Welcome to the weekly 2A feverdream that is Saturday Shootaround. Instead of a bit of poetry, we’ll start this week’s edition with a couple of pro-2A quotes.
The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes…. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.
Thomas Jefferson – Commonplace Book
The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian; while on the other hand, arms, like law, discourage and keep the invader and the plunderer in awe, and preserve order in the world as well as property. The balance ofpower is the scale of peace. The same balance would be preserved were all the world destitute of arms, for all would be alike; but since some will not, others dare not lay them aside. And while a single nation refuses to lay them down, it is proper that all should keep them up. Horrid mischief would ensue were one-half the world deprived of the use of them; for while avarice and ambition have a place in the heart of man, the weak will become a prey to the strong. The history of every age and nation establishes these truths, and facts need but little arguments when they prove themselves.”
Thomas Paine, “Thoughts on Defensive War” in Pennsylvania Magazine, July 1775
The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them.”
Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833
Now on to the 2A news. . .
Lawmakers in the Bay State are proposing a new tax on gun and ammo dealers and manufacturers.
Del. Bernice Mireku-North (D-Montgomery), who will sponsor the Comprehensive Community Safety Funding Act in the House of Delegates, said an excise tax would generate an estimated $13 million. The money, Mireku-North said, would also come from firearms associated with mass shootings, which burden the state’s trauma systems. . .
The legislation hasn’t been filed yet, but Del. Emily Shetty (D-Montgomery) who will be a co-sponsor, said the money would fund the state’s Trauma Physician Services fund. She said it currently generates $12 million annually. An additional $9.5 million was appropriated in the fund for this current fiscal year, she said.
I don’t see how that type of excise tax would generate $13m annually. According to the ATF records, there were 24 active firearm manufacturing facilities in Maryland in 2021. Total output was 30,358 firearms in 2021, the 22nd fewest among the 50 states. The state’s single largest firearm manufacturing facility, as measured by annual output, is located in Cambridge and run by LWRC International. This plant alone accounted for 90.0% of all guns produced in Maryland in 2021. (As an aside, LWRC makes some of the best ARs on the market.)
HIVIZ Shooting Systems, purveyors of quality aftermarket iron sight systems, has announced a new pistol sighting system, the FastDot H3 iron sight. This system has a sight picture similar to a reflex sight/red dot. Here’s what HIVIZ has to say about it:
Laramie, Wyoming – January 15th, 2024 – HIVIZ® Shooting Systems, the premier manufacturer of high quality tritium/fiber-optic and fiber-optic sights for shotguns, handguns and rifles, is thrilled to announce their latest innovation—the FastDot H3®.
HIVIZ has raised the bar for firearm enthusiasts, by introducing a reliable sight that is bright, easy to acquire and fast when you need it most.
The FastDot H3 provides the user with faster sight acquisition out of the holster and positive sight alignment feedback through conventional sight alignment. Instead of a traditional blade centered in a notch, this sight uses a circle within a circle. As the user brings the front sight into alignment with the rear, the front red sight disappears behind the rear sight leaving behind a glowing green circle to alert the user of positive alignment.
“Since 1996, HIVIZ has sought to improve the art of shooting through simple, yet innovative products for rifles, pistols and shotguns,” said HIVIZ President and Founder, Phil Howe. “With the popularity of red dot sights increasing over the last decade we saw an opportunity to use our expertise in iron sights and bridge the gap between traditional iron sights and red dot sights. That’s when the FastDot H3 sight set was developed. This sight set offers the simplicity of a red dot sight system while eliminating the bulk, it doesn’t require batteries and allows for faster sight acquisition right out of the holster. It is quickly becoming a favorite among many who require simplicity and speed from their sight sets!”
The FastDot H3 is built to enhance the experience for any shooter– beginner or expert. With tritium/fiber-optic front and rear sights, the FastDot H3 provides 24-hour illumination for a bright and visible sight picture and easy acquisition right out of the holster day or night. Shooters can be prepared to confidently align, aim and manufacture precise shot placement in any light or high stress environment.
This sight seems superficially similar to the Meprolight Bullseye sight system. I have some trigger time on a Sig P365 SAS with that sight, and it takes some getting used to. I could see the attraction of this system, though what advantage it has over a reflex sight, the Meprolight or the XS Big Dot I don’t know. Perhaps a deep dive into pistol sighting systems is in order. Let me know in the comments if that’s something you’d like to see.
SCOOP: Georgia United Credit Union updated their user agreement
They now monitor your account & block any purchase of guns or ammo
Yep, u can’t buy a gun with your own bank account if you bank with @GAUnitedCU!
Good news for those of you in Commiefornia, the Crossroads of the West gun show is on at the Orange County fairgrounds. The show opened yesterday and will run till Sunday. admission for those 13 and older is $25. It will be the first time in two years the show has been held. The Marxists in the Commiefornia legislature had passed legislation barring gunshows at any state owned facility, but a decision by U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb put that law on hold.
Sig Sauer announced the expansion of their professional program. The Pro program offers significant discounts on specific Sig firearms. The discounts range from $130 to $250. If you fall into one of the following categories, you’re eligible.
Active-duty military with an active-duty identification
Retired military with retired military credentials
Honorably discharged veterans (requires DD214 or Veteran designation on state-issued ID)
Active reservists with military identification
Active national guard with military identification
Corrections officer (including parole and probation officers)
Sworn law enforcement officers (including federal, state, and county)
Retired law enforcement officers with “retired” credentials
Active or retired law enforcement with official agency credentials
Court officers with official agency credentials or official documentation
State / County / City Coroners with official agency credentials or official documentation
Full time first responders with current credentials or official documentation
EMT’s, Firefighters, Volunteer Firefighters, and Paramedics.
You’ll need to go here, download and complete the form, and go to a Sig Master or Elite dealer to get your discounts.
SHOT show, the annual gun industry convention, is going on in Vegas as we speak. I for one can’t wait to see what new stuff gets announced. I had the opportunity to attend about 10 years ago, and it was a pretty cool experience.
This week’s gun porn is one that I am watching. This is a decent example of A Winchester Model 1907SL in .351 WSL. The seller was quite succinct in his description, listing only model, barrel length and caliber, but included a bunch of photos. Current bid is $275 and the auction ends the 25th. If the price doesn’t get out of hand, I’ll jump in with a last second bid.
