midtennchip

Sold my Ruger 10-22 recently and, as a Father's Day gift, my wife replaced it with M&P 15-22. Just picked it up today, so here's my thoughts after the first few mags through it. 1. Great Copy of a Real AR-15. S&W hit the mark with this rifle. It functions as close as possible to the real thing. Other than the weight and the short charging handle pull, the controls and movement are identical to my other ARs. Since I intend to use this for training purposes, it fits the bill perfectly. 2. Extremely Reliable for a 22lr. As others have mentioned, I had a LOT of reliability issues with hi-cap mags in my Ruger 10-22. Although I have only shot about 200 rounds through it, I have yet to have a single malfunction. Two different mags using only the Wal-Mart value packs of Federal (36 grain, copper jacketed hollow points in the 550 round pack) and Winchester (36 gr., HP in the 555 round pack). If this keeps up, I don't even have to buy the better 22lr rounds. 3. Polymer Construction. Virtually everything on this gun is polymer. The upper, lower, sights, etc. are all polymer. However, it feels solid and really does not present any problems, in my opinion. I wonder about long-term wear and tear, but I'll deal with it. 4. Accuracy. I'm not sure I can really determine that yet. Since my wife just let me know today that it had arrived, I didn't have a chance to set up targets for accuracy measurements. I just shot it in the backyard. However, shooting natural targets out to 50-60 yards, I was happy with the accuracy. Only very minor adjustments in windage was necessary and the thing was hitting leaves, small sticks, etc. at 50 yards. 5. Overall. As you can tell, I am very impressed with the rifle. This one has a fairly recent manufacture date (based on the date of the owner's manual and the serial number), so it has the enhanced spring kit already installed. It appears the early manufacture guns had some real problems with firing out of battery, but S&W fixed the issues with new springs. Evidently, the way to tell if the new springs are installed is to check the color of the springs. If the springs are blue, you have the enhanced spring kit. As I understand it, the new springs are standard on the rifles currently in production (but not sure when that started). With this problem resolved, I am VERY happy with the rifle. Of all the guns I have purchased, only the HK P30 ranks higher on initial satisfaction. If you are in the market for a 22lr rifle or are looking for a cheap way to shoot an AR, I highly recommend looking at the M&P 15-22. For the $460 (out the door) my wife paid for it, I think it is well worth it.

I get a LOT of audio books on Audible and have listened to this book several times. Not only is it a VERY good book from a scientific and "what if" standpoint, it is also one of the best books I've gotten from a purely literary standpoint. The author is an excellent writer and the book (even if the science wasn't good) is very entertaining. If you are a reader or listen to books on an iPod, get this one.

The "curio, ornament, or keepsake" modifier was added to define something about the object (i.e., the knife, as well as every other item listed in TCA 39-17-1302(a)). It appears your use of the modifiers would define how the object is possessed, rather than defining something about the object itself. If you can take a readily-available, new manufacture switchblade and make it fit the "curio, ornament, or keepsake" exception simply by throwing it in a drawer, the exception swallows the rule. That is, every switchblade is legal unless it is carried (and is legal when it isn't being carried). To fit that interpretation, the statute would have to say carried (i.e., in the same way the carry with intent to go armed provision is in TCA 39-17-1307(a)(1)), rather than possession. Yes, the "curio, ornament, or keepsake" means something, we just don't have a good idea what that is, yet. The one case we have will hold some value. We don't know if the attorney argued the issue or not. What we know is that the opinion does not address the issue. There certainly are knives that would meet the definition, but I highly doubt that a knife in current production would meet it unless it was something collectible (i.e., a curio). It wouldn't be a keepsake if you bought it at a gun show or knife shop (I think keepsake connotes something of sentimental value). I also don't think a knife kept in a drawer would be ornamental. The only thing left is a curio (which connotes something collectible). Just my take on it.

JC: As others have suggested, do I little research (especially on gunbroker) to see what else is available for around $800. But, assuming there are no problems with the Bushmaster (check the magazine catch and make sure it seats loaded mags correctly, for example), $800 for that package is a decent deal. The quad rail is probably worth $60 to $80, the soft case is worth $20 to $30, so you would need to find a comparable rifle for $750 or less (if you want those additional items).

There are cases where defendants have been charged and either plead guilty or been convicted of possession of a switchblade. State v. Souder immediately comes to mind. There isn't a lot of case law on it, but if "currently made" switchblades can be categorized as curios and avoid this prohibition, the law has no meaning at all. You might have a good argument if the knife is, say, 10 or 20 or 30 years old versus 50 or 60 years old, but I cannot imagine a judge buying the argument that a recently made knife would fit that exception. Whether or not the police and/or district attorney attempt to stop sales doesn't change the meaning of the law. There are a LOT of things are could be prosecuted and simply are not a priority for the police or the district attorney. I have a client right now that is the victim of clearly illegal activity and the police and district attorney simply choose not to pursue it.

I looked into this issue last year when we were down there. It may depend on which Disney resort hotel you are stay in, but the safe in our room at the Caribbean Beach Resort was a key lock safe (and it wasn't very big). We are planning on going again in July and I will be driving this time, so the gun goes with me. As I understand it, guns are prohibited on any Disney property (including rooms), so just don't let someone see it.

This thing has gotten good reviews on other survival websites. I bought one last year. Sawyer Point Zero Two Water Purifier with Bucket Adapter at REI.com

KB: Part of my law practice is in ERISA/Employee Benefits. Been doing it for many years. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at the office. I'll be glad to walk you through the details (no charge).

I really like my Bushnell Holosight, but it is no longer made. You can find them from time to time. I paid $200 for mine and you can still find them for that or a little more if you look hard. It is (as I understand it) the same as an EOTech, but without the protective cover. If you don't bang it around ALOT, it is fine. Mine performed perfectly through CIS's Defensive Carbine class last year, so I know it will take some abuse without any problems. Bushnell 510023 All Riflescopes - Sports Optics

I personally would go with the optics-ready version and use the money toward an optic, too. If you go with the optics-ready version, you will not have a front sight on the gas block. You can get decent flip-up front and rear sights for the additional $150, plus you could choose to go with a red dot or holosight for not too much more than that. Getting the carry handle later is fairly cheap, so you can always add that later. My suggestion is to figure out what type of sight you want for the immediate future and then add other options later.

I own a SIG 556 and a Bushmaster AR-15. I've been looking at getting a S&W MP-15 for sometime as a replacement for the SIG. Positives for SIG: 1. Piston system. It runs cleaner and cooler. 2. I like the looks of it. Negatives for SIG: 1. The SIG is not balanced as well as the typical AR-15 (it is muzzle heavy). 2. Charging handle is on the right side (like an AK). 3. The mag release button is just a bit (maybe an inch) further away from the trigger than the typical AR, as well. This may not be a problem if you have big hands. 4. Internal parts are not interchangeable with other ARs. This might be an issue if you want to buy a replacement bolt carrier group. The S&W is an excellent AR. From my research, it may be the best bang for the buck in the AR world. If I had it to do over, I would buy the S&W and save the money.

Yeah, after I reread my statement, I don't think I made that very clear (maybe I'm void for vagueness, but I'm a lawyer, so did you expect something different? ). What I meant was that the law regarding the content of the sign is not particularly vague in my opinion. From that law, the three issues that would make it unconstitutional are fairly clear from the language of the statute.

There is a difference between "uncontitutionally vague" and "vague." For a law (rather than a sign or the wording on the sign) to be unconstitutionally vague, the law itself much meet the following criteria: If a person of ordinary intelligence cannot determine what persons are regulated, what conduct is prohibited, or what punishment may be imposed under a particular law, then the law will be deemed unconstitutionally vague. Read more: Void for Vagueness Doctrine Void for Vagueness Doctrine In my opinion, the law itself is not particularly vague. As Dave pointed out, if you did not understand the particular sign at an establishment, you can argue that the sign was not substantially similar to the language in the statute, but I don't think the law itself is that vague. From the law, you can determine the three (3) issues that need to be missing in an unconstitutionally vague law.

Dave, you are correct that case law is important, but there isn't much case law on carry in Tennessee. The best free source for case law research is Findlaw (link: Lawyer, Lawyers, Attorney, Attorneys, Law, Legal Information - FindLaw), but it is difficult to use and has a lot of gaps. Unless you subscribe to Lexis or Westlaw (I've used both and currently use Lexis -- both of which are VERY expensive), you aren't going to have a lot of luck on case law research.

You will find most of what you are looking for at the link below. You'll need to click on each provision to see the text. Most of the statutes are in Title 39, Chapter 17. However, I would be careful with trying to use statutes to "educate" any LEO that you run into. First, I don't think you would have time to do it. Second, it's not as easy as just saying "here, read this." It does require some interpretation and, in a lot of case, tracking through all of the internal references to other provisions of the statute. Third, I doubt most LEOs will be receptive to it. Arguing the law to an LEO doesn't usually get you very far. Legal Resources

Not sure why the trust would make any difference on that issue. The amount of assets you have (whether in a trust or not) will be subject to the division of assets in a divorce anyway.

Is anyone planning on going to the NRA annual meeting the weekend of May 14-16? I am planning on attending the legal seminars on Friday, May 14th and wondered if any TGO members will be there. I may be taking my wife, but it would be nice to have a TGO member to meet up with and maybe have dinner.

I am with everyone else who is worried about freedoms. However, the issue EVERYONE should be concerned about is the dire effect this bill will have on the quality of healthcare. 1. Loss of healthcare providers. Doctors are dropping out of the Medicare system at an alarming rate because they provide care to Medicare patients at or below cost. This bill essentially turns the entire healthcare system into a Medicare system (i.e., the government will dictate how much healthcare providers are paid). 2. Less choice. This includes the loss of providers, but it is more than that. My health savings account (and the high-deductible health plan that accompanies it) will likely be phased out. Flexible spending accounts are being phased out. The plans being introducted to comply with this bill will be more of a "one size fits all." 3. Loss of jobs. Whether the proponents will ever admit it or not, this bill will kill jobs in many different ways. The burdens on employers (many of which start this year) have HUGE costs. Much of that cost (at least initially) will be spent on administrative changes, not healthcare. Those are the numbers companies like AT&T and Catepillar are estimating will cost millions of extra dollars. Add that much in new administrative expenses and all kinds of new agencies to administer it at the gov't level, and the entire system becomes significantly less efficient (not that it's very efficient now). There are all kinds of other unintended consequences, many that we cannot even foresee. Part of my law practice is in healtcare and I have reviewed this bill (and the reconciliation bill) in detail. I have already prepared memos to clients who are employers dealing with the administrative requirements of this bill. Those clients are scared. That means trouble for all of us.

Hard to say, really. I think there were two things in play: 1. his heavily rural district is likely to be harder hit by physician defections from a government-run healthcare system (see article here); and 2. he does listen to his constituents when the voices are sufficiently loud (see article here). It seems he would have liked to vote for the measure, but knew better. Hence the reason I likely will never vote for him. Nevertheless, because he tends to listen to the voice of the citizens, I think it is important to praise him when he does the right thing.

I missed this post before posting in another forum. However, Davis has traditionally been one of the most conservative Democrats in the House. With that said, there are two Republican challengers that should give him a good run. Jack Bailey and Dr. Scott DesJarlais are competing for the Republican nomination. Bailey is probably the one likely winner, but Dr. DesJarlais has raised a pretty significant amount of money.

I hate to do this because I have never (and will likely never) vote for Davis, but I have to give the guy credit. Lincoln Davis (D - 4th District for TN) voted against the healthcare "fix" last night. I am one of those "lucky" few Williamson County residents who got carved out of 7th District and have Davis as a rep, but I have to give credit where credit is due. If you live in the 4th District, you might want to applaud Davis's bucking of his party's leadership.

I bought several of these at Bass Pro the last time I was there: Cabela's -- Heater Meals Value Pack

Try the blog below. The author is a Constitutional Law professor at UT, but the blog itself is generally just a bunch of really good links with his commentary. He is a conservative, but more libertarian than anything else. I also find really good articles there and, if anything is going on with gun rights, he usually picks up on it. www.instapundit.com

I thought this short essay might be of interest: HTTP://WWW.doczero.org/2010/03/to-keep-and-bear-arms/ The best lines are, "Without the First Amendment, you are a slave. Without the Second, you are a child." I read another essay very recently on the difference between the liberal definition of "rights" and the conservative definition of "rights" that made the same connection to being a child. In essence, adults are free to do as they choose, but have to deal win consequences (ie: money issues, criminal prosecution, etc.). As a child, you have freedom from the consequences but have things dictated to you. I'll leave it to you to decide which side's definition fits where. If I can find the other article, I will post a link.

FYI - There are several good shows on the History Channel this week. I am watching "After Armageddon" right now (very good) and will record "Apocalypse Man" tomorrow night (8pm Central).