Army Tries New "Qualification": "One shot, one kill" may be the motto of the Army sniper, but for Soldiers qualifying in Basic Rifle Marksmanship, the traditional one shot per target on the range could soon come to an end. The Basic Combat Training Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Brigade, are testing a new BRM qualification, which combines elements they will experience on the battlefield - movement, concealment, presence of civilians and using multiple rounds on an enemy. http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/03/27/8162-jackson-testing-new-weapons-qualification-method/ --- Rule Three Reminder: This video will show you the obvious cause of the accidental discharge of a Federal Flight Deck Officer's Service weapon. The cause was a flawed and dangerous policy requiring redundant and unnecessary firearm handling by the pilots and an equipment design disaster. You don't place foreign objects next to a trigger of a loaded gun! http://www.crimefilenews.com/2008/03/video-of-dangerous-firearm-policy-of.html APSA Press Release: http://www.secure-skies.org/doc/PRESS%20RELEASE%20-%20BLAME%20SHIFTS%20TO%20TSA%20IN%20PILOTS%20GUN%20MISHAP.pdf --- States Lose Hunting-, Fishing-License Revenue: Bob Shannon is an avid hunter and a fishing guide, and he owns a tackle shop, but he sometimes struggles to get his own son out into Vermont's woods and fields. "He'll be sitting there with the video games," Mr. Shannon said of 9-year-old Alexander. "I finally had to lay down the law last summer: 'If it's a nice day, you're outside.'" Mr. Shannon's challenge reflects a larger problem plaguing many state governments: Revenue from hunting and fishing license sales is plunging because of waning interest in the outdoors. http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080330/NATION/837110035/1002 --- Holster-Design Contest: The Montana Shooting Sports Association is holding a holster-design contest to assist Montana college students who may wish to participate in the upcoming open-holster protest but may not own a holster. http://www.progunleaders.org/holster/ --- On the Radio Today: This Sunday on Liberty Watch and America Armed & Free, author David E. Young will spend the entire 2 hours with host Charles Heller on his new book, "The Founder's View of The Right To Keep And Bear Arms," a book that delves exhaustively into the historical evidence of our rights. Liberty Watch/America Armed & Free is heard from Noon to 2 PM on AM 690 in Tucson, AM 930 in Douglas, AM 1240 in Globe, and live on the internet at: http://kvoi.com/listenlive.php --- From John Farnam: 24 Mar 08 News from DSA and Krebs: I'm in the Chicago area, and I visited my friend at DSA and Krebs this morning. DSA's pistol-cartridge-firing, compact SMG/rifle, the TP9, is now available in 45ACP! I shot both the 9mm and the 45ACP versions today at DSA's factory range. Both fire from a closed bolt, and both are reminiscent of the H&K/MP5. These weapons are designed mostly for bodyguards, but, with the current high cost of 223 and 308 ammunition, they may become popular simply as a means of doing relatively inexpensive shooting with a longarm! Robbie Barrkman's NP3 coating on working parts of DSA's "Spartan" series of AR-15s and FALs makes for smooth operation and simplified maintenance, since soot and crud will not stick to it! When you buy a rifle from DSA, my recommendation is that you get the Spartan upgrade. DSA makes a better FAL than FN ever did! DAS's "mid-length" AR-15 is the same size as an M4, and DSA is still the only AR-15 manufacturer whose rifles come with a D-Ring, already installed. Krebs is marketing the Saiga/Kalashnikov in 308 with FRMG plastic magazines. However, with 308 ammunition so expensive right now, demand for the rifle is down. What is hot right now is the Krebs/Kalashnikov in 5.45X39, simply because there are still cheap sources of ammunition in this Russian caliber. Conversely, 223, 7.62X39, and 308 are much more expensive, with no end of price increases in sight. In addition, the 5.45X39 cartridge was designed, from the beginning, for military purposes. Like the 7.62X39, its case is tapered and is designed to make feeding and extraction to and from hot chambers reliable. On the other hand, the American 223 started as a sporting cartridge, and its straight-wall case feeds and extracts much less dependably. Another popular item is the Saiga/Kalashnikov 12ga autoloading shotgun, which uses a ten-round, box magazine. I've had these in courses, and they've all run fine! These two heroic American manufacturers continue to produce quality guns, despite the rabid, anti-gun attitude of many of Illinois' politicians. It is indeed ironic that so many American gunmakers are located is anti-gun states, like IL, CT, and MA. We may get relief in June! /John (Inexpensive shooting with a long gun? How about a .22? Just my opinion but, if you are tempted to buy a rifle chambered in 5.45x39mm because of current ammo availability, stock up on all that ammo you can afford, while it's still available.) 27 Mar 08 Good news, for a change: I just completed an Instructor Clinic at a suburban, Chicago police department. We were at their indoor range where we shot handguns and AR-15s. Company duty guns were SIG 220s, and 226s, G21s and 22s, Kimber 1911s, S&W M&Ps, and SA/XDs. Backup pistols were G26s. What struck me as the Course progressed was the competence of these young officers! There was not a bumbler among them. Most were range officers and SWAT Team members, and every one was an accomplished shooter and proficient gun handler in his own right. They carry all the time, and most carry more than one gun, plus blades. I may have shown them a few things, but they came to me as competent Operators! Among my students were four Chicago PD officers, carrying S&W M&Ps and SA/XDs, and these guys were top-drawer! CPD's new chief is himself a shooter and aggressively pro-training. Refreshing to see a big city have these proficient trainers on their staff. I am encouraged that, even in a state known for vile, anti-gun politics, we have police trainers who are on top of their Craft, are unapologetically unafraid of guns, and indeed consider themselves professional gunmen. Things are looking up! /John (When I attended the Pistol Course at Chapman Academy in 1992, I had a Chicago PD firearms instructor as a classmate. He mentioned that, at that time, after graduating from the academy, CPD officers returned to the range once a year, to fire a "qualification." When the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act was passed in 2004, one of the issues in Illinois was that there was no state "qualification" standard.) -- Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .