ANNOUNCEMENTS. Shooter s World Status. MEMBER MEETING Recap By Terry Marksberry. Gifts For Gun Nuts

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1 ANNOUNCEMENTS Shooter s World Status There was a concrete step forward (pun intended). As you can see, the sewer components were delivered. Trenching started and actual equipment is on site digging the foundation. It is a very welcome sight and glad it is under way. Yeah! Click here to see photos. MEMBER MEETING Recap By Terry Marksberry This year we broke it down into three categories: 1. Stocking Stuffers (<$100) 2. Under the Tree ($100 - $300) 3. Gosh, You Must REALLY Love me! (>$300) Of course, if you are going to give little tactical stocking stuffers, you need a Tactical Stocking. Guess you didn t think there was such a thing! Wrong Kemosabe. For a mere $24.99, you can order one at an appropriately named website: Among the small items listed were: Red Dot Sights LED Red Dot Sights Holographic ArmaLasers Tactical Flashlights Magazines Carry Holsters For under the tree we upped the ante from $100 to $300 for items a little too large to fit in the stocking. Gifts For Gun Nuts As we do each November, we give a presentation to try and give you a few Christmas present ideas for the favorite gun nut in your life. First, my personal favorite was the Magic Chef Camo Coffee Maker. Good for kitchen or duck blind (assuming you have a plug in the blind!) Certain to become a family heirloom you ll treasure for many years to come. Priced at $49. The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 1 of 10

2 Personally, I think I ll holdout for the K-Cup version. Can t miss out on my Mocca Latte just because I m duck hunting! Sig Sauer P938 or Kimber Micro 9 Beretta Nano S&W M&P 340 revolver Adding to the fun we also offered several other items: LaserLyte Reaction Tyme Kit excellent for improving your trigger control, sight alignment and sight picture. $170 at Amazon Streamlight accessory rail LED lights, some in combo with a laser (make it green) Amazon $143, light only With the grandkids perhaps visiting for Christmas, time to lock up the guns! Check out the Gunvault MV500, $95, or the new advanced Vaultek Pro night stand safes, $230 to $300 For transporting firearms several lockable cases and range bags were highlighted. Finally, we get to the Oh my Gosh, You Must REALLY Love Me category. Of course, the items in this group are the guns your sweetie has always dreamed about! First, a word about buying a gun. Unless it is your spouse, it is illegal to knowingly purchase a gun with the intent to give to another person. That s called a Straw Sale. Preferably, buy the gun and wrap up the receipt. Your Honey can then go to the gun store the day after Christmas, get the background check, and retrieve his or her new gun. It would even be nice to pay for the background check in advance! The following list of fine handguns have either been given away at a meeting or discussed in one of our presentations. It would be hard to go wrong picking any one of them. In no particular order: Springfield Armory EMP4 Sig Sauer P320 RX with Red Dot Ruger American Compact Glock 26 or 43 9mm Carry Gun Gunsmithing 101 By Terry Marksberry At the last member meeting we were pleased to have Ross Rivkin and Hillary Dube, owners of the HNR Gun Works, talk to us about gunsmithing. They discussed the skills and abilities of qualified gunsmiths and the circumstances when you would use their services. For example, they could help with: The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 2 of 10 Refinishing Cerakote Slide serrations, posting, scalloping Barrel installs, threading, turning Trigger & action jobs They also emphasized that there are many things you can typically do yourself without any assistance such as: Installing sights red dots, lasers, even open sights Field stripping & cleaning Scope installs Picatinny rail installations, assuming the gun is already tapped for the screws With carry guns in particular, the ones that must work right the first time, every time, a gunsmith can offer reliability packages that can include any or all of the following services: Tuning ejector & extractor Polishing the feed ramp & chamber throat Polishing breech face internal slide Changing or upgrading springs Finally, HNR offers professional cleaning services. A professional cleaning can include

3 ultra-sonic tank cleaning and the takedown of the firearm to individual components. Each component is inspected for worn or broken parts. HNR Gun Works is located at: 3238 S Florida Ave Inverness, FL Their phone number is Website: Several members have utilized HNR s services and report that they received prompt, quality service at a competitive price discounted for VSS members. CWFL Seminar By Terry Marksberry At the November seminar we tried a slightly different approach. Usually the presentation is on a specific topic that is covered in some detail. Last month we tackled the whole topic of concealed carry from a big picture perspective. The discussion covered the Florida Concealed Weapons & Firearm License, everyday carry options, holsters, laws of self-defense, and last but importantly, insurance options. First, when packin, there are a few no-go zones to be constantly aware of. You cannot take a gun into: Police stations, jails, or courthouses Polling places on election day Any governmental or legislative meeting Athletic events School or college campuses Bars (Restaurants OK, just not the bar area. The Villages Town Squares are considered bars!) Any federal property including the parking lot. Surprisingly, there is no Florida law that explicitly bars you from drinking while carrying a firearm. However, should you display or fire a gun while under the influence it is a misdemeanor and could be a felony. (Guess that would be an FUI Firing Under the Influence) Next, we covered the somewhat complex reciprocity agreements with other states. Since it changes frequently, always go to the official list on the Florida website for the most current information. To view the latest list go HERE. Note that there are 26 states that recognize Florida s CWFL but for firearms only, not the weapons portion. While Florida and several other states will issue licenses to non-residents of the state, 6 states will not recognize FL non-resident CWFLs and Florida will not recognize 13 states for the same reason. Finally, there are 13 states & D.C. that do not recognize Florida CWFLs nor, for the most part, any other states either. You can guess the usual suspects. Next, we covered numerous ways you can enhance your shooting skills both with at-home and informal training as well as formal classroom options. More details are provided on our website. If you regularly carry a firearm, 60-80% of the likely encounters you may have will be nonlethal in nature which cannot be legally met with deadly force. Therefore, without a non-lethal means of self-defense available, you might be between a rock and a hard place! The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 3 of 10

4 Numerous means of non-lethal self-defense were discussed with the merits and practicality of each considered. We covered the various carry gun options, the recommended self-defense ammo to use and wrapped up with: Buying & Selling Guns Travelling with firearms How to select the right holster Laws of Self-defense Carry insurance A very busy hour and a half but very informative. While it seemed like drinking water out of a fire hose at times, the attendees stayed very engaged throughout and asked lots of insightful questions. The presentation has been posted on the website. INSTRUCTOR S CORNER By Stephen Mosel YOUR SHINY NEW TOY One of the most often asked questions instructors receive is, What s the first gun I should buy? I realize that puts this article right in the Guns 101 category for a lot of you, but it s always a good idea to re-visit the basics to be sure you re making the right decision for your next firearm purchase. I have to start by saying that I very seldom recommend any specific model to a shooter whom I don t know particularly well. It s such a personal decision that it s almost impossible for me not to get into trouble by pointing out one of my favorite selections. What, with recalls or the myriad of possible reasons a shooter might not come to enjoy - or be able to handle - a particular firearm, it s best to guide the buyer toward the attributes of a firearm that suits them, rather than point directly to a given gun as being the perfect choice. The one most important consideration when buying any firearm is, what is it intended to be used for? There may be a few pistols that are good for several uses, but guns are tools designed to shine for particular functions. So often we hear a news reporter declare that the homeowner in his or her story was found with an arsenal in their closet. In the reporter s mind, that often means anything more than three guns! In reality, guns are like a bag of golf clubs: you probably wouldn t want to use a driver for a 50 yard shot. You could make it work, but learning how to properly use your pitching wedge will prove to be a great improvement in the long run. Is your gun primarily going to be used for paper target shooting? Defense of your home? Concealed carry? Hunting? Competition? Collecting? Some combination of those things? And most of those categories can be broken down into numerous sub-sets as well. For the purpose of this article, we re only discussing hand guns. Don t get me started on shotguns and rifles. You can see why many VSS Club members consider ten or more guns a small collection for an avid shooter. Once you ve established the intended purpose, make sure the gun fits. Many handguns these days come with multiple size choices for backstraps on the grips. This gives you the option of making certain the trigger comes as close as possible to sitting in the middle of the finger pad - between the top of the nail and the first knuckle - of your trigger finger. In addition: The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 4 of 10 Is the caliber of your chosen gun recommended by knowledgeable shooters for its intended purpose? Can you handle the recoil and get back on target quickly? Do you understand and are you comfortable with all the features of the gun? Can you afford your new toy?

5 Are holsters and other accessories readily available for this model? Do you have the strength and technique to rack the slide or pull the trigger or cock the hammer? Have you had the opportunity to rent or borrow something similar and put it through its paces? Are you willing to practice/train with the firearm, or will it just sit in a drawer? Have you checked reviews of the firearm in magazines or on line or spoken with other owners? Does it feel good in your hand and point naturally for you? Does the weight of the firearm feel right for its intended purpose? With the gun s factory sights, is it easy for you to pick up the target and focus on the front sights? If it s meant for carry, can you comfortably conceal the firearm? There are firearms that multi-task fairly well. Something like a mid-sized, 9mm, striker-fired, semiauto like a Glock 19 falls into this category. They re a bit on the large size for carry, but you certainly can. They re a pretty good choice for a house gun as the caliber can be handled by most family members and lights and lasers can be attached if so desired. They can be used for target practice, but don t come close to the advantages of a dedicated 22 LR firearm like a Ruger Mark 4 or a Smith & Wesson Victory. Besides, the 22 caliber ammunition is much cheaper on those guns and they re far better for new shooters. The correct choice of your first or next firearm can be very important, even life-saving in some circumstances. I hope this article will help get you thinking in the right direction. Remember, we provide certified instructors at all Club shoots and you ll find them roaming about at Club meetings as well. Feel free to bend their ears and take advantage of their experience. Happy hunting and I wish you the best of luck in finding the perfect, shiny new toy. What Else Is Going On Ladies Pistol Project by the NRA In the September issue we reviewed the NRA Ladies Pistol Project (LPP) which turned out to be Part I. That issue reviewed overall preferences women had for guns. This month review is Part II or what women want for a concealed carry gun. LPP I 35 women reviewed and tested 18 handguns Overall top 5 were 1. Sig Sauer P238 (.380) 2. Walther CCP 3. Sig Sauer P320 compact 4. H&K VP9 5. Springfield EMP4 Note: Glock 19 was not offered for testing Other conclusions: Women preferred pistols to revolvers Preference for striker-fired pistols Barrel length of between 3.25 to 4.2 and weighing 20 to 30 oz. LPPII (Ladies Pistol Project II) This time they were asked to review and test concealed carry pistols (no revolvers). Number of pistols was increased to 24 The number of women rose to 55 So what did the test reveal? The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 5 of 10

6 Note: all are 9mm except those with an asterisk. Cumulative (all hand sizes): Small hands: 1. Glock SIG Sauer P SIG Sauer P238* 2. Glock H&K VP9SK 3. Glock Walther PPS M2 4. Bersa BP9cc 5. Glock Ruger LCP II* Medium Hands: 1. Glock Glock Walther PPS M2 4. H&K VP9SK 5. SIG Sauer P238 Large Hands 1. Glock SIG Sauer P SIG Sauer P H&K VP9SK 5. Springfield XD-S 4 The Glock 19 had the highest averages of the 24 pistols. Overall, the women had equal preference for placement of features on the Sig P238, Glock 19 and Sig 938. Ease of use favorite was the Glock 19 Comfort and feel, S&W M&P Shield (Performance Center model) and Walther PK380 Bottom line, the pistol most said they would buy and carry is the Glock 19. Women preferred: o 9 mm over.380 o Barrel length >/= 3.25 o Gun weight of >= 20 oz o Striker-fired o Trigger pull between 6 and 7 lb. o Cost > $500 (price was not revealed prior to testing) Both tests seemed to show a preference for a larger handgun in weight and barrel length. Go to the website ( 7/9/8/results-american-rifleman-ladies-pistolproject-ii-concealed-carry-pistols/) for more information including determining hand size and what each task each woman had to complete. Graphs are also available. Editor note: one item not mentioned or perhaps not evaluated is how these women would carry. That is on or off body which could make a difference in preferences. Also note that the Glock 19 and Sig P238 are the only guns showing up in all categories. Rhode Island legislation The RI House voted to pass H.5510aS.405 that forcibly removes firearms from people on domestic restraining orders. Anyone named would have to surrender his/her firearm and not get them back while the order is in effect. Further, a 6-year gun ban for anyone convicted of certain misdemeanors, e.g. simple assault, cyber-stalking, disorderly conduct when it involves force or threatened use of a weapon. Current status is in House/Senate reconciliation where upon subsequent voting it would go to the Governor for signature. Why Carry In Church? By Ron George We all decided to carry concealed because we want to be prepared to stop a lethal threat. We know from personal experience, facts, statistics and the evening news bad things happen almost everywhere you go including churches. It s a sad state, in America, when we have to consider arming ourselves in a place of worship, but the facts remain, and despite what we wish was true, a church is a target of evil doers. Some may argue there s no need to carry or have a gun in God s house. Common arguments are, God will take care of his own, or Don t you have any faith, or Nothing bad is going to happen here, and God would never approve of that. We forget that even Jesus disciples carried swords from time to time. It s not a lack of my faith in a Higher power; it s a lack of faith in mankind. To The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 6 of 10

7 prevent, overcome and combat sin is one of the reasons we visit church in the first place. So we already acknowledge evil exists and has to be addressed. If you look at active shooter situations, the one thing they all have in common is a gathering of unarmed people in a confined area. A church is no different than a shopping mall, theater or school. In fact, just outside of the main Sanctuary, of most churches, Sunday school is taking place - undefended children usually supervised by well-meaning people who believe everything is ok. Please understand I m not trying to demean my fellow believers, but tactics, security and personal safety is not usually high on the list of parishioners in America. Churches in more volatile countries have no problem posting men with AK-47s to ensure worshipers are uninterrupted as they commune with God. Think about your local place of worship. Is there a security person on site? Does your church have an active shooter plan? Have they shared that plan with the congregation? While the adults are in the congregation, who is patrolling the perimeter of the church or watching the doors? Who s watching over the kids in Sunday school? Are staff and volunteers trained in CPR/First-Aid? Like David who watched over his sheep, you are the shepherd of the flock? Just like the mall and the theater, you are the first responder. If you carry concealed in church you are the Shepherd. Consider what God says about our brothers. 1 John 4:21 tells us, Whomever loves God, must also love his brother. Remember in Genesis when God asked Cain where Abel was? Cain replied, Am I my brother s keeper? God asked Cain because he had an expectation that Cain was supposed to be watching out for and keeping his brother in good welfare. In the 23rd Psalm, God talks about being a shepherd and in verse 4 we are comforted by the rod and staff, the tools the shepherd used to guide, discipline, and defend the sheep. In Jeremiah 31:10 we are advised to gather those who are scattered and watch over the flock like a shepherd. I also like Luke 12:37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watchful As a servant of God, we ll have to give an account and we are to remain watchful over our brothers. John 15:13, one of the most popular verses for warriors tells us Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his brothers. I m not one to pass judgment on someone who has the right to carry a firearm and chooses not to. It s a personal choice and it s a choice that requires a lot of thought and soul searching. It ll require additional thought and soul searching when carrying your firearm into a house of worship. Should you decide to carry, please take the extra time to make sure it s deeply concealed and you have trained to shoot under these circumstances. I would never advertise you are carrying or risk printing a gun. Ultimately, it s your decision; I ve made mine, pray about yours. Consider King David, and other warriors in the Bible. I bet they had swords and spears. I want to close by emphasizing If a shooter decides to target your church and you stand and defend your flock like a shepherd defends h is sheep, are you going to be heralded or scorned? You could save a hundred sheep from the lion, but that may not change the opinions of the sheep. Like every defensive shooting, there s an aftermath and it s not all pleasant. So consider this, as well, when you are deciding to carry or not in church. Being a shepherd is a big responsibility, be ready. Ron George is a Church Security Consultant. He may be reached at ron.george@live.com, The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 7 of 10

8 November 2017 Donor Appreciation Award The giveaway gun was a Sig Sauer P320 Rx Compact 9mm with Romeo 1 Red Dot optic. Savannah Meeting Tom Miller Eisenhower Meeting Henry Becker Congratulations to Tom and Henry! Upcoming Club Activities Excursions Reload on 21 Dec. This is a favorite and as of this writing only a few seats are left. If full, be sure to put your name on the waiting list in case of cancellations. The Simulator alone is worth the trip cost, but frankly is another chance to shoot your own gun. NOTE: Club Membership and Reservations are required for all Shooting Events The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms. Samuel Adams Winchester / NRA Achievements Attained Expert: Colleen Rutherford, Gary Seyler, Nadine Swift Attained Distinguished Expert: Jon Popp, Nadine Swift Attained Defensive Pistol I, Distinguished Expert: Tom Wildes You can always see the current standings on the web site by clicking the header and follow Events Winchester QP WMP standings. A well earned Congratulations to All!! Ocala Sportsman s Association Handgun & Rifle (Outdoor Range) There was no OSA shooting event in November due to Thanksgiving. Shooting Events All shoots are scheduled by registering on the Club web site via Eventbrite. Consult the web site for availability and current dates and times. Emeralda Outdoor Range events: OPEN shoots are on the 1 st & 4 th Tuesday, and 3 rd Friday of the month. Beginners shoot the 1 st Friday, 8:30am. Limited to 8 shooters for more time with an instructor. Bullseye Shooting League shoots at and will be the Emeralda Outdoor Range for both Rimfire and Centerfire. If anyone is interested in participating please contact Floyd Dunstan, dunsail2c@gmail.com, for the details. All Emeralda events: See the website for current times and directions. Cost $10 cash; PLEASE try to have the exact amount since making change can be difficult. The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 8 of 10

9 OSA is the 4 th Thursday of the month, December 28th at the Outdoor Sportsman Assoc. Ocala range held at 8:45 and 11 am. Each session has a handgun and separate rifle range. Shooters World indoor range: An OPEN shoot occurs on the 2 nd Tuesday of the month, 7:30 am 12:30 pm. $30 paid at registration. Schedule is subject to change or cancellation if there are an insufficient number of attendees. Winchester is currently once a month at Shooter s World in Tampa, generally the 2 nd Wednesday of the month. Peace is the brief, glorious moment in history when everyone stands around, and smart people are reloading - Author Unknown Next Seminar Meeting Next Member Meetings The December meeting topic is America s Relationship with Guns (PEW Research). The next Member Meetings will be: Eisenhower Rec Center: Note special day Friday, Dec. 22 nd, at 6:30 pm 8:00 pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. Savannah Rec Center: Wednesday, Dec. 27 th, 6:45pm 8:15 pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm. December meeting Donor Appreciation Award at each meeting will be: Kimber Micro 9 The next Seminar is Dec. 20 th which will be on Selecting the Right Handgun, 2-3:30 pm at Sea Breeze. Education Classes Basic Pistol Safety: Wed., Dec. 6 th Personal Protection I In the Home: Wed. Dec. 12 th Register on line at the Club web site. Go to the Education tab VSS Classes. The Reticle A monthly publication of the Villages Straight Shooters, LLC Managing Editor, Steve Gianelos, vssnewsletter@gmail.com Layout & Design, Mike Plocharczyk The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 9 of 10

10 Shooters World Construction Begins! Return to the Top The Reticle, Straight Shooters Newsletter December 2017 Page 10 of 10