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I have avoided posting about this case, but now that the case is almost over (closing arguments start tomorrow), I thought I would share some thoughts: 1. Rittenhouse testifying -- in the vast majority of self-defense cases, there is no choice. The defendant has to say he was in fear for his life. The Defendant is the ONLY person who can say what was in his own mind. Yes, the overwhelming amount of evidence here points to self-defense and this case has video evidence and witnesses that most self-defense cases will never have. Nevertheless, only Rittenhouse can say he was in fear. So, I suspect the defense attorneys felt they had to follow the normal course. Now, with that said, the attorneys may have had Rittenhouse testify about too many issues. On cross-examination, the prosecution generally is only allowed to cross-examine on the issues Rittenhouse testified to on direct examination. Had Rittenhouse just gotten up there and said "I was in fear" and then ended the direct examination, he might have avoided some uncomfortable cross-exam questions. That said, with the publicity and scrutiny on this case, I think the attorneys wanted to get a lot of details in that only Rittenhouse could testify to. While we would love to believe that juries follow the judge's instructions and only look at the evidence that was actually presented at trial, they DON'T. Juries always have questions in their own minds they want answered. If the attorneys don't anticipate those questions and put the answers into evidence, the juries WILL fill in the blanks with their own thoughts. I've seen it happen too many times and I've talked to too many jurors who say they do it. So, I am sure the attorneys felt the need to have Rittenhouse answer those questions. Normally in a criminal case, you do worry about the defendant testifying, but as I can tell, Rittenhouse didn't have any skeletons in the closet other than some really bad decisions. 2. General Thoughts -- this case should be a wake-up call to anyone who even thinks about using a gun in self defense. The current political climate is making even clear-cut self-defense cases hard. What I see as problematic in this case is that Rittenhouse inserted himself into a volatile situation. Should he have even been there? Whether you agree with Rittenhouse's decision or not, you have to know that some jurors will see those decisions as contributing to the situation. As we say in the legal profession, "bad facts make bad law" and this may be a classic example. Had Rittenhouse been in his own home and defended the home in the same manner (i.e., going outside, engaging the protestors, etc.), I think this situation would have been totally different. But he purposefully put himself into a situation where (i) he felt the need to have a gun to defend himself and/or property and (ii) he knew (or should have known) that violence was already occurring in that location. Therefore, it should have been foreseeable that force might be used at some point. Like it or not, there are jurors everywhere who will hold that against him. In short, be very careful about the situations you get into. Do everything you can to avoid HAVING to use a gun. Circumstances change in an instant, often with no ability to control it.

Not that we may not already be doomed as a country, but if there is not at least 1 person on that jury that has the sense to see this for what it is, we are worse off than I thought.

On another note (for those interested), this trial has been very interesting for us lawyers. Our profession is going the same way as the general public. Way too much emotion and hysteria taking over everything. Watching the DAs and the Judge going at it is comical, but unfortunately, not surprising. We are seeing more and more of these types of tense exchanges between attorneys and between attorneys and judges. Unfortunately, a sign of the times and appears to only be getting worse by the day.

The trial is showing to many that it will end in an acquittal. So what does the mainstream media do? They are now attacking the judge. https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/11/us/kenosha-judge-bruce-schroeder-asian-food-comments/index.html https://apnews.com/article/kyle-rittenhouse-wisconsin-kenosha-homicide-0f514cc4c04762bf42cccb5f2473b76c https://www.npr.org/2021/11/04/1052485234/a-look-at-bruce-schroeder-the-judge-in-the-kyle-rittenhouse-trial

https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2021/11/12/cotton-inflation-n2598941

Just how will Remington know?

Show us what you've bagged! So far, this is all I got. Weather lady said it wouldn't be windy today...she's a liar.

It’s really all a matter of semantics isn’t it? Someone in the business who is licensed to load ammunition using used cases is a “remanufacturer”. Bubba and Joe Bob who pick up the same random cases from a shooting range and load them are “reloaders” if they do so for personal use.

I’ve never been able to call one. They sure can’t resist seeing me sitting in a deer stand, however.

They can. They also give you coke can size holes on the off side. You have to realize that they have more horsepower than a 338 Lapua. They do not have the BC of the 338 though.

Generally, this the case in every trial. The jurors have no ability to ask for more testimony or answer questions about the facts. Jurors can ask the Judge to clarify a question about the jury instructions the Judge gives them. Jury instructions explain what the law is and generally what the jurors are being instructed to decide. But the jurors don't get to ask for more testimony. In my experience, even when the jurors ask for clarification on a jury instruction, the judge often says "just read the instruction again." Today, the Rittenhouse trial was all about the jury instructions, so if anyone is interested in what that sounds like in a real criminal trial, today's videos are pretty much what happens in all trials to some degree.

Awesome. I’m empty handed so far but checking out new public places and learning them as I go. I can’t wait to see a coyote be-bop towards me. I’m definitely one the guys who turns any season into coyote season when they show up! Good luck deer hunting this year also.

This is an important distinction. “Remanufactured” is not the same as a “reload”.

Funny? Yes. Too far off? Nope. I buy a lot of meats from Sam's Club. ( I try to keep ourselves a fair supply of both, and buy for another family member. Freeze what I can, but running out of freezer space. Have given thought to another freezer lately.) But to get back on point, the overall changes seems to be on the order of 20-30% in the chicken and beef products. With farms on the decline for years, chicken and beef production has sufferred. I don't see it improving very quickly.

Seems to me the last several Presidents have turned their time in office into some sort of spending spree with each one exceeding the prior President (and in some cases exceeding all past Presidents) regardless of party. Fiscal responsibility has been hopeless for decades. I blame it on career politicians of all flavors.

I hate to say it, but I think the poor kid is toast. MSM and every liberal with a keyboard convicted him within hours of the shooting. This trail is just for show. His only chance is for a hung jury and the prosecutor deciding not to retry. As for me, I believe the kid is only guilty of poor judgement for going there in the first place.

Most of you are likely aware of the flooding in Waverly TN this weekend. You might not be aware that we had a knife maker there in Waverly. Mark Kee owned a pawn/gun shop in town and made knives on the side. He, his wife and his mother-in-law were initially reported missing. Kim and her mother were found yesterday and Kim has been in the hospital. Mark’s body was found this morning. We lost a great man and friend. Please remember Mark, his family and all of those in Waverly in your prayers.

I’d LOVE to be in the woods tomorrow. I’m off all this coming week to hunt but have to work tomorrow. Shouldn’t complain with the rest of the week to hunt but I think tomorrow’s gonna be the best day temp wise for the week. But I’d say rut action should pick up as the week goes on so I’m still happy to be able to get out.

Congratulations KahrMan!

Got this fat little 6 pt last Saturday.

More of a matter of liability and insurance really.

Supposed to be colder Tomorrow morning. 50 high and 30 low. and partly cloudy. I've still not seen any rut signs yet. No chasing, trailing, even got pics on trail cam a couple days ago with 2 bucks still running together.

I'm the same way when I coyote comes through. I shot one 2 years ago during turkey season. He ran off 2 toms that were about 60 yards out and coming in. To bad I used a $2.00 shell though. I keep saying I'm gonna try calling coyotes again sometime.

If you want a semi auto (10/22) and do nothing much to it, find a 10/22 LVT model. See how it shoots before doing anything to it. Then if you want to improve it, send it to Joe Chacon for a "tune up", he will check it over from chamber to crown, do what is needed to accurize it, work the trigger group, bed the action to the stock, etc. Prices were reasonable for what he did to one of mine about 2 yrs ago. I was going to use it in ABRA factory class with the grandson but it never happened, so I sold it.

The filter on TGO blocks the words I have for Tom Cotton. Amazing how they forget how much debt was added from 2016-2020. Even Rand Paul admitted there is no difference between the two parties when it comes to spending.

It is technically "factory" ammunition. I'd shoot it.

6% Anyone believing it's only 6%, well I got this bridge...

On the ones I was on, the answers were very limited to what was in the trial. No new information only clarification for the judges instructions. I've only been in court about 12 times and only one was a murder trial so....

You certainly would not be able to sneak up on him.

Pick your favorite. They have 16.5" versions in many of them I think. https://www.kiddinnovativedesign.com/Heavy-Rifle_c_17.html Or do it the easy way and just go here and have it ready to go. Just add a stock. (PS. Get the rear tang). https://www.coolguyguns.com/KIDD-Aftermarket-Barreled-Action-Supergrade-with-Build-Options-_p_172.html

I'm another Shaw barrel guy and it's no big feat on a calm day using mini-mags to create a nickel to quarter sized ragged hole at 50 yards. Mine wears a Magpul Hunter stock and sports a cheapo Vortex scope on it but it shoots straight! Be safe at the range! Smoky MY FAVORITE M14 TWEAKS AND TIPS

I fear the same thing. We've already seen one high-profile conviction that wasn't supported by the evidence, and I fear the political pressure will have a significant effect on this jury. The pressure clearly appears to have infected (yes, I spelled that right ) the prosecution. The DAs have gone way beyond zealously doing their jobs.

With regards to that weapons statute, even if he ends up convicted on that one, the groundwork was laid at the start of the trial for it to be tossed as void for vagueness.

I used to cut the parts apart and sometimes if it looked like it needed it, I would sand. I always glued the parts together and then painted. At least if several parts were gonna be the same color. It's hard to glue parts together when they've been painted. Unless you sand the surfaces that join. I've had parts that didn't fit together well and had to sand a little and keep trying it till it looked good.

Guess I would fine tune that to the notion that the most probable outcome is guilty on the weapons charge, but with a suspended sentence. But the prosecution has been so sloppy and arrogant that the jury may just toss the whole thing. If this was a bench trial it would have been over a couple days ago with not guilty on all counts.

You do have a point, sir.

It's interesting that the GOP/Trump actually passed two of the three rounds of stimulus and yet they are calling it Joe Biden's inflation. Short memories it seems.

I am big fan of Mckinatec kydex for my 365XL, they have an OWB option as well just a looong lead time (likely will get here by the end of winter). I just ordered an OWB from northwest concealment that should be here pretty soon.

I am an accumulator of Smith & Wessons. I say accumulator rather than collector simply because I can't afford collector grade guns. The guns I buy may have worn finishes, been refinished, modified in some way or otherwise imperfect. But they are still very serviceable and good examples of their particular model. I buy shooter grade guns and I do shoot them. Granted, some may sit in the safe for a couple years between being fired, but I do shoot everything I own. Ain't no safe queens in my house. I also tend to focus on a particular type or model. I find one that's interesting and begin a search for every barrel length or variation of it just to have a full set. I have several of these searches going at any given time. I dearly love the .44 Special cartridge and the guns that use it. I also love the early Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector revolvers. My goal was to get one of each of the named models made before S&W started using model numbers in 1957-58. Yesterday I completed this quest. Top left: S&W .44 Hand Ejector 1st Model. AKA the New Century Model, The Military Model of 1908 but most commonly referred to a the Triple Lock due to its unique third cylinder locking point in the crane. This is the only S&W to ever use this system. Factory letter states the gun was shipped May 21, 1910 to Birmingham Arms & Hardware Co., Birmingham, Alabama. Top right: .44 Hand Ejector 2nd Model: S&W eliminated the ejector rod shroud and the third cylinder locking point. Factory letter shows gun was shipped January 22, 1924 to Police Department, Joplin MO. Middle left: .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Model (prewar). Made in 1930. AKA Model of 1926 or the Wolf & Klar Model. At the request of large gun dealer Wolf & Klar in Ft. Worth, TX , the ejector rod shroud was brought back. Note: the 2nd & 3rd Models were produced simultaneously up until 1940. Middle right: .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Model (post war Transitional) aka the Model of 1926 Military. This new version of the 3rd Model now featured a passive hammer block safety, Magna style stocks and the "S" prefix in the serial number. Factory letter states this gun was shipped July 22, 1946 to George Lawrence Co. Portland Oregon ordered for John H. Young, Portland Police Dept. Bottom: .44 Hand Ejector 4th Model aka Model of 1950 .44 Military. Made in 1955. Just an updated version of the previous model with a few engineering changes. Later to become the Model 21 in 1957 when model numbers were assigned and continued in production until `1966. Now on to my next quest!

I carry a Streamlight Microstream in my pocket every day. You'd be surprised at how useful it is and how often in gets used.

Do you a carry a knife? Lights are equally as useful for daily life. I seem to always find the dark spot in the brightest areas.

No shooting report to offer. That's not mine, we got some in at work and I was able to handle it and take the pics. My initial impression is that it looks good, and feels good. Trigger is better than the standard mag disconnect safety guns . Cycling the slide was just a little grittier than I expected but it probably just needs to be cleaned and lubed up.

Do you have a report to offer? I can’t be the only one waiting to hear.

The only thing he did wrong was pull that last shot a little to the left.

He was way past obnoxious. He was a dirty, violent player. He was arrested in Franklin,TN, for threatening his ex GF's boyfriend. The list goes on. I have no sympathy for that type individual. JMO

I’m a former backcountry ranger at Rocky Mountain NP and Mesa Verde NP, and on the bear management team at both. Our duty weapon in the early 1990s was a S&W 686, 4” .357mag. We carried the old Black Talon rounds. In 1995 we switched to Sig and we were issued P229 in 9mm or, if we purchased our own -which I did- we could carry P229 in .40, or P220 .45 acp. I chose the P220 with Black Talon rounds. A ranger buddy of mine worked in Alaska. When we had revolvers, Alaska rangers could choose .44 mag S&W and they carried 870 pump 12ga with slugs for the big bears. When we switched to Sig, he chose a P220 in .45. All said, I’m inclined to carry my .357. It’s been on my hip in mid, rain, snow, ice, on foot, horseback, ATV, and I never had a worry about a malfunction. For black bears our orders were , in order: noise, pepper spray, cracker shot, and if none of those worked, 12 ga slug to dispatch the animal. Animal attacks are very rare, but when they happen, they typically happen without warning, so whatever you carry, it should be accessible. You know how the movies show a mountain lion growling to announce its attack? That never happens. In Colorado my concern was always lions. And most bear problems are caused by people who approach the animal too closely, or attempt to feed it-I’ve seen some people take crazy chances for a picture.

I retire in ten weeks!

I started hedging my bets against any possible inflation by getting into precious metals, mainly lead.

The writing off of student loans erks me something fierce. It's a loan, the last time I borrowed money I had to pay it back with interest. Printing more and more money is a special kind of stupid too.