db_zero

Chicago is known as Chiraq to many who reside there. There are 68,000 or so gang members in the area. A huge public housing complex was demolished. As a result a huge number of gang members from one gang was dispersed into areas that are under the control of a rival gang. Thus you have a turf war going on. 90% of America simply can't relate to this. Decades of government support and trillions of dollars has lead to this, yet the solution from Washington is more of the same with gun control thrown in for good measure. Any wonder why the vast majority of Americans have simply thrown up their arms and given up?

Yes America has made mistakes in the past. Whether you want to dwell on it is your business. I could cry and whine about what was done to my parents and their parents for past injustices, but they didn't. They made the best of their situation in the hopes that I would have a better life and my parents did and so have I.

You made a wrong assumption to begin with. America is not a democracy. America is a Republic.

IMO-I don't care if your conservative, liberal or independent-the 2nd Amendment is meant for you. World history would be far different if indigenous people were as well armed as their oppressors. There is a very valid reason why the Founding Fathers penned the 2nd Amendment. What came after is subject to debate, but IMO things would have been far different had the oppressed been as well armed as the oppressors.

Unfortunately I have to concur. I always tell people that if you spend $500 on a handgun you should be prepared to spend at least twice as much on training and 4-5 times on ammo just to get up to speed and take refresher training yearly and shoot on a regular basis just to maintain minimal proficiency. Depending on what you own and use you should really be prepared to be trained on the use of handguns, shoguns and long rifles and if you carry a handgun and long gun, 2 gun training is useful. Once you get proficient learning basics of use of firearms in a CQB/hostage situation is very useful. Its amazing how many will fail at simple tasks when put in a fire and movement drill. You can tell and demonstrate to someone over and over how to clear a double feed, but once they start moving and firing and encounter a failure its interesting to see them do what they've seen over and over in movies and TV and fail. Unless you take what you learned and practice over and over at home with snap caps in your spare time until it becomes as normal as riding a bike and is natural, you will find yourself making the same mistake over and over. I still find myself learning and kicking myself for making "dumb errors", but at least now I can quickly identify and rectify them in seconds on the firing line with live ammo. That only comes with time, practice and persistence. Every new gun I get I make sure to retake the same training courses I took with other guns. I find that's the only way to really get to know and get on a path to mastering a weapon system. I was introduced to gun by my father before I could drive. Once I took training at a much older age it opened a whole new world. I took my niece and nephew who never fired a real gun to a training class. They loved it and in their word "made 2 converts". Its their choice about whether they own guns or not, but at least I showed them the responsible path to gun ownership.

I've had one incident where 3 thugs were scarred off when they realized we were armed. I see any shooting that fits the media adgenda get headline coverage and days of intense coverage, yet there has been a couple of home invasions where the homeowner was armed and shot the intruders gets buried and hardly any coverage. That all being said being a victim of a carjacking and armed robbery where being the law abiding citizen who followed the rules and was not armed, I agree that the intensity, surprise and shock that occur makes fighting back problimatical. Thats why I spend so much time, effort and ammunition in training from a highly trained professional with extensive military and Law Enforcement experience and has been in numerous shootouts. He has taken what he learned and puts you through a lot of drills using live ammo in realistic situations. I have plenty of motivation to practice and learn. I've been training and studying for over 4 years. I don't plan on using it, but if I had to I have something to fall back on. In general I'm a nice person who is non confrontational. I prefer to avoid and walk away from conflict. Unfortunately I've learned the hard way there is evil in this world and it oftentimes seeks you out. If you have to confront it its best to be well prepared.

Buzz-as a law abiding gun owner who lived in a anti-gun urban area we were an oppressed class of citizens under constant attack by activists and local government. Criminals, derelicts and deadbeats would receive more support, have laws passed to protect their rights than law abiding gun owners. I've since left the crime ridden area and its a lot different, but even so there is a movement to restrict guns which is causing a lot of rift. I do travel 2 hours often to take intense gun training in a much more rural area. Big difference.

huh? Japan had strict gun control. In fact they did not allow most classes of subjects to carry or possess swords, yet they showed a disregard for human life in WW2. Many Islamic countries have severe gun control, yet they've demonstrated a disregard for human life.

Europeans have a long history of guns, but unless I'm mistaken nothing like a 2nd Amendment. When I lived In Europe and traveled through the Middle East and Asia I respected their laws and views on guns. I didn't go around lecturing them or trying to change them. They can choose as they please. There are those in America who would like to impose European style gun control on Americans and the response has been a restounding NO.

Has nothing to do with American Exceptionalism. Many are simply ignorant of the long history of guns in America and the culture that has evolved around it. Attempts by some to impose their will and beliefs has fueled resentment. The recalls in Colorado is indicitive of the resentment. For me besides the incidents involving thugs, the memory of what took place 20 years ago during the Rodney King riots is a reminder of what can take place. The LAPD formed a picket line around Rodeo Drive and other ritzy, predominantly white areas. The rest of the city was left to fend for themselves. The Korean community who were the shopowners servicing the poorer neighborhoods saw their businesses looted. After a day they armed themselves and defended their businesses and were left alone. Armed with assault rifkes, shotguns and other firearms it was clear what faced anyone who tried to loot them. You are only a riot or natural disaster away from being forced to denend yourself.

As someone who lived in Europe, been to Asia and Canada I find that in those countries I get the impression the citizens are happy with strict gun control. I felt very safe in Asia and Canada as well as Europe-even in the urban areas. Gun control seems to work well in Europe, Canada and Asia. However as an American who lived over 20 years in one of the most violent American cities and faced gun violence first hand up close and personal on a few occasions as well as other violent incidents that did not involve guns I firmly believe that gun control is unworkable and unrealistic in America. Much of that is cultural, but there are also practical realities that also make gun control unworkable and unrealistic in America. I live in a state that has very strict gun control and the city I lived in has very strict gun control laws and many gun free zones. Yet the murder rate has sky rocketed and gun crime is rampant. Law abiding citizens who obey the strict gun control laws are the victims of those who simply ignore the laws and don't care. Another big problem is the loudest anti-gun control politicians who constantly whine about guns have been issued concealed carry permits despite the fact the districts they represent almost never issue them to ordinary citizens. That right there destroys their credibility. Most politicians really don't understand what really is happening in the districts they represent as they spend most of their time in Washington, not in the districts they represent. There is also a heavily element of dependency on the government for assistance in may urban areas which these politicians give out heavy government assistance in return for votes. The side effect is institutionalized racism, a breakdown of the family, a lack of drive and initiative, no sense of individual responsibility and generations that have been raised on government welfare and the expectation that they are entitled to endless government support. Its little surprise that these very areas are the ones with the highest levels of gun violence, while at the same time have the strictest gun control laws. It’s hardly surprising that the same liberal politicians are voted into office, while there is absolutely no conservatives who have held office for decades, yet the liberal politicians blame conservatives and guns for their problems. Many Americans including myself simply don't buy this excuse. It’s hardly surprising that every time there is a mass shooting these politicians from the urban areas blame guns and try to fire up the public to enact more gun control laws. First off the gun violence that plagues their urban areas is usually tied to gangs and the drug trade. Many of their failed liberal policies have contributed to this. The mass shootings that make for the spectacular headlines are a different type of gun violence. Even more troubling is the media cover up of the fact that all of these mass shooters were on SSRI drugs which is known to cause suicidal and psychotic behavior in a percentage of those who take them. Unfortunately the pharmaceutical industry is a huge multi billion dollar industry with plenty of money and lobbyists to influence politicians and the media. So guns get the blame. I will say this. Living in a liberal heavy handed gun control urban area for 20 years, I was always weary and cognizant of potential trouble lurking everywhere and the possibility of gun violence. I could hear gunshots at night quite often. Once I left the urban areas for the more rural areas you have a different type of gun culture where the local law enforcement issued CCW's, most of the people carried and owned guns, yet there is far less gun violence and I felt less leery and ironically safer. So yes I can agree that in Europe, Asia and Canada gun control works, but America is a different case. We have the 2nd amendment and in the rural areas the gun culture is very strong. Many suburban areas also has a strong gun culture. The coastal and some urban areas tend to be more anti-gun. Many voters including myself tend to be 1 issue voters. I’m independent and have voted for both parties in the past. However the gun issue is something I feel very passionately about and will not vote for any politician who favors gun control. If the recall in Colorado is any indication, many politicians who voted for gun control are going to get a rude awakening next election. I have no problem crossing party lines when it comes to guns.

I can't recall how many times I built the Monogram Mark IV. There was a bunch of the Monogram kits that I built-The Sherman which had the option to glue on the rhino horns, Sherman Calliope, Brumbar, Whirblewind, Whirlblewind Ostwind, Sturmschutz, Grant, Lee and the M-48 Patton. Then there were the other Monogram kits-M3 Half-Track, Meat Chopper with quad 50's, 2.5 ton truck, Weasel and Jeep. The instructions always had a nice historical notes on the front and came with the scenario building instructions-some were in full color. Tamiya also made great kits. I still remember my parents taking me to the hobby store on my birthday. I picked out the 88mm Flak gun. Came with a messenger who rode a Zundapp motorcycle.

Gotta love you-tube. Never seen this training film before. Kinda long but interesting-even if part propaganda. The part about using the bazooka as an IED against tanks is very interesting-maybe this could be implemented at some point? It would make the homely bazooka a real Panther/Tiger killer as the bottom armor is pretty thin.

I was digging through some stuff and I found this: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/panzertales-world-tank-museum-illustrated-collector-book-yoh-morinaga/1100340965?ean=9780979068409 I got it years ago from a game store and thought it was cool. Was a lot cheaper than what people want for it now. Think I paid $15. Anyway one of the interesting tidbits about the Sherman was it had a escape hatch on the bottom of the tank, but the infantrymen often stole it as they found it made a great bullet shield!

I was wondering about the rifle grenades. I figured they would be useful against half tracks and some of the armored support vehicles that were open topped or had light armor. I'm now wondering that if fired at the 2 or 3 level at the rear top armor that covered the engines could it disable or destroy a Panther or Tiger. The Panther had a gasoline engine that tended to burn.

Good info in the responses and I could use many of the suggestions. For the firing arcs I'm thinking to limit the bazooka and Shreick to 40-50 yards and Fausts to 25 yards. I would like to see something such as a fire to disable to simulate deliberate aiming at the treads or sprockets of a tank. I'm sure many soldiers knew the bazooka was not effective against the armor of some tanks, but aiming to disable them was useful. Wouldn't a tank moving at speed that was hit in the sprocket, track or bogie wheel and threw a tread swerve to one direction? That would give time for the AT team to make some sort of escape if facing just a tank or 2. Some sort of "shoot and scoot" or as someone mentioned "peek and shoot" seems like a very valid tactic and make infantry more effective and put the fear of urban or areas with cover into tankers which some feel is currently lacking. Even when on the road when I look out my car which has excellent visibility the trees, shrubs and other cover combined with the shadows and if its sunny the lighting makes spotting someone who is hiding difficult. A tank it would seem-especially if buttoned up would have a hard time spotting a hidden AT team and an AT team using shoot and scoot or peek and shoot would have what would seem to be a decent chance of being able to shoot and get away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5blBzHha9_U

I had a situation where I was facing a Mark IV in hedgerows and defended the area with 3 sections of men hiding each armed with bazookas. 2 shots got off. 1 missed and 1 hit but the armored skirt prevented damage. All the men died or surrendered. I realize the bazooka isn't the most effective AT weapon in 44. I just need to figure out the best way to employ them. The German Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks on the other hand appear to have no problems with allied tanks. If you put your infantry on Hide I'm not sure if they will fire at an enemy tank that comes into range and it seems if you don't hide them enemy tanks have little problems spotting them-this is alluded to in another thread. I thought there was an "Ambush" command in CM1. Is there a way to issue commands to recreate that? How effective are bazookas against MKIV-with and with out armored skirts. I assume Panthers and Tigers is pretty much useless against the front and barely effective against the sides and the backside is the best angle-but just how much I don't know. If you fire from a higher elevation-especially from the rear I assume you'll get the best results as your aiming the the top part of the engine compartment. The other German tanks such as the STUG 3, IV I assume the same rules as the Mark IV apply. All in all it appears that most of the time taking on German tanks with bazookas is a death wish-which may be pretty accurate. I assume you can't pick up the German stuff and use it. Also from what I've seen any solid hit with the German stuff pretty much destroys Allied armor no matter what the angle.

I get about 16-24 hours and shoot off 700-1200 rounds of ammo every 6-8months in a shoot house and I don't really know squat about the subject other than I hope I never have to do it for real. I've already had a few incident with guns and that was more than enough without adding all the elements that come with the urban environment. Kinda scarry to think that in WW2 many had absolutly no training in urban combat and it was all on the job training. Easy to see why if given the choice many just preferred to bypass or surround built up areas, but there were time when that wasn't possible.

I'm playing Carbide Carbide. Its my 3rd time playing h2h. As the Allieds my right flank got crushed and that pretty much ends it for me as the Germans have interior lines of communications and can easily reinforce other sectors while the Allieds are seperated. My other h2h game I'm the German defender and so far giving my opponent a rough time. Seems like a tough nut to crack if your the Americans. My first h2h playing Carbide as Americans I lost. Most of my infantry was shot to pieces. In another h2h-Crossroads I'm having a tough time with well placed Panthers. I seem to run out of time in many of my games.

Looks good. I'm looking forward to it. Works well on my phone and will be a welcome diversion when my g/f won't shut up.

I'm happy to report that after reading all of this and looking at the AAR's my MkIV's have done quite well in my h2h game chalking up 2 confirmed and 1 probable kill of Shermans without suffering any losses. Looks like you need to think of them as Sturmschutzs with turrets and use them as ambushers, not main battle tanks. Some of the Shermans took 2-3 penetrating shots to the front hull and kept rolling along. They eventually succumbed to more hits fired from my lone Mark IV defending the flank.

I think Patton said something to the effect that it was a bold and daring plan, but Montgomery was the wrong person to lead it.

Yes it involves Romans, but alas even Caligula would be ashamed to be associated with the monstrosity that was released.