GRIZ

I know the difference between a drug dealing thug and a drug dealing hippie. There is a difference of social status between a thug and a hippie. Drug dealing thugs are usually latino or black and drug dealing hippies are usually white. Ignoring that is ignoring fact. I spent nearly half my life working in drug enforcement and I have seen the elephant and you are looking at the flea. I am well aware of the drug dealing gang banging type and arrested and saw go to prison quite a few. The drug dealing hippie is a very small population in the prison system. Those that are there have been involved in distribution and/or manufacture belong there. If you think they do not you are entitled to your opinion but they are in prison because the law says so. If you desire drug dealing hippies be exempt from prosecution from all drug laws campaign for that. Good luck.

So you propose that ethnic origin, social status, and where you live be the determining factor in prison sentencing? That is unjust. Unjust application of law is what shouldn't be tolerated. I can't speak for all states but federal sentencing guidelines are based on what a person did. Not all those in prison for drug offenses have committed a violent act but all illegal drugs have been touched by violence or the threat of violence somewhere along the line. I can't speak for the law in TN but those truck drivers would have been charged under the Federal system. If you give somebody up or otherwise assist an investigation you can get time off your sentence but no one negotiates to zero time. The way I understand your idea these truck drivers shouldn't be prosecuted. They didn't do any violence did they?

So we don't legalize we just stop prosecuting? We just don't enforce those laws? Which ones? Simple possession? Possession with Intent? Distribution? So it doesn't sound very non-violent to you but someone I described in what you quoted id categorized as a "non-violent drug offender" as he was not convicted of any violent crime. If you shoot someone for interfering with your drug business and are never arrested for it but are arrested and convicted of distribution only you are classed as a non-violent offender.

You said: I bet if they decided to stop prosecuting the half a million plus non-violent drug offenders the system wouldn't be so clogged and the prisons wouldn't be overcrowded. Stop prosecuting non-violent drug offenders sounds like legalization to me. What does it sound like to you? There are a lot of what you call non-violent drug offenders who just so happen to have been caught dealing drugs not for the drive bys andother violence they've done. No you didn't say anything about drug dealers becoming doctors but there are many naive people who think those who do violence will just go away if we legalize drugs.

25s are pretty common to me. One of the first handguns I bought was a Bauer 25 (stainless copy of the Baby Browning). Itwas introduced to give you the smallest, most reliable self defense gun possible which some were prior to guns like the Kel Tec or Ruger LCP. FWIW, James Bond carried a 25 (Beretta 418) early in the novels before he carried the PPK. I have never seen or heard of any "target model 25s" in about 45 years of shooting. If there is one out there please let me know about it. Prior to the GCA 68 there were many 25s imported. A lot of them junk but they gave low income people the abilty to be armed. They weren't interested in longevity and many of them were never fired. Colt. Walther, Beretta, Browning, Mauser, and other quality manufacturers made 25s. These were cut off by the GCA 68 (the Colts were made by Astra in Spain IIRC). These guns were deemed "too small" not having a length and height of at least 10". BTW this was the reason for Walther to introduce the PPK/S, a PPK slide on a PP frame which made the 10" requirement. The market was still there and companies like FIE, RG, and Raven started production here. GCA 68 was also the reason Beretta opened the factory in MD. The 950 in 22 and 25 were the only gun Beretta built there for some time. You couldn't import a gun with less then 10" lenght and height but you could manufacture them here. Go figure. I have a Raven I bought new for $35 in 1988. Yes it has a cast zinc frame and slide but it has fired at least a couple of hundred rounds with no problems. Its not that accurate but will hit a target at 10 feet which is about max range these guns are used at usually. At the other extreme I have a Beretta 950 .25 ACP (and its counterpart in 22 short) that I can max a qual course with and both are 100% reliable. The Berettas are very accurate the p[roblem is the tiny sights. The 25 being a FMJ and centerfire cartridge is generally more reliable than 22 rimfires as a rule when it comes to feeding and ignition. I've used one when I needed maximum concealment or as a BUG to a BUG. Not what I'd like to get in a gunfight with but you may be able to bluff your way out. I've known them to work well when assaulted by a BG with a knife or a baseball bat as no one wants to get shot even with a 25. There are a lot of people that died being shot by a 25 but most times it was the next day or so. They have worked but are woefully short in the stopping power department. FWIW Beretta still makes the 21. Its a DA version of the 950 Jetfire which is a little larger. I have one in 22 LR and it is the best out there. http://www.berettausa.com/products/model-21-bobcat/

Not settling. If you want several handguns for different purposes they all don't have to be Korths.

I thought we were talking budget handguns?

Poorest excuse for drug legalization going. First of all, rarely does a casual user get jail time unless they have some weight in their possession. If there were no consumers there would be no drug business. If drugs were legalized do you think those violent people that are everywhere in the business would go away? You really think the gangbanger is going to clean up his act, get a PHD and become a rocket scientist? There are evil people in the world who will always be evil. I worked as a Federal LEO for almost 30 years. RICO and conspiracy statutes have been used against gang members for some time now. A major component in proving crimes under RICO is the knowledge. Not as easy as you think. That's why John Gotti couldn't get convicted until the FBI set up a wire tap where his lawyer could be called as a witness. There is also an issue of manpower. With all the other crimes they enforce no agency can afford to send enough agents or officers to a gang task force long enough to eliminate gangs. A lot of federal agencies are having enough trobule finding money to buy gas for their cars now. I can guarantee you the "Mafia" has not been eliminated. Go try and set up yout own numbers operation in Brooklyn if you think so. Try to commit some crime on the docks in NY or NJ without getting a visit from someone. They also legitimized themselves with businesses like construction, labor unions, and the like.

If you need the 357 then get a 13 (blue) or 65 (stainless). Only in 3 and 4 inch though. Same as the 10 or 64 but 357 but still doable under $300 if you look. I've been shooting S&W for about 40 years and if you intend to shoot a lot of magnums you shouldn't be getting a K frame. You should be getting a L,N, a Ruger 6 series, or GP100. Yeah you can also find a Colt if you want to pay a premium for a name but no more quality.

It should be taught don't get me wrong. You really shouldn't shoot through a windshield unless you have to as bullets go strange ways after going through auto glass. Looks good in the movies though. I know of one case where most of the bullet hit the beltline and about a third of the bullet hitting the upper arm. That was through a side window. Windshields being laminated are tougher and more of a slant. Window glass can also screw things up. That's why SWAT snipers will work in pairs if they need to shoot through a window. One for a window breaker and one to engage the target. Hitting the gas if the BG is still in the trunk and ramming the car will at least dazzle the shooter and its easier to aim.

That depends where your head is at as far as amassing your collection or accumulatiom of guns. A Model 19 is sexier but is just a Model 10 in 357 with adj sights and a shrouded extractor rod. In terms of practicality a Model 10 will do anything a Model 19 will do shooting 38s. The 10 is the ultimate basic combat revolver. Everyone should have at least one.

No experience with Tula but I prefer to use fmj in a 380 if thats what I have. A good 380 hollowpoint (one that expands well) is very short on penetration. I'd rather have the better penetration than expansion.

The agency I worked for still does this. Shooting from the vehicle only makes sense if you have no where to go. If the engine is running and you're behind the wheel its much smarter to put distance between you and your assailant and drive away. If the bad guy is in front of you try to give him some of that 120,000 ft/lbs of energy if you can (get up to 30). And windshields, seats, roofs, floors, and dashboards. Fortunately we never had any incidents of this in my office. I've seen junk cars used for this type of training in some places. The problem is if you have a junk car on the range everyone wants to shoot at it if theyt aren't supervised properly. Using the car for cover is another. I saw a hood scoop taken out by a guy with a M16 who forgot the barrel is a bit lower than his sights. Even using a handgun if you jerk the trigger a bit you'll hit the hood or opposing fender.

I agree with you in principle but this can't happen. There's plenty of talk on this forum regarding the Constitution but some don't realize it applies to all. Nothing illegal about being a member of a gang. Committing crimes is. Should we say if you're a Baptist, a Black Muslim, or belong to the Moose Lodge you should get twice the penalty? Sure, not quite the same thing but you see my point? Double sentences for gang members most likely wouldn't pass the 8A test either. Double a sentence because the defendant is a member of a group? I seriously doubt SCOTUS would let that fly. Don't get me wrong. I'm not for coddling criminals and think they should bring back dungeons. Many more crimes should get the death penalty AFAIC. But i also realize it can't happen.

Using your car as a weapon when deadly force is warranted is something I taught for years. I have personal knowledge of a cop doing that back in the 70s. You really hate cops don't you? Suicide by cop? I agree but when he's already shooting at you and you've been hit. I suppose you would have counseled the trobuled soul instead of shooting back. There are also many "gun enthusiasts" that can't shoot.How many rounds did you shoot in your last gunfight? This isn't IPSC where you do two to the chest, one to the head and stand in front of your target to reload. This is a genuine gunfight. These cops were hit, still fought back, and kept shooting until the threat was eliminated. They did all right. When it's between the good guys and the bad guys I have the same philosophy Reagan had regarding the Soviet Union, "we win, they lose".

Not really. It will be in the 90s in the summer and sometimes break 100. It averages a coiple of inches of rain a month with the exception of summer. How do you think they get flash floods? I feel very qualified to speak on a long distance move for a LE job and wind up back in NJ because I did it. Fortunately, I had a Federal job and could get myself out of there. First, you need to consider how much you are going to spend in applying. Written test, physical, medical, and interview. That may be 4 trips. Now I know LAPD has had in the past a deal where if you were coming from out of state you can do it all in one weekend. sedona, with a population of about 10,000 is much smaller and I doubt they would accomodate you like that. Secondly, how many LE jobs are going to be available in a town of 10,000? It all sounds great but you need to consider your family too. What's the wife think? Be pretty much prepared to have to drive an hour or more to get to anything. I didn't live in a town and my daughter had to ride 2 hours a day in a schoolbus (really comfy in the warmer months with no AC) to go to 3 hours of kindergarten. Not trying to rain on your parade but there is a lot to consider.

I wouldn't worry about it. I have long guns I bought when I lived out of state, some from dealers, some from private sales. Many of these I have no idea where the seller is now.

The true irony of this is the guy will be out in 12-13 years unless he kills someone in prison.

I think it may be a trade off between quality and meeting a price point.

I think SAMCO has them for 350.

G19 is the best all around 9mm on the market. I'm not a big fan of the 40.

its definitely one of those shows you need to watch from episode one. You also need to actually watch or you'll miss something.

Solve that by washing the bore snake with soap and water after shooting corrosive. Which is all you need. No magic in Windex. Read Hatcher's Notebook regarding using ammonia. The use of ammonia was suggested because soldiers were trobuled about using water to clean rifles. Ammonia is similar chemically. Nothing works better than water (soap helps hold the salts in suspension) followed by WD40 to displace the water (what it was designed for) and then regular cleaning.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/nyc-soda-ban It was struck down by a judge and bloomberg is appealing. Does this warrant as much attention from the Mayor of NYC as it gets?

Great show. Watch it religiously. A lot of good stuff on BBC America.