CGO NewsBlog

On this NewsBlog you will get reviews of firearms, commentary on acts of high integrity as well as blatant dishonesty and stupidity. Nothing in today's headlines is off limits. Links to some of the sight pages will be included on this page as the pages are created and published or when they are updated.

While you're here, check out the best concealed carry resource on the web.

Nov 19, 2008, When good friends leave

A great friend of mine and of lot of other people at our church has joined the army and will be shipping out this week. The range officer of the Right on Target group, Motorcycle group leader, altar worker at our church, Matt Brown will be heading for 8 weeks of basic training and then on to special forces training for entrance into the Green Berets.

The pictures here are from a cookout thrown in his honor and they are indicative of what it means to make friends.

Four groups were represented there and Matt was involved to some degree in all of them.

I know that most people that check out this web sight are looking for gun rights issues or gun reviews, but it pays, from time to time to pay attention to the particularly Christian aspects of some things.

Matt and I did a lot of shooting together and guns were always a topic of conversation. He was part of and leader of a motorcycle group with friends of similar and passionate interest.

But the most important thing to learn from these pictures is that as a Christian, Matt understood the importance of reciprocal relationships with other Christians. He will leave us for the army soon, but will have a constant source of multiple prayer partners here for him in Fort Smith. He will have text and email to multiple friends for all the contact he can stand. And on those occasions when he comes home, all those friends will be waiting to spend a little time with him.

I don't know what everybody that enters this web sight is like, but I can tell you, wherever you are in life, be sure to continuously take advantage of the large capacity for friendship and relationships that God has given us.

Don't ignore the over 50 "one another" commands that the New Testament gives us that tells us what we are to be to and for "one another". Take the time to call your friends, check on them, open your life up to them. Don't miss out on a great part of what God intended for your Christian life by missing out on one of the greatest assets of our Christian lives. Our friendships.

Hebrews 3:12-13 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (NASB)

God speed, my friend.

Nov 15, 2008, The Taurus PT 917 CS Pistol

A review of the Taurus PT 917 CS semi auto pistol

Nov 9, 2008, My Sweet Spot with the Glock 27 .40 S&W

In mid 2005 I took it upon myself to begin shopping for the perfect conceal/carry pistol. After much research on the internet and in local gun

Nov 7, 2008, Brady response predictable

The Brady Bunch web sight predictably jumped right out on the home page of their web sight with a commentary by sleazy freedom grabber Paul Helmke on the Obama election. As expected, the election was, according to Helmke, a referendum on "sensible" gun laws.

So, does anybody remember guns being mentioned in the last 3 months? No, gun laws were not even on the radar in this election along with abortion, gay rights and other social issues that in the past have swung elections one way or the other.

The Brady Bunch are touting themselves as significant in helping to get Barack Obama elected when in fact they were as invisible on the gun control side as the NRA was on the pro gun side. Yes, the NRA seemed to believe that gun rights should remain under the table in this election with their silence to everyone in the nation except to raise money from their membership. The fact is, neither of these organizations was terribly relevant during this election.

The second predictable response from Brady is an immediate call for the "assault weapon" ban even though the organization has proven multiple times in the past that they can't even correctly identify a true assault weapon. But now they have their candidate and truth and good sense don't matter.

We'll just have to wait and see if Obama remembers the first two years of the Clinton administration which effectively caused Democrats to lose power in both houses of congress. If he responds favorably to the liberal congress and the Brady Bunch, he could be on his way to doing the same as Clinton.

I'm betting that in the interest of self preservation, Obama will do his best to avoid the subject of gun laws, at least on the front end of his presidency. Obama was elected with the dogs sleeping. Now we'll see if he has the good sense to let sleeping dogs lie.

Nov 7, 2008, McCain campaign managers losers after the fact

I guess now that the election is over with,the campaign managers and advisers of John McCain have to find some way of making themselves look better. The campaign was an inept, disorganized, unfocused study in incompetence.

Now, they're giving us the reason that McCain lost. Sarah Palin. Citing difficulty dealing with her, prepping her for interviews, temper tantrums, lack of basic world knowledge, ad nauseum, the campaign losers have found their scapegoat.

First, Sarah Palin was minding her own business doing a great job running the state of Alaska. She was chosen by McCain. He picked her. Not the other way around. He chose her because she was a conservative woman. Period. She was given less consideration than someone being interviewed for an executive position for a corporation.

And Palin did just exactly what the McCain campaign expected her to do. She got people excited, including the Republican base which McCain with his constant mantra of "maverick" was unable to do. And she continued to draw bigger crowds and produce more excitement than her geriatric boss through the end of the election.

Palin has gone back to Alaska to run the state where I'm betting she will continue to succeed in her job, her family and in life in general.

And if she so chooses, she will have something many of the McCain advisers probably don't have at this point.

A future in politics.

Nov 5, 2008, The 2008 presidential election

Commentary on the 2008 Presidential Election

Oct 31, 2008, Worth reading

A lot of the visitors to this sight who contact me through the form provided, write things that are worth reading. This note from John below is worth reading.

I am a 56 year-old member of a Christian non-denominational church in Ohio. I have been contemplating taking the ccw class for sometime now. I've been around guns for most of my life. My dad, grandfather, and my only brother (police officer) have all had guns. The only gun I have ever owned was a Daisy BB gun when I was in elementary school. I am not a hunter, but I have no problem with those that do. I grew up in rural country and I have a great deal of respect for hunters. Your web site has answered many questions that I have asked myself many times. In visiting many gun stores (looking at Glocks) I have found the most courteous and respectful people who believe very strongly in this country and its Constitution. They were all peace-loving individuals who enjoy guns as a hobby and like shooting them. While my wife and I will enjoy this hobby together (she's taking the ccw as well), I will always pray that I get to use my gun for enjoyment only....... Thank you. John

Thanks John for a well written statement and for being a solid and responsible Christian and citizen.

Oct 31, 2008, The typical CGO visitor

I'm thankful that so many of the visitors to the Christian Gun Owner web sight are like the one who contacted me today.

Check out the blog, Dad's Daze and say hello to Robert who believes in God, country, family and personal freedoms.

Oct 28, 2008, Gotta Reload

Today, I did something I don't often do anymore. I bought whole bullets. I was doing some fast draw and fire practice and needed 100% dependable ammo. So, I bought 3 (all 50 round) boxes of Winchester .40 S&W, one box of Monarch in the same, and two boxes of Winchester .38 special +p personal defense rounds. Total cost? $108 with tax. I can go through that much ammo in about an hour and a half. The absurdity of the cost of ammo is what has me stocking up on reloading supplies as we approach the election. An Obama win will make everything more difficult if not impossible.

With all the information that we as gun owners have about practice and the necessity of getting and staying familiar with our firearms, we have to have ammo to practice.

Unless you are rich, reloading is the way to go. Amazingly, the ammo I purchased today is not much more than the same amount of new plain reloading brass. So, the way to go is to buy brass cased bullets, shoot them and keep the brass for reloading.

Today, you can reload .40 S&W for 1/2-1/3 what you can purchase it for. Same with .45 ACP. 44 magnum? Half price. .357 magnum/.38 special - half price. A Lee Classic turret press, dies and toolheads pays for itself in short order.

Don't give up practice. Give reloading a run. If you want to practice and stay proficient with your guns without spending a fortune, reloading is the way.

Oct 28, 2008, Are you going to vote?

Read this article in the Washington Times and think long and hard if you're considering not voting this year.

Oct 21, 2008, A little love for the Sig

Ok. So I recently wrote a review of the Sig Sauer P220 that did not give it the reverence that all the Sig fetish fans thought I should give it. I actually had the gall to say there was nothing magical about it and that it was overpriced. Well, I can just affirm that, and I'm not taking any of it back.

But, I have to give the gun it's due recognition as a firearm that is growing on me the more I use it. I've gotten to where it is actually a "confidence gun" which means I trust it and will keep it. And that's a big deal with me because I buy and sell guns for recreation.

It now resides in my regular carry arsenal and regularly goes with me in one of two holsters that also fit my G22. It also resides almost daily in the console armrest of my pickup truck.

At the range, I can raise it at anything resembling combat ranges and beyond, and put all 8 rounds where I point. It performs like I would expect a good quality gun, loads, shoots, ejects every time. And it makes a big ol hole in whatever it shoots.

So, it has now earned a place of respect and trust in my carry arsenal of 3 guns. I now carry one of these 3: G22 .40 cal, Sig P220 .45 ACP, and S&W 638 revolver. And that says a lot. If I carry it, I think a lot of it.

It's not the gun's fault that Sig Sauer arrogantly overprices it. And I guess the folks with a Sig fetish can't help it (I got the GLOCK thing you know).

For me, it's a good trustworthy firearm that fits a significant niche among my carry arms. And trusting it means not only does it fit, but that it's one of the best of the best among today's quality, civilian sidearms.

Oct 21, 2008, Magnum Research's IWI Baby Eagle...All Grown Up

As a law-abiding citizen of the US who has owned a CCW (CPL) since the age of 21, (I am 50), I have owned and carried various sidearms for personal

Oct 17, 2008, Vacation Time

Well, it's time to knock off for a week of vacation. And while I love what I do, I'm ready for a little R&R. This coming Sunday will be one of only 2 Sundays in the year that I'm not in church (but if I go to mine, I end up working).

For anybody who cares here's my vacation schedule:
Saturday: Right on Target Group Shoot
Sunday: Get ready to fish on Monday
Monday: Fishing
Tuesday: Morning Shooting - Afernoon fishing
Wednesday: Fishing
Thursday: Shooting
Friday-Saturday: Trip to Branson for my daughter's birthday.

Did I mention I'm going fishing and shooting?

I'll blog a couple times during the week and may even write a review on the SKS military surplus rifle (been meaning to do that for a while now).

Hope everybody has a great week.

Oct 17, 2008, Christian Gun Owner growing - thanks to you

Many thanks to the people who are regular visitors to this web sight, and who continue to refer people here. The CGO sight is now getting over 600 unique visitors a day. The sight is on track for over 15,000 unique visitors for October.

On a sight like this, while a few keywords get good results on Google and Yahoo, if that were the criteria by which I wrote, nobody would return. I continue (and now with more confidence) to write in a conversational style, giving people the opportunity for feedback. This has resulted in steady and healthy growth over the last 15 months that the sight has been in existence.

And because it is not primarily search engine optimized, it's you, the visitors who refer others here, that are responsible for it's success.

On a sight that is uncompromising in content and non-optimized for search engines, it has to grow virally and it has and continues to do so.

So thank you to all the regulars who visit, email, contribute and refer others, for helping me promote vital Christianity, Constitutional rights and national decency.

Oh, and thanks for some pretty cool discussions about guns too.

Oct 17, 2008, REAL Gun Control Ad

This vid was pointed out to me by a visitor to the CGO web sight. I had to put it here. Be advised, if kids are with you, it's a little bit raw, but worth watching....and using

Oct 17, 2008, Obama will sign Freedom of Choice Act first

Barack Obama, pandering to Planned Parenthood; i.e. Planned Abortions promised that one of the first things he would do if elected would be to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act AKA FOCA.

This would effectively wipe out all laws and restrictions at every level, state and local across the nation, to be replaced with one federal statute that would insure wholesale killing of the unborn without restriction. And it would provide federal funding for abortion so as not to "discriminate" against the poor. They need to be able to kill their unborn children just like those with financial means.....so, you and I can pay for their abortions under an Obama presidency.

Funny how he wants to disarm all law abiding citizens to keep us "safer" but is unconcerned with the wholesale slaughter of the unborn.

Any Christian who sits out this election or votes for this monster, because of the "economy" should be ashamed to claim to represent Christ.

On Tuesday, November 4th vote McCain/Palin. Vote against Obama/Biden.

Oct 17, 2008, A Woman's Perspective

I am a hard working middle class, middle aged mother of two teenagers and wife to a wonderful man who is in law enforcement. I have had my CCW

Oct 17, 2008, The Taurus PT1911 doing.........

what it does best. Eating bullets.

Get you one.

Oct 13, 2008, Economy......But what's most important

With all the news about the economy and the associated doomsday predictions, our nation has forgotten it's principles. The principles that put Republicans in office during times when we didn't have the fear that now gives the Democrats the edge as it always does. Think about that. A party that thrives the more afraid it's country is. Is that what you want to buy into?

And America so easily forgets it's principles when afraid. The principles of family, life, 2nd amendment rights, morality. Those things that were understood not to just be Republican values but American values. Sadly it all goes out the window when our money is threatened.

America is on the verge of selling her soul to a political animal that will say and do anything to get in power. We know what he will do, and how he will decide on laws passed through congress and on the appointment of Supreme Court justices.

He has no problem redefining the traditional family. He will encourage abortion at all levels. He will clear the way for same sex marriage, and he will disarm America. The Democratic national platform includes re-implementing the Clinton Gun Ban, and his voting record shows he will gladly not only sign that bill but will strive for disarming all law abiding Americans with a national concealed carry ban.

If Barack Obama is elected it is clear that America has lost track of all that is dear and all that has made it the greatest nation ever known.

And sadly it's not Obama himself. It's the sheep that have lined up behind him and allowed him to lead them along chanting for "change" that they cannot even identify. It will mean that a majority of voting Americans are willing to turn over control of their lives to the government under the oversight of a contemptuous, arrogant elitist who asserts that the principles we hold dear are nothing more than crutches.

In Obama's world, American principles are only for the unenlightened. Don't worry. He'll take care of all of us. We can give up our religion. We can give up our guns. We can give up our protection of life. We can give up our insistence on moral standards. Because now we have Obama.

The election coming up is far more than a battle over the economy. It's a battle for the soul of America. Vote for freedom and principle. Vote against Obama/Biden.

Oct 6, 2008, McCain/Palin attack strategy - right on target.

Liberals are screaming "no fair". Conservatives are wringing their hands. The Obama camp is crying "the American people want to talk about issues."

My take: Let er rip! Unless a person is brain dead or completely disinterested, the "issues" have been discussed, re-discussed, re-re-re-discussed, argued over, used to accuse, ad nauseum. For heaven's sake, we know what the issues are and what the candidates positions on them are, what the candidates claim the opposition is for and what all news media outlets say the candidates are for as far as "issues" are concerned. Only "undecideds" need more "issue" talk and we know what undecideds are at this point.

Obama's character associations are the most important thing that McCain/Palin can get and keep in front of the American people right now. Reverend Wright should be played endlessly between now and November 4th. Bill Ayers should be quoted till viewers have his miserable attitude memorized. And Obama should be irreversibly joined at the hip with them and every other miserable, traitorous association he has worked with, taken money from and worshiped with.

The stupidity in America with the Obama flag waiving sheep is staggering. Knowing that this monstrosity may be our next president is mind boggling, and shows how far America has declined in it's will as a people. A vote for a Democratic president, in particular this one, is a vote for a socialist America, with government control over our personal finances, our personal protection, and all our other former freedoms.

Obama has proven by association to believe America a second rate, broken society that he believes can be fixed by his version of government control of everything and everybody.

On November 4, vote for McCain/Palin or against Obama/Biden, whichever motivates you. Just don't allow Obama access to the oval office, the country, and the courts.

Oct 4, 2008, OK the bailout is here....let's move on.

Well, my joy at watching congress squirm was short lived and the bailout passage is history. Now we will live for weeks with endless punditry on the effects of it.

But what needs to be understood in all of this in a highly charged political environment, is that the Bush administration is not at fault for this mess. The Bush administration tried to regulate the financial institutions with resistance by Democrats because of their determination for "every American to own a home." Consequently the largest lenders on earth were sued by politicians to force them to accept lending standards so as not to "discriminate" against low income persons wanting homes.

Now because of the socialist determinations of Democrats, that same bunch has to vote for a stinking bailout package that nobody really knows the effects of.

But, it's done and time to move on. Good or bad as far as the bill goes, now would be the time to see if your representative or senator voted for it. If not vote for them. If they voted for it vote them out. Simple.

Well, not really. What America must do to survive and thrive over the long haul is develop at the grass roots level a movement to simply vote on Constitutional grounds only. Look at the politicians available, look at their voting records and vote for those reflecting the most concern for keeping constitutional laws in tact.

There has never been an improvement on the original U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Check the records. Vote for the constitutionalists. Those are the ones who will allow maximum freedom and keep government in the place it was intended to be.

Sep 30, 2008, Being a Christian in financial chaos

So, in case anybody is interested in what I'm doing with my money as a Christian right now, it's pretty simple. Nothing. My IRA is invested in mutual funds and stocks. Nothing. It has swung wildly up and down over the last 5 weeks and really wild the last few days. What do I do? Nothing. Just look at it once per day. Results. Today, my IRA is just a few dollars from where it was 5 weeks ago. Now granted, it hasn't made any money, but in this mess, that's ok. It will.

How do I stay calm? I have a Bible. And when I said I don't do anything with my money, that's not exactly correct. My wife and I give away a considerable chunk of it every week. It goes to the support of my church, children, youth, group, community ministries and foreign missions. And that's the greatest security that we have. That security is found in the Book that we believe is God's word that tells us to continue to have faith in good times and bad and not to do anything differently. Just keep giving and trust. So, that's what we do and that's what works.

Now I'm not a billionaire or even a millionaire. But I am confident and have peace that my finances will be not just protected, but blessed.

We are currently in the best financial shape we have ever been in. IRA and stocks, bonds....whatever up....keep giving. All that stuff down? Keep giving. God has given us all a promise if we keep up the doing of His word. And I'm just one of millions that will tell you it works.

Sep 30, 2008, Have Republicans completely lost their minds?

Do the Republicans in congress not have enough problems without the leadership parading out in front of cameras to whine that the 700 billion dollar package didn't pass because Nancy Pelosi gave a "partisan" speech on the house floor??

My heavens. Republicans did the right thing by voting down the bill in it's present form. It will cause scrambling to develop a more acceptable and responsible plan that will ultimately get voted in. And they did what their constituents demanded. Why not leave it at that? But no, the Republican "leadership" said Ms. Pelosi didn't talk nicely enough to them so they put the economy of the U.S. and world in peril. Nice touch. No, it was the Republican and Democratic leadership that developed a bill that the American people couldn't stomach. And the rest of the Republicans and many Democrats did the right thing and voted against it.

The Republican leaders could have come out and said "we will have to continue working until we get a bill that both parties and their constituents can be comfortable with." But no, they made the entire party look like a bunch of whining ninnies that put the country in peril because they are so "sensitive" to speaker Pelosi's criticism.

Well, they will get what they deserve come election day. Stock up on guns, high capacity magazines and plenty of ammo. Cause after this next election, it's very likely you won't be able to get that stuff for very long. Republicans including John McCain, may have just committed political suicide in the entire party.

Sep 29, 2008, Shock and Awe has just lost it's Washington value

Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson, President Bush, and so called "leaders" in congress thought that their striking pronouncements of the doom of the American financial system would leave Americans too shell shocked to do anything but say "ok" to anything they suggested. Not so.

From everything I said in my blogs below, you may think I am for letting all these stinking financial institutes bite the dust just to see their employees lose their jobs and watch the things turn into high rise ghost towns. Not so. I'm actually for congress taking action and the U.S. Treasury stepping in to solidify the stability of our economy caused by these institutions' collapse.

What I am not for is being scared into allowing the Treasury unfettered permission to do something tantamount to making a 700 billion dollar spitball and sticking it to the ceiling.

What I want is a detailed, systematic, carefully planned intervention that is highly regulated and has a demand for a taxpayer "dividend stake" in the mix. That means the plan should say exactly what, in terms of tax dollars will be invested where. And it should state how much return is expected in whatever amount of time is considered enough to stabilize our economy. Finally, it should include specifically, how the dividends from the returns on the investment will be distributed to taxpayers.

But no, we are instead presented with a "scare package" that asks us to "trust" the U.S. Treasury and congress with our dollars without specifics lest the financial world come to an end.

The American people will do well to allow the Treasury to help, but only after a clearly presented plan that includes the above conditions laid out for all to see......and expect to be honored.

Sep 29, 2008, Now what????

I bet the same political garbage spewers that were congratulating and thanking each other yesterday are now in a back room somewhere rolling around on the floor trying to choke each other to death.

You have just seen the American people remind congress that they are still in charge. The politicians responsible for scurrying around behind the defecating financial institutions had better make sure they hand the voting public something that doesn't smell like what has already been spewed all over the financial landscape.

Republicans, Democrats, and the President invoking everything from the Great Depression to Armageddon just got notice from the U.S. population that we are not impressed or shaken by their efforts to pass their smelly bail out.

America just said, "we know that the politicians bailing out these institutions have been taking money from them and enough is enough!" This is where the rubber meets the road and citizens were at the wheel when the 228-205 vote came down against the 700 billion dollar package.

Now, congress is scurrying to try to get another vote, but you better believe the second time around will be scarier than the first if you're in congress and your job depends on votes. Because now everybody is watching every inch of this thing play out, and insulting Americans by trying to add a placebo to the package will probably be enough to displace the entire House of Representatives.

For the first time in quite a while, I'm having fun watching America and congress work the way it's supposed to.

Sep 28, 2008, Politicians remain sickening even in crisis

I'm sitting here watching congressional Democrats at a news conference after the bail out bill was completed. It is a show in silliness that is hard to wrap my mind around. Before starting the news conference they first spent time at the microphone congratulating and thanking each other. The most comical had to be Chris Dodd who was one of the larger recipients of money from some of the culprits involved in this mess.

House and Senate leaders have nothing to congratulate themselves about. And congratulating themselves is not going to fly with the American people. Polls show people are against the bail out 2 to 1. These rank politicians would do better to go out in the street, get down, bend over and allow Americans to kick them in their sorry butts. That would get a much better response than the blustering, hot air filled congratulations they are pronouncing on themselves.

Elections are coming up, and nearly every politician in both houses of congress should lose their jobs for the miserable failure of government to perform the functions that it was originally designed for, and for talking about their "concern" for the American people out of one side of their mouth, while disregarding the will of "The People" from the other.

Sep 28, 2008, Dillon RL550 Reloading Machine

Dillon RL550 reloading machine review

Sep 27, 2008, Handgun reviews and comparisons

Handgun reviews, comparison, advice and critique

Sep 27, 2008, Guns and Gun Issues

Everything guns related

Sep 27, 2008, Election problem is as usual: "Undecideds"

Well, we are down to just over a month until election day, and as usual, the question lies with the usual quagmire of the world of the "undecided voter". You know those who have no values of their own, no conviction, may change their minds a dozen times in the last 2 weeks before an election, and have no idea what the country needs in a president. These are those who require debates that go nowhere to reveal anything new about the candidates. Undecideds need to see the small nuances and facial expressions, and tones of voice of the candidates, because they live to be swayed in their decision right up until they enter the voting booth.

Of course, without undecideds elections today would be pretty dull what with all the polls pretty much wrapping up the elections months before they actually take place. Without undecideds we could just read the polls on election day, appoint a president based on them and carry on. But with undecideds lurking in the background nobody knows until the exit polls. So, I suppose they do have their value.

No, actually it's sad that with 2 candidates that have such starkly identifiable differences that we have known about for 2 years, that such a large segment of American voters who can't decide between them exists.

McCain is for individual rights, limited government, lowered spending, and is pro life. Obama is for government control of individuals, government control over everything, socialist health care, higher taxes, and is pro abortion.

So, Mr. and Mrs. Undecided, it's pretty simple. Stop sitting around wringing your hands over which one can "handle the job". They both can. Decide what the heck you believe and pick one. You're not going to know any more come election day than you do now.

Sep 20, 2008, The joy of a free state

All U.S. states are not created equal. Some are free. Some are essentially socialist. Those that are socialist are also anti-gun and trample on the constitutional rights of our citizens.

I am blessed to live in a state that is free. We have laws, some of them silly. Some conflict. But the bottom line is that civil authorities understand the realities of day to day life and don't freak out over the normal activities of Arkansas residents.

This morning on the way to the Right On Target Group shoot a friend on a motorcycle, headed to the range in Scott County just outside the city limits of Waldron, Arkansas, lost control of his bike and went off the road in a curve. I was the vehicle behind him and stopped immediately to lend assistance. He had slid down small, muddy embankment, the bike hitting his lower leg as he went down. Reaching him, I checked his left leg to find the bone in his lower leg sticking through the flesh, soaking his sock with blood.

I called 911 on my cell phone and got Scott County emergency services on the job. Within just a couple of minutes I heard sirens. Both Waldron city, and Scott County Sheriff's deputies arrived to begin checking out the scene. As they cut their sirens, I heard the siren from the ambulance which arrived about 4 minutes later. The SC deputies stayed on the scene until my friend was on his way to Scott County hospital. During my time with them, I was able to talk about our group, that we were on our way to shoot at their local range. And it was obvious that I was carrying a small arsenal in my truck as well as my other friends who had all stopped.....all carrying guns in vehicles.

What was the response of the deputies? "Oh yeah. It's getting close to deer hunting season. Lots of people sighting in their rifles." I was personally carrying a GLOCK 22 and a S&W 638 in an ankle holster and never felt uncomfortable talking to the deputies and taking care of getting my friend's bike taken care of.

After I pulled out and headed to the hospital, I thanked God that my roots are in Arkansas where people are not castigated, persecuted and harassed for simply exercising their 2nd Amendment rights and engaging in a perfectly reasonable sporting and recreational activity.

Sep 18, 2008, BATFE Hypocrisy

Well, the nation's chief firearms enforcement agency, the BATFE i.e. ATF (to most) seems to have a problem. It lost, that's right "lost" 76 weapons and 418 laptop computers from 2002 - 2007. For weapons "loss" that's triple the rate discovered in a similar time frame reviewed in 2002.

The laptop computers lost did not have encryption software because the ATF did not start using it until mid-2007.

Now, let's look at this situation. It is now no longer a secret that the BATFE is an out of control organization that is trampling on the constitutional rights of individuals and businesses on a weekly basis. Their inept, incompetent operation has been exposed in the new in dramatic fashion and in a documentary film called "The GANG" which every gun owner and gun shop owner should purchase and view.

Noting the ATF's obnoxious disregard for the rights of U.S. citizens and their reputation for harassing legitimate gun businesses, I wonder what BATFE's position would be if they went into an FFL business and that business owner said, well, " we lost 76 weapons over the last 5 years that we can't account for".??? Do you think the ATF would say "that's ok, anybody can lose a bunch of guns, don't worry about it."??

No, this just shows once more the need for congress to completely wipe out this ineffective, incompetent organization that has done nothing but trample on constitutional rights and become a sore on the backside of federal law enforcement.

Sep 16, 2008, Financial insanity rules on wall street

Maybe math is just not my strong suit, or maybe I have some type of learning disability. But I fail to see reason in some things that those in the world of high finance see. But hey maybe that's the reason I deal in thousands while they deal in billions.

Here's what I fail to see. Merrill Lynch loses 45 billion dollars. That's billion with a "b". To avoid a meltdown, Merrill offers to sell itself to Bank of America which is done in a 50 billion dollar deal brokered over a 48 hour period.

Now Bank of America is touting their strength in having the 17000 "financial advisers" that have been employed by Merrill. What? Exactly what is the benefit of 17000 financial advisers in a company that just lost 45 billion dollars?? Does anybody but me see a problem with this reasoning?

But hey, I'm just a guy here in Arkansas watching my IRA tank while financial institutes corporately controlling hundreds of billions in assets operate with the impunity of an Indian casino. This while the highest corporate executives take tens of millions in compensation, including "bonuses" which I guess are for leading their companies to financial ruin.

But no, I'm sure it's just me. I probably just need to get out my adding machine and re-figure my portfolio. Maybe if I add long enough, close my eyes when I hit the keys, and only look out the corner of my eye, I can make my finances look as rosy as the picture of financial institutions that tout their great strength until the day regulators take over and bankruptcy is declared.

Or heck, I could just call Bank of America and ask to speak to a "financial advisor". They have lots of those now.

Sep 13, 2008, Ruger Alaskan .44 magnum review

The Ruger Alaskan .44 magnum revolver

Sep 9, 2008, Don't let fear rule

It's obvious from this web sight that I believe in both the right and obligation of U.S. citizens to exercise their right to self defense and their right to keep and bear arms.

But a whole culture has arisen out of this belief in the U.S. that does not always enhance our lives but can be a detractor and diminish our quality of life if we do not strike a balance. Before I began carrying a pistol on a regular basis, I seldom felt afraid to go about my daily business. But with the time I have spent studying, shooting, reviewing, carrying firearms, I have come to the conclusion that much of what is put forth in information form, particularly on the internet by well intentioned writers could become a basis for fear rather than peace of mind.

Along with the new culture in the U.S. surrounding concealed carry has come an abundance of training facilities and systems all benefiting and profiting from this culture. And many "expert" writers would have us believe that if we do not spend hundreds or thousands of dollars training to run, jump, drop, fight, and shoot from a variety of "realistic" shooting scenarios, we are hence, too irresponsible to carry a gun. And using it to defend ourselves? Forget it if we haven't had extensive training.

Others dispense information on the basis that every step we take in our daily lives is a dangerous one. And anything less than full attention to every minutia and less than two guns with extra magazines is surely going to lead to our untimely and violent death.

The fact is, most of us go about our business un-bothered and unharmed throughout our lives. Most adults have been victims of some type of crime, but most have not been recipients of the violent face to face kind.

So, to balance the promoters of fear and hopelessness for those of us who cannot spend countless hours training and thousands of dollars on "realism training" the fact is, most citizens who defend themselves successfully with a gun have not had much, if any training, and only moderate practice

That's not to say that training is not greatly beneficial. It is. But for those who cannot spend the time or money for "professional" firearms training, keep in mind that millions of Americans down through the years have learned about firearms from experienced family members and friends. And they've done just fine from both a recreational and self defense standpoint.

So if you own a firearm, practice. Get some help and guidance from someone experienced. And don't feel like a dangerous or second class citizen because you are unable to get the high end training that some insist is necessary to responsibly defend yourself with a firearm.

Sep 9, 2008, Glock Fan

As the son of a federal officer and the grandson of a serious NRA supporter, both of whom are Christians, I have been raised in a family that supports

Sep 7, 2008, Sig Sauer P220 review

A review of the Sig Sauer P220 .45 semi-auto pistol

Aug 23, 2008, The Maverick 12 Gauge Shotgun

A review of the Maverick 12 Gauge pump shotgun

Aug 9, 2008, ruger-lcp-a-great-ccw-weapon

The LCP is Ruger's new offering that caters to the concealed carry market. LCP stands for Lightweight Compact Pistol. Its specifications are:

Jul 13, 2008, A dose of reality about bad Brady stories of CCW permit holders

Bad Stories by the Brady Campaign

Jun 1, 2008, The Best Concealed Carry Handguns

The best concealed carry handguns based on my experience with these

May 29, 2008, Defense of Marriage Constitutional Amendment Needed

Defense of Marriage Constitutional Amendment Needed

May 29, 2008, Fobus Ankle Holster Review

The Fobus Ankle Holster - Always Armed

May 3, 2008, Best CCW for me

My pick is a Glock 26. Believe it or not, I sold a high-priced Kimber Pro Tactical .45 after getting the G26. Its not that the Kimber was not a good

Apr 18, 2008, Remington 700 ADL

Remington 700 ADL range report

Mar 20, 2008, Old Fort Gun Club

Old Fort Gun Club