How Efficient Is the "Criminal Justice" System?: The Supreme Court
consistently rules that government agencies have no obligation to
protect you. This truth applies equally to the entire criminal justice
system, which isn't responsible when convicted offenders commit more
crime. As a result, low arrest, prosecution, and conviction rates create
little risk for criminals... Each year, the U.S. Department of Justice
(DOJ) publishes reports on criminal victimization and adjudication for
the four major violent crime categories (murder, rape, robbery,
assault)... The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) publishes
clearance rates for these crimes, meaning that police arrested a
suspect, or identified the suspect but were unable to charge him due to
"exceptional" circumstances (e.g. offender died, victim refused to
cooperate, etc.)... Bottom line: On average, perpetrators face about a
14% chance of prison time. Just as the highest court in the land
recognizes that government agencies have no legal obligation to protect
you and your family, the criminal justice system also has no obligation
to lock up people who attack you. Based upon these data, it seems
perfectly reasonable to explore effective means for self-protection.
http://www.examiner.com/x-2879-Austin-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m1d15-Gun-Rights-101-How-efficient-is-the-criminal-justice-system
---
Robinson Arms Sues Competition: Robinson Arms, manufacturers of the XCR
have filed suit yesterday in US District Court for Utah against
Remington, Bushmaster, Rock River Arms, and Magpul Industries based on
alleged infingement of their patent (Multi-caliber ambidextrously
controllable firearm #7,596,900) issued 6 October, 2009 and initially
filed in August of 2003. Specifically, the weapons alleged to have
violated Robinson's patent are the Remington/Bushmaster ACR, Magpul
Masada/Massoud, and the RRA LAR-8. All of these weapons feature a
magazine release that is manipulated by the trigger finger from within
reach of the trigger guard as well as a similar bolt hold open device.
We have read the complaint and it is fairly ambiguous as the which
patent claims they allege were violated. Both Bushmaster and Remington
are part of the Freedom group, owned by Cerberus Capital Management. So
for taking on Freedom Group I give them an "E" for Effort. Of note is
the timing of the suit, just days before SHOT Show as well as Robinson's
announcement on their website that they would be exhibiting after all in
a booth (#20034) shared with Serbu.
http://soldiersystems.net/2010/01/15/robinson-arms-sues-remington-bushmaster-rra-and-magpul/
---
Ammo Supply Improving: Many people who carry handguns with shorter
barrels are fond of the Speer Gold Dot short-barrel loads. Many of these
seem to be coming back into the pipeline, with Ammunition To Go offering
the more cost-effective 50-round "law enforcement" boxes in several
chamberings. I continue to recommend purchasing defensive ammunition in
sufficient quantity to maintain a minimum five-round reference sample in
the event that forensic testing must be done after a self-defense
incident. The first link is for the 135 gr. .38 Special +P short-barrel
load; the second is for the 135 gr. .357 Magnum revolver load, which
they are only offering in the more costly 20-round box at this time. The
latter is a relatively mild load, suitable for those who want a bit more
punch than the .38 loads but still want something controllable in a
small revolver. Some of these loads are even better priced if you wish
to purchase a 500-round case. Search the site if you are interested in
other calibers, including .380 ACP, which still seems to be in stock, or
for the case-quantity prices. ATG also discounts several other good
brands, including CorBon. I have no financial relationship with ATG; I
just appreciate the fact that they generally offer good prices. The
third link, Ammo Engine, searches numerous online vendors for
availability and price. It does not, however, appear to search AmmoMan,
the fourth link, another source for good prices, typically in case
qunatities.
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php/page/3/manufacturers_id/24/sort/2a
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php/pName/20rds-357-mag-speer-gold-dot-short-barrel-135gr-hp-ammo/manufacturers_id/24
http://www.ammoengine.com/
http://www.ammoman.com/
---
The Combative Mindset: For several decades now, the words survive and
survival have played a major role in American law enforcement. Phrases
like street survival, officer survival, the will to survive, survival
mindset and ultimate survivors have been commonplace. However, we need
to think beyond survival. According to Webster's dictionary, survive
means "to remain in existence," but, to me, that's just not enough. I
want law enforcement personnel to go home the same way they left -
unharmed, unscathed and ready for duty; no wheelchairs, medical aids,
crutches or coffins. I want officers to prevail, which, according to Mr.
Webster means "to be victorious, to succeed." What does it take to
prevail in a confrontation? It's impossible to cover every potential
life-threatening event, especially because many situations are outside
our control. The fact is the individual street cop will have to take
their fundamental knowledge and adapt it to the situation they face.
After all, there's no such thing as too much training or preparation...
(A list member who reviewed my book on the Amazon website commented that
he was happy not to see it include exhortations to develop "the warrior
mindset." It may be one thing to view oneself as a warrior as a way of
life, a throwback perhaps to medieval times, but the fact remains that
if someone insists on bringing a fight to us which we can't avoid, it's
time to shift gears and win.)
http://www.lawofficer.com/news-and-articles/articles/lom/0504/firearms_mindset_matters.html
---
From John Farnam:
12 Jan 10
Pig Hunting in FL:
Just completed a wild-pig hunting adventure in FL. The ranch where I
hunted is huge, and this is the wettest, coolest hunt in this area I've
ever participated in. Water levels are high, and temperatures struggled
to get into the 50s, even in the afternoon.
Today, in the late afternoon, after seeing no pigs all day, I finally
got a shot at one as we rounded a bushy area (called a "hammock"
locally). We saw three, all already running flat-out. I used my RA/XCR
in 7.62x39, and, as always, I was shooting Cor-Bon DPX. My XCR is
equipped with a forward-mounted Aimpoint T1, a Blue-Force Gear Vickers
two-point sling, a co-axial Laser Devices flashlight and mount, and a
green Laxermax, also forward-mounted, under the barrel.
I picked the one to my left and tried to get my Aimpoint on him. Range
was fifteen meters. We were still moving in our jeep. As my red-dot
bounced around on the running pig, I pressed off my first shot. It hit
him just behind the shoulder (did not exit), and the DPX bullet, as
always, went about it's deadly work.
I knew my first round had connected, but the pig turned and ran directly
away, so, as the jeep finally came to a stop, I stood up and fired three
more shots. All three hit, and he kept moving, albeit slower. We
headed him off a few seconds later, and I finally anchored him with two
more broadside shots. Wild pigs are tough!
He was a seventy-pound male. When we examined him, we discovered both
rear legs were broken, as was one front leg. However, my first hit had
been the fatal one. Of the three broadside shots, none exited.
My guide and I, as light faded rapidly, went on, and, five minutes
later, spotted a heard of five pigs rooting in the open at a range of
three-hundred meters. It took us the next fifteen minutes to sneak up
on them on foot.
I finally got within fifty meters, using a hammock for concealment. It
was obvious I would not be able to get closer. My guide, armed with a
DSA/FAL ("Spartan" Model), also using DPX, was on the other side of the
hammock and instructed me to take the first shot.
It was nearly dark, and I picked a big one in the center of the herd
that was presented broadside. I was standing, there was nothing to rest
the rifle on, and going to a braced/kneeling position would put me below
the top of the grass and obscure the target. So, I put the dot on the
center of the shoulder and held as steady as I could. The red-dot was
too bright, so I dialed it back two clicks.
When the shot broke, I heard a solid impact, and knew I had connected!
I caught the link immediately and delivered a second shot. I heard it
hit too, and the pig went down. My guide fired two shots at another
pig, connecting with the second. I caught my link again and hit that
pig also, and he went down!
A third pig was on the run laterally, and I fired at him once, just
before he disappeared into heavy cover. My red-dot was on his middle,
but I believe I hit just behind him, as I did not hear the shot impact.
Once again, hunting elusive, tough, wily, dangerous game with military
rifles is a wonderful, exciting experience as well as great training.
It is similar to playing poker. Opportunities are sudden and always
fleeting. You have to instantly size-up the situation, calculate
hit-probability, and make your decision.
Do I take this shot, or wait for a better opportunity?
It's your call!
/John
(Note that John uses hunting to test his combat equipment under stress.
I wouldn't go as far as to call these "military rifles" if they are
semi-automatic versions of firearms that have full-auto available in
their military iterations. Note the need to readjust the Aimpoint for a
change in light conditions; the pigs, fortunately, were not shooting
back at that point. In the past I have commented that, while DPX is hard
to beat in handgun calibers, some hunters have expressed dissatisfaction
with it in traditional hunting calibers. Recently I discussed it with
one of the local hunting guides who prefers and recommends DPX loads and
he assured me that he has guided several dozen hunters who have used
these loads with good results. "Catching the link" is John's term for
letting the trigger return only to the point where one feels the sear
reset after firing a shot. I usually refer to it as "resetting the
trigger.")
14 Jan 10
I just received a note from one of my students, an Army Officer,
currently serving deep within enemy territory ("Indian Country," as we
called it in Vietnam). Because he is enlightened, he is disgusted with
the Army's attitude about personal readiness, as any enlightened person
would be.
This note was written just before a recent attack where a number of CIA
agents were murdered.
In paraphrase:
"Our Base is well inside hostile territory. All serious attacks here
have been within a few hundred meters of us, including a successful
attack on a UN 'Safe House.'
Everyone here is, however, completely unarmed! This is what they say to
us, and I am quoting directly:
'... all personnel will have their weapons GREEN (we call it "Storage
Mode ") at all times. All weapons will be cleared immediately upon
entering the compound... at no time are weapons to be loaded, nor is any
weapon to have a magazine inserted'
When attacked, we've been directed to run and hide in bunkers, but still
not load our weapons!
I've tried, unsuccessfully, to get our allowable weapons status
upgraded. I'm told, 'We'll have NDs, and that will generate too much
paperwork,' another direct quotation! I've even confronted
star-wearers, saying 'Why do we have soldiers in an overseas combat
zone, including officers and staff NCOs, under arms, who are apparently
so poorly discipline and trained that they can't be trusted with loaded
small arms?'
With a sneer, the general replied, '... it's just too dangerous having
people walking around with loaded guns.'
After years of continuous lethal contact with an implacable enemy, most
reasonable people would think we would have long-since weeded out such
emasculate fools, sheep, and attaboys.
No such luck. In fact, we've promoted them!
As for me, and a number of others, we've long ago decided to ignore
stupid rules that endanger our lives, about which no one apparently
cares, except us. My pistol is always in "Carry Mode" (called "Red"
here), no matter where I am.
When stopped by someone who points out that I have a magazine inserted
in my pistol. My response is as follows, depending upon the rank of the
person who noticed:
(1) 'Go find something else do to, Sonny!'
(2) 'I've never been able to understand violence in any form. Have
you? Actually Bud, that is not a magazine. It's a dust-cover. It
renders the pistol completely useless. You should get one!"
(3) 'Sir, that regulation negates my ability to defend myself, which is
my inalienable right, a right I claim, fearlessly and unapologetically.
If you think you want to charge me, go for it!'
Most of the time, my pistols are concealed, and the issue never rears
its ugly head.
Like so many other capable and dedicated officers and NCOs, I'm getting
out, leaving in disgust!"
Comment: Although we've made some progress, particularly with the
Marines, the foregoing nauseating catastrophe is still all too typical.
Cowards never triumph!
"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one, any day
I'd rather you walk with me than merely 'tell the way'
The eye is a better student, and more willing, than the ear
I find your council confusing, but your example is always clear!"
Anon
/John
(It would appear that the commanders of our bases in combat zones are
doing their best to replicate the conditions that allowed a terrorist to
wreak havoc at Ft. Hood.)
16 Jan 10
Transportation "Security," from a friend in NV:
"I just took a Greyhound Bus from Las Vegas over to LA, to visit
friends. I decided it would be easier, and less expensive, than driving.
I was armed with two pistols, assorted blades, and OC when I reported to
the LV Bus Station.
When it came time to board, everyone went through the same door, and
there was a 'security-person' there. He was a harried, insecure,
confused, rent-a-cop in a tattered, grimy uniform. Passengers put a
single bag (of their choice) on a table in front of him, and he
hurriedly looked through it.
As I put my small tote-bag on the table, a woman walked right past me,
in an obvious hurry to get a good seat. Rent-a-cop called for her to
come back several times, but she ignored him. His response was to shrug
his shoulders and return his attention to me. So, I grabbed my bag and
walked past him too! He reacted by disregarding me and turning his
attention to the next passenger!
My arsenal and I arrived safely in LA.
I have no doubt that I'm on my own!"
Comment: The predictable institutional response to "security concerns"
is always to "tweak the lie." Institutions, private and public, do not
promote security. They promote the illusion of security. The welfare
of individuals is ever the last thing considered. After all, they're
insured! Promoting a delusional, presumptive fantasy is what insurance
companies, and the government, demand, and an ever-improved myth is what
they, and we, get.
Among "security professionals," individual responsibility and
preparedness are prohibited subjects, never to be so much as murmured,
much less honestly and openly discussed!
Any doubts? Read the pitiable "Ft Hood Report," just released by the
Pentagon!
/John
(Going along to get along is a disease that affects police and military
personnel as much as those in private security. Sometimes the biggest
difference, aside from power, is just the rate of compensation and the
retirement package. As with any other walk of life, there is a wide
spectrum of professionalism or lack of it in the private-security
industry and it is not always proportional to the rate of pay. I can
imagine that it may actually be easier to stand on principle and risk
the loss of a job if there is not an attractive pension attached to it.
I see little to be gained and much to be lost by treating a private
security officer as John's student did.)
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
The tactics and skills to use a firearm
in self-defense don't come naturally
with the right to keep and bear arms.
http://www.spw-duf.info