Month: <span>May 2012</span>

These celebrities are certainly game to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

It doesn’t surprise us to learn that stars like Robert De Niro, Marc Anthony and Clint Eastwood are cock-and-pull aficionados, but Miranda Lambert, Howard Stern and Donald Trump don’t strike us as the gun-toting type.

Whether they’re a licensed carrier for the sake of a vintage collection, hunt for sport or are just an avid supporter of their right to bear arms, these celebrities aren’t afraid to face the anti-gun firestorm when it comes to packing heat.

“I carry a weapon,” cover girl Miranda Lambert told Self magazine’s June issue. “I got a death threat a few years ago and was really scared. But I don’t want bodyguards. I am my own security.”

Although he isn’t currently a licensed gun-holder, Johnny Depp recalls being quite familiar with the weapon in his younger years — a skill he’s hoping to teach to his own children.

“We would just go out and line up a bunch of cans and shoot with rifles, handguns and at times, submachine guns,” Depp said in 2009. “When I was a kid it was a controlled atmosphere, we weren’t shooting at humans — we were shooting at cans and bottles mostly. I will most certainly take my kids out for target practice.”

Check out these celebrities’ connections to the world of weaponry:

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert is packin’ heat and she’s not afraid to admit it: “I carry a weapon,” she told Self magazine. “I got a death threat a few years ago and was really scared. But I don’t want bodyguards. I am my own security.

Original post by The Huffington Post  |  By Kiki Von Glinow

Remember the good old days when we generally knew which politicians were bad on gun rights? Bill Clinton had foolishly convinced his colleagues that you could vote for a gun ban and remain in office or even win political favor. How wrong they turned out to be. In the wake of the Clinton “assault weapons” ban, a pro-gun revolution swept both houses of Congress. Even Clinton acknowledged the role of the NRA and gun owners in turning the tide, and he’d later credit them with Al Gore’s defeat.

The anti-gunners had learned their lesson. Now they quite literally camouflage their views by calling themselves “lifelong hunters.” They claim to respect the Second Amendment, but just want to impose a few “common sense restrictions” — you know, like bans on semi-auto rifles, right-to-carry permits and gun shows. They are cautious in their approach, and even when they push overtly anti-gun bills, they often do so quietly, in an attempt to avoid drawing unnecessary attention from those of us who value our rights.

But this piece exposes them. Here are the top seven anti-gun bills that you’ve never heard of.

Sponsor: Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)

“Common sense” restrictions seems to be a buzzword for the anti-gun crowd these days. After all, who would oppose common sense? Problem is, they think banning guns is common sense. S. 176 would “establish minimum standards” for states that allow the carrying of concealed firearms. If you aren’t familiar with Barbara Boxer’s actions on gun control, trust us, you don’t want her determining what hoops you must jump through to exercise a constitutional right.

To find out more about this bill, click here.

Sponsor: Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.)

You have to hand it to Congresswoman McCarthy. Even after completely humiliating herself when asked why she wanted to ban a firearm accessory, she’s still pushing gun control. Her latest bill would ban the sale and even the possession of “large capacity” magazines, which McCarthy considers to be anything that holds 10 or more rounds.

To find out more about this bill, click here.

Sponsor: James McDermott (D-Wash.)

An amendment to the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 gave you the right to carry a firearm in a national park, provided you have a concealed-carry permit for the appropriate state. And why not, given that two-legged and four-legged predators can both be encountered in the wilderness. In fact, just days after the bill was signed into law, armed citizens in national parks used guns to fend off attacks by humans as well as wildlife. But Congressman McDermott believes he knows best for you and that you’re safer unarmed. How about the congressman keeps his fantasy and we keep our Rugers?

To find out more about this bill, click here.

Sponsor: Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)

OK, so you’ve probably heard about this one. The desire of anti-gun politicos to impose background checks on private sales at gun shows is no secret, but the true intent is. Forcing private citizens to conduct background checks would jeopardize gun shows’ very existence. Lautenberg knows this, and he’d love to see it become reality.

To find out more about this bill, click here.

Sponsor: Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

Not to be outdone by an anti-gun comrade, good ole’ Schumer takes Lautenberg’s gun show legislation even further — Schumer’s bill would impose a background check on any gun transfer or sale for any purpose, public or private. Even if we pretend for a moment that bad guys get their guns from legitimate people who would actually comply with this law, the inconvenience and financial burden for gun owners and collectors would be unbearable.

To find out more about this bill, click here.

Sponsor: Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas)

We all want to keep children safe, but most gun owners believe they can best handle teaching their children gun safety without government interference. Jackson-Lee’s bill would ban the possession of handguns and semi-auto rifles (which she of course refers to as “assault rifles” in her bill) by anyone under 21. In other words, a 20-year-old man could go to war for his country, but back home he wouldn’t be allowed to exercise the rights he fought to defend. The bill would also impose rules regarding how you store firearms in your home, and prosecute your failure to comply.

To find out more about this bill, click here.

Sponsor: Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.)

The Trayvon Martin trial hasn’t even commenced yet, but already anti-gun politicians are exploiting the controversy surrounding his death to promote gun control. Cleaver’s resolution (it wouldn’t create any laws, but it would send a strong message) “honors the life of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin” and urges Florida and other states to repeal their Stand Your Ground Laws.

To find out more about this bill, click here.

The Daily Caller, the conservative website founded by Tucker Carlson, has launched an unusual publicity stunt to say the least: Now through Nov. 6—Election Day—the Washington, D.C.-based site will give away a handgun a week.

The gun giveaway is part of the launch of a “Guns and Gear” section “devoted to Second Amendment issues and firearms product news and reviews.”

Each 9mm “FMK 9C1” handgun will be “engraved with the Bill of Rights.” The Daily Caller, which is a Yahoo! News partner, plans to give away 25 in all.

“Like most Americans outside Washington, D.C., New York City and most of our nation’s news rooms, large numbers of Daily Caller readers love guns,” Daily Caller publisher and former Dick Cheney policy adviser Neil Patel said in a release.

When asked by email if it was really a good idea to give away guns to readers, Carlson responded: “Seems obvious. Why wouldn’t it be a good idea? We trust our readers.”

Of course, all winners “must obey all local, state and federal laws governing the lawful transfer of a firearm and meet all local, state and federal requirements for firearms ownership.”

Specifically, each “will be required to have proper identification suitable to receive a firearm in their jurisdiction and will be required to complete an ATF Form #4473 and pass a NICS background check at their local firearms retailer that holds a valid Federal Firearms License. Failure to comply with each of these requirements will result in a forfeiture of the prize.”

A “major production company” is now looking for gun enthusiasts (that means you) for a possible TV position.

The advertisement was posted by Reality Wanted, a web-company that specializes in connecting aspiring and professional actors with production companies.

According to the advertisement, it doesn’t matter where in the United States you live, they only ask that you “work in the gun industry or are obsessed with them and just wish you did.” They emphasized that they’re only looking for “passionate gun enthusiasts.”

The guess is that the solicitation is for a production that will have some kind of reality TV element, so if you’re waiting for your 15 minutes of fame then this may be your golden opportunity.

The casting call has the same downside as most fourth grade tree house clubs: no girls allowed. Sorry gals, they’re only looking for men between the ages of 20 to 60, preferably guys who are an excellent shot.

If you’re tempted, register and shoot them an email.

Every year the same thing happens, the snow melts, the birds come back from the south, and we put away our winter coats and start wearing shorts and t-shirts and looking like tourists at Disney World. The trouble is, many people don’t put a lot of thought into the handguns they carry during those warmer months and some folks even leave their gun at home because it is too hot and the gun is either too big to conceal carry or they don’t have anywhere to carry it at all. The gun ends up at home, and what good is that?

Our holster runneth over…

Alright, in this day and age of pocket pistols there should be no reason why one should not be carrying on even the hottest of days. Ruger has their wonderful little LCP pistols, which have everybody going gaga and they’re only a paycheck away from. Yet, they are not alone. Kel-Tec, Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Glock and many, many more all have some variety of purse/pocket/pocket-protector pistol on the market and in calibers from the tame to the thank God I only had to fire it twice. Let’s face it, we’re in the midst of a pocket pistol bonanza, people, but the point is this—a lethal weapon can be purchased in just about any size or make available, so less dress is really no excuse.

Personally, I would prefer something ranging from .380 on up, but I have carried a small .22 subcompact and an old Walther in .25 ACP. While they are not ideal, they are certainly better than carrying no handgun at all.

(R)Evolver

Don’t overlook revolvers either when searching for a warm weather gun. Smith & Wesson and Colt for more than 50 years led the market in small concealable revolvers with the Chief’s Special and Detective Special respectively, and these are particularly great options if you’re nervous about weapons malfunctions.

Small revolvers like these were just the ticket as back up guns for police officers or the primary guns for plainclothes detectives. Today, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, Ruger, Charter Arms, and a few others still make those wonderful little revolvers ideal for slipping in a pocket unnoticed. With steel giving way to titanium, scandium and now polymer revolvers have quickly caught up with those lightweight pistols in the weight department.

…but where do I put it?

So, what is the best way to carry your pocket rocket? Well, I suggest you go with a standard strong side (the side you pull the trigger with) pocket holster.  The secret? It’s all in the pocket.

One of the first things I look for when I buy any pair of pants or shorts is a lot of pocket space. I make sure that my little revolver will fit easily enough in the right front pocket with no problems with whatever holster I have. The fit of your holster is very important as you don’t want your gun printing against your pocket and giving away the fact you have a gun hidden, not to mention that a tightly fitting gun like that is very uncomfortable. Right now I have a no name holster that was given to me that sits well in my pocket but drops clear of my little .38 when I take it out. One of the best pocket holsters on the market is made by Don Hume. This little leather holster has a hook on it so that when you draw the gun the holster catches on the inside of your pocket and stays put while the gun comes free.

Now that warm weather is upon us it’s time to start thinking of what kind of smaller gun you are going to carry out and about. With all of the selections to be had, there is no excuse in not carrying a handgun for personal defense just because the weather is too warm or you don’t have the right clothes. With a little adaptation, you can find any gun to fit any environment.

Original article by: David LaPell

The shooting community places a good deal of emphasis on buying the “right” handgun for self-defense. As important as it is to select an effective firearm, all of its positive qualities are worthless if it’s locked away in a strong box somewhere when you need it. After going through all of the time and expense to obtain a carry permit and pistol, folks often choose to leave their personal protection handguns at home. The No. 1 reason given is that the handgun feels uncomfortable to carry.

Buying a defensive handgun is a pricey proposition. Hundreds of dollars are spent in acquiring the items needed. It’s a real temptation to save a few bucks by spending less money on the little details, like the holster. But don’t forget what a “detail” is. I heard a film director say it like this: “A detail is something that goes unnoticed when it is present but it is greatly missed when absent.” Having the properly fitted holster for your handgun is exactly that kind of important detail.

One way to look at a concealed carry holster is to think of it as a shock absorber. Ever ride in a vehicle with bad shocks? It only takes a few minutes for your body to start complaining about every bump and pothole in the road. The hard, heavy, angular shape of a handgun moves against the soft tissues of the body in much the same way. No matter where you place the gun against yourself, the nerve endings in that area are going to complain to the brain if a protective barrier is not in place to provide some relief. A pistol in a poor-fitting holster will wobble, sag, and shift around just like a rock caught in your shoe. The irritation is maddening until you remove the source, which in this case is the gun.

Too often the handgun is blamed for the discomfort. It’s judged to be too large or heavy for the job. This expensive firearm is left at home, sold at a loss, or replaced with a smaller and weaker defensive handgun. This is unfortunate; far too often, a simple and relatively inexpensive holster upgrade would have solved the problem. Since the variety of concealment holsters on the market is almost as diverse as the defensive handguns they carry, it’s helpful to have some guidelines when shopping for one. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Form & Function
Aside from being comfortable, a good concealed carry holster will exhibit a few more important qualities. A portion of the holster will completely cover and protect the trigger from contact with outside objects, including a trigger finger. A properly designed holster will retain the handgun until you intentionally draw it. Both the handgun and holster will stay where you place them until you purposefully change their position. This staying-put quality will increase carry comfort and ensure the grip is oriented properly when you need to draw the gun.

Dress for Success
In most states, for both legal and practical reasons, a holster system needs to keep a concealed firearm out of sight at all times. Two schools of thought come into play when dealing with the issue of handgun “printing,” or identification by other people. One approach is to pick a gun and holster combination that fits the wardrobe you already have. This is the strategy “pocket pistols” were designed for. The other option is to change what you wear to fit the gun. For example, a duty-sized pistol can be concealed, but it will probably take an in-the-waist-band holster, a heavy belt, and a tactical vest to do so. Both approaches are valid. Usually the size of the gun will help to clarify which support wardrobe and holster will serve best.

On-the-Body vs. Off-the-Body Carry
Most carry systems can be divided into these two categories. On-the-body carry holsters include belt holsters, in-the-waistband, ankle, shoulder and bellyband models. The primary advantages of literally having a gun on your person include gun security and accessibility. You’re in control of the gun at all times and you can access it very quickly. The disadvantages of on-the-body carry include the physical discomfort the gun can cause. In addition, there is a greater possibility the gun will be seen by someone else due to a “wardrobe malfunction.”

Off-the-body carry allows the gun to be with you without being against you. These holster systems include specially designed purses, backpacks, messenger bags and even day planners. The advantage of this arrangement is the freedom to dress how you like and the ability to divest yourself of your firearm without exposing it. When the gun is in a bag, the chances of the gun being spotted are much lower and the person carrying it can enjoy a much greater range of motion. The downside of an off-the-body carry system is that it is likely to increase the amount of time needed to access the gun in an emergency. Remember, if an off-the-body rig leaves your body completely, it must be secured in a locking container to prevent unauthorized access.

There is no “correct” carry configuration because people conduct their daily lives in such different ways. The perfect holster for someone who walks a warehouse floor may be downright painful for someone who types at a computer for 10-hour stretches. An ideal carry arrangement for someone who works indoors may be next to useless for someone who pulls a paycheck in the great outdoors. Taking the time to examine how you spend most of your waking hours each day can help in deciding which system is the best fit for you.

You Get What You Pay For
Please, don’t expect a $10 holster on sale for just $4.99 to provide a practical and comfortable carry solution for an $800 defensive handgun. A good rule of thumb is planning to spend around 10-15 percent of what you paid for the handgun to purchase a trustworthy everyday carry holster. Look for a quality manufacturer who provides holsters made specifically for that gun. A well-fitted holster will provide years of comfortable use. If the pistol you have is feeling like it’s the wrong gun for you, take another look at the holster you have and try at least two more models before you give up.

Take a look at some of our favorite companies leading the way in producing excellent holsters for CCW and other uses.

From holsters to eyewear, Blackhawk! has everything a shooter could possibly ask for with products designed specifically for the shooter’s niche, whether it’s military, law enforcement, outdoors or corporate security.

Focusing primarily on defense and competition, Comp-Tac’s website boasts over 30 products — like the CTAC holster (above) — with 92,000 variations, obviously placing versatility at the forefront.

Made by hand right here in the USA, Crossbreed Holsters boasts some of the finest craftsmanship in the industry. Its SuperTuck Deluxe (above) is touted as one of the most comfortable IWB holsters on the market.

Despite its name, DeSantis Gunhide isn’t all about leather holsters, though the Check-Mate (above) is certainly a handsome product. Rather, DeSantis also has plenty of nylon and molded plastic holsters to suit your taste — and even better, you can look up the right holsters for your firearm, right down to the make and model.

With an incredible filtering system, Galco is determined to match your firearm with the perfect holster, like this Concealable belt holster, which can be specially made to fit a wide variety of handguns.

From its humble beginnings in the garage of founder Neale Perkins, Safariland touts some of the finest holsters on the market, like its Model 0701 concealment belt holster, in addition to body armor and firearms accessories.

Since 1947, Uncle Mike’s has provided some of the finest holsters and gun accessories out there, including its brand new Reflex holster. You don’t get to be “the leader in shooting accessories” for no reason.