Yes, Viriginia, I really *am* a gun-blogger, too.

I realized that I haven't quite played fully to type for our new visitors regarding gun-blogging. So, I'll correct that by reprising a post that covers the topic pretty thoroughly - and note, that if you are appalled and horrified, and *just sure* that this couldn't be legal here in Kansas, please read the Standard Disclaimers (also linked at the bottom of this post).

One of the reasons I started blogging was to point out that there are many more relatively normal people who collect firearms than you realize. And that they might live next door to you, and yet you've never once been threatened, nor felt threatened. It morphed from a presentation on gun collectors and collecting that I gave my Rotary Club - entitled, "Nuts in your Neighborhood" to this blog.

If you can't read it - the guy on the *right* is Theodore Kaczynski, the Unabomber.

On to some gunbloggin'...

CDR Salamander has been watching Brit TV, and claims he found out what I *really* do for a living.

Heh. If I told you what I really do for a living, I'd have to cut your head off and put it in classified storage. You wouldn't like that. It's dark in the safe, and smells funny because of the stuff they put in there to keep the mold down.

Nah, Salamander... if I was in that bidniz, it would go more like this...

*Ahem, koff, koff*

[smarmy announcer/telemarketer/car salesguy voice]

Taking down a small country? Annoying neighbors? Revenooers snooping around the still? The Arsenal At Argghhhh! has all your pest-control needs in one stop!*

Aside from the usual selection of Small Arms, we also have a nice selection of Crew Served Weapons to choose from!

We have an extensive selection of spare parts! We service what we sell!

Need to recon that target, without getting your head shot off - we can help!

Gotta get through some wire to get to the bad guy? We've got your stuff. Worried about pursuit after dirty deeds done cheap? We can help! We've got stuff to get you in, stuff to knock 'em on the head quietly, and stuff to slow up the pursuit! All in one neat package!

Got people snooping by whatever it is you'd rather they not find? Got a defensive position you need a little coverage in the dead space for? Concerned about detectability? We have a whole selection of anti-personnel mines to choose from. Anti-armor mines by appointment only, please.

Need to be able to reach out and touch someone? Especially people who hide behind stuff so you can't just shoot them straight up? We have a wide selection of medium and light mortars to choose from, with a wide range of ammo choices!

Need help with data computation? We've got you covered there, too!

So, bit off a bit more than you can chew? Need some help with bunkers and armored vehicles? We've got a large selection of recoiless rifles and rocket launchers, and RPG systems that can meet your every need!

And don't let us forget our extensive grenade selection!

Need some extra reinforcement for that basement bunker? We got it. Have a mess of troops to mess? We got it!

And for you, CDR Salamander, today only - a special deal for the Naval Infantry! Straight from MoD stocks - the staple of Brit boarding parties for many years - the Lanchester!

With bayonets!

So, call me. We'll do lunch.

[/smarmy announcer/telemarketer/car salesguy voice]

Oh, and, as usual. The Standard Disclaimers apply - in short, meaning that nothing in those photos is illegal in Kansas, a fact which may not be true in all states. And all those really scary looking things are legally inoperative, whereas most of them, in shootable condition, would be legal for private ownership in Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and with some caveats, Missouri. I also couldn't afford them if they were all functional weapons. Last time I saw a price for a shootable Vickers machinegun, it was in the $45,000.00 range. Ergo, mine don't shoot, and can't shoot, and are legal in this state. Things that look like artillery, are all demilled to the spec required when imported or surplused - meaning they have bars blocking the bores, no firing pins, bore-sized holes cut in the barrels (some artfully concealed) and no way to return them to serviceable state without doing more damage to them than has already been done. And the explosive devices - are inert, no explosives present. Hey, people, I *live* there. I don't even maintain large stocks of powder for reloading or shooting the black powder weapons. Stuff's dangerous, I only have on hand what I can use. And yes, the ones that do shoot, save a pistol or two in the upstairs in our child-free home, are behind a locked door.