By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
The word is that BATF’s proposed ban of rifle bump stocks has opinion running against the ban by a ratio of six to one.
Switching gears, somewhat, the Huffington Post ran a statistical summary of school shootings since the start of the year. The writer said that 11 school shootings have taken place in 2018. The problem is that once you break down the 11 incidents, you find only six shootings involved a firearm discharged on the grounds of an elementary or secondary school. Of those six, one involved a non student committing suicide, one was a student committing suicide and two involved shots fired from outside the grounds. Of the six, two resulted in actual harm to students.
Of the 11, one involved a pellet gun shot by a non student at a bus, while the rest were at post secondary institutions.
It is no surprise that Michael Bloomberg's Everytown organization is compiling statistics in such a dishonest manner. Only the mounds of cash Bloomberg shoves at his hirelings could allow anyone to make those claims seem like a set of horrific tragedies.
In fact, the statistical display is so bad I won't even concede in any public debate that any school shooting is unacceptable, if the deceptive manner in which these numbers are compiled are allowed to stand or even be entertained as fact by government policymakers.
One last thing: Weatherby, Inc., the firearms manufacturer based in California has quit California and plans to move to Wyoming. The double whammer of business destroying regulations and an antigun environment has finally taken its toll. Weatherby now joins Magpul, which left Colorado for Wyoming in 2013 because of its magazine ban.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Pistol ammunition prices were mostly steady. Rifle ammunition prices were mostly higher.
Note: It should be noted that, rounding to the half cent, .22LR ammunition is now $0.03 each at Bud's Gun Shop, the lowest price since this column was begun.
Prices for used pistols were mixed. Prices for used rifles were mixed.
New Lows:
None
Pistol Ammunition
.45 Caliber, 230 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (4Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bulk Ammo Store, Own Brand, FN, Brass Casing, Reloads, .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own brand, FMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks))
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bulk Ammo Store, Own Brand, FN, Brass Casing, Reloads .18 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: East Carolina Trading, Own Brand, CRN, Brass Casing, Reloads, .17 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))
9mm Parabellum, 115 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Extreme Reloading, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Fedarm, Own Brand, RN, Brass Casing, Reloads .14 per round (From Last Week: +.01 Each
.357 Magnum, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.38 Special, 158 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Highland Lakes Ammo, Own Brand, FN, Brass Casing, Reloads .24 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 500 rounds: Fed Arm, Own brand, TMJ, Brass Casing, Reloads, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Able's, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017))
.308 NATO 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .32 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Casing, .30 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
7.62x39mm AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, FMJ, Steel Casing, .20 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: True Shot Gun Club, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .19 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3Q, 2017))
.30-06 Springfield 145 Grain. From Last Week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .54 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: United Nations Ammo, Wolf WPA, Steel Casing, FMJ, .53 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (4Q, 2017))
.300 Winchester Magnum 150 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (8 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .81 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Target Sports USA, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, SP, .85 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged 4Q, 2017)
.338 Lapua Magnum 250 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Ten Ring, Brass Casing, SP, 2.15 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 200 rounds: Cabelas, Prvi Partizan, Brass Casing, HPBT, 2.80 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (7 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (2Q, 2017)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bud's Gun Shop, Federal, RNL, .03 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 5,000 rounds: Outdoor Limited, Aguila, RNL, .04 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2017))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $480 Last Week Avg: $440(+) ($616 (2Q, 2015), $387 (21 Weeks))
Arizona (201, 3Q, 2017(+3))(122, 122): Unknown Brand: $550 ($740 (5 Weeks), $300 (20 Weeks))
Texas (484, 3Q, 2017(+3))(352, 350): Unknown Brand: $450 ($700 (1Q, 2015), $350 (2Q, 2015))
Pennsylvania (249, 3Q, 2017(+6))(163, 163): DPMS Sweet 16: $550 ($700 (2Q, 2015), $300 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (282, 3Q, 2017)(214, 222): Anderson AM-15: $400 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $300 (9 Weeks))
Florida (679, 3Q, 2017)(472, 484): American Tactical Importss: $450 ($650 (2Q, 2015), $380 (1Q, 2015))
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $920 Last Week Avg: $1,080(-) ($1,359 (2Q, 2015), $766 (33 Weeks))
Arizona (49, 3Q, 2017(+6))(44, 43): Palmetto State Armory: $1,100 ($2,300 (33 Weeks), $500 (16 Weeks))
Texas (178, 3Q, 2017)(98, 101): DPMS Panther: $1,000 ($1,500 (4Q, 2014), $650 (6 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (54, 3Q, 2017)(31, 30): DPMS: $1,000 ($1,600 (4Q, 2016), $700 (3Q, 2015))
Virginia (86, 3Q, 2017)(63, 66): DPMS: $750 ($2,750 (1Q, 2016), $675 (12 Weeks))
Florida (128, 3Q, 2017(+3))(60, 51): DPMS: $750 ($1,950 (2Q, 1016), $500 (3Q, 2015))
7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $580 Last Week Avg: $565(+) ($668 (3Q, 2016), $450 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (34, 3Q, 2017(+3))(28, 26): Zastava: $650 ($925 (33 Weeks), $400 (38 Weeks))
Texas (141, 3Q, 2017)(64, 69): IO: $600 ($800 (1Q, 2016), $350 (3Q, 2014))
Pennsylvania (75, 3Q, 2017)(49, 50): Zastava: $500 ($750 (1Q, 2015), $375 (1Q, 2015))
Virginia (72, 3Q, 2017)(59, 63): RAS-47: $600 ($700 (2Q, 2016), $300 (12 Weeks))
Florida (146, 3Q, 2017)(140, 136): WASR: $550 ($700 (1Q, 2016), $300 (4Q, 2014))
30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $435 Last Week Avg: $390(+) ($495 (4Q, 2016), $296 (3Q, 2015))
Arizona (14, 3Q, 2017)(6, 6): Winchester 94: $550 ($550 (CA: $500 (1Q, 2017), $200 (37 Weeks)))
Texas (35, 3Q, 2017(+2))(27, 28): Marlin: $400 ($550 (1Q, 2015), $295 (35 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (23, 3Q, 2017)(13, 11): Marlin: $350 ($450 (1Q, 2015), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Virginia (19, 3Q, 2017(+3))(10, 12): Marlin 336W: $450 ($670 (2Q, 2016), $250 (4Q, 2015))
Florida (34, 3Q, 2017)(18, 30): Marlin: $425 ($500 (1Q, 2015), $250 (2Q, 2015))
Pistols
.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $431 Last Week Avg: $491(-) ($525 (3Q, 2016), $350 (4Q, 2015))
Arizona (134, 3Q, 2017(+5))(96, 102): Tisas: $430 ($700 (37 Weeks), $325 (23 Weeks))
Texas (361, 3Q, 2017 (+3))(277, 274): Taurus: $425 ($600 (4Q, 2014), $300 (4Q, 2016))
Pennsylvania (178, 3Q, 2017)(164, 157): Remington R1: $425 ($600 (25 Weeks), $300 (2Q, 2015))
Virginia (204, 3Q, 2017(+3))(180, 169): Taurus PT 1911: $550 ($775 (25 Weeks), $250 (4Q, 2014))
Florida (440, 3Q, 2017)(317, 317): Rock Island Armory: $325 ($500 (1Q, 2016), $250 (1Q, 2015))
9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $305 Last Week Avg:$234(+) ($358 (1Q, 2016), $207 (38 Weeks))
Arizona (238, 3Q, 2017)(191, 211): Ruger 9E: $180 ($400 (44 Weeks), $180 (12 Weeks))
Texas (586, 3Q, 2017(+3))(488, 475): Tanfoglio Witness: $275 ($355 (1Q, 2015), $180 (14 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (368, 3Q, 2017)(332, 354): SAR Arms B6P: $290 ($350 (4Q 2014), $150 (50 Weeks))
Virginia (365, 3Q, 2017(+6))(305, 316): Taurus PT111: $300 ($425 (4Q, 2016), $189 (2Q, 2016))
Florida (827, 3Q, 2017)(710, 682): Ruger P95: $260 ($400 (1Q, 2016), $160 (38 Weeks))
.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $309 Last Week Avg: $319(-) ($399 (1Q, 2016), $262 (2Q, 2016))
Arizona (77, 3Q, 2017(+2))(43, 45): Sig Sauer P250: $400 ($500 (1Q, 2017), $195 (34 Weeks))
Texas (156, 3Q, 2017(+2))(129, 121): Smith & Wesson SD40VE: $350 ($425 (4Q, 2014), $180 (7 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (115, 3Q, 2017(+5))(91, 92): Sig Sauer Pro 2340: $325 ($450 (2Q, 2016), $200 (3Q, 2016))
Virginia (109, 3Q, 2017(+4))(93, 91): Smith & Wesson 410: $220 ($450 (2Q, 2015), $220 (3 Weeks))
Florida (193, 3Q, 2017(+3))(155, 158): Smith & Wesson Sigma: $250 ($400 (1Q, 2015), $199 (4Q, 2015))
Used Gun of the Week: (Colorado)
1903 Colt Type 3 pistol chambered in .32 ACP