Thursday : January 8 : 2009
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Got the Yellow Form Blues? If so, relax. Our friends at ATF have announced that stocks of Form 4473, the yellow form that allows firearms transfers from licensed dealers to citizens are depleted. The notice from ATF follows:
"As a result of an unprecedented increase in demand for ATF Forms 4473 (5300.9) Part I Revised August 2008, inventory of the form at the ATF Distribution Center is running low.
"As a temporary measure, ATF is allowing FFLs to photocopy the form 4473 in it's entirety until they receive their orders from the ATF Distribution Center.
"A notice will be posted at the expiration of this temporary authorized change."
The message for licensees? "Copy the 4473 before you use the last one!"
"As a result of an unprecedented increase in demand for ATF Forms 4473 (5300.9) Part I Revised August 2008, inventory of the form at the ATF Distribution Center is running low.
"As a temporary measure, ATF is allowing FFLs to photocopy the form 4473 in it's
"A notice will be posted at the expiration of this temporary authorized change."
The message for licensees? "Copy the 4473 before you use the last one!"
TruckVault's Xtreme Hunts is slated to air, beginning July 2009, as part of the Americana Outdoors series produced by Careco Productions. TruckVault's Hero Hunt segments are part of an ongoing series within the show that honor and recognize heroes in the public safety sector for their commitment to public service. Leroy Lewis of Plattsmouth, NE, was selected as TruckVault's first recipient of a filmed, all-expense paid, "Hero Hunt" that will air as part of TruckVault's television series in Q3 2009. Leroy has an incredible public service background, starting with his career in the Air Force in 1986 in the Security Police field where he pulled duty in Korea, Montana, Turkey , and Offutt AFB-Nebraska. He was a member of the SAC Elite Guard for nine years at Offutt before leaving active duty in April 1999 to take a job with the City of Plattsmouth Police Department.
Hand-held weather meters are the essential tool for serious shooters by combining altimeter, barometer, thermometer, anemometer and hygrometer to measure, log and track every condition that can affect ballistics. Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters are trusted by military professionals, the US Long Range Rifle Team and the US Biathlon Team to make every shot count. Nielsen Kellerman, manufacturer and distributor of Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters, is pleased to announce their attendance at the 2009 SHOT show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.
On January 6, 2009, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller announced the appointment of Ronald C. Ruecker as Assistant Director of the FBI's Office of Law Enforcement Coordination. Most recently, Mr. Ruecker was the Director of Public Safety for the City of Sherwood, Oregon. He is also the Immediate Past President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and was previously the General Chair of the IACP's Division of State and Provincial Police.
Editor's Notebook
By Rich Grassi
Welcome back for a new year of The Tactical Wire. It'll be our first full year at bringing you news - from media sources, from newsmakers and from our training and operational people here and around the world.
We have big plans for this first full year - and quite a year it'll be. If you are a fan of firearms generally, it's shaping up to be a rough time coming. We're facing an unfriendly executive and a legislative that's generally cool to us - though it could well be divided in this arena.
And why the big push for gun control now? The logical mind would say it's a result of rampant violent crime. Why else would a people's government take freedom away from people?
A report done by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial said that it was ". . . a downturn in violent crime-the Department of Justice reported that violent crime is at its lowest level since 1973." The same report indicated that peace officers feloniously killed fell "sharply" in 2008. They went on "... fewest officers killed by gunfire in 50 years."
Homicides in Detroit dropped 14%, a not insignificant number. Philadelphia's dropped 15%, Baltimore by 17%. These figures are from a piece in the Detroit Free Press.
I guess they'll have to manufacture another excuse. They're up to it. Our esteemed Publisher said, "Emotion trumps reason." Hence our next story:
Gun sales are reportedly up by 24% just in December 2008, according to data released from the FBI National Instant Check System (NICS). Manufacturers report that sales outstrip inventory. This is clearly in advance of the new government.
People are afraid that the government will pass bad new gun laws. It's "panic buying." While some who buy now are already gun owners, a number of new gun owners have developed.
Meanwhile, just try to buy magazines. For that matter, try to buy a sling or an optic!
The good news is that we lost fewer cops to felonious homicide in 2008. We did lose an unprecedented number due to traffic related accidents, and that's bad. Our training and gear didn't save us there. The message: slow down. Wear your armor. Look for danger on the road too.
The good news about gun sales is that our industry is riding a wave during an economic downturn. The bad news is the coming storm. We have a few new gun owners to welcome as well.
Regardless of how this turns out, we'll keep you posted.
Welcome back for a new year of The Tactical Wire. It'll be our first full year at bringing you news - from media sources, from newsmakers and from our training and operational people here and around the world.
We have big plans for this first full year - and quite a year it'll be. If you are a fan of firearms generally, it's shaping up to be a rough time coming. We're facing an unfriendly executive and a legislative that's generally cool to us - though it could well be divided in this arena.
And why the big push for gun control now? The logical mind would say it's a result of rampant violent crime. Why else would a people's government take freedom away from people?
A report done by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial said that it was ". . . a downturn in violent crime-the Department of Justice reported that violent crime is at its lowest level since 1973." The same report indicated that peace officers feloniously killed fell "sharply" in 2008. They went on "... fewest officers killed by gunfire in 50 years."
Homicides in Detroit dropped 14%, a not insignificant number. Philadelphia's dropped 15%, Baltimore by 17%. These figures are from a piece in the Detroit Free Press.
I guess they'll have to manufacture another excuse. They're up to it. Our esteemed Publisher said, "Emotion trumps reason." Hence our next story:
Gun sales are reportedly up by 24% just in December 2008, according to data released from the FBI National Instant Check System (NICS). Manufacturers report that sales outstrip inventory. This is clearly in advance of the new government.
People are afraid that the government will pass bad new gun laws. It's "panic buying." While some who buy now are already gun owners, a number of new gun owners have developed.
Meanwhile, just try to buy magazines. For that matter, try to buy a sling or an optic!
The good news is that we lost fewer cops to felonious homicide in 2008. We did lose an unprecedented number due to traffic related accidents, and that's bad. Our training and gear didn't save us there. The message: slow down. Wear your armor. Look for danger on the road too.
The good news about gun sales is that our industry is riding a wave during an economic downturn. The bad news is the coming storm. We have a few new gun owners to welcome as well.
Regardless of how this turns out, we'll keep you posted.
Skill Set: Tactical Blades
By Tiger McKee
The Gerber Mk II is probably one of the best know, and most collected, fighting knives ever made. It was introduced in 1966 and quickly became popular with troops serving overseas in Vietnam. Before discounting the knife in 1999 over 240,000 of these knives were produced. In July of 2008 Gerber began making this famous knife again.
Being a gun and knife guy I couldn't help but pick up one of the new models to have for my collection, and to compare it to the model I have from 1968. Although there are differences - the new model has serrations on both sides as opposed to the single side on the '68 model and comes with a nylon sheath instead of leather - it's still a great handling knife. Keep in mind this knife is designed for one purpose, it is a fighting knife, and isn't designed prying, chopping, or other field use.
For serious field use I really like the new Wilson COP Tool, a blade that I believe will become a classic. It has a 1.75-inch blade, with a total length of six inches, which means it's easy to carry. The blade is 3/16 of an inch thick, and is perfect for prying, scraping, and cutting. It has a recessed edge made for cutting seat belts, and can also be used in defensive situations. It's one blade that will do almost anything, and is a knife I recommend for everyone.
The cool thing about the COP Tool is that you have two options when it comes to purchasing. You can buy one from Wilson, for around $140, or you can get it from Boker, who has a manufacturing agreement with Wilson to produce a lower priced version. The Wilson blade is made of D2, a high carbon, high chromium tool steel - which means it's almost indestructible - and comes with a para-cord wrapped handle. The Boker knife is made from 440C stainless, and has textured G10 handles. I have one of each, and they are both quality knives.
If you carry a blade for self-defense purposes then you need to learn how to use it for that application. Attend a class and at least learn the basics of using that weapon for self-defense. Obviously nobody wants to fight with a knife, but there are places where you can't carry firearms but can still carry a small knife. (And it doesn't have to be a big knife to use it for self-defense.) If you can carry a firearm, do it. If you can't, then make sure to have a knife. And if you can't carry either one, there are a lot of 'weapons' out there if you use your imagination. Remember your mind is your best weapon, and being unarmed is a really a mental attitude. When faced with a threat, use your mind, use anything you can get your hands on for a weapon, and win the fight.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, and author of The Book of Two Guns. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org
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Being a gun and knife guy I couldn't help but pick up one of the new models to have for my collection, and to compare it to the model I have from 1968. Although there are differences - the new model has serrations on both sides as opposed to the single side on the '68 model and comes with a nylon sheath instead of leather - it's still a great handling knife. Keep in mind this knife is designed for one purpose, it is a fighting knife, and isn't designed prying, chopping, or other field use.
For serious field use I really like the new Wilson COP Tool, a blade that I believe will become a classic. It has a 1.75-inch blade, with a total length of six inches, which means it's easy to carry. The blade is 3/16 of an inch thick, and is perfect for prying, scraping, and cutting. It has a recessed edge made for cutting seat belts, and can also be used in defensive situations. It's one blade that will do almost anything, and is a knife I recommend for everyone.
The cool thing about the COP Tool is that you have two options when it comes to purchasing. You can buy one from Wilson, for around $140, or you can get it from Boker, who has a manufacturing agreement with Wilson to produce a lower priced version. The Wilson blade is made of D2, a high carbon, high chromium tool steel - which means it's almost indestructible - and comes with a para-cord wrapped handle. The Boker knife is made from 440C stainless, and has textured G10 handles. I have one of each, and they are both quality knives.
If you carry a blade for self-defense purposes then you need to learn how to use it for that application. Attend a class and at least learn the basics of using that weapon for self-defense. Obviously nobody wants to fight with a knife, but there are places where you can't carry firearms but can still carry a small knife. (And it doesn't have to be a big knife to use it for self-defense.) If you can carry a firearm, do it. If you can't, then make sure to have a knife. And if you can't carry either one, there are a lot of 'weapons' out there if you use your imagination. Remember your mind is your best weapon, and being unarmed is a really a mental attitude. When faced with a threat, use your mind, use anything you can get your hands on for a weapon, and win the fight.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, and author of The Book of Two Guns. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org
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