By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
A US Federal Judge pounded the last nails in the coffin of freedom in Maryland when she ruled that AR-15s are dangerous and unusual. I can't go into the details because I believe the federal judiciary will not and cannot rule favorably for the 2nd Amendment until Congress tells them to. Until then, expect more rulings such as this. Federal judges now have an excuse to ban ARs.
Last week Missouri voters decided to provide their state judiciary with the tools needed to protect the right to keep and bear arms. While not nullifying local or state gun laws, the Missouri state Constitution was amended to provide judges with the basis for ruling on challenges to gun laws. Oklahoma has a similar initiative on the ballot for the November general election. The measure in Missouri passed by nearly a two to one margin.
A fella working in the metals industry compared brass casings versus steel casings for hardness. Spoiler alert: Brass is actually harder.
Mark Steyn on the riots in Ferguson and the expanding militarization of local police forces.
And the Doraville, Georgia police department SWAT team and their M-113 APC. For those who served in at least part of the Viet Nam era, you gotta admit: They're downright romantic driving an M-113. BTW, a .50 caliber BMG will penetrate the armor of an M-113.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Prices for both rifle and pistol ammunition were mostly lower. Prices for used rifles and used pistols were mixed.
Pistol Ammo
.45 Caliber, 230 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged
Cheapest, 50 rounds: O.D. Green Supply, Tulammo, steel cased, .28 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Browning Ammo and More, American Quality, reloaded, .30 per round (From Last Week: +.02 Each)
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged
Cheapest, 50 rounds: I.Q. Metals, HSM, FMJ, Factory Seconds .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Store Brand, reloaded, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged)
9mm Parabellum, 115 grain From Last Week: +.01 Each After Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Tulammo, Steel Cased, FMJ, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Freedom Munitions, Store Brand, Reloaded, RN, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged)
.357 Magnum, 158 grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Today's Ammo, Prvi Partizan, SJHP, .38 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 250: LAX Ammunition, Store Brand, Reloaded, .34 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LV Ammo, Wartak, steel cased, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Munire USA, Tulammo, steel cased, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged)
.308 NATO 145 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Barnaul, steel cased, .41 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Silver Bear, steel cased, .45 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks))
7.62x39 AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Wolf, steel case, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Brown Bear, steel case, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: +.02 each
Cheapest, 50 rounds (2 box limit): O.D. Green Supply, CCI Blazer, Brass, .08 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Unlimited, Aquila, .10 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $565 Last Week Avg: $595 (+)
California (216, 208): Smith & Wesson M&P15): $400 (!!)
Texas (300, 304): Palmetto State Armory: $599
Pennsylvania (151, 155): DPMS Carbine: $600
Virgina (208, 216): Anderson Arms: $625
Florida (409, 404): Palmetto State Armory (M4 pattern): $600 (Prolly Same Gun)
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,005 Last Week Avg: $1,025 (-)
California (51, 53): DPMS LR308: $925
Texas (52, 55): DPMS LAR308: $1,000
Pennsylvania (25, 22): Bushmaster: $1,100 (Same Gun)
Virginia (46, 44): DPMS LR308: $900 (!)
Florida (78, 82): DPMS: $1,100 (Same Gun)
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $570 Last Week Avg: $610 (-)
California (42, 39): Zastava PAP M-92 (Krinkov Pattern) : $625
Texas (69, 63): CAI (Tricked Out) : $650
Pennsylvania (49, 51): Zastava: $450 (!!)
Virginia (74, 73): Czech VZ58: $525 (!)
Florida (132, 135): Romak (Underfold Stock) : $600
7.62x54mm (Dragunov Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,000 Last Week Avg: $1,000 ()
California (0): None Available
Texas (0): None Available
Pennsylvania (0): None Available
Virginia (1, 1): Romak PSL: $1,200 (Same Gun)
Florida (7, 7): Romak PSL: $800 (Same Gun) (!)
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $447 Last Week Avg: $411 (+)
California (186, 175): Auto Ordnance: $460
Texas (234, 232): Tisas: $400 (Same Gun)
Pennsylvania (176, 176): Rock Island Armory: $425
Virginia (189, 184): Wilson Combat: $550
Florida (394, 378): American Tactical Imports: $400
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $424 Last Week Avg: $430 (-)
California (155, 147): Glock 19: $450 (Same Gun)
Texas (328, 307): Glock 19: $450
Pennsylvania (220, 215): Sig Sauer P250C: $400
Virginia (251, 262): Beretta Storm Px4: $400 (Same Gun)
Florida (492, 468): Glock 17: $420
.40 caliber S&W (Glock and other semiautomatic) Average Price: $399 Last Week Avg: $398 (+)
California (105, 103): Springfield XD40: $420
Texas (161, 146): Springfield XD40: $450
Pennsylvania (132, 124): Glock 22: $375 (!) (Same Gun)
Virginia (125, 123): Glock 22: $350 (!)
Florida (235, 249): Smith & Wesson M&P40CPx4: $400
Used Gun of the Week: (Oklahoma)
Rock River Arms LAR-458 chambered in .458 SOCOM
Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com and BorderlandBeat.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com