Ruger Mark III

With Governor O'malley proposing some ridiculous gun laws (Like banning semi-automatics, limiting magazine capacities to 10 rounds and requiring a state permit for purchasing pistols AND rifles), I decided to start buying the guns I've wanted for so long.   Last week I picked up this Ruger Mark III.  Though I paid for it weeks beforehand, it took over three weeks for my application to be processed through the State Police.  I'm told that this process usually takes a week, however everybody and their brother is thinking like me, and buying their guns while they still can.  

Above:  Ruger Mark III

The pistol is a heavy barrel, auto-loading, .22 caliber target model.  I plan to enjoy a lot of target shooting at the range and squirrel hunting with this pistol.  It is as accurate and reliable as they come. I took it hunting this morning but unfortunately did not see any squirrels.  I am eager to get to the range with this one. 

NRA

I typically leave politics out of my blog.  Those who know me well, know that I lean to the left.  However, as a hunter, as a marksman, and most importantly, as an American, I cannot support what a few people with power are proposing.  I have been feeling helpless in this whole mess.  I, like the majority of Americans, do not want a hypocrite behind a desk, telling me what I can and can’t own, to protect myself from them, while they sit protected by armed guards.  And that’s what the 2^nd amendment is really about people.  Protection from tyranny; be it the redcoats or today’s equivalent.   So today I joined the National Rifle Association (NRA).

I cannot help but feel that some politicians are exploiting the death of children, by the hands of a madman, for the purpose of pushing their own political agenda.  With Cuomo passing gun laws in NY state, as fast as he did (what’s worse; the manner in which he did it) I feel that joining the NRA is one way that I can help protect our 2^nd amendment; a freedom we were guaranteed in 1789.  I don’t understand why government thinks that exercising more stringent gun control will reduce gun violence.   As it is now, our biggest cities have the strictest gun control AND the most gun-violence!  I’ve lived in the heart of Baltimore and NYC for many years.  I have witnessed, firsthand, shootings in these cities.  What does this tell me?  It tells me that it’s the sick people who are killing other people; not the guns.   Here’s another tidbit for you; the criminals engaging in gun violence are always going to be able to get their hands on a gun.  You’re either naive or a fool if you think otherwise.   I want to be able to put my hands on a gun, if and when that time should come.

Neeman Tools

There's something about an axe that I just really like.  I think of them as functional art.  I've blogged about this before.  While browsing at Vimeo this morning, I discovered a really impressive crew of craftsman.  They're known as Neeman Tools.  Their workshops are in Skujenes, Latvia.  In case you don't know where that is, Latvia is in northern Europe, off of the Baltic Sea, nestled between Estonia and Lithuania.  Hey, I didn't know!  These guys design and make beautiful tools.  And they do it by hand no less!  Take a look at their axes, hatchets, drawknives, froes, chisels and more.  Their website is beautiful and loaded with well photographed tooling.  I'd love to buy one of their felling axes.  In my opinion, Best Made can't hold a candle to Neeman Tools.  Take a look at the fantastic video below. 

Video Friday

The first Friday of 2013 calls for a little pump & flow, does it not? It does. This 2011 video was made by Andy Tran. I need to get out on the mountain bike this weekend.