gunbloggers.com 77 items from 74 feeds
When Ives composed this in the 1890s (at age 17!), there was no official national anthem. "My Country Tis Of Thee" was generally recognized as the de facto anthem, and Ives used it as a basis for this when he wrote it for an Independence Day celebration.
He was organist at his church, and his father didn't let him play it often since it made some of the kids there laugh. It's a fun piece for a long Independence Day weekend.
On July 6, 1415, following his trial (pictured), Bohemian proto-reformer Jan Hus was burned at the stake in Constance, Germany. The later Hussite revolution, led by Jan Ziska, used Hus’s name as a rallying cry. — On July 6, 1699, pirate Captain William Kidd was captured in Boston. — On July 6, 1917, Arab forces led T. E. Lawrence captured the port of Aqaba from the Turks. This was later dramatized in the movie Lawrence of Arabia. — And July 6th is also the anniversary of the 1994 Storm King Mountain wildfire that took the lives of 14 firefighters. — …
The post Preparedness Notes for Sunday — July 6, 2025 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
Inspired by John Moses Browning’s iconic Winchester Model 1892, the Heritage 92 comes in a number of different models with various barrel lengths, finishes, and chamberings. The version that I tested has a 20 inch barrel, is chambered in .44 Magnum, holds 10 rounds in the tubular magazine, has semi-buckhorn sights, and walnut-colored tropical hardwood furniture. The Heritage 92 is light, attractive, and well-machined, operates reliably, and puts the shooter in touch with his inner movie cowboy. The .44 Magnum chambering has enough energy and a flat enough trajectory from a rifle length barrel to make the Heritage 92 useful …
The post Heritage 92 in .44 Magnum, by Thomas Christianson appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: A Zero-Dollar Tax on SBRs, SBSes, and Suppressors? So, Can I Please Also Have a Zero-Dollar Income Tax? News Link: Big Beautiful Bill Passes Senate, Back to House with Zeroed Out NFA Tax Intact. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.
The post JWR’s Meme Of The Week: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore …
The post The Editors’ Quote of the Day: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
OldNFO posts a hilarious story about scrounging to keep the subs on patrol:
On June 11, 1942, disease, and perhaps an increasing desire not to use one’s own hand to wipe one’s nether regions, drove Lt. Cmdr. James Coe of the submarine Skipjack to send an “urgent” message to the powers that be.
Since July 1, 1941, a requisition had been submitted for 150 rolls of toilet paper to replenish the dwindling supply aboard the Skipjack. However, as the boat patrolled the Pacific, no sign of the all-important bathroom item appeared — even as other war materiel came in.
The TP was needed because crews ate very well when out at sea. I've posted Tasting History episodes before, and this one does not disappoint. I'd eat that in a New York minute.
With the passage of Frump's Big Beautiful Bill, some provisions are starting to come to light. It appears that the bill eliminated the excise tax on short-barreled rifles and on suppressors. I'm sure that the provisions will flesh themselves out in the coming weeks, but I admit that I am intrigued. The items will still have to be regulated, but that $200 tax is gone.
I am intrigued. I have long thought that a rimfire with a 12 inch barrel and a suppressor would be the cats meow for small game and varmints. And, if what I'm hearing about the tax is true, then the price of such a firearm just dropped by $400.
I happen to own a Ruger 10/22 that would be a perfect candidate for such a project. I admit freely that I am totally ignorant about the various vendors of suppressors. I don't think that I am looking for total silence (I know that is a pipe-dream), but a marked decrease in decibels would be a treat.
What do you think?
The FK Brno is a take on the classic CZ75 pistol made in the Czech Republic. It was originally released as a boutique steel-framed gun, and then later as a much more affordable polymer-framed model. [...]
The post FK Brno 7.5mm at the BackUp Gun Match first appeared on Forgotten Weapons.
IIRC we’ve discussed this topic in the past in the 18-year history of this blog, but I’m reminded of it because I’ve been carrying a 1911 .45 auto, my favorite for many decades now and my preferred carry on duty for 43 years as a sworn police officer. I’m wearing it now partly because it’s […]An investigation found that the homeowner, along with his wife and child, were asleep when they were woken by the suspect trying to break in through the front door. He got his gun, the release said.
After telling him several times to leave, the suspect broke a window in the front door. That's when the homeowner fired one round through the front door, striking the suspect. He fell to the ground and the homeowner got a first-aid kit while his wife called 911.
The homeowner performed life saving measures until deputies and EMS arrived. The suspect – who was not immediately identified – was taken to a hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing, according to the release.
During the investigation, officers discovered Oliver was assaulting a person inside the apartment. A gun, which Oliver had brought with him to the apartment, was taken by a teen under the age of 18.
According to police, the teen asked Oliver to stop several times before he fired a single shot hitting Oliver in the upper torso.
Dothan Police have consulted with Houston County District Attorney Russ Goodman and criminal charges are not expected at this time.
Oliver was out on bond on a prior shooting charge.
President Trump signed the Big Beautiful Bill on Friday. One of the things that bill dies is to reform Medicaid. Medicaid was originally designed for the po'folks, those who live below the poverty level. So, lets do a little math.
Louisiana has approximately 4.6 million residents. Approximately 18.9% are under the poverty line. By that metric alone, we should have about 869,000 on Medica. With the Medicaid expansion under out last governor, we have about 1.5 million currently enrolled. These are government figures, I didn't make them up, but it shows that Louisiana needs to do a better job getting people out of poverty. And, it shows that there are a whole lot of people on Medicaid who aren't poverty stricken.
Other states have the same problem. New Mexico, for example, has about 2.13 million residents, with about 375, 000 at the poverty line. Their Medicaid enrollment is just over 985,000. These figures are a quick Google, but probably pretty accurate. New Mexico is a deep blue state, which might explain some things, but the Medicare enrollment is over twice the poverty rate.
On July 5, 1601, the siege of Ostend began when a Spanish force under Archduke Albert VII of Austria, with 12,000 men and 50 siege guns, laid siege to a small garrison of fewer than 2,000 Dutch at the strategically important fortress of Ostend, Flanders. — And on July 5, 1891, an intense hailstorm killed 16 horses near Rapid City, South Dakota. — Please pray for all of those affected by the floods in Texas! — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First …
The post Preparedness Notes for Saturday — July 5, 2025 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
Many Preppers are often asked “what are you preparing for?” The responses are anything from a simple weather event to an extinction-level event. Having been in the field of disaster planning and response for 24 years, I cannot tell you the number of times someone from the public would call looking for our tornado plan, or flood plan, chemical spill plan and on and on. The reality is, many entities do not have disaster specific plans but rather general emergency operations plan that address the similar consequences of several different disasters. With that said, there are exceptions such as entities …
The post Prepare For The Consequences, Not The Disaster, by 3AD Scout appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds …
The post Editors’ Prepping Progress appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
“Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee. O Lord, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered. And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of …
The post The Editors’ Quote of the Day: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
Here's hoping your weekend beer options are numerous.
Cheers!
In Congress, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
"In June, the Department of Health and Human Services transferred data about people enrolled in Medicaid to the Department of Homeland Security, which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The shared data included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, immigration status and information about medical claims made by residents of California, Illinois, Washington state and the District of Columbia."
Now, if you want to argue that illegal aliens deserve medical care, there is a plausible argument founded in a Christian commonwealth's duty to care for the poor. But advocates for this point of view usually get pretty insistent that this is a secular society that barely tolerates Christianity (as long as you bake that cake!).
Another argument is that providing care to the poor requires some care to make sure it is spent wisely. Spending it on people who are not lawfully here seems unwise.
I’ve been holding out on you – I started a second channel a little while back, focused on SCUBA related material. It’s a subject I am very interested in, but I didn’t want to talk [...]
The post Deep Dive With Ian: Origins of the Navy SEALs first appeared on Forgotten Weapons.
I was born by God's dear Grace in an extraordinary place. Happy Birthday to that place.
I pledge allegiance to that flag, and if that bothers you, well that's too bad.
But if you have pride and you're proud you do, we could use a some more like me and you. Glen Filthie, this means you. You're already half way thrown out of your current place. The air smells of freedom here ...
Aaron Tippin: Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Fly
Well, if you ask me where I come from
Here's what I tell everyone
I was born by God's dear grace
In an extraordinary place
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly
It's a big ol' land with countless dreams
Happiness ain't out of reach
Hard work pays off the way it should
Yeah, I've seen enough to know that we've got it good
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly
There's a lady that stands in a harbor for what we believe
And there's a bell that still echoes the price that it cost to be free
I pledge allegiance to this flag
And if that bothers you, well, that's too bad
But if you got pride and you're proud you do
Hey, we could use some more like me and you
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly
Yes, there's a lady that stands in a harbor for what we believe
And there's a bell that still echoes the price that it cost to be free
No, it ain't the only place on earth
But it's the only place that I prefer
To love my wife and raise my kids
Hey, the same way that my daddy did
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly
Where the stars and stripes and the eagle fly
This song sums up the current Cold Civil War here on the shores of the New World*. It also sums up the increasing Cold War between Western Europe** and the USA under the Trump Administration. It's a fundamental disconnect between world views - us vs. them***.
All I can say is that God spared Donald Trump last summer for a purpose. That statement probably bothers some people.
Well, that's too bad****.
* I only use the term to bother the Usual Suspects.
** Ibid
*** Well, except for the European oppressed political minorities, like the AfD, Marine Le Pen, Tommy Robinson, et al.
**** Damn, this has turned into a rant. I guess that calls for a clarification. Maybe it's not a rant, it's a desire for a Reckoning:
 |
“For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.”
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend. JULY 2025 NEWSLETTER Tom’s excellent monthly newsletter. The Tactical Truth About Thompsons My former police department owned a Thompson 1928. When I started work there, the police chief kept it locked in […]We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness
Happy Independence Day! Today, Americans go through the motions of celebrating the remnants of our once preciously cherished liberty. Please don’t refer to it as just: “The Fourth of July.” Give it meaning, and do your best to help restore our freedom and rein in the size and power of the state and Federal governments. – JWR — Independence Day is also the birthday of Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) and of General Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) — Today’s feature article is by SurvivalBlog’s founder and Senior Editor, James Wesley, Rawles (JWR). — We are in need of entries for Round 119 of …
The post Preparedness Notes for Friday — July 4, 2025 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
The recent Democratic Party mayoral primary election of Zohran Mamdani in New York City does not bode well. It illustrates that the Hard Left Democrats now have a stranglehold on New York City politics. I suspect the same for all of the East and West Coast Blue States, as well as Illinois. I heard it suggested on talk radio that artificial intelligence (A.I.) was used to exert influence on the New York mayoral primary via concerted social media bot traffic. This may have swayed “on the fence” voters toward Mamdani. I’m curious to see if this manipulation can be documented. …
The post Political Machinations: The 2026 Midterms May Be A.I.-Manipulated appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, six months into Donald Trump’s second term in office, a special look at Trumponomics 2.0. Precious Metals: Rep. Massie Introduces Bill to Audit U.S. Gold Reserves. o o o Gold Price Forecast June 2025: What’s Driving Gold Prices Right Now? JWR’s Comments: In the past week, gold rose 3% and silver was up about 10%, in …
The post Economics & Investing For Preppers appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
“When Freedom from her mountain-height Unfurled her standard to the air, She tore the azure robe of night, And set the stars of glory there. She mingled with its gorgeous dyes The milky baldric of the skies, And striped its pure, celestial white With streakings of the morning light. Flag of the free heart’s hope and home! By angel hands to valour given! Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, And all thy hues were born in heaven. Forever float that standard sheet! Where breathes the foe but falls before us, With Freedom’s soil beneath our feet, And Freedom’s banner …
The post The Editors’ Quote of the Day: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
18 USC 925(c) provides that the Attorney General can grant a person relief from disability (the "dis-ability" to legally possess a firearm under the law). This is especially important to those convicted of a federal offense, since there is no federal procedure to restore firearm rights or to restore civil rights (those lost by a conviction are all governed by state, not federal, law).
Historically, that function had been delegated by the AG to ATF, and from 1992 onward there was a rider put on ATF's budget forbidding it to use appropriated money to grant relief (except to corporations).
But the AG has issued revoking the delegation so that her office will handle the petitions. The budget rider only applies to ATF, and doesn't cover her office.
The language of the order makes it clear there's a new sheriff in town:
"In Executive Order 14206 of February 6, 2025 (Protecting Second Amendment Rights), the President reaffirmed our national commitment to "[t]he Second Amendment [as] an indispensable safeguard of security and liberty," and directed that "[w]ithin 30 days of the date of this order, the Attorney General shall examine all orders, regulations, guidance, plans, international agreements, and other actions of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to assess any ongoing infringements of the Second Amendment rights of our citizens." Consistent with this Order and with the Department's own strong support for all constitutional rights, including "the right of the people to keep and bear arms" enshrined in the Second Amendment, the Department has begun that review process in earnest..."
When we first started going together Mrs. Drang asked me what my favorite musical was.
She seemed dubious when I said 1776.Our birthday girl brings these:
What do you call a rabbit with fleas? Bugs Bunny.
I bet jellyfish are sad that there are no peanut butter fish.
What do you call a bunch of birds that stick together? Velcrows.
Dogs prepare you for babies; cats prepare you for teenagers.
By Dave Workman By a vote of 218-214, the House of Representatives has passed President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” less than a day after the Senate also approved the measure, with a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President J.D. Vance. President Trump is expected to sign on Friday. The package, according to Fox News, […]
The post Congress Passes ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ Eliminating NFA Taxes on SBRs, Suppressors appeared first on Liberty Park Press.
Today I ran some High Desert Cartridge Company .38 Special 148 grain HBWCs over my Garmin chronograph from 2 .357 Magnum revolvers.
First, from my S&W 640-1 with a 1-/7/8" (nominal 2") barrel, 10 shots averaged 753 FPS.
Everything else being equal, I would expect 25 - 50 FPS more velocity from a gun chambered in .38 Special, due to less freebore.
High Desert Cartridge Company advertises this load at 725 FPS from a 2" snubbie with 18" of penetration in ballistic gelatin.
In my opinion this would be an excellent carry load in .38 Special of .357 Magnum snubbie revolvers. It's controllable in rapid fire but will poke a clean hole all the way into the vitals.
Amazon has a tremendous number of FREE ebooks on their website. You can find thousands of free kindle books on Amazon’s site every day. These books can be downloaded to a Kindle reader or a free App on your phone or personal computer. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can download a free […]Although I decorated cupcakes, not a cake. She loves cupcakes.
Happy Birthday, Darlin'.