Saturday, April 15, 2017

Not Drawing Lines

With the recent news concerning the bombing of a Syrian military base and the bombing of an ISIS base (and maybe even the news about all those U.S. Navy vessels headed toward North Korea), I kind of, sort of, just about imagine that means the time to draw imaginary silly red lines in the sand, whilst having a puffed up chest and acting all brave and badass, has come to an end.

All the best,
Glenn B

Take A Second Look...

...at those little figures on my rear windshield.


All the best,
GB

My Airline of Choice


All the best,
Glenn B

Tasty Choices

 
All the best,
GB

A Certain Amount Of Uneasiness...

...courses through me each time I have the high bid on a firearm at an auction. I always wonder if I got a good deal or ripped myself off by bidding to high. There is also the unsettling feeling of uncertainty as to whether or not I got that for which I paid. In other words - did I bid on a gun sure to go bang each time I squeeze the trigger, or did I buy a clunker that is going to fall apart once I fire a shot or three, or maybe I got a gun not capable of firing a shot that will hit the broad side of a barn. Buying anything at an auction is never a sure thing and when they say a gun is "As New In The Box" it does not mean it is new but means it is "as good as new". It's kind of the same thing with the term "Unfired In The Box" which is supposed to mean it is new. Okay so it was supposedly never fired but that does not necessarily mean it was not somehow damaged by the previous owner who may have tried to disassemble and clean it before firing it only to screw it up.


Those holes were made with federal 30-30
WIN, 170 grain Soft Point RN, ammunition.
So, today, when I got to the range (for the first time in too long a time) and stepped up on the firing line and placed the buttstock of my recently acquired Marlin 1936 to my shoulder and sighted in on target, there was that split second of uneasy worry that it may not go bang or that worse yet it might go KABOOM instead of bang when I fired it. There is always that chance that pieces of an exploded barrel or receiver might rip my face apart. Regardless, I squeezed the trigger making sure to have eye and ear protection in place.


It went bang, then bang again and again for my first three shots. In all, I fired it only 9 times but that was more than enough for me to assure it was working flawlessly as far as I could tell and that it was right on target. In fact, there was no doubt left in my mind that an equally competent or better shooter with somewhat better eyesight than mine would have done better. Yet, don't let my saying that fool you into thinking I was not satisfied with how well I shot it. All in all, the Marlin 1936 operated smoothly throughout. I am certain it will make a decent to very good deer gun here in the woods of NY State. The 30-30 cartridge will never replace the 35 REM as my favorite northeast woods caliber but still will be more than acceptable on a deer hunt if I opt for the Marlin 1936 as opposed to my Marlin 336.


The Ruger was firing PMC X-TAC 5.56
NATO 62 grain, green tip, LAP ammunition.

After the Marlin came the "as new" Ruger Mini 14. I fired one magazine's worth of 5 rounds at the same target I had used for the Marlin. Being the Marlin is in 30-30 WIN caliber and the Ruger in 5.56x45mm, it would be easy to differentiate which bullet holes came from which rifle. Then I fired another 10 rounds for a total of 15 with the Mini. Not bad at all was the verdict I reached. The first 5 shots were fired with me wearing the weakest reading glasses available over the counter. I actually wear them for distance vision. It leaves the front and rear sights a bit blurry but I still can focus sufficiently to hit the target pretty well. All shots were fired standing, leaning over  on the bench (it is set at an odd level for anyone but pistol shooters), left elbow supported.


The next 10 shots were fired with me wearing strong over the counter readers, 2.75 strength. The rear sight was a blur and so too the target but the front sight as sharp as a tack (as it should be). The thing is though that the rear sight and target were maybe a bit too much of a blur. So, that second pair of lenses had me seeing things quite differently and the first pair and had the group open up but still it was not bad at all kind of shooting as far as I am concerned. The one flyer was caused by me and as I shot that particular round I knew it was not going to strike within the ring. Now, I'll have to see how me and my old eyes do at 50 and 100 yards the next time I hit up an outdoor range. The range I was at today was indoors and limited to 30 yards. As did the Marlin, the Ruger Mini 14 operated and fired flawlessly from what I could tell and both of them put a smile on my face.

All in all I am a very satisfired shootist. I got decent deals on both rifles at the Hessney Auction and thus am also a happy bidder. I, like anyone, likes to get good deals at an auction but I strive not to over pay by always remembering that they add a buyer's premium and sales tax to the total. Still though, I had been a bit concerned I may have paid near or right at near the top end of the value of the Marlin 1936. Both before bidding and after the auction I saw several of them for sale on GunBroker.com on which virtually of the case color was gone and they sold for near or just above or below what I paid for mine. Considering the amount of case color that remains intact on ,mine, I got it at a decent to good price. As far as the Ruger goes, from what I could see of it, it should not have been listed "as new" but as unfired in the box (or in others words NEW). There was no evidence of it having been fired after it left the factory and the Ruger is in pristine condition and came in the box with all papers and accessories. I think both at least were very good if not excellent deals. Now to get some NYS legal 10 round magazines and also have some AR legal 30 round mags sent to my son in AR for use while I am down there.

You may think it foolish to go to the range to fire only 9 rounds from one rifle and 15 from another and my guess is you would be right if that is all the ammo I fired. I spent the remainder of my remaining range time shooting my Glock 26. I am guessing I fired about 150 rounds or more through it and as usual I was more than merely satisfied with my shooting of it. I am happy I remembered to bring ammo for it and thus was able to get in some handgun practice because soon I will be qualifying for  both my armed guard license and for LEOSA. It is never a bad idea to get in a bit of practice before attending qualification courses. Then again, any time you responsibly practice your marksmanship you are doing a good thing.

All the best,
Glenn B

Friday, April 14, 2017

Road Trip Planning

Been doing a little planning for my hope for upcoming road trip to FL and AR. On the way down to FL am hoping to stop at one of Palmetto State Armory's locations. One the way back I hope to stop at AIM Surplus in OH. Other than that I only have my two main destination of West Palm Beach and Benton, AR planned out.




All the best,
Glenn B

Saturday, April 8, 2017

So What's Been Happening?

I ask because I am almost clueless as to the events of the past week. It's not like I was involved in any monkey business, it's that I've been working all week and commuting via train. There are no radios or TVs at work and I have had very little access to the Internet while working. By the time I get on the train on the way home, I am pooped. Once at home I am just about ready to hit the hay since I have to be up at 515 the next morning for work so I have not been watching much TV, news even at home. 

I do know we bombed an airbase, over in Syria, relative to some chemical weapons attack or something like that. I also just heard we staged a second attack that supposedly killed some civilians - also in Syria. Seems like a big turnaround for Trump but I imagine that the use of chemical weapons by Russian backed Assad is a big thing that needs to be hit head-on instead of drawing imaginary red lines in the sand and then not enforcing them. I hope Trump is doing the right thing for all our sakes. He sure has already proven himself more a man of action than Obama ever was in his entire presidency.

Besides the passing of Don Rickles (RIP), that is about it for what I have heard in the news all week. So, I may take some time to read up on this past week's events later tonight or tomorrow. Then again, there was one other thing of note I read about in the news. It was about a young girl who reportedly was found living with monkeys in India. She allegedly had been living with the monkeys for years and had gone feral. The monkeys supposedly had accepted her so well that they were reported to have tried to chase off authorities who came to her rescue. That sounded like monkey business to me and apparently it sounded likewise to Indian officials because now they are questioning the veracity of those reports. More here.

As for blogging or my lack of it - I may actually get in some blogging over the remaining time in this weekend but then again maybe not. In fact, I imagine my blog will be really light on content for the next week or two because I am scheduled to work through the 21st of this month (as I type). Time will tell though if that holds. If it does though, that will be good for me because I am planning a road trip for the end of April or beginning of May and that can give me the cash I will need for my trek's expenses. 

As for the planned road trip, I am hoping to get down to West Palm Beach to visit my uncle and cousins. After a few days there, I plan to head north by northwest to visit my son in AR for at least a week or maybe even ten days of adventure. If I do everything just right, and if I can start the trip a day earlier than planned, I may head out in the same direction (that being north by northwest - instead of south to WPB). That would be toward Geneva, NY to stop by the Hessney firearms auction on April 29th - before I head south. I am debating that detour though because if I get badly bitten by the bidding bug I could deplete all funds I have for the rest of the trip. Decisions - decisions - decisions!



I have a goodly amount of time to think about it and who knows, I may plan one thing, hop in my car and start driving wherever my nose is pointing. So long as I eventually hit both WPB and Benton, AR, for a while before the journey's end, it should be a good thing.

All the best,
Glenn B

Sunday, April 2, 2017

The Doomsday Sci-Fi Scenario Most Likely To Be Realized...

...other than us encountering some type of alien life forms could well be the world in which robots and artificial intelligence take over and try to destroy humanity. There have been amazing advancements in both the field of robotics and AI and that a computer may someday become self cognizant is not that far fetched. In that same vein, something of grave concern to me is that some politicians now want to arm drones for police use. More here.

Yeah, it is not like they are about to take over by themselves and destroy humanity but why start combining AI, robotics, and weaponry. All I can see it leading to is disaster especially when in the hands of law enforcement (and you can bet the LE drones will wind up in the hands of criminals) too many of whom believe themselves to be involved in a conflict know as the "It's Us Versus Them" scenario. The "Us" being everyone in LE and the "Them" being the rest of us.  It is bad enough some of them have that attitude and carry a gun but it will be worse when they are even further removed from the people they are supposed to serve and have their fingers on the trigger via remote control and a video link. Thus the armed drones will become an additional threat to our safety even long before artificial intelligence becomes sentient and able to take control. 

Please note, this is not an anti-police rant - it is an anti tyrannical police rant or an anti bad cop rant.

All the best,
Glenn B

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Hillary Clinton Tells The Truth


I Wonder If Anyone Noticed I Have Not Been Blogging...

...for over a week, that was at least until today. I suppose that is because I have been a bit busy doing this and that. Not much to post about during the last week either. I did attend a Hessney firearms auction last weekend. I had a blast as usual. Picked myself up an as new Ruger Mini-14 with box, papers and all accessories. It is pristine as far as I can tell. May go give it a nice test-fire tomorrow. Other than that, I am sick of politics and current events and not much has been happening with my life except for my post immediately previous to this one but that happened today. Will be working all of next week and possibly through the next couple to few weeks. That would be a good thing, I overextended myself a but with that Ruger Mini-14 after picking up the Marlin 1936 just a month or so prior to my buying the Mini.

I have got a new in the box Ruger 10/22, with Reaper Camo design, for sale (this is not an offer to sell via this site - just noting that I have it for sale). If anyone is interested, it is listed for sale here.

All the best,
Glenn B

A Progressive (of a sort) In Freedomland

I never thought of my son Brendan as a Progressive (aka: liberal, leftist, socialist, commie douchebag) and indeed he is not one of them. Yet, I must say he sure has been progressive since moving to Arkansas - that is at least as moving along and making progress in his life goes.

He moved down there without a job prospect and since getting there he has: caught a nice catfish, rented/leased his own first apartment, bought his own furniture, changed his license from NY to AR CDL Class A, purchased his first pistol a Glock 43, found a job within 3 weeks, passed the drug test for that job and started working, may have found a better paying job less than a week after the other (Pepsi has made a contingent offer to him), and so on. Yes, he is progressing nicely but certainly not like a whining anti-American political Progressive.

In fact, today, he progressed one step further by taking the liberty to exercise his right to keep and bear arms. He took and successfully completed the course for the Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License. Yes, I know, there absolutely should be no requirement for such a license but since there is one he stepped up and did what had to be done to come one step closer to obtaining that license.

Brendan's target and certificate from the A CHCL class.
As far as the CHCL course went, I think he may need to use a tad less finger on the trigger and use a smoother pull but what would I know! Anyhow, he has got it down fairly well and passed the course. I am quite the happy dad and proud to see he is keeping alive and well the tradition of being a liberty exercising and rights loving armed American like me.

All the best,
Glenn B

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Only 17 Days In AR So Far...

..,.and so far my son caught a nice sized catfish, went to DMV to get his Arkansas CDL Class A driver's license, been to a party or three, got himself an apartment and renter's insurance, bought himself a new Glock 43 (his first pistol) & ammo for it, hooked himself up with a part time job until he could get a full time one and bought new furniture for the apartment.

Today he was offered a full time job, with benefits, contingent on him passing a drug test. I am certain he will pass - and he says he definitely will pass it (he just passed one for Home Depot - the PT job)! He is staying with the part time job until the offer is fulfilled for the full time one. Right now, he is up on a mountain somewhere "throwing shoes" which I am guessing translates to playing horseshoes but what do I know.

The next thing you know he will tell me he has hooked up with some fine southern belle and they are getting hitched. No, stop right there, before he does that I am sure he will take the AR Concealed Handgun Carry License training class and then put in his application for the carry license. He probably will get in some shooting, hunting, fishing and drinking with his buddies too. After that, he may get hitched but I think not before. Anyway, he definitely is a man on the move. I am quite proud of him.

All the best,
Glenn B

Monday, March 20, 2017

Happy Bloomin' Spring

Yes folks it is springtime once again as of depending on the source, about 628 or 629 this morning. It actually feels like spring around my neck of the concrete jungle. It's supposedly 53 degrees outside right now and the sun has been shining most of the day. Went out in the backyard before to check my imaginary birdfeeder (it is illegal to feed wildlife in NYS - including birds - so my feeder is make believe) and saw a bunch of sparrows around it and maybe one other type of small bird that flitted away. Then heard a cawing, and after a half a minute or so, a blue jay landed in the bush from a branch of which the imaginary feeder is hanging.  It hopped from branch to branch, landed on the ground, ate some nonexistent seeds, flew back up into the bush, cawed some more and another bird kept answering with a different call but I am fairly certain it was another jay, then landed on the ground again and ate some more imaginary seeds, back up into the bush and more cawing and then it took off for parts unknown. Maybe it was there two minutes at most. That was a treat for me as we don't get to see them too much around here; maybe a harbinger of a wonderful spring.

All the best,
Glenn B 

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Hey Bro, I Think Mom & Dad Are Asleep...

...it's PARTY TIME!

So it seems were the thoughts of two year old twin boys who spent the night galavanting in their room. More here: http://www.fox46charlotte.com/news/242476572-story

All the best,
GB

 

"Dear Parents"...

...begins a letter from Portuguese teachers and or  school administrators to parents of school children. It essentially is a letter in which teachers allegedly point out what are the parents' responsibilities in raising their children so that their upbringing falls in line with the ideals of the teachers. While reportedly scribed in Portugal, it addresses something that has bee happening for decades in this country as well. That is teachers trying to place the parents of school children under their thumbs. As far as I see it, such is virtually all wrong. Source: http://en.newsner.com/the-school-wants-parents-to-take-responsibility-now-their-poster-is-spreading-like-wildfire-online/about/family

My reaction to that letter follows:

I realize the above indexed letter, to parents from teachers, was reportedly sent out by Portuguese school administrators to parents. Yet, it has a lot to do with how things are done in schools within the USA today and seems to be the mindset of teachers here in this country to some great degree. Last I recalled, it seemed our educators (people we pay) were attempting to teach kids that religion is bad, gender change to a third nonexistent gender is wonderful, self-identity outweighs nature and all else in importance and how to use condoms.
 
When I was young, you can bet your sweet bippy that we learned good manners both at home and in school. In school, we also learned things like: common courtesy, ethics, good hygiene, that we as a people were united under one nation, good citizenship (without politics injected), to stand for the pledge and national anthems with our right hand over our hearts, the words of the pledge of allegiance and national anthem and the meanings of both, to be responsible for our actions (by way of rewards for doing good things and punishment for doing bad things - but the bottom line for punishment was with the parents), how to pay attention, how to plan, schedule and organize our work by doing homework and projects.
 
We also learned: English grammar, spelling, reading, printed as well as cursive writing, history (of the United States and of the world - the unabridged version and political correctness had nothing to do with it), mathematics (by the simplest methods available - not by a common core of convoluted algorithms), sciences (without political correctness interfering), that exercise was good for our health, that teams sports were good, that competition was more than acceptable, that we should all strive to do our best, that not everyone can be as good at something as someone who is better at it yet we can strive to succeed - and a lot of other things including respect for the law, for one another and for our elders. Also, when I was a youngster, there was rarely (and I do mean rarely) ever a teacher getting busted for using drugs, distributing drugs, distributing or possessing kiddie porn, sexting students, having sex with underage students, having sex with other teachers or school administrators in the school, using the classroom as a political soapbox for their one sided beliefs, bashing our presidents and political system, or teaching our kids that their religious beliefs were bad. Nowadays, such behavior in schools seems to be rampant.
 
Any teachers who think they have the right, liberty or responsibility to tell us parents how to bring up our children (other than them asking us to help with homework and tell them to act respectful in school) are way out of line and striving to be a petty-tyrants in the lives of our children. If it was legal and ethical, I would give a good swift kick, or three, to the arse of any teacher who tried to tell me how to raise my kids and thus maybe knock some sense into their brains (and please notice where I said  I think they need to be kicked because many have their brains located therein). It is not legal so I would only be able to do so figuratively but maybe that would be enough if a large enough group of parents did so to a sufficiently sized group of renegade teachers. Yes, sometimes a good swift kick in the pants is what it takes to wake someone up and make things better even if not a physical kick. Thus, if a figurative kick in their arses is what they need, I think that is what we should give them. The them to whom I am referring are any teachers who try to control us and our children beyond the scope of what was and still should be the norm regarding the scope of their duties as educators. Their duties do not include intruding into, or interfering with, how we choose to bring up our children.
 
All the best,
Glenn B

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Johnny B. Goode Has Gone

Rock N' Roll's greatest is gone. From "Deep down Louisiana close to New Orleans, Way back up in the woods among the evergreens..." - to stardom - to incomparable fame that names him the Father of Rock N' Roll - to another place - Chuck Berry has left the planet bound for better gigs. More about his life, his music, his indiscretions, his fame here.

Some of his best music here:



If I had to say just a few words about him, then I would say: he rocked like no other - he was Johnny B. Goode!

I, and millions, will miss him and the music he made because, although copied in part and sometimes in whole, no one will ever again make music the way he did!

All the best,
Glenn B

Friday, March 17, 2017

My Son Has Not Been In Arkansas...

...for even two full weeks yet and today he bought himself his first pistol - a Glock 43. I don't know much about it yet, like if new or used or where he picked it up but he did say it was easy. Walked into wherever he bought it, showed them his brand new AR driver's license, passed the NICS check and walked out the door with it. I am sure he paid them somewhere in there too. He also said he picked up some ammo too, just hope he knew enough not to be tempted by reloads because of a lower price. Waiting for him to send me a picture or two of him with it and will; post when I get them.

Earlier this week he got himself a part time job to hold him over until he gets a full time spot somewhere. He has a few irons in the fire in that regard and one is sounding somewhat promising. In addition to that, he has put down roots - so to speak - by getting himself an apartment. He said it is in a new development, is fairly good sized, has a washer and dryer in the apartment and the complex has a pool and gym. At $650 a month, not bad at all from the sound of it.

I love it and am chomping at the bit to pay him a visit.

All the best,
Glenn

Thursday, March 16, 2017

In The Right Place, At The Righ Time...

was whoever was in that car in the left lane. I wonder if he even realized how close he came to termination day. My guess would be that the truck driver knows how close both of them came to it.


All the best,
GB

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Talk About A Weapons Cache



Spanish authorities have released information about a weapons seizure in Spain in which they seized over 10,000 weapons believed to be destined to criminal gangs and terrorists. The amount of weapons seized is pretty mind boggling and supposedly many, if not all, were bought legally as deactivated weaponry and then modified to be reactivate them. More here, with video of the stash: http://www.newsmax.com/TheWire/illegal-guns-seized-spain/2017/03/14/id/778709/

This is most certainly one time I can praise law enforcement authorities for seemingly actually having done something to thwart terrorist activities. Just imagine, had those weapons gone to their destinations, the carnage they could have caused in the hands of terrorists! A hat tip to la Polica de Espana!

All the best,
GB

Trolling For?

I have gone trolling before, for whatever would bite. Caught some some days and nothing other days. Never used a lure like this beauty but maybe that is why I never lured in any of these:



All the best,
Glenn B

Security Guard Forgot To Tap Before He Racked ...

...and while he made some use of cover (or at least concealment) he probably didn't use it enough after he shot BUT (and notice that was a big BUT):


Man oh man was he quick to assess the situation, draw his weapon and fire without hesitation to terminate the threat. The dirtbag is dead and the guard is not being charged with anything criminal. I am talking about an attempted bank robbery, in January 2017, in which an apparent masked robber entered Alpine Bank in Rockford, Illinois brandishing a handgun. That was all it took for bank security guard and retired police officer Brian Harrison to go into action (source).

After the incident, Mr. Harrison was put on administrative leave during an investigation of what took place. On March 14, it was reported that no charges would be filed against him - and ne would have to wonder why they would even be considered a possibility after watching that video. Instead, Mr. Harrison is being praised as a hero by the bank. of course, some scum sucking lawyer will probably try to convince the dead robber's family to sue but one must hope that Mr. Harrison will be held harmless and indemnified by the bank. 

Excellent bit of security work there Mr. Harrison - a hat tip to you for doing the right thing. No mall ninja are you sir.

All the best,
Glenn B

Wally World


All the best,
GB

Free Stuff


All the best,
Glenn B

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Law Enforcement Firepower - Issuance of Long Arms

I read an article today, at Bearing Arms, titled:

"Incompetent Buffalo PD Boss Forces Underpowered Carbines On Officers"

See: https://bearingarms.com/bob-o/2017/03/08/incompetent-buffalo-pd-boss-forces-underpowered-carbines-officers/

The article lambastes the chief of the Buffalo, NY Police Department and his reported decision to adopt a carbine in 40 S&W, for issuance to officers instead of issuing each officer a carbine or rifle in 5.56X45mm. The union reportedly had been pressuring the department to issue long arms in 5.56 to all officers.

"Buffalo police brass have been publicly squabbling for the past year with the Police Benevolent Association over additional firepower.

The union wants each patrol officer equipped with a higher-velocity AR-15 rifle – or a comparable weapon – in addition to their handguns." (Source).

I do not know the reasoning behind the chief's decision to go with a carbine in 40 S&W and I do not necessarily agree with it. In fact, I agree with the article that a carbine in 40 S&W is not the best choice. I do not necessarily agree with the article at Bearing Arms, in which the author says: "BPD officers deserve the law enforcement standard AR-15 patrol rifle..." First of all, we should not call it a law enforcement standard because that adds to differentiating between our need for similar weaponry and that of the police officer. That is just as the leftists have been trying to do for years by saying such weapons should only be issued to LE.

Secondly, color me old fashioned but I see absolutely no need to arm every officer with a long gun. I am not supporting the chief's position nor am I attacking the article's idea that police do require sufficient firepower. In fact though, I know some good arguments against arming every officer with a long arm at all times while on the job.

In regard to that second consideration allow me to say this about it. First and foremost is the fact that not every officer will shoot them well enough to carry them routinely unless the qualification standards are lowered or fudged or they qualify by the skin of their teeth after a couple to a few failed attempts beforehand. I make that statement after 32 years in federal law enforcement and 15-16 of those years with collateral duties as a firearms instructor, including training agents with all firearms issued by my agency. I also believe that, if they are given normal capacity magazines for rifles or carbines (like 20 or 30 rounds), and they routinely carry them, they may get a sense of false bravado if they ever need to use them in a defensive situation and they will spray and pray by yanking the trigger as many times and as fast as they can until it goes click. That already happens with handguns, just look at the number of rounds fired by officers in some shootings. I believe that in such instances, those rifles or carbines will cause a higher risk of an innocent bystander being injured or killed. Another consideration is that some officers or agents will be physically incapable of qualifying with long arms. (Yes, I believe they should be removed from service but you argue with the heads of departments, lawyers, and leftists who lowered the standards for hiring LE personnel so as for the agencies and departments to be more politically correct in hiring practices.)

Don't get me wrong; I am a fan of officers having sufficient firepower but also of them being very proficient with their issued weapons, and of knowing when to back off until help arrives. I am not a fan of every officer responding to every call with long arm in hand nor off issuing a shotgun, rifle or carbine to each and every officer. That stands especially so for ones who have difficulty with maintaining, or who cannot achieve, high
proficiency with them.

Sufficient firepower for an officer on patrol could include a handgun or a long gun might be required. Those initially issued long arms for routine patrol though should be, in my opinion, limited at first to shotguns. That would preferably be limited to pump action shotguns. They require a bit of work to operate and in essence cannot be utilized to spray and pray by the average officer. Shotguns though should be issued only to those who prove themselves truly above average in use of their revolvers or semi-auto pistols at the range and have an excellent safety record with firearms. Say for instance that, candidates to move up to issuance of a shotgun must first routinely qualify, on average, at 80 or 85% proficiency with handguns. Then they must train with a shotgun and must maintain proficiency and an excellent safety record with them. After at least on year of safe carry and highly proficient use of a shotgun, the officer could be issued a carbine or rifle. However, rifles or carbines should be issued only to those with an 85% average proficiency with the shotgun, just as the shotgun issuance required the same higher proficiency with handguns nd of course they must qualify with the carbine or rifle. In other words the departments and agencies should require that someone with consistently higher pistol qualification scores can try out for issuance of a shotgun, then those with a higher consistent proficiency with the shotgun can tryout for issuance of a rifle or carbine, and on up the line to burst or full auto weapons if such are in the department's inventory. Then they must maintain an excellent safety record and a high proficiency with them to continue issuance. I also believe that any special operations teams should require an average qualification score standard of at least 90 percent of the highest possible qualification score for all weapons including handguns, shotguns, rifles, carbines and burst fire or full auto weapons.

Don't lower standards for the shooter or the weapon - make the standards higher to help assure the officer carrying those weapons is truly proficient. This is in essence how it was done in one of my agencies regarding issuance of the H&K MP-5. I think though it should have been done relative to issuance of all long guns. One other thing, all physically capable officers should be required to familiarize and qualify, with at least the lowest passing score, with shotgun, rifle and or carbine during each qualification period. That to be able to retrieve a fallen officers weapon and properly use it if such an urgent situation ever arises. Many departments and agencies, if not all, authorize officers and or agents to utilize whatever weapon is at hand in an emergency that calls for the use of deadly force. Wouldn't it be better for all officers in a department to at least be familiar with all weapons issued by their department for such emergencies!

I also think that any large department should strive to at least have 5-10% of their officers on special ops teams and about 20-25% of the officers on routine patrol armed with long guns. Very small departments should attempt to have at least one officer, of above average proficiency, per shift who is armed with a long gun. As I pointed out above, every officer should be required to be familiar with all department standard issued long arms (like shotguns, rifles & carbines - and not necessarily burst or full auto weapons) and should be able to operate them and hopefully at least minimally qualify with them for use only in extremely urgent situations.

All the best,
Glenn B