The Obama Administration Backchannels the Second Amendment

This is not probably breaking news for most of the readers of Fort Liberty, but I think it bears repeating as often and in every possible forum available. The US government wants to take your gun rights away. Of course, anyone who thinks seriously about the duties and the aspirations of a governing body knows that all of these organizations look for opportunities which make it easier for them to impose their will upon the masses.

So why is this act different? Well, a lot of activists have been warning that the tactics used to neuter the second amendment may change since the primary plan to ban guns hasn’t gone so well over the last few administrations. I remember hearing even during the period when the Brady ban was in effect that the direction might move toward making ammunition scarce or unavailable. Now it looks like this is a reality, and it didn’t take a congressional vote to do it.

Over the last several months, I have noticed that the availability of my most prized XM193 ammunition (5.56×45mm), the ammunition that I use to train and target shoot has, become less and less available. In fact, even now, many stores are limiting how much of this ammunition they sell to individuals (an actual rationing) to keep some available in the store at a ridiculous price of $0.65/round or more. Yeah, yeah, people state that “you can’t use it to hunt, so whats the big deal”. Well, the big deal is, this isn’t limited to just rounds for training and target shooting, its the very popular .308Win round as well (7.62×51mm), and whats next?

So, I have been telling you about the problem, but I haven’t provided a reference so you can read it for yourself. Check out the article from “The Shootist” http://www.theshootist.net/2009/03/dod-ends-sale-of-expended-military.html.

Think there is no cause and effect? Check out availability of all 5.56×45mm ammunition for yourself. I think you will find that most of it is imported Russian ammo with steel cases that likes to chew up rifle extractors and mar up your barrel throat. This is especially problematic with the chrome lined barrels that are most prevalent for rifles of this caliber. Yeah, the ammunition is available (for now, wait until import rules change, again without congressional vote), and that ammo is gone too. Its also pricey for what it is, but you have to pay, right?

So what do you do? Well, you write your congressmen of course. You explain how you feel about the issue. You tell your friends. You put the details up on your blog. You write an article like this one so people get to at least have a chance to understand whats going on, and find out how they feel about it.

Next, well, you buy an semi based AK-47 if its legal in your state, and you stock up on the 7.62×39mm ammunition that isn’t affected by this kind of action (yet). Sure the rifle isn’t as reasonably priced as it was a year ago (prices have tripled in the last few years), but the rifles were designed to be used in the least favorable conditions, with ammo that isn’t really up to par.

Beyond that, be wary, watchful, and wize.