Firearms rights and responsibilities seminar put on by Rob Kauffman was EXCELLENT!

Thanks to Rep. Rob Kauffman (who provides the firearms inventory books I give to students and is also just a flat out good guy) and Mr. Menges, the attorney who presented.

You'll see me on the right in the black hoodie with tan hat on.

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/local/ci_26653343/gun-owners-learn-about-rights-responsibilities

New "Files" section going up!

I'm in the process of adding a new section for files. Take a look at the right side of your screen and you'll see it! It's for general informational PDFs and other things I give out during classes or use regularly. Enjoy!

I also received my certificate of completion from Bucks County Community College for Wilderness Search & Rescue! Woohoo!

New Utah Concealed Firearm Permit class scheduled!

 Check out the Utah Concealed Firearm Permit page  for more details!

 

The Mountaincraft and Music Gathering!

I had the chance to attend the Mountaincraft and Music Gathering at the North American Bushcraft School (N.A.B.S.) and I had a blast! First off, maybe I should describe what Mountaincraft is. I'll just paste this from their site since they describe it well:

"Our primitive skills gathering is similar to other such gatherings, offering fundamental skills such as friction fire making, flint knapping and cordage classes daily.  We will also hold classes on nature awareness, tracking, basket making, gourd craft, edible plants, fermented foods, bowl and spoon carving, traditional bow and arrow making, etc.  Each day will be full of new experiences.  Each evening will feature musical performances and festivities around the bonfire.  Please bring instruments, songs and stories and be willing to share your talents with our community."

I braved the severe thunderstorms and rolled in after giving a Utah Concealed Firearm Class. I got there just in time for a trading blanket. A trading blanket is where people bring things to trade and when their turn comes, they put them down in front of them and describe them if need be and anyone interested sits down something they're offering to trade in front of them. From there trades are accepted or rejected. I realized I was outgunned in the trade department but my feelings weren't hurt, it was a learning experience. I fugred everyone wanted Russian battle packs of 7.62x39. Boy was I wrong! Ha ha!

I got there too late for classes on Saturday so I set up my camp (tarp shelter off my truck and a cot to keep off the ground), kicked back and enjoyed a few beverages while listening to some terrific Appalachian style music. It reminded me of some of the stuff my grandfather used to play, but that's another story for another time. I had some of the prepared venison for dinner and eventually went to bed.

I was up with the morning siren and ready to learn. Morning circle was interesting and oddly quiet for the number of children we had. I realized these kids were better behaved than the little savages you se at Walmart. There were also a pair of sisters sitting down and whittling spoons they learned to make the day prior using proper knife techniques. They couldn't have been more then 10 and 13 but they were handling themselves better than most adults AND being constructive!

After morning circle (think morning briefing) and I was off. First class was cordage making. I suck at making cordage, that's why I never attempt to do it, but I can't say that now. We used Yucca plant and Dogsbane. My Dogsbane processing leaves a bit to be desired but my Yucca cordage was just about dead on and I liked it so much I incorporated it in to the knife sheath Jason Drevenak (head honcho at N.A.B.S.) custom made for me.

After lunch I did a short knife sharpening workshop then bow and drill class. I was unsuccessful at making fire, but I learned that EVERYTHING I knew about bow and drill was completely wrong (which happened to answer the question of why no fire before). We took raw materials and whittled them to fit. Start to (almost) finish, we learned how the ember is created. I had to cut this class short because I needed to get back to life, but just because I didn't make fire doesn't mean I failed, it simply means I need to work harder.

Overall this event was a success with a ton of knowledge being shared, contacts with other like minded folks and getting to meet people I otherwise would never have gotten to hang with. I had a great time and would do it again in a heartbeat!

Apparently there's more gatherings out there. I'm really looking forward to checking out future gatherings, especially the "Primitive to Prepper" gathering N.A.B.S. will be having next year!

More pictures are on the Keep You Alive Facebook.

The Case For The SKS Carbine And Why Everyone Should Own One

Respect being given to the AR-15 platform, AK-47 platform and all of the other magazine fed, "high capacity" rifles that hold legendary status, this article is purely to argue the merit of the lowly SKS carbine and why, among other rifles, it should be purchased and stocked for.

In its original configuration, it has a permanently attached 10 round magazine. Even in New York, from what I understand, under the S.A.F.E. Act a rifle has to have a detachable magazine and 1 "evil" feature in order to be banned. In this case it's the attached (as we're talking about a stock rifle) bayonet that is a so called "evil" feature as it were. That can be quickly rectified as it can be cut off. If you really want a bayonet, the easily obtained Mosin Nagant 91/30 bayonet can be slightly modified and used while remaining permanently unattached, not violating state law.

Let's say you’re an AK guy and they just banned your favorite rifle. Fine, it sucks but you can't afford to move and you need a rifle to use "in public" since you have sold/stashed/buried/burned your beloved AK. "In public" meaning one you can take to the range, practice with and pull out in case of emergency that won't catch you a charge for having something that's on the banned list.

Having your supply of 7.62x39, your SKS rifle will run the same ammo as your AK. Stripper clips aren't expensive and you can load them to conform to state law. These same stripper clips are small, compact and can easily be retained by shoving in a pocket as opposed to a dump pouch (unless you choose to). You also have a few other advantages you may not think about! There are no magazines s to lose. Stripper clips are cheap but not necessary for operation of the rifle. You can hand load rounds in to the permanently attached magazine. Stripper clips can generally be bent back in to working shape and under austere conditions, could even be easily replicated. Magazines also get lost and in the wrong situation won't be likely to be resupplied. It's a milled military rifle with a proven track record that can shoot out to 300 yds. Being that it loads 10 rounds at a time, you'll be less likely to waste ammunition. Ammo weight also is less since you don't have the weight of the magazines to carry around.

Price currently is in the $300 range with ragged looking supplies being sold online under $280. They are creeping up in price but are still a great hedge against bad future legislation. Chances are any new legislation will accept the SKS in some form and you'll still have a proven military pattern rifle that will be able to shoot cheap ammo.

So keep the SKS carbine in your thoughts as you browse the gun shows. A lot of deals are still out there to be had and having a few of these rifles on hand would be an asset to anyone who cares about home and personal defense.

The newest Basic Defensive Pistol Level 1 class...

Had a terrific Basic Defensive Pistol Level 1 class on Sunday!

Nate & Rob from Tattoos by Nate, Waynesboro, PA were there. If you're looking for a pro-2A tattoo studio that's clean and professional, look no further!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tattoos-By-Big-Nate/124522327594805

New classes posted!

Look to your right and you'll see many new classes posted. Dates through September are set and will be posted soon. Included in those dates are:

-More Basic Defensive Pistol Level 1, 2 and Utah Concealed Carry!
-Basic Defensive Pistol Level 3
-Level 1 Carbine
-Level 2 Carbine
-Basic Wilderness Survival
-Maryland Qualified Handgun License

Getting back to it!

Lots has been happening recently and it's time to update our website and Facebook page! Stay tuned for updates, tips and some reviews!