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For home defense, the focus is usually on 12-gauge shotguns, but we recently tested two 20 gauges that for many—if not all—folks would be better choices because of their lighter weight and reduced recoil. One of our test products was the Mossberg 500 Persuader/Cruiser 3-Inch 20 Gauge 6-shot No. 50452, $388. In their commercial form, the Persuaders are virtual duplicates of the Mossberg military 500 and 590 models. Persuader shotguns are available in both 18.5-inch and 20-inch barrel lengths, traditional blued or non-glare matte finishes, and some come with Ghost Ring sights. Available in .410 bore, 20- and 12-gauge models, Mossberg Special Purpose shotguns feature an anti-jam elevator, dual extractors, black synthetic stocks, and drilled and tapped receivers (20 and 12 gauge only) for scope base and optics installation. The Persuader/Cruiser models come with standard stocks, but also include a Cruiser-style pistol grip kit, which we didn't use in our testing.

On Feb. 26, John R. Lott, Jr. wrote this on the Fox News website: It is pretty hard to seriously argue that a new so-called 'assault weapons' ban would reduce crime in the United States. Even research done for the Clinton Administration couldn't find that the federal assault weapons ban reduced crime.

The NRA's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) published a response to the ABC News item last week about Attorney General Eric Holder's comments that the Obama Administration will seek to ban some imported semi-autos, misrepresented as assault weapons.

Smith & Wesson is recalling all Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols manufactured by Smith & Wesson from March 21, 2002, until February 3, 2009.

From Barron's, the financial publishing firm: 'The stay-at-home hobbyist speculator crowd has been manically betting that societal unrest will have us all arming ourselves.'

ABC News reports what gun owners feared from Eric Holder: A statement that the Obama Administration will seek to ban currently legal semi-auto rifles and other self-defense firearms.

Shooters who have considered purchasing a semiautomatic rifle chambered for .308 (7.62 NATO) likely balk at the question of which rifle they should buy, bypassing completely the question of whether to buy such a gun. Unquestionably, self-loading .308s are coveted by nearly everybody, mainly because they can do so much. They can compete, they can plink, they can hunt, and, of course, they’re made for self-defense, should such a situation arise. Though there are many options if you care to search them out, there are basically three readily available rifle types in .308. They are the FAL, the M1A (M14 clone), and the HK-91. The L1A1 FAL, equipped as we’ve described it below, is a very good alternative to the M1A Springfield, and may be less costly.

JUNEAU - Governor Sarah Palin encouraged U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to support recently adopted regulations allowing concealed weapons in national parks and wildlife refuges. Secretary Salazar has directed a review of the regulations that were approved by the previous administration.

CAMP PERRY, Ohio - If you know of a JROTC high school senior or ROTC college underclass cadet in good standing who participates on a competitive rifle club or varsity team, it's time to spread the word that applications are available to apply for a $1,000 CMP ROTC scholarship. The deadline for applications is March 5, 2009.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Gander Mountain Company (NASDAQ:GMTN) has announced preliminary results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended January 31, 2009.

ROCHESTER, NY – American Tactical Imports Inc. has introduced the first-ever 410 caliber semiautomatic shotgun. The T14 is a smooth bore, open choke 410 shotgun based on the AR15 rifle.

WESTMINSTER, Calif. -- Special Agent in Charge John A. Torres of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Westminster Police Department have announced that a $10,000 reward will be offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for the burglary of a federal firearms licensee (FFL).