Special Safety Warnings for the AR-15 Rifle
By Gary Tucker

It almost goes without saying that if the AR-15 rifle/carbine was not already the most popular rifle in America, it certainly is now, especially since the November elections. While most shooters (it should be all shooters) know the basic rules of safety when it comes to handling and firing guns, there are a few additional things you should be aware of when dealing with the AR-15.

Of course, before handling, working on, cleaning or storing your rifle, you want to make sure the magazine is removed and the chamber is empty. Then make sure again that it is empty. I often check a third time. Also, make sure the safety selector is on SAFE until you are ready to fire your rifle.

The AR-15 may fire accidentally if dropped, especially if the muzzle is pointed down. You should also never fire the rifle, or any rifle for that matter, if there is water in the barrel.

ALWAYS make sure the bolt cam pin is installed before firing the rifle. If the cam pin is not installed, the rifle WILL explode if fired. While not everyone may agree, it may not be a good idea to swap bolts from one rifle to another without having the headspace checked.

Always use fresh ammunition of the appropriate caliber. This should be a no-brainer, but you might be surprised at what some people try! An AR-15 with the bolt locked back and a loaded magazine inserted in the magazine well is in an unsafe condition because an accidental release of the bolt will chamber a round.

Do not load a round into the chamber if the chamber has become very hot (like from a long string of repeated fire). If the rifle stops firing for some reason but still has a live round in a hot chamber, remove the round fast by removing the magazine and pulling back on the charging handle, making sure your face stays away from the ejection port. If you can not remove it within 10 seconds, wait 15 minutes with the rifle pointed in a safe direction. The reason for following this process is to prevent a live round from possibly “cooking off” and firing unexpectedly.

If you notice a different sound or level of recoil, stop firing. Either condition may indicate an incomplete powder burn and a bullet stuck in the barrel. A bullet stuck in the barrel may totally ruin your day. At a minimum, it probably won’t do your barrel a lot of good, especially if you “launch” another behind it.

Enjoy your AR and stay safe.

Hello Out There!
By Art Haggett
Hello out there. Is anyone listening or reading? In past newsletters, I have expressed my thoughts about the political environment in this country that has been created by the ultra left-wing Liberals that have captured both the Democrat Party and Washington. The only feedback I’ve heard has been from my friends and relatives and my wife’s friends and relatives. I have yet to receive anything constructive from others to pass along to our friends in the Bullseye Marksman Gun Club Nation. It is very disconcerting, even maddening. My question is twofold. Does any one care? Do you care?

I’ll tell you who doesn’t care. Last month I mentioned a Message from GSSA president Tracy English. English wrote to our glorious Senators Chamblis and Isackson about their vote to confirm Eric Holder as Attorney General. At the time I wrote the article, neither had responded. By the way, I also wrote to the same Senators and asked the same question. How could you vote to confirm an anti-gun liberal hell bent on removing the second amendment protection of the individual right to keep and bear arms? I did not get a response from the senators.

Well I just received the latest issue of the GSSA Sport Shots. In the cover statement by President English, he said:

“In the last Sport Shots, I spoke about how our rights might be in peril because of the election of President Obama and confirmation of Attorney General Holder. I also made it known that both of our (GA) U.S. Senators voted to confirm Holder as Attorney General. I wrote letters to both of them and asked them why they decided to do this. After several months, I received letters from them on the same day. The letters basically said the same thing with a few exceptions. They both said that they did not necessarily agree with Holder on his opinions regarding the Second Amendment, but they felt that he would uphold the constitution.”

I believe our Republican, pro gun Senators are selling us down the river to insure their power. What a bunch of crap! By the way, as of this writing, July 15, 2009, I have yet to receive a reply from our Senators. Write them, call them, and vote them out. We have Chamblis for 5+ more years, because we believed his rhetoric. Don’t fall for the same with Johnny Isackson. Vote the BUM out. We need someone that is truly on our side.

Thank you for your time. Remember, the pen did not sway King George, but he was certainly impacted by the musket! SHOOT. SHOOT. Let’s take our county back.