More than ever, firearms, firearms accessories, and firearms ownership are generating all sorts of news, both pro and con. The Chronicle staff sees thousands of news, social, video, and blog items each week, and we’ve selected a handful we believe are worthwhile to read, and supplied direct links to the items below so you can check them out for yourself.
As you explore, if you find other news that you believe the Chronicle Community should see, please feel free to put a brief description of the item and a link in the comments section. With 1 million of us looking around, we should be able to find all sorts of helpful and engaging material our fellow shooters can use. — Cheaper Than Dirt! Chronicle Staff
FreedomWatch Sues to Block Obama’s Gun Control Initiative
(Newsmax.com) — The conservative group FreedomWatch is suing the White House task force that led to the gun control proposals offered by President Barack Obama Wednesday. FreedomWatch’s suit is based on the argument that the White House group conducted illegal meetings with lobbyists without public notice that’s required. The suit, which was filed in Florida federal court, seeks to eliminate the task force and prevent any of its proposals from becoming law, The Hill reports.
Sen. Cruz Blasts Emanuel’s Anti-2A Tactics
(CCRKBA.org) — The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms today congratulated Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) for a letter he sent to bank officials and two major firearms manufacturers that blasts the strong arm tactics of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is pressuring the banks to cut off lines of credit to gun makers. In his letter to officials at Bank of America and TD Bank, and the CEOs of Sturm, Ruger and Smith & Wesson, Sen. Cruz observed, “We (in Texas) do not accept the notion that government officials should behave like bullies, trying to harass or pressure private companies into enlisting in a political lobbying campaign.” He sent a copy of the letter to Mayor Emanuel.
‘I Need You In The Game’: Wis. Sheriff Tells Residents To Learn How To Use A Gun To Defend Themselves
(TheBlaze.com) — Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr. has a message for residents: learn how to use a gun. With budget cutbacks putting a strain on law enforcement, simply calling 911 might not cut it in a life-or-death or situation, Clarke said in a new radio ad this month. Safety is “no longer a spectator sport,” he says. “I need you in the game.”
Background check bills get traction on the Hill
(USAToday.com) — A bipartisan coalition of senators is working on a proposal to strengthen and expand background checks for potential gun purchasers in an attempt to break the partisan gridlock holding up regulations on gun ownership.
Hesperia Lawmaker Backs Bill To Fund Firearms Training For Teachers
(CBSLA.com) — A Southern California lawmaker was expected Wednesday to introduce legislation that would help train teachers and other school personnel on how to safely carry weapons on campus as a deterrent against school shootings.
Sandy Hook hearing reveals sharp divide on gun control
(CNN) — His voice wavering, Mark Mattioli wiped away tears as he recalled the day his 6-year-old son died when a man wielding an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle broke into Sandy Hook Elementary School and began shooting.
NRA: Gun control proposals “will fail”
(CBSNews.com) — Banning some assault weapons and requiring background checks for all firearms purchases aren’t a serious attempt to reduce gun violence, a top National Rifle Association official warned Tuesday as Congress geared up for the year’s first hearing on the subject.
Angry Gun Control Debate Does Collateral Damage
(Townhall.com) — The Great Gun Debate shows American political discourse at its irrational worst; with both left and right promoting panic and hysteria that distracts attention from the nation’s truly menacing problems.
Sheriff’s PBA blasts SAFE ACT
(TimesUnion.com) — The Saratoga County Deputy Sheriffs’ Police Benevolent Association has leaped into the political arena to oppose the SAFE ACT signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The 105-member union recently sent Cuomo and legislative leaders a letter expressing their outrage over the newly enacted gun laws.
The mission of Cheaper Than Dirt!’s blog, “The Shooter’s Log,” is to provide information—not opinions—to our customers and the shooting community. We want you, our readers, to be able to make informed decisions. The information provided here does not represent the views of Cheaper Than Dirt!
On your Sandy Hook comments, I believe that the shooting was all hand gun and the AR-15 was in the trunk of the car. Also would you not describe him a a kid and not a man? sources on Fox have reported it this way can you reverify?
Comment by art kraft — February 2, 2013 @ 7:18 am
#1 Until about 3 months ago I owned a 22 rifle and a 22 Baretta hand gun. Now I own 2 12 ga shot guns , an AR 15, 9 mm Rugar, 9 mm carbine and a tactical 22. All of the weapons have a tactical flair. My point is this, they are trying to keep me from excercising my 2 nd ammendment rights. 2nd they can’t protect me and my family. It woudl seem that as citizens we have but one alternative. Get a CC permit, learn how to use your weapon of choice, and become politically active. Remember what Adolph Hitler did in 1938. The world paid a horrendus price for gun control.
Thanks John Barrett
Comment by John Barrett — February 2, 2013 @ 8:27 am
To art kraft:
I wasn’t there, and didn’t see the video that some cite claiming an AR-15 was removed from the trunk of his car. Other reports I’ve seen, including from people that did see the video, say it was a shotgun or some other long gun, but hot the AR-15 claimed to be used in the shooting.
Comment by searc99 — February 2, 2013 @ 8:58 am
There have been multiple conflicting reports on the weapons used in the Sandy Hook tragedy. The Main Stream Media was quick to blame a Bushmaster AR-15. I believe the Fox News Channel revealed that the “assault rifle” was found in the trunk of Lanza’s car and was NOT used in any murders. There is video on the internet of a policeman clearing a rifle in the trunk of the vehicle. But, this weapon had a charging handle on the right side, not in the middle (as with AR-15/M-4 rifles). It will be difficult to get the facts of the case, as the government and Main Stream Media are more interested in using this horrible event to promote their gun control agenda, than telling the public the truth.
Comment by Irish-7 — February 2, 2013 @ 9:24 am
Speaking of Hitler… Unlike popular beliefs and thought (among us that still do), it only took Hitler 5 years to take Germany, and he ‘did not’ take it by force. He did it from within, and the people loved him. It was only then that he had the power to attempt his worldly takeover. Sounding familiar???
Comment by Kicknbak — February 2, 2013 @ 9:31 am
If your not carrying your weapon it should be locked out by key or by a trigger lock and kept in a safe, biometric safes are cheap for bedside weapons, teach your kids gun safety, get them outside away from the tv and video violence, go to a movie like Wally instead of Shot to the head , look at the news, most all this gun violence is caused by irresponsible gun owners who leave thier stuff laying around, thats my rant and i’m sticking to it.
Comment by Rufus — February 2, 2013 @ 10:29 am
I was thinking the other day. We need to start boycotting home improvement stores and cell phone stores. Why you may ask! People talking on cell phones and texting on cell phones cause as many deaths if not more than guns. I think hammers should be outlawed because I hit my thumb with one the other day. We pull the trigger on the bad guys so the bad guys don’t pull it on us. I personally don’t want to take a knife to a gun fight. I don’t want a bulls eye on me.
Thanks; R. Compton
Comment by Ron Compton — February 2, 2013 @ 10:34 am
If you tell me I can’t have something, then I will most likely go out of my way to get it. I’m sure I am not the only one who feels like this. I don’t believe my own government has my best interests at heart and that will only lead to one outcome.
Comment by Ted Flagg — February 2, 2013 @ 12:02 pm
WELL I HOPE EVERY BUSINESS REALLY CONSIDERS THE MAYOR OF CHICAGO PUSH, AND MOVES OUT TOP SAFER PASTURES. HE KEEPS TALKING THE TALK, BUT HAS THE MOST VIOLENT CRIME RATE. I CERTAINLY WOULD NOT WANT A BUSINESS THERE NOT ONLY FOR THE CRIME, BUT THE HIGH TAXES. I SKIRT AROUND THAT CITY IF I HAVE BUSINESS SOUTH OR WEST OF IT, I REFUSE GO TO ANY EATING OR ENTERTAINMENT THERE. NO WAY. NO THANK YOU.
Comment by FRANK REINIER — February 2, 2013 @ 1:41 pm
I am a concerned citizen and I just couldn’t believe my ears when I heard this interview that Sen.Feinstein was on “Face The Nation” dated january 27,2013 titled “Feinstein: Assault Weapons ban “an uphill climb”. Sen.Feinstein said in the interview that “now with the AR15 they have a slide stock which you put in and it makes the AR15 act fully automatic”,she starts telling this lie at 5:40 minutes of the 7:09 minute video.I can’t believe that this woman lies so shamelessly to get her agenda passed and somebody needs to call this Sen.Feinstein out on her vicious fear mongering lie because this is criminal.I had to play the video 5 and 6 times because I just couldn’t believe how shamelessly this Sen.Feinstein outright lied,she should be called out on her lies and prosecuted for shamelessly misleading the American public and disgracing both office she occupies and the oath she took when she was elected to office to conserve,defend and protect the Constitution of the United States of America.It is an outrage that millions of law abiding citizens like myself are criminalized by power-hungry,self serving,lying.shameless politicians such as that Sen.Feinstein that shamelessly lie and mislead the public to get approval for her/their agenda.”We The People” have been slapped and spit in the face by Sen.Feinsten and other elected officials like her that have no regard or respect what so ever for the U.S. Constitution or for any of us law abiding citizens that elected them which they do anything but serve and are supposedly accountable to.
Comment by Nelson E. — February 2, 2013 @ 5:41 pm
Hello,I am a concerned citizen and I just couldn’t believe my ears when I heard this interview that Sen.Feinstein was on “Face The Nation” dated january 27,2013 titled “Feinstein: Assault Weapons ban “an uphill climb”. Sen.Feinstein said in the interview that “now with the AR15 they have a slide stock which you put in and it makes the AR15 act fully automatic”,she starts telling this lie at 5:40 minutes of the 7:09 video.I can’t believe that this woman lies so shamelessly to get her agenda passed and somebody needs to call this Sen.Feinstein out on her vicious fear mongering lie because this is criminal.Please email me back to let me know that you received this email and viewed the video at the link that I have included here,thank you.I had to play the video 5 and 6 times because I just couldn’t believe how shamelessly this Sen.Feinstein outright lied,she should be called out on her lies and prosecuted for shamelessly misleading the American public and disgracing the both office she occupies and the oath she took when she was elected to office to defend,protect and conserve the Constitution of the United States of America.below is the link to the webpage of the interview of Sen.Feinstein on “Face The Nation”:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3460_162-57566053/feinstein-assault-weapons-ban-an-uphill-climb/
Comment by Nelson E. — February 2, 2013 @ 5:45 pm
|I was 7 years old in 1967. I saved my birthday money for two years and finally walked 5 miles to town and bought me a Benjerman pump pellet gun. I already had a 22 single shot rifle and a 410 single shot shotgun that my dad gave me. My dad showed me how and why I needed to clean them and how to respect them. at that time, all you saw on TV was dead soldiers being pulled out of Vietnam. I have never pointed a gun at anyone. While teaching my 3 daughters how to shoot, I shot a watermelon to show them what a shotgun would do to a person. It is what “YOU” teach your kids and not what they learn on TV or video games. As a parent I have and other parents need to teach the responsibilities and to respect a firearm. Thank you; R. Compton
Comment by Ron Compton — February 2, 2013 @ 7:37 pm
as a law abiding citizen,,i will not give up my guns for any reason.if that makes me
a criminal,,,gov’t can go to hell period
Comment by john babcock — February 2, 2013 @ 7:46 pm
Art Kraft and Searc99:
All emotion aside, does it really matter what weapon was used? I know that the gun-grabbers will use any headline, be it true or false (mostly false) to gin up support for their initiatives. In reality, whether those children were shot with .223 FMJs or 9mm HPs, they would still be dead because that loon had all the time in the world to slaughter them. I think this particular issue is a “rabbit” set loose to distract us. By chasing it, we are expending effort better suited for fighting the gun-grabbers. Remember that shotguns typically account for more deaths than all rifles (not just the scary black ones) as well as blades, bludgeons, the human body.
Never let the gun-grabbers use dead children to win an arguement. Call them out on that BS whenever they do it.
The bottom line is that a crazy person got hold of weapons by killing the owner first (crime #1murder, #2theft and #3underage possession of a handgun) and then went to a place that was undefended (crime #4violation of gun free zone) to die in a manner he knew would make him famous (or infamous) and take a lot of innocent people with him (crime #5-31murder).
Comment by JW — February 2, 2013 @ 7:50 pm
I highly recommend everyone watch the ten part series on Showtime entitled “The Untold History of the United States. It will make the reasons behind the crafting of the 2nd Amendment perfectly clearand why we need to protect ourselves from the government.
Comment by Charles Portch — February 2, 2013 @ 11:21 pm
I suspect that the Sandy Hook incident was a nothing more than a staged, put-on event so that the media could “shock the conscience” of the nation. Was Sandy Hook part of a huge national conspiracy to demonize the 2ND amendment, discredit the Republican Party and besmirch the NRA?
There are too many conflicting reports concerning the Sandy Hook incident to make it believable. All the inconsistencies wreck of a desperate, sham-less, attempt to push Feinstein unlawful anti-gun agenda. It is sad to think that a US Senator and American President would stoop to such shameless measures in order to gain sympathy with the American public.
It was very suspicious that Fienstein, and the media were on the air only 5 minutes after the alleged murders, accompanied with an obviously well rehearsed defamation statement against gun rights and the NRA. If this announcement was not previously planned and rehearsed, this off subject material seems callous, un-feeling and out of place. This slam against the NRA and Second Amendment should not have been mentioned in the same sentence considering of the gravity of what allegedly just happened only five minutes earlier. After all, the immediate and over-riding subject was about murdered children, not the NRA or Second Amendment. It was as if Fienstein’s announcement was previously written, rehearsed and ready to go on a queue.
Let’s face it, Fienstein, the President and the media screwed up with the Sandy Hook event.
I smell a rat, and the wind is coming from their direction.
Comment by Gerard Regnier — February 3, 2013 @ 3:57 am
Obamanation, government control, only the live here free generation will carry the vote. Wake Up America PLEASE
Comment by James Riley — February 3, 2013 @ 12:06 pm
Love my country,Fear my government.Lets face it folks all (I mean all politicians have an agenda) The agenda is not always in the puplics favor. Look at Vietnam 55,000 US military dead, those that returned (how many living in poverty or in the streats today. Where is our benovelant government when it comes to PTSD. My son spent 2 tours in Iraq. There all liers and cheats. START PAYING ATTENTION ba ba
Comment by John Barrett — February 4, 2013 @ 10:32 am
Senator Fienstein reminds me of a big fat hog at the feed trough. She displays no respect for anything but her own agenda. It’s: “Get out of my way; 2nd amendment, NRA, House, Senate, dead children, and the American public, so that I can systematically disarm America.”
I predict this is what Fienstein will say next, or words similar to it:
“This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future!”
~Adolph Hitler, 1935, on The Weapons Act of Nazi Germany
History has a way of repeating itself. You are witnessing this process first hand.
Comment by Gerard Regnier — February 4, 2013 @ 12:54 pm
No matter what variety of gun you own. If it shoots bullets it will cause harm. As the population explodes it’s inevitable a portion of the people will abuse the use of firearms whether their just plain ignorant, or mentally off, they by law should not be able to even get near a fire arm, regardless what the circumstances may be. Since they only represent less than 1%, would it not make more sense to establish creative ways, by law to keep firearms out of their hands?
In these troubling times, it’s absolutely ludicrous to deny me or my brothers the right to protect our family’s. With the ever changing technology available to us, I can’t imagine why we are all not taking a more intelligent approach to this rather than just simply banning AR 15s. Lets put our heads together and start brainstorming.I know I’m going to. God knows we have enough participants.
Comment by Gary Fritchman — February 7, 2013 @ 3:56 pm
No matter what variety of gun you own. If it shoots bullets it will cause harm. As the population explodes it’s inevitable a portion of the people will abuse the use of firearms whether their just plain ignorant, or mentally off, they by law should not be able to even get near a fire arm, regardless what the circumstances may be. Since they only represent less than 1%, would it not make more sense to establish creative ways, by law to keep firearms out of their hands?
In these troubling times, it’s absolutely ludicrous to deny me or my brothers the right to protect our family’s. With the ever changing technology available to us, I can’t imagine why we are all not taking a more intelligent approach to this rather than just simply banning AR 15s. Lets put our heads together and start brainstorming.I know I’m going to. God knows we have enough participants
Comment by Gary Fritchman — February 7, 2013 @ 4:01 pm