NJScott

Wow! Sorry to hear of your injury issues, but at least the a-hole didn't get to the pistol in his waistband, thanks to your tenacity. Well, what do we expect when you hear that states like California and Kentucky are releasing hardcore felons due to budgetary concerns (link to KY story here: http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum/news-good-bad-ugly/133743-releasing-felons-prison-way-balance-budget.html). A neighbor of mine recently had her home burglarized. They eventually grabbed the guy because of prints he left behind, and he also had a record that was arm's length. Unfortunately, in this part of the country our feckless politicians will never get tough on crime, as that notion is unpopular with the overwhelming number of lib/Dem voters in the northeast (sorry for the political turn here, but it's relevant to the story content). Get better soon! Scott

Ditto for me. If I get one more "NRA Wine of the Month Club" (or whatever it is they're trying to sell) mailing I'm gonna lose it.

I'll go along with "..because I can", at least until the People's Republic of NJ decides to ban 'em altogether. Started a lifetime ago because I worked with a guy who was into varmint hunting, which led me to my first purchase: a Winchester .22 LR. Then, due to a ruckus in the house I rented in, I decided a handgun may be in order for self-defense. That was back in '86, and I was pretty dormant on the firearms scene until a couple of years ago, when I went shooting at the BH with some friends. Since then I've acquired two Mosins, an XDm .40, a Ruger 10/22 for my new shooting buddy (my nephew) and a Taurus 1911. So while a couple of the handguns are primarily for home defense, I enjoy going to the ranges here and in PA and shooting for the sake of improving accuracy, and for the plain fun of it.

Not true. "General" But Naked referred to he and his "troops" as killing and eating parts of innocent children to get hyped up before going into battle, and there was also commentary from several other Liberian combatants about similar atrocities. They didn't actually SHOW any cannibalism, but.... I'll have to view the Congo pieces next, but if it's as horrific as you say I think I'll wait until after the holidays.

I went and watched the eight (IIRC) part series on Liberia, and it was the most-horrifying sh+t I think I've viewed. You almost have to keep convincing yourself that it is not a movie you're watching, but real life. Those video journalists put together an intriguing and repulsive look at the worst of humanity and the human condition that I've ever seen.

It's almost impossible to find stuff made on these shores anymore. But I'll buy the weirdest things once I find out they are made here in America, which is why I love watching "Dirty Jobs" and the new "Made In America" shows (and I also liked John Ratzenberger's show of the same name): you find out what products some great, hard-working American entrepreneurs are turning out. I just picked up a big Sock Monkey for my niece at the Farmer's Almanac General Store in the Sands Casino complex in PA, and chipped in to buy the Ma a new La-Z-Boy recliner for Christmas. Token gestures perhaps, but I get at least some satisfaction in knowing the money is going back into our economy and not China's.

@Duppie: I've reached out to Bruce to find out the date of that article. I'll post his response when received. Keep in mind that it was written from his perspective as a street cop, not a member of a specialized squad. While I cannot speak for him I can definitely agree with his opinion, as--for example--I've heard some very revealing anti-gun ownership dialogue on the part of "younger" cops while waiting for paperwork to be processed at my local P.D. A small sample, arguably, but I think one that is indicative of a mindset that is definitely out there today. As for Ray Kelly's tanks: well, I worked in midtown-Manhattan for a bunch of years, both pre- and post-9/11, and I've never seen them in use;-) Plus, the NY Times has a pretty well-documented problem with getting the facts to line up with their writing, so take their stats with a grain of salt. I do agree that they have created a para-military portion of the NYPD to deal with the threat of terrorism, but I would bet there are still far more regular patrol/beat officers on the job than those in SWAT-style or ESU units. But keep in mind the thesis of the original article: that "today's" cops are not big fans of guns in the hands of anyone but themselves.

Crabby's Tackle in Keyport also has a bangin' bait machine on the side of his place.

A friend of mine wrote this article a few years ago, but it is more than relevant today: http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/ccw/cops_and_guns.htm He no longer hosts the site referenced at this link, btw. Scott

That is attributed to the doctor for whom the shooter's estranged wife worked.

Since my OP the facts became a lot clearer...like mud. The shooter killed his estranged wife, a male friend of hers--who may, or may not have been involved with her romantically, as he already lived with another woman in Bergen County, and the friend's young child, before turning the gun on himself. The neighbor I spoke to right after the shooting has been in that neighborhood since birth, and has had a hard time dealing with the influx of foreign-speaking/appearing neighbors, so I believe he just made the "illegal" assumption. The SL and Jersey Journal provided an update today which mentions BATFE's involvement in tracing the murder weapon; the shooter's recent foray to a Pennsylvania gun range to practice with a .45, and his "abnormal interest" in firearms. http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2011/12/gun_used_in_bayonne_triple_mur.html

Here's the link to the story: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/bayonne_massacre_infant_among.html

So, we had this terrible tragedy here in Bayonne yesterday, in which a husband-father lost it and slaughtered three of his family members before turning a gun on himself. I've got my clock running on how long it takes these feckless politicians in this city, county and state to use this act of senselessness to further their A-G agenda. My guess is almost immediately. Rumor has it (although I hate to spread rumors) that the family was here illegally from Central America, making it hard to believe this idiot possessed a valid FID/PP for the weapon. This should make it difficult for the anti's to push for even more stringent laws that citizens and folks here legally would have to knuckle-under to, but I'll bet they'll try.

Welcome, Steve. This is a great place to pick up some knowledge! Scott

In doing research for a term paper on Centralia a couple of years ago, I found an excellent documentary, "The Town That Was". It has some compelling interviews with former and current residents that provide some in-depth perspective to how the the town ended up in its current state. The book "Unseen Danger" is also a good read on the subject. For those of you more inclined to look at the photographic history of the town, pick up "Slow Burn".

Oh, I've been aware of them for a couple of years now and have "Sad Man's Tongue" as one of my ring tones, LOL. But they truly deserve a wider audience here in the U.S. Update: "River's Gonna Rise" by Warren Haynes now rippling through the speakers.

I didn't have one going until I read this thread, then I threw the iPod into its base and hit "Shuffle". So far: 1. "Simple Man" by Skynyrd 2. "Mohammed's Radio" by Warren Zevon 3. "Self Esteem" by Offspring 4. "Times Like These" by Foo Fighters 5. "Brother" by Alice In Chains 6. "Rope" by Foo Fighters 7. "C'mon, C'mon" by the Von Bondies 8. "Porch" by PJ 9. "Prison Sex" by Tool 10."Tight Rope" by Leon Russell 11."Still Counting" by Volbeat (okay, I cheated on this one; once I saw them mentioned in the thread I dialed 'em in)

My God, is that range still around? I was friendly with the guy who ran the place (Chris) in the 70's, who let me shoot my Winny .22 a couple times. It was like shooting in a shoe closet...a very dark, smelly shoe closet. One plus is that it was right down the hall from the bar there ;-)

Heritage Guild in Easton was open and had a bangin' crowd. No waiting for a port, but right after me there was a party of six or seven that gobbled up the remaining space. Retail store had a bunch of browsers and some sales. They got me for a UpLULA .45 loader, as a matter of fact. They've got a well-stocked, organized store and some helpful staff. Glad to see they're doing some business.

This guy made his own troubles by exhibiting a complete lack of common sense. He could be the poster boy for the anti's in this state because of his dickbag behavior and past record (assault convictions, etc.).

I thank you Kevin, Mr. Imperato and the rest of the staff of the Henry Repeating Arms Company for coming to our humble little city. It's great that you guys chose Bayonne to set up your new factory for your fine line of products. I'm hoping to get a tour of your facility one of these days if you are open to the public. I'm also STUNNED that the local liberal weenies in town didn't mount any opposition against your coming here! Regards, NJScott

I think we can all share some unpleasant experiences from a variety of ranges in the tri-state area, but I'm very surprised to hear how badly a couple of you guys were treated at Bayonne. The RO's can be cranky, but that's what old Bayonne guys generally specialize in....trust me, I'm becoming one of them. Well, hope you give it another shot and have a much better experience the next time. It's convenient; has parking right outside the door; doesn't have a plethora of rules and regs beyond those of general safety, and has decent prices for range time and ammo.

Thanks for the info, Maks. Do you have a vendor you prefer to purchase your components through? I've been going back and forth between a local FFL, Cabela's and Cheaper Than Dirt to see who's coming in lowest before I make the move. Scott

I work at the same place as TankCommander, and he clued me in to this fine site.

Nice wish lists, guys, but I'll settle for a Dillon progressive so I can get into reloading. The price of .45's is getting ridiculous.