Another month, another (late) Soapbox - sorry. I think I "emptied my cylinder" last month, and you all know that speed reloading is not one of the minirevolver's strong points (shoulda' used a Guardian pistol!).

     Just a note on the progress of the 32H&R: it is now sitting in a pile of disassembled pieces with an engineering firm in Baltimore MD. Direct Dimensions has been engaged to create solid models and engineering drawings so that we can begin to procure suppliers and write machining programs for the manufacture of this piece. I'm very confident that the components will be returned to us in the next week or so, such that we can put it back together and continue to test its function as well as take a variety of photos that I hope to present in the June Soapbox.

     In the meantime, we are preparing for the NRA Show, to be held in about two weeks in Milwaukee WI. This event, not surprisingly, prompts me to consider the political landscape our industry faces. Similar to most people I've asked on the subject, I expect the Republican party to take a whipping in the upcoming midterm elections (possibly losing control in either or both houses of Congress). While it's still far too early to get any clear signals, it would not surprise me to see the bleeding continue in the presidential elections two years later. Hillary for president - could I be that lucky? Allow me to explain.

     It's my experience that nothing drives people into the market as quickly as the threat that the availability of firearms may become limited or extinguished, which is unarguably part of the personal platform of the Clinton Clan. Bill's years, the early 90's, were the Golden Age of the modern firearms era. Admittedly, Bill was helped by Rodney King; the fear of anarchy is another strong motivator for firearms purchases and Bill and Rodney together created the Perfect Storm - we couldn't build guns fast enough.

     I believe, however, that the Democrats learned very well during the balance of the 90's that railing against guns is a losing strategy and I wouldn't expect them to make that mistake again. But I'm also certain that my sense represents exactly the sort of complacency that I'll be warned against in Milwaukee, a warning that I'm happy to share with you.