There's a new sheriff in town

The gun department the local sporting goods store (Scheel's) is still a hoppin' place. Every time I've been there since Obama was elected, the place has been pretty well packed. At the same time, the ammo shelves have been anything but. They are finally getting some stock in, but still not up to the pre-Obama levels. They still seem to have quite a few guns, but certain types are far less prevalent (AR-type rifles and some semi-auto pistols for example). While I'm not really a collector (I buy my guns to shoot), I still consider them somewhat of an investment. I guess in that regard, this is a good thing as the value of my firearms is probably going up along with the prices on new ones (and ammo). Still, for someone who likes to shoot, the ammo scarcity is unfortunate.

The Nebraska legislature was supposed to have a committee hearing on LB503 yesterday, but I haven't gotten any news on what happened with it. This was a bill titled the Nebraska Shooting Range Protection Act (or something along those lines), and was intended to protect established shooting ranges from the encroachment of civilization (and government action) that might result in their being forced out of existence. The NRA lawyers helped write the bill along the same lines as similar laws in most other states, and I hope it passes. I can't afford to drive much further than I already do to find a place to shoot safely and legally.

I hope anyone and everyone who owns a gun, or simply believes in the right to own and carry firearms will vote accordingly and keep in touch with their legislators to let them know we are watching.

New Holsters

One of my new holsters came a couple of days ago (two if you count the magazine holster). The quality was great, as I expected from previous purchases of the same brand. However, the paddle part of holster had a plastic piece that was designed to keep the holster from coming out when the gun is drawn. I realize you don't want your holster coming out of your pants with the gun when you need it. However, the idea of a paddle holster is that you don't have to remove your belt to put it on or take it off. I had quite a difficult time even putting it on, and I practically had to take my pants off to remove the damn thing. The magazine holster was nearly as bad. I used my bench grinder to "modify" the retainer piece and got them to the point where I could eventually take them off without removing my belt. However, it was still more of a chore than unfastening my belt and pulling it out of a couple of pants loops to get my belt holster off.

So, I went to the garage and "manufactured" my own retainer piece that was rounded such that it was fairly easy to put on or take off again. I was quite proud of myself for doing such fine work. Then, I put it on and went for a dog walk. On the approach to my lot on the return trip, I decided to make a "test" draw of my 45 to see how it worked. Unzipped my jacket, swept it back with my free hand, drew the weapon, and ... had a holster still attached to it. Now, keep in mind the holster is practically brand new and not really broken in yet. And, thinking it wouldn't be a problem, I didn't concern myself with flexing my stomach muscles so as to make my belt tighter as I drew. Hopefully, as the holster breaks in and I remember to flex, it will work fine. Otherwise, I may have to put the other retainer back and live with it, or just keep using my belt holster instead.

Super my...

For anyone waiting to hear how the Superleash worked, the news is not good. I think they should have called it the Stupidleash. It's a six foot lead with a rubberized D-handle on one end and (connected by about 12 pounds of brass swivel hooks and a ring) three 18-inch straps on the other which have an additional 3 pounds of hooks to connect to the dogs' collars. Actually, it's very well made and would probably work fine for Cesar Millan or Victoria Stilwell who's dogs never do anything wrong. For me and my dogs, the thing was a nightmare. Right off the bat, I thought Mocha was going to lose her tail as she was in the middle and the other two dogs tried to trade sides and their 18'' leads each took a wrap around Mocha's tail and pulled in opposite directions. We weren't even off the driveway yet. No matter how I arranged them, the one in the middle wanted to go to the outside. It's short lead would end up under the tail of the "new" middle dog who was then being shoved forward as the other dog tried to get up even with her. If any of them tried to stop and "do their duty", well, just imagine sitting down on the pot and just as you start to go being yanked off of it by a rope around your neck.

My dogs were used to a 25 foot retractable leash that worked great for one dog at a time. Even two dogs on two 25 foot leashes didn't go too badly, and I got rather adept at doing a quick crossover with the handles as the dogs occasionally changed sides. Three of those were nearly impossible, though, hence the idea my wife had of the Superleash as a Valentine's Day present. I had pretty much resigned myself to walking them one at a time until then. The good news is we'll only have to pay a 15% restocking fee and about $20 in postage to send the thing back (which is probably more than it cost in the first place). I'm still thinking of building some kind of small wagon/sled that I can harness them to so they can drag me around all they want. I'll let you know how that goes.

Slow Sunday

Hunting season is over, and it's not the greatest weather for going to the range for a little target practice. We had about five inches of snow on Friday, and though the streets aren't too bad, it is still only 28 degrees with cloudy skies. I haven't even tried out the Valentine's Day present yet (Superleash). I'm afraid I'd end up as the sled behind a three-dog team since many of the sidewalks haven't been cleared of snow and ice yet. It makes for a rather boring Sunday.

My new paddle holsters didn't arrive either. They are supposed to be here on Monday, but I had expected them yesterday or the day before.

In my last post, I mentioned robberies here in Lincoln. The gas station I go to most often was robbed about a week ago at around 10 p.m. I go there a lot for pop, beer, or snacks; usually two or three times a day. Sometimes I go over there as part of my dog walking route. They used to have a hook on the outside wall where I could fasten the dogs' leashes while I went inside. The hook is gone now. I don't know if they removed it for some reason, or a large dog was too much for it. I had to tie Murphy up to the cage where they keep propane bottle refills when I went there the other night. I chat with some of the regular employees occasionally, but I haven't had a chance to ask them anything about the robbery yet. I'm glad no one was hurt. I feel kind of protective about the place since I go there so often. I've always wondered how I'd respond if someone tried to rob the place while I was there.

In the beginning...

This inaugural post, coming on Valentine's Day, is dedicated to my dogs: Murphy, Sienna, and Mocha. My wife's Valentine's present to me today was a "Superleash" designed so that I could walk all three of them at once without having to employ my limited juggling skills to keep the leashes untangled. At the same time, it will keep one hand free in case I have to use the gift I gave myself, new paddle holsters for my Kimber 45 and my Smith & Wesson Airlite 357 magnum.

For some reason, there is an increasing number of pitbulls along my walking route, some of which are allowed to run free, and all of which can cause one a great deal of concern when in their presence. Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike pitbulls. I'm sure many of them are great dogs when raised properly and by well-intentioned people. However, I think some people get them as part of a "power trip" or because they are afraid and think they will be good protection. In either case, I'd prefer not to be around them, especially when I have my dogs with me. Who knows when their owners might, intentionally or not, lose control of them and what bad things will happen when they do? I sure don't want myself or my dogs to be victimized.

Fortunately, I have a Concealed Firearm Permit(the first one issued in Nebraska), and I am always prepared. Serious dog attacks are rare here in Lincoln, however, even in this small midwestern city, armed robberies are not. A man about my age, walking his dogs, was knocked down and robbed by two young assailants not two blocks from my home just last year. Seldom does a day go by without an armed robbery somewhere in the city. As unlikely as it might be for me to be the victim of one, it won't happen without a battle.

Below are my dogs, and some of my guns: