No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.15.2/251 - Release Date: 2/4/2006 Delivery Difficulties: Despite the fact that these mailings are currently split into five separate lists, to ensure that each mailing has fewer than 100 recipients, I am getting an increasing number of rejection notices for entire groups of addresses. Lately these have been mostly for Comcast, Yahoo and Hotmail accounts. Now I see that Yahoo and AOL are planning on charging "postage" for bulk mailings. If you stop receiving these mailings, check your spam box, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/technology/05AOL.html?_r=1&ei=5094&en=adc81ef8bbdf0746&hp=&ex=1139115600&partner=homepage&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin --- No Surprise Attacks?: Those familiar with my book or website will recall that I place mental awareness as the highest priority in self-defense. Here is another perspective on the concept. http://www.policetraining.net/newsletter-2-2006.htm#article-1 --- Some Neighbors Protest Machine Guns At Nuclear Lab: The pending installation of a modern version of the Gatling gun at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has some nearby residents more worried than the prospect of a terrorist attack, against which they are intended to protect. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/02/04/BAGM8H2IH51.DTL --- Accidental Discharge: This report, with the identity of the reporter redacted, comes via the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors. It is the second incident of this nature of which I am aware. It appear that these jackets have either drawstrings or zipper pulls with "plugs" attached, located at the sides. This incident involves a Sheriff's Deputy in Louisiana this past week. He went to the range and was shooting with a raid jacket (with a draw string) as their policy dictates. He was using a paddle holster with his duty carry weapon and often uses the same holster for duty carry. He completed the qualification, reloaded the weapon for duty carry and holstered his weapon at the range. When he holstered his weapon the draw string attachment became lodged in trigger guard. This deputy then went some period of time and went home. When he removed the paddle holster the draw string pulled tight and discharged the weapon with the firearm in the holster. The deputy was shot in the outer thigh and buttocks. The deputy will be fine. Definitely a freak accident, but something we should all be aware of, as we shoot with similar jackets. --- From John Farnam: 1 Feb 06 FN/SAW I had the opportunity to shoot a SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) last week. I've handled them before at the factory in SC where they are produced, but this was the first time I've actually operated a copy. The weapon gets mixed reviews from the front, but there is a lot to like! It is light (for a GPMG). Barrel changes are nearly as fast and convenient as with the FG42. Much easier and requiring less exposure than with the M60, and the barrel comes with a handle, so no asbestos glove is necessary. The gun fires from both from a disintegrating belt or from an M-16 magazine. Of course, the 223 round is not what we would like it to be, but the gun itself has a lot going for it. When in Vietnam, I discovered the M60 to be unsatisfactory. I had two copies assigned to my platoon (G Co, 2/7), and their crews were suburb, maintaining them constantly. Even then, we couldn't keep them running. I never depended on them! I sincerely hope this new gun does better, and, when it does, I hope we can get it in a heavier caliber. In the interim, my impression remains positive! /John 2 Feb 06 SAW comments, from friends in the system: "At twenty pounds, the SAW is too heavy for a "light" (223) GPMG, particularly when used in urban fighting where one must climb up the outside of buildings and jump in and an out of windows and over walls. Additionally, the SAW's continuous and vexatious maintenance issues are reminding us all of the old, M60! Regular users are unhappy with the SAW. For example, the plastic feed drum, that link ammunition comes in, never stays secure. It falls off regularly. The Marine Corps is nxious to replace the SAW. I don't think it will be in our system much longer. Regarding heavier calibers, the superb FN/240G medium (308) GPMG (that replaced the M60 over ten years ago) really shines. Wonderfully reliable. Everyone loves it. We need a bunch more of them!" Comment: Maybe a new family of reliable small arms will ultimately emerge from the current, confused state of affairs. We need useable and reliable rifles, pistols, and GMPGs, in calibers with range, penetration, and terminal effect that are genuinely suitable to modern military challenges. At present, we are far from where we need to be, in all three categories, and we are impatient with the agonizingly slow pace of forward progress (and we all should be!). The next great, world conflagration is going to be upon us sooner than most think, and we dare not enter it with inferior small arms. /John (The National Firearm Act of 1934, its amendments and related regulations and restrictions have done much to suppress the development of new machine guns by American inventors. Note that both guns discussed are foreign designs.) -- Stephen P. Wenger Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .