OTSD - Online Gun Shop Blog

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2009

2009-09-19T10:26:00.004-04:00

With Fall on our heels, why not stop in and see what you need at the gun shop? Stock up on ammunition, while you are able. Check out the Crickett 22 Single Shot Bolt Action Rifle before it disappears off the shelf.

Also in stock, a Henry, Lever Action, 22LR.

COLT RECALL

2009-07-18T11:31:00.004-04:00

Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC has determined that the Slide Lock Safety (“Safety”) and/or the Recoil Spring Guide Pad (“Guide Pad”) in certain Colt model pistols were not manufactured to Colt specifications and must be replaced. All of these Colt models were sold after March 2007 and the range of serial numbers affected by this product recall is as follows:

Model Serial Number Range Safety Guide Pad

1911 WWI REPLICA (O1911) 4597WMK to 5414WMK X

1918 WWI REPLICA (O1918) 1001WWI to 3431WWI X

COMBAT ELITE (O8011XSE) CG10000E to CG11293E X

NEW AGENT (O7810D) GT01001 to GT04505 X X

DEFENDER (O7000D) DR33036 to DR35948 X

TALO NIGHT DEFENDER (O7000NDF) NDF0001 to NDF0400 X

In the chart above, an “X” beneath “Safety” and/or “Guide Pad” signifies that the part(s) of the listed model needs replacement. Only the NEW AGENT model needs replacement of both parts.

For all models listed above, except the DEFENDER and the NIGHT DEFENDER models, you must return the pistol to the Colt factory for part(s) replacement. The DEFENDER models do NOT need to be returned. Instead, we will send you a new Recoil Spring Assembly Kit that includes the Guide Pad to replace in your pistol. See the instructions below on how to obtain recall service.

The Guide Pad is located at the end of a recoil spring assembly, which is

positioned inside the slide between the recoil spring bushing and the barrel lug.

Colt has determined that the Safety and the Guide Pad in the affected pistols are of improper hardness. As a result, the Safety can prematurely wear or bend, especially if the pistol is dropped, possibly rendering the Safety incapable of preventing an accidental firing, and the Guide Pad have been replaced.

If you own one of these Colt models with a serial number listed above, please STOP USING YOUR FIREARM AT ONCE. Then, follow the instructions below to return it to us so that we can replace the firearm part(s) AT NO COST TO YOU.

FOR THE FOLLOWING MODELS:

1911 WWI REPLICA (O1911)

1918 WWI REPLICA (O1918)

COMBAT ELITE (O8011XSE)

NEW AGENT (O7810D)

1. Contact Colt Customer Service for instructions on how to return the

pistol to us and to obtain a mailing label so you can send it to us FREE OF CHARGE. Please provide us with your model and serial number. Customer Service can be reached by any of the following means:

♦ Complete our online form by going to Colt's website at www.coltsmfg.com/.

♦ E-mail us at Recall@colt.com

♦ Call Monday-Friday, 8:30AM–12:00PM; 1:00PM-5:00PM EST, 1-800-962-COLT (2658), press Option “2”.

♦ Write us at Colt’s Manufacturing Company, LLC, 545 New Park Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110.

2. Follow Customer Service’s instructions to send gun back to us.

3. We will replace the Safety (and, on NEW AGENT models only, install a new Recoil Spring Assembly Kit that includes replacement of the Outer Recoil Spring and Guide Pad) and return your firearm to you as quickly as possible.

Note: We cannot return your firearm to a P.O. Box address. Therefore, we will need your street address where the firearm will be returned.

DO NOT LOAD OR USE YOUR FIREARM until we have performed this repair.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MAKE THIS REPAIR YOURSELF. The Slide Lock Safety must be replaced at the factory in order to be done properly.

For 1911 WWI REPLICA and 1918 WWI REPLICA models on which the Slide Lock Safety has been replaced, our gunsmiths will stamp a small “-“ on the insidright rear of the slide, directly below the extractor, as confirmation that the retrofit has been performed. For COMBAT ELITE models on which the Slide Lock Safety has been replaced, our gunsmiths will stamp a small pennant “” on tbottom right side of the trigger guard. NEW AGENT models on which both the Slide Lock Safety and Recoil Spring Guide Pad have been replaced will have twmarks. Our gunsmiths will stamp a small pennant on the bottom right side of the trigger guard as confirmation that the Slide Lock Safety retrofit had been performed. The new Recoil Spring Guide Pad has a small dimple appearing othe top left, rear-facing, surface of the pad.

FOR DEFENDER MODELS ONLY, INCLUDING THE TALO NIGHT DEFENDER (O7000D and O7000NDF)

You do not need to return the DEFENDER model pistols to Colt. We will provide you with a free Recoil Spring Assembly Kit and instruct you how to install it yourself. If you would like us to install the kit for you, please make this request of Colt Customer Service. In either case, please take the following steps:

1. Contact Colt Customer Service for instructions on how to receive a free Recoil Spring Assembly Kit or obtain a mailing label to return the pistol to us. In either situation, we will replace this assembly FREE OF CHARGE. Please provide us with your model and serial number. Customer Service can be reached by any of the following means:

♦ Complete our online form by going to Colt’s website at www.coltsmfg.com.

♦ E-mail us at Recall@colt.com.

♦ Call: Monday-Friday 8:30AM–12:00PM; 1PM–5PM EST: 1-800-962-COLT (2658), press Option “2”.

♦ Correspond with us via US Postal Service at Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC, 545 New Park Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110.

2. Follow Colt Customer Service’s instructions and prompts on how to receive a Recoil Spring Assembly Kit or how to send the gun back to us. Please be ready to provide the Colt model and serial number.

Note: We cannot return your firearm to a P.O. Box address. Therefore, we will need your street address where the firearm will be returned so that we can return it to you as quickly as possible.

3. DO NOT LOAD OR USE YOUR FIREARM until this repair has been performed.

Please note that, apart from this recall, we designed a symmetrical Outer Recoil Spring with closed ends on each side for the NEW AGENT and DEFENDER models. This design allows the spring to be inserted from either end into the recoil bushing. This replacement spring will be included as part of the Recoil Spring Assembly Kit being furnished in this recall. The new Recoil Spring Guide Pad has a small dimple appearing on the top left, rear facing, surface of the pad that will serve as confirmation that the retrofit has been performed.

In closing, Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC is fully committed to the quality of its products and the safety of its customers. We regret very much the inconvenience that this situation is causing to our valued customers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE

2009-05-26T08:23:00.000-04:00

Olde Towne Sports Depot would like to wish owner, Charlie, a very Happy Birthday today!!!! If you get a chance, stop by and wish him one!!!!

H.R. 45

2009-04-14T06:27:00.003-04:00

We at OTSD hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter.

There is another important issue brewing in Washington. Please take the time to read the following article that was in the Washington Times yesterday:

EDITORIAL: 'We want them registered'

Democrats are going after guns

By | Monday, April 13, 2009

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, announced last week that she wants to register guns. Her next move will be to try to confiscate them.

The speaker picked a television show with a viewership of 4.6 million to float the Democrats' coming gun-control push. Questioned on ABC's "Good Morning America" about the prospect of new gun-control laws now that "it's a Democratic president, a Democratic House," she responded, "We don't want to take their guns away. We want them registered."

Politicians and bureaucrats routinely claim that registration helps solve crimes. If a registered gun is used in a crime and left at the crime scene, registration supposedly lets the police trace the gun back to the criminal. Though this turn of events might work on fictional TV crime shows, it virtually never occurs in real life. Criminals' guns are rarely left at crime scenes. When guns are left behind, it usually is because a crook has been seriously injured or killed and the police are poised to catch him anyway.

The few guns left at crime scenes rarely - if ever - are registered to the perpetrator. If they are registered at all, it is to someone else, whose piece was stolen. Despite what Mrs. Pelosi might think, those who use guns to commit major crimes such as robbing and killing are unlikely to respect her request to file paperwork so the government can catalog the tools of their trade.

Numerous examples disprove gun-control propaganda. Hawaii has had licensing and registration of guns for about 50 years. After all of the administrative expenses and inconvenience imposed on gun owners, police there cannot point to a single crime that has been solved as a result of those programs. Given Hawaii's remote island geography, this should be an ideal place to keep track of guns because movement in and out of the state is limited and legal importation is controlled. If registration is going to work anywhere, it should work there. Unfortunately, criminals seem to be able to get their hands on guns virtually anyplace in the world.

Other jurisdictions with a history of strict handgun bans, such as the District of Columbia and Chicago, have even required registration of hunting rifles and shotguns for more than 20 years. Neither the District nor Chicago can point to any crimes that have been solved using registration records.

The same rules apply across the border. Canada, which has imposed registration of handguns since the 1930s, does not have much to show for it. In 2006, when the Liberal Party under Prime Minister Paul Martin controlled the government, it was admitted in parliamentary debate that just three crimes in 70 years had been solved as a result of registration. A couple of those cases were debatable because other independent evidence helped solve the crimes. According to the Canadian Ministry of Public Safety, just 4 percent of Canadian handgun murders in 2005 and 2006 were committed with registered handguns, and none of those were registered to the people who committed the crimes. As for long-gun registration, at least as of 2006, not a single violent crime had been solved through registration.

Because registration doesn't help solve crime, it is important to ask why government wants to register the people's firearms. History provides the answer. In countries from Australia to England, registration has been used to create lists of guns that later were confiscated by their governments. Despite Mrs. Pelosi's assurances to the contrary, Americans' fear that registration will lead to confiscation is well-founded. Indeed, Mrs. Pelosi's own state of California already has used existing registration lists to confiscate so-called assault weapons just a half-dozen years ago.

The speaker claims registration won't lead to gun confiscation because of the Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, which struck down the District's handgun ban last June. She knows full well that this judgment was based on a narrow 5-4 decision that could be reversed when President Obama gets his opportunity to appoint an additional liberal justice to the court.

A Gallup poll released Wednesday shows that support for gun control is "at an all-time low" since the issue started being surveyed nearly 50 years ago. According to Gallup, just 29 percent favor handgun bans. Now that Democrats are in control of the legislative and executive branches of government, even the will of the people won't keep them from going after the guns of law-abiding Americans.

TOP HUNTING & SHOOTING GEAR BRANDS

2009-03-28T10:13:00.003-04:00

Want to know what the top brands and products were that hunters and target shooters preferred most in 2008? The list below has been compiled from the 24,206 surveys completed by volunteer hunters & target shooters last year for http://www.huntersafety.com/ and http://www.targetshootingsurvey.com/. You might want to check these sites out and take a survey - it puts you in to win a $100 gift certificate:

Top muzzleloader brand: CVA (40.8% of all purchases)
Top handgun brand: Smith & Wesson (18.4% of all purchases)
Top scope for firearms: BSA (16.1% of all purchases)
Top rifle ammunition brand: Remington (29.9% of all purchases)
Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (35.7% of all purchases)
Top handgun ammunition brand: Winchester (26.1% of all purchases)
Top blackpowder brand: Pyrodex (39.0% of all purchases)
Top balls, bullets, or shot brand: Powerbelt (34.9% of all purchases)
Top bow brand: BowTech (22.0% of all purchases)
Top arrow brand: Easton (40.5% of all purchases)
Top fletching brand: Bohning (26.3% of all purchases)
Top broadhead brand: Muzzy (21.5% of all purchases)
Top game call brand: Primos (35.9% of all purchases)
Top reloading bullet brand: Hornady (23.0% of all purchases)
Top reloading powder brand: Hodgdon (33.0% of all purchases)
Top binocular brand: Bushnell (29.4% of all purchases)
Top knife brand: Buck (19.8% of all purchases)
Top shooting target brand: Shoot-N-C (37.7% of all purchases)

Launched in 2006, HunterSurvey.com and TargetshootingSurvey.com help the firearms and outdoor equipment industries, government officials, and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. The list above represents only a small sample of the vast amount of information that is available from the complete survey results. The results are scientifically analyzed to reflect all US hunters and target shooters.

FRIDAY THE 13TH

2009-03-13T15:10:00.004-04:00

FIRST, let me assure you that this post is not intended as NOT bad news, since, after all, it is Friday the 13th. I just happened to notice that I haven't posted anything on here since Valentine's Day and thought maybe I should make an effort. I have been busy though, doing our personal income tax forms, along with the Corporate taxes, so, that in itself, has kept me quite busy these past few weeks. Business taxes are due March 16th, so I slid in right under the deadline......anyway, back to business.......

As some of our local customers know, we are down on inventory!!! Not because we can't afford to buy anything, no sir, there is nothing available out there. Handguns are getting harder and harder to find. And ammunition, well let's just say that's a conversation in itself. I just read an extremely interesting article on questioning the shortage:

Contrived US Ammunition Shortage
From Charleston Voice 3-8-9
From an undisclosed, but reliable source. I'd like to know who told Remington to cut back on production.... ______ Less than 10 days ago I went to buy my wife a handgun from a large national sporting goods retail outlet near Boise. They have 3 very large sets of shelves that are normally stacked high with every imaginable type of ammo, but on this day they had maybe 2% of their normal stock and 0, yes ZERO .38 cal. When I asked the salesman about it he said that they have not been able to get much and when they do it sells within a few days. Because I am so concerned about what is unfolding in our country I decided to check around. Out of 5 major outlets I was able to obtain 2 boxes of .40 cal. and 1 box of .38, 250 rounds total. The story from each salesman was the same, there is none available and they don't know when they will receive more. At one location I got talking with the clerk and he told me that his brother works for Remington and has run their ammo making machines for over 10 years, in the past few years they have run 12 hours a day 7 days a week. TWO WEEKS after our last elections their management informed them that they were to cut back to 2 1/2 days a week and only run 8 hour a day. He said they had 50 semi-truck trailers waiting to be loaded but that they could not fill them. A small family owned gun store I have dealt with for the last several years had quite a bit available but I was told again that they have scoured the entire area and bought everything they could find to resell, and they thought what they had would be gone by this Monday, tomorrow. After talking more with the owner he told me that last Wednesday and Thursday his staff had spent the entire time calling every gun store in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington and could not locate anything more than a few boxes here and there. While I was in the store he took off to drive all the way to Montana to get what was available there in a few small towns, that is at least a 16 hour round trip drive. Apparently over thirty people were waiting for an ammo shipment in Mt. Home, Id. and when the Semi finally arrived it had only 12 boxes of pistol ammo aboard and they were told not to expect anymore in the near future. I haven't heard this situation mentioned anywhere, and I would never have discovered it if I hadn't gone to purchase a gun. Something very strange is happening out here. I can only hope that it is a local phenomenon, but I fear that is much larger. Please inform your readers so that they can find out for themselves.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

2009-02-14T11:26:00.004-05:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!

CHATTANOOGA COMMON SENSE

2009-02-01T08:35:00.007-05:00

I received an interesting email from the TBI Manager this week - he sends some good info - thought you might like this:

Chattanoogan

Judge says citizens should buy guns
to protect themselves. 

General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon
on Wednesday told a female home
invasion victim she needs to buy a
gun to protect herself.
 
"There should be a law that law
abiding citizens with no felony
convictions should own a gun,"
the judge said while setting bond
for Colton Dobbins.
 
Judge Moon told Danielle Walker,
"I know many fine police officers.
But we can't depend on the police
to protect us any more."
 
He said Chattanooga is the 57th most
dangerous city in the country,
and to many criminals "the value of
human life means nothing to them."
 
The judge said, "With 7,000 foreclo-
sures every day and 6,000 kids
dropping out of school" that the
crime situation is going to get much
worse.
 
 
He told the 18-year-old Dobbins he is
"lucky to be alive" after barging
into the home of Ms. Walker.
 
Judge Moon said, "If it had been my
house you came in on, you would have
wound up at Coulter Funeral Home."
 
Dobbins was charged with forcing his
way into Ms. Walker's home where she
and her nine-year-old son live. Ms.
Walker said Dobbins knocked her to
the floor, then two other men entered
her home. 
 
Ms. Walker said, "I was afraid for my
son."

GUN CONTROLLERS TARGET AMMUNITION

2009-01-24T10:10:00.005-05:00

Thought you might like to read a good article from The New American on the ongoing saga of ammunition control:

The new and heavily liberal legislative bodies now ensconced in Washington and in many statehouses across the nation now pose a slow equivalent to the march on Lexington and Concord that sparked the American Revolution. Taxation, regulation, and government inroads into personal liberty, including gun control, are now proliferating.

Many of our elected officials are using widespread ignorance and fear of guns and the fallout of immorality in the form of crime to help accomplish a disenfranchisement of the Second Amendment piecemeal. They tout their proposals as measures to prevent crime or capture criminals, while completely ignoring the rights of victims and the average citizen.

A prime current example is the widespread spate of ammunition identification bills, proposed at the state level, all of which are very similar to the 2005/6 California legislature ammunition serialization bill, AB 352.

AB 352 was passed by both houses of the California legislature, but died in conference on November 30, 2006. Similar bills are now spreading across the nation for review under the new more liberal 2009 array of state legislators.

California was a close call. The good news is that even though ammunition serialization resolutions were introduced in five states in 2007 and 18 states in 2008, not a single resolution passed in any state. The bad news is that many state legislatures have become much more gun-control-friendly in the aftermath of the 2008 elections. These same ammunition serialization bills may not be defeated or allowed to die during this 2009/10 legislative cycle, as was the case in the past.

The ammunition serialization campaign is being organized by Ammunition Accountability, a lobbying arm of Ammunition Coding System, which has been working with state legislatures to get bills passed to mandate ammunition serialization on a state-by-state basis. There is a neon fox in the henhouse.

It happens that Ammunition Coding System would profit handsomely from such mandatory serialization. Although Russ Ford of Ammunition Coding System claimed vigorously during an interview on NRANews.com (posted on January 25, 2008) that his company was striving for complete transparency in its activities, as of January 19, 2009, there is still no link from the Ammunition Accountability website to the Ammunition Coding System website, and no link back the other way either.

Ammunition serialization amounts to individual markings stamped on the ammunition, both on the projectile and on the shell in which the projectile and propellant is encased. Viewing the 43-minute Russ Ford Ammunition Coding System video on this page at the NRANews.com site is very revealing. (Scroll to bottom of the linked page to see the video.)

To provide just a little taste of just how bad this ammunition serialization would be for gun owners, consider this excerpt from the online NRA webpage, "Encoded Ammunition"/Bullet Serialization," which was posted on January 15, 2008:

Reasons to Strenuously Oppose This LegislationPeople would be required to forfeit all personally-owned non-encoded ammunition.

After a certain date, it would be illegal to possess non-encoded ammunition. Gun owners possess hundreds of millions of rounds of ammunition for target shooting, hunting and personal protection. Consider that American manufacturers produce 8 billion rounds each year.

Reloading (re-using cartridge cases multiple times) would be abolished. There would be no way to correspond serial numbers on cartridge cases, and different sets and quantities of bullets.

People would be required to separately register every box of "encoded ammunition." This information would be supplied to the police. Most states do not even require registration of guns. Each box of ammunition would have a unique serial number, thus a separate registration.

Private citizens would have to maintain records, if they sold ammunition to anyone, including family members or friends.

The cost of ammunition would soar, for police and private citizens alike. The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturing Institute estimates it would take three weeks to produce ammunition currently produced in a single day. For reason of cost, manufacturers would produce only ultra-expensive encoded ammunition, which police would have to buy, just like everyone else.

AMMUNITION ACCOUNTABILITY

2009-01-10T11:29:00.006-05:00

The next hurdle for gun enthusiasts. A new group has formed called, Ammunition Accountability - Saving lives one bullet at a time.

Beware - this is a serious subject and whether or not this group gets "controlled" ammunition passed, may depend on YOU!!!!!!! You may want to call your Congressman and tell him or her that you do NOT want the proposed Ammunition Accountability bill passed. If you don't know who your Congressman is - go to:

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

Here is what they are about:

Ammunition Accountability is a newly forming group of ammunition coding technology supporters. Our group includes gun crime victims, industry representatives, law enforcement, public officials, public policy experts, and more. We are working together to pass legislation to make ammunition coding technology a reality.

Ammunition coding technology works by laser etching the back of each bullet with an alpha-numeric serial number. Then when a potential criminal purchases a box of 9mm cartridges, the box of ammunition and the bullets’ coding numbers would be connected to the purchaser in a statewide database. When a bullet is found at a crime scene, the code on the bullet can be read with a simple magnifying glass and then be run through a statewide database to determine who purchased the ammunition and where, providing a valuable investigative lead.

To learn more about this organization, go to:

http://www.ammunitionaccountability.com/

RUGER 22 CHARGER

2009-01-03T09:55:00.005-05:00

If you haven't purchased your Ruger 22 Charger yet, you are missing out on some fun. Right now, we have in stock a Red Ruger 22 Charger.

The Charger is a pistol that delivers the fun, versatility and reliability of the time tested Ruger 10/22 Carbine in a handgun by utilizing the 10/22 receiver and rotary magazine. The Charger features a 10-inch precision-rifled barrel mounted in an ergonomically designed, warp-proof, laminated pistol stock. A new extended magazine release allows for easy removal of the legendary Ruger 10-shot rotary magazine.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-01-01T07:57:00.002-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OLDE TOWNE SPORTS DEPOT!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-24T12:01:00.000-05:00

OLDE TOWNE SPORTS DEPOT WISHES EVERYONE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

GUN SHOW IN MORRISTOWN

2008-12-20T07:52:00.002-05:00

TODAY IS THE GUN SHOW AT THE WALTERS STATE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN EXPO CENTER IN WHITE PINE. SATURDAY TIMES WILL BE 9:00 AM TO 5:00 PM AND SUNDAY TIMES WILL BE 10:00 AM TO 4:00 PM. THERE ARE MORE VENDORS SET UP THIS YEAR AND A GREAT SHOW IS EXPECTED!!!!! COME SEE US AT OUR LOCATION - GO DOWN THE STEPS AND TO THE LEFT.

CONCEALED CARRY PERMITTED IN SMOKIES

2008-12-15T14:31:00.001-05:00

The National Park Service will allow weapons to be carried in the Smokies after the overturning of a federal rule restricting weapons in national parks and wildlife refuges.

The Park Service said Monday the agency will recognize concealed carry permits from Tennessee and North Carolina, beginning in January.

NPS spokesman Bob Miller in Gatlinburg said under current regulations, firearms can be brought into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park only when cased or trigger-locked and left in vehicles.

The new regulations will allow people who have valid permits to carry concealed weapons to keep them on their person.The new rules will apply to permits holders from Tennessee, North Carolina and states with which they have reciprocal agreements.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2008-11-27T10:17:00.007-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OLDE TOWNE SPORTS DEPOT FAMILY!!!!

WE WILL BE OPEN ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH AND SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29TH!!!

SHOCK IN SMALL ARIZONA TOWN

2008-11-19T08:31:00.004-05:00

To say that you never know what a day will bring has terrifying meaning in the small, close knit community of St. Johns, AZ. It has been reported that an 8 year old boy shot and killed his father and a friend of the father with his 22 caliber rifle. No stranger to weapons, the child reloaded each of the three times he shot his father. He then proceeded to reload and go downstairs and shoot the family friend, who also rented a room from the family.

The child stated that he was mad at his father, but so far there has been no evidence of abuse in the family. Per news media, the child is being held in a Juvenile Detention Center and will be charged as a juvenile with premeditated murder.

Other reports stated that the father is an avid hunter and had trained his son to shoot prarie dogs.

The reason I am posting this story is not for the sensationalism of the story, but to bring attention to the fact of the importance of firearm safety in the home. Even though this child was experienced and trained in the handling of weapons, YOU STILL DON'T ALLOW THEM FREE REIN. SAFETY FIRST ENTAILS ALWAYS KEEPING FIREARMS OUT OF THE HANDS OF CHILDREN EXCEPT WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.

I know, I know, you are saying, so what if the father handed the child the gun and they were going hunting and the child turned on the father - yes, that could have happened, but the fact that this 8 year old was able to have access to this rifle ALONG with the ammunition on his own is way below the safety limitations that should be implemented and upheld in the home.

Please, please, first and foremost - TEACH YOUR CHILDREN FIREARM SAFETY AND KEEP ALL WEAPONS AND AMMUNITION LOCKED UP AND OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN!!!!!!!

I ran across a good article on Firearm Safety in Your Home from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - please take the time to read it - ESPECIALLY if you have children in the home:

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/es/enforcement/safety/firearm.htm

GUN SHOW TOMORROW

2008-11-14T16:02:00.003-05:00

DON'T FORGET - TOMORROW IS THE GUN SHOW AT MEADOWVIEW. WE WILL BE SET UP AT OUR USUAL SPOT. IF TODAY AT THE GUN SHOP IS ANY INDICATION OF WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE AT THE GUN SHOW - YOU HAD BETTER GET THERE EARLY!!!!!!!

SHOW TIMES ARE:

SATURDAY: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SUNDAY: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

HAPPY VETERANS DAY

2008-11-11T10:15:00.025-05:00

FROM OUR FAMILY AT OLDE TOWNE SPORTS DEPOT - WE WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL VETERANS!!!! THIS ALSO INCLUDES OUR OWN - MY HUSBAND, CHARLES - MY FATHER, J.C. - MY COUSIN LARRY, MY UNCLE JAMES - AND MY HUSBAND'S UNCLES - RAY AND BILL (I KNOW THERE ARE FAMILY MEMBERS I HAVEN'T LISTED THAT ALSO SERVICED WITH PRIDE), FAMILY FRIENDS, RANDY, WESLEY, HANK, JOHNNY, DAVID AND BILL, AMONG MANY OTHERS - I'M SORRY IF I DID NOT LIST YOU SPECIFICALLY, ESPECIALLY THOSE DEPARTED - MY HUSBAND'S FATHER - CHARLES, SR.!!! YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY IS AND WAS APPRECIATED AND WITHOUT YOU AND THOSE LIKE YOU, OUR FREEDOM WOULD BE IN JEOPARDY.

A LITTLE VETERANS DAY HISTORY FOR YOU:

VETERANS DAY IS CELEBRATED ON NOVEMBER 11TH. IF IT FALLS ON A SUNDAY, THEN IT IS CELEBRATED ON MONDAY. IF IT FALLS ON A SATURDAY, THEN IT CAN BE CELEBRATED EITHER ON FRIDAY OR SATURDAY.

VETERANS DAY WAS ALSO KNOWN AND IS ALSO CELEBRATED AS ARMISTICE DAY OR REMEMBRANCE DAY.

Armistice Day is the anniversary of the symbolic end of World War I which ended November 11, 1918 - 90 years ago. It commemorates the armistice (the armistice treaty) that was signed between the Allies and Germany at Rethondes, France, for the hostilities on the Western Front. It took affect at eleven o'clock in the morning on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. While this official date to mark the end of the war reflects the cease fire on the Western Front, hostilities continued in other regions, especially across the former Russian Empire (also known as Modern Russia which existed until near the end of the war) and in parts of the old Ottoman Empire (Turkish State).

Also celebrated as Remembrance Day - which itself is known as Poppy Day . King George V specifically dedicated "Remembrance Day" as a special day in 1919.

The story of the Poppy and what it represents:

The poppy seed can lie for years before it sprouts nodding buds then blooms four crumbled petals. It is a vivid mix between red and orange in color. These simple flowers grew en mass over the grave sites on the Western Front. They soon became a symbol associated with Veterans.

The VFW's Buddy Poppy Program started more than 75 years ago and has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents.

Next time you see a Veteran collecting and handing out poppies - first thank him for his service - then do your part - contribute to a well deserving cause.

Whatever this day is celebrated as, it serves the same purpose. Remembrance of the bravery of our active, former and departed veterans. It is celebrated all over the world and in many parts of the world, 2 minutes of silence are observed at 11:00 am. Why don't we join them?

I'd like to end this with pictures of past posters from the official Veterans Day Poster Gallery:

THERE ARE MANY OTHERS - I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT THEY SURE AFFECT ME LOOKING AT THEM. TO SEE THE OTHERS, GO TO THE OFFICIAL DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS WEBSITE:

http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp

PLEASE - IF YOU SEE A VETERAN TODAY - THANK THEM. NOT ONLY TODAY BUT EVERY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2008-10-31T14:41:00.009-04:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!!!! ONE OF THE SCARIEST DAYS OF THE YEARS!!!! LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT ANOTHER SCARY DAY - THE DAY YOU DO NOT GET OUT AND VOTE FOR THE RIGHT CANDIDATE AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU PROTECT YOUR 2ND AMENDMENT RIGHT!!!!

SO, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH - DO YOUR DUTY!!!! IT'S NOT ONLY YOUR RIGHT, BUT YOUR DUTY!!!! THIS IS WHY WE HAVE BRAVE SOLDIER'S FIGHTING AND PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY - SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE THE FREEDOM TO GET OUT AND VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE OF YOUR CHOICE.

NOT SURE WHERE TO VOTE - CALL THE HAWKINS COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION OFFICE:

423/272-8061.

DON'T MAKE EXCUSES - JUST DO IT!!!!!

I thought the following paragraph said it well:

You live in a democracy and that means that you get a say in who runs your country, and by way of this privilege you also get a say about how your country is run. It is very easy to be blase about your right to vote and take a "whatever, who cares" kind of attitude about it but you shouldn't brush this great honor off so quickly. Sure registering can be a bit of a chore, and yes, you have to head down to a polling station on voting day to pull your lever which takes some time out of your day and may cost you a few bucks in gas, but whether you know it or not these are very small prices to pay for the right to vote. In some countries people are literally dying to be able to cast a ballot and make a difference.

In other words: A Government For The People, By The People, CANNOT work WITHOUT THE PEOPLE!!!!!

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE

2008-10-18T10:12:00.011-04:00

I voted "early" today!!!! We are fortunate in Tennessee to have early voting. Early voting is one of two ways in which a registered voter of Tennessee may bote before the actual election day. The second way for a registered voter to vote early is called by mail voting. Both early voting and by mail voting are for the voter's convenience. These two voting choices differ in that to vote by mail, the individual must have a statutory reason. On the other hand, to vote during the early voting period, the person may vote purely for the sake of convenience.

To vote early, a person must appear in person at either the county election commission office or at a satellite voting location opened by the county election commission. For each election, early voting begins 20 days before the election and ends 5 days before the election. Althought closed from voting on holidays, a person may vote early on any Saturday that falls during this time frame. (The only exception to this time period, involves a municipal election in which there is not any oppositiion for any of the offices involved on the ballot.)

There are many advantages to voting early, namely being able to choose a day during the early voting period that best fits the voter's schedule and the voter being able to change his or her address of registration and vote in the same voting location.

For details regarding times and early voting locations, a person must contact the local county election commission office. Want more information on voting? Go to the link below - it has everything you need to know.

WHATEVER YOU DO, WHENEVER YOU DO IT - VOTE!!!!!!!!

http://www.tennessee.gov/sos/election/earlyvoting.htm

RUGER 22 CHARGER

2008-10-11T10:50:00.005-04:00

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE ONE OF THESE!!!!!! THIS IS A USA SHOOTING TEAM SPECIAL EDITION RUGER CHARGER - SEMI-AUTOMATIC 22 CAL. JUST ARRIVED IN THE STORE - COME CHECK IT OUT - MAKE IT YOURS!!!

Historic Colt Revolver Sells for $800,000 at Maine Auction

2008-10-08T14:40:00.003-04:00

FAIRFIELD, Maine — An anonymous bidder has paid $800,000 for a historic .44-caliber revolver, and Maine auctioneer James Julia said it was "an absolute bargain."

The Colt Walker pistol made for U.S. marshals in the 1840s belonged to University of Maine graduate John McBride's great-great-uncle. McBride, who lives in Montana, returned to Maine for Tuesday's auction. He waved his cowboy hat and said "Yee-ha" when bidding ended.

Julia said the handgun known as "The Marshal's Gun" fetched a record price because it was in great condition. He was the auctioneer for the previous Colt record as well, which was $480,000.

McBride, who is 80, said it was a tough decision to sell a piece of family history and that his family will use some of the proceeds to buy land in Montana.

GUN SHOW THIS WEEKEND IN KINGSPORT

2008-10-02T10:48:00.005-04:00

MAKE PLANS THIS WEEKEND TO ATTEND THE GUN SHOW AT THE KINGSPORT CIVIC AUDITORIUM. IT WILL BE ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4TH & SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5TH. DOORS OPEN SATURDAY & SUNDAY AT 9:00 AM AND CLOSE SATURDAY AT 5:00 PM AND SUNDAY AT 4:00 PM. ADMISSION IS $6.00 - 12 AND UNDER ARE FREE.

BE THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SUPPRESSORS ARE NOT ILLEGAL!!!!

2008-09-27T09:35:00.007-04:00

Unlike conventional firearms, each change of possession or ownership of a Title 2 weapon (silencer, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun, pengun, etc.) must be approved in advance by BATF. This includes not only the sale of such a weapon, but also the act of giving or loaning it to another person. Failure to comply can result in a $250,000 fine, 10 years in prison, or both. Although the weapon can be moved by it's registered owner within the owner's state or residence, transportation across state lines requires prior BATF approval. These requirements were instituted by the National Firearms Act of 1934 and were incorporated into the Gun Control Act of 1968.

As with any firearm, an individual owner must take possession through a licensed dealer in his state of residence. In the case of Title 2 weapons (silencers, machine guns, etc.), the dealer must be what is known as a Class 3 dealer, meaning that he has paid an annual special occupational tax in conjunction with his firearms license to permit him to deal in Title 2 weapons without paying the individual $200 transfer tax on each weapon.

The $200 transfer tax is assessed each time a Title 2 weapon changes hands. The exceptions are to (or from) a governmental agency or a Class 3 dealer. Each time a Title 2 weapon changes hands, the transfer must be approved in advance by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. It normally takes 4-5 weeks or less for BATF to approve the transfer between dealers or to law enforcement agencies, and the transfer to individuals requiress 1-2 months. The transfer time used to be much longer, but thanks to the efforts of the NFATCA, this time continues to shrink.

The procedure for obtaining a suppressor is to order (and pay for) the unit. The weapon should be ordered through your Class 3 dealer - Olde Towne Sports Depot is a Class 3 Dealer.

If you are eligible to own any conventional firearm, you are also eligible to own a Title 2 weapon provided that there are no state laws prohibiting such ownership. This means basically that you must be free of all felony convictions and be over 21 years of age. Your dealer can usually help you find a suitable law enforcement signature in the rare instance where your sheriff is personally anti-gun and refuses to sign your application. Your other option is to form a corporation, trust, or other suitable business entity, which does not require a law enforcement signature.

GOTTA HAVE ONE OF THESE

2008-09-20T09:26:00.002-04:00

The Super CSI flashlight body is constructed of anodized aluminum to ensure toughness and reliability. This flashlight emits two ultra bright levels of illumination. 10 white and 5 green Ultra Bright LEDS. 5 Ultra Bright green LEDS allow you to maintain your night vision. 15 shock-proof LED lamps are recessed into the CSI LED flashlight's head. Water resistant, shockproof technology. Includes limited lifetime manufacturer warranty and 3 AAA batteries. $18.99 each.

SUPPRESSORS

2008-09-13T13:16:00.003-04:00

In order to purchase a suppressor, the following information is provided:

The United States taxes and strictly regulates the manufacture and sale of suppressors under the National Firearms Act. They are legal for individuals to possess and use for lawful purposes in thirty-eight of the fifty states. However, a prospective user must go through an application process administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), which requires a Federal tax payment of US$200.00 and a thorough criminal background check.

PINK LADY

2008-09-13T12:29:00.006-04:00

We have noticed that more and more females are frequenting the store looking for a personal defense handgun. I thought I would feature a nice one that has just come into the shop. It is the Charter Arms Pink lady.

Tough, aircraft-grade aluminum allows the Pink Lady to offer rugged reliability and power, while weighing in at a mere 12 oz. This compact, ultra-lightweight, five-shot, .38 Special +P revolver features a 2” barrel, fixed sights, and traditional spurred hammer. Like all Charter revolvers, the Pink Lady has a three-point cylinder lock.

Want to read up on the anatomy of a Charter Revolver - click here:

http://www.charterfirearms.com/community/gun_schematic.html

Think this might be the handgun for you or know someone that might be interested - come on into the store and see how good it feels in your hand. Tell a friend.

Have a good week and thanks for being here. Remember, if we don't have it, we can order it. Also, don't forget to go to our link - look up at the right hand side of this blog and click to go to our website - and shop online through our Davidson's link.

FAQs FROM TICS

2008-09-10T11:37:00.003-04:00

I thought I would pass along some questions and answers from an email that I received from TBI. It might answer some questions you might have or clear up something you've experienced while trying to purchase a firearm:

Q1. Why was I denied?

A1. You must complete an "Appeal of Denial of Attempted Firearm Transfer" form and send it to TICS before the reason for your denial can be discussed with you. TICS must protect the confidentiality of your transaction and will not discuss it with other parties, including your firearm dealer, your spouse or your attorney. Once the appeal form is received, TICS begins a review process and attempts to obtain information it may need to review in order to overturn the denial or uphold it. TICS contacts arresting agencies and clerks of court on your behalf, seeking the missing information and continues to seek the information for 15 days from the date your appeal is received unless it receives the requested information before 15 days have expired.

Q2. I previously attempted to purchase a firearm and was denied, but upon filing an appeal, it was overturned and I was allowed to get the firearm. I just tried to buy another firearm and was denied again. What is going on—this was supposed to be cleared up months ago?

A2. If your previous denial was overturned, it became an approved transaction and under existing state and federal law, TICS cannot retain information on approved firearm purchases. Documentation previously submitted by you or either the arresting agency or clerk of court, may have been sufficient for TICS to overturn the denial but not sufficient for the TBI’s Records & Identification Unit and/or the FBI’s Criminal History Records Information Data Correction Unit to make permanent changes to their records on you. Submission of the proper forms by the arresting agency or clerk of court will eventually result in your record being posted by TBI and the FBI. Such documentation may be the R-84 Final Disposition Report Form, or an official Order for Expunction.

Q3. Why am I asked to provide my Social Security Account Number? The federal form 4473 that I filled out lists the SSAN as optional?

A3. Tennessee law states that if the purchaser has been provided with a SSAN, the gun dealer (FFL) must furnish that number to TICS. Provision of the SSAN to TICS does not mean that the number will be retained in TBI’s files. As stated above, if the transfer is approved, all records of the transfer must be destroyed. That includes the SSAN. All records are destroyed nightly at 10:45 PM. By furnishing your SSAN to the FFL and TICS, you are helping speed up the data search and to eliminate false matches. It may help speed up the search by providing an additional identifier that can be used to help eliminate false name search "hits".

Q4. I have a Tennessee Handgun "Carry" Permit. Why do I have to have a TICS/NICS check done to be able to purchase a firearm?

A4. Tennessee’s Handgun "Carry" Permit does not meet the requirements of the federal Brady Bill because it lacks a requirement for an annual re-check of the permit holder’s criminal history, and it does not require a check through the National Instant Check System (NICS). Therefore, purchasers holding a valid TN Handgun "Carry" Permit still have to have a TICS/NICS check performed when purchasing a firearm. NOTE: the "Carry" Permit may be used as a Primary source of identification for a person attempting to purchase a firearm if, and only if, it contains the purchaser’s photograph, date of birth, and current address.

Q5. Why do I have to show proof of address if the address on my identification doesn’t match where I live, and why isn’t a Post Office Box good enough for an address?

A5. A Post Office Box is not a sufficient address because you don’t live at the Post Office. The federal form 4473, Section A, No. 2, requires your residence address. If you furnished primary identification that did not have your current address on it, you must show proof of your current residence through a secondary form of identification that is acceptable. All federal firearm dealers are supposed to make sure that the purchaser’s correct and current address is listed on the form.

Q6. I sent TICS an Appeal Form a while back and haven’t heard anything back. Why haven’t I heard anything?

A6. You may have sent the Appeal Form to the wrong address
or to the wrong FAX number. You may also have waited too long to appeal the denial. A firearm transaction is valid for only 30 days and if you waited longer than that to appeal, your appeal is invalid. TICS has 15 days from receipt of an appeal to make a decision. During that time, TICS contacts the arresting law enforcement agency and/or the clerk of the court in an attempt to obtain a final disposition of any outstanding charges against you. If TICS receives a response during the 15 day period, TICS will review the documentation and make a decision. If the denied transaction can be overturned, both you and the gun dealer will be notified by telephone. If TICS does not receive the necessary documentation, TICS will issue a CONDITIONAL PROCEED and advise the gun dealer that he/she may, at his/her discretion, transfer the firearm.

Q7. Where can I get an Appeal Form?

A7. All federal firearm licensees have the forms in stock. The dealer you attempted to purchase the firearm from should have given you a form and assisted you in filling it out. The dealer should also have furnished you with your Firearm Transaction Number to place on the form. Many dealers will fax the form to TICS for you.

Q8. What is a Conditional Proceed?

A8. If during the TICS/NICS search of your name and descriptor data through TBI and FBI files, TICS locates a record with outstanding felony charges or charges that are undeterminable as a felony, TICS will initially deny the transaction. Once you file an appeal, TICS begins a process of trying to obtain final disposition information on the charge(s) to help with making a final decision as to your eligibility or ineligibility to purchase or possess a firearm. If TICS cannot obtain the information within the mandatory 15 day time limit, TICS assigns the transaction a CONDITIONAL PROCEED status and advises the dealer that he/she may, at his/her discretion, transfer the firearm. This status does not mean the dealer must complete the transfer. That decision is, at this point, solely up to the dealer who may choose not to transfer the firearm to you. If the dealer chooses not to transfer the firearm to you, your only appeal of that decision is to the FBI’s NICS Appeals Services Unit—TICS did not deny the transfer.

Q9. How long does an appeal take?

A9. The time it takes to appeal a denied transfer must be completed in 30 days or less. The transaction is only valid for 30 days. For this reason, you should immediately appeal a denial if you feel the denial was in error or if you feel that there is information available that could clear up the reason you were denied.

Q10. Why isn’t my record already cleared up? I have been through this process of attempting to purchase, getting denied, appealing the denial, submitting documentation and having the denial overturned. Why does this keep coming up?

A10. Perhaps the documentation you submitted was sufficient for TICS to be able to overturn its’ denial of your transaction but was not in the proper format for posting to your criminal history record maintained by the TBI’s Records & Identification Unit and/or the FBI’s Interstate Identification Index criminal history files. Both units require a standardized reporting form for final disposition information (the R-84 Final Disposition Report) and the form must be properly completed, signed and submitted to those units for processing. Upon receipt of this form, both units will post any final disposition to your arrest history so that it clearly shows what happened on the case/charge(s) the next time your criminal history record is reviewed. Expunction orders must also be in the proper format and must clearly identify the individual and the arrest information (date of arrest, exact wording of the charge(s), arresting agency, etc.) before the TBI and FBI will accept the data for processing. Finally, time is also a factor. Perhaps your record is part of a large backlog of records awaiting processing – the FBI receives several thousand paper documents to process each day.

Q11. I have purchased firearms several times in the past and each time I get denied. I have previously furnished TICS with documentation and the denial has been overturned. Subsequent purchases were denied, but TICS had the documentation available for review and quickly overturned the denials and let me purchase a firearm. I just tried to purchase another firearm and got denied again and was told that I would have to submit all the paperwork again. Why?

A11. Until about 2003, TICS maintained information submitted with appeal forms and information gathered by TICS during its research of denials. It was helpful to have in situations such as yours. TICS could quickly review the documents and determine if the reason for the current denial was the same as the previous one. If it was for the same reason and TICS had documentation that cleared the matter up, it was a quick decision to overturn the current denial. However, it has been determined that once a denial is overturned, it becomes an approval. No information may be retained on approved transfers. Therefore, the previously retained information was destroyed and is no longer available. Until your record is completely cleared up in state and federal criminal history databases, any firearm purchases you attempt will likely be denied. However, the FBI’s NICS has developed a Voluntary Appeal File that you can submit information into so as to help in situations where you repeatedly get denied. Have your firearm dealer contact TICS on your behalf and ask for a VAF packet to be sent to you.

HOPE THIS HELPS - IF YOU NEED CLARIFICATION ON ANY OF THIS, DON'T HESITATE TO STOP IN THE SHOP, CALL US, OR EMAIL US!!!!

ARCHERY SEASON IN TENNESSEE

2008-09-06T11:13:00.004-04:00

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS OBTAINED FROM THE TWRA 2008 TENNESSEE HUNTING & TRAPPING GUIDE. Olde Towne Sports Depot is not responsible for any errors in the publication.

ARCHERY DEER SEASON (includes crossbows) opens:

September 27 - October 24, 2008

October 27 - October 31, 2008

November 10 - November 21, 2008

Bag Limits for all of the above: 2 deer, either sex.

MUZZLELOADER AND ARCHERY:

November 1 - November 9, 2008
Bag Limit: 1 deer, antlered only (this deer may be either sex Nov 1-5)

December 12 - December 14, 2008
Bag Limit: 1 deer, antlered only

GUN, MUZZLELOADER AND ARCHERY:

November 22 - November 30, 2008
Bag Limit: 2 deer, antlered only

YOUNG SPORTSMAN**:

October 25-October 26, 2008

January 17-January 18, 2009

Bag Limit: 1 deer, either sex

**Youths 6-16 years of age only. Multiple youths must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult, 21 years of age or older, who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device and who must also comply with fluorescent orange regulations, as specificed for legal hunters. Youths 10 years of age or older must meet hunter education requirements.

STAY TUNED

2008-08-23T13:47:00.005-04:00

We've noticed that we are getting more hits on our website - that's a good thing. Don't be bashful - you CAN leave a comment on the blog if you want. You can tell us if you would like to see different subjects, suggest a subject or even tell us you like the site!!!

Keep coming back - we have some specials coming up for the fall season. Even some give aways - ahhhhh - free stuff, you say? That's right - there are plans for some pretty good gifts for the lucky winners of our upcoming raffles now in the planning stages. AND, there will also be some items included in this blog that just might save you some money in the store. This day and age, any way to save money will be a welcomed addition. So, tell your friends about our site and like I said, KEEP COMING BACK.

NEW SIGN

2008-08-09T10:46:00.006-04:00

As there is a lot of traffic going down Main Street and stopping at the red light - we thought it might be a good idea to "advertise" - so we put a sign on the side of the building. It is based on the color and similar setup of our business cards. We think it turned out extremely nice - thanks to Grafitti Expressions. If you need any kind of advertising, check them out: http://www.graffitiexpressions.com/.

TAURUS: A No-Bull History

2008-08-02T12:54:00.003-04:00

Forjas Taurus ("Taurus forge") began as a small tool manufacturer in Porot Alegre, Brazil back in the 1930s. The company produced its first revolver, the Model 38101S0, in 1941, combining elements from several manufacturers of that day, including Colt, Smith &Wesson and certain Spanish brands.

Taurus soon became a major factor in the South American market and entered the U.S. market in 1968, employing the services of a succession of U.S. distributors over the next several years. Their efforts met with only marginal success and marginal acceptance by American shooters.

In the meantime, Smith & Wesson had been purchased by an international conglomerate named Banfor Punta, which later purchased 54 percent of Taurus. Thus, the two companies became "sisters" (neither ever owned the other), and over the years a great deal of technology and methodology were passed between the two. In fact, due to efforts to upgrade Smith & Wesson's factory, more technology and manufacturing know-how passed from Brazil to Springfield, Massachusetts, than vice versa.

Many of Taurus' young engineers did extended tours of duty at Smith & Wesson as part of that process. One of those was Carlos Murgel, who in 1977 , put together a group of investors that bought back Bangor Punta's 54 percent of Taurus outright. Dr. Murgel has since passed away, but the ownership structure continues today.

The change sparked a quest to improve overall quality of Taurus guns as well as an expansion program. Taurus eventually bought a factory that Beretta had built as part of a Brazillian government contract. Along with the purchase came tooling, machinery and a very experienced work force.

In 1982, Taurus opened Taurus USA, in Miami, Florida, to increase the firm's visibility here. Over the next several years, the company introduced guns such as the Raging Bull .454 Casull double-action revolver, the polymer-frame Millennium autoloader series, the 24/7 duty and service pistol family, the world's first all-titanium revolver line and also became the first company to offer its customers an unqualified lifetime repair policy.

Copied from Guns & Ammo Handguns (August/September 2008).

SAF & S&W

2008-07-23T19:44:00.001-04:00

SAF and S&W announce a commemorative revolver.

Second Amendment Foundation and Smith & Wesson Partner on Commemorative Revolver
Engraved Model 442 Will Recognize District of Columbia vs. Heller Decision
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (July, 21, 2008) – The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Smith & Wesson have partnered to create a commemorative revolver designed to recognize the historical significance of the District of Columbia vs. Heller decision and to acknowledge the six original plaintiffs that united to challenge the gun ban in Washington, D.C.
As part of the project, an engraved Smith & Wesson Model 442 revolver will be presented to each of the six plaintiffs – Shelly Parker, Tom Palmer, Gillian St. Lawrence, Tracey Ambeau, George Lyon and Dick Heller – for their key roles in working to protect the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Smith & Wesson will make the commemorative revolver available for consumer purchase in Fall 2008 and will direct a portion of the proceeds to the Second Amendment Foundation to acknowledge the organization’s pivotal role in the Heller case and its ongoing efforts to preserve the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens.
“We are proud to work with Smith & Wesson on this project,” said Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation. “June 26 saw a landmark victory for the Second Amendment, and for all Americans. This is a fitting way to commemorate a significant moment in history, and support future efforts that will continue to strengthen our constitutional rights.”
The Smith & Wesson Model 442 will be laser engraved with an insignia to commemorate the ruling by the Supreme Court. On the right side plate of the revolver, the scale of justice is depicted with the wording “D.C. vs. Heller” across the scale. The balance is in favor of the “Heller” name with the court date of “June 26, 2008” positioned across the top. Underneath the scale, the side plate reads “Second Amendment” and “The right to keep and bear arms” in white lettering.
“We at Smith & Wesson are pleased to honor the six original plaintiffs in the case while at the same time offer to consumers a firearm that will help in the preservation and protection of the Second Amendment,” said Tom Taylor, Vice President of Marketing for Smith & Wesson. “The Second Amendment Foundation has worked diligently on the Heller case along with several other cases in the last two decades by promoting legal scholarship. Their contributions have helped to dramatically change the legal landscape and we are honored to partner with them on this project.”

SHOP ONLINE WITH OTSD

2008-07-22T13:10:00.005-04:00

Can't make it to the store? Shop online through our link with Davidson's GuaranteeD!!!!! You can't go wrong with their Lifetime Replacement. Click on the link below and as always, do not hesitate to contact our friendly staff at 423/272-4501. We are open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm.

http://www4.davidsonsinc.com/consumers/subsites/dealer_home.asp?dealer_id=58865&preview=True

SHOP ONLINE - SAVE GAS

2008-06-21T13:14:00.002-04:00

Well, with the gas situation, more and more people are shopping online. Probably a smart move. So, to keep up with that way of thinking - you can now shop online through Olde Towne Sports Depot at our online site at Davidson's Guaranteed. There is a link at several different locations throughout our website. I've also included a link on the blog. Sit back, log on and look around. You just might find what you've been looking for.

WE'RE BACK

2008-06-14T12:56:00.002-04:00

Seems like time just flies by when you are having fun. And, when you are busy, blogs sometimes take a back seat. But, maybe we can get back on track with some informative information for the public.

Did you know?

WHITE-TAILED DEER
In 1900, less than half a million white-tailed deer remained in the nation. Today, conservation programs have returned the whitetail population to some 18 million.

CANADA GOOSE
Habitat destruction reduced Canada goose populations to a low of some 1,200,000 in the late 1940's. Today, there are more than three times that number.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK
In 1907, only about 41,000 elk could be counted in the U.S. Today, populations in ten western states total approximately 800,000.

WILD TURKEY
By the early 1900's, encroaching civilization and habitat loss may have reduced the wild turkey population to under 100,000. Today, conservation programs have restored the population to some 5 million birds.

PRONGHORN ANTELOPE
About 50 years ago, the total U.S. population of pronghorn was only about 12,000. Today, conservation programs have helped increase the population to about 800,000.

TENNESSEE FISHING & HUNTING GUIDE

2008-03-01T12:20:00.003-05:00

WATCH FOR OUR AD IN THE MARCH ISSUE OF THE TENNESSEE FISHING & HUNTING GUIDE. THESE WILL BE IN OUR STORE AND ARE FREE!! THIS MAGAZINE IS FULL OF STORIES, PICTURES AND ADS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING IN THE EAST TENNESSEE AREA. DON'T MISS OUT. VISIT OUR STORE AT 207 S. DEPOT STREET - ROGERSVILLE, TN TODAY AND PICK UP YOUR COPY.

FRED 08

2007-12-27T14:30:00.000-05:00

I thought I would inform you where Presidential candidate Fred Thompson stands on the Second Amendment:

"I strongly support the Second Amendment of the Constitution, which protects an individual’s right to keep and bear arms. Gun control is touted as a major crime-control measure. But some of the places with the strictest gun-control laws also have high violent-crime rates. Disarming law-abiding citizens does not prevent crime. The answer to violent crime is smart, effective, and aggressive law enforcement. The real effect of these gun-control measures is to place onerous restrictions on law-abiding citizens who use firearms for such legal activities as self-defense, sport-shooting, hunting, and collecting. I am committed to:

Strictly enforcing existing laws and severely punishing violent criminals.

Protecting the rights individual Americans enjoy under the Second Amendment"

As time passes, I will try to provide additional information. Time is getting close and this will be a very important election. Current times warrant strong character and firm beliefs.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2007-12-24T09:52:00.000-05:00

As the time grows near, we at Olde Towne Sports Depot would like to wish you and yours a very, Merry Christmas. We are open on Christmas Eve from 9:30 am until approximately 3:00 pm.

4 MORE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

2007-12-21T09:27:00.000-05:00

TIME IS FLYING BY - BETTER FINISH THAT CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. LOOKING FOR A NICE POCKET KNIFE - WE'VE GOT AN EXCELLENT CHOICE. FROM VICTORINOX TO ROUGH RIDERS. AND, DON'T FORGET THAT UT FAN - 75% OFF UT ITEMS (EXCLUDES UT ERTL CARS).

GOOD NEWS - WE'LL BE OPEN MONDAY - CHRISTMAS EVE (USUALLY CLOSED ON MONDAYS) FOR THOSE LAST MINUTE SHOPPERS.

GUNSHOW

2007-12-14T12:22:00.000-05:00

WE WILL BE SET UP AT THE GUN & KNIFE SHOW IN MORRISTOWN, TN (WHITE PINE) THIS WEEKEND - DECEMBER 15TH & 16TH. IT IS BEING HELD AT THE WSCC GREATER SMOKY MOUNTAINS EXPO CENTER. CLICK ON THE LINK FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE CENTER:

http://www.wscc.cc.tn.us/expo/location.asp

THE SHOW HOURS ARE: SATURDAY 9 AM - 5 PM AND SUNDAY 10 AM - 4 PM.

ADULTS (13 & UP) $8.00; CHILDREN 6-12 $2.00; UNDER 6 - FREE

CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS???

2007-12-08T13:14:00.000-05:00

I found the following quite interesting. What do you think?

Friday, November 30, 2007

Boston Gun Search Policy Raises Concerns

Boston police may soon begin asking parents to allow searches of their homes and children’s bedrooms for firearms—without notice or warrants.

Under the controversial “Home Safe” program, teams of police officers will be assigned to the city’s public schools and will seek out leads on students believed to have firearms. Officers would then show up at the student’s home and ask to immediately search the premises, confiscating any firearms they find. Officers are empowered to exercise their personal discretion should they encounter drugs or signs of other illegal activity.

While parents have the right to refuse the search, questions of constitutionality, intimidation, and civil liberties have rightly been raised.

According to a November 17, MSNBC.com article, Thomas Nolan, a former Boston police lieutenant who teaches criminology at Boston University, deemed the program “an end run around the Constitution.” Nolan further said, “The police have restrictions on their authority and ability to conduct searches. The Constitution was written with a very specific intent, and that was to keep the law out of private homes unless there is a written document signed by a judge and based on probable cause. Here, you don’t have that.”

There is also a fear that people may be too intimidated to deny police access to their homes, or may not understand the legal implications of their compliance with the search, which could include arrest and prosecution.

A November 27, Boston.com article reported that Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner has called for hearings to further review the program. “We should not encourage our police department to engage in clever strategies that undercut the constitutional rights of every citizen,” Turner said in a statement.

Turner’s main concern is that police may not tell residents that they can refuse admittance. He also suggests that a visit by three police officers could be a “subtle coercion of permission.”

Of course, NRA is not alone in its concern over this activity. A November 21, BostonNOW.com article reports that the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has “serious concerns about the threat to civil liberties” as well.

DID YOU KNOW????

2007-12-07T05:26:00.000-05:00

Are you aware that the United States Supreme Court will take up the District of Columbia vs Heller case? This is a case where the plaintiffs are challenging the unconstitutional gun ban in our nation's capital. The District of Columbia appealed a lower court's ruling earlier this year affirming that the Second Amendment of the Constitution protects an individual right to keep and bear arms, and that the District's ban on handguns, carrying firearms within the home, and possession of loaded or operable firearms for self-defense violate that right.

The NRA will participate in the case as a friend of the court. Oral arguments are likely to take place in early 2008.

In March, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that "[T]he phrase 'the right of the people,' when read intratextually and in light of Supreme Court precedent, leads us to conclude that the right in question is individual." The D.C. Circuit also rejected the claim that the Second Amendment does not apply to the District of Columbia because D.C. is not a state.

The decision marks the first time a Second Amendment challenge to a firearm law has reached the Supreme Court since 1939.

--nra--

Estalished in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America's oldest civil rights and sportmen's group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and advocates enforement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation's leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforement and the armed services.

ARE YOU A MEMBER? IF NOT, JOIN THE NRA TODAY.

Stay tuned for more as it happens on this very important case!!!!!!!

ONLY 18 MORE DAYS

2007-12-07T05:11:00.000-05:00

Only 18 more shopping days (including today) until Christmas. Stop in and browse our selection of knives, UT Items, hunting accessories..........And don't forget, all UT Items (excluding ERTL cars) are 75% off.

DECEMBER SALE

2007-12-05T16:35:00.001-05:00

If you are looking for anything UT - better come in before December 31st. We will not be carrying these items much longer and what we have is now 75% off, excluding the collectible UT Ertl cars. We have key chains, license plates, license plate covers, throws, and many other items. Don't miss this chance to pick up UT items dirt cheap!!!!!

WELCOME

2007-12-04T09:26:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our blog. We are a family owned business with a goal to provide honest and reliable service to our community, as well as surrounding communities. We specialize in firearms of all calibers along with accessories. If we don't have what you are looking for, we can order it. The store provides such services as bore-sighting, scope mounting, firearms cleaning, etc. We also have a very reliable Gunsmith that we utilize.

Our hopes for this blog are to provide you with new and changing information from the storefront, including sales and the arrival of new items. We would also like to provide news and useful information concerning your Second Amendment rights. This is currently a very important issue with upcoming elections. I will, however, set out a few rules, as I would like to keep this a "clean", family oriented site. Comments will be not only accepted, but welcomed. As the Moderator for this blog, I will require that comments are previewed and approved before posting. This is the only way to keep it clean. No, I don't want to take away your First Amendments rights, but I do want to emphasize "family-friendly" and I feel this is the only way I can do it.

Thanks for being here - come back soon. There will be no rhyme or reason to the schedule of postings - when there is something to say, I will say it. I do believe you can sign up and then request an email when updated postings occur.

Need to study the Amendments? Go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_amendments_to_the_United_States_Constitution