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I have a lot of thoughts about this, but I'll stick to a few for right now - because truthfully at 2200CDT on a Wednesday evening I own and run a small business - and I'm still here, today. I haven't had a guaranteed payday on Friday in a long, long time. So, here I am. Both of our political parties have their hands in our pockets. This isn't a "conservative"/"liberal" thing. It's an American political thing. Find more than a handful of our 536 elected representatives in Washington that actually understand what it takes to actually create and sustain a job. You'll be hard pressed. And, I say that as a small business owner who knows the extraordinary effort it takes to go from zero to one employee. I am successful. Truthfully, I am rich. Maybe not by every metric, but certainly by most. I've been all over the world and I know what poverty looks like. I don't have to worry about much. Every time I open the refrigerator, it's like I've won the freaking lottery. There's good food in there, and I don't have to worry about whether or not it's going to make me sick, or whether there's still going to be some in there tomorrow. Success is a funny thing, though. I work hard. I work really hard. But, as it turns out, that's not the single biggest indicator of success. In America today, the single biggest indicator of success is the level at which you can tolerate risk. And, as it turns out, I can tolerate a fair bit. Some of that is the product of decisions I made earlier in my life, but a lot of that is also luck and privilege. You can discount it, but sitting where I sit today as the managing director of one company and the CEO of a new company, those last two factors are significant. What plays into those? A non-exhaustive list off top of my head: I come from a two-parent home I never once worried about my safety at home or whether or not I would have food to eat in the morning I went to good schools where teachers knew my name, cared if I did well, and by and large actually knew something about the subject they were teaching I graduated from high school I graduated from college with no debt - scholarships and the fact that my parents were able to fund the rest of my education I went to graduate school I started a little business with a couple of friends in the 90's that was in the right place at the right time We met some people who took a liking to us who happened to worth a whole lot of money - and they mentored us I waited until I was married to have kids My wife worked while I got my first company off the ground - and she had good benefits I'm white - discount that if you want - but I walked into a bank that I've never been into in my life today and the bank president walked me out when I left On the rare occasion that the police come into my neighborhood, they always address me as sir. I've always had reliable transportation - or lived in a place that had public transportation so good you didn't need it My family has not gotten any serious illness or disease My wife is able to parent with me so that I don't have to worry about childcare so I can go to work - it doesn't even cross my mind - if my schedule changes, it's not a huge deal. Can you take away one or more of those things and still be successful? Sure. But, you're going to have to work a lot harder at it than I do - and probably for a lot longer. The fact of the matter is that now, at 42, I can start a brand new company, and it's likely that it'll be successful. I'm good at what I do, but the only reason I'm starting it is because I have both an opportunity AND the ability at this point in my life to take advantage of it. As to a CEO having a huge compensation plan while stepping on the backs of employees, there are some giant problems in America today. Frankly, the economy is being looted by financiers. So many CEO's today aren't adding much value - they're just in a position to be able to extract as many assets of value from the companies they're heading as they can. See Sears, JC Penney, Radio Shack, Kmart, et al right now if you need examples. I cannot speak for everyone, but I can tell you how I see it. I'm pretty generous with my employees. I look at it in two ways. First, you can have a large piece of a small pie, or a smaller piece of a much larger pie. I try pretty hard to bring more people to the table and give equity away generously. In doing so, yes, I own a smaller percentage of the company. But, there are a lot of people who suddenly have an equity stake in it doing well. What do you think they're going to do with that? My experience shows that they work a lot harder to create value. And, having been through it a couple of times, instead of having 80% of something that's not worth that much, I have maybe 25% of something that's worth 10 times as much. In my experience, it works out better for everyone. I also look at it from a Biblical perspective - actually an ancient Jewish perspective. In the 23rd Psalm, there's the idea of the Lord filling a cup until it overflows. In the ancient Jewish tradition, there was no idea of individual blessing/salvation - it was all community based. So, when your cup overflows it's not wasted - instead it flows out into the community around you. And, everyone is better off because of it. Sure, I don't much care for having the government tell me what to do with my money. I would just assume they left me the heck alone. But, that is coming from a position of privilege. The truth of the matter is that while I'd love it if our churches, communities and civic organizations took care of our local communities - we suck at it. And as we embrace the politics of 'the other' over the gospel, it's getting worse. I can think back to the flood in 2010. We have a major church in Nashville that was built with the intention of being a disaster relief shelter. But, when the time came to put it to use, they didn't - because it would be disruptive to services, and liability, and insurance, and safety, and our kids, and whatever... Every last one of us depends on the government for way too much. And, that's unlikely to change anytime soon. I grumble and moan every time I write a big check to the government for taxes. But, as individuals we've become way too dependent. And it's not like our churches are going to step up. Western individualism has run completely amok in American christianity. So, it's a question that doesn't have a discrete answer that fits into a neat little partisan box. Do I "deserve" more because I work hard for it? Maybe? I probably deserve more than the Instagram starlets. But there are plenty of single moms that work every bit as hard as I do every day as vet techs or as medical assistants or teachers or at Target for that matter. There are women at the Target up the street that I know for a fact are there from open until close most days. I am in a position by luck, privilege and effort that allows me to tolerate a lot of risk - and that will more often than not lead to success. That's the easy part. It gets a lot harder from there.

Many are greedy, some are rich. The ones who complain the most don't work hard enough to become rich.

Please post them here first. If they don't move then explore other venues.

I usually just toss them out the window as the officer is about to drive away. For some reason this seems to make him angry.

This is the whole issue with the left, they want everybody's money in the worst way.

It's funny, when I read the OP and got to the part about taking what you didn't earn, I immediately assumed he was talking about all the worthless scum taking government handouts and not contributing to society. I guess that's not as big a deal as big bad corporations, huh? The great thing about America is that we aren't stuck with just complaining about what we don't have and someone else has more. We are all able to further ourselves if we choose to. I am a blue collar worker and have zero desire to have a corner office and 7 figure salary and wear a suit every day. But I could if I wanted to put forth the effort to do so. The rich are rich for a reason, they ( or their family) have contributed to society in one way or another at some point in time in a measurable way. If you want to be rich, chase your dreams and live your life to the fullest. Hell, right now we have a guy who started with a real estate investment and is now sitting in the White House. If nothing else, that proves you can go as far as your ambition and determination allows you to.

Geez. i disagree. If you want to make the money of a CEO, strive to be one and become one. If you want to get govt mandated raises and a "living wage" for doing menial work that doesn't take a special skill set, prepare to be replaced by a robot or machine and wait for your handout. Crooks and politicians! I label those lacking ethics and the moral incapacity to do the right thing for the right reason crooks as well.

I don't know - I read it that he is saying the problem can't be summed up on a bumper sticker. Instead, it isn't a clear cut issue. When the working man keeps getting less and less (including not getting raises because the company 'can't afford it') but the CEOs keep getting their golden parachutes, get their bonuses even when the government has to bail the company out and can still take advantage of loopholes and not-technically-illegal tax breaks that none of those working stiffs would ever have access to because they will never make enough money to use them then there IS a problem and it isn't 'liberal', 'communist' or 'socialist' to say so. After all, who is really earning the money - as in every dime the company makes, basically - the guy in the head office or the guy who is actually in the field providing the service or on the assembly line producing the goods? I'd say it is a little of both, actually, but the company could probably continue without the CEO and a couple of the other high-level administrators as long as there were still enough people in positions to run the daily business. How long could the company operate without the aforementioned people who are actually providing the service or producing the goods? I'd say not very long. Even if they are replaced by other people it would then be those other people who are doing the work that keeps the company in business. So, then, why are CEOs and so on deemed as being so much more 'valuable' - as reflected by yearly salaries that may equal more than the people who are actually doing the work that drives the company will see in a lifetime? That is a problem. In a perfect world the company, itself, would see this imbalance and take at least some steps to rectify it. However, as long as people - greedy people who are greedy because they are people and who can indulge their greed because of their positions of power - are running those companies that will not happen. So, what is the answer? Government regulations forcing more equity? Possibly - but that would open the door to other problems. It is kind of funny that the whole reason allowing corporations to 'self-regulate' with regards to these issues doesn't work is the same as the reason communism and socialism will never work - because you have to have people in charge and the people in charge will almost always use those positions to make sure that they are 'more equal' than everyone else.

I would agree, post them here first. Hopefully you can sell some and avoid the hassle and fees at a gun auction site. Then if no one has interest, you already have pics and info to create those auctions. Though for those of us that are on the other end of the state, don't rule out shipping completely.

I'm an Aussie who has been living in Kansas for almost the past 10 years and have just accepted a job in the Nashville area. Since getting my Green Card I've started to build a small collection, mostly AR15s (some factory most built by yours truly) and a few handguns.

Cant wait to go shoot it!

I wonder if her name is Lucile

I own two of them, so I'm licensed to say anything I want about them. - OS

Won't keep you out of Leavenworth, ya know. - OS

You like that all pink, madam?

It's a Glock, Who cares what color it is. - OS

I firmly believe the folks that bitch about the rich do it purely out of jealousy. I work with a guy who was complaining about CEO salaries and was stating that by eliminating those salaries it would greatly help the employees. I looked up the Wal-Mart CEO salary, divided it out among the 2.3 million employees and it came out to $8.43 per person.

The simple answer is scarcity. Rare things are worth more than plentiful things. Ditch diggers are plentiful. CEOs with financial sense, leadership skills, and political connections are rare. The complete answer is far more nuanced than that, but in general, the principal holds true.

I actually kinda like it - and I don't like Glocks.

The only people that take wealth they haven't earned are crooks and politicians. That's why many pols are against the death penalty, in case their actions catch up to them. If someone has a business, it's to make money. Or to satisfy a need to provide a service or good. Your narrative sounds like a liberal bumper sticker.

Folks, This will definitely be happening, Im offshore just crossing the Equator for the 4th time in my career, en route to Brazil from Gran Canaries Spain anyway a package arrived at my home from Protech that I was not expecting, I am guessing it will be the TGO Dark Angel Prototype, I will be home in 3 weeks then I will know pricing and launch the official thread, God Bless you all!

Where would you like to start? The new M&P feels really great in my hand. Looks like I'm going to have to have at least 1, if not 2 [Pro 5" 9mm and regular length 40 for a house gun] Talked to the people at Dillon. Started with my condolences on Mikes passing. The man told me that Mike's boys have been slowly taking over for the last 3 years. They knew this was coming and wanted dad to have more time to himself. Also told them that I felt that their shipping was way too high and that I felt like I was putting one of their kids through school [said a s a joke]. The reply I got was that Shipping was high in Arizona. Got a chance to fondle Wather's P380. My wife's only complaint carrying an auto loader for concealed carry was that she couldn't rack the slide. She want with me through most of the show and this was the only one she could work. Got my hands on a Sig MPX while I was there. I wanted one before I got there. As of 2 months ago they have changed some things. I was fairly OK with the sliding stock on the older one. It did feel short and a bit uncomfortable to shoulder. New ones have a folding stock that feels a lot better. Older model had crap for a trigger. that was the first thing I was going to have to change [$200]. New one has a great trigger in it, out of the box. Only thing is now that the wait if over for the bucks, I've got to wait for the new model to get to the retail market. Got to talk to the folks at Alliant powder. Told them that I was not happy with how dirty their powder was to shoot. They said that it has changed. We'll see, now that I have gaggle of something else. Saw a lot of familiar faces at the USPSA booth. Told them that I would like to see production go to 15 rounds. I was told that it would cause problems in states like California. Humm, other states with handgun restrictions still get to shoot practical pistol. Could go on but you should have gone and have another chance next year. Take your favorite lady and take a 4 day vacation. Takes 3 days to see it all. I start when they open the doors and leave about 1-2.

What they said... I love old milsurps, much more than my budget allows unfortunately.

My Wilson tennis racket bag has served me well in the last year.

Your honor, I refuse to post pics from the PSA booth on the grounds that I might incriminate myself.

That's for sure This year makes it 40 for me... now I feel old lol

A lot has changed in the 25+ years I have been here.

Now, Now you know that aint helping

Blasphemy!

Unless it was a special edition military issue or something, it's a bit much. Black slide or frame would help a lot.

I remember when MJ didn't even have a red light....

As opposed to $60/year for that stupid-ass convenience fee.

And now we know why the USCCA was uninvited from the NRA convention.

yep, that's why I write them a check every month and spend 50 cents on a stamp instead of paying them $5 to make it easier on them.

Feels great to be riding a again. just rolled over 100 miles. Rode to work 4 times last week and the rest was a bit of joy riding, breaking in. at 90 miles, i stopped for gas, 1.2 gallon and it was fuller then when I left the Honda shop.

I have come to believe that a certain well known gun rights organization operates kind of like the firefighters we hear about every once in a while who start fires so that they can be 'heroes' by putting them out. If things swing too far in gun owners' direction it might put them out of business so they have to periodically create a problem so that they will have something to lobby against a few years down the road.

Just wanted to say thank you for starting this thread. Came in a couple days ago. Sorry for the crappy pictures Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't know the code, but yes you can in fact carry a loaded handgun in your vehicle legally now. Law recently changed and most cops don't know established law much less recently changed ones. If a cop shoots you just from sight of a gun, there's a whole lot wrong going on there.

Oh Shoot, the tactical troubadour. Reckon you could install some fitted foam or something to fill the case up?

My wife and I have gone for the last 3 years. Wouldn't miss it for the world. Not much there to buy,but you get to check out all the gun related stuff from every manufacturer. Even if it's not on the shelves yet. One day isn't nearly enough. We plan on being there 3 days. Go early, leave early, enjoy a running away from home weekend. The grass will still be there when you get back.

'Common Sense' now there is something that has become as rare as 22 ammo use to be ️

You would think this is common sense, and would not need instructions. But we have so many laws regulating behavior because people like this can’t even handle the simple task of carrying a gun without screwing it up.

WOW!!! That video is insane!!!