New CJ Program

[IN>IL]

Hello everyone… I have been hired as an assistant professor of criminal justice at the Indiana Institute of Technology (http://people.indianatech.edu/Michael_Hepner/). I am one of two professors in a two year old criminal justice program with very few resources. I have been brought in to teach corrections related courses and courses related to death investigation and firearms.

I am having trouble finding resources for any classes related to firearms. I was originally looking for three or four cartridges in the most ‘popular’ handgun, rifle and shotgun calibers, and I sent request letters to all of the big ammunition makers, but I received standard rejection letters from Winchester and Remington. Some guy from Federal wrote me an email “nasty-gram”, which was borderline inappropriate, where he whines about receiving my request and how much work it would be for him. Sierra Bullets out of Sedalia, Missouri was gracious enough to send me five samples of each and every bullet they make. I was really happy to get a box with 169 small yellow envelopes full of bullets, however, Sierra only makes bullets. I still don’t have cartridges in a variety of calibers. I could go to the store and buy a box of 50 in each caliber, however, I would have a lot of left over cartridges and it would cost me a fortune. I own six 1911s, so outside .45 ammunition, I couldn’t use the left over.

I am still looking for three or four cartridges in all calibers for all types of firearms (handgun, rifle, shotgun, cannon… really, whatever you are willing to give up). However, I’m also looking for fired brass and steel casings, fired shot shells, fired bullets, old shotgun, rifle or handgun barrels, firing pins, etc. Pretty much, if you have any used, damaged or just unwanted gun parts or unwanted fired or unfired ammunition, I can definitely use it for my criminal justice program.

If you state a value for anything you’re willing to send, I will be more than happy to send you a letter confirming your donation to a not-for-profit organization for tax purposes. Please feel free to PM me for an address or to ask any questions.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Why don't you just go to the local range, explain your situation, and ask if you can have some spare brass from the brass bucket. Put the bullets you got from Sierra in said brass and you've got yourself some classroom friendly example cartridges to pass around.

 

[IN>IL]

I did go to a range, however, the rangemaster said he profits from the brass that's left in the brass bucket and he would not give up any. Plus, as my first post says, I need a little more than just brass.

mrh

 

[Amish_Bill]

My first suggestion is to checkout the Hometown Forums on ar15.com

You might find a few people local to you who are willing to spare a few each of various calibers.

Hmmmm... I can never remember which state's laws are messed up in what ways. Isn't your home state one that requires some sort of ID card for ammo purchases?

I know that many of us would give you a handful of most anything. (reasonable, that is -- you might have to give a few bucks for .338 Lapua Magnum or .408 Chytac, etc) I just don't want to see any good samaritans caught up in state-level interstate legal stupidity.

Bill

 

[IN>IL]

Hey Bill,

No, I live in Indiana, but I am a former Illinoisan. Illinois requires a firearms owner ID to buy or possess ammo and firearms.

Indiana is rather liberal in regards to firearms laws and regulations.

mrh

 

[crebralfix]

What brass do you need?

You could also go on Midway USA, Cheaper Than Dirt, or any of a 100 websites and just order the brass. It's not that much and you could expense it.

Additionally:

1) Do you come off as a liberal? Unfortunately, many gun people have had bad experiences with liberal anti-gun professors at universities. They probably think you're going to use these in anti-gun lectures. I'd tell you to open carry a 1911 when you go, but you live in the commie state of Chicago...er...Illinois.

2) I don't believe for a second that that gun range owner wouldn't give you $2 in brass. See #1. If I were a customer at that range and I had heard that, I would have given that owner an earful.

3) You could also call the NRA. Get on their website and look for their courses. "Home Firearms Safety" specifically includes dummy ammunition as part of the curriculum. You could probably acquire some stuff from their instructors. They have a museum full of gun stuff, in addition to a range that generates tens of thousands of rounds of brass every week.

4) Izaak Walton League has ranges. Go there and ask around.

5) Google around for gun ranges in your state. There should be some county ranges in or around state parks that you can go to. You should be able to find brass there...or a hunter willing to give you some.\

6) Buy the gun you need the cartridge for and shoot it. I'm sure you are just waiting for an excuse to get that rifle!

 

[IN>IL]

I'm really gonna have to change my name... it is actually the mathmatical notation for Indiana "greater than" Illinois. You're not the first to assume that my name simply means "in Illinois". I grew up in Illinois with all of their repressive gun laws, so I thought my screen name would be a tribute to the greatness that is Indiana.

Furthermore, I'm not liberal at all! I am a card carrying member of the NRA and a CCW holder, so I can carry my 1911s all I want in the great State of Indiana. BTW, Indiana law does not specify whether permit holders must carry concealed, so I often carry open!

Unfortunately, yes, when I asked for brass at the range the rangemaster said that is the, "only way I make a profit in this place." That is hard to believe, but I wasn't going to argue with him! I will just take my urge to buy as many guns as possible to another firearms dealer!

I would go buy new brass, however, I would like as much spent brass as I can get so my students can compare the different firing pin signatures of many different guns under a microscope.

 

[mgkdrgn]

See my PM to you.

 

[crebralfix]

Hey, I never claimed I could read (Mr. INDIANA U. prof)

(Actually, the time between reading the OP and writing the response was a couple of hours).

Looks like you already have a PM coming your way...I bet your brass needs will be met.

You really should open carry. It appears to be legal in IN.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum22/

 

[VPLthrneck]

PM sent.

 

[IN>IL]

Thank you!