaled in its coverage of topics critical to the Second Amendment. To view coverage of SHOT Show 2011, search the video archives at NRANews.com.
I G I TA L
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N RA
50
Our annual review of the latest guns from todays firearm manufacturersbe sure to catch them all at the nra Annual Meetings & Exhibits April 29-May 1 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
D I G I TA L
April 2011 Volume 12, Number 4
Features
74
COVER STORY
Tragedy In Tucson
by Chris W. Cox, nra-ila Executive Director
112
Once again, anti-gun lawmakers and activists take advantage of a communitys loss.
Its the 100th anniversary of New Yorks Sullivan Law, a precursor of todays modern gun control movement.
98
84
A decades-long battle for firearm freedom could soon end in the worst way possible for Irish gun owners.
I G I TA L
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
20
Standing Guard
by nra Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre
D I G I TA L
April 2011 Volume 12, Number 4
24
Presidents Column
by nra President Ronald Schmeits
Departments
16
Letter From The Editor
by Editor Mark Chesnut
30 46
18
Mail Call
From Americas 1st Freedom readers
Armed Citizen
True stories of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
30
CDP pistols feature night sights and a Carry Melt treatment for rounded and blended edges.
The Pro CDP II .45 ACP has a 4 - inch barrel and full - length grip. It weighs just 28 ounces.
The Custom CDP II .45 ACP is a full -size 1911. Even with a 5 - inch barrel, it weighs only 31 ounces.
Absolute dependability combined with power and accuracy is everything in a carry pistol. Kimber CDP (Custom Defense Package) models take that to the extreme, blending all the important carry features into a light weight, high-performance package. Built in the Kimber Custom Shop, each has front strap checkering, match grade barrel, chamber and trigger, stainless steel slide and ambidextrous thumb safety. Seven models are offered, each an unequaled value. Chamberings include .45 ACP and 9mm. A carry pistol is the last place to compromise. Carry a Kimber CDP.
2011 Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Kimber names, logos and other trademarks may not be used without permission. Names of other companies, products and services may be the property of their respective owners. Kimber firearms are shipped with an instruction manual and California-approved cable lock. Copy of instruction manual available by request.
kimberamerica.com
I G I TA L
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
D I G I TA L
April 2011 Volume 12, Number 4
Departments
FROM THE NATIONAL FIREARMS MUSEUM
128
H.Q. Bulletin
ila Report, Regional Reports, Headquarters news, In Memoriam: Howard Pollock
by J.R. Labbe
A Springfield .30-06 with an automatic bolt-locking mechanism patented by gunsmith Elmer Ray Stahl
The NRA, the foremost guardian of the traditional American right to keep and bear arms, believes every law-abiding citizen is entitled to the ownership and legal use of firearms, and that every reputable gun owner should be an NRA Member.
With your stolen Social Security number in hand, identity thieves can file tax returns in your name and receive inflated refunds before you even file. This can lead to complications, frozen assets, and drawn out IRS investigations. Protect yourself this tax season and all year long with LifeLock, a trusted NRA partner. The identity theft protection experts at LifeLock work tirelessly to protect you from identity theft before it happens with:
60 DAYS
ONLY $9/MO!
RISK-FREE
If youre not completely satisfied within your 60-day risk-free period, just call 1-800-LIFELOCK to receive a full refund of your purchase.
Advanced Internet monitoring Proactive identity threat alerts Lost or stolen wallet protection
(excludes pictures, cash, and cash equivalents)
ENROLL NOW!
Promo Code: NRA114
Offer is for new LifeLock members only. The LifeLock Command Centertm plan is not eligible for any trial offers and/or discounts greater than 10%. Prices provided reflect all applicable discounts for LifeLock service. NRA member dues or contributions are not used for this promotion, program or any other related expenses. LifeLock, the LockMan Logo and Relentlessly Protecting Your Identity are trademarks or registered trademarks of LifeLock, Inc.
FAR FASTER & EASIER to use than hard-to-handle, walk-behind tillers. BIG ENGINE POWER is ideal for large gardens, landscape projects, and food plots.
TILL A 3-FOOT SWATH with each pass PLUS! twice the width of most walk-behind tillers! The Perfect Cultivator. CREATE PERFECT SEEDBEDS with The DR ROTO-HOG Mini Tiller has twice the power of smooth and deep-tilling action of 24 steel the competition. bolo tines.
71089X 2011 CHP
www.DRrototiller.com
1-800-626-2403
SELF-FEEDING DR CHIPPER
Get your chipping done fast!
Just load a DR RAPID-FEED CHIPPER, step back, and watch it chip branches up to 5" thick!
SELF-FEEDING saves time and energy. Most branches can be dropped into the hopper and will self-feed, instead of you having to forcefeed them.
71091X 2011
CHIP BRANCHES UP TO 5-1/2" THICK with powerful engines up to 18 HP. PRO-SPEC CHIPPER KNIFE is made of forged alloy tool steel, making it exceptionally strong with an excellent edgeholding ability. TRACTOR OWNERS! 3-Point Hitch, tractor-mounted models also available.
1-800-626-2403
www.DRpowergrader.com
1-800-626-2403
PPQ
TM
der protection
Cutting-edge German engineering ensures PPQ performance lives up to its looks. Featuring one of the best trigger systems on the market, PPQ introduces the new Walther Quick Defense Trigger. Its short travel, light pull and quick audible reset puts a fast, more condent response rmly in the palm of your hand.
WALTHERAMERICA.COM
I G I T A L Apr11
by Mark Chesnu t
Fortunately, missing the SHOT Show doesnt mean I missed out completely on getting to see these new guns in person, and you dont have to miss that opportunity either.
greatly, but I realize that missing this years show puts me in the same boat with most of you. Thats why Im so excited about our special new guns coverage here. Through this feature, brought to you by the excellent writers and editors at our sister publication American Rifleman, you can walk the aisles of the shot Show without ever having to leave your home or office.
L E T T E R
F R O M
T H E
E D I T O R
D I G I TA L
NRA PUBLICATIONS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Joe H. Graham DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lourdes F. Kite PUBLICATIONS SERVICES MANAGER Evelyn Q. Kessler FIREARMS INVENTORY MANAGER Tyler C. Kreis EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Terri A. Wolfe
EDITORIAL
DIRECTOR Michael J. Sanford MANAGER Michelle E. Kuntz MARKETING MANAGER James C. Handlon CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER Becky Woodlee PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Lori Boss Debra Oliveri SR. COORDINATOR AD SERVICES Samantha Brown COORDINATOR AD SERVICES Tiffany Ngu
ROSS MEDIA GROUP
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR John R. Zent EDITOR Mark Chesnut MANAGING EDITOR Gina M. Schmidt ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Are you wondering what great new big game rifle our friends at Kimber have introduced for this year? Or, perhaps, youre a fan of Smith & Wesson revolvers and youd like to find out what that triedand-true company is debuting? Or, maybe youre in the market for a new concealed carry pistol and just want to see what various companies have to offer? All of those questions and more can be answered by perusing our expanded a1f Digital coverage of new guns from all of your favorite manufacturers. If you like new firearmsand lets face it, who among us doesntyou wont want to miss this feature story. Its the next best thing to being there and getting to see these new gun offerings in person. Fortunately, missing the shot Show doesnt mean I missed out completely on getting to see these new guns in person, and you dont have to miss that opportunity either. Most of these same firearms will be on display at the 2011 nra Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Pittsburgh, Pa., April 29-May 1. Ill be there, and I hope to see you there, too. You can find me wandering up and down the aisles, checking out all the new guns I missed back in January!
Blaine Smith EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Tracy Cullen CONTRIBUTING EDITOR James O.E. Norell
E-MEDIA
CORPORATE OFFICE 3902 Sandshell Drive Fort Worth, TX 76137 817-232-5556 PRESIDENT Ross Riley CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Gayle Uzobuife SR. VICE PRESIDENT NATIONAL SALES MGR. Gerry Cliff NORTHEAST Tony Morrison 860-767-9801 SOUTHEAST / SOUTH CENTRAL Stan Yates 850-619-8148 MIDWEST Gerry Cliff 817-232-5556 DIRECT ADVERTISING SALES Debbie OConnell 805-582-9856 Richard Hoffarth 763-323-9277 Lillian Cliff 817-741-0320 ELECTRONIC MEDIA Richard Hoffarth 763-323-9277 DETROIT & CHICAGO METRO Ross Riley 817-232-5556
EDITOR IN CHIEF Ann Y. Smith LEAD DEVELOPER Tom Rickwalder SENIOR WEB DESIGNER Steve Dulco
ART
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Clay Turner GRAPHICS DIRECTOR Steven Brite ART DIRECTOR Harry Lloyd Jaecks MANAGING ART DIRECTOR Susan K. Kilday IMAGE EDITOR Justin Morris PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Lloyd Hill, Jr. PHOTOGRAPHER Hannele Lahti ASSOCIATE PHOTOGRAPHER Alex Sutherland CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Michael Ives
WARNING: All technical data in this publication reflect the limited experience of individuals using specific tools, products, equipment, and components under specific conditions and circumstances not necessarily reported in the article and over which the National Rifle Association (NRA) has no control. The data have not been otherwise tested or verified by the NRA. The NRA, its agents, officers, and employees accept no responsibility for the results obtained by persons using such data and disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages. See asterisked * section below. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The editors are not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. *NO ADVERTISED ITEM IS INTENDED FOR SALE IN THOSE STATES, OR IN THOSE AREAS WHERE LOCAL RESTRICTIONS MAY LIMIT OR PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE, CARRYING OR USE OF CERTAIN ITEMS. CHECK LOCAL LAWS BEFORE PURCHASING. MENTION OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE IN ADVERTISEMENTS OR TEXT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT IT HAS BEEN TESTED OR APPROVED BY THE NRA. OFFICIAL NRA POSITIONS ARE EXPRESSED ONLY IN STATEMENTS BYLINED BY NRA OFFICERS OR IN ARTICLES IDENTIFIED AS SUCH. TO CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS or to report a damaged or undelivered magazine, write: Americas 1 Freedom, c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648. Do not return damaged copies. Change of address should include both new address and a mailing label bearing the old one. In case of duplication send both labels. For membership inquiries only, call (877) 672-2000. Copyright 2011, the National Rifle Association of America. All rights reserved except where expressly waived.
st
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T U S E YO U R P OWE R
Mail Call
I Thought I Knew
The articles from the January 2011 issue of Americas 1st Freedom, Empty Thinking and How to Pick a Fight, were very informative and eye opening. Im a 74-year-old gun owner and carrier (with permit) and an nra Life member. I thought I was informed about the anti-gun establishment, but I really had no idea about the lengths they would go to eliminate gun ownership in this great country. In my opinion, Empty Thinking should be part of the curriculum when studying the Constitution and particularly the Second Amendment. Thank you for your excellent coverage of all Second Amendment issues. C.E. Gene Miesse Via e-mail
L E T T E R S
It Could Be You
The story about Brian Aitken in the February 2011 issue of a1f (Convicted For Transporting Guns While Moving, n.j. Gun Owner Wins Clemency) is disturbing, and a perfect example of why I no longer live in the Garden State. For a man to be imprisoned after attempting to do everything within the letter of the law shows how easily any one of us could end up in the same situation. I doubt I am the only person who would like to show their support for Brian and your assistance with his court costs; please let me know if there is a way I can donate something to help with this ridiculous fight. Chuck Warren Via e-mail Although I am not an attorney, it seems to me that the judge clearly violated Brian Aitkens Fifth and 14th Amendment rights to Due Process of Law, when he decided to pick and choose which parts of the law he was accused of violating. How can a jury make an accurate and informed decision if the legal basis being used to convict a man is withheld from them? This was nothing more than a set-up by the judge, in an effort to ensure that Aitken would be unjustly convicted. This is a travesty of justice! Thankfully, Gov. Christie commuted Aitkens sentence. I hope that Gov. Christie goes one step further to right this terrible injustice, by granting a full and unconditional pardon. This case is a classic example of why it is so important
that juries are aware of their power of jury nullification. Contrary to what judges tell prospective jurors, as stated in 1794 by the First Chief Justice of the u.s. Supreme Court, John Jay, The jury has the right to judge both the law as well as the fact in controversy. This is a powerful tool that a jury can use to ensure that individuals such as Aitken are not unjustly convicted of a crime. It can also be used to refuse to convict people of violating a law that is unjust, unconstitutional, etc. I thoroughly enjoy reading each and every issue of a1f, especially Mail Call. Keep up the great work! Phillip Thiele Simi Valley, CA
Mail Call is intended to give members a chance to comment on the materials published in Americas 1st Freedom or on other timely topics related to our Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Send your letters to: Mail Call, Americas 1st Freedom, 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030-9400, or e-mail 1stFreedom@nrahq.org and note Mail Call in the subject line.
I G I T A L Apr11
S T A N D I N G
G U A R D
FOR LEGISLATION AND YOUR NRA, VISIT: FOR NEWS ABOUT NEWS ABOUT LEGISLATION AND YOUR NRA, VISIT: WWW.NRAILA.ORG, WWW.NRANEWS.COM AND WWW.NRA.ORG WWW.NRAILA.ORG, WWW.NRANEWS.COM AND WWW.NRA.ORG
Nothing is new here: Columbine; Virginia Tech; the political assassinations that marked the 60sall aberrations. Yet we are blamed. By all accounts, the accused Tucson assassin was a publicity-seeking, twisted, loner-loser who terrified his community college classmates and teachers to the point of being taken into custody by campus police and banned from school unless he cleared a psychiatric exam. Reportedly his parents had been warned by the police. He had a death shrine in his backyard. His former friends were frightened over what hed become. Students in his classeslong before he joined the ranks of other loner-loser mass murdererssaid they were afraid for their lives. Yet, nobody did the right thing. Nobody with the authority to seek mental observation and treatment for
We are being blamed for the acts of a deranged madman, who sent signal after signal that he was dangerous.
this deeply disturbed young man took advantage of the law. He was a prime candidate. Had the authorities acted appropriately, Jan. 8, 2011, would have been just another day in Tucson. Instead, the sheriff nonsensically blamed talk radio and political activists. That theme was picked up by a lynch-mob media that desperately wanted to reverse the nations new political dynamic. When it became clear that the accused killer never cared one whit about politics or conservative talk radio, the big media rounded up the usual suspects. Usual suspects? You and me. Our freedom. We are being blamed for the acts of a deranged madman, who sent signal after signal that he was dangerous. The carnage in Tucson was committed by one sociopath with one gun. That horrific event has nothing whatsoever to do with you or me, or any of the 80 million citizens residing in 50 percent of American households who privately own 300 million guns, of which there are 100 million handguns. This bears repeating: We are 80 million decent Americans who would never contemplate, much less commit, a violent crime. Thats why there is not a single gun law that would have prevented this
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
S T A N D I N G
G U A R D
murderer from committing his crimes. The threat of capital punishment didnt stop him. The fbi found evidence on his computer that he studied and accepted death by lethal injection. He was prepared to pay that price. He was obsessed with other assassins. Of all of the vitriol aimed at us in the aftermath of the Tucson rampage, perhaps the worst came from hbos Bill Maher during a profanity-laced January appearance on nbcs Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Mahers diatribe began: First of all, the nra should just change their name to the Assassins Lobby stop the bulls--t about the Second Amendment in the Constitution. Leno, for his part, unthinkingly repeated the gun-ban mantra that nobody needs a large capacity clip. I would ask Jay Leno, who owns one of the finest collections of rare automobiles, to turn that argument on himself: Speed kills. Nobody needs a Duesenberg, or a Ferrari, or a Shelby Cobra with all that horsepower. Think of the carnage were an insane or unstable driver to get hold of one of your super-fast cars. And dont tell me that an automobile didnt figure in the Tucson murderers plans. He got to his killing zone in a car.
Nobody would buy that. So why should anybody buy the same argument about innocent people who own guns? Yet the self-anointed elite ruling classes have pounced on the Tucson rampage to demand enactment of a magazine ban that would make transfer of any magazine that holds more than 10 rounds a 10-year federal felony. But there is a single nobody needs argument that every free American should embrace. Nobody needs a phony solution that would make the innocent pay the price for the guilty. Gun control doesnt work. It has never worked. Legislation doesnt stop evil. Bad people do bad things that can be stopped through their swift removal from our civil and peaceable society. We must work together in the coming months to fight the onslaught of gun-ban bills that this tragedy has spawned. We must keep the pressure on the Congress and state legislatures with a simple message: No new gun control! And each of us must do our part to educate others as to the dangers to American freedom inherent in that indefensible phrase nobody needs, especially when it comes to the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
Gun control doesnt work. It has never worked. Legislation doesnt stop evil. Bad people do bad things that can be stopped through their swift removal from our civil and peaceable society.
I G I T A L Apr11
P R E S I D E N T S
C O L U M N
FOR NEWS ABOUT LEGISLATION AND YOUR NRA, VISIT: WWW.NRAILA.ORG, WWW.NRANEWS.COM AND WWW.NRA.ORG
I dont get to carry M4 rifles anymore. What I get to carry is guitars and a microphone.
He was a young Army Ranger serving in Africa when his unit came under fire a combat encounter chronicled in the feature film Black Hawk Down. Since retiring from active service, he has successfully pursued a country music career. Now he uses that platform to give motivational speeches at schools and community centers across America. Hes traveled the world to perform for our troops, even taking helicopters into remote, mountainous locations, where he sings and plays acoustic guitar for isolated units. As Keni puts it, I dont get to carry m4 rifles anymore. What I get to carry is guitars and a microphone. Last Defense is a stirring tribute to the Patriot Guard Riders, a group that was formed in response to the hateful, outrageous activities of those who use military funerals as a platform to spread their poisonous message. The Patriot Guard ride their motorcycles wherever theyre needed across the country, helping to give fallen soldiers and their families the peace, privacy and dignity they deserve. Perhaps my favorite is A Veterans Memories, a beautiful look at the life and service of Walter Hughes, who at 18 years old parachuted behind enemy lines in World War ii Holland. Now in his 80s, Hughes took the time to sit down and tell us his story. His first jump as a paratrooper was during Operation Market Garden, the wars largest Airborne operation, and his ensuing experiences were marked by bravery and heroism. Those are just a sampling of the videos currently offered. A new Patriot Profile is added each and every month to tell the stories no one else is telling, so be sure to check it often.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
P R E S I D E N T S
C O L U M N
nra Life of Duty offers many ways to support our servicemen and women, whether through service aid societies, scholarships or even by providing an nra Life of Duty membership to a military member. Our armed forces do the most selfless and dangerous work there is, for the most noble and vital cause there isand they do it for you and me. They expose themselves to unimaginable horrors without asking for recognition or praise. They carry out their orders without question or complaint. Their experiences provide them with a perspective on the costs and value of freedom that the rest of us rarely if ever experience. I think thats something that every one of us should give thanks for whenever were given the chance. At the end of April, when we join together in Pittsburgh for the nra 140th Annual Meetings & Exhibits to celebrate our uniquely American freedoms, well give all uniformed military, law enforcement, fire department and paramedic personnel free admission to the Exhibit Halla longstanding nra tradition. If youre a veteran or actively serving, I urge you to stand up and be recognized in Pittsburgh. If not, please take a minute to say hello, shake these heroes hands, thank them for their service and tell them what your freedom means to you. In the meantime, please take a few minutes to browse the nra Life of Duty channel on the Internet. I hope that, like me, youll find it interesting and inspirational.
How does Harbor Freight Tools sell high quality tools at such ridiculously low prices? We buy direct from the factories who also supply the major brands and sell direct to you. Its just that simple! Come see for yourself at one of our 340 STORES NATIONWIDE and use this 20% OFF Coupon on one of our 7,000 products*, plus with any purchase of $19.99 or greater, pick up a FREE 9 LED Aluminum Flashlight, a $7.99 VALUE with our compliments. We stock Automotive products, Shop Equipment, Hand Tools, Tarps, Compressors, Air & Power Tools, Material Handling, Woodworking Tools, Welders, Tool Boxes, Outdoor Equipment, Generators, and much more.
Over 4.5 MILLION NEW CUSTOMERS in the Last 18 Months! LIFETIMEHAND TOOLS! WARRANTY NO HASSLE RETURN POLICY ON ALL AF0411 Family Owned & Operated We Will Beat Any Competitor's Price Within 1 Year of Purchase!
FREE!
ITEM 65020
ER N! UP PO S U CO
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 1 Use this coupon to save 20% on any one single item purchased when you shop at a Harbor Freight Tools store. *Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on any of the following: gift cards, Inside Track Club membership, extended service plans, Compressors, Generators, Tool Cabinets, Welders, Floor Jacks, Campbell Hausfeld products, open box items, Parking Lot Sale items, Blowout Sale items, Day After Thanksgiving Sale items, Tent Sale items, 800 number orders or online orders. Coupon not valid on prior purcahses after 30 days from original purchase date with original receipt. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store in order to receive the offer. Valid through 7/19/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.
OFF
20%
ANY SINGLE ITEM!
R ! PE ON SU UP CO
R ! PE ON SU UP CO
SAVE $50
4999
LOT NO. 4030
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 4 This valuable coupon is good anywhere you shop Harbor Freight Tools (retail stores, online, or 800 number). Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store, or with your order form, or entered online in order to receive the coupon discount. Valid through 7/19/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.
99
NO GAS REQUIRED!
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 3 This valuable coupon is good anywhere you shop Harbor Freight Tools (retail stores, online, or 800 number). Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store, or with your order form, or entered online in order to receive the coupon discount. Valid through 7/19/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.
89
R ! PE ON SU UP CO
WEATHERPROOF COLOR SECURITY CAMERA WITH NIGHT VISION LOT NO. 95914 SAVE 53%
R ! PE ON SU UP " 40 CO
LOW-PROFILE CREEPER
LOT NO. 2745
R ! PE ON SU UP CO
3499
SAVE 46%
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 3 This valuable coupon is good anywhere you shop Harbor Freight Tools (retail stores, online, or 800 number). Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store, or with your order form, or entered online in order to receive the coupon discount. Valid through 7/19/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.
27
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 6 This valuable coupon is good anywhere you shop Harbor Freight Tools (retail stores, online, or 800 number). Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store, or with your order form, or entered online in order to receive the coupon discount. Valid through 7/19/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.
17
SAVE 40%
R ! PE ON SU UP CO
ER N! UP PO S U CO
SAVE 63%
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 4 This valuable coupon is good anywhere you shop Harbor Freight Tools (retail stores, online, or 800 number). Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store, or with your order form, or entered online in order to receive the coupon discount. Valid through 7/19/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 7 This valuable coupon is good anywhere you shop Harbor Freight Tools (retail stores, online, or 800 number). Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store, or with your order form, or entered online in order to receive the coupon discount. Valid through 7/19/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.
10
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS - LIMIT 8 This valuable coupon is good anywhere you shop Harbor Freight Tools (retail stores, online, or 800 number). Cannot be used with any other discount or coupon. Coupon not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Coupon cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. Original coupon must be presented in-store, or with your order form, or entered online in order to receive the coupon discount. Valid through 7/19/11. Limit one coupon per customer and one coupon per day.
$ 99 64%
REG. PRICE $27.99
SAVE
1. VISIT!
www.HarborFreight.com
2. GO TO!
1-800-423-2567
3. CALL!
Were celebrating freedom where the three rivers meet, with acres of guns and gear. Book your room now!
Ofcial Sponsor
Join us where the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers merge for a watershed moment in Pittsburgh. Celebrate this freedom family reunion, and let politicians across the country know your allegiance to liberty! Wayne LaPierre NRA Executive Vice President Last year in Charlotte, we had over 72,000 fans of freedom take partand this years meeting promises to be even more electrifying. So lets unite for your right to defend family and freedoms. Chris W. Cox NRA-ILA Executive Director
2011 National Rie Association of America
Silver Sponsor
Freedom Experience
Presented by:
Over seven acres of exhibits! NRA Foundation Dinner/Auction Guns & Gold Showcase National Prayer Breakfast
Leadership Forum
Presented by:
ILA Dinner/Auction
For information and tickets for all of the exciting events planned in Pittsburgh, please visit www.nraam.org, or call 1-877-672-7632.
I G I T A L Apr11
During a recent segment on Rep. Carolyn McCarthys proposed legislation restricting magazine capacity, the staff at National Public Radios On Point With Tom Ashbrook put together a panel discussion of four individualsall of whom expressed support for the idea.
The panel consisted of McCarthy, Paul Helmke of the Brady Campaign, Robert Levy of the Cato Institute and gun blogger Tracee Larson. I use the term gun blogger loosely, because at the time of her appearance Larson had a whopping two entries on her blog. As it turns out, she was also previously on the advisory board of the astro-turf group American Hunters and Shooters Association, a collection of gun control advocates masquerading as Second Amendment supporters that recently went belly up. How did npr manage to get a panel of four individuals who all expressed a similar point of view? Sadly, it looks like thats what they were going for. Gun blogger Robert Farago from The Truth About Guns released an e-mail from one of the staffers at On Point, asking: Were looking for a gun owner and Second Amendment supporter who is not opposed to the forthcoming McCarthy bill re: magazine capacity. As a result of the attention from the gun-owning community, the show On Point recently put up a message stating in part, This panel represented a smart, serious and wide spectrum of the American gun, magazine and gun rights debate. We stand firmly by it. Of course the note makes no mention of the fact that they were opinion shopping among their guests and only wanted a blogger who would support Rep. McCarthys proposed magazine ban. The staff at On Point should own up to the fact that this program was more about advancing an agenda than engaging in a legitimate discussion, and gun owners should take what they hear on npr with several grains of salt. Better yet, turn off npr and turn on nraNews instead.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N EWS
N E W
Y O R K :
09-03111-001-BI2
MAIL TO: TO
YES! Please accept my order for Welcome Salute as described in this announcement. Name_________________________________________
(Please print clearly.)
2010 HC. All Rights Reserved. Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook, Inc.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T U S E YO U R P OWE R
that without the Second Amendment there are no other amendments. A retired u.s. Marine Corps major, Land is known primarily for his role in establishing the modern Marine Corps Scout Sniper program and recruiting Carlos White Feather Hathcock and other snipers during Vietnam. During his 24-year career, he also served as captain of the usmc Pistol Team, Officer-in-Charge of the First Marine Division scout-snipers and usmc marksmanship coordinator. An avid shooter and competitor, Land holds Distinguished badges in both rifle and pistol marksmanship and has set seven national shooting records in competition. An nra Benefactor member, Land
has been the corporate secretary of the National Rifle Association since 1994 and has served the association in a variety of other capacities. He is an nra-certified referee and instructor in six disciplines and is internationally recognized as an authority on firearms and training. Also certified as an nra law enforcement firearm instructor, Land has supervised training programs for several major federal agencies, including the u.s. Secret Service and the fbi along with numerous police agencies. In summing up Lands accomplishments, Morrison said, [Jim Land] has spent his entire life upholding the Constitutional rights we have to be free, to bear arms and to call ourselves Americans.
Caution: Strong irritant. Keep out of reach of children. May be unlawful to own or possess in some states or jurisdictions. Use for any purpose except lawful self defense may be punishable by imprisonment, fines or both. Guardian Angel protected by U.S. Pat. 6,951,070B2. 2010, Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
THE GAUGE
The cost to New York City taxpayers for Mayor Michael Bloombergs January 2011 undercover sting Oh, sure, hes at Phoenix gun shows. Arizona State Attorney General Tom Horne referred to the sting as a public cute now, but ... relations stunt.
100,000
Advertisement
WYOMING/NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Special RepoRt.
What You MUST Know BEFORE Leaving Your House With Your Gun
Concealed Carry is a SERIOUS Subject...
If youve decided to carry a firearm for personal protection (or even if youre just thinking about it), I applaud your decision. It is critical that you realize that the MOMENT youre forced to draw your gun in self-defense there will be 100+ decisions that youll need to make in a split second. The MOMENT you decide to draw your gun, YOUR LIFE WILL CHANGE whether you fire a shot or not. If you need to take the time to THINK about these decisions, theres a good chance youll make a choice that will put you in jail...or worse. You need to have these decisions programmed into your brain BEFORE you leave your house with your gun! The United States Concealed Carry Association is all about helping people make informed decisions. We empower our subscribers so they know EXACTLY what to do in a life or death situation. Right now, you can get 100% FREE access to The Concealed Carry Report, a weekly newsletter devoted to providing the very best information
The Moment You Draw Your Gun, Your Life Will Change Forever Whether You Fire A Shot Or Not.
for concealed carriers and all freedom loving Americans. Inside, youre going to uncover the answers to the toughest questions a citizen can (and MUST) face before being able to responsibly carry a concealed handgun and defend himself. I urge you to start your free subscription today, before its too late... Just go to:
www.FreeCCWReport.com
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
The Meter
Nebraska lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow teachers and other school officials to carry firearms for defense of self and students. The bill, by state Sen. Mark Christensen, would, according to the Associated Press, allow certain school staff to carry concealed if they posses Right-to-Carry permits and the local school board approves. The bill would also require support from two thirds of the schools governing board. Delaware Gov. Jack Markell introduced a slew of antigun bills in mid-February, including a measure that would purportedly close the imaginary gun show loophole. Calling the measures common sense, Markells initiative would also allow police to destroy firearms seized in civil-matter cases, such as when a judge issues a protection order, the Delaware News Journal reports.
I L L I N O I S :
felony conviction, pending warrants or free on bond. As a legislator, I am always advocating for the protection of the Second Amendment and preserving the right of lawful citizens to own firearms, said state Rep. Dan Beiser, a bill co-sponsor. For too long, we have been preventing lawabiding citizens from being better able to protect themselves and their families by denying them the opportunity to have permits to carry concealed weapons. Along with Illinois, Wisconsin is the only other state that has no law concerning concealed carry on the books.
V I R G I N I A :
Annual National
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Friday, April 29, 2011
Following the implementation of voter registration when applying or renewing your drivers license comes the possibility of obtaining your mail-in voter registration when purchasing a hunting and fishing license in Virginia. The Field and Stream Franchise Act, backed by Sen. Ralph Smith and Del. Lacey Putney, came about after Putney learned approximately 3,000 hunters in Bedford and Botetourt Counties were not registered voters. Florida and Georgia have already initiated similar programs.
Topics Include:
Current and future litigation after Heller and McDonald Suing state and federal o cials for rights violations Trying a self-defense case International agreements The restoration of rights and working with NICS
CLE Credit for Practicing Attorneys is Available.
An NRA Foundation charitable gift annuity not only advances the cause of freedom, but also ensures you will have a xed guaranteed income stream for life.
UNI_NR_L19_OOA_CGA_REV.indd 1
1/19/11 10:37 AM
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T H OW TO : D IGI TA L
Cams Corner
By NRANews.com Host Cam Edwards
The Swiss referendum on banning storage of military-issue guns in the home that recently failed is great news for gun owners, even those of us here in the United States. But it also offers an opportunity to examine the culture of gun ownership in Switzerland, and how it compares to the United States. The Swiss have one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, and violent crime involving firearms is nearly nonexistent. The recent debate over guns in the home in Switzerland actually focused on suicides, not crime. But the suicide rate in Switzerland (where guns are common) is lower than that of Japan (where guns are extraordinarily rare). In fact, the suicide rate in Switzerland is even lower than that of Belgium and France.
The Swiss have one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world, and violent crime involving firearms is nearly nonexistent.
The gun ban in Switzerland was a solution in search of a problem, in other words. Gun owners in Switzerland, most of whom belong to shooting clubs and regularly exercise their right to keep and bear arms (the country goes through about 75 million rounds of ammunition every year) are the essence of the law-abiding citizen. The same can be said of the millions of Americans who belong to gun clubs here. Im guessing the rate of violent criminal activity among 4-h shooting sports participants and jrotc cadets is incredibly small compared to the general population. A study in Texas a few years ago demonstrated that Right-to-Carry holders are far more law-abiding than their counterparts. I havent seen any stories reporting crime sprees by ipsc shooters or sass members. And theres yet to be a violent crime problem at Camp Perry in Ohio when thousands of shooters gather every summer for the nra National Matches. Theres a simple truth on display here. When it comes to firearms, the more you know the better off you are. Gun control advocates want us to fear firearms, not respect them. They want us to be ignorant, instead of knowledgeable. They want to make guns taboo, while we want to remove their mystery. As far as Im concerned, ignorance and fear make poor substitutes for knowledge and competence and theres no other organization in this country that does more to promote the knowledge and competent handling of firearms than nra. Im proud that we talk to nra certified firearm instructors on a regular basis on Cam & Company, and well keep doing our part to let others know about the value of the growing shooting sports community.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
Now, s. 381the Collectible Firearms Protection Actsponsored by u.s. Sen. Jon Tester, d-Mont., and its House companion bill, h.r. 615, sponsored by u.s. Rep. Cynthia Lummis, r-Wyo., seek to once again allow these American-made Under the bill, firearms that are lawfully possessed firearms to be by a foreign governmentand that are more than re-imported and sold in the u.s. 50 years old and considered antiques or relics nra-ila Executive could be re-imported by licensed importers and Director sold without permission from the U.S. Departments Chris W. Cox made the following of State or Defense. statement in support of the legislation: The importation restriction on m1 in March of last year, deciding rifles and carbines was a de facto gun instead to prevent these rifleslegal ban. These firearms are sought after to make and purchase in the United by gun collectors as they are a part States from entering the country. of Americas history. They are also As we reported last October, commonly used for lawful purposes u.s. senators and representatives from such as hunting, sports shooting and both sides of the aisle urged Secretary self defense. On behalf of the tens of of State Hillary Clinton to revisit her millions of law-abiding American gun departments decision. In 2009, the Obama administration approved the importation and sale of collectible, American-made m1 Garand rifles and m1 carbines from South Korea. However, the administration reversed its decision
IMPORTATION OF M1 s S
F E D E R A L L E G I S L A T I O N :
SOUGHT
owners, I would like to thank these legislators for their leadership in presenting a legislative fix to this backdoor gun ban. This is a common sense bill that is designed to allow law-abiding Americans to own a piece of history, said Tester, chairman of the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus. This is a simple issue of making sure that a government bureaucracy doesnt stand in the way of our Second Amendment rights. Under the bill, firearms that are lawfully possessed by a foreign governmentand that are more than 50 years old and considered antiques or relicscould be re-imported by licensed importers and sold without permission from the u.s. Departments of State or Defense.
FA11
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N EWS
I O W A :
NO RETREAT ON TAP
An NRA-supported bill would expand and provide more flexibility when it comes to the right of Iowans to defend themselves or others when facing serious injury or death. I dont want people to hesitate if they see TereseAnn Lynch being kidnapped, said state Rep. Clel Baudler, referring to the woman abducted and murdered by her estranged husband from Des Moines two years ago. I would like them not to have to be scared to help. State law currently only applies to an individuals workplace or home. However, under the new bill, a resident in immediate serious or lethal danger would be protected when resisting or using lethal force against an attacker when he or she is any place they have the legal right to be. Ultimately the passing of this law would eliminate the duty to retreat. Provided the individual is not participating in illegal ventures and was not the provoker of the assault, he or she could legally do whatever is necessary for self-protection without the worry of criminal prosecution or civil action.
Certain lots of recently manufactured .45 Auto ammunition may contain an incorrect propellant charge. Use of product from these lots may result in firearm damage and possible serious injury. Federal asks that consumers do not use product from the following lots: 38x628 through 38x765 or 38t401 through 38t414. If you have in your possession any .45 Auto with the following brand names and part numbers, check to see if your ammunition package contains the above lots: American Eagle (ae45a, ae45n1 or ae45a250), Champion (wm5233), GoldMedal (gm45b), Hi-Shok (45c, 45d) and Federal Personal Defense (c45c, c45d). If you possess ammunition from any of these lots, or have questions concerning this warning, please contact Federal at (800) 831-0850 or (800) 322-2342 and ask for Product Service. Federal will provide replacement product and will cover the cost of returning the affected product.
Magazines Night Sights Custom Parts Grips Leather Premium Finishes .22 LR Conversions Custom Shop Logo Apparel
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
Armed Citizen
fter hearing a commotion, nra Life member Joe McNeil discovered an alleged burglar trying to remove his window air-conditioning unit. When the suspect failed, he ran to the back of the home, broke the bedroom window and began to climb inside. Meanwhile, McNeil retrieved a 12-ga. shotgun and waited strategically in the hallway until the suspect came into view. Get on the ground or Ill shoot you! McNeil commanded. Instead, the suspect grabbed for the shotgun. McNeil fought him off and again ordered him to the ground. He refused, forcing McNeil to fire two shotgun slugs. The suspect was taken to the hospital with severe injuries and will face burglary and assault charges after his release. (The Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, n.m., 01/25/11)
If you have had a firsthand Armed Citizen experience, call nra-ila/pr Communications at (703) 267-1193. Studies indicate that firearms are used more than 2 million times a year for personal protection, and that the presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate, imminent threat to life, limb or, in some cases, property. Anyone is free to quote or reproduce these accounts. Send clippings via e-mail to armedcitizen@nrahq.org, or by mail to The Armed Citizen, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, va 22030-9400. For bonus features, visit The Armed Citizen Blog at www.americanrifleman.org.
E X P E R I E N C E S
Jeff Gibson and his wife, Tammy, had returned home after an evening church service when Jeff noticed something awry. The garage door was open, he recalled. When I went to see what was going on, I saw a black car pulling out. The car sped down the driveway toward Tammy, who was checking the mail. Jeff s first thought was, I have to neutralize this situation and protect my wife, because hes headed straight for her, Tammy explained. A concealedcarry permit holder, Jeff drew his handgun and fired eight shots at the vehicle, causing it to crash. Jeff held the suspects for police. You never really think youll have to use [your firearm], Jeff said. I didnt want to use it, but at least I was prepared for it when the time came. (wkrn-5, Nashville, Tenn., 01/26/11) Retired banker Hall Palmer heard a noise and got up to investigate. As soon as he opened the door, the 70-year-old was face-to-face with a man dressed in all black and armed with a pistol. The suspect ordered Palmer to sit on the bed. He wanted the pin for a bank card hed found downstairs. Palmer said the card was
The suspect had been carrying a pillow; Palmer wonders if it was intended to muffle the sound of his execution.
expired, but he could give him some money. The suspect bound Palmers hands with twine, led him downstairs and found his billfold. The suspect then bound Palmers feet, gagged his mouth and went outside. But hed underestimated his victim. Palmer wriggled free and retrieved his late fathers .38-cal. Colt Army Special revolver. When the suspect returned, Palmer fired a shot, causing him to flee. The suspect had been carrying a pillow; Palmer wonders if it was intended to muffle the sound of his execution. (St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, Fla., 01/20/11)
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
A R M E D
C I T I Z E N
With a large stick in hand, a teenager threatened a man and his wife outside their home. They were familiar with the troubled youth, a regular offender wanted at the time on a juvenile detention order. The man drew a handgun for which he has a permit to carry, but the unfazed youth charged. The man and his wife retreated inside, called 9-1-1 and locked themselves in the bedroom. Police said the youth made several attempts to enter the home, then an eruption of breaking glass rang out as the crazed teen dove through a closed window. The man fired a shot, wounding the intruder and ending the attack. (Daily News Leader, Staunton, Va., 01/14/11) Emergency dispatchers said they could hear a couple screaming at an alleged burglar that he should quit breaking into their suburban Maryland home and leave. They didnt want their 27-year-old son, who stood in the doorway with a shotgun, to have to kill the man. Instead the suspect broke a windowpane and reached through to unlock the door. The son opened fire, killing the suspect. When a reporter asked the womans permission to speak to her son, who appeared to be the hero in the incident, she said, There was no hero. The only thing I can tell you is we are thankful we are alive. (The Washington Post, Washington, d.c., 01/13/11) Housing manager Dihanna McCullock said she is a fighter, and police said she proved it one morning when a man broke a window, entered her office and tried to stab her with a butcher knife. A second assailant, who carried a gun and wore some sort of badge on his shirt, also entered the office and fired a shot, grazing McCullocks right arm. Thats when she drew the Taurus Judge revolver she carries daily and unloaded on the second suspect with a .410 shotshell. The robbers fled, dropping McCullocks wallet and the knife in their haste. Wherever hes at hes wounded, somewhere, McCullock predicted. My husband taught me well. (walb-10, Albany, Ga., 01/06/11)
0 $5
r d ffe ar sO sC nu ing Bo av
We have had the Sleep Number bed for a few years now and can say it is the very best investment we have ever made. Back pain was a fact of life for me for years. After sleeping on the Sleep Number bed, I have improved signicantly. It is amazing to go to bed in pain and wake up refreshed and pain free.
Call Now!
Its the bed clinically proven to relieve back pain and improve sleep quality. Clinical studies show an amazing 93% of participants reported back-pain relief while 90% said other aches and pains were reduced.*
*Descriptions of clinical studies conducted on the Sleep Number bed are available at 1-800-831-1211. If not satised after 30 nights, call within 45 days of delivery to arrange return. Well reimburse the purchase price less your initial shipping or Home Delivery and Setup fees. You pay return shipping. No returns or exchanges on adjustable bases, closeout or demo bed models. Restrictions apply. See card for details and expiration date. 2009 Select Comfort
Limited-Time Bonus!
(Please print)
Name_________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________ City_________________________________ State______________ Zip___________ Daytime Phone________________________ Ext. 39645 Email___________________________________________________________________ Mail to: Select Comfort, 9800 59th Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN 55442
I G I T A L Apr11
PART 1:
PITTSBURGH
mericas firearm industry mirrors her people unique, ingenious, diligent and persistentand this years slate of new firearms reflects that distinctive character, promising to make 2011 a banner year for shooters and hunters everywhere.
TOP GUNS
PICKS
Visitors to the nra Annual Meetings & Exhibits (see the sidebar here) will see a field of banners overhead bearing names and logos of such brands as Benelli, Beretta, Browning, Colt, Federal, Kimber, Ruger, Springfield Armory, Taurus, Winchester and more. The exhibits will occupy acres of space in a gun show unlike anything else. Practically all current firearms sold in America will be on display, including some never before seen in public, along with classics including stirring historical exhibits courtesy of nra Gun Collector affiliates. One more thing the Lawrence Center will have in abundance: freedomloving nra members. Avid shooters, hunters and collectors who appreciate Second Amendment freedoms will be out in full force, and newcomers will be greeted warmly into a fellowship of common purpose. So even though we dont have space to cover every new product or company here, we have highlighted many of the most promising. Come on out to Pittsburgh and see for yourself what makes nra and Americas firearm industry two of her greatest treasures. We hope to see you there!
CHECK OUT THE MOST RECENTLY RELEASED FIREARMS ALL UNDER ONE ROOF AT THIS YEARS NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS & EXHIBITS, APRIL 29-MAY 1, IN PITTSBURGH, PA.
by nra Staff Photos by Hannele L ahti
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
AIRFORCE AIRGUNS TalonP air pistol delivers more than 50 ft.-lbs. of energy with a .25-cal. pellet. The single-shot, 3000-p.s.i. handgun has a 12" barrel, an adjustable, two-stage trigger and mounting points for open or optical sights. www.airforceairguns.com AUTO ORDNANCE has a 100th Anniversary model of its m1911 pistol, and on the Tommy gun side, doesnt actually have a new gun per se, but rather the t1dm, which is a Model 1928 Display Model with the looks and heft of an m1928, including an American walnut stock, pistol grip and fore-end, but its bolt doesnt move within its steel receiver. The t1dm has been ruled a non-firearm by batfe. www.tommygunshop.com BARRETTs mrad is a switchbarrel, bolt-action rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Mag. It weighs in at 14.8 lbs. with a 24" fluted barrel that features a threaded muzzle and a proprietary brake. A lightweight version of the soldier-proven m82a1 .50 bmg semi-automatic, designated m107a1, sheds 4 lbs. over the original through the use of aluminum and titanium. www.barrett.net BENELLI unveils the Super Vinci, a 3"-chambered version of the Vinci that also boasts improved aesthetics. Further expanding the line are the Vinci Cordoba and Vinci SuperSport, featuring lightweight tungsten bolt insets enabling them to cycle 7/8-oz. loads. As for rifles,
the piston-driven mr1 is now available with a ComforTech stock. www.benelliusa.com BERETTA adds two variations of the a400 Xplor, including the a400 Xcel, a sporting version, and the a400 Xplor Light, the lightest 12-ga. semi-automatic Berettas ever made at just over 6 lbs., 4 ozs. Another new shotgun, the Silver Pigeon i, offers over-under class at an affordable price. www.berettausa.com BLASERs S2 Safari Double rifle is available in .375 h&h Mag., .500/416 Nitro Express, .470 Nitro Express and .500 Nitro Express. Its 24.5" barrels are factory-regulated for 100 meters. The stock has a straight comb and a Monte Carlo cheekpiece. Its express sights are steel, and it is available with single or double triggers. www.blaser.com BROWNINGs Micro Midas line of youth-size firearms will include Citori and Silver Hunter shotguns and x-Bolt and bl-22 rifles. The Maxus shotgun adds new flavors, including a Rifled Deer version with a cantilever scope mount; a drilled and tapped All-Purpose model; and a sporting model available with a carbon fiber finish or with upgraded wood and an engraved alloy receiver. The a-Bolt line now includes a bolt-action 12-ga. slug gun with 1:28" twist and a detachable magazine. A 100th anniversary commemorative, scaled-down model of John Brownings m1911 pistol will be available in .22 Long Rifle for a limited time. www.browning.com
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N E WS
CVA continues its reputation for delivering solid, reasonably priced muzzleloaders with its Accura v2 break-open rifle, which comes with a thumbhole, DuraCoat stock. It also offers the Apex switch-barrel gun that comes in 14 chamberings, including a muzzleloader. www.cva.com CZ-USAs gas-operated, cz 912 semi-automatic shotgun has an aluminum receiver and a walnut stock with checkering on the semi-pistol grip and fore-end. A long recoil spring in the buttstock allows the gun to cycle a variety of loads from 2" and 3". www.cz-usa.com CENTURY INTL ARMS s2 semi-automatic, Uzi-style Centurion uc-9 Carbine has a 16" barrel and fires from a closed bolt. Century introduced one of the first 100-percent American ak-47-type rifles with its Centurion 39 Sporter. The company follows a natural progression, launching the Centurion 39 ak Pistol with an 1138" barrel. www.centuryarms.com CHARTER ARMS introduces four new handguns chambered in .38 Spl., including a pair of five-shot revolvers with pink anodizingthe Chic Lady and Chic Lady Off Duty. With stainless steel frames, rubber grips and 2" barrels, each weighs only 13 ozs. The Chic Lady has an external hammer, while the Chic Lady Off Duty utilizes an internal hammer and double-action-only trigger. www.charterfirearms.com
CHIAPPAs m4-22 is a .22 Long Rifle replica of the m4 carbine, and both the upper and lower receivers are made of carbon-fiber polymers. It has a 16" barrel, and 5-, 10-, 15- and 28-round magazines are available. The 1911-22 us Tactical has a 5" barrel chambered for .22 Long Rifle and comes with a threaded, faux, 2" suppressor. Magazine capacity is 10 rounds. The 4"-barreled Rhino 40ds with accessory rail is chambered in .357 Mag. www.chiappafirearms.com COLTS MANUFACTURING unveils the sp901, an ar-style rifle chambered for 7.62x51 mm nato with a modular lower receiver that also accepts 5.56x45 mm nato uppers. Colt brings back the New Frontier, having the characteristic flat-top frame complete with a fully adjustable rear sight. Chambered for .357 Mag., .44 Spl. and .45 Colt, the New Frontiers barrel and cylinder wear Colts Royal Blue finish, while the frame is case-colored. The Colt Anniversary Model 1911 comes in two variations. One has historic Colt symbols highlighted in 22-karat gold on the slide and is limited to 750 units. The other is based on the Colt Model O 1918 configuration and finish, with custom rollmarks on the frame and slide. www.coltsmfg.com CROSMAN offers the Benjamin Rogue, a .357-cal., electro pre-charged pneumatic (epcp) airgun that fires between four and 20 shots consistently between air refills; program the
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T U S E YO U R P OWE R
electropneumatic intelligent control (epic) console to release only the amount of air you need. The Rogue features a two-stage, adjustable, electronic trigger, an auto-indexing, six-shot magazine, dovetailed optics rail, adjustable stock and a fore-end accessory rail. Three pellets are available: a 90-gr. hollow-point, a 175-gr. roundnose and a 145-gr. Benjamin extreme bullet featuring Nosler Ballistic Tip technology. www.crosman.com ED BROWN PRODUCTS Executive Elite Centennial Edition celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 1911 with serial numbers starting with jmb, in honor of John Moses Browning. The gun is based on the 5" Government Model, has fixed sights, comes with Tru-Ivory stocks and is, of course, chambered in .45 acp. www.edbrown.com EUROPEAN AMERICAN ARMORY brings the Baikal line of firearms back to the United States. The Baikal mp94 Break Action Combo Shotgun/Rifle has a hammer-forged, chrome-lined barrels. The over-under is available in a variety of chamberings, including .223 Rem./12 ga., .22 Long Rifle/.410 bore and .22 wmr/.410 bore. eaa is now importing the field-proven k2 handgun, built by Sarsilmaz for the Turkish military. Its available in four popular self-defense chamberings: 9 mm Luger, 10 mm, .40 s&w and .45 acp. All of the guns have 4.5" barrels, an 8.25" overall length and weigh 40 ozs. www.eaacorp.com
FNH-USAs semi-automatic fnar Match rifle is fitted with a black, onepiece McMillan synthetic stock that offers a fully adjustable comb, shims for customizing length-of-pull and a 20" cold hammer-forged, heavy-contour fluted barrel with a hard-chromed bore. A one-piece mil-std1913 top rail plus five- and 10-round magazines complete the package. The .45 acp fnp Competition handgun has a checkered polymer frame with a low-bore axis. Four interchangeable backstraps two arched and two flat, serrated and checkeredcome standard. All operating controls are ambidextrous. The threaded muzzle of the 5.3" hammer-forged, stainless steel barrel accepts compensators and other accessories. www.fnh-usa.com GAMO has a new single-cocking, spring-piston air rifleoffered in either .177 or .22called the Varmint Hunter, which has a checkered allweather synthetic stock with an ambidextrous cheekpiece, a fluted, 18"-long match-grade barrel with a polymer jacket, an inner rifled-steel liner and a claimed muzzle velocity of 1400 f.p.s. with Gamos .177-cal. pba pellets and 1000 f.p.s. for the .22. Both come complete with a 4x 32 mm airgun scope, laser and light already installed. www.gamooutdoors.com HENRY REPEATING ARMS has a new lever-action repeating pistol in .45 Colt. Its overall length is 25", with a 12.9" barrel, and it weighs 5 lbs., 13 ozs. It has an American walnut
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
stock, a Marbles adjustable semibuckhorn rear sight and a brass bead front sight. The tubular magazine holds five rounds. www.henryrepeating.com HI-POINT introduces the 4595 Pro carbine chambered in .45 acp. It comes with an extra pair of nine-round magazines that stow neatly in a dualmagazine carrier that mounts near the buttstock, along with sling swivels and an optics base. With a 16" barrel, the carbines overall length is 31", and it weighs 7 lbs. Fully adjustable sights and multiple accessory rails round out the package. www.hi-pointfirearms.com KAHR ARMS has added a more affordable 9 mm Luger carry gun, the cm9093, to its cw series. It is a sixplus-one capacity striker-fired gun supplied with one flush floorplate magazine, a 3" barrel, conventional rifling, an overall length of 5.3", a slide width of 0.9", a height of 4" and it weighs less than 16 ozs. unloaded. It is available only with a black polymer frame and a matte stainless slide. Kahr did, however, add an entire company, and that is Magnum Research, purveyors of the Desert Eagle, and the Baby Desert Eagles, as well as the bfr revolver and lines of center-fire and rimfire rifles. www.kahr.com KIMBERs big news comes in the form of a little gun. The Solo 9 is recoiloperated, six-round-capacity 9 mm that is 5" long with a 2.7" barrel that weighs only 19 ozs. without ammunition. It
is a striker-fired design with 90 percent of the striker being pre-loaded on slide movement. It comes with an ambidextrous safety, three dot sights and is available in stainless on silver anodized 7075-t7 aluminum frame or in a two-tone. In m911s, Kimber leads with the upgraded .45 acp Royal ii with deep charcoal bluing by Turnbull Mfg. and horn stocks. The Super Carry Pro hd (for Heavy Duty) comes with a KimPro ii finished stainless frame in 3", 4" or 5" barrel lengths. In long guns Kimber is rolling out the 5-lb., 10-oz. long-action 84L Montana, chambered in .25-06 Rem., .270 Win., .280 Ackley Imp. and .30-06 Sprg. www.kimberamerica.com LES BAER now offers a line of .308 Win. ar-style semi-automatic precision rifles. Examples include the Ultimate Match and the Ultimate Monolith. Both feature lowers and uppers made from billet 7075-t6 aluminumin the latter case, machined integral with the fore-end. Both guns come with chromed bolts, bolt carriers and extractors, and both feature 1:10" twist 416r stainless steel barrels finished with DuPont S coating. Accuracy is guaranteed at m.o.a. and is certified by included targets showing two five-shot groups at 100 yds. Baers signature m1911 line expands with the Boss .45, a tribute to company founder Les Baers passion for muscle cars. Based on the Premiere ii, the Boss features a chromed frame,
Weatherby Vangaurd S2
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T H OW TO : D IGI TA L
red fiber-optic front sight, and flat mainspring housing checkered at 20 lines per inch. www.lesbaer.com LEWIS MACHINE & TOOLs cqb mrp Defender Model 16 has a cqb mrp upper receiver fitted with a 16" chrome-lined barrel in 5.56x45 mm nato with a 1:7" twist. Enhanced features include a tactical charging handle assembly and sopmod buttstock. The Defender ships with a sling, operators manual, tactical adjustable rear sight, tactical front sight, heavy duty push button swivels, torque wrench/driver, rail panels and a 30-round magazine. www.lewismachine.net MOSSBERG expanded the caliber options for its 100atr bolt-action rifles to include .22-.250 Rem., .243 Win., 7 mm-08 Rem. and .308 Win. The company teams with Mossy Oak to introduce the Turkey Thug series of 500, 535 ats and 835 shotguns purpose-built for hunting turkeys. All come with the user-adjustable lpa trigger, fiber-optic sights and an extended choke tube. The companys Blackwater series of home-defense shotguns includes the 590a1, 930 spx and 500 Cruiser all with tri-railed fore-ends, ghost-ring rear sights and specialized buttstocks. Other new home-defense shotguns are the Maverick hs-12, a 12-ga. over-under with 18" barrels and Picatinny rails, and the sa-20 Tactical, a 20-ga. semiauto with a tri-rail magazine tube extension. www.mossberg.com
NIGHTHAWK CUSTOM offers the Centennial 1911, a 5" commemorative model with an arched mainspring housing, solid trigger shoe and fixed, three-dot sights. The company has two versions of the Centennial: a High Grade, which is limited to 100 units, and a Standard Grade, which can be ordered until Dec. 31, 2011. Standard Grade embellishments include We the People and the Great Seal of the United States on the black-nitride slide, 100 Years Serving America and United States Property markings on the frame, and unique g10 grips with a bordered checkerboard pattern. www.nighthawkcustom.com NOSLERs new Model 48 Legacy, envisioned by the late John A. Nosler himself, has many of the features of its predecessors, including: NoslerCustom push-feed action; two-position safety; and adjustable Rifle Basix trigger. The Model 48 Legacy has a hand-lapped, free-floating, match-grade, chromemoly Pac-Nor barrel, a newly designed hinged floorplate engraved with John A. Noslers signature and a glass- and pillar-bedded, hand-oiled black walnut stock. Model 48 Legacy rifles are available in chamberings from .257
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
Roberts to .35 Whelen, and they are guaranteed to produce -m.o.a. three-shot groups at 100 yds. www.nosler.com PARA USA expands its already extensive m1911 field with a Limited Edition Two Gun 100th Anniversary Boxed Set of m1911s. Cased in a wood presentation box, the pair marks the progression from John M. Brownings original singlestack design to the high-capacity, fully modernized iteration made possible by innovations developed by Para usa in recent decades. An individual m1911 100th Anniversary Pistol model features a solid trigger, smooth cocobolo stocks and, in a nod to modern utility, high-profile, three-white-dot sights. The newest pxt Warthog features a 10-plus-one capacity, fiber-optic front sight and a non-reflective, all-black finish. www.para-usa.com ROCK RIVER ARMS unveils the pds Carbine, featuring a gaspiston assembly with a two-position regulator that makes use of a forward-mounted charging handle with folding, ambidextrous tabs. With an action spring and guide rod located above the barrel, the pds Carbine eliminates the traditional receiver extension and replaces it with a side-folding buttstock. www.rockriverarms.com ROSSI unveils the Trail Judge, essentially a .45 Colt/.410-bore version
of the Ranch Hand. It has a similar oversized lever loop and shortened stock. With a 12" barrel and an overall length of 24.3", it is compact enough to throw in a pack, and it wont weigh you down at just 4 lbs. The Circuit Judge is now available in a rimfire version, which accepts interchangeable, nineround .22 Long Rifle and .22 wmr cylinders. The Circuit Judge Tuffy has a similar polymer stock configuration but is chambered for 3", .410-bore shotshells. A lever-action Circuit Judge is also new. In addition, Rossi introduces the single-shot Wizard pistol, which utilizes interchangeable, 12" barrels. Currently, barrels are available in .22-.250 Rem. and .243 Win., with additional chamberings coming soon. www.rossiusa.com RUGERs Gunsite Scout Rifle is a Model 77-based bolt-action chambered in .308-Win. and features a 16"-barrel with threaded muzzle, a Mini-14-style flash suppressor and sights, and a Picatinny rail mounted forward of the action for use with long-eye-relief scopes and red-dots. In handguns, Ruger unveiled the bigger brother to its lcp .380 pistol. The new gun, dubbed lc9, is a polymer-frame compact that holds seven-plus-one rounds in 9 mm Luger. It measures 6" in length, 4" in height and 0.90" in width and weighs a scant 17.1 ozs. www.ruger.com SAKO celebrates its 90th birthday by making 90th Anniversary models
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N E WS
of its famed Model 85. It has also added a few new rifles. The 85 Black Bear has a semi-heavy fluted barrel and an all-black composite stock with soft gripping surfaces and blued action and barrel. The 85 Brown Bear is chambered in .338 Win. Mag. and .375 h&h Mag.; it has a brown, laminated hardwood, straight classic stock, a black action and a semi-heavy barrel. www.sako.fi SAVAGEs Light Weight Hunter weighs just 5.5 lbs. in short-action cartridges and comes with the AccuTrigger. The Bear Hunter features a 23" medium-contour, fluted barrel that includes Savages patented twist on/off muzzle brake. It has an AccuTrigger and Savages award-winning AccuStock. The Model 25 Walking Varminter weighs in at less than 7 lbs.; like other models in the Model 25 lineup, it features a trimmed-down, reduced-diameter action. The Model 12 Long Range Precision is both a high-end target rifle and a varmint gun. It features a full-profile, fluted heavy barrel, a detachable box magazine, a blued finish, an hs Precision fiberglass stock and the AccuTrigger. www.savagearms.com SIG SAUERs p290 is a subcompact, semi-automatic pistol in 9 mm Luger. Like its full-size stablemates, the double-action-only p290 has an external hammer. The single-stack magazine holds six rounds, but an extended eight-round magazine
is also available. Its polymer frame has removable stock plates that allow for customization with aluminum or wood panels. The p290 is available in matteblack and two-tone brushed stainless. www.sigsauer.com SMITH & WESSON jumps into the .410-bore revolver market with the Governor, a scandium-framed wheelgun with a 2" barrel. The Governors six-shot, stainless steel cylinder accommodates 2" .410bore shotshells, .45 Colt cartridges and, when used with the included moon clips, .45 acp rounds. The company extends its m&p pistol line with the m&p22, which is chambered for .22 Long Rifle while retaining the look, feel and operating controls of its center-fire predecessors. The company also adds a line of enhanced 1911-style pistols called the e Series, which come with a precision-fit trigger, fish-scale serrations on the stainless steel slide, a titanium firing pin and a host of other upgrades. The e Series includes four full-size pistols with stainless steel frames along with two scandium-framed models with 4" barrels and round-butt frames. The m&p15 Sport is an entry-level ar ready to go from the factory. www.smith-wesson.com SPRINGFIELD ARMORYs polymer-frame, striker-fired 9 mm Luger xd(m) 3.8 Compact combines a barrel length of 3.8" with a shortened frame giving this
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N E WS
versatile pistol a height of just 5.6". It can accept a 13-round capacity flush-fitting magazine or turn into a 19-round-capacity full-sized gun just by swapping magazines with the addition of the high-capacity unit with a collar at its base. In m1911s, the more affordable Range Officer delivers the quality and many of the best features of the firms trp and Trophy Match pistols while leaving off some of the bells and whistles defensive and competitive shooters dont really need. The 5"-barreled ro comes with a forged, blue frame and slide with a fully adjustable low profile rear sight and front sight dovetailed into its top. The ro comes standard with a long lightweight speed trigger and cocobolo stocks. www.springfield-armory.com STAG ARMS introduces the Model 3 with the Diamondhead Versa-Rail System (v-rs), which allows for complete customization to the users requirements. The v-rs can be accessorized with short or full-length Picatinny rail tracks, or fitted with full-length smooth bumpers that provide an ergonomically contoured handguard. www.stagarms.com STOEGER introduces one of the years most exciting new shotguns: the m3500, a 3", inertia-action 12-gauge at an attractive price. Other new Stoegers include the Cougar Compact, a 9 mm Luger handgun with a 7" overall length and the x20
Suppressor, an airgun designed for quiet operation. www.stoegerindustries.com TAURUS enters the pistol-caliber carbine market with its new Carbine ct g2, available in 9 mm Luger, .40 s&w and .45 acp in four different models, all with 16" barrels. The company also launches the biggest Judge of them all, the Raging Judge in 28 ga. Equipped with the companys Raging Bull recoilreducing grip, the five-shot 28-ga. Raging Judge has a 6.5" barrel and weighs 67 ozs. Taurus new dt Hybrid semi-automatic pistols feature a polymer-over-steel frame, which keeps the weight of the 9 mm Luger and .40 s&w versions at just 24 ozs. Another new pistol from Taurus, the dt Integral, also includes the hybrid frame and Strike Two trigger, but weighs even less at 21 ozs. Taurus new five-shot dt Revolver boasts a polymer-hybrid frame with a steel cylinder and barrel. At just 20.2 ozs., it is an ideal gun for pocket carry. To honor the 100th anniversary of the 1911 pistol, Taurus is offering two commemorative models of the fabled semi-automatic. www.taurususa.com TRADITIONS shaved weight off its flagship Vortek muzzleloader; the Vortek Ultra Light has all the features of the old, including dropout trigger and overmolded stock, yet it weighs just 6.25 lbs. If you want an even lighter front-stuffer,
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
the Vortek Pistol is about as compact as muzzleloaders get. www.traditionsfirearms.com THOMPSON/CENTER ARMS announces five new calibers for its 2011 American Hunter Golden Bullseye-winning rifle, the Venture. In muzzleloading, check out the Pro Hunter xt that features an interchangeable barrel system and Weather Shield finish. www.tcarms.com TRISTARs key introductions include its first pump-action, the Cobra Field Pump; the pistol-grip Viper G2 Turkey; and the Setter, a surprisingly wellequipped, economical 12-ga. overunder. www.tristarsportingarms.com UBERTI adds a rimfire to its line of Rolling Block carbines. Chamberings will include .22 Long Rifle, .22 wmr and .17 hmr. Additionally, a Cowboy Mounted Shooter version of the 1873 Cattleman El Patron is now available. It has a shorter barrel and lower hammer profile, better enabling it to be cocked and shot with one hand. Also of interest to cowboy action shooters, for a limited time the 1873 Cattleman is being offered in matching, two-gun sets. www.uberti.com UMAREXs Regent Series of m1911s in .45 acp include the parkerized R100 and the stainless steel r200s. Both have cnc-machined bar stock slides, steel investment-cast frames, 5" hammerforged barrels in 1:16 rh twist, low-
cut ejection ports and Hogue grips. The r100 has a wide spur hammer and an m1911A1-style grip safety. The r200s has a ventilated trigger and hammer, a beavertail safety and an extended thumb safety. www.umarexusa.com WALTHER celebrates its 125th anniversary with the release of the ppq, a polymer-framed, strikerfired, semi-automatic pistol featuring the new Quick Defense Trigger. The ppq has an ambidextrous slide stop and magazine release, while its textured grip frame comes with three interchangeable backstrap inserts. The ppq is available in 9 mm Luger and .40 s&w. www.waltheramerica.com WEATHERBYs Vanguard s2 series offers rifles with a blued or stainlessmatte, bead-blast finish; an adjustable, two-stage trigger; a three-position safety; a new Griptonite synthetic stock with non-slip panels and a right-side palm swell; a 24" barrel; and a sub-moa guarantee. Two new home-defense shotguns include the 12- or 20-ga. sa-459 tr semi-auto and the 12-ga. pa-459 Digital tr pump with a pistolgrip stock, 18.5" barrel and Picatinny rail with ghost-ring sight. www.weatherby.com WILSON COMBAT releases a limited, 100-piece run of the Contemporary Classic Centennial, an exquisite 1911 with traditional features and a carbon-steel frame and
Umarex Regent
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
slide hand-finished in bone-charcoal bluing by Doug Turnbull. The Contemporary Classic Centennial comes with a jmb serial number prefix and is packaged in a walnut presentation box. The UltraLight Carry Compact and Sentinel are available in 9 mm Luger, .38 Super and .45 acp, and the ulc Compact has a 4" barrel and weighs 26.5 ozs. With a 3.5" barrel, the 9 mm ulc Sentinel is Wilsons smallest, lightest pistol, weighing 25.2 ozs. www.wilsoncombat.com WINCHESTERs Super x3 shotgun is now available in Extreme Turkey and Rifled Deer versions, both of which have cantilever scope mounts and synthetic camo stocks. The sx3 is also now available as a sporting gun with an adjustable comb. New takes on old classics include the Model 94 Sporter available in .30-30 Win. or .38-55 Win.; Model 94 Short Rifle in .30-30 Win.; Model 1885 Black Powder Cartridge in .45-70 Govt; Model 1885 High Wall 125th Anniversary in .45-70 Govt; Model 1885 High Wall Safari Octagon in .375 h&h Mag.; Model 1892 Trapper Takedown in .357 Mag.; 1892 Carbine in a variety of chamberings; and Model 1886 Short Rifle in .45-70 Govt. www.winchesterguns.com
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N E WS
If you havent done so already, make plans to help celebrate NRAs 140th anniversary at the 2011 nra Annual Meetings, April 29 through May 1, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. nra is proud to announce that catalog and Internet retailer MidwayUSA (www.midwayusa.com) will be the Official Sponsor of the 2011 nra Annual Meetings & Exhibits for the second consecutive year. nras Celebration of American Values Freedom Experience, presented by
EETINGS IN PITTSBURGH
Celebration of American Values Leadership Forum, presented by MidwayUSA, on Friday, April 29. Members who attended last years Forum heard from several powerhouse speakers, including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, and actor Chuck Norris. Due to limited space at the Forum, seating in the main room will only be available to the first 2,400 requests. Congressman Adrian Smith, r-Neb., is the scheduled keynote speaker for the Prayer Breakfast sponsored by Trijicon to be held Sunday, May 1, at the Wyndham Grand Hotel at 7 a.m. Members are invited to bring their antique guns and precious gold coins to the second annual nra Antique Guns and Gold Showcase on Thursday, April 28, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free. This is your chance to have experts from the National Firearms Museum and Universal Coin & Bullion estimate the value of your guns or gold coins. To learn more about the 2011 nra Annual Meetings events and hotel accommodations, visit www.nraam.org or call (877) 672-7632.
I G I T A L Apr11
C O V E R
S T O R Y
by Chris W. C ox,
nra-ila Executive Director
Sadly, its no surprise that long before key facts about the attack became clear, and even before funerals had been held for those so tragically lost, anti-gun activists began calling for new restrictions on Americans Second Amendment rights. On the very day of the murders, the Brady Campaign and the Violence Policy Center lashed out on the Huffington Post website, with the Brady Centers Paul Helmke attacking easy access to high-powered guns and the vpcs Josh Sugarmann denouncing the expiration of the 1994-2004 ban on magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. In a moment of candor about anti-gun groups tactics, the vpcs Kristen Rand told msnbc, In the wake of these kinds of incidents, the trick is to move quickly. And they did move quickly. Without question, their most widely publicized proposal is the plan by u.s. Sen. Frank Lautenberg, d-n.j., and u.s. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, d-n.y., to re-impose the 1994 magazine ban. (Sen. Lautenbergs bill is s. 32 and Rep. McCarthys is h.r. 308.) These magazines are standard equipment for self-defense handguns and other firearms owned by tens of millions of Americans, but the Lautenberg and McCarthy bills (unlike the 1994 ban) would make it a felony to sell or transfer
ince Januarys senseless attack on u.s. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, d-Ariz., and her innocent constituents, we at nra have joined our fellow Americans in offering our thoughts and prayers for those killed and injured, for their families and for the people of Tucson.
TRAGEDY IN
TUCSON: ONCE AGAIN, ANTI-GUN LA WMAKERS AND ACTIVISTS T AKE ADV ANT AGE OF A COMMUNITYS LOSS TO
HEAT
TURN UP THE
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N G O :
U P
FO R
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M
D I G I TA L
N RA N EWS
HEAT
them, even through inheritance. Collectible guns and magazines ranging from original Civil War-era Henry rifles to Luger drum magazines valued at $2,000 or more would be lost forever. Also unlike the 1994 ban, the Lautenberg-McCarthy bills grandfather clause for possession of pre-ban magazines would only create an affirmative defense against prosecutionforcing defendants to prove that they possessed their magazines before the ban. Thats a nearly impossible task for serious shooters, who may have bought dozens of magazines over many years, without any receipts to show for them. And what good could it possibly do? The 1994 ban was a dismal failure. A congressionally mandated study conducted while the ban was in effect found that firearm murder victims had an average of only two wounds, both before and after the ban. (According to a followup study, the average number of wounds per victim was actually lower for victims shot with semi-automatic pistols than for those shot with revolvers.) And since the ban expired in 2004, the nations murder rate has dropped 10 percent, continuing a long-term decline that began in 1991. Through 2009, the murder rate was at a 45-year low, and the fbi recently reported that the murder rate fell an additional seven percent in the first half of 2010. Perhaps because of that history of failure, ban supporters fell back on overheated rhetoric. In a letter to her colleagues, Rep. McCarthy made the claim (echoed in countless newspaper editorials) that The only reason for the existence of these devices is to be able to shoot as many people as
TURN UP THE
C O V E R
S T O R Y
quickly as possible. Yet her bill and Lautenbergs would allow the continued acquisition and possession of these magazines by law enforcement officers, who obviously carry guns to protect themselves and the publicnot for mass murder. The bills would also allow magazines to be transferred to police officers upon retirement, even though a retired officers right to use firearms for self-defense is the same as any other private citizens right. Anyone whos thought seriously about armed self-defense knows why honest Americansprivate citizens and police alikechoose magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. Quite simply, they improve good peoples odds in defensive situations. Contrary to what the public sees on tv or in the movies, criminals are not always stopped when struck with a single bullet, or even multiple shots. And one-third of aggravated assaults and robberies involve more than one assailant, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. While a ban would harm the law-abiding, it obviously Continued on next spread
WHILE A BAN WOULD HARM THE LAWABIDING, IT OBVIOUSLY WOULDNT AFFECT VIOLENT CRIMINALS.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
C O V E R
S T O R Y
HEAT
FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE ALONE, THESE BILLS WOULD CREATE AS MANY AS 60 SQUARE MILES OF ROVING GUN FREE AREAS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.
RIGHT: FAMILIES AND SUPPORTERS GATHER AT THE ENTRANCE OF CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS OFFICE IN TUCSON, ARIZ., ON JAN. 9, 2011.
TURN UP THE
AP PHOTO/CHRIS CARLSON
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N
U P
FO R
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M
D I G I TA L
R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
HEAT
TURN UP THE
AMERICANS LEGALL CARRYING Y OR TRANSPORTING FIREARMS UNDER STATE LAW WOULD BE AT CONSTANT RISK OF PROSECUTION WHEN THEY STUMBLE ACROSS EVENTS THEY HAD NO INTENTION OF ATTENDING.
wouldnt affect violent criminals. After all, government studies have found that at least 40 percent of felons acquire their firearms from street/illegal sourcesranging up to 97 percent for criminals who attack law enforcement officers. And an attacker determined to commit mayhem can always use multiple magazines, multiple guns or a more powerful gun that holds less ammunition. The magazine ban isnt the only idea getting attention. There have also been widely publicized proposals to ban possession of firearms near public officials. For example, u.s. Rep. Peter King, r-n.y., has introduced a bill (h.r. 496) to ban possession of firearms within 1,000 feet of the president, vice president, cabinet members, members of Congress, federal judges and even unconfirmed presidential nominees. Similarly, u.s. Rep. Laura Richardson, d-Calif., introduced h.r. 367, which would create a 250- to 500-ft. gun free zone around posted congressional events. Rep. Richardsons bill would also punish states by taking away federal law enforcement grant money if they dont create similar zones around state and local officials. Obviously, these outrageous proposals would be ignored by anyone who intends to harm a government official. Just as obviously, they would impose extraordinary burdens on honest gun owners.
C O V E R
S T O R Y
For the members of the House and Senate alone, these bills would create as many as 60 square miles of roving gun free areas throughout the United States. Just adding federal judges would increase that to nearly 150 square miles, and theres no telling how large the areas would be for the other federal officials and tens of thousands of state and local officials mentioned in the bills. Americans legally carrying or transporting firearms under state law would be at constant risk of prosecution when they stumble across events they had no intention of attending. These ideas are even more ridiculous when you consider that the Tucson attack took place only a few hundred feet from a schoolso under the federal Gun Free School Zones Act, the killer would have had to break the existing law when he traveled on public streets near the school to get to the scene of his crime. Clearly, the new proposals would have just as little effect on this kind of tragedy. Just banning guns in some places isnt enough for u.s. Sen. Barbara Boxer, who introduced a bill to destroy Right-to-Carry laws throughout the country.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
C O V E R
S T O R Y
HEAT
Under her bill (s. 176), every state that wants to allow concealed carry would have to require permit applicants to show that they have good cause and are worthy of the public trust to carry firearmsboth of which would be at the total, arbitrary discretion of local officials. This would wipe out more than 30 years of legislative victories for gun owners, erasing shall issue permit laws in 35 states, as well as the permitless carry systems in Vermont, Alaska and Arizona. Not to be outdone by those who actually hold federal office, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, used the tragedy to push their own longstanding agenda of attacking all private transfers of firearms. (Thats an agenda thats irrelevant to the Tucson attack, since its clear that the accused killer bought his gun from a big sporting goods store.) They dressed up the proposal with provisions that would further restrict gun ownership by lowering the standard for mental illness or drug abuse needed to prohibit a person from possessing firearmsas well as the procedural protections against being considered mentally ill or a drug user. But their centerpiece is to require background checks on all firearm transfers. For years, anti-gun groups have called this the gun show loopholesince loophole typically means any law the groups dont like. Bloomberg and maig would impose federal background check requirements on all transfers, at gun shows or anywhere
TURN UP THE
JUST BANNING GUNS IN SOME PLACES ISNT ENOUGH FOR U.S. SEN. BARBARA BOXER, WHO INTRODUCED A BILL TO DESTROY RIGHT-TO-CARRY LAWS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
else. Even gifts to most of your relatives or any of your lifelong friends would not be exempt. In typical Bloomberg fashion, the cry for imposing this new law was supported by yet another set of sting videos, showing undercover investigators buying guns from private sellers at gun shows. As with similar Bloomberg efforts in the past, his investigators actions were sharply criticized by local law enforcement officials, with Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne complaining that Bloombergs investigators failed to notify the Arizona State Police. The fact that no such notification was made indicates this so-called sting is nothing less than a public relations stunt, said Horne, who also pointed out recent sharp increases in the Big Apples crime rates and suggested that New York officials have more pressing crimes to investigate than alleged violations at a gun show 2,400 miles away. Yet despite all their frantic activity, maig and other anti-gun groups failed to get the recognition they really wantedthat is, a mention in President Obamas 2011 State of the Union address. The night of the speech, White House officials began promising a consolation prize: a separate speech on gun control at a later time. Although at press time, no date or specific topics for a speech had been announced, Newsweek reports that President Obama will make the case that Americas gun laws have been too loose for much longer than just the past few weeks. Thats no surprise for those of us who have followed Obamas support of extreme anti-gun initiatives since the beginning of his public career. Well have our work cut out for us dealing with anti-gun proposals and propaganda over the months leading up to the 2012 elections. As always, were confident that we can succeed with the support of nras most powerful asset: the strength, dedication and unity of our members.
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N G O :
U P
FO R
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M D I G I TA L
N RA N EWS
A DECADES-LONG BATTLE FOR FIREARM FREEDOM COULD SOON END IN THE WORST WAY POSSIBLE FOR IRISH GUN OWNERS. by Dave Kopel
D K
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
oes gun registration lead to gun confiscation? In Ireland, like most other places it has been tried, the answer is yes. Irelands handgun owners defeated prohibition once before, and their fate now is in the hands of the courts.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
THE RULE OF THE BRITISH WAS CONSOLIDATED BY THE LAWS IN IRELAND FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF PROPERTY, WHICH WERE COMMONLY CALLED THE PENAL LAWS.
would lose office. A 1739 statute mandated that law enforcement officials conduct annual searches for arms possessed by Catholics in their jurisdiction. (These statutes are available at http://library.law.umn.edu/irishlaw/weapons.html.) Prohibited from owning or carrying firearms or edged weapons, many Irish Catholics began carrying shillelaghs, walking sticks well suited for use as cudgels. During the 19th century, many of the formal legal discriminations against Catholics were removed. Early in that
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
century, the arms ban for Catholics was replaced with a requirement that the possession of firearms and swords was outlawed for everyone in Ireland, unless the person was issued a license and identity of the particular sword or firearm was registered at the persons local town hall and also listed on the license document. The system allowed firearm possession only by persons considered politically reliable. In 1920, the British government imposed a similar system on Great Britain itself, again because of political concerns, although the government deliberately lied to the public and falsely claimed that there
was a tremendous wave of gun crime. (For the history of the British law, see http://ssrn.com/abstract=1083528.) At this time, the Irish were fighting for independence in the 1919-1921 AngloIrish War. This time, they prevailed. Pursuant to the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Ireland became a self-governing dominion of the British Empire (similar to Canada). Later, Ireland withdrew entirely from its political association with Great Britain. Under the treaty, six counties in Northern Ireland, which has a majority Protestant population, were allowed to vote on whether to become part of the new Republic of Ireland, or to remain part of
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N
U P
FO R
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M D I G I TA L
R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
in the Republic of Ireland, especially from farmhouses in counties that bordered Northern Ireland. In 1973, the An Garda Sochna, or Irish police, used their gun registration lists and ordered all owners of handguns and centerfire rifles to submit the guns for ballistics testing. The police promised the guns would be returned a few weeks later, after the testing was complete. Instead, the police simply confiscated all the guns. In 1998, the signing of the Good Friday Accords finally ended the troubles in Northern Ireland. Over the next several years, pira surrendered its weapons, and former members and supporters now participate peacefully in the political process through the Sinn Fein Party. sf is a minor party in the Republic of Ireland, but it is the second-largest party in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Accords ended any plausible justification for the police to keep the confiscated guns. Notably, the gun confiscation had never been authorized by the legislature. Modern Day Gun Control So when pro-rights activists brought a test case, the Irish courts in 2004 agreed that the police could not refuse to issue handgun certificates. And thus the Irish began acquiring handguns again. Under the Irish system (which continues to mirror Great Britain), firearm certificates are not issued for self-defense, but only for sporting purposes. Handgun hunting is not allowed. Still, at least target shooters were able to obtain handgun certificates.
... THE POLICE PROMISED THE GUNS WOULD BE RETURNED A FEW WEEKS LATER, AFTER THE TESTING WAS COMPLETE. INSTEAD, THE POLICE SIMPLY CONFISCATED ALL THE GUNS.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
A GLIMMER OF HOPE
Bleak as the situation is for handgun owners in Ireland, there has been some progress on civil rights in recent years. Americas 1st Freedom has covered the case of Tony Martin, the British man who was sent to prison because he shot a burglar. Public outcry in England led to reforms in English self-defense laws, broadening the conditions under which use of force is allowed. A similar case transpired in Ireland. After Pdraig Nally, an elderly farmer in County Mayo, shot and killed a burglar, Nally was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 11 years in prison. The burglar, John Ward, had a long criminal record and a history of violence; at the time of the burglary, he was out on bail for a knife attack he had recently perpetrated. Nallys conviction was appealed to the Supreme Court, where his attorney argued that a person in fear of his own life should be able to use whatever force is needed to save himself. The Supreme Court ruled in his favor, and Nally was released from prison, having served 10 months. In response, the legislature passed a self-defense reform that took effect in December 2010. The Home Defense Bill specifies that victims of home invasion can use reasonable force in defense of themselves and their homes. Depending on the particular circumstances, deadly force can be considered reasonable. In the home, there is no longer a requirement that a crime victim must retreat rather than use force. The reform was supported by the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, and by Rural Link, a network of rural community organizations. Even so, using a firearm for self-defense will not be easy. The 2009 amendments to the Firearms Act require that guns be securely stored in an approved safe. Getting the gun out of the safe in time to protect oneself could prove impossible for many victims. Further, the certificates issued for pistols and for some rifles state that the gun can only be used at a certified range. So a handgun or rifle owner might not be prosecuted for shooting the violent intruder, but the owner could still be prosecuted for using the gun in violation of the certificate terms. Shotguns, which constitute more than three-quarters of the Irish gun supply, do not have range-only restrictions on their certificates.
Dave Kopel
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N U S E
U P
FO R
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M D I G I TA L
YO U R
P OWE R
In 2009, Irelands Justice Minister Dermot Ahern denounced the gun culture in general, and the National Rifle Association of America in particular. He pushed major new gun restrictions through the legislature. It is now illegal to practice practical or dynamic shooting, which is defined as any event that simulates combat. For all gun owners, the required application form is now very longan applicant must supply a firearm training certificate, an authorization from a medical doctor, mental health records and character references.
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
All firearms (including air guns) must be stored in safes. Ahern also convinced the legislature to outlaw all handguns except .22 rimfires having a magazine capacity of five or less rounds. Under the law, no new certificates for other handguns would be issued, but as of November 2008, those who held certificates for other handguns would be allowed to continue to renew them. Firearm certificates are valid for three years. Disregard For The Law Once again, though, the police have begun inventing their own law. In 16 out of 28 police districts, the chief superintendent of the force (who
FOR ALL GUN OWNERS, THE REQUIRED APPLICATION FORM IS NOW VERY LONGAN APPLICANT MUST SUPPLY A FIREARM TRAINING CERTIFICATE, AN AUTHORIZATION FROM A MEDICAL DOCTOR, MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS AND CHARACTER REFERENCES.
is a political appointee) has issued orders to refuse all certificate renewal applications for centerfire handguns. Nationally, about 80 percent of handgun certificate renewals have been denied. Expressing a typical attitude, Chief Superintendent John Kerin, of Kerry, said that centerfire handguns are to kill people and to defend people, and thus, there should be no guns of this type in the hands of civilians. I dont believe target shooting is a good and sufficient reason. Even members of the International Police Association Pistol Club
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N EWS
THERE SHOULD BE NO GUNS OF THIS TYPE IN THE HANDS OF CIVILIANS. I DONT BELIEVE TARGET SHOOTING IS A GOOD AND SUFFICIENT REASON.
low-level court that hears licensing cases of all sorts. Because district court decisions cannot be cited as precedents, a district court decision in favor of one individuals certificate application does nothing to require that the superintendent obey the law in regard to other applicants. The district court cases are expensive because the police bring in expert witnesses (essentially to share their expert view that no citizen can have a good reason to own a centerfire handgun), so applicants who hope to succeed must hire their own experts. Further, some district court judges are so closely networked with the police that they will uphold certificate denials even when
In 2009, Irelands Justice Minister Dermot Ahern denounced the gun culture in general, and the National Rifle Association of America in particular. He pushed major new gun restrictions through the legislature.
plainly in violation of the law such as a denial that states no reason for the denial. To address the problem, lawyers have assembled eight test cases that have been fast-tracked to the High Court. Irelands High Court is below the Supreme Court, and above the district courts; it has original jurisdiction in some civil cases. These test cases, each involving a superintendent who is refusing all renewals, are intended to provide nationwide guidance about applying the handgun licensing law. High Court cases are expensive, often requiring a quarter-million euros (nearly $350,000 u.s.) in legal fees. The test cases are being financially supported by the National Association of Regional Game Councils, Irelands umbrella organization for gun clubs. The precedents will be important not just for Irelands remaining handgun owners but for all gun owners. If the police can get away with refusing to issue certificates for handgun renewals, they could easily do the same for long guns. Interestingly, the blanket refusals are contrary not only to the gun laws, but to laws governing police conduct, such as the requirement that licensing decisions be made in writing, with an explanation
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N
U P
FO R
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M D I G I TA L
R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
LS MODEore !
Now m powerful than ever!
NEW
UNSTOPPABLE POWER Collect and shred acres of leaves, pine cones, pine needles, grass clippings, nuts. HUGE CAPACITY Exclusive shredding action reduces debris 10:1, for more vacuuming and less unloading.
LIFETIME WARRANTY IMPELLER Made of steel, serrated for mulching, and guaranteed for life. 6-MONTH HANDS-ON TRIAL Try it at home and then decide. PLUS! Self-propelled models also available!
1-800-626-2403
www.DRleafvac.com
71090X 2011
6-MONTH TRIAL!
Put one to the test on your own property.
CLEAR & MAINTAIN meadows, pastures, roadsides, fencelines, walking paths, and underbrush from woodlots with ease! CUT tall grass, weeds, brush, brambles, sumac including tough saplings up to 3" thick! CHOP/MULCH most of what you cut, leaving NO TANGLE of material to trip over or pick up like you get with hand-held brush cutters. UP TO 20HP ENGINES
The DR STUMP GRINDER uses carbide-tipped cutting teeth that take over 400 bites per second, to pulverize stumps into a pile of woodchips. Quickly and easily, you can grind any size tree stump below ground level. Gone forever!
71093X 2011
DRstumpgrinder.com
800-626-2403
DReldbrush.com
800-626-2403
71094X 2011
Make stumps DISAPPEAR! EXPAND lawn areas! OPEN UP elds & meadows! BLAZE new trails! REMOVE mowing hazards!
I G I T A L Apr11
P R O F I L E
by Steven M. Brown
f one set about to tell a tale of hard work and its subsequent reward, one would be hard put to come up with a better central character than Dick Cabela. His life story exemplifies the virtues of overcoming hardship, recognizing and seizing opportunity and, ultimately, enjoying the fruits of ones labors. And what better time to reflect on such a life than this, the 50th anniversary of Dick and brother Jims namesake company, Cabelas, which grew from humble beginnings into the Worlds Foremost Outfitter. The story of Cabelas, the brand, begins in 1961and it is a remarkable story. But to tell the equally remarkable story of Dick Cabela, the man, and to help explain the genesis of his determined and industrious spirit, we need to go back a bit further. As a child growing up in rural Nebraska, Dicks mettle was tested early when he was stricken with polioa crippling and sometimes fatal disease that had reached epidemic proportions. His parents, A.C. and Marion, were told their boy would never walk again.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
As a child, Dick Cabela was stricken with polio. His determination to overcome the disease would foreshadow his lifelong work ethic.
BUT YOUNG DICK, ALREADY DISPLAYING DETERMINATION FAR BEYOND HIS AGE, PROVED THE MEDICAL EXPERTS WRONG.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N E WS
WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WE WERE DOING, BUT THATS HOW WE GOT INTO THE MAIL-ORDER BUSINESS.
What started as a kitchen table mail-order venture today consists of 31 retail outlets throughout the United States and Canada.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
CABELAS INC. GROSSED MORE THAN $2.6 BILLION IN REVENUE IN FISCAL YEAR 2009 AND POSTED A GROSS PROFIT OF MORE THAN $1 BILLION.
Today, the western Nebraska farming community of Sidney is home to one of the largest mail-order, Internet and brick-and-mortar retail businesses in the world.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
As Dick and Mary Cabelas business expanded, so did the opportunities for these lifelong sportsmen to hunt various game throughout the worlda passion they share with their clientele through displays at their company headquarters (shown here) and at their stores throughout North America.
HIS AD, RUNNING IN A CASPER, WYO., NEWSPAPER, READ: 12 HAND-TIED FLIES FOR $1.
As Dick and Mary Cabelas business expanded, so did the opportunities for these lifelong sportsmen to hunt various game throughout the worlda passion they share with their clientele through displays at their company headquarters (shown here) and at their stores throughout North America.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T H OW TO : D IGI TA L
AS THEY HUNTED BIRDS AND THE NEBRASKA PRAIRIE, DICK LIKELY NEVER ENVISIONED TH TRACKING ELEPHANTS OR PEE A LEOPARD BLIND IN AFRICA.
hen they founded the Worlds Foremost Outfitter at their kitchen table, they could not have imagined how far the discipline of hard work and determination would allow them to go. That statement, written by David Cabela about his parents, Dick and Mary, in the foreword to the recently released Two Hearts in Tanzania: Dick and Mary Cabelas Hunting Chronicles II, could be taken at least a couple of different ways. When Dick and Mary started a mail-order business out of their kitchen in rural Nebraska, they could not fathom the billion-dollarplus franchise that lay in their future. Likewise, as they hunted birds and rabbits on the Nebraska prairie, Dick and Mary likely never envisioned themselves tracking elephants or peering from a leopard blind in Africa. But the rewards can be great for those who persevere and seize opportunity when it presents itself. For Dick and Mary, the reward has always been the ability to hunt and enjoy the outdoors. They went on their first African safari in 1987 and theyve returned nearly every year since. Its like a disease, Dick said. You catch the disease, and you want to catch it again. Africa gets into your blood, and you have to keep going back. The most memorable of their trips to Africa were to Tanzania, beginning in 1992. It was there that they met and formed a close friendship with the late Cotton Gordon, a renowned professional hunter. The Cabelas would return to Tanzania time and again over the next decade to hunt with Cotton, always carefully recording their experiences in personal journals. From those journals, son David has compiled Two Hearts in Tanzania, a collection of Dick and Marys personal accounts from five Tanzanian safaris. Illustrated with chapter-opening sketches by famous wildlife artist John Banovich and including 16 pages of archival photography, Two Hearts in Tanzania does, in fact, read like a personal hunting journalalbeit an extremely well-written
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N E WS
I received my package from GravityDefyer. com and rushed to tear it open like a kid at Christmas. Inside I found the most amazing shoes I had ever seen different than most running shoes. Sturdy construction. Cool colors. Nice lines I was holding a miracle of technology. This was the real thing.
GDefy Benets Relieve pain Ease joint & spinal pressure Reduce fatigue & tiredness Be more active Have more energy Appear taller Jump higher, walk and run faster Have instant comfort Cool your feet & reduce foot odor Elevate your performance
I put them on and all I could say was, WOW! In minutes I was out the door. I was invincible; tireless in my new Gravity Defyer shoes. It was as if my legs had been replaced with superpowered bionics. What the doctor promised was all correct. No more knee pain. I started to lose weight. At last, I was pain free and lled with energy! ABSORB SHOCK I was back in the Eliminate pain from every step. game. Gravity had no power over me!
Rocker construction protects metatarsal bones and aids fluid stepping motions
Rugged Polymer Sole VersoShock Trampoline Shock-Absorbing Membrane Heel Twin Stabilizers Smart Memory Master Spring Propels you forward and reduces fatigue AVS3 Ventilation Port Cools & Reduces Microbial Growth
a $129.95 value
Most 5 4 out ofse comfortable a er h Exerciseer purcther shoenev ano ow ed % long 20 o pair w/ n hin 3 fatigue witnths. mo
Gravity Defyer Customer Survey Results
MEN (Shown above) TB902MBL sizes 7 - 13 Med/Wide and ExtraWide/XXWide Widths WOMEN (Black on Black) TB902FBL sizes 5 - 11 Med/Wide and ExtraWide/XXWide Widths
Take advantage of this exclusive offer at www.GravityDefyer.com/ML3DCC3 or by phone, dial (800) 429-0039 and mention the promotional code below. Promotional Code: M L 3 D C C 3
*Pay only $15 shipping and handling non-refundable.
A+
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N G O :
U P
FO R
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M
D I G I TA L
N RA N EWS
G U N
C O N T R O L
New Yorks Sullivan Law turns 100 this year. You could call it the beginning of modern gun control.
by Cl ayton Cramer
What makes it modern? The Sullivan Law appears to be the first American statute that required everyone to have a license to have a handgun in his or her own home. There had been many previous laws prohibiting or licensing the carrying of weapons.1 A few states, such as Arkansas after the Civil War, had even gone so far as to prohibit the sale of most handguns, but had not attempted to prohibit possession of those already owned.2 Some states, especially in the South, sometimes required licenses to own a firearmbut only if one were black.3 The Sullivan Law applied to everyone, regardless of race. The Sullivan Law made it a misdemeanor to possess any concealable firearm without a license. Carrying it concealed was also a misdemeanor. Judges were supposed to issue a premises license (allowing you to have the gun in your home or business) if you were of good moral character and no other good cause exists for denial of the application. On the other hand, a judge could issue a license that
The sordid history of New York gun control traces its roots all the way back to politician and mobster Tim Sullivan (left), who first introduced gun control as a means to eliminate rival thugs.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
included not only possession at home or business, but the right to carry concealed. Unlike the premises permit, where the law seemed to give the benefit of the doubt to an applicant, a license that included concealed carry was not so easy to get. The law was not on the side of the ordinary citizen when it came to carrying.4 In corrupt governments, laws often have two purposes: the stated goal, and the goal that the author dares not say. The stated goal, as the New York Court of Appeals explained in 1913, was: There has been for many years upon the statute books a law against the carriage of concealed weapons It did not seem effective in preventing crimes of violence in this State. Having failed to discourage crime with a previous gun control law that was ineffective, the legislature passed another gun control law, aimed at the handy, the usual and the favorite weapon of the turbulent criminal class.5 If a legislator of impeccable reputation had introduced the Sullivan Law, we might be tempted to believe the cover story. But the laws author, Big Tim Sullivan, was a mob boss, receiving payments from every saloonkeeper, gambler, thief and pimp operating on the Lower East Side. It was reputed that Sullivan owned brothels, and he openly held the vice presidency of the areas formal pimps trade group. Also, if you wanted a state license to be in the boxing business, you had to pay off Big Tim. Sullivan was a major player in Democratic politics, moving between the u.s. House of Representatives and the New York
Dillons XL 650
Includes Dillons Famous Lifetime No-B.S. Warranty
Legislature. To hold office, he relied on election fraud, tossing an occasional ballot box in the East River as well as arranging for his people to vote early and often. When necessary, Sullivan sent his hired goons out to beat up political opponents and intimidate opposition voters.6 Why would a mob boss push for a gun control law? Sullivan wanted voters to know that while he ran a vice empire, he did not approve of gunplay and violence.7 The
www.af.dillonprecision.com
FREE Catalog I30-14690, Call 800-762-3845
Since 1889
Sullivan wanted voters to know that while he ran a vice empire, he did not approve of gunplay and violence.
good residents of New York City might look down on prostitution, gambling, drug abuse and drunkenness, but as long as there were no bullets flying about in public, they tolerated vice. Some well-publicized incidents of gun violence also provoked Sullivans bill, as he responded to public
Chocolate Shark
Holster $180 Belt $165 Clip Pouch $75 Complete Set $405
Available in Crocodile, Ostrich, Stingray, Shark, and Hand Creased Spanish Bull.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
outrage and the need to do something.8 Fitzhugh Coyle Goldsborough, a musician and poet suffering from mental illness, shot and killed David Graham Phillips, a socially and politically connected author, then killed himself, shortly before the bill passed.9 The attempted assassination of New York City Mayor William Gaynor by a disgruntled former city employee in 1910 also played a role.10
... immediately after the laws passage, New York City experienced a crime wave unequalled in its history.
Along with Sullivans publicly admitted goals, he had a darker motivation. Not every criminal in New York City worked for Sullivanand when a competitor became a nuisance, the Sullivan Law greatly simplified taking him out of circulation. A number of histories of New York City acknowledge that New York City police would plant guns on those who had irritated Big Tim as a first step toward prison. In response, criminals sewed up their pockets to make it harder for police to plant a gun.11 This is not
Portrays the general in his authentic Civil War uniform with superb realism Fully three-dimensional sculpture is a treasure to behold from any angle Individually hand-crafted and hand-painted in bronze tones
5
Sculpture shown much smaller than actual size of appr. 17 inches tall, including display base.
www.bradfordexchange.com
eneral Robert E. Lee is revered as a commander who served his country with untiring devotion to duty and honor. Now, this icon of American leadership rides tall and proud again in the General Robert E. Lee Masterpiece Sculpture, available exclusively from The Bradford Exchange. Standing 17 inches tall, this historically accurate work of art is individually hand-crafted in artists resin and hand-painted in deep bronze and metallic tones. The generals name is embossed within the hand-nished base. Just picture this captivating sculpture in your home! The General Robert E. Lee Masterpiece Sculpture comes with a 365-day money-back guarantee and is issued in a limited edition. Act now to obtain this impressively sized sculpture for four monthly interest free installments of only $37.50 eachthats a total issue price of $149.99*! To order, send no money now. Just return the Reservation Application today!
RESERVATION APPLICATION
Please reserve the General Robert E. Lee Masterpiece Sculpture for me as described in this announcement. Limit: one per order. Please Respond Promptly Mrs. Mr. Ms. Address City State Zip
YES.
9 3 4 5 M ilw a u k e e A v e n u e N ile s , I L 6 0 7 1 4 - 1 3 9 3
*Plus $15.99 shipping and service. Please allow 4-8 weeks after initial payment for shipment. Sales subject to product availability and order acceptance.
01-09934-001-E70591
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
a recent discovery; as far back as 1934, articles acknowledged that the law was introduced purely on political grounds by one of two ward organizations, sometimes called gangs, the intention being to disarm by law one of the discordant elements to the advantage of the other.12 The Sullivan Law, while it passed the state legislature without difficulty, soon became unpopular. The next year, Field & Stream complained about how, immediately after the laws passage, New York City experienced a crime wave unequalled in its history. It also reported, The presidents of the fourteen burglary insurance companies sent a protest to the legislature, in which they stated that burglaries and hold-ups had increased 40 percent.13 The insurance companies were indeed upset, and they stated directly that they wanted the law repealed because the law discriminated against the honest man in favor of the crook and burglar, who will carry his pistol, law or no law, and is reasonably certain of evading arrest.14 Indignation with the law appears in other unexpected circles. An editorial in the 1918 Long Island Medical Journal, for example, pointed out, In spite of the Sullivan Law, any thug may possess a gun.15 Some of the early charges under the Sullivan Law suggest a certain lack of sense by police officers. One amusing example involved a film company making a movie in Van Cortlandt Park where the police arrested a troupe of cowboys and soldiers, charging them with carrying weapons in violation of the law. Not surprisingly, the judge immediately dismissed the charges.16 The 1911 magazine The Green Bag (which described itself
One amusing example involved a film company making a movie in Van Cortlandt Parkwhere the police arrested a troupe of cowboys and soldiers, charging them with carrying weapons in violation of the law.
1-888-607-6007
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T U S E YO U R P OWE R
as a useless but entertaining magazine for lawyers) gave some less amusing examples of the misapplication of the law, which the magazine described as needing discretion in its enforcement. One case involved a night watchman arrested for having fired his revolver at a gang of Italians who attacked him when he was guarding some paving materials. While the judge refused to convict, the police were prepared to enforce the law no matter how inappropriate the situation. (Or perhaps the night watchman was shooting at Sullivans employees.) A second case that year involved a traveler passing through New York City by train with a shotgun in a case, doubtless unaware of the new law. The grand jury had the good sense not to indict. The third case reveals some of the ethnic tensions that may explain why this law has managed to survive for so long. An Italian immigrant, Marino Rossi, was passing through New York City on his way to a job in New Haven, Conn. Rossi was carrying a revolver out of fear of the Black Hand (the predecessor of the Mafia), an organization that extorted money from many Italian immigrants. The judge sentenced Rossi to a year in Sing Sing, explaining that carrying a revolver was the custom with you and your kind, and that fact, combined with your irascible nature, furnishes much of the criminal business in this country. There was no suggestion that Rossi was a criminal, or irascible, but the judge certainly thought Rossis kind were (apparently, those dangerous Italians).17
Within twelve months of the passage of the Sullivan Law, New York Citys murder rate increased 18 percent.
At first, judges showed sense in how they enforced the law, but later, sense evaporated. In 1920, Law Notes, a professional journal for lawyers, pointed to several gross miscarriages of justice. A woman named Byrne waiting on a street corner in Brooklyn, saw a shining object in the gutter. She picked it up and found it to be a revolver. At this juncture, a police officer appeared. She was sentenced to three years in prison for possession without a license. The courts finally acknowledged that the sentence was excessive, but they did not overturn the conviction.18 Sullivan promised his new law would reduce killing, and save more souls than all the priests and ministers in the state.19 No such luck. One recent scholarly examination of social problems acknowledged, If gun control laws could be counted on to chip away at gun-related crime anywhere, it should have been [in New York City]. It didnt take long for those hopes to be dashed: Within twelve months of the passage of the Sullivan Law, New York Citys murder rate increased 18 percent.20 The law granted judges substantial discretion to decide if an applicant was of good character and had good cause for issuance. If the New York courts required every applicant to be squeaky clean and have extraordinarily good cause, you could argue that judges and police were erring on the side of caution. But the history of license issuance suggests corruption and special favors have often taken precedence over equal protection under the law. Unfortunately, the courts have generally been unwilling to allow in-depth independent analysis of how and who receives pistol permits.21 We get only the occasional glimpsesand they are not pretty. One of these glimpses comes in the 1920s, when Mafiosi are successfully obtaining New York pistol licenses, and not just premises licenses, but the much
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
harder-to-obtain unrestricted concealedcarry licenses.22 Another glimpse into the process came in 1957. At Apalachin, n.y., state police happened upon a meeting of American Mafiosiand in so doing, raised public awareness of organized crime.23 Many of these crime bosses were carrying handguns and had pistol permits issued by New York and New Jersey police officials.24 The definition of good moral character seems to have been rather relaxedat least for these characters. Considering the role that organized crime played in the writing of the Sullivan Law, and the corruption of some in New York City government, this is not surprising. In 1972, The Knapp Commission Report on Police Corruption examined the widespread problems of crooked New York City cops and found plenty to report. According to both applicants and police officers, it was common throughout the city to pay a $100 bribe to the precinct commander to obtain a pistol permit. The solution of the top brass was to centralize the pistol permit process.25 So what happened when they moved the process downtown to get rid of the corruption? New York City found a new way to really discourage applicants for pistol licenses. In 1978, nypd decided that it was short of officers to process applicationsthe solution was to slow down processing. Instead of just turning in an application, a New Yorker had to make an appointment to turn it in. By March 1979, the pistol licensing office was making appointments one year in advanceand this included not just premises licenses but concealed-carry licenses as well.26 If an
individuals life was threatened in New York City in those days, he or she needed at least a year to even get an application submitted in hopes of protecting himself or herself.
issues pistol licenses, show the hazard of giving too much discretion. One is People v. Dunbar, a 1977 criminal case involving James Dunbar, a judges clerk in
The Sullivan Law is a perfect symbol of early 20th century gun control laws passed for corrupt reasons, by a corrupt politician, that continues to be used for corrupt purposes.
Of course, as George Orwells Animal Farm explained, Some animals are more equal than others. There was a minor scandal in 2002 when it turned out that Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of the band Aerosmith had not just obtained pistol permits in New York Citybut the head of the License Division, Benjamin Petrofsky, had apparently cut through the usual red tape for them, by fingerprinting them at Madison Square Garden before one of Aerosmiths shows. Even better: Petrofsky received a limo ride and a ticket to the show!27 Surely this was just a coincidencea service that any New Yorker applying for a license might expect. Other cases, however, while probably not typical of how New York government Schenectady County. Neil Cuomo wanted a pistol permit; Dunbar would arrange itin exchange for sexual relations with Cuomos friend, Grace Zwack.28 The Sullivan Law is a perfect symbol of early 20th century gun control laws passed for corrupt reasons, by a corrupt politician, that continues to be used for corrupt purposes. Clayton Cramer is a software engineer, historian and author who was instrumental in revealing that Michael Bellesiles book Arming Americalauded by anti-gun groups, politicians and media as proof guns were uncommon in the time of our nations foundingwas a fraud. His work has appeared in Americas 1st Freedom several times in the past.
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N G O :
U P
FO R
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M
D I G I TA L
N RA N EWS
Endnotes
generally, see Clayton E. Cramer, For the Defense of Themselves and the State: The Original Intent and Judicial Interpretation of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1994), Clayton E. Cramer, Concealed Weapon Laws of the Early Republic: Dueling, Southern Violence, and Moral Reform (Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1999). 2Dabbs v. State, 39 Ark. 353, 43 Am. Rep. 275 (1882). 3State v. Newsom, 5 Iredell 181, 27 n.c. 250 (1844); Clayton E. Cramer, Nicholas J. Johnson, and George A. Mocsary, This Right Is Not Allowed By Governments That Are Afraid Of The People: The Public Meaning Of The Second Amendment When The Fourteenth Amendment Was Ratified, George Mason Law Review 17:3[2010], 853-4. 4Consolidated Laws of New York, 1897 (1916). 5People Ex Rel. Darling v. Warden of City Prison, 139 n.y.s. 277, 154 App. Div. 413, 422, 423, 29 n.y.Cr. 74 (1913). 6David Pietrusza, Rothstein: The Life, Times, and Murder of the Criminal Genius Who Fixed the 1919 World Series (New York: Carrol & Graf, 2003), 54-55; Mark Grossman, Political Corruption in America: An Encyclopedia of Scandals, Power, and Greed (Santa Barbara, Cal.: abc-clio, 2003), 312. 7Neil Hanson, Monk Eastman: The Gangster Who Became a War Hero (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010), 101. 8Patrick M. Wall, The Annals of Manhattan Crime From 1741 to Today, New York Magazine, November 14, 1988, 46. 9Phillips Dies of His Wounds, New York Times, January 25, 1911. 10Noncombatants Guide to the Gun Control Fight, Changing Times: The Kiplinger Magazine, August 1979, 84; Susan Dudley Gold, Gun Control (Tarrytown, n.y.: Benchmark Books, 2004), 45-46. 11George J. Lankevich, New York City: A Short History (New York: New York University Press, 2002), 140; Albert Fried, The Rise and Fall of the Jewish Gangster in America (New York: Columbia University Press, 1983), 32; Hanson, Monk Eastman, 101; William V. Shannon, The American Irish: A Political and Social Portrait, 2nd ed. (Amherst, Mass.: University of Massachusetts Press, 1989), 139. 12J. Lovell Johnson, Permit Citizens To Carry Arms? YesRestriction Aids the
1Ex parte Cheney, 90 Cal. 617 (1891); English v. State, 35 Tex. 473, 477 (1872);
Lawbreaker, The Rotarian, February 1934, 14. 13A Protest Against National Disarmament, Field & Stream, 17[1912]:556. 14Gleaned From the Talk of the Street, The Insurance Monitor, 61[January 1913]:34. 15Editorial, Long Island Medical Journal 12[1918]:341. 16Ernest A. Dench, Motion Picture Photography, Camera 20[1916]:121. 17The Sullivan Pistol Law, The Green Bag, 23:608. 18The New York Pistol Law, Law Notes, December, 1920, 163-4; Supplement, 1921 to Annotated Consolidated Laws of the State of New York, 2nd ed. (New York: Banks Law Publishing Co., 1922), 749, discusses certificate of reasonable doubt issued, People v. Byrne, 112 Misc. 377, 184 n.y. Supp. 114 (1920). 19Myles J. Kelleher, Social Problems in a Free Society: Myths, Absurdities, and Realities (Lanham, Md.: University Press of America, 2004), 186. 20Kelleher, Social Problems in a Free Society, 188. 21Matter of Kwitny v. McGuire, 77 ad 2nd 839 (n.y. App. 1st 1980). 22David Critchley, The Origin Of Organized Crime In America: The New York City Mafia, 1891-1931 (New York: Routledge, 2009), 285 n. 81; Thomas A. Reppetto, American Mafia: A History Of Its Rise To Power (New York: Henry Holt & Co., 2004), 105; Sid Feder and Joachim Joesten, The Luciano Story (New York: Da Capo Press, 1994), 53-54. 23Jay S. Albanese, Organized Crime in Our Times (Burlington, Mass.: Anderson Publishing, 2011), 141-2. 24Edward Behr, Prohibition: Thirteen Years That Changed America (New York: Arcade Publishing, 1996), 240-241. 25New York (n.y.), The Knapp Commission Report on Police Corruption (New York: George Braziller, 1973), 188-189. 26Federation of New York State Rifle and Pistol Clubs v. McGuire, 101 Misc. 2d 104 (n.y. 1979). 27Jon Wiederhorn, Janies Got A Gun Permit? Aerosmith Flap Lands Cop In Hot Water, mtv, December 19, 2002, www.mtv.com/news/articles/1459226/janies-got-gun-permit.jhtml, last accessed February 1, 2011. 28People v. Dunbar, 58 ad 2d 329 (n.y.App. 3rd 1977).
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N
U P
FO R N R A
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M D I G I TA L
S U P P O RT
PATE NTE
Just part of the history on daily exhibit at the National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, Va., visitors can see nearly 3,000 guns in the galleries, which are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is always free (donations appreciated), and visitors can expect to enjoy a well-stocked museum store, offering a wide range of arms-related books, clothing and fraternal items. For more information, e-mail nfmstaff@nrahq.org or call (703) 267-1600. View the online galleries at www.nramuseum.com.
ED PERFECTION
Sometimes a rifle tells the story of a man and a company. Elmer Ray Stahl worked as a gunsmith for the once renowned Adolph Otto Neidner Rifle Co. in Dowagiac, Mich. Neidners shop was legendary, with craftsmen like exemplary stockmaker Thomas Shelhamer coming on board in 1924. The business must have been popular with townsfolk, as Neidner was elected mayor in 1926. One of Stahls innovative creations during his tenure was this Circassian walnut-stocked Springfield sporter that incorporated an automatic bolt locking mechanism that was patented on May 15, 1926, as well as an additional button safety mounted on the trigger guard. The original Springfield military safety is still functional. To round out the rifle, Stahl also equipped the rifle bolts cocking piece with a contoured rear aperture sight. Stahls son donated this fine .30-06 rifle to the National Firearms Museum in 2010.
I G I T A L Apr11
POLITICAL REPORT
by Chris W. C ox, nra-ila Executive Director
N R A
H. Q.
B U L L E T I N
CO MME N T G O : N R A N E WS
Thats the problem of military base or unit regulations that ban or severely restrict gun possession by service members or their families. The issue came to a head in 2010 because of a preposterous regulation imposed at Fort Riley, Kan. The Fort Riley regulation required troops stationed there to register privately owned firearms kept off baseas well as firearms owned by their family members residing anywhere in Kansas. It also prohibited soldiers with Right-to-Carry permits from carrying guns for protection off base and off duty, a restriction wed also seen imposed a few years ago on soldiers stationed in Alaska. Finally, the Fort Riley rules authorized unit commanders to set arbitrary limits on the caliber of firearms and ammunition their troops could privately own. Similar regulations were imposed on other bases, and dod was considering a similar rule department-wide. Under dods national plan, military commanders would require troops to register all privately owned firearms kept off base, and would have authorized commanders to require troops living off base to keep privately owned firearms and ammunition locked in separate containers. That
I hear from NRA members in the military all the time about a host of issues. All of us at NRA honor their service, and it saddens us when the Pentagon treats them like second-class citizens.
requirement may sound familiar; its a lot like the one the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional in District of Columbia v. Heller. To address this, section 1062 of the ndaachampioned by Sen. Jim Inhofe, r-Okla.prohibits the secretary of defense from issuing any requirement, or collecting or recording any information relating to the otherwise lawful acquisition, possession, ownership, carrying, or other use of a privately owned firearm, privately owned ammunition, or another privately owned weapon by a member of the Armed Forces or civilian employee of the Department of Defense on property not owned or operated by the dod. It also requires, within 90 days, the destruction of any existing registration information prohibited by the Act. Those regulations are now remedied, but the dod has not limited its problematic initiatives to privately owned firearms. It also began wasting taxpayer
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T U S E YO U R P OWE R
N R A
H. Q.
B U L L E T I N
POLITICAL REPORT
money by scrapping perfectly usable fired cartridge cases. Early in 2009, we learned that government sales of fired brass to civilian vendors had been temporarily interrupted. That bureaucratic glitch was corrected quickly, but a year later we learned that some military bases were crushing cases and scrapping them, rather than making them available for sale in reloadable condition. Section 346 of the ndaa, offered by then-Rep. Brad Ellsworth, d-Ind., solves the problem, specifying that safe and legal surplus ammunition and components may not be demilitarized or destroyed and shall be made available for commercial sale. This provision should significantly expand the quantity of surplus ammunition components available to commercial reloaders. This will raise money for military bases, while saving money for gun owners. The ndaa also contains language that encourages military installations to continue allowing public access to base lands for hunting and fishing, and to provide discounted hunting and fishing permits and other accommodations to current and retired military personnel who have disabilities. That language was authored by then-Rep. Adam Putnam, r-Fla., an avid hunter who has since been elected as Floridas Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. I hear from nra members in the military all the time about a host of issues. All of us at nra honor their service, and it saddens us when the Pentagon treats them like second-class citizens. Now, weve NRA OFFICERS Ronald L. Schmeits PRESIDENT taken some major steps to correct David A. Keene FIRST VICE PRESIDENT that. Protecting the rights of those James W. Porter II SECOND VICE PRESIDENT who protect us is the least we can do. Wayne LaPierre EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
Edward J. Land Jr. SECRETARY Wilson H. Phillips Jr. TREASURER Kayne Robinson EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GENERAL OPERATIONS Christopher W. Cox EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION
SAVE ON INSurANCE
NRA Endorsed Life, Health, Property, Casualty for members and businesses
Hertz 1-800-654-2200 CDP# 166609 www.Hertz.com Avis 1-800-225-7094 AWD# A832100 www.Avis.com Budget 1-800-527-0700 BCD# Z636500 www.budget.com Enterprise 1-800-736-8222 Customer # NrAErAC www.enterprise.com/nra National 1-800-227-7368 Customer # 5028198 www.nationalcar.com/offer/nra Alamo 1-800-462-5266 Customer # 7015199 www.alamo.com/offer/nra
1-877-672-3006 www.nraendorsedinsurance.com
High Limit Lifeunderwritten
1-866-619-5889 www.NrAHearingBenefits.com
Life Line Screening
Preventive Screening Services 1-866-651-7926 www.lifelineScreening.com/NrA Prescription Drug Discounts 1-888-436-3700 www.nrarx.com
Wyndham Hotels and resorts, Baymont Inns, Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, ramada, Travelodge, Wingate, Amerihost Inn, Super 8, Endless Vacation rentals, Hawthorn Suites and Microtel Inns and Suites. 1-877-670-7088 Benefits ID 20661 or go to www.nra.org/affiliates.aspx for web links. Best Western 1-800-441-1114 ID# 00151840 www.bestwestern.com/mvp/nra.asp
SPECIAlTY SAVINGS
American Rifleman and American Hunter Videos
North American 800-524-5533 and Allied Van lines 800-871-8864 Mortgage Services 1-800-593-2526 real Estate Services 1-800-593-2526 nra.movebenefits.com
Identity Theft Protection
NRA Hearing Benefits Feature Starkey S Series IQ Hearing Aids With Savings Up To 60%
You never have to make an adjustment!
Hearing aids and hearing protection products significantly discounted to NrA members and their family members S Series iQ is made with Drive Architecture, a scientific noise reduction and speech preservation system, creating the most advanced hearing instruments in the world
For more information visit www.nrahearingbenefits.com or call our NrA toll free number 1.866.619.5889
Americas
st
Freedom
April 2011
55
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T R E N E W/ U P G R A D E
n Jan. 27, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives released a Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns, which proposes that military shotguns, or shotguns with common military features that are unsuitable for traditional shotgun sports be prohibited from importation. The potential ban would apply to all shotgunsnot just semiautomaticsand could ban even traditional sporting shotguns if defensive versions of those guns are available. As in previous working group studies on rifles, the study fails to give proper credit to the widespread use of these guns in newer shooting sports, or to their adaptability to hunting. The study underscores the need for Congress to change the firearm importation law. That law requires the u.s. attorney general to approve the importation of any firearm generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes. This sporting purposes test was imposed by the Gun Control Act in 1968, a time when the right to selfdefense with a firearm was not as widely respected by the courts as it is today. Clearly, the main reason to change the law is that the Second Amendment primarily protects our Right to Keep and Bear Arms for defense, not for sportsas the Supreme Court has made clear in District of Columbia v. Heller. Another reason to change the law is to end the batfes 22-year history of misinterpreting it. In 1989, the bureau banned the importation of semi-automatic rifles, claiming they were not used for organized marksmanship competition. (In fact, the banned guns were of the type most commonly used by competitors in the
N R A
H. Q.
B U L L E T I N
ILA REPORT
NRA LEGISL ATIVE ACTIVIT Y
Shotguns used in popular 3-gun competitions are targeted by a new BATFE study on import rules.
most popular marksmanship competitions in the United Statesthe National Matches, and the hundreds of local, state and regional competitions that precede the national events each year.) In 1998, batfe expanded the ban, claiming that semiautomatic rifles suitability for this activity [marksmanship competition] is limited. Announcing the 1998 ban, a Clinton White House official said were taking the law and bending it as far as we can to capture a whole new class of guns. Now, batfe is bending the law one more time.
As this issue develops, nra will be looking at every legislative and legal option to bring our firearm import laws back in line with the Constitution. To read the batfe study, go to www.nraila.org/shotgunstudy. nra members and other concerned gun owners can submit comments until May 1. Comments may be submitted by e-mail to shotgunstudy@atf.gov or by fax to (202) 648-9601. Faxed comments may not exceed five pages. All comments must include name and mailing address.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G E T I N VO LV E D
he passage of the Firearms Owners Protection Act (fopa) in 1986 was a landmark pro-gun victory. One of the many reforms fopa included was a new law that allows travelers to transport unloaded firearms between locations where they can be legally possessed, without harassment by authorities under restrictive laws at the state and local level. This protection has been an important safeguard for the rights of gun owners all across the country. But now, unfortunately, the u.s. Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal of a case that has made this law nearly meaningless in one of the places its most neededNew Jersey. The case involved Gregg Revell, a Utah man arrested while in transit with his legal and unloaded handgun. Revell was en route from Salt Lake City to Allentown, Pa., when he missed his connecting flight in New Jersey and his baggage was erroneously routed to Newark. He was forced to retrieve his luggage, stay the night at a local hotel and catch the first flight to Allentown the next day. But when Revell arrived at Newark Airport to check his handgun and other luggage, the Port Authority police arrested him for possession of an unlicensed handgun in New Jersey. Revell spent 10 days in jail before posting bailthen (after criminal
AP PHOTO/DAN LOH
N R A
H. Q.
B U L L E T I N
ILA REPORT
NRA LEGISL ATIVE ACTIVIT Y
charges were dismissed) filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Port Authority, with nra support. That case ended in January 2011 when the u.s. Supreme Court refused to hear Revells appeal of a decision from a three-judge panel of the u.s. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In March 2010, that panel rejected Revells civil rights suit against Port Authority officials, saying the fopa protection didnt apply because (the judges claimed) the gun was readily accessible during Revells involuntary hotel stay. As unbelievable as Gregg Revells experience is, hes not the only lawabiding gun owner who has had his Second Amendment rights stripped by the Port Authority. In a group of cases decided by the Second Circuit appeals court, known as Torraco v. Port Authority, three gun owners were arrested when they checked in for flights out of New York Citys airports. In June 2010, a panel of the u.s. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit said the law doesnt create a right to travel without being arrestedonly an affirmative defense against state charges. These cases have been setbacks for gun owners who travel through New York and New Jersey. nra will now have to seek congressional action to strengthen fopas protection for travelers.
CORRECTION:
Februarys article on the Firearms Law & The Second Amendment Symposium incorrectly stated that attorney Stephen P. Halbrook represented the NRA in District of Columbia v. Heller. In fact, Halbrook represented 306 members of the U.S. House and Senate, including Vice President Dick Cheney (in his capacity as president of the Senate). We apologize for the error.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T G O : N RA N EWS
ILA REPORT
NRA LEGISL ATIVE ACTIVIT Y
N R A
H. Q.
B U L L E T I N
However, the ongoing legal battle has created great uncertainty for ammunition sellers and gun owners. The ruling should allow shipments to continue, but ammunition sellers are moving cautiously due to the unsettled legal situation. At press time, the state is expected to ask a higher court to lift the injunction. nra strongly agrees with Judge Hamiltons ruling and will continue to oppose the state of Californias efforts to reinstate the law. The recordkeeping requirements are an invasion of the privacy of law-abiding gun owners, and the restriction on mail order sales will only serve to make ammunition harder to obtain and force prices to increase.
(January 1-31, 2011) Floyd Ashe, Shirley Mills, ME (from Mrs. Floyd Ashe & John White); Clarence Kilda, Bay City, MI (from Frances Kilda); Robert Jerry Glover, Minooka, IL (from Catherine Glover); Ross Zappia, Sierra Vista, AZ (from Cari Zappia Groves); R. O. Crutchfield, Portland, OR (from Vickie Guffee); Elizabeth Ann Lindstrom, Ankeny, IA (from Robert & Joyce Lindstrom); Lee Walter Taylor, Riverside, RI (from The Estate of Lee Walter Taylor and Duncan Watson); George Alves (from Warren & Vickie Alves); David B. Jacobs, Mott, ND (from The Estate of David B. Jacobs and Mark Resner); Patrick Catina, Oak Ridge, NJ (from Joyce & James Predmore); Charles Jacob Swam, Freeland, MD (from Charles Cayce IV); Donn DiBiasio, Smithfield, RI (from Anthony Perry, Thomas Perry, Ann Anesta, Francis Wagner Jr. and Rumford Hunting & Fishing Club, Inc.); Col. Richard Snyder, Frank Mochol and Phillip Kinney (from Springwater Rod & Gun Club, Inc.) (The following contributed $1,000 or more to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action during January 1-31, 2011.) Ned Christiansen, Three Rivers, MI; Robert Lindstrom, Ankeny, IA; Lewis Achord, Kennesaw, GA; Steve Edelstein, Weslaco, TX; John Chionchio, Hatboro, PA; Victor Tate, Bozeman, MT; J. S. Parker, Carefree, AZ; William Stinson, Crystal Lake, IL; Steve Burleson, Midland, TX; James Cannon, Richmond, TX; Brownells, Inc., Montezuma, IA; Five Points Hunt Club, Coraopolis, PA; Fin & Feather Club of Mason County, Ludington, MI; Houston Safari Club, Houston, TX; Big Ben Sportsman Club, Alpine TX; Saulk Trail Gun Collectors, Inc., Edelstein, IL; Albert Lea Rifle & Pistol Club, Clarks Grove, MN; Ben Case, Great Falls, VA
ILA CONTRIBUTIONS
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T P IT TS BU RG H U P DAT E
YOU R R E G IONAL R
<CLICK YOUR REGION>
W E S T
S O U T H
C E N T R A L
N O R T H
C E N T R A L
S O U T H E
2011 NRA ANNUAL MEETINGS A P R I L 2 8 - M AY 1 , P I T T S B U R G H , PA For hotel accommodations at the NRA Annual Meetings, visit www.nraam.org
E POR T
www.nra.org
A S T
N O R T H E A S T
The NRA Regional Report, a service for NRA members, appears in every issue of American Rifleman, American Hunter and Americas 1st Freedom. The Regional Report is an up-to-date listing of NRA conducted and/or sponsored events scheduled in your region for the current month. Call to verify event dates and locations before traveling.
I G I T A L Apr11
S IG N
U P
FO R N R A
A MER I C AS
1 ST
F R EED O M D I G I TA L
S U P P O RT
Programs
&Services
I N S I D E
N R A
After completing his term with the legislature, Pollock resumed his law studies and earned his j.d. from the University of Houston in 1955. He worked in the corporate world, serving as president of Alaska Gold and Other Products, Inc.; president of Falcon Alaska Oil Co. and chairman of the board for Alaskan Seafoods, Inc. Pollock then opened a law practice in Anchorage, but continued to pursue his love of politics as well. He was part of a group of young lawyers and legislators who fought for Alaskas statehood. He was elected to several terms in the Alaska State Legislature as well as two terms in the u.s. House of Representatives from 1966 to 1970. Pollock also made two unsuccessful bids to run as governor of Alaska in 1962 and 1970. In 1971, President Nixon appointed Pollock as deputy administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. After retiring from noaa, Pollock remained in Washington, d.c., as a government consultant. An nra Benefactor member and nra Board member, Pollock served as nra second vice president and first vice president. He served as president of the National Rifle Association from 1983 to 1985. During his tenure at nra, Pollock served on the following committees: Hunting & Wildlife Conservation, Legislative Policy, Legal Action, Bylaws & Resolutions, Public Affairs, Competitions Rules & Programs, Protest, Audit, the Committee on Hearings,
Committee on Elections and the Firearms Civil Rights Legal Defense Fund. Pollock also served on the 1984 Olympic Organizing Committee for the Shooting Sports, as well as the Operations Committee for the Shooting Sports, 1984 Olympic Games. In addition, he served on the boards of many national organizations, including Ducks Unlimited and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. Pollock was an avid recreational shooter and hunter. His hunting expeditions included wild turkey hunts across the country and more than 25 trips to Africa. He continued hunting into his 80s, when he successfully competed in the Wyoming One-Shot Antelope Hunt. Pollock kept in shape by training each morning in the martial art of tae kwon do, and he was awarded the black belt in 1995. Recalling Pollocks exuberance for life, nra Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said, After suffering terrible injuries in World War ii, Howard Pollock read what the doctor entered on his chart: Death Imminent. Obviously, the surgeon had never met Mr. Pollock. Not only was Howards demise not pending that day, life could barely contain his next 60-plus years of accomplishment: Alaskan Senator, u.s. Congressman, nra Presidenteven black belt in tae kwon do at the age of 75. But now its time to rest. And know that our feeling of loss, as well as the pride and honor we have from calling you a friend, is eminent and abundant.
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
I N S I D E
N R A
Programs
&Services
The 2011 Shrine Sporting Clays Charity Tournament will be held Saturday, May 21, at the Meadows National Gun Club in Forsyth, Ga. Organized by the Shrine Sporting Clays Association, all proceeds will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children. Nestled among towering pines and beautiful hardwoods in central Georgia, the Meadows National Gun Club is a fully equipped, stateof-the-art sporting clays complex. All ages are welcome; however, children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Before May 14, individual registration is $75; thereafter, the fee is $100. Any person is eligible to compete in the event if registration has been paid. The Lewis Class system will apply, and prizes will be awarded to three places in all classes. For more than 80 years, Shriners Hospitals for Children has provided preeminent medical care to more than 900,000 patients. Shriners is a world-renowned international health care system consisting of 22 hospitals dedicated to providing pediatric orthopedic specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children under age 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment at no chargeregardless of financial need. If youre unable to attend this year, visit www.shrinershq.org/hospitals or contact your local Shriners Hospital to learn about similar programs in your area. Visit www.shrinesportingclays.org to register for this event. Contact Bobby King at bobbyking@etcmail.com or (706) 633-9017 for more information. Lets come together in a day of fun for a great cause!Tracy Cullen
The Holy Bible In Its Order hear Ye! Why This Bible is Unique AboveOriginalBibles . . . hear Ye! All Other
writes of this new version of the Bible: It is an excellent translation for those desiring a literal one.... We heartily recommend this fine translation.
he Holy Bible In Its Original Order is an extraordinary Bibleunique in two ways. First, it is the only complete Bible ever publishedwith both Old and New Testamentsthat accurately follows the original canonical or manuscript order as recognized by most scholars. In addition, once the original order of the 49 biblical books has been restored, the Seven Divisions of the Bible are also re-established. The Old Testament contains: 1) The Law, 2) The Prophets, and 3) The Writings. The New Testament contains: 4) The Gospels and Acts, 5) The General Epistles, 6) The Epistles of Paul, and 7) The Book of Revelation. With this restoration to the first-century manuscript order, a purposeful design, symmetry and story flow order of the Bible become more readily apparent. It is a little known historical fact that the original manuscript order of both the Old and New Testament books was altered by early church fathers. The Holy Bible In Its Original Order includes commentaries that trace precisely how the Bible erroneously came to be in its present 66-book formatrevealing how and why its books were mysteriously repositioned from their original order by fourth-century editors. Second, this version is a new translation an accurate versionthat reflects the true meaning of the original Hebrew and Greek with fidelity and accuracy, showing the unity of Scripture between the Old and New Testaments. Today, in the face of rampant religious confusion, those who read and study the English Bible deserve a quality translation that can be trusted. Reviewer Dan Decker of Bible Editions and Versions (January 2009)
This new Original Order Version uses modern English, but retains the original grace, accuracy and grandeur of the King James Version, and eliminates archaic terms from the Middle Ages such as thee, thou, ghost, hath and shalt. Included are vital Commentaries providing accurate accounts of the history, canonization and preservation of the books of the Bible: Includes over 280 pages of commentaries Who wrote them? When were they written? and appendices! When were they canonized and by whom? Other Commentaries and Appendices answer
critical questions such as: When was Jesus born? How did Jesus Christ fulfill the Law and the Prophets? When was Jesus crucified? How long was He in the tomb? When was He resurrected? What does it mean to be born again? What are works of law? What are the true teachings of the early apostolic New Testament Church that Jesus founded? Also, biblical and historical chronologies show an accurate timeline from the creation of Adam and Eve to the present. There are detailed footnotes and marginal references explaining hard-to-understand passages of Scripture. With 1432 pages, The Holy Bible In Its Original Order is only 1-3/8 inches thickand measures 8-1/4 by 10-1/2 inches. The genuine handcrafted lambskin cover features gold stamped lettering. The paper is high-quality French Bible paper with gold gilded edges. The pages are easy to turn and do not stick together. The Bible also features wide margins for note-taking, and a center column with selected references, word definitions and alternate renderings for various key words. It comes in a highly durable presentation box, beautifully adorned with original artwork. Other Features: Triple bound for extra long life (Smythe stitched, spine stitched and glued) beautiful original artwork of the Temple in Jesus time 14 commentary chapters 25 appendices six chronologies various maps
This new second edition of the Original Order Bible is now available in 3 styles styles: Special Limited Deluxe Lambskin Edition with Custom Presentation Box (pictured) $119.50 Faux Black Calfskin Edition with Custom Presentation Box $99.50
Durable Laminated Paper Edition with Zippered Leatherette carrying case with handle and pockets for pens, notes (This $24.95 value is your free gift!). $99.50
Special Offer for 3 Easy * Americas 1st Freedom Readers! ymEnts! Pa arge The Holy Bible In Its Original Order will retail in bookstores
$99.50 (+ $9 for S/H).
Name ________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________ City/State/Zip __________________________________________________ No. Ordered _____ @ $______ + $9 each for S/H Total $ _______________ $119.50 $99.50 $99.50
___ Deluxe Lambskin
*You may ch any order for $169.95, but Americas 1st Freedom readers can own this ly in 3 equal month exceptionally high-quality Bible for as low as installments
CenturyOne Books
SAVE $25 2
CC# ___________________________________________ Exp. ___ / ____ Signature ________________________________ Sec Code ____________
CA residents please add 9.75% sales tax | Distributor Inquiries Welcome
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
Parting Shot
Another Post-Tragedy Shot From The Hip
by
J.R . L abbe
en. Frank Lautenberg, d-n.j., and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, d-n.y., are proposing legislation that would reinstate a federal ban on the manufacture, import and sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones the accused killer is accused of using in the horrific Tucson shootings that left six dead and 13 wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, d-Ariz. This latest manifestation of the do-something syndrome surprises nary one gun-rights supporter and explains why sales of high-capacity mags have jumped in recent weeks. Ammo mags containing more than 10 bullets were illegal under a federal assault weapons ban in place from 1994 to 2004. That didnt mean folks couldnt own or sell them. Companies could manufacture them only for purchase by law enforcement and government agencies. But pre-ban magazines made before Sept. 13, 1994, were grandfathered in under the law and were available if a buyer was willing to pay $60 for what was a $16 piece of equipment. The same folks who are buying the dickens out of them now were buying them in the 1990s when talk of that ban commenced. They arent criminals; they are sports enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. The fact that you dont have to wear body armor and take your kids to school behind a bulletproof shield proves that the preponderance of Americas gun owners are responsible, law-abiding people with no interest in committing crime.
C O M M E N T A R Y
This latest manifestation of the do-something syndrome surprises nary one gun-rights supporter ...
is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States and there are events for every shooter and every skill level. For more information, call NRAs Competitive Shooting Division at
COMPETITIVE SHOOTING
(703) 267-1450
HABLAMOS ESPAOL
www.viamedic.com
Order ONLINe, BY PHONe Or mOBILe devIce!
800.547.9937
AMFREE_ad1a_2011-b.indd 1
12/24/10 10:38 AM
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
Parting Shot
... responsible gun owners dont want to leave it to a local deputy to make it to the house in time to stop the intruder who is jimmying the window to their kids bedroom.
The same question asked by supporters of the renewed ban was asked in 1994: Why does anyone need one of those? They should be left to the police and the military, not private citizens. Therein lies the main disconnect with gun control advocates: They hold to the mistaken and potentially fatal belief that the police will be on hand to help them in their time of crisis. Golly, they think, as long as I live in a community with a functioning 9-1-1 system, I dont need a firearm. And even if I do want a gun for personal protection, Ive got Granddads shotgun in the closet. Gun-rights advocates dont think that way. A self-reliant bunch as a whole, responsible gun owners dont want to leave it to a local deputy to make it to the house in time to stop the intruder who is jimmying the window to their kids bedroom. As I have written before, it is not now and has never been the job of police to save your individual hide. A slew of court cases confirm that law enforcement is necessary to help keep societal peace, not to protect individual citizens. Im married to a retired police officer. My security detail lives in the same house. And he knows better than anyone that the only person who can give me a fighting chance to survive an attack is me. In a self-defense situation, I dont ever want to be in a fair fight. And I dont have a clue how many rounds it might take to stop an attacker. As I type those words, I can hear people screaming at their
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T S U P P O RT N R A
Parting Shot
The same question asked by supporters of the renewed ban was asked in 1994: Why does anyone need one of those? They should be left to the police and the military, not private citizens. Therein lies the main disconnect with gun control advocates: They hold to the mistaken and potentially fatal belief that the police will be on hand to help them in their time of crisis. Golly, they think, as long as I live in a community with a functioning 9-1-1 system, I dont need a firearm. And even if I do want a gun for personal protection, Ive got Granddads shotgun in the closet. Gun-rights advocates dont think that way. A self-reliant bunch as a whole, responsible gun owners dont want to leave it to a local deputy to make it to the house in time to stop the intruder who is jimmying the window to their kids bedroom. As I have written before, it is not now and has never been the job of police to save your individual hide. A slew of court cases confirm that law enforcement is necessary to help keep societal peace, not to protect individual citizens. Im married to a retired police officer. My security detail lives in the same house. And he knows better than anyone that the only person who can give me a fighting chance to survive an attack is me. In a self-defense situation, I dont ever want to be in a fair fight. And I dont have a clue how many rounds it might take to stop an attacker. As I type those words, I can hear people screaming at their
C L A S S I F I E D
RATES: For Classified Advertising$7.00 per word with a 10-word minimum. Count street address and box numbers as two words. All city, state and zip codes as three words. Website is one word. Make sure to include your telephone number. Send advertising copy and remittance to: Americas 1st Freedom, NRA Classified Advertising, ATTN: Lillian Cliff, 3902 Sandshell Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76137. For information about available categories/headings, or for any other questions regarding classified advertising, please call (817) 741-0320. Inquiries and credit card orders may be faxed to (817) 741-0323. All classified advertising is payable in advance by check or money order to National Rifle Association (NRA). We accept all major credit cards. Please remember to provide the complete credit card number, expiration date, signature and billing address. All classified advertising and payments must be received at the above-noted address by the 15th day, three months in advance of the issue.
COLLECTIBLES
Discover the best gold options for you with our 24 page comprehensive gold guide.
1-877-479-0480
OFFER EXPIRES :
04/15/11
FOOD Detroit and Flint style Coney sauce mixtures. Others available. www.SunriseSideBulkPacks.com REAL ESTATE FREE! Ozarks largest online/inhand real estate catalog. Affordable getaway properties of all types. www.onlineoml.com, (800) 591-4047. SAFES/SECURITY/SELF DEFENSE BurglarBomb stops intruders in seconds. Monitoring, police response unnecessary. BurglarBomb.com
I G I T A L Apr11
CO M M E N T U S E YO U R P OWE R
P A R T I N G
S H O T
newspapers or computer screens: Youre paranoid! Youre a rightwing apologist for the nra! Youre crazy! People are going to think what they want to think. But theres one label Im going to do my darnedest to never let stick: victim. For gun-rights supporters, the issue isnt what the magazines are for or how many rounds are necessary. The issue is whats the next step if the government dictates how many are too many. Will Uncle Sam be back next year with a different number? And whats so magical about 10? With or without a ban, there is an ever-present need for vigilance on the part of gun manufacturers, dealers, buyers, owners and law enforcement agencies to make sure that all firearms are handled legally and with the full appreciation for the harm that can result if they are misused by someone who shouldnt be in control of them. Someone like the Tucson shooter. That unthinkable tragedy was the creation of a sick mind determined to carry out a sick idea. To presume that he would have been deterred once it became inconvenient assumes that the mind of a killer is capable of logic. The question that gun-rights advocates want to respectfully pose to those adamant on restricting high-capacity magazine ownership is not Why does anybody need one? but Why should responsible citizens not be allowed to own one? From the Star-Telegram, Feb. 5, 2011. Reprinted with permission.
Americas 1st Freedom (ISSN 1530-8448) Volume 12, No. 4, is published monthly by the National Rifle Association of America, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-9400, (703) 267-1000, for the benefit of its members. Membership dues (u.s. and possessions) $35 a year, $85 for 3 years, $125 for 5 years. $3.75 per year is designated for a magazine subscription. For foreign postage add $5 a year in Canada and $10 elsewhere. Periodicals Postage paid at Fairfax,VA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Americas 1st Freedom, c/o National Rifle Association, P.O. Box 420648, Palm Coast, FL 32142-0648.
Member
Just Released
2011 American Eagle Silver Dollar
Plus Free Priority Shipping & Handling ($5 Value) 1oz .999 Fine Silver IRA ELIGIBLE
Coin image not to scale.
Availability not guaranteed Price subject to change First time, new customers only No dealers please
SILVERS
UP
446%
(based from Jan.1, 2000 - Feb. 2011)
Vault Verification:
AAMFFRS0411
EXPIRES 04/15/11
24 / 7
w w w. 1 s t a m e r i c a n r e s e r v e . c o m
Please read important terms and conditions that accompany products purchased, including arbitration agreement All statements or opinions herein are believed to be accurate to the best of our knowledge at this time. They are not guaranteed in any way by anyone and are subject to change over time. We advise you to independently verify all representations. Texas residents add 8.25% sales tax to orders under $1000 All coin customers will receive a five (5) year subscription to our newsletter or e-newsletter, Investors Market Advisory ($200 value) at no charge with order We may contact you from time to time regarding items of interest *If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied with your American Eagle purchase, then return up to 15 days after receipt of order for a refund. NO REFUND PRIVILEGE ON QUANTITY SILVER AND GOLD BULLION Due to the changing price of silver, ad price is subject to change. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery after receipt of good funds. This ad may not be reproduced or represented in any other medium without the express written consent of the advertiser. Original hard-copy must be in hand to place order. Silver Basis: $30.25 | 1st American Reserve 7310 Phelan Blvd. Beaumont, TX 77706
AT OUR BOOTH
w w w. n i g h t h a w k c u s t o m . c o m
Gun photo from 2010, 2011 may differ slightly
The all-new Solo Carry (left) and Solo Carry Stainless are the most accurate, shootable and dependable 9mm micro-compacts ever offered. Kimber quality has come to small pistols.
Ambidextrous thumb safety and magazine release are 1911-inspired, making operation positive, intuitive and fast.
The Solo grip design encourages natural target alignment and ensures both comfortable shooting and control.
Solo pistols have a single action striker-red trigger system with the smooth and consistent pull required for best accuracy.
One of the most signicant rearm introductions in a generation, the Solo 9mm puts unequaled Kimber quality, performance and dependability in a micro-compact pistol. Weighing just 17 ounces and only 5.5 inches long, they are easy to carry. Near-perfect 1911 ergonomics, smooth trigger pull and well-designed sights make them easy to shoot accurately. Built to last, both models have stainless steel slides and barrels, plus frames machined from the nest aluminum. Solo pistols deliver unequaled micro-compact performance - just what you expect from Kimber.
2011 Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Kimber names, logos and other trademarks may not be used without permission. Names of other companies, products and services may be the property of their respective owners. Kimber firearms are shipped with an instruction manual and California-approved cable lock. Copy of instruction manual available by request.
kimberamerica.com