Monday, March 20, 2023

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 241: Dumb Laws and Other Dumbness

In This Episode

  • Erin and Weer’d discuss:
    • Why credit card companies are backing down with gun-specific merchant codes;
    • Germans demanding more gun control after a mass shooting, despite the gun control they already have not working.
  • Next, Weer'd sits down with Marty Hayes of the Armed Citizen Legal Defense Network to talk about "gun insurance" and what is and isn't legal when covering a client;
  • Oddball expands on Tiny's SWATing story from a technical standpoint;
  • and finally, Xander gives the finger to smart gun technology.




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Wednesday, March 8, 2023

A Little Knowles is a Dangerous Thing

Michael J. Knowles, speaking at CPAC 2023, stated that "Transgenderism must be eradicated." It's on the video embedded below, and that statement has been quoted by both conservative and liberal websites. Knowles later weasel-worded his statement by saying that he's not calling for genocide, because "genocide refers to genes."


If you know me, you know that I have strong feelings about this position. I'm going to leave the "Being transgender is not an ism" rant for another day so that I can concentrate on the larger picture here. 

First, Knowles is calling for the eradication of everything that allows transgender people to become whole, which is a murder of soul if not of body. We will kindly be allowed to live... so long as we crawl back into the closet and stay there for his comfort, and to hell with what that does to the quality of our lives. 

Second, what he's calling for can be rounded up to genocide -- or democide, if you're feeling pedantic -- because once being transgender is made illegal, the two choices a trans person has are:
  1. Comply and only dress and present as the sex assigned on your birth certificate, which effectively eliminates all trans people from society, or
  2. Refuse to comply and face potentially lethal response, because all laws are ultimately enforced at the barrel of a law enforcement officer's firearm. 
Third, can you imagine the weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth if a liberal pundit had declared that "conservatism must be eradicated"? The Republicans would condemn it as hate speech and an existential threat to them. 

I never thought I would see the day when someone would call for an end to my way of life at a political convention, nor did I think they'd be cheered for it, yet here we are. This feels very much like a testing of the waters; by having a media pundit say it instead of a politician, CPAC could have disavowed Knowles' statements as "not representative of our positions" if the crowd reacted poorly. But the audience cheered and clapped, which many if not most conservatives will interpret as broad support for such actions. 

By the way, just in case you think this might have been a one-off situation, here's Michael Knowles saying similar things. 


"Be normal."  How privileged can you get? And I hate how the term privilege has been distorted and over-used, so when I use it that's saying something. 

It's simply shocking to me to see someone, but especially a media pundit, who is so expressly against the First Amendment that he wants to bring back laws forbidding self-expression that harms no one. 

He's not even talking about transgender children; he's talking about forbidding adults of legal age from dressing and acting as they want. What happened to GOP being the party of the Constitution? 


"We have a duty to express our sex in the correct way." This is not a political argument; this is a religious argument. Well, so much for separation of Church and State. And nothing bad has ever happened when the government legislates religious purity, has it?


Do you remember the origin of the pink triangle, Mr. Knowles? Because we do. And we won't ever let that happen again. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_concentration_camp_badge


Armed transgender people don't get bashed, Mr. Knowles. We will NOT go back into the closet for your benefit, nor will we allow you to take away our liberties without a fight. 



To anyone who plans to enforce this: stack up and send expendable goons, because they aren't coming back. Give me liberty, or I will give you death.



Monday, March 6, 2023

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 239: Erin and Weer'd at the 2023 Gundie Awards

In This Episode

  • The first part of this episode was recorded on location in Uvalde, Texas where Erin and Weer'd recounted their travels and events of the Gundie Awards' range day at Drive Tanks.
  • In part 2, Weer'd and Erin are back at their respective homes and discuss the Gundies' Expo and Red Carpet/Awards Ceremony.
  • Much fun was had!

Monday, February 27, 2023

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 238: Erin Palette, Queen of the Desert

                                  

In This Episode

  • Erin's regales us with her adventures in Utah for a documentary film!
  • Erin and Weer'd then discuss:
    • the Federal court challenge of the Illinois Assault Weapons Ban;
    • a temper tantrum by the Louisville, KY Mayor about auctioning off confiscated guns;
    • the legal issues of the Michigan State University shooter.
  • Next, Liberty from Geeks, Gadgets and Guns recounts her experience with giving  testimony before the Nebraska legislature about their Red Flag Laws;
  • and finally, Weer'd interviews Marty Hayes of the Armed Citizen's Legal Defense Network to find out what ACLDN is and where it came from.




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Monday, February 20, 2023

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 237: YouTube Plays Calvinball with Gun Rules

                                 

In This Episode

  • Erin and Weer’d first discuss their plans to attend the Gundie Awards in Texas, and then YouTube's harassment of content creators with gun-related channels;
  • Weer'd again fisks the Brady Campaign Podcast, this time on the subject of community-based violence prevention;
  • David had a chance to examine an  S&W M&P 5.7 and gives us his thoughts on it;
  • and finally, Tiny tells us the story of the time he was swatted... twice!




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Show Notes

Main Topic:

Weer’d Audio Fisk:

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers

Deep Thoughts from The Land of rocks and Cows:

Monday, February 13, 2023

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 236: The Good News Show

                                

In This Episode

  • Erin and Weer’d discuss:
    • the SHORT Act and a Federal Concealed Carry Reciprocity bill;
    • how Florida might be the 26th permitless carry state;
    • the courts continue to prevent the Illinois' Assault Weapon and Magazine Ban;
    • and Erin has a surprise announcement regarding Antonyuk v. Nigrelli!
  • Next, Tiny returns with a story of a friend who was injured in a hunting accident... and how insurance made it worse;
  • and finally, Logan Metesh of High Caliber History returns to talk with Weer'd about how museums preserve firearm for long-term display, and how private collectors can keep their collection pristine.

Sunday, February 12, 2023

I am Cubically Culpable

I am a fan of Sacred Cow Shipyards. 

One night, in a fit of fangirl inspiration, I wrote and recorded this... thing. I guess you could call it a fanfic?

Except that I then shared it with the Dockmaster, who liked it enough to publish it to his channel, so it's canon now. 

Anyway, I am responsible for this delightful monstrosity.  


The following synopses are all from Wikipedia:
In geometry, the neusis (νεῦσις; from Ancient Greek νεύειν (neuein) 'incline towards'; plural: νεύσεις, neuseis) is a geometric construction method that was used in antiquity by Greek mathematicians.

Doubling the cube, also known as the Delian problem, is an ancient  geometric problem. Given the edge of a cube, the problem requires the construction of the edge of a second cube whose volume is double that of the first. As with the related problems of squaring the circle and trisecting the angle, doubling the cube is now known to be impossible to construct by using only a compass and straightedge, but even in ancient times solutions were known that employed other tools.

The problem owes its name to a story concerning the citizens of Delos, who consulted the oracle at Delphi in order to learn how to defeat a plague sent by Apollo.  According to Plutarch, however, the citizens of Delos consulted the oracle at Delphi to find a solution for their internal political problems at the time, which had intensified relationships among the citizens. The oracle responded that they must double the size of the altar to Apollo, which was a regular cube.

The answer seemed strange to the Delians, and they consulted Plato, who was able to interpret the oracle as the mathematical problem of doubling the volume of a given cube, thus explaining the oracle as the advice of Apollo for the citizens of Delos to occupy themselves with the study of geometry and mathematics in order to calm down their passions.

According to Plutarch, Plato gave the problem to Eudoxus and Archytas and Menaechmus, who solved the problem using mechanical means, earning a rebuke from Plato for not solving the problem using pure geometry. 
As for the "why"... I dunno, it seemed like a good idea. I even have a half-baked idea for how it fits into the SCSU (Sacred Cow Shipyards Universe): 

The Dockmaster has never specified, but I always assumed that the shipyard has some manner of AI drones to do the work. At some point the Dockmaster thought it might be useful to expose the drones to things like sea shanties on the assumption that it might make them work harder. At the very least, it would be funny to have them all singing "The Wellerman."

One of the drones apparently fancies itself a bit of an artist, dove down the rabbit hole of music to discover filks and fan songs, and ended up with singing The Delian Song.

The Dockmaster isn't sure how he feels about this, especially with that reference to Barney.

Thursday, February 9, 2023

OBS: Amicus Brief Filed in Antonyuk v. Nigrelli

      


New York Gun Law’s Social Media Disclosure Requirement Violates First Amendment, Invites Discrimination


New York City, New York, 8 February 2023: Operation Blazing Sword - Pink Pistols, alongside the Asian Pacific American Gun Owners Association, the DC Project Foundation, the Liberal Gun Club, the National African American Gun Association, and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals arguing that the part of New York’s Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA) which requires applicants to register their social media names and accounts with the government is unconstitutional.

“While New York plainly has a legitimate interest in regulating concealed carry, its regulations must conform to the First Amendment, and this particular provision of New York’s new gun law does not,” said Anna Diakun, staff attorney at the Knight Institute. “Not only has the state failed to demonstrate that the social media registration requirement will actually further its goals, but it has also failed to acknowledge its costs: It will have a profound impact on the right to speak anonymously and associate privately online, and it will invite discrimination by licensing officials.”

Under current New York law, applicants for concealed carry permits must turn over to the state a list of social media accounts used in the past three years, including applicants’ pseudonymous accounts, thereby directing the state to a vast number of personal posts, pictures, and likes, across an unlimited number of social media platforms.

Operation Blazing Sword - Pink Pistols et al. argue that the social media provision chills concealed-carry applicants’ constitutionally protected speech and conditions their ability to get a permit on their willingness to give up their rights to speak anonymously and associate privately online. Moreover, the groups highlight that these harms will be exacerbated for members of marginalized communities whose members already have particular reasons to distrust law enforcement and fear the government’s scrutiny of their online lives.

“The state’s dragnet social media registration requirement goes far beyond what is necessary, and will set a dangerous precedent for broad intrusions on individuals’ First Amendment rights,” said Katie Fallow, senior counsel at the Knight Institute. “If the New York law is allowed to stand, one can easily imagine the government imposing these requirements in any number of other situations.”


 

Operation Blazing Sword, Inc. is a grass-roots 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping queer people become responsible firearm owners through volunteer education by maintaining a database of over 1500 queer-friendly firearm volunteer educators residing in every state of the USA. It also submits legal briefs (Amicus Curiae) to protect the rights of not just queer people, but all peaceable citizens, to have access to the most effective tools for self-defense. www.blazingsword.org

Pink Pistols, a division of Operation Blazing Sword, is dedicated to the legal, safe, and responsible use of firearms for self-defense of the gender and sexual minority community. www.pinkpistols.org

Media Contact: Adriana Lamirande


Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Erin on GGG 307

I was asked back to Geeks, Gadgets & Guns for episode 307 to wrap up the saga of Hasbro's OGL debacle. Along the way we talked about some other things too, like some of the cool characters I've made for role-playing games. 


The characters I mention:

Also, here's a late-breaking video from Ian Runkle at Role of Law to discuss in greater legal terms what D&D 5e going to Creative Commons means regarding their IP. 

Monday, February 6, 2023

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 235: Doom! DOOM! DOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!

                               

In This Episode

  • Erin and Weer’d discuss:
    • an open letter from a former NRA president to its members about the organization's impending doom;
    • New York being sued for stating that a concealed carry permit applicant will have to wait three years to have his fingerprints taken;
    • the ATF's published ruling that bans stabilizing braces on pistols.
  • Next, Matt from Geeks Gadgets and Guns brings us an overview on long-range optics;
  • David tells us how he built a backyard range;
  • and finally, Weer'd has another Patented Audio Fisk of the Brady Campaign, this time talking about how the Founding Fathers really did support gun control.




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Show Notes

Main Topic:

Gun Lovers and Other Strangers:

Weer’d Audio Fisk:

Monday, January 30, 2023

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 234: This Podcast is California Approved

                              

In This Episode

  • Erin and Weer’d discuss:
    • the amicus brief that Operation Blazing Sword - Pink Pistols and others filed opposing Oregon's Measure 114;
    • a mass shooting in California, and what it tells us about gun control;
    • a judge putting a hold on Illinois' Assault Weapons Ban -- sort of;
    • a discovery about pistol braces and 922(r) compliance;
    • and Alec Baldwin being charged for the shooting death of Halyna Hutchins.
  • Weer'd interviews Clark, a gun store employee in California, to talk about a new pistol just added to the restrictive CA Handgun Roster -- and it's a SIG P320!
  • Weer'd also interviews Logan Metesh of High Caliber History to talk about a chilling change on the NRA bylaws that allows the liquidation of the guns in the NRA Firearm Museum for any reason.




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Sunday, January 29, 2023

Hasbro Surrenders

Those of you who enjoyed my rant about the perfidy of Hasbro revoking the meant-to-be-irrevocable Open Game License two weeks ago may be curious regarding what craziness has happened since then. 

As it turns out, it was the craziest thing of all: Hasbro has surrendered. 

https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1439-ogl-1-0a-creative-commons


Even though this story broke on Friday, I waited to talk about this because at this point I no longer trust Hasbro to tell me that the sky is blue; I figured this could just as easily have been the Placate before the Assassin Strike. But my favorite gaming lawyer Ian Runkle looked at it and gave it his seal of approval:

   

I don't know how you feel, but that's good enough for me. It remains to be seen if this is enough to restore good will and trust, or if the damage is done. Personally, I think it's the latter, especially since Paizo et all are still going to create their ORC license. This just seems like good business sense to me; who knows what the next 2, 5, 10, or 20 years will bring. 

I'm also willing to wager fairly heavily that 6e D&D will not be published under any form of OGL, and that people who wish to publish 6e compatible material will have to sign a license even more Draconian (heh) that what Hasbro tried to push with OGL 1.1. 

For those curious about the difference between OGL 1.0a and Creative Commons, the short answer is "not much". There's (currently) only one OGL, which means it's easy to find the terms by which you must abide if you want to publish under it. Creative Commons, however, is a suite of licenses with different modules that can be used, or not, as the licensor desires. 

For example, I publish this blog under a Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial- No Derivative Works 3.0 License. This means the following:
  1. You are free to copy and redistribute (i.e., share) the material in any medium or format. 
  2. But to do that, you must do so under these conditions:
    • Attribution: You must give me appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the I endorse you or your use.
    • NonCommercial: You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
    • NoDerivatives: If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.
  3. Creative Commons also has the No Additional Restrictions clause, which means that you may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
There are of course variations on this license which don't allow sharing and/or which allow commercial uses. The version under which Hasbro published the 5e SRD is much more complicated than the version I use. Since I have no plans to publish anything commercially for 5e, I'm not even going to read it. If you want to do so, knock yourselves out

For a more in-depth explanation of the OGL vs. CC, I direct you to this 90 minute video in which the host talks to Dr. Bob Tarantino, a man who wrote his doctoral dissertation on the (OGL) for his Ph.D. in IP law. 



And with that, I'm going to close with one of my favorite Firefly quotes:

We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty. 

Saturday, January 28, 2023

"In Defense of the Second Amendment": a Report

Larry Correia's new book, In Defense of the Second Amendment, was released on January 24. It is a fast, easy read that is written in Correia's trademark style where he unapologetically speaks his mind while talking to the reader in a conversational manner.

https://amzn.to/3HhYx2y

Disclaimer the First
I know Larry Correia personally. I don't know him well enough to feel justified in calling him my friend, but I like him and respect him as a person, as an author (I've read all but one of his fiction series, and I'm about to start Son of the Black Sword this week), and as a Second Amendment activist. Despite what his detractors say about him, I know for a fact that this man is not a homophobe nor a transphobe, because this is us at a convention in 2019:


That is Larry Correia posing for a photograph with me, a transwoman. Notice how he isn't afraid to put his arm around me. Notice how he doesn't mind that my hand is on his chest. Notice that he's smiling so hard he's squinting.

Disclaimer the Second
Larry Correia reached out to me in 2022 to seek my permission to mention both Operation Blazing Sword and Pink Pistols in his upcoming book. I said yes, not only because I like him and because I trust him to do right by us, but also because he was instrumental in the success of Operation Blazing Sword. Without his assistance in its early days, as he correctly describes in this book, OBS would not be where it is today and might not even exist at all. 


In summary, this isn't going to be an unbiased review because I have strong, deep feelings of admiration and affection for this man. 


This Book Is:
An essential condensation of all the expected firearm prohibition tropes and how to counter them, along with explanations on why the National Firearms Act of 1934 is dumb, how to stop spree shooters, and what you can do to effect positive change within your community, state and nation by repealing bad gun laws. In short, it's  the Second Amendment version of Alinsky's Rules For Radicals in that it's a handy textbook on how to argue for firearm rights and against hoplophobes. 

This Book Is Not:
Going to change the mind of anyone who is in favor of gun control, let alone repeal the Second Amendment, and it will likely alienate a lot of fence-sitters just from the foreword and first chapter alone. While I understand why Larry Corriea equates Democrats (people, not Party) and The Left with anti-gun sentiment, there is a small but essential contingent of pro-gun liberals who will feel alienated, if not outright attacked, by this book. 

I realize that I am on shaky ground by offering advice to a bestselling professional author when I am not one. I do however have some experience in trying to convert people to my point of view regarding firearm ownership and the Second Amendment, and based on this I feel that the book would have broader appeal if it started with Chapter 2, which is both a stronger introduction and less spleen-venting. 

Again, I understand the why of it. Every gun owner has felt this way at some point, and it's a cathartic read. But it's kind of a tall order to say "For any readers who are vehemently anti-gun, I hope that you read this with an open mind, because the Second Amendment is truly for everyone" and expect that open-mindedness after you've spent the first dozen pages telling them what awful people they are. 


In Conclusion
I can already feel the comments section heating up as people type angry replies to this. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and this is mine. It is my sincere hope that Mr. Correia -- whom, again, I deeply admire and respect -- would speak in my defense that I'm entitled to this opinion, even if he thinks it's dumb as rocks. 

In Defense of the Second Amendment is a good book. I like it, I recommend it to all gun owners, and I'm going to use the lessons within it the next time I need to debate a Gun Prohibitionist... but I don't think it's going to win any hearts and minds. 


Addendum: Edited to Add This

Monday, January 23, 2023

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 233: The Gang Talks About Court Cases

                             

In This Episode

It’s an ACP Round Table! Join Weer’d, Erin, David, and Oddball as we discuss:

  • The ATF has their new ruling on Pistol Braces, and it sucks!
  • The ATF and the FBI have a watch list of people that alerts when they buy a gun.  (We already knew this, but it's good to see evidence.)
  • Erin found an amazing tool that shows defensive gun use as it appears in the media aggregated in an interactive map.
  • Last week we talked about the pending Illinois Assault Weapon Ban, and in the time it took to publish that show, the thing passed.  Thankfully, most of the state has chosen not to cooperate!
  • A Federal Judge blocks the New Jersey anti-carry laws.
  • Another Federal Judge allows the same in New York,  but it isn't all bad.
  • We discuss a Canadian Mountie who broke the law, and made out pretty well because he's law enforcement.
  • Finally, Wells Fargo is becoming more anti-gun, this time cancelling the business account of a gun shop in Florida.




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Show Notes

Saturday, January 21, 2023

Operation Blazing Sword - Pink Pistols Press Release: AC Brief Filed vs. Oregon Measure 114

     


January 17, 2023

Historically Discriminated Coalition Supports Lawsuit to Protect Marginalized Peoples’ Right to Own Firearms

The Historically Discriminated Coalition has filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon opposing the implementation of Measure 114. The coalition is comprised of four groups: National African American Gun Association, Inc. (NAAGA), Asian Pacific American Gun Owners Association (APAGOA), DC Project Foundation, Inc. (DCPF), and Operation Blazing Sword, Inc. (operating as Operation Blazing Sword - Pink Pistols) (OBSPP).

The brief was filed by attorneys and former state representatives Michael McLane and Matthew Wand on January 13, 2023.

The brief contends that Measure 114 delays and arbitrarily denies marginalized groups the Second Amendment right to own firearms as a means of self-defense. It seeks the protection of the federal court because of the historical precedence of discrimination in Oregon against African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, women, and LGBTQ people.

“Much like North Carolina’s Pistol Purchase Permit, a Jim Crow-era law which uses subjective criteria to deny black people the ability to own a handgun for protection, Measure 114 fails to clearly define what does and does not disqualify applicants,” said Erin Palette, Founder of Operation Blazing Sword and National Coordinator of Pink Pistols. “Moreover, Measure 114 applies to all firearms, not just handguns, and so in this manner it drinks deeper from the tainted well of discrimination and gives local police the unprecedented ability to deny the right to keep and bear arms to anyone they choose for any reason.”

“Measure 114 does not make me or any other woman safer. It makes us less safe,” said Candy Yow, Oregon coordinator for DC Project Foundation. “When you make it more difficult for women to protect themselves, criminals are emboldened. Women have the constitutional right to protect themselves.”

“Measure 114 degrades the rights of gun owners and prevents people who are attempting to protect themselves from harm by placing financial obstacles to purchase a gun and exercise the most precious right they have, the Second Amendment,” said Philip Smith, President of NAAGA. “The requirement of having to buy a gun permit is in effect a tax on the Second Amendment. This is wrong and will be damaging to those folks, especially in poorer communities where budgets are already stretched. It now costs more to get the gun that you want and need because of Measure 114.”

“Measure 114 is detrimental for not only Asian Pacific Americans, but for all Americans who want to exercise their right to self-defense,” said Patrick Lopez, President of APAGOA. “The rise of racist attacks against Asian Pacific Americans over the past few years was eye-opening for the Asian Pacific American community.  We will defend ourselves and we will not be easy targets or victims.”

NAAGA was founded in 2015 to defend the Second Amendment rights of members of the African American community. With more than 50,000 members who reside in every state and the District of Columbia, NAAGA’s mission is to establish a fellowship by educating about the rich legacy of gun ownership by African Americans, offering training that supports safe gun use for self-defense and sportsmanship, and advocating for the inalienable right to self-defense for African Americans.

APAGOA was founded in 2021 to create a community of gun owners with an Asian Pacific American Heritage.  APAGOA advocates for strong firearms safety, education, and community building initiatives by providing educational materials and other supportive resources to its members and other interested parties.

The DC Project Foundation was founded in 2016 by retired police officer and professional shooting competitor, Dianna Muller.  The nationwide, non-partisan organization of women believe the gun rights are women’s rights, and that education, not legislation, is the key to firearms safety and violence prevention. There are over 3000 members.

Operation Blazing Sword, Inc. was established in 2016, the day after the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shootings, to advocate on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) firearm owners, with specific emphasis on self-defense. It has over 1,500 volunteer firearm instructors in nearly 1,000 locations across all 50 states.  Pink Pistols, founded in 2000 and incorporated into Operation Blazing Sword in 2018, is a shooting society that honors gender and sexual diversity and advocates the responsible use of firearms for self-defense.


Thursday, January 19, 2023

... Get Ahold of Yourself?

Earlier today I received an email about the Priapus Grip, a new product from Black Collar Arms. 

https://blackcollararms.com/product/priapus-grip/
The Priapus Grip is symmetrical with a mild palm swell, an arched backstrap that drives the hand into the correct position, and a nearly vertical, relatively square front strap that’s both comfortable and highly indexable. On any rifle or large format pistol, from full-size PRS guns to subguns, the Priapus Grip’s unique shape, angle, size, and grip textures ensure it feels right at home and outperforms the competition. It’s the best AR-compatible grip on the market!
At launch we’re offering laser-cut sand texture grip tape panels in Black, Gray, OD Green, and Brown, as well as rubber pebble texture in Black. One set of panels is included with each Priapus Grip, and additional sets are just $5. These grip tape panels are easily applied by the end user and are durable and reliable, yet remove cleanly should you want to swap them out.
We particularly like running a rubber pebble texture panel on the side that faces the shooter’s body when carrying the rifle on a sling, and sand texture on the rest. Sand texture is as good as it gets for maximizing grip — it does not slip — in any condition and is still comfortable in the hand, while the rubber pebble texture offers a medium grip level and is gentle on clothing and skin. 

If you aren't chortling to yourself at this, your education was deficient, and all will be explained in the email I sent in reply:
To whom it may concern at Black Collar Arms:

I received your email regarding the Priapus Grip.  

Are you aware that in Greek mythology, Priapus was a fertility god whose most prominent feature was an oversized, permanent erection? And that this gave us the medical term priapism, the condition whereby the penis stays erect for hours?

In essence, your new product's name means "big dick grip" to anyone with a classical education. 

If this was deliberate, then well done on the subtle penis joke. 

However, if this was accidental, you might want to hold an emergency meeting of the marketing staff in order to get ahead of this and potentially rename it.

To their credit, Black Collar Arms replied almost immediately:


Hi Erin,

LOL, yes. Everyone seems to love naming their firearm products after Greek gods, so we thought we'd get in on the fun as well and went with the most appropriate god we could think of for the product.

Jolly good,
Jeeves McSorely
Manservant
Black Collar Arms 

Golf applause to you, sir.

Perhaps Black Collar Arms ought to go, ahem, 'balls deep' and use the phrase "The Priapus Grip: For when you need to stay up" in their advertising? That would be the chef's kiss on this masterpiece.  

By the way, if you want to add testicles to your Big Dick Grip, you can purchase them in either dangling or rigid style and (ahem) mount them to your rail system. 

Gunsticles Tactical Testicles


The Tac-Sac


Monday, January 16, 2023

Assorted Calibers Podcast Ep 232: Yad Sdrawkcab

                             

In This Episode

  • Things are backwards, so we start with Oddball's review of the Cold Steel Espada.
  • Erin and Weer'd then discuss the news of the new year:
    • We now have a 25th Constitutional/Permitless carry state, and maybe soon a 26th!
    • Shannon Watts is leaving Moms Demand Action, and we speculate what her reasons might be.
    • A woman in Philadelphia defended herself with a lawfully carried gun, and that's not even the most interesting thing about this story.
    • Illinois is attempting to ban "Assault Weapons" and further restrict the Second Amendment to residents.
    • The ATF is further cracking down on 80% Firearms.
    • A friend of Erin was shot in Chicago!
    • And saving the best for last, the Bumpstock Ban has been declared unconstitutional by the 5th Circuit!




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Show Notes

Oddball’s Corner Pocket:

Main Topic:

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Erin Rants About OGL 1.1

You've probably heard about the fuckery that Hasbro, via Wizards of the Coast, tried to pull on third party producers of D&D compatible content. If you haven't, well, sit back and relax, because you're going to hear about it from me.

Since January 5th, people have been asking me about my opinion on this topic, and just when I thought I had a handle on it, a new development would emerge and upend things. But this past Friday I was asked to appear on Episode 305 of Geeks, Gadgets, & Guns to discuss the whole debacle, because I'm the roleplaying subject matter expert of my podcast circle. 

In this episode I rant for about 40 minutes about Hasbro's legal fuckery and why they deserve to lose All The Money. 




Let me know if you're one of the folks who would rather read than listen and I'll see about getting a transcript made. 

Show Notes & Spicy Memes









The Fine Print


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution- Noncommercial- No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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