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Did you know that 10 + 10 is the same as 11 + 11?
10 + 10 is twenty; 11 + 11 is twenty, too.
(From The Queen Of The World)
Life as we know it is impossible without water. It's a daily necessity. Twenty years ago I was both baffled and amused by the idea of buying bottled water for drinking. Water came from the tap. Today, I keep a stock of bottled water for guests, but the majority of the water I drink still comes from the tap. I know that locally, we are blessed with very good tap water,
My grandad used to buy a gallon of distilled water occasionally to put into an old lead/aside battery. Today while making a grocery list, Belle told me that she needed some distilled water, so I put it on the list. I found her distilled water, then got distracted and started reading labels. The grocer stocks every kind of specialty water that anyone might desire. I was particularly amused at one premium liter bottle that was priced over $5.00 and declared itself "100% Recycled". I laughed aloud.
All water, each drop from the ocean, the rivers, or the aquifer that supplies your home, is recycled water. Every bit of it. Every drop. It's all recycled dinosaur piss. Someone is paying a premium to buy "100% Recycled" water when the cheap, bottom shelf store brand is also 100% Recycled".
So, there is an old saying about "whatever floats your boat". But that too is 100% Recycled.
The National Instant background Check System (NICS) shows significantly higher numbers for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) adjusted NICS checks for June of 2026. The total NICS checks show only a small decrease. From NSSF:
The June 2026 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,123,006 is an increase of 11.7 percent compared to the June 2025 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,004,986. For comparison, the unadjusted June 2026 FBI NICS figure of 1,886,539 reflects a 1.2 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 1,909,294 in June 2025.
The adjusted NICS checks are designed to approximate actual firearm sales by removing the large numbers of NICS checks which are used for firearms permits and firearm permit rechecks. In some months of previous years, the number of checks done for permits and permit rechecks exceeded the number done for sales. Those excesses, primarily done in Illinois, have been reduced. The adjusted NICS checks appear to be a good approximation of firearm sales done through the NICS system. Some people are able to purchase firearms without NICS checks. There are about 28 states which have at least one type of permit where the permit is a valid substitute for a NICS check. More than one firearm may be purchased with one NICS background check.
This year, the NSSF has started listing checks done for the National Firearms Act. There is a time lag between when a check is done and an NFA firearm is built or transferred. The number of checks for NFA purposes do not directly correspond to new firearms or suppressors. Silencers/suppressors are defined as "firearms" in the NFA.
The June number for National Firearms Act (NFA) checks was 166,677, an increase of 177.1 percent from June of 2025. The number for June of 2025 was 60,147. Another way to state the same statistic, the NFA checks for June of 2026 were 2.77 times as many as for June of 2025. Much of the increase has to do with the removal of the $200 excise tax on silencers suppressors and on short barreled shotguns (sbs) and short barrled rifles (sbr). The ATF has announced a proposed rule which will eliminate the need for fingerprints and photographs as part of the application process for "tax stamps" to obtain NFA items. There are several lawsuits challenging the validity of the NFA for items on which zero tax is required.
The uptick in firearms sales in June, at over 11% from last year, is significant. May and June continue the annual pattern of having sales lower than most of the other months. The only month in 2026 which shows lower firearm sales than the same month in 2025, (as shown by the adjusted NICS numbers) is January of 2026.
Analysis: The continued unsettled situation in and around the Persian gulf may be contributing to greater firearm sales. The stalemated war in Ukraine continues. Fuel prices have started to come down, leaving consumers with more disposable income. Firearm sales in July tend to be higher than firearm sales in June. Ammunition prices appear to be stable or slightly increasing. The mid-term elections are approaching, but political threats from the Left should be off-set by the Second Amendment victories at the Supreme Court. NFA sales will continue to break records. July firearm sales are predicted to be higher than June sales and higher than July sales were in 2025.
©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
Gun Watch
Among the six — including Novotny — injured, a 19-year-old male was shot in the back and transported to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where he underwent emergency surgery. None of the other wounded people suffered life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.
In the court document, the 19-year-old told police that he was in a grass field near the intersection when Novotny approached and started patting him down before shooting him in the back. Police believe Novotny was trying to rob the 19-year-old.
After he was wounded, the 19-year-old pulled out a gun and fired several rounds at Novotny. He later told police that he believed one of the rounds he fired hit Novotny.
The probable cause affidavit said officers saw Novotny run toward a car wash, where officers stopped him and ordered him to drop the handgun he was carrying.
SLMPD said officers were in the area of Union Boulevard and Terry Avenue when they saw a gunfight around 9:30 p.m. Four suspects were detained, and a 44-year-old man was found shot on the ground.
According to police, the preliminary investigation shows the 44-year-old man, along with a 42-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman, were attempting to break into a home when they were confronted by a 35-year-old man.
The man called the police and attempted to hold the suspects until officers arrived, but the 44-year-old man ran off and fired shots towards the 35-year-old man. The 35-year-old man fired shots back at the 44-year-old man, striking him.
Pictured above is the homestead of a SurvivalBlog reader in northern Indiana. This anonymous reader has been developing his homestead since 1984. The pictured well pump is a reliable Bison Pump that is popular with preppers and homesteaders.. This Week in History On July 16, 1969, the Apollo 11 mission was launched, carrying the first men to land on Earth’s moon. — July 14th is the birthday of Colonel Einar A. Malmstrom. He was born in 1907 and died August 21, 1954 near Great Falls, Montana, in the crash of a T-33 jet. He was a decorated Air Force pilot, …
The post Preparedness Notes — July 14, 2026 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
We all have should have a place where we can repair, build, or maintain our equipment and appliances. This is a workshop space for our projects, from the simplest like building a simple tool, to the most complex like rebuilding the engine of a classic car. The space needed can range from a small corner of your garage to a complete workshop facility for a fabrication or repair hobby or even a small business. After forty-five years around engines and tools, I have come to the conclusion that every man needs his own workspace where he can develop his hobbies …
The post Precision Workshop Practices, by Grandpappy appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
The following recipe for Basic Mexican Rice is from SurvivalBlog reader Joanna E. She mentioned: “It is important to have several ways to prepare stored rice, to prevent Food Fatigue.” Ingredients 2 cups white rice 3 T. olive oil 3 c. water or chicken broth 2 T. tomato paste (or more to suit your taste) 2 cloves of garlic, pressed (or less, to suit your taste) 1/2 t. salt (or more, to suit your taste) Optional Ingredients (For a more elaborate and nutritionally-complete rice dish): 1/2 – 1 tsp. cumin (Add during simmering.) One cup of fully-rehdrated or canned beans, …
The post Recipe of the Week: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
Today’s graphic is a map that shows the population density of Africa and Madagascar. Take note of the dark areas (mostly deserts) and the trace of the Nile river valley and delta. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.) The thumbnail image below is click-expandable. — If any SurvivalBlog readers have personally taken or otherwise hold the copyright to a particularly nice landscape photo or other photo of particular interest to preppers that is in a wide horizontal format (to match our blog template) then please send it in as an e-mail attachment, and I will consider posting it as …
The post SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
In Economics & Investing Media of the Week we feature photos, charts, graphs, maps, video links, and news items of interest to preppers. Economics & Investing Links of Interest Ukraine unveils new 2,000 hryvnia bill as war drives demand for cash. Andrew Follettt posted this at X, on government spending: Defense is 8% of US government spending. Education 15%! Welfare is 47%! At Zero Hedge: When Will The Cattle Cycle Turn? BofA Has Answers For Beef Lovers. Brandon Smith: Why Have Central Bankers Gone Radio Silent On The Digital Currency Agenda? Zack’s: Best Defense Stocks for July 2026. Trading Key: …
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SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods. This column is a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from JWR. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. In today’s column, more hacking vulnerabilities. What Happens if China Hacks the US Water Supply? SurvivalBlog staffer Tom Christianson suggested this article, at Wired: What Happens if China Hacks the US …
The post The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
Our weekly Snippets column is a collection of short items: responses to posted articles, news links, practical self-sufficiency items, how-tos, lessons learned, tips and tricks, and news items — both from readers and from SurvivalBlog’s editors. Note that we may select some long e-mails for posting as separate letters. — I noticed that Hoffman Tactical has their newly-famous AR Trigger Kickers back in stock. They have had some very positive review videos and consistent 5-star e-mailed customer reviews. This replacement for your standard disconnector gives you functionality similar to a name-brand $450 forced reset trigger, but for just $43. I …
The post SurvivalBlog Readers’ & Editors’ Snippets appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
This weekly column features media from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. REDOUBT NEWS LINKS Video: Massive North Idaho 4th of July Backyard Firework Show Grand Finale. Cheyenne Won’t Take Data Center Wastewater After Meta Contractor Contaminated System. Post Falls becomes first Idaho city to join ICE immigration enforcement program. Wyoming: As Rural Hospitals Close Across America, Riverton’s Building A New $57 Million One. Video: Bison at Yellowstone National Park Sends Man Flying Through the Air With Headbutt. Black Bear …
The post SurvivalBlog’s American Redoubt Media of the Week appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year. We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds …
The post Editors’ Prepping Progress appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: Every California Soccer Mom, Pointing To Gavin Newsom, When He Asks Who Caused High Gas Prices, in California. News Link: Why are gas prices so high in California? Newsom said it’s the oil companies, so we asked experts. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.
The post JWR’s Meme of The Week: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
“It’s government’s role to inform us of risks and let us use personal responsibility to evaluate that risk ourselves.” – Lauren Boebert
The post The Editors’ Quote Of The Week: appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
Retired U.S. District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez, who has become almost legendary in Second Amendment circles for his pro-rights court opinions, will be this year’s keynote speaker during the Gun Rights Policy Conference in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 25. The annual conference, now in its 41st year, is co-hosted by the Second Amendment […]
The post Judge Roger Benitez to Keynote Gun Rights Policy Conference in Dallas appeared first on Liberty Park Press.
In 2025, Japan broke records for total and fatal bear attacks. There were 230 attacks and 13 fatalities, more than double the previous record of 6 fatalities in one year. Japan collects bear statistics by fiscal year, from April 1 to March 31.
2026 is off to a bad start. Five fatalities have been identified from April 1 to June 30. The previous record was two fatalities during April 1 to June 30. Bear attacks tend to trail off in July and August, and pick up significantly in September, October and November. Bears in Japan start hibernating in December. Another fatality is being investigated in a mountainous area of Tohoku. If found to be a bear caused fatality, it would be the sixth in 2026. Before 2025, the record for bear fatalities in Japan was six in one year. The record number of people killed by bears in North America continues at six in one year.
All five verified bear fatalities in 2026 have been inflicted by Asiatic black bears. Only Asiatic black bears live in Tohoku. Japan is home to two types of bears, the Asiatic black bears and the Ussuri brown bears. The brown bears only occur on Hokkaido, the most northern of the Japanese islands. There are about 12,000 brown bears on Hokkaido. The brown bears are a subspecies of Ursus Arctos, also known as grizzly bears, Kodiak bears, and European brown bears. The are all slight variations of Ursus Arctos. Large differences in sizes are the result of how common food supplies are where the bears live.
In 2025, only two fatalities were from brown bears on Hokkaido. Eleven were from Asiatic black bears on the other Japanese islands. The Asiatic black bears are related to the American black bears, but are reported to be more aggressive. There are reported to be about 54,000 Asiatic black bears in Japan. The human Japanese population is shrinking. Many small farms in rural areas are being abandoned. This increases habitat for the bears, and brings the bears into closer contact with humans. The bears become habituated to humans and lose their fear of humans.
The increase in bear attacks is attributed to an increasing bear population. The bear population has increased for several reasons. Hunting of both species of bears was severely restricted since 1990. Before 1990, bears were treated as pests.
The population of licensed bear hunters dropped from 517,000 in 1975 to 218,500 in 2020. Extremely strict firearms regulations have made it difficult to obtain a license to shoot a bear. According to the Guardian, in 1975, 98% of people in Japan with a license to hunt bears, had a license to shoot bears. In 2020, only 42% had a license to shoot bears. The other 58% are allowed to trap bears, but not to shoot them. In order to obtain a permit to have a rifle, a person must obtain a permit to have a shotgun. After ten years of shotgun possession with a spotless record, one can apply to obtain a rifle. Japanese hunters are limited to 50 rifle cartridges a year for all purposes.The shrinking number of bear hunters in Japan are aging. 60% of bear hunters in Japan are over the age of 60.
Japan has started to take measures to reduce the population of bears on the islands. The Japanese government is setting goals to reduce the bear population by about a third in the areas where there are the most problems. According to asianews.network, the bear populations in Chubu are to be reduced to 63% of the present population, to 62% in the Tohoku prefectures, and 67% in the Kanto prefectures. The bear population in Hokkaido is projected to be reduced to 71% of current levels. The annual population growth of bears is estimated at 14.5%, with target harvest numbers of 20%.
This correspondent has not found a single case where a handgun was fired in defense against a bear in Japan. It is nearly impossible for an ordinary person to obtain a permit to own a handgun. Some police officers sometimes carry handguns. The officers with handguns are almost never where the problem bears are. This year, a police officer was attacked by a bear while searching for a missing person. The bear was killed by a licensed Japanese hunter about 10 minutes later.
When there are bear problems, the bears are usually trapped. Sometimes bears are shot, in highly restrictive circumstances. Often, the person shooting the bear needs to obtain permission to do so seconds or minutes before the bear is shot.
Problem bears in North America tend to be shot rather quickly, often by the intended victim. The lower 48 states of the United States have about 17% of the numbers of ursus arctos (brown bear/grizzly) which exist in Japan. In the lower 48 United States, 211 ursus arctos were killed in defense of human life from 2002 through 2023. Those are bears killed in the act of being aggressive toward humans. In the United States, the ability to carry a handgun for self defense is a Constitutional right.
In Japan, during the same period, one or two ursus arctos (brown/grizzly bears) may have been killed while being aggressive toward humans. This is because only hunters are allowed to carry firearms, and only when they are hunting. A couple of Japanese hunters may have killed bears in Japan while the bears acted aggressively toward them. Carrying firearms for self defense in Japan is not allowed. Police are virtually never where the bear attacks occur. When a bear needs to be shot, local hunters or the military are called in. There is a reform movement to allow police to kill problem bears without asking permission of the local governments just before they shoot.
©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
Gun Watch
When they arrived at the scene, officers said they found a man sitting in the front seat of a silver Jeep, suffering from a gunshot wound.
The man told them he had been shot in a road rage incident involving a white Ford Fusion. He said there were five people in the car, all of whom were armed with weapons.
The victim says they were driving southbound on South Mendenhall Road when a Ford Fusion approached the driver’s side of their Jeep and opened fire, police reported.
In an effort to defend himself, the man stated that he returned fire with his handgun.
Just one chapter from the Precision Rifle Handbook, but it's one you shouldn't miss! What goes into finding the right scope for you? Frank has the answers.I hear that Lindsey Graham of Soth Carolina died recently. Damned shame. He was a great Senator for South Carolina. A great conservative and a deep thinker. He will be missed.
The CFDA is congregating this week in Fallon, NV to conduct Fastest Gun Alive, the World championship of Cowboy Fast Draw. It should be quite a show. Belle and I will not be there due to a scheduling conflict. I wish then a lot of luck.
The post How the USS New Jersey’s 16-Inch Guns Work: Top to Bottom first appeared on Forgotten Weapons.
First, I needed to decide on a suitable cigar accompaniment. After making several passes through the humidor shelves, I finally settled on the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño Gran Reserva GT20, with high expectations for the pairing.
Me, Last Year: "I need to upgrade my Mac Mini to keep running Photoshop for work. I can save money by getting the smallest HDD since I never play games anymore."When your first hard disk was a 20MB Seagate, it feels wild that with just MacOS, MS Word and Excel, Photoshop, and World of Warcraft, you've filled a 256GB HDD to the point that PShop is howling about its scratch disk size every time you open it.
Me, Last Week: "I need to de-stress. Maybe I'll take up WoW again."
Me, Yesterday: *googling 'how expand mac mini hard disk cheaply'*
"My little dude, nothing I ask you to do really requires much of a scratch disk."
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- The etiquette of pointing out another writer's errors.
- Now there's an automated ragebait generator.
- The summit of AI Hype Mountain is approaching.
A short time later, a person arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. Police said the injury was not considered life-threatening.
Investigators also spoke with a man who remained at the scene and told officers he fired the shots after being assaulted during an altercation. The man cooperated with detectives throughout the investigation.
Jeremiah Northern, 23, was booked into the Craighead County Detention Center Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree murder.
Jonesboro police were dispatched to the 3500 block of Fairview Drive shortly after 7:30 p.m. Monday following a report of shots fired.
Police said Northern and another man were involved in a robbery in which gunfire was exchanged.
