American Gun: Diversity of Owner, Commonality of Culture Home American Gun: Diversity of Owner, Commonality of Culture December 30, 2021 As 2021 draws to a close, we’re taking a look back at the American Gun video series that we started in July. Each month we’ve added a new video, each featuring an American gun owner. We spoke with individuals from all walks of life with a wide array of reasons for firearm ownership. Each of them is different to a varying degree, as are the firearms they own and sometimes carry. But there are many commonalities as well. The SilencerCo American Gun series illustrates and celebrates the commonality and that great diversity. It’s an intimate look at the foundation of American Freedom and those who support the Second Amendment—with a focus on the right to bear arms and a view of the vast range of people who choose to do […]
Written by 
Click here to urge your State Senator to support HB 307 and put a stop to illegal, local gun control. A few weeks ago, we reported that the Senate Judiciary Committee was set to consider HB 307, which will add much-needed enforcement penalties to New Hampshire’s longstanding firearms pre-emption law. The committee met on December 14 and voted HB 307 “ought to pass” with an amendment. I have reviewed the committee amendment with the prime sponsor, Rep. Norm Silber — as well as, with Michael Hammond, GOA’s Legislative Counsel. Both feel that the amendment does not change the intent or the effect of HB 307 — which is to stop local officials from enacting gun control. Gun owners are entitled to a clear and consistent set of state-wide laws. The Senate is expected to meet in session on Wednesday, January 5, and they will likely consider HB 307. Please […]
Under the history and tradition of the Second Amendment, non-violent felons should not lose their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. PHILADELPHIA (December 28, 2021) — The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced the filing of an important brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in the case of Bryan Range v. Att’y General of the U.S., a case challenging the government’s lifetime ban on firearms possession as applied to a person who was convicted of a non-violent misdemeanor. FPC’s brief, joined by FPC Action Foundation (formerly named Firearms Policy Foundation), can be found at FPCLaw.org. FPC News Firearms Policy Coalition
Pennsylvania 2021 Recap Top 5 Gun Rights Successes As 2021 draws to a close, I want to personally thank you for making the past 12 months an outstanding success for Pennsylvania GOA. Although there have been many successes in 2021, here are the ones that make the “Top 5” list. PA GOA Director, Dr. Val Finnell 1. Constitutional Carry Passes Then Vetoed by Governor Wolf — GOA members and supporters achieved a historic milestone by getting Constitutional Carry passed in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Two bills were filed this year, one in the House and the other in the Senate. After Republican leadership stalled the House bill, GOA’s grassroots activists teamed up with other like-ded groups to do some door-knocking in the House Majority Leader, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s district, to let his constituents know that stalling Constitutional Carry wasn’t acceptable. Then they pushed hard to get the Senate bill moving, […]
Rock Island Auction Company has played host to some of the most beautiful guns of all time. As the world’s number one firearms auction house, encountering gorgeous guns comes with the territory, and getting to handle these fantastic firearms is an absolute joy. Michigan Sheriff Frank Schram’s Colt First Issue Detective Special is the finest looking example of its genre. Choosing the “best” in any category is subjective to say the least, especially when the best looking guns available are a mainstay at Rock Island Auction, and it’s not uncommon for the description team to exae hundreds of guns a day. But every once in a while a standout emerges that catches the eye of even the most seasoned firearms expert. With its sleek frame and space-age aesthetic, the Whitney Wolverine is a perennial hit with the RIAC staff and clientele. So what are some of the best looking guns […]
Overall, loading and shooting a muzzleloader is not particularly complicated once you know the basics, but you must understand them and take them seriously to be safe. Below you will find information on how to load a traditional percussion muzzleloading firearm and the equipment required to do so. If possible, I highly advise you to find an experienced shooter familiar with muzzleloading to walk you through the process and teach you the ropes, but this will get you on the right track. The author shoots an antique muzzleloading rifle. Safety First Throughout the entire process of handling, loading, and shooting any firearm, make sure to follow all of the standard rules of firearms safety. You are responsible for the safety of yourself and everyone and everything around you. With muzzleloaders in particular, you need to pay attention to what you are doing and make sure you keep your muzzle pointed […]
GOA Members Help Rack up Tremendous Victories in 2021 Pictured here with GOA’s Erich Pratt is Texas Rep. Chip Roy (left) who exposed many fellow Republicans this year, after they voted for Red Flag gun confiscation language that had been inserted into a military defense authorization bill. GOA Exposes and Defeats Gun Confiscation in Congress In September, GOA discovered a hidden “red flag” provision that was buried deep within a 1,500+ page, must-pass spending bill. GOA alerted pro-gun members of Congress to the gun confiscation language that had been snuck into the bill—and we alerted the grassroots, as well. Sadly, more than a hundred Republicans still voted for the anti-gun bill. And this prompted grassroots gun owners to bombard the wayward congressmen, spurring a quick about-face one week later. In a letter made public, 163 Republicans announced their opposition to the red flags proviso, for which many of them had […]
Samuel Colt, Eli Whitney, John Garand, and Eugene Stoner: these men are part of the pantheon of notable firearm designers. They do not sit alone atop this figurative Olympus, as there have been important designers from many countries and ages. To this author at least, there is one man seated amongst them who should be seen as the Zeus of this group. This man is none other than John Moses Browning. Browning’s early Colt semi-autos are some of the most popular guns offered at Rock Island Auction Company. Browning’s designs revolutionized the science of the firearm, and his work influenced designs both civilian and martial. Spanning several decades, manufacturers, and even continents, John Browning’s genius can still be seen today in the likes of the Colt 1911 and the Winchester 1894. While I would love to wax poetic about the man himself, that is not the intention of this article. […]
Townsend Whelen loved the outdoors and lived guns. An avid outdoorsman, marksman, hunter, soldier, and author, Whelen wrote for numerous sporting magazines and penned several books on topics ranging from gunsmithing to rifle scopes to big game hunting, shooting, and weapon cleaning. A career U.S. Army officer, he served as the commander of the Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia before retiring as a full colonel after 34 years of active duty. He was 84 when he died in 1961. Townsend Whelen in his element. These are his thoughts on whether or not to hire an outfitter for a hunting expedition that would provide cooks, guides, necessary equipment, and sleeping accommodations: “The western dude, or the eastern sport, who starts under these present comparatively luxurious conditions does not long remain a tenderfoot,” Whelen wrote in `On Your Own in the Wilderness,’ published in 1958. “Either he quits the game when he has […]
The following was written in response to an op-ed media request. As it was not published, GOC decided to post it here. Governor Newsom has some Texas-sized anger and he’s taking a swipe at gun manufacturers in the process. His response to the Supreme Court ruling that allows a Texas abortion law to stand while legal challenges continue, is to push California legislation that would open the door to lawsuits against manufacturers or sellers of assault weapons and ghost guns parts. Yes, much has been written about Newsom’s most recent aim at assault weapons, when he tweeted “If [Texas] can ban abortion and endanger lives, [California] can ban deadly weapons of war and save lives.” That said, GOC certainly isn’t going to give him a pass on such an outrageous threat. Newsom also said, “If the most efficient way to keep these devastating weapons off our streets is to add […]
Introducing: The New Harvester Evo! December 14, 2021 SilencerCo Blog Today SilencerCo is releasing its newest and most practical-use silencer — The Harvester EVO. This reasonably priced, lightweight, and tough suppressor is ideal for hunters, precision shooters, and everyday shooters. This new suppressor is designed for hunters and precision shooters. As the successor to SilencerCo’s Harvester 300, it is enhanced to include a few key features and is currently available at SilencerCo Retailers. Specifications Rated for calibers ranging from .223REM/5.56NATO to .300 WIN Tubeless and extremely lightweight design Weighs 10.8 ounces Measures 6.24” in length Constructed with cobalt-6, inconel and 17-4 heat treated stainless steel materials Compatible with Bravo Mounting Accessories Ships with both a Bravo ½ x 28 and Bravo ⅝ x 24 Direct Th Mount MSRP of $680Har Accommodating calibers ranging from .223 REM to .300 WIN, this is the ideal suppressor for .30 caliber bolt guns and […]
As I am sure you have heard, there is a slew of anti-gun legislation that could be voted on as early as Monday. These very tyrannical proposals include the following: A.1280/S.103 will create an outright ban on firearms of .50 Caliber and greater. A.1292/S.1481 requires dealers to create an electronic record-keeping system for ammunition sales. This will drive up costs and create a database of gun owners. A.3686/S.372 requires new residents to obtain a firearm purchaser ID card and register all firearms brought into the state. Make no mistake, registration will lead to confiscation. A.5030/S.2169 requires anyone applying for a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card to take a government approved class. The bill will also make the cards expire in 4 years — a reduction from the current card that is good for life. A.5647/S.3757 requires you to lock up your gun. This will make self-defense much more difficult. A.5787/S.3826 requires newly-manufactured semi-automatic handguns to “micro-stamp” fired […]
The following is a tale of bureaucracy, red tape, governmental neglect, misappropriated funds, and a mixture of incompetence and/or apathy. Unfortunately, it is the chronicling of my now 20 months’ worth (and counting) of attempts to legally exercise my Second Amendment rights and remain a legal gun owner in the state of Illinois. Bear with me, dear er. Part of this will like a bad customer service story, and the other part will hopefully highlight how broken the FOID system is in Illinois. For those not familiar with Illinois’ environment toward firearms, “To legally possess firearms or ammunition, Illinois residents must have a Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card, which is issued by the Illinois State Police to any qualified applicant.” In fact, to even handle a firearm at most LGS or gun shows, sellers will first ask to see your FOID card. To transport a firearm, you need to […]
“If all our tables were placed end to end, they would stretch 5.7 miles,” says the website for the Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show, the largest gun show in the world. 5.7 miles. A lot of folks out there commute a comparable distance to work every day, if that helps put into perspective just how expansive the Tulsa Arms Show is. The view of the Tulsa Expo Square bottom floor. This is only about half of the space utilized for vendors. Another thing to consider is that the stated 5.7 miles mainly consists of firearms, swords, knives, ammo, gear, and everything in between. The sheer inventory contained within the walls of the Tulsa Expo Square for that weekend is so vast and varied, it would make a small nation’s military look like a Boy Scout troop. Joe Wanenmacher discusses the history of the Tulsa Arms Show. Biggest Gun Show The Tulsa […]
); I have bad news. It appears that Republicans just cut an anti-gun compromise during negotiations over the passage of H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (VAWA). Gun owners need to TAKE ACTION immediately to tell their Senators to oppose this ridiculous anti-gun compromise. On December 16th, anti-gun leaders Senator Feinstein and Senator Durbin joined arms with Republican Senators Ernst and Murkowski to announce: “After nearly three years of negotiations, we have reached an agreement… “We are committed to introducing a bipartisan, modernized VAWA reauthorization next month.” Senator Feinstein went on to brag that this compromise would expand the misdemeanor gun ban. Given the […]
The petition for certiorari spotlights continued disregard by lower courts for Second Amendment protections recognized by nation’s highest court WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 16, 2021) — Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) is asking the United States Supreme Court to strike down Maryland’s unconstitutional ban on so-called “assault weapons” in a petition filed today. FPC’s petition seeks to have the Court overrule a misguided Fourth Circuit decision that held common semi-automatic firearms like the AR-15 rifle were “like M-16s” and unprotected by the Second Amendment. The petition for certiorari in Bianchi v. Frosh can be viewed at FPCLegal.org. FPC News Firearms Policy Coalition
); Yesterday, your amazing job at emailing your Senators worked — SB 215 passed in the Senate! Now, for the first time in history, there are two Constitutional Carry bills that BOTH PASSED their originating chamber. This means we now have TWO CHANCES at getting Constitutional Carry in Ohio. And since both chambers have now shown they support this legislation, it should not be difficult to get one chamber to fully pass and send the other chamber’s bill to Governor DeWine. We cannot let the momentum dissipate. Your elected officials must know that YOU want them to continue pushing these bills forward. In order to make Ohio the […]
); Back in September the Biden Adistration initiated a ban on Russian ammo. But Vladamir Putin isn’t feeling the effects of this ammo ban—you are! That’s why I’m writing to you today, to ask you to join GOA’s grassroots army in opposing this ban using our activism tool here. Ostensibly, the Adistration was being “tough on Russia,” targeting the economy of the Russian Federation in response to “for the Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny.” GOA immediately called the ban what it was: gun control. Abusing governmental authority to target the ability of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms is standard procedure in the anti-gun playbook. But politicians sat […]
); As we mentioned a few weeks ago, a bill (HB 227) that would provide for permitless concealed carry in the state of Ohio passed in the House. Well last night, the Senate version of the bill (SB 215) passed out of committee and a Senate floor vote is expected to come TODAY! As a reder, not only does the bill provide for Constitutional concealed carry, but it also changes the confusing language of “duty to inform” police officers that you are carrying a concealed weapon. Under current law, you must tell an officer immediately that you have a weapon. If this new bill is signed into law, […]
SPRINGFIELD, Va. — Gun Owners of America (GOA) today announced a new partnership Otter Waiver. “GOA is excited to partner with Otter Waiver. Not only do they make a great product for ranges, but they really believe in GOA’s no-compromise approach to protecting and restoring the Second Amendment.” Kailey Nieman, Director of Development for GOA, said. Otter Waiver is a company that specializes in digital waivers and text marketing (SMS) for gun ranges and helps to ensure that their daily operations run smoothly and efficiently. “As the founder of Otter Waiver, I have been a 2nd Amendment advocate for 20+ years.” Ben Nelson, Founder of Otter Waiver, said. “Our partnership will help empower the gun range community to reach their targets by simplifying the waiver process and providing SMS marketing retention tools to grow the range industry and donating a percentage of our proceeds to GOA.” “It has been just […]