S&W Centennial Update: A list member reports that the "old-style" S&W Centennial revolvers with grip safeties, shown at this year's SHOT Show, do not have integral key locks, are chambered in .38 Special, and are fitted with "flat latches." They apparently will be marketed in blue, nickel and case-hardened finishes. No prices were available but these guns appear to be "Heritage" models. If you don't already own a S&W Centennial, which I regard as the ideal backup gun, keep your eyes open for these. With prices on pre-lock S&W revolvers rising rapidly, it seems as though these would be a good investment even if you don't plan to carry one. --- Romney Retreats On "Gun Control": The Boston Globe bemoans the fact that the former governor of Massachusetts is seeking to cultivate a gun-friendly image as he kicks off his campaign for the Republican nomination for president. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/01/14/romney_retreats_on_gun_control/ Romney's Record Reviewed: "We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts; I support them; I won't chip away at them; I believe they protect us and provide for our safety." But Romney also took steps to protect the rights of gun owners as governor. http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/01/14/romney_appealing_to_core_gop_voters_toughens_pro_gun_rhetoric/ NRA Accepts Romney Shift On RKBA: "Just more proof that support for the Second Amendment is politically popular as well as good and right public policy. After four consecutive elections -- particularly with the Kerry photo-op goose hunt, pheasant hunt, shooting event and fake gun gift receipt in 2004 -- being pro-gun (or not anti-gun) has become the norm for candidates who want to be competitive and successful..." http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/01/nra_unconcerned.html --- Now It's Toy-Gun Buy-Backs: In what it claims is the first step to minimizing the exposure young boys and girls have to "a culture of guns," Buffalo NY is conduction a program to swap basketballs and footballs, books and board games for the toy guns of the city's youth. http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20070113/1038600.asp --- Castle Doctrine For Israel?: The arrest of an Israeli farmer for shooting a Bedouin burglar has prompted one member of the Israeli parliament to initiate plans for the equivalent of a castle doctrine for Israel. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=119404 Related Article: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467733614&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull (For those who may not yet have read it, David Kopel has done an extensive paper on Jewish Biblical law and self-defense - http://www.davidkopel.org/2A/LawRev/The-Torah-and-Self-defense.pdf) --- From John Farnam: 14 Jan 07 2007 SHOT Show, last day! Many have asked if the new C2, non-law-enforcement version of the Taser will be sold in California. I asked the Taser folks about that today, and the answer is "Yes!" Only seven states have laws banning non-law-enforcement ownership and use of ERDs (Electronic Restraint Devices). Hawaii, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, and four others. CA is not among them! Many are curious with regard to Remington's 20ga 870 riot shotgun. The copy on display at Remington's booth has a four-shot magazine tube, plus a Remington-made, two-shot extension. So, the magazine holds a total of six rounds. Nice defensive shotgun for small-statured people! Magpul's new 30-round, M-16 magazine that I took a liking to is plastic. It is very well done and retails at $12.00. Hard to beat! Leupold now also has a zero-magnification, non-battery, low-profile aiming device called the Prismatic. Lots of good light-gathering ability like all Leupold optics. Reticle is a circle and a dot, and the unit is designed for forward-mounting and long eye-relief. I may have to install a copy on one of my military rifles! Century arms is making a US version of the Israeli Galil in 223. I handled a copy today, and it looks good to me! Excellent iteration of the Kalashnikov and a nice car-gun. First Choice Body Armor had on display their MUST police ballistic shield. It is the lightest shield I've ever handled that is still IIIA. I was able to hold and deftly maneuver it using only my left arm. Amazing! There are many other products I could have mentioned, but I tried to confine myself to what I consider most significant. Next year's SHOT Show will be at the same time, but in Las Vegas, NV! /John (When I lived in California, Tasers were classified as firearms.) -- Stephen P. Wenger Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .