Predictably...: Whenever I mention the relatively flimsy locking box that I use for short-term handgun storage inside my vehicle, at least one list member contacts me to express a preference for a more substantial unit. I share these comments because they include a mounting method that does not require drilling additional holes in the floor of the vehicle: You are correct, my gun vault opens to the rear and must be accessed from outside the vehicle...The way I mounted it was to use the factory drilled mounting holes on the bottom of the Gun Vault that are near the opening of it, thread the mounting holes in the flat bar stock, and then drill the bar stock for the two seat mounting bolts. Most of the vault is hidden under the seat and the tinting of the side and rear windows makes it impossible to see from the outside...I chose to use the base price standard model. For my needs it is quite adequate and small enough to fit under the seat as I described mounting it. Go here: http://www.gunvault.com/minisafe.nxg At the time I bought mine I simply did a search on the net and found competitive pricing. By comparison, my locking box is secured by a thin cable that wraps around the seat track, which allows me to insert and extract the box from the under the rear of the passenger seat without leaving the driver's seat. It slides completely under the seat and is hidden from view by a folded blanket that I have on the floor to make a more level surface for my dog, who rides back there. Choose a system that works for you. I mention mine from time to time because I suspect that most people have no system in place and this one is both easy and inexpensive. --- Outspoken Editorial: Speaking to San Francisco "elites" this past spring, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama said, "You go into some of these small towns in Pennsylvania, and like a lot of small towns in the Midwest, it's not surprising then that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion." Well, should Mr. Obama be elected, he plans to change the part about our being able to cling to guns - because he intends to severely curtail our right to cling to them by taking them away...If you think Sen. Obama 10-point plan is bunk, elect him and you'll see. http://www.tidelandnews.com/articles/2008/10/12/news-times/editorial/doc48efb85c26eb9169573856.txt --- A Rifle or a Shotgun?: How did Newsweek convince Gov. Sarah Palin to pose with a rifle for its cover? Simple. It didn't. Instead, it used an archive (fancy speak for old) stock photo of her taken back in June 2002 and used it for the cover without her knowledge. However, to the magazine's credit, it did not try to hide the fact that it's a stock photo, even printing circa 2002 on the cover and again referencing the date in Jon Meacham's editor letters entitled "The Palin Problem." So that makes it OK. Right? Or maybe not? What do you think? Hey, is that even the right way to hold a rifle? Can't you shoot your foot off like that? Just wondering. (It looks to me as though Palin was photographed with a broken-open shotgun over her shoulder.) http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thedishrag/2008/10/how-did-newswee.html --- GOA Survey an Issue in California Race: State Sen. Tom McClintock's congressional campaign made note of opponent Charlie Brown's stances on gay marriage and gun ownership this week, suggesting he's either inconsistent or absent on how he feels...Friday, the campaign forwarded a release from the Gun Owners of America asking why Brown hasn't filled out and returned a survey the group has sent asking for his position on gun ownership and related legislation...Brown campaign manager Todd Stenhouse noted that Brown, a Roseville Democrat, has filled out and returned a survey from the National Rifle Association, the most prominent lobbying organization for gun rights... http://www.politickerca.com/benvandermeer/2666/mcclintock-campaign-questions-brown-position-guns-gay-marriage --- Park-Carry Ban Opposed in Missouri: Gun-rights groups are criticizing a city proposal to support legislation that would ban concealed weapons from city parks and sporting fields. The state's concealed carry law prohibits guns in schools, government meetings or major sports stadiums that hold 5,000 fans. But it doesn't ban them in parks. "Our concern is that these (parks) are areas where children gather and families," said Jodie Adams, director of the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department. The City Council may actively work to ban guns from parks if it adopts a list of legislative priorities laid out Oct. 7 by its finance and administration committee. The list details what the council wants city lobbyists to push state lawmakers for in the coming year. On Oct. 8, gun groups statewide started making plans to rally against the proposal at a future council meeting... http://www.news-leader.com/article/20081013/COMMUNITIES0501/810150347/1146 --- Pennsylvania Dealer Gets Training Grant: When Tripoli Triggers Firearms Training and Educational Center in Williamsport became the recipient of the National Shooting Sports Foundation's 2008 Range Partnership Grant Program in late summer, it was the funding which owner, Frank Tripoli had been searching for. "I have people coming in here all the time to purchase handguns for personal protection, especially after a crime has been committed," he said. "One shooting was only a block away from here," he said pointing down the street from his business. However, his main focus is not on selling handguns. It's to be certain the buyer is knowledgeable on the basic handling and safety of the handgun they wish to purchase. "I know they want a handgun to relieve their anxiety, but I won't sell handguns to anyone who doesn't have the proper knowledge to own them any more than you would let someone drive a car who doesn't know how. I don't want the responsibility or the liability for selling a firearm to someone who isn't knowledgeable about its use. They could hurt themselves or someone else innocently..." http://www.dailyitem.com/0224_outdoor/local_story_285203038.html --- NYC Bachelorette Parties Head to the Range: ...Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin might just be onto something. Shooting is an increasingly popular pastime for women - even city slickers. "Our guests are in fashion design, medicine, technology, finance" says Andy Massimilian, CEO of Manhattan Shooting Excursions. A popular bachelor party destination, shooting is becoming more popular with the bachelorettes, too. He says, "35%-40% of our customers are women." For bachelorettes, he recommends the one-day excursion to their shooting range in southern Connecticut, where both rifles and handguns are available (unlike NYC, where you can only shoot handguns - what a snooze!). Guests are picked up in Manhattan at 9:30 a.m., early enough for a full day of shooting. They also get lunch and custom souvenirs, like mugs and dog tags. Parties head back to Manhattan around 6, and are dropped off at the restaurant of their choice... http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/weddings/2008/10/12/2008-10-12_bachelorette_parties_drop_male_strippers.html --- Women on Target on Long Island: ...Twice a year, the Sportsmen's Association for Firearms Education and a National Rifle Association program, Women on Target, offers a local women's-only introductory clinic on firearm education, safety and marksmanship. "You girls always do better than the men," SAFE's president, John L. Cushman of Commack, told my class. "Because you pay attention in class and use what you learn." Our instructor, Tony Giammarino, used computer animation to walk us through safe gun-handling skills, proper firearm-storage techniques and the fundamentals of marksmanship... http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-lijoy5880552oct12,0,4892446.column --- Some Long Island High Schools Still Have Rifle Teams: ...Riflery was low-profile even then. But more than 40 years later, nine school districts in the midst of suburban Nassau still have teams. Some even maintain on-campus ranges. Massapequa, Garden City, Glen Cove, Freeport, Lynbrook and Baldwin high schools have rifle teams. So do the Sewanhaka, Bellmore-Merrick and Valley Stream Central districts...All the Nassau school teams compete in air rifle. Those that maintain school practice ranges - Valley Stream, Sewanhaka, Massapequa and Freeport - also shoot .22 caliber rifles. District officials said they follow state directives to minimize students' lead exposure. These include separate ventilation systems for indoor ranges... http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-lirifl055880582oct12,0,7164292.story -- Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .