Holy shit. Someone posted a full video of Jane's Addiction's last show. I remember this night surprisingly well, considering it was more than 20 years ago.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
[Gun Quest] NRA Pistol Class and where to shoot in Hilo
This Sunday, I completed the NRA handgun class provided by Stubes' Guns and Ammo. If you're already familiar with pistols, this class is basically just a formality. The class is broken up into three basic sections. First, they go over Hawaii's insanely restrictive gun laws. Our class spent quite a while on this topic, as everyone had a lot of questions. We had an interesting mix of people of all ages, and as such everyone had different things they were wondering about. We had questions ranging from the use of deadly force to ordering ammunition from the internet.
The next section is the official NRA course. It's basically done via a canned DVD lesson. It covers what you'd expect, basic pistol operations. Following the section on loading and unloading, we stopped and did a practical snap-cap exercise. Basically, step up and load a revolver with dummy ammunition (using the proper NRA technique, of course), decock with your thumb blocking the firing pin, unload. Following that, we loaded and unloaded a semi-auto Ruger 9mm pistol. This took a while, but thankfully I went first and scored a smoke break while the rest of the class soldiered on.
After this, it was back to the DVD. Boring, but I guess it's a right of passage or something. I do wish that we'd done a practical exercise on gun cleaning, but I suppose that would take too long and be rough on the firearms. There's a written test that follows, but the purpose is mainly to hammer home the points made in the video. Once the test was done we reviewed the range rules, and broke for a quick lunch. Then it was off to the range.
The Glennwood range is about 15 minutes outside of Hilo. It's a private range, and you need to be a member to shoot there. Applications are available at all of the local gun shops. Last year (2012), membership was full, and they were not accepting new applicants. Due to a membership rule change that purged their roster, however, they are now accepting applications again. Apparently, they made completion of the NRA course mandatory for membership. Lucky for me, not so great for people who just shoot long guns. As far as I know, this is the only legal place to shoot on the Big Island, barring hunting. There is some talk of a range opening in Kona, but that's a little far for my taste.
Qualifications were done at 15 feet with an 8-round .22 revolver. Eight shots sitting, and eight standing. I was feeling like a go-getter, so I went first. Due to the current ammunition shortage, .22LR was replaced with .22 short. Not my best groups ever, but I passed easily.
Sean and Josh brought along a few other pistols for us to try, and after everyone qualified, we spent a couple of hours plinking away with a their guns. I'd never shot .38 before, so that was interesting. I spent most of my time burning through their supply of 9mm ammunition.
The next step is to wait a couple of days and then pick up the affidavit that the shop is preparing for each of us, and fill out the range application. Then it's back into the wonderful world of Hawaii's gun laws.
The next section is the official NRA course. It's basically done via a canned DVD lesson. It covers what you'd expect, basic pistol operations. Following the section on loading and unloading, we stopped and did a practical snap-cap exercise. Basically, step up and load a revolver with dummy ammunition (using the proper NRA technique, of course), decock with your thumb blocking the firing pin, unload. Following that, we loaded and unloaded a semi-auto Ruger 9mm pistol. This took a while, but thankfully I went first and scored a smoke break while the rest of the class soldiered on.
After this, it was back to the DVD. Boring, but I guess it's a right of passage or something. I do wish that we'd done a practical exercise on gun cleaning, but I suppose that would take too long and be rough on the firearms. There's a written test that follows, but the purpose is mainly to hammer home the points made in the video. Once the test was done we reviewed the range rules, and broke for a quick lunch. Then it was off to the range.
The Glennwood range is about 15 minutes outside of Hilo. It's a private range, and you need to be a member to shoot there. Applications are available at all of the local gun shops. Last year (2012), membership was full, and they were not accepting new applicants. Due to a membership rule change that purged their roster, however, they are now accepting applications again. Apparently, they made completion of the NRA course mandatory for membership. Lucky for me, not so great for people who just shoot long guns. As far as I know, this is the only legal place to shoot on the Big Island, barring hunting. There is some talk of a range opening in Kona, but that's a little far for my taste.
Qualifications were done at 15 feet with an 8-round .22 revolver. Eight shots sitting, and eight standing. I was feeling like a go-getter, so I went first. Due to the current ammunition shortage, .22LR was replaced with .22 short. Not my best groups ever, but I passed easily.
Sean and Josh brought along a few other pistols for us to try, and after everyone qualified, we spent a couple of hours plinking away with a their guns. I'd never shot .38 before, so that was interesting. I spent most of my time burning through their supply of 9mm ammunition.
The next step is to wait a couple of days and then pick up the affidavit that the shop is preparing for each of us, and fill out the range application. Then it's back into the wonderful world of Hawaii's gun laws.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
[Gun Quest] Acquiring a firearm in Hawaii
Dec 6th 2016 EDIT: There are now more forms and an additional fee. I have not acquired any more firearms since the new laws came in to effect, so I don't have insight into the new process steps.
So I went shooting a couple of months ago and decided that I needed yet another expensive hobby. As information can be a little sparse, here's what you need to do.
To get a rifle or shotgun:
You'll need to file for a permit to acquire. If this is your first time, there's a fee of $16.50 for a background check. Annoyingly, this needs to be paid with a money order or cashier's check. If you've never needed either, you can get a money order from any 7-11, and cashier's checks can be acquired from your bank. Either way, it should be made out to Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. This is a one time fee, and is not required for subsequent permits to acquire (More on that later).
You'll need to file this at your local police station. I did it over my lunch hour in Hilo (office hours are 9am-3pm, M-F), and it was totally painless. You'll then need to wait two weeks for an answer. Assuming you're not a felon, an alcoholic, on the run from the law, being treated for serious mental health issues, etc. you should be approved.
The permit to acquire is a little less impressive that I imagined. I thought I'd get a card or something but it's just a notarized print out. You might want to bring along a manila folder or something, as it's valid for a year.
Once you have this magical piece of paper, you can acquire as many long arms as you like/can afford. I was so excited, I ran out an bought a Sig M400. You'll need to register any guns that you buy within five calendar days . I'm heading to the same office where I filed my permit to acquire today.
To get a pistol:
Here's where it starts to get a little tricky. First off, you'll need to complete either an NRA certified handgun course, or the Hunter Education Course provided free by the state. In Hilo, both North Pacific Firearms and Stuebs' Guns & Ammo offer the NRA course. NPF's class is two days, while Stubes' is one. Both courses include both classroom and range time. I opted for the one day course, as I already have some notion of what I'm doing when it comes to firearms. If you've never shot anything, NPF's class might be a better fit.
Upon completion of the class, you'll receive an affidavit that you'll need for yet another permit to acquire. If it's your first time acquiring a firearm in Hawaii, you'll need to go through the same background check that I outlined in the rifle or shotgun section, so make sure to have that check or money order for $16.50.
Although the permit to acquire for long arms is valid for a year, you'll need to file a separate one for each pistol that you plan to acquire. Annoyingly, this application process requires the serial number for the weapon. Basically, Josh at Stuebs' told me that you buy the gun, then they hold it until your permit is approved (after another fucking two weeks). I'm not sure how NPF does it.
I'll update this after I pick up my Sig 226 Navy. =)
To get a concealed carry:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH....omg...HAAHAHHAHAAHA
Seriously, Hawaii is a "may issue" state. It's impossible.
So I went shooting a couple of months ago and decided that I needed yet another expensive hobby. As information can be a little sparse, here's what you need to do.
To get a rifle or shotgun:
You'll need to file for a permit to acquire. If this is your first time, there's a fee of $16.50 for a background check. Annoyingly, this needs to be paid with a money order or cashier's check. If you've never needed either, you can get a money order from any 7-11, and cashier's checks can be acquired from your bank. Either way, it should be made out to Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center. This is a one time fee, and is not required for subsequent permits to acquire (More on that later).
You'll need to file this at your local police station. I did it over my lunch hour in Hilo (office hours are 9am-3pm, M-F), and it was totally painless. You'll then need to wait two weeks for an answer. Assuming you're not a felon, an alcoholic, on the run from the law, being treated for serious mental health issues, etc. you should be approved.
The permit to acquire is a little less impressive that I imagined. I thought I'd get a card or something but it's just a notarized print out. You might want to bring along a manila folder or something, as it's valid for a year.
Once you have this magical piece of paper, you can acquire as many long arms as you like/can afford. I was so excited, I ran out an bought a Sig M400. You'll need to register any guns that you buy within five calendar days . I'm heading to the same office where I filed my permit to acquire today.
To get a pistol:
Here's where it starts to get a little tricky. First off, you'll need to complete either an NRA certified handgun course, or the Hunter Education Course provided free by the state. In Hilo, both North Pacific Firearms and Stuebs' Guns & Ammo offer the NRA course. NPF's class is two days, while Stubes' is one. Both courses include both classroom and range time. I opted for the one day course, as I already have some notion of what I'm doing when it comes to firearms. If you've never shot anything, NPF's class might be a better fit.
Upon completion of the class, you'll receive an affidavit that you'll need for yet another permit to acquire. If it's your first time acquiring a firearm in Hawaii, you'll need to go through the same background check that I outlined in the rifle or shotgun section, so make sure to have that check or money order for $16.50.
Although the permit to acquire for long arms is valid for a year, you'll need to file a separate one for each pistol that you plan to acquire. Annoyingly, this application process requires the serial number for the weapon. Basically, Josh at Stuebs' told me that you buy the gun, then they hold it until your permit is approved (after another fucking two weeks). I'm not sure how NPF does it.
I'll update this after I pick up my Sig 226 Navy. =)
To get a concealed carry:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHH....omg...HAAHAHHAHAAHA
Seriously, Hawaii is a "may issue" state. It's impossible.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
