By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
The debates on gun control rage, now intensifying after the mass murder in Houston Friday.
I asked a younger man, who happens to be trying to build his firearms business what he thinks is causing the shootings. His answer was, "Parents not beating the sh*t out of their kids." The conversation was a little more detailed than that, but his sentiment is that the lack of discipline, especially what a father can provide, is part of the problem.
It's hard to argue that, because when it comes to domestic violence and the courts, the courts have yet, lo these 40 years or so, to come to terms with their roles in exacerbating the social problem of divorce and destroyed families.
Men are going to react to a judicial Mandarin following dicta from legislatures which create a favored social class in the courts. All the pontificating about what the man does wrong does not in any way deal with the woman's role in the violence.
And judges believe that because of their unique standing their rulings from the bench are the word of God, yet they are nothing of the sort. They are the raw unleavened power of the state.
This story about a man accused of stalking his girlfriend is a good example of the press pushing the cause of the victim, ignoring what is actually going on between a man and a woman. The woman's first reaction in the case of threats to domestic violence is to make herself a ward of the state by filing a victim's protective order, with extra privileges provided by the state and the press.
In the story you will read the term "red flag", which means that the sheriff probably endorses the idea of stripping away civil liberties to protect a single social element through "red flag" gun confiscation orders, which, by the way, are likely to become law in red Oklahoma next year.
All because a woman lacks the judgement to select a proper mate, the rest of us have to face expanded power of the state through a cobbled together legal process that will enable the state to seize property without just cause.
Commenting on a female North Carolina legislator who wants to institute those orders, I have said that she places herself on the front lines of any civil conflict. I hope she has a gun and she knows how to use it, for her sake. No one gets protection from a backlash.
And you know, like the protective orders back in the 1990s, a leftist Congress will expand those orders as further punishment. It is coming, folks.
Loads
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were mostly steady. Rifle ammunition prices were steady.
Prices for used pistols were mixed. Prices for used rifles were mostly lower.
New Lows:
None
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (6 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammomen, Magtech, FMJ, Brass Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .19 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, Reloads .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: East Carolina Trading, FP, Brass Casing, Reloads, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Extreme Reloading, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: FedArm, Own brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Gun Buyer, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 500 rounds: Wholesale Hunter, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: -.02 Each After Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammomen, Magtech, RNL, Brass Casing, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Prvi Patizan, RNL, Brass Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each)
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Able's, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .30 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .53 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .81 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Target Sports USA, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .85 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018))
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Selway Armory, Prvi Partizan, FMJ, Brass Casing, 2.50 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Target Sports USA, IMI (SMK), FMJ, Brass Casing, 2.60 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q, 2018)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Ammomen, Federal, RNL, Brass Casing, .04 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Winchester, RNL, Brass Casing, .04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $450 Last Week Avg: $510(-) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (37 Weeks))
Arizona (245, 3Q, 2017(+6))(245, 217): Palmetto State Armory: $450 ($740 (21 Weeks), $300 (36 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(311, 299): Palmetto State Armory: $500 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(172, 175): Mixed Build: $450 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(209, 194): Mixed Build: $450 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $300 (24 Weeks))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(431, 403): Palmetto State Armory: $400 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $350 (15 Weeks))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $910 Last Week Avg: $939(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $766 (49 Weeks))
Arizona (50, 3Q, 2017(+7))(50, 47): Palmetto State Armory: $800 ($2,300 (49 Weeks), $500 (32 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(90, 85): DPMS: $700 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $600 (15 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(33, 33): DPMS: $1,500 ($1,600 (4Q, 2016), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(55, 49): DPMS: $750 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $675 (28 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(98, 96): Palmetto State Armory: $800 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $580 Last Week Avg: $570(+) ($728 (13 Weeks), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (52, 3Q, 2017(+6))(50, 52): CAI: $700 ($1,050 (9 Weeks), $400 (51 Weeks))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(63, 62): CAI: $425 ($1,000 (14 Weeks)), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(41, 44): CAI RAS-47: $675 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(54, 59): CAI: $500 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $300 (29 Weeks))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(120, 107): Zastava M70: $600 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $370 Last Week Avg: $395(-) ($495 (4Q, 2016), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (14, 3Q, 2017)(10, 9): Winchester 94: $500 ($800 (14 Weeks), $200 (2Q, 2017)))
Texas (35, 3Q, 2017(+2))(18, 19): Mossberg 464: $350 ($550 (1Q, 2015), ($290 (13 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(15, 17): Glenfield Marlin: $350 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $225 (2 Weeks))
Virginia (19, 3Q, 2017(+3))(13, 15): Marlin 336W: $300 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(27, 27): Winchester 94: $350 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $500 Last Week Avg: $450(+) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (168, 3Q, 2017(+8))(168, 162): Regent 1911: $500 ($800 (6 Weeks), $325 (38 Weeks))
Texas (361, 3Q, 2017 (+3))(257, 253): Springfield: $500 ($650 (13 Weeks), $300 (4Q, 2016))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(153, 147): Springfield: $550 ($600 (41 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (204, 3Q, 2017(+3))(162, 159): Rock Island Armory: $500 ($800 (4 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(253, 251): Taurus $450 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $293 Last Week Avg: $328(-) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (2Q, 2017))
Arizona (295, 3Q, 2017(+4))(295, 275): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $300 ($400 (1Q, 2018), $180 (28 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(465, 464): Canik TP9SF: $300 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (30 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (441, 3Q, 2017(+2))(320, 307): CAI TP9SA: $290 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (1Q, 2017))
Virginia (365, 3Q, 2017(+6))(311, 312): Ruger SR9C: $325 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(668, 694): Ruger 95DC: $250 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (2Q, 2017))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $332 Last Week Avg: $351(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (77, 3Q, 2017(+2))(75, 71): Glock 23: $450 ($500 (1Q, 2017), $195 (50 Weeks))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(101, 90): Smith & Wesson Model 410: $230 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $180 (23 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (115, 3Q, 2017(+5))(66, 67): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $280 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(70, 76): Ruger P94: $400 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $220 (17 Weeks))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(132, 137): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $300 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Texas)
FN Herstal S.A SCAR 16 semiautomatic rifle chambered in 5.56mm NATO