BATF Jihad Against Custom Gunsmths!?!?!

I'M GETTING MIXED MESSAGES FROM LARRY CROW ON THIS POST, SO I'VE MODIFIED THIS POST SLIGHTLY AS OF FRIDAY...

This appears to be true — BATF has launched and initiative aimed custom gunsmithing in America.

The weapon they're using is a really fine point...what is the definition of "manufacturing a firearm"? That phrase is NOT defined in any legislation and, since it's not a legally defined term, it's open to interpretation. Since the late 1990s, when the then ATF hit gunsmith Jim Clark Senior for "manufacturing a firearm" (which cost Jim more than $100,000 but alledgedly clarified the question) was "making or providing the controlled, or serial-numbered, part."

The new BATF definition of "manufacturing a firearm" is "making any substantive changes to a firearm."

CORRECTION OF YESTERDAY'S POST: Using the new definition, the BATF hit Competitive Edge Gunworks — who has been featured on SHOOTING GALLERY and COWBOYS — and threatened chief gunsmith Larry Crow with SIX potential felony counts (including one for "changing the hammer and barrel of a Ruger and installing an octagonal barrel") unless applied for a manufacturing license and pay the appropriate tax and penalties for the guns he was charged with manufacturing.

CORRECTION ON YESTERDAY'S POST: Crow says that he has reached an agreement with BATF, but that revenue agents stated they have the right to go back through a gunsmiths' paperwork and levy the 11% excise tax and penalties on every gun the gunsmith has ever produced. There is no statue of limitations on tax issues. For some of the top gunsmiths, we would be literally talking hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Both NRA and NSSF lawyers are on it now, with Second Amendment Foundation close behind. Master gunsmith Hamilton Bowen says if this isn't a tempest in a teapot, it puts 3/4 of the Pistolsmith Guild, including him, out of business.

ironically, manufacturing licenses are not particularly expensive, but the excise tax adds another layer of paperwork.

How Can I Pass THIS Up???

Courtesy of the irrepressible Drudge:

Actress SHARON STONE is adamant teenagers should be prepared to engage in oral sex, if it saves from them the dangers of unprotected penetrative sex.
[...]
"I was in the store the other day and I watched a young girl trying on clothes, showing her abdomen. "Her mother was trying to talk to her about not being inappropriately luring. I said, 'Gee that would look much nicer with a camisole under.' "Her mother walked away, and I said to the girl, 'I'd like to give you a two-minute conversation about sex.' "

I have so been waiting for Ms. Stone to say those very words to me! I suspect I may be waiting a while longer...

And Speaking of those Rollicking Jihadists...

This from the Charlotte Observer, courtesy of the Of Arms and the Law blog:

The Charlotte Observer has a story regarding Mohammed Taheri-Aza, the guy who drove a car into the crowd of students in order to protest beliefs that Moslems are violent. (Yeah, he sure did a job of proving his point....)

He left a note: "I would instead use a handgun to murder the citizens and residents of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, but the process of receiving a permit for a handgun in this city is highly restricted and out of my reach at present, most likely due to my foreign nationality."

When cars are outlawed, only outlaws will have cars...Im feeling particularly non-violent tonight...maybe I'll go crash my car into a Starbucks!

New T-Shirts to Offend Your Jihadist Friends!

From my pals at T-Shirt Hell. I ordered one, but then again, I live on the outskirts of the People's Republic of Boulder.

A Big Dose of Murph...

Spent today on the range in California with ace instructor Bill Murphy, whose first book — Bill Murphy's CONCEALED CARRY SURVIVAL GUIDE — is on the way to the printer. I thought it'd be cool to both plug the book and let Bill step everyone through the basics of concealed carry.

I did point out how ironic is was that we're in California, one of the few states I can't carry in. Drives me crazy, like I left my wallet in the room or something. California firearms laws are Draconian even for guns in the car...like, no you can't have one there!

I mean, the weather's nice, but I've been in lots of places with nice weather.

I've got enough time to hit the gym before dinner. As soon as Murph's book is available, you'll beable to get it (with a discount, no less!) from the SHOOTING GALLERY supersite.

A Tribute to a Damn Good Cowboy

Sad news from MSNBC:

Singer Buck Owens, the flashy rhinestone cowboy who shaped the sound of country music with hits like “Act Naturally” and brought the genre to TV on the long-running “Hee Haw,” died Saturday. He was 76.

Heck of a singer and a great guy. I'm proud to have known him and glad I helped get him together with Dwight Yoakam for "The Streets of Bakersfield" collaboration.

You don't know me, but you don't like me
You say you care less how I feel
But how many of you that sit and judge me
Have ever walked the streets of Bakersfield?

FINALLY! I'm Big In Japan!

I received this email from an old literary agency of mine today:

Hi Michael,

How are you? I'm the Permissions Manager here at Lowenstein-Yost Associates and we've just received a request for a small excerpt of WHITE BOY SINGIN' THE BLUES to be featured in a booklet that is being distributed at St. Andrew's University, Japan. They will be distributing it for free to approximately 50,000 students, and they are offering to pay $100. I'll be delighted to accept on your behalf, as soon as I get your "OK".

I hope all is well, and please send along your contact information when you can.

Very best, [etc]

Finally! I'm BIG IN JAPAN! Totally cool Japanese schoolgirls with orange hair and bizarre electronic gear with "Hello Kitty" logos will have to take a test on my profound words! I can live large! After agent fees, taxes and miscellaneous expenses, I anticipate having to pay $20 American Money to make the Big Bucks! Is it any wonder so many people aspire to be writers? Fame...ah...it keeps one warm at night...

COOL Comix

This is today's Day-By-Day. It's posted below, but I wanted to plug it even more up top, so to speak.

When we were running training events for the Mystery Writers of America, we had one well-endowed woman novelist (who shall remain forever nameless) who chose to ignore our request that everyone wear a collared shirt. "Don't worry about me," she told Walt Rauch, Dave Arnold and I. "What's the likelihood of that happeneing, anyway?"

Well, it was DARNED entertaining, and, yes, it left a mark!

Paging Elliot Ness...

AH YES, the Bill of Rights...remember that? Amazingly, we're doing better on the Second Amendment than the rest of them. This from Texas, where they've come up with a unique way to combat drunk driving — arresting people who are drinking and NOT driving:

Bar Sweep Sparks Controversy

Dallas, March 22. NBC5 News. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission sent a message to bar patrons last week.

TABC agents and Irving police swept through 36 Irving bars and arrested about 30 people on charges of public intoxication. Agency representatives say the move came as a proactive measure to curtail drunken driving.

North Texans interviewed by NBC 5, however, worried that the sweep went too far.

At one location, for example, agents and police arrested patrons of a hotel bar. Some of the suspects said they were registered at the hotel and had no intention of driving. Arresting authorities said the patrons were a danger to themselves and others...

So, in Texas — and no doubt other locations after dim bulb police adminstrators see this article — you can be arrested for drinking in a bar. Of course, it's okay to violate people's rights when you're talking about drunk driving, right? It certainly seems so.

Except that Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MADD, has gone from a anti-drunk driving advocacy group to this century's equivalent of Carrie Nation, a bunch of crazed harridans screaming for PROHIBITION. That's what MADD's campaign is all about, really — Demon Rum Destroying the Will of America.

Well, why not? Prohibition worked so well the first time we tried it! Let's face the facts...Old Skol Organized Crime, the Mafia, is on the ropes. Tony Soprano is the last made guy not doing time, writing his memoirs for big bucks or appearing tearfully on Oprah. So it makes sense to reinstitute Prohibition and give the Mob a much-needed shot in the arm. Plus — and here's another harsh fact — with REAL crime down, what are police to do? What could be better than spending billions of dollars to stop the distribution and sale of alcohol, meaning more cops, more axes, more sound bytes — and what's good for both the cops and the Mob must be good for America!

DRINK UP...it's Last Call in Texas!

Kansas Politicos Punch Liberal Governor in Nose

Finally, Kansas Bloody Kansas has mustered the votes to override a gubernatorial veto of their shall issue law:

Both the Kansas State Senate and House of Representatives voted to override Governor Sebelius’ veto of the National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed Right-to-Carry legislation, Senate Bill 418, “The Personal and Family Protection Act.”

“After 12 years, it took a collective, bi-partisan effort to win this fight. Kansas now joins 46 other states who enjoy some form of Right-to-Carry,” NRA Chief Lobbyist Chris W. Cox declared.

Thank you, NRA, and I look forward to seeing my Colorado (or Florida or Utah) permit honored in Kansas!

TOTALLY COOL Bike/Pistol Biathlon

This is definitely a sport whose time SHOULD come — bicycle/pistol "biathlons!" Here's the FAQ.

I talked to the race series organizer, Bill Llewelen, a year or so ago about an episode of SHOOTING GALLERY but nevercould get the schedule worked out. Hopefully we can put something together for Season 6, because this has the potential to be a really great addition to the shooting sports:

Bike N Shoot Biathlon

Are you looking for a fun event that will motivate you to improve your shooting and cycling skills? Look no further. Come join us at the next Bike N Shoot biathlon event.

Where: Just northeast of Denver, CO (map and directions)
When: The 1st Saturday of every 2nd month (see calendar). Race starts at 11am sharp. Arrive 1 hour early. There may be time to practice shooting beforehand.
Who: Anyone who would like to improve their cycling (fitness) or shooting skills. This is a family-friendly race. No riding expertise required, but we don't compromise on gun safety. Men, women and responsible children.
What: Any mountain bike will do. Nothing fancy required. Be prepared for thorns (perhaps use tire slime or tire liners). Almost any pistol will do (No optics. Pistol calibre ammunition only. 2 extra magazines or revolver speed loaders are handy.) If your competitor class permits .22 rifles, then use a rifle with open sights only.
How much: $10 per competitor per race. RSVP discounts may be offered. Join our email list to receive reminders and RSVP discounts.
Contact us: Call 303 795 9677 and ask for Bill or email bill (at) bikenshoot (dot) com.

Dick Heinie and I talked about this for years, tagging a bike/shoot to the Single Stack Classic or the USPSA Nationals in Quincy, IL. I did a couple of Summer Biathlons, run and shoots, and I have to say it nearly killed me. The races were run at almost 10,000 feet altitude and I am a crappy runner on my best day.

At the very least, I'll haul my lazy butt out and try one of the races. I sold my Cannondale mountain bike end of last summer, with the idea of building up a beefy cyclocross bike, since most of my off-road riding is on jeep roads or non-technical trails. I figure I can set up a 'cross bike with a triple chainring, disc brakes and fat 'cross tires to handle the vast majority of my riding.

Sounds like just such a bike would be perfect for the Bike N Shoot...

And before you say anything, yes, I'm in better shape than I look...this is how one gets named Second Most Fit Fat Guy in America by MEN'S HEALTH Magazine a few years ago.

Sigh...

Bond, Greg Bond...

Wanna see some cool derringers? Check out the Bond Arms' Century 2000 I've been playing with today!

The full story is in my DROPPED SHOT column on the SG site! It went up this afternoon so you can get your weekly dose of GUN PORN!!!

What's Up With the North Carolina S&Ws?

This story has been percolating for a week:

State prison officials want gunmaker Smith & Wesson to replace hundreds of revolvers after dozens failed to shoot and the barrels broke off of others upon firing in training exercises.

The company has witnessed the problems firsthand. Last month, three company representatives met with state prison officials at a shooting range near Smithfield to test about three dozen revolvers.

Four of the revolvers didn't fire when a state weapons instructor pulled the trigger. The cylinder that holds the ammunition jammed on two revolvers. Then, the barrel broke off as the instructor fired a different model with a longer barrel, just as 14 others had in practice shoots dating back to 2003.

"In one sense it's funny," said Chief Deputy Correction Secretary Dan Stieneke. "In another, it's alarming."

Dean Spier at The Gun Zone fished out the two pictures above. Take a good close look. I'm trying to figure out how these barrels let go.

My Doc's Book for Cyclists

If you ride a bike, sprint over to Amazon and by the new book from my orthopedist, Andy Pruitt, head of the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine — Andy Pruitt's Complete Medical Guide for Cyclists. Andy knows more about cycling health than any living human, and he's kept my trashed left knee working for three years and untold thousands of miles on the bike.

A must-have for cyclists!

Midweek Lethargy ALERT!

Yeah, I think it's Wednesday...Lem got killed on The Shield...Jack is getting ready to torture his ex-girlfriend and One True Love in 24...God's in Her heaven; all's right with the world.

I'm finishing up this week's DROPPED SHOT on, of all things, derringers for the SG site...I should have it posted by this afternoon. There's also a nice piece from my pal Dave Arnold on the "rules" for a gunfight. Check it out here. I just sent the Law Dogs at The Outdoor Channel a set of rules which, if approved, will allow me to start giving away guns on the SG site! If I can't do it through the site, I'll use the manufacturers' sites for the giveaways...rather use mine, though.

The first gun to go on the block is going to be a dupe of my SIGARMS Revolution 1911 built for me to use in the Single Stack Classic in April by master gunsmith Bruce Gray. You'll wanna keep your eyes open for this giveaway announcement, since Brucie doesn't do many guns anymore — especially considering that the base guns from SIG are one-offs themselves!

Play your cards right and I'll throw in a pair of blue jeans designed for Muslims — lots of pockets for religious accoutremonts, which will also work for spare magazines!

Alphecca's weekly check on media bias is up. Of course, the big news is whether the Kansas CCW supporters have the votes to override the governor's veto of that state's Shall Issue legislation. I, of course, have nothing to do with Bloody Kansas since my ill-fated speeding ticket.

Still too darn cold to go shooting, although second snowstorm failed to materialize last night.

Check out the New Post

...on SHOOTING GALLERY's site...you'll find your gun porn there!

Over the Transom MONDAY!

First, this tidbit, courtesy of my friend NewsySuzie:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A white house source stated that Congress is considering awarding Vice-President Dick Cheney the Medal of Freedom, the national highest civilian commendation, for his act of bravery in shooting an attorney. The source was quoted to say, "All Americans have wanted to shoot a lawyer at one time or another and Cheney actually had the guts to do it."

In a related story, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which issues hunting licenses, said that it will start requiring hunters, wishing to bag a lawyer, to have the new "lawyer's stamp" on their hunting license. Currently Texas hunters are required to carry stamps for hunting birds, deer, and bear, at a cost of $7 annually.

The new "lawyer's stamp" will cost $100, but open season will be all year long. The department further stated that although the "lawyer's stamp" comes at hefty price, sales have been brisk and it is believed it will generate annual revenues in excess of $3 billion dollars the first year. Other states are considering similar hunting license stamps.

Ah yes, it helps to start the week with a lawyer joke, except that it makes my Sweetie the blonde lawyer scowl at me. She knows I exempt her from all lawyer — and blonde — jokes.

Slippin' and Slidin'

Peepin' and a'hidin'!

We got some serious snow last night, weird fat heavy spring snow that came down after a little rain and a little sleet. This would be no big deal if we hadn't been in Golden to see V for Vendetta, which by the way I liked the heck out of. I didn't see it as left-wing propaganda at all...ever since I read Heinlein back in junior high school ("If This Goes On," f'er instance!) I figured the ultimate threats to liberty come equally from the right and the left. Plus, I really liked Stephen Rea as Finch the doubting cop, who made what I (duh!) thought was one of the most profound comments of the movie.

As the people of London began pouring into the streets in support of the "terrorist" V, Finch's partner asked Finch what he thought was going to happen when the crowds met the heavily armed forces of the fascist Brit government.

"What usually happens when people without guns meet people with guns," Finch replied.

Ah, that pesky Second Amendment!

Anyway, it was sunny when we started home after dinner. Once we hit Coal Creek Canyon and started the home the back way, it went from snowy to scary in nothing flat. The rain and light sleet essentially laid a layer of glass ball bearings on the road, quickly covered by wet, slippery snow. We were in my Sweetie's Mini with serious snow tires (Dunlop winter rally ice racing tires from Europe), which is pretty sure-footed, but she lost it once on a downhill. My Sweetie caught it quickly — both of us went through ice-driving school up in Montreal for a magazine article a few years back. She drove awile longer and passed it to me.

I have never driven on anything so slick, including the frozen Montreal River and coming home from various ski resorts in screaming whiteouts. The short story is that we got home, but it was a hellish couple of hours for a half-hour trip. As usualy, the way was lined with rear wheel drive cars that couldn't move at all and SUVs in the ditches — ice is the fundamental limitation of 4-wheel drive and California driving skills!

My goal today is not to leave the house. We've got a couple of days of snow left...maybe as much of two feet when it stops!

Balancing Work and...Work

I have to admit it's gotten harder to blog while getting the new SHOOTING GALLERY site up and running...you spend 5 hours or so a day on the Internet and when you're done, it's hard to spend a another hour in my "free" time. Both Walt Rauch and Patrick Sweeney have been lifesavers, contributing to the new site. THANKS, guys!

I did a short podcast yesterday, but the sound levels still aren't where they need to be. Supposedly, if I pony up another grand or so for hardware, I can "easily" remedy this situation. Yeah, right! I'm going to fiddle with it again today and see if I can get it good enough to post...it's on shotguns, the Internet and misinformation, BTW.

I also waqnt to finish fitting a stainless steel frame to Thumper, my oldest Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum. I fit a Belt Mountain locking basepin yesterday — won't back out under heavy recoil.

I have had a brief change of direction, though. I was thinking of using Thumper as a field gun, something with a little more authority than my current knockaround gun, a Bowen .30 Carbine Blackhawk for when I'm up in bear country. Given that mission, I started thinkng that a lightweight aluminum frame makes more sense. The steel frame is substantially heavier. Ditto for the ejector rod housing...keep the stockaluminum rather than the reflex change to steel.

The reason for the frame change-a-roonie is that I actively dislike the "Dragoon" frame that Bill Ruger slapped onto the New Model Super Blackhawks. The grip is both too big for my hand and that straight-back Dragoon trigger guard will occasionally pop my knuckles in heavy recoil.

Old Super Blackhawks are, to me, one of the greatest values of all used guns. The damn things are practically indestructable, will take heavy loads, are as accurate as all get-out and can be found in great shape for under $300. When I used to answer questions about guns for magazines and websites, the most frequent question was always "I have an 'X' and I want to load it up to MAGNUM VELOCITIES...which powder should I use?" My answer was always this: Ya wanna Magnum, go buy a Magnum. The $300 bucks you spend on a Super Blackhawk will pay for itself by keeping metal scrap out of your face.

All Hail Dark Lord XENU!

The South Park wars are escalating, as Comedy Central pulls the repeat of the Scientology send-up in the face of rampaging Scientology jihadists (well, apparently ONE rampaging Scientologist jihadist, whose name shall remain unspoken but who once jumped up and down on Oprah's couch). Read about it in Variety. South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker issued the following deeply moving and heartfelt statement to the entertainment biz magazine:

"So, Scientology, you may have won THIS battle, but the million-year war for earth has just begun! Temporarily anozinizing our episode will NOT stop us from keeping Thetans forever trapped in your pitiful man-bodies. Curses and drat! You have obstructed us for now, but your feeble bid to save humanity will fail! Hail Xenu!!!"

The duo signed the statement "Trey Parker and Matt Stone, servants of the dark lord Xenu."

Comedy Central replaced the episode with the far more politically correct CHEF'S CHOCOLATE SALTY BALLS episode.

I say, Gorge Crooney, you pompous jackass, why aren't you and your Hollywood butt weasels speaking up about this overt attempt at censorship? Afraid you'll have Sci-jihadists looting and burning up and down Roseo Drive?