This guy makes a very important point

By Dr. Edwin Vieira, Jr., Ph.D., J.D.
April 14, 2008

NewsWithViews.com

From what I have heard, the oral argument in the Supreme Court on the District of Columbia gun case suggested that a majority of the Justices just might discover an “individual right” “to keep and bear Arms” in the Second Amendment, and on that basis might declare the District’s draconian “gun-control” laws to some degree unconstitutional. Such a decision might lead to further victories against “gun-control” statutes and ordinances in other jurisdictions. Yet it might prove instead to be a Trojan Horse, because it could come down larded with so much judicial mumbo jumbo about “reasonable regulation” and “compelling governmental interests” as grounds for “gun control” that the Second Amendment would be left guaranteeing less of a “right” than of an occasion for endless legislation and litigation. Well, one can only hope for the best—but at the same time one ought to prepare for something less.

My concern is what happens if the Justices somehow do rule favorably on the “individual-right theory.” I suspect that such a victory—after the champagne runs out—will have the perverse result of putting all the pro-Second Amendment people and organizations to sleep. With their personal “gun rights” apparently secure (at least for the time being), they will not be worried about how correctly to construe the Amendment, and how really to enforce it, even though this country needs that construction and enforcement now more than ever before.

The inescapable fact is that whatever “individual right” “to keep and bear Arms” emerges from the D.C. gun case will not provide “the security of a free State” at which the Second Amendment aims. True, tens and tens of millions of Americans possess firearms and ammunition; and perhaps large numbers of these firearms are suitable for Militia service. But the armed individual, simply as an individual, is not enough.

MIKE MCHUGH

HANDGUN SELECTION ?

WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU – A REVOLVER OR A PISTOL?

There probably has been as much written on this subject today, as ever, since this matter is still hotly debated. I will attempt to list the differences between the two designs as well as provide some commentary on what might be perceived as the pluses and minuses, based on safety, reliability and a person’s intended use. Like other issues, this comes so close to the Ford-Plymouth-Chevy discussion that at times, all the debaters can be correct.

I recommend that a new shooter take a NRA Pistol Class before purchasing a handgun. This will give the new shooter a chance to learn basic firearm safety, handgun etiquette, some of the major handgun design differences and what really fits the shooters hand. Upon explaining to an NRA Instructor the new shooters intended use(s), the Instructor should be able to guide the shooter towards a firearm that he or she can use safely and successfully, have fun and build up confidence.

Having had fifty plus years in the Firearms-Gunsmithing business, I will make a few recommendations based on that experience. This applies to all handguns: first, choose all steel (cold-rolled) designs; second, buy only American made revolvers; third, buy only German, Austrian, Belgian, Czech, Swiss and some American, Spanish and Italian Semi-Automatics. Avoid investment cast frames! Consider caliber in relationship to the major intended use. The rule for personal defense is choosing the largest caliber (i.e. bullet weight) that you can shoot accurately. There are trade offs between choice of caliber and firearm size and weight. If a person plans to carry all day, even a two-pound handgun gets awful heavy. This has led to the popularity of the small 45 cal. Autos like the Star PD-45. Obviously, a 22 target pistol would not be a good choice for moose hunting.

OTHER CRITERIA THAT MIGHT BE RELEVANT TO THE NEW GUN OWNER ESPECIALLY

Eye Dominance, Assuming proper gun fit to the shooter’s hand, is there any problem after firing, even two handed (i.e. isosceles)? Can you remedy the grip difficulty on the spot – say with tape on the stocks? Watching a new shooter for heeling or trigger jerking can be corrected with a Ball & Dummy exercise, which really works well with a revolver. The various frame sizes available from such companies as Sturm-Ruger and Smith & Wesson, along with a goodly collection of after market stocks, will allow even the average gun tinkerer to fit a set of after-market revolver stocks to a specific hand grip-size. Remember that one size doesn’t fit all. A Dremel Tool with a 1” diameter fine sanding drum works wonders in custom shaping the rubber stocks like those on a Ruger revolver.

BE SAFE and GOOD SHOOTING!

A FIREARMS TRAINING ADDENDUM

This document was prepared to assist NRA Instructors in disseminating information. With the subject of Gun Cleaning, unfortunately, there is as much bad info available, as there is good sound advice. The Military has its prescribed methods as do the law enforcement agencies at the Federal, State and local level, not to mention the firearms companies themselves as well as the manufacturers of cleaning supplies. If you want an argument, bring up the relative merits of Hoppe’s, Kleen Bore, Outers, Ox-Yoke, Rig, etc. (to name just a few). A real Chevy – Ford – Plymouth discussion.

We all know that a clean firearm is usually more accurate, operates better, is safer to handle and will last the life time plus of its owner. If the goal is to “Get the Lead Out” we have dozens of procedures from which to choose. What I will define here is based on over fifty years of Gunsmithing, firearms training and Instructor experience. Please remember, this is not the only way, just one that works, especially with newcomers to the shooting sports.

For new shooters especially, I have focused in on one product line, “Kleen Bore”. A major reason for this choice is the KISS principle. Their cleaning kits come complete for a specific firearm category and caliber. An example would be “Kleen Bore Handgun Cleaning Kit for 22 caliber”. That is the way their ‘end-flap’ is marked. Easy to price, stack and locate. These kits retail for about $15.00. Well, what does it contain ‘inside’ the box-case and slip board cover? Mounted inside the cover is a list of general instructions. The bottle of Formula #3 Gun Conditioner is easy to use and not foul smelling or irritating to those with allergies. Next there is a precision, coated, stainless steel rod (of correct length), adapter and jag (a screw in eyelet to hold the patch). (I along with many others do not recommend using any segmented rod or the use of aluminum, brass or wood cleaning rods because they can be embedded with tiny particles, which in essence turns the rod into a rat-tail file.) The next items to match the bore diameter are a brass bristle brush and a box of cleaning patches. A plastic muzzle rod guide is included along with a nylon bristle brush and a Silicone treated gun wipe-cloth. The fluid is a 3 in 1 mixture, which serves as powder solvent and cleaner, lubricating oil and a rust preventative. Obviously, having only one bottle of liquid to contend with, the odds are that it will get used. The only addition should be a wood dowel just small enough to fit in the barrel – to be used for ‘popping-out’ bullets as the result of a squib load. I also stock and highly recommend “BALLISTOL”, a product from Germany that works as a ‘CLP’ on leather, wood as well as metal, see me for additional details.

The process is simplicity at its best. Simply oil a patch, push it through the bore with a pointed jag (from the breech end if possible) and let it fall clear of the muzzle or chamber area and wait at least an hour. Do Not Use a slotted tip designed to push pull a patch. If a revolver, do all the chambers too. This will allow the chemical, cleaning action time to dissolve the powder residues. Proceed to push clear through the bore, several clean dry patches. If the third patch comes out as white as when it went in – it’s clean. If not, you have to go back and re-patch the bore with a solution soaked patch and allow another 60 minutes or longer to soak (and maybe use the brass bore brush soaked in the cleaner solution) and follow up again with the three dry patches. Repeat until clean. Wipe off all exposed metal areas with any old rag that is lint free.

Regardless, a firearm should be professionally cleaned once a year if it has been frequently used or exposed to the elements. Professionally cleaning a firearm requires the removal of stocks, basic disassembly, inspection, polishing, lubricating and re-assembly.

If you suspect serious leading or other bore problems and/or a gummed action, you might want to advise your students to consult a gunsmith, armorer or gun shop where they specialize in cleaning. The use of ultra-sonic or other new cleaning technologies have merit. Locally, Clark Bros. Gun Shop, Opal, VA has just recently installed special cleaning equipment for just this sort of maintenance.

Remember that products like “lock-eze”, “Kroil”, “Liquid Wrench” and “WD-40” should never be used on or near firearms. These products are penetrating oils, which can contaminate ammunition and penetrate oxidation, not just rust, but also a blued gun finish. Feel free to contact me at any time with any questions or problems you might have. Please visit my Web Site too. Be sure to practice proper hygienic methods after a cleaning session and remember that women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid contact with any solvent(s), so have them check with their OB-GYN.

BE SAFE & GOOD SHOOTING!

I need to ask a personal favor.

I desperately need to contact more people, to expand our army, or I fear our liberties are in grave danger.

By just forwarding this e-mail, with a personal note of encouragement, to every friend and co-worker you know who believes in the right to keep and bear arms, we can gather new reinforcements for the right to keep and bear arms.

And we’re certainly going to need those reinforcements.

The coming 4 years could be the worst ever for Americans who own firearms, or even those who may want to exercise that right in the future.

Why do I say that?

As you watch the unfolding Presidential campaign drama, it is perfectly clear that neither of the major parties is going to nominate a candidate whom even the most starry eyed optimists could term a friend.

Without re-hashing every detail, Sen. John McCain has made a career out thumbing his nose at gun owners across our country while he represents arguably the most pro-gun state in the nation. If he were to represent the entire nation as president, he would undoubtedly cave to the anti-gun cries of California and New York.

And Sen. Barack Obama is dramatically worse. He’s even signed pledges to make all semi-automatic firearms illegal.  But this note isn’t about the Presidential campaign itself.

Also troublesome is that the checks-and-balances we might expect from Congress, given the current make-up, will instead be a rubber stamp to the gun control schemes of Sarah Brady and her ilk.

In Virginia, things are not much better. We have a rabid anti-gun Governor.
And this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on what could be a landmark case for gun owners — but it could go in either direction.

So the real question is: What can we do about it?

I get that question daily: “With all that’s happening, what can I do?”

As a 25 year political consultant, I firmly believe our answer is in the mobilization of gun owners — and those who are willing to fight for the right to keep and bear arms.

You see, holding a position in favor of gun rights is not enough. Actually doing something to advance our gun rights is what is required.

Yes, you can try to convince an anti-gunner (or a neutral person) to change his or her position on the gun issue. That’s called the “Education Theory” of changing public policy.

But changing an individual’s mind on a controversial issue is difficult, at best. Let me illustrate.

You probably know someone in your family who is anti-gun (or at least not pro-gun). Everyone does.

You can spend 4 hours every Thanksgiving and Easter with your anti-gun aunt (who loves you, and whom you love) trying to convince her of the rightness of your arguments about the Second Amendment. And even with that amount of time and good will, it rarely works (though, obviously, honor dictates you make the attempt).

So does it seem logical that a 30 second commercial (costing millions of dollars) from a stranger is going to convince people to change their stance, when countless hours with someone you know didn’t?  No, I don’t think it seems likely to be effective.  And other methods of “educating” have the same premise. 

This displays what I believe is our problem: so many “gun rights leaders” subscribe to this education theory, and I don’t believe it gets us anywhere.

Yes, we’ve all convinced someone to change their position. Most of us have a success story, but most often a change in mind comes from a real-life circumstance, not idle chatter.

So if “education” doesn’t win for the side of freedom, what does?

Mobilization.

The mobilization of our side is the key to victory, not education. As the saying goes “Ideas do not have consequences, only actions.”

Mobilizing gun owners across Virginia (and across our country) is the vital link to changing public policy.

It doesn’t take 51% of the public.

It takes a determined group of activists who fight smart and hard.

Which is exactly why I am sending you this note today.

I’d like to ask you a personal favor.

Please forward this e-mail to everyone you know who believes in the right to keep and bear arms, especially those who live in Virginia 

Tell that group of people “I trust Mike McHugh at Virginia Gun Owners Coalition to fight hard for our constitutional right to keep and bear arms — I hope you’ll take action, and join with us in this crucial time.”

Ask them to do two things:

1.  Ask them to email me at president@vgoc.org and as to subscribe to our free, low-volume, no-spam Virginia gun rights alert list.

2.  Ask them to make a donation at https://va.eftsecure.net/eftcart/products.asp?M_id=467112673452

For Liberty, Mike McHugh, President, VGOC, www.vgoc.org