Month: February 2015

Letter to BATF Re: Armor Piercing Ammunition Exclusion Comments

To Whom It May Concern: It appears that much has come up regarding the legislation and regulations applied as a result of legislation relating to Armor Piercing Ammunition. The definition of “Armor Piercing Ammunition” per 18 U.S. Code § 921(a)(17)(B), identifies two definitions: The first definition is: “a projectile or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium” While SS109 / M855 contains steel, it does not contain any …


Economics and Investing:

Federal benefit programs to support Apple Pay . – RBS o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Audio Interview: David Stockman: The Global Economy Has Entered The Crack-Up Phase I May Get Out of US Stocks: Nobel-Winner Shiller With Clock Ticking, Greece May Ask for More Time Why The Alarms Over A Slight Rate Hike? – While we should have market set rates and not central planners to “set” rates, what is a fact is the U.S. economy cannot withstand higher interest rates, as JWR and many others have pointed out. The author clearly doesn’t understand this.


Odds ‘n Sods:

A review of JWR’s Tools for Survival by John Walker has been posted. SurvivalBlog considers it an honor to have a review written by Walker, who is a legendary figure in the software world as the inventor of AutoCAD. o o o NJ Cops Arrest Gun Owner for “Creating a Risk of Widespread Injury or Damage” – D.S. It is evident from the photo, the majority of that gunpowder is smokeless (nitrocellulose) powder–NOT black powder–and hence represented no significant risk. I’d be much more worried about a poorly-stored five gallon gas can. o o o Those who were around in …



Notes for Wednesday – February 18, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 57 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with …


The Twelve Pillars of Preparedness: A Leap of Faith, by R.W.

Suffice it to say that much of this information is floating around in books, print, or cyberspace, and it may or may not be new and informative, but here is my outline for being prepared for possible difficult times and is kind of a value or mission statement that my wife and I have agreed to live by. It is by no means all inclusive or complete; rather, it is a work in progress for our group. Faith/knowledge. I am secure in my faith. I am a child of the most high God. I understand that God is good, holy, …


Two Letters Re: Washington I-594

Hugh, James nailed it in his piece, “Learning From Washington’s Huge Background Checks Mistake”. Washington’s statewide election results are determined by metropolitan Seattle, where the majority of the state’s population lives. We all know that big-city voters are mostly NOT property owners, so they have little incentive to think critically about ballot measures, referendums, and initiatives. That, added to the huge numbers of public assistance recipients in Seattle (and every large city) and you have the reason why Democrats and Democrat-led ballot measures win in the state. (Oregon is exactly the same, with metropolitan Portland.) The last two sentences in …


Economics and Investing:

Video: Silver & Gold Dealers To Be Shut Down? Update On Operation Chokepoint – Mike Maloney JWR’s Comment: On orders from Eric Holder, America’s gun dealers and precious metals dealers have been targeted as “undesirables”, putting them in the same category as pornographers. It is notable that the apparatchiks have made themselves exempt from oversight and the FOIA, in the “Chokepoint” campaign. o o o How much debt does your state have? o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: U.S. Companies Can Avoid Venezuela Devaluations by Taking One Big Hit Risk of Greece Leaving the Euro Increases As Bank Run …



Odds ‘n Sods:

There has been an uproar on the Internet (and a significant market rush) caused by the BATFE’s proposed ban of “green tip” M855 5.56mm NATO ammunition, even though it is not truly “armor piercing”, and even though less than 1% of AR-15s are built as pistols. If you oppose this rule change, then please politely send a comment to the ATF. ATF will carefully consider all comments, as appropriate, received on or before March 16, 2015, and will give comments received after that date the same consideration if it is practical to do so, but assurance of consideration cannot be …



Notes for Tuesday – February 17, 2015

Today, we present another entry for Round 57 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The $12,000+ worth of prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course (a $1,195 value), A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, DRD Tactical is providing a 5.56 NATO QD Billet upper with a hammer forged, chromlined barrel and a hard case to go with …


The World of Bug Out Bags, by D.M. – Part 2

Common Gear to Bring in Your Bag Now the type of bug out bag I have been addressing is one that you might have to use to travel a great distance and spend the night, depending upon only the gear that you have with you. Each situation is different, and each geographic region and season brings different challenges. In some of the articles I have read, I am amazed at what some people list as “survival” or necessary items, like a heavy, solar charger (remember that you are carrying this on your back!), but they forget to pack other important …


Letter Re: Milsurp Ammo

Sir: There has been some back and forth about the utility of milsurp rifles lately. Without regard to the rifles themselves, one of the advantages often given is that ammunition for some calibers can be relatively inexpensive when bought in bulk. Folks should be warned that some of this ammunition is military surplus and may not have been manufactured to Western standards, and it may have been subjected to improper storage conditions as well. It’s surplus for a reason, you know. Case in point: Some years back, I bought a spam can of 7.62x54R, opened the can, and transferred the …


News From The American Redoubt:

Idaho senator to introduce mandatory civics test bill for students. – RBS Just make sure Chris Cuomo doesn’t take the test. o o o Another county has sent a message to the legislature opposing any attacks on 2nd Amendment rights. Malheur County has crafted a letter making it clear that they support gun rights and warning the legislature not to overstep its bounds. As each new county steps up, the hopes of the gun grabbers grow more complicated to realize. o o o Gun bills emerge in Idaho legislature. – RBS o o o Many oppose GOP senator’s plan to …