• Front Sight Firearms Training Institute


• Ignatius Piazza - founder of Front Sight


• Ignatius Piazza blog site


• Front Sight - in Cybercast News Service


• Ignatius Piazza - in El Mercurio


• Ignatius Piazza - in Gun World


• Front Sight - in Gun Web


• Ignatius Piazza - in Handvapen Guiden


• Ignatius Piazza - in Las Vegas Sun


• Front Sight - in Los Angeles Times


• Ignatius Piazza - in San Francisco Chronicle


• Ignatius Piazza - in Small Arms Review


• Front Sight - in The Mail on Sunday Review


• Ignatius Piazza - in Times Democrat


• Front Sight - on BBC News


• Ignatius Piazza - in Chicago Tribune


• Front Sight - on CNN


• Ignatius Piazza - in Fort Worth Star Telegram


• Front Sight - in Guns & Ammo


• Ignatius Piazza - in Las Vegas Life


• Front Sight - in New York Times


• Ignatius Piazza - in Playboy


• Front Sight - in Satna Cruz Sentinel


• Front Sight - in US News & World Report


• Ignatius Piazza - in Washington Post


• Front Sight - in London Times


• Ignatius Piazza - in National Enquirer


• Front Sight - in Financial Times


• Ignatius Piazza - in Forbes Magazine


• Front Sight - in Black Belt Magazine


• Front Sight - in Sierra Times


• Ignatius Piazza - on Reform America


• Front Sight - in Icon Magazine


• Front Sight - in El Pais Seminal


• Front Sight - on USA Today


• Ignatius Piazza - in Las Vegas Mercury


• Front Sight - in Pajaronian Register


• Ignatius Piazza - on World Net Daily

     In 1990, the current session of Congress and George Bush Sr. Signed into law the Crime Control Act which included the Gun Free School Zone Act. In 1995, the Supreme Court decided this law was unconstitutional but then it was re-enacted by President Bill Clinton in 1996. This law as enacted states that it is unlawful to posses or transport a firearm of any kind within 1000 feet of any school in the United States with a few exceptions. Those exceptions include any residence where a gun is lawfully owned, unloaded and locked guns, and those used for school programs. How many times a day do you drive through a school zone with a loaded weapon you legally own? As soon as you travel through these school zones, you are in violation of the law.

     The purpose of this law was to protect our children from violence and crime. In the light of recent events we need to ask ourselves, is it working?

1927 - Bath, Michigan: Andrew Kehoe kills 38 children, 7 teachers and wounds 61 others in an explosion.

1966 - Austin, Texas: Charles Whitman killed 14 from a clock tower at the University of Texas.

1979 - San Diego, California: Brenda Spencer, 17, kills 2 adults and wounds 8 children.

1987 - Missouri: Nathan Ferris, an honor student at age 12, kills classmate and then himself.

1989 - Stockton, California: A man kills 5 children and wounds 30.

1995 - Giles County, Tennessee: Jaime Rouse, 17, kills a teacher, a student and wounds 2 others.

1996 - Moses Lake, Washington: Barry Loukaitis, 14, killed 3 people.

1996 - Atlanta, Georgia: On the same day as the Washington murders, David Dubose, 16, kills teacher.

1997 - Alaska: Evan Ramsey, 16, kills principle, classmate, and injures two others.

1997 - Pearl, Mississippi: Luke Woodman, 16, kills 2 students wounds 2 others.

1997 - Paducah, Kentucky: Michael Carneal, 14, kills 3 students and wounds 5 others.

1998 - Jonesboro, Arkansas: two boys ages 11 and 13 kill 4 students, 1 teacher and injures 10 0thers.

1998 - Edinboro, Pennsylvania: Andrew Wurst, 14, kills teacher and injures 3 more.

1998 - Springfield, Oregon: Kipland Kinkel, 15, kills 2 and wounds 25.

1999 - Littleton, Colorado: Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, kills 13, wounds 24 and then commit suicide at Columbine.

1999 - Los Angeles, California: A man kills 3 children and 2 adults at a pre-school.

1999 - Deming, New Mexico: A teenager shoots a fellow student.

2000 - Mt. Morris Township, Michigan: A 6 year old kills another student at an elementary school.

2001 - Santee, California: A teenager kills 2 and wounds 13.

2002 - Ney York, New York: Teenager wounds 2 at Martin Luther King, Jr Highschool.

2003 - Pennsylvania: Teenager kills teacher, then himself.

2004 - Maryland: 4 wounded in school shooting.

2005 - Red Lake, Minnesota: Male teenager kills 9 including 5 students.

2005 - Jacksboro, Tennessee: A teenager kills an assistant principle and wounds two people.

2006 - Bailey, Colorado: A man takes 6 students hostage and kills one.

2006 - Weston, Wisconsin: A teenager kills high school principle.

2006 - Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania: A man shoots 11 girls "execution style" killing 5.

2007 - Blacksburg, Virginia: Cho Seung-Hui, 23, kills 2 in a dorm at Virginia Tech. College, then kills 30 at a campus building before shooting himself.

     This is just a small sampling of the school violence that has gone on since the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. During the 1970's, there was a little over 30 instances of school violence. In the 1980's, there were over 70 incidents of school violence. 1990's: Over 300 school violence incidents. The numbers from 2000 to today: over 700!

     Remember, the Gun Free Zones were first introduced in 1990. The difference from the 1970's and 1980's is an increase of 40 instances. The difference from the 1980's and 1990's is a huge increase of 230. Look at the stats for the years from 2000 to today. The increase is a phenomenal 400 and the first decade of 2000's isn't even over yet.

     The frequency of these occurrences are more prominent each year and have become the fixation of the media, congress and anti-rights groups in the form of gun control legislation. The reality is that the Gun Free School Zone Act has been the leading cause of the school crime increases since the first introduction in 1990. The facts speak volumes.

     The anti-rights groups would like to make you think that the recent events at Virginia Tech. point out more loop holes and problems that would be fixed with more gun control legislation. The truth is there are no loop holes and the only problem with the current laws is the degradation of the 2^nd Amendment of our beloved Constitution. The reason none of the laws stop these crimes from happening is very simply because criminals don't obey the law. That is why they are criminals. I know this sounds elementary to the majority of us but the anti-rights groups don't seem to get it. Why? You're guess is as good as mine.

     So what can we, as concerned citizens, do about this? The unfortunate truth is that not much can be done right now. You could speak with your senators and congress members about voting no on current legislation that inhibits our 2^nd Amendment rights while at the same time getting them to vote yes on the legislation that restores those rights. As for the Gun Free School Zone Act, you could mention that you would like to have this law repealed. I personally do not foresee any of this doing any good. Many of you may already know about Tom Gresham's Gun Talk radio broadcast, Sundays on the XM satellite radio. He has mentioned in the last two broadcast that he is upset, as we all are, and that he will be taking steps to remove these killing zones. He has asked that we all go to his website at www.guntalk.com and sing up for his newsletter, as he will be giving information on how he plans to accomplish this goal and what we can do to help. I have already singed up for this newsletter and will try to convey the information he gives to you, if he will allow me. Please sign up for his newsletter.

     Now I am not trying to discourage you from contacting your representatives in anyway. We need to keep on these people and let them know that we are here and they are not just representing themselves. The problem is that many of our current legislators in both the House and Senate just took office and are a little wet behind the ears. Your current Speaker of the House is not real interested in getting too many of these kinds of issues on the floor right away because she knows it is a losing platform. She wants to keep the majority of the House and Senate "anti-rights" and wait until we have a new President who would promote the anti-gun legislation the same way Bill Clinton did. She knows that is she were to push these legislative actions through now she would only get a couple and then many of the anti-rights representatives would be voted out of office by upset Americans. Then she would not have the pull to get what she wants done and becomes a weak authority.

     So I leave you with this thought: "Gun Free" zones are nothing more than killing fields for those who walk among us but not with us. Those who break the law and murder, maim, or other wise hurt people for their personal satisfaction have no remorse, no sense of consequences, and no compassion. As long as we give them an area to roam free to murder anyone they want without opposition they will not stop. It is our responsibility to let these people know that we will not stand for such acts of disregard for one's life.

     If anyone reading this blog is one of the people I just described, I have a few words for you, too:

WE will ABOLISH these laws that allow you to murder us. WE will allow people to DEFEND themselves and their loved ones. WE WILL STOP YOU!!!

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email me: billy_the_kid43@hotmail.com

H.R.1791.IH: Fairness in Firearm Testing Act

     This bill will require BATFE to video record all firearms printing or testing, never alter the video and provide such video to the owner of the firearm if requested. Although this bill seems interesting and may help protect citizens from BATFE, I still have to ask...why? I understand that BATFE is oblivious to the facts laid before them and that anything said to negate their efforts to remove guns from law abiding citizens, falls on deaf ears but, there has not been a single crime that has been solved or even helped by fingerprinting technology. None! So why are we promoting laws that would simply continue to allow them to do this preposterous activity instead of introducing laws that would eliminate the act.

     For those who are unfamiliar with firearms fingerprinting, here is the short story. Fingerprinting of firearms is not much different from human finger printing. Simply, a handgun is fired capturing the bullet and then cataloging and picturing specific markings on the bullet for means of linking a particular firearm to a crime. Many of you may have seen similar tests on shows like CSI. Fingerprinting has been going on for several years now, first by police departments in an attempt to solve a crime and then by BATFE in order to create a bullet database. Despite what you see on CSI however, again I mention that there has never been a single crime that has been connected to this database. Why? Well, because law abiding citizens do not commit crimes. Sounds like a duh statement but the BATFE and many other organizations, both government and private, don't get it or choose not to listen. Personally, I think it is the latter. Facts are that law abiding citizens get their firearm through legal means which are the only firearms that have been fingerprinted while criminals get their guns from illegal sales, guns which are not fingerprinted. This is the short story and I will have a more in depth look at fingerprinting in another blog.

S.77.IS: Anti-Gun Trafficking Penalties Enhancement Act

     Senator Schumer introduced this bill. Need I say more? OK, I will. This bill will require BATFE to relinquish information regarding a particular firearm if it has been used in the commission of a crime or is believe to be stolen. Also, anyone from any government agency may ask for this information and there is no limit to how much of the database or information BATFE has can be requested. Well, this does not sound much different from what is already being done. So what's new? This bill will also allow the Attorney General to inspect any firearms dealer for any reason he deems necessary. This bill also goes on to enforce harsher penalties for illegal sales and adding racketeering charges to firearms sales.

     Do you see the connection yet? Here it is. A government officer comes across an illegal gun, contacts BATFE to get any information regarding the gun, including the dealer who sold it, and then turns this information over to the Attorney General. The Attorney General looks at the information and then requests BATFE to give him all information of every gun sold from that dealer and then inspects the dealers sales. A single discrepancy will allow the AG to put behind bars the dealer owner for a term of 20 years per offence and possibly bring racketeering charges against the dealer. All this to put a man/woman in jail for a crime that was committed with a firearm sold by the dealer to a law abiding citizen and then was stolen from said person. Now why would you want to put a person in jail for the crimes committed by a different person? Because, if you put all the dealers in jail, there will be no one to sell the guns or dealers may just quit the business of selling firearms to negate the possibility of being prosecuted.

H.R.96.IH: Gun Show Loophole Closing Act

     Wow! Where to start on this one? Basically, this bill would eliminate gun shows completely. It imposes regulations to operators of special firearms events, vendors, and all the attendees of said event so severe that no vendor or operator of the event will want to assume the responsibilities of all sales made at the event. This bill is filled with so much BS that it would take all the next couple of blogs to discuss. I will tell you that it goes so far as to say that no private citizen can sell their firearm at any event without going through a licensed dealer. As a matter of fact, it goes further to say that you cannot sell your privately owned firearm to any one unless the transaction is done within your residence. Like I said, this is filled with a lot of ridiculous anti-gun gibberish. If you want to know more and have a few hours to kill give this link a try: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.96:

H.R1168.IH: Foreign Felon Gun Prohibition Act

     Very simply this bill would extend the prohibition of selling firearms to felons of courts in foreign lands. This means that if you do not have a felony in this country but you do in another country, it would now be illegal for you to own a firearm. Again, we see that on the surface a proposed bill can look good but is in fact a bad idea. First, what is a felony in another country? Depending on the country, one of our felonies would cost you a hand. So do we assume that the one armed man is now a felon in another country? Also, a massive amount of money is spent every year for the background checks to clear within 3 days to purchase a firearm. Imagine the amount of money and extra time needed to do a background check in Interpol. Not to mention that we would now be following the laws of other countries for guidance on our firearms sales, when almost every country besides ours all have some of the strictest gun laws known to man. What about countries like Mexico where you don't have to be doing something wrong or illegal to have a cop thrust a bogus charge against you simply for the benefit of making some money? This bill is a bad idea and should be voted against by all of our congressmen and women.

H.R.73.IH: Citizens' Self-Defense Act..

     Finally, we come to a bill that should be endorsed fully and completely by everyone. This is an adoption of the Castle Doctrine laws that have been passed in many of our states already. This gives every person the right to protect themselves with a firearm if their family or personal life is threatened. Sounds like a right we should already have and in most states we do but in many the burden of proof lies on the victim and not on the state. This means that in the event you have to defend yourself, you are responsible for proving to the court that it was in fact self-defense. This bill places the burden of proof on the state or in this case the federal government. The idea of innocent until proven guilty? What a concept. This one needs our help and your representatives need to know how you feel about it.

H.R.1784.IH: Protect Law Enforcement Armor Act

     I believe I mentioned in a previous post that when I see a bill proposed to protect law enforcement officers it usually means taking your guns away. This bill is no exception. This time they want to ban the new FNH Five-seveN pistol and the 5.7x28 cartridge that it is chambered for because of the recent reports of the ammo being armor piercing. First, let me point out that the armor piercing ammo that this pistol was designed to shoot is already illegal and not for sale in the US. So then why are they trying to ban ammo that is already outlawed? They aren't. They are trying to ban the current ammo that cannot penetrate armor using the recent news reports from our corrupt media claiming that the ammo available in the stores now still can penetrate armor. They even mention in the bill that the current ammo can reach velocities of 2100 feet per second. Truth be told that at 2100 feet per second this ammo can't penetrate armor and the real penetrating ammo that is outlawed travels at velocities around the 3200 feet per second mark.

     Also, what about the new 17 Hornady Mach 2 ammo that is nothing more than a 22 rimfire case downsized to fit a 17 caliber bullet and travels 2200 feet per second. Should this one be outlawed? Of course not. The media doesn't have a problem with that one because it is used for plinking and does not have its roots in the military applications. This bill also allows for the testing and prohibition of any handgun that fires a cartridge capable of penetrating armor. Current law enforcement armor is only rated for small caliber handgun and 20 caliber rifle ammo. Any rifle in the 30 caliber or above used for hunting purposes or long range sport shooting is capable of penetrating this armor. There is firearms in the hand gun category that fire such cartridges like the TC Encore pistol frame. If found to be a threat to law enforcement under this bill, that ammo would be outlawed as well. Vote no on this one.

     Well, I think I've given you enough to think about and next week will be another continuation of this legislation. Those Democrats are keeping busy trying to take away your right to carry. Remember that the Second amendment is not a suggestion for the government to allow us to carry. It is a guaranteed right and it is our responsibility to uphold this right by letting our representatives know how we feel.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email me at: billy_the_kid43@hotmail.com

H.R.256.IH: Child Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act of 2007

     The title sounds nice and despite the majority of this bill being of sound ideas it is still an anti-gun legislation. First, I'll inform you of the good ideas in this bill. Despite the anit-gun sections of this bill, it is important to know when something good is included so that when seen or inserted in other future bills we can give consideration to them. This bill incorporates that every firearm, when sold through a FFL licensed dealer, be provided with some sort of locking device, whether it be a safe or gun lock. This sounds bad but in fact is a good idea. Most would see this and worry about the price of firearms going up. Well, facts are that prices are going up despite what is included and most companies are already providing a locking devise free of charge anyway. Not to mention the fact that most of your local law enforcement agencies will provide you with a locking device free of charge as well, so there really is no excuse for this obvious safety device to be included with every firearm purchase. Then there is the idea to provide grants for gun safety courses. These courses would be enable local law enforcement agencies to provide gun safety classes for parents and their children. The government paying for you and your children to learn gun safety? Who can argue with that? Also, along the same lines, this bill will set forth mandatory gun safety classes with a certified firearms instructor in every school district. Teaching our children gun safety in the classroom has been needed for many years.

     That being said, there is still ideas introduced in this bill which would restrict your right bear arms. It requires that no person under the age of 21 be allowed the use of a handgun, ammo, assault weapon or high capacity magazines. You may temporarily transfer such devices to your child after the age of 18 for the purpose of plinking, use of employment on a ranch or farm, hunting or instruction in the safe use of such devices. How many of you learned how to shoot as a child via a .22lr pistol? If this legislation is enacted, then you will not be able to put a .22lr pistol in the hands of your little one until they are 18. Also, why would an assault weapon or high capacity magazine matter in terms of child use? I am getting tired of hearing the term assault weapon. Wouldn't going up to someone on the street and pummeling them with a shovel be considered an assault and therefore making the shovel an assault weapon? Should we then decide that a shovel cannot be in the hands of a minor because he/she COULD use it in a matter other than directed? Of course not and we should not do the same to a particular firearm because a child might use it to commit a crime. It is an absurd title given to firearms that people do not like for reasons that they look bad. But I digress. Also, there is a restriction only allowing a child to attend a gun show if they are accompanied by an adult. I remember my friends and I going to the gun shows by ourselves and there is no reason why your teenage child cannot go to a gun show without adult supervision. What are they afraid of? A child under 18 cannot purchase any firearm or ammo and a child under age 21 cannot purchase a handgun or ammo already, so why is this necessary? Are they afraid of exposing a child to darkly colored, inanimate objects? Really, any child today can look at these arms through magazines, books, movies and more. How is seeing firearms at a gun show any different? Ask your representative to vote no on this bill.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?  Email me at billy_the_kid43@hotmail.com

     The time has come to review the legislation that your representatives will be voting on in the coming months. Many of you may have heard about a couple of these but unless you pay close attention to everything that congress does, you may be missing a few items of interest. I will attempt to inform you of the many (and I do mean many) proposed bills currently in debate. Like you, I am not likely to say yes or vote on any bill that limits the rights of the people, especially when it comes to anti-gun legislation. However, keep in mind that you do not get to vote on any of these bills. Your representatives will be doing the voting for you and if you want them to vote your way, you will need to make it clear to them which way you would like them to vote. With that said, here is a listing of each bill proposed that I was able to find and the summaries of what it means for you.

H.R.1022.IH: Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2007

     Many of you have heard of this one as being the revised/expanded assault weapons ban from 1994 which had sunset in 2004. Everyone should know by now that the original version of this, which was enacted for 10 years, did nothing to reduce crime in our nation. Well, here it is again and expanded it is. Obvious choices for this bill are the AK-47, AR-15, SKS, and of course any rifle that can be construed as a sniper rifle. But wait, what about your Hi-Point Carbine, Kel-Tec Sub-Rifle, M-1 Carbine, or even your Ruger Mini-14? Say goodbye to them as well. What about the pistols? Well, MAC-10's, TEC-9's and Uzi's are out. It does not specify any particular common pistol used for home defense, but does that make them safe from this bill? No! I will explain further momentarily. What about your shotgun? Well, the SPAS-12, Striker-12 and the Armscor 30 BG are mentioned, but the last mentioned shotgun expands the shotgun category to just about anything out there...the infamous street sweeper. In the definitions area of the bill, there is no mention as to what qualifies as a street sweeper, so now anything could possibly be a street sweeping shotgun. Why? Well, guess who gets to decide what is legal and what is not according to their own interpretation of the bill? Why none other than your attorney general, of course. Also, this bill will require all so called assault weapons to be transferred through a licensed FFL dealer. That means that you can not even sell your old Mini-14 to your buddy without going through a dealer. And if you have to transfer it through a FFL dealer than it becomes a new sale and therefore is not grandfather-claused making the gun illegal and confiscatable. Tricky? You expect less from the gun grabbers? What is the fine for a single violation of this bill? No less than 10 years for a single violation. How many firearms do you have that are in violation?

H.R.1141.IH: Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2007

     From what I have been able to decipher this bill introduces the idea of providing an amnesty period for veterans who have obtained firearms prior to October 31, 1968 during their service overseas and have since brought those firearms to their current residence in the US. This amnesty period would allow them to register their firearms and have it determined if they are legal by, yet again, the attorney general. If considered illegal, they would be confiscated and turned over to museums or destroyed. In the unlikely event they are considered legal, they would be allowed to keep them. However, when the congress decides that this bill is no longer valid and that you may no longer possess such firearms, they now know where to find them. On top of that, if they find out that you do have one of these firearms but did not register it in the time allotted for the amnesty period, you are again in violation and subject to fines and imprisonment. How much time is allotted you may ask? How's 90 days sound? Yes, 90 days to register your firearm that you were legal to have in the first place. Do you think the federal government can get to all the people interested in complying within the 90 day period? Keep dreaming.

S.376.IS: Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2007

     Normally, anything mentioning "Law Enforcement Officer Safety" sets off an alarm in my head. Usually, these are buzz words for, "we will take your guns for the safety of our officers." However, in this case the bill is actually about officer safety. This bill, if passed would allow for officers who are retired to carry a concealed weapon for as long as they can continue to qualify under the standards in firearms training for the state in which they reside. A federally mandated concealed carry permit allowable in all states. Sounds like a solution to me and we should all be so lucky. Could this be a precursor to the idea of expanding this to all law abiding citizens? We can hope. This one gets my vote for sure and I will be letting my senator know.

H.R.1399.IH: District of Columbia Personal Protection Act

     Many of you have heard about the 2^nd Court of Appeals decision that Washington, D.C.'s current legislation concerning firearms is unconstitutional and, more importantly, designated that the 2^nd Amendment is an individual right and not a state right. Right after that decision, a bill to repeal the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 which makes illegal all firearms that are not in use by law enforcement. Let me give you an idea of how ridiculous this law was. Once, enacted in 1975, any firearm you had was still legal in the room it was being kept in at the time. However, if you transferred your own firearm to the next room to be cleaned or maintained, you are now in violation of this law. That's right, you can no longer move your firearm from one room to the next in your own home! Even if after the law passed you decided to move to another area, you are no longer able to even pack your gun up and move it to another state or area where it is legal because, well you can't move it. You now are left with the option of leaving it for the authorities to come and confiscate it. Do you see how asinine this law was? Under this new bill, this law would be repealed along with all the absurd regulations that were spawn from it. Again, it gets my vote and should get yours too. Let your congressmen know how you feel.

H.R226.IH: Non-resident concealed carry standard.

     How many of you have more than one concealed carry license so that you may carry in most states that allow for such carry options? Most who currently carry concealed know that if you want to travel and carry concealed in other states that allow it may need to get between two and three licenses from different states to cover most of the states that allow concealed carry. Even this does not allow for all states that license for concealed carry. This bill would make a standard that if you meet the qualifications in your state of residence for concealed carry, you are now legal to carry concealed in all states that license for such carry options. Again, a nationwide standard for firearms owner rights. Sounds good to me.

     Well, those are the first five legislation for the current session of congress to look over and decide what you as a firearms owner should be allowed to do. There are still more to discuss and I will cover these in future blog entries. Again, I would encourage all readers to contact their representatives from both the House and Senate and demand, not ask, that they vote your way. I say demand because if you ask them to vote your way they may send you a wishy-washy letter of reply letting you know that they are concerned with these issues but are also concerned for the safety of the nation, or that they support sportsman. Again, this is buzz wording for I am willing to take some of your guns away for now (and will take more away later). Do not allow a politician to push you around, they work for you and therefore are required to vote for what the majority of people are requesting of them. Don't forget that they are elected officials and can be voted out of office at the end of their term. Wave that in front of them and watch them scurry to vote for the majority.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email me at billy_the_kid43@hotmail.com

Part 2: Rifles

Many of you may have already come across the Cx4 Storm rifle that uses the pistol calibers 9 mm, .40 S&W and 45 ACP. This new rifle, the Rx4 Storm, sports two stocks (a standard and collapsible), a picatinny top rail for scope mounting, ambidextrous safety, cross bolt and bolt release. It also has interchangeability of the front stork forward of the magazine well. Carry capacity for this .223 Remington rifle is 10 rounds but there is an optional 30 round mag. One thing I do not like about this rifle is its appearance but what it will lack in its beauty is more than made up for in its features.

CZ is also adding to its 550 rifle line. The new CZ 550 Ultimate Hunting Rifle is chambered in .300 Win. Mag., weighs less than 8 pounds and comes with a minute-of-angle guarantee to 1000 yards. It features a hammer forged blued barrel and a walnut stock. With a price tag at $3450 it's hard to believe this will fly off the shelves.

Some of you may be familiar with Kel-Tec's SU-16 line of .223 Rem. rifles. This year Kel-Tec has introduced its new RFB high efficiency rifle. I've only read about this new rifle but I am really impressed with its features. It is the first rifle by Kel-Tec offered in the .308 Win. round and it is in a bull pup style meaning the magazine is behind the hand grip. It also features a forward ejection system where the fired round is ejected from a small tube at the front of the rifle. This new concept makes for a shorter tilting block breach allowing for longer barrels increasing the velocities downrange. This in turn makes for flatter trajectories, smaller groups and longer ranges. The RFB comes with a choice of barrel lengths from 18" to 32" and a really long picatinny rail accommodating even the largest scope. The next long range sniping tool? Time will tell.

Kimber is entering the tactical rifle market this year with three rifles ringing in price from $1258 to $2497. We'll start with the LPT (Light Police Tactical) with its 24" heavy fluted barrel, over sized bolt handle and black laminated stock with panel stippling. Weighing in at just over 8 pounds this rifle will be highly portable. The next rifle is simply called the Tactical. This time the rifle totes an unfluted bull barrel and a McMillan A-5 stock and the weight is at 9 pounds. Finally, there is the Advanced Tactical where the only real difference is the stock. Still a McMillan A-5 stock but now the length of pull and the comb height are adjustable. Each rifle comes with a bolt on picatinny rail, glass bedding and a trigger pull at 3-3.5 pounds.

Olympic Arms is introducing two new AR type rifles. First is the K30R chambered in 7.62 x 39mm. The second, K68, chambered in 6.8 Rem. SPC round. Both come with a 16" stainless steel barrel with flash suppressor. Both have aluminum receivers machined by Olympic Arms and a M4 collapsible stock. The best bit of information I can give on these fine rifles is the price. The K30R comes in at $846 and the K68 is $905.

The Swiss made SG 550 series rifle has built a reputation for outstanding accuracy, performance and durability for law enforcement and military. Now Sig Arms has made a civilian version for distribution here in the US. The SG 556 features a 16" hammer forged barrel with a 1 in 7" twist rate. It accepts standard AR mags and a two stage trigger system. Compartments for extra batteries are provided in the pistol grip and the adjustable butt stock. Price is around $1300.

Everyone has heard the great things being said of the S&W M&P 15 rifle series. New to the series this year is the M&P 15 PC rifle. Features a full length skeleton stock and 20" stainless barrel. The PC comes with a two stage match trigger and billet aluminum upper and lower. S&W even throws in a soft lined case for carrying. No price yet.

Ruger firearms are known for their durability and design in hunting applications. This year Ruger introduces the new M77 Hawkeye rifle series. Wrap around checkering on the fore end and a new trigger system are just some of the features on this rifle. Includes a new recoil pad designed for more recoil reduction and the LC6 trigger system is suppose to give a crisp, clean break right out of the box. Versions of this rifle include options like stainless or blued, walnut or synthetic stocks and the calibers range from the 204 Ruger to the 7mm-08 Rem. The Alaskan and African versions are chambered for the .375 Ruger.

FN's popular PS 90 carbines are a great tool and the new 5.7 x 28 mm cartridge has caused a lot of controversy and anything that gives the liberal gun grabbers heart burn has my vote. New this year to this line is the PS 90 TR triple rail. Generally, the carbine is the same but the reflex sight has been replaced with three picatinny rails for scopes, red dots and other accessories. Hopefully I can eventually come up with money to purchase one of these.

The Marlin 308MX and 308MXLR lever action rifles are chambered for the new 308 Marlin Express cartridge with a 5 shot tubular magazine. The MXLR features a 24"stainless steel barrel and frame assembly, a black/grey laminate stock and adjustable rear sight with ramped front sight. The MX features a 22" blued barrel and frame, American black walnut and both are tapped for scope mounts.

T/C's new rifle, the Icon, is a wonderful mix of beauty and function. The new Icon has several features that will leave you in awe. This firearm has a button rifled match grade barrel chambered in your choice of 22-250, .243 Win., .308 and the new .30 TC cartridge. Each rifle has an integrated picatinny mount system, interlocking bedding block, full body jeweled bolt, and is CNC machined out of solid bar stock. A removable and interchangeable bolt handle and a 60 degree bolt lift if perfect for scope clearance. There is also a 3 round magazine, high grade walnut stock with elaborate checkering and fully adjustable trigger preset at 3 to 3.5 pounds.

Questions, Comments Suggestions?  billy_the_kid43@hotmail.com

Part One: Pistols

     With each new year there are lots of new firearms and accessaries. Now that the SHOT show has passed, a lot of what is new is on the manufacturers' web sites. The following is the first in a 3 part series outlining a few of the newest things for this year.

     First is the Beretta's new Px4 Storm Sub Compact pistol. This new pistol is smaller and lighter weight than its predecessor but still packs a lot of firepower with a magazine capacity of 10 rounds for the .40 S&W and 13 rounds for the 9 mm. Also features ambidextrous safety and reversible magazine release buttons. The ability to change the back strap size makes for a very versatile pistol that should fit most shooters hands. This pistol has an underside picatinny rail for all your flashlight and laser accessaries. This pistol is just what you're looking for if you're looking for a light weight, ergonomic and an ambidextrous pistol with a lot of punch for concealed carry.

     CZ-USA is famous for their CZ 75 pistols in 9 mm and .40 S&W. New this year is the CZ 75 B in stainless steel. This is CZ's first stainless steel and includes new features to the 75 line. This pistol now has plastic grips and an ambidextrous safety. Currently this pistol is only offered in 9 mm.

     New from Kel-Tec this year is the PF-9 pistol in 9 mm. With a weight at 12.7 oz and a hand grip width of only .88 in. This is one of the smallest handguns available today. Using technology from the P-11 and P-3AT lines, Kel-Tec has combined concealability with great functionality. It has a picatinny rail, comes in blue or hard chrome finishes and a single stack magazine with a 7 round capacity. Starting at $314, I am going to have to take a hard look at this little power house.

     If you subscribe to any of the firearms magazine publications out there, you've probably seen the Springfield Armory's new EMP. A 1911 style pistol that was redesigned from the ground up to be a highly concealable handgun. This pistol carries 9+1 rounds of 9mm ammo that is shot through a 3" stainless ramped bull barrel. With the help of an aluminum alloy frame and trigger the weight empty comes in at 26 oz. Sights are a fixed tritium 3 dot and the grips are thin cocobolo hardwood. Contact Springfield Armory for pricing.

     The .44 mag is a power house with the intention of dropping bears and, according to Dirty Harry, bad guys. Usually, this power is contained in a large revolver with a long barrel to control muzzle flip. This year Ruger introduces the Redhawk .44 mag with a 4" barrel. The Redhawk is not new and all the features of this revolver are the same except the 4" barrel. Higher concealability in a large frame revolver and lighter weight because of the shorter barrel will make this a great companion while hunting. Price is $780.

     FN introduces the FNP-45 pistol. This DA/SA pistol features interchangeable back straps, hammer forged barrel, high capacity polymer frame and loaded chamber indicator. One can be purchased with a matte black or stainless slide and standard of night sights. Each pistol comes with three magazines in 13 and fourteen round capacities or, for those in California or Massachusetts, 10 round capacities.

     Armalite is known for their AR type rifles. This year they will be known for their AR-24 pistol. A 9 mm high capacity pistol in standard or compact frames and fixed or adjustable sight configurations. Prices range from $550 for the fixed sight models to $631 for the adjustable sights. Great pricing and a history of producing super firearms will make this a great buy.

Tune in next week for Part Two: Rifles.

As always, feel free to contact me with your questions or comments at billy_the_kid43@hotmail.com.

     Do you have trouble seeing your handgun sights? Did you know that when aiming your pistol, there are four items that require proper alignment to get your shot in the bulls eye? Ever wonder why someone hasn't made a sighting system that doesn't require adjusting your focus to see the rear sight and then the front sight? Well, someone has. Introducing the new Sure Sight system. I would not normally advertise a product I haven't tried myself but the idea behind this system is phenomenal.

     Let me explain my position on this. I mentioned there were four items that need to be aligned when making each shot. Here they are: Eye, Rear Sight, Front Sight and Target. Most would not have thought about your eye as part of the equation because it is a part of our body. It is something that is always there and is not required to be purchased in order to use. However, it is actually the most important item concerning your shot placement. Think for a moment and break down every step you take to aim and fire a pistol (or rifle/shotgun). Usually you have your eye on the target as you bring the pistol up for alignment but if you keep your eye focused on the target you will never see your sights. Why? Because they are closer to the eye, they are out of focus and therefore unseeable. Now, you change your focus to the sights but cannot see both sights without being out of focus as well. So now you have to adjust your focus from the rear to the front and back until they are aligned and then again on the target and back to the sights, and then the target, sights, target, all while trying to smoothly pull the trigger. The gun goes off, there is recoil and then you have to start all over again.

     Now, I have made it sound very complicated to shoot a pistol and in reality it is not but that does not take away from the fact that each step happens as I have laid it out above. Facts are, that for each shot made your eyes have to focus, adjust and refocus many times. There are a multitude of sighting systems out there for your pistol but all require the attention to the sights that I have wrote about. But what if you could keep your focus on the target and still see the sights without requiring you to focus on them? That's exactly what this new sighting system offers. Sure Sight sights use a very brightly glowing triangle where the lower half of the triangle is the rear sight and the top half as the front sight. The top needs to align with the bottom to form a complete triangle and the point is where you bullet should impact. What makes this any different? Well, with the natural ability we all have to complete shapes the triangle forms with little to no effort. Also, because of the highly visible glowing triangle you can keep your attention on the target and still see in the foreground the sights are naturally aligned. Check it out.

     See what I mean. How could you go wrong? My first question was how far out does the front sight protrude? After all, I don't want to have to purchase a new holster. Is it snag free? Well, I mentioned that I have not used this sighting system yet but from the initial reports that I am getting, the front sight does not protrude any more than any other sight out there and it is snag free. The concept is admittedly not without flaws though. First, being that they do not yet make one with a tritium insert and so does need some light to make it glow. Also, as of right now they are only made for the Glock's, Springfield XD's and the Sig Sauer series. Sure Sight has mentioned on their website below that they are looking into a tritium insert for the system. As for the lack of selection, I have contacted the company through email about future products but have not as yet received an email back from them but will continue to try and get a hold of somebody. I cannot imagine that with a system like this there would not be more people trying to contact them about when they were coming out with a system for their platform. I know I want one for my Beretta 96.

Want to know more? Check out their website here: www.suresight.com

Questions? Comments? Make a note in the blog or email me at billy_the_kid43@hotmail.com

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