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I'm sorry but I just don't believe that more welfare-like programs are going to solve the issue of gun violence in the inner cities of America. We have been financially supporting people for decades now and if anything, it's just getting worse. I think we've created a system of dependency and fraud where you have millions of people that are healthy enough to work but choose not to because it's too easy to survive without a paycheck. I'm in favor of helping people with drug addiction and mental health issues but giving them a monthly check to continue being a non-contributor is the wrong approach. I also don't believe that poverty alone is the reason why certain neighborhoods are full of gun violence. If that were the case, every trailer park in America would be a death trap.

So as a therapist, I wish we still had mental hospitals; a short history on why we don't anymore. In 1955 there were 559,000 people in mental hospitals in America. (Would be over a million in today's numbers.) Through the late 50s and early Sixties, a trend called "deinstitutionalization" started in mental health. This trend was aided with the first psychotropic drugs that lessened the need for inpatient. In 1963 the "Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act" went into effect to build between 1,500 - 2,500 community mental health centers to get patients out of the hospitals and into community care. By 1977 only 650 centers had been built. In 1981 the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act shifted funding to the states in the form of block grants and states decided to spend more money on community mental health rather than hospitals, so it is from the early 80s we began to have more homeless mental patients on the streets. The lack of institutionalization plus the reality that you cannot force someone to get or stay on medication makes it difficult to treat the pervasively mentally ill.

I don’t see how getting people more permanently hooked on the government tit will solve anything.

I remember the article and map. Approximately 80%+/- of murders occur in 2% of counties. The 2% of counties all contain poor inner cities. The problem is socioeconomic. The solutions will be socioeconomic.

It was brought to my attention today that you can view 360 degree photos from within Chernobyl on Google Maps. It's fascinating. Just drop the "Yellow Man" on any of the small circles in the area: https://www.google.com/maps/search/chernobyl/@51.3889103,30.0953911,15.27z Such as: https://www.google.com/maps/@51.3894142,30.0998906,3a,37.6y,296.24h,93.04t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipMcivCT_eEAhr9ci-WXl9AHOcsrk9T_p-Fo9kM7!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMcivCT_eEAhr9ci-WXl9AHOcsrk9T_p-Fo9kM7%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya96.37193-ro-0-fo100!7i11878!8i5939

Boots on the ground; 22-25 lb pack on the back. I hike at least once a week in mountainous terrain. Average hike is 15-20 miles. Being in shape, able to carry weight and navigate keeps me feeling "prepped". Up to 422 miles in 2021; had over 1300 miles last year. Keeping a new stat: we've climbed over 65,000 feet this year.

The Senate has 50 dems and 50 republicans, a tie that's broken by the cackling VP Harris. But it takes more than a simple majority to break a filibuster, which is now nothing more than a procedural action. So even with their 51 votes in the Senate the dems don't have enough votes to pass DC statehood, an expanded SCOTUS, or, I hope, gun control. The house can pass all the loony crap they want to, but it has to get past the Senate to become law and so long as the republicans stick together they can block legislation. It's much more complicated than that, of course, but in a nutshell, there you go.

They need some wiggle room to accommodate subtle differences between cartridges and the effect of heat.

I hope we're starting to see the end of the madness. I'm seeing more and more in-stock ammo, but still at elevated prices (like .70+/rd FMJ 9mm). Here's hoping the supply is catching up and we'll see some declining prices over the next few months.

Tomayto-Tomahto If UBI isn't a form of welfare, I don't know what it would be called. I'm assuming the thought is that if we lift people out of poverty, it will help with the violence? I just don't believe there will ever be a cure for poverty for the same reason that you have so many lotto winners than end up bankrupt. Some people are destined to be poor. It is unfortunate. If you give them $2,000/month, they will soon be demanding $4,000. Actually, there might be a cure for poverty, but I highly doubt it's more government. In fact, I would bet that if we had fewer of these programs to fall back on, people might actually be forced to improve their situation. As someone that has had a macabre fascination with the federal deficit I just don't see it. I don't buy the idea that rich people alone can pay for all these programs. Even if we had the money, I have serious doubts that throwing cash at poor people is going to keep them from killing each other.

I am sure this will be seen as Racist by some, but why don't we see the same level of shootings in other "poor" areas. There are plenty of poor areas in the US. The "socio" is more of a problem than the "poor".

Like this a million times, hits the nail on the head with 10 pound hammer!!!

God Bless him and may he Rest In Peace. Most folks don't waist a minute on the old guys, think nothing of them. Stop and talk to them because at one time they were probably 100 pound men that had more grit than all these damn liberal kids we are raising today combined. Hell living to be 100 takes a pretty tough man.

I wish I could find the article again, but I saw something a while back that showed an insanely high % of total murders in the US occurred in just 3-4 counties.

I am so proud when our state and country honors men & women like Mr. Coolidge. They endured things no human being should have to. We are losing these WWII vets at a pretty high pace. My wife has an uncle that will be 96 this October and served in the Navy in the Pacific. These old soldiers are some gritty fellows I will tell you.

Howdy folks, recently relocated from the North East in pursuit of Freedom & Whiskey. I'm a lifelong handgun, rifle, class III, gunsmith/reloading enthusiast. Got a collection my wife thinks is about half of what it is. Looking forward to finding and spending time at some local outdoor spots + getting to know some fellow TN shooters.

Up until the most recent "scare" I have never had an issue with anyone doing what they say they are going to do on TGO. Recently I have had a no show (guy is gone from TGO apparently), and an issue where someone has offered up a gun I was looking for then broke off communication completely when I asked for a price. I guess its the times now. I was raised to do what I said I was going to do when I said I was going to do it. I have passed up higher offers on guns and accessories after I had verbally committed to a deal with another person, even on Armslist. Its the right thing to do. Sorry just venting a little.

What many people fail to realize is that there are quite a few people in these crime ridden areas that have more money than they know what to do with. Many of these gang bangers and drug dealers carry rolls of cash and probably spend more in a year than I have in my entire retirement savings and investments. So how is a few measly dollars, from the rest of us, going to solve anything when they are the source of much of the crime? This their way of life, a source of power, a position they will be most reluctant to let go of. As to the shooting, why is it that many of these shooters have had multiple contacts with authorities but are still out on the street?

I can walk long distances all day but can't imagine running! That would kill me. Have you heard of the Barkely Marathon here in TN? It's a crazy mix of both. https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a26750827/barkley-marathons-faq/

Don’t count on it. We’ll never see prices like 2-3 years ago again.

It’ll get better. Always does

To be honest, I'm getting really damn annoyed with the entire thing. The BLM march over the weekend didn't help my mood. People were holding signs demanding justice for the kid that brought a gun to school. I don't understand it. Meanwhile we've had god knows how many other black people killed this year by someone other than police and the same community hardly reacts. Have you ever looked at the unsolved homicides on KPD's website? You'll notice a trend. https://knoxvilletn.gov/government/city_departments_offices/police_department/criminal_investigations/unsolved_murder_cases

That is awesome especially for a dog in their teens! I couldn’t log that many miles myself. I have in past years done 5k’s, 10 milers and a couple half marathons. But I am a bit older now. I did go 5.5 miles a week ago. But none of my miles are in the mountains with a pack. My hat is off to you both!

@Swamp ash Do you have a favorite trail?

Thread has drifted, but police say the two rifles he used were legally purchased. Didn't specifically say from an FFL but that seems to be the assumption. - OS

I like to hike, but don't get to do it as much as I'd like. I'm also much more of a day hiker, my feet won't tolerate 20 mile days. It's also getting toward the end of hiking season... too many bugs, snakes, and people.

I understand politics is a forbidden topic on this forum, but I just can’t let this post go unanswered. What you are proposing is communism in it’s purest form. Since it hasn’t been successful anywhere in the world ever, I consider it a fool’s errand to give it a go in my country.

Keep in mind that many of the biggest producers have several different lines of ammunition. Usually they break down to plinking, range/target, self-defense, and premium ranges. Quality can be VERY different across those lines. The Russian-made steel case ammo tends to be very dirty. Some of it also tends to be loaded to be low-powered.

I understand what you are saying but I'm not suggesting welfare at all. I'm suggesting Universal Basic Income, for everyone. Along with adequate mental and physical healthcare. This isn't about my concern for fellow people, either. I actually think it is the most cost-effective path. It streamlines and simplifies matters. All the other "programs" become obsolete. UBI is a particular consideration for the near-future, as well, when quite simply, automation and AI will render many human activities obsolete. Please consider, if the gun problem is a social problem, then it needs to be addressed by social solutions. What we have now is NOT working and jeopardizes 2nd Amendment guarantees. Sometimes we need to challenge ourselves and think outside of the box. And if it produces liberal allies, then that is great, too ;)

Yeah, I love being outside and moving through the forest and Tennessee is the best place to be! It may seem pointless (and painful), but there are so many benefits. My dog in the avatar climbed over 3000 feet and went 17 miles yesterday and she is just about to turn 13.

That’s a lot of miles! Definitely a good exercise program!

Research suggests otherwise.

MSM is playing up every multiple shooting they can find. On the top of my news feed this morning there was a story of 5 people shot in a Shreveport drive by last night. And yesterday it was several people shot somewhere else. Over the last week or so it seems like every shooting anywhere in the country that involves more than two victims is making the national news. Also noteworthy is at the end of every one of these stories, they make a point to mention a previous shooting and the recent rash of shootings with the Fed Ex and Texas things being real popular. What MSM isn't saying is that this level of violence is perfectly normal in many of these places. Crime and violence in this nation is out of control. Multiple people are shot and killed every single day. Normally, any of these stories would have made the local news headlines, a follow up story for a couple of days and then faded from the news cycle and forgotten until new facts come to light or an arrest is made. But because Joe is pushing his gun control agenda, these stories are making the national news headlines and tied together to further scare the sheep who want to take our guns. The sad fact is that to the Antis its a national tragedy that deserves major headlines. In Shreveport, it was just another weekend.

Here's a clip with an interview of him from 2011...

I find this set up with an OWB spare mag at the 8 o’clock position to be the most comfortable for me. I choose to carry the fixed blade KaBar knife where I can reach it with my non-dominant hand. I started that practice after a colleague was choked out due to an assault from the rear. With this fixed blade I can easily start poking around towards an assailant’s thigh or lower torso if he has me in a rear choke. Although I carry a folding knife clipped in my front pocket, I prefer the fixed blade option if the knife needs to be readily deployed in a panic with expediency. I don’t want to run the risk of the blade on a folding knife not fully opening and thereby compromising the weapon and myself. Although the OP didn’t ask about anything other than position for conceal carry, I feel the knife is an important compliment to my EDC. This is how I am carrying most of my time away from the house.

I wouldn’t doubt it and I bet Shelby County would be one of them. Oddly, Memphis has much less restrictive guns laws than Chicago, but both are rampant with crime. Gun control is irrelevant.

Lots of flowery words I could use here, but I'll just leave it at what Dirtshooter said so well. Rest In Peace, Mr. Coolidge, with the thanks and respect of a grateful city, state, and nation.

Maybe wearing three masks will tackle this problem too. Oh, and lets increase the social distance to what?, 50 cal max range

When I think affordable I automatically think of my $0.05 cost of .38 special and .40 S&W target ammo that I produce.

I don't think they care. Anything over 10 rounds=evil.

Well, if I was uninformed on a matter and looking for answers, I’d find someplace where I could ask the question and folks might be informed enough to answer. It’s why I joined a forum centered around vinyl record collecting when I had some gear questions. It’s why I just joined a discord server centered around the ATAK/CivTAK software. I hope he sticks around and learns and gains a greater understanding of why things happened the way they did.

I agree with @No_0ne. Once available, try as many brands as you can, in the bullet weight of your choice, for reliability and point of impact with your sights, on your chosen gun. The twist rate of your AR (5.56) should direct you to bullet weight ranges. I have a preference for Federal handgun ammo. But Federal, Winchester, Speer, Hornady, Remington (and several others) make quality ammo. Maybe they'll be readily available again... one day.

They have serious thorns.

The M&P 9 2.0 compact is a full-size framed firearm. 15 round magazine but it will run the full size 17 round magazine with a spacer. I have one nice shooting pistol

Sounds like someone I'd get along with. Add motorcycles, though. I'm a new member, having been here (the forum and Tennessee) less than a year. So far I've had some limited contact with other members and all have been very positive. Every friend I have was once a new acquaintance.

I'm well on the chubby side and carry a P365 in an Alien Gear IWB holster at 4 o'clock. It's so comfortable that I never really feel it there. IMHO if you're going to carry, then carry. The reality is that you won't get to choose when (hopefully and likely never) you need to have it. Better to be looking at it than looking for it. The other obvious piece is regular training and drills with your setup so you can draw from different positions and engage targets in different directions.

yea I agree, like I said just venting a little. I'm not going to travel anywhere for anyone that hasnt been here for at least a year anymore. I guess anything I sell from here on out will have that stipulation.

I do not think the TGO is changing. But I am a little wary of a new member with zero posts and zero feedback. However, there was a time that we all were in that boat.

I would pay money to see that!!!

Larry Potterfield has mastered the art of separating me from my money on many occasions. As for the shipping, they don't seem to be any higher than anyone else for UPS Ground. They've tricked many a customer into thinking they are getting UPS Ground when they select UPS Basic, which is the Surepost xsubsailor mentioned above. I almost always avoid their free shipping unless I just don't need it anytime soon. The free shipping is often UPS Mail Innovations, which will get you your stuff in three days or 30 days.