Some basic firearms information

I have been struck by the lack of explanation that much of the news media has displayed since the horrific events in Newtown. Often times even the experts they have on the shows across all networks fail to explain the basic way the law works and the types of weapons there are.

For instance, when they say 'assault weapon', that is, from a design standpoint, a meaningless designation. The term assault weapon as it is used has everything to do with the physical appearance of a weapon, and that is in large part what is proposed in the assault weapons ban law by Sen. Feinstein. The law lists specific weapons, and then goes on to define an assault weapon as a weapon that looks like this (insert language of the definition). In the old assault weapons ban that ran out earlier this century, it defined an assault weapon as one that had a bayonet lug and a grip that protruded downward.

It also made large clips illegal.

This law would be just like the last assault weapons ban, and the manufacturers will just change the physical appearance of the weapon enough to sell it legally, just as they did the last time the assault ban was in action. 7.62 is the most popular round for AK-47 style weapons, and these types of guns were available during the last assault ban, just as were .223 or 5.56 rounds (the same as an M16 - a great example of this was the hunting rifle Ruger made, the Mini-14).

So, from a design standpoint, the mechanism of an assault rifle is the same as any semi-automatic hunting rifle. 7.62 rounds are roughly equal to 30.06 rounds. The different designations are used, but the round is nearly identical.

There are many semiautomatic clip fed hunting rifles, like the Ruger 44 and the Browning BAR. These are both semi-automatic hunting rifles that would not in any way fall under the proposed ban; nor did they fall under the last ban.

And semi-automatic weapons will not be outlawed; 'Assault weapon' as defined right now has everything to do with the way a gun looks; the mechanics of assault weapons and semi-auto hunting rifles is exactly the same.

I will cover just one more issue for now, and more as time goes on; even if all semi-automatic weapons were outlawed, which is very doubtful, revolvers and a lever action rifle contain a huge amount of firepower. There are other ways to make sure schools and other areas are safe from this type of attack, but they are complicated systems if performed correctly. It would involve multiple layers of security at the school, both apparent security in the form of an armed guard and either staff or an undercover officer who was armed.

The mental health aspect is also very important and is actually the first line of defense against attacks such as the one which just occurred. It is a tragedy, but it seems as though the basic explanation of firearms and the way they really work has been missing. Only when you understand the most basic parts of the problem can you come up with a coherent solution, and that is what DoubleTap Concealed hopes happens.

We all have things to be thankful for, and we all have things that might make that holiday not just a joyous occasion but also one for some sad memories. Life is very rarely one thing or another - it is good happenings and bad, and we each have our share of both. That is simply life.

One thing that we can be happy about as Americans, though, is that we were lucky our ancestors came to this land. Whether it was twenty years ago or two hundred, when our father or grandfather or great-grandfather removed seven times came to this country, they brought us to a better world, and one where certain rights were written directly into the founding papers of our nation. 

Even though we may sometimes disagree, in the end we always seem to pull together. It is that spirit that brought us through tough times in the past, and it is that spirit which will take us through tough times in the future.

All of us here at DoubleTap Concealed want to wish everyone a great winter and a joyous Christmas. If you're on Facebook, come by and say howdy! 2013 will be a great year, and it will be a time when  America will need to be great again - together, we can see the world a better place for our children and grandchildren.

The election is over, and freedom reigns!

The election is over, and once again America has carried off the trick which has kept us strong for over 200 years. We can agree to disagree on many different things – gun owners and enthusiasts come from all walks and aspects of life, and come from liberal, conservative and a large mix of both backgrounds.

One thing that we can all agree on is that firearms are an inherited freedom, straight from the founding fathers of this country, and that they stand for more than hunting, or target shooting or any other sport or activity you do with them. From the beginning, our ancestor’s knew the power of guns for protection – protection from threats that were as big as our country (thank goodness we don’t have to worry about that much anymore), and on a more personal nature.

DoubleTap Concealed takes these freedoms seriously – that is one reason we got into the idea of supplying advanced training for pistols. All concealed handgun classes in NC must cover the same material, but we make the material fun and easy to understand. Our goal for the classes is to have all of our students comfortable with the handgun of their choice and aware of the law.

These freedoms come with a huge responsibility – every gun owner must take them seriously.

Here hoping everyone has a great Thanksgiving and Christmas season!

Time passes quickly now, and it is already election season - and we can see that NC is now a officially a battleground state. I won't say who I'll vote for, and I won't ask you. There are different opinions on which candidate will guide us best, and some people don't like either one. There is one thing which we can rest easy about, though, despite some of the rhetoric floating around.

Neither party is going to do anything drastic about gun control.

There is some talk about major new regulations, but I think both parties (remember, the good thing about our system is that there are three stages to any new regulations) realize as a whole that our gun laws if properly applied do as good a job as need be done. There may need to be some adjustments as we go forward - to deny that is to deny that the world does change. Mental health reporting is one area that we have seen might need some tweaking, but overall if our current gun laws are applied reasonably, they do help safeguard us and at the same time allow for the timely purchase of firearms by people who are responsible adults.

Of course, in NC a concealed handgun license allows you to purchase a firearm without going through the time or trouble it takes to get a pistol purchase permit; this is just one of the benefits of having a concealed pistol permit, and DoubleTap Concealed offers concealed handgun permit classes for just $120.00.

At the end of our class, you will have the proper forms necessary to go to your local NC sheriff's office and get your actual concealed handgun permit. Give us a call at 704-953-5107 to ask questions or get details on upcoming classes, or go to our website, doubletapconcealed.com. You can pay there via PayPal (you do not have to have a PayPal ID to pay, don't worry), and there is a form for registering or if you have any questions.

Have a great October, and if you are a hunter, fill the freezer up!

Next Class July 14th!

If you are in the Gastonia, NC area and want to attain your Concealed Handgun Permit, DoubleTap Concealed is now offering great introductory rates on NC Concealed Handgun classes – they are fully trained and authorized by the NC Justice Department, and are also authorized to teach several NRA classes including the NRA Basic Pistol Course.

DoubleTap offers a relaxed, stress free learning zone, and respects all of their customers. The first class is on July 14, 2012, but they will also be offering female only classes and split day classes are in the works (classes must last a minimum of eight hours, as mandated by NC law), but we at DoubleTap Concealed know that some people just can’t spend a whole weekend day to get this important certification. Just contact us at 704-953-5107 or email us at doubletapconcealed@yahoo.com, or visit our website to get schedules for upcoming classes.

As an introductory rate, DoubleTap Concealed is offering the Concealed Handgun Certification classes for only $60.00 – at the end of this class, you will have an in depth understanding of the law as well a an expanded understanding of basic handgun safety, as well as being more familiar with handguns in general – you will also receive your certification to take to your local county sheriff to receive your NC concealed carry handgun permit.

Get in touch with us today, there is still time to reserve spots in the July 14^th class – deposit required, and there are multiple payment options, from PayPal to credit card and more!

DoubleTap Concealed Opening Thoughts

The idea that firearms are sometimes necessary is as old as our nation itself, and the idea that a responsible man (or woman) should possess firearms is written into the founding documents of our nation, right alongside every major freedom what we possess – the freedom of speech, of religion, of the right to be equal under the law. And the freedom to possess firearms.

It is the second amendment, and despite some peoples attempts to qualify whether it actually meant an individual’s right to possess firearms, even the Supreme Court now recognizes that it does – a closer examination will study this further in depth, but for now I will let the words speak for themselves:

A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Most states have also passed laws allowing responsible, well trained people to carry concealed firearms – each state has different specific rules, though, and NC is no different. All NC Concealed Handgun Classes are ‘equal’ – they all contain the same curriculum, and they all must last the same amount of time, but here at DoubleTap Concealed we try to go out of our way to make sure that our students have a full understanding of not only the rules and regulations but the responsibilities of this important aspect of the ownership of firearms.

So welcome to our pages – feel free to share your thoughts with the contact box on the front page, and welcome to the DoubleTap Concealed family – here’s to a safe, fun NC summer!