The Eggman had to write this for me since as I say later, I have no brain, no muscles and no ability to reason or think. I’m neither good nor evil — Like most other tools, I’m a simple inanimate object.

I am Joe’s gun. I’m almost as much a part of his daily outfit as shoes or socks. In fact, Joe goes without his socks more often than he goes without me.

Joe keeps me hidden away whenever he can. Few people outside of Joe’s most trusted friends even know I exist.

I can’t think for myself, I can’t reason and I can’t act on my own. I’m just a simple machine with few moving parts — about as complicated as a stapler. I have no brain, no muscles and am neither good nor evil.

Now I am a dangerous machine, I’ll have to give you that. Like Joe’s lawnmower, chainsaw, hedge clipper and automobile I can be very dangerous in untrained or irresponsible hands.

Fortunately Joe and the other law-abiding citizens who take their duty of self defense seriously are committed to their responsibilities as gun owners.

Joe knows and obeys the law. He takes me to the shooting range to practice on a regular basis — a lot more often than most policemen do.

Joe would never allow me to fall into the hands of a child or other irresponsible person and would never use me unless there was no possibility of ready escape or retreat.

Joe thinks of me much like his insurance policy. He hopes and prays that he will never have to use me, but knows that if he has to, I could save him or his loved ones from death or injury at the hands of evil people who don’t care about, much less obey laws. (Handguns are used defensively almost 2 Million times every year, most often with no shots fired.)

I don’t know why some people hate me and want to get rid of me without really knowing anything about me. If they concentrated on the subhuman criminals who misuse tools such as guns, automobiles, chain saws, ice-picks, baseball-bats, pocket knives, hammers, machetes and authority, regardless of any law, and left law-abiding people like Joe alone you would all be more secure.

At the very least Joe does no harm, as demonstrated in the 40 plus states where the citizens are ‘permitted their right’ to carry firearms. In these places crime rates have dropped and are still dropping far faster than the national average — much faster than places where firearms are essentially banned.

It’s obvious that when I’m owned and carried by law-abiding citizens like Joe I do far more good than harm.

It’s sad that many laws keep honest people like Joe from defending themselves while no law or regulation has ever, nor will ever keep me out of the hands of criminals.

Since it is a demonstrated fact that the best defense against bad people with guns is good people with guns, I’m glad my sisters, brothers and myself are carried by people like Joe

– you should be too.

* The text of the article should be included in it’s entirety. Other than minor formatting and/or grammatical edits, it may not be edited or condensed. (You may make changes to reflect local laws and regulations. (All localities do not require fingerprinting, for example.)
* The notice “Original Article Copyright 2007-2011 by T.S. Eggleston” must be included.
* You may omit the copyright notice if you choose to send the text as a “Letter to the Editor” to media outlets. Please, however, include something to the effect…”The following is submitted to you with permission of the author, T. S. Eggleston”

A handgun safe that is worth buying will always be easy to open when you need to get to your gun in a hurry. There are many different types of pistol safes that have different locking styles. One of the most popular is the key. The problem with a key is that when you are under stress it is sometimes hard to get the key into the hole. That is why I would not recommend getting a safe with a key lock. The best type of lock is a biometric lock. A biometric lock reads your fingerprint and then opens the lock instantly.

Lots of people like to keep their valuable things at home rather than a bank security box. You can also use your pistol safe to store things such as passports, cash, photos, and valuable coins. By thinking of a revolver safe as something that can serve more than one purpose it helps to justify the expense of purchasing one. Now we are going to look at the best accessory that you can get for your safe.

Getting a dehumidifier for your handgun safe is definitely a smart buy. Many high-end safes come with dehumidifiers built in. If the pistol safe that you buy does not come with a dehumidifier built in then you can look at aftermarket options. One popular option uses crystals that absorb extra moisture that collects within the safe.

As you can see, having a pistol safe in your home is very important if you want you and your family to be protected. We talked about how a safe that opens quickly is important, how you can keep other valuables in your pistol safe besides handguns, and how a dehumidifier is a great accessory for any pistol safe. Now that you have this information, it is time to go out and get your pistol safe today!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Case

Then again, some people argue that the best way to store a handgun in the house is under the bed, or in a drawer, so that there is no time wasted fumbling around with a pistol safe to retrieve the gun in a time of crisis. This is a viable argument, and one that I can understand. But as with most things in life, it is a trade off. Even though that gun in the drawer is easiest to access, it is also easy for thieves and children to access also. A fingerprint safe bridges the gap between gun security and easy accessibility.

Most fingerprint safes are battery operated, and so it is vitally important to get one that has a blinking light to warn you of a low battery. Also, depending on the size, a pistol safe can hold other valuables also, such as cash or jewelry. An interior light, foam interior, and mounting hardware are other features that are good to have. In some cases, the pistol safe can be taken with you when traveling and secured with a security cable.

A fingerprint safe is a good solution to the problem of securing your handgun at home. In my opinion, its a great way to keep the gun safe from children and thieves, while also allowing reasonably quick accessibility.

KP Smith is a mechanical engineer with a passion for history, guns, gardening and self-sufficiency.

Pistol Safe

Fingerprint Safe

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KP_Smith

What is the best way to properly store ammo so that it doesn’t degrade over a period of time? And how do you keep it in proper condition so that when you finally put it to use, it functions as it was designed to? Perhaps we can take some tips from the military and the way that they treat their munitions.

Military cartridges are designed to be stored at temperatures ranging from minus 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. They were created for soldiers to use under the worst conditions imaginable. These same cartridges also have an indefinite shelf life. The term shelf life refers to how long an item can remain in storage and still be functional.

The companies that manufacture military ammo are well aware of their requirements and specifications. They are also well aware that if they do not meet the criteria, they will lose a rather large contract with the US Government. The interesting thing to note is that the same companies that create and sell ammunition to the government are the same folks that make most of the stuff we civilians use. The same guys that create the 5.56mm for the military change the label, call it a 223, and sell it to civilians! When it comes right down to it, there is little to no difference in the ammunition common to civilians and to military. Therefore, it is generally safe to use similar procedures in storage methods and practices.

Most ammo comes in a wooden outer container with metal inner packs that actually hold the ammo. The military stores theirs at least two inches off the ground and makes sure that it is inspected every five years. Standard procedure is to actually look at just ten percent of all the ammunition to see if any defects have developed. They are then placed back in storage for another five years. If any corrosion has developed on the ammo, copper or steel wool is used to scrub and scrape it off.

The number one adversary of ammunition is moisture. As long as your container is waterproof, you should not expect any problems. Another common military tactic is to include dehumidifier packages in the ammo containers to suck up any surplus moister that may have gathered.

Our basic conclusion is this: before you store your ammunition, make sure it is clean and dry. That’s all! There is no need to store at a specific temperature, there is no need to vacuum seal anything. Just keep ammunition protected and dry and then let it be.

Read more about Gun and Ammo safety and storage at our sight http://www.gunracks.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Breen

Here are some things that you should keep in mind when buying a gun safe.

Number of Security Features
This is the most important factor, and not the price. There is no point in scrimping on a quality gun safe; if you can afford to buy a gun, you can afford to purchase a good quality safe, and what will set one safe from another will be the security features.

The most basic are those that use combination locks, but that is not enough these days. In times of emergency, it can be difficult to use the lock combination, because people panic. Fortunately, a lot of gun safes today have voice activation capabilities. With voice recognition, security will be ensured.

Other safety measures include fingerprint biometric scanning and numeric locks using a keypad, similar to burglar alarm systems. If you are going to opt for the combination / safety locks, you need to buy a gun safe with a dead locking feature.

You should also check out the durability of the box itself. At the very least it has to be fire and water resistant, and able to withstand heavy blows.

Where to Put Gun Safes

Another vital factor to consider is where to place your gun safe. In most cases it can be put in the bedroom (near a drawer or against the wall). However, if you have children in the house, you should take more precautions and make sure that they are out of reach and sight.

If you travel frequently, you may consider buying a gun safe for your car. Having a gun in the car will deter a potential robber, and having a safe within the vehicle will attract the attention of the thief, giving you time to get help.

Gun Safe Paraphernalia

Some gun safes come with extra features when you buy them, while others you may have to buy separately. Whatever the case, consider getting some of the items below to help you maintain your gun and safe in good condition.

Dehumidifiers

Keeping your firearm stored in the safe for extended periods of time can lead to rust, making it difficult or impossible to use when the need arises. To prevent this from occurring, get a dehumidifier.

These dehumidifers come in two types, electrical and chemical. Some of these are packaged in a sleeve or holder, making it convenient when you carry it with you. However, these demumidifers can also be used inside the gun safe.

Pistol Holders

If you have plenty of guns, you should buy pistol holders. Damage can result from piling guns together in the safe one on top of the other. By having pistol holders you can attach them against the safe wall.

Lighting

Most gun safes have built in lights, but if the one you bought does not have one, or you want to replace it, there are several you can purchase, although you have to be sure that it is compatible for the gun safe you have.

Peter Garant is writing articles about working for Gun Safe Accessories for a site about Gun Safes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Garant

This is a black, new issue belt made of tough nylon. It is available in medium, large or extra large. This handy, durable tough nylon belt is so economically priced at a low reasonable rate. It is definitely a steal that should be grabbed while it is still availabe. This belt is made in the great tradition of the Marines. What could be more manly and robust than that? It will bring out the tough guy in you. It is something that Steve McQueen, Sean Connery, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson, Harrison Ford, and Sean Bean would wear.

What more could be asked of a Marine Corp Style Pistol Belt than durability, toughness, and practical for many uses?It is even an image builder. You’ll look like the strongest man on the block when you wear your new marine belt. As a matter of fact, you can be the first guy on the block to growl like a lion when you get your Marine belt.

Don Rainwater has written many articles on the USMC and their equipment. If you want to find out more please visit http://www.papajoemarine.com

Here you will find USMC equipment, knives, books, DVDs, music, and clothes all portraying the simple of the Marines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_Rainwater

In any case, all authorized training providers should have in their possession firearms training credentials from their parent organization that corroborates their authorization to instruct. Do not be afraid to ask to see it. If they are qualified, they will proudly display it to you. However, if they come up with excuses as to why don’t have any training credentials you can be sure that you are talking to an unqualified firearms training provider.

After you have verified that the firearms instructor is duly certified by an appropriate firearms training authority, the next thing that you want to check is the agenda of the class that they are presenting to you to attend as a prerequisite for getting your Concealed Pistol License (CPL).

The state of Michigan statute is very clear as to what a bona fide Basic Pistol Safety Training Class must cover. In short, the following items must be covered: safe storage of firearms, shooting positions, firearms law, ammunition knowledge, avoiding criminal attacks, and controlling violent encounters. If you are considering a class being promoted by a National Rifle Association Certified Firearms Instructor, you want to be sure that it is the “Personal Protection In The Home Class.”

There are several unethical firearms instructors in the greater Detroit-area intentionally teaching the wrong classes to students who desire to get a Concealed Pistol License (CPL). In most cases, these rogue instructors are fraudulently promoting the “Basic Pistol Class” as a Basic Pistol Safety Training Class. The “Basic Pistol Class” has a lot of good quality information in it. However, it does not meet the state of Michigan’s explicit training standards for a CPL.

Teaching the Basic Pistol Safety Training Class “the right way” involves having a qualified legal authority present to teach firearms law. As you can imagine, a lawyer’s time can be costly. Thus, the scam artists in the firearms training field simply opt to not cover it all. They would rather pocket a couple extra hundred dollars per class and short-change their students.

Carrying a concealed firearm without proper legal training is not advised and is an accident “waiting to happen.” Firearms are the most heavily regulated items in our society. Thus, it is very easy to run afoul of the law. A Concealed Pistol Licensee may face criminal charges if he acts inapropriately with a gun. There is no such “animal” as common sense gun law. The law is very clear as to what is lawful. Not knowing the law is no excuse for breaking it.

Furthermore, if a Concealed Pistol Licensee shoots someone outside of the confines of lethal force/self-defense law, not only could he face murder charges but he may also face a civil liability lawsuit from the injured party or the injured party’s estate. Furthermore, a Concealed Pistol Licensee might also be injured from an attacker because the licensee did not act for fear of acting unlawfully. For all of the above reasons, it is imperative that someone, who desires to get a CPL, actually takes the correct class.

Moreover, when evaluating a firearms training service you should also research their credentials. Some instructors only have training credentials to teach the CPL Class. Other instructors have every possible certification available. Obviously, the more certifications that an instructor has in his training background the more likely it is that he can deliver outstanding value to his students. Instructors of this caliber can deliver more info from related firearms courses and more clearly illustrate complex topics.

The level of professionalism of the firearms training service should also be evaluated. You want to know how long this service has been operating; brand new and unproven instructors deliver questionable value. When entrusting your firearms training to a service provider you want to know how well he has trained others in the past. You should check out their web site and see whether there are any testimonials from satisfied customers, any helpful articles he may have written, and any objective evidence of training ability – such as photos and videos.

Further evidence of an instructor’s commitment to being a competent authority in his field would include memberships to various gun rights organizations: National Rifle Association, Michigan Gun Owners, Michigan Coalition of Responsible Owners, and etc. An instructor who belongs to several gun rights groups is keeping abreast of the latest developments with regards to gun policy at the local, county, state, and federal levels of our government and can keep you informed.

Other items that would be helpful to know about your firearms training provider is the level of support that they can provide to you after the class. Does the company offer an alumni newsletter or other means of contact to keep in touch? Can you call them when a unique situation develops and you need advice? Are they available to help you consider firearms and accessories purchasing decisions? Fly-by-night operators in the firearms training field quickly forget you when the class is over.

In summary, before you consider signing up with a firearms training provider for CPL training, you need to do your research. There are many scam artists – credentialed and uncredentialed – that are short-changing their students by not teaching them the law.

Taking the wrong class can have dire circumstances: criminal charges, lawsuits, and unnecessary harm. Further, you should also evaluate a firearms training provider’s list of qualifications, affiliated firearms memberships, level of service, and support after the class is over. Only when evaluating these items can you make an informed decision as to which company provides you with the best value.

If you have a desire to assume more responsibility for your own personal safety, you should visit Rick Ector’s web site to sign up for a “Violent Crime Prevention” e-newsletter. In every issue, there will be a personal protection article, crime prevention tips, and information on how to obtain a Michigan Concealed Pistol License.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Ector

When putting a gun away for long-term storage I do not lubricate it entirely, but apply only a light coat of lubricant to the exterior. The reason for not lubricating the working parts is that grease and lubricating oils have a way of creeping around where they’re not supposed to be, especially if temperatures fluctuate in your storage area. For example, a lube applied to the bolt of an auto loading shotgun may find its way into the fire-control system or even seep into the stock. So save your lubricating chore until you’re ready to use the gun again and put the lube where it’s supposed to be.

There are many good metal preservatives on the market, so take your pick. Some of the new high-tech preservatives that leave a micro-film on the metal are nice if you don’t like a greasy look. Apparently they work as well as they claim. Call me old-fashioned, but I like to see the preservative on the metal, which is why I usually use such old-time favorites as Birchwood-Casey’s Sheath or RIG grease.

I cut pieces of a shammy into hand-sized wiping patches and load it with the preservatives. A quick wipe-down with the shammy leaves a satisfyingly visible coating on the metal. I do this not just for storage but every time a rusting gun has been handled. Salty fingerprints are a gun’s number-one enemy.

Do not store guns in fabric or leather cases or in their original cardboard boxes, as they attract moisture. This is why, whenever possible, you should store guns so that dry air circulates around them.

One of the best investments a gun owner can make is buying a new Gun Safe. Not only does it provide reasonably good protection from theft, but it keeps guns out of the reach of curious young hands and provides a ventilated environment for uncased firearms. Gun Safes come with either combination or electronic locks and multiple locking points for greater security. In addition some safes will have certified fire endurance test results that exceed the average heat intensity of a house fire.

If you already own a Gun safe, or plan to buy one, a smart accessory is an electric heating element. Actually, even a light bulb will do. The trick is to put the heat source at the bottom of the safe so that the warm, dry air rises and flows continuously around your guns.

In my own gun room, I follow the 65/65 rule for temperature and humidity, which is just about ideal for gun keeping. A heating element is also an excellent idea for traditional closed-door gun cabinets.

The best rule for safe gun keeping is to use simple common sense. One final tip when
storing your guns with their muzzles down ensures that any muzzle lube will make its way out of the muzzle rather than into the fire control system or the stock.

http://www.MyStorageCabinets.com is an authorized dealer for Stack On Gun Safe and Securall Gun Safes not to mention our other lines of storage containment products. Many of our safes have free delivery throughout the 48 continuous states.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Lucchesi

Guns safes are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes and with different types of locking mechanisms. There are basically two types of gun safes – pistol safes and safes for rifles and shotguns. Pistol safes are much smaller, and, since they can be carried off, are not really designed to protect your guns from burglars. They are primarily designed to keep your pistols from getting into the hands of children, or from being used against you by a burglar who gains access to one of them. On the other hand, large, upright gun safes can protect pistols, rifles and shotguns from burglars and also restrict access to them.

Pistol safes are usually small, chest-style safes that open from the top. They are easy to place in small spaces such as under your bed. They have a locking mechanism on the top that grants access to the pistols. They usually use one of three types of locking mechanisms. The first is a keylock that opens with a key. The second type is a traditional mechanical combination dial that you rotate to open the safe. The third type of locking mechanism is the electronic keypad type. This type uses an electronic keypad similar to the one on an ATM or debit card machine. You enter a PIN number on the keypad to open the safe. This third type is the easiest to open, and you probably want to choose this type if you plan to use your pistol for protection from intruders.

Gun safes designed for rifles and shotguns are much larger – usually shaped like an upright cabinet that is tall enough to stand up full size shotguns and rifles on the inside. They usually have a shelf or shelves for storing pistols and ammunition conveniently. They are available with four different types of locks – the same three types as pistol safes plus a different type, the biometric locking mechanism. This type of mechanism uses a fingerprint scanner to grant access to the safe. You simply place your index finger on the scanner to open the safe. You can grant access to multiple users simply by scanning their fingerprints. As with pistol safes, you should choose the electronic keypad or biometric type locking mechanism if you plan to use your guns for protection.

Always look for a reputable dealer with a background in the sale of gun safes to advise you of your state’s laws and to help you choose the gun safe that is right for you. And make sure that you buy a gun safe made by a manufacturer with a good reputation in the business.

For more information on gun safes, visit the following link: http://valuesafes.com

http://valuesafes.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Boulter

The key to teaching your children to use BB guns is to make sure that they understand that these guns are not toys! There are two reasons for this: one, you want them to know how to properly handle a “real” gun when they get one, and using BB guns is great practice. Two, BB guns really are not toys. They can cause injuries and even fatalities.

If you do decide to give your children BB guns, there are some things that you need to be aware of. There are many people that who do not agree with the use of BB guns, but this is generally when they are misused. Here are some things that you should consider:

· The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) suggests that only kids 16 years of age or older be allowed to use BB guns. The laws vary from state to state.

· Some say that playing with “toy” guns, like BB guns, might make it more likely that your child will mistake a real gun for a toy. Be sure to clearly establish the difference!

· For your children, buy only brightly colored BB guns. Do not allow them to remove any colored markings. It is possible for policemen and others to mistake a BB gun for a real gun if markings are removed.

· Be sure that your child wears eye protection when shooting a BB gun. These guns can cause eye injuries, especially because the BBs often ricochet.

· Try out the BB gun before giving it to your child. Make sure that the firing sound is not overly loud. You do not want to damage the hearing of your child! Give your child hearing protection!

· Be sure that your child knows to treat all BB guns as though they are real guns.

These are just a few safety rules related to BB guns. There are, of course, many more. Make sure that you go over general gun safety with your child before (not after) you give him or her a BB gun.

Also, you can check with your local NRA chapter or other gun groups and see if they offer any courses in gun safety. They can create a fun and safe environment for your child to learn all about guns and BB guns.

BB guns can be fun and useful, as long as they are used properly. Be sure that the experience that your child has with a BB gun is a good one. He or she may gripe about having to learn about gun safety, but in the end, you will be thanked!

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, the environment, recreation, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on bb guns, please visit BB Guns and Paintball Guns.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Clarke