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Half of 2023 is behind us. In a few days, we will celebrate our Nation's independence. "Independence" is a word defined as "a condition of freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others." It is apparent that too many of our fellow citizens place less value on this state of self-reliance, with its limitless potential for both risk and reward, than on the aegis of government; alms and hollow promises of safety & security.
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Almost 250 years ago, Sam Adams warned of this sentiment in an address to the State House of Pennsylvania: "Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say 'what should be the reward of such sacrifices?' Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, supplicate the friendship and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood and hunt us from the face of the earth? If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom — go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!"
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Consider your life one year ago versus today. Does you feel more or less "free from control, influence, support, aid, or the like...?" Should we be celebrating our "independence?"
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Would our founders, and all those who fought and suffered for the past two-and-a-half centuries for human rights and liberty in this "land of opportunity" be proud of where we are today? Would they consider our current status a just return on their investment of blood, sweat, and tears? You decide.
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How do you define independence? How do you celebrate it? Is it just a day off work? Is it a fireworks display? Is it a weekend of relaxation and rest that are the "tranquility of servitude?" ..or do we still value that "animated contest of freedom?"
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Most of us are already bearing the heavy burden of society's expectations and have more than earned some rest and indulgence on a holiday weekend. How we spend our time is a personal decision, but I would suggest that amidst the recreations of this holiday, you should make time to take some action to gain back a measure of your independence. Do at least one thing over the holiday that will help you achieve an improved stance of "independence," whether that is paying off a debt, overcoming a bad habit, building your personal supplies, assembling a preparedness kit, investing in some training, or learning a new skill.
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We are about a week away from our first Idaho Black Rifle 101 (Intro to AR15's) class. So far, the response has been... modest. For my Idaho subscribers, please consider sharing this class with your friends and family members who might be interested. Sign ups of 2 or more will get a 25% discount for your whole group. This discount will be applied retro-actively to current registrations.
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This class sets the foundation for getting the best results from your AR-15, from periodic maintenance and configuration to efficient manipulations, sight in, close-quarters and intermediate range applications. No matter what your level of experience, you will get something from this class. I will be bringing extra rifles and plenty of ammunition. You can sign up for this class here: https://adc-training.com/events/black-rifle-101
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NEW MEXICO PISTOL CLASS
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This class only has 2 open slots left, if you are interested, don't delay, it will be here before you know it!
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PRODUCT UPDATE
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As the US commits more and more support to the conflict in Ukraine, it continues to drain our manufacturing and financial resources. My gas blocks have been listed "in production schedule" for over a month now. I had a conversation with the representative from the manufacturer last week and, sure enough, government contract jobs keep taking priority. I'm pushing to get these done ASAP because some of you are probably still interested in these (hopefully). Alumni and Subscribers to this newsletter will have their patience rewarded with significant discounts.
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LEGAL UPDATE
We do have some cause to celebrate over news in the VanDerStok v. Garland case regarding ATF's overreach into 80% receivers.
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“This case presents the question of whether the federal government may lawfully regulate partially manufactured firearm components, related firearm products, and other tools and materials in keeping with the Gun Control Act of 1968,” wrote Federal District Court Judge Reed O’Connor in his Order. “Because the Court concludes that the government cannot regulate those items without violating federal law, the Court holds that the government’s recently enacted Final Rule… is unlawful agency action taken in excess of the ATF’s statutory jurisdiction. On this basis, the Court vacates the Final Rule.”
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Keep your eye on the news for outcomes in Mock v. Garland, regarding the ATF's pistol brace rule.
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HOLIDAY DEALS
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Here are some holiday deals I recommend you take advantage of if you are looking to spend some money this weekend:
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https://lmtdefense.com/product/full-auto-enhanced-5-56-bolt-carrier/ Use code FIREWORKS for 15% off. The LMT defense bolt carriers feature a modified cam-path to increase dwell time and vent gases from the bolt more efficiently. I have personal experience with the LMT bolts and carriers and for over-gassed guns like short-barreled rifles with suppressors.
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https://geissele.com/triggers.html These prices are below what I can get them for as a dealer. For defensive rifles, I recommend the SSA trigger, for intermediate to long-range guns, look at the SSA-E.
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LATEST GEAR REVIEW
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My latest product review for Spotterup.com is this 1-10 optic by Riton. For a rimfire optic or something for casual shooting it is a fine optic. For more serious use, this site lacks a distinct close-quarters aiming reference at low magnification. Read about it here:
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That's all this newsletter, I hope you all have a safe, enjoyable weekend!
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"The citizen who cannot accomplish well the smaller purposes of public life, cannot compass the larger. The vast power of endurance, forbearance, patience, and performance, of a free people, is acquired only by continual exercise of all the functions, like the healthful physical human vigor. If the individual citizens have it not, the State must equally be without it. It is of the essence of a free government, that the people should not only be concerned in making the laws, but also in their execution. No man ought to be more ready to obey and administer the law than he who has helped to make it. The business of government is carried on for the benefit of all, and every co-partner should give counsel and co-operation.
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Remember also, as another shoal on which States are wrecked, that free States always tend toward the depositing of the citizens in strata, the creation of castes, the perpetuation of the jus divinum to office in families. The more democratic the State, the more sure this result. For, as free States advance in power, there is a strong tendency toward centralization, not from deliberate evil intention, but from the course of events and the indolence of human nature. The executive powers swell and enlarge to inordinate dimensions; and the Executive is always aggressive with respect to the nation. Offices of all kinds are multiplied to reward partisans; the brute force of the sewerage and lower strata of the mob obtains large representation, first in the lower offices, and at last in Senates; and Bureaucracy raises its bald head, bristling with pens, girded with spectacles, and bunched with ribbon. The art of Government becomes like a Craft, and its guilds tend to become exclusive, as those of the Middle Ages."
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