Wolves With Table Manners

 Why is the Mormon Church less violent than the general population?  I just read an article about why.  It is “A Peaceable People: Why Latter-day Saints Are Less Violent than the General Population” By C.D. Cunningham, March 31, 2025

 

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=f1ae0d7b4299083214edca1ee7ef6bbf5cb8e2504cd4d4950f686c81ab40fc4cJmltdHM9MTc4NDA3MzYwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=11f528e6-0686-6b2e-3675-3f7107846abc&psq=lds+church+violence&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9wdWJsaWNzcXVhcmVtYWcub3JnL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDI1LzAzL01vcm1vbi1DcmltZS1SYXRlXy1UaGUtVHJ1dGgucGRm

 

In this article it is purported that Mormons are less violent and have a lower crime rate because of a few things.

1.      Theological Foundations

2.      Community Structures

3.      Economic Stability & Welfare

4.      Lifestyle Norms: Sobriety, Stability, and Self-Mastery

5.      Historical Memory

I would agree with all of these factors and the author mentions there is more.  I agree with that too.  Peaceable living abounds with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But from someone who grew up in a large LDS community, and having been an active member my entire life, I have a position that a “handful” of typical members have.  With that background I also have another perspective.  One that is born out of experiencing combat and teaching self-defense for a long time.  As I meet other LDS veterans and also those LDS 1^st responders (my son is an EMT), I hear stories of tragic violence that the average Mormon community has been spared from.  You people who are LDS but acquainted with violence understand what I’m about to say.  We belong to a club.  We have a very unwanted membership in the violence club.  Unfortunately, we have experienced things that the average Church member hopefully will never experience.  I know, I’m a violence snob.  I’m not too much of a snob to understand that there are people who have not been exposed to violence who can understand it and are very much aware of it.  My concern is the average member.  One of the reasons I continue this blog is to get to the average American or average member.  It’s hard to understand evil or that crime exists when you have never had to deal with it.  One of the purposes of this blog is to inform and give tools to those who are less acquainted with violence and to add a dose of reality.  There is something called the Normalcy Bias.  It is a belief that it can’t happen here or to me.  It’s the deer in the headlights look!  Bad things DO happen to good people and it’s better to understand that and prepare.  This is why I constantly write these articles to try and help you, and I, to be more and better prepared.

Playing the “what if” game.

I prepare for the what if scenarios.  Having acute situational awareness can help in this preparation.  It’s actually part of it.  If you can see a problem before it happens then maybe it can be avoided.  When I teach tactical classes, I teach what I call ADD. Avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation.  This is where your mind should be at all times when prepared for violence.  It may be inconvenient; it may take more time or resources but ADD is where we should all reside.  You can be what my wife calls me and my friends, Wolves with table manners. But what I’ve found is a trend in the Church.  Passivism.

Passivism is the enduring outlook or disposition characterized by submissiveness, a lack of personal initiative, and a tendency toward the acceptance of external control or authority without resistance or critical engagement.  Some guys were put into this state from doing all the things they were supposed to.  When they were boys they were good kids and if they were Scouts, they were Eagle Scouts.  They were Seminary class presidents and in Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Presidencies.  They served a mission and went to BYU.  They got a decent job and married a beautiful Mormon girl in the temple.  But they really never thought for themselves.  Some of them did but many just went along.  Now, I’m not saying they shouldn’t have done all those things, those were good decisions.  But many of these men just do what they do without thought or conviction.  They do it because that’s what good Mormon guys do.  When they finally come to themselves and start thinking, they leave their faith and sometimes their families.  Brethren, think!  But because they are passivists, they have never thought about violence and how it can, and in many instances, will, touch their lives.  They are not wimps, but they have never had to deal with violence so there has never been a need for preparation.

As Dylan said, “The times they are a changin’”  Men in the Church need to be peacemakers.  You can be a peacemaker and prepared for violence.  Be wolves with table manners.

Being less violent than others is a good thing. But when evil comes calling evil needs to know it will be met with wolf claws and fangs.

I beseech LDS men to be prepared.  Martial arts, weapons use, and keeping your head in chaos.  These are the things we should be engaged in along with being superior priesthood holders and operating with the Spirit.  It’s possible but like any other worthy cause, it takes work and determination.  I would challenge you, both men and women, to be ready for violence while preaching the word.

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn  

Shooting An Automatic Weapon

 Automatic weapons, or machine guns, have been depicted as the weapon of choice for bad guys and heroes alike.  Movies, television, and the media think full autos are all over the place on the streets.  Most of this is complete fabrication.  Even if you could find a fully automatic rifle you would need some experience to use it effectively.  I taught military and law enforcement to shoot with these weapons for years.  They are not easy to use.  Sure, you could pick one up and start shooting, but without competent instruction, and some practice, you would only succeed at giving cover fire at the very best or shooting someone or something you don’t intend to at the worst.  These guns are useful in combat, or for keeping heads down, but not much use at all.  When I was in combat, I seldom had my weapon on “auto”.  If I wanted to be effective the most, I would fire 3 round bursts.  These guns tend to “ride” or have a muzzle rise that you must control.  Also know that squeezing and going “Rambo” is not that great for the gun.  No matter if it is a sub machine gun or a machine gun you’re bound to have this rise.  And barrels get hot fast!  With our M-60 we switched barrels quite often.

In 2014 in Arizona a 9-year-old girl was legally shooting a sub machine gun at a range when she lost control of the gun and ended up shooting her instructor.  The instructor was rushed to the hospital but died from the gun shot.

What’s the difference between a machine gun and a submachine gun?  A submachine gun shoots pistol caliber ammunition. Usually, these will have a lower recoil, have reduced ranges compared to rifle caliber machine guns, and require a better grip.   

One of the most important aspects of shooting full auto is grip. Your support hand (for right-handed shooters, this will be your left hand) should grip the gun and pull it back into your body. This allows the gun to sit firmly just inside your shoulder and acts as both a steerer of the gun and controls it. This is the most important part of the grip, as your support hand is doing most of the work.  Your strong hand will rest relaxed, but firm against the gun’s grip and that’s about it (in most cases).

The two major points to shooting auto are leaning into the gun, which will help to manage the amount of recoil you feel, and making sure you are balanced.   Your foot position can vary a bit depending on the types and calibers of gun you are shooting, as well as your body type.

Just as the different types of full autos are slightly different than one another, the shooter has to make slight adjustments for the platform they are firing.   The basics are the same, but a few minor changes will set you up for safe success. Submachine guns have more muzzle rise than most other auto platforms.   This can be due to rate of fire, with some guns that have the back end being heavier than the front, or simply because the gun is lighter than most.  

I recommend taking a small step forward with your support foot.   You then want to bend that front knee and sink your weight onto that leg, which will lean your weight into the gun.  Combine this with using your support hand to pull the rifle snugly into your shoulder, and you have set up a solid foundation for most rifle systems.

Do not try to learn from video games, TV shows, or movies.  They lie and promote disinformation.  They do it so naturally and off hand.  I was just watching a series from the 90’s called The Mentalist yesterday.  It’s basically a cop show.  They were talking about someone having a registered gun.  Most non-gun people (and some gun people!) think that guns are registered in this country.  I know a lot of law enforcement would like that because it would make their work much easier.  Like many things in law enforcement, if we didn’t have rights their job would be easier.  But we do have rights. I see law enforcement often try to trick people into giving up their rights just to do their work.  I think it’s disgusting.  Many have fought and died for those rights that someone who has sworn to uphold, yet they try and get around it.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the U.S. law enforcement.  Most in law enforcement are honorable, good people.  There are some who ruin things for all of them.  It is unlawful to have a registry for guns.  In landmark cases District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010) the Supreme Court has affirmed the individual right to keep and bear arms for self-defense in the home. A federal firearms register can be seen as an infringement on this right in several ways:

·          Chilling Effect: Knowing their gun ownership is recorded and potentially accessible to the government can deter individuals from exercising their Second Amendment right. This self-censorship directly undermines the purpose of the amendment.

·         Potential for Abuse: Registration lists have historically been used for confiscation efforts. The mere existence of such a list presents the temptation for future abuse, whether through misguided policy or outright tyranny.

·         Facilitating Confiscation: A comprehensive register makes it significantly easier for the government to identify and potentially confiscate firearms, especially during emergencies or in response to perceived threats.

Understanding the historical context surrounding the Second Amendment is crucial. The Founding Fathers, deeply distrustful of centralized power and standing armies, enshrined the right to bear arms to ensure the people could resist potential government overreach. A federal firearms register, essentially providing the government with a detailed list of armed citizens, directly contradicts this foundational principle.

The fear of a standing army and the importance of an armed citizenry to prevent tyranny were paramount concerns for the framers. A registration scheme empowers the federal government with detailed knowledge of who possesses what arms, thereby diminishing the people’s ability to act as a check on potential governmental abuses of power.

So, there is no registry and it has the force of law behind it.  The closest thing is a semi-registry of guns used in crimes. 

Machine guns and sub-machine guns have been regulated since 1938.  The crime organizations of the 20’s and 30’s are what brought this law to be.  The St. Valentines Day massacre comes to mind.

Would you like to own a machine gun legally?  This is a portion of an article from The Gun Zone

https://thegunzone.com/how-to-buy-a-machine-gun-legally/

How to buy a machine gun legally

September 30, 2024, by William Taylor

 

Steps to Legal Acquisition

1.      Determine Eligibility: Federal law dictates who can own NFA firearms. You must:

·         Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

·         Be at least 21 years of age.

·         Reside in a state where machine gun ownership is legal. (Not all states permit private ownership of machine guns.)

·         Be legally eligible to possess a firearm, meaning you cannot have any felony convictions or other disqualifying conditions as outlined in federal and state law.

·         Not be prohibited under the provisions of the NFA.

2.      Research State and Local Laws: Even if federal law allows machine gun ownership in your state, your state and local laws may impose further restrictions or outright bans. Thoroughly research your local ordinances before proceeding.

3.      Find a Transferable Machine Gun: Because of the Hughes Amendment, you can only purchase machine guns that were registered with the ATF before May 19, 1986. These firearms are significantly more expensive due to their limited availability. Reputable Class 3 dealers (dealers licensed to sell NFA firearms) are your primary source for finding such firearms.

4.      Arrange the Transfer: Once you’ve found a suitable machine gun, the transfer process begins. This typically involves working with a Class 3 dealer who will initiate the necessary paperwork with the ATF.

5.      Complete ATF Form 4 (Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm): This form is the cornerstone of the legal transfer process. You must provide detailed information about yourself, the firearm, and the seller. This form also requires your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) to be notified. The CLEO must sign the form; however, their signature only serves as a notification that you are seeking to acquire a regulated NFA item.

6.      Submit Fingerprint Cards and Photographs: The ATF requires fingerprint cards and passport-style photographs as part of the Form 4 application.

7.      Pay the Transfer Tax: A $200 transfer tax is levied on each transfer of a machine gun. This payment is submitted along with the Form 4 application.

8.      Wait for ATF Approval: This is the most time-consuming part of the process. The ATF conducts a background check and verifies the information provided on the Form 4. The approval process can take several months, and sometimes even longer.

9.      Receive Approved Form 4 and Take Possession: Once the ATF approves the Form 4, they will return it to the transferring dealer. The dealer can then legally transfer the machine gun to you. You must keep the approved Form 4 in your possession whenever you possess or transport the machine gun.

 

Thanks to The Gun Zone and William Taylor for giving us the steps of an NFA Firearms acquisition. 

As you can see, acquiring, owning, and even shooting an automatic weapon is not common or simple.  If you are so inclined, we wish you luck and remember:

“Happiness is a belt-fed weapon!”

 

Semper Paratus

Check 6

Burn

Gun Terms and Not Sounding Like A Idiot

 I am tired of this complaint.  It is probably a waste of time because “journalists” don’t seem to care.  At the risk of this turning into a rant let me speak of reporters, or anyone else, speaking or reporting on gun issues. If you want to be taken seriously, do your homework and speak intelligently.

I don’t know anything about giving a hair permanent. I’m sure a beautician can set me straight. The point is, if I am going to whine and complain about the smell of a permanent (which by the way is NOT permanent…) then I should have an idea about the proper terms. I do not know what I’m talking about, so I don’t think I should put in my 2 cents. I guess I could, we still have free speech in this country. But I shouldn’t be expected to be taken seriously by the beautician world if I don’t know the difference between a rod and a curler. (Which I don’t really..)
The gun world has some specific terms that someone trying to talk intelligently about, should learn.
Bullets and Cartridges
Ammunition, or cartridges, is what you shoot. Case, bullet, propellant, and primer. Often “bullet” is used when it’s intended as cartridge. In some circles it’s called a round. Don’t make that mistake if you want to be taken seriously. Those that do know will completely discount your opinion if you don’t speak, or write, like you know what you’re talking about. I know, it’s a real picky thing. I think it’s important though. Everyone can make a mistake but don’t scoff when the opposition corrects you. Get it right if you want to give an argument.
Magazines and Clips
Guns and the way they are fed are another issue. A magazine feeds a weapon, a clip feeds a magazine. I don’t really get all uptight if the wrong term is used, unless you are trying to speak or write with authority. Please don’t bother without at least giving an effort to correct verbiage.  I’ve seen gun people get this wrong!
Assault Rifle and Semi-automatic Rifle
Know that “assault rifle” is a vague and unofficial term. The term was used by the military occasionally in the 40’s and 50’s but then really was not used until the media decided all AK and AR variants were dubbed assault weapons. I carried an assault rifle in the military; it was a CAR-15. Often, they are referred to as automatic in the civilian world. Civilian versions of these guns will always be in semi-automatic. To own a fully automatic weapon you must purchase a $200 tax stamp for each weapon. The NFA (National Firearms Act) closed that registry in 1986 so if you wanted to buy an automatic weapon, you would have to go through a Class III Federal Firearm License (FFL). Because of this, automatic weapons are very high in price and can be bought only from a Class III dealer. Just remember, automatic and machine gun are terms that are the same. By the way, machine guns are legal in most states.
Other terms are:
Accuracy and Precision
Accuracy is a measurement of a person’s ability to hit where they are aiming consistently. Precision is how small those groups of shots are.
Suppressor and Silencer
Many experts believe that silencer has no correct usage. Suppressors moderate escaping gases, greatly reducing but not eliminating noise. Suppressors are legal to own if you go through the process. I don’t think that a silencer actually exists but the ATF uses the word.
Extractor and Ejector
This is not as common as some of those above, but it pops up every now and then. Just remember that an extractor extracts a spent case from the barrel. The next step is to get rid of (eject) the empty case. That would be the job of the ejector.
Cartridge and Case
The cartridge is a fully put together round. The case is a component of the cartridge. The case holds everything together. The bullet, the primer, and the propellant is in the case. Sometimes the case is called the shell. In shotgun shooting the cartridge is a shotshell, sometimes referred to as a shell, the whole cartridge. Shotshells consist of the case or hull, the primer, the propellant, the wad, and the shot or slug. This seems a little confusing because shotshells are often referred to as shotgun shells.
There are other gun terms that should be straight to not sound like an idiot.
The words “high caliber” doesn’t mean anything.  Those that no nothing about guns think the scary black rifles take a large caliber bullet.  They don't understand caliber.

And what the heck is "High capacity?"  If you bought a car that took 20 gallons of gas would that be considered high capacity?  A 30-round magazine takes 30 rounds.  If that's high capacity, then what's low capacity?  No one knows but certainly politicians and the media aren't the ones to decide.  They don't know the difference between a magazine and clip!
The NRA (National Rifle Association) is not the gun industry lobby. That would be the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
Ammunition in a burning building is no danger to firefighters. Without a chamber and barrel, a cartridge won’t go off and shoot anywhere.
Guns are not required to be registered in most jurisdictions. So, if a gun is unregistered, that makes about as much sense as an unregistered tire iron. But the ATF does have a firearm tracing system that supposedly complies with 18 U.S.C. 926(a). Almost all the guns in this database were recovered by law enforcement not from gun sales.
I have never known an ATF agent. I know FBI agents, Customs agents, Border Patrol agents, and even a Secret Service agent. From everything I have read about the ATF, I’ve never been impressed with the agency. I hope I am wrong.
To have an intelligent conversation about guns I believe you should understand some terms. Those that don’t bother to learn are doomed to reap the whirlwind. It’s too easy to label these lazy people as idiots and move on. If you want to put across an anti-gun point, you’d better know what you’re talking about, or you’ll look like an idiot.
I hope we can all keep our terms straight so we as gun owners or gun “experts” won’t also sound like idiots.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Auto-loaders Over Revolvers

I want to talk about revolvers. First, I don’t have nearly as many revolvers as I do auto loaders and I don’t shoot them as often. But years ago in the military I used to teach military members, mostly pilots, how to shoot, clean, and maintain the Smith and Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece, Revolver Model 15. It is honestly the only revolver I am real familiar with. Even more so than the two revolvers I own! Many people have heard that revolvers are very reliable. That is true. But some say they do not malfunction. This not true. They malfunction often enough to be close to autoloaders in my opinion. They have different problems than auto loaders. Those who say revolvers don’t have malfunctions have never really shot a lot of revolvers. These are some of those problems:
Light primer strikes.
A frozen cylinder from debris under the extractor star or from out of spec primers.
Broken cylinder release latch.
An extractor rod backing itself out preventing the cylinder from opening.
Triggers spontaneously dragging or freezing up for undetermined reasons.
Various user-induced problems like short stroking the trigger or all the different ways you can fumble a reload.
The only easy fix is the light primer strike.
Reliability aside, the capacity of ammo is a big con. Revolvers have 5 or 6 shots, where compact auto loaders can carry 13 to 18 rounds. Reloading in a revolver is a real challenge. It’s easy to mess it up.
I am not dumping on revolvers. It’s not that I don’t like them, but for my purposes, I don’t get a lot of use out them.
Don’t get me wrong, auto-loaders have their fair share of problems. But I feel that most of their problems can be fixed with a tap and rack drill. Revolvers don’t usually have that easy of a fix.
There are some positive aspects to revolvers. Concealed at close distances revolvers may have less problem with clothing or others things stopping its use. With a slide moving around sometimes it’s more difficult to keep the gun ready to shoot. A revolver doesn’t have that problem.
Another advantage a revolver has over a semi-auto is that a revolver has no slide that a shooter must rack before firing. That’s significant for older folks, or folks with weak hands. No one wants to hide in a corner while a marauder roams through his house, trying feverishly to chamber a round in his gun but unable to do so because the slide is too hard to rack. Better to have six shots that will go bang than 17 that won’t.
Reliability is another issue. Put an autoloader in a box, holster, or drawer for a year and then try and use it, you run a risk. With a revolver you don’t have the same issue.
Take an auto-loader to a range and shoot 500 to 800 rounds and you may not have an issue. But with a revolver that is not the case. Auto-loaders also are more tolerant of neglect. I’m not saying you should ever neglect a gun. You should be shooting, handling, and maintaining said gun.
The downsides to a revolver are simple: significantly less firepower and a thicker profile. The first means that you have fewer bullets to shoot at bad guys, and it takes longer to reload. The second means that they can be harder to conceal. That’s pretty much it.
The downsides to semi-auto handguns can be summed up in just a few sentences: They can be harder to operate (racking the slide). If you possess the grey hair and wisdom of years gone by, you might be better served by a revolver but not necessarily.
I know I didn’t help your decision much. I like auto-loaders better because of my experience with them and ammo capacity. But there are some who really prefer a revolver. I say any gun is better than no gun. But you must be proficient with whatever you decide will be your gun. As an instructor I shot expert with a revolver for several years. I still prefer auto-loaders…
You must get your own experience and decide for yourself.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

AK Or AR? The Eternal Question

Are you an AK guy or an AR guy? How many times have you heard that question? My answer is always, “Depends”. Am I going house-to-house in Kabul? Or am I outfitting an Army to overthrow a Marxist regime? Each gun has their good points. Most people have a favorite. Sometimes it depends on your experience. In the military we learned a lot about the AKM, (M for “modernized or upgraded”) which is the real name of the variant most people call “AK-47”. An AK-47 is really an old gun. One that I would love to get a hold of. They are getting increasingly rare. Russia manufactured the original Kalashnikov, a Type 1 AK-47, in 1948. There is a Type 2 AK-47 which is actually an AK-49. By 1956 the AK-49 (named for the year it started development) was being manufactured but not widely. The SKS designed by Simonov, was being used by the military more than the AK’s. In 1959 the SKM was widely distributed. The AK variant is the most-used and copied design in the world. The AKM is the design that most call the “AK-47”. It is encountered more than any other design. All variants were based on the original AK-47 design but the only correct AK-47 is based on one of the three original receiver types.
In 1974 the Soviets were replacing the AK-47’s and AKM’s with their new AK-74 rifle which does not shoot the traditional 7.62 x 39 round, but the newer 5.45 x 39mm round.
So when you hear anti-gunners talk about the dreaded AK-47, you might teach them that those guns are hard to find. An AK variant is what they are talking about. But like clips and magazines, most people don’t know and many don’t care.
The AR-15 is a lightweight, magazine-fed, air cooled rifle with a rotating-lock bolt. It works on what is called direct impingement gas operation or long/short stroke piston operation that fires 5.56 mm/.223-caliber ammunition.
It was first built by ArmaLite as a small arms rifle for the United States armed forces. Because of financial problems, ArmaLite sold the AR-15 design to Colt who made some modifications and the redesigned rifle was adopted as the M16 rifle. This was the main rifle used by US Armed Forces. Colt then started selling the semi-automatic version of the M16 rifle as the Colt AR-15 for civilian sales in 1963 and the term AR-15 has been used to refer to semiautomatic-only versions of the rifle ever since.
I love the AK platform. To me it is an exotic firearm even though it’s one of the most common in the world. They are not favorite, it’s hard for me to give up the good ol’ USA made AR. I’d love to have an AK. I’ve been shot at enough with AK’s it would be nice to point it the other way! I am also not a fan of the 7.62 x 39 round. I don’t mind it to hunt with but for defense I just prefer the 5.56. The .308 is too heavy of a bullet for my taste.
Here are my comparison points. There are many opinions on this particular subject, but this is mine.
Cost
Once upon a time, there was no debate. The AK could be had for far less than an AR, which made it very attractive to new shooters wanting a so-called “assault rifle” on a budget. In fact, many people wanting to get into tactical-style rifles gravitated toward the AK to start with.
But baby, things change.
My first gun show in the 80’s had AKs or SKSs for $299 each, today finding one for that price would be wonderful. A quick look over on Gunbroker shows that many AKs have a price tag of over $1,000. There are a number of reasons for that, and we don’t have the space to go into all of them, but the days of inexpensive AKs are over. While there are a handful that are priced a bit better, the lowest price for an actual 7.62×39 AK was around $800–they’re still pretty pricey.
ARs, however, seem to have a bit of a range in price. Budget AR-15s can be had for around $600+, and the choices are plentiful and from brands ranging from DPMS to Smith & Wesson. The top end for ARs seems to be “how much money you want to put in?” Realistically, you can spend several thousand dollars on an AR if you want to, but that’s up to you.
Ammo: Availability and cost
Once upon a time, this was a big factor that drove a lot of people to the AK over the AR. Back then, there was a whole lot of surplus ammo to be found, and that drove the costs of ammunition for the rifle down. Also, the AR did not have the popularity it enjoys now.
Those days are over. The surplus ammo has pretty much gone away. This means you’re either shooting old stuff you have stocked or you’re spending a lot of money.
Basically, the higher end ammo is really close in price for the two weapons while the lower you go, the bigger the discrepancy. However, at no point is the difference that much for a box of 20. If you buy in bulk, though, you may see more variance.
But if bulk of ammo is a factor for you (like humping 400 rounds several miles) then obviously, the smaller bullet would be lighter. You can carry more.  I know this from personal experience.
Weight
The original AK-47 weighs a little over 8.5 lbs, with an empty magazine in the weapon.
By contrast, the stock AR-15 weighs around 6.5 lbs in a similar state.
In other words, you have a two-pound difference. Additionally, the 7.62×39 round of the AK-47 is a heavier round than the 5.56×54 the AR-15 is chambered in. In a fully loaded rifle of each, the difference in weight is even more noticeable. That makes the AR the clear winner on this one.
Now, that said, weight changes as people add stuff to a weapon, and the AR platform is notorious for having a plethora of accessories. So, if you add too much stuff to your rifle, you negate weight savings.
Power
When it comes to discussion on power, there’s a lot to discuss. Frankly, an entire post could be written on this topic.
The general consensus is pretty clear; the 7.62×39 round is a more powerful round than the 5.56 round. That’s not really up for debate. It’s a bigger, beefier round that hits with more punch. Now, that size comes with costs. For example, weight.
The key point to remember here is that 7.62×39 is legal to hunt deer in a lot of places where 5.56/.223 may not be. (Plus the 7.62x39 makes a sweet snap sound going past your ear!)
Accuracy
All the ammo in the world won’t make a hill of beans if you can’t hit what you’re aiming at. All the practice in the world won’t help if your weapon is destined to miss everything anyway.
The AK is notorious for being an inaccurate rifle. Some chalk this up to the ammunition most people get. Others chalk it up to the looser tolerances of the AK platform. It doesn’t matter. The reputation is still there.
Based on my own experiences, it’s there for a reason. The AK will probably hit the guy you’re aiming at if you’re not at extended ranges and do your part correctly. This means you’ll probably hit any game you’re hunting under the same circumstances.
However, hitting your target and putting a living target on the ground are very different things.
The AR, on the other hand, tends to be far more accurate. The 5.56 round and tighter tolerances provide for a platform that has more inherent accuracy than its competitor. Further, the platform can be made even more accurate with aftermarket additions, something that just isn’t available with an AK style rifle.
Reliability
It doesn’t matter what the weapon can do if you can’t trust it to go bang when you pull the trigger, and one of these weapons has a nasty reputation on this front as well.
This time, it’s the AR…sort of.
You see, the similar M-16 rifles were notorious for jamming in Vietnam, and it wasn’t because of the full-auto parts either. Instead, it was a combination of factors that are still the source of some debate, even today.
By contrast, the AK is a notoriously tough rifle that will run no matter what you do to it. You can supposedly bury it in the mud and gunk for a year, pull it out, run a cleaning rod through the barrel to make sure it’s clear, then go to work.
Of course, neither of these reputations are quite accurate. They have their basis in reality. But they’re not quite true.
I’ve had an AK jam, and I’ve never had a jam with an AR. So maybe my experience is a little off. But I’ll also be the first to tell you not to trust the experiences I’ve had. Find out for yourself.
Through the years, I’ve seen very few AKs jam, and most of those were either magazine or ammo issues. Meanwhile, I’ve seen more ARs jam. These are often maintenance issues as well as the obligatory magazine and ammo problems.
Neither are common, however. So, while you can trust your life to an AR, I’m still giving the edge to the AK. Maybe that is just reputation and history.
There you have it. My own lame opinion of the differences between an AK and an AR. Your experience may vary.
In the end, most of what we do is from our experience rather than someone’s blog post, or review, or their own tests. Most of us have an opinion because of our own experiences. I am an AR person. But you may be different.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Children And Guns

Children and Teens with guns. This can be a horrible combination. I say CAN be. It usually is not just as most adult gun owners don’t become serial killers or mass murderers. Lately I’ve had several conversations about kids and guns. Some have asked at what age they should expose their kids to shooting and safety, and others want to know how to keep their kids safe from gun violence. We are not in the aftermath of a recent mass shooting committed by a young person. There have been some terrible mass shootings by adults. And that is horrible and sad. Some say it is the times we live in and others think it’s the guns fault. I know this for a fact, killing another human being is not easy or normal. Those who do it with a plan have mental problems. They did not see too many violent movies (although that does not help). They gave into hate and evil. But I digress.
Kids and guns can also be a very good combination. When someone asks me I usually tell them what I did with my big bunch of kids. When they were 8 (boys and girls) I would teach them to shoot. If you live in my house you hear about gun safety all the time. It was taught to my children young but they started to handle guns at 8. Mostly .22 rifles and a few pistols. While at the range they would ask occasionally to shoot something more powerful but usually did not like a heavy recoil. As they got older I encouraged them to shoot more powerful handguns and rifles. They all shot what I suggested but usually gravitated toward what they liked. They memorized the safety rules and I quizzed them often. My recently married daughter was being shown some guns and finally burst because her new husband and in-laws were breaking a couple of the rules. They balked at her knowledge a little and so she quoted all four rules to them and said “My Dad would freak if he saw you guys being so unsafe with guns!” She is correct. I would take their guns from them and make them repeat the rules more than once back to me before they point another “safe” weapon at me!
I’ve read the articles from the “experts” who say kids can’t handle guns. They are very wrong. I’m not saying I would give an 8 year old a .22 handgun and say “Keep this in your drawer.” I lock up my guns for several reasons. My kids were taught safety and the mystique of guns was eliminated. Whenever they wanted to see a gun or handle one, they were allowed under my supervision, reminding them of the safety rules. My guns are locked up from adults or kids that don’t live with me. I have been a gun instructor for over 20 years and I fear adults much more than I fear kids. In my experience kids listen and follow well taught rules, but adults have “knowledge” or “experience” with guns. I have removed an Air Force pilot, a Captain, from a shooting range and barred him from return because he knew about guns and had been in one competition. He blatantly would not keep his finger off the trigger and out of the guard. When he started to cover almost everyone on the range I told him he could return to that range and qualify after his commander had counselled with him. I told him when he returned I was the only instructor that could qualify him. Two weeks later I received a letter of apology from him, a call from his squadron commander, and his promise to follow all instructions given him to re-qualify. I’m not a tough guy, but I insist on gun safety.
Kids are usually quite teachable when it comes to gun safety and shooting. They are eager to do it right and to do it well. They like the satisfaction of seeing the results of their work right away in the form of a paper target or the ping of a steel one. They like the competition and the thought of mastering a skill. Adults care too much about they look, or are perceived, to be the most teachable. That’s a generalization of course.
I started shooting at a young age with my Grandfather who taught me to shoot and gun safety. I also spent a lot of time on my Uncles ranch and farm where I learned to drive at 14. Also, every pickup had a rifle in it. So I was around guns a lot and never remember not being around them. That is probably not typical of most kids so I understand some people’s anxiety. But teach kids correct principles and they learn to govern themselves. Just as kitchen knives are dangerous, and hot stoves, and power tools, and prescriptions, and Drain-O, we must teach kids to be safe. There are many dangerous things in this world that can potentially kill a person and we must be safe with them all. Vehicles are the leading killer of people 1-24. Yet we think nothing of getting into a car. But just as we teach kids to look both ways and wear their seat belts we must teach them to leave a gun alone that they come across and how to be safe around one. It’s not that hard. The problem that I see is not with kids but with adults. There is so much misinformation out there and many adults who are ignorant about guns. Every person should learn to swim. I believe every person needs to learn how to be safe with a gun. Even if you never shoot a gun, never own a gun, and don’t think you’ll ever be in contact with a gun, you should learn gun safety. I don’t own a boat, don’t like to swim and haven’t floated down a river since I was a kid but it’s important for me to know how to swim and be safe around water. I’ve seen adults who were deathly afraid of guns. I’ve taught some of them how to shoot. Once you take the mystery out of shooting it’s not too difficult to put your fears to rest. Having a healthy respect for what guns can do is a good thing. Being irrationally afraid of an inanimate object is silly.
I’ve always started kids off with .22 rifles and moved to .22 handguns. Once they know how to be safe, every time, then they can move to other calibers and more power fun. If they are interested. Some kids are just not. I’ve seen some people start off with airsoft or air rifles and that is fine. That is a good way to teach the safety under a less lethal device. Marksmanship can be very satisfying and can build self-esteem and skill. When safety is never lax and always emphasized, kids will learn what they need to be safe even if they never shoot another gun.
When teaching a kid about gun safety make sure you are in a place that is not distracting. As you progress emphasize that guns are not toys and gun education is not learned from video games or T.V. and movies. In fact, most of the time the entertainment industry is wrong about gun handling. I also teach only 4 gun safety rules. The NRA teaches more but I like the simplicity of 4. Always in this order:
1. All guns are always loaded
2. Never point a gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard and off the trigger until your sights are on your target
4. Know your target and what is behind it
I quiz like this: “Billy why do we keep #3?” The answer is “Because of #1”
“Sherrie if I keep #4 then what will happen?” The answer is “There will not be an accident because a bullet went through the target and hurt someone behind.” “Jacob why do we keep #2?” The answer is “Because of #1.” “Jen what is #1 and how does it keep me safe?” The answer is “All guns are loaded and if you treat them that way you will never have an accident.”
Number 2, 3, and 4 support number 1.
This is also how I teach adults also. If you want to give education and information to your children on guns you must do 4 things:
1. Take out the mystique and taboo of guns
I don’t want my kids playing with knives either but they used knives under supervision from a young age starting with a butter knife. Whenever kids show a curiosity or interest in guns I would take one out and remind them again of the safety rules. I would make the gun safe and then let them handle it. They had to clear the weapon, and then practice the safety rules.
2. Emphasize safety
As I have explained above, my kids know those rules forward and backward. I got lots of groans and eye-rolls when I would ask them, but they knew them.
3. Start small
I started with .22’s but insisted, later in their training and when they were older, that they shoot higher caliber guns. Not to force them into something they did not want to do, but so they understood the power and seriousness of what we were doing. Some of them embraced higher powered guns, some of them did not, but they all have some experience with them.
I also started with little bites. I made their first range experience a good one giving them a good foundation in safety, but a fun experience so they would come back. I also made it brief. 20 to 30 minutes or so. They range time got longer later and as they matured and got older. I made sure I taught only a few concepts at a time to not overload them. If you try to teach grip, stance, trigger press, aim, safety, all at once, they may overload.
4. Make it fun
Making the experience fun and enjoyable was very good for them. We spent some good Dad time together. Even if we didn’t shoot that often, I tried to make it a fun and enjoyable experience.
Teaching your kids this skill may save their lives one day. They would know what to do with a gun if ever it was handed to them. And they may find a skill and hobby that will take them to competition, hunting, or a life-long activity.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Choosing Your Home Defense Handgun

I just got a text today. It said, “What kind of hand gun do you feel is best for home defense?” Pardon the gun pun, but that’s a “loaded” question.
I assume the person was set on a hand gun rather than a long gun so I’ll only address hand guns. Long guns and shot guns are used in home defense but they are a whole other article.
The best way to pick a gun is to shoot it. Which means you may have to test drive several. I would recommend an auto loader action only because of round count. Revolvers are extremely reliable and if you become very good you can reload with moon clips or ammo strips. I am not, but I do like revolvers for other things. I even carried an S&W Airweight once.
My suggestion for choosing a home defense gun is to start practically. Obviously the gun is for home defense but will it also be used as a carry gun? If so, what size gun are you willing to carry? Consider the gun size. Full size, compact, sub-compact. Each of these have their good and bad points. If you carry then maybe a compact or sub-compact would double as a home defense weapon.
After purpose and action I would choose caliber. This will determine size somewhat. There are many opinions about this question. You’ll hear words like “stopping power” and “recoil”. I seem to be more practical about this. I want quantity. I draw the line with caliber at 9mm. I don’t want something of less caliber. I know that shot placement changes everything. If I can shoot an attacker between the eyes it doesn’t really matter what caliber I use. But I also think that under stress and fear I may not function the same as shooting a paper target at the range. In fact I know my accuracy is affected. I like the ballistics of 9mm. .45 ACP is fine but I don’t like the size, weight, cost, and round count in comparison. So that is my recommendation. But if you have small hands, or can’t control the kick, then maybe something smaller is for you. There is the popular .380 or .25 or even .22 caliber. Any gun is better than no gun in my opinion. Be careful about rounds that will through the attacker and the wall behind them. This is another reason why I don’t want to go higher than a 9mm. But any caliber will go through walls and doors in spite of what the movies show you. Reality is that there is very little in an average home that a bullet will not penetrate. Not a coach, a refrigerator, a bed, or a wall is cover. Rifle rounds are even more powerful.
After caliber I would consider round count. There auto load single or double stack magazines. Double stacks are a bulkier, wider gun. But I love it! I like having the option of 13 rounds in the gun. I do own single stacks and their round count is 8. So there’s my difference. Some people have a problem shooting sub-compacts because they are too small. I’ve learned to compensate but they take getting used to.
Next is reliability and price. I know that you can’t put a price on security. I’m cheap so I can. That’s why I put reliability with price. There are many good, quality, hand guns on the market. I have even shot well with a Hi-Point. I found that shooting accurately has more to do with the shooter than the gun. But reliability is a real consideration. I know I will get flak for this but I don’t want a Glock. Many people swear by them and rightly so. They are extremely reliable. I’ve owned them and sold them. I don’t hate on them but I can’t abide the price! There are many other guns out there that will serve me without breaking my budget. I like Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Taurus, and even Kel-Tec. I don’t have to have a Kimber, nice though they are. That is just me, you have to decide.
Purpose
Size
Action
Caliber
Reliability
Price
Storage ability
Remember an important rule if you planning to have a gun for home defense and concealed carry. It has to be comfortable and not a hassle. If it is a big burden you will leave it at home more than you carry it.
Also remember that defending yourself in confined spaces is difficult at best. Add to that stress darkness and then being sure where your rounds end up (it says on a .22 box that they can go a mile!), you need to have some training. Get to know your gun. Practice often and continue training.
In professional circles defending in a small space is called CQB or close quarters battle. It is not real easy but it is quite possible to learn. But you must get competent training. There are even good videos out there although nothing can replace a good instructor. I don’t think you have to know what a SWAT team knows or an operator, but there are some things to know and to practice. Get to know your house, apartment, or dorm room. Know where things are. Be able to walk through your house in the dark without killing yourself. Arrange room furniture so it will be easy for someone who knows the house, but difficult for someone who does not in the dark. If you can, build a safe room, (a solid door, very secure locks, with some concealment, with a little food and water, a flashlight, a phone, possibly an outside exit) to be able to go to in case of emergency. If the room could double as a safe room for natural disasters that would be even better.
In any case, having a good light on your gun or available for target identification is crucial. I can also help blind an attacker. But knowing how and when to use this is important training too. Once that light is on, the attacker has an idea where you are. Never shoot blindly. In combat that might be considered suppressive fire, but in home defense it is a recipe for disaster. I would rather scare a family member than shoot them. Maybe you left your front door open and a drunk neighbor is in your house. Target identification is mandatory and crucial.
Practicing with your gun is important. One class and shooting once or twice a year won’t cut it. Shooting is a perishable skill.
Defending your home and family is your inalienable right. Doing it right is something you don’t want to get wrong. Choosing the gun that is best for you and your situation is not difficult, but requires some preparation.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Background Check Questions: Can You Pass?

I have had the opportunity to go through many background and security checks. In fact, I’m in the middle of a security check right now. I hold a Secret security clearance at the moment but have held a Top Secret clearance in the past. It sounds much more cool than it is. It’s the level of security material that you are able to view and work with and the level at which you are checked. Every 7 years this clearance is redone. But I also have a few concealed carry licenses from different states. Then there’s my commercial driver’s license. That required a background check. Any more, you can’t rent an apartment without a background check! So I feel I’m no stranger to being fingerprinted and someone interviewing my High school teachers. I’m used to it. That does not mean I’m not careful with my personal information, I’m just not worried about the government having it anymore.
So what is the background check associated with buying a gun?
Well let’s start with how you can fail a check.
Anything that makes a person too high-risk to possess lethal firepower, in the eyes of the law. Those includes criminal and mental health history, dishonorable military discharges, unlawful immigration status, an open warrant, a documented history of domestic violence, and drug use.
Felony convictions are the most common reason for the gun background check system to reject an applicant, resulting in 785,984 denials during the 19 years (as of 2017) that NICS has been in operation. More than 178,000 fugitives, 136,000 domestic offenders, and 131,000 unlawful drug users have also been blocked. The bar for denying someone on mental health grounds is very high, requiring that a person has been declared unsound or involuntarily confined to a psychiatric institution by a court or other authority. Fewer than 32,000 people have been denied under this criteria.
The DOJ’s form 4473 Firearms Transaction Record asks these questions:
“1. Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s)?
2. Are you under indictment or information in any court for a felony, or any other crime, for which the judge could imprison you for more than one year?

3. Have you ever been convicted in any court of a felony, or any other crime, for which the judge could have you imprisoned for more than one year, even if you received a shorter sentence including probation?

4. Are you a fugitive from justice?

5. Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?

6. Have you ever been adjudicated mentally defective (which includes a determination by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that you are a danger to yourself or to others or are incompetent to manage your own affairs) or have you ever been committed to a mental institution?
7. Have you been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions?

8. Are you subject to a court order restraining you from harassing, stalking, or threatening your child or an intimate partner or child of such partner?

9. Have you ever been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence?

10. Have you ever renounced your United States citizenship?

11. Are you an alien illegally in the United States?

12. Are you an alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa?

13. Do you have a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license?”

These are the questions
• Proceed: If NICS indicates the seller can proceed, then the sale can continue.
• Canceled or Denied: Should NICS mark the form as “canceled” or “denied,” the seller cannot legally sell the firearm to the buyer. There are some gun dealers who generally provides the customer with contact information for a local lawyer who handles restoration of firearm rights in case the failed background check is erroneous. There have been times police have arrived at a gun shop to arrest the customer who legally cannot purchase a gun.
• Delayed: If the background check elicits a “delayed” response from NICS, the seller cannot complete the transaction for at least three business days. Unless a specific “denied” designation is issued, the seller will be able to complete the transaction with the customer after that period elapses, under federal law.
This is the system to “weed out” undesirables who try and get a gun. To be honest, those that work in gun stores or counters where guns are sold are usually a big help. Any employee can refuse to sell a gun to anyone. So they are our last line of defense. If I were a gun shop owner or a manager, I’d give some training to employees on what to look for and who to not sell to.
Background checks are really nothing to fear. Unless you have some of the problems above. Most people don’t have these issues. But everyone has a past and specific circumstances that may keep them from buying a gun. If you do, talking to a lawyer would be a good advice.
So don’t be afraid, buy a gun!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Gun Collecting Throughout the Country

You may have heard on the news about a southern California man put under 72-hour psychiatric observation when it was found he owned 100 guns and allegedly had (by rough estimate) 100,000 rounds of ammunition stored in his home. The house also featured a secret escape tunnel.

My favorite quote from the dimwit television reporter: “Wow! He has about a quarter million machine gun bullets.” The headline referred to it as a “massive weapons cache”.

By southern California standards someone owning 100,000 rounds would be called “mentally unstable”. Just imagine if he lived elsewhere:

In Arizona , he’d be called “an avid gun collector”.

In Texas , he’d be called “a novice gun collector”.

In Utah , he’d be called “moderately well prepared”, but they’d probably reserve judgment until they made sure that he had a corresponding quantity of stored food.

In Montana , he’d be called “The neighborhood ‘Go-To’ guy”.

In Idaho , he’d be called “a likely gubernatorial candidate”.

In Wyoming , he’d be called “an eligible bachelor”.

In Wisconsin , he’d be called “a deer hunting buddy”.

And, in Alabama , we just call him “Bubba”.

Here on the LDS Gunsite, we'd call him friend!

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Privately Selling Your Guns

I have bought and sold guns for years. I do not possess a Federal Firearms License to sell guns as a dealer or to ship guns. But I have responded to classified ads both on and off line. I’d like to share what I’ve learned. I responded to an ad that read like this:
“Mossberg 500 12 gage pump, 1 owner, only shot about 20 times in the box. $145 Call XXX-XXXX.”
Only to find out that the seller wanted to sell some other gun at a higher price.
First of all I’ve set my own set of ground rules. I only buy from an owner, not a go between. If someone seems a little odd or off I terminate the transaction. I also tell the potential buyer/seller that I require a gun “bill of sale.”
These are the main points of this receipt. It covers questions that are asked on the governments ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record.
Buyer certifies that they are not restricted or forbidden by law to own a firearm and buyer states that he/she:
• Has NEVER been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.
• Is NOT a fugitive from justice.
• Is NOT an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance.
• Has NEVER been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution.
• Is NOT an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United states or an alien admitted to the United states under a nonimmigrant visa.
• Has NOT been discharged from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.
• Having been a citizen of the United states, has NEVER renounced his or her citizenship.
• Is NOT subject to a court order that restrains the person from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner.
• Has NOT been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
• CAN lawfully receive, possess, ship, or transport a firearm.
• Is NOT a person who is under indictment or information for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.
I truthfully state that I AM NOT a person who cannot legally buy, receive, and possess firearms and/or ammunition.
I understand the firearm is sold AS-IS and no warranty has been implied or given. Firearm should be inspected by a competent gunsmith prior to using. Seller not responsible for any damages incurred or caused by the use of this firearm.

The form asks for personal info such as name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, or better yet, concealed carry license number. If they have a license, at least I know they went through a background check at one time.
I also give my information too so it’s not just one sided. Then we both sign the form and I keep it in my own files. This somewhat protects me and the other person in the transaction.
If the other person is not interested in this form and filling it out then I don’t do business with them. I’ll walk. In all the time I’ve done this, I’ve only walked once.
I was selling a handgun once and it turned out that one of the buyers that I met was an ATF agent. He told me after I agreed to meet him in the middle of the day in a Walmart parking lot. I informed him about the bill of sale before we met and told him what I’d be driving and that I’d have someone with me in the vehicle. That is my policy. When I got to the parking lot before I could even start the transaction he informed me of who he was. I said, “Do you still want the gun?” He laughed and shook his head and then asked if I was a gun dealer. I told him no. He then said that the way I was selling this gun he would have guessed that I was. I said, “No. I’m just a consciences gun enthusiast.” He said, “Good job, Sir.”
I’ve tried to do this the right way to cover myself. I don’t want one of my guns to be used in a crime. I also want some type of documentation to prove who I bought from or sold to. I would suggest you do the same.
Only by trying to be responsible can we change the view of “gun nuts” to the non-nuts.
Honesty is always the best policy and so I try to be as honest as I can when I sell something, gun or not.
There are many places to sell your guns legally. There are some places on the internet that are making their policy of buying and selling guns and ammo anti-gun. I understand some of them not wanting a liability, but some of these places are just anti-gun. Facebook is one that comes to mind. I’m not saying to break the law. But breaking Companies policies is NOT breaking the law! I’m also not advocating trying to break company policies just to sell your gun. But be aware that our transactions are not wanted out there. Buying and selling guns online is legal as long as the material is not sent through the mail or crossing state lines. I can buy a gun from anyone I am willing to drive to in my state. Make sure your state (or city, county, etc.) is the same. Do not break the law in selling/buying a firearm. Know your local laws and abide by them.
I’ve picked up some needed cash or sweet good gun deals because of private sales. I would really hate if they went away or if I had to pay for a background check. Private sales would probably disappear, which is probably what the non-gun people want. They actually think that criminals sit around putting off their crime until the right gun is put in a classified ad. But, I could be wrong. But I doubt this “loophole” closing would make any difference with gun violence.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn

Saving Water Damaged Guns

These are turbulent times and as we watch disasters unfold we try to anticipate how to be prepared. If you are prepared you won’t fear. So we should strive to be prepared. If you want to be there to help others, you must first be prepared yourself.
I’ve experienced a few disasters in my time. I was in an earthquake in California. I experienced tornados in Arizona and Texas. I also went through a flood. I learned a lot going through these things and hopefully, we can all learn without having to experience them.
A flood can be devastating. Water is one of those most powerful and potentially destructive things on earth. After a flood it takes some time to rebuild lives. So what if you have taken care of everything else and you have guns that went through a flood?
SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) is an association of the nation's leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components. SAAMI was founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government and tasked with:
1. Creating and publishing industry standards for safety, interchangeability, reliability and quality
2. Coordinating technical data
3. Promoting safe and responsible firearms use
They have put out information of how to deal with guns that have been exposed to a lot of water. They give good and sound information on how to save your guns:

Guidance on Firearms That Have Been Submerged or Exposed To Extensive Amounts of Water
Natural and man-made disasters may result in firearms being exposed to or completely submerged in rain or flood waters. The questions that arise are how best to preserve recovered firearms from further damage and will the firearm ultimately be safe to use again.
There are two distinct concerns regarding firearms that have been exposed to water: parts susceptible to moisture and rust damage such as metal parts, wood stocks and grips, and optics; and, secondly, infiltration of the action, barrel, and safety systems by grit, silt, and other foreign debris.
Traditionally firearms have incorporated wood stocks, grips, and metal parts that are highly susceptible to damage from short-term exposure or total submersion in water. Many firearms now incorporate corrosion-resistant metals and polymer stocks and frames that are less susceptible to damage from rain or flood waters; however, firearms owners should be aware that these newer materials are still susceptible to and/or will propagate moisture damage unless properly attended to.
When a firearm has been exposed or submerged in water, the first and foremost concern is to limit moisture/corrosion damage to the component parts of the firearm.
• The first order of business is safety: insure the firearm is unloaded and always wear safety glasses when disassembling, assembling or otherwise working on the firearm.
• When at all possible remove the stock or grips from the firearm. Whether wood or synthetic, the stock or grips may trap and hold moisture against corrodible metal parts.
• If possible, disassemble the firearm to the extent described in the user’s manual. If unsure of this operation, enlist the services of knowledgeable persons or a qualified gunsmith.
• Dry the metal, synthetic parts, and optics with available dry towels or cloths.
• Be particularly careful when drying off optics, as grit or silt that has been deposited on the lens may scratch the lens. Any optics should then be removed from the firearm at this point and returned to the manufacturer to insure that the hermetic sealing is intact and the lens coating not damaged.
• Very Important Note! Some moisture-displacing lubricants can cause damage to plastic/synthetic parts, aluminum anodized parts, wood finishes, and painted surfaces. Read the directions on the can and be aware of warnings.
• Flood all the metal parts and inside of the barrel with a moisture-displacing lubricant. Firearm-specific moisture-displacing lubricants such as but not limited to Birchwood-Casey Barricade™ (formerly marketed as Sheath™), Hoppes #9 MDL™ , Mil-Tec 1™, and Brownells LP-2™ are very good and available at many gun shops and sporting goods stores. Products such as WD-40™, Liquid Wrench™, CRC™, Blaster Corrosion Stop™, and similar products will do the job and are widely available at home improvement stores, hardware stores, and automotive supply stores. Boeshield T-9™ is an excellent product having been used by the Coast Guard for many years and available at many gun, sporting goods, bicycle, automotive, hardware, and home improvement stores.
• Work the moisture-displacing lubricant into every nook and cranny possible, as well as down the barrel.
• Using dry clothes or rags wipe off the initial application of moisture-displacing lubricant to remove as much contamination as possible. Reapply a second coat of moisture-displacing lubricant.
• Special attention should be paid to wood stocks and grips. Exposure or submersion in water may also result in damage to the wood finish. Wood stocks and grips in particular will hold moisture against metal parts for a long time and if not removed in a timely manner will greatly increase the probability of corrosion of metal parts they remain in contact with. Wood stocks and grips should be allowed to air-dry and not be force dried by exposure to heat. Allowing the wood to naturally air-dry will greatly aid in preventing the stock or grips from cracking or checking.
The above steps will go a long way toward stabilizing the condition of the firearm and limiting the damage caused by exposure to water.
Once the firearm has been thoroughly dried, consideration must be given to having the firearm
inspected and serviced by either the manufacturer, an authorized service center, or a qualified gunsmith for reasons not limited to the following, prior to being put back into service:
• Exposure to or submersion in flood waters may result in the water depositing silt and other
foreign debris in the action and safety mechanisms, which can impede or even disable their
proper function, or which may lead to an obstruction of the barrel which could result in a
catastrophic failure.
• Exposure or submersion in water may cause wood stocks and grips to swell and in some cases
impede or even disable the mechanical function of the action and/or safety mechanisms.
• The moisture-displacing type products referred to as a class of product in this document are
indicated for the intent and purpose of moisture displacement in the situations related
therein. Some products in this class may not be ideally suited for use in conjunction with a
firearm under normal circumstance. Individual products may have unique characteristics that
result in gelling, coagulation, or become so viscus as to prevent or impede the proper function
of any mechanical system within the firearm. It is therefore imperative that the firearm be
serviced by qualified persons prior to being put back into service.
• Depending upon the time the firearm has been submerged and the extent of exposure to sea
salt and industrial and naturally occurring chemical substances that may be in the water
source, it is impossible to ascertain with certainty the extent of the deteriorating effect, if any,
the water may have had on individual component parts without a compete and thorough
inspection and assessment of each individual firearm by qualified persons.
Failure to follow these recommendations can result in property damage, personal injury and death.

Recovering from a flood and hurricane can be overwhelming. But you should have something you can do to recover those guns that you have worked hard to purchase and maintain. SAAMI gives you that option.

Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn