The governor and his guns

Las Vegas Review-Journal ^ | 17 apr 08

[rellimpank]

Controversy over his concealed carry permit

Gov. Jim Gibbons' 10-year-old permit to carry a concealed firearm has been in the news, of late.

The governor temporarily surrendered his permit after it was found he hadn't re-qualified with each of the nine handguns listed on his permit, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported earlier this month.

The Washoe County sheriff's office renewed the governor's permit in December, after Gov. Gibbons and a certified firearms instructor signed an application reporting he'd demonstrated competence with each of the nine weapons he's licensed to carry, the paper reported.

But the governor carried only seven guns to the range. He promised the instructor he'd come back with the remaining two weapons within a few days, but said he "got busy" and didn't return to be tested after receiving his renewed permit.

[Myrddin]

Sidebar: In Idaho you never actually have to even fire a weapon...ever...to qualify for a CCW permit :).

Yes. Further, you don't have to disclose what you plan to carry either. You can pick the firearm that is suitable to your seasonal clothing. A big winter coat leaves a lot more freedom of choice than a T shirt and shorts in the summer.

[Myrddin]

Loading and manipulating a semiauto is considerably more complex than doing the same with a revolver. I’ve seen folks who were OK with a revolver, but were dangerous klutzes with a semiauto in their hands.

Aside from the problem of "limp wristing" a semi-auto, the semi-auto is easier to load. Especially for a reload. Unless your revolver support moon clips for quick eject/load, you can do it much faster with an semi-auto magazine. Frankly, it's BS.

[Domandred]

A big winter coat leaves a lot more freedom of choice than a T shirt and shorts in the summer.

Yep. I dislike summer because I end up carrying my .380 Kel-Tec IWB instead my CZ P01 OWB.

I carry my P01 right up till the minute people start looking at me funny for still wearing my fleece vest.

My wife still isn't comfortable with me open carrying...if she was then it wouldn't be an issue.

[The KG9 Kid]

Yes, I am in favor of hair-splitting court cases brought by anti-gunners. Curses, foiled again.

[TXnMA]

Personally, I prefer Mas Ayoob's Lethal Force Institute.

The MA permit requires no demonstration of proficiency. The incident that changed my mind about the need for qualification was when a nerdy (MA permit-holding) neighbor up the street pulled a PPKS out of his pocket -- and it had no grips (only tape wrapped around it). He said that made it easier to conceal...

When I asked him if he had shot it like that, he said, "No, I've never shot a gun at all..."

Now, that is scary!

So, I took him out back to the range, gave him a lesson on safe handling, handed him my HK4 (with .380 barrel installed) and showed him how to shoot it. On his first shot, he nearly lost it out of his hand!

When I suggested he try his PPKS, he said, "I think I'll go home and put the plastic things on it first..." ;-}

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OK, I'll admit I sandbagged the guy: the HK4 is about 1/2 the weight of the stainless PPKS -- and the first round was one of my hot combat loads... '-)

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View qual requirements anyway you like -- letting doofuses run around with pieces they've never run one (much less several hundred) round[s] through is definitely a dangerous (and, IMHO, bad) idea!!!

[TXnMA]

See #25...

[Myrddin]

I imagine there are many dips like that. When I had access to the indoor range in San Diego, I shot a minimum of 400 rounds a week with my 686+. The CA CCW shooting qualifications are pretty simple. I could do that anytime. Getting the elitist sheriff to issue the CCW is a different matter entirely. Now that I'm in Idaho, my range is outdoors. I'm constrained by weather and well as free time. Even so, I took the 1911 out of the safe after not firing it for almost 5 years. I have a 10" steel spinner with a 2" trap door in the center. I placed it at 25 yards. 6 of 9 shots went through the trap door. The other 3 hit within 1/2" of the trap door opening.

If that kind of spinner is interesting to you, they are sold by Douglas Precision (Utah). They are available in different thickness for different uses. I have the 3/4" version for plinking with the 30-06 at 100 yards. The centerfire handgun version is 3/8" thick.

[Leisler]

Stupidity is a constant. And, the state give drivers licenses to everyone, so anyone who accepts that the state is qualified to qualify is in serious reality conflict.

I'll take idiots and felons with firearms over the state.

Idiots and felons kill retail, the state wholesale. I have the numbers by factors on my side.

[TXnMA]

Thanks for the tip on the spinner targets! Since I'm teaching my grandkids how to shoot the .22, I think I'll order one of these for "fun time" when we're not working on group size...

Speaking of targets, here's a way to get in some FReeper activism and help out your shooting, too:

Most of our local politicians use nice, plastic corrugated-core signs with sturdy steel wire frames when they are campaigning. I volunteer to help our conservative candidates by offering to pick up their signs when the election is over. Those old campaign signs make great paper target stands!! '-)

[wastedyears]

You need to qualify with each firearm in Nevada?

[Shooter 2.5]

This has been the best targets and holders I have ever found. They are cheap, easy to transport and the targets are dirt cheap. The stands are nothing more than garden fence posts. I bought a pack of six for nine dollars when they were on sale. The stryrofoam picnic plates are in a package of twenty. The plates are the size of the A zone on IDPA targets.

[Myrddin]

My principal reason for having these spinners is the very windy environment in southeast Idaho. I put up conventional paper targets on the rare occasion when the wind is calm. Otherwise, the steel spinners are just fine for recreational plinking and stable even in a high wind. The very light .22 spinners are also suitable for 17M2. The 3/8" targets are fine for most centerfire handguns. The rifle targets are meant for 100 yard distances and are available in 1/2" and 3/4". The trap door style isn't always on the website. Send an e-mail to get information if that style strikes your fancy.

I like the political sign suggestion. I have an old Bush/Cheney sign on just that style of supports. I'm not planning to shoot that one.

[absolootezer0]

ever heard of jerry miculek?
it just takes practice. besides, what’s the point of shooting fast if you’re going to miss?

[Myrddin]

Miculek is incredible. He doesn't shoot a stock revolver to accomplish those incredible reload speeds. The grips and cylinder release are custom. The charge holes in the cylinder are beveled near the case head. Finally, the 45Auto ammo is all on moon clips to facilitate the quick eject and reload. Miculek is both fast and accurate. Practice? I suspect he's burned through over 100,000 rounds to develop that level of skill. You have to want that level of skill very much...especially at current ammo prices.

[absolootezer0]

remember, miculek still hasn’t beaten mcgivern’s record :)

i’d bet that 100,000 is prolly closer to a per year number for him tho. i’ve only been shooting for 8 years and i’ve got to be getting close to it, if i haven’t already passed it with centerfire (i’m not even gonna consider rimfire). went thru nearly 4,000 rounds just of .44mag last year.