Author: Gunner Quinn

November 24, 1434: The River Thames in London froze over. Later, “Frosts” were celebrated with drunken faires. — November 24th marks the day that John Knox died, in 1572. (He was born in 1514.) AtheistAgendaPedia says: “Born near Haddington Scotland. He was influenced by George Wishart, who was burned for heresy in 1546, and the following year Knox became the spokesman for the Reformation in Scotland. After imprisonment and exile in England and the European continent, in 1559 he returned to Scotland, where he supervised the preparation of the constitution and liturgy of the Reformed Church.” — Today’s feature piece…

JWR’s Introductory Note: The following is an update and expansion to an early post that I made in SurvivalBlog back in December, 2005. It is part of a series of SurvivalBlog 20th Anniversary update re-posts, in recognition of the fact that the majority of readers did not join us until recent years. — I often have SurvivalBlog readers and consulting clients ask me about the “ideal” terrain for a rural survival retreat house. I must report that there is no single “best” answer because there are significant trade-offs related to terrain. Castles were situated on hilltops for centuries, for obvious…

On November 23rd, 1644, John Milton published his “Areopagitica” pamphlet that decryed censorship. — November 23, 1869: The Clipper Ship Cutty Sark was launched in Dumbarton, Scotland, as one of the last clippers ever built. It is the only one still surviving. — On November 23rd, 1980, a 7.2-magnitude quake struck southern Italy killing more than 3,000 people. — Today’s feature piece is by JWR. — We still need some entries for Round 121 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. More than $970,000 worth of prizes have been awarded since we started running this contest.  Round 121 ends on November…

A recent study uncovers a significant correlation between the amount of greenery in U.S. neighborhoods and the incidence of fatal police shootings, suggesting that greener environments may contribute to public safety. Researchers analyzed over 5,000 police shooting cases across 3,108 counties, finding that each one-unit increase in the green space index correlates with a 15% decrease in police shootings, even after accounting for crime rates and socioeconomic factors. The research highlights a more pronounced effect in urban areas and high-poverty neighborhoods, where the presence of green space appears to foster community cohesion and reduce stress levels among both residents and…

Robstown Police Chief Mike Tamez reassures parents amid panic over alleged school shooting threats that emerged following the murder of a 14-year-old student. In a recent Facebook Live address, Tamez asserts, “There are no credible threats,” clarifying that the concerns stemmed from social media chatter linked to the recent violence in the community. The tragic case involved the death of Shawn Sanchez, prompting heightened anxiety among residents and parents of schoolchildren in Robstown. The police chief emphasizes that extensive investigations have revealed no general threats to the schools, noting that increased law enforcement presence is now deployed at both junior…

This weekend, the Crossroads of the West Gun Show in Phoenix expects over 20,000 attendees, drawn by escalating prices and concerns over potential gun bans. Interest in AR-15 semi-automatic rifles remains high, resulting in prices climbing to around $2,000—up from a typical $1,000—due to fears that legislation could restrict availability. Event organizer Bob Templeton highlights that calls for tougher regulations and background checks have not deterred attendance or sales at the gun show. He argues that the public’s anxiety regarding gun laws highlights significant unrest, as attendees seek to express their views on their rights and government actions in light…

JWR’s Introductory Note: The following is an update and expansion to a very early post that I made in SurvivalBlog back in August, 2005. It is part of a series of SurvivalBlog 20th Anniversary update re-posts, in recognition of the fact that the majority of readers did not join us until recent years. — “Homeowners Associations [HOAs] are the classic definition of a tyranny. HOAs are a level of government, with the power to tax, legislate, judge, and punish its citizens.”– Michael Reardon I’d like to expand on my Criteria for Choosing Your Retreat Locale. You will gain several advantages…

At a gun show in Hurricane, Utah, local gun owners grapple with the news that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a resident near the area, is accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The event, held just days after Kirk’s death on a college campus, raises concerns within the community about potential calls for stricter gun regulations, as attendees express collective sadness at the idea that one of their own was involved in such violence. Emphasizing the emotional weight of the situation, local resident David Martin noted that the incident has deeply impacted families who are proud of their gun ownership culture.…

On November 22, 1574, the uninhabited Juan Fernández Islands off Chile were discovered by Spanish sailor Juan Fernández. Later, they were famously the home of marooned sailor Alexander Selkirk, who inspired the novel Robinson Crusoe. — On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. — Today is the birthday of Adelbert Rinaldo Buffington, a well-known designer of military gun parts and acccessories. most notably the Buffington rifle rear sight. — Today is remembered as the birthday of the late Eugene M. Stoner. (Born 1922, died April 24, 1997.) He was the designer of the AR-7,…

Former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords makes a significant return to the public eye by attending New York’s Saratoga Springs Arms Fair. This marks her first visit to a gun show since a tragic assassination attempt in 2011 that left her seriously injured. Giffords, alongside her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, aims to spotlight New York’s new voluntary agreement designed to closely monitor gun sales at shows, part of her ongoing advocacy for stricter gun control measures nationwide. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman joins Giffords in this initiative, having collaborated with all 35 gun show operators in the state to implement…