|
|
June 17th, 2014
 The inimitable Jerry Miculek has produced a clever, yet thought-provoking video about concealed and open carry options. If you ever carry a handgun for protection (whether open or concealed), you should watch this video. Jerry offers sensible advice about concealment, gun retention, holster choice, caliber selection, and handgun safety.
Jerry also demonstrates practice drills that help you draw your gun safely and get a round on target quickly. Jerry points out that a gun in your pocket may be useless in a risk scenario if you can’t draw it out quickly and smoothly. Jerry also offers advice on open carry rigs that you might use around a ranch or farm. Miculek believes “ranch carry” rigs should have positive retention so that the gun won’t fall out when the user is climbing in and out of vehicle or doing physical tasks.
April 29th, 2014
Be courteous to your fellow Americans — there’s a good chance that they might be packin’. Over the past few years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of concealed carry licenses (CCLs) issued throughout the United States. In fact, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) the number of CCLs has risen 29% in the short period from 2010 to 2012 (see chart). We can expect this trend to continue, because Appellate courts have recently ruled in favor of expanded carry rights in California and other states. For friends of the Second Amendment, that is a good thing.
Comments by Gun Owners
I’m a Defensive Firearms Trainer and in my state and in my community the number of people seeking training to get certified to obtain their permits is constantly on the rise. — Chad K.
Good! America can only be safer with more law-abiding citizens carrying. I hope to see this figure increase steadily. — Matthew C.
Think about how much money those states that charge for permits make from those 9 million people each year. Maybe if New Jersey thought about that it would start to issue permits. — John P.
Bet the trend in violent crimes went down by at least the same rate. — Frank H.
Interactive Reciprocity Maps
Do you hold a Concealed Carry Permit or CCW license in your home state? Do you plan to travel to other states in the near future? Then you should determine whether other states will recognize your carry permit. You should study the law carefully so you understand your rights (and the limitations on your rights).
You can begin your research by consulting the Reciprocity Maps that are available online. There are many versions — and it’s wise to check more than one. We caution that not all the maps may be 100% up-to-date for all jurisdictions. We suggest you start with the map provided by USACarry.com. Read the detailed instructions.
June 18th, 2013
 5.11 started out as part of the Royal Robbins line of clothing for rock climbers. 5.11 Tactical became a separate company in 2003, and now 5.11 Tactical ranks among the 250 fastest-growing private companies in the country. 5.11 Tactical gear is popular with military and LEO types as well as civilians who want tough, durable clothing. Recognizing the vast market for concealed carry gear, 5.11 has come up with a cleverly-designed under-shirt with twin pockets (right and left) for a small handgun.
5.11’s holster-shirt allows the wearer to comfortably carry a small revolver or auto-loader securely and discretely. When worn underneath an outer-garment such as a Hawaiian shirt, the carry weapon doesn’t print. Riding under the arm in a 6.5″ x 7.5″ pocket, your firearm is hidden from view but easily accessible. The opaque mesh concealment pockets feature reinforced fabric support panels over the shoulder to prevent sagging when carrying. The main body of the shirt is constructed of Dri-X-treme, an anti-microbial, quick-dry fabric. This shirt, made from an 80% polyster/20% Spandex blend, is designed to fit snugly. The 5.11 holster-shirt is offered in both Crew-Neck and V-Neck versions, white or black, starting at about $60.00. An NRA signature version is sold through the NRA Store.
January 3rd, 2011
Ruger has just introduced a new 9mm carry pistol. Very light (17 oz.), very thin (0.9″), Ruger’s LC9 is the bigger brother to the company’s successful LCP pocket 380acp. According to Ruger CEO Michael Fifer, consumer demand inspired this new pistol: “Customers repeatedly requested a lightweight, compact 9mm pistol. Frankly, they wanted an LCP chambered in 9mm.”
Ruger LC9 Press Release
 The LC9™ [is] a lightweight, compact 9mm pistol for discreet carry by law abiding citizens, or a full-power, no-compromise backup for off-duty law enforcement officers. This highly requested pistol was developed through Ruger’s Voice of the Customer program….
The LC9 has a 3.12″ barrel, is 6.0″ long and 4.5″ tall, making for a very compact 9mm pistol. The LC9 is impressively narrow at a mere .90″ wide, and weighs only 17.1 ounces with an empty magazine. Featuring a black polymer (glass-filled nylon) frame and blued alloy steel slide and barrel, the lightweight, full-featured Ruger LC9 offers the versatility and capability of the popular 9mm cartridge in a highly compact, reliable, and user-friendly pistol.
LC9 Design Features
The LC9 is a double-action-only, hammer-fired, locked-breech pistol with external extractor, and single-sided manual safety. The Ruger LC9’s polymer frame and steel slide feature smooth “melted” edges. One seven-round, single-column magazine is provided with each LC9 pistol, with an optional finger grip extension. Yes there is a nanny-state mag disconnect, and a California-approved loaded chamber indicator. Sights are low-profile with one dot in front, two in the rear.
May 2nd, 2010
 Some weeks ago we ran a story on Texas Governor Rick Perry, explaining that the Lone Star State’s Chief Executive is a serious shooter who sometimes carries his own handgun for personal protection. Well Gov. Perry is in good company — nearly 405,000 other Texans are licensed to carry.
2009 Licensing Statistics from the Texas Dept. of Public Safety reveal that 404,795 Texans have Concealed Handgun Licenses (CHLs) or are certified instructors. That number represents about 2.25% of all Texas residents. Remarkably, the number of Texans licensed to carry increased nearly one-third from 2008 to 2009, with 138,768 new CHLs issued last year. We’re not sure why so many more Texans decided to get carry permits in 2009, but this trend coincided with a major surge in gun sales following the 2008 Presidential election. So, now more than ever before, “Don’t Mess with Texas” is a warning would-be criminals must heed. With 1 in 50 Texans licensed to carry, Texas is one state where criminals must think twice before preying on law-abiding citizens. In Texas, the large number of citizens who carry concealed is a very real deterrent to crime.
More Guns, Less Crime
Since 1991, 23 states have adopted “shall issue” laws, replacing laws that prohibited carrying or that issued carry permits on a very restrictive basis; many other federal, state, and local gun control laws have been eliminated or made less restrictive; and the number of privately-owned guns has risen by about 90 million. There are more RTC states, gun owners, people carrying firearms for protection, and privately owned firearms than ever before. In the same time frame, through 2008, the nation’s murder rate has decreased 46 percent to a 43-year low, and the total violent crime rate has decreased 41 percent to a 35-year low. Preliminary data reported by the FBI indicate that rates fell further in the first half of 2009. (Map and Right-To-Carry info courtesy NRA Institute for Legislative Action.)
March 30th, 2010
 A decade ago, Prof. John Lott wrote More Guns, Less Crime, a ground-breaking book that used advanced statistical analysis to prove that gun ownership by law-abiding citizens can reduce violent crime rates. Lott was initially assailed by the mainstream media, who refused to believe Lott’s numbers.
Now, it appears that the national media is grudgingly accepting that the increase in concealed weapon permits in many states has been associated with reductions in violent crime and in particular a notable decline in murder rates. MSNBC.com, a website known generally for its liberal-leaning news reports, recently ran an article on citizen gun carry that reveals that crime has dropped significantly in “shall-issue” states where concealed weapons permits are available to law-abiding citizens. MSNBC.com states that it is too simplistic to credit gun-toting citizens for the reduction in crime (which may have had other causes), but the statistics are noteworthy. MSNBC.com reports: “From its beginnings in the 1980s, the ‘right-to-carry’ movement has succeeded in boosting the number of licensed concealed-gun carriers from fewer than 1 million to a record 6 million today, according to estimates from gun-rights groups that are supported by msnbc.com’s research.”
Disagreement Persists as to Causes for Reduced Crime Rates
While MSNBC.com explains that the connection between lawful gun ownership and crime rates is “hotly debated” and not completely understood, MSNBC.com does acknowledge that crime rates have fallen virtually everywhere that “right to carry” laws were adopted. MSBNC.com quotes John Pierce of Opencarry.org: “Firearms in the hands of law abiding citizens prevent 1 million robberies, murders and rapes every year.” On the other hand, MSNBC.com cites a Harvard professor, Dr. David Hemenway, who claims that the available research is inconclusive and that “when it comes to concealed-carry laws, neither side can make a legitimate claim about their effects on crime”.
It is worth reading the MSNBC.com article, which includes a video on firearms training for CCW-holders in Washington state.
February 20th, 2010
Starting Monday, February 22, 2010, you can bring loaded firearms into most U.S. National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges, provided this is allowed by state law. The new federal Park and Refuge policy applies to all firearms, whether long guns (rifles, shotguns), or pistols (including concealed handguns allowed under state permit). All Federal firearms statutes otherwise apply. The new law lifts a 94-year-old ban on guns in National Parks unless they were unloaded or unassembled. The new law, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (Oklahoma), and backed by the NRA, only addresses possession and has no impact on authorized uses of guns.
The new “gun-friendly” policy was announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on February 18th, as a result of new legislation enacted by Congress. Starting on February 22nd, the law allows an individual to lawfully possess a firearm within the boundaries of a National Wildlife Refuge or National Park in accordance with federal, state and local firearms laws. The new gun policy applies to all 551 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System, as well as National Monuments and nearly all the 392 units of the National Park System. Under previous regulations, tight restrictions were imposed on guns in National Parks.
CLICK HERE for Official USFWS News Release on Gun Policies
 The USFWS and National Park Service will look to the laws of the state and locality in which the Park, Monument, or Refuge is located to govern possession of firearms therein. Visitors will be allowed to possess firearms on National Wildlife Refuges provided they comply with applicable provisions of federal, state and local law. Persons with firearm “carry” permits will be able to possess firearms on a refuge in accordance with the provisions of the state-issued permit. The USFWS stated that the new law applies throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System, and the National Park System. However, the Associated Press reported that loaded firearms will still be restricted in 20 of the National Parks and that, generally, “guns will not be allowed in visitor centers or rangers’ offices, because firearms are banned in federal buildings.”
Predictably, the Brady Campaign assailed the new policy. “It really is sad that we’ve become such a paranoid society that people want to take guns pretty much everywhere — including National Parks”, stated Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke. Conversely, the NRA, which lobbied to have firearms allowed in National Parks, announced: “This common-sense measure will enhance the self-defense rights of law-abiding Americans and also ensure uniformity of firearm laws within a state”.
New Policies Do Not Alter Hunting Regulations in Wildlife Refuges
The USFWS stressed that: “While the law will change the application of rules regarding possession of firearms, it has no impact on the authorized uses of firearms on National Wildlife Refuges. This new law does NOT change or expand hunting opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges or exempt hunters from state or federal hunting regulations. Each person who hunts on a National Wildlife Refuge must have the required state license(s) required by the Refuge, as well as any permits and/or user fees.”
Visitors wishing to possess firearms on any unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System should carefully read and understand the laws of the state in which the refuge they plan to visit is located — as well as applicable local and county laws and ordinances that derive from that respective state’s law. For more information on hunting within National Wildlife Refuges, go to: http://www.fws.gov/refuges/hunting/.
February 13th, 2010
Here’s good news for Washington State gun owners. A King County Superior Court judge has struck down a ban on guns in Seattle city parks because it violates Washington State’s long-standing preemption statute. Judge Catherine Shaffer ruled from the bench that the gun ban, adopted under former Mayor Greg Nickels, violates Washington’s law, which placed sole authority for regulating firearms in the hands of the State Legislature. That law was adopted in 1983 and amended in 1985, and has served as a model for similar laws across the country.
The lawsuit was litigated by the Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association on behalf of five individual plaintiffs. “This is a great victory for the rule of law and Washington citizens,” said SAF Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, who added: “This case affirms the intent of lawmakers in 1983 to prevent cities like Seattle from creating a nightmare patchwork of conflicting and confusing firearms regulations.”
Gottlieb suggested a review of local ordinances may now be in order, so that city and county governments can be compelled to remove old gun regulations or face legal consequences. “This ruling puts anti-gun local officials on notice that legally-armed citizens have rights, too,” Gottlieb stated.
Founded in 1974, the 650,000-member strong Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education and legal action group dedicated to the Constitutional right to privately own and possess firearms.
November 3rd, 2009
 Donna Vandermolen, the NRA’s 2009 Woman of Distinction award recipient, is featured at KBTX.com in both a video and a written article. Donna is a respected firearms instructor in Conroe, Texas. CLICK HERE to view the KBTX video report and story featuring Donna.
“If you’re going to shoot, you need to be able to handle your firearm safely,” Donna says to the KBTX camera. Vandermolen earned the NRA’s Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction award in honor of her many years of service as a firearms instructor, and in recognition of her efforts to promote firearms safety. Donna has a strong interest in teaching women about firearms and correct safety and firearm-handling skills. Donna successfully pioneered “ladies-only” entry-level handgun classes that have introduced hundreds of women to safe firearm use.
Vandermolen became the first woman Five-Gun Expert with the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), where she serves as a certified Safety Officer. Donna is an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, a Personal Protection In the Home Instructor, and a Range Safety Officer. Donna is a fixture at Lone Star College’s Second Amendment Academy, which educates students and constituents on Second Amendment freedoms, political and legal issues, and firearms licensing.
Donna says: “I am committed to empowering women to take responsibility for their personal protection, develop their skills in firearms as a tool for defense, and understand that the protection of the Second Amendment is critical for their ability to remain empowered. Let’s support the Second Amendment and keep our freedoms intact.”
August 12th, 2009
 If you were to guess the percentage of Americans who favor Right-to-Carry laws, what you would you say? 30%? 40%? Remember there are more people living in liberal “blue states” than in conservative “red states”.
Well, you may be surprised, but over four-fifths of Americans support Right-to-Carry Laws. A new poll shows that 83 percent of Americans support laws allowing handgun carry by citizens who have passed background checks. The poll also revealed that support for Right-to-Carry crosses party lines, with 86% of independent voters and 80% of Democratic voters supporting Right-to-Carry.
Conducted by Zogby International and The O’Leary Report, the poll looked at Americans’ opinions on some key issues related to the Second Amendment. One of the questions asked: “Currently, 39 states have laws that allow residents to carry firearms to protect themselves, only if they pass a background check and pay a fee to cover administrative costs. Most of those states also require applicants to have firearms safety training. Do you support or oppose [such a] law?” 83% of respondents said they would support such Right-to-Carry laws.
|
