Free Republic

LOS ANGELES -- Federal officials have warned U.S. Border Patrol agents that they could be the targets of assassins hired by immigrant smugglers, according to a confidential memo obtained by the San Bernardino County Sun newspaper. "Unidentified Mexican alien smugglers are angry about the increased security along the U.S./Mexico border and have agreed that the best way to deal with U.S. Border Patrol agents is to hire a group of contract killers," the Department of Homeland Security said in a Dec. 21 Officer Safety Alert. The alert states that the smugglers intend to bring members of the Mara Salvatrucha street...

TRIBES I’m generally an optimist, and it’s been my pleasure to be able to write mostly about the good and the noble things in our lives. But the events in the Gulf – of Mexico – have brought to a head a summer and a year that has been getting progressively uglier and more painful to watch. Snip Let’s talk about these two Tribes: Pink, the color of bunny ears, and Grey, the color of a mechanical pencil lead. I live in both worlds. In entertainment, everything is Pink, the color of Angelyne’s Stingray – it’s exciting and dynamic and...

<p>WASHINGTON - The nation's gun lobby is close to realizing a long-sought goal of protecting firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held legally responsible for violent crimes committed with their handguns and automatic weapons.</p> <p>Supporters believe they have the votes in the Senate to pass as early as today a bill making it virtually impossible for victims of gun violence to file civil suits against the industry -- a testimony to the political clout of gun manufacturers, which have become increasingly vulnerable to civil lawsuits in the District and several states. Twelve Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.), are joining with the Republicans to support the legislation.</p>

The new series SHOOTOUT! chronicles famous shootouts in history from the perspective of both sides of the fight. The series examines the personalities, the weapons, the firepower, and the leadership needed to defeat the enemy. Using 3D CGI animation sequences, audiences will experience the thick of battle from the points of view of the players themselves.

With a pro-gun House, arguably slightly pro gun Senate, and an emphatically elected, pro-gun President in place with no concerns over another term - now is the time to make the case for nationwide concealed carry. Simple language that mandates any state that issues a permit for CCW, must recognize any other states lawfully issued CCW permit. QED, on the heels of similar, recently passed legislation establishing the right of law enforcement officers to carry weapons concealed in all 50 states. Post your ideas, comments, links and articles on how to get it accomplished here....

UKIAH, California (AP) -- The Coast Guard has recovered the headless body of a diver who was killed by a shark off the Mendocino County coast. Randy Fry, 50, was attacked Sunday afternoon in shallow water near Westport while diving for abalone with a companion. Fry's body was recovered Monday; the companion escaped injury. A friend of Fry's estimated the shark was between 16 to 18 feet long.

Established by the National Rifle Association, NRAsafe.com is a comprehensive database of information on personal preparedness, emergency planning and safety that you won't find anywhere else. The NRA realized that Americans needed a place to find information, products, resources and solutions that take vigilance beyond the rhetoric. By bringing together its vast resources, the best minds, and the most trusted experts, NRAsafe.com is a service the NRA is uniquely able to provide to everyone, whether NRA member or not. NRAsafe.com was designed to help Americans prepare for the escalating number of threats surrounding them, with information that is responsible, reliable,...

Newly elected President Bill Clinton wasted little time in seizing upon “assault weapons” as a political issue. Along with “midnight basketball” and the never-to-be-fulfilled promise of 100,000 new police officers, it quickly became part of an effort to transform concern for public safety into a political issue. Clinton had barely finished moving into the White House when he proclaimed we “can’t be so fixated on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans to legitimately own handguns and rifles.” Then, stringing together several whoppers in a single sentence, he announced, “I don’t believe that everybody in America needs to...

This is the text of an email circulated in a local VA/MD sport shooting newsgroup - I have not confirmed it's authenticity but if true, HD might respond to some Freeping. Is this old/erroneous info? Local VA stores are not posted. Original Message Follows: Dear Home Depot Consumer Affairs, I have just been informed that Home Depot is implementing a ban on all concealed firearms carry within the stores. This is very distressing to me as I carry legally concealed at all times. I am a wife, the mother of three children and a huge believer in my right to...

The Men's Journal "guy movies" thread motivated me to ponder the subject of "gun" movies. Plenty of movies use guns as fashion accessories, or implements of evil, but few portray their use realistically. These movies should be reasonably accurate in their treatment of firearms use, display good gun handling skills, accurate equipment, and certainly be entertaining and engaging, with firearms and their use a central theme. My top 10: 1. HEAT (M.Mann) 2. WAY OF THE GUN 3. UNFORGIVEN 4. BLACKHAWK DOWN 5. MAGNUM FORCE (Dirty Harry 2) 6. THE PROFESSIONAL 7. QUIGLEY, DOWN UNDER 8. SAVING PRIVATE RYAN 9....

There is a big debate among shooters about which is better, IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) or IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation). Actually it's a stupid question with a simple answer; Neither is better! Comparing these two formats is like comparing Chevrolet and Pontiac or Ford and Mercury. They are closely related, and the one that is "Better" is simply the one that you prefer. The formats of the two are certainly different, and the equipment is certainly different, but they both have the goal of improving your shooting skills in a safe, competetive, enjoyable, environment. I shoot both IPSC...

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 — In the great SUV debate, I’m finally convinced. Put me in the pro-SUV camp. And I don’t even own one. For America, SUVs are a good thing. And drivers of sport utility vehicles are America’s newest heroes. The big snowstorm provided all the evidence I needed.

"There is no question in the universe that can be answered with more guns," said Kathy Patterson (D-Ward 3), head of the D.C. Council's Committee on the Judiciary. "The District of Columbia is clear on this: We oppose guns."

OK, so what are Freepers reading these days? I've often presumed magazine subscriptions did a decent job of reflecting an individuals interests and politics..... should be interesting to note any recurring pubs....one might also learn something about what sort of print media remains popular. List only those publications that are mailed to your home or to you personally at work. Picking it up in line at the grocery store doesn't count!

The nation's first state law requiring all new handguns to be outfitted with built-in trigger locks will take effect in Maryland tomorrow, a measure gun control advocates predict will save lives but one that has gun dealers fearing for their livelihoods.

Gov. Mark R. Warner has decided to allow concealed weapons in state parks. The governor followed the advice of Attorney General Jerry Kilgore and overturned a decades-old regulation that banned gun owners with permits from carrying concealed handguns in state parks.

Though the city keeps no statistics on the number of women here who own guns, anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that they are arming themselves like never before - taking classes at shooting ranges, organizing weapons seminars and applying for permits to carry pistols and rifles "I truly believe that we all need a piece of our lives back," she said. "This gives me back power." Rest of Article..

This is the summary of an operations update circulating around DOD, source is N/A but it's a good read... Let the message go forth to the Al Qaeda, other terrorists, and those who want to back them anywhere on the globe. Think you're tough? You want to kill our families, blow up civilians? Stand by! We are sending our very best to hunt you down and take you out. Army Special Forces, SEALs, USAF PJ's and CCTs, UK SAS and SBS, Australian SAS, New Zealand SAS, German KSK, US and Royal Marines, Canadian and American Infantry- These are the guys...

A recent thread conversation with RightWing2 got me to thinking; how does the US Army compare with the rest of the worlds military forces? So I looked it up, and here you go: The Chinese have 2 Million active, with about 7000 tanks. The Indian army has about 980,000 active, with 3500 tanks. The North Koreans supposedly have 950,000 in uniform, with 3100 tanks. The South Koreans, not to be outdone, have 560,000 in uniform, with 2100 tanks. Pakistan has 520,000 active, with 2220 tanks. The US has 480,000 active, with 7500 tanks. The Russian Federation has 350,000 active, with...

Did anybody else notice Sarah, now in the Rotu tribe, SLEEPING on a US Flag, and using it for a blanket? I haven't seen this posted anywhere, but it seems like a glaring case of a complete lack of respect for the US Flag. I don't blame Sarah, I doubt given her background that she knew you can't use an American Flag for a sleeping bag, but the PRODUCERS let this get on the air?She was curled up in it to keep the bugs off, and then there were several shots of her laying on it, eating and talking to...