Sonic Crack , .22 LR and the Transonic Zone: Fun Experiment

 

 

Shadowgram of bullet traveling at supersonic speed by Settles1

At what velocity does a .22 bullet traveling through the air start producing a miniature sonic boom?

In a recent discussion online, people who have studied the effect noted aircraft start to encounter related turbulence effects long before they reach the speed of sound.  In addition, the speed of sound in air varies with the temperature of the air.  Thirdly, any lot of ammunition produces a range of velocities. It is exceptional ammunition in which the range from the average to the maximum is less than 25 feet per second (fps). It is not uncommon for .22 LR ammunition to have a maximum velocity of 50 fps above the average for 50 shots.

Part of the theory of a transonic zone is that the production of a super sonic shock wave is not an instantaneous event as a projectile breaks the speed of sound.  Turbulence starts producing supersonic effects before a projectile exceeds the speed of sound. Turbulence creates a distribution of waves, some of which are supersonic shock waves, even though the projectile is traveling below the speed of sound.

It was suggested, to avoid the distinctive noise of a "sonic crack" while shooting a .22 fitted with a suppressor, the average speed of .22 ammunition should be less than 1,000 fps.

The experience of this correspondent has been: when a suppressor is being used, the noise of a sonic crack is easily discerned from subsonic muzzle blast.  This correspondent has available: a reasonably good chronograph, .22 ammunition which has demonstrated velocity distributions on both sides of the speed of sound; and suppressors.  A simple experimental procedure was developed. Shoot 25 rounds of the ammunition through a rifle with a good suppressor.

Record the velocity and subjective properties of the sound associated with each shot, for later analysis.

To make the sonic crack more detectable, the experiment was conducted on a calm day. Large flat surfaces were only a few yards away, to facilitate reflection of sound and to magnify small sonic booms in the ears of the shooter.  The temperature was 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

While an instrument was used to measure the velocity, the human ear was used to characterize the sound of the shot. The use of a suppressor is critical. Suppressors significantly diffuse and reduce the muzzle blast. Most of the noise produced by a shot is either from the muzzle blast or from the sonic crack produced by the bullet. Without a suppressor, gases produced by a shot may leave the muzzle at supersonic velocities.  With a suppressor, the two sounds are fairly distinctive. The muzzle blast is more spread out and diffuse; the sonic crack is a sharper, distinct sound.   This makes detection of the sonic crack easier, as it becomes the major component of the noise of the shot.

25 shots were fired, the velocity of each shot measured, and notes taken on the character of the noise of the shot. Here are the results. There were three clear groupings. Velocities were measured in feet per second:

Group 1, no detectable sonic crack. Velocities of individual shots:

1031, 1036, 1047, 1053, 1058, 1058, 1065, 1071, 1085, 1085, 1092

Group 2, some increase in sound, where a sonic crack was thought to be detected. The effects were much less than the diffuse muzzle blast. Velocities of individual shots:

1095 - hint of increase, 1099 - slight increase, 1101 - hint of snap, 1102 - hint of increase, 1109 - slightly louder, 1109 slightly louder, 1109 - hint of increase.

Group 3, sonic crack clearly detected. Velocities of individual shots:

1114 - yes, 1117 - yes, 1123 - yes, 1126 - yes, 1151 - yes.

The transonic zone effect for .22 LR is real and detectable.  One obvious finding was the effect becomes more significant the closer to the speed of sound the projectile is traveling. From 35 fps below the speed of sound to 21 fps below the speed of sound, the sonic crack was detectable, but the magnitude was much less than the sound of the already low muzzle blast.  From 16 fps below the speed of sound on up, the sonic crack became the dominant sound of the shot from a suppressed .22 rifle. The sound level increased as the speed of sound was approached. The shot at 1151 fps was noticeably louder than the shot at 1126 fps.

At 72 degrees the speed of sound is within 1-3 fps of 1130 fps.  Inside the atmosphere, where humans are comfortable without oxygen gear, pressure has no serious effect on the speed of sound. Humidity has a small effect, accounting for the 1-3 fps variation at sea level and room temperature.  Above 20,000 feet, the effect of humidity can double to as much as 7 - 8 fps.  Temperature causes much larger variations. The higher the temperature, the greater the speed of sound. At 100 degrees F, the speed of sound is 1158 fps. At 70 degrees it is 1128 fps. At freezing (32 F) it is 1087 fps. At 40 degrees below zero, (both Fahrenheit and Celcius) it is 1004 fps.

The measurements of this quick experiment indicate, for .22 ammunition, if the velocity is kept more than 35  fps below the speed of sound, transonic effects will be difficult to detect.  Up to 21 fps below the speed of sound, the effects will be small.

To avoid noise created by transonic effects:

If the temperature is above freezing, the velocity of .22 LR bullets should be kept 21 fps below the speed of sound, or 1087 - 21 = 1066 fps.

If the ammunition demonstrates a max velocity of 50 fps above the average, the average velocity need to be 50 fps less, or 1016. If the maximum for the ammunition lot is only 30 fps above the average, then the average could be 1036.

The obvious solution, as suggested in the online discussion, when sound effects are critical: Keep the average velocity below 1000 fps, and use ammunition which is consistent.

For most shooters, an occasional low level sonic crack will not produce significant effects.

This experiment is simple and easy to do. If the shooter has access to an indoor range, speed of sound effects should be even easier to detect.

In the spirit of scientific inquiry, this correspondent welcomes all efforts to duplicate these results.  A chronograph, a .22 with a suppressor, and a quiet place to conduct the experiment are needed.  An obvious improvement would be to use someone with excellent hearing to determine sound variations. Please contact AmmoLand with your results. Good record keeping is essential in a scientific endeavor.

 

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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MA: Followup - February 7 shooting of Joseph Garrison was Justified

Baltimore Police detectives have determined a February 7 shooting was justified in an attempted robbery.

According to police, 42-year-old Joseph Garrison attempted to rob a 24-year-old male who used a licensed handgun to shoot and kill Garrison in self-defense.

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CA: Knife Rights Files Second Amendment Lawsuit: Switchblade Ban Violates Second Amendment

Flylock switchblade made 1918 to 1929.  3 3/8 inches long, closed.

 

Knife Rights has launched a lawsuit against the state of California, claiming California law (Cal. Penal Code §§ 17235, 21510, and 21590),  which bans the possession, carry, sale, loans, transfers and gifts of automatically opening knives with blades of two inches or more, violates the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

This correspondent has expected such lawsuits since the unanimous decision by the United States Supreme Court in Caetano. The decision, made an unequivocal statement: 

 PER CURIAM.

The Court has held that “the Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding,” District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U. S. 570, 582 (2008), and that this “Second Amendment right is fully applicable to the States,” McDonald v.Chicago, 561 U. S. 742, 750 (2010). In this case, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts upheld a Massachusetts law prohibiting the possession of stun guns after examining “whether a stun gun is the type of weapon contemplated by Congress in 1789 as being protected by the Second Amendment.” 470 Mass. 774, 777, 26 N. E. 3d 688, 691 (2015).

All arms clearly includes automatically opening knives, such as "switchblades", or other common designs. From the complaint : 

There can be no question that knives are “arms” protected under the plain text of the Second Amendment because the “Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding.” N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen, 142 S. Ct. 2111at2132 (2021) (quoting Heller, 554 U.S. at 582). And indeed, the Supreme Court made clear in Bruen that the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect the right to acquire, possess, and carry arms for self-defense and all other lawful purposes—inside and outside the home.

The Bruen decision, published on June 22, 2023, set forward a clear method to decide Second Amendment cases.  As with other rights in the Bill of Rights, no means-ends arguments are to be used. If the actions in dispute are implicated by the text of the Second Amendment, it becomes the burden of the State to show, with historical records, that such laws were longstanding and accepted at the time of the ratification of the Second Amendment, or to a lesser effect, what was in place at the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment. From Bruen p. 15:  

When the Second Amendment’s plain text covers an individual’s conduct, the Constitution presumptively protects that conduct. The government must then justify its regulation by demonstrating that it is consistent with the Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.

The Supreme Court has made clear: History near the time of ratification (1791) is the most important. History near the time of ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment (1868) has much less importance. History after 1900 is not to be considered at all.

The California ban only dates to 1957. It appears to have been passed as part of the media frenzy against switchblade knives in the 1950s. 

The logic in the Knife Rights lawsuit appears clear and unassailable:

• Switchblade knives are in common use for legitimate purposes.
   
• Switchblade knives are arms protected by the Second Amendment.
   
• Therefore, the law burdens conduct protected by the Second amendment.
   
• California law bans possession of switchblade knives.
   
• The law only has a history back to 1957.
   
• There is no longstanding, accepted history of banning switchblade knives from the 1791 era or the 1868 era.
   
• Therefore, the California ban violates rights protected by the Second Amendment and is unconstitutional.
  

Analysis:

Those who desire a disarmed population are not concerned with the Bill of Rights. Their world view is based on means-ends and the preservation of power.

This correspondent sees these likely attacks against the logic of the complaint:

1. They will claim switchblade knives are "dangerous".

2. They will claim switchblade knives are "unusual". 

3. They will claim, therefore, switchblade knives are not arms protected by the Second Amendment. 

4. They will use "means-ends" arguments, claiming the state has a rational reason to ban switchblade knives. 

In a previous AmmoLand article, a Pennsylvania judge claimed switchblade knives did not serve a legitimate common purpose.  

Appellant was free to possess an instrument with a common lawful purpose and use that instrument for the lawful purpose of self-defense. Instead, Appellant possessed a switchblade. While it is conceivable that Appellant possessed a switchblade for self-defense, that is not the switchblade’s common purpose. Hitchon, 549 A.2d at 946; Ashford, 397 A.2d at 423. Accordingly, we reject Appellant’s constitutional claim; he is entitled to no relief. Judgment of sentence affirmed.

The Pennsylvania judge's decision did not create precedent.  It shows the mindset of judges who want to ban weapons and do not respect the Second Amendment. 

 

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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IN: Elisha Dicken Honored as Citizen of the Year for Stopping Mass Murder

GREENWOOD — The City of Greenwood took time this week to honor the man responsible for stopping the gunman inside the Greenwood Park Mall in July.

Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers chose Elisjsha Dicken as the 2022 recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award for the city.

In his nomination letter, Myers recounted what occurred on July 17 inside the mall and shared thanks for the fast action of Dicken.

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PA: Domestic Defense, Ex shoots Women, Fiance Shoots Ex

Once arriving on the scene, investigators say they found William Morgan, Evan’s fiance, on the front porch, covered in blood, and holding a handgun. He then told officers that he shot Kruk in self defense, investigators stated.

Through further investigation, it was discovered that Kruk went to the house in an attempt to get back together with Schimelfenig. Police say the conversation between Kruk, Schimelfenig, and Evans ended with Kruk firing a pistol, and hitting both women.

Morgan then allegedly chased Kruk and the two exchanged gunfire. In the end, Kruk was fatally shot by Morgan and he was pronounced dead on the scene, police say.

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FL: Eleventh Circuit Three Judge Panel Finds Ban on Sales to 18-20-Year Olds to be Constitutional, En Banc Panel Plausible

 Five years ago,  on March 8, 2018, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed into law Senate Bill 726. The law forbade residents of Florida 18-20 years old from purchasing firearms from federally licensed dealers. On the same day, the NRA sued the state of Florida ( in the office of Attorney General, then Rick Swearingen) claiming the law was unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. On June 21, 2021, the District Court Judge ordered summary judgement against the NRA, and for the State of Florida, finding the purchase ban on long guns against residents 18-20 years old, did not violate the Second Amendment.

The NRA appealed the case to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in July of 2021. About two  years later, on June 22, 2023, the United States Supreme Court issued its opinion in the famous Bruen case, reaffirming the Heller decision and giving a clear procedure for courts to follow in order to determine if a law was unconstitutional because it violated the rights protected by the Second Amendment. 

The Bruen case undermined the reasoning in the District Court decision to claim the Florida ban on sales to 18-20 year olds was Constitutional.

On  March 9th, 2023, five years after the Florida legislation was signed, a three judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit issued an opinion against the NRA and upholding the District Court. 

Analysis:

The opinion of the three judge panel appears to be poorly reasoned. The first thing mentioned in the opinion is not a reference to law, but the logical fallacy of an appeal to emotion, listing tragedies which happened long after the ratification of the Second Amendment, and several years after the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The timing of the incidents is no accident, as the opinion makes a claim opposite of what is demanded by Bruen. From the opinion:

A.Historical sources from the Reconstruction Era are more probative of the Second Amendment’s scope than those from the Founding Era.

Bruen holds that historical sources from the founding era are more important than sources after the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment. 

Those who seek to minimize the rights protected by the Second Amendment wish to use laws passed during or after Reconstruction, when many states worked to restrict the rights of minorities, because the Supreme Court refused to enforce the Bill of Rights against the State governments, under the Fourteenth Amendment. 

The Supreme Court has made clear, the rights protected by the Second Amendment are the same under the Federal government, as under the state governments. In 1791, when the Second Amendment was ratified, there were no federal or state laws prohibiting 18-20 year olds from purchasing firearms. In 1792, the first congress passed the militia act, requiring members of the militia, who included 18-20 year olds, to acquire firearms for militia duty. Obviously, in order to acquire them, they had to get them from some source. The most common way would be to buy them. 

The Supreme Court, in Bruen, made clear: Once the clear text of the Second Amendment is implicated, the burden falls on the government to prove there were widespread and accepted statutory restraints in history which are very similar to the restraints the government is defending. In the ban of purchase by 18-20 year old residents of states, no such historical analogies or precedents exist. 

Just hours after the decision of the three judge panel was published, an order was issued in the case, withholding the issuance of the mandate. 

This means a judge on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals is calling for a poll of the judges on the Eleventh Circuit, to see if they are willing to accept the decision of the three judge panel. This is not a common tactic, but has become much more common for Second Amendment cases. 

If a majority of the judges (it appears there are 12 active judges in the Eleventh Circuit) votes to hear the case en banc, it will be heard en banc.  The three judge panel already made their decision. Seven votes are needed to hear the case en banc.

We should know in a few months if the case will be heard en banc. If it is not heard en banc, it is highly likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court, which may or may not decide to hear the case.

If Florida passes a statute, now being debated, which restores the right of 18-20 year old residents to purchase firearms from federal dealers, the case would likely be rendered moot, and no further procedures would be necessary.

 

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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A judge can ask for a poll of the other judges for a en banc review.  

A judge withholds issuance of the mandate in this appeal.

TX: Gunfight in Garland, Two Home Invaders Break in, are Shot, Killed

Two suspected burglars were found dead at a Garland apartment complex after a man said they broke into his apartment and began firing shots. The resident returned fire, fatally shooting both, police said. 

Just after 2:30 a.m. Saturday, Garland police were dispatched to a burglary in progress where gunshots were fired. 

Police responded to Woodlands at The Preserve, an apartment complex in the 4300 block of North Garland Avenue.

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Quiet Gun Shots

Everyone who has listened to gun shots in close proximity knows some cartridges are much louder than others. In the other direction, some cartridges are much quieter than others. 

Everyone understands a .22 LR out of a rifle is much quieter than a .338 magnum out of a rifle. 

Not as widely understood, loads for the same cartridge vary widely in how loud gunshots are perceived. The .22 Long Rifle cartridge is a good example. The highest energy .22 LR cartridges, such as the Aguila Interceptor and the CCI Velocitor, are much louder than CCI Standard Velocity, even though all are firing 40 grain bullets.  Further down the scale, the CCI Quiet .22 load is much quieter with a 40 grain bullet than the Standard velocity. The 29 grain CB load is even quieter. The Aguila 20 grain primer powered Super Colibri  load is still quieter. It makes less noise than many pellet guns.

A key difference in how loud a load sounds is whether the bullet goes supersonic or stays subsonic. To be very quiet, a load must operate in the subsonic area. Projectiles should have an average muzzle velocity of 1070 fps or less to reliably stay sub-sonic.  The speed of sound depends on the temperature. At 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the speed of sound is 1128 feet per second. At freezing (32 F), the speed of sound is 1087 fps. At 100 degrees F, the speed of sound is 1158 fps.

For a particular load in a particular cartridge, the length of the barrel makes a considerable difference in how loud the discharge of the cartridge sounds.

An Aguila 20 grain Super Colibri can sound loud out of a short barreled pistol, and quiet out of a rifle.  

To have quiet loads in any caliber, without using a silencer/suppressor, the key is to have a subsonic load fired in a long barrel. To reduce the noise of the gunshot, a fast powder works better, quickly building pressure to accelerate the projectile, then dropping pressure as the projectile moves to the muzzle. To reduce the noise of the shot, it is best if the projectile  loses a few feet per second in the last inches of the barrel, with the internal pressures dropping and the gases inside the barrel losing temperature.  The lower the pressure of the gases behind the projectile, when the projectile leaves the muzzle, the quieter the shot will be.

A long barrel is, essentially, a sort of suppressor. Powerful projectiles can be quiet, out of long barreled guns.

158 grain or 148 grain cast bullet loads in .38 Special or .357 cases, with 2.5 grains of a fast burning powder such as Bullseye or Red Dot are very quiet out of barrels 22 inches long, or longer. Velocity is reported to be about 800 fps.  Lubricated lead bullets are quieter than copper jacketed bullets, because copper jackets require more pressure to push them through the bore.

The loads do not require small capacity cases. A correspondent tells me a 315 grain cast lead bullet, out of a 25 inch .416 barrel, propelled by 5-8 grains of Red Dot, is subjectively about as quiet as as an air rifle. Velocities vary between 700 and 900 fps.  

There is a a good discussion on these types of loads, from 2009, at go2gbo.com. Here is an example:

cat sneeze loads are pistol rounds fired in a rifle just under sonic speeds (700-800 fps) 3.5 grains of bullseye and a 140-200 gr semi wadcutter in my 357 handi rifle sounds like an air rifle , long barrel attenuates muzzle blast but still hits with SERIOUS authority, accurate 1-2 inch groups at 20-50 yards
economical and quiet way to fill stewpot! Grin and pest control is serious fun!

Subsonic shotgun loads in long barrels are also relatively quiet. 1 1/8 ounces of shot propelled by 6-7 grains of Red Dot is subsonic and said to be effective to 20 yards with #8 pellets. If loaded with # 4 pellets it should be effective to 30-40 yards. The longer the barrel, the quieter it is.

CCI has had great success with its Quiet .22 loading.  Perhaps a manufacturer will come out with a Quiet 12 gauge load for use on pests when one wishes not to disturb the neighbors.

Light loads can be very effective on pests at close range.  A 158 grain .38 at 800 fps, from a rifle, is a practical load to 75 yards, more if you are a good judge of distance.  Large animals can be taken with proper shot placement.

Notice: An important consideration with low velocity, low pressure loads, is to be sure the projectile leaves the barrel. Always check if you are uncertain.

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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PA: Gunfight with Suspected Car Thieves, Suspect Wounded

An 18-year-old man was shot four times after he got into a gun battle with the owner of the car he was trying to steal in Northeast Philadelphia, police said. 

Police said the 18-year-old and a second suspect were trying to steal a Toyota sedan along the 4400 block of Princeton Avenue around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. The two suspects went inside the car when the vehicle’s owner, a 26-year-old man, heard the commotion and exited his home, according to investigators. 

The 26-year-old man was armed with a gun. Police said the 18-year-old man – who was also armed – exited the vehicle and the two men got into a shootout. Police have not yet determined who fired first.

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SC: Followup, Judge finds Tunisia Monique Bryant acted in Self Defense in Shooting of Javion Tyrese Ford

More than three years after a woman shot a 20-year-old man to death outside a Ladson gas station, a judge granted her immunity from prosecution after determining she acted in self-defense.

Tunisia Monique Bryant shot and killed Javion Tyrese Ford on Aug. 15, 2019, at the Scotchman gas station at the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and Von Ohsen Road. The 39-year-old woman cooperated with authorities at the scene. She was charged later that day with murder and a weapons offense, according to court documents.

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TX: Woman Claims Self Defense in Lubbock Shooting of Gomesindo Perez

A police report was released Monday. It stated that a woman who was “in a dating relationship” with Perez called authorities and said he was beating and choking her. The woman told authorities that she shot Perez, according to the report.

 Police previously said it appeared that Perez “was involved in an altercation inside the home and was shot.”

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OK: Shooting of Matthew Harvey was Likely Self Defense; Shoot charged as Felon in Possession of Firerarm

On Thursday, the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to a shooting at Southwest 74th Street and South May Avenue. Police said a man shot and killed his roommate, 20-year-old Matthew Harvey.

Police said the man isn't behind bars because of the shooting, but he was arrested for possession of a firearm after a former conviction of a felony.

“It sounds like in this case, much more likely perhaps, there was a valid self-defense claim, and the authorities want to do their due diligence and investigate all the facts before presenting facts to the district attorney's office," Clay Curtis, a criminal defense attorney, said.

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KS: Followup, Garden City Shooting was Self Defense

On March 6, a man from Garden City died after an argument with family members ended in a shooting in the 2600 block of N. 3rd.

The Garden City Police Department and the Finney County Attorney agreed the evidence available provides probable cause that the suspect acted in self-defense.

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AL: Shooting of 43-Year-Old Tibaous Giles investigated as Self Defense

The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit is investigating a possible self-defense shooting that killed a 43-year-old man Monday night in Tuscaloosa.

At around 8 p.m., officers with the Tuscaloosa Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of 24^th Street after a shooting was reported. Tibaous Giles was found dead on the scene, said Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit.

 

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MI: Robber Demands Wallet, Receives Bullets

On Feb. 8, Shot-Spotter detected three gunshots in the parking lot of Carmen’s Delicatessen in Detroit. Police officers rushed to the scene and were flagged down by two people, they said.

One man approached officers with his hands over his head and told them he owns a concealed pistol license. He said he had fired a shot in self-defense while being robbed outside the store.

The man told police that he and his friend had gone to the store that night and noticed an old man and a young man talking outside. The younger man was wearing a blue Detroit Lions jacket and a ski mask. He was later identified as Joshua Fordham, the criminal complaint says.

 

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TX: Burglar Charges Owner, is Shot, Killed in Liquor Store

According to San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers, on Wednesday, March 8, a burglary suspect was fatally shot inside the store by the store owner. The sheriff’s office dispatchers received a 911 call at approximately 5:20 a.m. from a male stating that his business, Frank’s Liquor, was actively being burglarized.

Multiple deputies, including a patrol supervisor, responded immediately. While en route, dispatchers advised the responding units that the burglary suspect had been shot by the store owner.

Deputies arrived on scene moments later and found the alleged burglar lying on the floor of the business with a single gunshot wound. Allegiance Mobile Health arrived on scene shortly after and began performing medical care to the male subject. The subject was transported by EMS to a Cleveland hospital where he subsequently was pronounced deceased.

 

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NV: Man Shoots, Kills dog which attacked His dog Without Provocation

It states, “Due to the fact [the other neighbor] discharged his firearm in self-defense because he was in fear for his and his dog’s safety and the attack was unprovoked, I am unable to determine probable cause for a crime.”

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MI: Resident Shoots, Kills, Man who Broke into Apartment

BATTLE CREEK — A 40-year-old Fulton man was killed in a Wednesday shooting inside an apartment in what police are calling a self-defense shooting.

The man is accused of breaking into an apartment at Georgetown Estates, Battle Creek police said.

Officers responded to a distress call at the 1975 E. Columbia Ave. apartment complex around 9:41 p.m. Wednesday where they found Donald Richard Guthrie had been shot.

 

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GA: Brother threatens Brother with Knife, is Shot by Family Member

During their initial investigation police told Channel 2 Action News 26-year-old Rodney Dobbins was in an argument with his brother when it became violent and Dobbins attempted to assault his brother with a knife.

Another family member who was there at the time fired a gun at Dobbins, hitting him in the leg.

 

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Five .22 Cartidge Velocities: as Advertised, in Rifle, in Three Pistols

 

The Kel-Tec P17 barrel was measured at 3.814 inches.

Published Velocities for .22 cartridges are easily available, and are usually measured in rifle length test barrels. Lapau reportedly uses a 660mm (26 inch) test barrel for .22 rimfire rifle ammunition.  RWS uses a 650mm (25 inch) test barrel for rimfire rifle ammunition.  US manufacturers are said to use 24 inch test barrels. It makes sense manufacturers would use the longest commonly available barrel to test their ammunition.  Velocities of .22 ammunition in the US is seldom given for pistol barrels.

In a previous article, information was published about the velocities from three pistol for five subsonic and suppressor ready loads.  KevinC, in a comment, asked for a test of common rounds in the advertised 1200 fps range. This correspondent had a number of them handy, as well as some older (1970) Remington Standard Velocity ammunition, recently tested for a different article. 

One difference in this article is the reported length of the barrel on the Kel-Tec P17. Earlier, it was reported as 3.93 inches. References to the 3.93 inch length are still found on the Internet. References to the barrel length as 3.8 inches were found as well. The 3.8" barrel length is now on the Kel-Tec web site. Measurement beats speculation. The Kel-Tec P-17 barrel measured 3.814.  Measuring a pistol barrel to the hundredth of an inch seems overkill. 3.8 inches will be used going forward. The pistols were fired with a suppressor.

The results are shown in the chart.

There are sufficient differences in barrels to effect velocities from firearm to firearm. However, the results, in aggregate, are reasonable. 

The 5.5 inch CP33 produced, on average, velocities 45 fps greater than the 3.8 inch barrel of the P17. The Taurus TX22, with a 4.1 inch barrel, was in between, with average velocities 16 fps more than the P17 and 29 fps less than the CP33.  The velocity difference between the 3.8 inch and 5.5 inch barrels is 20 fps more than in the subsonic cartridges measured earlier. As expected, the higher velocity cartridges are not as efficient in the shorter pistol barrels.

The velocity measurements were taken with a  Caldwell Chronograph G2. The pistol velocities are the average of five shots, except the 1970 Remington from the P17. The five shot run was duplicated as part of another test, so the entire 10 shots were used for the average. The temperature was between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

All the cartridges measured averaged subsonic velocities from the pistol barrels. One round of Remington Golden Bullet ventured into supersonic range from the CP33.  The four cartridges advertised as supersonic were supersonic from the 18 inch rifle barrel.  Five of 25 of the 1970 Remington Standard Velocity cartridges had a noticeable supersonic crack, fired from an 18 inch barrel.

Most of the noise produced by cartridges fired through a suppressor can be categorized as muzzle blast or supersonic crack. In the author's subjective experience, the higher velocity cartridges increase the muzzle blast, even when the bullets are subsonic. The more efficient the suppressor, the less this is noticeable.  

One advantage of subsonic velocities from the pistols is the "High Velocity" cartridges are often less expensive than dedicated subsonic or suppressor ready cartridges.

.22 rimfire pistols are very loud compared to rifles. It takes a more efficient or larger suppressor to reduce the noise to ear-safe levels. Having reliably subsonic ammunition makes this much easier. 

 

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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WA: Juvenile Resident Shoots, Kills, Intruder

Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office

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PRESS RELEASE

 

A23-5229 SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

 

MARCH 8, 2023

 

At about 1514 hours of March 8th, 2023 Cowlitz 911 received a call from a resident in the 7200 block of Spirit Lake Hwy, Toutle, reporting they had shot a subject. The resident, a juvenile, advised dispatch that an unwanted male subject had come onto the property and was behaving erratically. The male subject, who was not known to the resident, was reportedly harassing the resident’s dogs. The caller reported they were threatened by the male subject.

 

Deputies with the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, with officers from the Castle Rock Police Department assisting. The male subject was found to be deceased. Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant and processed the scene for evidence.

 

This investigation is ongoing and no further information is available for release at this time.

 

Troy Brightbill

Chief Criminal Deputy

Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office

NE: Constitutional Carry Bill Passes Critical Vote

On Friday, March 3, 2023, the Nebraska Constitutional Carry bill LB77 passed a critical vote in the Nebraska legislature.  Nebraska is the only unicameral legislature in the 50 states of the United States. When Nebraska switched from a traditional bi-cameral legislature to a unicameral one, in 1934, at the height of the Progressive revolution, safeguards were put in place to prevent a simple majority from exerting excessive power.

Bills proposed in the legislature have to pass three votes which require debate and may be filibustered. The three votes are: the General File (done, 36 to 12), the Select File (pending) and the Final vote (after the Select File).  In these debates, if the bill is filibustered, a vote of cloture is required. 33 votes out of a possible 49 are required for cloture.  In Nebraska, a bill has to have 33 yes votes, in each of the three debate votes, to be sent to the governor for signature.

The time between the votes allows for considerable horsetrading, logrolling, and arm twisting.

While the Nebraska legislature is nominally non-partisan, in practice there are Republicans and Democrats. Using the excellent voting resource of Ballotpedia, Nebraska has 32 Republican senators and 17 Democratic Senators.  As 33 votes are needed to pass a bill, if all 17 Democrats vote against the bill, or do not vote, they can stop any bill from passing. If one Republican votes against Constitutional Carry, then two Democrats are needed to vote for it to pass the bill.

Four Democrats voted to pass Constitutional Carry. Two of them are the only two black legislators in the Nebraska senate. Both are from Omaha. Senator Terrell McKinney of District 11 has been a consistently supported Constitutional Carry in 2022. Senator Justin Wayne of District 13 has been for and against Constitutional Carry, depending on the amendments. The persuasive argument for Senator Wayne has been the use of infringements on the Second Amendment to target black and brown people. From the legislature:

Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne expressed concern over the pending amendment. While in favor of a provision in the underlying bill that would eliminate Omaha’s gun registry, he said the ability to stack charges under the amendment also could have a disproportionate impact on minority communities.

“I’m struggling with more Black and brown kids — based on the testimony in the hearing — being charged and going to prison for, if not significant time, maybe life,” Wayne said.

The Constitutional Carry bill, LB77, strengthens Nebraska preemption law. It overrides and eliminates the current Omaha law which requires handgun registration. From abcnews.go.com:

It's that Omaha law that spurred Omaha Sens. Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney to break party ranks and support the bill.

“How many young African American and Latino kinds are affected by Omaha’s gun laws?” asked Wayne on the Senate floor. Young Black people in Omaha are often charged with gun possession violations when a gun that's not theirs is found in a car they're riding in, Wayne said.

The practice, known in law enforcement circles as “bumping up,” disproportionally affects people of color, he said.

“When they're talking about bumping up kids in Omaha, they're not talking about kids in Bennington,” Wayne said, referring to the overwhelmingly white bedroom community north of Omaha. “They're not talking about kids in western Nebraska.”

The other two Democrats who voted for the Constitutional Carry Bill are Mike McDonnell of District 5, in Omaha, and Matt Hansen of District 26, which is in the northeast quarter of Lincoln.

Senator Tom Brewer has been the driving force behind the bill. He has made it a legislative priority for his career. He is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe.

Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon — the bill's conservative sponsor who has tried since 2017 to pass it — backed McKinney's comments, citing colonial American laws that criminalized arming Native Americans.

The banner in the Nebraska State Seal reads:

EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW

With 36 votes for cloture, prospects to pass Constitutional (permitless) Carry in 2023 are good. However, only three senators would be needed to switch their votes to kill the bill. That is what happened in 2022.

Nebraska is in a race to become the 26th member of the Constitutional (permitless) Carry club. Vermont has always had Constitutional Carry.  24 states have removed infringements on the rights protected by the Second Amendment to the point where no permission from the government is required to carry a loaded handgun in most public places, openly or concealed, for the vast majority of adults.

The Constitutional Carry club consists of:

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Current prospects for Constitutional carry, in addition to Nebraska. are: South Carolina (passed the house), North Carolina, and Florida.

 

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

Gun Watch

WA: Former Basketball Player Shawn Kemp Released in Possible Defensive Shooting

Police say the altercation took place at a parking lot in the 4500 block of South Steele Street — an address that corresponds to the Tacoma Mall shopping center.

Citing people who are close to Kemp, local TV station FOX 13 reports that its sources say the former NBA player "had property stolen from his car on Tuesday, tracked his iPhone to Tacoma on Wednesday and when he approached the vehicle, a suspect shot at him. He fired back in self-defense."

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Electrode Gel for a Quieter, Cleaner Suppressor Experience

One of the things noticed when you start to use suppressors/silencers is the annoying first round pop often experienced with small silencers, especially for .22 rimfire pistols.

For many silencers, the first round sounds noticeably louder than subsequent rounds. The first round pop may not be much of a problem. On the other hand, the first round may be the round you wish to suppress the most.

It has been theorized the first round pop results from unburned powder flashing into the oxygen contained in air in the silencer. After the first round, the air with oxygen in the silencer has been replaced with gases from the first round.

People have found ways to reduce or eliminate the first round pop. Some spray water into the back of the suppressor. Some have put wire lubricant gels into the suppressor. One product displaces the air with CO2.  Another method is to fire a very low powered cartridge, such as a Aguila Super Colibri .22 through the suppressor. The Super Colibri is very quiet, and it eliminates the first round pop if the suppressor is used in the next few minutes, before atmospheric gases re-populate the inside of the suppressor. This effect can be prolonged by placing a piece of tape ( a half inch square of duct tape works well for a .22) to cover the hole in the suppressor. The other end is sealed by a cartridge case or a cartridge in the chamber. There are safety concerns with this method as you do not wish to place your finger over the muzzle of the silencer if the firearm is loaded.   A tool, substituting for your finger, such as a tennis ball, can firmly press the tape in place without placing your flesh in line with the bore of a loaded firearm.

The tape method has been observed to work fairly well for 30-45 minutes. The tape is blown off by gases coming out of the suppressor ahead of the bullet. The point of impact does not seem to be affected at 15 yards.

About five years ago, Silencerresearch.com marketed a product called Ultraquiet Silencer Gel.  It appears to use ultrasound gel, but does not appear to be available any more.

A colleague of mine, Jeremy S., wrote an article about shooting suppressors "wet" about two years ago.  An ablative material inside a suppressor, such as water, foam, oil, or gel, uses up energy which then reduces the noise produced by the shot. Jeremy S. has experimented with using electrode or ultrasound gel to run a suppressor "wet" to reduce the first round pop and improve performance.  Jeremy reported significant success.

Considering Jeremy's success, this correspondent purchased some of the recommended gel, Spectra 360 Electrode Gel from Parker Laboratories.  It was available from Amazon, a three pack (25.5 ounces total) for $13.35. Only a small amount, less than 5 cc, is used in a suppressor per application. The cost of the gel is a small fraction of ammunition cost, and a tiny amount compared to the cost of a suppressor.  Jeremy warned against using more than 5 cc (cubic centimeters) per application. That amount can reduce the volume of the suppressor considerably, and can be dangerous because the gel, unlike air, does not compress.

25.5 ounces of gel is 754 cc of gel. If one cc is used per application, and is good for five shots, the cost per shot is about a third of a cent per shot.

One cubic centimeter is about the same volume as two .22 Long Rifle cartridges.  Five cubic centimeters is about the same volume as eight .22 Long Rifle cartridges. One application lasts approximately 5-30 shots, depending on numerous factors.  Comparison of a bead of the gel to a .22 cartridge can be seen in the orange bottlecap in the image showing the gel and .22 cartridge boxes.

In a small suppressor,  the volume of 1-2 .22 Long Rifle cartridges is enough to reduce first round pop or later shot noise for 3-5 shots.

The gel is applied to the expansion chamber at the rear of the suppressor. Do not block the bore of the suppressor. Blocking the bore could deflect bullets, and destroy the suppressor. It is unsafe.

The gel is very, very sticky.  It is easily removed with soap and water.

This correspondent verified what Jeremy S. determined. Being able to duplicate results is a basic part of science.

Use of the gel reduces the perceived noise of the  "first round pop" significantly. Sometimes, second, third, or later rounds sounded louder than the first round. The gel has the salubrious quality of making suppressor clean-up easy. It is water soluble.  As it is a gel, it tends to stay in the suppressor for a considerable period, at least for several days.

The gel appears to work the best in small suppressors, which appear to need it the most.  The effect can be prolonged by placing some gel in between baffles if you can easily do this. Shots appear to distribute the gel fairly evenly. The gel disappears from the expansion chamber at the rear of the suppressor first. It appears vaporized or liquefied gel is gradually ejected out the muzzle of the suppressor, carrying fouling with it.

The gel has become another tool in this correspondent's ability to shoot without hearing protection.

Jeremy S. Tested centerfire pistol cartridges. This correspondent tested .22 rimfire cartridges in pistols.  Your results may vary. AmmoLand would be interested in what others learn about this technique.

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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IL: Dog Discovers, Dunning Homeowner Shoots, Intruder

A Dunning homeowner shot a suspected burglar in his left forearm at about 1:20 a.m. Sunday, March 5, inside the owner’s house in the 3600 block of North Newcastle Avenue, according to 16th (Jefferson Park) District police.

The resident reported that he was awakened by his dog barking and that he then called out his son’s name and when no one responded, he retrieved his gun and went to search his home, according to police.

He also told police that when he went to check the basement, his dog ran in front of him and made a distressing sound and that he then saw a man in the basement holding a dark object, police said. He told officers that he instructed the man not to move and fired one shot after the man allegedly began moving toward him, police said.

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Off Duty Police Officer Uses AR15 to Stop Bear in Connecticut

Image by Troy Nemitz, with permission. The bear which was shot had two ear tags.

On Thursday, May 12, off duty police Sgt. Lawrence Clarke, 55-years-old, had his property damaged, livestock killed, and grandson threatened by an aggressive black bear which had become habituated to people. When the bear proved to be resistant and unafraid of people, he was forced to shoot the bear to protect lives and property.

AmmoLand has obtained a copy of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection report of the investigation of the incident.

On Friday, May 6, 2022, the Newtown police department received multiple nuisance wildlife concerning a black bear matching the description of a known problem bear. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) was called for assistance. The bear was said to be easily identifiable because of ear tags.

On Tuesday, May 10th, at about 0830, Clarke, who is a Sgt. in the Ridgefield Police Department, noticed one of his chickens on his back deck. He went to the front of the house, and saw his chicken coop had been tipped over. He found he was missing three chickens.  Within an hour, he saw a large black bear near the coop. He yelled and ran at the bear to chase it off. For the next four hours, the bear was circling the south side of his property.  While Clarke was repairing his chicken coop, the bear appeared about 15 feet away. Clarke retrieved a starter pistol and fired twice to attempt to scare off the bear. The bear was not deterred until he began yelling and walking toward it.

Clarke had his wife call DEEP and report the incident, and that the bear had killed three of his chickens. DEEP told them to purchase an electric fence for the chicken coop. Clarke purchased a solar powered electric fence that day for $300.

The solar fence instructions are that it takes three days to charge. Clarke did not set up the fence.

On Thursday, May 12, at about 0900, Clarke's son and three year old grandson were outside in the front yard. Clarke's son noticed the bear about 30 feet away. The bear and his grandson were staring at each other. The son ran, yelling at the bear, to the grandson and grabbed the grandson. The bear stomped the ground, and the son ran inside with the grandson. Clarke went outside and yelled at the bear. The bear ran into the woods.  For the next hour, the bear kept returning to the chicken coop and pawing at it. Clarke kept going outside and yelling at the bear, causing it to run into the woods.  The bear returned and was on its hind feet attempting to pull over the chicken coop. Clark went outside with his Colt Match Target AR-15 type rifle. He walked toward the bear while yelling.  The bear slowly walked away. The bear was about 20 feet away and huffing and pounding the ground with its feet.  It was on all fours and about 15 feet from the chicken coop. Clarke yelled at the bear again, and it took one step toward Clarke, and Clarke shot it in the head.

The bear fell to the ground and started convulsing. Clarke stepped up to the bear and fired six more shots to put it down and stop its suffering.

Because of the angle of the shots, Clarke had a good backstop of the earth and a dense woods behind the bear. The nearest houses were over a hundred yards away, on the other side of the woods.

Clarke was 55 years old when he was forced to deal with the problem bear. The bear had been creating problems for several years. It was a large sow black bear weighing 208 lbs. Some people in the area had labeled the problem bear "Bobbi".   From newstimes.com: 

By 2019, Bobbi “showed little to no fear of humans,” the report said. That was also the first time Bobbi was seen with cubs.

Between 2017 and 2021, there were 191 reported sightings of Bobbi, mostly in the Southbury, Redding and Newtown areas. The majority of the sightings involved Bobbi damaging bird feeders and chicken coops and killing numerous chickens, according to a report from DEEP.

That is a lot of people whose property and lives were disrupted by the problem bear.

The Ridgeway police put Sgt. Clarke on paid leave while the incident was investigated by DEEP.  An investigation was conducted by the Ridgeway department as well as the DEEP.

Sgt. Clarke was cleared of any wrongdoing. A provision of CT Fish and Game code allows for killing fur-bearing animals which are injuring any property. Bears are officially classified as fur-bearers. From Connecticut Fish and Game code:

No provision of this section shall be construed as prohibiting any landowner or lessee of land used for agricultural purposes or any citizen of the United States, or any person having on file in the court having jurisdiction thereof a written declaration of such person's intention to become a citizen of the United States, who is regularly employed by such landowner or lessee, from pursuing, trapping and killing at any time any fur-bearing animal, except deer, which is injuring any property,

The law appears to be clear. Bears are legally fur-bearers in Connecticut. A bear which is causing damage may be pursued, trapped, and killed if it is causing damage on land used for agricultural purposes.

This correspondent is not a lawyer. However, this correspondent has spent time serving as a game warden in two states. Nearly all states allow farmers to kill animals which are doing agricultural damage. There is some exception for endangered species.  Black bears are not endangered. Their numbers are growing. The laws vary from state to state. A Connectitcut attorney, described as an animal rights advocate, claims there is no provision in Connecticut law to allow killing a bear to protect property or people. From greenwichtime.com:

Per Throckmorton’s interpretation, state laws make it illegal to “take” a bear in Connecticut, with no statutory exception for protecting yourself, livestock, or poultry against a bear.

The DEEP investigator had a different interpretation.

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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VA: Fredericksburg Man Claims Self Defense in Shooting of Acquaintance

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — A man suffered several gunshot wounds in Fredericksburg on Sunday afternoon. The shooter told police that the man had attempted to attack him with a knife.

The gunshot victim was in stable condition on Monday morning, according to the Fredericksburg Police Department.

Authorities have not provided any information about the victim or the shooter, as no criminal charges have been filed.

The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. on Sunday on Ivanhoe Court. A man called 911 and reported that he shot an acquaintance outside of his home, according to the police report. The caller noted that the acquaintance tried to attack him with a knife.

 

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Update: Appeal Dismissed for Age Limitation for Texas Concealed Handgun License Adult Applicants

 

On November 9th, 2021, the Firearms Policy Coalition filed a lawsuit against the State of Texas, titled, at the time, Andrews v. McCraw in the North District of Texas. From the complaint:

To be sure, Plaintiffs acknowledge that their facial challenge to Texas’s ban on public carry by 18-to-20-year-olds is foreclosed in this Court by National Rifle Association of America Rifle, Inc. v. McCraw, 719 F.3d 338 (5th Cir. 2013), but they believe that case was wrongly decided. They therefore institute this litigation to vindicate their Second Amendment rights and seek to have McCraw overruled by a court competent to do so. Even under McCraw, however, this Court can and should rule in favor of Plaintiffs’ as-applied claim with respect to 18-to-20-year-old women asserted by Plaintiffs Blakey and FPC on behalf of its similarly situated members.

On August 25, 2022, Judge Mark T. Pittman issued an order showing the Texas age limitation of 21 for adults to apply for a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) was unconstitutional under the Bruen decision of the Supreme Court. Opinion and Order of the court

District court Northern District of Texas Judge Mark T Pittman

The issue is whether prohibiting law-abiding 18-to-20-year-olds from carrying a handgun in public for self-defense is consistent with this Nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. Based on the Second Amendment’s text, as informed by Founding-Era history and tradition, the Court concludes that the Second Amendment protects against this prohibition. Texas’s statutory scheme must therefore be enjoined to the extent that law-abiding 18-to-20-year-olds are prohibited from applying for a license to carry a handgun. 

On September 22, 2022, the State of Texas appealed the case to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

On December 21, 2022, the State of Texas appeal was dismissed at the request of the appellant, Steven C. McCraw, the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety. From the court document:

the appeal is dismissed as of December 21, 2022, pursuant to Appellant’s unopposed motion.

Update, From the dps.texas.gov:

9. Can an individual who is between the age of 18 to 20 years old apply for a license?

​​​​​ A federal district court has ruled the Department can no longer apply the License to Carry statutory eligibility criteria that prohibit otherwise eligible 18-to-20 year-olds from obtaining the license.  Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. et. al., v. Steven McCraw, et. al., No. 4:21-cv-1245-P.  The Department will therefore no longer deny applications solely on the basis that the applicants are 18-to-20 years old.

Opinion:

It appears the State of Texas Department of Public Safety will now start accepting applications for Concealed Handgun licenses from adult residents of Texas who are more than 18 years old.

The Texas Constitutional Carry act limited lawful carry of handguns to people over the age of 21. The precedent has been set that adults 18 and over have the right to carry handguns with a permit.  We may see a challenge to the law requiring they must have a permit to carry handguns in Texas.

Historical laws which limit what people under 18 may do are few, and inconsistent except for voting. As an example, voting was limited, generally to adults which were 21 or over.  Age limits on the carry of firearms are not generally found before 1968, so they are very new, historically.

The restoration of rights protected by the Second Amendment continues, boosted by the Supreme Court decision in Bruen.

Progressive philosophy holds the Constitution is outdated and must be worked around. History holds no precedent for Progressive, as noted in the primary argument they put forward when they ignore Constitutional constraints:

That was then. This is now.  

Only a couple of parts of the Constitution are time limited.

Congress is forbidden to prohibit Migration or Importation of Persons as any of the States now existing shall thing proper to admit before the year one thousand eight hundred and eight.

No amendments to the Constitution are allowed prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight which effect the first and fourth clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article.  The first clause is the migration or importation clause above. The fourth clause deals with imposing taxes.

As it is more than two hundred years past 1808, changes to the Constitution can be made with the amendment process. There is no mechanism to change the Constitution with mere legislation.

 

©2022 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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VA: Frying Pan to Gun Fight, Woman Breaks in, Attacks Man, is Shot

 

AUSTINVILLE, Va. - Authorities in Virginia said a homeowner shot a naked woman who broke into his home and attacked him with a frying pan. 

The Carroll County Sheriff's Office said the incident happened on Feb. 26 before deputies received a report on a shooting at 2655 Loafers Rest Road in Austinsville.

Deputies arrived and found the woman shot in the leg. First responders treated and transported her to a local hospital. 

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South Carolina House Passes Consitutional Carry (again)

On February 22, 2023, the South Carolina House passed a Constitutional Carry bill with 75% of the votes, 90 to 30.  Constitutional or "permitless" Carry is when a state does not require a permit to carry loaded handguns, openly or concealed, for most adults in most public places, a close approximation of the state of the law when the Second Amendment was ratified in 1791. From abcnews.com (AP):

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The Republican-controlled South Carolina House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to allow lawful firearm owners to carry handguns openly or concealed without a state permit.

The 90-30 vote brings the conservative state one step closer to joining 25 others with some form of so-called “constitutional carry” laws. The fate of the state's latest effort to loosen gun restrictions once more falls to the Senate, where lawmakers rejected a similar proposal two years
ago.

The South Carolina bill for Constitutional (permitless) Carry is  H 3594. The ALL CAPS format is the way the bill is formated at the South Carolina legislature site.  From H 3594:

A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "SOUTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY/SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT OF 2023" BY AMENDING SECTION 10-11-320, RELATING TO CARRYING OR DISCHARGING FIREARMS AND EXCEPTIONS FOR CONCEALABLE WEAPONS PERMIT HOLDERS, SO AS TO DELETE A PROVISION THAT MAKES THIS SECTION INAPPLICABLE TO PERSONS THAT POSSESS CONCEALABLE WEAPONS PERMITS AND TO PROVIDE THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO PERSONS WHO POSSESS FIREARMS; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-20, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUNS, SO AS TO REVISE THE PLACES WHERE AND CIRCUMSTANCES UPON WHICH HANDGUNS MAY BE CARRIED, AND PERSONS WHO MAY CARRY HANDGUNS; BY AMENDING SECTION 16-23-50, RELATING TO CERTAIN PENALTIES, DISPOSITION OF FINES, AND FORFEITURE AND DISPOSITION OF HANDGUNS, SO AS TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS TO THE UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUNS;

The bill is available in full at the link.

The South Carolina legislature has been attempting to pass a Constitutional Carry bill for years. In 2021, the House passed Constitutional Carry, but the Senate, even with a large majority of Republicans, did not pass the bill.  It seems likely a Senator in a leadership position killed the bill. However, the Senate passed and the governor signed into law, a licensed open carry bill. This is incremental progress. There are only four states which ban open carry, even for those with gun permits (California, New York, Illinois, and Florida).

With half of the states in the union now having a form of "permitless" or Constitutional Carry as the de facto standard of their law, it becomes more and more difficult for Republicans to find reasons to vote against Constitutional Carry. No ill effects have been shown to result from Constitutional Carry.

This year, Governor Ron De Santis is promoting Constitutional Carry in Florida, although it may become only a permitless carry law for concealed carry.

Nebraska is on the brink, and may pass a Constitutional Carry law for that state.  North Carolina may have the votes to pass a Constitutional Carry law over the veto of a Democrat governor. It appears four states are in contention to become the 26th state where no permit is required to exercise the rights protected by the Second Amendment in most public spaces.

Every state which joins the  Constitutional Carry club shows respect for  the Second Amendment continues to grow in the United States. According to a poll in 2008,  73% of Americans believed the Second Amendment protects individual rights.  In June of 2022, a poll sowed 83% believed the Second Amendment was adopted to protect self, family and property, and to protect against tyranny.

The legislatures and courts are reflecting the common understanding of the Second Amendment, at the time it was ratified, and as people understand it today.

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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NC: Leland Man, Ronald Lee Merrick, Found Not Guilty of Murder by Jury

A Brunswick County jury delivered a not guilty verdict, exonerating Ronald Lee Merrick from the August 2020 killing of 26-year-old Dondre Shaw.

Leland police said in 2020 that Shaw and Merrick got into an argument, leading to the shooting.

After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury decided that Merrick, now 70 years old, justifiably killed Shaw in self-defense.

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IL: Northwest Chicago homeowner Shoots Intruder

CHICAGO (CBS) – A man accused of breaking into a home on Chicago's Northwest Side early Sunday morning is hospitalized after police say he was shot by the homeowner he was attempting to rob. 

The 27-year-old suspect, identified as Jeremy Tyler, was listed in critical condition Sunday evening after he was shot in the arm by the homeowner. He has been charged with a felony count of burglary.

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NICS numbers for February 2023, Fourth Highest for Gun Sales, Background Checks

Lines are from 2022. Bars are for 2023.

In February of 2023, the number of gun sales and total National Instant background Check System (NICS) checks continue to be very close to the numbers from February of last year, 2022.  The number of gun sales from 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 only vary by 8 percent from lowest (1.24 million in 2020) to highest (1.35 million in 2021). It appears the United States has reached a semi-stable level of gun sales close to what was an unprecedented record of sales in 2016. The number of gun sales for February of 2023 is 1.30 million.

Background checks, by themselves, show a misleading picture, because of extremely high numbers of background checks done for other purposes, especially for gun permits and gun permit rechecks. Illinois and Kentucky do astounding levels of gun permit and gun permit rechecks. Both states check hundreds of thousands of the same people every month, without any gun sales being done. This created very high NICS total checks in February of 2020 and 2021.  In February of 2021, the permit and permit rechecks were 60% of total national NICS checks.

Then Illinois changed their policy, by a revamp of the Illinois Firearms Owner IDentification (FOID). This dropped the NICS checks for Illinois by a significant amount. Permit and permit rechecks in February of 2023 were only 46% of the total background checks in the NICS system. In February of 2021, Illinois had over 846 thousand checks done for permits and permit rechecks, about 25% of total checks done for the United States for the month.  In February of 2023, Illinois had over 372 thousand checks done for permits and permit rechecks, about 15% of total background checks for the United States for the month, a drop of about 474 thousand background checks in February, mostly from the change in Illinois state law and policy.

The change in the number of background checks had almost no relevance to the change in the number of gun sales.

The United States, according to surveys done by the industry group, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has large numbers of people choosing to be first time gun purchasers. (Full disclosure: the author is a media member of NSSF.) The number of gun owners in the United States is growing. After having purchased a firearm, many gun owners find they want more than one.

There are many specialized purposes for guns.  New gun owners often find they need several different guns to do different things, just as most people have several different kinds of shoes and boots for different purposes. Running shoes work better for running. Hip boots work better for wading. Shotguns work better for shooting birds. Pistols are easier to carry everyday. Rifles are better for longer ranges. There are numerous sub-categories.

Most new gun owners start with just one gun. Once they break through the mythology of "evil" guns, many find they want more than one gun. Guns are at historically low prices for new guns. Breakthoughs in manufacturing technology, the relative open nature of the United States firearms markets to foreign manufacturers, and the removal of many infringements on the right to carry arms in the United States, all work to increase gun sales.

A pair of polls by different groups now show more people are opposed to President Joe Biden's proposed ban on semi-auto firearms than are for it.

As government's willingness to provide for domestic tranquility drops in Progressive controlled cities, the ownership of arms becomes more attractive.

©2023 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.

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VA: Roanoke County Homeowner Shoots Intruder

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — The Roanoke County Police Department says a person was shot during a break-in at an apartment complex on Sunday morning.

Around 2:41 a.m. on March 5, officers responded to the North Point Apartments for a call of a break-in. At the scene, investigators learned the homeowner used their gun and the alleged intruder was shot.

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GA: Followup, Jury Finds Jesse Castillo NOT GUILTY of all Charges

A Polk County jury acquitted a man of all charges relating to a February 2021 shooting, finding that he acted in self-defense.

Jesse Castillo was arrested and charged in the shooting death of Michael Griffith in the 500 block of Clarkwood Road in Rockmart. A jury found that he was innocent of all the charges Thursday after a four-day trial. Castillo was then released to rejoin his family.

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TX: Home Invader Shoots Dog, Resident Shoots Invader

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A home invasion Wednesday morning in northeast El Paso and a man found shot 2 miles away from that location appear connected, according to El Paso police.

Investigators say 29-year-old Bruce Wayne Murphy, a northeast El Paso resident, forced his way into a home Thursday on the 7500 block of Howard Street in northeast El Paso around 8:56 a.m. There were three people inside the home, including a dog. According to residents, Murphy shot a weapon inside the home, injuring the dog.

That's when police say 37-year-old Sean Patrick Suniga, a resident of the home, pulled out his own handgun and fired back at Murphy.

 

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