Halloween (originally “All Hallows Eve”) is just two 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.
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) is running a major Halloween Sale for the next few days. We found some very impressive deals. For example, save $150 on a Savage hunting rifle, save $450 on a PSA AR15, save $240 on a complete AR lower, save $350 on a 1911 pistol, and save $200 on a SIG Sauer optic. And there are big savings on other products such as gun cases, magazines, rifle scopes, triggers and more.
If you compete in service rifle, NRL22, or 3-Gun competitions, we recommend getting a .22 LR AR-style rifle for cross-training and fun matches. With this Rimfire Combo Special you get a good S&W rimfire rifle plus 3 magazines and a nice rifle case.
The Shoot Like a Girl operation (SLG2, Inc.) will appear at the Bass Pro Shops Grand Opening in Odessa, Texas, on October 29 through November 1. Following a successful stop in Mesa, Arizona, the Shoot Like a Girl mobile operation will introduce women and their families to shooting sports, focusing on safety, responsibility, and empowerment. SLG2 President Karen Butler stated: “We are excited to complete our [2025 tour] at the new Bass Pro Shop in Odessa, Texas. We love being part of these … grand openings[.]”
The Shoot Like A Girl experience will be stationed in front of the New Bass Pro Shop in Odessa, Texas, on the following dates:
Wednesday, October 29: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday, October 30: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, October 31: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 1: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The event will feature Shoot Like A Girl’s state-of-the-art mobile range, where participants 18 and older can handle handguns and long guns and practice shooting. Certified female instructors will offer a comprehensive introduction to firearm safety and handling using a Firearms Training Systems (FATS) by InVeris military-grade simulator, which provides immediate feedback on recoil, impact, and sound. This experience fosters a fun, secure and comfortable atmosphere, building confidence in shooting sports activities. Shoot Like A Girl instructors will also offer safety talks for youth under 18 years old.
The Shoot Like A Girl semi-tractor trailer travels to cities all across the USA, giving attendees an opportunity to learn about firearms in a fun, safe and comfortable atmosphere. These events utilize the InVeris military grade firearm simulator. Shoot Like a Girl events are free to guests thanks to SLG2’s generous corporate partners.
Outside of the range, attendees can explore the Shoot Like A Girl gun display which features revolvers, semi-auto pistols, shotguns and rifles. Additionally, participants can see product demonstrations including the MAGPUL DAKA Grid system and Gun Tote’n Mamas Original concealed carry handbags.
Women and men of all experience levels are welcome, and no prior knowledge is necessary to participate in this free event. All necessary equipment will be provided to guests upon arrival. For more information on the SLG2 program, visit the Shoot Like A Girl website and SLG2’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
Are you planning to purchase or sell a gun? Or perhaps you want to give one to a family member. Maybe you want to transfer a gun to a friend out of state. These are all situations that demand you understand the law before you buy, sell, or transfer a gun. Thankfully the NRA Blog has a series of helpful articles that can guide you through firearms transfers and transactions.
Do note that laws on private transfers vary from state to state. Also, some of these articles are a few years old. Laws do change, typically becoming more restrictive. You should carefully review current laws in your state before buying/selling any firearm. For a summary of state gun laws, we recommend Legal Heat’s 50 State Guide to Firearms Laws and Regulations reference book. Even this reference was released in 2023, so you should still check for recent changes in state laws.
Here are five articles providing key facts you need to know.
Click each title to read the specific article.
IMPORTANT: All five of these articles reference general rules that apply nationally and in MOST states. However, some states, such as California, New Jersey, and New York (and others) have very special rules and regulations on gun transfers. If you have ANY questions about gun transfers in your state/region, you should consult an attorney familiar the laws of YOUR state and municipality.
Halloween, October 31st of each year, is just 10 days away. As we approach “All Hallow’s Eve”, you may want to have fun at the range. We found a cool 4-pack of Halloween-theme targets you may want to buy. This 100-target Halloween Sample Pack is offered by the National Target Company for just $12.10 plus shipping. That’s a great deal — you can pay that much for a burger and fries these days.
The set includes 100 Halloween Targets with four different styles shown above. These paper targets, listed as 12″ × 18″ in size, feature bright orange and black graphics on pale orange backgrounds. There’s a big Jack-0′-Lantern pumpkin with scoring circles, a target with dozen smaller graphics (bats, pumpkins, and spiders), a Zombie Graveyard scene with 3 circles, and a large orange circle with spider and scoring rings.
Target One: 50′ Slow Fire Pistol Pumpkin Target (Jack-O’-Lantern face and rings)
Target Two: 50′ Rifle Silhouette Target (bats, pumpkins, spiders)
Target Three: 25 Yard Slow Fire Pistol Target (circle and spider)
Target Four: 25′ Air Rifle Target (Zombie Graveyard)
NOTE This Option Just SOLD OUT Today: A similar target pack with 10.5″ x 12″ targets is also available from Pistoleer.com for $29.98 on eBay with FREE Shipping. Delivery is promised before October 27, so you should get the 100 targets with time to have fun at the range before Halloween 2025. NOTE: These Pistoleer targets replicate the National Target Company (NTC) designs, but the Pistoleer targets show higher contrast (more white) backgrounds than the same targets displaying on the NTC site. Below are the targets as shown by Pistoleer on eBay:
A major pistol championship takes place “down-under” this week in New Zealand. Ace American shooter Bruce Piatt has traveled to Hamilton, New Zealand to compete in the 2025 World Action Pistol Championship. Bruce is one of America’s top pistoleros, having won multiple World and National Championships. He started competing in the 1980s and Bruce has had a 30+ year law enforcement career.
Before flying across the Pacific to the Southern Hemisphere, Bruce conducted some range training: “A little barricade practice today for the upcoming Action Pistol World Championship in Hamilton New Zealand where I’ll be on the U.S. Team for the CMP – Civilian Marksmanship Program. I’d say my gear is dialed in!”
Bruce will be shooting a Caspian Arms 1911 pistol chambered for the .38 Super cartridge and fitted with a Burris Optics XTS-135 scope on top. The ammo he’ll use in New Zealand is loaded with Vihtavuori N320 powder and Sierra 115gr JHP bullets, in Starline Brass cases.
Location of World Action Pistol Championship in Hamilton, New Zealand (North Island)
At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.
NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.
1. GrabAGun — Springfield Model 2020 .22 LR Rifle, $289.99
⏺️ » Great price on a versatile bolt-action rimfire rifle
Want an inexpensive rimfire rifle for plinking, steel matches, or NRL22 competition? Consider the Springfield Model 2020 .22LR Target rifle, now just $289.99 at GrabAGun. This rifle sells for up to $499.99 elsewhere, so you can save $210 with this deal. This rifle has a sage color stock with black webbing. This model features a 20″, heavy profile, straight taper barrel with a 1/2″ x 28 threaded muzzle. It is chambered in .22 LR and comes with a 10-round rotary magazine. The rifle is designed for accuracy, with a free-floated barrel and a Rem 700-style adjustable trigger. It has a 1″ at 50 yards accuracy guarantee.
2. Palmetto SA — Walther P99 AS Pistol Collector Set, $599.99
⏺️ » Save $200 on collecter set with pistol, holster, and knife
If you need a great 9mm pistol, consider this deluxe combo kit that includes holster, knife, magazines, and carry case. This special edition P99 pistol has a polymer two-tone ODG frame and black metal slide. The kit comes with a custom case and includes (2) 15-round magazines, a P99 Final Edition knife, holster, and a commemorative collectors’ coin. This collectors kit has 100% 5-star reviews by two dozen buyers.
3. MidwayUSA — $300 OFF Burris XTRII F-Class or $720 Off Burris Rangefinder Scope
⏺️ » Major discounts on high-end Burris optics, save 33-35%
⏺️ » Save $30 on good seater & sizing die set and get 100 free bullets
With this die set you get: 1) A full-length Sizing Die that takes neck bushings; 2) a precise Click-Adjustable Seating Die. These two-die sets are now just $149.99 at Midsouth ($30 off). Available chamberings include: .223 Rem, 22 ARC, 6mmBR, 6mm ARC, 6mm Creedmoor, 25 Creedmoor, 6.5×47 Lapua, 6.5 Creedmoor, .260 Rem, 6.5 PRC, .280 Ackley, 7mm Rem SAUM, 7mm Rem Mag, 7mm PRC, .308 Win, .30-06 Sprg, .300 WSM, .300 Win Mag, 300 PRC, 300 Norma Mag, .338 Lapua Mag. You get a free hat with a die set, and this purchase qualifies for Hornady Get Loaded Plus 100 free bullets or 50 free brass cases.
⏺️ » Incredibly low price for complete Upper with 16″ barrel
If you already have an AR15 for Service Rifle competition or varmint hunting, but want a lightweight, compact variant of your rifle for home defense, here is a great option. You can get a complete 16″-barrel upper for less than the price of a chambered barrel alone. This upper has a Picatinny rail on top, so you can easily fit a Red Dot optic for rapid target acquisition day or night. This AR15 Upper with 16″ Bushmaster barrel (M4 with A2 flash-hider) is now just $134.99 at CDNN Sports. That is an absolute STEAL!
6. MidwayUSA — Electronic Muffs with Walkie-Talkie, $59.99
⏺️ Dual-function electronic muffs — great for range communications
Electronic earmuffs protect your hearing while allowing you to hear range commands. With these Walkie-Talkie muffs you also get 2-way communication capabilities. The Walker Razor Slim Low Profile Electronic Earmuffs (NRR 23dB) with Walkie Talkie allows you to communicate with other radios. Range is 2-3 miles with 22 channels. These are now just $59.99 (40% Off). If you don’t need the two-way functionality, you can get Walker’s NRR 23 Razor Slim Electronic Muffs for $39.99 (#ad) — 50% off the list price.
7. Amazon — 52″ Double Rifle Case, $39.99
⏺️ » Good price for versatile case that can hold long-barrel rifles
Here’s a very affordable rifle case that can hold long competition rifles. The Huntsen 52″ Double Rifle Case features a removable divider that enables the carrying of one or two rifles up to 50″ OAL. This case includes a large zipper pocket, 3 magazine pouches, plus MOLLE straps for other accessories. For the same $39.99 sale price, this 52″ case is offered in black (#ad), green (#ad), or tan digital camo (#ad) colors.
⏺️ » Amazing 200rd M855 case price — just 51 cents per round
Here’s a great deal on 5.56 NATO (.223 Rem) M855 ammo. Get 200 rounds for just $102.48 at Lockedloaded.com. These M855 cartridges feature a 62gr tipped bullet. Velocity is 3060 FPS. This ammo works well for defensive use, varminting, and target use. The Winchester brass can be reloaded after being fired, but you will have to ream the primer pockets to remove the military crimp.
9. Midsouth — Harvey Hand Held Depriming Tool, $59.99
⏺️ » Good tool is effective, handy, and convenient
Here’s a handy, portable depriming tool. The Harvey Hand Held Deprimer ($59.99 at Midsouth) smoothly deprimes and then captures the ejected primer. No attachments, accessories, or shell holders are needed to catch spent primers. This compact tool allows you to conveniently deprime cases while watching TV. The tool can fit in a small drawer and is easy to transport. This tool is also $59.99 at MidwayUSA.
10. Amazon — MTM Large 100rd Ammo Box with Carry Handle
⏺️ » Secure, lockable 100rd ammo carrier with handle
Do you wish you could keep all 100 rounds of brass together in one box? We recommend the MTM R-100 series ammo case (#ad). Chose the version for standard size ammo or a model for magnum size cases. This is offered in rugged polypropylene in semi-translucent blue, or medium green. These stackable cases boast a large, strong handle plus a flange for locking. This is a great choice for shooting matches with multiple relays, or extended varmint adventures. Amazon price is $21.34 with FREE Shipping for orders over $35.00. NOTE: MidwayUSA also recently put R-100 cases on sale: $19.99 for transparent blue case, and $17.99 for opaque green case.
October is Halloween month, so we thought we’d share the seasonal spirit with our readers. In this video, our friend Kirsten Joy Weiss shows off her impressive trick-shot skills. To help celebrate the gouls/goblins holiday, Kirsten “carved” a pumpkin using her semi-auto Volquartsen .22 LR rifle.
Kirsten had to send a lot of rimfire rounds into her orange friend. It turns out the little .22-caliber bullets worked better on exit than entry — Mr. Pumpkin’s posterior side was more impressive than his front. But overall, the effort turned out very well indeed, as you can see. Nice job, Kirsten.
On inspection, Kirsten found that the most impressive Jack ‘O Lantern face appeared on the reverse side of her pumpkin. The “exit wounds” were better than the entry holes.
Team Lapua’s Jack Neary delivered an impressive performance at the NBRSA Eastern Region Fall Finale, held October 4–5 at the historic Shelby County Deer Hunters Association Benchrest Range in Sidney, Ohio. The Shelby County range, which was established in 1843, is said to be the oldest gun club in the United States. Neary claimed first place in the 2-Gun Grand Aggregate, showcasing extreme consistency and with his benchrest rifle chambered in 6mm PPC.
The match featured manageable conditions at 100 yards on Saturday, followed by challenging winds at 200 yards on Sunday afternoon. Despite the shifting conditions, Neary excelled, also securing first place in the Light Varmint 100-yard class on Saturday morning.
“After a very promising day of practice on Friday, I was pleased with the consistent small groups my rifle produced during the entire weekend match,” said Neary. “Using Vihtavuori N133 powder, Lapua .220 Russian Cases, and custom-built bullets with Berger J4 Jackets, I as able to navigate a talented field of accomplished Benchrest shooters for the two-gun win.”
We congratulate Jack Neary for his outstanding performance and well-earned victory in the 2-Gun Grand Aggregate, demonstrating exceptional marksmanship and consistency throughout the weekend.
Carpe Diem — “Seize the Day”. Make every day count…
This story is not directly about firearms, or reloading gear, or any of the little details of our sport. It, instead, is about life… and, sadly, about death. The recent passing of a close friend (and fellow shooter) got me to thinking, “I’m now seventy — what if I only had ten more years to live — how would I want to live my life? What really counts the most? What things would I do differently? What dreams would I pursue?”
AccurateShooter.com has many thousands of readers in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. Hopefully we will all live long, happy, and fruitful lives. But it’s wise to remember that we are all mortal, and the clock is ticking. Well this Editor celebrated his 70th birthday this week. Gosh time flies… but how much more is left?
Using that number as a benchmark, since I am now 70, I may have just 5.8 more years to enjoy life and to do the things I love — shooting, traveling, sailing, camping, listening to music, being with friends and family. Only 5.8 years left — that’s a real number my brain can comprehend all too well. And it’s doubly scary as I’m dealing with prostate issues right now.
There is some good news — American actuarial tables predict that, since I’ve made it to 70 years already, I should live into my 80s — as the predicted life-span of a 70-year-old American male is 13.7 years. [A 70-year-old white male can expect to live an additional 13.7 years on average, reaching age 83.7, according to a 2015 National Institutes of Health (NIH) study.] And the Social Security Life Expectancy Calculator says that I should live another 15.5 years until age 85 and a half. Well 15.5 years works out to 186 more months, and 806 more weekends. That’s less scary, but the message still rings true — time is running out. Live your dreams while you can.
Living a Life with More Good Times, and Fewer Regrets
Recently, a group of men, very near the end of their lives, were surveyed. They were asked if they would do things differently if they could live their lives over again. The vast majority of these men gave surprisingly similar responses, which fit into five “Life Lessons”. These “Top 5 Regrets of the Dying” were reported in a story by Bronnie Ware, writing for the AARP online magazine. Ware writes: “When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced.” Here are the five regrets most often mentioned by older men:
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
“This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. ”
Lesson: Don’t wait to follow your dreams. Be true to yourself.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
“This came from every male patient [surveyed]. All of the men… deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.”
Lesson: Don’t let your work crowd out other important aspects of life.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
“Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming.”
Lesson: Express yourself truthfully. Don’t suppress your feelings for decades.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
“There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort they deserved. Many [were] so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years.”
Lesson: Take an interest your friends’ lives; keep bonds of friendship strong.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
“This is a surprisingly common [regret]. Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice.”
Lesson: Affirmatively pursue the things that bring you happiness. Don’t just stick to old habits.
Turn Off the Computer, and Do Something Memorable with Your Friends Today
How does this all apply to our shooting hobby? Well, if (like me) you are middle-aged (or older), go have some fun this weekend! Load up your rifle and get to the range. Don’t put off doing the things that make you happy. Call those old buddies you may not have seen in a long time. Renew friendships. Get out into nature. And start figuring out how you can live your dreams. As the saying goes, “Time waits for no man”.
*This is based on 2023 World Bank Group Data for all males. One of our readers pointed out that the numbers actually work out better than this, because once a man survives to later life, men of his surviving age cohort enjoy a projected lifespan longer than the average projected lifespan from birth. For example, using Social Security Administration (SSA) data, an American man born exactly 60 years ago has a calculated average life expectancy of 20.47 years… meaning he would live to age 80+, on average. CLICK HERE to see SSA-predicted longevity based on your birthdate.
October is Halloween month, so we thought we’d share the seasonal spirit with our readers. In this video, our friend 
