SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper. Today, the focus is on some firearms headlines.
Build Your Own AR-15 Class in Michigan
Sometimes a dose of reality creeps in to the mainstream news. This was aired by ABC News: ‘Build Your Own AR-15’ class in Michigan draws a crowd just days after protest. Our thanks to H.L. for the link.
New ATF Regulations Expanding the Definition of “Machinegun”
Adam Kraut of The Legal Brief has some details on the new proposed rulemaking by the BATFE that would redefine the word “machinegun” under Federal law. See his new five minute video: NEW ATF Regulations!
In essence, it would ban bumpfire stocks (and possibly more) at the stroke of pen. Worst of all, they would be declared unregisterable “contraband”, with a destruction order that would not compensate the roughly 350,000 owners in the United States. Can you spell “Taking”? This is an unconstitutional slippery slope, folks!
Next week in SurvivalBlog we’ll post some more details, including how to post your public comments on regulation.gov website, with some suggested wording that might help.
Chinese Space Station to De-Orbit on Sunday
The Daily Mail breathlessly reports: The countdown begins! Out-of-control Chinese space station’s fiery crash to Earth is due on Easter Sunday (but scientists still don’t know where it will land). The article begins: “Chinese space station, Tiangong-1, is predicted to reenter Earth’s atmosphere at 11:30am BST (6:33am ET) on Easter Sunday. The space craft is carrying highly toxic chemicals and could crash into a number of highly populated areas, researchers claim.”
Of course, odds are that it will not impact a population center. But that sort of news doesn’t sell tabloids.
Out of Shape Enlistees
Fox News reports: Army mulls tougher basic training for out-of-shape, undisciplined recruits. JWR’s Comment: When and entire generation spends much more time sitting around staring at little screens than out getting exercise, then something must change.
Picture of Airsoft Rifle Leads to Arrest
I found this disturbing headline over at WorldNetDaily: Snapchat pic of airsoft gun gets student suspended, arrested
Protests on Israeli Border
o o o
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Out of shape enlistees is not a new phenomenon. Back in 1968 during basic training, there were a number of men who were grossly unfit. After assessing the company trainees fitness, the DI’s segregated the unfit for extra PT. Many of those in poorest condition had the honor of all day PT.
Of course this was a time where draftees made up a significant portion of the military.
The AR class was at my local VFW. The guy teaching is a former Marine. The protesters consisted of about 30 individuals and the local police had them stay across the street from the VFW. There were some local militia guys there to encourage unauthorized people to stay off the property. The class is great and helps a person really understand the construction and operation of the AR style rifle. Some people start with 100% lowers and some start with 80% lowers. The class didn’t provide instruction on how to do the 80% machining, that was left up to the individual. I would like to see this type of stuff happen more often.
“JWR’s Comment: When and entire generation spends much more time sitting around staring at little screens than out getting exercise, then something must change.”
And it will change. Mean reversion is coming.
I live in the community of the ‘Build Your AR.” It is a small town of about 7000. A local college professor organized the protest which drew about 30 people. About 60 showed for the class. This on a Monday evening about 6pm.
I did not attend, although I thought about it, to provide another ‘NRA Hat’ in support, as I am under the weather with the Flu. I do believe that it is important to show up as supporters for event like this. Here is how the Detroit News (Detroit is about 90 miles away) covered it. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/03/28/ar-gun-class-backlash/33370267/
In an era of school shootings, I can understand the School Administrators and Police doing due diligence when a possible gun violation is reported. But suspending the student and searching his home appears to be a significant overreaction. Unless there were other indicators of potential violence, the County should anticipate lawsuits.
The BATF needs to be declared by We, the people, as, at best a criminal agency and at worst a terrorist agency. Its agents and employees should be rounded up and tried as enemies of the people and the Constitution and disbanded before they can do any more damage.
Otherwise the egregious abuses of logic, physics, mechanical engineering, and our liberties will continue. When does this stop?
I like to quote L.Neil Smith, libertarian and staunch believer in the fundamental human right of self defense. “ATF should be a sign on a convenience store, not a government agency.”
Also from his web site, The Libertarian Enterprise,
“Gun control is the idea that it’s better to see a woman dead in an alley, strangled
with her own pantyhose, than to see her with a gun in her hand.”—T.D. Melrose
“I’ve been led to believe that a necessary element of the charge (of treason) must be the act of giving “aid or comfort to the enemy.” Since unlimited private firearms ownership and permitless carry have become the last (and, all too often, under the despicable and tyrannical Obama Administration, the first) line of defense against jihadists and other terrorist criminals, it should be more than obvious to anyone but a lawyer or a judge, that any attempt to outlaw guns or make them more difficult to own—to infringe that right in any way—gives considerable aid and comfort to those who wish for a free hand to do us harm.” Again L.Neil Smith.
And finally ( there is much much more), “Every man, woman, and responsible child has an unalienable individual, civil, Constitutional, and human right to obtain, own, and carry, openly or concealed, any weapon — rifle, shotgun, handgun, machinegun, anything — any time, any place, without asking anyone’s permission. ”
I could not agree more.
Three more quotes, I just couldn’t let slide.
“Those who sell their liberty for security are understandable, if pitiable, creatures. Those who sell the liberty of others for wealth, power, or even a moment’s respite deserve only the end of a rope.”
“Try never to speak of your enemies by name. Any publicity is still publicity — and there are those for whom your disapproval constitutes a recommendation.”
“You cannot force me to agree with you. You can force me to act as though I agree with you — but then you’ll have to watch your back. All the time.”
I was an CO for a basic training company of reservist drill sergeants from 2007-2013 and did a year as the XO for an active duty basic training company. The higher ups were always trying to get as many soldiers graduated as possible and basic training was made much easier by Tradoc so that they could push through as many slugs and malcontents as possible. You only need to get 50% on your PT test to graduate and go into AIT.
“Out of Shape Enlistees”
Couch potatoes have always been. It is the Army who is realizing the error of their ways. First, to succumb to liberal ideologies (feminist ideology/transgenderism etc.) and second to forget their first calling — their first mission.
I hope this is a good sign for our Army branch. It needs a serious wake-up call!
1.The army should follow the Marine Corp. policy of segregating,by sex, basic and AIT recurits. Then increase standards needed for graduation, both in PT and proficiency of weapons,etc.The military is not a place to experiment with the foolishness of social justice. Our military exist to kick-ass and take names! 2. Parents should be suing these PC.teachers and school districts every time they try to enforce these stupid zero-tolerance policies! Its one thing to make sure our schools are safe but it is totally gotten out of hand. Where is the “Common-Scense”,0-Tolerance rules?
suspended/arrested
Read the linked article 3 times now..was the student detained or arrested..not clear