Bitter is down covering the ribbon cutting ceremony. NRA is this convention center’s first big convention. In half an hour, Ruger will be making the announcement about its new product. I’ll be getting pictures online as soon as I can.  I should probably head to the show floor shortly.
Category: Guns
NRA-ILA Mix N’ Mingle Special Guest
NRA-ILA brought along a special guest to the NRA-ILA Mix N’ Mingle:
The gentleman under the light in the suit is none other than Dick Heller. Yeah, that Heller. Really down to earth guy for someone involved in matters of such great importance.
Bitter on NRA News Tonight
Bitter recorded a brief interview with NRA News, talking about the blogger bash. Should be going on the air sometime on tonight’s show, which begins at 6PM our time here, and 9PM Eastern Time.  Tune in if you like, either on the web or on Sirius Satellite Radio 144.
Another Million Mommy in the Klink
Still Cookin’
NICS checks for April are still way up over previous years.
Continuing a Tradition
There always seems to be some kind of pro-gun activity going on in the state the NRA Annual Meeting happens in around the time it’s going on. The House in Arizona has passed a Parking Lot Bill. Sadly they had to pick a bill to support NRA on that I don’t agree with.
What a Way to Waste a Perfectly Good M14
First Impressions of Phoenix
I’ve only been here a few hours, but so far:
- It’s friggin hot, but it’s not uncomfortable. Of course, it hasn’t topped 100 yet, which it’s supposed to.
- It’s a dry heat. I’ll take 90 here over 80 degrees and humid like I get at home any day of the week.
- Cactus! There’s cactus! I am a big fan of cactus. I’m having to resist being all touristy and taking pictures of cacti.
- Few people here would seem to have a need for a lawnmower.
- I really want to spend some time in the desert, but I don’t think I’ll have time.
Own A Piece of History
I’d sell my house and live in a tent to have this rifle, if my house were actually worth what it would cost to buy it:
Without a doubt the most famous and most documented Armalite/Colt M16 in existence, serial no 106 manufactured in 1959 (the 7th production gun) and of course the earliest known gun to exist. Yes, this is the gun that Gen Curtis LeMay shot the coconuts and melons with at the cocktail party and then turned to the Cooper-McDonald rep and said,”I want 10,000 of them and I want them yesterday!”. It is said this gun was also shot by Pres Kennedy (off the Presidential Yacht), Batista, MacNamarra, Diem, and a host of other important people. Traveling to Viet Nam twice, its history is part of America’s History, and I feel there is no other gun in existence as important as this firearm – at least as far as 20th century military firearms are concerned.
The only thing is, I’d be afraid to shoot it.
Arrived in Phoenix
Sorry about the lack of blogging folks, but I spent from 5:30AM until now on a plane. But we are on the ground in Phoenix, and trying to get the Blog Bash started. Unfortunately, I had to miss an invite from Michael Bane to shoot Ruger’s new product. No word yet for sure on what it actually is, but we’ll find out on Friday. I guess I could have found out today, but wouldn’t be able to say anything until Friday. Oh well though.  Tonight is the NRA-ILA happy hour.