Giving the Iraqis some trigger time on the M2.

Clark Limited Gun

Xavier blogs the IPSC/USPSA Limited gun by Clark Custom. With pics.

Yesterday I noted an NRA-ILA post about a potential ban on lead ammunition in Washington state. Here is part of what the NRA-ILA said:

The lead ammunition you use for hunting as well as target and competitive shooting will be banned from purchase, use and ownership in the state of Washington if the state’s Department of Ecology has its way.

Tonight I got a comment from Kathy Davis, who turns out to be the media contact for the Washington Dept. of Ecology’s Lead Chemical Action Plan:

Ecology’s plan does NOT recommend any new ban on lead ammunition. The agency wants to reduce lead in the environment to protect the health of people, and wildlife. The plan proposes working with hunters and shooters on a voluntary, educational program to promote the use of non-toxic alternatives to lead. Read the lead plan and our fact sheet about how the plan address ammunition on Ecology’s webpage.

And checking out the summary on the official Dept. of Ecology site seems to bear this out. Here are some excerpts:

The CAP does not include any recommendations to ban or regulate lead in any type of ammunition beyond current law. This includes all shotgun, rifle and handgun loads. Currently, lead shot is banned for hunting all waterfowl, coot, snipe, and in specific hunting areas (see below)…

The CAP is not a law or a regulation. It suggests ways for reducing sources of a specific toxic chemical, in this case lead. The draft Lead CAP calls for the use of non-toxic alternatives to lead ammunition wherever possible…

Non-toxic alternatives to lead ammunition are now available in most places. Ecology favors a voluntary, educational approach to promoting their use.

I remain skeptical of the end goal of at least some of those backing this plan, but it does seem plain, at least from this version, that the proposal does not call for any additional bans on lead ammo.

If anyone has more detailed knowledge about this issue, I’d love to hear from you.

Ohio court strikes down ban on guns in parks

The Ohio Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a city law that banned people from carrying concealed guns in public parks, saying it conflicts with a state law that established a uniform policy on firearms.

In a 4-3 decision, the court said the city of Clyde’s home-rule powers don’t allow it to override the 2004 state law that allowed people to get a permit to carry concealed weapons in public, except in public buildings such as schools, courthouses and stadiums. No exceptions were made for parks.

Seems pretty cut-and-dried to Murdoc. Though I don’t know many details, I’m not sure how this ended up 4-3.

Oh:

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Paul Pfeifer said there is no rational basis to distinguish between the legal rights of private and public property on this issue.

“Clyde owns its municipal park. Is there any reason why the owner of this property, where families gather and children play, should be forced to allow people with guns to enter, while the private owner of a public space such as a shopping mall can bar from entry any gun-carrying citizens?” Pfeifer wrote.

Ah, public vs. private ownership doesn’t matter if you don’t like the distinction. Got it.

Besides, he points out that he’s ignoring the difference for “families” and “children.” What a nice guy.

Armed Intruder Shot and Killed

Vero Beach, Florida:

At about 5 a.m. Thomas “T.C.” Thompson, an alleged intruder, made his way into a Vero Beach home on 74th Avenue, by prying open the front window and popping out the screen.

Inside police say Thomspon held 2 knives threatening a mother of 2, Joanne Hornsby, laying in bed. She screamed, and detectives with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office said there was some type of struggle, her sons, Austin and Roger, ages 19 and 20 began to fight the intruder.

The youngest son, Austin pulled out a shotgun and fired on shot at Thompson. Thompson was found dead on the screened-in porch, said police.

You know how this is going to go, right? Intruders using knives will be removed from the pool by homeowners with shotguns. That will leave intruders with guns, and then gun crime will be blamed on people defending their home with firearms.

From a reader:

Saw this on Aljiz (English version) today and had to laugh. I think the guy used to drive home the Nigerian rebel threat is maybe missing something?

Nigeria rebels declare 'oil war'

Looks like a perfect Nigerian rebel to Murdoc.

Shooting near Kirksville becomes a test of Missouri’s new ‘castle doctrine’ law

When Rogelio Johnson allegedly climbed through a window and confronted Jackie Gleason in her home near Kirksville, Mo., in May, she shot him dead.

A crime?

Yes, concluded an Adair County coroner’s jury last month.

Not so fast, said county Prosecutor Mark Williams, who says the shooting may be justified under a new Missouri law known as the “castle doctrine” that allows a person to use lethal force against intruders.

Although the coroner’s jury said Gleason committed “death by felony,” Williams was not convinced the jury completely understood the doctrine. Besides, he said, he found juror misconduct because one juror said Gleason was guilty before hearing testimony.

The shootee was under court order to stay away from the shooter’s house. Climbing in the window does not constitute “staying away” in Murdoc’s book.

A case of You got the knife…I got the gun…C’mon, man, let’s have a little fun…:

COLORADO SPRINGS — A man who came to the home of two women whom he had threatened to decapitate with a knife received a blow to the head that could cost him an eye, according to Colorado Springs police.

Russell Bowman, who claims to be an atheist, threatened the women because they are Christian on Sept. 8. On Friday, he arrived at their apartment and stood in a hallway, according to a police report.

“Another resident of the apartment retrieved a shotgun and approached Bowman, who was by then walking away. The resident ordered Bowman to put the knife down,” according to the report.

Bowman refused and approached the resident, who hit him with the butt of the shotgun, injuring his eye.

And get this in the Colorado Springs Gazette:

Another hero with a gun

Once again, a gun in the hands of a brave, daring and selfless hero has resolved a violent crime in Colorado Springs. As so often is the case when a gun foils a crime, no shot was ever fired. The gun brought civility where mayhem previously reigned.

And they close with this:

The Department of Justice has estimated that citizens use guns to defend themselves in United States more than 1.5 million time each year. Other studies have put the number higher and lower. Whatever the true number is, these incidents are routine and almost never make the news. When they do, it’s important to remember how the Second Amendment keeps this country civilized and free.

Lead Ammunition in Jeopardy in Washington State

The lead ammunition you use for hunting as well as target and competitive shooting will be banned from purchase, use and ownership in the state of Washington if the state’s Department of Ecology has its way. Lead ammunition is a target of a series of recommendations in the “Lead Chemical Action Plan” prepared by the Department of Ecology.

The plan is open for public comment until Monday, October 6. The plan and information about submitting comments are available at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/pbt/leadcap/.

Via Sebastian.

UPDATE: Not so fast. See this post for an important update to this story.

Recently got a chance to check out the new Official ActionAirgun Advance Shooting Kit from ActionAirgun:

Welcome to ActionAirgun – the world’s only action target shooting sport that utilizes the internet to create a heart pounding global competition.

Whether you’re new to airguns, or a skilled shooter, ActionAirgun is your chance to show the world what you’re made of. All you need is an 8′ by 16′ space to set up a range in your home, garage, basement, or club. The rest of the standardized equipment is available exclusively with the ActionAirgun Advanced Shooting Kit. Each week you’ll time yourself shooting Courses of Fire downloaded from the site, then upload your scores and see how you stack up.

The kit looks pretty good:

This Advanced Shooting Kit contains everything you need to get started:

(1) AAG-M1911-A1 all metal semi-automatic CO2 powered gas blowback pistol
(2) 25 BB capacity CO2 magazines
(1) LCD shot timer w/wrist strap
(10) CO2 chargers
(2000) Precision Ground BBs w/speed loader
(10) High Density Polymer Targets
(2) pairs of poly carbonate safety glasses
(1) ambidextrous holster
(2) target stands with printed placement grid. Important: Save the target stand wrapper to use with courses of fire.
Complete online instructions

The $20 fee for a 12-week season seems reasonable.

The above kit retails for $299.99, but one kit can be shared by multiple shooters. There’s even a option to form a ‘fireteam’ of 5 for team competition. One thing I can’t really speak to is the quality of the gun compared to other airsoft-type guns, so it’s hard to know whether the $300 price tag is a good value or not. I can see that, if you buy one kit and you average three shooters per season for three 12-week seasons spread over one year, you’ve spent less than $35 per shooter season (plus entry fee) for a year of competition and fun.

Murdoc’s not real familiar with airsoft-type gear and competition, but I’m going to participate in the inaugural 12-week season which begins September 22nd. I will be posting regularly on my experiences as long as everyone promises not to laugh when all the teenagers beat me.

My 13-year-old son may be playing, too. He’s not going to promise not to laugh if he beats me.

Is anyone else out there competing?

Check out ActionAirgun’s web site for more info. I will be posting more in the coming days.

UPDATE: Meant to include this from the AAG message board in response to a question about the gun:

We are using a WE double stack 1911 that’s roughly based on the STI 2011. BB capacity is 25 and the capacity of the 12 gram CO2 Cart is about 50 rounds of rapid fire and 75 of just plinking. We tested about 15 guns including the Western Arms and Tokyo Marui.

and

The most expensive part of the kit is the timer. It’s a CED 7000 that’s just a joy to work with. It has more features than we’re currently planning on using but as the sport progresses it’ll be right there with us. It’s been modified for AAG so it’s more adaptable to the softer report (bang) of the airsoft gun and works well in an enclosed space like a garage or outside if that’s where you’ve setup your course.