Great Satan, Inc.

It’s been a few weeks since we returned from the 7th Annual Gun Blogger Rendezvous, and I think I have finally recovered from the non-stop, awesome shooty goodness that took place over the three days that we attended.  It was well worth the time and expense to fly out to Reno, Nevada, and we’ve already decided that this will be a must-attend event for us next year.

Our host, Mr. Completely, did an outstanding job of putting Gun Blogger Rendezvous together, and I’d like to thank him profusely for his efforts. All of the activities went off without a hitch (and there were a ton of them), and there seemed to be just enough time to get a bit of rest in between the many scheduled events and festivities.

The best part about Gun Blogger Rendezvous was not only having a great time with other bloggers/shooting enthusiasts, but also supporting a very worthy cause: Project Valour-IT.  Mr. Completely, once again, did an incredible job of putting together a fund raiser raffle with a prize table that rivaled many larger events I’ve been to.  We all dug deep in our pockets to give as much as we could – the ice bucket overflowed with medium to large bills, which brought a tear to my eye and made me feel very proud to know that we built that!

So, thanks again to Mr. Completely, the sponsors and all the attendees (and Robert) for putting up with me at the 2012 Gun Blogger Rendezvous, I enjoyed every minute of my time meeting, talking and shooting with everyone and I’ll be posting more about my favorite moments of GBR throughout the month.

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The Gun Blogger Rendezvous VII kicks off in Reno, NV on Wednesday, September 5th.  Mr. Completely has planned quite the soiree for the stenographers of Gun Culture 2.0.   Plenty of shooting time is scheduled, including Steel Challenge shooting (Mr. C is a ringer) and Cowboy Action Shooting with the Roop County Cowboy Shooters Association, along with great some great presentations from NRA, the Second Amendment Foundation,  NSSF and other event sponsors.

Why does the Gun Blogger Rendezvous matter?  The Rendezvous matters because it raises money to support Soldiers’ Angels Project Valour-IT.   You can learn more about Project Valour-IT at The Smallest Minority and make a donation to this worthy cause.

Unfortunately, the schedule doesn’t permit a trip to the International Camel Races, so there shouldn’t be any stories of broken gun bloggers.  We know a few of the Gun Blogger attendees, so we’ll try to get frequent updates on the festivities and the fundraising progress.

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I don’t often comment on writings by certain media on gun issues, but this article deserves a special mention.

I am a competitive shooter, owner of firearms and former law-enforcement instructor. While I realize my words will have little influence on those that despise firearms, hopefully it will have the effect of encouraging them to think in terms of facts, not fallacy.

First, to blame illegal use of firearms to commit illegal acts (crimes) ON THE law abiding population is ridiculous!

New York has some of the strictest gun laws and yet has one of the highest crime rates. The reason is that criminals know few people can actually protect themselves. The irony is that only the wealthy and connected can actually legally purchase/own/carry a firearms for self defense.

Interestingly, the writer states 40% of guns in NY are purchased in other states. So does that mean that 60% (the difference) are obtained in NY? I’m sure they aren’t purchased, so I assume they are stolen; a crime in itself. So the minority (well connected) are allowing their legal firearms to fall into the hands of criminals?

I emigrated from a country (South Africa) 20 years ago, where the gun laws are so extreme its almost impossible for the average citizen to possess a firearm for self defense. Yet violence, crimes against citizens and gun related criminal acts are at an all time high.

Crimes committed with LEGALLY owned guns make up less than 1% of the legally owned firearms.

The article also states that the violence is predominantly black/hispanic. Both the victims and criminals! Is that because the victims are unable to defend themselves due to social economic conditions, location and lack of influence? Would they still be victims if they were educated armed civilians?

What I don’t get is that many (most?) New Yorkers actually believe that guns are the crime! Is this a media misrepresentation, or do the majority seriously believe making gun ownership illegal will reduce crime? I have some highly intelligent, well informed and good friends from NY.

Please explain to me, nicely and with facts, how you believe that the bad guys care about your rights and safety. Why do you feel that if there were no guns, there would be no crime?

The writer also mentions the deaths from stabbing, so can we surmise that knives will also be banned.

Of course the ridiculous statement is that cars don’t kill people, drivers do. So lets ban driving!

Criminals do not respect values, beliefs or property. They look upon the weak as a target; something to prey on. Showing you are defenseless only makes you an easier target, am makes their lives easier!

Look at the crime rates in countries like Mexico. Strict gun laws. No private ownership. While much of the violence is cartel vs cartel, there is also extensive violence committed by criminals against civilians who are obviously easy targets; unarmed and largely defenseless.

The bottom line: There is a belief that that simple possession of a gun creates a mindset of dominance and power, and that this may lead to irresponsible and /or reckless behavior.

The truth is that this is a fallacy, and that responsible ownership, training and education is the reality.

By all means punish those that commit gun violence, but don’t take that right away from those that respect it.

Living in Arizona, where we have the right to possess, purchase and carry, many people own and carry firearms.

Those that prey on the weak know that, and thus go elsewhere. Criminals are well aware of the risks of assaulting an armed individual. Its part of their “on the job training”.

In many cases, they discover a life of crime has major consequences. In my years in law enforcement, and with an interest in behavioral modification, I have often asked what makes criminals quit. In most cases it is the risk of being caught; getting shot and possibly dying.

Instead of making people easy targets, lets focus on making citizens more capable.

Lets help retire some people!

* The above is Leighton’s personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of  NBC EVB Live, where he works as a consultant.  We just thought his opinion and background provide him with a unique view of the anti-civil rights movement demanding gun control.  Leighton is also the Founder and Training Director of Partners Working Dogs.  You can read more of Leighton’s thoughts at his blog, leightonblog.com.

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Despite my better judgment, I gave in to curiosity and watched a video over the weekend that I wished I hadn’t.  The video included the ridiculous statement that women will never be treated equally at the range, and it went on to paint almost all men in the shooting community as misogynistic knuckle draggers.  While there have been others that have done a fine job of chiming in on this inaccurate video, I feel the need to add my 2 cents.

While likely unintentional, this video does a huge disservice to those of us that are trying to encourage more women to participate in shooting and the shooting sports (dissing men is not cool either).  There’s no doubt that learning to shoot can be an intimidating experience (for both sexes), and adding to the fear and anxiety with a poorly thought out rant is extremely counterproductive to the cause.

I’m not an expert shooter, but I’ve been shooting for just over 3 years, and for the last two, I’ve been very involved in USPSA and IDPA.  I try to get at least 500-1000 down range every month, and that means lots of time at multiple ranges.  I’ve visited dozens of gun shops, pawn shops and gun shows in several states and I am hard pressed to come up with more than a couple of examples where I was treated badly.  In every case where someone was less than friendly to me, they were treating BOTH men and women with the same amount of disrespect.  In other words, it’s not you, it’s them.

I’m not saying the shooting community doesn’t have undesirable characters, of course it does (just like every other segment of the general population).  What I am saying is that if someone is giving you unwarranted attention or is treating you with disrespect at the range or gun store, it’s extremely unlikely it’s because you are female.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the people that make up the shooting community are the kindest and most generous people I have ever met.  I am extremely grateful for the help I’ve gotten from the men and women who have taken the time to help me become a better shooter, and I welcome their continued advice, solicited or not.

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A newly minted gunblogger claims to see chauvinistic and hostile behavior towards women everywhere in the shooting community.  It would be terrible if the stories of sexism were true, rather than the rare exception, but the blogger stands by the claims. 

I was baffled about these stories of sexism and chauvinism, but then I remembered this Dilbert cartoon by Scott Adams I’ve had tacked up on the refrigerator for the last 16 years.

Dilbert by Scott Adams.

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It’s time for the annual Arizona State Rifle and Pistol Association (ASRPA) dinner on Saturday June 2, 2012.   If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, you have until early Wednesday afternoon on May 30th to get your tickets to this very special Arizona Centennial dinner.

You can purchase dinner tickets online at www.ASRPA.com.

Dinner, raffles, speakers, and festivities will be at:

Crowne Plaza Hotel
2532 W. Peoria Ave
Phoenix, AZ  85029
(888) 444-0401

Event Schedule:

5:00pm       Social hour
6:00pm       Opening Prayer, Pledge, and Introductions
6:10pm        Dinner
6:30pm        Special Arizona Speakers Jack Harper, Matt Salmon, Sylvia Allen, Col. (ret) Costa Tzavaras
7:15pm        High Achievement Awards for ASRPA Junior Shooters.
7:30pm        Special Guest Speaker Nick Adams
8:00pm        Raffle Ticket Winners
8:15pm        Alison’s 27th Annual  Auction
9:00pm’ish   Adjournment

ASRPA has a great list of speakers lined up, including former Congressional Representative Matt Salmon, Arizona State Senator Sylvia Allen, Arizona Representative Jack Harper, and Col. Costa Tzavaras and a special guest speaker from Sydney, Australia, Nick Adams. The evening’s theme is American Excellence and a celebration of our 100th year of Statehood.

There are also some great raffles where you can win:

The Arizona Rangers Firearms set.  An authentic Charcoal Blue and Case colored .45 Colt Peacemaker (Cimarron/Uberti) with 4 3/4″ barrel and holster PLUS the “Gun that Won the West”, the 1873 .45 Colt lever action rifle with 24″ barrel, Charcoal blue and case colored.

The “Tip Top Mine Armored Coach Package.  A 12 guage 3inch double trigger, exposed Rabbit Ear Hammers, 20” barrels, canvas sling with shell loops, and canvas duster case.

A special Nick Adams Downunder edition of a Sharps Long Range Rifle.

Support safe recreational and competitive shooting in Arizona.  Go to the ASRPA website and get your dinner and raffle tickets right now.

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The La Rue Tactical BBQ Stage at the Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun match was the absolute best stage of the match. Nobody ran out of ammo, incurred penalties, or walked away from this stage with their shotgun broken in half.

LaRue Tactical BBQ Stage Dillos

Mmmmm, free BBQ beef brisket wraps, sausage wraps, and beverages. It really was all that and a bag of (free) chips.

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