After taking a week off, Saturday Shootaround, your place for 2A and firearms related news, returns. Today’s verse comes to us from another British WWI trooper, Isaac Rosenberg. Rosenberg was a member of the Kings Own Royal Lancasters and was killed in combat near Arras France in 1918.
Break of Day in the Trenches
The darkness crumbles away.
It is the same old druid Time as ever,
Only a live thing leaps my hand,
A queer sardonic rat,
As I pull the parapet’s poppy
To stick behind my ear.
Droll rat, they would shoot you if they knew
Your cosmopolitan sympathies.
Now you have touched this English hand
You will do the same to a German
Soon, no doubt, if it be your pleasure
To cross the sleeping green between.
It seems you inwardly grin as you pass
Strong eyes, fine limbs, haughty athletes,
Less chanced than you for life,
Bonds to the whims of murder,
Sprawled in the bowels of the earth,
The torn fields of France.
What do you see in our eyes
At the shrieking iron and flame
Hurled through still heavens?
What quaver—what heart aghast?
Poppies whose roots are in man’s veins
Drop, and are ever dropping;
But mine in my ear is safe—
Just a little white with the dust.
There was an interesting incident at the Indiana state Capitol building this week. Several high school gun control advocates affiliated with Students Demand Action confronted Indiana state Rep Jim Lucas over the right to carry. One of the kids asked Lucas if he carried a firearm. What makes this incident interesting is the fact Lucas was carrying at the time and brushed back his coattails to show the students.
“I’m carrying one right now,” Lucas said.
“Nothing about that makes me feel safe,” replied the student. . .
A student next told Lucas that people carrying firearms do not make them feel safe but rather threatened, prompting the following exchange:
“OK, those are feelings,” Lucas responded. “I’m talking facts.”
“That’s what this is about; this is about feelings,” replied the student.
“People who want to kill you don’t care about your feelings,” Lucas said.
Video of the incident wound up online, because of course it did. The reaction was mixed to say the least.
The students said they were caught off guard when Lucas showed his weapon. Alana Trissel, 17, said her heart dropped to her stomach.
“It was though all of my previous arguments were just invalid because I knew that at any given circumstance, he could end the entire conversation by choosing to end any of our lives,” Trissel said. “I just knew that that conversation wasn’t really a conversation because there was nothing I could say. I just felt unprotected and unsafe.”
What Alana failed to realize is that her arguments were invalid even without a gun. Facts always trump feelings. A lot of somebodies failed that girl, and her fellow gun control activists.
SHOT show has come and gone. Unlike past years, there wasn’t anything new that really interested me. It was the usual assortment of boutique ARs, rehashed pistol designs and tarted up optics. That said there were a couple of announcements/releases of note.
Ruger announced the gen 2 American rifle. It features a new stock, spiral barrel flutes and a new 3 position safety. MSRP is $729 for either the standard or the Ranch versions.
Christensen Arms, known for their high-end hunting and precision rifles, has announced the Evoke, a sub-$1000 rifle. The base model has an MSRP of $899. It comes with a proprietary Christensen Arms action with a 3-lug bolt and 60-degree bolt throw, detachable magazine, hybrid grip angle, premium adjustable trigger, 416R stainless steel suppressor-ready barrel with an RFR-style brake and swivel sling studs. The upgraded models add a picatinny rail and adjustable cheek risers.
On the legal front, there was a big win in Commiefornia this week courtesy of St Benitez. U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez ruled the California ammo background check law unconstitutional. This law also prevented Californians from bringing back ammo purchased out of state. From the ruling:
It is Senate Bill 1235’s requirement of a background check for every purchase that is challenged here. Why the egislature eliminated the voter-approved 4-year permit system in favor of an everypurchase background check scheme is not apparent. Without prejudging the discarded 4-year permit system envisioned by the voters of California, such a system would clearly be a more reasonable constitutional approach than the current scheme.
Today, a person may choose to submit to a full credit check to buy an automobile. But he is not required to pass the same credit check every time he needs to refill his car with gas or recharge his battery at a charging station. And the Constitution does not mention a right to own automobiles (or carriages or horses). Similarly, when a person chooses to buy a firearm, he is required to undergo a full background check. However, until now, he was not required to also go through a background check every time he needs to refill his gun with ammunition. And the Bill of Rights commands that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. With the recently enacted ammunition background check laws, gun owners in California undergo background checks more than one million times each year simply to buy ammunition. They are not allowed to buy ammunition from out-of-state vendors and have it delivered to their homes. They are not allowed to buy ammunition in Arizona or Nevada and bring it with them back into California. Though they are citizens entitled to enjoy all of the constitutional rights, Californians are denied the Second Amendment right to buy ammunition for self-defense at least 11% of the time because of problems with the background check system.
As of this writing, the ruling is in effect but the state has appealed to the 9th circus.
The South Carolina State Senate just approved constitutional carry in that state. The bill was passed in the state House last year but will have to return to that chamber for a reconciliation vote as the language of the Senate version is slightly different than that of the House version. After that it goes to Governor Henry McMaster’s desk for his signature.
Gun Porn
This week’s gun porn is a one-off revolver made as a fundraiser for the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, located in Cody Wyoming. It started life as a Ruger Vaquero chambered in .45 Long Colt. This one-of-a-kind wheel gun has been dubbed the “Jade Vaquero” because of the Jade grips. Here’s what the Cody Firearms Museum has to say about it:
Product Description:
Embark on a journey through craftsmanship and artistry with “The Jade Vaquero,” a Ruger Vaquero that transcends the boundaries of firearm design. Meticulously handcrafted by the esteemed artist Paul Lantuch, this masterpiece is a testament to precision, luxury, and history. Engraved in the Ruger Custom Shop, The Jade Vaquero is the featured revolver in the 2024 SHOT Show Auction. Key Features: “The Jade Vaquero” boasts a commanding 7 1/2″ barrel, chambered in the iconic .45 Long Colt. Every inch of this firearm is adorned with extensive hand engraving by Paul Lantuch, transforming it into a true work of art. The pièce de résistance is the majestic 24kt gold eagle, masterfully overlayed on the blast shield, symbolizing strength and freedom with every detail.Auction for a Cause:
This event is brought to you by the generous support of Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., The Ruger Custom Shop, and Baron Engraving. These industry leaders share a commitment to preserving and educating on the rich heritage of firearms. The beneficiary of this auction is the Cody Firearms Museum, ensuring that your bid not only secures an exceptional firearm but also contributes to the preservation and education of future generations about the important role firearms have had and continue to play in American history.Exclusive Presentation Case:
“The Jade Vaquero” package is completed with a custom handmade presentation case crafted from wood and wrapped in Nubian goat skin leather. This unique case not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the firearm but also serves as a testament to the unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail that defines every aspect of this auction item.Own a Legacy:
“The Jade Vaquero” is not merely a firearm; it is a legacy, a fusion of art and function. As you participate in this auction, envision this masterpiece becoming the crown jewel of your collection, symbolizing an appreciation for craftsmanship and a commitment to preserving firearms history. Don’t miss the opportunity to make “The Jade Vaquero” yours while contributing to a noble cause. Bid generously and be part of the narrative that shapes the legacy of this exceptional Ruger Vaquero and ensures future generations continue to understand and cherish America’s firearm traditions and freedoms.About Us:
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West, located in the Cody and Yellowstone areas of Wyoming, is truly a must-see American destination. It houses five different museums, a research center as well as other special rotating exhibitions. A highlight of the center is The Cody Firearms Museum. This mecca for firearms enthusiasts houses over 10,000 artifacts including more than 4,000 firearms and is undoubtedly the most comprehensive firearms museum in the United States if not the world.
Founded in 1991 and completely redesigned in 2019, the Cody Firearms Museum has attracted the support of the firearms industry as whole since its inception. For the last three years Baron Engraving has shown its support by creating highly collectible one-of-a-kind hand-engraved rifles that are auctioned off to generate financial support that directly benefits the museum.
Please note that one hundred percent of the proceeds this auction will benefit the Cody Firearms Museum and help ensure that future generations are provided an immersive opportunity to learn about the important role firearms have played in shaping human history and existence.
The auction for this gorgeous gat has ended with $20026 being raised for the Museum. If you want to see some really high-res images of this masterpiece, go to this link.