Uncle Jay is a humorous weekly political commentary. It’s pretty much unbiased hitting both sides of the aisle.

http://unclejayexplains.com/2009/11/08/uncle-jay-explains-nov-9-2009/

NOTE – The Fort Hood incident was extremely tragic. The intention of this post and the humor contained is NOT to make light of the Fort Hood incident. Rather, it makes light of the media’s handling of such events and how sensationalism rules the day over facts and determination.  Part of that is just trying to get information out when there is not a lot of confirmation – us blogs are guilty of that as well. But this does spotlights the gaps of such news coverage and why it’s best to take everything slowly and rationally.

Presently there are 9,000+ fans.  We’ve got nearly a month to get it to 25,000.  $25 off of $50 is not a bad deal.  That makes a box of premium defensive ammo quite economical. Or maybe those new muffs.  I am thinking I might get that Kershaw blade I’ve been eying.

Details are rather scarce at this time.  CNN reports

“At least seven people are dead and between 12 and 15 wounded in shootings at Fort Hood in Texas on Thursday”, senior Pentagon official told CNN.

At least one person is “neutralized” in connection with the incident, and a second is “cornered,” retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore told CNN, citing “unofficial, unconfirmed reports” from two sources.”

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/05/texas.fort.hood.shootings/index.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,572305,00.html

Please pray for our soldiers, they have enough problems to deal with as it is being shot at overseas.

UPDATE: The slain gunman was identified as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, 39. The unit was preparing to go to Iraq.  It is my hope that the military will be smart enough to delay deployment of this unit; to allow for the unit to recuperate from the loss and shock.

Though these days no election is assured until all the lawsuits are settled. The following are what are being called as the outcomes by the media.

Governor of Virginia: Bob McDonnell (Rep)
(Lieutenant Governor & Attorney General also won by the Republicans.)

Governor of New Jersey: Chris Christie (Rep)

Supreme Court:

Joan Orie Melvin (NRA/Rep) 51.7% vs Jack Panella (Dem) 48.3%

Superior Court:
Judy Olson (NRA) 14.6%
Sallie Mundy (NRA) 13.3%
Paula Ott (Rep) 12.2%
Anne Lazarus (Dem) 12.0%

So that is two NRA endorsed candidates leading.  Sadly, Judge Temp Smith is in 8th place.  But that is still 2 out of 3 endorsed Superior Court judge candidates winning.

* Paula Ott was endorsed by Firearm Owners Against Crime. So that might mean a third pro-2nd Amendment judge in Superior Court.

I noted that the Libertarian candidate received only 2% of the vote coming in dead last. Which is sad because is still shows that we’re very locked into the party system.

Commonwealth Court
Patricial McCullough (NRA) 27.2%
Kevin Brobson (NRA) 25.3%

That will mean the two NRA endorsed candidates for Commonwealth Court won.  This equates to a total of 5 out of 6 NRA endorsed candidates winning elections.

More information on Pennsylvania state judicial results

On a smaller scale Chuck Patterson and Harry Ness both Republicans won elections for York Court of Common Pleas.  More info

However, we are probably facing a very anti-gun mayor for the City of York in the person of Kim Bracey (Democrat). More info

All in all, I’d say it was a decent turn of events for our side.

While gun sales have been sky-rocketing in recent years.  Accidental injuries due to firearms has been steadily declining. Howard Nemerov discusses the trend over at the Philadelphia Examiner.com

“Between 1984 and 2006 (latest data available) the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recorded a 69.6% drop in the rate (per 100,000 population) of accidental firearms fatalities. During the same time period, the accidental non-firearms fatality rate increased 7.9%. Moreover, in 1984, accidental shootings accounted for 1.8% of all fatal accidents; by 2006, firearms comprised 0.5%, a 71.4% drop.”

–

But what I find really fascinating is the “WHY”

Why have accidental firearm injuries decreased when the general trend has shown an increase. I believe the answer is simple, one word – T-R-A-I-N-I-N-G

In the past, most of what people knew about gun handling came from association. Passed down from father and grandfather to son.  Formalized training being pretty much reserved for police and military.  WII, Korea & Vietnam resulted in a great many being introduced to firearms over a steady period of about 30 yrs.    Something happened. Firearms training started to become formalized and standardized.

A handful of individuals,  the revered Jeff Cooper to name one,  started to organize what worked, what didn’t and the various elements that went with it.  They began to pass this knowledge on to others.  But the real change was that such training and philosophies were being shared beyond the military/law enforcement circles.

Common citizens started to learn, and to train, with similar principles.  Such doctrines as the “4 Laws” became common to all firearm owners. This is not to say that the 4 Laws were knew, they’ve been around for a while in one fashion or another.  But I believe we saw a change in how we learned. No longer was firearm knowledge “handed down”.  Now it was passed around. People sought out training.  Organizations like the NRA, which trains numerous law enforcement officers, helped to provide formalized methods of training new shooters.  And at some point we saw a paradigm shift.  Where more and more shooters received formalized education about firearms and firearm safety.

“The year is 1632, when a strange town, called Grantville, appears in the middle of Germany.  The strangers claim to be from someplace called West Virginia, a part of the United States”

If you have not read Eric Flint’s 1632 series and are in any way into science fiction or fantasy, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

You may ask why I am sharing the “leisure reading” recommendation on a gun blog.  Well, in part, because 1632 deals with firearms on many levels.  First and foremost, it addresses the effect of modern weaponry in an antiquated world.  From shotgun wielding rednecks. To a young female competitive shooter who uses a Remington 700 .308 to take out enemies at a distance unthinkable at such a time.

However, the people of Grantville were smart enough to realize that modern rifles are a rare commodity in 1632.  And not something easily produced en masse.   So the series addresses the manufacture of older style rifles (flintlocks, cap, etc) which are still substantially more advanced than the firearms presently available in the 1600’s.

The series can be a tad campy, but is a lot of fun. So if you’re looking for some to read – pick up a copy.

I mean how many sci-fi books deal directly with the advent of firearms, their manufacture, and address the affects of what a modern day shot gun does against a man with a pike.

http://www.amazon.com/1632-Assiti-Shards-Eric-Flint/dp/0671319728/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256874689&sr=8-1

Guns Holsters and Gear has more on the 4th Generation Glock

• Interchangeable Backstraps
• Frame redesign and improvements (with particular attention to 40mm)
• Ambidextrous slide release
• Reversible Mag release

And more…

http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2009/10/29/gen-4-glock-a-look-at-the-new-features/

We are fast losing the aspects that make a culture civilized. Our moral compasses have lost north. We are seeing a culture that is showing signs of dying.  There are always individuals who have no moral compass – they rape, murder, & steal. But in general the individuals of a civilized culture stand against such behaviors.

However, increasingly we are seeing elements of our culture sit by and witness such events without lifting a finger or even revelling in the deed.  Or defending such actions in the case of Roman Polanski.

Imagine if your daughter was being raped outside a homecoming dance. And as people witness the event, instead of intervening and stopping it, they told their friends. Who told their friends. Instead of people coming to stop the horrendous event they come to watch and be entertained. For two long hours the events transpire.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/28/california.gang.rape.bystander/index.html

In such a decline one can find themselves all alone, even while in the midst of many.  One cannot count on fleeing to others for help. This is why training and awareness is of the utmost importance. Training enables you to respond quickly to a situation and hopefully gain the upper hand to either overpower the threat or flee from it. Awareness helps you to see the threat before it is close enough to engage you – enabling you to flee from it.

***

On a side note Caleb from Gun Nuts Media had a recent experience where his training came into play. Caleb is a competitive shooter. But if you read the account his first reaction was not to draw. Rather he utilized a cup of coffee to gain the initiative from his attacker, then drew.  The point is that part of training is ingraining into your being the ability to react.

http://gunnuts.net/2009/10/26/dont-bring-a-knife-to-a-coffee-fight/

http://gunnuts.net/2009/10/26/dont-bring-a-knife-to-a-coffee-fight/

Recently firearm sales have been through the roof, gun manufactures cannot even come close to supplying the growing demand.  It is nearly impossible to acquire ammunition in some of the more popular calibers, and if you do happen to locate your desired caliber you may have to pay more than double what you would have paid a year or two ago.

Our shortage on guns and ammunition production is of course entirely due to the fact that we do NOT have a shortage of extremely liberal, constitutionally ignorant, narcissistic, United States hating, socialist turncoats that are in office representing themselves and their job security – instead of the people of this great nation. So everyone and their grandmother is out buying up all the guns and ammo, while they are still allowed.

With this massive influx of new gun owners comes an increase in the individual training market as well as the firearm accessory market.

Say an individual purchases a firearm, and as he rightly should, seeks training from a professional to increase his skill and knowledge with his weapon. In an internet sea of shade tree wannabe marksmanship/weapons instructors, how does one find an affordable  reputable trainer? Word of mouth can only go so far and every trainer of course claims to be the best. I would suggest doing extensive research and seek reviews of people with a wide range of knowledge and experience.

I am seeing many companies that I once thought to be reputable turn to using advertising gimmicks and curriculum that is more “tacticool” than practical. I do not fault these organizations or individuals for capitalizing on the market, but I do have a problem when they attempt to mislead the inexperienced and unknowing new armed citizens.

For example one company is offering a “free” pistol, and oh yeah they will even throw in their very own instructor issued magazine pouch and holster; however, the pistol is a Springfield Armory XD, and the bonus throw in “instructor issued” mag pouch and holster just happen to be the same ones that come from Springfield with the said pistol. This is just one example and you will have no trouble finding many more on the internet if you take a little time and look closely.

We are not talking about selling a get rich quick scheme.  Firearms trainers are selling possibly the most important product the consumer will ever purchase. It weighs nothing, takes up no space, yet its priceless to that individual that one day finds themselves in a deadly force encounter.

Trainers, take a look at your curriculum and keep it practical, current and dynamic.

Consumers, research, research, research, and then research a little more.

As for the firearms accessory market, there is an overwhelming amount of companies out there that make quality products ranging from: AR 15 accessories, to concealed carry holsters, to steel targets. I have learned many things in my 12 years of either employing combat marksmanship techniques or teaching them to Marines.  One of the first things I tell people is that I can teach you ways to do things, but my way isn’t always THE way. For example, just because I have a love affair with Glock pistols and they work great for me and my carry/shooting style, doesn’t mean they will work well for you.

When you are looking to purchase a new car you don’t go out and purchase the first car you sit in that has a comfortable seat (at least I hope not). No you test drive a few different vehicles that would possibly meet your wants and needs and you do broad research to narrow down your choices. Once you have your choices narrowed down you do much more detailed research until you are sure you found the vehicle that is right for you. It drives me crazy when I hear someone say they want to buy a gun and a bystander immediately says you need to buy a(insert any name brand). Lets do these new gun owners a favor and set them up for success. Ask a few questions, take them to a store and let them handle different firearms, take them to the range, rent guns, let them shoot your guns. Basically give them as much information as you possibly can, but be sure to stay in your box. Going back to the shade tree marksmanship trainers, so many times people have more pride than knowledge and instead of saying I do not know, they BS their way through a question. Have a little humility and make it a learning experience for you both and I guarantee you and your friend will have  a much more enjoyable and knowledge filled experience.

Everyone these days are building AR 15s and it is a beautiful thing. The AR 15 market is one of the biggest markets out there for after market parts and accessories. You can get everything for an AR from a telescoping stock that holds batteries to a Mil-Spec 1913 rail attachable rabbits foot for good luck.

Before you go out and spend $90.00 on a pistol grip that holds three extra bullets you should ask yourself if the pistol grip you already have on your gun works. Seriously! do you really need three extra rounds in your pistol grip?  There is a plethora of innovative, practical parts and accessories for your AR 15 builds, but be careful not to get caught up in the gimmicks. Ask yourself if you really need that part your looking at. It may be a great addition to your firearm but then it could be money better spent on ammunition or training.

In summary be humble, patient, and practical with the new gun owners. Welcome them into the fold with open arms and while staying in your realm of knowledge share what you know and set them up for success.

New gun owners, take your time and make informed decisions, seek council and do not be afraid to ask questions.

Despite what our non representing representatives on capitol hill think, it is a great time to exercise our God given right to own and carry firearms.

These are just a few thoughts of mine, most of which have been similarly stated before in episodes of Gunfighter Cast.

If any new or experienced gun owners have any questions on anything firearm related I would be glad to help. If I do not have the answer to your question I will do my best to refer you to a resource or someone who is better suited to help you.

Yours in freedom
Daniel Shaw
SSgt USMC and host of Gunfighter Cast

daniel@gunfightercast.com

The N.U.G.U.N. Blog would like to announce the addition of a guest blogger.  Daniel Shaw of the Gunfighter Cast podcast – a part of the Gun Rights Radio Network

Daniel Shaw will be making the occasional post now and then, beginning with our next published post. I hope you enjoy the different angle and approach he has to offer.

Sincerely,
Jason & The N.U.G.U.N. Blog