TriggerTalk Radio

As summer approaches and you plan a trip or vacation, you may consider taking your firearms. Many people combine vacations with shooting opportunities such as hunting, training or competition matches.

 First let’s talk about motor vehicles: If you are staying in your home state you simply need to comply with your state’s laws, just as you do the rest of the year. When taking multi-state trips, National Firearms Laws provide a foundation that protects all U.S. Gun owners the right to transport their guns:

 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations

Title 18 – Part I – Chapter 44 – § 926a  

Interstate Transportation of Firearms

 “Any person who is not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any lawful purpose from any place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any other place where he may lawfully possess and carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the firearm nor any ammunition being transported is readily accessible or is directly accessible from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle:

 However individual state gun laws may vary and it is your responsibility to understand changing requirements and abide by the storage and firearm laws when passing through each state.

 It is important to know that some states do not recognize Non- Resident Carry permits or licenses.  What this means is that if you are the holder of a Non-Resident permit from a state such as Utah or Florida, but reside in Michigan it will may not be honored in all states.

 States that do not support your right to carry do not take these rules lightly and I urge you to be compliant to the laws. There have been several well publicized cases recently in New York and Illinois where people are no facing serious jail time for not understanding the law.

 A good source for this information is www.handgunlaw.us . The site is very easy to navigate and contains links to very helpful information. A similar map on the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners Site (www.mcrgo.org/mcrgo/d_ccwrec.asp) also provides a hot link to each state’s online current gun laws.  Below is an example for Michigan:

I print out a hardcopy of the current laws for each state I will be passing through and keep it with me in the vehicle. .

If you plan to travel by air, more planning and preparation is required, TSA publishes their guideline on their website: www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm

Make sure your handgun is unloaded and inside a locked hard sided  case. You must declare the firearm at the ticket counter where you will fill out an unloaded firearms  form. The gun then needs to secured in the case and padlocked with a lock that TSA cannot open.  The case is then placed inside your checked luggage with the TSA form taped to the outside of locked case inside your luggage. It is very important to use a high security lock that cannot be easily picked and that TSA cannot open with master keys. It is required by the law that only you can open the locked case.  A good lock such as those made by “Abloy” will cost approximately $75, but is a small fraction of gun replacement cost.

One additional method of getting your gun cross country is that Federal Law allows you to ship a gun to Yourself. You must meet certain shipping requirements, but it allows you to avoid the hassles of checking a gun at the airport and possible loss by theft during airport baggage handling.

Next month: Women & Guns

Until then …….Safe Shooting!

When transporting a gun in your vehicle several things must be considered.  If you are merely taking the firearm to the range, between homes, or to the store, gunsmith etc…. then you will need to comply with the gun laws in your state. Most rules include storing the firearm unloaded in a case made for gun storage, separate from the ammunition and inaccessible to the driver or passengers. If you are in a Pick-Up truck or Sports Utility Vehicle these vehicles may have different requirements due to the lack of a trunk. This is true for handguns as well as long guns.  These laws vary from state to state so if you are on a trip it is your responsibility to understand requirements for your home state as well as other states you may enter.

 Carrying a gun in your vehicle is a completely different matter; you must consider ease of access, concealment, security in a crash, and safety/security when you leave the vehicle. It will likely take more than one solution to make sure you have covered all the bases.

 The holster that you wear outside of your vehicle may be almost completely inaccessible once you sit down and buckle up. Inside the waistband holsters will likely dig into your thigh when seated, Pancake and outside the waistband belt holsters will likely be blocked by the seat belt buckle, and pocket holsters are typically not accessible when seated. Ladies if your gun is in your purse, harsh braking or turns may send your gun out of reach when you need it most.

 A friend recently lamented this challenge while showing me his attempts at putting a firearm in the map pocket of his door and even trying to Velcro a holster to the console.  None of these solutions gave him quick access nor would it ensure the firearm stays secure.  A loaded gun weighs from 15 to over 30 ounces and can come loose and launch itself around the passenger compartment in a crash or rollover accident. 

 The best solutions that I have seen for both security and access when driving are marketed as “Car Seat holsters”  One of the designs uses a strap that goes around and under the seat cushion placing the gun on the vertical surface between your legs at the front of the seat. It incorporates a snap or strap to hold the gun securely in place until you reach for it and release the retainer.  A similar design straps around the seat back and places the gun at the junction of the seat back and cushion. It can be placed on either side for right or left handed people.  Again a retention device prevents the gun from coming loose and becoming a projectile.

 Several recent cases involving children gaining access to guns with tragic results is a reminder that we are responsible for our guns even when we are not present. When you leave the car if you cannot take your handgun with you, it must be secure from curious occupants and potential theft. 

Storing your gun in the console or glove compartment is not adequate even if equipped with a lock.  A typical interior lock will not stop a determined thief.  Small gun containment safes are available that can be bolted or cabled to the floor or seat frames of the vehicle.  Some have biometric readers so you can just swipe a finger print while others have combinations or keys.  This method of storage will be secure when you leave the vehicle but may not allow the instant access you need in an emergency.

 Next month: Traveling with your gun.

 Until then …….Safe Shooting!

When you are a gun owner you are taking on a lot of responsibility.  I am not just talking about safe gun handling at the range or while hunting, I also mean the safe storage of your firearms. Whether you have just one gun or a whole collection you are responsible for your guns 24 hours a day.

 Safe gun storage can be accomplished several ways, and often depends on your life situation. If you have young children or teenagers in the home you may store guns differently than if you live alone or only with adults.

 Children are always curious, you may think your five year old can’t reach that top closet shelf, but they seem to find a way. Even if you have raised your children to be comfortable with guns and are well trained in gun safety you need to plan for visitors both invited and uninvited. 

 A locking device such as a trigger housing lock or a cable lock through the guns action on an unloaded gun will likely prevent a young child from having a negligent discharge, but will do nothing to prevent the theft of your guns. Never install a trigger housing lock on a loaded gun as most of these devices have a bar that passes near the trigger and if it is manipulated strongly may depress the trigger.

 Additionally a trade-off between security and quick access needs to be made if your firearms are for home defense. Storing your handgun in the nightstand is never a good idea, it WILL be found by a child and is the first place a burglar will look.

 If quick access is desired there are many gun vault type devices for handguns and long guns that will allow you access to the gun in a hurry.  Trying to find a key in the middle of the night or punching in a combination when your adrenaline is high and your heart is beating a mile a minute in little or low light is very difficult. Many newer (and more expensive) gun vaults have a simple touch pattern, or a biometric device to read fingerprints of one or more persons in the home.  

 When I first began acquiring firearms I purchased a gun storage cabinet. These thin walled steel cabinets can be purchased for $90 to $150 and can be effective storage to prevent access by young children; however adolescents or a determined thief will have no problem prying open the door. While a beautiful wood gun cabinet with a locking glass door is a great looking piece of furniture, it provides no deterrent to someone that wants to steal your guns. It may actually invite theft or misuse by highlighting the presence of guns in your home.

 There is no substitute for a REAL gun safe, available in many sizes depending on the number of firearms you need to store. These safes have doors like a bank vault with multiple moving locking pins at least an inch in diameter.  Made of very thick steel these safes are extremely heavy, ranging from 500 lbs. to well over 1500 lbs. Obviously careful thought must be taken with a device this heavy so check the load bearing capability of your floors.

 A good safe will have a fire protection rating in minutes of protection for a given temperature and are good for more than just guns. Many people also use them for their valuable paperwork, jewelry and computer back-up storage. If you are placing your safe where it may be humid, remember to purchase a safe dehumidifier to protect your guns from rust.

 Next month: Gun storage in your vehicle.

 Until then …….Safe Shooting!

Once the shooting bug has bitten and you begin sending a large number of rounds down range you soon realize you are spending a lot of money on ammunition.   Short term measures may include buying ammo in bulk , on sale, or shooting less expensive ammo.  Often people consider handloading their own ammunition.

Reusing the brass case eliminates the largest expense in a round of ammunition, reducing costs between 50% – 60% on your practice ammunition and 30% – 50% on premium self-defense and hunting ammunition.  

Handloaders often joke they do not save any money; they just get to shoot twice as much. That is a good thing, as there is no substitute for practice.

In addition to reducing the cost of the ammunition, Handloading allows you to tailor ammunition to a specific need.  Most factory practice ammunition is “middle of the road” for ballistic performance. Competitive shooters may want to produce lower power rounds to re-acquire the target more quickly. Increasing the power of practice ammo to replicate the recoil and point of aim performance of Premium self-defense ammunition will allow more realistic practice sessions.

Rifles shooters know their guns seem to “like” certain ammunition to be most accurate. This can be a factor of barrel length, rate of twist on the rifling, chamber length and a slew of other variables.  Shooters that do not handload normally have to buy several types and brands of ammunition in different bullet weights and styles to find the most accurate round for a specific gun.  Handloaders can adjust their powder charge and projectile depth to “tune” the round for maximum accuracy.

Projectiles are selected based on the intended purpose: low cost for practice, high accuracy for target shooting, and expansion, penetration and weight retention for hunting.  Powder is selected for a certain characteristic such as price, burn rate, and volume. Even the brand of primer can effect the accuracy and performance of the finished round.

If this all sounds complicated, it is. However, handloading can be as easy or complicated as you care to make it.

Bullet and powder manufactures offer reloading manuals and on-line “recipes” for virtually every caliber.  These sources will list safe loads for different bullet weights and types and commonly available powders. Often a combination for the most accurate load is highlighted. Once a shooter finds a load they like, many never stray from that recipe.  Others use the recommendations as a starting point and then experiments with minor variations in powder loads or bullet seating depth to further increase accuracy.

To understand the process, new loaders often learn from friends or fellow shooters. If you do not know someone that handloads, instructional videos are available from the equipment manufactures as well as on-line sources.

An initial investment is necessary to get started with manufacturers such as:RCBS, Lee, Hornady, andReddingall offering starter kits ranging from approx. $125 – $400. For that you get a basic single stage press, powder scale, powder measure and other equipment necessary to get started.  You will also need to separately purchase the dies and shell holder for the specific caliber you intend to load. 

The single stage press while slower offers a great learning experience in each step: reforming, priming, charging, seating, and crimping. There are faster ways to reload with systems called “Progressive” loaders that perform multiple functions with each pull of the lever; however I suggest you start slow and learn the basics before accelerating. Many people use single stage presses for rifles and pistol all there life and consider crafting their own ammunition as much of a hobby as shooting.

Next month we’ll talk about safe gun storage.

Until then …….Safe Shooting!

According to data from the FBI, record numbers of you bought or received new guns for Christmas. In the last 5 weeks over 1.6 million Instant background checks were performed for buyers applying to buy one or more firearms.

Whether you got a long box with a rifle or shotgun wrapped under the tree or a pistol in your stocking, many of you now have a new firearm that you are planning to shoot.

It has been said that guns have only two enemies: Rust and Politicians! We will take care of the politicians in November, but for now let’s make sure our guns are well cared for.

When you get a new gun it is often in a plastic bag and covered with oil. You may think you can just wipe if off and go shoot, but that is incorrect. New guns are usually drenched in oil that is intended to prevent corrosion. A gun maker does not know if that new gun will sit on the shelf for two weeks or two years, so the oil used is primarily for corrosion protection.

You need to take that new gun apart, clean off any excess preservative and then oil it with high quality gun oil.  If you do not already have gun cleaning supplies, a kit is a good way to start and then you can add specific materials or tools as you need them.  My favorite supplies are Hoppes, although there are others.

Typically a starter kit that will work for multiple calibers including pistols, rifles and shotguns can be purchased for as low as $20. The kit will include solvents to clean and dissolve gun powder deposits, carbon, lead and copper from the barrel bore and mechanism of the gun. A cleaning rod to attach brushes to clean the bore, loops to attach cloth cleaning patches and high quality oil that both lubricates and protects the metal surfaces will also be included. Most kits will also include basic instructions.

Always make sure the gun is unloaded and ensure there is no ammunition in your work area. It is important to read the owner’s manual for proper disassembly and reassembly instructions. Another good source if you are unfamiliar with your new gun is Youtube.com.  A quick search on your specific model will typically reveal videos on disassembly and reassembly. Wipe down the external metal surfaces with gun oil to ensure perspiration and fingerprints do cause corrosion.

Next month we’ll talk about hand loading your own ammunition.

Until then …….Safe Shooting!

Trigger Talk:  Open Carry

Over the past several weeks we did two sessions of our WAAM Trigger Talk “Radio Edition” on the subject of “Open Carry” inMichigan.

Many people are unaware that it is legal for a law abiding person to carry a gun openly in the state.  While there are restrictions on places you may or may not carry openly, most of those restrictions are exempted if the person also has a Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL). This exemption also applies to visiting residents of other states that hold CPL licenses in their home state.

When I first read these rules I was confused as to their application.  I contacted the Michigan State Police Office of the Director of Legal Resource and Education Unit and was able to get direct access to the author of the Michigan State Police Legal Update publication No 86 (dated October 26^th 2010). The Sergeant indicated they get many calls on his subject and the goal of their document is to help both Law Enforcement and the public to better understand the rules governing open carry.

The following is a summary of the information in that document:

• MCL 28.425o lists the premises upon which a CPL holder may not carry a concealed pistol.  MCL 28.425o does not apply to a CPL holder when he or she is carrying a visible non-concealed pistol, commonly referred to as open carry.  
• MCL 750.234d lists the premises upon which a person shall not possess a firearm; however, CPL holders are specifically exempted by subsection (2)(c).  
• Therefore, CPL holders may carry a visible non-concealed pistol on the premises listed in MCL 28.425o and MCL 750.234d without being in violation of either statute.

A web search for “Michigan State Police Legal Update 86”, will locate the document and you can download a .pdf file explaining the laws including hot links to the appropriate pages ofMichiganfirearms law and penal code statutes.

Additionally, there are several organizations around the state and nationally such as www.miopencarry.org where additional information may be found as well a tips and pointers on things such as retention holsters and local events promoting open carry.

The decision to carry a firearm whether openly or concealed is not for everyone and must not be taken lightly. You should be well practiced in safe firearm handling and it is your responsibility to understand and abide by the laws in affect.

Next month we’ll talk about gun cleaning and maintenance.

Until then …….Safe Shooting! 

Dick Cupka is an NRA Certified Pistol, Personal Defense in the Home and Concealed Pistol License Instructor. You can reach him by e-mail at….. triggertalk.dc@gmail.com

Trigger Talk:  AR style rifles.

AR style rifles are loved and scorned by many people. The AR10 was designed in 1955 as a replacement for the military’s M1 Garand. 56 years later the AR has become one of the most popular firearms available today.

Much of this popularity is due to the versatility of the platform. Originally the AR15 was only available in 5.56 NATO (.223 Rem). Recoil is minimal, it is extremely accurate and very effective for varmint shooting. Today in larger calibers such as .308 Win. , 6.5 Grendel, and 6.8SPC,AR’s can be used for medium and large game hunting.  A recent trend includes lighter versions designed to fire the .22LR round, allowing low cost practice and plinking.

The level of customization available to the gun owner is amazing with easy to change stocks, upper receivers, barrels, sighting systems, hand guards. An entire parts manufacturing industry has grown supplying the latest “Tactical” equipment.

Detractors of the AR rifles are divided into two groups: Traditional firearm enthusiasts and Anti-Gun groups. A departure from traditional  firearm construction, the AR was built from aluminum and polymers instead of blued steel and walnut and did not look and feel like a traditional sporting rifle. Initially available only in .223 Rem. the AR15 was considered too light of caliber and prohibited from deer hunting in some states.

Anti-gun groups don’t like the way AR’s looked, based on a military design they tried to label it a “Machine Gun” despite firing only one shot for each pull of the trigger. Through-out history civilian firearms have been based on military designs, from the flintlocks, bolt actions based on a 1898 Mauser design, to today’s AR style rifles.  In fact, semi-automatic rifles have been available to the general public since Remington introduced the Model 8 in 1906.

Bill Clinton’s 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, outlawed many guns based on cosmetic features such as pistol grips, folding stocks, detachable magazines and bayonet mounts. These attributes became know as “Evil features” and were banned ostensibly to lower crime.  When was the last time you heard of a crime committed with a bayonet? Today many of us affectionately refer to this style of gun as an EBR (short for Evil Black Rifle).

AR style rifles can be purchased from around $600 up through $2-3000 and are manufactured by many companies including: Colt, DPMS, Rock River Arms, Remington, Ruger, Sig-Sauer, Bushmaster, and Smith and Wesson.

Next month we’ll talk about the pro and cons of “Open Carry”.

Until then …….Safe Shooting!

Dick Cupka is an NRA Certified Pistol, Personal Defense in the Home and Concealed Pistol License Instructor. You can reach him by e-mail at….. triggertalk.dc@gmail.com

Trigger Talk …Selecting a Concealed Carry Handgun Pt. #2

 Revolvers? Aren’t they obsolete?  Why would I want one of those antiques looking things?

 When it comes to self-defense, the LAST reason for picking a firearm is because it looks cool.  Reliability, power, size, weight, and ability to conceal are what’s important in your carry gun.

 Revolvers are making a comeback in recent years. Innovations in materials and design have produced lightweight carry guns with modern features such as laser sights and polymer shock absorbing frames and grips. Several models are offered with shrouded or internal hammers to prevent snagging on clothing when drawing from a holster.

 Short barreled revolvers take more skill to shoot accurately than a semi-auto pistol. The same features that make for easy concealment also can be a draw back. The short distance between the front and rear sights known as “sight radius” makes sight alignment much more critical. Long trigger pulls can lead to movement of the gun and wide variation in shot placement at 10-15 feet. This may be overcome by the use of laser sight, place the red laser dot on the target and that is where the bullet goes.

 The smallest revolvers often have cylinders that hold only 5 rounds, this is done to make them thinner and easier to conceal. This is a tactical disadvantage when compared to the 8 to 15 rounds found in semi-auto pistols. Carrying extra ammo in a speed loader or speed strip is a must with a revolver.

 The most common caliber for carry revolvers is .38 Special and the slightly more powerful .38 Special +P.  Several manufactures make ammo specially formulated for short barreled guns. The .357 Magnum is an excellent choice and still one of the most powerful handgun rounds available. The recoil however is especially brutal in lightweight guns.  It also has the ability to chamber lower powered .38’s allowing for lower cost and more comfortable practice sessions.

 There are many choices available from the major manufactures: exotic materials, special alloys, stainless steel,. The new Ruger LCR and Smith & Wesson Bodyguard are two of the new polymer guns that are worth looking into. Because revolvers have been made for many decades,  the used market is a great source of affordable guns. Often people have moved to the newer semi-auto guns and barely used revolvers have been traded in.

 Next month we’ll talk about AR style rifles.  Future topics will include Open Carry, personal defense training, reloading ammunition, gun cleaning, gun storage and more! 

 Until then …….Safe Shooting!

 Dick Cupka is an NRA Certified Pistol, Personal Defense in the Home and Concealed Pistol License Instructor. You can reach him by e-mail at….. triggertalk.dc@gmail.com

Trigger Talk …Selecting a Concealed Carry Handgun Pt. #1

 How do I select a personal defense handgun? What caliber should I get? Do I want to carry in a holster, pocket carry or maybe a purse or fanny pack?.  These are the question we must ask ourselves? The decision to carry and be responsible for your own self defense is more of a lifestyle change than just a gun selection.

 There are many choices and calibers, a minimum for self-defense should be the .38 Special and .380 acp. Years ago these calibers were considered a bare minimum for self-defense. Modern improvements in projectile design and propellant technology have made these rounds very capable self-defense calibers.  This month we’ll talk about semi-automatic pistols and next month we will cover revolvers

 You will find yourself selecting your clothing based on your ability to properly conceal your carry gun.  Your firearm may change based on the seasons of the year.  In the warmer months when wearing shorts and a T-Shirt a small gun such as the Ruger LCP or Smith and Wesson Bodyguard are good choices with a proper pocket holster. These holsters completely cover the trigger guard preventing accidental pulling of the trigger and are specially designed to stay in the pocket when pulling out the gun. In the colder months when wearing a jacket or coat a larger firearm can be carried without it being seen.

 Many instructors will suggest a 9mm midsize or small frame semi-automatic firearm for a first carry gun. 9mm recoil is very manageable for most people and the midsize frames are large enough to get a firm grip. The trigger pull is typically light and short, the weight is minimal and the ability to conceal is great. Examples include the Springfield XD9 compact, Glock 19, Smith and Wesson M&P compact, Ruger LC9, Kimber Solo, Kahr PM9,and the Taurus 709 Slim. Additionally, some of the latest generation of pistols come with a portion of the grip that can be interchanged to fit you hand more comfortably

 9mm handguns are typically too big for pocket carry, so you must consider your method of carry. There are two main types of holsters: Inside the Waistband (IWB) and Belt or Outside the Waistband (OWB).  IWB also may allow you to cover your gun with your shirt as some have a “tuckable” feature for your shirt tail.

 Next month we’ll talk about carrying Revolvers.  Future topics will include AR style Rifles, Open Carry, personal defense training, gun cleaning, gun storage and more! 

 Until then …….Safe Shooting!

 Dick Cupka is an NRA Certified Pistol, Personal Defense in the Home and Concealed Pistol License Instructor. You can reach him by e-mail at….. triggertalk.dc@gmail.com