Nation's Gun Show 30 December

[AnthonyB]

Went out to Dulles today for the big show. Two weeks ago I bought an AR-15 (Colt 6920) at the Fredericksburg show for $1070 out the door. That was the day after the shooting in CT. Today the same rifle was marked $2999, and I saw run of the mill Bushmasters priced at $1800. 30 round magazines that were $15 are now $30. There were a LOT of people walking the floor with ARs for sale - trying to make a big profit. I have been looking for a Springfield Armory XDS 45 ACP, but they are apparently made of unobtanium. Finally found one today and took it home. All in all a good day, but this is not the time to be looking for an AR.
Tony

[Doc65]

Nor a run of the mill 10/22

[nhrifle]

Time to learn blueprint reading and the operation of a lathe and milling machine

[oldred]

Time to learn blueprint reading and the operation of a lathe and milling machine

I really fear that may also soon come to an end, with the advent of CNC machines it is a lot easier to make a firearm than it was just a few years ago and the idiots (I didn't stutter I did say idiots!) pushing gun control legislation will soon pounce on that one. The problem is they will likely ban home building across-the-board with little consideration as to what type of gun is built. Recent articles on a plastic "assault" type weapon that was produced on a 3D printer and actually fired a few rounds has already been in the news. The fear mongers would have folks believe it is now possible to buy one of these machines that replicates 3D objects, and even machinery or gun parts, in plastic along with easily obtainable computer software and build a gun by simply loading the software into the machine and pushing a button. Unfortunately that's not far from the truth although it's hardly practical at the moment but with better and stronger composites it may indeed become possible to build a low powered but fully functional firearm by anyone with practically no skills. Whether this becomes a reality or not (probably not for many years yet if ever) the talk has already begun and I fear our right to scratch-build a firearm at home is in grave jeopardy! Since I retired this has become my chosen hobby and although my single shot 19th century style rifles are of little threat to anyone I worry that building them may VERY soon become a federal offense!

[starmac]

You can bet that builders will come out of the woodwork if a ban like they want takes place, federal offense or not. Think about it, what illegal object can a guy not purchase now.

[oldred]

You can bet that builders will come out of the woodwork if a ban like they want takes place, federal offense or not. Think about it, what illegal object can a guy not purchase now.

Yes I assume they will but that won't help us who enjoy the hobby unfortunately. Building a rifle just wouldn't be much fun if a person has to hide it and worry about doing time in a federal pen if caught with it. I also wonder about any scratch built firearms we already have, I sure wouldn't want to give up anything I have put so much time and effort into but if it becomes illegal to build one what are we supposed to do with them? Without any build record or serial number how could it be verified if they were constructed before or after any potential ban? I know people are fond of defiantly saying they will never give up their guns no matter what kind of ban is passed and I am sure most won't, I certainly wouldn't, but honestly except for home defense what good would they be to us?

[nhrifle]

An effective weapon can be crafted with tools found in most any workshop or garage. Where am I going with this...the Polish were among the nations disarmed by the Nazis before WWII officially got under way. It was then an easy thing for Hitler to stroll into Warsaw and assume power over the country and the unfortunate souls who lived there. One gentleman was quoted as saying "If only we had had a submachine gun." Obama has already, through presidential decree, given himself absolute power over our communication system, declared the American people as enemy combatants, and has ordered the military to conduct operations within our borders. He has grossly overstepped the bounds of the rights and responsibilities of his appointed office. There are FEMA camps being built all over the country, surrounded by fences and barbed wire. Now he is actively and willfully causing the destruction of the US economy. How much more does he have to do before Americans are powerless under him? Our owning and knowledge of guns may not come down to a matter of recreation any more. Times are rapidly approaching that may require we stand and fight for our country once again. If the commercially made firearms are banned and the majority of them are lost to us, we may have to make the tools to defend our homes and communities.

[oldred]

I hear you but we have to be realistic, if it comes down to that then home made weapons would be of little use to us. There is no way we could defend against the military and our only hope would be if the people in the military rebelled and refused to follow orders, which I would surely hope they would do.

[waksupi]

I have no doubt that most any kind of weapon can be made in a home workshop. Just look at what the Pakistanis make with a drill, file, and their toes for a vise.

[nhrifle]

The Afghan people were out gunned, out manned, and under funded and held the Russians at bay. American colonists looked like a boy scout troop when the British launched their assault. Equipment is secondary to how one conducts him or herself in a crisis and to quote Rambo, "The mind is the greatest weapon". The weapons I am speaking of are basically disposable things, pretty much how I describe my handgun -- something to help me get to my rifle.

[oldred]

There is no comparison to here and Afghanistan, 1770's America or the Middle East countries and to think we as an unorganized group could use home made weapons to defeat a modern police force plus the national guard and possibly even the military is just beyond absurd! Nonsense talk like this may make you feel good but it's just what the anti-gunners will use against us if and when the media blitz comes if strict gun control legislation comes to a vote, we need to come across as sensible, level headed and law abiding citizens not a boisterous bunch of radicals. Guys think about what you are saying and how it sounds to a non gun owner who will vote, we have a good argument for keeping our firearms if we talk and act sensibly and with reason but macho nonsense will come back to haunt us big time!

[starmac]

To most that want them banned, no amount of talking in any language will mean anything. No amount of facts contradicting their views means anything. We can be play nice and hope they leave us some toys to play with, until they decide to go to the next step. Eventually at some point in time we will either give up all rights or demand our god given rights. There is only one right that makes any and all other rights possible, once it goes, the rest will be close behind.

I have no doubt in my mind that I never want to see an armed revolt in this country, but would never think that people standing up for their god given rights would not stand a chance of winning in the end.

[oldred]

Starmac, Beating these people at the polls is our best hope and there are a heck of a lot of people (voters) out there that just don't think about guns much one way or the other and we don't need these people thinking gun owners are radical but you are 100% right, we have no more chance of changing the mind of the rabid anti-gunner any more than he has of convincing us to vote for a ban. If the antis can paint us as a bunch of radicals talking about armed revolt in order to get our way the person who might otherwise support sports shooting and hunting might very well be convinced to vote for stricter regulations in order to keep guns out of the hands of perceived radicals, fellas I am NOT saying we need to kiss butt here I am saying we need to come across as level headed and intelligent and show our neighbors we are not the violent radicals these anti gun nuts are going to try and portray us as!

[starmac]

Any voting we get to do will be after the fact. Our only chance is we can make enough of them think our next vote could mess up their playhouse and put them back in the workforce if they don't put our rights first. Lots of gun owners are giving up without a fight because of what the media is telling us. I personally think there is more support on keeping our rights, than the media is letting on. In fact I think a lot of it is a govt smoke screen to keep minds off of what is happening around the world.

[nhrifle]

Oldred, I am not encouraging anyone to start a fight with the gov't as I would much prefer to live in peace. But facts need to be faced, the demographic of the country has changed. People have changed from a group who like to do for themselves to a group who prefer to watch TV and wait for their assigned entitlement from the gov't. I am watching it happen right here in my own state. People are asleep and choosing to stay that way. They blindly follow what is popular or gives them a warm and fuzzy feeling. According to all the polls that went around before the election, Obama should not still be in office. He took the mess we were in when he took office in 2008 and led us to the brink of collapse. The housing market is in shambles, the dollar is being devalued on a daily basis, basic necessities are almost out of financial reach for many people I personally know, and his esteemed majesty continues to act like a rock star on tour. I didn't and still don't understand the election this year, other than the mentality of the public has changed. One voter from New England was quoted as saying, "Yes, I voted for him. I don't think he did a good job last time but I kinda trust him so I think he should have a second chance."

This is the America we live in. People's lives are ruled by the canned reality they are provided from American Idol and turning a blind eye to the noose that is being tightened around all our necks. This nation cannot continue as it has for the last few years and too many are apathetic about it, and unless there is a drastic change, and soon, America as we know it will melt down.

[Gliden07]

Any voting we get to do will be after the fact. Our only chance is we can make enough of them think our next vote could mess up their playhouse and put them back in the workforce if they don't put our rights first. Lots of gun owners are giving up without a fight because of what the media is telling us. I personally think there is more support on keeping our rights, than the media is letting on. In fact I think a lot of it is a govt smoke screen to keep minds off of what is happening around the world.

I've said this in other posts!! The shootings in CT are an absolute tragidy to say the least!! But the fallout and Obummer pushing fast action is Smoke and Mirrors to take attention away from the real problems in this Country!!

[starmac]

nhrifle, Where is these fenced fema camps being built. I keep hearing about them, but have not heard of anyone actually seeing one.

[waksupi]

The U.S. military has never won a guerrilla war. What do you expect this one to be? Lexington Green? No, it will be from behind those blades of grass. The citizens can not be beat, if they truly believe.

[nhrifle]

Actually there is one either in construction or now finished in your neighborhood, designed to "house" 2,000,000 people (detainees) in Anchorage. I believe that's the biggest one so far, supposedly a huge mental health facility, probably designed that way to keep the masses drugged and under control.

Here's the latest map of locations of the camps
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en...25ee928a8872d0

We are from the government. We are here to help.

[hithard]

is it just me or are alot of those locations in red states. HUH....