M2

Just heard about this... T-6 Instructor Pilot Dies After Ejection Seat Goes Off on the Ground (airandspaceforces.com) An Air Force instructor pilot died early in the morning on May 14 from injuries sustained when the pilot’s T-6A Texan II training plane ejection seat activated during ground operations the day before, the 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, announced in a press release. “An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway,” the wing wrote, adding that the pilot’s name is being withheld for 24 hours to notify his or her next of kin. (full story at title link) 🍺

Sending millions to their death is more of a Russian tactic, although I wouldn't put it past the CCP. However, I still believe China is avoiding the armed conflict, preferring the softer approaches (information, economic, etc.)...

That goes back to Rainman's mantra of never passing up the opportunity to keep your big mouth shut!

We're already at war with China, just not the kind we are prepared to fight. We are not winning.

Move to Texas. You don't need a license to CC or OC here. Florida just figure that out less than a year ago, we've had it for three years! Plus, open carry is still illegal in Florida (Texas has had it since 2021). 9. Texas As of 2021, permitless carry and open carry are legal in Texas for individuals 21 and older. In many ways, Texas has one of the strongest use-­of-­force laws in the nation, allowing for deadly force to defend “land or tangible, moveable property” in certain circumstances. That said, the law does not protect against civil liability so we did not award full points in that category. The Lone Star State has an enthusiastic shooting, training and hunting culture, and some of the finest ranges in the nation can be found within its borders. Hopefully, Texas’ thriving gun culture is not negatively influenced by its rapid population growth. 22. Florida After passing anti-­gun legislation in the wake of the Parkland High School murders, the Sunshine State is moving back in a more pro-­gun direction. The legislature passed, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed, legislation that authorized permitless carry in the state for both residents and non-­residents alike. Florida’s use-­of-­force laws are a model for the nation and the state received 10 points for its treatment of NFA items. The only restriction costing Florida points is its prohibition on 18-­to 20-­year-­olds purchasing long guns. 48. California California has the distinction of being the top-­ranked state in the anti-­gun Giffords Law Center’s rankings. Still, lawmakers in Sacramento continue to push for more gun control. In the Fall of 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation expanding California’s Red Flag laws. Bills that would have created a firearm excise tax and made legally carrying a firearm more difficult did not make it to his desk. As the legislature goes into summer recess for ’23, no anti-­gun bills have passed; several have been proposed. California received low scores for a difficult carry permit environment, restrictions on many semiautomatics and magazines, and other miscellaneous statutes. The state received 7 points for its use-­of-­force laws, which do not impose a duty-­to-­retreat thanks only to a court decision. Despite having some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, the state had more mass shootings than any other state across a 50-­year survey period, more than Texas and Florida combined. Source: https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/best-states-for-gun-owners-2023/488509 The biggest downside to Texas is the lack of public (BLM) land to shoot on (there is some just north of Amarillo with under 12,000 acres and no firearms allowed). Over 95% land in Texas is privately owned (source), so unless you know someone with a private range, public ranges are about the only option outside of hunting or on base ranges (I shoot at Camp Bullis is north San Antonio).

Hey now! It was the late 80s, and power ballads were all the rage! Would you believe Second Change was .38 Special's highest-charting song in the United States out of 25 singles released? It peaked at No.6 in May 1989 and spending 21 weeks on the chart!

The real reason I was on this thread... 🤣🤣

Do you thing those being chased simply shoplifted at a Walmart? People don't get pursued like that unless they've committed a serious crime and are a threat to society. It was proportional to the situation. Had your family member been their victim, or would be a victim after the police let them get away, you'd feel a lot different about it! The stupid ones are those that flee, not the cops chasing them! It's their decision to endanger everyone on the road, not the police's.

Thousands of flights to and from Europe affected by suspected Russian jamming | Airline industry | The Guardian Flights in and out of Britain are among thousands that have been affected by suspected Russian jamming of GPS systems. More than 2,300 Ryanair flights have reported incidents of GPS interference since last August, according to a report, as well as almost 1,400 at Wizz Air, 82 at British Airways and four from easyJet. About 46,000 aircraft in total have logged problems with GPS over the Baltic Sea in the same time period, the Sun reported, based on analysis of flight logs with the website GPSJAM.org. Most of the GPS problems reported on the website have come in eastern Europe, bordering Russia... (full story at title link)

The SNCO corps brought that on themselves...

My truck gun these days...

Preach, brother!

I'm only here for Biff_T's posts!! 😗

WTF happened??

If that were truly the case, then I would have no issue with it; but far too many times we have seen violent offenders released only to commit more crimes. That said, there are cases where the right to bear arms has no bearing on the matter at hand (i.e., non-violent crimes), and should not be a factor.

That's from the Democratic/Liberal viewpoint...

"Ghost guns" are another fabricated and irrational scare tactic term akin to "assault rifles" for those who are hoplophobic. Serial numbers don't stop the illegal use of a firearm any more than a VIN stops someone from stealing a car. The right to keep and bear arms is an alienable one, not "granted" by any government. And, as we all can attest to, anything the government gets its nose into is more likely to get fucked up that fixed!!

Published today in the Federal register, effective May 20, 2024... Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Dealer in Firearms Unless this gets thrown out in the courts, you kiss goodbye to private firearm sales for those of us who still live in free states. If you don't feel like trying to understand that legal mumbo-jumbo, William Kirks does an excellent initial summary... Thanks to the idiots behind the "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" for actually believing disarming law-abiding citizens will reduce shootings!! 🤬🤬🤬

Just got our Shirt's regular info sharing email, and saw this shit... STELLAR TALENT ACQUISITION RECRUITING REFERRAL (STARR) Program Air Force Recruiting Service (AFRS) is asking for your help in strengthening our force and wants to reward you for your efforts. The STARR program, governed by DAFMAN 36-2806 A2.14.1.6, was created to award medals to Airmen who refer someone to the Air Force who ships to basic training. In fact, if you refer just one person who ships to basic training, you are eligible for an AF Achievement medal. If you refer three who ship, you get two Achievement medals and if you refer five who ship you get an AF Commendation medal (no more than three medals can be awarded to one person). Since its inception in May 2023, 25 AF members have qualified for AF Achievement medals with the first recipient being an A1C that was one week out of technical training school. Imagine putting together a BTZ package, EPB push statement, or even going before a promotion board with a recently acquired Achievement medal. The STARR program is run through the Aim High App and there are just four easy steps to refer someone. 1) Download the app, 2) create an account (using your .mil email), 3) fill out prerequisites, 4) either you as the referrer can put in the person being referred’s information or you can send them a QR code (or link) to fill in that information for themselves (see picture below). Warning! Old Guy rant!! It took me two years as an A1C to earn my first AFAM where I was the Wing Airman of the Quarter for the largest tactical fighter wing in the USAF (81 TFW). It took another 18 months as a SSgt to get my first AFCOM. I know neither is an overly prestigious award, but at the time I felt my hard work and efforts were being recognized and I was proud to receive both! Recruiters already get a ribbon, why not expand the criteria to get one of those to these individuals instead of watering down awards meant for duty performance? /Rant

I think they were being highly optimistic about that 67%...

That chin strap looks pretty tight, and that 'grip' is...well...isn't a grip; but damn, those tattoos are on the money!!