The ATF intends to expand the definition of "firearm."

This weekly column is a collection of short snippets: practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. We may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters.

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Well, it is now official: The ATF has started the Comment Period for their proposed rulemaking that would greatly expand the definition of “firearm”. It is 115 pages of vague confusion that is NOT an act of congress. Rather, it is pure bureaucratic fiat. Please post a polite comment on these absurdly daft draft rules. If they become “law” (policy), then the ATF will re-define many rifle, pistol, and shotgun parts as “firearms”. This means that if you need a replacement barrel, or want to have an AR rifle with a spare upper in a different caliber, or you just want a grip module for or your SIG P320 pistol with a different grip size, then those could be deemed “firearms”, each requiring separate FBI background checks and transfer fees!

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St. Funogas wrote:

“I had a real-life experience with hyperinflation when I lived in a Latin American country many moons ago. I had an old granny friend who was probably in her mid-80’s. One day we got on the subject of inflation and she told me a story. Her and her husband had owned a rental house for many years and it provided a steady income for them in addition to his regular job. After he retired and passed away, my friend didn’t want to deal with renters and maintenance so she sold the house, put the money in the bank and lived off the interest, which was still a good monthly income at the time she sold. Her eyes got glassy and she looked at me shaking her finger up and down, “Do you know what I sold that house for? One million pesos!” It’s the only time in my life I can recall putting my hand to my mouth to stifle a gasp. My back pocket was full of million peso notes. I used one that afternoon to buy lunch. It was worth $3.00. She was a strong believer in tangibles after it was far too late.

I had to carry all my money as a thick wad folded up in my back pocket since it wouldn’t fit in my wallet. There were no coins. On payday, I’d cash my check and run to the money changers and put it all into U.S. dollars to hold their value, then cashed them in slowly as I needed money. There were several money changers in every community no matter how small. Any extra money I had at the end of the month went into the Secret-Hidey-Hole Bank & Trust savings account.“

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Bill Whittle breaks down the syndrome of “Anticipatory Compliance” in this 12-minute video: Loving The Armband. JWR’s Comment: I’ve observed that out here in the American Redoubt, when confronted with new-fangled liberal nonsense, we have Anticipatory Obstinance. We will not comply!

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A. McD. suggested an article about a major bridge closure and had a comment:

“If you live or will be operating near any significant body of water, make sure you factor that into your emergency planning. Bridges act as significant control points and may not survive earthquakes, floods or the passage of time, so even something like an inexpensive inflatable raft or kayak (with a repair kit) can dramatically increase your safety and mobility.”

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Our Editor-At-Large Michael Z. Williamson forwarded this: The Rimfire Report: Ammo For The Apocalypse – Nail Blanks and 22 Pellets.

Reader H.L. sent this: University of California system will no longer consider SAT, ACT scores in admissions process. JWR’s Comment: The Great Unspoken in all of the coverage of this is that Chinese Americans consistently score the highest, so setting corresponding admissions would mean that our colleges and Universities would be 50% Asian, 45% white, and just a smattering of others. If institutions of higher learning are academic, then why shouldn’t admissions be based on academic merit? SAT Scores Matter.

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Reader Jim in Idaho highly recommended this podcast: The Awakening, with Bishop E.W. Jackson. America needs more clergymen like him!

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Nevada: Gun Ban Bill Passes Committee, Headed to the Senate Floor. (Thanks to D.S.V. for the link.)

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Reader A.K. suggested this piece by Pete Hegseth on the leftist purge of the U.S. military: These truly are dangerous times.

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Mike in Alaska mentioned this news: First-Time Exam Applicants Must Obtain FCC Registration Number Before Taking Exam. “Beginning May 20, 2021, all amateur examination applicants will be required to provide an FCC Registration Number (FRN) to the Volunteer Examiners (VEs) before taking an amateur exam.”

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C.B. sent this: Blood Moon lunar eclipse 2021: Where and when to watch.

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St. Funogas sent: Visualizing The Lumber Price Explosion. His comment:

“I was at an auction last Saturday where I bid on a set of homemade free-standing shelves in the laundry room. I was the only bidder and got them for $3.00. I didn’t need any shelves but the dollar signs were shining brightly in my eyes as I was mentally calculating how much all those 1 x 12’s would cost. I told someone there was $50 worth of lumber there. When I got home and checked Home Depot’s website, there was actually $145.08 worth of lumber there! I cut it up and was able to make six deep hive bodies for my beehives, plus 6 frames each for the inner and outer covers. Not a bad way to spend $3.00.”

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Another from C.B.: Morel Mushrooms Cooked Perfectly – Forest Food – YouTube

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Tunnel Rabbit sent a video link and comment:

Five Keys to Surviving Hyperinflation or an Economic Collapse by The Modern Survivalist aka FerFAL aka Fernando Aguirre.

“Of recent videos, this is one of his best. He not only has good points, but also exhibits the mindset he developed that allowed him to survive the collapse of Argentina. After my heart attacks and my personal financial collapse, I lost everything, yet I also gained freedom and lessons the Lord bless me with. I am now in better position, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Like the Modern Survivalist, aka. FerFAL, I developed the same mindset as himself. Mindset is everything. Without it, how can we implement our strategy successfully?

We also need to know how to manage our resources wisely, and miserly, to learn how not to spend, and learn to acquire the appropriate tools, and methods for the efficient, or effective use of what we got, and to work smarter, not harder. Learn how to do without, to simplify our lives and become as self-sufficient as possible. Also learn how to barter effectively with essential tangibles, and your skills. I can already live on less than $100 per month, or less, near zero. This means rising prices are not as much a factor as it will eventually be for most, and my life will change less than most lives. Having zero liabilities, and near-zero overhead is freedom from a collapsing financial system. As a ‘hick in the sticks’, or a Montana mountain boy, I do not need much money. Because I anticipated a hyper-inflationary Depression, and not only stocked up on essential tangles, but radically changed my lifestyle, and methodically acquired essential skills and tools as well. It is not too late for others to do the same now, and continue to strive toward these goals before hyperinflation is rampant.

Deflationary forces may slow the onset of hyperinflation of prices of some things, unless of course, scarcity is artificially induced. That can happen when commerce is stifled with Covid lockdowns, and when shipping and pipelines are deliberately shut down. Gee, what can happen next to destroy our currency and economy? Via several mechanisms, prices are being caused to rise as a result of shortages caused by the deliberate destruction of our economy, and that will induce hyper price inflation and further currency inflation. It will eventually grow into a giant snowball. It is not simply a hyper-inflated dollar that has mostly been sequestered in financial institutions. The first rule in warfare is to recognize that one is in a war, so that we may develop the appropriate mindset and lifestyle. The Globalists are at war with the western world, and the American people, even if we do not recognize it.”

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Avalanche Lily spotted this news: Police Issue 26 Churchgoers The Steepest Known Fines in North America for Attending Services.

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D.S.V. sent this from Mercola: NAC Banned From Amazon, FDA Says It’s Medication.

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And lastly, another news story link sent by D.S.V.: Bombshell: Nobel Prize Winner Reveals – Covid Vaccine is ‘Creating Variants’.