Most Recent Posts

General

Pistol Kits: Beware or You’ll End up Afoul of the Law!

As Independent Program Attorneys for Texas Law Shield, the lawyers at Walker & Byington, PLLC receive all sorts of questions about modifying firearms. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to already be in violation of the law by the time they call us. One recent trend is the installation of a “carbine conversion kit.” Can you drop your handgun into one of these kits legally, or are you potentially violating the law? First, we have to understand what exactly is regulated, and what isn’t, before learning about how the conversions work.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

General

Reducing the Annual Suicide Rate 20 Percent by 2025

Of all firearms-related deaths in the U.S. in 2015, almost two-thirds were suicide deaths, according to the 2015 Fatal Injury Report, Center for Disease Control and Prevention. To help stem this tragic loss of life, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) today announced at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas a partnership to launch a new firearms and suicide prevention education program nationwide in 2017.

Firearms

The ’97 Wild Bunch Shotgun

The Winchester 1897 shotgun was manufactured from 1897 to 1957. At one time the ’97 set the standard for combat shotguns. With a five-round tubular magazine fed by a helical coil spring and featuring a reliable slide action the ’97 is a rugged serviceable shotgun. While the author has tested quite a few shotguns for a new book, the pump-action clone of the Winchester 1897 is a hands-down favorite for fun shooting.

Burglar reaching through a door with a chain lock

General

Your Home Security System Isn’t as Secure as You Think

Here’s are a few things you can do to make your house less appealing to burglars.

General

Review: Magpul SGA Stock/Mossberg 500

Firing 20 full-power buckshot loads from a 12 gauge Mossberg ended with my wrist resulted in Epsom salts the next morning. The pistol grip shotgun is acceptable for entry team use, or crowded areas, and ideal for keeping handy in fishing trawlers to take out flipping, gnashing sharks brought in with the more mundane catches. However, for extended shooting sessions, upgrade to Magpul’s SGA stock.

Concealed Carry

Cheap Life Insurance — The Rumorings of Ol’ Bob

There have always been more cheap guns than good guns in my opinion, and the same is true today. Likewise, there have always been very few inexpensive but good guns. Sometimes when looking over the choices in handguns the heavy hitter may say, ‘What is your life worth?’ This is true enough, but many of us cannot afford an expensive firearm despite our best intentions. Read the full story for the pros and cons of picking your self-defense handgun.

U.S. Law Shield video cover of two police officers wearing tactical gear

Concealed Carry

U.S. Law Shield: Florida Good Samaritan Analysis: Licensed Carrier Saves Deputy

A good samaritan saw an assault on a police officer and decided to intervene. He approached the fight, drew his firearm—which he legally possessed—and ordered the suspect to stop what he was doing multiple times. When the suspect didn’t, the good samaritan shot three times, resulting in the death of the suspect. Was this good samaritan justified or guilty of a crime?

General

NSSF: HUNT S.A.F.E. . . . Hunting Checklist for Families

Hunting is a rich tradition, often passed down from family members to the next generation. The time may come when it’s your turn to introduce your children to this unique, exciting experience. Start by sharing stories about exploring the outdoors, outsmarting the game or even your first hunt; and please remember that safety should be part of every conversation about hunting and firearm use. The most important part of sharing this experience with your loved ones is ensuring they understand that proper precautions and responsible use of firearms can help make every hunting trip safe, fun and memorable. Don’t know where to start? Use the following checklist as your guide.

Mike Seekander teaches a student the right way to improve shooting skills.

General

NRA: Flawed Study Takes Aim at “Stand Your Ground”

Donald Trump won the election, which has allowed many to conclude that the Second Amendment dodged an anti-gun bullet. You may agree or disagree, but one thing is for sure, the anti gunners have not given up their agenda—in the United States and across the pond. In a recent article published by the NRA, the Journal of the American Medical Association’s (JAMA) takes aim at Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.

Competitive Shooting

Sporting Clays: Getting Started

Sporting clays is quite possibly the ultimate shotgun sport, but also a discipline that a complete beginner can participate in and enjoy as much as the seasoned veteran. Although you can never master sporting clays, it is the pursuit and variation that come from one target to the next or one course to the next that keeps shotgunners hungry for more rounds that is never quite satiated.