Split Cumberland County commissioners have authorized the allocation of county funds to complete a new gun crimes lab, which is set to enhance local forensic capabilities. Initially funded by a $1.5 million state grant, the project has faced budget overruns, pushing the need for additional financial support from county resources. The new ballistics lab will provide critical forensic services, marking an important addition to the Cumberland District Attorney’s accredited crime lab. As one of the first of its kind in the area, this facility aims to improve the processing of gun-related evidence, potentially leading to more effective crime resolution and…

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This high-output, multi-fuel, military-style light with a tilting head is perfect for hunters and home defenders looking for more than just a handheld light—the Sidewinder X User Configurable Model features high-candela (3,200), white, 275-lumen LED output—that runs up to 4.75 hours on two AA batteries or 2.75 hours on a single lithium CR123A battery. A push-button activation switch is housed with a pull-to-turn, locking, rotary mode selector that provides options for an infrared beam, a dim red, green or blue color setting and multiple white-light modes. The 4.4-oz. light (AA batteries included) is built of high-impact nylon, contains a rugged…

Once relegated to hunting and competition circles, over the past two decades, semi-automatic shotguns have evolved into serious self-defense and fighting arms. Gone are the days of expensive custom guns that were still picky about the shells they would feed. Modern semi-automatic shotguns are both reliable and affordable. At the lead of this pack is the Mossberg 940. Introduced in 2020 with the JM Pro competition version, the design was quickly adapted to hunting and self-defense applications. New for 2025, Mossberg is expanding the 940 Pro family with the Tactical SPX and Tactical Professional models. Mossberg’s 940 Pro semi-automatic shotguns…

Many Preppers are often asked “what are you preparing for?” The responses are anything from a simple weather event to an extinction-level event. Having been in the field of disaster planning and response for 24 years, I cannot tell you the number of times someone from the public would call looking for our tornado plan, or flood plan, chemical spill plan and on and on. The reality is, many entities do not have disaster specific plans but rather general emergency operations plan that address the similar consequences of several different disasters. With that said, there are exceptions such as entities…

On July 5, 1601, the siege of Ostend began when a Spanish force under Archduke Albert VII of Austria, with 12,000 men and 50 siege guns, laid siege to a small garrison of fewer than 2,000 Dutch at the strategically important fortress of Ostend, Flanders. — And on July 5, 1891, an intense hailstorm killed 16 horses near Rapid City, South Dakota. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for…

Germany is actively pursuing the acquisition of additional Patriot air defense systems from the United States to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities amidst a surge in Russian aerial assaults. A government spokesman confirmed ongoing discussions with Washington about this agreement, highlighting the urgency due to recent Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have long emphasized the need for enhanced air defense, specifically expressing interest in securing at least ten Patriot systems to protect against ongoing threats. As the U.S. appears to reconsider its arms supplies to Ukraine, German authorities remain concerned about the potential…

Current efforts to reform U.S. gun laws are hampered by significant congressional gridlock, despite tragic events such as the Texas elementary school shooting that left 21 dead. While there are some bipartisan agreements on measures like closing the “Charleston loophole” and implementing “red flag” laws, the legislative landscape remains challenged by the need for 60 votes to overcome the Senate filibuster. Key proposals, including a national “Red Flag” law led by Rep. Lucy McBath, aim to empower courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. However, skepticism remains high, particularly from Republican senators who…

Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont has signed into law House Bill 6667, marking the state’s first major update to gun regulations since the post-Sandy Hook reforms a decade ago. The new law prohibits open carry of firearms, enhances gun storage requirements, and raises the age to purchase semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21, aligning it with handgun policies. This comprehensive legislation also targets the rising issue of gun violence by incorporating demands from Democratic mayors in high-risk urban areas, proposing stricter penalties for repeat offenders. Supporters argue that evidence shows states with stringent gun laws experience lower rates of gun-related deaths,…

As gun violence continues to be a pressing concern, advocacy groups predict nearly 300,000 lives could be saved if all states adopted laws similar to those in the top-ranking states. The report also reveals a significant correlation between the strength of gun laws and lower gun death rates, emphasizing the ongoing debate over their effectiveness amid varying state-level implementations. Read full story at www.usatoday.com Read the full article here