This Week In Guns, October 10th, 2015 subject logo: RKBA
2015-10-10
Posted by: badanov

By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com

Housekeeping note: The quarterly ammunition summaries are posted, albeit a week late.

It has been some week in the wake of the Umpqua Community College massacre. It seemed that at least three anti-2nd Amendment opinion pieces per day were being published in nationwide publications, and I would bet ten times that many in local news outlets. I tried my best to fisk as many as humanly possible.

A lot of poor thinking was expressed by leftists who want to seize firearms, very poor recitation of Constitutional intent written by people who are supposed to be the top people.

I am not immune to that problem as well. In one opinion piece the author cited the "successful" Australian gun confiscation effort, specifically in this article. The author wrote:

After a 28-year-old man killed 35 people at the Port Arthur historic prison colony in Tasmania, Australia, a popular tourist destination, Prime Minister John Howard and his right-wing Liberal Party banned the importation of all semiautomatic and automatic rifles and shotguns, instituted a mandatory national buyback program for such guns, and convinced state governments to ban the weapons outright. In total, about 650,000 weapons — 20 percent of the country's total arsenal by some estimates — were seized and destroyed.

My remark was this:

Every Australian who believes in liberty and freedom should be ashamed by what happened in 1996.


Do you see the problem? Reading it for the first time you may not. Took me a coupla days to find it. The Australians defied the mandatory gun buyback in spectacular fashion. Their act of defiance was only marginally worse than Connecticut when their AR registration law went into effect. I said at the time their compliance rate was about 18 percent based on Connecticut's own data. 80 percent of the firearms extant in Australia were not turned in for destruction, an incredible statement on human freedom.

Lesson learned: the next time a leftist/fascist writer writes glowingly about the Australian mandatory gun buyback program, you can say the program was a massive failure. My assumption at the time I wrote my response was to believe that the program was a success. It was no such thing. The Australian people defied the government edict to turn in their firearms. Now if they can only get their government to admit it and repeal the law.

A recent data compilation at Weapons Man blog presented a summary of every gun massacre since the spring of 2009. The facts are that 124 individuals were killed in 14 incidents. What stands out is that the laws intended to keeps guns out of the hands of criminals were observed in all but two of those incidents, and in those two, the guns were stolen.

The two most popular calibers used were the 9mm Parabellum and the .40 Smith & Wesson. Semiautomatic rifles in the AR-15 pattern were used in just two of the incidents.

If you take the number of incidents and divide by the number killed, you find that almost nine people were killed per incident, which in my mind means that magazine limits do not work. Some of the shooters brought extra ammunition with them to limited or no effect.

Listening to Mark Steyn on Rush earlier in the week, Steyn recounted the incident in Canada which led to their failed gun registry law. The way he described it was incredible:

In 1989 in École Polytechnique in Montreal, a gunman entered a classroom, separated the men from the women and ordered the men into the hall, which they obediently did. The shooter, Marc Lépine then shot and killed 19 women, then, according to Steyn, then went into the hallway where the men were, and walked right past them. The description was of men who were so cowed that they could do nothing the the face of abject evil.

I have discussed such an incident with meat space company. In the event of being held at gunpoint, you are going to get shot. Or someone is going to get shot. As Steyn said, in such an incident you have only a few seconds to decide whether you are going to get shot on your knees or get shot trying to stop evil.

Not trying to trivialize it, but as the character Dillon in Alien 3 said:

You're all gonna die. The only question is how you check out. Do you want it on your feet? Or on your fuckin' knees... begging? I ain't much for begging!

No word yet on the protest in Roseburg against President Barak Obama's visit to push gun confiscation.

Loads.

Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:

Prices for pistol ammunition were mostly unchanged while rifle ammunition prices were mostly steady.

Prices for used pistols were mixed and prices for used rifles were mixed.

The AR-10 pattern .308 NATO rifle again hit a new low in average price nationwide. It is hard to see how much lower the price can go.

New Lows:

.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Florida: DPMS Oracle RFLR: $500

Pistol Ammunition

.45 Caliber, 230 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks)
(From Q2, 2015: .27 per round, Unchanged)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Quality Made Cartridges, Store Brand, RNL, Reloads, .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Quality Made Cartridges, Store Brand, RNL, Reloads, .25 per round (From Last week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))

.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
(From Q2, 2015: .24 per round, -.01 Each)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Freedom Munitions, Store brand, FMJ, Reloads, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Freedom Munitions, Store brand, FMJ, Reloads, .21 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))

9mm Parabellum, 115 grain, From Last Week: +.01 Each
(From Q2, 2015: .17 per round, +.01 Each)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Bud's Gun Shop, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel Cased, .18 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Ammo Clearance, Store Brand, FMJ, Reloads, .16 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (6 Weeks))

.357 Magnum, 158 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2Q, 2015)
(From Q2, 2015: .28 per round, Unchanged)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .28 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 1,000 rounds: Surplus Ammo, Tulammo, FMJ, Steel cased, .27 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks))

Rifle Ammunition

.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 grain, From Last Week: -.02 Each
(From Q2, 2015: .23 per round, -.02 Each)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Midsouth Shooters Supply, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .21 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each After Unchanged (8 Weeks))

.308 NATO 150 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
(From Q2, 2015: .45 per round, -.06 Each)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, steel cased, FMJ, .39 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt!, Tulammo, Steel Cased, FMJ, .36 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (9 Weeks))

7.62x39 AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)

(From Q2, 2015: .24 per round, +.01 Each)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Wolf WPA, steel case, FMJ, .23 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Wolf WPA, steel case, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (1Q 2015))

.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)

(From Q2, 2015: .09 per round, +.03 Each)
Cheapest, 20 rounds (10 Box Limit): Natchez Shooters Supplies, Federal Champon, RNL .06 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: MunireUSA, CI Raptor, RNL, .08 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))

Guns for Private Sale
Rifles


.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $476 Last Week Avg: $476 (=) ($616 (26 Weeks), $476 (2 Weeks))
California (267, 265): Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport: $500 ($650 (36 Weeks), $400 (5 Weeks))
Texas (299, 306): Mixed Build: $500 ($700 (31 Weeks), $350 (26 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (180, 184): Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport: $450 ($700 (25 Weeks), $300 (13 Weeks))
Virginia (207, 206): DPMS (Bull Barrel): $550 ($750 (31 Weeks), $500 (35 Weeks))
Florida (409, 399): DPMS: $380 ($650 (16 Weeks), $380 (28 Weeks))

.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $820 Last Week Avg: $840 (-) ($1,359 (24 Weeks), $820 (CA: $829 (2 Weeks)))
California (52, 50): DPMS: $1,050 ($1,700 (39 Weeks), $850 (9 Weeks))
Texas (59, 66): DPMS: $800 ($1,500 (45 Weeks), $800 (9 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (34, 37): DPMS: $800 ($1,500 (31 Weeks), $700 (2 Weeks))
Virginia (56, 52): Palmetto State Armory: $950 ($1,650 (15 Weeks), $900 (45 Weeks))
Florida (72, 78): DPMS Oracle RFLR: $500 ($1,500 (46 Weeks), $500 (CA: $600 (1 Week))

7.62x39mm (AK Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $528 Last Week Avg: $520 (+) ($626 (27 Weeks), $450 (14 Weeks))

California (46, 44): I.O: $590 ($700 (30 Weeks), $320 (41 Weeks))
Texas (73, 74): Saiga: $600 ($750 (29 Weeks), $350 (47 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (47, 46): Century RAS-47: $400 ($750 (36 Weeks), $375 (21 Weeks))
Virginia (48, 43): Palmetto State Armory: $550 ($625 (32 Weeks), $350 (34 Weeks))
Florida (118, 120): CAI: $500 ($650 (25 Weeks), $300 (45 Weeks))

30-30 Winchester Lever Action Average Price: $375 Last Week Avg: $360 (+) ($489 (33 Weeks), $296 (15 Weeks))
California (9, 8): Marlin 336W: $399 ($500 (8 Weeks), $180 (15 Weeks))
Texas (15, 17): Marlin: $425 ($550 (34 Weeks), $300 (39 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (17, 16): Mossberg 464 SPX: $325 ($450 (35 Weeks), $250 (40 Weeks))
Virginia (11, 11): Mossberg 464 SPX: $400 ($450 (19 Weeks), $350 (37 Weeks))
Florida (21, 19): Mossberg 464 SPX: $325 ($500 (31 Weeks), $250 (17 Weeks))

Pistols

.45 caliber ACP (M1911 Pattern Semiautomatic Pistol) Average Price: $445 Last Week Avg: $405 (+) ($450 (33 Weeks), $350 (6 Weeks))
California (159, 164): Taurus 1911: $425 ($600 (33 Weeks), $300 (11 Weeks))
Texas (237, 234): Springfield: $575 ($600 (44 Weeks), $325 (7 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (143, 143): Girsan: $325 ($550 (23 Weeks), $300 (17 Weeks))
Virginia (124, 130): Rock Island Armory: $450 ($550 (25 Weeks), $250 (42 Weeks))
Florida (367, 369): Rock Island Armory: $450 ($475 (16 Weeks), $250 (31 Weeks))

9mm (Beretta 92FS or other Semiautomatic) Average Price: $276 Last Week Avg: $291 (-) ($336 (28 Weeks), $268 (6 Weeks))
California (148, 152): Kahr CW9: $325 ($450 (33 Weeks), $250 (38 Weeks))
Texas (263, 268): Hi Point: $225 ($355 (32 Weeks), $200 (5 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (206, 215): Diamondback FS9: $250 ($350 (4Q 2014), $200 (12 Weeks))
Virginia (179, 182): Smith & Wesson SW9VE: $300 ($400 (26 Weeks), $250 (12 Weeks))
Florida (432, 431): Beretta Egyptian M1951: $280 ($375 (42 Weeks), $220 (5 Weeks))

.40 caliber S&W (Glock or other semiautomatic) Average Price: $327 Last Week Avg: $350 (-) ($368 (22 Weeks), $300 (48 Weeks))
California (95, 92): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $280 ($425 (7 Weeks)), $250 (39 Weeks))
Texas (101, 106): Stoeger Cougar 8040F: $350 ($425 (43 Weeks), $275 (25 Weeks))
Pennsylvania (92, 90): Smith & Wesson Sigma: $350 ($350 (14 Weeks), $250 (34 Weeks))
Virginia (87, 94): Smith & Wesson SW40VE: $315 ($450 (22 Weeks), $275 (38 Weeks))
Florida (174, 173): Beretta PX4 Storm: $340 ($400 (32 Weeks), $200 (7 Weeks))

Used Gun of the Week: (Missouri)

Ruger GP-100 Chambered in .357 Magnum

Chris Covert writes for Rantburg.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com and on Twitter

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