Random observations from the ADE community
Contrary to what we may have previously suggested, it looks like our new Attorney General, Eric Holder, will be actively seeking to reinstate the “assault weapon ban” (reported at ABC News).
So, you want to learn how to Hard Boil and Egg, Pick a Lock, Make a Christmas Tree Pop up Card, or even Maintain a Pistol from someone who are likely not experts in any way on their subject and written articles of questionable utility? Well look no further than wikiHow to improve your wikiLife with new wikiSkills.
Actually, I was recently very surprised to see this well written article on How to Clear a Building with a Firearm. I have no idea who wrote the article (wikians?), but it contains some fairly good information similar to that taught during handgun classes. Granted it will never replace practice, but some of the concepts like the fatal funnel and cutting the pie are covered if you need to refresh your memory after class.
Don’t get your hopes up because I’m not going to give you yet another excuse to tell the wife why you are buying more guns. Although, it might not be a bad idea these days. I have been eying a new Glock 21 or Kimber Stainless II or FN Five-Seven, but I digress.
It seems that every time President Obama opens his mouth lately the stock market goes into a freefall. Well it seems that he has had a good effect on something he probably didn’t include in the $780 Billion dollar stimulus package. Since its recent low of $6.19 on February 19th Sturm, Ruger and Company (Public, NYSE:RGR) is up about 45% to $9.00. Interestingly, Ruger is not the only company that is benefiting.Smith and Wesson are up nearly 50% since the 19th.
Quote:
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/02/25/ap6095158.html
The election of President Obama and a Democratically controlled Congress has been a boon to U.S. handgun makers, with sales of one pistol manufacturer climbing enough that an analyst Wednesday upgraded its stock to “Strong Buy” from “Accumulate.”
CL King & Assoc. analyst Jim Barrett upgraded shares of Sturm, Ruger & Co. after the Southport, Conn.-based company reported its firearm revenue soared 81 percent in the fourth quarter.’
Here are some nice details from Ruger’s recent 2008 annual report.
Quote:
Chief Executive Officer Michael O. Fifer made the following comments related to the 2008 results:
• Our firearm sales grew from $144 million in 2007 to $174 million in 2008 on the strength of new product shipments and overall robust firearms demand, particularly in the fourth quarter.
• Firearm orders received grew from $156 million in 2007 to $234 million in 2008. The order backlog at December 31, 2008 was $48 million, up from $18 million at December 31, 2007. Nonetheless, shipments in 2009 will be limited to units produced in 2009 as finished goods inventory was depleted during the fourth quarter of 2008.
• Firearms unit production increased 29% in 2008 compared to 2007. We expect production capacity to improve in 2009, although at a more modest pace than in 2008, as we continue to work on the transition from large-scale batch production to lean manufacturing, with an emphasis on setting up manufacturing cells that facilitate single-piece flow production and inventory pull systems.
• At December 31, 2008, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $28.2 million. Our pre-LIFO working capital of $90.6 million, less the LIFO reserve of $44.3 million, resulted in working capital of $46.3 million and a current ratio of 2.6 to 1.
• In 2008, the Company repurchased 1,535,000 shares of its common stock, representing 7.5% of the outstanding shares, in the open market at an average price of $6.57 per share. All of these purchases were made with cash held by the Company and no debt was incurred. Currently, a stock repurchase program of up to $4.7 million remains authorized by the Board of Directors, and the Company intends to file a plan under Rule 10b5-1 on March 9, 2009 covering the period through April 24, 2009. This plan may result in the repurchase of shares of common stock during that period.
• In December 2008, the Company renewed its unsecured $25 million revolving line of credit with a bank. This facility is renewable annually and now terminates on December 13, 2009. On December 31, 2008, the Company had a $1 million outstanding balance on the credit facility.
Looks like the January numbers for violent crimes may have been just random variability..
Crime Statistics February 21, 2009
VIOLENT CRIMES 2009** 2008** % Chg
Homicide 42* 61 -31.1%
Rape 101 121 -16.5%
Robbery 1865 1795 3.9%
Agg Assaults ** 1539 1619 -4.9%
Total Violent Crimes 3,547 3,596 -1.4%
PROPERTY CRIMES
Burglary 2546 2642 -3.6%
BTFV 4271 4325 -1.2%
Personal/Other Theft 3531 3728 -5.3%
Auto Theft 2549 3090 -17.5%
Total Property Crimes 12,897 13,785 -6.4%
Total Part I Crimes 16,444 17,381 -5.4%
* Numbers reflects a change in reclassification for Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) guidelines and numbers are adjusted accordingly.
** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults
A would be armed robber was shot and killed by a security guard as he attempted to rob The Vitamin Shoppe in New Smyrna Florida on February 7, 2007. The masked pistol wielding robber entered the pharmacy, threw a bag over the counter and demanded it be filled with drugs. As the robber threatened the pharmacists and security guard with his pistol and frantically paced in front of the counter the security guard behind the counter discretely unholstered his weapon and calmly waited for the right time to strike. The robber soon was momentarily distracted as he reached for a box of drugs that he had demanded. The security guard quickly came around the counter and shot the robber twice in the chest. The robber had less than a second to respond and was shot dead without returning fire.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29069767/
Score one for the good guys.
It looks like ALL S&W Walther PPK and PPK/S’s from 2002 thru now are being recalled for a safety malfunction where the pistol can discharge upon decocking/engaging the safety mechanism.
Details stolen from the firearmblog:
Smith & Wesson has identified a condition that may exist in certain PPK and PPK/S pistols which may permit a round to be discharged without the trigger being pulled. When the manual safety is disengaged, Smith & Wesson’s Product Engineering Group has determined that the possibility exists in certain firearms that lowering the hammer may cause a chambered round to fire.
This recall applies to all Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols manufactured by Smith & Wesson from March 21, 2002, until February 3, 2009. The Serial Numbers of the pistol subject to this recall are as follows:
BAB 0010-BAB 9999
BAC 0000-BAC 9999
BAD 0000-BAD 9999
LTD 0000-LTD 0499
PPK 0001-PPK 1500
BAE 0000-BAE 9999
BAF 0000-BAF 9999
WLE 0001-WLE 0459
BAH 0000-BAH 9999
BAJ 0000-BAJ 9999
BAK 0000-BAK 9999
REP 0026-REP 0219
BAL 0000-BAL 5313
BAM 0000-BAM 1320STOP USING YOUR PISTOL AND RETURN IT TO SMITH & WESSON AT ONCE.
Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential for causing injury, and we ask that you stop using your pistol immediately.
To facilitate the repair of your pistol, please contact Smith & Wesson’s customer service department to receive instructions for the return of your pistol to Smith & Wesson.
When you return your pistol to Smith & Wesson, we will replace the existing hammer block feature with a new part at no cost to you. Your firearm will be returned as quickly and efficiently as possible.
To receive a UPS pre-paid billable stamp and shipping instructions to arrange for the modification of your pistol click here or contact Smith & Wesson directly at 1-800-331-0852.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECALL, PLEASE CONTACT SMITH & WESSON AT 1-800-331-0852 or email us at PPK_S@smith-wesson.com.
Well if this bill actually goes anywhere that is the idea. On February 19, 2009 Bill AB 357 (Yes, they actually try to reserve bill numbers like this on purpose) was introduced by Assembly Member Steve Knight of Palmdale, my new politician hero in California. This bill deletes a mere 8 words and adds 1 from section 12050 of the Penal Code and would effectively turn California from a discretionary “may issue” state into a “shall issue” state.
If you support this legislation you are urged to write or fax letters to Steve Knight’s office by March 20th stating your support. While you are at it, send a letter to your districts representative urging them to support this bill. Every letter they receive will add to Steve’s justification for carrying this bill forward in the California legislature.
Steve Knight
State Capitol
Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 319-2036, (916) 319-2136 fax
Find your local representative here.
Read the changes to the existing law below.
SECTION 1. Section 12050 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
12050. (a) (1) (A) The sheriff of a county, upon proof that the person applying is of good moral character , that good cause exists for the issuance, and that the person applying satisfies any one of the conditions specified in subparagraph (D) and has completed a course of training as described in subparagraph (E), may shall issue to that person a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person in either one of the following formats:
(i) A license to carry concealed a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.
(ii) Where the population of the county is less than 200,000 persons according to the most recent federal decennial census, a license to carry loaded and exposed in that county a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.
Quote:
20 year old Briana was shot at by her former boyfriend. The bullet, reported as “.40 caliber” presumably .40 S&W, passed through her windscreen and hit her at the back of the skull. Her hair weave prevented the bullet penetrating her skull. Her only injuries were minor and she never lost consciousness.
I grew up ALWAYS having a pocket knife. Always. I remember from 3rd grade on always bringing a pocket knife to school. I never killed or injured or threatened anybody. It was a tool — Why? Why did I feel COMPELLED to bring it to a school? Because I never knew when it was going to be handy.
Now, when I think we live in a world where a 4th grader was suspended for using a broken pencil sharpener to sharpen pencils (the blade part came loose and he was using it to sharpen pencils) I really start wondering where we are heading. I used to sharpen my pencils with a pocket knife and I remember a friend’s dad felt compelled to tell my mom I was “carrying a knife”. I had a good mom, she asked what I was doing with it. I guess she didn’t care if I sharpened my pencils.
I just read this story over at toolmonger about a guy that saved a woman’s life over at a carwash because he always carried a pocket knife. And I start thinking about our current society and recent experiences that have made news and personal experiences I have had.
In the UK and Canada, they are thinking about sweeping legislation to regulate possession of knives. We have talked about this before (here and here) but a google search will reveal 100’s of such stories.
Here at work, I have had people become alarmed because I was carrying a multitool:
“Isnt that illegal?” No. We live in America. This is a tool, it helps me in my day to day job. If I want to kill you, I will use a chair.
I have used my Endura OFTEN for random events that come up.
Could I kill somebody with it? Perhaps….. But, I find the folding chair MUCH more convenient. So, why do I have the Endura? It is useful. I have opened boxes, cut nylon webbing and EVEN removed a fiberglass cast with my Endura (please don’t tell Bill).
I’m sorry, I guess I just got upset. Because I don’t think a day goes by where I don’t use a folding knife and we live in a time where most of the “civilized” world considers them EVIL. In America, since people can still own guns, at least the nannies haven’t focused on knives yet. But they will. And we will be a less functional people because of it. Great. So when I see a story on toolmonger about how a knife can be useful for things other than killing people I get disturbed because it means that the common people need to be reminded of such things.
Seriously, WTF?
It doesn’t work with drugs and it wont work with guns… But Montana is considering legislation to release residents from federal firearms laws.
Technically, federal law can’t just be made that affect states rights (although, I’m pretty sure the Civil War buried that idea) — so, the federal government either has to get voluntary compliance (e.g., if you want highway building funds, you will have a speed limit of 65) or the law has to fall within a exception outlined by the consititution.
Both drug laws and firearms laws fall with under the mandate allowed by interstate trade and commerce, which the feds are allowed to regulate. So, if a Montana resident buys a Montana made firearm and Montana made ammunition they should be able to be excempt from federal control.
Of course you would think that federal raids against marijuana growers/sellers in California for sale to California legal medical users would also be except from interstate commerce controls… But they aren’t.
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