Shooters' Worst Enemy: Themselves

[Kynoch]

Shooters' Worst Enemy: Themselves.

I have to shake my head at the response of many on different gun forums in response to the recent US sanctions of Russian companies.

The downright laughable new conspiracy theories being floated by the hour it seems. The scheming and conniving to buy-up as much Eastern European ammo as one can. The false pride of those already claiming to own a garage full and their judgement of those who do not. "You did not prepare!" No wonder there's no .22LR ammo to actually shoot! I can't wait for the picture (of ammo) to be posted as if they were one's kids or grand kids.

The great laments at not having bought a Saiga or a crate of Saigas. If they're so desirable why didn't you all already buy one (or another one or two or three?) Fear that the surplus Mosin Nagant (LOL!) supply will be hindered.

No wonder the gun/ammo market is as it is...

Shooters' Worst Enemy: Themselves...

 

[Theohazard]

Nothing fuels crazy conspiracy theories and irrational paranoia more than when there's a small element of truth to them. Gun stores are full of people talking about ridiculous conspiracies (like the one about the UN going door-to-door to take our guns away, for example), but that's because we gun owners are constantly bombarded by anti-gun propaganda from the mainstream media and from politicians. There are a large group of people in this country who want to ban guns and even confiscate them.

Don't get me wrong, I think a vast majority of gun-related conspiracy theories are wrong-headed and only make us gun owners look bad, but it's understandable where they come from.

 

[jerkface11]

What was the point of this?

 

[BSA1]

I disagree.

Shooters and gun owners greatest enemies are from Socialists like Obama and Liberals who state the 2A is out-of-date and needs to be changed for the realities of today's modern society.

Ridicule of other gun owners only plays into their hands and shows your lack of understanding who our real threat is from.

 

[gspn]

"You did not prepare!"

I don't know about being our own worst enemies…but I love that line above. I've seen it a bunch over the past few years. The thought process amuses me as those who I see squawking it seem to be under the assumption that everyone has the financial capability to prepare for every conceivable contingency (which in itself violates the most basic principles of economics).

It usually doesn't take much questioning to discover contingencies they themselves haven't planned for…like a major illness, loss of a job, sudden death, or retirement planning…but they sure are proud they spent all that money on ammo. I guess that's why they're so vocal…they are finally right about something!

 

[Kynoch]

Nothing fuels crazy conspiracy theories and irrational paranoia more than when there's a small element of truth to them. Gun stores are full of people talking about ridiculous conspiracies (like the one about the UN going door-to-door to take our guns away, for example), but that's because we gun owners are constantly bombarded by anti-gun propaganda from the mainstream media and from politicians. There are a large group of people in this country who want to ban guns and even confiscate them.

Don't get me wrong, I think a vast majority of gun-related conspiracy theories are wrong-headed and only make us gun owners look bad, but it's understandable where they come from.

True. A scintilla of truth to some of these folks is like pure plutonium... I don't think it's typically understandable. I'm aware real threats do impact how all (or at least most) of us act, but the behavior I'm seeing right now is altogether different.

 

[Kynoch]

I don't know about being our own worst enemies…but I love that line above. I've seen it a bunch over the past few years. The thought process amuses me as those who I see squawking it seem to be under the assumption that everyone has the financial capability to prepare for every conceivable contingency (which in itself violates the most basic principles of economics).

It usually doesn't take much questioning to discover contingencies they themselves haven't planned for…like a major illness, loss of a job, sudden death, or retirement planning…but they sure are proud they spent all that money on ammo. I guess that's why they're so vocal…they are finally right about something!

Bingo...

 

[Twiki357]

Double Bingo!

 

[The_Next_Generation]

If this means folks stop buying/hoarding 22lr and buy/hoard Russian ammo instead, so be it

Honestly, I don't really care what others say about being "prepared" ammo-wise. Nor do I care what others do to "prepare"...I just like shooting

 

[USAF_Vet]

I was thinking about getting an AK until all this happened. Probably won't bother now, since the allure of cheap ammo just vanished with a phone and a pen.

 

[Tirod]

The OP's basic premise is absolutely true. Take it another step further and you get the Las Vegas shooters.

Yes, I said that.

What happens is that the large majority of shooters aren't tied into any kind if information system that feeds them any credible data. They might read a few blogs - but they only support how they feel, not inform them of what is true. And from there, they talk with their like minded buddies, who largely only reinforce their feelings. Facts are liberally twisted and tossed about with no checking or even verification.

It's just the same on the opposite side, ghost guns and shoulder thingys that go up. Same kind of thinking - or, bluntly, a complete LACK of it. When a former neighbor who is 2A friendly and a gun trader comes in to harangue me about killer evil black rifles and "nobody needs hi capacity magazines," it's apparent they are only listening and not checking the facts.

More teens are killed driving drunk from alcohol provided by over 21 buyers, like, their parents liquor cabinet, than in school. More children under six drown in swimming pools directly due to the neglect of a parent than are shot in schools. More non driver age kids die in vehicles driven by a parent or guardian than are shot in schools. But people with agendas aren't going to point their finger and say MOM and DAD are the bigger threat to kids in American life, which is a fact and proven. They don't get votes doing it. Better to play the game and demonize someone else because outlawing guns is the end game.

What we really need to to license parents and have them take classes, not CCW. But that view is in such stark contrast to the comfy suburban mindset and what the media feeds most of the willing stooges in public life that it seems to be completely crazy.

It's based on education and how people are trained to think, and who's in charge of that? We now reap the results of a complete disconnect with reality. We have a completely sheltered middle and upper class who's only concern is about them, and they don't like having to deal with real facts. They just keep justifying items to bolster their self image, like having $1500 a year phone plans and 3/4 ton dually diesel commuter trucks.

So, don't expect things to change. It would require humility and self discipline, which is nearly non existent these days.

 

[Yo Mama]

So major manufacturers in the US can't figure out how to make cheap ammo? I don't get why.

To me it's similar to energy independence. If we have enough energy here, we don't need to rely on any other country for us to be self sustaining. Make the ammo here, we don't need Russia.

Also, I'm not a crazy prepper here, but I'm amazed at the distain I see from those that don't prepare for life's emergencies, and yes ammo is on the list.

There have been many attempts to blame the shooter, it's not the shooter's fault but they are an easy scapegoat. Being able to place a value of "hoarder" on someone who buys more than one box of ammo is not fair. Major trade pacts, politics, and manufacturing stagnation are responsible but isn't as flashy as blaming the end customer I guess.

 

[Yo Mama]

If this means folks stop buying/hoarding 22lr and buy/hoard Russian ammo instead, so be it

Honestly, I don't really care what others say about being "prepared" ammo-wise. Nor do I care what others do to "prepare"...I just like shooting

Why does it need to be a contest, you cut out other shooters for your .22lr which can easily be found here:

http://www.slickguns.com/category/ammo?caliber=3

 

[ATLDave]

These restrictions are part of a larger set of sanctions on Russia for its actions regarding the Ukraine. It's not always about you.

 

[WestKentucky]

So in an effort to slow a modern tyrants available cash we enact bans on the exports of the nation that the tyrant controls. That's logical. The fact that a portion of those products is weapons or ammo (saiga rifles, various milsurp guns) doesn't seem to be a pointed attack on the availability of those products but rather a sensible diplomatic move. There are many other countries who could provide very similar products for similar prices but they don't. Look to central and South America, Africa, and Asia. The fault of the shortage is inaction in development of 2nd and 3rd world countries to produce products that the world as a whole will consume. Why don't we do that? Same reason CEOs don't exclude themselves from COLA wage adjustments, it will put us in a position to be less advanced and wealthy by comparison. The US and other first world countries are in some cases 100 years or more ahead in technology. Industrialize those folks to 50 years behind and suddenly we don't look so good even though we can benefit from that course of action. The more safe bet apparently is simply to pump humanitarian aid in and watch people fight over it.

In short yes it's the governments fault, but the fault lies with every government in the world.

 

[Kynoch]

So in an effort to slow a modern tyrants available cash we enact bans on the exports of the nation that the tyrant controls. That's logical. The fact that a portion of those products is weapons or ammo (saiga rifles, various milsurp guns) doesn't seem to be a pointed attack on the availability of those products but rather a sensible diplomatic move. There are many other countries who could provide very similar products for similar prices but they don't. Look to central and South America, Africa, and Asia. The fault of the shortage is inaction in development of 2nd and 3rd world countries to produce products that the world as a whole will consume. Why don't we do that? Same reason CEOs don't exclude themselves from COLA wage adjustments, it will put us in a position to be less advanced and wealthy by comparison. The US and other first world countries are in some cases 100 years or more ahead in technology. Industrialize those folks to 50 years behind and suddenly we don't look so good even though we can benefit from that course of action. The more safe bet apparently is simply to pump humanitarian aid in and watch people fight over it.

In short yes it's the governments fault, but the fault lies with every government in the world.

No. There's nothing high tech about stamping wide-tolerance metal parts and assembling rifles. As others have noted, AK-variants are produced through much of the world via license and without license in some pretty primitive settings.

Gun imports to the USA is more about political prowess than design/manufacturing/distribution ability. The GCA of 1968 and others erected roadblocks to importing small arms into the USA. There's also the stigma associated with making and selling firearms that keeps firms from getting into the business and very tight local controls/limitations (particularly through the Americas) in the production of ams.

If these two conditions did not exist, I suspect Colts would be made in Taiwan or possibly China. They would be 1/4 the price they are today of comparable or superior quality.

FWIW, there's no shortage of 2nd/3rd world countries that produce a HUGE amount of goods scarfed-up by 1st world countries throughout the world.

 

[Warp]

Also, I'm not a crazy prepper here, but I'm amazed at the distain I see from those that don't prepare for life's emergencies, and yes ammo is on the list.

We are our own worse enemies.

The have nots will always be set against you if you have something they lack. This includes those who do not have as much ammo as they want.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

Shooters are their own worst enemies because they fight amongst themselves while gun grabbing pro-Nazi scum keep pitting them against each other.

They don't organize unless its getting an NRA membership and so few do that. And barely any contact their Congress critters.

So many shooters are whiney and lazy and expect their rights to be protected by other people with other people's money and sweat.

A good middle finger to this executive order would be for shooters to organize under a trust to start a business where affordable AK variants were made. You get one million shooters together and they invest in the trust one dollar a month and after six months you have nearly everything you need to start a business in Florida dedicated to doing nothing but building cheap AK variants and getting them OTD at $400 a pop, with operating capital for at least five years for an employee base of twenty employees with salaries from $35,000 to $120,000. And a return on investment of at least fifteen percent after three years.

I did the math and was trying to get investors together but no one wanted to put in the money after I showed them how easy it was to use a Gris Mini-Mill setup for CNC to make nearly all the small parts (minus the springs), order barrels (and eventually make barrels via sine bar rifling), get a few ton presses, and some kilns. A fifteen percent return was not enough for them as they like to be closer to forty.

But shooters won't do this. They'll just whine and cry like four year olds who aren't getting ice cream after refusing to eat their vegetables.

 

[Walkalong]

These restrictions are part of a larger set of sanctions on Russia for its actions regarding the Ukraine. It's not always about you.

Yep.