Four person teams of Explorers will compete in the Scholastic Steel Challenge where they’ll be timed to 1/1,000th of a second as they shoot four stages of five fixed steel plate targets each. The four best of five runs for each shooter will be added to determine the individual’s time, and all four individual times will be combined for the team’s time.

Strictly supervised by certified range officials for safety and to make sure competition rules are adhered to at all times, Scholastic Steel Challenge competitions give Explorer Post 15 participants the opportunity to challenge other Explorer Posts from across the state, as well as compete for state and national titles.

Sheriff Campbell said, “As the charter Explorer Post in this new endeavor, the Explorers in Post 15 are excited and motivated to bring this opportunity to other Law Enforcement career minded youth across the state and nation.”

“This important new training opportunity will help us build future leaders of our community while at the same time better preparing these motivated youths to strive for excellence in all they choose to do, including pursuing a career in Law Enforcement.”

Explorers from Post 15 are looking forward to representing both their Sheriff and the citizens of Leon County in Scholastic Steel Challenge competition. For more information on SSC visit www.ScholasticSteelChallenge.com.

The Explorer program is aimed towards youth between the ages of 14 and 21 who are interested in choosing a career in Law Enforcement. For more information about this program contact the Prevention and Resource Unit at (850) 922-3323.

Madison, NC

Founded in 1985, Para has built a solid and enviable reputation for innovation, performance and reliability.

Firearms enthusiasts, serious shooting competitors and law enforcement agencies choose with confidence from a wide and growing variety of Para pistols. Para’s revolutionary high capacity frame and light double action ( LDA ™) trigger systems, are part of the innovation that Para has brought to the world famous 1911 design.

“We welcome Para into the Freedom Group Family of Companies,” stated. E. Scott Blackwell, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Freedom Group Inc.

“Para USA is a leader in handgun technology and their fine products exemplify quality, innovation and performance. Para is a perfect complement to our industry-leading family of brands, and our success in 2011 with the Remington R1 – 1911. We look forward to deploying both human and financial resources to continue to develop and supply current and future handguns for consumers and our channel partners. We also wish to thank all its employees for their continued dedication that has made Para a success.”

Para will continue day-to-day operations at their Pineville, NC based facility. Visit: www.paraord.com

About Freedom Group, Inc.
Freedom Group is the world’s leading innovator, designer, manufacturer, and marketer of firearms, ammunition, and related products for the hunting, shooting sports, law enforcement, and military markets. As one of the largest manufacturers in the world of firearms and ammunition, we have some of the most globally recognized brands including Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS/Panther Arms, Marlin, H&R, Parker, Mountain Khakis, AAC, and Dakota. The Company distributes its products throughout the U.S. and in over 80 foreign countries. More information about the Company can be found at www.freedom-group.com.

All the manufacturers are working to fulfill backorders that will extend well past the Gingrich inauguration.  One has only to check the current stock market values of the 2 publicly held firearms manufacturers in America to see that their values have increased dramatically in the last year.

It is now impossible to count the number of manufacturers of Sport Utility Rifles (AR platform rifles) and 1911 and polymer pistols.

In the training business we have an ever increasing number of providers.  We have experienced an increase of 600% in women participating in training.

How have we arrived at this point, three years into the administration of the most anti freedom president in the nation’s history?

Where has all this energy and enthusiasm come from?

What is driving this expansion of our industry, this expression of freedom of our citizens?

I submit to you that 2012 is the culmination of a Perfect Storm that began brewing in 1988.  The year of the first shall issue concealed carry law passed in Florida.  This law was the impetus for more than 40 more states to pass similar legislation.

In 1994, the Clinton administration passed their version of the Sport Utility Rifle ban and the ban on standard capacity magazines, requiring manufacturers to sell only reduced capacity magazines.  Along with a significant tax increase, these two issues cost President Clinton his ability to govern from the left as America mobilized to take over the national legislature.

In 2001, jihadists attacked America, using commercial aircraft.  Once the passengers understood what was going on, Americans took the fight to the jihadists.  While the plane crashed, the heroes aboard the aircraft prevented another victory for the jihadists and provided a lesson for all Americans.  Never surrender, fight, they may kill you but if you do not fight they will surely kill you.

In 2004, the Clinton bans on Sport Utility Rifles and standard capacity magazines expired, even as the leftists fought to reinstate the law that did nothing to reduce crime or make America safer.

In 2005, “The Lawful Commerce in Arms Act”, shepherded through by the National Rifle Association was passed and signed by President Bush.  This legislation provided that firearms manufacturers, distributors and dealers could not be sued out of business.  This one act actually saved this industry in America and tens of thousands of jobs.

In 2008, government expansion took off.  At an ever escalating rate, freedom has been continuously restricted, debt has been heaped upon all of us and crime has been increasing.

In 2011 and 2012 we are watching the fall of the insolvent governments across Europe.  We are watching the overthrow of “The Friends of Obama” (governments he greeted warmly in 2009, traveling across the Middle East, offering apologies for America).

In case after case, Americans witnessed hours of attacks on the hardworking European producers by consumers and terrorists of every stripe.  Americans have taken notice of our real economic situation (almost Greece).

Americans are aware that the potential for large scale unrest is real.

Americans have awakened to the realization that they really do have only themselves to rely on when unrest rises to these levels.

About the author:

Buz Mills, a USMC Veteran, has served on the Board of Director NRA since 2009 and is the President of Gunsite Academy, Inc., the world’s oldest, largest privately owned firearms training facility, training USMC/Special Operations personnel deploying to Middle East, law enforcement and civilians.Buz is a lifetime hunter, gun collector and competitive shooter (IPSC national competitor). Buz is also a political activist/lobbyist, supporting local, state, national pro-2A candidates.

Reference Links:

Taurus International

Reference Links:

Spyderco Yojimbo2

Spyderco Manix2 XL

Download or view the Opfocus Catalog

Gun Culture 2.0 is ready for shooting all things .22.

This week, Michael begins his wrap-up of the 2012 SHOT Show by declaring this year the “Year of the .22LR!” He talks about the industry “drivers” behind the explosive growth in .22 seen at the Show and which .22s you might be purchasing for yourselves over the course of the year.

You can also listen to DR Radio on Stitcher and download it to your mobile phone.

Down Range Radio Sponsors:

Ruger Firearms * Liberty Safes * Crimson Trace Laser Grips
Daniel Defense * Double Star

Reference Links:

The Michael Bane Blog

NSSF SHOT 2012 Press Release

Ruger

American Tactical Imports

German Sport Guns

ISSC-Austria

Umarex

Chiappa Firearms

Legacy Sports

Magnum Research

CMMG

Colt .22 Rimfire

S&W Rimfire

Tactical Solutions

Volquartsen Custom

Spike’s Tactical

Browning Firearms

Kahr Arms Enhanced Trigger

The Music of Above the Law

The Music of Guy Clark

While I think it is good to have and express opinion(s), it is the desire of some to force said opinions on others as an “ultimate truth” that makes me chuckle. I have formed the opinions I hold based on life experience, training, actual street time, having been in a few combative situations (including having my ass kicked) and listening to the many people I have interviewed over the years that have prevailed in armed conflict and then “marrying it” all together in a coherent package that makes sense to me. I can articulate why I feel as I do to my students and to those who care to hear. If you don’t, that’s cool…I have no desire to force my thoughts on you. At the same time, if I want to know what you think, I will ask.

The truth is I usually want to know what others think! I don’t know who originally said “Life is like a parachute, it works better when it is open” but it is true, thus by keeping an open mind and listening to the thoughts of others, I might actually learn something new (gasp!) which may lead me to re-think how I go about the process of threat preparation. Truth be told, at this stage of my life I seldom hear anything really new but that does not mean I do not enjoy the journey! There is nothing like sitting down with a group of sharp shooting enthusiasts and exchanging ideas, especially if they are based on real world action and nothing will ruin such an experience faster than a self-appointed guru who barges and tries to dominate the discussion with his/her personality and “knowledge”. Several years ago, I was at an event involving a group of gun writers who were sitting in the hotel lobby after the day’s events drinking a few beers and exchanging ideas. All was going well until a “famous instructor” sat down and began to tell all the best way to do anything. I listen for a few minutes and once I realized he had nothing to offer beyond bluster and bullshit, I got up and started to leave. In a very surly tone of voice he yelled across the hotel lobby, “Hey, am I boring you!?” I stopped, turned around and said “yes, as a matter of fact you are.” Comedian Ron White is correct, you can’t fix stupid…

Stupid are the disputes that are insignificant but people still insist of arguing them even when no one’s mind is changed. Weaver, Isosceles or Modern Isosceles…which is best? I’m not sure it matter if you are lying on your back, shooting through a car window from a seated position or returning fire with an injured arm as you are not going to achieve any of them. You are going to shoot in the position you can obtain. 9mm versus .40 and .45…I know people who are convinced you will die in a fight if you do not have a gun of 40 caliber or larger. While killing the human organism is not hard, it IS difficult to stop it quickly and handguns, regardless of caliber, are famous for doing this poorly. Ballistic science has proven that a bigger bullet will touch more tissue than a smaller one, thus a bigger bullet is a better bullet. Now for the Harsh Reality…the bigger handgun bullet is not so large that it will make up for poor shot placement! Emergency Room Physicians will confirm this if you ask so it is not a matter of just hitting; it’s a matter of hitting something important and possible doing it multiple times… so maybe bullet diameter is not the only factor when selecting a personal sidearm…

Point shooting versus sighted fire makes the rounds regularly with new terminology (target focused, threat focused, body index, etc.) being used in an effort to “modernize” the concept. While both sides claim superiority, actual armed conflict has shown it is not one or the other but both if one wants to truly prepare for armed conflict. Hard core sighted advocates maintain “if you don’t have a sighted index you should have a felt (body contact) index” while point shooters claim the technique will work as far back as 25 yards. Really!? In order to point shoot at 75 feet, a great deal of practice must be put into developing the skill which certainly eliminates the “instinctual advantage” that many claim is the biggest benefit of point shooting. Based on my research into actual shootings and my personal experience on the street, it is not an either/or proposition. You need to be able to point shoot and use sighted fire, know when to transition from one to the other and make the techniques used for each style of shooting blend seamlessly. I call it “Situational Combative Pistol” and I offer it as one of my courses at Handgun Combatives.com.

Regardless of what whiz-bang name is placed on any shooting technique, there are only so many ways to shoot a gun and they have all been invented…probably between 1840 and 1940 to be perfectly honest. Anything thought to be “new” is just a variation of something we already know with a new name attached. The fundamentals of combative pistolcraft are really essentials…you must be able to grip the gun with either one or both hands, hold it on target without moving the muzzle (trigger control), present it where it needs to go, manipulate it depending on weapon status, etc. etc. There is no way to circumvent this process regardless of which doctrine you adhere to.

I once had an instructor tell me “trigger control is not important in a gunfight due to the close ranges involved.” Really?! Obviously he did not understand trajectory as 1/16th inch of muzzle movement translates to a 4 inch POA/POI divergence at 20 feet. The vital high chest region is approximately 8 inches in diameter (less if the torso is sideways) meaning a minimal amount of muzzle movement at a room size distance will result in a miss of the vital organs, resulting in a physiological failure to stop. A panic filled, convulsive grip of a pistol is probably 2 or more inches of muzzle movement which translates to what at 20 feet?! It is possible to miss at close range especially in the stress and duress that is armed conflict. I have said for years that trigger control is weapon control meaning the pressure applied to the trigger face spreads throughout the gun and I believe a shooter is more likely to miss due to lack of trigger control than lack of sight alignment. Some will disagree but by spending time arguing are we just entering another stupid dispute? I guess that is for each of us to decide.

Dave Spaulding is the 2010 Law Officer Trainer of the Year and Law Officer’s Firearms columnist. A 28-year law enforcement veteran who retired at the rank of lieutenant, he is the founder of Handgun Compatives. He has worked in corrections, communications, patrol, evidence collection, investigations, undercover operations, training and SWAT—and has authored more than 1,000 articles for various firearms and law enforcement periodicals. He’s also the author of the best-selling books Defensive Living and Handgun Combatives. Visit his web site at www.handguncombatives.com and like him on Facebook.

See below for links to more information.

Episode #148 – Season 12.

Airtimes on Outdoor Channel: 01-25-12 at 3:00AM | 01-25-12 at 4:00PM | 01-25-12 at 9:00PM | 01-26-12 at 1:30AM, all times Eastern.

Show Sponsors:

Crimson Trace * Midway USA * Ruger Firearms * Stag Arms * Streamlight * Double Star * Daniel Defense * Taurus

Episode Reference Links:

Special thanks for this episode to:

International Defensive Pistol Association

Michael Bane’s Wardrobe provided by:

Woolrich Elite Series Tactical
Rand Custom Hats

Other Reference Links:

Ruger SR9

Patrick Kilpatrick

Episodes this season:

• # 144: Ruger Rimfire World Championships
• # 145: Suppressors
• # 146: 3 Gun Challenge
• #147: Survival Trial
• #148: IDPA World Championships
• #149: 2011 Knob Creek
• #150: Brazil
• #151: Full Custom
• #152: Tombstone Reenacted
• #153: Hollywood Guns
• #154: Future Guns
• #155: Ballistics
• #156: Zero to Hero

“It’s a wonderful time to be in our industry,” said Sandy Chisholm of North American Arms, a handgun manufacturer. “We’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm on the part of sellers and buyers, and we see the prospect of a very good year ahead.” Many agreed with that assessment of the market and of the SHOT Show.

The largest trade show of its kind in the world and the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas, a city of trade shows, the SHOT Show set an overall attendance record of more than 61,000, including new highs for buyers at 36,383 and media at 2,466. Though show organizers deliberately reduced the size of the show to better accommodate attendees at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, still some 1,600 exhibitors filled booth space covering 630,000 net square feet. The show attracted industry professionals from all 50 states and 100 countries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4owQH_aAAyg

The SHOT Show is owned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. Revenues from the show support NSSF’s many programs that carry out its mission of promoting, protecting and preserving hunting and the shooting sports. “The SHOT Show allows NSSF to do many good things for industry, shooting and hunting,” said NSSF President and Steve Sanetti. Added Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer, “We have worked hard to make sure SHOT is a great selling and buying experience, and it has resulted in our best show ever.”

Thanks to Americans’ passion for firearms, the $4 billion firearms and ammunition industry has been a bright spot in the down economy. The industry supports many small businesses and helps preserve the 180,000 jobs associated with the shooting sports. In 2011, company executives saw records set for background checks, a reliable indicator of sales, including the most ever in a single month (December) and single day (Black Friday). Many in the industry believe, however, that Americans’ interest in owning firearms will continue to grow in 2012, fueling their unabashed optimism about the year ahead. Many also said they would not be surprised to see supporters of the Second Amendment react as they did before the last presidential election when their fears over candidates who were unfriendly toward firearms ignited a sales surge.

From the opening bell, buyers filled the aisles to review products, many of them new offerings that will make their way to retail stores during the year. “Traffic is like we’ve never seen it before,” said Mark Malkowski, president of Stag Arms, maker of modern sporting rifles (AR-style rifles), a big seller over the past several years. “Retailers we’ve talked to are expecting a record year.”

One firearms retailer, Todd Vance of Vance Outdoors in Columbus, Ohio, agreed. “We had our best-ever year in 2011, and we’ve started off this year great and expect to be up.” In his store, Vance said buyers are interested in concealable handguns, home-defense firearms, ammunition and tactical rifles, particularly new .22 caliber models.

Another handgun manufacturer, Sig Sauer, reported having its best first day at SHOT since the company began keeping sales records. “The market is stimulated,” said Bud Fini, vice president of marketing, who added that the company’s shooting academy is seeing many new gun owners. “First-time buyers, that’s where the expansion is coming from,” Fini said.

Accessories, from holsters to rifle slings to optics, are an important part of the SHOT Show. “We are selling sights like you can’t believe,” said Aimpoint’s Roger Bell of the company’s pro staff. “We signed up a lot of new dealers, and that says to me the market is expanding.”

In the Mossberg booth, Tom Taylor, vice president of marketing, said, “This is about as much excitement as I’ve seen at a SHOT Show. People are buying optimistically, and we’re going to build optimistically.”

For first-time exhibitors, the SHOT Show can provide a big lift. “When you are a start-up company without a big marketing budget, the SHOT Show helps put you in front of the right audience,” said Jeane Stewart of U.S. RAC, maker of firearm safety products for law enforcement. Stewart said her company great valued the show’s New Products Center.

Any SHOT attendee will tell you the show is more than about selling and buying; it’s a powerful display of industry unity and its resolve to meet any challenge affecting the right to make, sell and own firearms. At the NSSF State of the Industry Dinner, NSSF President Steve Sanetti said, “I have never seen us so unified and united in our purpose.” As evidence, he pointed to NSSF’s fast-growing membership, which now tops 7,000, an all-time high.

More than 2,000 NSSF supporters filled the sold-out hall for the State of the Industry Dinner, which was sponsored by Outdoor Channel and included a review of NSSF’s accomplishment from the past year and entertainment from hugely popular comedian Larry the Cable Guy.

Opportunities abound at the SHOT Show, and some who attend are selling more than products. At South Dakota’s booth, representatives had a goal of convincing manufacturers they should be making products in the state. “Last year South Dakota connected with more than 50 companies. Within four months, two of those companies expanded their operations to South Dakota,” said economic development commissioner J. Pat Costello.

Many awards are presented at the show. NSSF presented Larry Potterfield of Midway USA with its Ken Sedlecky Achievement Award for his generous and longstanding contributions to programs that promote youth target shooting. The Professional Outdoor Media Association and NSSF honored veteran communicator and best-selling author S.P. Fjestad with the prestigious POMA/NSSF Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award. Fjestad publishes “The Blue Book of Gun Values,” a widely consulted database.

The show continues to benefit from the broadbased press contingent that lavishes attention on newly released products. The media, of course, are usually the first to spot celebrities, who this year included American Idol judge and rock star Steven Tyler, and NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann. A big success was SHOT Show Media Day at the Range on the day prior to the show, where credentialed press reviewed and tested products. More than 1,100 press and 100 exhibitors attended Media Day–more than ever before.

NSSF ramped up its use of social media to keep its members and consumers informed about the show, making frequent posts to the SHOT Show Blog and providing Twitter updates that showgoers followed on “Twitterfall” screens placed throughout the venue. An expanded NSSF press room sponsored by Budweiser accommodated the record number of press with free Wi-Fi, a large working press area and other amenities.

In conjunction with the SHOT Show, NSSF sponsored the PGA Charities’ Birdies for the Brave golf tournament that raised funds for injured armed service veterans.

The SHOT Show will return to the Sands Expo & Convention Center next year January 15-18.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 7,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

Reference Links:

Crimson Trace

Sig P938

Ten-X Tactical Shotgun

Mossberg Flex Shotgun

Mossberg Tactical Lever Action Rifle

Ka-Bar

Tactical Solution