O’Rourke, who has campaigned for U.S. President among Mexicans while in Mexico, chided the drug cartel for breaking Mexican law by using illegal weapons.
“Your government and I are SO disappointed in you”, the candidate intoned in his most paternal voice, “We expected you to be good citizens and turn in your weapons – because they are evil and against the law. Where are your citizenship and morals?”
The cartel stuck out a petulant lip and whined, “But you didn’t yell at Eric Holder like this when he gave us those Fast and Furious guns.”
“Don’t change the subject, I’m talking to YOU right now”, O’Rourke hushed.
The candidate went on to chastise the cartel for being a poor example to its brothers to the north.
“How do you think American criminals feel when they see what you are doing? How do you expect them to turn in their AR15’s and AK47’s to me when you still have RPG’s? You are no gang of mine. You are SO grounded!”
Thoroughly chastened, when last seen, cartel members were observed to be hanging their heads in shame while skulking upstairs to their room.
No matter what your politics are, you can only intelligently agree or disagree with something if you know what you’re talking about. Weighing in with an uneducated opinion helps no one.
And, whether we like it or not, the Second Amendment is at the core of our gun rights. Understanding it is a requirement for developing a knowledgeable view of gun rights and how we may proceed with those rights.
We’ll get to that. First, here’s a look at what this book does really well.
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Second Amendment History
The right to bear arms didn’t start in America. One of the best things about this book is that it reaches back beyond the formation of the United States for information that supports the right to keep and bear arms.
Greek and Roman wisdom, English Common Law, and other sources are drawn upon for insight into why the Second Amendment was written and why it’s a cornerstone of the United States Constitution.
The author references a number of opinions of non-Americans. The experiences of people as varied as Alan Dershowitz and Mahatma Gandhi are included, which broadens the scope beyond the usual examination of Nazi Germany or Fascist Italy.
Events like the lesser known actions of the British Empire and other governments are brought in to show what might have influenced the founding fathers to consider the Second Amendment a necessity in the Constitution.
This approach is refreshing because it demonstrates the context around the Second Amendment. Often, studies of the Second Amendment adhere doggedly to the constitutional text, which makes it difficult to understand the right to bear arms as a natural right. This book gets us out of America, to demonstrate that the concept of the right to bear arms didn’t arise de novo at the Philadelphia Convention.
Language
The Second Amendment Primer does leverage one of the most powerful pieces of literature for understanding the Second Amendment: the United States Constitution.
Adams examines the language of the other constitutional amendments to establish how the author, James Madison, spoke and used language at the time. From there, he examines the Second Amendment through a more objective lens, within the context of what words meant at the time the Constitution was written.
Then, this contextual analysis is combined with contemporary Supreme Court decisions to demonstrate why the original language is still relevant and applicable today.
This presents the Second Amendment very objectively, free of secondary interpretations and confusion caused by the evolution of English.
Supplemental Literature
There are three additional essays in the appendix. These essays aren’t mere extensions of the information in the book or supporting evidence. The essays heavily expand on the issue of what the Second Amendment protects.
Where The Second Amendment primer focuses on the Second Amendment itself, the included essays demonstrate what risks being lost in the Second Amendment debate. These essays are an excellent study in how small adjustments to the right to bear arms right now could take us well down the road toward nullification of it.
Jeff Snyder’s essay, “A Nation of Cowards” adds a discussion about the nature of violence, as it relates to the Second Amendment and the natural right to self-defense.
Should You Read This Book?
In short, yes.
If you have any interest in constitutional law, the Second Amendment debate, or if you just want a better understanding of the Second Amendment, this is a great book.
The Second Amendment Primer is not a book for lawyers. It provides a basic education for those interested in the relevant constitutional law. Supreme Court decisions and modern court cases are covered. But the main thrust of this book is the individual right to bear arms. This book is a decent starting point for law students. But there’ll be a lot more follow-up reading to do.
Also, this book was published some years ago. So, there are some important recent court cases which are not covered.
Nor is this an unbiased read (but what book about the Second Amendment is?). The author’s pro-rights bias is certainly evident.
So, this may not be the best recommendation for someone looking for a purely impartial approach, let alone someone who’s hopelessly anti-gun. But is an excellent choice for anyone open to historical information that clarifies the thinking behind the Second Amendment.
Adams’ objective information is easy to separate from his opinions, too, if you are paying attention. There’s plenty to learn from his book, even if you’re a seasoned student of the Second Amendment.
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—Jay Chambers is a Texas business owner, archer, shooter and survivalist. He believes in free speech, resiliency and self-sufficiency in an increasingly unpredictable world.
Gov. Tony Evers speaks at a news conference at Milwaukee City Hall Monday before signing an executive order calling a special session on gun laws.
MICHAEL SEARS, MILWAUKEE JOURNAL-SENTINEL
Photo via APG-WI
All the cool kids are doing it so Tony Evers, Democratic Governor of Wisconsin, is too. On Monday he signed an executive order calling the Senate and Assembly into a special session to discuss gun control.
The Senate and Assembly are in Republican majority hands right now and so, as is usual along party lines and priorities, gun control is not near the top of their things to do. It has a tendency to irritate their base of voters.
Evers made the announcement at a Monday press event in Milwaukee. Democratic legislators and survivors of people who died from gun violence were in attendance as their usual emotional political capital.
“I don’t want any political games, I don’t want any procedural shenanigans with the rules, no circumventing of the democratic process, no last-minute amendments, no nonsense,” Evers said, before signing an executive order calling for the Nov. 7 session. “I want Republicans in the Legislature to work with Democrats to send these bills to my desk.”
Those… those are political games, procedural shenanigans, and circumventing the democratic process. Demanding bills that you want be sent to your desk and using the obvious ignorance of the voter base in loaded poll questions to support it. You’re doing the thing you don’t want, Governor, political games. None of the pet legislation that is popular in gun control circles right now, red flag laws, UBC’s, and ‘assault weapons’ bans would curb national or Wisconsin crimes involving guns for all the reasons that have been laid out time and time again.
UBC’s are totally unenforceable. Red Flag laws are overly broad and ripe for civil rights abuses, especially when politicos don’t want “gang members” to be used as a red flag indicator as it would unfairly target minority communities. It’s a telltale sign that this is a political game, not a public safety concern, when the number one source of ‘gun violence’ is taken off the table because it would be ‘racist’.
Remember kids, gun violence is an epidemic that we must take on with extreme measures and leave no option off the table, unless it will lock up anyone other than white men, can’t risk that minority vote. God forbid we acknowledge that, after suicide, criminal violence among the criminal elements make up the lion’s share of the body count. And don’t forget to gloss over the fact that impoverished minority communities are where and who those bodies most often are.
“No one deserves to die by a bullet because of the ignorance of their politicians,” Mandela Barnes said. Barnes is the Lt. Governor of Wisconsin.
That’s a bold statement and speaks of a complete lack of awareness to how poorly politicians run wars, but we can keep this in the local community I suppose.
What “political ignorance” is fueling Wisconsin shootings? Where are the pile of criminals who would have been deterred by a background check? Please show us the evidence that the lack of ‘Red Flag’ capability is harming and how adding said ‘Red Flag’ capability will result in a reduction incidents. In what way will curtailing the civil rights of your citizens benefit them?
The Senate and Assembly seem to share the opinion that this political game the governor says he does not want is just that.
“A special session call will not change where my Assembly Republican colleagues and I stand on protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of Wisconsin citizens,” Vos said in a statement. “As I have repeatedly said, we will not entertain proposals that infringe on our constitutional rights. Today’s call is another indication that Governor Evers stands ready to confiscate guns in our state.”
But it’s not a political game, right Evers?
“We need an up or down vote,” Evers said. “At the end of the day, how many times can you go against 80% of the people of the state of Wisconsin in developing policy and essentially tell them to go to hell and at the same time expect to be re-elected? It doesn’t make sense to me.”
I don’t know why STNGR hates vowels so much, but I do know they make great rails. STNGR, or Stinger, is a small Texas company that produces and sells its rails directly to the consumer. It helps keeps prices low and innovation high. They make rails in both Keymod and M-LOK formats and in a wide variety of different lengths. When they offered to send me the RPTR I immediately said yes. I was building a rifle, an unsual rifle, and the RPTR rail system made it stand out even more.
The RPTR rail was placed on an upper receiver that was being tossed on my SCR lower. The SCR Lower from Fightlite, previously known as Ares, is a kind of a AR 15 lower. It uses AR mags, and blends with AR uppers but is a thing unto itself. Just look at the photos. It’s different, but I like it. I’m also working on an 80% lower for a 9mm build with a STNGR rail system.
The RPTR rail comes in different sizes. Mine is the full-length 15-inch model, but 13.5 and 10-inch models are also available. The rail comes with a barrel nut, anti-slip plate, Crowfoot wrench, and Allen keys. You’ll still need a torque wrench, vise block, etc. Everything you’d normally need to install a rail system.
What the RPTR?
The RPTR is an M-LOK modular rail system combined with short sections of Picatinny rail. The top is a full-length rail, but near the end of the muzzle side of the rail we have three sections of Picatinny rail on the right, left and bottom of the rail. These small sections of rail allow for easy attachment of lights. I normally mount my light quite far forward and this style of handguard is perfect for me.
I like a little extra rail on my rifle and the RPTR gives me that. On the opposite end of the RPTR you have QD points on each side of the rail for mounting a sling. The rail features 6 M-LOK slots on each side and you have tons of extra room for mounting whatever you may need.
STNGR uses a really cool barrel nut that eliminates the need for indexing. The gas tube can just pass over the barrel nut and flow into the receiver. It’s simple and it’s so much easier than just dealing with a standard barrel nut that you have to line up just right to accommodate the gas tube. Just torque it down and install the gas tube and go.
Range Time
Ergonomically the RPTR is well done. It’s thin and very easy for a shooter to wrap their hand around. The rail is remarkably comfortable in the hand and even with the 15-inch model you can reach the railed sections and therefore anything you’d have mounted there.
The rail itself weighs less than 12 ounces and is remarkably lightweight. It’s super balanced and on the SCR lower it’s a good fit. The weapon stays very balanced and is far from front heavy. The length allows for a far forward grip that lets you drive the rifle form target to target, and control muzzle rise.
The M-LOK slots are precision cut. Installing M-LOK rails or compatible accessories is smooth sailing. You may want to invest in some kind of grip if you are going to be shooting a lot in a short period of time. Be it vertical or angled. This rail is going to heat up quite a bit once you start spewing lead downrange.
That’s kind of a thing with lightweight metal handguards. If you are rapid-firing or taking a high round count training course the rail is gonna get hot.
Getting Stung
STNGR only sells directly from their website and you can find a multitude of rail systems there. The RPTR rail is one of two they sent me but is my favorite. The extra Pic rails and QD slots are a nice touch. What really captures me about the RPTR versus similar rails is just how good looking it is. It is an excellent way to top off my SCR rifle. Give STNGR and a look and let us know you think.
San Antonio, Texas (October 21, 2019) – J. P. Sauer & Sohn, Germany’s oldest gunmaker, is exhibiting for the first time at the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) Expo in Orlando, Florida. The Expo runs October 22 – 25, and the Sauer team will have their new, high-performance Sauer S100 line of rifles on display, among other models. This includes the Sauer S100 Classic XT, Ceratech, Pantera, Fieldshoot, Cherokee and Atacama models in a wide array of chamberings including 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC.
“We are excited to exhibit at NASGW for the first time in our company’s history and welcome all attendees to our booth,” said Jens Krogh, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Blaser Group. “In addition to the current line of Sauer rifles, we will also be previewing some exciting new product for 2020.”
The extended line of SAUER 100 rifles are perfect for those who have a limited budget yet still expect maximum performance and style. With an MSRP starting at $799, Sauer offers numerous options in the S100 to meet shooters’ needs in the field and on the range. Each rifle features a crisp, user adjustable single-stage trigger, three-position safety, cold hammer-forged SAUER barrel, and smooth action bolt. These rifles are also designed for accuracy, delivering a guaranteed five-shot sub-MOA performance.
The Blaser Group is the official U.S. importer for iconic German firearms brands Blaser, Mauser and J.P. Sauer; English gunmaker John Rigby & Co.; and Minox optics. Established in 2006, the company which is based in San Antonio, Texas works with over 200 authorized Blaser Group dealers across all North American states, with this figure continually growing. Today the Blaser Group’s industry-leading product portfolio includes bolt-action, combination rifles and over-and-under shotguns designed specifically for game hunters and competitive target shooters. Its custom shop offers exclusive engravings, design work and custom finishing for bespoke guns. With recent innovations, Blaser Group has gone on to expand its product portfolio into cutting edge optics and accessory lines. For more information about the company and product lines, visit: www.blaser-group.com.
The SAINT Pistol packs in all the features you need, and nothing you don’t — and all for $849.
This week, we take a look at the new SAINT Pistol. This model hearkens back to the original SAINT carbine model, and the DNA shared between the two is pretty obvious. And like the original carbine, the new SAINT Pistol sends a simple message — everything you need, nothing you don’t.
The Details
An all-new Trinity Force Breach Brace cover the forearm brace needs, and meets ATF requirements for pistol classification. Minimalist in design, this brace is simple, straightforward and effective. The brace is adjustable via two allen head screws, and it locks up like a bank vault when secured. The BCMGunfighter Mod.3 pistol grip will feel familiar to SAINT owners, as will the enhanced nickel boron coated trigger.
The SAINT Pistol features a 9.6″ barrel that offers good ballistics while still being short and compact.
The handguard is another BCM fan favorite, the PMCR polymer handguard that’s exclusive to the SAINT Pistol and features M-LOK slots. It includes heat shielding for extended range sessions, or in case you really need to party in a defensive situation. The barrel is 9.6″, a pretty optimal length for a pistol. Fully Melonite coated with a 1:8 twist, durability and long-life are a given. And rounding out the package is a pinned gas block, with a Picatinny top for irons or other accessories.
This past week, MCRGO Second Vice Chair & law professor Steve Dulan addressed the House Military, Veterans, and Homeland Security Committee in support of House Bills 4470-4474 which would make Michigan a constitutional carry state and eliminate most pistol free zones. Michigan Open Carry joined MCRGO in support of the legislation. The only opposition came from Bloomberg-funded Moms Demand Action.
The legislation combines two sets of bills from last session. The bills would eliminate the requirement for a license to carry concealed, providing for constitutional concealed carry and creating parity with constitutional open carry that exists in Michigan currently. The bills would also eliminate most state gun free zones (MCL 750.234d) and concealed pistol free zones (MCL 28.425o). They would make transport of a firearm in a motor vehicle much less cumbersome.
Some have asked why MCRGO, a firearms training organization, would support constitutional concealed carry given that it would remove the training requirement to carry concealed. First, in principle a law abiding citizen should not need to get permission from the state to exercise the natural human right to self-defense. Second, the combined cost of training and licensure typically costs between $200-$300 pricing many lower income people out of the the ability to legally carry concealed. Third, Michigan has draconian laws for carrying concealed without a license, treating it as a felony that disproportionately impacts racial minorities. Finally, the experience in the growing number of states that have adopted constitutional concealed carry indicates that it results in lower crime rates; and counter-intuitively results in a greater number of people seeking training.
Some have also asked why these bills are being taken up now given the near guarantee that Governor Whitmer will veto them and not nearly enough votes exist in the Michigan House and Michigan Senate for a veto override (veto overrides are extremely rare in Michigan and have only occurred four times since 1950). The answer is that the legislative branch is not subservient to the executive branch. Whether a governor’s veto is possible, likely, or expected shouldn’t keep the Legislature from considering bills it supports. Otherwise the governor would be determining the state’s legislative agenda.
We know that constitutional carry is unlikely to be signed by Whitmer just as it was unlikely to be signed by Snyder when the House passed it last session. But by bringing the issue up, the Legislature keeps the topic alive. Remember that it took over a decade for shall-issue concealed carry to be signed into law after numerous attempts failed. Michigan will eventually become a constitutional concealed carry state if groups like MCRGO and Michigan Open Carry continue to push toward that goal.
Pressure and Progress
Michigan has been working to implement a successful Constitutional Carry transition for many years, and while the current governor certainly won’t be persuaded to sign it must remain a current legislative issue. Tying the bill to a revocation of the failed policy of pistol free and gun free zones shows an awareness of what the real problems with gun violence are. It’s an awareness that ineffective rules and regulations don’t prevent those seeking to do harm from doing so.
It’s refreshing to see legislative bodies still working on these issues.
Beto… Beto… Beto… I’m… confused. I really am. Either you are untruthfully or shamelessly trolling for the hard anti-gun vote. Or you really are this… dense.
CNN: “How do you plan to get assault weapons away from people who don’t want to give them up?”
O’Rourke: “It’s pretty simple. Um, as with any law in this country, we would expect our fellow Americans to follow the law. It’s one of those things that distinguishes us from so much of the rest of the world, we’re a nation of laws and no person is above the law no matter how much they may disagree with a given law.”
So no other nation is a nation of laws? Not Great Britain? Not France? Not Mexico or Brazil? Not even Canada or Australia? Only we, the US, are a nation of laws and that apparently means perfect 100% compliance. Nobody sped today, not a single substance was used in an illegal fashion, murders and assaults did not occur, and not a single individual took or damaged property that was not their own.
O’Rourke then rolls into arguing that Australia’s buyback was a perfect example of removing weapons of war from our streets. Because of course the AR-15 has no place as a tool of self defense, in his considered opinion. I’m glad we have such expertise to temper the wild assumptions of folks like myself and others who make defensive science and technology our lives.
Then the blow came that really stunned him.
CNN: “You expect mass shooters to follow the law?”
O’Rourke: *long pause* “I expect our fellow Americans to follow the law, yes.”
This nearly causes the CNN anchor to spit take. She is floored by blind stupidity of the answer. Beto then goes onto vaguely claim that if X, Y, or Z law had been in place “some” shootings would surely have been stopped, despite incredible evidence in opposition to that point. Any shooter who used a handgun or shotgun, any shooter with a clean background, any shooter where the background check failed because of an improperly kept record, etc.
CNN pushes, Beto deflects, he won’t come out and say that enforcing this law would require seizure by force from a population that will assuredly refuse with force. He just expects Americans to “follow the law” because “we’ve seen other countries do this”.
Yes Beto, yes we have, and we’ve seen how well that worked out for them. Or rather hasn’t. The UK is having a rough go of it and the Bataclan and Bridge attacks in France are highly illustrative that people do in fact possess the ability to pull off mass casualty attacks regardless of what any law says.
Laws, Mr. O’Rourke, are broken at will by any who choose to. You should know, you’ve done it. The law just imposes a consequence if you are prosecuted for the infraction. The blind faith you have in this is naive beyond anything to be respected in a leader.
He goes onto berate the anchor and use the tried and true, “well then we wouldn’t pass any laws if we were afraid people would break them.” Another deflection from calling into question the effectiveness of the law with the expected non-compliance ratio. The fear isn’t that someone doesn’t follow the law, that is the given. What CNN is trying to point out is the asinine assumption that this legislation could possibly have the desired effect.
Remember, even if it worked perfectly we are talking about a fraction of 300-500 (on average) deaths in the span of a year. We are also not talking about solving the problem of a mass killing at all, but ineffectively removing one method of causing a mass casualty incident.
The math and methods available leave only one conclusion. It cannot work. And no, Beto, that doesn’t mean we should try anyway and “do something” it means exactly the opposite. Why would we waste the effort?
In what world does a 1% perfect reduction in deaths by a single method, with a realistic estimate of 0%, all of which could be made moot by year over year fluctuation, be worth gutting the second amendment? I could hear an argument for 50%, 20%, maybe even 10%… but this is zero, nothing, nada. It is a fanciful extension of ‘if everyone were just nice there wouldn’t be murder so we wouldn’t need guns’
Well if everyone were just nice and didn’t murder it wouldn’t matter if we had nukes. It wouldn’t matter. Trying to modify extreme outlier behavior through prohibition on possession to the masses instead of consequence of behavior seems like a lose/lose every time.
End Game
CNN appears to be setting themselves up to knock O’Rourke into the clown pile. Use him to moderate the front runner and make them look more reasonable. The likely recipient of this moderation at this juncture is Warren.
In my opinion however the DNC has played to strongly to the base already and distanced themselves from the moderates. Every candidate is so far left of where President Obama acted and campaigned it’s truly a sight to behold.
Seen and linked from TPR, an NPR affiliate out of Texas. The Federal Government is placing the civil blame for the Sutherland Springs mass shooting (the one where the former airman convicted of felony domestic violence bought his gun after passing a background check) onto Academy Sports, the Texas retailer.
They are doing so by citing a rule that they made that states that if they screw up it isn’t their fault. No seriously, that’s in the Brady background check bill.
A federal judge in San Antonio has named Academy Sports + Outdoors a co-defendant in a lawsuit stemming from the 2017 Sutherland Springs church shooting, the deadliest in modern Texas history.
The Feds are saying that since Kelley, the shooter, used an ID from a state where high capacity magazines are prohibited the sale was illegal. This makes them a “responsible third party” in the eyes of the Fed.
“Academy sold Kelley a firearm, specifically a high-capacity Model 8500 Ruger AR-556 semi-automatic AR-15 style rifle, which included a large-capacity 30-round magazine. To purchase this firearm, Kelley presented Academy with a Colorado driver’s license. With respect to the sale of that rifle, the Federal Gun Control Act required Academy to comply with the laws of both Texas, the seller’s state, and Colorado, the buyer’s apparent state of residence. Colorado law restricts the sale of high-capacity magazines, i.e. magazines holding more than fifteen rounds. Therefore, Academy was not permitted to sell Kelley the Model 8500 Ruger AR-556 under federal law because sale of that rifle would have been illegal in Colorado. On November 5, 2017, Kelley used the Model 8500 Ruger AR-556 to commit the shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Academy’s conduct thus contributed to causing the harm for which recovery is sought in this action.”
If you are thinking, “Wow, that means every gun dealer has to know every law of their state and every other state when it comes to firearms.” you would be correct. A licensee is not solely responsible for assuring the legality of the sale for their own states rules, but those of the home state on the ID.
To add to that, the Ruger AR isn’t illegal, the magazine it came with was. ID’s are not required under federal law for a magazine. A magazine isn’t federally regulated, only regulated at the state level. They are using the SKU from Ruger, which comes with a 30 round magazine, to posit that the sale was illegal as a whole.
The Feds state that, despite passing the background check, because the Air Force failed to update NICS (which they cannot be held liable for, Brady Bill 1993), it was incumbent on Academy Sports to recognize that the magazine included in this sale, which the FBI cleared, was prohibited in Colorado (not Texas where they were standing) and thus deny the sale to Kelley.
I’m certain Academy wishes they had denied the sale in hindsight. When I interacted with a spree shooter here in Michigan, I and my peers wish the crazy asshole had never come into our store. The fact that he bought a fleece jacket from us turned into a whole tale of us supplying the madman with “protective gear”… yeah, protective from a slightly breezy fall day.
Leave it to .Gov to say, “It’s not our fault. It’s in the rules… that we made, but still.”
Gerald Treece, a professor of constitutional law at South Texas College of Law – Houston, said the government is trying to shift attention and blame.
“It’s a fancy way of saying, ‘We aren’t liable. But if we are, they [Academy Sports] ought to pay for it’” he said.
In the debate over “assault weapons”, the model designation AR-15 holds a prominent place. This model is nearl —but not quite—plug-compatible with the US military’s M-16. (The AR-15 does not permit automatic whereas the M-16 can be selectively fired as an automatic.)
Most of the debate revolves around the definition of “assault weapon”. “Assault weapons” ban legislation is fatally flawed in that they attempt to ban their target based on either:
1) Model number designations, or,
2) Enumerated “evil features” which are for the most part merely cosmetic
An interesting case has come about in which the defendant, Joseph Roh, is charged with illegally manufacturing AR-15s, both complete rifles and lower receivers, without having registered as a Federal Firearms Manufacturer.
A fascinating aspect of this case is how it revolves around the definition of a firearm as it applies to the AR-15.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the gun industry and gun-owners have developed a de facto consensus on the definition of an AR-15 as a firearm. If you possess an artifact with certain specific precise dimensions, with a few holes in precise places, then you possess a firearm of type “AR-15”. If that artifact is not complete, but is any more than “80%” complete, it is still a firearm. And, thereupon, your possession of that artifact must conform to various Federal laws.
How else could any law work? If the law purports to regulate some artifact, then the law should describe that artifact with sufficient specificity and clarity that any person with reasonable care can apply the text of the law to an object in hand and recognize whether it is or is-NOT legal.
The consensus notwithstanding, it has been known for some time that the Federal legal definition of a “firearm” doesn’t readily apply to the type labeled “AR-15”. The definition in the law was drafted pretty reasonably; it’s just that that definition doesn’t fit any particular part of a firearm of this modern sporting variety.
Adam Winkler, the UCLA constitutional law professor and Second Amendment author states that the Joseph Roh case: “. . . could open up a huge loophole in federal law. It could lead to an explosion in the number of AR-15s out on the streets.”
Winkler’s hyperbole notwithstanding, the problem remains that laws drafted by legislatures are, unavoidably, always incomplete and behind the creativity of inventive gunsmiths. The actual implication of this case is that two parallel industries could spring-up, each perfectly legal. Manufacturers in one industry would make one AR-15 component known as the “upper receiver”; while those in the second industry could make another AR-15 component known as the “lower receiver”.
Under current law, neither these upper nor lower receivers would need to be marked with a manufacturer’s identity or a serial number. Neither would be a “firearm” so long as the two parts were kept apart; i.e., neither in the possession of a single person. Anyone, man, woman or child, felon or virtuous, could buy one of each—whereupon he would be in possession of a “firearm”. Yet, that would be his own private affair of no impact on either manufacturer from whom he purchased the parts.
While the ATF, gun industry and gun owners would all regard the second manufacturer (of the “lower receiver”) to be in the business of manufacturing firearms, the ATF could have grave difficulty persuading a judge that such a manufacturer were doing anything unlawful. Some judges might give great weight to popular consensus (i.e., that the “lower receiver” is the firearm) while other judges could rule in favor of the defendant manufacturer, given the thinking behind the Roh case. Once any of the dozen Circuit Courts of Appeals rules in favor of such a manufacturer then the jurisdiction of that court could become highly popular for lower receiver manufacturers to set up shop and operate with impunity.
There is no ready solution to the sort of problem raised by this AR-15 definition in the Roh case. The text of a law can’t hope to keep up with ingenuity. It’s not a reasonable solution to subject every part of a gun (every spring, every screw) to regulation as if it alone were a firearm. Given current understanding, one would not say that only the assembled collection of parts constitutes a firearm. Some sort of practical solution will be needed.
The legitimate firearms industry and user community has come to an understanding with the ATF that the lower receiver technically constitutes the firearm. Things run smoothly with this agreed upon rule. Never ending attempts to legislate the definition, like a cat chasing its tail, could end as a futile attempt to regulate artifacts while ignoring actors.
Yet, this is merely a gentlemen’s agreement rather than a conclusion well fitted to the law. Regulation of firearms—to the extent permitted by the Constitution—depends on the consent of the governed, a goal now under enormous stress by the movement for ever more onerous gun control. If, as and when that consent is withdrawn, the public will suffer the collateral effects.
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—‘MarkPA’ is trained in economics, a life-long gun owner, NRA Instructor and Massad Ayoob graduate. He is inspired by our inalienable rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and holds that having the means to defend oneself and one’s community is vital to securing them.
Great news in my inbox this morning! Scalarworks is offering their LEAP/SCOPE paired with Nightforce optic options. The ATACR and the NX8. The Scalarworks LEAP series of mounts are some of the lightest, strongest, and most innovative systems to come onto the market in the quick detach category.
The LEAP/SCOPE introduced an even more sought after feature with the LevelDrive, a flat top screw that can rapidly level the scope to the mount and drastically cut down on scope mounting time.
You don’t tighten 8-12 screws, check the scope, then loosen 8-12 screws, twist the scope, and retighten hoping it doesn’t shift.
The LEAP/SCOPE only utilize a 4 horizontal screw system, five with the LevelDrive, and these cut mounting time and effort to a fraction of most mounts.
The LEAP/PRO, traditionally used for 30mm Red Dot optics, I repurposed one.
I repurposed it as an LPVO mount. The March F “Shorty” uses only a single ring.
It provides an incredibly light and flexible mounting solution.
The small footprint allows a myriad of optical solution combinations without weight or position limitations
I use the LEAPs, as you can see, and will be adding another to the mix with LEAP/SCOPE. The only questions is which Nightforce? The svelte NX8 that so nicely mirrors the features of the March F? Or the ATACR, one of the special operations premier systems with nearly peerless durability?
Scalarworks pairs are incredibly priced and allow you to save on both the optic and mount, all while the optic is mounted and leveled from the shop.
The world of guns can be a weird one. Especially when it comes to popular designs. Since the AR 15 is easily the most popular rifle in the world we have a ton of oddball and strange AR 15s. Odd AR 15s are not exactly self-contained to this era either. We’ve had them coming out as long as we’ve had AR 15s. I’ve picked 5 of my favorite odd AR 15s. This includes some really cool designs, and some are interesting, to say the least. Let’s kick it off with the oldest one on my list.
5. The Colt 608 Survival Rifle
Let’s say you’re a pilot in the 1960s and the last big war had planes being shot down left and right with pilots who survived landing over enemy territory. You probably want something better than a K frame 38 or a 1911. However, space in your plane is cramped what do you do? Well, Colt designed the first Micro AR-style weapon the Colt 608 Survival rifle. As far as odd AR 15s go this one certainly shows it’s age.
Colt fit a very small, fixed metal stock on the end of the buffer tube. They also chose to cut the grip in half for some reason. I guess to reduce weight. They fit a conical muzzle device because as you’d imagine the muzzle blast from a 10-inch barrel is quite bright. Colt’s goal was to sell the weapon as a breakdown rifle, something the AR 15 design naturally already is. It’s super small, and as the Mk 18 showed these rifles could work, but unfortunately, the 608 didn’t go further than a few prototypes.
4. The M231 Port Firing Weapon
This weapon was designed solely for M2 Bradley crews. The M231 was designed to attach to the firing ports of the Bradley and fire if the APC is buttoned up. The weapon apparently serves two purposes. First, when loaded with mags full of tracers it could help direct a gunner’s fire. The secondary goal was a weapon to fight off close-range infantry when the Bradley was buttoned up. The M231 also had a wire style stock so the weapon could be used outside of the Bradley.
Courtesy of Soldier Systems
What’s neat about the M231 is that it’s an open bolt weapon, fully automatic only and the weapon is not fitted with sights. Bradley gunners use a periscope to direct the tracer fire. What’s really cool is the fact the firing rate is a rapid 1,200 rounds per minute. This thing would drain magazines absurdly fast. They are apparently still fielded today or at least were up until the Iraq war where we saw photos of the M231 in action with troops. Some builders have even cloned them with 80 lower receivers and parts kits. Pics Courtesy of Soldier Systems.
3. The Olympic Arms OA-93
The Olympic Arm’s OA-93 is pretty far from a AR 15’s standard design. The OA-93 is a AR 15 pistol and at first glance is one of the least efficient odd AR 15s. Prior to the advent of pistol braces, AR 15 pistols were heavy, clunky, hard to balance and hard to shoot accurately. The OA-93 gets rid of the buffer and buffer tube. Instead, we get the recoil system integrated into a flat-top upper receiver. The full-auto variants used in several movies did have a short buffer tube to accommodate an actual full auto BCG.
Courtesy of Olympic Arms
The OA-93 was most famously used by Willem Dafoe in Clear and Present Danger by badass Black Ops Commando John Clark. The weapon itself was an interesting development and the gun’s unique appearance and design have allowed it to make its way into several films. However, the gun never saw mass popularity mostly due to the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban. According to Olympic Arm’s website, the gun is still produced and for sale.
Courtesy IMFDB
2. The Ares Shrike / FightLite MCR
The Ares Shrike is a belt-fed variant of the AR 15 intended to be an automatic rifle or light machine gun. This isn’t the first time someone has tried this. Colt saw limited success with their automatic rifle. However, the Shrike makes the list for a few reasons. I think it’s a better design, and I can own one. Ares has become Fightlite and Fightlite still produces Shrike upper receivers and rifles under the MCR name.
Courtesy of FightLite
The Shrike or MCR uses it’s own proprietary upper that is a gas piston design. The upper receiver mates perfectly with a standard AR 15 lower. The Shrike has a quick change barrel, the option for a closed or open bolt, and a dual feed version that allows you to use a magazine or belt-fed design. As far as odd AR 15s go this is my personal favorite. Call it a machine gunner mentality but everything is made better when it’s belt-fed.
1 The FoldAr
Good Puns will always get points when I choose lists of guns. The FoldAr is both a great pun and a really cool design. As far as odd AR 15s go this may be the oddest. It folds, not just the stock, but the barrel too. Well, technically the double FoldAr will fold at the barrel and stock/brace area. The Standard FoldAr allows you to fold the barrel against the receiver to cut the effective length in half.
Courtesy of FoldAR
The FoldAr series use a proprietary upper with the FoldAr system that allows the barrel to safely fold and unfold over and over again while properly indexing. The Double FoldAr uses the Dead Foot Arms folding stock/brace system to make a completely folded up AR 15. This reduces the size of the gun drastically and makes it easy to store in nothing more than a backpack. Plus, like the Shrike/MCR upper it’s available to civilians.
Courtesy FoldAR
Odd Ar 15s Rule
I like weird stuff, and it is truly fascinating how modular the AR 15 platform is. Look at what some enterprising and engineering minds can do to the platform. These are only a few Odd AR 15s and if popular demand allows I’ll dig into a few more. Odd AR 15s are more common than you’d think, but these are my five favorites.
This wonderful piece is over at Bloomberg.com. I shouldn’t have held any expectations for their piece. I didn’t have any expectations for their piece, and yet I was still disappointed in the vague quasi-factoid laden work they published this morning. So let’s look at why ‘Drivers With DUIs Shouldn’t Be Armed’.
The combination of guns and alcohol is especially dangerous, and far too little has been done to address it. Federal law doesn’t restrict access to guns by people with a history of alcohol abuse, and fewer than half of U.S. states impose prohibitions of this kind. The risks to public safety are increasingly clear, and the issue demands more careful attention than lawmakers have allowed up to now.
Okay… like what? What is the glaring “loophole” in current law that allows persons with a history of violence or a felony conviction for intoxicated operation to own a firearm. Because the last I checked, literally just a moment ago since it’s also a federal requirement for me, any felony conviction still disqualifies someone from owning a firearm legally. This includes every alcohol or substance related felony. Also, any misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence disqualifies you per federal law.
There’s a close parallel. Over a span of years, evidence accumulated to show that domestic abusers are significantly more likely to kill somebody using a gun. The data showed that millions of American women have been threatened with a gun or shot by a domestic partner. Gradually a consensus formed to support denying firearms to convicted abusers. Federal and state laws were adopted to that end. [emphasis added]
Oh look! I just said that. Now where does alcohol fall into this? Does a domestic abuser who has an alcohol related conviction magically get their rights back? No? Okay, then.
To be sure, they’re less effective than one would wish…
Hold up. That could be said of the influence of every law ever passed.
The U.S. Senate’s failure to enact comprehensive background checks makes it much too easy for prohibited people to get a gun. On average, from 2006 to 2014, at least 760 Americans were shot dead each year by a spouse, former spouse or dating partner. Even so, federal and state laws designed to keep guns away from abusers make a difference.
So what are you saying here? The laws don’t work or they do? And what part of ‘Universal Background Check’ laws, as written, do you believe will have a significant impact on domestic abusers getting firearms they shouldn’t have? Background checks work from licensed dealers. There is no enforcement mechanism on the planet that will work for the general population.
Today, the links between alcohol abuse and firearm violence are also well established. “The research consistently shows that alcohol abuse is associated with violence toward self and others,” stated a comprehensive 2013 report by a consortium of leading researchers.
I notice firearm violence isn’t the quote, just general violence.
Millions of firearm owners are binge drinkers
Harsh. Millions in general are binge drinkers. Millions speed. Millions use the Marijuana. Only a history of violence is actually… a history of violence.
— and among American men, deaths from alcohol-related firearm violence are on par with those from alcohol-related motor-vehicle accidents, according to a 2015 study.
Since they roll suicides and accidents into firearm violence that isn’t surprising. Especially suicide, the number one source of firearms deaths in the nation. It’s so convenient they roll that number into ‘gun violence’ isn’t it? Obfuscation to support the narrative.
Now, none of my criticism here is to belittle the fact that alcohol is abused by far too many. That it leads to accidents, bad decisions, chemically removes inhibitions, etc. My criticism is this that this loose and round about methodology is being used as a justification to curtail the natural born rights of someone, regardless of a history of violence. The history of violence is already a disqualifying factor and alcohol’s involvement is irrelevant beyond the data point as a contributing factor to chemically altered judgement.
Last month, a new study confirmed a link between firearm violence and convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol. It tracked 78,878 handgun purchasers over 13 years. Purchasers with DUI convictions were more than four times as likely to be arrested for murder, rape, robbery or aggravated assault than those without.
So… it tracked them over 13 years. And 9% of those with a DUI conviction who purchased were later arrested for a violent crime. Compared to 91% who were not. Those 91% of people with a DUI who would also lose their self defense rights but not be convicted of violence.
So, we can conclude that a conviction for alcohol correlates to a higher likelihood of making other poor decisions, like committing an act of violence. We can conclude that the rate (all from data from California) is 9:2 over the non-DUI population who could also purchase a handgun.
But what is completely ignored is that the ratio of persons who commit further violence is only 1:10 but the disqualifier would be applied to everyone. Only 9% of persons convicted of a DUI and who owned a handgun would become a problem, but let’s strip the right from 100% of them. That is the argument.
The Reckoning from Crossbreed offers Hellcat owners a remarkably adaptable holster for the capable little pistol.
You might recognize the holster you are seeing here as the same one that is part of the current “Hellcat Giveaway” featured on The Armory Life. I thought it might be a good idea to take a closer look at the holster and see why it was selected to be paired with the giveaway package.
A Hybrid for a Hybrid?
For those not familiar with Crossbreed, this is a company that’s all about combining disparate elements and features into new and innovative designs. It’s right there in the name “Crossbreed,” right? In fact, a Crossbreed holster like the Reckoning is a fitting partner for a pistol like the Hellcat, which in itself is a sort of “best of both worlds” design.
My take on the Hellcat from the beginning has been that, from its impressive accuracy potential to its ability to accept optics to its excellent U-Dot sights, it’s a pistol that combines the shooting characteristics and features of a full-size handgun with ultra-compact dimensions. So why shouldn’t it be paired with an equally adaptable hybrid-style holster?
What’s to It?
The Reckoning holster is made up of a top grain leather backer combined with a Kydex “pocket” that holds the pistol. The result is a holster that offers the comfort of leather against the body and the benefits of modern Kydex around the gun. The leather is offered in black cowhide, premium horsehide or Founder’s Series, the latter of which is 100% vegetable tanned leather. You can also get it in right- and left-hand versions.
Okay no, no vampire or werewolf increased effectiveness here, despite being in spooky season. No, these silver sheened rounds from Sig Sauer’s ammunition line up are for a different series of predators, both two and four legged. The ‘silver bullet’s’ are Sig’s Elite Copper Hunting HT’s and might be just the round you are looking for.
Many of you may recall how my Sig Sauer 77gr review went. If not, go ahead and click that link. But in short I started the evaluation earlier than intended because I grabbed my loaded 77gr magazine while shooting from the bench rapidly and shot the high performing and far more expensive OTM ammo down range behind some bulk bought M193.
There is little visual difference between the OTM and 55gr practice rounds I was shooting and down range they went. Oops. Live and learn, and look at some visually distinct ammo. Enter 60gr HT.
The HT Anatomy
The Elite Copper Hunting line are made around an all copper projectile. No lead, this has become a requirement in several jurisdictions to use the ammo for hunting, if at all. On top of being a “green” round by having a non-lead bullet the copper itself is bonded in such a way to maximize its expansion in soft tissue and leave effective permanent wound cavities. This combined with the high speed of the 5.56/.223 Remington rounds makes for an incredible terminal package.
The projectile is seated in a nickel plated case. The “silver bullets” are copper seated in nickel. That nickel case gives the ammunition a greater environmental seal. It resists moisture incursion and exposure degradation better than brass alone. Important when outside, when stored in sub-optimal conditions, and when carried on or near your person.
You sweat. I sweat. It gets gross. Clean your EDC and you’ll understand. That harsh external environment is leading reason a lot of EDC hollow point ammunition uses nickel casings. The same logic applies to these rounds.
Visually Distinct
The nickel casings have a secondary benefit that you and I can utilize to keep your defense and performance ammo seperated from your practice ammo. The rounds are strikingly visually distinct from regular brass case 5.56/.223 and, just like your magazine of hollow points for your carry gun, making it an easy at a glance check.
Why Solid Copper?
Lead free projectiles have become mandatory for hunting in several locations around the nation, this satisfies that requirement.
But, from a performance standpoint, let us turn to a recent military ammunition development that was being run parallel to M855A1. The Special Operations Science and Technology or SOST, the Marine Corps’ own silver bullet.
The History of SOST
Following early engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq, U.S. Special Operations Forces reported that M855 ammunition used in M4A1 rifles was ineffective. In 2005, the Pentagon issued a formal request to the ammunition industry for “enhanced” ammunition. The only business that responded was the Federal Cartridge Company, owned by Alliant Techsystems. Working with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, the team created performance objectives for the new ammo: increased consistency from shot to shot regardless of temperature changes, accuracy out of an M4A1 better than 2 minute of angle (1 inches at 100 yards, 3.9 inches at 300 yards), increased stopping power after passing through “intermediate barriers” like walls and car windshields, increased performance and decreased muzzle flash out of shorter barrel FN SCAR rifles, and costs close to the M855. The first prototypes were delivered to the government in August 2007. Increased velocity and decreased muzzle flash were accomplished by the type of powder used. The design of the bullet was called the Open Tip Match Rear Penetrator (OTMRP). The front of it is an open tip backed up by a lead core, while the rear half is solid brass. When the bullet hits a hard barrier, the front half of the bullet crushes against the barrier, breaking it so the penetrating half of the bullet can go through and hit the target. With the lead section penetrating the target and the brass section following, it was referred to as a “barrier blind” bullet.[48][120]
Officially designated the Mk318 Mod 0 “Cartridge, Caliber 5.56mm Ball, Carbine, Barrier”, and called SOST (Special Operations Science and Technology) ammunition, the 62-grain bullet fragments consistently, even out of a 10.5 in barrel. The lead portion fragments in the first few inches of soft tissue, then the solid copper rear penetrates 18 in of tissue (shown though ballistic gelatin) while tumbling. Out of a 14″ in barrel, the Mk318 has a muzzle velocity of 2,925 ft/s (892 m/s).[48][120]
In February 2010, the U.S. Marine Corps adopted the Mk318 for use by infantry. To be fielded by an entire branch of the military, the round is classified as having an “open-tip” bullet, similar to the M118LR 7.62 NATO round. The SOST bullet uses a “reverse drawn” forming process. The base of the bullet is made first, the lead core is placed on top of it, and then the jacketing is pulled up around the lead core from bottom to tip. Conventional, and cheaper, bullets are made with the method of the jacket drawn from the nose to an exposed lead base. The reverse drawn technique leaves an open tip as a byproduct of the manufacturing process, and is not specifically designed for expansion or to affect terminal ballistics. The Pentagon legally cleared the rounds for Marine use in late January. The Marines fielded the Mk318 gradually and in small numbers. Initial studies showed that insurgents hit by it suffered larger exit wounds, although information was limited. SOST rounds were used alongside M855 rounds in situations where the SOST would be more effective.[48][120][121] In July 2010, the Marines purchased 1.8 million M855A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds, in addition to millions of Mk318 rounds in service, as part of its effort to replace its M855 ammo.[122] As of May 2015, Marine combat units still deployed with a mixture of both SOST and M855 rounds.[123]
As the issue of environmentally friendly ammo grew, the Marines looked to see if the Mk318’s lead could be replaced while still meeting specifications. They found that by replacing the lead with copper and slightly stretching the jacket around to crimp the nose even more, the bullet’s ballistic coefficient increased. To avoid visual confusion with the Mk 262 round, the bullet was entirely nickel-plated for a silver color; the enhanced silver-colored copper jacketed, open tip match, 62-grain projectile was named the Mk318 Mod 1.[124]
If you are drawing parallels, you should be.
The principle difference between the 62gr Mk318 Mod 1 and the 60gr ECH HT are in the way the copper is bonded to expand or fragment. The Sig round is designed to crush into a larger wound channel causing mass where the Mk318 Mod 1 will fragment for the same desired interior effect.
Greater internal tissue damage to generate exsanguination, greater transfer of energy at high velocity for hydrostatic shock generation, and higher ballistic coefficients for improved accuracy and consistency. So for the field, or the homestead, Sigs a solid commercial variant of the solid copper solution.
