Cabot Guns, The Left and The Right, Mirror 1911’s

At Shot Show 2014 Cabot Guns made quite a splash with their mirror image 1911 pistols.  These two guns were true right and left hand 1911 pistols.  The right had all the conventional controls, ie. safety, slide stop and magazine release that we are all used to.

The Left gun however was totally backwards (as you might expect) with the controls on the wrong side of the gun.  Which makes sense when you see the scrimshaw by Darrel Morris on the grips.  The Left gun has Piers Morgan on the right grip and Obamo on the left grip.

The Right hand gun has Ted Nugent on the left grip and G.W. Bush on the right side.

So when the two guns are muzzle to muzzle you have Morgan facing off with Nugent on one side and Obama with Bush on the other.  The display highlights the great American gun debate.

The folks at Cabot Guns obviously have a sense of humor as well as a clear understanding of what will spark discussion.  These presentation grade 1911 pistols show off the abilities of the company to produce high grade guns.  These guns were the talk of the show, nearly everyone I talked to asked, “Have you seen the Right and Left guns at Cabot’s booth?”

Cabot Guns was launched in 2011. In a short time, the company has won two consecutive NRA National Pistol Championships. The Cabot 1911 has been described as “the Rolls Royce of 1911’s” by S.P. Fjestad, Author and Editor of the “Blue Book of Gun Values.

Are Motor Vehicles More Dangerous Than Firearms?

First of all it’s pretty difficult to take seriously the premise that guns are more dangerous than cars.  In 1994 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) release a publication which made the exact same claim.  According to that article firearms related deaths would exceed the number of deaths related to vehicle crashes in the United States by 2003.[1]

 We are ten years past that prediction and it is not even close to coming true.  When you look at the number of firearms in the United States as apposed to the number of motor vehicles it is obvious that firearms are far safer. 

The CDC actually breaks out a listing specific to death caused by “accidental discharge of firearms”.  For 2010 there were 606 such deaths, in the same period there were 37,961 deaths in “transportation accidents”.

 There are an estimated 245 Million motor vehicles in the U.S. and estimated 310 million firearms.  Firearms are designed to produce damage to the target.  Vehicles are not intended to do any damage at all. 

Take into consideration that there are about twenty percent more guns than cars in the U.S. you would expect far more accidents with firearms.  The reason you do not see this in actuality is that the law abiding citizen who owns a firearm are by their very nature disciplined.  Firearms owners on average know the responsibility of owning a gun and take it seriously.  Consider that millions of rounds of ammunition are expended every year in practice, competition, plinking and hunting.  The tiny number of deaths legitimately attributable to firearms accidents is proof of the great care and thought that goes into properly handling guns by law abiding citizen.

 Some of you may be screaming that I left out a lot of deaths that are tracked in the CDC data related for firearms.  There were 19,392 suicides using firearms in 2010 and 11,078 homicides that involved a firearm.  Terrible as it is, these were intentional acts, not accidents, so they do not belong in a comparison of the danger of firearms vs. motor vehicles, unless you have an agenda that is opposed to firearms.

 In the United States, motor vehicle-related injuries are the leading cause of death for people age 5-34.[2]  Suicide and unintentional poisonings are more common than death by accidental firearms injuries. 

 The unintentional poisoning category is a growing cause of death.  Beginning in 2004, poisoning deaths outnumbered firearm deaths and have increased at a greater pace than firearm deaths since then. Unintentional drug poisonings are the largest component of poisoning deaths; they are primarily related to drug overdose and their rates of increase have outpaced those of all poisonings.[3]

 Often the statistics for firearms deaths are commingled so that it is difficult to determine if the deaths are due to negligence.  Occasionally justifiable force by law enforcement is included in the numbers, further muddying the waters.

 It’s popular to attempt to make firearms seem more dangerous than they are.   The CDC often reports all firearms related deaths as “injury death”.  This is misleading because it includes homicide and suicide in these statistics.  We would not do this for motor vehicle deaths.  Strictly speaking the later two (homicide and suicide) are not unintended injuries or accidents so they do not belong in a comparison of accidental death.  Simply looking at the accidental deaths related to these tools the motor vehicle was involved in 62 times more deaths than firearms in 2010.

 Below are the top ten causes of death according to the CDC.  There is much more to be gained by concentrating on these problems than on guns.  But that’s not as dramatic.

•  
• Heart disease: 597,689
• Cancer: 574,743
• Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 138,080
• Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 129,476
• Accidents (unintentional injuries): 120,859
• Alzheimer’s disease: 83,494
• Diabetes: 69,071
• Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 50,476
• Influenza and Pneumonia: 50,097
• Intentional self-harm (suicide): 38,364

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[1] http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/m0023655/m0023655.asp

[2] http://www.cdc.gov/WinnableBattles/MotorVehicleInjury/

[3] http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/injury99-05/injury99-05.pdf

Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show Cancelled.

Reed Exhibitions has decided to “postpone” the 2013 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show.  Postponed is really code for cancelled, this show will not take place in 2013.

Reed Exhibitions’ announced several days ago that modern sporting rifles (i.e. AR-15 and all variants) and high capacity magazines would be prohibited from the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show. The leadership of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has been in intense, frank discussions with Reed Exhibitions management in an effort to reverse this unacceptable decision. These discussions reached an impasse.

NSSF is in no way affiliated with, nor does it participate in or exhibit at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in any way. However, Reed Exhibitions does manage the NSSF-owned SHOT Show (though Reed manages the SHOT Show, all SHOT Show decisions, policies and actions are made at NSSF’s direction). Watch for that relationship to end soon.

This successful boycott, began on the website mynortheastoutdoors.com. It’s the best demonstration of support by the outdoors industry yet against gun control efforts being pushed in Washington and in several states.

Reed Exhibitions has taken a position that is clearly in opposition to the exercise of 2nd Amendment rights. The Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show was scheduled for February 2nd to the 10th , 2013, in Harrisburg, PA.

Chet Burchett, Reed Exhibitions President for the Americas stated, “Our original decision not to include certain products in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show this year was made in order to preserve the event’s historical focus on the hunting and fishing traditions enjoyed by American families,”

“In the current climate, we felt that the presence of Modern Sporting Rifles would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests. This was intended simply as a product decision, of the type event organizers need to make every day.

“It has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year’s show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment. It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing.”

In light of the fact that about thirty percent of the vendors scheduled to show at the trade event have pulled out it seems that Reed underestimated the importance of Modern Sporting Rifle. On top of that, the majority of the celebrities who were scheduled to appear at the event also pulled out, leaving Reed Exhibitions with a pretty lack luster show.

On Tuesday January 23rd the NRA announced that they were pulling sponsorship for the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show event as a result of Reed Exhibitions stance.

“We had called on Reed Exhibitions to reconsider their decision; unfortunately they have steadfastly refused to do so,” the news release said. “As a result, the NRA will not be participating in the upcoming show in Harrisburg or in any other shows hosted by Reed Exhibitions that maintain this policy. We are disappointed that Reed Exhibitions has ignored the concerns expressed by attendees, the outdoor industry and the NRA in not reconsidering their position to ban the display of Modern Sporting Rifles.”

For more info see:

http://washingtonexaminer.com/nra-boycott-kills-outdoors-show-that-banned-assault-weapons/article/2519579#.UQHwnr9tCSo

http://articles.mcall.com/2013-01-21/sports/mc-gun-decision-protest-01212013-20130121_1_vicki-cianciarulo-eastern-sports-cabela

Show Show and the AR Platform Rifle 2013

Are AR-15 Rifles soon to be a thing of the past?

Prior to the Sandy Hook tragedy, Colt was planning to introduce 7 new AR variants at the SHOT Show in January of 2013.  High Standard was prepared to bring several models of AR rifles to the market as well.  Nosler was scheduled to introduce the  Varmageddon Rifle, an AR variant for varmint hunting.  Remington had a new R-15 rifle with several variations planned for release. Sig Sauer has the 516 PRM and Sig 400 Predator rifle with new options.

Undoubtedly there are many more such rifles and carbines that were planned for release to the market for 2013.  I suspect that some of these makers will have already pulled these new offerings from the show.  Why, because they have already used up all the parts they have on hand to make and sell current models.  The handwriting is on the wall, there will be some heavy new restrictions on semi-autos soon… barring a miracle.

The AR market has been hot for years now.  Part of the reason for this is because veterans come home and want to own the rifle that they trained on in the military.  Since Vets cannot get an M16 or M4 in civilian life, they opt for the AR-15 because is looks similar and has similar handling characteristics.  This habit of wanting the gun you trained with has been common since time in memorial.  Then Hollywood helps build interest in certain guns as well.

It will be interesting to see what new laws are around the corner and how it will effect the manufacturing business.  In my local area there are several manufacturers who build either AR parts or complete guns.  So they will be forced, in all likelihood, to move on to other guns, or perhaps out of the gun business altogether.  A bigger concern is that these new laws will be job killers, and it is almost certain that they will cause lay-offs as companies scramble to revamp their offerings.

Oh well, if common sense were common, more people would have it.

Update, for those of you who do not know it, NO AR-15 was used at Sandy Hook.

Bob Costas and Jason Whitlock are Intellectually Bankrupt.

Just in case you have been living under a rock since last Sunday night…

NBC sportscaster, Bob Costas often provides commentary at halftime during the weekly Sunday night game. This week he addressed the weekend’s murder-suicide involving Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher.

Paraphrasing and quoting from a piece by Fox Sports columnist Jason Whitlock, Costas said: “In the coming days, Jovan Belcher’s actions and their possible connection to football will be analyzed. Who knows? But here, wrote Jason Whitlock, is what I believe. If Jovan Belcher didn’t possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.”

Belcher shot and killed the mother of his 3-month-old daughter, Perkins, on Saturday morning December 1st. A short time later he committed suicide in the parking lot of the Chiefs’ practice facility at Arrowhead Stadium.

Meanwhile in CASPER, Wyo. — Casper Community College instructor was killed in a senseless classroom murder-suicide Friday, November 30th. Police said James Krumm, 56, gave his students time to flee by fighting the attacker, his son, after the younger Krumm walked into the computer science class and shot James in the head with an arrow.

It was later learned that Christopher Krumm, 25, of Vernon, Conn had stabbed to death his father’s live-in girlfriend at the couple’s home prior to the on campus attack. When police arrived at the classroom after the attack, they found Christopher Krumm bleeding from self-inflicted knife wounds and taking his last breaths. James Krumm was dead at the scene, Casper Police Chief Chris Walsh said.

Bob Costas and Jason Whitlock are either intellectually dishonest or just plain morons. Mentally ill people sometimes make fatal decisions for themselves and occasionally they include others.

Is that fact tragic? Absolutely.

Does it affect the lives of family, friends, and even the community?
More than we will ever know!

Does it mean we need more laws and public policy?
In most cases I would argue the answer is a simple; NO.

Costas tried to use his job as a sports announcer to further his personal political beliefs. In so doing, he purposely overlooks the fact that a mentally ill person does not function from logic. They don’t say, “Oh, I can’t get a gun so I can’t exact my revenge.”

Instead they use a car, a bat, their hands, or as in this example a bow and arrow backed up by two knives. It’s not about the weapon. It’s about the violent act they wish to perpetrate on others.
Saying that Belcher and Perkins would be alive today if Jovan Belcher did not have a gun is intellectually bankrupt. In all likelihood he would have found a way to produce the same result. It’s easy to blame the weapon. Then you don’t have to deal with the people involved and analyze what really went wrong.

When a person tells you that a gun makes it too easy; that is a confession of the quality of their character. They don’t trust anyone but themselves to have good judgment or self control. Look hard at the person who blames the weapon and does not place responsibility on the perpetrator. They are dangerous to themselves and society, because they are pandering to emotions, either for power or to make themselves feel better.

Thank God for the mute button!
I will never again hear Bob Costas spew moronic opinions.

Read more:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/01/casper-college-attack-murder-suicide_n_2223580.html

http://www.ctpost.com/news/us/article/Wyo-campus-killer-near-genius-at-odds-with-dad-4087596.php#ixzz2E9NoRdRl

http://news.yahoo.com/costas-gun-control-commentary-gets-142107845.html

Junk Science and Lead Bullets

Below is an Associated Press story about lead in ammunition.  Note that no scientist is going on record in this article and the there is no evidence presented.  Just could be or maybe.

Since the Jackson area is part of the Yellowstone caldera there are large amounts of heavy metals and minerals found in the area.  Isn’t it more likely that the lead found in the blood of animals in the area comes from their diet.  What happened to you are what you eat?  The predators and scavengers of the area feed on the animals of the area and drink the same water.  Why would they not have heavier levels of lead in their blood.

Being higher on the food chain mean predators and scavengers food sources have already concentrated environmental metals and contaminates in their tissue.  So it is easy to see why such predator and scavengers have more lead in their blood.  I hate junk science, and worst of all, tax payers probably paid for these “scientists” to be out there pushing their personal agendas.

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Researchers say the distribution of nonlead ammunition to hunters in Jackson Hole is likely helping prevent lead poisoning of ravens, eagles and other scavengers.

This is the second year researchers have tried to gauge the impacts of hunters using lead-free ammunition on the levels of lead found in the blood of big-game scavengers.

Researchers distributed nonlead ammunition to some 100 hunters who had 2010 permits for the National Elk Refuge and Grand Teton National Park.

Biologists then captured ravens and eagles and measured the level of lead in the birds.

Previous research has shown that lead in ravens and eagles rise during hunting season and then drop off after hunting season ends.

The Jackson Hole News and Guide says researchers plan to hand out more lead-free ammunition next hunting season.

Anti Gunners in the Government Create a Problem So They Can Rescue US

It just makes me sick to think that the Justice Department signed off on this.  I hope the Senator investigating never lets go.  The memos mentioned in this report are damning enough to indicate there is malfeasance involved here (For those of you at the justice department, that means your actions are criminal).

Too bad a half dozen of this ATF agents co-workers were not lined up behind him to support his story.  At least he is trying to do what’s right.

Wyoming may join Alaska, Arizona, and Vermont in returning rights to Law Abiding Citizens.

Wyoming Legislature Approves Permitless Carry Bill

http://www.nraila.org/

Law-abiding Wyoming residents were big winners this week when both chambers the Wyoming Legislature overwhelmingly voted for a permitless/“constitutional” carry bill. When signed into law, Wyoming will become the fourth state to recognize permitless carry, joining Alaska, Arizona and Vermont.  Similar bills are under consideration in other states across the country including Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Utah.

The concept of permitless carry, where law-abiding residents are allowed to a carry a concealed firearm without permits, has been gaining popularity across the country as more people realize that despite their best intentions, law enforcement cannot be there at the precise moment a crime occurs to prevent the attack.  Furthermore, as state and local governments wrestle with massive budget shortfalls and are forced to lay off law enforcement and furlough prisoners, citizens realize that help will likely arrive later as the odds of a crime occurring increase. The NRA has also always believed that there should not be a tax associated with self-defense and the opportunity to carry a firearm for self-defense without having to obtain a costly permit, especially during these trying economic times, will be welcomed by many.

The lead sponsors of the Wyoming bill are state Senator Kit Jennings and Representative Allen Jaggi. The bill now goes to Governor Matt Mead’s desk for his consideration.

 

Atlas Shrugged Movie is coming out in April 2011

Visit the Official Atlas Shrugged Movie Web Site!

Atlas Shrugged was Ayn Rand’s warning to the Free World that certain kinds of politics and economics do not work.  This book written in 1957 has remained popular ever since it was first published.  This is one of those stories that; if you don’t have time to read the book, make time for the movie.   The producer has stated publicly that their intention is to remain true to the book and to Ayn Rand’s characters.  Should be fun, and maybe, just maybe will open a few eyes.

Act Immediately to Block ATF Long Gun Sales Reporting!

Time Sensitive!  Act by February 14th, 2011

Act Immediately to Block ATF Long Gun Sales Reporting!
If you’re one of the nearly 71 million Americans who live in the four southwest border states, some of your gun purchases could soon be reported to the federal government. And whether you live in one of those states or elsewhere, your help is needed now to stop the federal government’s plan to register Americans’ gun purchases.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is demanding the authority to require all of the 8,500 firearm dealers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to report all sales of two or more semiautomatic rifles within five consecutive business days, if the rifles are larger than .22 caliber and use detachable magazines. For example, a dealer would have to tell the government every time a deer hunter in Sacramento or Amarillo finds a good deal on a pair of semi-auto .30-06s like the popular Remington 7400.

The ATF has no legal authority to demand these reports, and the flood of new paperwork will waste scarce law enforcement resources that should be spent on legitimate investigations.

Unfortunately, there are only a few days left to comment on this proposal. Comments will be accepted until Monday, February 14. Every concerned gun owner’s voice should be heard on this critically important issue.

To read the ATF proposal, click here

To read the NRA’s comments, click here.

Please send your comments today. Be sure to refer to the December 17, 2010 “Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles.” You can submit your comments to:

OMB
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Attention: Department of Justice Desk Officer
Washington, DC 20503

Please send a copy of your comments to:

Barbara A. Terrell
Firearms Industry Programs Branch
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
99 New York Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20226.

Barbara.Terrell@atf.gov
Fax: (202) 648–9640