By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Last week was a terrible one for gun rights. A major infringement of the 2nd Amendment was passed as part of the "Cromnibus" legislation, which now enables the mere suggestion of mental illness as sufficient to deny the purchase of a firearm.
Big deal, you say? "Now, we'll all be safer," you think?
Since the law was funded, New York state already started confiscating guns from folks who fall under the new law. And I bet you didn't know this: Were Congress to pass a law repealing that part of the law this very hour, it would still be in effect because it was funded through September. The written law doesn't matter as long as Congress funds activities.
Even more galling was the National Rifle Association releasing news that it helped gun owners by endorsing this new legislation. We lost more rights, and you helped, you dumb bastards! Own up to it!
Next came the news that the Connecticut state government just mailed out letters to gun owners who failed to register their semiautomatic rifles, that they must turn in their guns or disable them permanently. Sipsey Street Irregulars Mike Vanderboegh warned that governor Dannel Malloy was going to go after gun owners who defied the law. No one knows what the state's next move will be. They have lists they are technically not supposed to have, and I guess the government can strike at a time of their choosing, picking off gun owners one by one.
Lastly the Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms has issued without warning a new ruling that the machining and assembling of guns at a private business makes that business subject to ATF rules. Up until now, some businesses have been offering services to enable people to obtain their own firearms by offering time and tools for rent. The ATF says that that makes the shop offering this services a firearms manufacturer, and any resulting firearms subject to ATF rules.
All this news is really discouraging, especially on the gun purchasing issue. Dunno what to do about it next.
Loads
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Prices for rifle ammunition were steady, while prices for pistol ammunition were mostly steady.
Prices for used rifles were lower across the boards, while prices for used pistols were mixed.
Pistol Ammo
.45 Caliber, 230 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, steel cased, .28 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, steel cased, .28 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: I.Q. Metals, Store brand, FMJ, reloads, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Top Shot Ammunition, Store brand, reloads, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (19 Weeks)(!!))
9mm Parabellum, 115 grain From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, Steel Cased, FMJ, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Kinetic Munitions, Black Munitions, reloads, FMJ, .18 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 grain, From Last Week: +.01 each After Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bang It Ammo, Precision One, JSP, .42 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 250 Rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, American Quality, Bulk, FMJ, .37 per round (From Last Week: +.01 each After Unchanged (2 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Goose Island Sales, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: SG Ammo, Wolf WPA, steel cased, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.308 NATO 145 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2014)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Silver Bear, steel cased, .41 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Silver Bear, steel cased, .45 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2014)
7.62x39 AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q 2014)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Wolf WPA, steel case, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Brown Bear, steel case, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammomen, Federal American Eagle, RNL, .08 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Alamo Ammo, Aguila, .08 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $530 Last Week Avg: $555 (-) ($600 (12 Weeks), $526 (8 Weeks))
California (215, 208): Smith & Wesson M&P Sport: $425 ($600 (10 Weeks), $425)
Texas (286, 287): Mixed Build: $550 ($600 (12 Weeks), $450 (10 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (163, 158): DPMS: $575 ($600 (13 Weeks), $490 (4 Weeks))
Virginia (233, 237): Windham Weaponry: $600 ($615 (10 Weeks), $550 (12 Weeks))
Florida (356, 383): LRB Arms AR 15: $500 ($599 (5 Weeks), $450 (11 Weeks))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,110 Last Week Avg: $1,130 (-) ($1,158 (6 Weeks), $953 (11 Weeks))
California (35, 37): DPMS (Says Mixed Build): $1,400 ($1,700 (4 Weeks)), $1,000 (7 Weeks))
Texas (62, 58): DPMS LR308: $1,350 ($1,400 (8 Weeks), $900 (11 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (40, 38): Bushmaster ORC: $900 (Same Gun)(3 Weeks)($1,100 (11 Weeks), $900 (3 Weeks))
Virginia (43, 43): DPMS LR308: $900 (Same Gun)(3 Weeks) ($1,100 (7 Weeks), $900 (17 Weeks))
Florida (59, 55): Rock River Arms Predator $1,000 ($1,500 (8 Weeks), $1,000 (13 Weeks))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $492 Last Week Avg: $494 (-) ($569 (7 Weeks) , $462 (9 Weeks))
California (29, 35): WASR: $425 ($695 (7 Weeks), $320 (2 Weeks))
Texas (67, 62): CAI VZ58: $500 ($660 (11 Weeks), $350 (9 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (56, 57): WASR: $500 ($650 (9 Weeks), $450 (10 Weeks))
Virginia (77, 82): CAI Romak: $510 ($525 (11 Weeks), $450 (7 Weeks))
Florida (115, 125): CAI: $525 ($550 (4 Weeks), $300 (7 Weeks))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $489 Last Week Avg: $489 (=) ($489, $489)
California (12, 0): Marlin 336CS: $375 ($375, $375)
Texas (17, 0): Marlin Microgroove: $300 ($300), $300)
Pennsylvania (19, 0): Marlin 336: $250 ($250, $250)
Virginia (10, 0): Winchester Model 94: $350 ($350, $350)
Florida (17, 0): Marlin (w/Scope): $400 ($400, $400)
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $429 Last Week Avg: $450 (-) ($450 (4 Weeks), $370 (3 Weeks))
California (150, 150): Rock Island Armory: $400 (Same Gun)(3 Weeks)($400 (9 Weeks), $350 (8 Weeks))
Texas (190, 197): Taurus 1911PT: $499 ($600 (7 Weeks), $375 (12 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (163, 166): American Tactical Imports 1911: $450 ($525 (2 Weeks), $325 (5 Weeks))
Virginia (163, 153): Girsan 1911: $400 ($450 (7 Weeks), $250 (4 Weeks))
Florida (334, 350): Girsan: $400 ($425 (12 Weeks), $350 (13 Weeks))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $288 Last Week Avg: $286 (+) ($335 (11 Weeks), $286)
California (168, 157): Beretta 92FS: $250 ($350 (9 Weeks), $250)
Texas (240, 238): Bersa BP9CC Bitone: $320 ($350 (14 Weeks), $235 (3 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (202, 218): Ruger P95: $295 ($350 (13 Weeks), $295 (8 Weeks))
Virginia (212, 218): Smith & Wesson Model 6904: $300 ($350 (13 Weeks), $275 (8 weeks))
Florida (377, 399): Smith & Wesson Sigma SW9VE: $275 ($375 (4 Weeks) , $270 (5 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $315 Last Week Avg: $335 (-) ($345 (9 Weeks), $300 (11 Weeks))
California (86, 84): Glock 23: $250 ($350 (14 Weeks), $250)
Texas (137, 147): Beretta 9000S: $350 ($425 (7 Weeks), $300 (13 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (102, 117): Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 40: $300 ($340 (9 Weeks), $275 (7 Weeks))
Virginia (98, 100): Smith & Wesson Unknown Model: $350 ($450 (4 Weeks), $300 (11 Weeks))
Florida (201, 209): Glock 22: $325 ($375 (9 Weeks), $275 (13 Weeks))
Used Gun of the Week: (Florida) (Charlie Hebdo Memorial Edition)
Norinco Mak90 Tactical Ak-47 Chambered in 7.62x39mm
Chris Covert writes for Rantburg.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com
