Libertarian Leanings

357 Magnum vs 9mm: Revolver or Semi-Auto for Self-Defense?

by Chris Dwulet, Ammo.com

When discussion handgun calibers, it is inevitable that the 9mm vs 357 Magnum debate comes into the discussion.

Although the decision between the 9mm Luger and 357 Magnum really boils down to whether you prefer a revolver or semi-automatic handgun, there are specific benefits to each cartridge that could sway a shooter one direction or the other.

In this article we will take an in-depth look at the 9mm and 357 Magnum handgun cartridges and help you understand which one is better for your needs.

What is The Difference Between .357 Magnum and 9mm?

The primary difference between 357 Magnum vs 9mm is that the 357 Mag is a revolver cartridge and the 9mm Luger was designed for semi-auto pistols. The 357 Magnum is a rimmed handgun cartridge that will have higher velocity, muzzle energy, and recoil while the 9mm Luger is a rimless design that has lower recoil and higher magazine capacity.

Cartridge Specs

When comparing two handgun cartridges, it’s a good practice to examine the differences in case design to gain more knowledge of each.

One striking similarity that some shooters might not be aware of is that the 9mm and 357 have almost the same bullet diameter. Notice that I said “almost”, as they are separated by 0.002”. The 357 Magnum fires a 0.357” diameter bullet while the 9mm fires a 0.355” diameter bullet.

Although the bullets are almost the same diameter, the case length and case capacity are strikingly different. The 9mm Luger has a case length of 0.754” and case capacity of 13.3 gr.

However, the 357 Magnum towers over it with a case length of 1.290” and 26.2 gr case capacity. This means that the 357 is over a half inch longer with almost double the case capacity, which will have a profound affect on the ballistics for both cartridges.

One benefit of the added cases capacity of the 357 Mag is that it can fire heavier bullets than the 9mm. Normal factory loads for 9mm are either 115 gr, 124 gr, or 147 gr. While 357 can be loaded with bullets weights as high as 180 grains.

With all that added case capacity, it would make sense that the 357 Magnum would be a higher-pressure round, but that is not the case. Both the 9mm and 357 have the same maximum pressure of 35,000 psi as defined by SAAMI.

Stopping Power/Kinetic Energy

Stopping power is one of those ubiquitous terms that gets thrown around campfires and gun store counters and is completely unquantifiable. You’ll hear stories of how boutique rounds like the 357 SIG have “More stopping power than a 380 Auto” or how, “The 45 ACP is a real man stopper.”

The important thing to remember is that shot placement is more important than any ballistics values as a .22LR between the eyes will always be more lethal than a 500 Smith & Wesson Magnum to the hand...

Read the rest here.

Florida Doctor Stripped of Board Certification Over 'COVID-19 Misinformation'

Chris Nelson, The Floridian

The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) has stripped the certification of Florida Doctor John Littell. Littell, a U.S. Army veteran and Family Physician made headlines for using Ivermectin to treat over 3000 Covid-19 patients.

"I got disciplined for giving Ivermectin which got a young mom out of the hospital in three days when she would have died," said Dr Littell speaking outside a meeting of the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board.

Dr. Littell is facing further discipline from the ABFM, of whom Littell has been a certified member since July 13, 1990, according to the letter.

[...]

Littell says he and his attorney Jeff Childers are not taking this sitting down and have a conference planned for this weekend to discuss the rise in censorship and come up with a plan. He says he has also reached out to the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, an organization he says "represents independent positions better than anyone in the country."

"We will ultimately prevail, not only in the legal arena, but primarily in the court of public opinion," said Littell in a written statement. "If Americans want to have physicians who are truly independent, who value the Sanctity of the physician/patient relationship, and who practice according to the basic tenet, "first, do no harm," - then we, together, must fight against those institutions, such as the specialty boards, which choose rather to treat us like trainable puppies, with choke collars and tight leashes, preparing to discipline us, whenever we choose to exercise our First Amendment right to speak freely about the potential dangers of certain medications, vaccines or procedures which will, in truth, do harm to the patients we serve."

Read the rest here.

Tennessee Governor Signs Bill to Protect State Funds with Gold and Silver

By Jp Cortez, Money Metals News Service

Nashville, Tennessee – Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed a measure into law that would empower the State Treasurer to invest state funds in physical gold and silver.

House Bill 1479, introduced by Rep. Bud Hulsey, passed out of the House of Representatives on Monday with a 98-0 vote. A week later, the same bill received a 33-0 vote in the Senate.

In an exclusive comment to the Sound Money Defense League, Rep. Hulsey said, “Gold and silver have been real currency for the past 5000 years. [Passing HB 1479] not only provides a hedge for the State, but gives us varied options while facing a shrinking dollar and the threat of CBDC’s.”

Passing with strong grassroots support and backing from the Sound Money Defense League and Money Metals Exchange, the bill defines “bullion” and “specie” and provides that “subject to appropriation, the state treasurer may purchase and sell gold or precious metal bullion or specie that will be directly owned by the state, and in the custody of the state treasurer.”

Additionally, the twin bills would allow the state treasurer to “make and enter into contracts, trust instruments, agreements, and other instruments with a person to effectuate this section, including, but not limited to, financial institutions, accountants, auditors, attorneys, consultants, and other contractors.”

Lastly, the measure calls for “physical gold and precious metal purchased under these acts to be custodied by the state treasurer in a state depository, and maintained in a vault within the state depository's banking facilities in accordance with accepted industry standards for secure storage, and within the geographical boundaries of Tennessee.”

States that help set up the infrastructure to protect state funds with the monetary metals will help further to bring gold and silver into use as an alternative to the inflationary paper-money system, as well as buttressing state funds, many of which are invested in risky paper assets.

Rep. Hulsey continues to be a powerful voice for sound money in Tennessee, earning him the 2022 Sound Money Legislator of the Year award last year for his tireless work on eliminating Tennessee's state sales tax on gold and silver.

After ending the state sales tax on gold and silver, Tennessee shot up the 2023 Sound Money Index rankings to earn a 9^th place finish. Tennessee also recently ended its state income tax on sale all capital assets, including gold and silver.

Several other states are considering their own sound money bills this month, including Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina, Vermont, Iowa, Kentucky, Oregon, and more.

   

Jp Cortez is a graduate of Auburn University and a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Policy Director of the Sound Money Defense League, an organization working to bring back gold and silver as America's constitutional money. Follow him on Twitter @JpCortez27

This Week's Favorites — Admittedly Sparse

...from Power Line 

See the rest here.

Goose, Meet Gander

NEW: The same students who plastered the names and faces of the Stanford Federalist Society all over the school are now demanding anonymity from the Free Beacon.

They say we've violated their right to privacy by identifying them.

You can't make it up.🧵 https://t.co/ZESNwGzLl1

— Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) March 17, 2023

Chinese Firm Paid Hunter, James, and Hallie Biden — but The Big Guy Got His 10%

10% For the Big Guy... pic.twitter.com/6PjzFOsUAr

— Joe Borz ❤🇺🇸❤ (@GiJoe1699) March 15, 2023 

Gold, Silver, and Rates Gyrate

By Mike Gleason, Money Metals Exchange

As the Fed signals further rate hikes ahead, precious metals markets are probing for support levels.

Gold prices currently come in at $1,866 an ounce essentially unchanged now for the week as of this Friday recording. Silver, meanwhile, was getting slammed this week through Thursday but is getting a bit of a bounce here today and is now showing a 3.8% weekly loss to bring spot prices to $20.66 an ounce. Platinum is off 2.6% to trade at $967. And finally, palladium is down 4.8% since last Friday’s close to check in at $1,429 per ounce.

Metals markets struggled after Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell delivered testimony to Congress.

Powell seemed to walk back his remarks from just a few weeks ago when he confidently declared disinflation was taking hold. He now says interest rates will have to rise further than previously forecast.

Central bankers have already raised interest rates by 4.5 percentage points over the past year. The Fed funds rate could top out at 5.75% this year, according to some projections.

Before all the turbulence in the banking sector, especially with some big selloffs in regional bank stocks here at the end of the week, the odds of a 50-basis point hike at the Fed’s next policy meeting had jumped, scaring some investors out of equity and hard asset markets.

On Wednesday, Powell spoke before the House Financial Services Committee. He was asked by Republican Congressman Blaine Leutkemeyer about threats posed by Russia and China to the U.S. dollar’s status as world reserve currency. Powell’s response included a whopper about the dollar retaining its value.

Rep. Leutkemeyer: In the wake of Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the Fed took action to prevent the Kremlin from accessing more than $300 billion in reserves, roughly half of Russia's reserves. However, this led to an accelerated effort by countries like China to de-dollarize their official foreign exchange reserves. Just last week there was an article in The Wall Street Journal titled Russia Turns to Yuan in an Effort to Ditch the Dollar. Are you concerned about these actions by Russia and China to establish different reserves and conduct transactions in non-U.S. dollars?

Jerome Powell: So, the U.S. dollar is the widely accepted and really the only serious candidate for the world's principal reserve currency, and that's because of our democratic institutions, our liquid markets, the rule of law, and all those kinds of things. And also, the fact that the dollar has held its value over time.

It’s a bit much for Powell to boast about the Federal Reserve note retaining its value at a time when inflation is still raging. For the past two years, the Fed has failed to achieve price stability by its own definition.

Of course, rising prices are a direct consequence of the currency losing value. Since the Fed’s creation in 1913, the U.S. dollar has lost roughly 98% of its purchasing power. Put another way, it has retained only 2% of its value over time.

Contrary to what Powell suggests, there is an alternative competing currency to the U.S. dollar that is held as a reserve asset by other countries around the world. It retains 100% of its purchasing power over time. That currency is gold.

In 1913, the gold price was fixed at $20.67 per ounce. The fact that it commands over $1,800 an ounce today isn’t indicative of the yellow metal being any more precious today than it was over a century ago. It’s a reflection of the dollars in which gold is priced becoming steadily less valuable.

Far from being a relic of the past, gold continues to play an important role in the global monetary system. In fact, central banks that are grappling with inflation and growing concerned about the sustainability of U.S. dollar hegemony are stocking up on bullion in record quantities.

The trend of de-dollarization isn’t confined to China and Russia and other U.S. adversaries. Many other countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America are seeking to diversify away from U.S. dollars.

El Salvador is trying to spearhead a monetary revolution toward a Bitcoin standard by making the cryptocurrency legal tender. However, Bitcoin’s notorious volatility and relatively brief track record as a store of value makes it problematic as a potential primary reserve currency.

No digital or fiat monetary asset offers the solidity and stability of gold. In addition to foreign central banks, some individual U.S. states are also taking steps to mitigate their risk exposure to fiat cash with physical gold.

Several states are currently considering bills that prompt the establishment of a gold reserve.

With inflation ravaging state budgets (as well as family budgets), an increasing number of legislators are realizing monetary metals can provide an important hedge. Bills in Idaho, Tennessee, Maine, Missouri, and Mississippi are under consideration. In fact, the bills in Tennessee, Missouri, and Idaho have already passed out of one legislative chamber.

Far from being the only viable monetary reserve asset, King Dollar is in the process of being dethroned. It may not happen suddenly with a single action or announcement. But the growing demand for sound money among foreign central banks, states, institutions, and individuals will undoubtedly diminish the dollar’s standing while raising gold’s.

   

Mike Gleason is a Director with Money Metals Exchange, a precious metals dealer recently named "Best in the USA" by an independent global ratings group. Gleason is a hard money advocate and a strong proponent of personal liberty, limited government and the Austrian School of Economics. A graduate of the University of Florida, Gleason has extensive experience in management, sales and logistics as well as precious metals investing. He also puts his longtime broadcasting background to good use, hosting a weekly precious metals podcast since 2011, a program listened to by tens of thousands each week.

Sound Money Bills Moving Forward Rapidly in Many States

As you read the article below you may notice that New Hampshire is not among the states which are exempting precious metals from taxation.  That is because New Hampshire has neither a sales tax nor an income tax.

By Stefan Gleason, Money Metals News Service

Because there is so much activity happening at the state level with respect to sound money legislation, here is a quick update on some of the most important bills that are currently pending.

SALES TAX REMOVAL

First and foremost, as to repealing precious metals sales taxes, bills in Mississippi and Kentucky are moving forward quickly. And they may well be heading to each state’s respective governor for signature later this month.

Other full sales tax repeal bills are pending in Maine, Wisconsin, and Vermont – while Minnesota and Alaska are considering an expansion of their existing sales tax exemptions.

There are only eight states that still engage in the controversial practice of taxing all purchases of gold and silver.

Thanks to the ongoing efforts of Money Metals, the Sound Money Defense League, and Money Metals customers who have been lobbying their representatives, we could shrink this list to six or fewer very soon.

STATE GOLD RESERVES

Meanwhile, several states are considering bills that prompt the establishment of a gold reserve.

With inflation ravaging state budgets (as well as family budgets), an increasing number of legislators are realizing monetary metals can provide an important hedge – and that, without doing something, their states are sitting ducks right now. Bills in Idaho, Tennessee, Maine, Missouri, and Mississippi are under consideration.

In fact, the bills in Tennessee, Missouri, and Idaho have already passed out of one chamber of the legislature.

INCOME TAX REMOVAL

The other major category of legislation is removal of state income taxes on the sale of gold and silver. Efforts are underway in Iowa, South Carolina, Kansas, and Missouri to enact this policy. 

Because of the steady devaluation of the Federal Reserve note, "gains" on the sale of gold and silver may not actually be gains in real terms.  It therefore adds insult to injury to force Americans to pay capital gains taxes on imaginary gains.  That's why a few states are attempting to follow the example of Arizona and Utah by doing something about it, at least as it pertains to their state income tax codes.

And finally, Oregon and Florida appear poised to pass bills that reduce burdens on precious metals dealers, enabling them to better serve their customers and provide better pricing.

It's encouraging to see so much interest in -- and support for -- sound money reforms so far in 2023!

   

Stefan Gleason is President of Money Metals Exchange, the company recently named "Best Overall Online Precious Metals Dealer" by Investopedia. A graduate of the University of Florida, Gleason is a seasoned business leader, investor, political strategist, and grassroots activist. Gleason has frequently appeared on national television networks such as CNN, FoxNews, and CNBC and in hundreds of publications such as the Wall Street Journal, TheStreet, and Seeking Alpha.

Welcome to the U.S. Capitol Insurrection Tour!

LMAO brilliant work by @stevenvoiceover pic.twitter.com/s08Y88vdLf

— Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) March 8, 2023

Tennessee House Votes 98-0 to Allow State Treasurer to Acquire and Hold Gold to Protect the State

By Jp Cortez, Money Metals News Service

Nashville, Tennessee (March 7, 2023) – As inflation continues to terrorize the budgets of Americans and states alike, two Tennessee bills empowering the State Treasurer to invest state funds in physical gold and silver are moving quickly through the legislature.

House Bill 1479, introduced by Rep. Bud Hulsey, passed out of the House of Representatives on Monday with a 98-0 vote.

Senate Bill 519, the identical senate-side companion bill introduced by Sen. Frank Niceley, passed out of the Senate State and Local Government Committee today by a unanimous vote of 8-0.

The legislation defines “bullion” and “specie,” as well as explicitly stating that “subject to appropriation, the state treasurer may purchase and sell gold or precious metal bullion or specie that will be directly owned by the state, and in the custody of the state treasurer.”

Additionally, the twin bills would allow the state treasurer to “make and enter into contracts, trust instruments, agreements, and other instruments with a person to effectuate this section, including, but not limited to, financial institutions, accountants, auditors, attorneys, consultants, and other contractors.”

Lastly, the measure calls for “physical gold and precious metal purchased under these acts to be custodied by the state treasurer in a state depository, and maintained in a vault within the state depository's banking facilities in accordance with accepted industry standards for secure storage, and within the geographical boundaries of Tennessee.”

States that help set up the infrastructure to protect state funds with the monetary metals will help further to bring gold and silver into use as an alternative to the inflationary paper-money system, as well as buttressing state funds, many of which are invested in risky paper assets.

SB 519 has been placed on the senate floor calendar for a vote on final passage in the coming days.

Sen. Niceley and Rep. Hulsey are steadfast champions of sound money, earning each of them the 2022 Sound Money Legislator of the Year award last year for their tireless work on eliminating Tennessee's state sales tax on gold and silver.

After ending the state sales tax on gold and silver, Tennessee shot up the 2023 Sound Money Index rankings to earn a 9^th place finish. Tennessee also recently ended its state income tax on sale all capital assets, including gold and silver.

Several other states are considering their own sound money bills this month, including Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina, Vermont, Iowa, Kentucky, Oregon, and more.

   

Jp Cortez is a graduate of Auburn University and a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Policy Director of the Sound Money Defense League, an organization working to bring back gold and silver as America's constitutional money. Follow him on Twitter @JpCortez27