So for a couple of years, I’ve had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to pick up a Benelli M4, take some tactical shotgun training courses with it, keep it as home defense option, and perhaps look into 3 gun competition.  The problem is however that the Benelli M4 can run between $1,500.00 and $1,800.00 depending on where you buy it.  There’s also the issue of 18 USC 922R compliance if you intend to modify the gun for competition.  The compliance issue certainly isn’t a deal-breaker, and neither do I necessarily mind the price of admission, but it is a lot of money for weapon system that isn’t a primary or even secondary system for me….and I already have a great shotgun in the Saiga 12.  The year I purchased my Saiga 12, Remington introduced their new Versa Max line of shotguns.  The first models introduced were of the hunting variety, but in 2011 Remington released the Versa Max Tactical and in a short 2 years, it’s become a real darling of the 3 gun circuit.  With a retail price of $1399.00, it’s certainly not a cheap option – quite comparable to a Benelli M2 in cost.  But I ended up purchasing the Remington Versa Max Tactical .   So why has it become such a popular choice in such a short time?

The Versa Max Tactical may be priced like a Benelli M2, but it performs more like a Benelli M4.  In fact, it’s said that Remington all but copied the Benelli Argo gas piston system found in the Benelli M4 when it developed the Versa Max.  So the Versa Max Tactical is on the heavy side at 7.75 lbs, (like the M4) with a 22″ inch barrel length, and 43 15/16″ overall length.  In fact, the Versa Max Tactical is so much like the M4 it’s said that there are several components which are interchangeable between the two platforms.  Out of the box, the Versa Max Tactical comes with some nice features you won’t find on a Benelli however.  The Versa Max Tactical comes with an extended magazine tube which gives it an impressive 8+1 capacity (compared to 5+1 on a stock M2/M4).  A wonderful HiViz Comp Sight is mounted on the front of the barrel, with a choice of three different colored fiber optic pipes.

An over-sized bolt release,  charging handle, and safety also come standard – depending what division in which you shoot, the shotgun could potentially be ready to go right out of the box for 3 gun competition.

Another reason the Versa Max Tactical is so popular is that it’s said to be the softest shooting auto loading 12 gauge on the market.   I can attest to the fact that between the recoil reducing gas piston system and the recoil absorbing recoil pad, this shotgun shoots very softly.  It’s a shotgun that you can shoot all day long with no fatigue or bruised shoulder.  The Versa Max Tactical also comes with a receiver mounted Picatinny rail, and a barrel clamp which has an additional Picatinny rail for accessory mounting (like a weapon mounted flashlight).  These additional features and accessories really do make the Remington Versa Max Tactical and excellent value when compared to both the Benelli M2 and M4.  However, if you’re an NRA Certified Instructor like myself and can purchase directly from Remington through the program they have for NRA Certified Instructors, it’s really no contest – I got my Versa Max Tactical 12 gauge for just under $1000.00 shipped to my FFL.  Note that Benelli (unlike most major firearms manufactures) does not have a discount program for NRA Certified Instructors – another good reason to support Remington.

I’ve done a full take down, cleaning, and re-assembly of the Remington Versa Max Tactical and it’s not terribly difficult (learning a new system is always a pain however).  Perhaps my biggest gripe in this regard is that you have to remove the barrel clamp in order to take down the Versa Max Tactical, which annoyingly adds a couple of minutes on either side of the process, as does unscrewing and removing the extended magazine tube.  Once down however, the plastic receiver slides off, the barrel comes out, the bolt is removed (after you pull out the charging handle) and you can tap out the retaining pin holding the trigger group in place.

I received my Versa Max Tactical in mid-April and have been working with it pretty extensively on my own, and bringing it along for my local tactical shooting league to try out during one of our “fun shoots” – all of which I captured on video for this supplemental video review of the Remington Versa Max Tactical 12 gauge shotgun:

You’ll see in the video that the Versa Max Tactical ran very reliably – it was only when we tried to shoot it with frangible buck shot that we experienced any malfunctions.  However, when we switched to frangible slugs the semi-automatic action cycled properly.

The Remington Versa Max Tactical 12 ga. shotgun may be the “new kid on the block” but it’s quickly positioned itself as the best value proposition among its many esteemed competitors for both self-defense and 3 gun competition.  In the next weeks and months I will continue to update this article with additional information as I continue to work with this shotgun.  My next step is to use it in a tactical shotgun training course.

First up is some photos of the Omega Seamaster 300M James Bond “007″ Special Edition model 212.30.41.20.01.005 from my review which will appear in WristWatch Magazine:

Next up we have some photos of the latest edition of the much loved Seiko “Orange Monster” SRP309J1 which will appear along with my written review in AboutTime Magazine.

Finally, I thought I’d share some photos of the Tire’d Watch Company’s new model – the Rapid.  This watch comes in three versions which they asked me to photograph and produce some product photography for their website.  Here’s a few of my favorite shots:

I left the office on Friday, and my son and I flew from Dayton to New Orleans, and grabbed a cab to the hotel I had booked for us in the French Quarter – on Iberville just a couple of blocks from the heart of the action on Bourbon st:

We didn’t get to the hotel and get settled in until about 1am.  Quick side note – if you’re looking for comfortable and reasonably priced accommodations in the French Quarter, you can do a lot worse than the Courtyard Marriott on Iberville.  It’s a former Ritz-Carlton hotel, and is several steps more luxuriously appointed than the typical Courtyard.  My son and I decided to walk up to Bourbon St. – uncertain that there would be much action about 1am.  As it turns out, things were just getting rolling:

I’ve never before seen so many bars – or so many intoxicated people in one place.  We probably walked up about 5 or 6 blocks before we turned around and it seemed as though we could have walked all night.

The next morning we grabbed some breakfast, and headed out to see what things looked like in the light of day – I expected to see the streets littered with vomit an passed-out party goes, but they’re well practiced at clean-up here in New Orleans:

We started off doing a little souvenir shopping at the local themed tourist traps:

My son decided to try on a few hats:

We made our way up to the Jackson Square area a beautiful public square bustling with activity and ripe with photo opportunities:

Jackson Square, named for US General and future President Andrew Jackson:

Across the street from Jackson Square, a high school band was putting on a lovely musical performance:

After a few hours of shopping and site seeing, it came time to sample some of that famous New Orleans cuisine – here’s where we stopped for lunch:

It didn’t look like much from the outside, but my son’s Cajun Po’Boy sandwich and my seafood sampler were quite good:

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel and gathered our things to take a cab ride over to the port and board Navigator of the Seas for our cruise.  Our first unofficial cruise stop in New Orleans was most enjoyable and I look forward to spending more time in this historic city.

The stock M&P 15-22 magazine is slightly more expensive ($16.99 vs. $13.99) and holds fewer rounds.  Here’s a photo of the stock 25 round M&P 15-22 magazine next to the larger Promag 32 round magazine for the M&P 15-22:

Whereas the M&P 15-22 looks a lot like an AR-15, using the longer Promag magazine gives the M&P 15-22 a more AK-47 look to my eye.

When I found some of these Promag 32 round magazines available, I initially only purchased a couple to try, and was skeptical.  To be honest, Promag doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to producing magazines which are as reliable as OEM magazines.  When I received them, I was quite surprised – other than the other obvious size and color differences, the Promag 32 round magazine appeared to be very well constructed and a very close approximation of the S&W counterpart – materials, fit and finish, and function are all excellent with the Promag.  Here’s a close up photo of the feed lips of both the Smith and Promag magazines:

In terms of reliability, it’s difficult to judge in absolute terms as a .22LR/rim fire platform is inherently less reliable than a center fire one.  But I’m quite satisfied with the reliability I’ve seen from the Promag magazines as being on par with the Smith counterpart after about 1000 rounds through two Promag magazines.  They’re plenty reliable for both training and plinking fun.  If you use an M&P 15-22 for hunting or perhaps even self-defense, then an OEM magazine may be preferable.

In addition to this written photo review, I’ve produced a video supplement which further elaborates on the Promag 32 round magazine for the M&P 15-22:

Options are a great thing and having seven more rounds of capacity with the Promag 32 round magazine is great option to have.  It’s also nice to have another supplier option for M&P 15-22 magazines to help alleviate the scarcity which currently exits in this panic stricken market.  If you own an M&P 15-22, I definitely recommend picking up one of the Promag 32 round magazines and giving it a try.

To add insult to injury, the front sight is very small, and difficult to line up with the rear sights:

I’ve had the M&P 22 for over a year, and have been looking for replacement sights for the gun nearly that long.  Many have tried to adapt S&W sights from a centerfire M&P gun – it’s possible, but not simple.  From what I understand, it takes some filing/grinding and ingenuity to make the sites from a centerfire M&P fit on the rimfire M&P 22.  As far as I know, Dawson Precision is the first manufacturer to produce replacement sights for the M&P 22.  As soon as I was aware of them, I called to place an order.  After speaking with the fine folks at Dawson Precision (excellent customer service) I ordered part number 018228 for the rear ($49.95), and fiber optic front sight part number 021211 for $26.00.  Shipping was fast, and once received I had my local gun smith install them – here’s what they look like installed on my M&P 22:

As a supplement to this written photo review, I’ve recorded a video which has some neat range footage of me shooting my Dawson Precision sights equipped M&P 22:

If you’re one of the many M&P 22 owners who are dissatisfied with the sights on this otherwise fantastic gun, the do looking to the Dawson Precision sights.  They are a quantum improvement over the stock M&P 22 sites.

I normally prefer Magpul’s windowed magazines (which allow you to see the number of rounds in the magazine).  But Magpul didn’t begin shipping the M3 Window Pmag until January and as of this writing, none of my back orders have shipped.  So when I saw these non-window M3 Pmags available, I jumped.

I’ve only been shooting an AR-15 the last couple of years – my first AR-15 (M&P 15) actually shipped with a Smith & Wesson M&P branded Pmag (non-window).  Since then I’ve almost exclusively used Pmags.  I’ve never had a magazine related failure using a Pmag so it’s difficult for me to imagine how they can be improved, but here’s a summary of what Magpul states are the upgraded and improved features of the M3 magazines over the previous M2 generation:

-Improvements in polymer technology have resulted in the M3 being “significantly stronger” in all areas.  Improved texture on both the front and back spines, as well as slightly modified side ribs to enhance handling characteristics when wet, dirty, or when under stress.

-An enhanced external geometry which promotes compatibility with the widest variety of platforms possible.

-An unspecified improvement to the internal geometry to improve along with a new, low-friction, four-way anti-tilt follower designed to improve the already stellar adverse conditions Pmag reliability.  “The new follower color is gray, to distinguish it from previous follower generations. ”

-New floor plate design shows significant strength increases over previous designs while being slimmer for easier side-by-side carry.

Given that it’s winter here in Ohio, and given that the panic stricken ammunition market has made purchasing .223/5.56 range ammo all but impossible, I haven’t exactly done a 1000+ round shooting test with the new M3 Pmags (which is why this article is an overview more than a review).  But I have run some ammo through it at the indoor range in which I shoot, and so far so good – it seems equally reliable to the M2 generation magazines I’ve used.  But again, let me stress that I’ve had limited shooting experience with the M3.  Outside of how it performs while shooting, here’s some photos to show the differences between the M2 and M3 Pmags:

RIGHT: M3
LEFT: M2

RIGHT: M3
LEFT: M2

Dimensionally speaking, the two generations of Pmags are very close.  From a materials perspective, I cannot visually detect or feel a difference between them.  The only visual and tactile difference I can percieve are the differences in the texture and pattern applied to each.  Here’s a close up of the feed lips and followers:

RIGHT: M3
LEFT: M2

Here’s a close up of the side of the M3 Pmag:

One handy feature the M2 Pmags had which the M3 Pmags do not is the ability to attach the dust cover to the bottom of the mag.  However, the M3 has what is in my mind an even more useful feature – four dot matrix blocks near the bottom of the magazine that can be used in conjunction with a paint pen to mark a magazine.  Right now I use tape on the bottom of the mag to differentiate mags loaded with perpetrator ammo -  this will be a more elegant solution:

Many are asking if the 2nd Generation (Gen M2) Magpul Pmags going away?  No.  For the time being, Magpul has committed to continuing to produce Gen M2 magazines as part of their MOE line, and will shipping without dust covers in the MOE packaging.  The M2 MOE Pmags will however have a lower price point – the (windowless) MOE PMAG has a new MSRP of $12.95, and the MOE Window PMAG has a new MSRP of $15.95.  In terms of pricing for the M3 Generation magazines , they will carry retail prices at the same levels the Gen M2 magazines were previously.  The (windowless) PMAG 30 AR/M4 GEN M3, 5.56×45, will be priced at an MSRP of $14.95, with the Window GEN M3 priced at an MSRP of $17.95.  If you’re buying magazines for long-term ammo storage, the difference in price between the M2 and M3 Pmags is negligible because you’ll have to purchase dust covers for the MOE M2 magazines – they come in packs of 3 for about $4.00.   

All indications are that the Gen M3 Pmags are a worthy successor to the much loved previous generation M2 Pmags.  Once the ban-scare subsides and I can comfortably replace the ammo I shoot, I’ll add to this review with more usage data, and will be adding photos of the M3 window Pmag once I finally get my hands on them.  Check back for updates.

Training videos can be a double-edged sword for both the producers and their consumers.  How do you produce a training video that doesn’t cannibalize your face to face training business, and at a price point which will be both attractive to consumers and profitable?  It’s a fine line to walk in order to produce a product that’s useful to the consumer while at the same time complimentary to a training company’s other business objectives, and not counter productive to those same objectives.  I think Magpul Dynamics has done a good job of striking that balance with this four-disc set – it features over five hours of actual live fire class instruction and additional instructional material.  Pop in the first disc however, and Magpul Dynamics makes it very clear that this video set is NOT a replacement for actual classroom instruction:

Screen Capture

This video set was released in 2008, but despite the fact that it’s now about 5 years old, it doesn’t look or feel dated.  The instructors for this training series are Chris Costa and Travis Haley – Costa gets most of the camera time by far as Haley is only shown in the material on the first disc.  The rest is all Costa.  Interestingly, neither Costa nor Haley seem to (at least currently) are currently associated with Magpul Dynamics (both left the company in 2011 to form their own separate training organizations), beyond the videos they produce.  Both Costa and Haley are very successful and well-known trainers…they’re just not currently Magpul Dynamics trainers.  This isn’t necessarily a bad thing or even a critical point.  However, if you’re thinking “let me buy one of the Magpul Dynamics training videos to get a good feel for the training they offer at their courses” it might not be a good reason for making the purchase.

Screen Capture – Chris Costa

Screen Capture – Travis Haley

I think it’s also important to note that the training is VERY AR-15 platform centric – you’ll see some footage of a token AK-47 here and there during the video, but all of the weapons manipulation and techniques they show are done with an AR-15.  They could have just as easily titled the video “Art of the Tactical AR-15.”  So if you’re an AK-47 user, you will get limited value from this video.

I’ve taken tactical rifle courses before from a few different instructors and institutions, so I was looking at the video series for the following purposes:

- Refresher Material – the videos are excellent for anyone who has taken traditional training courses and would like additional material to re-enforce and augment concepts to which they’ve been previously exposed.

- An Introduction to Training – if you’ve never taken a tactical carbine course and wondered what they are like, this video will give you a good sense of what to expect no matter whom you take your training from.  Watching the video series my help ease you into the nomenclature and mind set, as well as some of the fundamentals you can practice prior to attending a course.

-A Different Perspective – the more training you take, the more you realize that fundamentals of shooting are fairly universal.  Good trainers all tend to teach a lot of the same stuff, even if they use some different terminology.  Still, every one has their own unique techniques perspective to bring to the table, and I like to get exposed to as much training as I can from as many different perspectives as I can.  Every trainer I work with as a unique “nugget” I take away, and such was the case with this video series.

-Train The Trainer – as an NRA Certified Instructor myself, I like to see how others instruct.  So I not only look at training from a student’s perspective, but I also look at it from the perspective of someone who also works with students.  From this perspective, the video series is very valuable.

-Entertainment – I like to shoot, and chances are if you’re reading this you do as well.  Seeing well trained guys like Costa and Haley in action is entertaining as well as instructive.  Adding to the entertainment value is care taken to record and produce a very high quality video series – the production quality of this 2nd Edition is quite high.  HD video with excellent post production work put into it.  I haven’t seen the DVD version to know weather or not the Blu-Ray version I purchased was noticeably different in quality, but I can say I was impressed with with Blu-Ray version.

I purchased the 2nd edition of  the Art of the Tactical Carbine, Vol. I on blu-ray – not having seen the first edition, I’m not certain what was changed or updated.  In terms of the material they cover, most of the valuable stuff can be found on discs one and two.  In addition to a section on fundamentals, and one on safety, they spend a lot of time doing reload drills, 2nd weapon system transitions, and dealing with malfunctions.  They also spend quite a bit of time on what I’ll call “partner tactics” – communicating reload cover and move commands to a partner.  My only real complaint with the video set is that it could have easily fit on two discs – discs three and four have some valuable material (like a segment on cleaning and maintenance) but there’s also some “fluff” – outtakes, bloopes and the like.  Beyond that minor quibble, it’s a highly valuable and recommended training series, and I’m looking forward to picking up Vol. II of the series.  The retail price from Magpul Dynamics for the Blu-Ray version is $49.95, but can be had for quite a bit cheaper on Amazon.  It’s also available on DVD for about 10.00 lessthan the Blu-Ray version.

Being about 5’7″ in height, with proportionately small hands, I don’t have the mechanical advantage which someone with larger hands has.  So I was intrigued by the prospect of improving my grip strength.  I whipped out my iPad, found a set of Heavy Grips on Amazon.com for a great price, and ordered them on the spot:

I’ve been using them (actually just one…I’ll explain) for a couple of weeks now.  The set I purchased includes a 200, 250, and a 300 lb. gripper.

Have you ever used one of those el-cheap-o grippers that you can easily close?  Some guys do reps without end with those, but doing so really isn’t helping much in the way of actually strengthening your grip.  It’s sort of like doing bench press reps with just the bar – you can do 100 reps, but you’re not really providing the muscle any true resistance to overcome, so you’re not getting any stronger.  So the rule of thumb with these Heavy Grip grippers is that you should move up to the next highest 50 lb. gripper increment once you can successful close one for a few reps.  My buddy Shayne was telling me that he was very close to being able to close the 250 lb. gripper when I placed the order, so you can imagine my discouragement when I couldn’t quite close the 200 lb. gripper.  Of course, Shayne is well over 6 ft. tall so he’s got some mechanical advantage on me and the average guy I suspect.  My research online revealed testimonies of guys like myself who regularly work out with weights and were unable to close the 200 lb. gripper.  So for the time being I’m doing the following routine three days a week:  With my right hand I do 6-8 reps closing the 200 lb. gripper as much as I can, then I repeat with my left hand.  Immediately following, I switch back to my right hand and do 6-8 reps with the gripper inverted, and repeat with my left hand.  I then rest for a couple of minutes and repeat this series two more times for a total of three sets.  I do this Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (I typically shoot on Tuesday night in league, and then some on the weekends so I avoid using the grippers on these days) and take the weekend off.  Here’s something else I gleaned by comparing notes with Shayne:  It might be counter productive to wait until you can entirely close (make the inside handles of the gripper actually make contact) before moving up to the next level.  Shayne says he’s within a quarter to an eighth of an inch of being able to close the 250 lb. gripper.  He can get to that point pretty easily and repeatedly, but isn’t quite able to close the gripper.  Continuing to work out with the 250 lb. gripper for him may not yield any more significant gains – in fact, he may be unable to ever close the 250 lb. gripper unless he moves up and starts doing resistance training with the 300 lb.  I’m pretty much at that same point with the 200 lb. gripper, so I may move up to the 250 lb. gripper in the next week or two.

If you’re used to those el-cheap-o weak grippers, the robust, quality design of the Heavy Grip grippers will be a breath of fresh air.  The knurled handles provide an excellent grip, but may take a week or so to get used to if you don’t regularly work out with Olympic style knurled barbells or dumbells.  They certainly provide an impressive level of resistance – you’ll be sore after you use them for sure.   Again, I’m in my 2nd week and I’m already seeing significant gains in my grip and some size increase in my forearms.  I’m thinking I’ll be ready to shift to the 250 lb. model in a couple of weeks.  I actually went back and ordered a 150 lb. Heavy Grip gripper from Amazon so I’d have something to warm up with before jumping right in to the “heavy” gripper.

I’ll update this article in the weeks to come to show my progress. 

The Kershaw Community (some call it the Kershaw Mafia…) was fairly incensed at my suggesting that the Skyline was anything less than the “Nutnfancy Hall of Famer” knife which the TNP YouTube channel proclaims it to be.  But the fact is, I do like the knife…I just don’t think it’s one of the greatest knives ever made, even when the price is factored.  But the fact is, I do like it – in fact, when I learned that Kershaw was releasing some Skylines with both red and blue G10 scales, I snatched up one of the red examples:

For better or worse, this new red Skyline G10 1760RDSW edition differs very little from the standard edition Kershaw Skyline 1760:

In terms of differences, beyond the obvious color difference in the G10 scale, note that the 1760RDSW does not have black screws like the standard 1760 Skyline.  The specifications are however the same:

Specifications:
Overall Length: 7.375″
Blade Length: 3.125″
Blade Steel: Sandvik 14C28N
Closed Length: 4.25″
Weight: 2.3 oz.
Made in USA

Even the (stiff) pocket clip is the same as the traditional black model:

As I normally do with all my knives, I disassembled my 1760RDSW Skyline when I received it, and applied some Finish Line Extreme Fluoro (my preferred knife grease – very similar in formulation to Chris Reeve’s own fluorinated grease formulation).  It’s probably not a necessary step – the Skyline is manufactured with bronze phosphor bushings for ultra-smooth blade actuation.  An impressive feature for a value priced knife – bronze phosphor bushings is an innovation first championed by knife makers of knives at price points several times that of the Skyline.

There’s certainly a lot to like about the new 1760RDSW Kershaw Skyline – not the least of which is the impressive price point.  The Skyline carries a retail price point of $74.95, but can be found for much less on Amazon (click here).

I also recorded a supplemental video review on the Kershaw Skyline 1760RDSW:

I’ll preface this by saying these are my first reactions – my support for certain provisions of his Executive Orders may reverse as we find out more information, and the same can be said of the provisions on which I don’t agree.

THE EXECUTIVE ORDERS I DON’T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH OR SUPPORT

Publish a letter from ATF to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers.

OK – no problem with this one.  As written, it seems pretty benign.  Nothing here that mandates anything – it simply clarifies the use of a system and process already in place.

Review safety standards for gun locks and gun safes (Consumer Product Safety Commission).

Ehhh….OK.  I don’t think this is particularly helpful, but it shouldn’t take long or be costly, so fine.  Take 15 minutes and review the safety standards.  We really need an Executive Order for this?

Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations.

Unless television has been lying to me, it seems that any local, State, or Federal law enforcement agency which recovers a gun during a criminal investigation ALREADY attempts to trace the firearm to it’s source.  What’s next Columbo?  Issue a Presidential Memorandum for cops to start eating more donuts??

Release a DOJ report analyzing information on lost and stolen guns and make it widely available to law enforcement.

OK…but why?  What’s to be gained here?  “The DOJ has analyzed the available information on this firearm which has been reported as lost or stolen, and after intense analysis and hundreds of man hours, we have determined that it is indeed lost or stolen.”

Provide law enforcement, first responders and school officials with proper training for active shooter situations.

Now THIS is an Executive Order I can support.  Proper training should include “Double tap.  Repeat as necessary.”  In all seriousness I’ve taken proper Active Shooter Training and I can only hope that this same kind of training would be made available to the above listed groups.

Maximize enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime.

Sounds like a pretty vague and unfunded mandate…but OK, fine….

Issue a Presidential Memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control to research the causes and prevention of gun violence.

Fine.  And while you’re at it BOH, how about you actually read the existing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reasearch that studied the “assault weapon” ban  of 1994 and other gun control attempts, and found “insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of any of the firearms laws reviewed for preventing violence,”  Yes, you’ve read that correctly – the Centers for Disease Control has already studied this issue….you just didn’t get the answer you were looking for BHO, so you want to spend more money on more studies….<eye roll>.  But fine…do another study.

Release a letter to health care providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities.

OK…one would think someone bright enough to get a doctorate of medicine would be able to figure this one out on their own WITHOUT the need for an Executive Ordered letter.  But fine….let Michelle take a break from buying pretty dresses at Target and have her type up a letter.  This should cost less than a dress from Target to implement.

Provide incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.

You mean Adam Lanza didn’t already provide enough “incentive” in this regard??  I suppose I can support this one, but I’d like to know exactly what “incentive” means.

Develop model emergency response plans for schools, houses of worship and institutions of higher education.

OK – seems like a decent enough idea.  It will help some folks start “somewhere” with developing their own plans.  Again, this doesn’t sound tremendously expensive.

Release a letter to state health officials clarifying the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover.

OK….but if state health officials didn’t get and read the memo before, what makes BHO think they will this time?

Finalize regulations clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements within ACA exchanges.
Commit to finalizing mental health parity regulations.

These are provisions of “Obama Care” which I object to as much as I do additional Gun Control.  That said, these two Executive Orders seem fairly benign within the bounded irrationality which is Obama Care.

Launch a national dialogue led by [Human Services Secretary Kathleen] Sebelius and [Education Secretary [Arne] Duncan on mental health.

I’m preeeeetty sure a “national dialogue” on mental health started happening on December 14th, 2012…if not earlier.  But BHO, if you want to write an Executive Order to make sure something is happening that’s been going on for weeks if not months, then knock your socks off Captain Obvious.

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMMM….(THE STUPID EXECUTIVE ORDERS)

Issue a Presidential Memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.

The “devil is in the details” on this one.  Exactly what does BHO consider “relevant data?”  I’m hoping this one gets challenged legally – it’s waaay too open ended.  What data is needed and why?  This sounds like a recipe for any Federal agency to create a database of gun owners.

Address unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background check system.

My concerns above apply here is well.  Exactly what information is being sought and why?

Improve incentives for states to share information with the background check system.

Again, what information is required and why?

Direct the Attorney General to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks.

This is perhaps the most idiotic of these Executive Orders.  US Attorney General Eric Holder is the same genius who allowed the infamous operation “Fast and Furious” to take place which allowed a huge number of weapons to reach the hands of Mexican drug gang.  Let’s make sure he understands that Mexican drug gangs are in fact dangerous people before we worry about who’s supposedly slipping through these alleged cracks OK?

Propose rulemaking to give law enforcement the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun.

This proclamation is rife with problems for law abiding citizens.  So I’m stopped in a routine traffic stop by a local cop, and he exercises his right to “seize” my legally obtained and carried firearm.  Now the cop has the option of not returning my firearm to me until this “full background check” is completed?  How long does that take?  A week?  A month?  No way.  Unacceptable.  A direct violation of the 2nd Amendment, and illegal seizure of property.

Launch a national safe and responsible gun ownership campaign.

I’m not against this idea at all – it’s a great idea, which is why the NRA has been doing it for YEARS.  Why does the government need to spend money re-inventing the wheel when they could PARTNER with the NRA to expand it’s existing efforts in this regard?

Nominate an ATF director.

OK….why do we need office space for another Washington Bureaucrat?

Direct the Attorney General to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of new gun safety technologies and challenge the private sector to develop innovative technologies.

Problem #1 here is of course the afore mentioned Attorney General needs to be put behind bars for his part in the attempted cover up of the Fast and Furious debacle.  Problem #2 is that the private sector Gun Industry already has armies of attorneys of their own “challenging” them to reduce liability costs by making guns more safe.  See BHO, here’s how a Free Market economy works…being a Socialist, I’m sure you could use a refresher course…

Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes.

Ummm….why??  Is this another thinly veiled attempt to create a government database of gun owners?  “Check here for the reason why you’ve come to see the doctor today.”  “Check here if you own a gun.”  “As required by Obama Care, all data collected is shared with the Federal Government.”  No thank you….

As you can imagine, I’m not particularly fond of what Obama is proposing in these Excecutive Orders because A)by and large they’re meaningless and innefectual, and B)they carry a $500 million dollar price tag.

The good news is that even BHO and the liberal media analysts conceede that an Assault Weapons Ban which BHO is asking Congress to consider is doomed to fail.  And it doesn’t look like confiscation is even being discussed.  Neither did BHO propose any new taxes or levies (such as a punishing ammunition tax) as I greatly feared.

The only real question in my mind at this point is will a magazine capacity limit make it through Congress?  I give it a 50-50 chance at this point.  But the Congressional dysfunction which lead to the Fiscal Cliff will surely play in the favor of opponents of this measure.

At the end of the day, the American People have been handed a series of silly Executive Orders which will cost $500 million dollars and do absolutely nothing which will help ensure we’ll never have another Sandy Hook incident.  Remember, I didn’t vote for Obama….