> TEOTWAWKI Blog: Random thoughts on current events to close out the week

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12/22/12

Random thoughts on current events to close out the week

Mayan Doomsday
Well, we're all still here. Looks like we made it through this one, too. And it looks like no one did anything too crazy, either. Phewf!

Gun Control
Author and gun guru extraordinaire Larry Correia has an excellent opinion piece up on his blog that's a must read about the current gun control madness. Send to your friends who are uninformed and unsure of what to think. If you're from another country and feel like projecting the virtues of your forfeited gun rights onto the U.S., also a good read.

The solution offered by the NRA in their press conference - armed, trained personnel on school campuses - is a legitimate one, and essentially what I suggested in a post earlier this week. It's pretty obvious. The media will ignore this in their call for no more evil assault weapons with shoulder things that go up. If there needs to be extra funding organized to support something like this, we as a nation can figure it out. But if we are really, truly serious about protecting our schools, we get armed good guys on campuses. President Obama doesn't go anywhere without a small army of well armed guys at his side, yet it's somehow ridiculous to suggest putting armed good guys - police, contractors, volunteer civilians, licensed teachers - in schools.

Gallup polls suggest that the average American actually agrees with the NRA - 87% say that an increased police presence in schools would be either Very Effective or Somewhat Effective at reducing mass shootings at schools, versus 63% who said the same thing for an assault weapons ban. Increased funding for school security is a really easy deal to reach politically, and could be offset by donations, private groups and heck, if they needed to, some sort of tax. But I'm doubtful that's where the conversation will head, unless there's some kind of grass roots effort that makes it impossible for the media and Obama to ignore.

The Republicans control the House at present, so we'd need to see some Republicans, plus all of the Democrats voting for new gun control, for something to pass. I think there's a chance of some variety of magazine capacity ban or half-baked assault weapons ban, but I don't think there's a high probability of it this time around. But, we'll see how this one evolves...

The Fiscal Cliff
Then, in another example of our rapidly fracturing nation, there's the looming fiscal cliff. A few weeks ago, Obama was saying there was "zero chance" that we'd go over the cliff. Doesn't look like that's the case now. Spending cuts and increased taxes would be a double whammy on our barely growing economy, and could easily send us spiraling backwards. Business leaders aren't confident about the economy and neither am I.

The fiscal cliff and the rabid reaction to the Sandy Hook shootings have once again demonstrated how deeply, deeply divided the country is. There's almost no common ground...it's polar opposites on every issue. Neither side is able to have a civil discussion about important matters, finding common ground and coming to serious compromises. If we have so little in common and can agree on essentially nothing, then what kind of nation do we have?

Shortage on Everything
Given the foaming at the mouth on banning evil extra high capacity black rifles that we've seen, there's been a massive run on everything. I guesstimated we'd see exactly that and picked up a few magazines last weekend - some Glock mags, the Ruger 25 rounders and some extra scary extra full capacity AR-15 magazines. I should have bought these a while back, but didn't like the prices I was seeing and was waiting for deals. Luckily, I was fortunate to find everything in stock when I needed it - and at good prices, too.

If you didn't act fast and are still sitting on the sidelines, you're probably too late--at least for the next while. Today, a week later, every major online retailer I've visited has posted that they're back logged days to weeks in processing the never before seen volume of orders. Magazines over 10 rounds are sold out and gone. .223/5.56 is only available in expensive defensive, $1-per-round varieties.

Brick-n-mortar stores may still have some stock, but good luck.

My guess is this latest shortage will be with us at least through the output of the Biden panel and Congress fights over the issue - around through the middle of next year. You'll see lots of people - businesses and individuals - trying to cash in on the lack of supply. I'd be sensible in any purchases.

Obama once again proves to be history's greatest gun salesman.

If you're late to the gun ownership game, I would be hesitant to drop a huge chunk of change on an AR and a proper compliment of magazines. You might be looking at a lot of money to do so. At this point, you may have better luck with some of the not-as-well known and slightly more expensive rifles like the FN-FAL, H&K 91 and so on. Fewer average guys know these even exist, so you might be able to find 'em in stock more easily and not pay a ridiculous markup. But then again, if the anti-gun crowd has their way, you may never be able to buy any of these guns new in box again, so you'd have to make the determination on your own. A stripped lower AR-15 is the serialized/firearm part if you want to get in a bit cheaper than buying the full rifle at this point.

Things I wish I would have bought (on the off chance an AWB/magazine ban goes into effect)
  • A dozen more PMAGs...and I've got a bunch already
  • A half dozen more Glock magazines...and I've got a bunch already
  • A half dozen more Ruger BX-25 mags
  • An AR-10/.308 AR and mags
  • An AR-15 pistol
  • Another case or two of 5.56mm
All are "nice to haves," as I'm generally pretty squared away and don't feel generally under equipped...not to the point of needing to spend vast sums to obtain them. Additional case of 5.56mm would probably be at the top of the list in normal times, but it's unlikely that anyone is going after actual ammunition at this point, which makes that less of a concern. Under an AWB, the AR-10 could be replaced by a bolt gun, and the AR pistol is a niche-use item I've been wanting to play around with.

Time off for the Holidays
I'm going to try to step back from the blog, e-mail, etc. for the next few days for the holidays. If I'm slow to respond, that's why. There's loads in the archives if you're bored and want to do some browsing. Otherwise, enjoy the break!

Comments
Interested to hear from you guys - are you scouring the 'net and local gun shops for something in particular, or calmly sitting back and watching how this all unfolds? Any big holes you're regretting not filling earlier? What do you think the chances are of another assault weapons ban/magazine capacity ban? Reactions to the Larry Correia post? Lemme know.