F.A.T.S – FireArms Training Simulator
I recently had the opportunity to try out the F.A.T.S training system after taking a level two Urban Pistol class at the Police Academy range. The class was fantastic but after it was over, I peeked in the room where the F.A.T.S training sessions were being conducted. F.A.T.S stands for FireArms Training Simulator. It is an entirely interactive system that uses a computer program, a large screen and very realistic firearms that are loaded with computer chips instead of ammunition. It looks somewhat like a big video game, but it is definitely not a game.
The F.A.T.S system is used in police and military training. It costs upwards of $150,000 and was designed to be used with many types of firearms – however, each type of firearm added to the system costs several thousand dollars. The software on this F.A.T.S system was designed to simulate police calls and stops and the firearms were all corded (i.e. attached) to the computer. There are systems where the firearms are not corded, and the guns have magazines filled with nitrogen gas to simulate recoil. With certain software, it is also possible to create scenarios where the suspects will not only be shooting back at you from the video screen, but the instructor can launch soft foam projectiles at you from a device called the Hostile Fire Simulator. In this case you would need to make use of available cover in the room to avoid being hit. Read more
What did Holder Know About Fast and Furious? And Why Isn’t the Media Asking?
This week it was noted that Kenneth Melson, acting ATF director since April 2009, would resign, but why isn’t the media asking what Attorney General Eric Holder knew and when he knew it in regards to the ATF debacle known as Fast and Furious?
FoxNews.com is one of the few outlets to offer this commentary:
“House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa (R.-Calif.) told CNSNews.com in an interview that he believes the Justice Department is covering up information relevant to a congressional investigation of an operation in which the department knowingly allowed intermediaries of Mexican drug cartels to purchase guns at licensed firearms dealers in the United States and then get away without being arrested or the guns being retrieved.”
Where is the outrage and why is Holder still holding on as Attorney General?
See a Sneak Peek of Sportsman Channel’s Programming This Weekend at NRA 2011 Annual Meetings
Sportsman Channel, the leader in outdoor TV for the American Sportsman, is giving attendees at this weekend’s NRA 2011 Annual Meetings in Pittsburgh (April 29-May1), a sneak peek of Sportsman Channel’s programming.
Sportsman Channel is screening some of the most unforgettable moments of shows currently airing on the network, along with a sneak peek into programs starting this summer.
The first 50 people to visit booth number 501 will receive a free Sportsman Channel hat with a signed autograph during that show’s screening time. So be sure to be one of the first to get your hat during your favorite show’s time!
The screening schedule at Sportsman Channel’s booth, number 501, is as follows:
- Friday, April 29 at 11 a.m. ET – Predator Quest with host Les Johnson
- Friday, April 29 at 1 a.m. ET – Pig Man, The Series with host Brian “Pig Man” Quaca
- Friday, April 29 at 3 p.m. ET – World of Sports Afield with host Craig Boddington
- Friday, April 29 at 4 p.m. ET – Coming Home with Greg Stube
- Saturday, April 30 at 11 a.m. ET – Savage Outdoors with host Mike Stroff
- Saturday, April 30 at 1 p.m. ET – The Fowl Life & Dead Dawg Walkin’ with host Chad Belding
- Saturday, April 30 at 3 p.m. ET – Doug Koenig’s Championship Season with host Doug Koenig
- Saturday, April 30 at 4 p.m. ET – Brotherhood Outdoors
- Sunday, May 1 at 11:00 a.m. ET – Family Traditions with Haley Heath
- Sunday, May 1 at 1 p.m. ET – Dr. Deer with host James Kroll
- Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. ET – Guns & Ammo with host Craig Boddington
- For more information on the Sportsman Channel, visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com.
About Sportsman Channel: Launched in 2003, Sportsman Channel is the only television and digital media company fully devoted to the more than 82 million sportsmen in the United States, delivering entertaining and educational programming focused exclusively on hunting, shooting and fishing activities. Sportsman Channel is now available in HD, check with your local cable or satellite provider. Acquired by InterMedia Outdoors Holdings in 2006, Sportsman Channel reaches 27 million U.S. television households and is a part of the nation’s largest multimedia company targeted exclusively to serving the information and entertainment needs of outdoors enthusiasts. Visit www.thesportsmanchannel.com, follow on Twitter, @SPORTSMANchnl (www.twitter.com/SPORTSMANchnl), become a Fan on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sportsmanchannel and download Sportsman App at www.itunes.com/appstore
Double-Shot Shocker from Taser Now Available
Can’t stop a charging rino or an angry Rodney King with one shot? Now you have a second chance with Taser’s new X2 model. Similar in size to the X26, the X2 allows for a one-two punch. New technology, called Cross-Connect, allows for six probe combinations in case a single probe misses on the first shot. This will really cause your hair to stand on end.
This new model has dual laser sights just like the latest Terminator. The X2 can be fired more than 500 times before having to be replaced and sports a warning arc of electricity that can intimidate a target into submission without actually being zapped. Remember, “Don’t tase me bro!”
Thousands of law-enforcement personnel helped design the X2 through surveys, interviews and focus groups. 31% smaller than the X3, the new taser costs under $1,000 to help make it affordable for cash strapped police departments.
“The X2 is the culmination of more than six years of intense research and development and offers exponentially increased capabilities, including vastly enhanced data, as well as enhanced safety features with its second-shot capability and dual lasers,” Rick Smith, Taser CEO and founder, said in a statement.
Taser will start shipping this new wonder in the second quarter of this year.
Huff and Puff Calls Out ATF
In a surprising twist this week, the Huffington Post offered a story titled, “Gun Shy: Firearms Dealer Worried ATF Would Let Weapons Slip To Bad Guy.” So far the media has been mum on the issue of Project Gunwalker, also known as Project Gunrunner or Fast and Furious. Regardless of the name, it makes the ATF look bad, Attorney General Eric Holder look bad and President Obama look bad.
So we’re surprised even old Huff and Puff is noting this issue, stating:
“An Arizona gun dealer pressed by federal agents to continue selling weapons to suspected straw buyers for Mexican cartels repeatedly sought assurances from prosecutors and law enforcement that the government would not let the guns cross into Mexico or be used against U.S. border agents, according to evidence gathered by Senate investigators.”
The question remains how high up did this go? Again, the media has been silent. But Huffington Post noted:
“President Barack Obama has said neither he nor Holder approved the tactics and conceded the operation may have been a mistake.”
So it is interesting to see that this story is starting to get legs again.
Huff and Puff: Real “Traction” or Wishful Thinking
The liberal media has a habit of putting wishful thinking into its headlines. Apparently if you say it’s true enough, it might just come true. Maybe that’s the motivation behind a Huffington Post piece this week titled, “Gun Control Gaining Traction on Capitol Hill.”
The article actually doesn’t provide any serious argument that gun control is gaining. It merely notes:
“House lawmakers joined New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on Tuesday in announcing legislation to fix the nation’s gun background check system. Sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), the bill will mirror legislation introduced late last month by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).”
The House, which is in Republican control, will likely not pass any such legislation – and bipartisan support is unlikely. More likely is that most Democrats won’t touch it either. Even the Democratic held Senate is unlikely to move forward with any legislation on “gun control.”
So again, this just sounds like wishful thinking from the anti-gun media.
FoxNews: ATF Allowed Guns to Mexico?
While this could have been filed under “Who Guards the Guards,” we think the story is bigger than this and will likely develop. FoxNews.com is reporting that ATF has allowed guns to cross to Mexico. This is a shocking tale, considering that the mainstream media has blamed the violence south of the border on American guns, and noted ATF has done little to stop it.
Here is what FoxNews.com reported:
“Last Friday, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) sent a letter to the ATF stating that his office had ‘received numerous allegations that the ATF sanctioned the sale of hundreds of assault weapons to suspected straw purchasers, who then allegedly transported these weapons throughout the Southwest border area and into Mexico.’”
The rational it seems that this was part of a sting:
“Dick Deguerin, attorney for a Texas gun store named ‘Carter Country,’ told Fox26 Houston that the ATF asked the store to sell the guns to even those they thought were going to smuggle them to Mexico — so that ATF could track where the guns went.”
The FoxNews.com story suggests that stings are common, as these are “controlled delivery” to track specific consignments to trace the network. But the story notes that a more sinister reason could be in play:
“Gun rights bloggers have speculated that the reason for allowing the guns into Mexico was to pad statistics on the number of guns crossing the border — the suspicion being that a higher number would make the ATF’s mission in preventing the guns from crossing seem all the more urgent.”
Not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but wouldn’t this be an interesting conspiracy? Let’s see how this plays out.
SHOT Show: SOG Shows Its Edge In The Contractor Series
Doing the job right starts with using the right tool, and at last week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas, SOG Knives introduced four tools for the Contractor series, and these are designed specifically for tradesman and those who know that knives are more for just cutting stuff. The company’s line also included the Nautical precision multi-tool, which is geared for underwater digging, prying and scraping, as well as the Force, a nearly foot-long knife for long-duration uses.
In the Contractor series the company builds on its nearly 25 years of experience as the supplier of knives and tools for industrial, contractor and DIY markets, and this year’s four knives are ideal for those who like a bit of adventure as well. These four knives feature multi-bladed lockback, holes/notches for stripping wire and G10 or aluminum grips as well as razor sharp blades. The line will be out in spring of this year. Here are the highlights:
The Contractor I (MSRP: $48.00) will feature notches for stripping wire, one handed opening and aluminum grips.
The Contractor II (MSRP: $48.00) offers a lockback design, sheepsfoot blade shape, G10 grips and one handed opening.
The Contractor III (MSRP: $55.00) is a multi-bladed lockback with G10 grips and one handed opening.
The Contractor IV (MSRP: $55.00) has a lockback design with hooked blade shape, G10 grips and one handed opening.
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools New Products For 2011 Official Site
SHOT Show: Universal Combat Shirt
This shirt is strong enough for soldiers on the front line, so while it is a bit pricier than other base layers, you know it is going to stand up to some true extremes. Massif has been producing the US Army issue Army Combat Shirt, and now the company has introduced the commercial Universal Combat Shirt, which is based on the ACS.
The UCS is designed for wear under armor – should you require armor that is – and it even provides flame protection, making this ideal for search and rescue teams, and others that might find themselves in such hazardous conditions. It features FR stretch fabrics that are still lightweight, breathable and even highly wicking to keep the sweat off you.
So what is the big difference between this and the ACS? For one the new shirts are available in a wider range of colors, including tan, OD and MultiCam – sorry, it is still military styled so you’re going to get those military colors. But it still features the low-profile shoulder pockets to provide easy access to gear, with durable mesh pocket bags to increase ventilation and flat seams that won’t chafe under armor or other layers.
SHOT Show: Get Your Sidekick and Wingman
As any good adventurer knows, it is good to have a sidekick for your journey. Likewise, a wingman comes in handy for so much more than just cruising the bars. A sidekick and a wingman should be reliable through thick and thin, and now you can actually buy one of each – of the multi-tool variety that is.
At last week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Leatherman introduced the Sidekick and Wingman – two new tools that feature contemporary design for the first-time multi-tool buyers. Both tools will be made from 420 stainless steel and feature Leatherman’s popular outside-accessibility-to-tools design, including a saw, knife, scissors, screwdriver, pliers, bottle/can opener, serrated knife and much more.
While meant for the price-conscience buyer – the Sidekick will retail for $29.99 and the Wingman at $39.99 – when they arrive in September of this year, as with other Leatherman products these products still feature the company’s industry-leading, no-hassle, 25 year warranty. Move over Swiss Army Knife, we’d rather have the American-made Sidekick or Wingman with us on our next journey.
