Governor Brian Schweitzer (D), signs revolutionary new gun law in Montana

I would say that Montana has thrown down the gauntlet. What this boils down to is:

• Guns andammo made, sold and used in Montana does not require any federal forms.
• Silencers made in Montana and sold in Montana would be fully legal and not registered.
• There would be no firearm registration, serial numbers, criminal records check, waiting periods or paperwork required.

Moving to Montana soon.
(wasn't that a song?)

City Council Proposed Tax Increases Get Blasted

"The Tucson City Council proposed a myriad of tax increases, including a 2% tax on renters, increased utility, garbage, and water fees, a doubling of the hotel bed tax, and others.

The first of three public hearings on the issue was held on April 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Tucson Convention Center with May 5 and June 2 being the next hearings.

The Tucson Tea Party, Arizona Multi-Housing Association, as well as the Tucson Realtors’ Association encouraged their members to attend a rally beginning at 4:30 p.m. and wear red to protest the City Council’s proposed tax increases.

More than 1000 people turned out for the rally, with at least 2/3 of them wearing red, and 120 turned in cards to speak to the council. "

The Tucson Tea Party site may be worth keeping an eye on as they seem to be very active in tracking local government actions.

Arizona bill would bar gun bans for parked vehicles

"A Democratic leader opposing the bill said overturning employers' weapons bans could set the stage for deadly workplace violence."

Same old hue and cry with no facts to back it up. I wonder which Democratic leader uttered nonsense this time.

The one's that go "postal" don't worry about these little technicalities anyways.

Busy Weekend

The Scottish Rite Reunion was held on Friday and Saturday. This is when the degrees for the new people are put on. I work in the Property Department which means that I move stage and floor furniture/props around for a couple days. Fun but tiring.

So to rest up......I went to the York Rite installation of officers on Sunday.
I am the tall, handsome guy on the end. Well...one out two isn't bad! I like being involved in the Masonic organizations. My wife seems tolerate my activities pretty well and even seems to enjoy herself at many of the functions. Bless her soul. I am involved in the Blue Lodge (Sr. Deacon), Chapter (EHP), Council (PIM & Steward), Commandery (Generalissamo), Scottish Rite (32 Deg KCCH), and last but not least I joined the Shrine. I do not think that there is much in the way of further light in Masonry in the Shrine but there is fun and one can help raise money for the children's hospitals. Thank heavens that most of the organizations only meet once a month with a few events in between. Otherwise it would be difficult for other important things like family, shooting, hunting, fishing, shooting, archery, and blogging about stuff! did I say shooting twice? Good, I like shooting.

See all you folks at the 2A Bash!

Minuteman Co-Founder Announces Run Against McCain for Senate

Chris Simcox, founder of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, announced on Wednesday that he's running against John McCain in next year's Republican primary for U.S. Senate. "We're not at all satisfied with the representation that we have in Washington, DC, especially with our senior Senator. Unfortunately, the time has come for someone to challenge him,"

I am glad to see McCain have primary opposition. The standard joke around here has been that McCain was going to switch parties and become a Republican. I have not been a fan of his since McCain/Feingold shut down grass roots free speech. It is still amazing to me that the SCOTUS didn't find this unconstitutional. The first amendment is all about political discourse.

He then jumped on the amnesty for illegals bandwagon until it became a political hot potato. So much for being a "maverick". That feisty determination disappeared with the polls. It is still baffling that he could not see that coming like a freight train in a tunnel.

We will have to wait to see if Chris Simcox can truly make this more than a one issue campaign. I am not a fan of Democrats or Republicans (see top line quote) and look forward to any new blood that did not vote for the slimulus package.

I will support any person who believes the Constitution of the United States actually means what the founders intended it to be - especially those pesky amendments.

Space Aliens Are Real

We have known this for a long time. Heck, those little UFO's make great targets.

The border for dummies

"Can someone please tell us how U. S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano got her job? She appears to be about as knowledgeable about border issues as a late-night radio call-in yahoo."

Way to go and PO the Canadians, eh? Another group to add to the vets, conservatives, and anti-illegal immigration crowd.

The question we always asked in AZ is why does she get elected? This type of deep thought prior to answering questions is no big surprise to us.

Americans Largely Silent as Their Nation is Systematically Destroyed

" After trillions in taxpayer debt has been foolishly poured into the bottomless black hole of leftist wealth redistribution programs, under the guise of economic “stimulus” or “stabilization” legislation, the new “ONE World” government running Washington DC announces; Geithner, Bernanke Call for New Wind-Down Powers After AIG… and the people still sit silent as they watch Obamanation grow in unbridled power. "

Another good article by JB Williams in the Canada Free Press. Yes - I did say the Canada Free Press. Click the title link and enjoy the whole thing.

B.A.G. Day Addition

Time to post a few pictures for the BAG Day addition.













The baby Single Six joins his bigger but newer big brother.

Add the Hogue grip to try to make it fit a little better. One size fits most!

New Shooter!

A co-worker who had never shot was becoming interested as he listened to some of us talk about Steel Challenge shoots etc. I offered to take KT to the Pima Pistol range to try out a weapon or two. That offer was accepted and I picked KT up at 7:30AM yesterday morning. We reviewed some basics (TAB+1) and range rules on the way there. We set up at the pistol range for a morning of target shooting.
I set him up at 7 yards to start. We started with a Rossi 22 pump just to get used to the idea of sighting and range noise. He proceeded to shoot a Walther P22, Ruger Old Model Single Six, EAA Witness Match Elite 9mm, Commander 45acp, and a Ruger Super Blackhawk. The target was moved out to 15 yards during the 9mm session as it was obvious that he really did not need to shoot at 7 yards. I have some plinker load for the 44mag (900 fps) that are easy to shoot. KT shot some of these and then a few factory few tilt loads to end the session. Good job KT! I had fun, he had fun, and all range rules were followed.
Favorite gun? Commander.
Slap my hand as I forgot to take a camera. This can be rectified as he wants to go again and we shall remind each other about taking the camera.

Old Model Single Six

I just bought the Old Model from Tiny, a friend of mine from Blue Lodge, which I actually did not want. I previously owned a New Model in stainless and traded it off as it was very inaccurate with the 22 mags. The New Model had been purchased to go chase some jack rabbits using the 22M, so I really didn't care how it shot the 22LR. I wasn't impressed with the trigger either.

I went to the range yesterday morning (see New Shooter post) and I LIKE this Old Model. The trigger is great and it shoots the mags better than the long rifles. This was exactly what I wanted out of that other one I had.

When Those Who Don’t Pay Taxes Run the Nation

Very accurate article out of the ?Canadian Free Press? Why don't we see this out of our own press? That's a rethorical question. Read the entire column as it is quite good.


"According to the IRS, as of the 2006 federal tax reports, 97.01% of all federal taxes collected are paid by the top 50% of income earners in the nation. The bottom 50% of income earners pay only 2.99% of the federal tax haul, most paying nothing at all or getting “tax refunds” for taxes they never paid to begin with.
The break point is only $32,000 annual income. Below this income you are considered too poor to pay taxes, and above this income, you are one of “the rich” who is expected to pick up the tab for the half of the country that do not pay taxes.
Half of the nation (the greedy), pay for the other half of the nation, (the cheated.)
This item alone is what divides America today and it is the only significant difference between the political right which represents the taxpayers, and the political left which panders only to those who have come to believe that they are entitled to the earnings and private property of others. "

"If you remove all of the voting blocs that are attempting to vote themselves gifts from the public trough, Democrats couldn’t garner more than 20% public support in any national election today. But add all of those groups together and offer to buy their loyalty with the property of others and you have yourself a political juggernaut that will win political power for the next generation or two. "

March 7 & 8 Gunshow

Crossroads of the West is one of the gun show sponsors in this area. I have never been to a gun show that was this busy!

We went Saturday morning as I was interested in getting some primers for reloading. I had thought that I would get there at opening time (9 AM) and all would be well. It became obvious that many people had gotten there well before the opening bell. There had to be a couple hundred people in line to get tickets for entrance. The line progressed nicely but we were about halfway there at 9:10 and people were leaving with their two-wheeled dollies loaded with ammo.

Once inside, we worked our way over to the ammo booth that was very busy with people about three deep all the way around it. I was able get over to where the primers were. It was fortunate that most of the people standing in this location were looking for ammo, not primers. I was able to hold on to some until it was my turn about 25 minutes later. My friend found that the 7.62x39 was gone in the first fifteen minutes. Too late, as that was the guys with the dollies first thing in the morning.

It was almost impossible to look around as it was just too crowded. We decided to leave and come back the next morning. I was talking to a parking lot attendant on the way out. They had already parked 1400 cars by 10:30. Sunday morning was actually enjoyable as you could walk around and look at things. I should have bought those .44 240gr SWC at Billy Bullets on Saturday as there were none left on Sunday.

Next weekend is another one, McMann Roadrunner Gun Show, at the Expo Center. This place has less parking than the fairgrounds so it should be interesting. Go about an hour early, take a two-wheel cart and lawn chair if you want to get any ammo as it will be gone in short order!

Mention of AK-47s, 'sweetheart deals' spice opening of Valley gun seller's trial

We will see if this dealer is innocent or guilty. There is always some suspicion that there may be political motivations for the prosecution but that is not the point here.

The point is that there are laws on the books already that make the alleged behavior illegal. It would appear that additional laws are not required if the existing ones are enforced.

Judge tosses case against Phoenix gun-shop owner.

Will the Owner of a White Ford Pickup Please..

Stand up and take a bow!

NHRA 2009 - New Fan

Once again, I went to the Nationals at Firebird! I love the smell of nitro-methane in the morning! My usual drag racing buddy could not make it this year so there I was with two premier seating tickets and just me. I contacted a young man (18 years old) that we know to see if he was available. He had never been to the drags before and was interested.

I drug him around for my usual routine. We cruised the pits. I saw a young lady standing out in front of some trailers and encouraged my guest to get his butt over there for a picture. We got a nice picture with Ashley Force. He had no idea why I was pushing the picture.

I fed him and then went back to the pits when they were starting to fire up the top fuels for tuning. This allowed him to get up close and personal with the nitro fumes and the sound level.

We went to our seats for the first pass of qualifying for pro-stock & top fuel. I believe he came about a foot off the seat when the first top fuel launched off the line. He never did get over jumping every time the light went green. I was pointing out to him that the one car on the line belonged to the young lady he had his picture taken with. He was surprised that she was a driver. Live and learn.
We were then off to roam the stores, and then back for the second qualifying pass of the pro-stock & top fuel.

I believe that there is a new drag racing fan now!

SRH

I received the Ruger from my nephew a couple of weeks ago. I had shot this one in the early 80's with my brother while on a hunting trip back in MI. My brother hunted the rifle season with only the handgun. I believe that he really never did care if he got a deer and went just to be out. I had hoped, at some time in the future, that I would be able to purchase this one from my nephew and here it is!
Now, I may just customize my SBH by cutting it down to 4 5/8 and getting it refinished.

Wall Street CEOs humble before lawmakers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Wall Street bank executives submitted to a public scolding in the Congress on Wednesday over how they used $176 billion in bailout money without making a noticeable impact on the anemic economy.
By Steve Holland and Kevin Drawbaugh

OK - I want to know who gets to give the public scolding to our politicians for spending $176 billion of our (the taxpayers') money without making an impact on the economy?

Firearm Refinishing

My old Colt/Essex had so little bluing left on the slide that a change in humidity (slight exaggeration) could start a fine patina of rust if there was not enough oil present. So off to MAC'S SHOOTIN' IRONS it went. I left the frame stainless and everything else went to black. He does fine work.

Slime-ulus Package

"And now is the time to create the jobs that remake America for the 21st century by rebuilding crumbling roads, bridges and levees; designing a smart electrical grid; and connecting every corner of the country to the information superhighway.
These are the actions Americans expect us to take without delay. They're patient enough to know our economic recovery will be measured in years, not months. But they have no patience for the same old partisan gridlock that stands in the way of action while our economy continues to slide."
Barack Obama

Sounds good but how do the following create jobs? 50 De-Stimulating Facts I seem to see every porky's dream except for what is mentioned above.

We all can live with the delay decried above. The only hurry here is to get us to accept this package without scrutiny. I am not convinced that this package, or any other, is needed at all. Everything will stabilize again if the government doesn't mess it up too badly. We didn't see this type of interference during the dot.com bust and amazingly enough recovery took place. We did see this type of interference just before the Great Depression which was all promoted as fending off depression. Worked good didn't it. What has government ever done efficiently?

Partisan gridlock is a good thing. Government and taxes increase every time these politicians get together and agree on anything. I still stand by the Will Roger's quote on this blog's header.