Airguns Trinidad and Tobago

State of Emergency Declared

2011-08-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

TT Defence Force drill. Photo: Newsday

President George Maxwell Richards has signed a proclamation under section 8 of the constitution declaring a limited state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago, effective midnight, Sunday 21^st August।It is not clear what the limits are।

Period of Public Emergency

8.- 1. Subject to this section, for the purposes of this Chapter, the President may from time to time make a Proclamation declaring that a state of public emergency exists.

2. A Proclamation made by the President under subsection (1) shall not be effective unless it contains a declaration that the President is satisfied-

a. that a public emergency has arisen as a result of the imminence of a state of war between Trinidad and Tobago and a foreign State;

b. that a public emergency has arisen as a result of the occurrence of any earthquake, hurricane, flood, fire, outbreak of pestilence or of infectious disease, or other calamity whether similar to the foregoing or not; or

c। that action has been taken, or is immediately threatened, by any person, of such a nature and on so extensive a scale, as to be likely to endanger the public safety or to deprive the community or any substantial portion of the community of supplies or services essential to life.

POLICE CAN ARREST WITHOUT CHARGE

ANY CITIZEN who is arrested can be detained by the police without charge for at least 24 hours, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan advised yesterday as the police took up extraordinary stop and search powers under emergency orders relating to six local government corporations.

However, Ramlogan also advised that actual detention without charge may be substantially longer if the police and Defence Force arrest persons under the provisions of anti-gang legislation which allows police to detain persons tied to gang-related activity for 72 hours.

Under the Emergency Powers Regulations 2011, which were published yesterday, police may stop and search persons on the street and enter premises without warrants.

TT Defence Force Hotline for State of Emergency: 634-3221।

World’s Newest Nation-State

2011-07-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

At midnight tonight, the world’s newest independent nation-state will be born. The Republic of South Sudan, with a population of over 8 million, will be immediately recognized by the UN as the world’s 193^rd state.

Since oil has been found, donor nations have been tripping over each other to ‘help’ the fledgling state. President Salva Kiir Mayardit has accepted assistance from the UN and about a dozen nations (many of which are angling to win lucrative developmental contracts).

South Sudan is roughly the size of France, but has about 500 doctors, 100 miles of paved roads, 20% literacy, 140,000 troops (with an additional 7,000 UN peacekeepers) and almost no infrastructure.

Some cynical analysts have already stated it has many elements of a failed state.

One good thing is apparent though. It seems (at least part of) the citizenry may be armed. There are reports of 1 million small arms in the hands of citizens. If this is true, then that should help to check most governmental excesses, especially if there are any tyrannical ambitions.

AirGunsTT congratulates the people of South Sudan on their hard fought independence, and wishes the newest nation-state of the world massive success. Freedom, peace and rain.

Hunting season closes today

2011-02-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

The hunting season closes today. All hunters have until end of March to turn in mandatory forms to the Wildlife Division. Failure to do so can result in a fine or you may be hauled before a Magistrate.

CHICKEN PRICES REDUCED

Chicken prices have been temporarily reduced by 12.57% at the biggest dealers. This is at least until March 8^th. Stock up now. It can stay frozen until after the Lenten season.

Norris Deonarine found dead

2011-02-19T17:29:00.000-08:00

The Research Officer of the National Foodcrop Farmers Association has been found dead.

Norris Deonarine was regarded as a farmers’ champion, taking up their cause and challenging governments on agricultural policies. An advocate of national food security, Deonarine he urged the nation to better understand the role food production -- especially farming – played in their daily lives.

He was recently appointed to the board of the Agricultural Development Bank.

Pistol shooter is TnT Sportsman of the Year

2011-02-10T03:10:00.000-08:00

Corporal Roger Daniel, 2010 Sportsman of the Year

Congratulations to Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Corporal Roger Daniel on being named 2010 Sportsman of the Year। AirgunsTT is delighted that a pistol shooter has created history by being the first shooter (and an airgunner at that!) to win this august award.

Showing his characteristic humility, Daniel immediately dedicated the award to his mentor and first shooting coach, Lloyd Henry. This underscores our position that shooting sports are appropriate for our nation’s youth। Shooting sports teach life skills—discipline, responsibility, the rewards of hard work, self-control and respect for others.

Well done Corporal Roger Daniel, and rest in peace Lloyd Henry; your protégé has done you proud, yet again.

New shotgun slug

2011-01-31T16:03:00.000-08:00

The Hexolit 32

Not airgun related, but a revolutionary, new shotgun slug that almost guarantees immediate stopping of prey, bad guys। Shotgun hunters should have fun experimenting with it.

“A slug with an extremely enormous impact effect. When hitting the body, the frontal part of the slug instantly increases from 18.5 to 36-38 mm in diameter – this is the largest slug expansion diameter ever known. It creates an entrance hole with a 3.5 cm diameter, hits powerfully with all its expansion area and disintegrates into six symmetric splinters. The splinter cone causes an extensive area of damage. The unified effect of a hydrodynamic and pneumatic shockwave inside the body, along with splinter damage, ensures an unique instant stopping effect with the Hexolit 32 slug, which provides good results even with imperfect hits.”

“Food prices will definitely increase this year.”

2011-01-09T08:06:00.000-08:00

“Food prices will definitely increase this year।”-Greig Laughlin, president of the T&T Manufactures’ Association (TTMA).

This morning I paid $120 for 30 lbs of food (fruit and veg) at the market.

So at $4/lb x 52 weeks, my family will eat 1,560 lbs of fruit and veg at a cost of $6240 in 2011. All things being equal. Since food is the most volatile of the consumables used to measure inflation, and 2007/8 saw food price increases of 25-40%, then that $6240 can increase to $7800 or even $8736!

Growing food is no longer an option, it is imperative। My goal is to grow and harvest 312 lbs (20% of 1560) of food from our garden this year. I’ll have to buy a kitchen scale and weigh all harvests. Tomatoes, cassava and pumpkin should provide the bulk, followed by corn, peas and melongene. Assorted fruit, veg and herbs will round it off.

After my first harvest of peas, I noticed the “$10/lb” sign at the market and silently chuckled।

A happy and health new year to all readers।

Health, wealth, 200 countries, 200 years

2010-12-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

A most interesting simplified presentation of history of world health and food, encompassing 200 countries in 200 years, compressed into less than five minutes.

Colombian village swallowed by the earth

2010-12-25T19:12:00.000-08:00

"Gramalote is a Colombian municipality and town located in the department of North Santander। Currently, the complete destruction of the town is considered imminent due to massive mudslides brought about by unprecedented flooding that most of Colombia has undergone.

Its average temperature is 23 °C and its height of 1040 meters above sea level। Prior to the 2010 Colombian floods it had a population of 7853 inhabitants. It was founded twice, the second time in 1857 to less than one kilometer from the first 1883."

2011 is said to have more severe weather in store for us in T&T। Harsher dry season, followed by flooding. Could we lose – not just the odd house-built-near-a-river-or-precipice – but an entire village? Or two? Devil’s Woodyard in Princes Town, perhaps?

When your neighbour house on fire…

Venezuela to host Iran missiles?

2010-12-19T09:59:00.000-08:00

Anna Mahjar-Barducci reports that Iran will place medium-range missiles in Venezuela under a November 2010 agreement between the two countries। The report states that the missiles can reach the USA।

If this is true, then we in Trinidad and Tobago need to develop a strategic plan to deal with any possible war scenarios between those three countries। After all, we are only eight miles off the coast of Venezuela! If US warships (or military bases in Colombia) lob missiles intended for Venezuela and said missiles veer off course by 10 miles in an easterly direction…

Venezuelan assets are not all inland either. Some targeted Venezuelan assets can be oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Paria. T&T and Venezuela also has a recently signed energy-sharing agreement।

One would hope that the Ministry of National Security has a well-refined plan to deal with this new threat to our nation’s interest, wellbeing and survival.

FAO predicts 2011 20% world food price inflation

2010-11-18T09:19:00.000-08:00

The UK Guardian yesterday:

“The UN today warned that food prices could rise by 10%-20% next year after poor harvests and an expected rundown of global reserves. More than 70 African and Asian countries will be the worst hit, said the Food and Agricultural Organisation in its monthly report.

In its gloomiest forecast since the 2007/08 food crisis, which saw food riots in more than 25 countries and 100 million extra hungry people, the report's authors urged states to prepare for hardship.”

“…food riots in more than 25 countries and 100 million extra hungry people…”

That was 2007/8, how severe will 2011 (and beyond) be?
Check what a non-UN world food analyst says about wheat (the 20% wheat flour price increase I noticed locally)
‘"2011 will not be a good harvest. The condition of winter wheat crops is not good. Neither the US nor Russia are expecting good harvests," said Lester Brown, founder of the Washington-based Worldwatch Institute.’

Buy food and stockpile now, even if you have to use credit. Food won’t get any cheaper in the short or medium term. Stockpiling food and growing food (including raising livestock) are two of the best ways to increase food security.

We have been warned.

Even more food price increases

2010-11-15T14:31:00.000-08:00

Three months ago, I paid $50 per 10kg bag of wheat flour. That same bag cost $60 today. An increase of 20%! Or a basic commodity that all Trinis use, regularly (if not daily).

Chicken prices are up at one of the biggest producers. An increase varying between 3-5%. Prepare for even more food inflation in the short and medium term.

On a positive note, I bought more food grade lidded buckets. So more food storage. The garden continues to produce fresh tasty healthy food, with enough to share in the bounty. Growing new soil is really fun, rewarding and satisfying.

Food prices rise yet again

2010-11-11T12:40:00.000-08:00

Food prices are on the rise. Again. Remember the bad old days of 2007? They’re here again. In the last 4-6 weeks I’ve noticed a trend developing. Quietly – as is the custom – packages have shrunk in content, but the prices remain the same. Prices have increased, sometimes with attendant re-branding. Sometimes not.

Sugar, flour, tinned beans and peas, fruit juices, even chicken Vienna sausages. The increases have ranged between 10-33.3%.

Our family has started doing what we can to alleviate the strain these price increases will create. We are planting more food, while buying whatever we can in bulk. Planting food and sharing your garden’s bounty has a wonderful effect. There is instant gratification from being charitable, and there is sometimes a delayed gratification from receiving homegrown food from other gardeners. Talk about a win-win situation!

The Ministry of Food Production celebrates this year’s World Food Day, themed “United Against Hunger” with a Food Fest Exhibition at the University of the West Indies St Augustine campus tomorrow, Friday 12th November 2010.

The Ministry promises,
“visitors can check out Exhibitor Booths showcasing local agricultural produce, seafood and livestock, including local game (wild meat), get some shopping done at the Market Place, see live animals on display, sample tasty local delicacies such as wild meat, vegetable burgers, cassava granola and crayfish, and take a cinematic tour of our islands’ agricultural heritage.

There will also be tours of The UWI Zoology museum, diabetes testing, and free seeds and seedlings available.”

Sounds promising.

Smart to be prepared

2010-11-02T01:51:00.000-07:00

Colonel Rodney Smart, acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) says what is obvious: “…it's better to have a well prepared citizenry that an under prepared one,". This blog has been beating that particular drum for years. In fact, preparedness is part of our raison d’etre.

AirgunsTT commends the ODPM and our national government on decisive action last Friday, with regard to warnings on Tropical Storm Tomas. Just look at the resultant damage to Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines. They received late warnings.

Food Gardening

2010-10-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

"Humankind, despite its artistic abilities, sophistication and accomplishments, owes its existence to a six-inch layer of farmable soil—and the fact that it rains!"—Anonymous

For the past few months I have not been blogging much. The reason is simple. I have been learning new skills, and improving on old ones. Regular gardening has brought a new element of joy (and nutrients) into my life. I still shoot airguns, but less frequently.

With new activities comes an expanded vocabulary. I now toss around words and phrases such as biochar, open pollinated, organophosphates, community supported agriculture, locavore, food miles, terra preta, humus, beneficial soil organisms.

Growing more and more of the food my family eats has produced remarkable results. My children now love (homegrown) vegetables and would often eat tomatoes and corn right off the plant! But the taste. Incredible. I have been an enthusiastic supporter of the local farmers markets for years. My own homegrown fruit and veg has continuously outperformed the best of the farmers markets in the area of taste. All who’ve tasted have talked about the full flavoured taste of the garden’s produce.

I have started a new garden in tired, overworked, nutrient-depleted soil. This has given me the opportunity to learn how to ‘grow soil’. Utilising inputs such as seaweed, seawater, kitchen scraps, eggshells, spent coffee grounds, expired vitamin and mineral supplements among other things, I have actually created small quantities of the rich ‘black gold’. Twice. And now on my third set.

My family now consumes the bounty of this new garden, daily. I’ll try to post some pix in the coming weeks and months, as I share this journey of joy and learning.

The price of food is on the increase again, and I suspect our garden will play an increasingly more important role in our family’s health and wellness in the coming years.

Unique opportunity for T&T

2010-09-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

The M1 is described as “rugged, reliable, accurate, and durable.”

The US government has forbidden the sale of 850,000 rifles to the US.

“The South Korean government, in an effort to raise money for its military, wants to sell nearly a million antique M1 rifles that were used by U.S. soldiers in the Korean War to gun collectors in America.”

This is a unique opportunity to increase national and private gun ownership at a very affordable price. These rifles usually retail for about US$400-500 each. At that quantity, the TTDF could conceivably bag them at US$200 each, or even less. That would be just over TT$1B. Less than the cost of 2 summits, with more immediate and tangible return on investment.

Most air rifles in Trinidad sell for 6x more (at the lower end of the market!).

The government can easily recover that money by reselling some to other Caribbean governments, with some set aside for sale to T&T citizens.

Even though they aren’t considered “sexy”, they are functional rifles that have proven their utility during the Korean War, and over time. The M1 is described as “rugged, reliable, accurate, and durable.”

The TT Cadet Force, TT Defence Force Reserves and others are all short of rifles. This is an excellent, inexpensive training rifle and a battle-proven tool.

With the right planning and contract negotiation, we could manufacture our own ammunition, as the M1 has an uncommon caliber (.30). A new industry can be born. New armourers and gunsmiths can be trained. The same Caribbean governments that buy the rifles can be tied in by contract to buy our ammo too.

If the government doesn’t want too much risk, then we can partner with other Caribbean nations through CARICOM and share the risk.

With more armed citizens, we should see a dramatic decrease in murders and other violent crimes. The Minister of Food Production has said he is looking at re-starting the praedial larceny squad. The squad cannot be everywhere, and therefore cannot protect all farmland. Armed farmers can dispatch vermin attacking their crops and livestock, and also protect themselves, their families and employees from violent criminals. Arming farmers can improve food security for the nation.

A word to the anti-gunners: Please, no knee-jerk reactions. No tired platitudes of these rifles “falling in to the wrong hands”. The “wrong hands” are already filled with all the guns and ammo they need. It’s the “right hands” that are empty and defenceless.

This is one time we can ask Israel for technical assistance in creating a new industry and arming citizens, as they have expertise in that area. Be prepared for them to turn us down though, as selling arms and ammunition is one of their biggest industries. We can also ask Venezuela, the US, or Brazil for technical assistance.

Some legislation may have to be enacted, but with a three-fifths majority in Parliament, the government should not have any problems in this area.

This should be seen for what it is: an opportunity for our nation to improve national security, increase employment, create a new industry, re-skill our citizens and increase national food security.

“An armed society is a polite society.” -Robert A. Heinlein.

Happy Independence T and T

2010-08-31T04:46:00.001-07:00

Today, our country is 48 years old. Happy Independence to all.

The Patriots Cave: How To Rescue Your Family Using Time-Travel

2010-08-16T07:51:00.000-07:00

The Patriots Cave: How To Rescue Your Family Using Time-Travel

Joel the K shares his ideas on preparedness.

Venezuela and Colombia achieve détente

2010-08-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

On the brink of war a few short weeks ago, Venezuela and Colombia have managed a loosening of tensions. Both countries presidents met and signed agreements in Santa Marta, Colombia recently. A re-establishment of diplomatic relations was pre-eminent.

The newly elected Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and his Venezuelan counterpart President Hugo Chavez agreed to set up five committees to address debt, border, security, joint projects and joint infrastructure.

Just a few weeks ago, the word ‘war’ was used in cross-border fiery rhetorical exchanges between President Chavez and (then) Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

Trinidad and Tobago should follow these events very closely as the relationship between the two South American countries impact us because of geography, economy, military and social issues.

If minor flooding has us pushing out (firing) the ODPM’s CEO and apportioning blame, then an influx of Colombians and Venezuelans (maybe even US, British and Canadians fleeing to safety) will overwhelm us and our resources.

Then there is the issue of TT/Venezuela hydrocarbon agreements.

New Police Commissioner

2010-07-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

Police Commissioner-designate, Canadian Dwayne Douglas Gibbs.

Trinidad and Tobago has a new Police Commissioner-designate. He is Canadian Dwayne Douglas Gibbs, a retired Superintendent of Police of the Edmonton Police Service in Alberta, Canada. Gibbs’ appointment was approved by Parliament last Friday.

Another Canadian, Jack Ewatski will be appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police. Ewatski is a retired Chief of Police at the Winnipeg Police Service.

Could this be the break that airgunners are seeking? Will this new Police Commissioner bring a fresh set of eyes and -- more importantly – ears to the office? Will we be able to shoot larger bore, and rifled airguns before the end of his contract?

Would FULs be renewable every five years, as in Canada, instead of the annual ritual that it is presently? Would the FUL application refusal rate be reduced from the present 95% to the 0.15% as in Canada?

Rifle Racks

2010-07-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

You can make your own simple rifle racks. Here’s a link with specs:

http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinRacks.htm

For those who can afford it, PriceSmart has a decent 5ft gun safe for about $5,000.

Venezuela’s militia

2010-06-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

Venezuelan citizens train to defend their nation.

Venezuela is the South American country most likely to survive and repel an invading force. The simple reason for this is the civilian militia.

According to Global Firepower, Venezuela has an active troop strength of 800,000. President Chavez has boasted of a civilian militia numbering about one million. Some estimate the number may be closer to 100,000-200,000.

A modern conventional force from the USA or Brazil can easily overrun Venezuela. However, because of terrain, cultural, political and other factors, the invading force will have an even harder time than in Iraq.

With Venezuelan political leadership sharing ideology with neighbouring Bolivia and Ecuador, the Venezuelans will receive help from these countries with additional support from guerilla movements like FARC, and others.

As Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan has shown us, motivated civilian populations (through militia using guerilla tactics and asymmetrical warfare strategy) can harass, ambush, sabotage, detain and kill invading troops on a regular basis. This is quite effective in the Psy Ops area, serving to demoralize the invaders and forcing them to question their reasons for being in the country.

Because of our (self-inflated?) strategic importance to the USA, Trinidad and Tobago has never envisaged nor planned for an invasion by a foreign force. Our national defence planners assume that the US will defend us because of our oil and gas supplies. What happens when the gas and oil runs out?

With an active troop strength of 3,000 and a reserve of 500, miniscule Trinidad and Tobago would be easily occupied. What’s worse, an unbroken policy (since colonialism) of keeping a population disarmed has created a hoplophobic culture. Illegal guns proliferate among unemployed, ill-disciplined youth. Perhaps MILAT and MIPART can be the seeds from which our militia springs, as the fear of guns may be too deeply ingrained in the psyches of the older citizenry.

Even the world’s sole superpower considers a militia so vital to a nation’s survival that the 2nd amendment of the US constitution specifically grants the rights of gun ownership to all citizens, and mentions the militia in the same amendment.

Shouldn’t we be just as concerned about our nation’s survival?

Untapped human resources

2010-05-27T06:51:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I went to a friend’s house to pick mangoes. I got into a conversation with my friend’s neighbour and discovered he is a retired police armourer. He spends his days tending a small kitchen garden and reminiscing with any other retired law enforcement or military personnel about “the good old days”.

This man has a wealth of practical know-how and real life experience. He is a classic example of an abundance of skilled retirees who are allowed to waste their golden years without passing on their expensively-acquired skills. Instead we hire the most expensive foreign ‘experts’ and complain about the economy. Yet we ignore the plethora of skill sets available, just for the asking.

A number of senior citizens would happily share their skills, knowledge and wisdom, if we only ask. The Japanese have recognized the value of their senior citizens and are harnessing this power, passing it onto the youth. The interaction helps both generations, as the seniors get to mingle with youth and feel valued. The youth get much needed skills, knowledge, the benefit of avoiding pitfalls, while understanding that “foreign” doesn’t necessarily mean “good”.

I submit that should we ask nicely, and he agrees, this single retired armourer can teach scores -- or maybe hundreds – of young people to maintain and repair small arms and weapons systems for our various agencies that require them. Some can become civilian gunsmiths, including airgunsmiths. Some can be inserted into any civil defence programmes. And boy do we need those skills!

With national security units such as SUATT, SSA, the TT Police Service, TT Regiment, TT Coast Guard, TT Air Guard et al, those skills are currently in short supply and high demand. The Forensic Science Centre also assists the Police Armourer, sometimes because of the enormous workload.

The incoming National Security Minister can tap this most valuable of resources. Just remember to ask nicely.

First woman Prime Minister

2010-05-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the People’s Partnership, a coalition of the United National Congress (UNC), the Congress of the People (COP), the Tobago O People (TOP) and the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC). Congratulations also to the 12 Peoples National Movement (PNM) newly elected Members of Parliament.

The final result: Peoples Partnership 29, Peoples National Movement 12. With a near two-thirds majority, the government-in-waiting will have little trouble passing important legislation. Now may be a good time to deal with the archaic firearms laws. So, along with “a chicken in every pot”, perhaps “a gun in every home”? Come on MPs, don’t squander this golden opportunity.

Trinidad and Tobago is about to get our first woman Prime Minister. Congrats Kamla! She was also the first female Attorney General, the first female Minister of Legal Affairs, the first female political leader of a major political party and the first female Leader of the Opposition. A number of ‘firsts’.

She has signaled a willingness to listen to the needs of the populace, by suggesting referenda for major thorny national issues and decisions. Let’s hope she is also the first Prime Minister to keep her word, on all promises and pledges. Mrs Persad-Bissessar will be sworn in this afternoon. One wonders about the curious situation of the foreign bodyguards, though.

Trinidad and Tobago is now in a state of euphoria, in direct contrast to the situation in Jamaica. The limited state of emergency declared by the Jamaican government in two parishes has brought daily life in the capital city of Kingston to a virtual halt. This situation needs immediate resolution. It shows what can happen when senior politicians make deals with criminal leaders.

General elections 24 May

2010-04-16T17:57:00.000-07:00

It’s official: Prime Minister Patrick Manning has named the date of the next general elections, May 24^th, 2010. It would be fantastic to see the three political leaders (Dookeran, Persad-Bissessar and Manning) debate the issues live, like British politicians did this week.

If wishes were horses…

Somali pirates attack Dutch warship

2010-03-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

HNLMS Tromp (F803)

Every so often, someone does something amazingly silly that make you just laugh. This was the case when Somali pirates mistakenly tried to hijack a Dutch frigate today. The HNLMS Tromp is loaded with all kinds of missiles, torpedoes, really large guns and other armaments.

This warship is almost twice the size of another Dutch warship--the HNLMS Van Amstel--that visited Trinidad last year.

We could use a couple of fighting frigates in our Coast Guard.

Excellent Trini youth

2010-03-10T03:23:00.000-08:00

Top: Model Trini 13-yr-old, Nick Sinanan.

Bottom: Chilean looters.

Just when some are ready to give up on our nation’s restless youth, we hear an inspiring story like this:

“Nick Sinanan has more hobbies and talents than most people will have in their entire life. And he is just 13.

Nick runs on Lafayette Middle School’s track team and is captain of the school’s soccer team.

He also plays ice hockey, is a black belt in karate, a member of the children’s Mardi Gras outfit Krewe of Augustus, a scuba diver and mixes music on turntables in his spare time. He also excels at academics. “My favourite subject, besides lunch, is math and science,” he said, jokingly.”

Just in case anyone thought Chileans showed any more restraint than Haitians in the aftermath of earthquakes, there is a first person account of Chilean youth rampaging through the capital city’s streets robbing anyone they found. This was mere minutes after the earthquake, at 4 am!

At least the Haitians waited a few days before looting. And their looting was mainly for food, whereas many Chileans seemed to have a preference for TVs and other electronic goods.

No wonder vigilante groups emerged.

Take note, T&T.

Preparing for our own earthquake

2010-03-01T03:51:00.000-08:00

Since Haiti’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake and now Chile’s 8.8, some Trinidadians and Tobagonians have been paying attention and wondering about our readiness for our own ‘overdue’ quake.

Waiting for a government directive through the Office of Disaster Planning and Management (ODPM) may work. But it certainly won’t pay. Far better to prepare ourselves, family and community by stockpiling water/food, a redundant security system—preferably in conjunction with our immediate community—and medical supplies, plus whatever other preparations we’d need to rebuild and return to some degree of normalcy. In short, we need beans, bullets and band-aids.

And training.

Organise family emergency drills. Then at the street level. Then at the neighbourhood level. Then the entire community, if possible. Video everything, then look for weaknesses and strengths. Eliminate or reduce the weak parts of the plan, and build on the strengths.

Document and pass on to other communities. Rinse. Repeat.

While on the subject, shouldn’t the Tobago-based Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) pilot program finally reach Trinidad? Maybe AFTER the disaster…

T&T’S CHILE RESPONSE

“Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his Government is monitoring the situation in Chile and will take appropriate steps soon.”

The Chilean government does not want outside help, and has said so itself:

‘Chile has so far not requested foreign assistance, saying it can handle the immediate relief effort.

Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez said Chile did not want aid offers to be "a distraction", adding: "Any aid that arrives without having been determined to be needed really helps very little."’

Civilized people don’t go where they’re not wanted. Are we savages?

Police officer shot

2010-02-27T05:45:00.000-08:00

Special Branch officers provide close protection to local and foreign dignitaries while on T&T soil.

A police officer was shot during an attempted robbery, last night in Trincity. The young officer, who is attached to the Special Branch, was in the company of a few friends outside a house in Trincity, when a man approached them. The man drew a handgun and demanded the laptop computer of one member of the group.

The officer challenged the bandit, who then fired first, wounding the officer. Displaying excellent marksmanship, the officer fired five times, with all five shots on target. The bandit died on the spot. Surely he must have known that “the wages of sin is death”.

Unfortunately, even after doing his duty, this courageous officer had a long painful delay at the Mt Hope Hospital. Doctors kept him waiting several hours before attending to him. Even after calls from senior law enforcement and national security officials to the hospital.

The highly-trained operator was described by witnesses as “a bodybuilder type”. Muscular mass can often make the difference between life or death. As it is, our friendly, neigbourhood law enforcement hero narrowly escaped with what has been described by witnesses as “a flesh wound”. He is resting comfortably in stable condition.

We thank the young officer for his quick thinking, decision-making and courageous action, and wish him a speedy recovery. We hope the service provides him, and his family with the necessary support at this challenging period in his life.

The residents of Trincity should visit (taking tokens of appreciation) this model officer, who displayed such heroic behaviour. He is truly an example of Trinidad and Tobago’s finest.

PetroTrin Guns and ammo Stolen

2010-02-22T17:35:00.000-08:00

“Investigations were continuing last evening into the disappearance of 17 guns and a quantity of ammunition from the Pistol and Rifle Club at Petrotrin’s Pointe-a-Pierre refinery. The weapons were used by members on the club’s shooting range, the Express was told.

Police said the arms and ammunition were stored in a vault on Friday evening. But when workers arrived around 4.30 p.m. on Saturday, the door to the vault was open.”

This immediately brought to mind the robbery and theft of 15 guns from the Woodbrook security firm.

There are changes taking place in this country. If you stay calm and block out the ‘noise’, you can perceive some of these changes. Many clues around us. In the political arena, law enforcement, military, business and even in the underworld. A sea change is coming.

HATSAN AT44PA

A small quantity of the Hatsan AT44PA (PA for Pump Action) will arrive in the country in about 6-8 weeks. Get ready for pump action fun. It’s another 10-shot Pre-Charged Pneumatic.

Air rifle: The Quigley V5

2010-02-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

The Quigley V5

Imagine an air rifle that is totally self-contained, requiring no external power source. It never needs ‘breaking’, filling from a Scuba tank nor replacing bottles of CO2. Now imagine this rifle is also more powerful than most factory manufactured. Imagine it comes in pump action, and performance improves with use. Imagine your petite 120 lb sister can both pump and shoot it with ease.

The inventor of the Quigley Version 5 makes all these claims. Unfortunately for T&T airgunners, the Q5 only comes in caliber .22. However, work has already started on a .177 version called the “Joshua”.

Now if only we can convince the inventor to produce one with a smoothbore barrel.

Water rationing; thieves; school pigeons; police ambushed

2010-02-02T18:10:00.000-08:00

Photo: Newsday

WASA begins water rationing throughout the nation from midnight tonight. So stock up, however you can. It may be a good idea to leave the power blasting until normal service has resumed.

MARACAS BAY THIEVES

Thieves stole “more than $8,000, 15 cellular phones, gold jewelry, watches, cameras, clothes and identification cards…” from cars parked at the popular Maracas Beach.

PIGEON DROP-INS

Pigeons have infested Marabella North Secondary School, prompting teachers to leave the premises. Perhaps some South-based airgunners can help reduce the pigeon population there. Good practice and you’d be helping your community.

POLICE AMBUSHED

Stolen Vehicles Squad police officers were ambushed by alleged drug-dealers in Sea Lots. The officers were forced to make a hasty exit from their vehicle while returning fire.

Seventy police officers raid club; no arrests

2010-01-31T04:34:00.000-08:00

It took 70 police officers to produce the above items in a raid on a Couva nightclub. With 150 patrons searched, there were no arrests.

ARIPERO KILLING

Police were more successful in ending the ‘careers’ of two robbers-cum killers in Aripero, after a robbery. Two unarmed men chased after the bandits, resulting in one chaser—unsurprisingly—being shot and killed.

Had the owner of the grill shop been armed, he could have saved his employee’s life.

A catastrophe of major proportions

2010-01-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

When Haiti's ambassador to the U.S., Raymond Alcide Joseph called it “a catastrophe of major proportions" he was correct. So major that it affects a number of countries in the region and has even prompted Senegal to offer land (a whole fertile region if Haitians accept the offer and arrive en masse).

It is so sad to see the photos and videos showing daily life in a country with an overnight homeless population of two million. This is one time when the strong survives and the weak fall by the wayside. Literally. Gangs of marauders, armed with machetes, sticks, guns and make-shift weapons pounce on the weak, defenceless and unprepared. Daily. Nightly.

Escaped prisoners are wreaking havoc. So out come the dogs of war. Foreign soldiers patrol and secure. Can you imagine in the aftermath of a major environmental disaster, foreign soldiers patrolling our ravaged country, giving orders to civilians at the end of a rifle, in languages we don’t understand?

But there is hope. There’s a story about a neigbourhood watch on steroids—a mini local government-of-sorts—protecting their inhabitants and territory with organization, planning, co-operation and force of arms. They even have checkpoints, patrols, a food/water distribution system and medical care. Their leader, Dickens Princivil, is a polite cello-playing, pistol-toting man who never even knew his neighbours before the disaster. What’s more he has options. With a US visa and the means to leave the country he continues to stay. To help.

Generosity is outpouring to Haiti now. Even small businesses have been collecting donations—cash and food—to send. The challenge is getting the money to where it’s meant to go, rather than ending up in private bank accounts in foreign countries.

Surely now is the time to take stock of our own situation here in T&T and boost up our own preparedness levels with more and appropriate supplies, training and planning.

Powerful earthquake rocks Haiti

2010-01-12T18:28:00.000-08:00

A major earthquake of 7.3 magnitude hit Haiti today around 5 pm.Haiti's ambassador to the U.S., Raymond Alcide Joseph calls it “A catastrophe of major proportions."

Just a few weeks ago, I mentioned the active volcanoes in the Caribbean. And now this.

Public hospitals now unsecure

2009-12-30T07:16:00.000-08:00

Image: Oleg Volk

In the past few days, patients have been attacked at two public hospitals, with doctors, patients and nurses having to scamper for their lives. Hospital security was no help.

In one incident at the Sangre Grande Hospital, a man was stabbed by a gang who entered the hospital unchallenged by security. Eleven security officers were on duty at the time.

In another incident, three young women (including two teens) stabbed a woman while she was awaiting medical care at the Port of Spain General Hospital. The three assailants were arrested and charged with attempted murder and placed on $5,000 bail each.

It seems we now have to defend ourselves and family members at the nations public health institutions, since the assigned security officers are unwilling, or unable. Expect a knee-jerk response from the health ministry (or the RHAs) disarming law-abiding visitors and patients, while leaving the armed criminals untouched.

SurvivalBlog reader recommends airgun practice

2009-12-28T12:35:00.000-08:00

A SurvivalBlog reader recently wrote in to recommend other firearms shooters use airguns in their training to save on ammo cost, and also for days when getting to the range is out of the question.

He got the idea from his brother who shoots airguns at home, indoors.

Firearms shooters are now waking up to truths airgunners were aware of decades ago. The cost factor aside, airguns are much quieter, and therefore can be shot indoors without disturbing the neighbours (unless you lived in a thin-walled apartment building). Also, it's just good fun, while building an important skill, that is easily transferable to firearms.

Try practicing with your favourite 9mm pistol at home, and see how quickly the Organised Crime Narcotics and Firearms Bureau (ONFCB) arrive at through your door. Our laws prohibit us from shooting a firearm "within forty metres of any public road" (16:01Firearms Act 11-1). Fortunately, no such prohibition extends to airguns.

Another plus is we aren’t forced to take our guns down to the T&T Forensics Science Centre and have its ballistic fingerprint taken, logged and placed in a database for other sovereign governments to access, over the internet, at will.

So, to all T&T firearms owners who are just waking up to the benefits of airguns, we say welcome aboard. It’s a fun journey.

Volcanic eruption

2009-12-25T03:51:00.000-08:00

Pyroclastic flows at Mayon volcano.

The Mayon volcano near Legazpi City, about 500km south-east of Manila, Philippines, erupted at dawn on Thursday. Thousands of evacuees are expected to spend Christmas in different evacuation centres after the country's most active volcano began spewing ash last week.

Mayon Volcano, also known as Mount Mayon, is an active stratovolcano in the province of Albay, in the Bicol Region, on the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. Known as the "perfect cone" because of its almost perfect conical shape, Mayon is situated 15 kilometres northwest of Legazpi City.

Over 9,000 families (44,394 people) have been evacuated by the Philippine government from the base of the volcano. No one is allowed to enter the 10 km danger zone, which is cordoned off by the Philippine military.

This led me to think of the active volcanoes in the Caribbean archipelago. Below is a list compiled after a brief search. There may be more. I’ve not listed any on the South or Central American mainland.

Caribbean volcano list:

Volcano name/height/coordinate/last eruption year

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Soufriere 1220m 4003ft 13.33°N 61.18°W 1979

St Lucia

Qualibou 777m/2549ft 13.83°N 61.05°W 1766

SKN

Mount Liamuiga 1156m/3793ft 17.37°N 62.80°W 160

Nevis Peak 985m/3232ft 17.15°N 62.58°W Holocene

Montserrat

Soufriere Hills 915m/3001ft 16.72°N 62.18°W 2009

Guadeloupe

La Grande Soufrière 1467m/4813ft 16.05°N 61.67°W 1977

Grenada

Kick 'em Jenny -168 -607 12.300°N 61.640°W 2001

Mount Saint Catherine 840m /2,756ft 12.15°N 61.67°W unknown

Dominica

Morne aux Diables 861m /2825ft 15.612°N 61.43°W Holocene

Morne Diablotins 1430/4692ft 15.502°N 61.397°W Holocene

Morne Plat Pays 940m/3084ft 15.255°N 61.341°W 1270

Morne Trois Pitons 1387m/4550ft 15.37°N 61.33°W 920

Morne Watt 1224m/4016ft 15.307°N 61.305°W 1997

Martinique

Mount Pelée 1,397m 4,583ft 14°49′0″N 61°10′0″W 1929–1932

Regarded as the deadliest volcanic disaster of the 20th century, Pelée killed over 30,000 Martiniquans in 1902. The cloud of gas and solid matter extruded by the eruption incinerated the entire town of St. Pierre and all but two of its 28,000 inhabitants. The volcano spewed a smoke column continuously for 11 months after the event.

If (more likely when) any of these active volcanoes erupts, we will have to deal with an immediate influx of our Caribbean neighbours looking for real help. Do we have a plan?

The coming food scarcity

2009-12-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

Would you want your mother, sister or daughter lining up for emergency food supplies?

It is estimated by some that food will become scarce in 2010-2011. US Dept of Agriculture trend forecasts support this view. If this is true, then the laws of supply and demand will kick in and food prices will rise dramatically.

Eric deCarbonnel, editor of MarketSceptics.com reports on soaring food prices in India, the world’s largest democracy, with 1 billion people.

“Slogan-shouting lawmakers demanding that the government control rising food prices have disrupted parliament on several occasions in recent days.   Food prices have been soaring at an unprecedented pace. Government data shows they have risen to a nearly 20 percent high over last year - the fastest rate of increase in over a decade. ”

In his 17 Dec 2009 post, titled “2010 Food Crisis for Dummies” deCarbonnel predicts a 2010 food crisis that he says will lead to a “financial Armageddon”.

Using official records and statistics, and a mix of historic figures and forecasts, deCarbonnel makes some stunning observations and predictions.

During 2007-2009 Trinidad and Tobago experienced constant, monthly rising food prices. The government used a series of strategies to try to alleviate the effect on consumers. This included lifting Value Added Tax on several food items, including milk, curry, saltfish and a number of other imported food items.

Many times, these strategies failed as supermarket owners and other merchants refused to pass on these savings to consumers. Food inflation ran up to 40% YoY in some cases. I remember seeing rice at double the ‘normal’ price. Rice is a daily staple in our country.

With more expected food inflation in 2010 and beyond, it is wise to prepare now. Take advantage in the temporary lull in food price increases and stock up now. Rice, flour, powdered milk, tinned foods (especially the Cuisine brand, sold at HiLo supermarkets). Stockpiling these items will allow your family a little breathing space should something unexpected happen. Just use a permanent marker and mark the expiry date on top each tin. Rotate out several months before expiry.

Growing your own food is best, and for those without large tracts of land, then a kitchen garden is homegrown food security. The Agriculture Ministry has a program that gives you a start in this area.

Just remember, no matter how much food you grow or stockpile, it will be of no use should someone else come and take it from you by force. Develop a strategy to protect your loved ones and supplies. For those without guns, a plan that involves your neighbours is better than nothing. Being able to depend on immediate neighbours will go a long way in your survival.

Those in the protective services should especially be community oriented, as the moment a national emergency is even suspected, your superiors will have you confined to base/barracks. This leaves your family partially unprotected. If you develop goodwill within your respective communities, along with real, workable, tested emergency plans, then your family may survive, even in your absence.

It is well known that during the 1990 attempted coup, looters had their groceries and other goods taken from them by police, and soldiers. A lot of the goods found their way into the homes of these same soldiers and police. There is no reason to believe things will be different during another national emergency that involves looting, human beings being what we are.

I am not casting any judgement here, nor advocating breaking any laws. But if protective services personnel relieve looters of their loot, and intend to take it to their families, spare a thought for the senior citizen living alone on your street who cannot leave his/her home due to infirmity or fear. They may have no food at home. Spare a thought for the family with two working parents who weren’t able to stockpile any food.

For that matter, spare a thought for the airgunner in your neighbourhood who may be the only one to drive away home intruders from your family’s home while you are away. Since the majority of the law-abiding population is unarmed, the neighbourhood airgunners may be the last line of defence against rampaging gangs. A well-placed 16 grain pellet, traveling near the speed of sound, to a gangster’s head from 60+ meters away may very well convince the gang to move on to softer targets.

In summary, stockpile food and water, grow what you can, have a proven method to protect your loved ones and your stockpile, have enough for charity and barter, but don’t let down your guard.

Got preps?

British (in)justice

2009-12-20T08:19:00.000-08:00

Munir (left) and Toker Hussain were jailed for 39 and 30 months. Intruders tied up Munir’s family and threatened to kill them. Photo: Handout/PA

Jail for brothers who beat bandit with cricket bat.

Two brothers, who were described as pillars of their community were jailed for 30 and 39 months respectively for defending themselves and family against a gang who broke into their home, lay in wait, tied them up and threatened to kill them.

What’s even more unusual, is the bandit was given no jail time. Instead, the judge cited the usual nonsense about “…the public must not take law into their own hands…” and proceeded to jail two businessmen with no criminal records. The impact on the community will be negative and immediate, as 10 employees will lose their jobs, due to the jailing.

The brothers, Munir and Toker Hussain live in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England. The bandit, Walid Salem is a criminal with more than 50 previous convictions. The other gang members escaped.

Since our final court of appeal is the British Privy Council, then Trinidadians and Tobagonians could look forward to such a perversion of justice should we do our duty in defending our loved ones during a violent home invasion.

In a similar situation, in Trinidad this time, a well-known and respected doctor shot and killed a bandit who invaded his Ft George home and tied him up. Ironically, the bandit was shot with his own gun. Dr Ralph Hoyte, 89, a founding member of the T&T Family Planning Association, was surprisingly calm during an interview with a reporter merely hours after the home invasion.

"If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed." (Exodus 22:2)

"The right of self-defense is the first law of nature; in most governments it has been the study of rulers to confine this right within the narrowest limits possible. Wherever standing armies are kept up, and when the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any color or pretext whatsoever, prohibited, liberty, if not already annihilated, is on the brink of destruction." - Henry St. George Tucker, in Blackstone's 1768 Commentaries on the Laws of England

Tamiflu concerns

2009-12-18T05:17:00.000-08:00

Has TnT wasted $millions on an ineffective drug?

Tamiflu, once hailed as the best antiviral drug to combat the A/H1N1 virus is now being called ineffective. The drug is presently used by the ministry of health to both prevent swine flu and to treat those who fall ill.

The Atlantic magazine carries the story here, with a follow-up here.

Health Minister Jerry Narace has repeatedly extolled the virtues of Tamiflu, downplaying its well-documented—sometimes deadly—side effects.

There are 14 reported deaths in Japan linked to Tamiflu. Recently I was informed that the Health Ministry has established a new protocol and routinely vaccinates children with the drug. This, from a visit to a public health facility. I flat out refused the ‘offer’ for my child, and was told I would have to sign a document stating that I was offered but refused. This is more to exonerate officials in the event that something bad happens to the child.

It seems I was right to refuse. My child is in perfect health. Now I’m hearing of children who were vaccinated but experienced health complications after. One child reportedly lost the ability to walk. This has not been corroborated.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

The BMJ is an international peer reviewed medical journal, a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Medical Association.

Airgun browsing & pellet buying

2009-12-14T15:51:00.000-08:00

Took the clan to the beach today. A leisurely drive to the Western Peninsula. Of course, we made a few stops, checking the latest versions of the Diana 350 Magnum and the Model 34. Generic, plain looking rifles minus the beautiful checkering as in past models.

Sports & Games staff seem to be confused as to the correct prices of pellets. This confusion lost them a sizeable sale today, as I had planned to stock up due to a reported 20% sale. When the staff member insisted there was no sale on pellets, I walked.

I still bought pellets, but from one of their competitors.

The beach was uncrowded; the water warm and soothing. The children had fun, with The Goddess enjoying every minute.

Today was a good day.

Emergency preparedness: Fairgrove, Cupertino

2009-12-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

Cupertino Walk for Action Volunteers, inspected supplies in their emergency container, made sure residents in their area had received important emergency information, and that resident knew about the their emergency ARC location based at Hyde Middle School in Cupertino Sunday October 18, 2009. (Photo: Maria J. Avila/Mercury News)

Daily scouring the net can be a rewarding experience. One occasionally comes across some nuggets that makes you grab the family emergency plan off the fridge door, with a view to editing.

The city of Cupertino, in California recently activated and tested their emergency preparedness plans. Cupertino publishes its agenda, minutes and even videos of council meetings on its website.

The Silicon Valley Mercury News has a story on the exercise here. One particular neighbourhood was more prepared than others: the 15-block Fairgrove area. Fairgrove has 225 homeowners, while Cupertino has 52,000 residents.

It would be nice if the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management looked closely at Fairgrove’s preparation. The citizens were involved, and not treated as victims/consumers.

The 10-shot Hatsan AT44S-10

2009-12-07T06:59:00.000-08:00

A beautiful rifle and a dream to shoot. Because Pre-Charged Pneumatics are built on an entirely different platform to spring-loaded air rifles, there is no recoil. Since I’ve been shooting ‘springers’ for a number of years, a PCP takes getting used to. Bracing for the recoil, it’s almost anticlimactic when there is none.

I’ll do a proper review on the gun soon, but in the meanwhile I have a question:

Is the Hatsan At44S-10 the same gun as the Air Venturi Halestorm? The photos of the Halestorm on Tom Gaylord’s blog bears an uncanny resemblance to the AT44S-10. If anyone has the answer to that question, please email this blog, airgunstt AT gmail.com.

If any local readers are thinking of getting this gun, then move quickly, as it appears as though they may be sold out by year’s end or even before.

Health Centres unprepared

2009-11-30T06:44:00.000-08:00

A visit to a local health lasted just two minutes recently, as the power had gone for over an hour. The two doctors on duty left the building, leaving behind a number of pregnant women and nursing and administrative staff.

The interior of the building was bright and airy, with cross winds and plenty ventilation. They even had a second weight scale that required no power. So doctors could still have seen patients, albeit with limited tools.

But the two doctors on duty left within minutes of the power loss. Not to head to another health centre where their skills were badly needed, but on their own personal affairs.

Should this have been a large-scale disruption, with other complications (major earthquake, tsunami, civil war, terrorist attack, major jailbreak, Honduran/Venezuelan armed conflict, take your pick) thrown in to the mix, one can just imagine the ensuing chaos, confusion and anger.

Professor Courtnay Bartholomew in his weekly column ‘Science Report’ often points out the lack of patriotism and integrity some doctors display in their daily professional lives. He lays part of the blame for this at the feet of the School of Medicine, University of the West Indies, and the process involved in accepting medical students.

CONGRATS TO NEW AIRGUN OWNERS

Congrats to the two owners of new Hatsan AT44S-10s. They bought the guns last week, after reading about them right here on AirgunsTT. These two experienced shooters are both quite happy with their purchases.

CHOGM 2009 and Gun Control

2009-11-26T06:09:00.000-08:00

The 60^th Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting begins tomorrow and delegates have been streaming into the country over the past few days.

Two countries, Fiji and Malawi will not be represented. Fiji, because of their democracy problems, and Malawi, ostensibly because they cannot afford the travel. It has been reported that France and USA--two non-Commonwealth nations—will be gate-crashing the party to lobby on environmental (read climate change) issues. Perhaps a few Commonwealth nations may consider attending the next G8 and G20 to raise pressing issues of their own.

It is interesting to see how the various security details operate. Some are high profile but professional, others are low profile and professional, while others can be quite casual. The range of weapons and ammunition is astounding though, as can be expected when heads of state of over 50 countries congregate.

AirgunsTT welcomes all heads of state, their attendant security details and entourages to Trinidad and Tobago. We urge you to use this 50^th meeting to re-think the old British policy of keeping our respective citizens unarmed. After all, if the USA had not rebelled against this dastardly policy in the 1770s we would never have witnessed what wealth, splendour and magnificence awaits a nation who decides to throw off its parasitic colonial masters and live according to its own rules. The mere presence of the USA today is a living testimony to what a nation can achieve on its own terms.

Jews For the Preservation of Firearms Ownership has compiled compelling statistics that link a disarmed population with potential genocide.

In the DVD “Innocents Betrayed”, JPFO states that “…170,000,000 civilians that have been murdered by their own governments in the 20th century alone. 170,000,000 men, women, and children who were defenseless to protect themselves. 170,000,000 victims of gun control.”

Jews have learned from their--and others—history. Shouldn’t we all?

More and more foreigners are traversing our soil— armed—while 95% of Trinidadians and Tobagonians applicants are denied firearms licenses.

We’ll shoot airguns for now… Hone the skills. Stay legal.

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

Another air rifle at home

2009-11-25T02:01:00.000-08:00

So The Goddess got a new air rifle. Her father also bought her an expensive new set of equipment for her work. Is he competing with me? If so, his pockets are deeper than mine, so he’s won.

Now there’s another airgun in the house. The more the merrier. Can’t wait for my children to come of age so they can have their own as well. New Zealand allows 16-year-olds to own airguns with a parent’s permission.

Incidentally, one of the best ways to ensure children don’t handle illegal guns is to allow them to grow up around guns. Just as in the case of maths, if their introduction to guns is fun rather than traumatic, then you’ll have a responsible shooting enthusiast, maybe for life. Ensure safety first, by teaching The 4 Universal Gun Safety Rules.

Australian boat captain arrested for guns, ammo

2009-11-24T04:05:00.000-08:00

Australian boat captain Michael Norman leaving court yesterday.

Michael Norman, the captain of a boat, Save Our Seas, was arrested for failing to declare two rifles and 2,240 rounds of 7.62 ammunition. He declared two shotguns and 1,000 rounds of ammo on the Customs and Excise declaration form.

Norman had overstayed his time in Trinidad. When, arrested, he told authorities a South African security firm had ordered the two rifles.

Meanwhile, the scourge of illegal guns continues to terrorise citizens, as a 47-year-old father is shot to death by unknown killers in Arima. His 16-month-old baby was also shot in the face, but survived.

Ukraine: One Million Hit By "Plague Worse Than Swine Flu"

2009-11-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, left, wears a face mask as she visits a regional hospital in Lutsk, about 400 km (247 miles) west of Kiev, Ukraine.

Estimates of one million people infected by an unknown flu, described as a viral pneumonia and a “plague worse than swine flu” by doctors.

“A deadly plague could sweep across Europe, doctors fear, after an outbreak of a virus in Ukraine plunged the country and its neighbours into a state of panic.

Universities, schools and kindergartens have been closed, public meetings have been banned and theatres shut. Last week several border crossings in the country were also closed.

A doctor in Western Ukraine who did not want to be named, said:” We have carried out post mortems on two victims and found their lungs are as black as charcoal.

“They look like they have been burned. It’s terrifying.”’

Something wicked this way comes.

Prepared?

New shipment of air rifles

2009-11-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

The 10-shot Hatsan AT44S-10, now in T&T.

A new shipment of eight different models of Hatsan air rifles are in town. Six are springers, and two are pre-charged pneumatics (PCPs). The PCPs are a single shot and a 10-shot, the AT44S-10. Better to buy the pump and a diving tank if you get a PCP.

The air rifles are available at Agostini’s in Port of Spain. They range in price from $1783 to $7360. No replacement parts or scopes are available yet though. Although the dealer said some parts are on order.

If you need a good reliable airgunsmith, then check Gregory Clement (details at top right hand corner).

Two pressing issues for Trini airgunners

2009-11-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

The 10-shot Marauder. Not for local airgunners.

We have countless airgunners In Trinidad and Tobago. Countless, because those charged with the duty of compiling relevant data do not release those figures. It’s a big national security secret.

Airgunners (and firearms owners) tend to be secretive, regarding their airgunning activities. Except with other airgunners. And for good reason. The average bandit doesn’t know much about rifles. So when he sees a long gun, more than likely he’ll start planning how to get it from the owner.

Most airgunners would not admit it, but they also want to own firearms. The TT Police Service operates as though their mandate is to remove legal guns from homes. Some individual members go further and rent their service-issued firearms, or illegal guns to violent criminals. Since the average non-shooting civilian tends to associate guns with violence, when they see a gun in another civilian’s hands, the immediately get nervous. Ask any shooter. That’s one reason why we usually keep our guns a secret. Never mind the fact that those same air rifles may have to protect the community, in an emergency.

So a neighbour sees your air rifle and calls 555 or 999 or the local police station. Despite knowing the airgunner and her/his family for years as upstanding, law-abiding citizens. The police hear “man with a gun” and spring into action. When they arrive at your home, they’re sure you’re guilty of something. Maybe they can clear some of the backlog of unsolved robberies, rapes and murders with this one arrest (multiple arrests should your family be home, and friends visiting).

After the jack-booted ninjas (IATF) shoot your dogs, kick down your door, and terrorise, traumatize and threaten your wife and children, you are then allowed to produce your single shot, breakbarrel, .177, smoothbore air rifle. By this time, everyone at home is in handcuffs, with neighbours muttering, “they probably dealing drugs all these years and we didn’t know”. After all, if the ninjas kick down your door, then you MUST be guilty of something.

Depending on the mood of the on-scene corporal or serjeant, you may be allowed the privilege of producing your paperwork for the air rifle. Not satisfied, the police continue to search your entire home, including rifling through your wife’s underwear (a thing even you wouldn’t do), your children’s rooms and prized science project.

After turning your home upside down, and finding no evidence of criminal activity, they depart with a warning, and no apology. A version of the event is then documented in the station diary and other places.

A few months or years later, you apply for a FUL, and denied without explanation. You seek legal advice, and told to take your complaint to the Firearms Appeal Board. But wait, even though there is provision in law for this board, non has ever been constituted since Russell Huggins was Minister of National Security!

One citizen has taken the government to court of this matter.

CALIBRE AND RIFLED BARRELS

Our laws permit citizens only .177 caliber airguns, with smoothbore barrels. Almost no manufacturer produces smoothbore barreled air rifles anymore. Some are produced on special order of 100 rifles or more. So only dealers are allowed. A few dealers make enormous profits because of these old irrelevant laws.

There are a number of really good multi-shot air rifles on the international market today. The latest being the 10-shot Benjamin Marauder. It’s a duel-fuel (pump or CO2) beauty that retails in the US for US$500. Of course it doesn’t come in smoothbore. If a local dealer gets a special order through, then it will most likely retail here for four times the price, or more. The six-shot Evanix retails here for US$3,000, and sold in the US for US$600. The 12-shot FX Revolution is sold here for US$4,200. Both PCP, smoothbore, .177 calibre.

Only the rich can afford these prices.

In contrast, a .22 firearm (rifle) can be picked up off the shelf at Walmart for US$200-300.

The time has come for Trinidad & Tobago airgunners to be able to buy rifled bore airguns. We should also have the choice of .177, .20, .22, .25 or larger if we so desire. The present .177 severely restricts us as to what game we can take down. This also leaves us at a disadvantage to the hunters who use shotguns. An unintended consequence is, we have been forced to hone our shooting skills to near-sniper levels: one shot, one kill. This is no solace though, as one shot would almost never take down a deer. It would just wound the poor animal. We have been reduced to mere vermin shooters.

Another negligent discharge

2009-10-31T12:22:00.000-07:00

Back in July, I observed that members of the protective services routinely muzzle sweep each other, along with civilians. One IATF officer shot himself in the toe while on patrol in a densely populated area of the capital city. I warned that these armed persons were a potential menace. Another member of the public was ‘accidentally’ shot while holding his five-year-old daughter on the roadside, while waiting to cross the street.

From the report, it seems like a police vehicle on patrol was involved. This occurred at a busy intersection, at Charlotte and Duke Streets, in Port of Spain.

In Canada 0.15% of firearms applications refused!

2009-10-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

Major General Cameron Ross (ret.)

Since we have a penchant for following developed countries wholesale:

Canadians renew their firearms licences once every five years. And the application process is simple, and well thought out. No opportunities for corruption. The first quarter of 2009 saw only 0.15% of applications refused.

In other words, Canadians have a 99.85% firearms application approval rate.

Contrast that to our roughly 95% refusal rate for citizens.

Did Canadian Maj. Gen Cameron Ross (ret.) suggest increasing the firearms approval rate, as one of the 300 recommendations to National Security minister Martin Joseph? If not, then why not? After all it works (and pays) in Canada!

15 guns stolen from security firm

2009-10-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

“A MASSIVE search was launched last night to recover 15 loaded guns which were stolen from a Woodbrook security company by two men, one pretending to be a police officer.”

“In all, 13 nine millimetre pistols, one .357 handgun and a shotgun were taken. They were all fully loaded, police said.”

One man was reportedly dressed in police uniform. It makes security sense now to never open your door to anyone in police uniform. Better to have them talk to you through a closed door, or have them display their identification first. You can ask them to slide it under your door, while you confirm with the local police station on the phone.

The MI5 security company is at 40 Alfredo Street, Woodbrook.

PLINKING

Spent yesterday evening plinking at some bottles and other assorted objects with one of my sons. Ah, the joys of fatherhood.

Prisoner killed in front court; police flee

2009-10-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

A prisoner was shot to death while being escorted by two police officers from court, yesterday. Sounds more like Colombia than Trinidad and Tobago. The two killers were highly motivated and confident, as the heavy police presence at the court didn’t deter them.

“Peter Garcia was in handcuffs, police officers at his side, on the compound of a court, with dozens of officers nearby, when he was shot dead by men mocking the State's ability to protect.

Garcia had no chance to defend himself, and no one to defend him.

The police constables escorting him to the police station next door released their prisoner and ran after the first gunshot.

The policemen who responded to the shooting came long after the suspects were gone.”

“The killers used Uzi submachine guns. They fired on the police station before leaving. And despite a response that involved multiple search teams, tracker dogs, road blocks, and a helicopter hunt, the suspects vanished.”

And you thought the police were here “TO PROTECT and serve with pride”. If an accused person, in police custody, is not secure, then what about the rest of the population? It seems everyone’s fair game for the predators.

It would be interesting to see what this event does to public/police mistrust.

Beetham Gardens residents protest

2009-10-16T05:56:00.000-07:00

In a Jensen LaVende/Express report:

“…residents setting alight anything they could drag on to the roadway.”

“…massive pile-up along the highway as two of the three lanes of the highway, near the beginning of the Beetham berm, were impassable.”

“…caused commuters in Port of Spain and at the City Gate hub to spend longer periods on maxi-taxi and taxi stands waiting for transport to take them to their eastern and southern homes.

At one stage, residents also threw rocks, pieces of bricks and debris at passing vehicles on both transit sides of their homes.”

Re-read that last line.

Ostensibly, the cause of this disturbance was a controversial police shootout with four men, linked by police to a murder earlier on that evening. Police killed two men during the shooting.

The residents of Beetham Estate can block the three main arteries (Eastern Main Road, Priority Bus Route and Beetham Highway) out of/in to Port of Spain, our capital city. This is cause for concern, as tens of thousands are potentially affected by this action. If they can sustain this action over several days, then, in theory, much of the nation’s productivity will be brought to a halt.

The police response was swift and decisive this time. Maybe the cameras on the Beetham Highway helped provide timely intelligence.

Foreigners granted more gun licenses than locals

2009-10-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

“A total of 2,198 people have been granted licences to carry guns over the last eight years-2002 to 2009-from a total of 41,759 applications.

And, for this year so far, 215 people have been granted firearm users licences out of a total of 4,220 applicants. Of this total 144 are not nationals of Trinidad and Tobago.”

- National Security Minister Martin Joseph in the Senate yesterday in response to a question filed by Opposition Senator Lyndira Oudit.

These figures are a disgusting indictment on government crime prevention policy. So far, we have had over 400 murders this year. With almost 42,000 firearms applications, just over 2,000 were granted. Which means 40,000 persons who undertook the onerous steps to apply, have been refused the opportunity to own a firearm.

Yet, each successive Police Commissioner has appealed for co-operation from the public in fighting ever-escalating crime levels. Co-operation is a two-way street. We, average law-abiding citizens, would like to answer the call for help from the Police Commissioner, but must we confront armed criminals empty-handed? We need “teeth”, not just lip service. Teeth, in the form of guns.

We missed out on 40,000 opportunities to confront the crime menace in our neighbourhoods, workplaces, places of worship and recreation. If criminals know that there are only 2,000 firearms holders (granted, between 2002-2008), then this emboldens them. If they were treated to the news that there are 42,000 new firearms owners, then it would certainly give them pause. Perhaps it may even encourage them to seek other vocations.

A nation of 1.3 million, yet only 2,000 Firearms User’s Licenses (FUL) granted in an eight-year period. Shame. Of the 215 people granted firearm users licences this year, 144, or 67% are foreigners! This is insane! Two thirds of FULs granted are to foreigners! What does that mean with regard to patriotism? I doubt that any developed country will grant foreigners 67% of gun ownership versus 33% local. No mainstream media has yet picked up on this.

On a related issue, the police must treat legit gun owners with respect, not envy. Don’t envy a man (or woman) just because they are allowed to carry a gun in their private lives and you aren’t. There are numerous stories circulating amongst gun owners of police officers hatching plots to have the gun owner stripped of his/her weapon. Stories circulate of really elaborate plots, some even involving station serjeants.

SOLDIER CHARGED WITH RAPE

Private Nicholas Gilkes, 25, is accused of committing the act at Camp Ogden, Long Circular, St James on October 2. He was remanded into the custody of the Defence Force.

Camp Ogden is the TT Defence Force Headquarters (Regiment) of the First Battalion.

Hunting season opens today

2009-10-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

Today, October 1 is the official opening of the hunting season. Season closes February 28, 2010.

Safe hunting, have fun and good luck to all hunters.

A few quick reminders:

Agouti, deer, lappe, tatou, wild hog, lizards (iguana, matte, caiman), cage birds and waterfowl cab be hunted. Waterfowl can only be hunted from Nov 1 – Feb 28.

Protected species: monkey, ocelot, anteater, scarlet ibis, pelican.

No hunting in game sanctuaries.

Hunting in forest reserves only 5:30am – 7:30pm.

No artificial lights while hunting in forest reserves.

Every member of a hunting party must possess a state game licence.

Read Chap 67:01, Conservation of Wildlife Act (1963).

Recent military promotions

2009-09-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Top: Col Kenrick Maharaj

Bottom: Capt Kirton Huggins

Two significant promotions in the military recently. Colonel Kenrick Maharaj has been appointed as Commanding Officer of the TT Regiment. He succeeds Colonel Roland Maundy, who has left to go to our Washington, DC High Commisssion as Military Attache.

Former Executive Officer of the Coast Guard, Commander Kirton Huggins has been promoted to Captain, and is now acting Commanding Officer of the TT Coast Guard. AirgunsTT has been informed that Captain Huggins is to move shortly to the Defence Transformation and Integration Secretariat, Ministry of National Security, which is headed by Commodore Garnet Best.

AirgunsTT congratulates both officers on their promotions and appointments, and wishes them every success in their new roles.

Food storage issues

2009-09-10T07:56:00.000-07:00

While rotating food out of the preps, it’s easy to notice any changes to appearance, smell and general condition. Recently, I’ve realized that bouillon cubes (Maggi) and cookies do not store well. The cookies are comfort food for children. It gives them energy, and keeps their spirits up in times of high-stress living. The bouillon is great for enhancing the flavour of most dishes, but especially game and ground provision (root vegetables).

Even though we have enough salt to last about a year, and even some extra, for barter and charity, bouillon cubes pack superior flavour. The mission now is to find alternatives to cookies and bouillon cubes. Not sure if my storage methods are incorrect, so perhaps I’ll start with that.

WATER STORAGE

Next to air, water is the most important requirement for life.
Increased our family water storage by three days. This may not appear to be much, but even one extra day’s water, means the family’s survival chances have been increased. Assurance. It’s better than insurance.

Pellet prices up; Police arrested

2009-09-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

Three of the arrested police officers. Photo: Newsday.

For months now, I’ve been suggesting that airgunners stockpile airgun pellets. Well, today I went to one of the cheaper suppliers and the one brand that’s stocked has a price increase of 30%! Needless to say I thanked the cashier and left it at the cash register.

Even though I have a few tins stockpiled in that brand, at the old price, I feel as though I should have bought more. Clearly, the prices of airgun supplies are not included in the government’s latest inflation figures.

What’s in your basket?

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BOY ARRESTED WITH AIRGUN

A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Chaguanas on Sunday night with an air-pistol. The minimum age for owning an airgun in Triniad and Tobago is 18. The report shows up the ignorance of the reporter and editor regarding airguns, and our national airgun laws.

==========================================

FOUR POLICEMEN ARRESTED

The four police officers who were caught on camera stuffing $96,000 in cash into their pockets were arrested and released on bail of $150,000 each. They are due back in court on Sept 8.

If police officers are unsure of the conduct that is expected of them while in the service, then here is the list of policing principles, offered by Sir Robert Peel. They are commonly called the Peelian Principles or The Peelian Police Principles.

Principles of Policing

1. The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.

2. The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon the public approval of police actions.

3. Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observation of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public.

4. The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force.

5. Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.

6. Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient.

7. Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent upon every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.

8. Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions, and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary.

9. The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.

Source: New Westminster Police Service

1st Anniversary celebrations

2009-09-01T05:02:00.000-07:00

Airguns Trinidad and Tobago celebrates one year today, September 1st 2009.

Over 4,900 visitors from 98 countries have dropped by; the last new visitor being from Mongolia. Thanks to all who have contributed through their ideas, comments and suggestions.

Celebrations will take place this evening. It will involve food, drink, and lots of lead pellets heading downrange at over 1,000 fps.

Happy 47th Independence Day

2009-08-31T04:50:00.000-07:00

We celebrate our 47th year of political Independence from our former colonial master, Great Britain.

This is a time to reflect on our progress, development, achievements and successes. Conversely we must also be mindful of our mistakes, lost opportunities and the road ahead.

Consider events around the world, learn from the mistakes of other countries. Develop and implement policies and laws that is best for our citizens, not just what the UN says is best.

As we prepare to host another billion dollar international meeting, this time on an even grander scale than the 5th SOA, we should consider what’s best for our citizens. Be good hosts and make all our visitors feel welcome, safe and secure, but do not disrupt the lives of ordinary citizens. Learn from the mistakes of the 5 SOA. There were many.

The CHOGM 2009 can have positive repercussions for T&T, but only if managed properly, and I don’t just mean shuttling VIPs around with no adverse incidents or photo ops with Queen Elizabeth 2nd. That should not be the only measure of success. How well do the citizens buy-in to the event; how free are they to protest some aspect of the event they did not like? Can they take their drums and other musical instruments and use them to protest several miles away from the main events? What tangible benefits does it bring the country?

We still import a lot of our arms and ammunition from Great Britain for defence. What about security independence?
We sill import numerous food items from Great Britain, what about food independence and food security?

If we continue doing what we’re doing, in the same manner, then we’ll continue to get what we always got.

If our laws relating to crime, housing, squatting, the environment, local government, firearms, and the financial industry don’t work well enough, then let’s take the time to re-examine them closely and make corrections.

The time is ripe to introduce Castle Doctrine law. Our citizens are so fed up of violent home invasions that they’d support this bold legislation, without hesitation.

Recent events, such as the Balandra bridge collapse that affected nine communities, shows we need an effective civil defence programme. If one man with one piece of heavy equipment can physically isolate nine communities - with hundreds of households - from the rest of the country, then we are in real trouble should Colombia and Venezuela escalate their long-running spat into full war. Or even Venezuela and Honduras, as was recently threatened.

Congratulations to Dianne Avalone Baptiste, who received the Humming Bird Medal (Gold) for gallantry. Baptiste, a 41-year-old Williamsville resident, disarmed a bandit, broke a flower pot on his head and restrained him until the police arrived.

She is one citizen who has displayed the spirit of independence.

New supply of air rifles

2009-08-29T04:44:00.000-07:00

A new shipment of air rifles has arrived at Buckshots Ltd., Tunapuna. The Turkish made Hatsan 125, which boasts 1250 fps in .177 is being sold at $3,200 each.

APPLE RELEASES SNOW LEOPARD OS X 10.6

Apple releases Snow Leopard, Mac OS X version 10.6 today. Mac OS X is arguably the best operating system in the world. It’s certainly much more secure than any version of Windows. Just ask Gordon, at Right Enterprises, in Maraval.

Once you go Mac, you never go back.

POLICE STEAL $96,000 CASH

More misbehaviour in public office. This time by an elite police unit called to arrest a man with a gun At a casino in Duncan Village, San Fernando. The four-member team was caught on the casino’s surveillance cameras stuffing their pockets “with wads of cash”.
They four are being questioned by the Anti Corruption Investigation Bureau.

Non-English speaking immigrant allowed to own gun

2009-08-23T07:06:00.000-07:00

Jun Lan Chen, an immigrant who obtained a Firearm User's Licence in 1998, was arrested for having more than the stipulated amount of ammunition allowed in her license. The interesting thing is, she does not speak, read, nor understand English.

“MORE questions were yesterday raised about how a non-English-speaking businesswoman was granted a Firearm User's Licence (FUL) that is written in English yesterday.

Chen, who is allowed to have 25 rounds of ammunition, had three extra rounds. Chen raised suspicion when she told the police she could not speak or write English and that she was out of the country for two years, preventing her from renewing her permit in 2007, since according to law, gun owners must renew their permit every year.”

The law only allows one person the authority to grant a Firearm User’s License: the Police Commissioner. Kenny Mohammed was Police Commissioner in 1998.

It’s difficult to imagine an immigrant living over 11 years in a country and not bothering to learn a word of the official national language. What does that say about community involvement?

Thousands of Trinidad and Tobago citizens who are born, raised and live here, speak, read and write English, own businesses, have families to protect have been refused FULs.

Draw your own conclusions.

BALANDRA BRIDGE COLLAPSES

“Balandra bridge has collapsed, causing distress to nine communities along Trinidad’s north-east coast. The bridge—which provides access to areas such as Toco, Rampanalgas and far-flung Matelot—collapsed around 12.45 pm yesterday.”

Apparently, someone tried to drive a 50-ton crane over the old bridge. No reports indicate if there were signs indicating maximum tonnage allowed over the bridge.

One wonders if those residents of the nine affected communities have enough food, water, fuel and other necessities to survive the coming days.

Economist predicts $7b budget shortfall

2009-08-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well-known economist, Dr Dhaneshwar Mahabir has estimated that the government of Trinidad and Tobago will experience a $7b shortfall in the coming fiscal year.

“Mahabir estimated that the coming National Budget will be close to $45 billion, even though maximum revenues are projected to be $38 billion.
Describing the economic scenario as gloomy, the economist said he could not say when T&T would recover but noted that the country would experience a major revenue shortfall for 2009 and 2010.

Mahabir said if things got really bad, the Government may even be forced to borrow money from the International Monetary Fund, which would require an adjustment programme in return.”

The respected economist admits that we are in the midst of a recession, contrary to what Central Bank Governor, Ewart Williams has been saying at a recent press conference.

There are myriad reports on how to cope with a recession. They all have two strategies at their core: earn more, spend less. This advice is so elegant in its simplicity that we may ignore it, choosing instead to look for some magic bullet; some esoteric answer to the problem.

In spending, one must be prudent. Spending on tangibles, such as real estate, tools, equipment, open-pollinated seeds, fuels, etc. Of course we should never forget to add to the mandatory stockpile of beans, bullets and band-aids.

Panic now. Avoid the rush.

Police officer arrested

2009-08-14T19:17:00.000-07:00

Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) officers raided the Arouca home of a police corporal (acting) yesterday. They found a quantity of packaged narcotics used as evidence in recently concluded court cases.

The Express editorial today argues that either all 38 police officers working at the St Joseph police station (who were transferred to other stations) be charged with possession of the 6 guns and 160 packets of illegal drugs or at the very least, the senior officer in charge of the station be charged.

“Section 29 of the Dangerous Drugs Act states that "a person, until the contrary is proven, shall be deemed to be the occupier of premises, if he has, or appears to have, the care, control or management of such premises''. And it is well-known that, when official raids are made on private homes, the police usually arrest everyone living there, including youths and sometimes the aged who are unlikely to be involved in any nefarious activity. So what is the legal difference if the premises is a police station?”

In related news, yet another illegal firearm was found at the controversial St Joseph police station, yesterday. This time by a replacement police officer from the Arima CID, who found the .380 pistol while clearing out a desk drawer.

One solution to violence in schools

2009-08-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

Image: Oleg Volk

Our nation is becoming ever more violent. We have developed a national culture of being reactive, rather than proactive. Sometimes it’s better to be ahead of the curve. Our schools reflect our society. If our society is becoming more violent, then this becomes evident in our schools.

The USA has had problems with extreme violence in schools resulting in multiple killings. The Columbine High School massacre of 1999 immediately comes to mind. But there were many others, such as the Virginia Tech massacre that claimed 33 lives, including the shooter.

Here in Trinidad and Tobago we have not experienced this extreme level of violence. Yet. However, the MTS security company that is charged with the security of our nation’s government schools does not – or cannot – prevent violence in schools. One former Education Minister said school violence was "very normal at this time of year."

Waiting for school violence levels to reach US “standards” before we form radical solutions (as conventional solutions have not worked) would be counterproductive. What to do?

David Thweatt, a Texas school district superintendent (we call them supervisors) and his school board, decided to allow select teachers and staff members to carry guns on campus at one school. It’s been one year since the guns-in-campus policy was enacted, and there hasn’t been a single shooting.

Would that work here? Every other Education Ministry initiative, related to reducing crime in our schools has failed. Why not try this? We have teachers who are hunters, former police officers, former military personnel, and others, who are already trained in firearms safety and use. This would be a natural next-step. As a bonus, the children would learn a valuable lesson:

Guns can be used to PREVENT violence.

Bandits rob beachgoers opposite Army HQ

2009-08-10T09:43:00.001-07:00

Criminals arriving by, and leaving in small fishing boats, have been targeting sea-bathers at Chagville Beach in Chaguaramas. What makes this particularly frustrating is that this beach is across the street from the TT Defense Force Headquarters. The TTDF has a proud history of serving this nation, so it’s ironic that these violent crimes occur within line-of-sight of their HQ.

One may argue that the classical role of a defence force is not law enforcement. True; but if that is the case in our country, then why do we have police/army “joint patrols”? Surely TTDF Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Edmund Dillon is taking this as a personal assault on the reputation of the TTDF. After all, one of it’s stated responsibilities is, “cooperate with and assist the civil power in maintaining law and order.”
Additionally, every Chief of Defence Staff has included these words (in one form or another) in their speeches: “The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is fully prepared to defend the sovereign good of our nation from all enemies, foreign or domestic.”

How about starting with enemies across the street?

The primary agency charged with the responsibility of policing the Western peninsula is the Chaguaramas Development Authority Police. Inspector Abdul Singh, the highest ranking officer of the CDA police, has many challenges, including acute shortages of personnel, arms, ammunition and vehicles. We empathise, but your responsibilities still stand. Do your job, or leave and make room for someone who will.

Guard shoots self

2009-08-05T07:48:00.000-07:00

Children in TT Cadet Force consistently display better muzzle discipline than many ‘pros’

Allied Security officer Victor Persad, 31, shot himself in the arm and leg on Monday, and was treated at the San Fernando General Hospital hospital.

Read the Express story here.

“…accidentally went off”
“…seated in a parked car outside a fast food outlet”
“…told investigators that he was cleaning his pistol when it went off.”

So, he was in a parked car, cleaning his gun, when it accidentally went off. Cleaning a gun in a car? While loaded? Outside a fast food outlet? So he’s not just a danger to himself, but also the general public. Let’s just see if the Police Commissioner will renew his Firearms User’s Employees Certificate (FUEC).

Who trained this man in handling guns? Has he heard of “muzzle sweep” or “muzzle discipline”? Perhaps we can introduce him to The Four Universal Gun Safety Rules:

Rule 1: Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.

Rule 2: Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy (this includes your own body parts).

Rule 3: Keep your finger off the trigger and outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

Rule 4: Be sure of your target and what’s in line with your target.

Mr Persad, please pay particular attention to Rule 2.

The 7 Skills that overcome The 7 Enemies of Life

2009-07-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

Found this at http://survivormagazine.blogspot.com :

“We become mentally prepared when we are able to use the 7 Skills to defeat the 7 Enemies of Life.

The 7 Skills:

Fire Starting
Water Procurement
Shelter Building
Foraging for food
Signaling
First Aid
Self Defense

The 7 Enemies of Life:

Fear and anxiety
Cold and Heat
Thirst
Hunger
Boredom and Loneliness
Fatigue
Pain and Injury

In essence, we develop self confidence by mastering the skills needed to overcome any situation that arises to threaten our life.

Always remember, none of us will be ultimate survivors - we all have to die one day.
But the successful survivor extends his or her life beyond an earlier death...a death that was caused by ignorance of how to make that life last longer.”

Useful info.

Update on John, Water wars, Swine flu, Blackouts

2009-07-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

UPDATE ON JOHN

John was prepped and ready for surgery. About to be administered general anaesthetic, when surgeon that ‘opens up’ came in and said ‘stop’. ‘Pins and bolts’ surgeon not even in country. Eh?

He was sent home, and is awaiting a recall from the hospital। He’s in constant pain and unable to drive. He is praying and hoping for that call to come soon. Even after surgery, he will need several months for convalescence.

SWINE FLU NEARS 100 VICTIMS

The swine flu virus has claimed 97 victims, according to government statistics. These are lab confirmed cases. If you factor in all tricks used by officials for damage control and spin purposes then one can easily double that figure without being too far off.

The Ministry of Health has a number for info: 800-WELL (9355)।

WATER WARS IN INDIA, SOUTH AFRICA

Individuals being hacked to death over water. These water skirmishes may eventually turn into full-fledged wars in the near future, as populations rise. Chietigj Bajpaee has an interesting report here.

There is even a suggestion by the McGill Reporter that the US and Canada may go to war over water, if Canada refuses to sell water to the US.

One rural town in Australia has even gone as far as completely banning bottled water! Princeton University has an informative chart on the potential for water wars।

RECENT BLACKOUTS IN PORT OF SPAIN

Our capital city, Port of Spain recently had blackouts that affected residents and businesses as far as Santa Cruz। T&TEC instituted the usual load-shedding and appeals for consumers to use less electricity.

Airgunner needs help

2009-07-13T08:39:00.000-07:00

Remember the airgunner who had to sell his rifle to afford a medical procedure on his back? It was sold through this blog about a month ago. Well, he’s undergoing an eight-hour back surgery today.

Please remember John in your prayers. He is a really pleasant guy, a single parent, and drives for a living. Now he wouldn’t be able to drive for several months. He needs a hand up.

Anyone who wishes to make any kind of contribution to John, can do so at Gregory Clement, Gunsmith, upstairs Bhaggan’s Drugs, Arima. His number is 294-6145.

Should police be trusted with guns?

2009-07-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

Asst Supt of Police Junior Copeland charged with murder.

One police officer is caught while renting out his service pistol। Another shoots himself in the toe while on patrol in our busy capital city. The toe-shooter is no ordinary officer, but a jack-booted ninja of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF). Any member of the public could easily have been a victim of this officer, who either doesn’t know, or ignores the
Four Universal Gun Safety Rules.

Many times I (and other airgunners) have witnessed police officers muzzle-sweeping civilians, while on patrol. This is a dangerous practice, as PC Nathaniel has shown. The consequences can be fatal.

Our legislators and successive Police Commissioners don’t seem to trust us -- the very citizens that put them in office -- with gun ownership. I cannot remember the last time I heard of a legal gun owner shooting him/herself, or shooting another person in a fit of rage. A police sergeant (Warner-Paul) is in custody for the shooting death of Pastor Brian Pierre last year, in what has been reported as a love triangle gone sour. Another officer -– an Assistant Superintendent -- shot a woman in her chest, and then her son, over a land encroachment issue.

Let’s not forget police officers Wendell Constantine and Garvin Peterson, charged (in separate incidents) with stealing guns and ammo from their respective stations.

Should we trust police officers with guns, due to these and other incidents of betraying the public trust? Our police service has about 7,000 police officers and a dozen cases of gun crimes -- and those are just the ones brought before the court. We have a national population of around 1,300,000. One cannot get the figures for legal civilian gun ownership, but based on those figures alone (7,000 vs 1,300,000), it seems we have a disproportionate number of gun crimes committed by those entrusted with protecting and serving our interest.

I wish PC Nathaniel a speedy recovery and hope, on his return from injury leave, that he is sent for retraining then transferred to a desk job, where he won’t need to be armed and therefore is of no further danger to the public.

This event begs a question: How much range time do these elite units get? How many rounds downrange per month? Per annum? How many rounds on target?

Perhaps some of the more experienced shooters among us may care to volunteer to help teach gun safety and shooting drills to our police officers. It couldn’t hurt, and may help engender the trust between the public and police that our Acting Police Commissioner is always asking for. Over to you Commissioner Philbert.

Police officer caught renting gun

2009-07-10T09:28:00.000-07:00

Police Constable Curt Teesdale Photo: Newsday

A police officer with 20 years service has been caught in the act of renting out his gun. He is out on $125,000 bail, and is represented by attorney Anuusha Panday.

Constable Curt Teesdale, 43, of St Mary's Village, Moruga, attached to the Mon Repos Police Station. He faced three charges-misbehaviour in public office, the illegal transfer of a firearm and the illegal transfer of ammunition.

This officer’s misbehaviour has already cost tax-payers $28,400, for taunting and illegally arresting a gay man.

IMPENDING PELLET SHORTAGE?

On the issue of ammo, there are rumours circulating about a possible pellet shortage. After a meeting with some airgunners recently, a picture emerged. Some dealers have expressed concern about the difficulties they are experiencing in clearing their pellets from the port. Inordinate delays and increased bureaucratic ‘red tape’ from Customs and Excise officials. When contacted, one dealer said he will no longer import pellets. A couple dealers couldn’t even give a time frame for when they will have new supplies, as they had run out.

Remember, the hunting season begins October 1st. Airgun hunters need specific types of pellets for hunting. This impending shortage, can drive up the price of pellets significantly, making airgunning much more expensive than it already is.

New airgunners can be daunted by this and choose cheaper, less rewarding hobbies. Let’s hope this really doesn’t become a shortage. But it would be prudent to plan for this scenario. Again, I suggest that you stockpile airgun pellets now.

If you wait till the price has doubled, you’d be sorry. Airgunners are in a better position than firearms owners, as there is no legal limit to the number of pellets we possess.

Firearms Users License (FUL) holders have a legal ammo limit of 50 shells (shotgun), with only 200 shells purchased, per year. Pistol owners have a legal possession limit of only 25 cartridges. Sport shooters (rifle, pistol) are not allowed to possess any ammunition; all ammo to be purchased and shot at an approved range.

Stockpile now, avoid the rush.

Stockpile airgun pellets now

2009-07-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

After checking pellet prices locally and abroad, it looks as though our local prices are competitive. This may soon change, as local airgun dealers place new orders. It may be that the local prices are competitive because the dealers buy infrequently and in bulk. Therefore the present prices reflect ‘old stock’.

Buying and stockpiling airgun pellets is a good idea, even if the prices aren’t going to increase in the near future. They are relatively cheap--and more importantly--available. Having a number of tins in your stockpile helps ensure security. If the dealers ran out of supplies for weeks or months-on-end, you won’t be caught unprepared. You’d still be able to practice, eradicate pest, hunt small game, and, if the situation required it, defend your home (with a little help). Tins containing 500 generally cost between $75-$200. One unscrupulous dealer in Arima, sells a tin of 10.5 grain Baracuda pellets for $300! The same pellets are sold in Chaguanas for $125.

Recently, someone told me about his visit to a dealer’s store, located at a popular mall in the west. The dealer was selling pellets with no information (on the tin) about the grain (weight). This is just one of the challenges that airgunners in Trinidad and Tobago encounter. When questioned, the staff usually give no satisfactory answers. Or they simply lie, to ‘save face’.

As airgunners, we should share information with each other. The free flow of information will help us to avoid expensive pitfalls and encourage new shooters to join this fun hobby. And it is fun. I have witnessed rabid anti-gunners giggle like schoolgirls the first time they took up an invitation to shoot an airgun. Many have gone on to become airgunners.

Stockpile now. Avoid the rush.

SEA, CSM, Pellets

2009-07-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all the students who did well in the 2009 Secondary Entrance Assessment exams. Parents, now is the time to enroll your boys in the TT Cadet Force. A 99 year old institution that helps boys develop their discipline and leadership qualities during their restless, testosterone-filled years. Now that the Defense Force has a functioning Air Guard, there is a program underway to develop Cadets for the Air Guard.

CARIBBEAN STEEL MILLS TO CLOSE

So Caribbean Steel Mills is to cease operations and send home 85 employees. Back in September 2008, this blog suggested that, “…the local iron and steel industry can look at producing (airgun) pellets for local and regional markets.”

Is it too late? Maybe not. I urge CSM Executive Chairman, Janice Bain-Mottley to recapture her father’s entrepreneurial and pioneering spirit, and look again. There is a large market of airgunners throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Think big. Move fast. Have fun.

No need to stop at airgunners. Venezuela recently bought 100,000 AK103 assault rifles from Russia. Our own TT Defense Force made recent arms purchases as well. What about manufacturing the parts that are prone to break easily and often? What about ammunition, magazines, barrels? Why should we constantly be dependent on foreign nations for our national defense needs?

Honduras coup; Venezuela military on alert

2009-06-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

From top: Chavez, Bain, Zelaya, Venezuelan forces.

Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was ousted in military coup, and exiled to Costa Rica, this morning. Roberto Micheletti Bain, has replaced Zelaya. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has put the military on alert, vowing to use military force, if necessary, to replace Zelaya.

Honduras has a population of 7.5m, and maintains an active military force of 8,300 with 60,000 reserves. In 2002 there were 5,500 in the army, 1,800 in the air force, and 1,000 in the navy, including 400 marines. Paramilitary public security forces numbered 6,000 personnel. The US maintains a small military presence in Honduras.

Venezuela has a population of 26.5m and has 600,000 soldiers in four service branches--the Army, Navy (including the Marine Corps), Air Force, and the Armed Forces of Cooperation (FAC), also called National Guardia Nationale.

Should Honduras and Venezuela go to war, then Trinidad and Tobago-eight miles off Venezela’s coastline-will definitely feel the consequences. Perhaps our National Security Council met today and discussed our national defense plans with this latest scenario in mind. Could the NSC spokesperson please address the nation on this issue?

Got preps?

Scenario planning: What if T&T has another emergency like 1990?

2009-06-23T17:58:00.000-07:00

What if T&T has another major emergency? Would you be prepared? Would you feel comfortable that the protective services can, or will? Any major emergency event can happen: T&T experiences a severe hurricane, great earthquake, an invasion from a neighbouring country, terrorists disrupting energy supplies or even another coup. Should the emergency occur over an extended period, can you feed, protect and shelter you family?

Within the first three or four days, the police will go around to the homes of those listed in the firearms register. They will confiscate all firearms and there isn’t a thing you can do about it (read sec 22[1] of the Firearms Act). No pleading, no reasoning, no calls to your superstar constitutional attorney can prevent it. You will be stripped of your legal means of protecting yourself and loved ones, right at the very moment that you need to the most.

The criminals and their families must eat and drink, so the looting begins. After HiLo, TruValu and the other major groceries have been stripped bare, then the smaller groceries and mini marts will also be attacked. Next, unless order is restored, the little neighbourhood shops and parlours will experience the same treatment. Finally, home invasions will be so rampant, that the protective services-being stretched so thin-may not respond.

Armed gangs will terrorise entire communities, picking off the weak, unprepared and unarmed at will. Home invasions, murders, rapes, kidnappings, auto theft, praedial larceny and illegal forcible evictions will be the order of the day.

We are told that one prepares for war in the time of peace. We missed that boat, the war is already on.

Scenario planning is a strategic planning method used by military intelligence and other organisations for flexible long-term plans. Neighbourhood watch groups, families, businesses and NGOs can adapt the methods to their particular environment. It is one way to build community resilience.

Get together with other stakeholders and develop your emergency plan now. Remember, a plan is not a plan, unless it is written down and can be shown to someone else. Otherwise it is still only an idea.

In ‘the fog of war’, ideas may be easily forgotten, and people revert to training and conditioning. Without plans, bad decisions are made, with sometimes fatal repercussions. Develop your plans today. Test them. Do an emergency drill. See what works, what doesn’t. Make your changes and test again. Refine your plan until it is good enough for your survival, and ensure all stakeholders internalize it, or at least have a copy.

Trust in God. But have recourse to lethal force.

Have a plan to survive. Prep your beans, bullets, band-aids and training.

500 CCTV cameras in Port of Spain, more preps

2009-06-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

500 CCTV cameras in Port of Spain. That’s very reassuring. At least to the company that has the contract to service/maintain them. But what does it mean to the average citizen? The cost of these cameras, and the attendant service contract is not known to the taxpayer, yet we foot the bill. Where is the footage stored? Who has access to these archives? How many arrests and convictions have been made due to the evidence from these cameras?

MORE PREPPING

Got two mini first aid kits, and they’ve been stashed in the Bug Out Bags. They were tokens to members for attending the annual general meeting of a credit union. Only one per member, but someone was complaining about it being a “useless dust-collector”. I cheerfully offered my saucer of hors d’ouvres in exchange for their kit. “Two is one and one is none”. Redundancy and charity. This is a classic example of choices people make impacting their future. That person chose instant gratification coupled with delayed trauma. I chose the obverse.

Getting a little low on pellets, so a trip to the store is in order. Recently stocked up on D size batteries, more bottled water and telephone directories. Directories have multiple uses during emergencies. They can be be used in starting a fire, as a target, target backstop, outdoor toilet paper, and oh, yes, to find a listed telephone number. They’re also free.

Bought a thin layer of dense foam from a furniture factory. The factory slices off the top, due to the slightly irregular shape. It’s sold relatively cheap; about $30- $40. It’s large enough to throw on the floor for an unexpected six-foot-plus guest to sleep comfortably.

Seven confirmed swine flu cases in T&T

2009-06-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

Seven. Confirmed. Swine flu cases.

The Guardian this morning:

“A female police officer assigned to the Chaguanas Police Station has contracted the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. And another officer, displaying virus symptoms, has been sent on leave, pending results. A news release from the Public Relations Department of the Police Service confirmed that a Chaguanas officer has contracted the virus.”

“…officers at the Couva Police Station said they were still awaiting protective masks and hand sanitisers.”

And the Express reports the County Medical Officer ordered the Chaguanas police station closed.

How much does a couple disposable protective masks and a small bottle of hand sanitizer cost? Less than $20! Maybe even less than $15 if you knew where to shop. Are those police officers seriously willingly putting their health (and the health of their loved ones) at risk simply because ‘the government’ is tardy in supplying supplies? So if The Service is slow in supplying toilet paper…?

At least one officer accepted responsibility for her own welfare and survival:

“A female officer said she had bought her own safety equipment.”

When did we become so dependent on government to do every little thing for us?
Should the gov also come wipe our noses when its running? Where does it end? It seems like every day we are becoming more and more like certain sectors of the US inner city demographics—totally dependent on a ‘nanny state’ for all our needs. Where’s the personal responsibility, the collective responsibility, the initiative, the problem-solving skills? How can a police officer who refuses to protect himself, truthfully act on the police service motto, “to protect and serve with pride”?

Farewell Sifu Thomas

2009-06-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

Sifu Michael Thomas (17 Dec 1958 – 10 Jun 2009) succumbed to an inherited illness last week Wednesday, and was buried on Friday. Sifu Thomas taught martial arts and self defence to hundreds of young people. More importantly, he taught discipline and brotherly love. He protected the weak and stood up to bullies all his life.

Many of his earlier students brought their own children to benefit from his patient instruction. A founding member of the WUSHU Association of Trinidad and Tobago, he also served on its executive. His father is a former weightlifter and wrestler, one of his brothers, is the 80s wrestling star, “Thunderbolt Williams”.

Some maxims that Sifu repeated to his students. Often:

“A man of the martial arts thinks at all times. He possesses speed, power, technique, gracefulness and discipline.”
“The best defense is not being there.”
“The prepared shall inherit the future.”
“The more you sweat in here, the less you bleed out there.”

Rest in peace, Sifu. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge. May the Creator watch over thee, while we are absent, one from another.

Situational Awareness, Self preservation

2009-06-12T08:57:00.000-07:00

Stacked gun safe

Citizens of this beautiful country have now become attuned to the facts of life called robberies and kidnappings. One need not be rich to become a victim. For example, the Sookoo family, although simple crop farmers, living in a wooden house, were attacked Tuesday night while returning home from church service at their Kingdom Hall in Cumana (they are Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Three gunmen, also armed with cutlasses (machetes) tortured the parents and their nine-year-old son, demanding money and a bank ATM card. After receiving the money, they still kidnapped the 30-year-old woman, threatening to kill her.

Situational Awareness is defined as “the perception of environmental elements within a volume of time and space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status in the near future.”
In other words, “what you need to know not to be surprised.”

Staying constantly and consistently aware of your surroundings, and the changes that occur within it, is vital to survival. Self defense experts always remind us that entering and exiting (homes, vehicles, buildings) are the most likely locations for attacks. For this reason, one should be extra vigilant at these potentially vulnerable points.

We know from experience that we cannot depend on the police service to protect us. Their resources are usually inadequate (“…no vehicles at this time ma’am…”, “…vehicles out on enquiries…”). Most times the officers react too slowly to stop a crime-in-progress.
Therefore the duty to protect ourselves, and loved ones, falls to us.

The USA has Castle Doctrine laws that permits a citizen to use force-even lethal force-to protect human life and property from an intruder. Isn’t it time those sworn to uphold (and create) our laws strike from our legal books, those unjust laws that were created by our former colonial masters, that makes us automatic suspects or criminals when we defend ourselves? Doesn’t the realities of our present crime situation dictate that we revise our laws?

The police cannot, or will not protect us.

Get prepared now, or risk death.

Dutch Navy ship HNLMS Van Amstel in Trinidad

2009-06-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

Below: HNLMS Van Amstel.
Top: The five hiking Dutch weapons engineers.

While driving through a rough neighbourhood today, observed five obviously foreign military men marching on the street. They appeared disciplined and their movement was in wedge formation (one-two-two).
After engaging them, I discovered they were from the Royal Netherlands Navy, the HNLMS Van Amstel, a Karel Doorman class Frigate that was in Operation Enduring Freedom, and also assisted in Hurricane Karina’s aftermath.

They were weapons engineers, and being adventurous types, simply kitted up for a tropical hike-water bladders and all-and disembarked, heading East. I advised them about the area, and they thanked me, turned around and returned to the direction of the ship, hopefully in another, safer, more picturesque direction.

Incidentally, the ship’s weapons are very impressive. See some of the weapons systems here.

AirgunsTT welcomes the Captain, officers and crew of the HNLMS Van Amstel to Trinidad and Tobago, and wishes them a safe journey when they depart on Monday.

Criminals force us to adapt, improvise

2009-06-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

A delivery truck with a message to criminals.

Some business owners have developed creative strategies to deal with crime. The above photo shows a local brewery truck with a sign that reads, “NO CASH ONBOARD”. To ensure the illiterate or semi-literate robber understands the message, a graphic depicting a dollar sign, with an angled line running through is also shown.

Those who do not modify their behaviour in a changing environment risk becoming extinct. This 73-yr old truck driver was stabbed to death by bandits near Maloney.

DEPORTEES
Meanwhile, 19 deportees from the US arrived on a chartered flight at Piarco, last Monday। Another 26 are expected to arrive next week. We export oil, natural gas and university graduates to the US; we import food, automobiles and convicted criminals (about 500 per annum) with sophisticated skills. Hmmmm. How does one measure the trade (im)balance? Looks like some weird, twisted Mariel boatlift.

Now that Jamaica, Bermuda and the Bahamas confirm their first cases of H1N1 Swine Flu, how safe is our country? Prepare, adapt, modify or risk becoming extinct. Got Sambucol?

Welcome new airgunners

2009-05-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new airgunner, AB, who bought the Weihrauch HW 90, that was advertised on this blog a few days ago. Congratulations on your new purchase and hopefully you will have many years of fun shooting it. The previous owner needed to sell the rifle quickly, so he can have an MRI scan done, followed by back surgery. He is in constant pain, and his job involves daily driving. The sale ensures that he has his money to pay-at least part of-his medical bills.

To the three new airgunners who have recently received their licenses, congratulations and welcome to the world of airgunning. If anyone out there wants to sell their used air rifles, there are three new shooters in the market looking for deals. I’d be happy to place more ads for air rifles or pistols.

Sgt Gregory Clement (ret), master technician, licensed gunsmith and retired armourer of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, is well-known among competitive shooters, as he has successfully represented our country on a number of occasions in fullbore (7.62) rifle at Bisley in the UK. After winning the 1993 Trinidad Rifle Association National Championships, he was nominated by the TRA as the 1994 Sportsman of The Year. Welcome Sgt Clement to AirgunsTT.

Hopefully Sgt Clement will allow us to publish a profile on the highlights of his career sometime. It will take some urging though, as he is an unassuming man, preferring privacy to publicity.

Madagascar: When the population is unarmed

2009-05-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

Soldiers storming the presidential palace

The above images are from Madagascar. It is instructive, insofar as it shows what can happen to a country when the citizens are unarmed. The military has arrested the legally elected prime Minister, his wife and bodyguards. The deposed President, Marc Ravalomanana, is now in exile, in Swaziland. The presidency has been handed over to Andry Rajoelina by the military. Other than France, no country recognizes the ‘new’ President, nor his transitional government.

Think it couldn’t happen here in sweet T&T? Think again. Remember 1970 and 1990.

Read more here, here and here.

Airgun Pellet Damage

2009-05-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what damage an airgun pellet will do?. Notice the entry and exit on this paint can as-the energy still not spent-the pellets continued through the zinc sheets behind. The range was about 17 yards, with 10.5 gr pellets.

Email me any interesting pix you have of pellet damage, and it may get posted.

Police corporal denied gun licence; sues State

2009-05-20T06:04:00.000-07:00

Top:Oleg Volk

A police corporal has sued the state after being denied a Firearm User’s License by the police commissioner. Since March 2008, there is no appointed Firearm Appeal Board. Attorney Anand Ramlogan is representing the officer.

If a police corporal is trusted with a state-owned gun, which he was allowed to take home, then why isn’t he trusted with his own gun? Time to scrap these arcane, colonial-era laws and practices. These laws and practices do not serve the citizens, but rather make us prey to the bandits who never observe these laws anyway, and have no difficulty getting illegal guns.

In the government’s ongoing headhunt for a new police commissioner, one hopes that the new person is not an anti-gunner, like some previous office holders.

To the aggrieved corporal, we urge you to apply for an air rifle permit (it takes less than three weeks), and perhaps buy this 12-shot FX Revolution-pictured above-that’s sold in-country. Contact me via e-mail and I’ll tell you where.

Daylight rape in San Fernando cemetery

2009-05-19T06:42:00.000-07:00

Photos: Oleg Volk

A woman was raped in a San Fernando cemetery, at 2 in the afternoon, even though CCTV cameras were recently installed there. The Express has the story:

Police said the Princes Town woman was seated on a tombstone next to a male relative around 2 p.m. on Sunday when a man walked up to them with a cutlass. The relative ran through some bushes and escaped. The woman was thrown on the ground by the man, who placed the cutlass to her throat and forced her to have sexual intercourse. He then calmly climbed over a broken fence and walked away. The woman made her way to the San Fernando Police Station, where her relative was reporting the incident. She was treated at the San Fernando General Hospital. Paradise Cemetery was among several places in San Fernando outfitted with close circuit cameras.

The police, instead of promptly jumping into a vehicle and getting to the scene of the crime-in-progress, waste time by having this man lodge a report. The woman was raped, and had enough time to walk to the police station (with report still being taken). This is more proof that police do not prevent crime. They investigate, after the act.

Citizens, we have a duty to protect ourselves and loved ones. Do not depend on the police for your security of person or property. You may lose both.

Civil unrest, Nursing Shortage, Crime

2009-05-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

Shots fired, tear gas canisters thrown as tempers flared in Laventille yesterday. Watching footage on Gayelle TV, the first police unit appeared unprepared to deal with the rowdy youth.

Express story here, and Guardian story here.

Civil unrest is brewing in Trinidad. Time to get your beans, bullets and band-aids stockpiled, if you haven’t already.

1,200 NURSING VACANCIES IN T&T

Speaking of band-aids, Health Minister Jerry Narace said yesterday that there were 1,252 nursing vacancies at the various health institutions in T&T.

COMMUNITY CRIME COMPLAINTS

Yet another community complaining of violent crime. This time it’s the Roystonia Park in Couva. If this is not a reason to be armed, then what is?

Aggressive owl

2009-05-05T19:23:00.000-07:00

A friend visited me early Sunday morning asking for help with a wildlife problem. An owl attacked his family members three times in as many days. The attack on his wife left a small laceration on her head.

On arrival at his home, the owl was well camouflaged in a nearby mango tree, observing us. Because of the direction of the shot, I decided to chase it out of the tree with stones. It flew away. A one hour wait, and still no owl. When I returned home, I got a call that the owl had returned. I could not, at least not at that moment.

The next morning I woke my shooting partner, Dave, and we headed over to my friends home to exterminate the owl. Again, the predator flew away. This time I decided not to wait. As we were exiting the gate, my friend’s wife shouted that the owl was back. This time on the plum tree, to the back of the house. Without hesitation, Dave shot the owl dead. It was brown and grey. No pics to share though. After some online research, it appears that it is the Ferruginous Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum).

How to legally own an airgun in T&T

2009-04-24T09:17:00.000-07:00

After receiving a number of emails requesting information on how to legally own an airgun in Trinidad and Tobago, I wrote this post.

There are three easy steps to owning an airgun in Trinidad & Tobago:

1. Go to any police station with national ID (PP, DP or electoral ID) and apply for Certificate of Character. Time: 3 weeks. Cost: $50 and your finger prints.

(While this is in process, head down to the Firearms Unit on the 4th Floor, Police Admin on Sackville St, PoS. Get an Air Rifle application form).

2. When you get the CoC back, take it, along with the completed AR app form to Firearms Unit.
Time: 3 weeks. Cost: Free.

3. When you get the permission letter from the Commissioner, contact me. I'll direct you to the appropriate dealer(s), based on your needs, budget and location.
Buy your rifle, pellets and auxilliary equipment and supplies (scope, bag, cleaning kit, etc.)

Remember you are buying a shooting platform, not just a gun. So, take into account the cost of additional equipment, spare parts and maintenance. A good airgunsmith is invaluable, and T&T has a very short list of them. Maintain good OpSec by not bragging about your new acquisition to friends, relatives, neighbours. Go shooting with like-minded, more experienced airgunners, so you can learn.

Keep your gun secured in your home. The single best way to prevent children from playing with guns is to teach them to shoot safely in a relaxed safe environment. Pay a professional, if you’re unsure. Shooting is fun.

Remember, safety first.

More emboldened criminals

2009-04-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

Photo: Trinidad Guardian

Criminals, masked and geared up in police tactical uniforms strolled into factory at an industrial estate in Diego Martin and fired, reloaded and continued firing on employees, killing three.
The young males killed are aged 15, 19 and 24. The factory is owned by the husband of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“No-one took them seriously until they began to open fire.”
“Unopposed, the gunmen continued through the factory, taking out their next target during which the other two men were injured. They re-loaded and continued.”

This blog is not about crime, yet crime, criminals, victims and police ineptitude seem to be on the front burner too often. When are our policymakers and legislators going to stop the partisan bickering and upmanship long enough to make real changes that would positively and sustainably affect the quality of life of our citizens?

If any of those factory employees were legally armed, then those cold-blooded murderers could not have acted with such impunity in executing those young men.

Time to arm the population.

Shooting practice, Summit update

2009-04-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Photo: HO/AFP/Getty Images

SHOOTING PRACTICE
While thousands were caught up in The Summit swirl, my family went to the nearby hills and had fun target shooting. Drawing and firing while walking and running was also practiced, and caused me to break a sweat. The Goddess surprised me by asking to shoot the rifle. Needless to say, I was elated. We foraged for herbs while there and enjoyed the sunset and light breezes.

SUMMIT DISRUPTION
Whatever positives comes out of this Summit, it must also be balanced with the disruption to the lives of ordinary people. Snarling traffic jams, no-go areas, closed businesses, closed hospital accident & emergency departments, police officers dressed in new, intimidating riot ‘costumes’ surrounding a few peaceful protestors in downtown Port of Spain and of course unfulfilled promises by the authorities (“… little or no disruption to everyday life…”). Military helicopters flying overhead has become the norm for these three days of disruption.

Asking for permission to protest seems so ridiculous. That permission can easily be denied on spurious grounds. Riot police arrived at a drum protest that was miles away from The Summit and cut the line to the sound system, and ordered everyone present to disperse. This was an open air event at the St James Amphitheatre. An independent senator who was in attendance, remarked that she was amazed that the police would use such a tactic, and could not understand the need for it.

Errol Fabien of Gayelle TV, who carried the Drummit 2 Summit live, advised that the police was not the enemy and were “under instructions”. He implored that even though emotions were running high, that people should remember that the police were their friends and brothers and to avoid heckling them. After those present stood their ground and refused to disperse, a senior police officer ordered the police back to base, which was just next door, at the St James Police Station.

Presidents Barack Obama and Hugo Chavez shook hands after Chavez gave a book to Obama. Commentators read too much into that little gesture: “…a new chapter in US-Venezuela relations”. From a handshake? What if the two had embraced?

Bolivian President Evo Morales ended his five-day hunger strike and attended The Summit. He said he hoped this was the last Summit that Cuba would not be present. He also threatened to not sign the Declaration.

Note: This post is late because my ISP cut me off for five days.