By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Happy International Human Rights Day, the date that commemorates the adoption of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
And what better way to mark the passage of a document used like so much toilet paper by collectivists locally and worldwide than to note that a former director of the National Security Agency, Michael Hayden admitted that anti-terrorism laws have effectively gutted the 4th Amendment to the American Constitution, and that they are coming after the 2nd Amendment.
As if to underscore Hayden's efforts, Hollywood recently released a film, Miss Sloane, about a sweet, innocent female lawyer who, against all odds, takes on the Evil Gun Lobby.
Even kommies (American Democrats) who have suffered an electoral and cultural defeat so profound it qualifies as a calamity are getting into the act with a demand for a national gun registry.
And this is a fight, to be sure. The election of Donald Trump as president, in my opinion, has made gun rights more rather than less precarious. So, leftists in the US are talking about arming up. At the link, the crowd is scolded for severely criticizing a leftist man who wants to get into firearms as a means of protecting himself and his allies. This is a valid criticism, but as I said three weeks ago, it appears the intent is to do harm to political enemies, not self defense.
Finally, there's this video about a man training to fire a 1911 on the move, who nearly shoots his hand off in the effort. The trainer (I didn't listen to the video) tells the trainee to keep going despite the accident. In the comments is a question about whether the 1911 should even be used as a concealed carry weapon because, as a single action gun, it is required to be cocked and locked as it is drawn, whereas a modern double action only has to have a round chambered with the safety off.
I agree with the commenter who said the 1911 should be kept in Condition 3 unless you suspect a problem is about to occur. But unless you are a sneaky bastard your gun will no longer be concealed, eliminating the element of surprise when you are forced to draw and fire.
A recent Facebook video from a security camera in Brazil showed a man escorting a woman to an upper floor domicile when they are confronted with two thugs, both armed with handguns likely cocked and locked. The putative male victim draws and fires on the nearer thug in front of him, dropping him, while the other thug beats feet as the shooter switches targets. The label on the video was: "You will spend the rest of your life drawing, and sliding the bolt into place."
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Prices for pistol ammunition were mostly steady. Prices for rifle ammunition were mostly steady.
Prices for used pistols were high across the board. Prices for used rifles were mostly higher.
New Lows:
Texas: .45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol): American Tactical Imports: $300
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .24 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: -.02 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo Mart, Buffalo Cartridge, RSFP, Brass Casing, Factory Seconds, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammo Marketplace, Northern Hills, FMJ, Brass Casing, reloads .20 per round (From Last Week: -.02 Each After Unchanged (4 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammo Mart, Buffalo Cartridge, RSFP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .15 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammo Mart, Buffalo Cartridge, RSFP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .15 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: J&G Sales, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel casing, .25 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .34 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .34 per round (From Last Week: +.03 Each
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: -.02 Each After Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Case, FMJ, .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Wolf WPA, Steel Case, FMJ, .25 per round (From Last Week: +.02 Each)
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds (10 Box Limit): Ammomen, Federal, RNL, .06 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 325 rounds: Munire USA, Federal, RNL, .06 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (3 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $468 Last Week Avg: $543(-) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $468 (CA: $476 (3Q, 2015)))
California (342, 320): Mixed Build: $500 ($650 (1Q, 2015), $400 (2Q, 2016))
Texas (306, 293): DPMS: $540 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (167, 166): Palmetto State Armory: $500 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (215, 212): Palmetto State Armory: $500 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $465 (3 Weeks))
Florida (410, 395): American Spirit Arms: $400 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,130 Last Week Avg: $1,125(+) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $820 (3Q, 2015))
California (93, 91): CMMG: $1,200 ($1,700 (4Q, 2014), $850 (3Q, 2015))
Texas (89, 90): Bushmaster: $1,050 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $700 (19 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (27, 25): Armalite: $1,400 ($1,600 (4 Weeks), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (44, 45): Undisclosed Brand: $900 ($2,750 (46 Weeks), $800 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (81, 75): Palmetto State Armory: $1,100 ($1,950 (32 Weeks), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $590 Last Week Avg: $580(+) ($668 (21 Weeks)), $450 (3Q, 2015))
California (90, 89): Romak: $600 ($800 (27 Weeks)), $320 (4Q, 2014))
Texas (80, 83): CAI RAS47: $650 ($800 (47 Weeks), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (52, 44): IO: $450 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (53, 52): WASR: $600 ($700 (27 Weeks), $350 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (98, 102): Romak: $650 ($700 (40 Weeks), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $355 Last Week Avg: $337(+) ($495 (9 Weeks), $296 (3Q, 2015))
California (0, 0): None Available: $0 ($1,000 (5 Weeks), $180 (2Q, 2015))
Texas (16, 11): Winchester 94: $400 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $300 (1Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (11, 13): Winchester 94: $350 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (14, 13): Marlin 336: $300 ($670 (31 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (22, 21): Winchester 94: $400 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $443 Last Week Avg: $410(+) ($515 (18 Weeks)), $350 (4Q, 2015))
California (231, 219): Rock Island Armory: $495 ($800 (18 Weeks), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Texas (240, 237): American Tactical Imports: $300 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (CA:$325 (3Q, 2015)))
Pennsylvania (155, 165): Para Ordnance: $575 ($550 (2Q, 2015), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (158, 157): Rock Island Armory: $400 ($575 (45 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (378, 367): Rock Island Armory: $445 ($500 (44 Weeks), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $279 Last Week Avg: $273(+) ($358 (41 Weeks), $245 (33 Weeks))
California (254, 240): Magnum Research: $400 ($500 (41 Weeks), $200 (4Q, 2015))
Texas (347, 342): Bersa Thunder: $250 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $200 (3Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (287, 295): Taurus PT709: $215 ($350 (4Q 2014), $200 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (245, 237): Beretta PX Storm: $280 ($425 (49 Weeks), $189 (36 Weeks))
Florida (601, 614): Taurus PT111: $250 ($400 (38 Weeks), $190 (18 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $280 Last Week Avg: $266(+) ($399 (46 Weeks), $262 (26 Weeks))
California (89, 82): Glock G22: $300 ($560 (48 Weeks)), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Texas (115, 112): Smith & Wesson: $250 ($425 (4Q, 2014), ($210 (11 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (94, 94): Smith & Wesson M&P: $350 ($450 (34 Weeks), $200 (14 Weeks))
Virginia (80, 71): Smith & Wesson M&P40: $300 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $275 (1Q, 2015))
Florida (159, 152): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $200 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Florida)
Valmet Model 76 Chambered in .223 Remington