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You Asked: What is a bulletproof vest made out of? — Abdul, Hyderabad, India Marshall Brain Answers: For civilians, by far the most popular option for a bulletproof vest (aka body armor) is layered Kevlar. This material makes a thin, light vest that provides good protection against smaller handguns. See How Body Armor Works for [...]
This handy infographic shows how to detect if someone is carrying a conceled handgun: Spotting a hidden handgun Points to watch for include: – Asymetrical gait – Upper body shift – A quick adjustment – Running from the rain – Conspicuous clothing – Jacket fits unevenly – Clothes don’t suit the weather Be aware that [...]
Makes you think – a completely different way to think about guns
by Marshall Brain | December 7, 2009
In the United States we have a certain attitude toward guns. That attitude is embodied in the laws we create for gun ownership and use, the way we allow guns to be sold, the way we portray guns in movies, TV shows and news outlets, and the way people use guns in their daily lives. [...]
Unique Gift Idea – The Brick Gun, a replica gun made of lego
by Marshall Brain | December 4, 2009
Do you like Lego? Do you like Guns? Would you like to build a gun replica out of Lego bricks? Brickgun.com Apparently these guns are so realistic that they can invoke a SWAT response: So I got arrested by the SWAT team last night… This appears to be the BrickGun he assembled: From a distance [...]
The following video demonstrates two things. First, it shows how much of a noise reduction you get by adding a silencer to a gun. Second, it shows why you have to use sub-sonic ammunition if you are using a silencer: As he describes in the video, the principle is pretty simple. The silencer gives the [...]
People own guns for protection. The idea is that, if someone breaks into your house or mugs you on the street, you will be able to shoot them. The logic seems simple and obvious, but what if this idea is completely wrong? What if, instead, owning a gun makes it much more likely that you [...]
Man Legally Carries Assault Rifle to Obama Protest
by Charles W. Bryant | August 18, 2009
This one is sure to provoke some strong opinions. An Arizona man brought his assault rifle to a protest against President Obama’s health care plan yesterday in Phoenix. The President was there giving a speech to a veterans group.
The rifle toting man also had a handgun holstered at his hip and a full clip sticking out of his back pocket. And he wasn’t alone. Apparently there were about a dozen armed protesters. While they were protesting the health care plan, they decided to kill two birds with one Uzi and make a statement about the right to bear arms.
Since there’s no longer a law against assault rifles and no law against carrying a non-concealed weapon without a permit in Arizona, no charges or arrests were made. I think this can best be described as a slippery slope. The right to bear arms is one of the fundamental rights Americans have. And boy do we love our guns.
The necessity of filming the police constantly, from every angle
by Marshall Brain | April 14, 2009
With the advent of inexpensive video cameras in the 1980s, it became possible for normal citizens to document the activities of police and military personnel. What we have discovered is that, on occasion, police officers can be extremely violent. The first case to get widespread attention was Rodney King’s in 1991: When watching the King [...]
Machine guns are one of the most important innovations in recent military history. Learn about machine guns and automatic weapons in this HowStuffWorks podcast.
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