CoBIS is gone!

The governor just signed the state budget into law, and the funding for CoBIS was cut. No more fired-shell-casing requirement for handguns, effective TOMORROW.

For non-New Yorkers, CoBIS is the Computerized Ballistics Identification System. Every single new handgun sold in the state required a fired casing to be submitted to the State Police - with make, model, serial number, etc. Over the past ten or twelve years and 50-million-plus, this has solved precisely ... wait for it ... ZERO crimes.

This is a cause for celebration, and a small step on a long road.

Deal alert

Woolrich Discreet carry pants, on sale for $20 from Botach Tactical. Use coupon code "dealnews".
Black
Navy
Green
Khaki

Jay reviewed a similar set last year with high marks. For $20, you can't go wrong.

So long, Newbius

I got a voicemail from OldNFO last night (actually, this morning, but he left it last night) confirming yesterday's news. I think somehow we all knew it was true - NFO is what I'd call an utterly trustworthy source - but I was grasping at straws that it was all a big misunderstanding. It's not; NFO heard directly from Mrs. Newbius.

I was pretty much reeling yesterday morning and in a fog for a lot of the day. I'm reeling again.

I'll be tapping out some thoughts later, and putting up a couple pictures.

For the time being, I'll leave you with a mental image:
Newbius, grinning from ear to ear, riding up on an electric scooter and tooting the horn the whole way - and presenting Mike V with a chariot for the NRA show.

That's just the kind of guy he was.

Saw this coming

BestBuy to close 50 US stores (CNN)

I used to love BestBuy. I'd buy movies frequently, usually from the 3-for-20 rack or similar.

The last few times I've been in there, though, it's felt like MediaPlay did my sophomore year of college (1999).

That is, emptying out, and trying to fill space to stay relevant. What used to be racks full of CDs and VHS and premium theater equipment was racks full of titles that were one step away from the $0.99 bargain bin and "as seen on TV!" tchotchkes to improve one's home theater experience.

When I can click on my TV and watch literally thousands of movies for eight bucks a month, or download music to an iPod for a buck a song, the appeal of spending $20 on a Blu-Ray disc generally goes away. (Blu-Ray itself contributed to this, although prices are falling quickly now.)

There are still some titles I'll buy on disc - but not as many.

Brick'n'mortar ain't dead, but it's sure not doing well.

Shit.

NFO posted this:

We've lost another friend...

I just got notified that Newbius passed away suddenly on Tuesday.  I don't have any details, nor any info as to any services.


As soon as I get anything, I'll post it.


Please keep his wife and family in your prayers tonight.

I don't have anything further to add. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I'll re-post anything I can. In the meantime, keep Newbius's wife, children, and family in your thoughts or prayers.

Shit. Shit shit shit.