Training returns to WAC Shows!

This coming weekend, NRA Home Firearms Safety Classes return to the Washington Arms Collectors gunshows.

These had ceased due to the fallout of I594, about which I had a thing or two to say.  Current interpretation is that, as long the firearm does not leave the training venue, a "transfer" has not taken place, so it has been decided to start classes again.

• Date: Sunday, February 11^th
• Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
• Location: Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe, WA, in the "Log Cabin".
• Cost: 
• Admission to WAC Gunshows is free for WAC members
• $10.00 for non-members. (Refundable if you join at the show.)
• Target audience: 
• Those wishing to learn, or review the basics of safe gun handling. 
• No minimum or maximum age, but the "final exam" involves safely demonstrating "unloading and showing clear", so if the student does not have the strength and dexterity to do so, no certificate will be issued.

WAC's Event Rules are at the link.

Current plan is to have at least one HFS class a quarter; we'll probably start doing Refuse To Be A Victim classes, too.

TriggrCon, Media/Industry day.

When we last we saw our intrepid blogger, he was stuck in traffic, heading home from Triggrcon Range Day.

In case you hadn't heard, the Seattle-Tacoma area has nasty traffic these days. Besides, all that free ammo can really take it out of a guy, you feel an obligation to not let it go to waste.

So, first things first: Today and tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday July 29th and 30th, TriggrCon is open to the public for "Enthusiast Days." Go to the website to register, for free.

Up front, I did confirm that the last pistol caliber carbine and sub machine gun I fired at Range Day was by Battle Arms Development, and made that correction in my previous post.

The show itself is being held at the Greater Tacoma Conference Center.

Which bans guns and knives on site, and has security pawing through your bags and checking you with a hand wand.

It was hardly a TSA-level search, and I suspect I could have gotten a pocket pistol in, in my bag, but it's still annoying that they couldn't find a venue that either had more reasonable policies, or was willing to make an exception.

Especially since you walk in and turn left, and Freedom Munitions was selling ammo by the case, and knives, and if you turn right the Triggrcon Proshop is selling guns.

While wandering over to the Proshop I stopped at the Sig Sauer station -- they have a trailer set up as a traveling display, I've sen it elsewhere -- and confirmed that Sig does have plans for a .22LR P320, it's just that no one knows when...

But first... Before you got to the security station, there were several tables set up out front, mostly of local operations.

Mostly... The first stop I made was at the booth/table/display for PHLster Holsters. I've been admiring their Flat Pack Tourniquet "device"
(Another pic-heavy post, after the break...)

Triggrcon, Range Day

TriggrCon is the Northwest Shooting Sports Expo, which has been described as a "Mini-SHOT Show."

Well, I have a had time making it to Vegas for SHOT Show, but I can sure make it to Tacoma for this...

Signing up for tickets for Mrs. Drang and I for the "Enthusiast Days", I went ahead and applied for a Media Pass, because, hey, New Media and all that. I wasn't sure I'd get it, but what the heck...?

Sometimes I feel like the guy that does the police blotter for the Resume Speed Shopping News and gets invited to a press conference with the Times and stuff.

Anyway. Thursday was Range Day. The invite said it was at an "undisclosed location" which changed "at the last minute." I dunno about that. From the route the bus driver was taking I was pretty sure I knew where we were going, especially when someone said "I heard we were going to a sheriff's range."

Yep.

So here's the layout:

It's a pretty good set up. We were last there probably10 years ago (!) or more, for a muzzleloader shoot, when the range complex was pretty new, and still mostly bare dirt and rock. The best part is that it is far enough out in unincorporated King County that development stops before it gets this far, and the commute is too much for anyone.

Also, it shares the grounds with the before-mentioned King County Sheriff's Office range, as well as the Seattle Skeet & Trap/Boeing Employee's Shotgun Club range. (A friend of mine who worked on building the new range complex told me that, one night during the construction work, they came out of the club house after  meeting and witnessed a cougar taking down an elk. It's waaaaay out there...)

Anyway. A close up of who was at the range:

Click to enlarge.

Mostly pictures after the break:

GOAL Post 2017-12

OK, so I'm several days late on this one. I'm still island time, so sue me. Like I've said before, if you live in WA (or, arguably, OR or ID) you can and should subscribe yourself...)(Institutions are at the end.)

Note that all five surviving-and-likely-to-pass bills were sponsored by Democrats. Constitutional rights should not be a partisan cause. 

As I understand it, one of the provisions of SB5552 will remove one of the most severe restictions in I594, by exempting loan of a gun at -- and only at -- a range. 

***

From: Joe Waldron, GOAL WA (goalwa@cox.net)

To: undisclosed recipients

Sent: Fri 3/24/2017 4:04 PM

Subject: GOAL Post 2017-12

Legislative Update from Olympia 24 March 2017

BILLS MOVE

MORE CUT-OFFS LOOM

There’s been a little motion on our five bills of interest after a week of public hearings.  HB 1100 passed out of Senate Law & Justice to Senate Ways & Means.  HB 1612 passed out of Senate Human Services to Senate Ways & Means.  Both of these will have to clear that fiscal committee before moving on.  

Senate Bill 5268 passed out of House Judiciary to House Appropriations, more fiscal action. SB 5552 still sits in House Rules awaiting a floor vote (not likely until next month).  A public hearing was held on HB 1501, so we can expect it to be subjected to a Senate Law & Justice committee vote next week.

The second chamber (House bills in Senate, etc) policy committee cut-off is next Wednesday, 29 March.  We’re past that with the five bills we’re following.  The fiscal committee cut-off is the following Tuesday, 4 April.  HBs 1100, 1612 and SB 5268 are awaiting that hurdle.

BILL NUMBER	BILL SUBJECT	SPONSOR	STATUS	GOAL POSITION:
SHB 1100	CPL renewal notice	Blake (D-19)	S. W&M	SUPPORT
HB 1501	Illegal purchase of firearms	Hansen (D-23)	S. L&J	SUPPORT
2SHB 1612	Suicide prevention	Orwall (D-33)	S. W&M	SUPPORT
SB 5268	CPL renewal notice	Takko (D-19)	H. Aprop	SUPPORT
SB 5552	Certain exemptions to I-594	Pedersen (D-43)	H. Rules	SUPPORT

L&J = Law & Justice, Jud = Judiciary, HumSer = Human Services,  Aprop = Appropriations, Fin = Finance, W&M = Ways & Means  “S” before a bill number indicates Substitute (amended).

PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED:  None

LEGISLATIVE HOT LINE:  You may reach your Representatives and Senator by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000.  Toll free!!!  The hearing impaired may obtain TDD access at 1-800-635-9993.  Also toll free!!!

1-800-562-6000   TDD 1-800-635-9993

OTHER DATA:  Copies of pending legislation (bills), legislative schedules and other information are available on the legislature's web site at "www.leg.wa.gov".  Bills are available in Acrobat (.pdf) format.  You may download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe's web site (http://www.adobe.com).  You may also obtain hard copy bills, initiatives, etc, in the mail from the Legislative Bill Room FREE OF CHARGE by calling 1-360-786-7573.  Copies of bills may also be ordered toll free by calling the Legislative Hotline at (800) 562-6000.  You may also hear floor and committee hearing action live at http://www.tvw.org/ (you need "RealAudio" to do this, available free at the TVW web site).  Each bill’s web page contains a link to any public hearing at the bottom of the page.

By reading the House and Senate "bill reports" (hbr, sbr) for each bill, you can see how individual committee members voted.  By reading the "roll call" for each bill, you can see how the entire House or Senate voted on any bill.  The beauty of the web site is that ALL this information is available, on line, to any citizen.

GET THE WORD OUT:  If you want to subscribe to the GOAL Post by e-mail, send a message to "jwaldron@halcyon.com".  Please pass GOAL Post on to anyone you believe may have an interest in protecting our rights.  Better yet, make a couple of copies of this message, post it on your gun club’s bulletin board, and leave copies with your local gun shop(s).  PERMISSION IS HEREBY GRANTED TO DUPLICATE OR REDISTRIBUTE GOAL POST PROVIDED IT IS REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT TEXTUAL MODIFICATION AND CREDIT IS GIVEN TO GOAL. I can be reached at "jwaldron@halcyon.com" or by telephone at (425) 985-4867.  Unfortunately, I am unable to mail hard copy GOAL Post to individuals.  Limited numbers of hard copies MAY be available at the Second Amendment Foundation book table at WAC gun shows.

If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, please e-mail me at "jwaldron@halcyon.com" with the words "Unsubscribe GOAL Post" in the subject line.  I will remove your name immediately.  Keep in mind GOAL Post is also published on several gun lists.  If you received GP via a list, you must contact that list's admin to unsubscribe.

Upcoming WAC gun show(s):

• Puyallup          25-26 March
• Puyallup          29-30 April

"The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men."

Article 1, Section 24

Constitution of the State of Washington

Copyright 2017 Gun Owners Action League of WA

GOAL Post 2017-4

Just say "No" to gun grabbers! It's getting pretty fascist down there in Oly...

And, yes, I forgot to fill in the title before posting, that's why the URL looks weird. 

***

From: GOAL WA goalwa@cox.net {Joe Waldron}

To: undisclosed-recipients:

Sent: Sun 1/29/2017 5:24 PM

Subject: GOAL Post 2017-4

Legislative Update from Olympia 27 January 2017

• BEWARE HB 1384/SB 5256
• HB 1100 PASSES OUT OF COMMITTEE
• SEVERAL NEW GUN BILLS FILED
• SEVERAL PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED
• GOAL POST BACK TO NORMAL DISTRIBUTION

While I was working the annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trades (SHOT) show in Las Vegas last week, then on my way to Jacksonville, FL, for the annual meeting of the Florida Sport Shooting Association, they slipped one in on us.  HB 1384, by Rep. Roger Goodman D-45) and SB 5256, by Sen. Joe Fain (R-47) carry the innocuous-sounding title “Sexual Force Restraining Order.”  The law – and the order – already exist.  What this bill does is allow extension of a maximum two year restraining order to a LIFETIME ORDER.  In effect, this becomes a lifetime ban on the possession of firearms for anyone subject to such an order.  In no way do we condone sexual force or violence, but we also recognize that such orders are frequently based on “he said, she said” so-called “evidence” and are frequently used to punish a partner in a divorce or separation proceeding. 

HB 1100, mandating mailing of a renewal notice for CPLs, passed out of House Judiciary and sits in House Rules awaiting a pull to the floor. 

HB 1384 was heard in House Judiciary last week, and is slated for a vote out of committee this coming Thursday.  No action is slated in the Senate at this time.  I urge you to contact your Representatives to warn them of the severe impact of the bills and ask them to note “no” if they have the opportunity.

More new gun bills filed.  HB 1529 by Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-32) would limit law enforcement (and those citizens aiding law enforcement) use of force.  HB 1725, by Rep. John Koster (R-44), exempts CPL holders from the background check requirements of I-594.HB 1739, by Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27) allows certain exemptions to the firearms background check in certain cases, such as for pyrotechnic devices (flare guns), some loans, transfer within the family, etc.

SB 5441, by Sen. Patty Kuderer (D-48) would place a six-month freeze on firearm possession for anyone detained for temporarily a period of mental health evaluation, even if no cause was found for the detention.  SB 5444, by Sen. David Frockt (D-46) is the Senate counterpart to HB 1387, mandating registration and licensing for “assault weapon:” and “large capacity magazine” possession.  SB 5363, by Sen. Guy Palumbo (D-1) is the counterpart to HB 1122, mandating “safe” storage of firearms, under potential felony penalty.  This is basically the same bill they have been trying to pass since 1997.  Finally, SB 5506, by Sen. Han\s Zeiger (R-25) would allow transfers of firearms at non-profit events such as Ducks Unlimited or Friends of NRA gatherings.  SB 5552, by Sen. Jaime Pedersen (D-43), is the counterpart to HB 1731 that makes certain exemptions to I-594.   SB 5553, By Sen. Jaime Pedersen (D-43) allows a suicidal person to waive his or her right to possess a firearm for a minimum period of seven days.  The waiver is voluntary, as is lifting the waiver.  .

A dozen or so public hearings are scheduled next week.  See schedule below.  Note multiple bills of interest may be heard at one hearing.  There’s a schedule conflict in the Senate.  See note below.

Just FYI, my temporary travels are over – at least until the NRA convention at the end of April, by which time the regular session will be over.  Let’s not talk about special sessions… yet.  GP 2017-5 should come out next Friday evening.

{List of bills, and schedule of hearings, after the jump...}

HR2246 and S1351, Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act

While writing the previous post, I also saw these;

• H.R. 2246: Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act Introduced Jun 01, 2015
• S. 1351: Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act Introduced May 14, 2015

Official Summary

Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act Amends the federal criminal code to:
(1) allow licensed firearms importers, manufacturers, dealers, or collectors (licensees) to sell or deliver any firearm (currently, rifles or shotguns) to a resident of a state other than the state in which the licensee is located or temporarily located if the licensee meets with the purchaser to complete the sale or delivery and the transaction complies with the laws of the state in which the transfer is conducted and the purchaser's state of residence; and
(2) eliminate the requirement that a licensee must conduct business at a gun show only in the state that is specified on the licensee's license. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the sale or other disposition of a firearm or ammunition:
(1) between licensed firearms dealers at any location in any state; or
(2) by a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to an unlicensed person at a temporary location in any state. Amends definitions for federal firearms provisions to:
(1) revise the definition of a \"member of the Armed Forces on active duty\" to include a member (or member's spouse) who is a resident of the state in which such person maintains legal residence or in which the member maintains a place of abode from which the member commutes each day to the permanent duty station; and
(2) provide that an officer or employee of the United States (other than a member of the Armed Forces) stationed outside the United States for a period exceeding one year, or a spouse residing with such an officer or employee, is a resident of the state in which the person maintains legal residence.

The Official Summary is the same for both; typography is also the same. (I think there should be a couple of line breaks in there, that are missing.)

If I read this correctly, if you can pass a NICS check, then you'd be able to buy a gun in any state you visit.

I don't know how they'd handle the fact that some states have "rosters" of guns that are legal in said states.

If this passes, I predict that the Cabela's in Reno, Vegas, and Tucson* will be doing great business with Californians.

However, since the House bill has only 5 co-sponsors, and the Senate bill has none, I'm not holding my breath. Not this year, anyway.

*And maybe Springfield, OR, although that's a bit far north.

Fun Show today

Insert Fun Show song here.

I'll try live-blogging it, text only, no photos allowed in the show.

We'll see if the observed trend of supplies loosening up, and prices starting to drift downward, continues.

950 AM: ARs & AR components are more available.
Lots more empty floor space than usual; vendors dropping out due to lack of wares?

ADDED:  AR lowers were as low as $130, at one local dealer.  Complete lowers were running as high as $400.   An upper with barrel no bolt or bolt carrier was $400, complete uppers were on up to $1k.

1040: Sad that $700 seems like a good deal on an M1 Carbine.

Dude has a Dreyse! Among other somewhat (to me) esoterica.

ADDED:  Vendor with the Dreyse was a Sikh selling some very nice knives, as well as some shawls that I fully expected Mrs. Drang to buy one of.  

11:43
I've finally seen a Keltec KSG in the wild! $2100.00! Which, IIRC, is not quit a 400% markup over MSRP...

ADDED:  Keltec website now shows MSRP of KSG to be "~@1197.00"; IIRC, it was originally supposed to be something like $800.00.

Same table was selling AR15 bolts for $100.00.

Home again, home again...

Mrs. Drang tells me she saw one vendor  with a sign on his table proclaiming that he takes Paypal.  Not sure how that would work at the show.  

Left about noon, the expected Sunday apres church crowd had not yet begun to arrive.  

When we arrived there was no one in line for membership.
New Banterwear t-shirt I liked.  John also has "Guns and coffee" t-shirts in something besides tactical black and tactical tan, making Mrs. Drang happy.

Liveblogging the Fun Show (FINALER)

Show's in the Pavilion this month, not the usual venue, which means two floors with a "challenging" floor plan, plus overflow in the exhibit space under the grandstands.
{Added for the benefit of those not familiar with these shows:  The Washington ArmsCollectors generally put on two shows a month, one at the Western Washington Fairgrounds in Puyallup, th other at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds in Monroe; a couple of times a year one or the other will be pre-empted by other. larger events at the venue.  The Puyallup show is usually bigger.}

Dude from last month still wants $stupid for his Lorcin.  Beat out by the guy asking $1250 for a complete AR15 lower.

Prize for best sense of humor: Table asking $100 for a Twinkee sealed in a Pelican case.

*

Valkyrie Arms (link coming) of Olympia is selling reproduction De Lisle carbines (link coming)! (Wikipedia page.)
$2000 suppressed, $1700 w/dummy suppressor, at the show.  (Cost at your Friendly Local Merchant of Death may vary...)
That trips my gun-geek-o-meter on sooooo many levels...

*

So, ammo is back in supply, but you have to price-compare carefully, and you'd best be prepared to buy in bulk if you want decent prices.

*

PMags running $35-40, mostly.  GI AR mags running $20-30, depending on new or used.

*

To my last point: As Tamara has noted that less common calibers may be less dear. Never thought I'd be wishing I'd bought a 5.45 or 5.7 upper for the AR.  (Actually, not sure 5.7mm FN ammo is all that cheap even in bulk.)

And the Build Mrs Drang An AR Project may be on indefinite hold, but, Evil Black Rifles are showing back up, as are components; they all tend to be pretty expensive, as well. Shop carefully.

*

UPDATE, again, because I'm a total doofus, and forgot:
1) Mrs. Drang tells me that at least one local media outlet had a blurb on Saturday night about how busy the show was, and how all sales were being conducted in accordance with law.  "Unfortunately, we have no video, because cameras are not allowed inside of the show, and we either didn't know that because due diligence, what's that? or we expected them to make an exception for us, and they wouldn't."  Okay, i made that quote up[, but it's the gist.
2) A dealer for Coonan Arms -- the folks who made the .357 magnum 1911s -- were selling a kit that must have been made with a certain town over on The Peninsula in mind: A wooden stake with storage inside for 6 silver plated rounds of .357 Magnum!