By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Rantburger Brer Rabbit beat me to it with his link to a very good summary of what light infantry really means, what it is and what light infantry does. The blog linked, for me at least, is a new one and from a gentleman with some apparent experience in light infantry tactics. The discussion was linked by Western Rifle Shooters Association as a discussion of what civil war in the US would look like in the wake of gun confiscation laws being passed in the future.
As in the last massacre, the left most helpfully has been pushing the public mind to accept gun confiscation as a goal they have had all along. I never really looked upon it as such, but Rantburger Silentbrick characterized it as a call for slavery. My only beef is that compared with the way things should be under a constitutional republic, we are all already slaves; it is now a matter of degree of how much more the government and their enablers can take. Right now, it is just money and civil rights, but the direction they are going suggests guns and blood are what they are after.
The main reason for referencing the discussion is this gem from a commenter:
The greatest paradigm shift required is a willingness to allow commanders to actually command an action from the air. All too often company commanders are forced to develop situational awareness solely through situation reports submitted by subordinate units. Fire force commanders could talk to, as well as see, their troops. Consequently, they were able to achieve the tempo necessary to outmaneuver and defeat an elusive enemy similar to the type Marines faced during Operation RESTORE HOPE. We would be remiss if we failed to study the modern conflict of the Rhodesian War and ignored the lessons learned.
Read the entire comment. It is a summary of an article on how Rhodesian light infantry dealt with a hostile guerrilla movement through the use of light infantry tactics. Capture the links as well. They have a number of good resources both on the history of light infantry and some data on tactics.
This matters because at Sipsey Street Irregulars there was a reference to a gun shop that was shut down because of violations of ATF rules. What the ATF did was to take information from the FFL and give it to the New York State Police, so that they could check those lists against lists of ARs that are required to be registered under the SAFE Act. The Form 4473 from which this data was collected is supposed to be destroyed within 24 hours after the background check is complete, but ATF rules, as I understand it, require FFLs to post the data to a separate book so that ATF agents can see them. Apparently no rule exists that disallows the ATF from passing that information to local authorities, but I seriously doubt that the rule that requires destruction of the form 4473 was intended to be used to allow that information to be passed on in any other form.
As that matter stands now, about 200 firearms owners in New York have been contacted and told to turn in their firearms (ARs) so federal prosecutors can use them as evidence. The notification that went to the owners did not say whether the owners would get their guns back, but I suspect that any transfer would require another background check. Maybe through a friendlier FFL.
Hershel Smith points out that the Form 4473 is not a definitive indicator of ownership. Given the way the letter reads, the problem for gun owners is that if they sold or transferred the weapon elsewhere they could be prosecuted for obstruction of justice.
Mike Vanderboegh said that this could be the spark that sets off a civil war, but I doubt it. A conflict will only arise if those gun owners refuse to turn over their guns.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Prices for pistol ammunition and rifle ammunition were mixed.
Prices for .223 55 grain ammunition jumped 10 percent higher from last week, much the same prices did last year at this time. Because of all the gun/AR-banning talk coming out of Washington and their media enablers, it is hard to tell if the jump is seasonal (due to Christmas) or because of fears of a frisky federal government. Time will tell if prices continue to hold throughout the year as they did last time banning M-855 ammunition was being considered. If prices drop after Christmas, then I can speculate that the jump will be seasonal.
Also consider this note from last week (quoting): Note, also that the price for .223 55 grain ammunition is the lowest it has been since last year at $0.21 per round.
Prices for used pistols and for used rifles were mixed.
New Lows:
None
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: -.02 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Quality Made Cartridges, Store Brand, FMJ, Brass, Reloads, .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Blok Tactical, Store Brand, TMJ, Reloads, .24 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, +.02 Each After Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Freedom Munitions, Store Brand, RNFP, Brass, Factory Seconds, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Ammunition Planet, Store Brand, FMJ, Brass, Reloads; .21 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Cased, .17 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt!, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Cased, .16 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2015))
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .28 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: J&G Sales, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .25 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: +.02 Each
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (7 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Supply Company, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .37 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: J&G Sales, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .34 per round (From Last Week: -.10 Each (!))
7.62x39 AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Wolf WPA, steel case, FMJ, .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: TrueCaliber.com, Wolf WPA, steel case, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds (10 Box Limit): Ammomen, Federal Gold Medal, RNL .08 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds (5 Box Limit): Target Sports USA, Aguila, RNL, .08 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $530 Last Week Avg: $510 (+) ($616 (35 Weeks), $476 (11 Weeks))
California (215, 218): Mossberg MMR Hunter : $550 ($650 (45 Weeks), $400 (14 Weeks))
Texas (256, 263): Sig Sauer M400 SRP SWAT: $400 ($700 (40 Weeks), $350 (35 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (131, 155): Mixed Build: $600 ($700 (34 Weeks), $300 (22 Weeks))
Virginia (153, 157): Armory Dynamics: $600 ($750 (40 Weeks), $500 (44 Weeks))
Florida (336, 345): Ruger Model 8500: $500 ($650 (24 Weeks), $380 (36 Weeks))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $890 Last Week Avg: $846 (+) ($1,359 (34 Weeks), $820 (10 Weeks))
California (44, 48): Palmetto State Armory: $950 ($1,700 (49 Weeks), $850 (19 Weeks))
Texas (55, 46): Bushmaster: $1,000 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $800 (18 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 24): Palmetto State Armory PA10: $900 ($1,500 (40 Weeks), $700 (11 Weeks))
Virginia (48, 51): Mixed Build: $1,100 ($1,650 (23 Weeks), $800 (6 Weeks))
Florida (71, 70): Rock River LAR8 Operator: $500 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $500 (10 Weeks))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $586 Last Week Avg: $555 (+) ($626 (36 Weeks), $450 (23 Weeks))
California (42, 44): WASR 10: $600 ($700 (39 Weeks), $320 (4Q, 2014))
Texas (56, 61): Norinco: $700 ($750 (38 Weeks), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (47, 51): Century Arms VZ2008: $530 ($750 (45 Weeks), $375 (30 Weeks))
Virginia (44, 46): I.O.: $500 ($625 (41 Weeks), $350 (43 Weeks))
Florida (91, 98): CAI (Polish): $600 ($650 (34 Weeks), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $342 Last Week Avg: $350 (-) ($489 (42 Weeks), $296 (24 Weeks))
California (8, 8): Mossberg 464: $360 ($500 (19 Weeks), $180 (26 Weeks))
Texas (20, 20): Marlin 336W: $350 ($550 (41 Weeks), $300 (46 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (16, 13): Marlin 30AS: $400 ($450 (44 Weeks), $250 (49 Weeks))
Virginia (9, 9): Winchester Model 54: $250 ($450 (25 Weeks), $250 (2 Weeks))
Florida (17, 18): Winchester: $350 ($500 (40 Weeks), $250 (26 Weeks))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $409 Last Week Avg: $436 (-) ($450 (40 Weeks), $350 (13 Weeks))
California (149, 145): Rock Island Armory: $400 ($600 (42 Weeks), $300 (20 Weeks))
Texas (232, 233): Rock Island Armory: $400 ($600 (4Q, 2015), $325 (16 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (138, 143): Remington R1 1911: $500 ($550 (32 Weeks), $300 (26 Weeks))
Virginia (139, 145): Tisas: $400 ($550 (34 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (320, 331): Tisas: $345 ($475 (45 Weeks), $250 (39 Weeks))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $305 Last Week Avg: $305 (=) ($336 (37 Weeks), $268 (15 Weeks))
California (153, 170): Smith & Wesson SD9VE: $300 ($450 (41 Weeks), $200 (4 Weeks))
Texas (213, 236): Smith & Wesson SW9VE: $275 ($355 (41 Weeks), $200 (14 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (213, 221): Ruger P95DC: $350 ($350 (4Q 2014), $200 (21 Weeks))
Virginia (162, 166): Sig Sauer P226: $300 ($400 (35 Weeks), $250 (21 Weeks))
Florida (419, 451): Ruger P95DC: $300 ($375 (4Q, 2014), $220 (14 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $306 Last Week Avg: $326 (-) ($368 (31 Weeks), $300 (3Q, 2014))
California (86, 92): Smith & Wesson SD40: $300 ($425 (16 Weeks)), $250 (48 Weeks))
Texas (105, 106): Ruger P94: $280 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $275 (34 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (79, 82): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $250 ($350 (23 Weeks), $250 (43 Weeks))
Virginia (62, 61): Ruger SR40C: $400 ($450 (31 Weeks), $275 (47 Weeks))
Florida (155, 158): Ruger SR40C: $300 ($400 (42 Weeks), $200 (15 Weeks))
Used Gun of the Week: (California)
DPMS Chambered in .223 Remington
Chris Covert writes for Rantburg.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com and on Twitter