Machine Gun Shootout

i have to go to try some of that..

Knob Creek is NOT the largest machine gun shoot as reported.
It IS the largest machine gun shoot AND TRADE SHOW.
Wanna visit a LARGE machine gun shoot? Either one of these are 8 times bigger than Knob Creek. Believe me I've been to all of them.
MGShooters.com
oklahomafullauto.com

I had to use a gun in my home to take a human life, and it was sanctioned, and my mother who helped start Samco Arms co. also used a gun on three different occasions to thwart illegal acts, in three different homes. Two by humans and one act by a snake. So I have a right to say we need more Knob Creek like events all over this country to celebrate our God given rights. If you want to elect me for a political seat I'm ready, just contact me. Mark

I understand that they have the right to do this, and they aren't doing anything wrong. But it seems very violent and destructive and it makes me wonder, "what are they preparing for?"
i'm not anti-gun,i might get one in the future strictly for personal protection. i just don't want to see them in the wrong hands. In some states, that's easily achieved.

I bet not a lot of people have there homes broken into when someone could be waiting with a loaded Assault weapon

GREAT ALL WE NEEDED WAS MORE REDNECKS

the funny thing about gun control advocates is that most of them are victims of people who haven't learned anything about gun safety. i think if more people who are afraid of assault weapons and or gun ownership in general would just educate themselves, we might not have the raging debate that we have now. after all, violent criminals have no qualms about purchasing such weapons illegally, so why should law-abiding citizens be forbidden to defend themselves in kind?

Guns are made to kill. No other reason. If we believe killing is wrong then why do we let any other industry save the government itself provide access to anyone but law enforcement. Yes, someone can gain access to weaponry to attempt a devious crime. But, unless their intent is to murder you, if they come in to rob you, and you don't have a gun, what are you going to do besides say, "Take whatever you want. Just don't kill me!" Unless you have a death wish you'll live and the criminal probably wasn't planning on being wanted for murder. Just robbery.
I know that's very probable and everyone's worried about that psychopath that's just trying to kill. But, I really felt like it needed to be said.
I don't really believe we will be able to justify the revocation of the right to bear arms for awhile at least. Not until we learn to understand and take responsibility for the decomposition of morality in the minds of our fellow human beings. After all we all start with a blank slate and are then subject to the same completely unpredictable and uncontrollable set of circumstances-

let's hope we don't have another civil war. pretty sure we'd all get a new flag...

Video Highlight:

The Jesse Venture looking dude, cigar out of the side of his mouth, ONE-ARMING a massive effin machine gun.

YEEESSSSSSSS!!!!

Kaj,

Knob Creek is not the biggest machine gun shoot, the Big Sandy shoot has the most machine guns, artillery, anti tank guns and grenade launchers. It is a pay event and draws a big crowd. Check it out.
Shoot free at my area.

I wonder how the world would benefit if guns were never produced. Let's imagine that everyone (every Nation's military and its civilians) were to somehow agree to get rid of all of our guns. Would less people die? Or, would there just be more ninja-style fighting to settle disputes?
The effect is that less people would die due to the limited reach of old school warfare.

Perhaps Martial Arts and self-defense of olden times would be better than guns to settle disputes these days.
Then, if someone wanted someone dead, they would have to duke it out with man-to-man combat (or woman to woman). The most skilled person would win. As opposed to guns and modern-day warfare, where it's basically survival of the quickest draw, or quickest bomb or attack, and no longer Survival of the Fittest. Wow, guns have overtaken Evolution!

I know from the Constitution, which most of the time tells us what we can and can't do, as so-called 'Rights' and 'Liberties'; that we are entitled to "bear arms". But, when someone comes at me with a gun, how am I supposed to protect my self or my family with the arms from a bear? Weird.

So, these are my quarrels and suggestions on our 2nd Amendment right to "bear arms" and our ever-increasing situation of guns by the tons, and death by the 'loads'. Get it?
Someone check the stats on deaths by guns and modern day warfare vs. the amount of destruction caused by the weapons of yesteryear.
This world would be a much safer place due to the limited reach of old-school weapons. Less death = more peace. More peace = the world I want to live in.

Now peace out! I gotta go clean my guns and practice my nunchuks just in case. ;-)

Did anyone see any non-white people attending this gun-party....?

It's funny how ignorant people will try to convince you they are the intelligent and safe ones...."don't worry about us, we like to shoot shit up and aren't doing it on a video game, we are doing it for real.....so don't worry about us...we are okay...we are the good ones...."

Im a licensed gun collector and a gulf war veteran.Im a member of the NRA and the VFW.This gun range is awesome! I shook hands with R.LEE ERMY" the gunny " and he signed my glock tee shirt.I saw about everygun under the sun and the people there were all friendly and very safety minded.Prices are resonable a good time will be had by all.

Your typical gun owner is more than likely your run of the mill hunter/plinker. The owners of these particular high end weapons are far from being the typical gun owner. They are quite obviously zealous as well as atypical in their ownership of firearms. As I am sure by far, that a significantly greater of these are law abiding citizens, the perception from such videos by many non gun owners and especially pro-gun control advocates is that their are a bunch of crazies out in the back woods drinking it up and shooting up the place.
Now, I appreciate a good capability exercise as well as the next guy and enjoy getting behind an M-60 or a 50 Cal. every now and then, but as a military man I favor also the control of a well run firing line when there are numerous weapons involved. The fact that not only are there numerous weapons involved but there are numerous types with differing capabilities which increases the variable risk of accident. Yes, it all looks fun and if all goes well.... it is .......but I'd still add more controls to such an exercise.....especially when your placing these weapons in the hands of total strangers who are paying for the experience. It only takes one incident to happen, or one crazy to show up at an event like this to bring about a lot of grief for everyone.......

But Kaj, its important to train for the revolution!

Luckasa: is one of many 'reasons' that if this country is again, ever involved in a terrorist attack, or any country for that matter victimized by such, that he, and the ilks like him, and the "the earth is flat", "the sky is falling", the "tree hugging earth munching druid" types and that similiar types like him and his/her of the mentality they take on..that they/him/her become its' first/next casualty.
Its long overdue that the gene pool needs cleansing. Morons like this are allowed to drive, vote, and breed!! Whew, God help us all!!

great POD Kaj, good work. Also to Evan and Adam, amazing job guys.

I am sure no matter what color you are whether your white, green or black or red, everyone is welcome. No one should feel as an outcast. There is every color of race of people in this Country and every color has shed blood for the freedom of this Country so just be proud you are an American and go to Knob Creek while we still have the right to own a firearm, thats about all I can say

i can't wait to buy my m16. only a few more months, i'm so excited

This was an AWESOME Pod!!!
It's very important to have guns! The whole reason we have the right to bare arms is cause the Government could go bad, and if (and when) that happens, the citizens have a way to protect themselves and this country... Keep that in mind when you say we need to tighten up the laws in this country.

forget all the rest, i shot my first glock 9 the other day besides lil 22's at camp and the only thing ive thought about is the raw feelin you get from poppin off rounds, im all for it, how do i get on the list??

good to see law abiding citizens excercising their right to keep and bear arms, awesome!

Interesting post.

This is interesting simply for the fact that I am a Vietnam Veteran that served on the King Cobra Gun Truck during 1971-72. It is nice to see that there is someplace people can shoot these weapons. I did Basic Training down at Fort Knox, Kentucky and never knew that there was such a place for Machine Gun Enthusiasts and to the people who hold this event my hat goes off to them for keeping this event going, this is Great, Bruce from Maine

Interesting pod. What made it was great b-roll and relating the issue to America's history. The narration was really well written and the images went great with it. I thought the pod was a couple minutes too long. The stuff in the end was great (the shootout and the background), but I think a little bit of the comments in the middle could have been cutdown to make the piece a little bit tighter. Interesting subject and well covered.

The flamethrower looked fun :) But I still think that guns should be controlled. If you really think about it, the reason guns were even invented was to kill people, for war, conflicts, etc. I think that gun control, experience, and education should be equally exercised, the latter being the one that isn't really employed today. The more knowledge you have, the better.

Yo barkway,

I'm on your side dude!! Some of the posts here are from people who obviously are not. I am from Texas and a current CHL holder. Florida as well as Texas found violent crime dipped significantly after legal concealed carry. I just wanted Kaj to explain Class 3 to the uninformed. Obviously you are not one. Shoot on!!!

jayteebubba:

Nonsense. Anyone can get anything they want on the black market license or no license. Ask a gang member. They are often better equipped than the local police.Even Britain is having the same issue since their tough gun law enactment in 1997. Violence not only didn't go down (in fact it's up) but the black market has flourished.

Kaj,

I think you need to explain in detail about a class 3 license and what it takes to have one. It needs to be explained that "machine gun" ownership is strictly illegal except with a class 3 license. I am a 50 year gun owner, collector and world wide hunter and I find it too restrictive to possess a class 3 license. The people who have one have undergone extremely rigid and intense background checks. Nobody slips through the class 3 cracks!!! A misinformed public is (and rightfully so) frightened of this stuff but the stuff they should be fearful of, is never seen by them until it is used in a criminal action against them. Please inform and never mis- or dis- inform. Yours was a pretty good film with very little misinformation.

I watched this entire pod with my mouth wide open!! I 100% agree with a person's right to bare arms, but this did shock me a little.

Our military leaders in the field say the troops are stretched too thin and enlistments are down? They should be courting THESE folks as replacements!

I grew up less than 3 miles from Knob Creek Gun Range, infact I lived on Knob Creek Rd. My mother was pregnant with me and going there, I have been going to the Spring and Fall Shoots ever since I was in my mom's womb. This is were I learned a lot about my childhood and was able to express myself growing up. I learned about gun safety there and still shoot at the range til this day. The owners are great people and the Machine Gun Shoot brings in a lot of money for this small area which helps out a lot of folks. Before I got older and had to get a adult job I use to work at the shoot, you meet a lot of interesting people and I have friends that I have met from shoots that I still talk after the shoots. Thanks KCR.

u should show this on Iraqi television Americans may be passified by fast food & money but we'll kick your a$$ to keep it.. as they say let sleeping dog lay. I say dont @#ck with my food bowl..

I think that any law abiding person should be allowed to own what every we want. I live in Ohio and have owned Machineguns for about 20yr.and I have not caused any harm to anyone.
I just don't get it people think that the 2nd amendment was put in place for hunting and that is far from the truth. The 2nd amendment was put in place to keep the government in check, and the phrase, well regaled militia was we the people, and we had the same weapons as are government.

Ed

great great pod...this should be a feature doc

Well, campers, it's about three weeks until the range goes hot...
Army dude - I'm an old fat vet... If they'd take me back, I'd be in the sandbox area, doing what I could to help, but the nice recruiter guys seem to think that my knees are funny... But I still love the shooting sports. And the mobile "exhibits" that the Patton Museum brings over from Ft. Knox are great.
If any of y'all make it, a bud and I are vendors - look for the Viking Machine banner, or the Freak Show tent in the campground.
You know, what a few folks really missed is that this is basically harmless fun. Unless you are really, really attached to junk cars...

It gives me hope for the security of America and the Constitution.

He/she has had about 6 posts deleted so far today. At 2:15 PM he/she was back. A slow learner and so damn annoying.

Lovely - I'll check that out. Thanks.

On CBSNews' message board about "Arrest made in murder" a dipstick called cantante1 keeps posting anti-gun BS. This person has posted about 100 hessages in the last couple days, almost all of which have been deleted. Go there and give this wacko some grief.

The host mentioned how the Somali gun market was the largest he ever saw until he went to KC. Let’s compare apples to apples peeps! The big difference between the Somali market and KC’s is paperwork and regulation. Third-world markets are “open” – you have the cash, you get the stash. You honestly don’t think they carry “gun cards” or permits in Somalia, do you? The vendors at KC have passed strict federal licensing requirements and those purchasing firearms there must do the same. That’s the difference between the two markets. Sure, KC may have a lot, but it’s the biggest event of its kind in the country, and the US is no tiny country. Of course it’s going to be big!

A (probably young) military member posted something anti-gun tainted suggesting how the guys that enjoy guns should join the military. Did it ever occur to you that a huge number of people that enjoy guns are vets? Do you have to be a vet to enjoy guns when the constitution clearly states the right to own firearms belongs to each and every one of us – that is, the common U.S. citizen? Of course not. Do you honestly think the military does nothing but good with its weapons like you suggest? You’re not that naïve are you? You get to shoot M16’s and other firearms all the time? Really? Consider yourself lucky. I’m a Desert Storm vet, and while I served, the military only let us shoot a couple times a year – that’s it (during non-combat times). If you’re not in the desert, I find it highly unlikely you shoot that often…the budget is normally too tight to allow troops to shoot regularly. Judging by your post and the words you chose, you barely know anything about firearms in general – legality, constitutionality, whatever. I’m sure you can find a mentor in your unit that can bring you up to speed…and you should. It’s funny, people think because you’re in the military, you know everything about firearms. That’s so far from the truth. It depends on your job. I was a MP assigned to nuclear weapons security. I did convoys all the time, too. I served with people who could barely qualify with their weapons, and they surely didn’t own a firearm for personal use. I’m not sure why people like that join the military, to be honest. People like that could find a more fulfilling life as a liberal bed-wetter working for the Clinton camp. I have absolutely ZERO sympathy for any military member or veteran that does not completely embrace the second amendment and its extreme importance to this country. That’s like spitting in the faces of all the vets before you that died in order to make sure our country and our bill of rights remains intact. To me, a vet that doesn’t embrace the second amendment should be found guilty of treason. You have absolutely no excuse to not know the value of the second amendment. It’s a good thing I’m not Judge Dredd, ‘caus heads would roll. Anyone that needs a wakeup call about this should visit this site: http://www.managedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGo.php

Ok, who’s next?

The lack of black people at KC was also addressed – but there are some there, as indicated. Not enough there for you? Do you think the promoters of the event should do something special to make you feel more welcome? Do you think they do anything special for the whites to make them more welcome? Of course they don’t! No special perks for anyone, because EVERYONE is welcome. If you feel uncomfortable amongst so many white people, that’s your own personal problem you need to work on. Get a few of your black friends together and go to the event. Same guy mentioned about not needing a gun because he would “talk it out first”. Guess what, despite whatever stereotypes you have in your heads folks, most gun owners will talk it out with an intruder or thug before they pull the trigger. Most gun owners are NOT shoot-first, ask-questions-later types that kill every living thing in front of their firearms w/o warning. You definitely don’t pull out a gun if someone is merely arguing with you. But, you do pull out a gun if someone has a knife, their own gun, or some other weapon intent on hurting you or your loved ones. What is your life worth to you? I don’t care if you’re an nth degree black belt, if someone has a gun you better have one to defend yourself or you better run like h*ll!

I can tell you this – God Bless our law enforcement folks. They do a super-tough job to keep us safe. But, any good LE officer will tell you this – YOU and only YOU are responsible for your life. This means that in your precious time of need, if someone threatens your life, you better have a means to defend yourself… because it will take several minutes or longer for LE to show up. You could be dead by the time they show unless you have the means to preserve your life or your family’s life. You either care about yourself/family or you don’t. Don’t expect LE to be responsible if an intruder kills you or your kids/wife before they show up. You can file lawsuit after lawsuit, but you’ll get nothing in court. Owe up to your responsibility for your own life or shut up when others stick up for themselves. I don’t care what anyone tells you – you have a GOD-given right to defend yourself, independent of any law on any book anywhere.

Someone mentioned controlling ammo with exuberant prices – just like Chris Rock mentioned. Brilliant. Then how will Joe Average citizen afford the ammo to protect their loved ones? Guess what, if you don’t practice shooting with your firearm regularly, it will be useless to you in time of need. Like all things in life – practice makes perfect. If you think you’re going to purchase a pistol for home defense, throw it in your drawer, and then use it “someday” if you need it – WRONG! You must practice. Ammo is currently expensive right now; it’s the highest it’s ever been, so people can barely afford it now. Serializing ammo is equally as dumb, as the price will shoot up so high, no one will be able to afford it. Raising ammo prices or making more gun laws only affects ordinary citizens; it has no affect on the black market where most career criminals get their goods.

Not your idea of fun to shoot MGs? Well, no problem, I’m glad you have an opinion. I’m proud of you even if your mother isn’t. Go get your rocks off at Pier 1, go read a book about self-help at your local bookstore while you sip a no-fun latte, or do whatever it is you do. Nobody cares what you like – that’s your business. Why would you care what someone else likes – as long as they’re not doing something illegal or bothering you, why WOULD you care? People have a nasty habit of sticking their noses where they don’t belong. If you don’t get it – move along now chum! However, if you’re interested, talk to one of the nice folks at a shooting event, as they’ll be glad to share a part of American heritage with you. You’d be surprised how nice gun folks are and you may actually learn something for once in your life.

Bringing an infant to the event…well, I’m an avid shooter (amongst my other hobbies), and I have a 10-month-old son. I agree; I would not bring a young child to the event for the primary reason of hearing damage or vision damage…no other reasons. I think younger kids (5 on up maybe?), no problem. But, infants or toddlers – no. Bad choice there – but don’t think you won’t see parents making stupid calls when they bring their infants and toddlers to the nearest race track, music concert, or other loud event. This is not just a gun culture thing, it’s a dumb parent thing. There are plenty of parents making dumb mistakes everyday…worldwide.

Another mentioned how this Pod doesn’t represent *their* America. What America do you live in exactly? If this country continues to be so polarized with those who either hate or love firearms, then maybe we need to designate certain states as firearm-friendly states and other states as anti-firearm. Then people will know where their place is in society. If your current state happens to be designated a gun-friendly state, then you can quit your job, sell your home, and move to whichever gun-hating state you wish where you can practice your hate against gun lovers with your fellow liberals. Makes a lot of sense, right? Why don’t you educate yourself about firearms the real way – go shooting with someone and then form your opinions. If your firearm opinion is formed from the poisonous trash pawned off as “news” or from the opinions of other haters, it’s no wonder why you’re clueless and hateful. You don’t know! It simply amazes me why people are so verbal about things they know little-to-nothing about. People of all ages, all walks of society, and all education levels are guilty of this – talking proudly about things they’re hardly qualified to talk about. Our lawmakers are a prime example. Oh yea, guess which states the criminals will migrate to in the proposed state scenario I describe above? Hint – they’ll leave the firearm-friendly states.

Someone said that exposing children to firearms could be like an addictive drug, if they don’t get their fix, then they’ll “go off”. Really? If you don’t get your chocolate fix for one day, do you behead your neighbor with your camping ax in a quest to find some? Why don’t you do that? Because you know better and were instructed on how to act in society, just like the kids of responsible gun-owning parents. Would you agree the kid in the video looked like a calm, intelligent, and seemingly respectable young man? Of course he did. Kids like him are rare these days because parents buy into the media hysteria and general anti-gun hype and keep kids from guns. Learn about firearms yourself - then teach your children about them; that’s the only way they’ll be safe around firearms. If you keep them from firearms, they’ll always be curious and when they get the chance to handle one, they won’t know what to do with it…and may hurt themselves or another child. Accidents happen because people lacked training on how to avoid accidents. Education erases ignorance.

Overall a pretty decent video, but the host used wording which hinted of anti-gun sentiment while trying to maintain objectivity. He straddled the fence of objectivity, yet set foot on the “anti” side. I want to address some short-sighted posts…so here we go. I have so much to say, so I’ll do multiples. I will be more than happy to discuss anything about firearms and their owners with anyone, but I want to address the posts associated with this particular video first.

First off, keep in mind machine guns are regular guns that fire automatically with only a single press of the trigger. They fire continuously until you release the trigger or until your ammo runs out – whichever comes first. But, machine guns are guns still, even though they are WAY, WAY, WAY more regulated and illegal for regular citizens to own in the overwhelming majority of U.S. states. There are only a handful of U.S. states that allow regular citizens to own machine guns, albeit after a mountain of paperwork is completed. If you’re a federally-licensed firearm manufacturer or machine gun dealer, you can possess machine guns in any state with such a license. Good luck trying to get a license if you cannot prove a legitimate need or use for it – also highly regulated. So, when talking about MG’s, you’re also talking about guns in general, as many posters have put them into the same basket, but keep in mind they’re a unique sub-category of the larger category of firearms.

In the first posting, there’s a young lady trying to shoot a firearm she’s not qualified to shoot – that is, she’s a total beginner and trying something too powerful for her skill level. Horrible decision by the lady’s trainer; he’s responsible for his student and shouldn’t have let her fire it without proper instruction. Like Forest said, “stupid is as stupid does”.

Why not opera music? Opera is riveting and the perfect choice for stirring emotion – it’s used by the motion picture industry all the time. Would gangsta rap be more appropriate? Or do you suggest the Beverly Hillbillies theme song – that’s fitting since many stereotype “gun folks” as being simpletons. Don’t be surprised if your attorney is out there in the crowd! Mishaps at Knob Creek – there are none. EMT’s are standing by and the people present at KC RESPECT firearms, they’re not ignorant street thugs or mindless crack gangstas.

We should restrict the rights of good citizens when it comes to gun ownership because of a few bad apples? I love that reasoning – can it be more flavorful than that approach? Alright then, because of a few bad motorists out there, anyone who cannot pass an advanced defensive driving course (not the sissy course at the DMV) will be forced to give up their driving privileges until you can pass the test…sounds fair to me! I can assure you of this – your life will be threatened repeatedly by bad motorists and their stupid decisions nearly every day on the road…this will occur until you are no longer able to drive. Most people will never come into contact with a gun-toting criminal their entire lifetime – ever. So, how come we’re not making tougher driving laws; the incidence of driving deaths in this nation far outweigh that of firearm deaths. Let’s keep filling the books full of more ridiculous no-value laws! Surely that will solve all our problems. That’s how liberal minds think (and fail).

blue2bomber - thanks for your service to America - I highly respect our Military & the service its members do for our Country every day.

I respectfully disagree with the following statement: "why don't the guys who enjoy guns join the military where they can actually do some good with them?"

Yes, you can do a TON of good with guns in the Military, but that is not the only place. Guns are used by civilians in the US more than 2 Million times a year in defense of themselves & their family, which is not even bringing up all of the food donated to the poor by hunters, or the good clean fun the shooting sports in general provide to Americans of all ages, so yes guns do a LOT of good, even outside of the Military.

If you didn't actually mean to imply that the Military is the only place good can be done with guns, than we're already on the same page. :)

heh, its not only the police and robbers that have guns. i am in the military, and i work convoys. so we get to test with M-16's and turret guns all the time. so why dont the guys who enjoy guns join the military where they can actually do some good with them? just my personal opinion. enjoyed the clip, my ma in law sent me it, and i was in awe that there is a place where you can shoot all those guns besides the desert. woot!

hey theres a few other cool events in ky like little sturgis at sturgis ky and tatter day in benton ky

My husband has gone to KC several times, and my son and I joined him last April. My son, who had just turned 15 that March, even shot the flame thrower. This is an amazing group of people, and this video really does a good job showing what the weekends are about. Even though we froze our butts off, I'd like to go back again sometime. It's an experience you'll never find anywhere else!

Shooting full auto is pure fun. Great video. It's a shame someone decided to make it so expensive by saying we citizens can only buy full auto weapons manufactured before 1986. Why should only people who can afford the 6K to 100K price tag on these weapons get to have all the fun?

only in america...

Nice job! I'm not surprised to see positive feedback from someone who was interviewed for the piece.

The few seconds devoted to the (cue scary music) business of selling guns should be cut. The ignorant and misleading attempt at journalistic impartiality detracts from the piece.

Participant observation is about the observed interacting with each other, not select chats with the observer. This is no anthropology of guns in America!

Still, a nice piece. Technically proficient, engaging, and fun to watch.

Wheres pt 2 and 1

It's interesting to read the different comments that prove we need to educate the public more about the real facts.
Apparantly much of the public is either ignorant, mis informed, or listening to misguided uninformed people. Or in fact some people spend more time doped up than actually learning. Thank goodness for the few who have taken it upon themselves to provide the correct information to refute the many misguided thoughts and beliefs. My Congrats to those of you who expound and explain.

I didn't realize that Kentucky stood so strongly for a free America.

Perhaps Kentucky ought to maintain the original copy of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Good for you, Kentucky. Good for you.

Very very good vid. We ought to send it to every elected official in America.

Go Second Amendment! Go Ron Paul http://www.ronpaul2008.com/gunowners/

FWIW, for the folks who seem concerned about racial diversity...
There are usually a few black folks present (and welcome...), and I know of at least one black dealer. More than a few soldiers, since the range is adjacent to Ft. Knox. But hey, you can't FORCE black folks to show up... I mean, let's draw a parallel - how many white folks are you going to see at a 50-Cent show?.
Since it's an open event, and racist dumbbleeps... hey, just how descriptive can I be on this medium?... Anywho, the polluted portion of the population pool will generally be present, but not in great numbers at all. Knob Creek's security keeps a good eye on them to prevent trouble, and keep them from stealing. And they generally, despite folks who maintain that they have a right to spew drivel, STFU because Large Ugly People such as myself tend to get irritated with them. They stay in their little groups, and after they get all feel-good with their mutual masturbation society, they crawl back under their rocks.
Most "gun people" do not condone "Illinois Nazis" or kluckers... At many gun shows, if the event promoter discovers that someone is selling or promoting their crap, they get shown the door. So folks please don't stereotype.

It appears to me that Kaj has handled mgs before. He is quite proficient.

Why are people so afraid of guns? Do you not understand that without the 2nd amendment, the 1st is unenforcable?

BTW, short barrels shotguns aren't ilegal either, they are regulated similarly to full auto weapons.

Murder rate in NZ is 110/10k while it is 57/10k in US. They still murder, just not with guns since the citizens have been disarmed. So the actual murder rate in NZ is double what it is in the US even though we have all the "evil" guns.

There were a few mistakes in the discussion. The gun laws and regulations aren't any more flexible in Kentucky. The laws that cover these weapons are the same all across the country - because they're covered by Federal laws. States can make them MORE restrictive, but usually don't since the Federal laws are so tight.

As for why they do it there at Knob Creek - they've obviously got the space! There USED to be an annual machine gun shoot here in San Antonio. Then some stupid, money-grubbing developer bought up land in the impact zone and started building/selling houses to unsuspecting buyers. You can guess - one more machine gun shoot, ricochets and wild rounds found on porches and streets -- and the lawyers came out of the woodwork! Another freedom lost, not to laws this time - but to stupid people!

Great video otherwise. I enjoyed the footage. Especially liked the flame thrower shots. Maybe next year, I'll take my machine gun to Kentucky!

Chuck

This pod is very well done, I like how you used a good variety of people and topics to give someone who has never seen such a gun show a well rounded understanding. You were there ready to not only capture every interesting detail, but you took the effort to even give great introduction and visuals of all those various moments. For example the "you know why this place is wild, cause as soon as you think you've seen it all, then some dude shows up in his own tank and starts blastin' away." A nice little introduction to the rather quick and concise tank scene. Great job on this pod, it sure packs a punch in both the editing and the content, keeping the viewer on the edge of their seat the whole ten minutes.

thanks for this

My view on the subject we need more places like knob creek as of now there are not many shooting ranges we need them it will help because there will be competitions that can bring fathers ,sons,daughters,and moms together for family values and responsability with young kids and adults . there are gameing compititions that dont teach any responsabillity or leadership or to respect outhers and themselves. Kids are fasinated with guns. My parents and also your parents if there mostly around 55 or older they had marksmanship classes in school now what happend to that america? Im going to tell you again kids are fasinated with guns and kids need role models also now what role models do you want kids to have? The bully kid down the street , the gangsters on tv or the drugdealing punks that your kids see most every day maybe at there friends house or who knows were . If your kid runs around the house or outside pretending to shoot a gun like they seen in that movie that they saw teach them about guns and the responsability that is involved or a relative like grandpa. And be the role model they need outher than video games that are not real life. Or the criminals in the schools and in the comunitty. If you do not know of a shooting range near you you can go to the NRA website they have a list of shooting ranges if your state has not ben affected buy the gun laws some ranges listed are indoors and should have staff to assist you also sometimes your local police departments have training also for adults that need instructional trianing

Great! Global Worming is not happening!

Kaj, James, Pete and I (Loretta) watched your show!!!!!!!! It looked like you had so much fun. These guys & women seem to know what they are doing. I thank you for bringing it to all of us. I never knew such a thing even happened anywhere.
You are wonderful,
Loretta

I was sent the above response by IservedDidYou. I'm not sure whether it was intended for me also (personally), or just Luckasa. Either way, while the post is vitriolic at the least, and personally I feel that the comments directed at the person, not the issue, are superfluous, -discussion and arguement on the original issue (the gun POD) has been stimulated, and obviously, there are strong feelings on many aspects of the production. I believe, that the discussion and arguements that have been ellicited, is a large part of the purpose in the inception of current tv, to return us to a two way discussion of issues, rather than a one way bombardment by a biased and financially "bought" media culture. So, while I can live without the personal attacks, I appreciate you all participating in public dialogue. Best holiday wishes. Dave (Pathos2).

Just a little disclaimer: I normally don't respond to this type of post, but sometimes I just can't help myself. I'm tired of seeing this type of entry; it does nothing to further intelligent discussion, and quite frankly, is just plain annoying.
All I have to say is "WOW". I don't know who you are, Luckasa, but can you do everyone in the world a favor...and SHUT UP? Yes, that's right... turn off your computer, back away, and never, EVER poison anyone else with your unintelligent rants. No, seriously... don't post another word. PLEASE. For the sake of humanity, just... stop... typing.
To me, you seem like another moron who uses Google Search as the key to the Universe. Do you really believe everything you read on-line? Are you that naive? Probably. If so, well... I guess it sucks to be you... or one of your "friends". Although it's probably safe to assume you surround yourself with those of similar world views.
Most importantly though, you should be ashamed of yourself. How can you pretend to take some sort of moral "high ground" ("my gift to the world. I gave you a ay out,, an alternative to violence. I told you,, JESUS iS my Guru. from:Lucas James"), just before calling someone a "dumbass" for not sharing your infantile world view.
Do you really think that dismantling all of our nuclear warheads ("all of them except maybe 20-50... I dunno.. maybe more..") will solve world hunger??? Well, do you REALLY think that??? Is it possible that anyone could actually believe this nonsense??? I guess so... your proving that with every sentence you type. And, exactly what is this "reality" that you say we are all "closing our minds too". Could it be that Roswell called and the "Mother Ship" you ordered is ready for pick-up? You probably have voodoo dolls with Reagan's head on them. Admit it! You do, don't you? Well, it doesn't matter, "Big Brother" knows. He and the whole world are all involved in a big conspiracy. Against you!
A simple "10 step plan" for you, and your friends:

1) Stay in school
2) Actually "try" while you're attending said school
3) Learn to spell while at said school
4) Stop using "Google Search" as resource for all
"truth" in your "world".
5) Realize that because someone doesn't agree
with your world view, it doesn't make them a
dumbass.
6) Realize that YOU, might in FACT, BE the
dumbass.
7) Graduate said school; then further education by
attending college. (Try for the degree!)
8) Form intelligent opinions based on FACT (NOT
something you found through Google Search...
or any other search engine for that matter).
9) And, if you absolutely can't stop yourself, share
those newly formed, factually based opinions
through intelligent discourse with others. Always
keeping in mind that if someone disagrees with
you, they're not necessarily a dumbass. It could
be YOU.
10) Finally, become a productive member of society
and live hapilly ever after.

I think this is a pretty "straight-forward" plan of action for you and your friends. There's a high probability you'll see some degree of success in the future. If you stick to it... that is......
On a side note: until you do, NO ONE is going to take you seriously. In FACT, you're probably going to be ignored by the majority of the WORLD. (although, I'm sure if you ever read this, you'll probably come back with the childish retort of "oh yeah, well I got 2 Master's degrees... and I'm working on my doctorate... and you're stupid". Or, maybe the ever popular "I'll kick your ass!". That's always a favorite.)
Anyway... my long awaited point is this: PLEASE, for the love of EVERYTHING, STOP!!! Just put the keyboard down, and slowly... back... away. The world really doesn't need to hear what you have to say.

Great POD, extremely well done. I agree with the above comments that the portrayal of gun usage in video games and movies, in part contributes to the ignorance of our society on how guns can be used, in non violent means, as sport, target practice, etc. (it's not my thing, but I have no problem with others using them appropriately if that's what they enjoy). I don't know of any connection between events such as those as Knob Creek, and crime/violence committed with firearms, if there was I'd be against it. However, that not being the case, I think the video is (as in many cases) an important and informative insight into a part of our culture, that I wouldn't have known about or understood. And in my mind, understanding our culture more fully, including all of the different paths taken within it, can only make us a better civilization on this planet.

Great pod! I loved watching this.

This is why no one will ever invade America.

Knob Creek, KY = Amsterdam of guns.

Though the only time I shot fully automatic weapons was in basic training in the U.S. Army 35 yrs back, I learned from an early age to safely handle and use for only hunting, target and extraordinary circumstances to defend myself with any gun.
People who learn and practice safe and use of all firearms for the purpose they were designed for don't concern me. It's the people on gangster rap videos and other media encouraging misusing them that we should be concerned about.
Hunting and sporting shoot with shotguns, rifles and pistols is a very important part of my and millions of Americans’ lives.

http://www.autoweapons.com/products/products.html

If you read the FAQ there, as well as go to the ATF website and look into the required paperwork, background checks, and look for information on crimes committed with legally owned machine guns you'll see the owners are some of the "cleanest" out there. To confuse these people with those you read about in the paper doing drivebys for "respect", as one person pointed out, is the same as confusing food for poison. As the boys grandfather explained in the video, if parents teach children respect, how to deal with problems without resorting to violence, and how to behave in society you wind up with a much better place where guns one day might not be so necessary.

The absence of minorities isn't in itself surprising to me given the cost, as well as the federal paperwork. My father had his papers filled out and stopped short of sending them in. I'm not black, but given how the government can operate sometimes I'm not shocked to see some people are hesitant on things like that. What does surprise me is how some people have to make race an issue in everything. I've seen, met, and talked to many black gun owners at the range over the years. Just Joe Average like the rest of us. Heck, I can't afford an automatic weapon thanks to the 1986 prohibition on "new" weapons that could be registered to civilians. The prices jumped greatly at that point even though there are, last time I looked, literally only one or two cases that involved their use in a crime. One was a police officer.

All in all, a well done piece lacking the hysterics and typical stereotyping of the media.

One thing I noticed in this pod was that there were no black people visible at all...Interesting..

Great work Kaj, October was my 20th year to attend KC.

I must admit that I viewed you with some skepticism when we met. It would not be the first time that some Video type wanted to interview and the piece turned out to be a hatchet job. I was really pleasantly suprized.

i work at the Knob Creek with a vendor friend of mine. to address the comments of Supra, there are nazis, skinheads and even the Klan at this event. Few African Americans there. To be fair the white racists that come to the event for whatever reasons are few and are not given much attention. I walked past the klan group (all 5 of them) and lingered to see who was listening to their rant/recruiting and i was pleased to see that they were not only being argued with but the distain of the average person for them was appearent. Don't put the yoke of racist on the people of kentucky or the people who attend this event. This is a part of america. It might seem odd but these people for the most part are patriots and love this country. Cheers!

Another slice of American life....

I see everyday in the San Francisco and Oakland papers about average people shot on the street.

Guns will not just "disappear". The proper handling and supervision of guns will always be open to debate. This podcast opens up a dialogue that regular media most likely wouldn't.

The street attitude about "respect" and the perception that respect, can be "bought" with a weapon is what's wrong.

Something to consider, is that guns are worthless without ammunition. Perhaps controls on ammunition, or ammunition that has a limited life, would be something that could further this discussion.

Great podcast, well thought out and executed.

Did you notice how few African Americans were there. None in the POD. Hmmm Kentucky, hmmm guns,
I was surprised no swastikas, skin heads and white supremist. Was there any of that there? I appreciate good weapons and have no problem with joining the NRA to support legal gun ownership cause i may need to protect myself from someone one day. I choose to talk it out first.

Great show! Second amendment is an individual right, as the founding fathers intended. N.R.A. all the way!

I get the feeling that someone is disappointed that Kaj (oh, and I liked the general cinematography/editing style...) didn't go out of his way to hunt down Toothless Bubba and get a quote about how machine guns were for killin' gay hippies for jeebus... Instead, he pretty much looked at a cross-section of the activities and people, and did a pretty darn fair job of _documenting_ the happening. I'm sure that some folks are irritated about how it doesn't play to their preexisting stereotype, but hey.... Balance is not an illusion, and it is fairly obvious when someone attempts to create it. This short doc does a nice job of condensing three days of peace and powder (it is a VERY peaceful event... just kinda noisy...) into a few minutes. Kaj, if you make it to another, you oughta camp, and you're welcome at the Freak Show party tent...

I am into the difference and similarities between the visual representation and the in-studio explanation and voice over.

I am interested in Kaj's reference to anthropology and enjoy his description that his interpretation of real action--through the editing, mise-en-scene, journalistic interruption--is anthropology. He was striving towards and achieving a type of experiential journalism foreign to most liberals (who couldn't handle such an event). It is difficult to balance real conservative Navy Seal celebration of the fun of guns and the relativistic Harvard Kennedy School post factum voice over reflection. The balance of voices isn't "uniform or monolithic." Instead of being objective or subjective he is a bit of both. And that is where the fun is.

Awsome! Guns should be in every home in America. I hate Hippies!!!

Terrific piece! I actually felt a sense of freedom seeing ordinary people engaged in a some what taboo activity for many of us in states that hand cuff us to restrictions and regulations- and I'm not a particular gun fan. And the Opera overture at the end was a classic touch. Kaj a la James Bond looks great shooting and the flame thrower was an outrageous addition. Wow Virginia there are still some vestiges of "America" left albeit not to everyone's taste.

I get the feeling that a few of you guys need to open up the ol' minds a little, and stop stereotyping...
Friends and I have been driving to Knob Creek from Missouri twice a year for the past 10 years. Why? It's fun.
Let's see if I can answer some stuff...
Barrels under 16" inches for rifles have been regulated since 1934 - To install one, I'd need to pay $200 tax, get stuff signed (by local and federal authorities), and wait six months. With shotguns, the magic number is 18" - anything under means about 10 years in jail. And some states don't allow certain items. For instance, Missouri does not permit civilian ownership of suppressors, so most ranges tend to be a little noisy. Manufacture of new machineguns has not been permitted since 1986, so there's a finite quantity of registered items out there, so prices have literally been going through the roof.
As for the poor girl with the scope nose - If there's any justice, her boyfriend just got permanently cut off - there is NO excuse for handing a high-recoil rifle or handgun to a novice without a LOT of supervision.
Opera at the range? Why not? Altho at our campsite and party tent, we tend to favor a mix of jazz, bluegrass and Grateful Dead... As for mishaps, it's like anything else where you've got high pressure and lots of moving parts - there's likely to be some scrapes, burns and the occasional "Oh Bleep!" Thus far, since they've been doing this, nobody has been shot. Some folks have been hit by fragments from explosions, etc., so safety glasses and hearing protection are pretty much the number 1 fashion accessory.
Yep. It's fun. And considering that the only way into this "club" is to pretty much have a clean criminal record, you're generally having fun with people who you don't have to worry about. I can leave our party tent, and several full coolers, a generator, and other items, all unattended when I go to the range for the day. And they'll all be there when I get back.

People get REALLY uptight if kids are not visibly wearing hearing protection. But it _is_ a family event.
Whoa - that rawbird fellow... All those big words and complex sentences... Dude, let's go shooting sometime! Actually, Knob Creek is pretty much "Gun Nut Mecca" for a lot of folks. And don't just call it "The Gun Culture." It is one, with a lot of people who know each other from around the world, and around the country. I've had the privilege to meet, and compete with, people from over 30 countries.
And now I'm seeing a bit of psychological transference... I don't want to "take the law into my own hands." I do want to live until the police or sheriff makes it to my house, and I want to make sure my girlfriend and her kids do the same. There's a big difference between some doof playing Charlie Bronson, and breaking out the 12 gauge (while you're dialing 911) when a carload of methheads decides to park in your front yard...
Knob Creek is NOT the black market. The cheapest one can join the "Class III Club" is going to take about $3,000, and ammo to feed the thing for an hour or so will go for over $200. If I buy a machine gun "at" Knob Creek, several things have to happen. I give the nice dealer my money (they'll generally take checks). I fill out paperwork. I chase it from my local PD on through the ATF, and make darn sure all the t's are crossed and i's are dotted. We're talking government bureaucracy. After fingerprinting, six months of background checks etc., I'm allowed to buy a $200 tax stamp, which is affixed to my paperwork (and cancelled). The gun is transferred from the Class III dealer who was at Knob Creek to a Class III dealer in Missouri, who oversees transfer to me. If I want to take the thing back to Knob Creek, I complete paperwork as to when and why I am moving a regulated device (well in advance), and file it with the ATF.

Oh, America. =)

Gun Gontrol..? What does does that reeeally mean?.. Im from Los Angeles California and the only gun control that is really being excersized is how U hold it.. Its amazing how people dont notice how easy they are to come by(in the black market). Young kids are all getting a'hold of them ,like its a trend from youngest to oldest, and smallest to biggest caliber. Gun registration and permits should be more accecible, so we can really know where these guns are coming from and who's holding them. Do U really know who has a gun, really...Not only at open ranges but in the city.

Great Pod Kaj... I think that the gentleman who talks about how kids get their aggression out by shooting guns and "aren't a problem" begs the question: What happens if you don't make it to the range enough? Is it like a drug that you need? The targets out there are cars, trucks and human size buoys... isn't that suggestive enough that the tool they are carrying is for lethal force? Can the owner of knob creek really believe that the whole group of "law-abiding" citizens are truly law abiding, because in reality, they all seem to be waiting to take the law into their own hands, whether they understand the letter of the law or not. There's a lot of fear in that group of people. A lot of xenophobia.

This is the best pod ever producer in-house (excluding Vanguard). I mean that.

The experiential celebration of cultural contradiction, celebrating automatic weaponry as an “anthropological study of a micro-community.” Participant observation firing a Gatlin gun and a flame thrower at the open firing range intermixed with open-ended interviews with M-16 wielding youths. Employing strong anthropological relativism, Larson says that gun culture is as diverse as American culture, “not uniform or monolithic.” This critical theory, the absence of editorialization, and the goal of balancing the rather liberal content on Current with a pod open to the relatively conservative topic of pro-2nd amendment all smack of the initial revelations of anthropological theory-building. It is getting deeper…

That was a great pod!

Kaj, that was awesome. I would love to go to that. There is a place outside of Reno NV that is similar but not as big. Still really fun.

Very awesome POD. [as always!]

Clearly not all of America but this is a large country and when we respect what others are passionate about and they respect what we love things work out better. You would not find me at a gun show - never held a gun in my life - but categorizing all folks who do as crazy or they doing the same to be is polarizing and unproductive

I can't believe this pod represents the American way. Not my America. Too much testosterone. What kind of person would take a baby to an event like this? Get a sitter! Great story anyway, its interesting to see other ways of life.

Fantastic piece -not only riveting and engaging but a very insightful peek into those passionate about guns. If all guns were used for recreation and this sort of stuff to me gun control is less of an issue. The unfortunate things is that a few bad apples spoil it for the whole lot of folks who are law abiding citizens and therefore we must restrict the freedom of law abiding citizens, albeit with a very different idea of fun than me.

Thx Current!

The end cracked me up. Opera at the shooting range. Great piece, makes me want to learn how to shoot a gun. I wonder how many mishaps (a la Tori's response) occur at the shoot out.