The Illinois House of Representatives on Friday approved a plan to replace armed police officers in schools with unarmed mental health professionals. The Democratic-led Illinois House voted 64-25 in favor of setting up a grant program that would reward schools for hiring social workers, according to The Associated Press.

A shooting at a Tennessee Waffle House has translated to an Illinois Senate bill on gun transfers (Photo: Nashville Police Department)

The so-called “Waffle House” law and a resurrected gun dealer licensing act were approved Wednesday by lawmakers in the Land of Lincoln.

The proposal associated with the breakfast joint, SB 2387, would make it a felony to transfer a gun in Illinois to someone without checking to see if they had a valid Firearms Owners Identification card. The bill passed 42-10 and came about after the case of 29-year-old Travis Reinking, who shot six people at a Nashville area Waffle House in April. Reinking had been an Illinois resident and police had confiscated both his FOID card and guns after a run-in with the Secret Service in 2016, but his father had later returned his firearms.

“While we, unfortunately, cannot take back what happened, we can ensure our laws are modeled to prevent this from ever happening again,” said state Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Deerfield, the bill’s sponsor.

Those transferring a firearm would have to fill out an affidavit acknowledging the state law and turn it over to the state police and area prosecutors. Violators could face a year in prison.

Gun dealer licensing

The second measure, SB 337, a fresh attempt to add another layer of government oversight to already regulated federal firearms licensees, passed the chamber 35-18, picking up more votes than a similar bill’s 30-21 performance last year, including a few Republicans who crossed the aisle to support what they term as a compromise measure built to win Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature.

“We have refocused the gun dealer safety legislation to address our most important priorities—requiring gun dealers to follow common-sense safety practices and cracking down on businesses that are enabling or engaging in gun trafficking, said state Sen. Chris Nybo, R-Elmhurst, who signed on to the new bill. “And we have done so without creating too much of a burden for local businesses.”

If signed into law in its current form, state police would issue certifications to gun shops on a sliding fee, and dealers would have to meet a series of new requirements including annual staff training, instituting a gun storage plan and allowing inspections by local law enforcement.

Although national big name gun control groups including Giffords and Mom’s Demand Action quickly celebrated the win, Second Amendment groups pointed out that the measure is just more of the same controversial legislation, and in some ways is even worse than the two previous proposals that have failed to make it into law.

“This newest version increases fees from a $1,000 per license to $1,500 per license with a retail location,” said the Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois, a group of gun dealers in northern Illinois. “This bill continues the efforts by gun control advocates to shutter local small business with expensive mandates that only the largest of retailers can comply with or afford.”

The group contends the measure is also filled with vague terms and new rule-making authority for the state police that could be interpreted in ways lawmakers never intended. “For example, the State Police could determine that it is not ‘responsible business practice’ to sell AR-15s, magazines over 10 rounds or more than one gun per month to an individual,” the organization argued.

Both measures head to the House for further consideration. However, lawmakers would need to move fast as the current legislative session is set to wrap up by the end of the month.

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In addition to offering a flared magwell, the Gen 5 magazine, bottom, offer an orange follower instead of the black Gen 4 style, top. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

Glock announced its Gen 5 series in Fall 2017, much to the delight of Glock fans everywhere. Adding a new lineup to its already popular series of polymer pistols, the Gen 5 kicked the aesthetics up a notch with a few tweaks. Though I have reviewed both the Gen 4 and Gen 5 G19 on separate occasions, I have yet to round up our thoughts on the platforms in one space – that is, until now. Taking two of Gaston’s greats, I stacked the Glock 19 Gen 4 up against its newer Gen 5 sibling to see which one comes out on top.

Aesthetics: Looks Matter

While the Glock series will never win awards for its looks, the Gen 5 G19 does offer some aesthetical upgrades to the overall look and feel of the Glock 19 platform. The 9mm chambered Gen 5 originates from the M series pistol created to serve federal law enforcement. As hands tend to vary widely, Glock revamped its grip and ditched the finger grooves that appear on the Gen 4 platform. Despite some Glock fans objection to the removal of the finger grooves, the move was an intelligent one. Any shooter with smaller hands knows the uncomfortable nature that is the Gen 4 grooves. Their disappearance opened the Glock platform up to a wider audience of shooter who may have shied away based on hand fit alone.

Though the Gen 5 ditches the grip grooves, the Gen 5 adds a little more width to its overall size. Measuring 1.34-inches, in comparison to the Gen. 4’s 1.18-inches, the Gen. 5 doesn’t really feel any bigger than its predecessor. Length wise the two generations are exactly the same, measuring in at 7.28-inches.

The Gen 4 and 5 stand at the same height. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

The Gen 4, left, is slightly less wide than the Gen 5, right. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

Not available in the Gen 4 Glocks, the Gen 5 offers left-handed shooters an ambidextrous slide stop. I am no lefty, so this addition to the Glock didn’t equate much to me; but from what I hear from left handed friends of mine it’s welcomed and makes manipulation of the gun a tad easier.

Overall, the Gen 5 employs a more rounded design. In what we suspect is to create a lower profile for concealed carry, the rounded nose on the Gen 5 G19 somehow makes the pistol look nicer while also preventing any snagging on the draw. Does this really mean much in the grand scheme of concealment? Not that I could find. The Gen 4 conceals just as well as the Gen 5 and draws just as easy from both a StealthGear USA and Dark Star Gear holster.

Topping off the G19’s look in the Gen 5 is the addition of the nDLC finish. Out of the box the nDLC, a supposedly tougher and more durable coating, looks sleek; but when it easily showcases any oil, dirt, grime or fingerprints. I found myself continually wiping the Gen 5 down, whereas the Gen 4 seems more rugged in its coating. Out of the two, I prefer the finish on the Gen 4. While not as sleek and shiny, the Gen 4’s coating resists fingerprints better and for someone who hates a grimy gun, this won me over.

Inside Is What Counts

Under the hood of the Gen 5 is where most shooters will note changes in the G19 design. Overhauling the internals, Glock engineers removed a locking block pin (the Gen 5 G19 now sports two instead of three) and added a firing safety pin similar to what’s inside the G42 and G43 models. The Gen 5 is also equipped with a new extractor and reinforced rails.

The icing on the metaphorical Glock cake, though, has got to be the upgraded trigger. The Gen 5 series welcomes an all-new trigger spring assembly and completely revamped trigger mechanism housing. The new assembly compresses instead of stretching for a smoother feel. The bottom of the actual trigger has been re-contoured and the trigger pin modified so that slots aren’t as deep. Rounding out the trigger work, Glock finished the package up with an updated trigger bar.

The Gen 5, top, features some upgraded internals over the Gen 4, bottom. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

The Gen 5 features a GMB which boasts a more traditional rifling method. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

While the new trigger system is a blessing in the sense the Gen 5 trigger is a lot more comfortable and pleasant to shoot, it does come with the downside of not being as interchangeable as past generations. All that said, the new trigger is a definite improvement over the Gen 4’s trigger and thus doesn’t really necessitate swapping parts.

Overall, the Gen 5 earned brownie points for its revamped internals and smoother trigger pull.

Performance: Is There A Major Difference Between Gens?

One of the biggest changes in the Gen 5 is the addition of a Glock Marksmanship Barrel, or GMB. The GMB forgoes polygonal rifling of the past in favor of a more traditional cut. Glock says this change improves accuracy over the past model G19, but does it really? In short, I didn’t see a remarkable difference. The Gen 5 shoots as smooth as the Gen 4 and my shots landed exactly where I meant them to. Over the course of several months of testing and range time, I saw no difference in shooting between the Gen 4 and Gen 5. If there are improvements, they are so minute that they’re nearly undetectable to the average shooter.

On the range, the Gen 5 did just as well as the Gen 4 in terms of reliability. Spitting lead down range with every pull of a trigger, the Gen 5 had no hiccups or failures. Not surprising coming from a gun maker whose moniker is “perfection.”

The Gen 5 offers a flared magwell whereas the Gen 4 features a standard sized magazine well. (Photo: Jacki Billings/Guns.com)

Where the Gen 5 excels performance wise is in a space that some might overlook – the magwell. It doesn’t seem like an area that would benefit from some updates, but in the Gen 5, Glock does an excellent job of tweaking the magwell to make the gun more efficient and easier to handle on reloads. Offering a flared magwell design, the Gen 5 grants a larger workspace to shooters to allow for a quicker reload. Not a make or break feature on the Gen 4, the added space on the Gen 5 does make for an easier time at the range, especially when training for time or under stress.

Though the flared magwell on the Gen 5 makes for slightly easier loading, the accuracy and performance of the two generations is on par with one another.

Final Thoughts: Which G19 Should I Buy?

After months of evaluation, use and carry I can confidently say that the best Glock 19 generation is — whichever you like best. C’mon, it’s Glock we’re talking about here. Both the Gen 4 and Gen 5 G19 continue to uphold Glock’s commitment to quality and reliability and you can’t go wrong with either choice. Though I personally prefer the looks and fit of the newer Gen 5, there are plenty of reasons to stick with the Gen 4. Ultimately it comes down to what feels best in the hand and is the most comfortable to shoot.

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Considerations for Home Defense

For most of us, home defense and the protection of our family is a primary reason why we chose to own and train with firearms. There is no more intrinsic human right than that of self-defense and the defense of our family. With that in mind, it is of paramount importance that we, as responsible gun owners, be as well trained and prepared as we can be. Home defense planning can seem like a huge and daunting task, but if we break it down into its smaller pieces it is very manageable. Let’s take a brief look at the components of a solid home defense plan.

1. Mindset

This is the foundational part of your plan and will help you dictate and prioritize the steps you take in its formation. You have to decide who (notice I said “who” not “what”) you are willing to protect, how far you are willing to go to protect them and how best to go about it. You have to be clear on your mission so you can train in the skills you will need to succeed in it. Once you hear that “bump in the night” your chance to plan is over, it’s time to act, and I guarantee you that you will act according to your plan. So if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.

2. Training

We all have limited time and money and with all the training available today it is crucial that we pick classes that enhance skill sets that will help our mission succeed. If your goal is home/personal/family defense the classes you attend should reflect that. Medical training, low light, small team or one-person CQB classes should be at the top of your list, followed closely by legal classes to familiarize you with the deadly force laws in your state and local area. There is little real victory in winning a defensive gunfight only to spend years in jail as a result of being unfamiliar with your local and state laws.

3. Planning and practice

Once you have identified and trained in the skills you chose, it’s time to set up and rehearse your plan. There will be a variety of considerations when setting up your plan such as your living conditions, how many people live with you, the layout of your home, etc. The plan will be dictated by your individual situation and will look different for each person, but the skill sets will be mostly the same. It is crucial that you practice your plan and discuss it with your family. Practice can show you potential problems or oversights that could mean failure in a real-life event. Never be afraid of failures in practice and training, they provide invaluable learning experiences!

4. Equipment selection

Just like your plan, choosing the right gear will be driven by your individual circumstances and your plan. As far as firearm selection goes, you will need to pick a tool that provides the best ballistic effect on a potential target while limiting the potential for collateral damage. Lights and other aftermarket additions will likewise need to enhance your ability to use your tools without adding unnecessary complication or bulk.

Review

As responsible gun owners and law abiding citizens, we probably won’t be the ones choosing when or if we have to use these skills, and indeed we pray that we never need them! Home and personal defense may seem daunting, but it is a completely manageable task. With the correct mindset, training, tools and practice you can provide yourself and your loved ones the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are prepared to handle anything life throws at you.

“Fortune favors the prepared mind”  -Louis Pasteur-

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Yesterday, NRA filed a legal challenge in the Thurston County Superior Court objecting to the misleading and inadequate ballot title for Initiative 1639, which seeks to further restrict the Second Amendment rights of Washington's law-abiding citizens.  The Thurston County Superior Court will review all legal challenges before the ballot title and summary can be finalized for the initiative.

The Xanthos-Lite offers a lightweight receiver for the AR-10 platform. (Photo: 2A Armament)

2A Armament grows its inventory of AR-10 rifle parts, introducing the Xanthos-Lite receiver for large frame .308 rifles.

Developed in-house at 2A Armament, the Xanthos-Lite offers a lightweight solution to AR-10 shooters looking for a solid yet manageable receiver for larger AR-10 builds. The receiver, machined from US sourced 7075-T6 billet aluminum, reduces weight while offering an integrated trigger guard. 2A Armament says the receiver’s forward assist was removed in order to bring the stripped upper and lower down to 16-ounces of total weight.

“Over the last few years, AR-style rifles chambered in 7.62 mm/.308 Win., have grown in popularity with various shooting communities,” 2A Armament said in a press release. “Unfortunately, while most AR-10 rifles are known for rugged reliability, they are also relatively heavy. As a result, many ardent shooters look to the 2A Armament Xanthos-Lite Receiver when building an AR-10 style rifle.”

The receiver features the 2A Armament logo. (Photo: 2A Armament)

The company added, “Everything about this Idaho-made receiver is designed around reducing weight while maintaining strength for heavy-duty use. As such, it can withstand the rigors of combat but is light enough to make a difference in regard to poundage; so the user can carry more gear or ammunition.”

The Xanthos-Lite features a DPMS High standard rail height in addition to a tapered charging handle ramp that eliminates wear marks. Compatible with most accessories on the market, the Xanthos-Lite also sports a tensioning screw and screw in pin for bolt release.

The Xanthos-Lite is available from 2A Armament with a MSRP of $699.

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School Resource Officer Mark Dallas is credited with saving countless lives after taking down a school shooter on May 16, 2018 in Dixon, Illinois. (Photo: Dixon Police Department)

Law enforcement in Dixon, Illinois praised a local school resource officer for taking down an armed intruder early Wednesday.

Police Chief Steve Howell said Officer Mark Dallas confronted a gunman just after 8 a.m. inside Dixon High School, located about 100 miles west of Chicago. The suspect, a 19-year-old former student, fled on foot, shooting at Dallas as he followed behind. The officer returned fire, striking the gunman and sending him to the hospital with non-lethal injuries. He remains under 24-hour supervision, according to a police statement.

“I could not be more proud of the police officer and the way he responded to the situation,” Howell said. “With shots ringing through the hallways of the school, he charged toward the suspect and confronted him head on. Because of his heroic actions, countless lives were saved. We are forever indebted to him for his service and his bravery.”

Law enforcement said no one else sustained any injuries when the unidentified shooter opened fire during a graduation rehearsal inside the school’s gymnasium.

“A lot of things went right today when a great many of them could have gone wrong,” Dixon Mayor Liandro Arellano Jr. said. “Things could have gone much worse. We are deeply indebted to our officer and the actions he took today.”

Dallas, a 15-year veteran of the Dixon Police Department, began serving as a school resource officer in 2013. His career in law enforcement spans more than two decades. He requested privacy and will reject media requests until completing an interview with the Illinois State Police.

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Guns.com stopped by Banana Bay Tactical in Austin a few weeks back to take a look at what this surplus store had to offer. There we met up with Chris Browder, who is the GM of the store. He showed us his revolver EDC setup. To start things off Browder likes to carry the Zero Tolerance 0350 knife. This knife features the company’s patented SpeedSafe assisted opening system. The blade is S30V stainless steel with a non-reflective DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating. The DLC coating, in addition to being non-reflective, also makes the blade stronger. Browder can attest to this as he says he does everything from cutting to prying with ease. He also likes the big sweeping blade, which he says takes an edge really nicely.

Moving on to the revolver and holster. He carries his Taurus revolver in a Blackhawk! Serpa holster. Browder knows the objections to Serpa holsters but he thinks that if you’re able to use an index finger you should be able to figure out how to use the Serpa holster. The reason Browder chooses his revolver over a semi-auto for EDC is because he doesn’t predict himself to get into a situation where he’s handling multiple attackers or dealing with a firefight where he’d need multiple magazines. The other nice thing about revolvers for EDC, according to Browder, is that revolvers don’t jam, and because of its hammerless design it won’t get caught up on clothing when you need to draw. Finally, If you need more than five rounds to solve your problem “you probably shouldn’t be carrying a weapon in the first place and should rely more on your feet” he says.

The revolver is also outfitted with a Crimson Trace laser which he has sighted in at approximately 10-15 feet. He thinks that this will help him, especially in defense when in a vehicle, because he doesn’t have to aim as much. Once he sees the laser he will be able to know he’s on target and take the shot.

The last thing Browder considers part of his EDC is his keys, on which he has an emergency whistle. This will signal help if he’s in a dire situation and needs to get someones help. Besides being able to signal help he also can grip the whistle for more reinforcement if he needs to go hand to hand in a close quarters situation.

What do you think of Broward’s EDC setup? Do you agree with his stance on revolvers over semi-autos? Let us know in the comments below!

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A 22-year-old recent graduate exercised her Second Amendment rights by taking a stroll on campus with a feathery white dress and an AR-10.

Kaitlin Bennett, a biology major who picked up her degree from Ohio’s Kent State University earlier this month, complied with state law that allowed visitors on the public campus to carry a firearm for a series of graduation snaps. While a student, school policies prohibited her from doing so, but now that he has graduated, she borrowed her brother’s rifle and decided to make a dramatic statement to protest the college’s ban on guns.

“Now that I graduated from @KentState, I can finally arm myself on campus,” said Bennett. “I should have been able to do so as a student — especially since 4 unarmed students were shot and killed by the government on this campus,” referring to the 1970 Kent State shootings where National Guard troops fired on a group of unarmed college students at a protest.

Now that I graduated from @KentState, I can finally arm myself on campus. I should have been able to do so as a student- especially since 4 unarmed students were shot and killed by the government on this campus. #CampusCarryNow pic.twitter.com/a91fQH44cq

— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 13, 2018

The photo sparked a number of angry responses and even death threats, which the new college grad took in stride, saying, “Thanks to all who have sent me death threats for taking a picture. You’re the biggest advocates for gun rights. You proved exactly why people carry.”

Thanks to all who have sent me death threats for taking a picture. You're the biggest advocates for gun rights. You proved exactly why people carry.

— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 16, 2018

Standing by her convictions, Bennett tweeted out, “I have no apologies for my graduation photos. As a woman, I refuse to be a victim & the second amendment ensures that I don’t have to be,” along with smiling photo of her with the AR-10 slung over her shoulder in front of the Kent State sign.

I have no apologies for my graduation photos. As a woman, I refuse to be a victim & the second amendment ensures that I don't have to be. pic.twitter.com/5CKmQobrMb

— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 15, 2018

Gun control advocates David Hogg, a Parkland shooting survivor, retweeted a comment from Mom’s Demand Action founder Shannon Watts to Bennett, saying “White privilege is a helluva drug.”

White privilege is a helluva drug. https://t.co/HhNf4tS5lN

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 16, 2018

Watts then tried to sick Kent State officals on Bennett, who says she conducted her photoshoot after verifying with campus police that she was in compliance with all laws and guidelines.

.@KentState: Does this violate your weapons policy? If so, what action will you take regarding this student?

Please let parents of prospective college students know ASAP.

Thanks in advance… https://t.co/HhNf4tS5lN

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) May 17, 2018

Which brough clapbacks to both Hogg and Watts.

Mom's Demand Action huh? What kind of mother doesn't want their child to be protected? Especially when defensive use of firearms save at minimum 500k lives. I wouldn't want to be your daughter. https://t.co/FZe1MQ3rqM

— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 17, 2018

.@davidhogg111 I don't know if your tiny arms with Hitler-esque bands around them can't reach your @ button, but maybe instead of retweeting racist posts about me, you can have a real conversation about guns with me like the adult you want to be. #CampusCarryNow

— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 17, 2018

In the end, it seems like the photos worked well for the gun rights advocate, who picked up a job offer from an area gun store (which she accepted) and a number of other offers for companionship that she declined, citing prior obligations.

Not only have I received a job offer tonight, but several young men have offered their hands in marriage to me. I'm sorry I have to decline. I have a boyfriend. pic.twitter.com/q7YX4oi2Pi

— Kaitlin Marie (@KaitMarieox) May 17, 2018

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The Galco Tuck-N-Go holster has been revamped and features an reinforced open top design. (Photo: Galco)

Galco Gunleather upgraded its Tuck-N-Go holster, launching a new iteration of the inside-the-waistband design.

Part of Galco’s Carry Lite series of holsters, the Tuck-N-Go utilizes Premium Center Cut Steerhide with an open top design to allow for quick drawing, the company said in a press release. The mouth of the holster is reinforced while the holster itself features improved belt clips that are adjustable for cant. Galco says users can now set up the holster for strongside, crossdraw or appendix carry positions.

The holster features clips that are interchangeable. (Photo: Galco)

An ambidextrous style, the holster comes with two types of interchangeable tuckable clips. The first set is the brand new UniClip which slips over the belt but can also work without a belt, says Galco. The second set of clips is the Ultimate Stealth clip with hook. The Ultimate Stealth Clip fits on the waistband of pants, under or behind the belt with only the clip showing. This low-profile design results in “stealthy concealment.”

The holster ships in black with a moderate price of $38 with a variety of gun models to choose.

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The Boulder City Council heard hours of public comment on both sides of the issue before voting this week unanimously in favor of a sweeping local gun control measure. (Photo: Coloradans for Civil Liberties/Twitter)

A Colorado city is headed to federal court over a ban on the sale and possession of guns deemed to be “assault weapons” as well as bump stocks and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds.

The Mountain States Legal Foundation, a nonprofit public interest law firm based in Lakewood, Colorado, filed a legal challenge to Boulder’s new local regulations on firearms. The foundation named virtually the entire city government from the mayor and city manager to the city council and chief of police as defendants, arguing the ordinance violates not only the state and U.S. Constitution but also at least two Colorado statutes.

“This ban is tantamount to Boulder attempting to stop drunk driving by banning Subarus,” said Cody J. Wisniewski, an attorney with the firm. “It accomplishes nothing other than making criminals of law-abiding citizens.”

Boulder’s ban goes after virtually all semi-auto firearms in one form or another. Rifles capable of taking a detachable magazine holding 21 or more rounds, or a shotgun that can accommodate more than six shells, if they have a semi-auto action, are outlawed. A similar restriction applies to pistols or any gun that can be modified to meet the new definition. Bump stocks and detachable magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds are likewise banned. Local residents have until July 15 to remove the newly regulated arms and devices from town or apply for a certificate from the city to grandfather them.

The ordinance, contends the lawsuit, violates the Second, Fifth and 14th Amendments as well as Colorado preemption laws and prohibitions against maintaining a firearms registry.

“The West wasn’t won with a registered gun,” said William Perry Pendley, the foundation’s president. “Colorado is not California; these laws have no place here.”

The plaintiffs in the litigation include Boulder icon Jon Caldara, a well-known libertarian activist and radio host; the Boulder Rifle Club; area gun shop Bison Tactical; and University of Colorado Shooting Team member Tyler Faye.

City leaders cited the Heller ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court as legal justification for their ban before their unanimous vote to enact it.

“The point here is that this Supreme Court opinion from 2008 makes it very clear that we can regulate weapons designed primarily for human destruction,” said Council Members Sam Weaver and Bob Yates in an opinion piece for the Boulder Daily Camera. “Likewise, courts in Colorado have upheld a similar gun ban by Denver, stating that local control of health and safety trumps state preemption on gun control. For these reasons, we are confident that Boulder’s narrowly-tailored ordinance will survive legal scrutiny.”

Weaver and Yates went on to say that, “High-quality lawyers are lining up to represent the city pro bono in any legal challenge of the ordinance, and we believe that the cost and distraction of any lawsuit will be minimal. If we avoided taking action every time someone threatened to take us to court, everyone would threaten to take us to court.”

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Rick Ector speaking to ladies attending a previous free women’s shooting course. (Photo: Facebook)

Legally Armed Detroit will host a free firearm shooting lesson at a southeast Michigan range with the hopes of training up 800 women interested in learning more about firearms and personal safety.

The gun rights advocacy group says the lesson will be hosted on May 20 at Top Gun Shooting Sports Gun Range in Taylor, Michigan. The course will be taught by NRA firearms trainer Rick Ector, who started the free gun course for women seven years ago.

Ector said the idea came to him after he watched a newscast detailing a young woman’s death on the east-side of Detroit. After that, Ector decided to offer a class to help women in the state of Michigan who might be interested in firearms but are reluctant to pursue training out of either fear or monetary reasons.

“If giving women a free lesson by a credentialed professional translates into women just trying it, it’ll be a productive use of my time,” Ector said in a news release.

In its first year, the class garnered around 50 female participants. In 2016, that number grew to almost 600. For 2018, Ector said the goal of his training team is to teach 800 women how to safely shoot.

The course will be split into four sessions held at varying times throughout the day. The event is open to women aged 12 years or older. However, participants under the age of 18 will need onsite approval and to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Ladies in the Michigan area who are interested in participating in the event will need to pre-register through the event’s Facebook page.

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A man with “no apologies” prepares to enter Carry Guard’s virtual simulator as his daughter watches during the NRA show in Dallas on May 4, 2018. (Photo: Daniel Terrill/Guns.com)

The National Rifle Association alleges New York officials conspired with a gun control organization to hurt its pro-gun message by attacking NRA-branded self-defense insurance. In two separate lawsuits, the NRA said Everytown for Gun Safety orchestrated state-led investigations into NRA Carry Guard that uncovered violations by the policy broker and underwriter.

The lawsuits stem from the New York Department of Financial Services announcing deals with insurance broker Lockton Affinity and underwriter Chubb Ltd. The companies agreed to pay million-dollar fines and signed consent decrees saying they would no longer service Carry Guard or similar policies in the Empire State. While the lawsuits acknowledge wrongdoing by the companies, the NRA describes the state’s enforcement efforts as politically motivated.

The case against New York

In a New York federal court, the NRA filed a 33-page complaint accusing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and DFS superintendent Maria Vullo of conspiring “to initiate an investigation into Carry Guard in an attempt to collaterally attack the NRA and stifle its gun-rights advocacy.” The lawsuit argues Cuomo attacked the NRA because it had been a vocal critic and opponent of his gun control policies. The lawsuit alleges DFS’s investigation targeted no other self-defense insurance except for the NRA’s Carry Guard policies.

The conspiracy deepens as the lawsuit alleges the DFS investigation was orchestrated by Everytown, a national group that allies itself with Cuomo and other politicians who support gun control. Cuomo has been credited for pushing through some of the strictest gun control policies in recent history, which gun rights groups have repeatedly challenged. The lawsuit says Everytown instigated the investigation by sharing its own investigatory findings about Carry Guard with New York regulators. “Notably, Everytown’s explicit political mission is to oppose the NRA,” the lawsuit says.

To support the conspiracy, the lawsuit argues that DFS’s agreements with Lockton and Chubb only prohibit them from administering policies for the NRA but no other advocacy-driven organization. “The only plausible explanation for the DFS’s complete exclusion of NRA-endorsed policies, even those ‘in compliance with the Insurance Law,’ is that Defendants seek to misuse DFS’s power to deprive the NRA of insurance and financial services, on the sole ground that Defendants disapprove of the NRA’s viewpoint regarding gun control,” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit calls the state’s effort a “blacklisting campaign” designed to damage the NRA and its members. The NRA claims the state violated its first and fourteenth amendment rights and asks the court for punitive damages.

The case against Lockton

In a Virginia federal court, the NRA filed a 29-page complaint accusing Kansas City-based Lockton of breach of contract. The lawsuit argues Lockton failed to fulfill its obligations to “create, implement, and administer” NRA-branded insurance programs and that failure resulted in the NRA losing business in New York.

The lawsuits explains Lockton — an insurance group raking in some $1.4 billion in annual revenue — undermined a contract with the NRA by failing to comply with New York state insurance laws, something the DFS investigation uncovered. In turn, the company agreed to pay a $7 million fine and to no longer offer NRA-branded insurance. The latter effectively ended a 17-year relationship with the gun rights group. Instead of honoring “fiduciary obligations and longstanding business relationship with the NRA,” Lockton caved in the face of “politically motivated coercion” by the conspirators, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit argues Everytown changed the political landscape surrounding the issue of guns, which explains how the organization “conceived and openly orchestrated regulatory inquiries concerning NRA-endorsed insurance products marketed and administered by Lockton.” And, amid the investigation, Lockton kept the NRA in the dark about any possible issue, the lawsuit says.

Then, without notice, “Lockton entered into a consent order with DFS that propagated misleading accusations – ascribing, to the NRA, conduct in which Lockton either engaged or approved – and adopted a host of prospective restrictions on the sale of unambiguously-lawful insurance policies to NRA members,” the lawsuit says.

“Simply put, Lockton ceased to protect the NRA and its interests. Instead, Lockton chose to abet the DFS blacklisting campaign in order to save itself,” the lawsuit adds. With the lawsuit, the NRA is seeking to recover tens of millions of dollars in damages from Lockton.

The impact

Besides losing business opportunities in the state of New York, the NRA says it has suffered reputational harm as a result of the investigation. Even though the state only punished Lockton and Chubb, which agreed to pay a $1.3 million fine and similar restrictions as Lockton, many thought charges of wrongdoing also applied to the NRA. Because of the state’s regulatory activity, insurance market Lloyd’s of London deemed NRA-branded insurance a risk and directed underwriters to end and withdraw from such policies.

The NRA continues to offer Carry Guard insurance, but details about its future are unclear. Both Lockton and Chubb announced ending relations with the NRA following February’s school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Chubb explained it had cut ties three months prior to the shooting. However, the NRA continues to list Lockton as the administrator for Carry Guard insurance on the program’s website.

The NRA introduced the self-defense insurance program last year during its annual convention. Promotional materials describe the policies as covering policyholders who are charged with a crime in cases of self-defense shootings.

Political opponents characterized the program as “murder insurance,” and New York officials publicly launched their investigation into it as advocacy efforts to oppose the program ramped up in October 2017.

Responses

Lockton and Chubb publicly cut ties to the NRA alongside some two dozen other brands in February as students and victims of the Parkland shooting protested NRA policies and pressured corporate America to act. The NRA responded by saying it was unmoved by the loss.

In a press release introducing the lawsuit against New York, the NRA maintained the defiant tone, saying it “continues to educate the public about the Second Amendment, defend the NRA and its members against political and media attacks, and galvanize participation in the political process.”

Cuomo — who called the lawsuit “futile and desperate” — responded with a similar combative tone. “In New York, we won’t be intimidated by frivolous court actions from a group of lobbyists bent on chipping away at common sense gun safety laws that many responsible gun owners actually support. We have an obligation to protect New Yorkers, and this sham suit will do nothing to stop that,” he said in a statement.

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Today, the Illinois state Senate voted 35-18 to pass Senate Amendment 3 to Senate Bill 337, which would shut down your local gun stores with onerous red tape and regulations.  Governor Bruce Rauner has previously vetoed two of these egregious dealer licensing bills, but anti-gun legislators are not giving up.  SA 3 to SB 337 will now go to the House of Representatives for further consideration, where anti-gun legislators are also attempting to override Gov. Rauner’s veto on a bill which would arbitrarily expand waiting periods for certain commonly owned semi-automatic firearms.

A Democratic congressional candidate from the state of New Mexico, Pat Davis, has found himself in the national spotlight for his viral "F*** the NRA" advertisement. Davis is getting even more attention for his interview with Fox News' Tucker Carlson on Tuesday night over another one of his controversial, and false, advertisements where he claims an AR-15 can fire 150 rounds in 15 seconds. But Pat Davis' controversial gun control advertisements aren't the only controversial thing about the candidate and current Albuquerque city councilor. In 2013, while chairman of the Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers, Pat Davis was arrested on an aggravated DWI charge, where he blew a .16, twice the legal limit.

Moving away from the classic M40-series, Marine Scout Snipers have a new and improved precision rifle platform that is making it out to the Fleet.

The Mk13 Mod 7 rifle is based on the Accuracy International AICS long action system. Whereas the legacy Remington 700-based M40, used and extensively upgraded since the 1960s by the Marines, is chambered in NATO-standard 7.62x51mm, the new rifle brings .300 Win Mag to the Marines’ lexicon. Army snipers have long since upgraded to chamberings that offered more room to reach out and touch someone.

“The .300 Winchester Magnum round will perform better than the current 7.62 NATO ammo in flight, increasing the Marine Sniper’s first-round probability of hit,” said CW3 Tony Palzkill, the Battalion Gunner for the Marine’s Infantry Training Battalion. “This upgrade is an incredible win and will allow snipers to engage targets at greater distances.”

First fielded with the Navy in older Mod 5 models, the Marine Special Operations units and the snipers of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines have been using the weapons for some time, with the feedback and lessons learned contributing to the more widespread adoption of the rifle.

Geissele last year was awarded a bid to provide triggers and engineering services for the rifles, a contract managed by Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Crane Division. Overall, the Marine Corps has budgeted $4.3 million to purchase 356 Mk 13 systems with a unit price of $12,042 a piece. Optics shown in recent imagery released by the Pentagon are by NightForce.

The M40A6, the most advanced version, will continue to be used in training while the semi-auto M110 and M107 platforms “will also remain as additional weapons within the scout sniper equipment set.”

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Zev Technologies offers the Pro Plus Magwell to Gen 5 G17 and G34 Glock owners. (Photo: Zev Technologies)

Zev Technologies Pro Plus Magwell, designed for professional shooters looking to upgrade the look and feel of the latest generation of Glock pistols.

Created specifically for Gen 5 Glocks, the one piece aluminum Pro Plus Magwell is easy to install with a single attachment screw. The screw allows the magwell to mount securely to the frame of the Glock while maintaining a low profile.

The Pro Plus Magwell works alongside standard factory magazines fitted with Zev basepad mag extensions. The magwell also features a pass through hole for lanyard retention. Topped with a Type III anodized finish for durability, the Pro Plus Magwell ships with the magwell body, mounting screw and wrench for installation.

The Pro Plus Magwell upgrades the look and feel of the Gen 5 Glock. (Photo: Zev Technologies)

Zev does note that some backstraps may need modification prior to installation of the Pro Plus Magwell due to prior use and wear on the existing gun.

Available for Glock 17 and Glock 34 models, the Pro Plus Magwell retails for $109.

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The national museum honoring America’s law enforcement officers will be able to obtain and preserve firearms under a measure passed by the House this week.

The bill, H.R. 1417, would permit the planned National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, DC, to acquire, receive, possess, collect, ship, transport, import, and display firearms. Co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Don Young of Alaska and fellow Republican Tom McClintock of Texas, the proposal passed Tuesday night by a unanimous voice vote.

“H.R. 1417 is a simple, straightforward bill that will treat the National Law Enforcement Museum as if it were a federal museum for purposes of obtaining, transferring and displaying certain classes of firearms,” Young said in a floor speech leading up to the vote.

“The Museum is dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement by providing visitors a ‘walk in the shoes’ experience,” Young continued. “The Museum is working to expand and enrich the relationship between law enforcement and communities through the Museum’s educational journeys, immersive exhibitions, and insightful programs.”

The NLEM was authorized by Congress in 2000 and is set to open this Fall. The institution currently has some 17,000 artifacts on hand dating from the 1600s to present day including oral histories and collections highlighting the “Untouchables” of Eliot Ness.

“Building and exhibit designs are being finalized. Precious artifacts that reflect the work of law enforcement, past and present, are being collected,” the museum said.

The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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With more than 6 million M1 Carbines cranked out in WWII, the classic “war baby” has a huge following– but is the reputation well deserved or hype?

In the above coffee table talk from Forgotten Weapons, Ian McCollum sits down with Ken Hackathorn for a 20~ minute discussion on the ups and downs of the M1 Carbine and how it has been received over the years.

Hackathorn, with decades of experience ranging from being an Army Special Forces small arms instructor to penning columns in Guns & Ammo, Combat Handguns, and Soldier Of Fortune, has an interesting take on the platform.

The post M1 Carbine: Terrible platform or the original PDW? (VIDEO) appeared first on Guns.com.

Bill Maher is a closeted pro-2A supporter.  Yes, I know he’s said some crazy crap over the years about our right to keep and bear arms, including back in 2013 when he said it was “Bullshit.” But in a recent debate over guns on his HBO show “Real Time,” with rapper Killer Mike and Clinton […]

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