I get a lot of questions relating to not only firearms but our rights to own those firearms. Invariably, I get asked about the National Rifle Association, my opinion, and why or how to join. Here's the bottom line: If you aren't a member, you don't really have a horse in the race when it comes to protecting your Second Amendment rights. The NRA is the longest standing civil rights organization in the US as well as the standard when it comes to firearms safety and training. It's that simple. For those of you still on the fence or thinking "I don't really like some of what the NRA has to say," I still urge you to join, because you cannot influence the NRA from the outside. Become a member, and make your voice heard. Join the fight! To make joining the NRA as easy as possible, follow the link below (or on the home page) and you will receive a $10 discount on your 1 Year Membership. As always, be sure to tell them Black Bag Resources sent you. They'll know you're one of the good guys!

I have avoided posting anything political on the company website, but today I am making an exception. I doubt this will come as a surprise to anyone who has been involved with myself or Black Bag Resources, LLC.

For those of you interested in preserving your freedoms, this is a copy of the letter I am sending to my elected representatives. Please feel free to use this as a starting point for your own letters or as a form letter.

Dear (ELECTED OFFICIAL):
We have all been touched by the tragic loss of life in Connecticut, as well as the violence that occurs in this country on a daily basis at the hands of people bent on doing harm. These crimes, specifically those against children, are examples of the worst acts humans can inflict upon each other.
However, the legislation being proposed to ban, over regulate, or confiscate firearms of any type from law abiding citizens does not in any way represent the best interest of a free nation. The effort to ban or restrict semi-automatic firearms of any type or magazine capacities of any quantity for the purpose of public safety is a farce. Although tragic and grotesque, firearms related deaths are not the epidemic the media and certain politicians would have us believe.
In my home state of New Jersey, we already have tight restrictions on various types of firearms, limited magazine capacities, and no real access to concealed carry- we also have some of the highest crime rates in the country. I feel passing any sort of national ban will serve to spread crime, not deter it. Although it seems counter intuitive, fewer legally owned guns result in more crime and violence.
My belief is that the American people are overwhelmingly good, and removing access to firearms only serves to punish good people for crimes committed by the very few who are not. Americans have the right to own firearms as enumerated in the Second Amendment for the purpose of defending themselves from those evil few. Various sources show that a firearm is anywhere from two to ten times more likely to be used defensively to protect life and property than it is to be used in a crime.
As far as protecting school children from violence, I urge you to accept and support the National School Shield Emergency Response Program presented by the NRA as a comprehensive security, access control, and training program for our schools. It provides several options at no cost to anyone but the NRA and even facilitates improving school security without the presence of armed personnel in schools, if that is the preference of parents and faculty.
I further urge you to block any new legislation restricting the access of firearms of any type or magazines of any capacity to law abiding Americans, including the bans and regulations proposed by Sen. Feinstein. Her proposals would not only weaken citizens’ ability to defend themselves but would negatively impact the US economy by destroying one of the largest, most successful, and last US manufacturing industries.
I thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,

(YOUR NAME)

Although these products look very similar, there are some minor differences to consider when you make your purchase. Here's a quick look at some similarities between the 5.11 TDU belt and Spec-Ops Brand's Better BDU Belt: Both belts are fairly inexpensive, made from quality nylon, and feature "airport friendly" plastic hardware. Sizing is also similar between both products. Both belts feature a tri-glide type buckle for easy adjustment that doesn't require holes in the belt.
According to the tags, Spec-Ops makes the Better BDU Belt in the US, and the 5.11 TDU belt is manufactured in China. (Click on the photo to see for yourself.) The main difference I noticed is in the stiffness of the belt. The Spec-Ops Brand belt seems thicker and stiffer than the 5.11 which at first doesn't seem important. However, what I found when wearing the belt is that the stiffer Spec-Ops belt is easier to adjust because it binds in the buckle better, causing the belt to hold itself closed. The 5.11 belt also needs to be re-tightened more often throughout the day, even during casual activity.  I wouldn't expect either of these belts to be quite stiff enough to support a holster during concealed carry, but the Spec-Ops belt is far less prone to rolling, again due to the stiffer nylon used.
I've worn the Spec-Ops brand belt for years and decided to try the 5.11 belt. In my opinion, accept no substitute: get the Spec-Ops belt.

They go by many names- Space Blanket, Survival Blanket, Emergency Blanket- but thermal reflective blankets all share one common feature: a metallic side designed to reflect heat back towards the body. I have used lots of these in various designs over the years and they will all improve your heat retention. They can be used in various ways: like a traditional blanket wrapped around your body, as part of a wilderness shelter to reflect your fire's heat back toward you, to cover the windows in your home during outages to prevent heat loss, etc. Where they vary is their size, weight, and durability which in turn determines how you use and utilize them. Here's my take on a few:

Generally referred to as a "space blanket", this is the most common and inexpensive example of a thermal blanket. You can find something similar in any outdoor store or the camping section in department stores for less than 2 or 3 dollars. The one in the photo is from Coghlan's but there are several manufacturers that make them and they are all pretty similar. They weigh only a few ounces, are packaged small, will absolutely work to reflect heat, and open to about 50" by 80", all of which makes them a popular choice for camping or emergency kits. However, there are two issues with this version that have lead me to choose something else for myself. The first is that these blankets are very delicate. They tear easily and even a small tear "runs" destroying the blanket quickly. The second is that they are nearly impossible to repack. Even with two people trying to fold it, these blankets are so light and hard to control that most people end up just wadding the thing up and shoving it into a pack or pocket- which in turn ends up tearing the blanket. The result is the blanket only lasts for one or two uses. I personally consider it an expendable/consumable item and treat them with about as much care as a disposable paper plate. Obviously, the small size and light weight are the trade-off to the fragile nature of the product. I no longer use this type myself, but you can decide if it is appropriate for your needs.

Survive Outdoors Longer is part of the Adventure Medical brand and they make several great products including their "Survival Blanket." The one pictured is the 1-2 person model and it is substantially stronger and larger (60" by 96") than the "cheap" emergency blanket above. SOL uses a "vacuum-metalized polyethylene" in the construction and the result is a plastic that stretches but does not easily tear. Punctures and tears that do occur don't "run" and can be patched with duck tape. The blanket is packaged in a reusable zip seal bag that is larger than the factory packed blanket- which means even if you can't perfectly re-fold the blanket it WILL fit it back into the package. The SOL Survival Blanket is a great option for those who don't want a full sized nor a cheapo disposable thermal blanket. While it's more than twice the size of the 2 dollar thermal blanket, the SOL offering is still pretty compact and only weighs about 3.5 ounces. For my purposes, this is the minimum standard for a thermal blanket and it is well worth the few additional dollars it costs. I choose the "two person" size for my outings because it is just slightly larger than the "one person" (56" by 84").

The "All Purpose Thermal Blanket" from Coghlan's is a pretty substantial product at a reasonable price. The blanket is packaged in a mesh bag with a velcro closure that can also be used for storage. I will admit that Coghlan's can be hit or miss as far as quality with some items, but this is one of their best products. It is far more heavy duty than others on the market and can be used repeatedly to build wilderness shelters or to improve the temperature rating of your sleeping bag. It has corner grommets and a mesh reinforcement throughout the thick material. It is made of a "softer" plastic material that is almost rubbery and allows it to be folded without developing cracks. It weighs in at nearly a full pound and measures 50" by 79" when open. It packs to about 8" by 11" and almost 2" thick, so it also takes up more room in a pack. Personally, I feel it is worth the size and weight because of it's strength. It doesn't need to be replaced often because it is so durable, and this is the one I bring on my outings.

Grabber Outdoors also makes a great heavy duty "All Weather Blanket." When open, it measures 60" by 84" and weighs 12 ounces, so it is slightly larger and a bit lighter than the Coghlan's brand blanket. The Grabber blanket is also reinforced throughout, has corner grommets, and it has more of a tarp feel to it. Grabber uses a four layer process to manufacture their thermal blanket and the result is a great product that will survive for years of adventures. The only issue I've had with this model is that after 3 years it started to develop small holes where it was folded. I consider this minor and part of normal wear and tear.

Size and weight are always a big consideration when packing for an adventure, outing, operation, or emergency kit. While I prefer the costlier, bigger, and somewhat heavier thermal blankets because of their enhanced durability when compared to the inexpensive "space" blanket, ultimately you decide which thermal blanket is right for your needs.

Contest Time! Send us your best tactical/survival photo with your Black Bag Resources gear to [email protected]. We want to see your BBR shirts, stickers, bandanas, or even a sign that s ays, "BlackBagResources.com" or "Who's Watching Your Back?" We will post the photos in the "Contest" album, and the pic with the most likes by October first will win the pouch!
First Place: Pouch A- BBR bandana, stickers, bracelet, magnet and business card for BBR 2012 T-shirt and Condor MPC Modular Plate Carrier in Tan. (The MPC is a display item so it might have a little shelf wear, but it is BRAND NEW!)
Second Place: Pouch B- BBR bandana, stickers, bracelet, magnet and business card for Cold Steel Pendelton Light Hunter. Card prizes will be included when we ship you the pouch!
Additional rules:
NO NUDITY- This is a family friendly business.
NO PROFANITY- See above.
PUBLIC PHOTOS- You must be in the photo and be willing to share it publicly.
MUST BE 18- Or have an parent/adult to receive the package if you win the knife.
FANS ONLY! You must be a fan of the page to win!

Enter to win!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.412128638834558.89173.195267370520687&

Let's combine "Preparedness Month" with "Back to School." Did you know that FEMA offers online courses? Many of them are worth college credits or Continuing Education Units. Some are longer than others, but several can be completed in an hour or less. Take a look for yourself at the following link:

http://www.training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.asp?page=all

For me, the best thing about Black Bag Resources isn't just getting to do what I enjoy. I also get to meet some really awesome people. One of those amazing people is Jason from Semper Fi Supplies. I found his business on facebook and ordered one of his paracord bracelets. It was very well made and surprisingly inexpensive compared to some other popular brands. I did a comparison video giving my honest opinion (check it out here) and shared my findings with Jason on his page (facebook.com/SemperFiSupplies). That led to a conversation and we've given each other some business since then. Jason has done quite a bit to promote BBR on his page and I've tried to return the favor. Jason is prior service with The United States Marine Corps, an avid marksman, and comments regularly on BBR. He's an all around good guy and he sent me a surprise today. Check out the video:

Yes, I was giddy as a school girl when I saw what he'd put together- in case you can't tell from the video!
Just to be clear- My opinion and integrity are not for sale. I won't mince words if I don't like something and I won't pretend to like something I don't actually care for. With that said,  Semper Fi Supplies makes the best paracord products going and at the best prices anywhere in the US. I am very selective about how I spend my hard earned money and I believe you are, too. You will always be pleased with your purchase from Semper Fi Supplies. Please, check out their outstanding products at the following links:

http://www.semperfisupplies.com/

http://stores.ebay.com/Semper-Fi-Supplies

https://www.facebook.com/SemperFiSupplies

When you place your order, be sure to tell Jason that Black Bag Resources sent you!
Thanks again, Jason!

Just a quick tip for the "back yard range masters"...

This week's blog post is a submission which comes from our good friend, supporter, and contributing writer, Mr. Matt Bell.


A Rifle In Every Home

This is an article on just what the title says, why Americans should have a rifle in their home and my humble suggestions for what they should be.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
~Amendment II to the United States Constitution

Let me explain exactly what this amendment to the Constitution means.  This does not guarantee our ability to hunt, or to participate in shooting sports. This was penned in order provide a restraint on our newly formed Government, a restraint on the formation of tyranny. Our founders had personal experience with tyranny and (it is my belief) wanted to prevent such a thing from ever occurring to the system of Government that was newly established. Our founders sought to guarantee the ability of the Citizens to dismantle the government if need be. 

”A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.”
~George Washington

The right to bear arms was not given to us by our government: the right to bear arms for the protection of one’s life, liberty, and property is a rule of nature’s law not man’s.

”Any single man must judge for himself whether circumstances warrant obedience or resistance to the commands of the civil magistrate; we are all qualified, entitled, and morally obliged to evaluate the conduct of our rulers. This political judgment, moreover, is not simply or primarily a right, but like self-preservation, a duty to God. As such it is a judgment that men cannot part with according to the God of Nature. It is the first and foremost of our inalienable rights without which we can preserve no other.”
~John Locke

Thankfully the founders were wise enough to put in place a system of Government for our Republic to hopefully never have to see this outcome as a legitimate possibility. And while they did not agree with each other on a vast amount of issues (as much as today) on this they agreed, that over time, even our form of Government could easily wander down the path to tyranny. And the loss of individual liberty could be perpetrated by those elected to lead.

“Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation”
~James Madison

Given the current charged political landscape regarding firearm control due to the recent Aurora CO theater shooting, and the renewed outcries for the Government to come along with the ban stick in relation to firearms, I wanted to write an article based on what this (should) mean(s) to all Americans. And to that end, select a few firearms that I feel should be in every American household.

”To prohibit a citizen from wearing or carrying a war arm . . . is an unwarranted restriction upon the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. If cowardly and dishonorable men sometimes shoot unarmed men with army pistols or guns, the evil must be prevented by the penitentiary and gallows, and not by a general deprivation of constitutional privilege.”
~Wilson v. State

First: Why do I feel that there should be a firearm in every household? I will not begin to bore you all with useless statistics that can simply be altered to prove the viewpoint of the individuals involved. Protection from Government, and protection of self. These two ideals are quite unpopular at the moment, if you believe everything that is ‘reported’ by the various news agencies.

Regarding protection from Government let me say; I feel that at no other time in recent memory has there been more of an air of popular "statist" views prevalent in these United States.  The Idea that the Government will protect and keep safe its population is rampant and a far cry from an individual’s responsibility for one’s own safety. The thought of individual responsibility has slowly been eroded away. The reasoning for this is a subject for much debate and postulating. The result is that collectively we have forgotten the individual's will to succeed- as well as valuing and protecting what has been earned through blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice.

Regarding Protection of self; I feel that the law enforcement community is unable to protect us from criminal intent. They, for the most part, work at prevention, prosecution, and punishment of criminal actions.  As such a firearm in every household should be necessary, to prevent criminal action on the basis of not presenting an easy target.

”The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose.”
~James Earl Jones

When we are talking about the American Rifleman, we are referring to a long and storied history that is largely forgotten and fading fast. We are a country founded on our ability to shoot. Given that we are currently living in an increasingly hostile society,  it is imperative in my mind that every citizen be able to properly operate a firearm safely and proficiently, thus the reasoning behind my argument for a rifle in every home.

”By calling attention to ‘a well regulated militia,’ ‘the security of the nation,’ and the right of each citizen ‘to keep and bear arms,’ our founding fathers recognized the essentially civilian nature of our economy… The Second Amendment still remains an important declaration of our basic civilian-military relationships in which every citizen must be ready to participate in the defense of his country. For that reason I believe the Second Amendment will always be important.”
~John F. Kennedy

Among firearms owners there is currently a large discrepancy in the amount of firearms per capita versus the amount of individually owned firearms. If you are a ‘gun nut’ then you are going to have more firearms than the average citizen.  This article is not intended solely for the ‘gun nut’ it is intended for the average citizen.  This is not designed to be an end all be all to the best firearms that have ever been created- on the contrary, my two choices are neither new nor fancy nor even the most accurate gun(s) ever created. They are not (currently) intended to be a frontline, go-to-war weapon. Yet, both of these rifles have the ability to be pressed into such duty.

That being said I humbly submit the two rifles that I feel every American should own.

 Allow me to introduce the Mosin-Nagant (1891)

And the SKS (1945)

 




These two weapons are largely considered strictly Russian firearms. However, this is not the case. These two weapons have been manufactured across the world- including the United States in the case of the Mosin (Remington Arms produced 750,000 of these rifles).

Statistics

Mosin-Nagant:

Cartridge - 7.62×54mmR
Action - Bolt-action
Muzzle velocity - Light ball, ~ 865 m/s (2,838 ft/s)
Effective range - 500 m (550 yards), 800+ m (with optics)
Feed system - 5-round non-detachable magazine, loaded individually or with five-round stripper clips.
Sights Rear: ladder, graduated from 100 m to 2,000 m

SKS:

Cartridge - 7.62×39mm
Action - Short stroke gas piston, tilting bolt, self-loading
Rate of fire - Semi-automatic
Muzzle velocity - 735 m/s (2,411 ft/s)
Effective range - 500 m (550 yd)
Feed system - 10 round stripper clip-fed or individual round loading.
Sights Hooded post front sight, tangent notch rear sight graduated from 100 to 1,000 meters

I would like to expound on the reasoning for my two choices. I am sure that there are those out there already dismissing my notions for these to ‘antiquated firearms’. There are 4 pillars here that I feel hold up this argument and apply to both the weapon itself and the ammunition, for one without the other is useless. They are Availability, Capacity, Cost, and Ease of use.

Availability:

Both the Mosin-Nagant and the SKS have been so widely produced they are not difficult to find.
The Mosin-Nagant had approximately 37,000,000 produced between 1891 and 1965.
The SKS has been produced in numbers upward of 19,000,000 between 1949 and 1971.
As such these rifles are readily available on the surplus market and grace the shelves of most gun stores you may browse.

 

Capacity:

The Mosin-Nagant has a round capacity of 5 rounds.
The SKS has a capacity of 10 rounds (with larger aftermarkets magazines available).
While these rifles do not have the latest and greatest magazine capacity, remember this article is about the rifles that should be in the average American home.
Remember detachable magazines are a consumable and do need to be replaced eventually.  They do not last forever and without them, a detachable magazine fed weapon will be about as useful as a tree branch fashioned into a club.

 

Cost:

Currently the Mosin-Nagant can be picked up for around $99.00.
The SKS can be picked up for $300.00. Compared to a modern battle rifle with detachable magazines this is a minimal investment.
Ammunition is also affordable being able to be picked in surplus lots. 
7.62x54r can be obtained for an average of 19¢ -20¢ per round.
7.62x39 can be obtained at 23¢ - 28¢ per round.
In comparison the standard AR type ammunition the .223, 5.56x45 NATO, and .223 Wylde ammunition costs an average of 42¢ - 51¢ per round.
30 caliber .308 ammunition will cost you between $1.00 - $1.45 per round.

Overall, the two rifles I have chosen here will work for the budget minded individual, in initial cost as well as upkeep and feeding costs.

Ease of use:

The Mosin-Nagant is a bolt action rifle that has a five round capacity as these can be loaded individually or with practice the use of stripper clips.  While this method is not as fast as swapping a detachable magazine, it is worthy to note that sufficient speed can be maintained reloading this rifle with practice.

The SKS is a Semi-Automatic rifle that is also fed via three methods. Ammunition can be loaded individually with the bolt in the open position, via 10 round stripper clips (also in the bolt open position), or by opening the magazine and loading from underneath in a bolt closed position.  By far the stripper clip method is the fastest method with practice.

Once used and a comfort level is achieved, both rifles are easy to use and dare I say fun to operate.

I hope that this article has been informative and perhaps even a bit useful.

Regards,

Matt

”The tank, the B-52, the fighter-bomber, the state-controlled police and military are the weapons of dictatorship. The rifle is the weapon of democracy. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military. The hired servants of our rulers. Only the government-and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws.”
~Edward Abbey

OK, gang! I'm looking to activate a "street team" for an event on August 18th in Flemington, NJ. I'm looking for 4-6 volunteers to hand out flyers, stickers, magnets, etc. from 10am to 6pm. You must be willing to participate in product and skills demos and have your photos/videos used by Black Bag Resources online and in print.

Members of the street team will receive:
Free entry to the event
(we'll work in shifts so you will have time to actually enjoy it)
Lunch, beverages and snacks
Black Bag Resources 24"x24" Bandana
Black Bag Resources rubber bracelet

If you are interested, email me at [email protected]!