Odds ‘n Sods:

Some pointed observations by Tam over at View From the Porch blog: “Armorer” ? “Gunsmith”. I agree wholeheartedly. FWIW, my favorite real gunsmith is John Taylor, at Taylor Machine in Puyallup, Washington. He is a master gunsmith that can do things like re-line barrels or make replacement cylinders for revolvers from scratch. For example, I once sent John antique (pre-1899 production) 7.63mm Broomhandle Mauser pistol that was an absolute disaster, and he sent me back a perfectly-functioning gun that was re-bored to 9mm Parabellum, equipped with an OBI detachable 20 round magazine, and completely restored (with bluing expertly done by Mel Doyle.) This is a gorgeous gun that I’m sure someday my grandchildren will quarrel over when its time to divvy up the inheritance.

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G.G. sent this from The New York Times: The Rich, the Famous, the Armed. When gun-hating Mayor Bloomberg took office, he inherited a decades-long scandal of favoritism in issuing firearms permits. He hasn’t done much to reduce the problem, and there is evidence that he is now personally intertwined in the scandal, with his own instances of permit favoritism and nepotism. Apparently Bloomberg wants those evil guns “off the streets”, except for those owned by special people.

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More Schumer from Mr. Schumer: Senator wants to mandate background checks for all gun sales. Perhaps someone should tell the Senator that private commerce between private citizens that live in the same state (intrastate) is outside of any Federal jurisdiction created by the interstate commerce clause. (Thanks to Bryan E. for the link.) Oh, and in a related article, we learn that Mayor Bloomberg is a co-conspirator in Schumer’s schume scheme. That is hardly a surprise. Those of us that live in the boonies west of the Rockies are amazed how much clout a handful of New York millionaire Democrats wield in national politics.

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Sue C. sent us this: 4,500 Chinese escape Libya by sea; Americans stuck.

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Kevin S. sent this: Rivers in the sky Atmospheric bands of water vapor can cause flooding and extreme weather