Ammo Choke-Point

Trainer John Farnam of Defense Training International puts out an occasional newsletter with his quips, quotes, and observations.  In a post sent out on Sunday, he described a conversation with the CEO of a major ammunition manufacturer.

It appears the choke-point for ammo production is not powder or primers but rather brass.

I spent last Friday with the CEO of a major domestic ammunition manufacturer. While there, I was able to get a small quantity of high-performance 40S&W and 45ACP ammunition, as well as some 9mm hardball. He also had some 40S&W practice ammunition and several boxes of high-performance 308.

No high-performance 9mm, and no 223/5.56x45 of any kind. I would surely have acquired some had it been there!

He indicated his current in-hand orders will consume his entire manufacturing capacity for at least the next twenty-four months, and that is assuming no major change in world events.

He also indicted the real choke-point is brass casings. Propellent powder, bullets, even primers are currently in at least adequate supply. Conversely, brass is chronically hard to get, and generalized shortages are holding-up production, industry-wide.

A Tuesday Morning Roundup

I'm on vacation this week and in between eating tons of boiled shrimp and playing games with the nieces and nephews I really don't have time to post on all the stories I've bookmarked. I know its tough but someone has to support the fishing industry of South Carolina!

The City Attorney's Office for San Francisco is warning the Board of Supervisors against their plan to ban possession of standard capacity magazines. These would included ones that have been grandfathered under California law. They said there was a "significant litigation risk" and warned that attorneys' fees of upwards of $1 million could be awarded plaintiffs if the city lost. However, since the fees would be paid for with taxpayers' money, they might not care.

At the end of last week, the House of Representatives adopted the Kelly Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2014. This amendment would prohibit any Federal monies for the implementation of the UN's Arms Trade Treaty for the next year. The amendment was introduced by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA). The House adopted the amendment by unanimous voice vote.

Under the heading of just because you have a Ph.D. it doesn't make you smart comes this op-ed from a professor of history at SUNY-Geneseo. Prof. Michael Leroy Oberg says the we should just rescind the Second Amendment. He calls it an "antiquated and blood-drenched amendment." I'm sure those who would like to rescind the 1st and 4th Amendments would agree with him as then there would be nothing to restrain their authoritarian urges.

Fortunately there are some in the professoriate who are not so obtuse and actually do know their history. I would point you to this essay by Prof. Edward Erler entitled "The Second Amendment as an Expression of First Principles."

And we must be clear—the Second Amendment is not about assault weapons, hunting, or sport shooting. It is about something more fundamental. It reaches to the heart of constitutional principles—it reaches to first principles. A favorite refrain of thoughtful political writers during America’s founding era held that a frequent recurrence to first principles was an indispensable means of preserving free government—and so it is.

Finally, here is a word of warning - never throw BBQ at a bear. Seems that a man in Alaska didn't heed this and ended up getting mauled by the bear. As you might expect, alcohol was involved.  The bear probably wanted a beer and not some burnt meat.

NC Sheriffs' Associaton Threatens Passage Of HB 937

Just like any politician, there are some sheriffs in North Carolina who are resistant to give up a power over their constituents' lives. It doesn't matter that this power doesn't improve public safety, that it allows felons to purchase firearms without a NICS check, and that its intent when passed in 1919 was to keep African-Americans from being armed. The power in question is the pistol purchase permit issued by each county's sheriff and the resistance is coming from the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association.

The Sheriffs' Association is asking the NC House of Representatives to not concur with the State Senate on HB 937. Grass Roots North Carolina just released an alert about their opposition to HB 937.

Sheriffs' opposition could sink restaurant/campus carry and other initiatives!

The North Carolina Sheriffs' Association (NCSA) is pressuring both House Speaker Thom Tillis (R, Mecklenburg, GRNC ****) and NC Governor Pat McCrory (R, GRNC-***) to oppose GRNC's repeal of the antiquated pistol purchase permit system that has been in place since 1919. As part of omnibus gun bill HB 937, which contains restaurant and limited campus carry, the purchase permit law would be repealed IF the House votes to concur with Senate improvements to the bill and IF Gov. McCrory doesn't veto it.

Felons with purchase permits

The purchase permit law slated for elimination through HB 937 was designed to grant discriminatory power to NC Sheriffs and enable them to subjectively deny handguns to whoever they consider “undesirable." To this day, several counties abuse the permit system in ways that make it difficult for law-abiding citizens to rightfully obtain handguns.

Ironically, as documented by The Charlotte Observer, the law sheriffs defend is letting untold numbers of felons bypass background checks to buy guns. Why? Because the untrackable slips of paper issued by sheriffs after background checks can't be repealed and are good for 5 years. Eliminating the system would mean that checks using the National Instant Background Check System (NICS) would be done at the point of sale.

Sheriffs want money & power

Beyond the power to deny purchase permits for arbitrary reasons by claiming applicants don't have "good moral character" (whatever that means), consider the fact that currently proposed legislation will double the fees sheriffs collect. Are Sheriffs refusing to do what's right in order to maintain a cash cow worth millions?

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!

Keep HB 937 from dying: Send 3 emails and make 3 phone calls:

• GOVERNOR PAT McCRORY: First, email him BY CLICKING HERE or going www.governor.state.nc.us/contact/email-pat and then call him Monday morning at (919) 814-2000. Let McCrory know that contrary to what the Sheriffs' Association claims, HB 937 IMPROVES background checks.
• EMAIL ALL NC SHERIFFS: Using the copy-and-paste list of emails and the message below.
• CALL YOUR SHERIFF: Ask them (1) Whether they oppose repeal of a Jim Crow law which allows felons to circumvent background checks, making law-abiding citizens vulnerable to gun control; and (2) Whether they know that is the position of the association which claims to represent them. Identify your sheriff by CLICKING HERE or going to: http://www.ncsheriffs.org/ncmap.htm
• EMAIL & CALL SPEAKER THOM TILLIS: Let him know that you appreciate his earlier efforts, but that the Senate has upped the ante and now he needs to resist the power-hungry NC Sheriffs' Assoc. and pass HB 937 AS IS by making sure the House VOTES TO CONCUR. To contact Speaker Tillis, email Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net and call him on Monday morning at 919-733-3451.
• HELP GRNC PASS HB 937: GRNC has spent tens of thousands of dollars on radio spots, alerts and legislative team expenses to pass what could be the most pro-gun initiative in North Carolina history, but we can't do it without your support, so please go to: http://www.grnc.org/join-grnc/contribute

Register your opinion with McCrory via Twitter:

I want @PatMcCroryNC to sign H937, Amend Various Gun Laws, NOW http://bit.ly/17QJ0Sy #GRNC #NCPOL #NCGA

CONTACT INFORMATION

Use the following copy-and-paste email list to contact Sheriffs:

terry.johnson@alamance-nc.com; cbowman@alexandercountync.gov; acsdrecords@skybest.com; tallen@co.anson.nc.us; sheriff@ashecountygov.com; kevin.frye@averycountync.gov; jordan@sheriff.co.beaufort.nc.us; john.holley@bertie.nc.gov; pbenston@bladenco.org; sheriffingram@brunsco.net; van.duncan@buncombecounty.org; admin@burkesheriff.org; dbriley@cabarruscounty.us; ajones@caldwellcountync.org; tperry@camdencountync.gov; asab@carteretcountygov.org; mwelch@caswellcountync.gov; coy@catawbacountync.gov; richard.webster@chathamsheriff.com; keith.lovin@cherokeecounty-nc.gov; dwayne.goodwin@chowan.nc.gov; claycountysheriff@claync.org; alan.norman@clevelandcounty.com; cbatten@columbusco.org; jmonette@cravencountync.gov; sheriff@ccsonc.org; susan.johnson@currituckcountync.gov; doug.doughtie@darenc.com; david.grice@davidsoncountync.gov; astokes@dcsonc.com; blakew@duplincountync.com; sheriff@shf.co.durham.nc.us; sheriff.knight@co.edgecombe.nc.us; schatzwt@fcso.us; ; acloninger@gcps.org; gatescoso@hotmail.com; anderson.mickey50@yahoo.com; sheriff@granvillecounty.org; lsmith@co.greene.nc.us; bbarnes@co.guilford.nc.us; frazierj@halifaxnc.com; lrollins@harnett.org; suttles@haywoodnc.net; rdavis@hendersoncountync.org; juan.vaughan@hertfordcountync.gov; hpeterkin@hokesheriff.org; barbaradeese@yahoo.com; predmond@co.iredell.nc.us; sheriffashe@jacksonnc.org; sbizzell@jcso.org; sheriff@co.jones.nc.us; sheriff@leecountync.gov; wsmith@co.lenoir.nc.us; sheriffcarpenter@lincolnsheriff.org; rholland@maconnc.org; sheriffharwood@madisoncountysheriff.org; dgibbs@martincountyncgov.com; dgreene@mcdowellsheriff.org; daniel.bailey@mecklenburgcountync.gov; mcsd@mitchellcounty.org; mcsosheriff@montgomerycountync.com; lweaver@moorecountync.gov; dick.jenkins@nashcountync.gov; emcmahon@nhcgov.com; wardie.vincent@ncmail.net; sheriff@onslowcountync.gov; twpope@co.orange.nc.us; sheriffsawyer@coastalnet.com; sheriff@co.pasquotank.nc.us; carson.smith@pendersheriff.com; etilley@perquimanscountync.gov; djones@personcounty.net; rnelks@pittcountync.gov; dhill@polknc.org; sheriff@co.randolph.nc.us; james.clemmons@richmondnc.com; sheriff@robesoncoso.org; spage@co.rockingham.nc.us; kevin.auten@rowancountync.gov; chris.francis@rutherfordcountync.gov; sheriff@intrstar.net; sheriff@scotlandsheriff.org; rjburris@co.stanly.nc.us; sheriff@co.stokes.nc.us; atkinsong@co.surry.nc.us; sheriffcochran@swaincountync.gov; sheriffmahoney@tcsonc.org; dliverman@tyrrellcso.net; eddiecathey@co.union.nc.us; pwhite@vancecounty.org; donnie.harrison@co.wake.nc.us; eagleeye@vance.net; jross@washconc.org; Len.Hagaman@watgov.org; carey.winders@waynegov.com; cshew@wilkescountysheriff.net; cwoodard@wilson-co.com; roliver@yadkincountync.gov; gary.banks@yanceycountync.gov

DELIVER THIS MESSAGE

To Gov. McCrory & Speaker Tillis:

Dear [Governor McCrory or Speaker Tillis]:

For reasons of money and power, North Carolina Sheriffs' Association executive director Eddie Caldwell is placing you in the untenable position of supporting a Jim Crow-era handgun purchase permit law which is letting untold numbers of felons bypass computerized background checks. Tell me: What will you do if you kill or delay the measure and then one of those felons kills someone, perhaps a child? Will that death be on your shoulders?

As documented by The Charlotte Observer, as many as 60 felons in Mecklenburg County alone might continue hold purchase permits after being convicted, enabling them to bypass the computerized National Instant Background Check System (NICS) because the untrackable slips of paper issued by sheriffs after background checks can't be repealed and are valid for 5 years. How many felons does that translate to statewide? 2,000? 3,000? Eliminating the system will mean that checks using the NICS would be done at the point of sale.

Support the purchase permit repeal: House Bill 937 does an exceptional job of expanding the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens while strengthening background checks. I will be closely monitoring your actions on this issue via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts. Rest assured that I will remember them in future elections.

Respectfully,

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

To the list of sheriffs:

Dear Sheriff:

I strongly urge you to tell North Carolina Sheriffs' Association executive director Eddie Caldwell that he is placing you and other sheriffs in the untenable position of supporting a Jim Crow-era handgun purchase permit law which is letting untold numbers of felons bypass computerized background checks. Tell me: What will you do if NCSA kills or delays the measure and then one of those felons kills someone, perhaps a child? That death will be on your shoulders.

As documented by The Charlotte Observer, as many as 60 felons in Mecklenburg County alone might continue hold purchase permits after being convicted, enabling them to bypass the computerized National Instant Background Check System (NICS) because the untrackable slips of paper issued by sheriffs after background checks can't be repealed and are valid for 5 years. How may does that translate to statewide? 2,000? 3,000? Eliminating the system will mean that checks using the NICS would be done at the point of sale.

Support the purchase permit repeal: House Bill 937 does an exceptional job of expanding the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens while strengthening background checks. I will be closely monitoring your actions on this issue via Grass Roots North Carolina legislative alerts. Rest assured that I will remember them in future elections.

Respectfully,

Comment Of The Day

My friend Rob Morse had what I consider the comment of the day. He was commenting on how the media kowtows to the gun prohibitionists and provides them with positive media coverage every time they have a little "rally".

President Obama's group Organizing for Action gathers three members for an anti-gun rally and gets press coverage. Somehow this is considered newsworthy.

Pro-gun groups gather three members every time I go to lunch with friends.

Beachward, Ho!

I will have light blogging for the next week. We are leaving this morning for our annual multi-family trip to the beach. This will be our first time at Garden City Beach, SC. It is just south of Myrtle Beach. The house we are renting is supposed to have WiFi so I hope to get some posts up over the week.

One thing I plan to do on the vacation is organize a trip to the range. I'll be taking some new and/or very inexperienced shooters to a local range for some shooting time. I hope to have some pictures of that.

The other thing I hope to do is catch up on my reading. I am in the midst of Mike Detty's account of Operation Wide Receiver and will do a review when I'm finished.

So have a great week and don't work too hard.

Heller Plus Five

The Cato Institute held a symposium last week to mark the 5th anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in District of Columbia v Heller. It featured Alan Gura who argued the case before the Supreme Court, Robert Levy who had backed the case with his own money and was a co-counsel, Clark Neily who was the other co-counsel, and Emily Miller of the Washington Times.

The video below is from Alan Gura's remarks.

Quote Of The Day

Smith and Wesson (SWHC) released their earnings report for the fiscal year ending April 30th yesterday. With the growth in gun sales over the past three years, you would expect that they did well and they did. Net sales figures for the 4th Quarter were up approximately 38% over the same quarter in the prior year. Fiscal year net sales for 2013 were up 43% over FY2012.

So who should they thank for their sales growth? John Nolte at Breitbart has this to say:

It is hard to judge who Smith & Wesson should thank most: Gun-grabber President Obama, murdered-child-exploiter Piers Morgan, or insufferable-sell-out Joe Scarborough. Or maybe the gun maker should just send a big fat bouquet to all of the media:

JournOlist HQ

Hollowed-Out Volcano Lane

Water Carrier, DC 66666

Actually, Smith & Wesson should be and likely is grateful to a nation of Americans who instinctually understand and appreciate their God-give right to not be bossed around, intimidated, or swayed by a bunch of hypocritical, bossie-pants, fascists who hide behind armed guards in secured high-rises.

 In what is generally a down day for Wall Street, S&W stock is up approximately 5% at midday.

Bloomberg Loses In Nevada

While Bloomberg's billions were enough to "persuade" both houses of the Nevada Legislature to pass SB 221, it wasn't enough to "convince" Gov. Brian Sandoval (R-NV) not to veto the bill. SB 221 provided for universal background checks on all transfers in Nevada.

Bloomberg had blanketed Nevada with his lobbyists and spent a lot of money on ads pushing Sandoval to sign SB 221. However, Gov. Sandoval, who had pledged to veto the bill even before it passed, seems to have listened to callers to his office instead.

It is a significant defeat for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's gun control advocacy group, Mayor's Against Illegal Guns, which spent hundreds of thousands of dollars working to get the bill passed.

The group bought numerous ads on social media sites, news websites and television, in addition to mailing out materials attacking select lawmakers who voted against the bill during the session. Video ads pressuring Sandoval to sign the bill surfaced immediately following the Assembly nod of approval.

But an automated system set up to field the flood of calls to the governor's office about the bill showed an overwhelming majority of calls wanted Sandoval to veto the bill. The system did not record names, so it was possible for callers to call multiple times and distort the numbers.

 The gun prohibitionists are still clinging to their mythical 86% of Nevadans in favor of the bill and are castigating the governor for ignoring their push poll.

Repeating an oft-cited result of a poll showing 86 percent of Nevadans favor background checks for private party gun sales, critics said Sandoval has made an unpopular decision.

"Clearly Gov. Sandoval is going against the will of the people," said Brian Fadie, executive director of ProgressNow Nevada, a group that favored the bill's passage. "He is standing with extremists who are mostly filled with paranoid fears of the government taking away their guns."

 Gov. Sandoval, in his veto message found here, said that the bill's measure on the reporting of mental health issues were very good. However, he goes on to say that that bill's background check provisions "constitute an erosion of Nevadans' Second Amendment rights under the United States Constitution and may subject otherwise law-abiding citizens to criminal prosecution." He adds that the bill would also alter the burden of proof for illegal sales of firearms under Nevada.

I congratulate Gov. Sandoval for vetoing the bill and for recognizing the "flypaper" nature of this bill written by Mayor Bloomberg's Illegal Mayors. These transfer provisions were never meant to stop crime but are intended to create a new class of inadvertent criminals ultimately leading to the loss of their rights under the Second Amendment.