SHOT Show 2016 in review Part 1

Although my visit this year was short it was full of interesting new products, meeting new people and visiting with old friends.

We started out on Monday for Industry day at the Range and it was busy, dusty and loud as expected. Lots of walking but more importantly lots of shooting and I didn’t have to bring the ammunition.  There were a great list of vendors that included 10X, 5.11, Action Target, Crimson Trace, MyTopo, Kimber, Glock, Daniel Defense, Federal Ammunition, Amscor and the list goes on…

Sick and Tired

OK I've listened to the news and I'm finally at my ranting point so here I go!  I’m sick and tired of listening to this garbage about “mass shootings” they are “mass murders”  or “massacres” or “attacks” … I’m a shooter that goes shooting on a regular basis but I’m not a bad guy. He or she that attack in Gun Free Zones are the criminals with murderous intent, they are also the cowards because they only pick targets that don’t shoot back. They should try going to Texas, Arizona or other gun friendly states but they won’t because  (you got it) we’d shoot back.

I’m also sick of listening to these idiots who don’t know a darn thing about gun owners talking about a couple of thousand rounds, 2 pistols and 2 rifles as enough to arm a small army. Now I’m not out to raise a red flag but that would be a pretty small army. Obviously they haven’t been out for a day at the range with a group of buddies.

What's your job (revisited)

This past April one of my last posts before I went through a journey called rheumatoid arthritis (which is another story in itself) was about "What's My Job?" and as I was reading it I realized it is more important now. More than ever there needs to be a call to action as Hilary "the Liar" Clinton struts her way to the Democratic Nomination, and the Big O continues to defy the American people by using Executive Orders, vetoing Military funding, making deals with devils like Iran, all the while our job market shrinks and our welfare numbers grow. This Administration is doing nothing to help the American people but is giving asylum to refugee's and amnesty to illegals (that's right I called them illegals!!) all at the cost of taxpayers.

So let's look at this job description one more time... 

Political Season Is Upon Us

Now the “all” knowing politicians of both parties and their ” learned “ journalist friends will be giving us the benefit of their “superior”  intelligence on everything from gun control, hate crimes, abortion, defense, V.A. environment and anything else you can think of. Have you ever wondered why someone would spend millions of dollars for a job that pays salary & benefits about $600,000 per year? Do you think folks are donating millions of dollars because they like the guy/gal or maybe it’s the influence they can buy?

Many years ago while working for a financial institution the officers were given bonuses with the understanding that half the officers and their spouses, would give the legally maximum amount to the Democratic candidate and the other half would do the same for the GOP candidate. As it was explained to me they didn’t really care who won as long as they had a path into the oval office. I am sure the same thinking was held for the Senatorial and House candidates.

Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger

From GunZone.com

My wife and I have taught, co-hosted, and worked as range officers at numerous classes over the past 30 or so years. One the most recurring safety infractions are keeping the students finger off the trigger until they are ready to shoot and/or on target. We have tried to teach folks to keep their trigger finger along the side of the frame and with some students we have great success… others not so much.

Of course this is one of the most important safety lessons. We read about instances of what is commonly called an AD (accidental discharge) some resulting in severe bodily damage to the shooter and some cases resulting in death of the shooter or worse an innocent. AD’s cross all shooting levels from competition, law enforcement, hunters, gun smiths and yes… instructors.

Advantage Bad Guy by Jim Krueger

Many years ago, when first running our gun store, there was a customer who came in carrying a 1911 type firearm in a fanny pack. Even then fanny packs were falling out of favor and were very obviously housing a firearm. We used to jokingly refer to them as “shoot me first packs”.   So while discussing the pro and cons of how to carry it came out that he carried with the chamber empty.   My reply was “what the hell are you talking about?” because after all the training I’d been through I couldn’t believe that folks still did that. He proceeded to tell me he was pretty quick getting the gun out of the pack and chambering a round and he believed it was another level of carrying safely. But I still couldn’t hide my disbelief and amazement that he would carry in that manner.

UPDATE on Fort Hood benefits for survivors

Last week I posted a piece regarding the 2009 Fort Hood massacre survivors receiving the Purple Heart. Sadly, at that time, they were not going to receive the financial benefits befitting that status because it was not being considered as "combat related".

Well I'm pleased to say that the Army has finally seen fit to ensure that the dozens of soldiers and surviving family members will receive extra hostile fire pay and other compensation that is long overdue.  This announcement comes from Army Sec. John McHugh a week after 36 Purple Hearts were awarded to the victims and relatives of the deadliest attack on a U.S. military base on home soil.

And please remember this case the next time you say your voice is not heard. This turn around by the Army and this Administration was due, in part, by the outrage you expressed to your representatives, on social media, on your blogs and anywhere else you expressed yourself.

Keep up the great work and keep the pressure on. Your voice can and does make a difference.

Feel free to read my original post at http://kate-krueger.blogspot.com/2015/04/shame-on-them.html.

KK