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September 28, 2009 by
The ten-month surge in the sale of firearms and the accompanying increase in applications for concealed carry permits in the U.S. have been well documented by the pro-gun media. But a relatively under-reported related gun-sales story has everything to do with sex.
Did that get your attention?
By all accounts, women are buying guns for personal protection like never before and seeking firearms training and education in increasing numbers.
Last week it was reported that in 2009 nearly 12,000 new pistol permits were issued in Connecticut, a state with one of the historically lowest gun-ownership rates in the country. Between January and May the state saw a 90 percent increase in the number of pistol permits over the previous year, with retailers and safety instructors reporting a spike in first-time gun purchases, particularly by women.
“I think that the percentage that you’d see of women coming for the first time has quadrupled,” John Petricone, a staffer at Tactical Arms in Torrington, told the Danbury Republican-American. Pistol safety classes that once drew about nine men for every woman are now evenly split, Petricone said.
That contention was all but confirmed by survey results released this week from the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s “First Shots” program.
“First Shots” is just what the name implies: a program that introduces people to handgun shooting for their first time—along with expert coaching and safety instruction.
Of the 3,106 participant surveys tabulated from handgun events as of this June, a total of 1,498 participants (48 percent) identified themselves as female. In addition, 64 percent of the female participants indicated the First Shots seminar marked their first-ever experience shooting a handgun.
In a follow-up survey conducted six months after attending the seminar, 20 percent of the female participants said they went on to take formal handgun training such as basic handgun, concealed carry, defensive handgun, NRA safety instruction and other formal programs. Further, nearly half of the responding female First Shots participants reported to have met their state’s requirement to own or purchase a handgun.
[ Read Full Post ] September 2, 2009 by
St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols—who knows a thing or two about hitting and distance—receives some pointers from Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Thompson about the preferred platform for long-distance communication by Navy SEALs. Pujols and All-Star reliever Ryan Franklin were among five Cardinal players who toured the Naval Special Warfare facilities while in San Diego for a series with the Padres August 20-23.
[ Read Full Post ] August 4, 2009 by
Brooklyn, NY social worker Michael Littlejohn is an avowed history buff and a self-proclaimed student of the Revolutionary War who’s taken part in battle re-enactments in Virginia and Georgia as an adult.
Littlejohn, 50, recently followed his love of the American past and purchased a historically accurate and fully-functioning flintlock rifle, like the ones used by revolutionary soldiers and the frontiersman who later forged Westward—helping make the new territories safe for expansion and further colonization.
Indeed, among many collectors and gun enthusiasts, such a firearm is considered as much a work of art as it is an historic shooting, defensive and hunting implement.
Except in New York City in 2009, apparently.
Not long after Littlejohn received the firearm from the Tennessee artisan and blacksmith who created it, he was paid a visit by New York Police, who told him he must obtain a license if he wanted to keep the vintage front-loader.
The New York Daily News reported this week that a Staples copy center employee called authorities after she found a receipt for the gun left behind by Littlejohn, alerting police to the location and owner of the historic black powder firearm.
When confronted by police and told he was in violation of city law, the amateur historian was defiant—almost revolutionary, you might say.
“This is the last legal gun that you can have without registration in New York,” Littlejohn said. “And yet Mayor Bloomberg is driven crazy by my flintlock gun—the one that won the American Revolution.”
A quick perusal of The New York City Administrative Code (Title 10—Public Safety) appears to support Littlejohn’s assertion.
§ 10–305 Exemptions. The sections requiring rifle and shotgun permits and certificates and prohibiting the possession or disposition of assault weapons shall not apply as follows: b. Antiques and ornaments. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to antique rifles and shotguns which are incapable of being fired or discharged or which do not fire fixed ammunition, or those weapons manufactured prior to eighteen hundred ninety-four and those weapons whose design was patented and whose commercial manufacture commenced prior to eighteen hundred ninety-four and whose manufacture continued after eighteen hundred ninety-four without any substantial alteration in design or function, and for which cartridge ammunition is not commercially available and are possessed as curiosities or ornaments or for their historical significance and value...
In the meantime, sources with NYPD say the escalating conflict could end quickly and peaceably if Littlejohn would simply apply for a permit with the department’s handgun license division.
But that’s not going to happen, according to the historic arms lover, who says he’s prepared to go to court to keep his gun without obtaining a city license.
The Newshound advice? The Bloomberg administration should avoid engaging in a battle with someone who has extensive skirmish experience.
[ Read Full Post ] July 23, 2009 by
You can forget about getting a Browning Buckmark tattoo or a 3-foot wide pickup widow decal of the famous deerhead logo.
The Newshound has found the ultimate abode for the unapologetic gun nut and devotee of all things Browning.
It’s John Moses Browning’s 6,912-square-foot, 8-bedroom mansion in Ogden, Utah. How’s that for a statement?
Built in 1900, most of the house is original, including a hardwood banister stretching from the entry all the way to the third-floor attic, beveled windows, hardwood floors and fireplaces throughout.
Widely considered a genius and inarguably the most famous gun maker in the history of the universe, perhaps Browning’s most enduring legacy is the short recoil design behind the 1911 handgun, which remains the pre-eminent operating system in today’s semi-auto handguns, nearly a century after it was first introduced.
Not a handgun fan? OK, then there’s his other creations, like the Winchester Model 1886 lever action rifle, Model 1887 lever action repeating shotgun, Model 1897 pump action shotgun and Models 1894 and 1895 lever action repeating rifles.
For good measure throw in the Colt Model 1895 “Peacemaker” machine gun and Model 1817 .30 cal. water-cooled machine gun.
The “ultimate gun-lover’s dream house” is located at 505 27th St. in historic Ogden. While much of the interior is original, your wife will be pleased to know the kitchen has been update since 1900.
Asking price is $374,900.
The downside? It’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Browning)!
[ Read Full Post ] July 13, 2009 by
If Mark Twain were still with us, he might contend that the rumors of the firearms industry’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
Selected Wall Street investment analysts announced downgrades to some firearms manufacturer’s stocks last week, based on the premise that the unprecedented spike in the sales of certain guns and ammunition since the November General Election is nearing the end of its historic run.
“THE OBAMA GUN RUN IS SLOWING,” shouted the lead line in Barron's Senior Editor Bill Alpert’s feature, “Shooting a Hole in the Outlook for Gun Stocks.”
“When the Democrats swept into Washington in November, gun fanciers scrambled for 15-round pistols and tactical rifles equipped with grenade launchers, flash suppressors and bayonets—in fear the new administration would reinstate a ban on the sale of such weapons,” Alpert wrote.
Grenade launchers, flash suppressors and bayonets?
Based on the arrogant and sarcastic tone of the article, one wonders whether the author’s contention that the increase in firearms sales and related jump in concealed-carry permit applications may be waning is based more on wishful thinking than facts and accurate data.
Ironically, the same day Barron’s announced what appeared to be the death knell to the present booming firearms market, gunmaker Smith & Wesson announced a 20 percent increase in sales for the company’s fiscal 2009 ending on May 31. The Springfield, Mass. manufacturer reported a net profit of $7.4 million, or 14 cents per share, more than doubling earnings from the same quarter last year and beating analyst estimates.
(In the interest of full disclosure, the writer is an investor and has owned Smith & Wesson stock for nearly 10 years.)
And last week, data released by the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) indicated a 15.4 percent leap in background checks on the sale of firearms in May when compared to the same month a year ago. Background checks totaled 1,023,102 in May 2009, up from 886,183 reported in May 2008.
The May increase came on the heels of a 30.3 percent increase in April, a 29.2 percent gain in March and rises of 23 percent in February, 28 percent in January, 24 percent in December and 42 percent in November—when a record 1,529,635 background checks were performed.
Granted, the May 2009 NICS numbers fall somewhat short when compared to those from preceding months. But it’s hardly a cause for alarm for anyone but those naysayers who contend the current high interest in firearms ownership for personal protection is fabricated and lacks legitimacy.
[ Read Full Post ]July 9, 2009 by
As a direct result of the resurgent interest in 1930s bank robber John Dillinger with the July 1 release of the blockbuster movie “Public Enemies,” a pair of firearms inextricably linked to the Depression-era bad guy will be auctioned in coming days.
First, the Remington .41 cal. rimfire double derringer found hidden in Dillinger’s sock at the time of his January 1934 arrest in Tucson, Ariz. will be auctioned by Dallas-based Heritage Galleries on July 25. The historic gun is expected to fetch between $35,000 and $45,000, according to the auction company’s Web site.
In addition, a .38 Colt Army Special carried by Capt. Timothy O'Neil of the East Chicago Police Department on the day Dillinger was shot and killed outside the Biograph Theater will be offered for auction on July 22—a date that coincidentally marks the 75th anniversary of the gangster’s demise.
Press material from the auctioneer notes that the derringer “bears serial #L97255 and retains most of the original blue on screws, hammer, and trigger; the balance with the original blue-gray matte finish mixing with gray patina. Perfect grips, mint bore, mechanically fine.”
The tip of the barrel release lever is broken, something that is not uncommon with the model, according to gunsmiths and collectors of the vintage gun.
Manufactured by Remington Arms, the unique firearm marked the first of the derringer genre, with each barrel able to fire individually by means of a pivoting firing pin operating on a ratchet. About 150,000 of the guns were manufactured between about 1866 until around 1935.
Frankly speaking, the .41 rimfire cartridge of the era was considered anything but a powerhouse caliber, to be sure. It was sometimes said that a bullet fired from the pocket pistol would bounce off gun leather and fall harmlessly to the ground.
At the same time, some infamous gunfighters of the 1920s and 30s admitted they would rather take a slug from a .45 than from a .41 rimfire. They reasoned that a .45 cal. bullet would probably pass through a man and offer a treatable wound, while a .41 would probably remain imbedded, potentially festering and lead to deadly infection. (Remember, these were pre-penicillin days.)
During coordinated raids taking place from January 22 to January 25, 1934, Pima County (AZ) Sheriff’s deputies arrested Dillinger (using the alias Frank Sullivan) along with gang members Henry Pierpoint, Russel Clark and Charles Makley, and Dillinger’s “moll,” Billie Frechette.
In July 1934 Dillinger was extradited to Indiana where he faced murder charges. While incarcerated awaiting trial, he famously broke out of jail armed with a pistol carved out of wood.
Five weeks after his escape, on July 22, 1934, he was killed “in a hail of gunfire” while leaving the Chicago theater by FBI agents and other authorities, including Capt. O'Neil. Though some law enforcement historians question whether bullets fired from O’Neil’s .38 Colt actually hit “Public Enemy Number One” on that sultry July evening, the gun is expected to bring as much as $12,000 at this month’s auction.
[ Read Full Post ] June 18, 2009 by
Most states have an official flower, song, flag, mammal or even fish. But thanks to the dedication of some devotees of historic firearms, Pennsylvania may soon be the first to have an official state gun.
In late May, State Sen. Pat Browne of Allentown, Pennsylvania introduced legislation designating the historic Pennsylvania Rifle as the official firearm of The Keystone State.
“The Pennsylvania Rifle was the first truly American firearm and, due to its exceptional accuracy and range, was considered the greatest achievement in the development of firearms during the 18th century,” the bill states, in part.
The legislation is the result of several years of hard work by historic firearms lovers in Pennsylvania, in particular those affiliated with the Jacobsburg Historical Society’s Pennsylvania Long Rifle Museum.
“We have been working toward this resolution, actively with Rep. Craig Dally, for the last three years,” said Museum president Dave Ehrig. “It was only after a summit at the museum, followed by a luncheon reception for Sen. Pat Browne, did the good senator become swayed. We are excited about the future!”
Ehrig also serves as director of the Longhunter Society for the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA), which scores and records outstanding big game animals taken exclusively with muzzle-loading firearms.
An early handcrafted Pennsylvania longrifle built in the mid to late 1700s could take 200-300 hours to craft, especially in the days when barrels were hand-forged.
“They are one of the pure forms of American art form,” said firearms historian Tim Lubenesky. “Almost every kind of art was brought from other parts of the world but the Kentucky Rifle or Pennsylvania Longrifle and its four-piece engraved brass patchbox is unique to the Americas. No place else does it exist.”
[ Read Full Post ]June 9, 2009 by
You’ve got to credit to the folks at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department: they have a crystal clear understanding of where their bread is buttered.
Announcing the results of its recent review of activities taking place on wildlife management areas (WMAs) in the state, the agency said it would prohibit paintballing and geocaching on those public lands, beginning immediately.
In paintballing, teams square off and compete in simulated combat games. Geocaching participants utilize GPS units and follow a series of coordinates while attempting to locate a position, or “treasure” before a competitor does.
The lion’s share of the funding used to purchase WMAs across the country comes from federal excise taxes generated by the sale of firearms, ammunition and bowhunting equipment. The funds are distributed to the states by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service each year and are required to be used for hunting land acquisition, hunter safety programs and other specified purposes.
Scott Peterson, Game and Fish Department wildlife resource section supervisor, said the agency determined that paintballing and geocaching activities could potentially interfere with those using the WMAs for their primary purpose, which is hunting and fishing.
“While these types of activities may not always create a significant impact to an individual WMA, they do create a considerable amount of unnecessary disturbance to both wildlife and wildlife habitat,” Peterson said. “They also have the potential to create competition with hunters and anglers who help pay for managing WMAs.”
Here at the Newshound, we say hats off to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for the respect it has shown for hunters, anglers and wildlife habitat.
Or, in the words of President Theodore Roosevelt, who once called the Dakota Territory his home:
“Bully!”
[ Read Full Post ]May 27, 2009 by
From Colorado's Greely Tribune:
"A Loveland man suffered serious injuries when he was hit by lightning Monday afternoon while skeet shooting east of Lucerne.
Josh Renuch, 32, was one of two men injured in the incident shortly after 2 p.m. Monday, said Margie Martinez, spokeswoman for the Weld County Sheriff’s Office. She identified the other man as Brent Kuehne, 32, of Greeley.
Martinez said the two men were with a group of seven people shooting skeet at a farmhouse 2 to 3 miles east of Lucerne. She said the incident occurred just before a heavy thunderstorm moved through the Greeley area.
“There was no storm out there at the time, but obviously, there was lightning.
“Apparently, a skeet had just been launched, and the lightning may have hit the shotgun because it pretty much exploded in (Renuch’s) hands,” Martinez said.
She said Kuehne was knocked down by the lightning. A woman who was with them, along with a person from a nearby residence, gave first aid to the two men until emergency personnel arrived. The woman, Martinez said, was not injured, but she and the others at the site were taken to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley.
Because of patient confidentiality, the hospital could not give the conditions of those injured.
Meanwhile, the heavy rain that started around 2 p.m. Monday in downtown Greeley continued well into the afternoon. It resulted in some minor flooding problems in the area of 9th Avenue and 16th Street shortly after 3 p.m. There was no serious problems, however, according to Greeley police.
About 4 p.m., amateur radio spotters in southwest Greeley reported floodwater running over Weld County Road 54 and Two Rivers Parkway, about eight miles southwest of Greeley, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a flash flood warning for the area. Water up to hub caps on vehicles was reported, and the weather service said Doppler radar indicated as much as 3 inches of rain had fallen in the area.
Martinez said there was runoff from a field near Weld 54 and Two Rivers Parkway, and west of there, small hail covered about a mile area.
“It was small hail, but there was tons of it,” she said, noting it was 3-4 inches deep in that one area.
Other sites reported upward of 1.25 inches on Greeley’s northwest side and more than half an inch near Highland Hills Golf Course. Near Kersey, 0.6 of an inch to more than an inch was reported at automated weather stations, while other areas of Weld had a trace up to 0.3 of an inch or a little more.
[ Read Full Post ]
March 9, 2009 by
A pair of Southwest Florida ne’er-do-wells didn’t exactly give police specific directions to one of their homes after allegedly committing a home burglary last week—but they might as well have.
Responding to a report of a home burglary and theft on Tuesday, police in Ft. Myers, Fla. were told that among the items taken were a dirt bike, flat screen TV, computer, Ford SUV and a gun safe containing various firearms.
With minimal detective work, the cops easily identified scrape marks in the yard of the burglarized residence indicating that the gun safe had been dragged behind the stolen SUV. From that starting point, authorities followed about 800 yards of continuous drag marks in the ground and gouges in the pavement, leading from the residence, across the street, and through several vacant lots.
Straight to the home of Jarvis B. Bowens, 23.
A subsequent search of Bowens’ residence revealed many of the missing items. The stolen SUV was found in a nearby wooded area.
The Ft. Myers News-Press reports that Bowens and Wayne Blanks, 19, were jailed and charged with 36 felonies for theft and burglary.
[ Read Full Post ]
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