Want to improve your understanding of Ballistics, Bullet Design, Bullet Pointing, and other shooting-related tech topics? Well here’s a treasure trove of gun expertise. Applied Ballistics offers dozens of FREE tech articles on its website. Curious about Coriolis? — You’ll find answers. Want to understand the difference between G1 and G7 BC? — There’s an article about that.
“Doc” Beech, technical support specialist at Applied Ballistics says these articles can help shooters working with ballistics programs: “One of the biggest issues I have seen is the misunderstanding… about a bullet’s ballistic coefficient (BC) and what it really means. Several papers on ballistic coefficient are available for shooters to review on the website.”
Credit Shooting Sports USA Editor John Parker for finding this great resource. John writes: “Our friends at Applied Ballistics have a real gold mine of articles on the science of accurate shooting on their website. This is a fantastic source for precision shooting information[.] Topics presented are wide-ranging — from ballistic coefficients to bullet analysis.”
Here are six (6) of our favorite Applied Ballistics articles, available for FREE to read online. There are dozens more, all available on the Applied Ballistics Education Webpage. After Clicking link, select Plus (+) Symbol for “White Papers”, then find the article(s) you want in the list. For each selection, then click “Download” in the right column. This will send a PDF version to your device.
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NRA has announced that the 2025 National High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, and Pistol Championships — the NRA National Matches — are leaving Camp Atterbury, Indiana, and will be held at different clubs around the country in 2025. (Upper photo by John Parker, SSUSA.org.)
After significant internal discussion and involvement with key NRA Competitive Shooting Board Member stakeholders and committee members from each discipline, the National Rifle Association (NRA) has determined that beginning in 2025, the NRA National Matches for High Power Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, and Precision Pistol will take place at different clubs throughout the United States.
These matches will be managed by selected match directors and staff who possess the necessary expertise to deliver an exceptional NRA National Championship experience under current NRA Rules. The NRA will continue to base its competitive shooting operations at Camp Atterbury and will conduct several annual championships and competitions at Camp Atterbury, such as the NRA World Shooting Championship and the America’s Rifle Challenge Championships.
“At the request of the committee leaders and appropriate NRA board members, the National Matches going to the clubs will ensure NRA rules continue to govern NRA Championships,” said NRA’s Director of Competitive Shooting Cole McCulloch. “The clubs are also in a position to hire experienced staff and match directors, which is what our competitors require.”
The venue changes for NRA National Matches should be a positive development for competitive shooters in the view of some leaders. Patti Clark, NRA director and chairperson of NRA’s Smallbore Rifle Committee commented: “This opportunity gives the chance to bring the Matches closer to the Smallbore community. It also allows us to keep our autonomy while providing matches to our Smallbore shooters. As soon as we have dates and locations, we will update the competitors as soon as possible. I look forward to the 2025 awards ceremony, where we will be surrounded by NRA’s historic Smallbore legacy.”
Halloween (originally “All Hallows Eve”) is just nine days away. Throughout the country, there will be youngsters (and parents) making the rounds on October 31st, trick-or-treating. U.S. LawShield has provided Halloween safety tips for homeowners and families with kids. These tips are designed to keep kids safe/secure and to help adults supervise the young ones and avoid potential liabilities as homeowners. READ Full Article HERE.
Halloween Safety Tips for Adults (Parents and Homeowners) Drive Carefully – Drive slowly and watch for people crossing the street. Avoid distractions like phones or food so you can be ready to stop quickly. (But it’s best to just avoid driving after dark on Halloween[.]) Clear the Way – Clear your front steps, driveway, and lawn of any potential safety hazards. If any injuries happen on your property, you could be held liable! Leave a Light On – If you leave the house, keep a few visible lights on inside to discourage criminals. However, leave your porch light off to let trick-or-treaters know you aren’t giving out candy! Verify Insurance – Are you turning your home into a neighborhood haunted house? Are you charging admission? Make sure to check your local laws and verify your homeowners insurance coverage! Something like this could be considered a business activity, and accidents or injuries typically are not covered. (You should also verify your self-defense insurance coverage!) Go Flameless – Use electric lights in your jack-o-lanterns and other décor. House fires are one of the more common accidents reported by homeowners on Halloween.
Halloween Safety Tips for Kids Adult Supervision – All children aged 13 and under should be accompanied by an adult when trick-or-treating. Older kids without an adult should be in groups of three or more. Create a Route – Only trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods and at houses with porch lights on. Be aware of and avoid the addresses of local sex offenders. Street Smart – Walk only on sidewalks, and cross streets only at crosswalks or corners. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing to help prevent accidents. Take extra caution with costume masks, as they greatly reduce a child’s ability to see their surroundings. High Visibility – Carry glow sticks or flashlights when out after dark, and avoid wearing costumes that are dark-colored or aren’t reflective. Treat Smart – Check your kids’ candy! The CDC Halloween Safety Guide highly recommends throwing away any unwrapped or unsealed pieces.
U.S. LawShield also strongly recommends not having toy guns — even Nerf guns or squirt guns — as part of costumes. At night toy guns can cause confusion, with potential bad reactions.
About U.S. LawShield
Founded in 2009, U.S. LawShield now has 700,000+ members and 6,000+ industry partners. The goals are to help members handle critical, life-threatening situations and prevent potential injustices in the legal system after acts of self-defense. For more information on U.S. LawShield visit USLawshield.com.
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Last week Hornady introduced a variety of new products that will be introduced in 2025. These include reloading products, advanced dies, a power case trimmer and a large variety of new bullets and ammo types. CLICK HERE to see all new-for-2025 Hornady products.
Henderson-Style 3-in-1 Power Trimmer
Hornady has a new High Speed 3-in-1 Power Case Trimmer that borrows many features from the excellent Henderson Gen 3 Trimmer such as twin horizontal support shafts. This new trimmer offers quick, smooth case movement into the cutter. With a helpful see-through shield this trimmer can handle brass from 1.45″ to 3.5″ in length and with necks from .22 to .30 caliber.
Like the Henderson, this Hornady unit can trim, chamfer and deburr in a single step. The trimmer features a click-adjustable micrometer for precise and consistent trimming. The powerful 2000+ RPM motor allows rapid case trimming/chamfering. This unit may prove a good choice for shooters who need to process hundreds of cases.
New 6mm GT Ammunition with 109gr ELD Bullets
The 6mm GT is bigger than the 6mmBR Norma (aka “6BR”) but smaller than the 6mm Creedmoor. This cartridge is proving popular with PRS/NRL competitors because it feeds better from standard magazines that the shorter 6mmBR, Dasher, and 6BRA cartridges, yet it still offers very good accuracy and barrel life. 6mm GT brass is now available from Alpha Munitions. The Alpha 6mm GT brass is better and longer-lasting than the Hornady 6mm GT brass.
For 2025, Hornady is producing new 6mm GT ammo loading with tipped 109gr ELD Match bullets. Hornady states: “Designed from the very beginning to be an amazing all-around precision rifle competition cartridge, the 6mm GT provides low recoil, good barrel life, and outstanding external ballistics. [The 6mmGT] cartridge and chamber were designed simultaneously to ensure match-grade tolerances and accuracy.”
Match-Grade Reloading Dies
For 2025, Hornady will offer “New and Improved Match Grade Dies” with click-adjust micrometer seating controls. For 2025, the handy click micrometer controls comes factory-installed on Hornady’s Match Grade seating dies. With its tactile clicks for precise .001″ adjustments, this easy-to-use micrometer helps ensure very consistent seating depths for hand-loaded ammo.
Along with the micrometer-top seating dies, Hornady offers modern case sizing dies. These dies feature the ability to use interchangeable, self-centering neck size bushings that eliminate the chance of over sizing your case necks and overworking the brass. Two types of sizing dies are offered: full-length sizing and “shoulder bump neck size”.
Hornady Aluminum Loading Block
If you want a heavy loading block that stays put on your loading bench and won’t tip or slide, consider Hornady’s new Aluminum Loading Block. Made from 6061-T6 aluminum, the new Aluminum Loading Block makes reloading easy and efficient. Designed for the 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, and .30-06 Springfield cartridge families, this loading block boast a bullet recess on the right plus an easy-to-clean red anodized aluminum finish.
New Hornady Bullet and Ammo Offerings for 2025
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It is estimated that over 21.5 million Americans are currently licensed/permitted to carry concealed weapons.* And with the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in NYSRPA v. Bruen, we can expect that number to increase significantly. That landmark case stated that the Second Amendment guarantees citizens the right to bear arms outside their homes.
There are now seven (7) major business entities which provide insurance coverage and legal services for CCW holders. These providers are listed below. We suggest, BEFORE you commit to any particular policy/membership, you comparison shop at least three different options. We also recommend you read the full 3400-word GunDigest Article that examines, in detail, the coverage offered by these seven companies:
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gun Insurance Program:
Attorney Fees and Expert Fees
The key benefit of any CCW insurance plan is coverage for attorneys fees. If you need a lawyer for a civil case or criminal defense, the fees pile up very fast. Good lawyers can charge $400-$500 per hour, and a trial can go on for many days. GunDigest explains: “If your case goes to trial you might find a bill that runs up to six figures.” You should check to see if a policy covers lawyer retainer, hourly fees, expert fees, AND potential damages.
Bail Bond Coverage
If you are involved in an incident, and an arrest is made, you want to avoid spending time in a jail cell. That’s why it’s important to have a CCW insurance plan that will quickly provide funding for bail bonds. As GunDigest notes: “bail-bond coverage is typically part of a sound concealed carry insurance policy”.
Multi-State Coverage
Gun laws vary among states, and state insurance laws vary as well. This affects the coverage an insurance program can and will provide. When choosing a policy, ask questions to determine how coverage may vary from state to state. With some programs you can purchase additional coverage for trips outside your home state. These can be time-limited for cost savings.
Policy Limits (Dollar Amounts)
When considering a CCW insurance program you need to look at the policy limits — the amount the program might pay to provide legal assistance and potentially settle a claim. You need to read the fine print here, just as you would with an automobile or home policy.
The detailed GunDigest article on CCW Insurance Coverage, notes that there are some additional factors to consider when choosing CCW Insurance:
“You’ll find there are other areas covered by some concealed carry insurance plans worth contemplating. Many of them fall within the policies themselves, however, some cost extra. In many cases, CCW policies go well beyond legal expenses and cover some other aspects you might not have considered:”
Crime Scene Clean Up
Negligent Discharge
Spouse And Family Self-Defense
Property Damage
Firearms Replacement
Work Loss Coverage
Personal Use Of Firearm (non-defensive)
* According to a recent estimate by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), over 21.5 million Americans are now licensed to carry a firearm in the United States. And the numbers are growing — the NRA-ILA posted that the number of concealed handgun permits reached 18.66 million in 2019 – a 304% increase since 2007.
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PASS or FAIL? Where does your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator stand when it comes to supporting the Second Amendment, the firearm industry, hunting, and target shooting sports? NSSF has released its 2024 Congressional Report Card. You can view it here: CLICK HERE for Full REPORT CARD.
The Firearm Industry Trade Association (NSSF), released its 2024 Congressional Report Card, grading U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators on key legislation relating to the firearm industry, to hunting and recreational shooting, and to the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.
“This report card will be critical for voters to do their research as we head into … the November elections just six weeks from now. NSSF’s 2024 Congressional Report Card tells voters exactly where their lawmakers stand on issues including defending the firearm industry’s ability to engage in the lawful commerce of firearms and ammunition and safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of customers, as well as promoting hunting and recreational target shooting”, said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior VP and General Counsel. “This nonpartisan report card reflects the level of support of each lawmaker on firearm industry priority legislation during the 118th Congress, between 2023 and 2024. These grades indicate their public voting record as well as their sponsorship and co-sponsorship of key legislation, their work on committees, letters signed to support firearm industry issues, and their overall leadership[.]”
NSSF awarded 29 U.S. Senators and 123 U.S. Representatives the rating of “A+”. Of those, 8 Senators and 24 House Members attained the new NSSF distinction of being named to the Dean’s List. To earn this special recognition, members needed to have a 100-percent voting and co-sponsorship record.
» CLICK HERE for Complete U.S. Senate and House Report Card
This nonpartisan scorecard reflects the voting record of each legislator. These grades indicate their public voting record as well as the weight and importance of these lawmakers sponsoring and co-sponsoring key legislation, their work on committees, letters signed to support issues and leadership to stand for our industry. “This scorecard is of vital importance to voters as we head into November elections. This tells voters exactly where their lawmakers stand on issues they care about like recreational shooting and hunting and the right to keep and bear arms” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF VP and General Counsel.
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Heckler & Koch (HK) has released its new CC9 micro-compact, striker-fired 9x19mm pistol. With great accuracy, ergonomics, and reliability, the HK CC9 should be a top choice among micro-compact pistols. Designed and produced in the USA, this is the smallest double-stack carry pistol HK has ever built. The CC9 features a modular grip with swappable backstraps. With a “Safe Take Down Feature” for disassembly, there is no need to pull the trigger during field-striping, making the CC9 safer than a Glock. The slide is optics-ready and there is a short Picatinny rail on the front of the polymer frame for mounting accessories. The micro-compact CC9 is 6.03″ long and 0.99″ wide. The barrel is 3.32″ long and the CC9 weighs 18.4 ounces without magazine. MSRP is currently $699.00.
Compact and Concealable:
As the smallest double-stack pistol HK has ever produced, the CC9 should be a good choice for for concealed carry. Chambered in 9mm Luger (9x19mm), the CC9 comes equipped with both 10-round and 12-round magazines for flexibility in concealment. The CC9’s slim and relatively lightweight design (18.4 ounces without mag) features ambidextrous controls including slide-stop and magazine release. The edges of the slide are rounded for easier carry and smooth holstering.
Military-Grade Testing:
The CC9 is held to the same standards as full-size duty pistols and tested to NATO Army Armaments Group AC/225 standards. The CC9 was subjected to a battery of tests including extreme temperatures, dust, sand, mud and being dropped to simulate real world conditions. The CC9 had over 750 thousand rounds fired during development and testing. The CC9 is built to perform flawlessly in the most demanding conditions.
HK claims the CC9 delivers exceptional accuracy and control. The chassis system is rated for full +P 9mm ammo. The CC9 features a modular grip with interchangeable backstraps to fit various hand sizes. Boasting good ergonomics, the CC9 offers a full 4-finger grip and the same length of pull as the full-sized VP9 pistol. The trigger is smooth and consistent (better than a Glock in our opinion) and recoil is very manageable. Watch the embedded videos to see the new CC9 in action. The optics-ready CC9 features a tritium front sight, and a blacked-out, serrated rear sight for quick target acquisition.
Safety is integral to the CC9’s design. The pistol is equipped with multiple safety features, including a trigger safety, passive firing pin safety, Out-of-Battery safety and Safe Take Down Feature. The magazine must also be removed before the take-down lever can be rotated. Additionally, the CC9 includes a visual/tactile loaded chamber indicator built-in to the extractor.
Designed for modern concealed carry, the CC9 is compatible with a wide range of accessories, including lights and lasers, with its integrated Picatinny-style accessory rail. Optics can be mounted directly to the slide featuring a RMSc / 407k footprint compatible with most modern micro-dots.
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OK guys, you probably want to keep this page confidential. Your spouse probably doesn’t want to be reminded about all the times you ignored the “Honey Do” list and headed off to the range instead. And she certainly doesn’t want to know how much you spend every year on your gun hobby.
Answer these two polls to see how dedicated (or should we say “obsessed”) a gun guy you really are. Once you vote you can see how your shooting (and spending) habits compare to other readers. Full results display after you select an answer and click the “Vote” button.
Click to vote in our current Readers’ polls.
Click “View Results” to see what other readers have selected.
The rifle cartridge money clip was a real product from ReleaseMeCreations.com (now sold out). You can, of course, make your own cartridge money clip with a Dremel tool for free.
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Do you need to find an FFL for a firearms transfer in your local area? Or perhaps you are selling a gun and need it shipped to an FFL in another city or state. Thankfully, there are two good online resource that can, in a matter of seconds, provide a list of Federal Firearms License holders in the area you need. These web resources will even locate those FFLs on a map AND list the fees they typically charge for transfers.
Sportsman’s Guide FFL Finder
The first resource is the Sportsman’s Guide FFL LOOKUP Page. This online search tool is fast and easy to use. Simply enter a Zip Code and then select a radius (in miles) within which to find FFLs. Here is an example for Billings, Montana with Zip Code 59103. Note that the transfer fees are listed for the first three “In-Network” FFLs. Click on each FFL business name to get more details.
Gunbroker FFL Finder
A good second resource is offered by GunBroker, the online gun trading/auction site. Gunbroker offers a handy online FFL Finder. This resource allows you to quickly find an FFL by zip code or state. Along with the FFL business name, this also lists fees. Click the “Map It” button to see a local map.
Gunbroker states: “Use our FFL Finder to locate FFL dealers in your area. You can search for FFL dealers by your zip code or by state. Use our FFL finder to get in touch with a local FFL dealer in order to complete your firearms purchase, or sign up to be part of our FFL Dealer Network.”
Shown below are the FFL Finder results for Billings, Montana and Zip Code 59103:
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The October 2024 Edition of Shooting Industry magazine (SI) has a good article explaining the importance of the upcoming election for gun owners. In that article NSSF VP/Gen. Counsel Larry Keane notes that “People need to wake up, get registered and vote”. Keane discusses the potential ramifications of a Harris-Walz administration with SI Editor Jade Moldae, who notes: “If Vice President Kamala Harris is elected president, along with a Democrat sweep of Congress, it’s not a hyperbole to say this would be worst-case scenario for the longevity of our industry.” CLICK HERE for October 2024 Shooting Industry digital edition.
Keane predicts what could happen with a Harris presidency and Democrat-controlled Congress: “If Harris is elected president, what we see from ATF now will only get worse. Zero tolerance for gun dealers will become ‘subzero’ tolerance. [Harris] will appoint anti-gun justices to the Supreme Court — opening up the opportunity to revisit Heller, Bruen, and McDonald decisions. She’ll blow up the filibuster in the Senate … Congress will pass firearm bans, magazine bans and universal background checks. It’ll be ‘Katy bar the door’ — and too late for us to do anything about it.”
Keane pointed out that even if Democrats are unsuccessful in controlling Congress, Harris could act unilaterally — as shutting down firearms imports or exports doesn’t require an act of Congress.
Though Kamala Harris has stated she is a gun owner (claiming to have a Glock pistol), she has frequently supported gun confiscation through mandatory buy-backs. And she says she would like to ban AR15s and other popular, semi-auto rifles. Accordingly, we face a very important 2024 election. Keane states: “This truly is the most important election for the Second Amendment in our lifetime. In the past, Harris called for mandatory confiscation. She now says she isn’t. So, was she lying then? Is she lying now? Or does she just lie now and then? People need to wake up, get registered and vote.”
The article stresses the importance of voting this November: “If we don’t do our part and vote we leave the future of our industry, sport and tradition — and constitutionally protected right — to chance. [T]here’s too much at stake to stand by and do nothing [so] don’t risk your rights, vote!”
State Elections Are Also Key to Protecting Gun Owners’ Rights
In a related Shooting Industry article, Colorado shooting instructor Ava Flanell notes that STATE elections are very important, as most anti-gun statutes come from state legislation. Yes, the 2024 Presidential election is very important, but state elections are also key to protecting gun rights.
Ava notes: “When egregious gun laws are passed, many people blame their governor, but these laws wouldn’t even be put on the governor’s desk if we stopped them in the state legislature.” Ava explains that it is vital that “We elect pro-gun individuals at the state house and state senate level. It means we must vote and encourage others to vote. Apathetic voters, especially the millions of gun owners and hunters who aren’t even voting, must be encouraged to step up and vote for our rights.”
Ava observes that “Bloomberg, Soros and other radical left-wing billionaires have spent a fortune in nearly every state to get politicians elected to local and state governments that support their radical agendas. These states have passed the bulk of anti-gun legislation in the last few years.” Ava stresses the importance of voting for pro-Second Amendment state and local leaders: “These local elections are where we, the voter, can have just as big of an impact. We must be willing to do our part and get involved.”
Ava Flanell is firearms instructor who operates elitefirearmsandtraining.com in Colorado. In the video above, Ava explains key issues on the ballot in Colorado this November.
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Effective today, attendee registration for SHOT Show 2025 is officially open! The SHOT Show event welcomes industry personnel, retail/vendor representatives, and media staffers. NSSF members can save money on SHOT Show registration fees and take advantage of member benefits during SHOT Show week. The NSSF encourages attendees to book their hotel reservations and airline flights soon — book early to save money. CLICK HERE to REGISTER.
The latest SHOT Show Insider INFO page is ready. Exhibitors can get the latest need-to-know information to stay ahead of the game for SHOT Show 2025. Get information on hotel bookings, print publication opportunities, booth information and more.
TIPS for Getting Ready for SHOT Show 2025 in January:
➢ Plan ahead: Lock in better hotel and airline rates early. There are multiple shows happening in Vegas during SHOT Week, so don’t delay.
➢ SHOT Show eXtra is coming back to SHOT Show in 2025 and will provide wait list exhibitors the opportunity to showcase products and services during a 2-day event. SHOT Show eXtra will take place in the Palazzo Ballroom on the fifth floor of the Venetian.
➢ Supplier Showcase hours will be 8:30 am – 4:30 pm on Monday and 8:30am – 4:00 pm on Tuesday.
➢ SHOT University will provide 18 educational sessions aimed to help retailers and shooting ranges enhance management and improve business in competitive and regulated marketplaces.
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The NRA has released a special-edition digital publication, What NRA Does for Women, celebrating NRA women members and spotlighting NRA programs for women. What NRA Does for Women highlights NRA programs and activities geared toward women: recreational and competitive shooting; hunting; Second Amendment advocacy; and today’s primary reason for firearm ownership by women—self-defense.
This eZine spotlights the roles played by women in the NRA’s 153-year history, featuring ladies who helped shape the NRA into the most influential gun rights organization in the world. The eZine highlights champion women shooters and prominent lady gun journalists and commentators.
Women are now the fastest-growing demographic of gun owners. And women were well-represented within the NRA even in its earliest days. While it would still be nearly 50 years after the NRA came into existence before full women’s suffrage in the U.S. was realized, women have always been essential in transforming the nation’s oldest civil rights organization into the world’s most influential gun-rights group.
Created by the women editors of NRA Media, What NRA Does for Women spotlights some of the major milestones and accomplishments of the pioneering women who forged the path for today’s lady gun owners. This special edition eZine also includes reviews of recommended firearms for ladies.
While the NRAWomen.com website regularly features news and information for women gun owners, this new digital eZine highlights the NRA’s many programs and activities geared toward women. There are stories on hunting, competition shooting, and training for self-defense.
The 6mm GT is bigger than the 6mmBR Norma (aka “6BR”) but smaller than the 6mm Creedmoor. This cartridge is proving popular with PRS/NRL competitors because it feeds better from standard magazines that the shorter 6mmBR, Dasher, and 6BRA cartridges, yet it still offers very good accuracy and barrel life. 6mm GT brass is now available from Alpha Munitions. The 
Though Kamala Harris has stated she is a gun owner (claiming to have a Glock pistol), she has frequently supported gun confiscation through mandatory buy-backs. And she says she would like to ban AR15s and other popular, semi-auto rifles. Accordingly, we face a very important 2024 election. Keane states: “This truly is the most important election for the Second Amendment in our lifetime. In the past, Harris called for mandatory confiscation. She now says she isn’t. So, was she lying then? Is she lying now? Or does she just lie now and then? People need to wake up, get registered and vote.”
