Supporting gun ownership and sportsmen's rights in response to the flurry of anti-gun and sport legislation under consideration in Congress and the Illinois State Legislature.
(If you would like to include your organization or events on our calendar, please contact us and we'll accommodate you)
Cheers to national first place Sporter Division winner Daniel Sojka, 3rd place junior Hannah McHugh and 11th place winner Kelsey McHugh!
These are the results of the air gun juniors sectionals. There were 631 shooter in the Sporter Division, including clubs, schools, 4H and JROTC...
Posted 10:56AM Aug 27, 2008 by MCSA
Wow...
Wyoming hunter Joe Calanchini was allegedly preparing to depart on an African safari but was arrested in the Denver Hilton today. He was carrying a rifle case at the time and since Nancy Pelosi was staying in the same hotel, they arrested him.
According to NBC 9 News of Denver:
Police say Calanchini had permits for the rifles, but did not have concealed permits to carry two pistols that were found in his luggage. Calanchini says he forgot they were in there.
Last I checked, it isn't illegal to carry pistols in luggage... Regardless, something stinks here - either this guy isn't checking out or they're smearing him.
Posted 12:03AM Aug 26, 2008 by MCSA
He thinks gun owners are crazy. He helped write the original AWB!
He's Obama's VP pick...
Posted 04:50PM Aug 25, 2008 by MCSA
If folks want to shoot in the Wisconsin Sectionals, get your info postmarked by the 25th...
You have until August 25th,(Next Monday) to get your applications postmarked for the Wi section match at Schultz's on September 20th. The match fee increases $20 if it is POSTMARKED later than the 25th. We will be accepting a limited number of walk-ons the day of the match. If you decide to try to walk-on the day of the match, pack a lunch because only those that pre-registered for the match will get a lunch at the range. Bubs BBQ will be doing lunch for us again. So save yourself the hassle, get those apps into us before the 25th, save $20, get a great lunch, and help us out by making it easier to plan the match by letting us know ahead of time that you are coming.
The match is shaping up pretty well. Range construction, berm work should be finished this week. New bays have been added, more gravel has been put down to keep you dry. We have a great group of RO"s that have volunteered to help make this match happen. So get those apps in the mail, and we will see you on the 20th.Applications and information available at the following:or
Posted 11:42AM Aug 22, 2008 by MCSA
From the Herald News:
"You'll hear all kinds of criticism that (buybacks) are ineffective in reducing violent crime, but there's no way to tell what positives can come from this," Hayes said. "There's got to be a case out there where a gun that was turned in could've easily ended up in the hands of a criminal."
Boy, somebody's got nothing, eh?
Posted 11:40AM Aug 22, 2008 by MCSA
I updated August, September and October match listings for McHenry IDPA...
Check 'em out!
Posted 08:30AM Aug 21, 2008 by MCSA
From the AP:
Texas Gov. Rick Perry indicated Monday that he supports a school district's decision to allow teachers and staff to pack guns for protection when classes start this month.
But the money quote is:
"There's a lot of incidents where that would have saved a number of lives," Perry said after a news conference in Austin.
Posted 07:49AM Aug 19, 2008 by MCSA
From the AP:
Dick Heller walked out of D.C. police headquarters Monday, clutching a yellow firearms registration certificate stamped "approved." He gave the thumbs-up sign, grinned and said, "Victory!"
So what did he register?
He won approval to keep a .22-caliber revolver at home after coming to police headquarters in July to be fingerprinted and take a firearms proficiency test. Police approved the weapon after completing a background check.
No mention if he was dropping the suit against the city after failing to be allowed to register his service pistol.
Posted 07:46AM Aug 19, 2008 by MCSA
Found a great Google Maps based tool for looking up Congresscritters...
Fun fact - Wyoming has 1 Representative!
Posted 05:15PM Aug 15, 2008 by MCSA
You may not have been watching the battle that is brewing over concealed carry in the Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, Georgia, but it may end up affecting you where you live.
Because of what's happening in Atlanta, the Transportation Security Agency could decide to allow airports across the country to ban firearms in areas that currently allow for self-defense.
It all began when Georgia passed a new law allowing permit holders to carry guns onto state parks, into restaurants that serve alcohol, and onto mass transit (such as the non-surveillance areas in airports).
The Hartsfield-Jackson airport responded by defying the state law and banning firearms throughout the entire airport, including areas where drivers pick up passengers.
This has resulted in a court battle, where presently, a federal judge ruled in favor of the airport's ban. Now, the TSA may step into the fray by permitting airports across the entire country to ban firearms in those locations that are outside of the boarding areas.
Federal law prevents passengers from bringing firearms past airport checkpoints. But in many states, passengers are allowed to bring guns and knives into areas such as the pick-up points and the main terminal. This is what could change very soon.
What's at stake here is not the ability to take guns past surveillance points. What's at stake is the right of self-defense outside of these areas - especially where drivers are either dropping off or picking up passengers.
In other words, drivers who have permits are the ones who would be affected the most because they would now have to leave their guns at home - thus contradicting the very reason they got a concealed carry permit in the first place... the fact that they wanted to carry their guns outside of the house.
We'll have some pre-printed letters if anyone is interested in sending 'em.
Posted 05:12PM Aug 15, 2008 by MCSA
From the Star Telegram:
When classes start Aug. 25 in the tiny Harrold school district, there will be one distinct difference from years prior: Some of the teachers may have guns.
To deter and protect against school shootings, trustees have altered district policy to allow employees to carry concealed weapons if they have a state permit and permission from the administration.
Cool, somebody out there has their head on straight!
Posted 05:00PM Aug 15, 2008 by MCSA
We had a good showing (~60 people) at the Lake County Board meeting this morning, but since no board member would pick up the resolution, it stalled.
We've got some ideas in the works, though...
J. Stewart of the State Line Rifle Association addresses the board.
Posted 10:08PM Aug 12, 2008 by MCSA
RTWT: Chicago Tribune.
Following on the heels of a Supreme Court decision that held that a blanket ban on handguns violated 2nd Amendment rights, Evanston's City Council voted 7-1 Monday night to amend the North Shore suburb's weapons ordinance to conform to the landmark court ruling.
But, just so you really know how they feel about you and your rights:
"I find the Supreme Court decision repugnant," said Ald. Steve Bernstein (4th). "But because of it, it's the law. In the short term, we'll be better off getting [the ordinance] off the books."
By the way, what does, "short term" mean?
Posted 09:31PM Aug 12, 2008 by MCSA
Folks interested in Oly-shooting disciplines can use this handy link (http://shooting.teamusa.org/) to dig up the action.
This first week will see almost all of the events.
Posted 09:41PM Aug 08, 2008 by MCSA
Due to the Olympics, the Chicago Tribune had a quick write up about the Arlington International Airgun Club yesterday. The article is here.
For those that don't know, the AIAC has a great juniors program and shoots 10M air pistol and air rifle twice a week. World class shooters train there on a regular basis!
If you think this is something you may be interested in, they have some loaner equipment to get you started and coaching is available for the juniors! Check them out at the AIAC site.
Posted 01:55PM Aug 08, 2008 by MCSA
When someone says "Cross" or "Hook" to me, I immediately think of boxing and Ali's '65 KO of Liston with the "phantom right cross" and Sugar Ray Robinson's "Greatest Left Hook Knock-out" of Gene Fullmer in '57. In the realm of firearm tactics, however, these terms take on a completely new meaning as we shall soon see.
Before I jump too far, though, I'd like to stop and offer a healthy dose of perspective and reality: Team Spartan's "Introduction to Dynamic Room Entry" is really geared toward patrol officers and security personnel that may have a compelling reason to enter a high-risk environment. This isn't to say that there aren't times that a civilian would want to enter a room, for example, your children or loved ones may be at risk, but the fact remains that attacking even a weak defensive position is very risky and something that shouldn't be done lightly. Don't drink the "Kool-Aide" and think that everything is like "Starsky and Hutch":
In fact, during the morning classroom portion President and head trainer John Krupa and instructor Dan Lombardo would spend significant time reviewing FBI data that 95% of criminals comply with police requests and that criminals in ensconced position are usually no different - they don't want flash-bangs, gas, or dogs in after them. This was contrasted with the remaining 5% who could probably be analyzed in terms of what the FBI calls "Killer Profiles", making them most likely to assault the entry personnel. The bottom line is unless there is a very compelling need to get in, you shouldn't - either they'll come out with some persuasion (and tear gas) or you're probably taking on a highly motivated, defensively ensconced person who is more than likely to attack you!
So, with it established in our minds who and what the course is geared toward (and the pretension of becoming "high-speed, low-drag Swat operators" through a one-day course firmly vanquished from our minds) let's get into what the course covered:
The course builds on a lot of the foundations established in Spartan's Advanced Pistol 1 and Advanced Pistol 2 courses. The morning saw a review of moving off the line of force and engaging, offensive movement ("HK Shuffle"), use of different sight pictures and a range session for "shaking out the cobwebs" when putting it all together. While there was a significant shooting portion, the course isn't really geared towards expending volumes of ammunition; their description calls for ~250 rds of ammunition and unless you're shooting a bit for fun at lunch, that's about right.
After that bit of fun, we settled in to discuss the previously mentioned FBI data and delve a bit deeper into the use of position SUL, which would serve a number of roles later in the class. It was at this point that the real "meat" of the course began to emerge...
The first real "room clearing" technique that we covered was the idea that rooms are divided into area that you can or can't see. The sections that you can see, you may be able to clear using either the "sneak-a-peak" or "slicing the pie" techniques. Again, the emphasis was on the idea that if you don't have to enter the room, don't! The concept of slicing the pie involves constant slow movement in an arc around the entrance in order to visually see and control all visible sections of the room. Krupa stated that it is important to start the scan low and then go high as shoes, feet, and kneeling assailants are all seen from below first. Also, it was stated emphatically that time is on your side and there isn't a thing as too slow when trying to "take ground" of an unknown area. "Slicing-the-pie" was contrasted with the "sneak-a-peek" technique, where one quickly exits cover, looks, then pulls back. The disadvantage being that once you pull back, you no longer control the area you just scanned.
Once you've scanned the area available in the room, the only thing left are the corners closest where the assailant could be hiding. The rest of the techniques presented in the class focused on how to solve this tactical problem.
A few "ground rules" were set out: It was explained that when you need to go in, it is better to use overwhelming force, shock and surprise to confuse the "enemy" and that movement should be executed as quickly as possible while retaining the ability to get combat hits at the maximum distance (~7-10 yards) in a room setting. From there two methods for getting to the corners as quickly as possible were detailed: the cross-over and the buttonhook.
The crossover was demonstrated first and it involves a dance-like step for getting through the doorway as quickly as possible to check the corner opposite the starting location. If working with a partner, the number 2 man could do the same thing a split second later to cover the entryman's back if starting from the opposite side to the entryman. The buttonhook just involves heading for the corner closest to you when entering an unknown area.
While these concepts seem simple, performing them without sweeping your partner with the muzzle and with the correct timing proved more difficult. 
Here's where Spartan's teaching methodology shines again: Krupa and Lombardo would break it down by demonstrating the techniques, pointing out the little things that made it smooth and then do it over. At that point they'd hand the blue guns to the students and observe the teams doing the exercises and offer pointers/corrections along the way. Once things were smooth, we jumped into putting the motions together with live fire.
So, I'll never again blissfully hear the cross or the hook as just boxing terms, but rather will always think back to what I learned: "Don't go in unless you really need to!"
Posted 09:42PM Aug 07, 2008 by MCSA
Our member and friend, Rick P. of Littlewolf Tactical had this letter on his blog:
Hello everyone,
As you know I am not a very political person. I just wanted to pass along that Senator Obama came to Bagram Afghanistan for about an hour on his visit to 'The War Zone'. I wanted to share with you what happened. He got off the plane and got into a bullet proof vehicle, got to the area to meet with the Major General (2 Star) who is the commander here at Bagram.
As the Soldiers were lined up to shake his hand he blew them off and didn't say a word as he went into the conference room to meet the General. As he finished, the vehicles took him to the ClamShell (pretty much a big top tent that military personnel can play basketball or work out in with weights) so he could take his publicity pictures playing basketball. He again shunned the opportunity to talk to Soldiers to thank them for their service.
So really he was just here to make a showing for the American's back home that he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you.
I swear we got more thanks from the NBA Basketball Players or the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders than from one of the Senators, who wants to be the President of the United States. I just don't understand how anyone would want him to be our Commander-and-Chief. It was almost that he was scared to be around those that provide the freedom for him and our great country.
If this is blunt and to the point I am sorry but I wanted you all to know what kind of caliber of person he really is. What you see in the news is all fake.
In service,
CPT Jeffrey S. Porter
Battle Captain
TF Wasatch
American Soldier
Posted 01:05PM Aug 05, 2008 by MCSA
My Sunday started unusually early... See, instead of my usual two aspirin brunch (is it still brunch if you eat at noon?) followed by a rousing cold shower, I found myself curbside at 7:00 AM waiting for JG to pick me up! We were headed up to the Conservation Club of Kenosha County range at Bristol after a quick breakfast at the most excellent Wilmot Cafe to shoot the Urban Action match run by the guys at Action Shooting Sports Association (ASSA). I should take the time to mention that these are the same folks that'll be running the NRA camp this September with our pals at the State Line Rifle Association. (so, if you know anyone interested, send 'em there...) Price for the match was $15.00 for CCKC members and $18.00 for non-members.
So what is Urban Action? Urban Action is an offshoot of cowboy action shooting (CAS) that allows the shooter to use modern firearms. They usually focus on shooting steel, but Sunday was different as their group has been calling for more challenging stages with things like obscured targets and reloads on the run. Scoring in Urban Action is simple, it's the time you took to run the course + any penalties you incurred (misses, no-shoots, etc...). In fact, there is a refreshing lack of rules in the game, but I digress...
Keeping in step with the CAS roots, most of the matchs are based around 2-gun (shotgun and pistol) stages with the provision to shoot additional 3-gun courses using a pistol caliber carbine. Being Wisconsin, where fun toys are legal, they see some SBR's and suppressors.
I should mention that 22's are allowed under the semi-22 class and I ended up shooting a Advantage Arms conversion kit almost exclusively. A few folks used Ruger 10/22's for the carbine stages and one other competitor was shooting a nice old Buckmark pistol.
I'll make an aside here and talk about the Advantage Arms kit: It is very accurate (if you don't count the GLOCK trigger, that is) and it is very reliable, though, almost all 22's have some issues with failure to extracts, feeding issues, etc... I look at these "bugs", when they occur, as chances to work on tap-racks. A lot of folks question the usefulness of conversion kits, but they shine for working on the draw stroke and fast sight acquisition. I add too that once a shooter learns to manage the recoil of a larger round, the shooting isn't based on focused perception of the recoil and more of it hinges on keeping clear focus on that front sight. The big win is, of course, that 22 is CHEAP and, with today's ammo prices mirroring those of smokes and gas, its real plus to be able to compete without going into foreclosure.
They group ran two stages on three courses of fire. The first stage was split into a pistol course and a separate shotgun course while the second stage had one course of fire for both pistol and carbine. Both stages were challenging, forcing the competitor to deliver Mozambique-triple taps to the targets. Stage one's pistol course ran about 35 rounds while stage two ran about 60 rds! Both stages required a few mandatory magazine changes, which bought the interest level up. At the end they held a stress innoculation style steel "shoot off" elimination where competitors deliverd double taps to two plates and then shoot a popper. The poppers crossed and the one on the bottom was called the winner.
I'll definitely be back next month for some more fun with this group!
Posted 11:52AM Aug 05, 2008 by MCSA
