The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:

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 from “HJL”. Cape Town isn’t the only major city suffering from a water shortage. Mexico City is now having problems. (Image copyright belongs to BuzzFeed)

Congressional Anti-Gun Bills Introduced–Time To Start Calling D.C.!

Figuratively dancing in the blood of 17 recent school shooting victims, the newspaper headlines are full of items like this one from D.C.: Seeing chance for momentum, Pat Toomey to reintroduce gun background check bill. That is just one of many. The article includes a huge lie, that the Toomey-Manchin bill “…would have expanded background checks to all firearm sales at gun shows and over the internet…”  In fact the bill would mandate background checks and transfers through Federally-licensed gun dealers for sales of all modern (post-1898) firearms in almost any venue. This would even include sales of USED firearms inside of State lines! That means that you couldn’t sell or even give a gun to a neighbor, a nephew, or a cousin. This would be a gross over-reach of Federal jurisdiction.  (Since, under the Commerce Clause, Federal jurisdiction is only over interstate commerce, not intrastate commerce.)

Please warn your representatives that any bill that would ban the manufacture gun parts that “accelerate” the legal semi-fire of a gun (such as bump stocks or binary triggers) would be a proverbial “slippery slope.”  This is because it would almost surely ban lighter trigger springs, target or “match” triggers, any change that creates faster lock times, shorter trigger throws, shorter/faster trigger resets, or even light bolt carriers! (Ironically, semi-auto dimensioned AR-15 bolt carriers are lighter–and faster to cycle–than M16 “full auto” bolt carriers. This is because they have less mass.)

Also, please remind your congressman and senators that raising the legal ownership age for long guns from 18 to 21, as has been proposed, is absurd. If they were to do that, then it would be logical for them also to revert the minimum voting age to 21, and make the age of sexual consent 21, and the minimum age for military service also 21.  If at age 18 someone is old enough to vote and to risk their life serving in the military, then they are old enough to exercise all of their 2nd Amendment rights.

Please contact your congrescritters, and insist that they put no new restrictions on guns. Instead, they should  overturn the Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act. (A bill introduced by Congressman Massie would do so.) That rollback of Federal law would free the States to set up programs to arm both teachers and school administrators.

This is the time, folks: Phone them, FAX them, e-mail them, and visit them if you can.  Please contact BOTH their local offices and their D.C. offices. Thanks!

Swiss Pikemen

Reader T.J. sent in this interesting video on the historical Swiss Pikemen: Swiss Pikemen: Greatest Soldiers of Medieval Europe

“The Swiss were always celebrated as some of the greatest warriors in the world. They gained great respect beginning with the ancient Roman army and especially from their foes in the Medieval period. The Swiss pike square formation became the model for the modern infantry regiment for nearly 200 years from the 14th to the 16th centuries.

“They were the most sought after mercenaries in Europe and some leaders wouldn’t take the battlefield without some in their ranks. Learn what tactics they used to successfully defend their homeland against all odds. Their legacy still lives to the present day as the Swiss Guard.”

Liberal Duplicity

Reader T.P. sent in this article from the New York Times that profiles a liberal AR-15 owner. He wants you to give up yours, but he’ll keep his. As is typical in the liberal/progressive mindset, they see no issue with having the ability for self-defense reserved for themselves. But you? They don’t trust you and want to use the full force of the government to violate your God-given rights and have you subjugated to an oppressive government. While an interesting read, you won’t really learn anything that you don’t already know about the liberal mindset here. Perhaps just confirmation of why you must fight for your rights.

Gun Control In Minnesota

Reader J.C. sent in this urgent notice. The Minnesota State Legislature has introduced an oppressive bill enacting wide ranging gun control measures, hoping to ride on the main stream medias hyperbole whipped up in the wake of the Florida school shooting. If you live in Minnesota, you need to contact your state representatives and overwhelm them with your opinions on this disgusting attempt to remove your Second Amendment rights. Here are just some of the provisions:

• Universal background checks – no exceptions. You’ll go to a dealer to transfer an antique firearm, to transfer a modern gun or antique to your son or daughter as a gift, or when you inherit a firearm.
• The bill designates pretty much any semi-automatic rifle as an assault weapon – and then imposes all sorts of egregious restrictions:
  • You must register it with the local police – and pay whatever fee that they decide to charge.
  • The firearm must be stored in whatever manner the local police require.
  • You must allow the local police inspect your home at any time to inspect that you are storing the firearm in accordance with their requirements.
  • You must renew your registration, and pay a new fee, and undergo a new background check – every single year.
  • No more semi-automatic firearms can be purchased that have been redefined as an “assault weapon” – they are totally banned.
  • You cannot sell or transfer the firearm. Upon your death, the firearm must either be rendered inoperable – or turned over to the police for destruction.
• If you hunt with a semi-automatic rifle of any type – it is now an “assault weapon” under this bill
• The bill makes Federally-registered ($200 transfer tax) suppressors illegal again.
• All magazines over 10 rounds are banned and must be moved out of state or destroyed by July 1st, 2018.
• Firearms transactions will be recorded in a registry – all of them
• All data about gun owners will be made public.
• and on… and on.

Without Water for a Year

BuzzFeed has an article on parts of Mexico that have been without water for over a year. TEOTWAWKI has already arrived for many of Mexico City’s residents with much of the city not having access to water and a person killed every 25 hours. Resident’s claim that their city taps go dry for months at a time and angry citizens have squared off with riot police, wresting control of water distribution from the government. Water trucks are prime targets for kidnappers who sell the water at hefty prices. It’s like Mad Max, except over water. Thanks to P.S. for the link.

Can’t Hold Your Pencil

Remember when a school age child could read a topographical map and use an Encyclopedia at the public library to find information? Those memories are fast becoming lost. In fact, CBS recently ran a news special profiling how young children raised in the digital age use so much tech that they don’t know how to hold a pencil anymore. The study was commissioned when previous studies suggested that children who overuse mobile devices struggle to speak. It would appear that children burying their faces in their cell phones now actually do hurt themselves (other than just being oblivious about where they are walking.) Thanks to DSV for the link.

Questions Arise on Douglas High School Shooting

Mac Slavo at SHTF.plan has an article on one Douglas High School teacher’s statement on the school shooting. Apparently, she found herself right next to the shooter as he fired down the hall and she claims that he was in full body armor. She also claims to have seen the accused shooter moments later who was not in any armor. This would suggest, at a minimum, that either the information is planted to sew confusion and controversy or the main stream media narrative is flat out wrong (or worse, a deliberate falsehood). While every shooting brings up claims of multiple shooters and government conspiracies, the witnesses usually don’t go on record like this or are seen at “quacks”. Thanks to H.L. for the link.

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Please send your news tips to HJL. (Either via e-mail of via our Contact form.) These are often especially relevant, because they come from folks who watch news that is important to them. Due to their diligence and focus, we benefit from fresh “on target” news. We often “get the scoop” on news that is most likely ignored (or reported late) by mainstream American news outlets. Thanks!