Author: Braxton Taylor

The Gnome sipped on some nocino while glaring at an old map splayed across his kitchen table. The pungent, dark walnut liqueur had a spicy heat that wormed its way down his esophagus and into his belly. He’d won the map in a game of throwing bones off a man who promised it led to a patch of morels as big as The Gnome himself. He was fairly certain the map was a mockery—why else would someone give away this kind of information in a game of luck?And yet, the Gnome was captivated by the markings on the old parchment.…

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The NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course is the national gold standard for teaching both new and experienced shooters how to safely and competently choose, shoot, and maintain a pistol. Each year, NRA courses teach hundreds of thousands of students about gun safety and shooting. Membership in the NRA is not required to take an NRA training course. Gun safety is a primary emphasis of the course, and the basic tenets of firearms safety are repeatedly mentioned during the course. As part of the course, students receive the NRA Guide: Basics of Pistol Shooting handbook.  Not Just For Beginners All…

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Posted on July 17, 2024 (July 9, 2024) by Daniel Mitchell The Importance of Gun Safety Courses for Youths As responsible gun owners, it is crucial to prioritize safety, especially when children are present in the home. Teaching youths about gun safety is not only about preventing accidents but also about fostering a culture of responsibility and respect for firearms. In homes where firearms are present, children must understand how to interact with guns and ammunition safely. Children are naturally curious, and if they encounter a firearm without proper knowledge, the consequences can be tragic. Gun safety courses provide the…

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As the Pentagon continues to struggle with long wait times and limited availability at its child care facilities, officials say that they are exploring off-base partnerships and growing programs that enable spouses to set up child care centers in their homes.”The department is pursuing a number of child care solutions to meet service members and their families where they are,” Tim Dill, a top official in the Pentagon’s personnel and readiness office, told Military.com in an exclusive statement Tuesday.”In some cases, that is in DoD child development centers, but in others, it may be by helping to cover the cost…

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A new edict orders the Defense Department to reduce the number of IT consulting and management services contracts, part of a push to take on more of that work in-house.In a memo sent Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed DOD leaders and components to produce a written justification before issuing new contracts or task orders for IT consulting or management services. That justification must lay out why the work cannot be performed by DOD personnel or be “acquired from the direct service provider, whereby the prime contractor is not an integrator or consultant.” The justification must also include a cost-benefit analysis, evidence that…

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Knowing how to properly sauté fish is something that every cook needs to have in their arsenal. It’s a quick way to cook practically any fish, and with practice, you can perfect the technique so that you get a beautiful golden crust and juicy fillet. This is a really simple recipe that allows fresh-caught fish to shine. Add a spoonful of the garlicky lemon compound butter basted over the top to impart flavor and a lot of succulence! Read the full article here

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One of the biggest advantages in virtual shooting is the ability to practice potentially lifesaving skills, at any time in the day or night, from the comfort of home. The benefits maximize when the gun and accessories reflect or are identical to someone’s self-defense setup. Ace Virtual Shooting continues to expand its partnerships in the industry for that reason, and the latest to sign on is Primary Arms Optics. This month Primary Arms Optics announced its collaboration with Ace Virtual Shooting, a leading virtual-reality, marksmanship-training simulator. Now, Ace users can now equip their virtual firearms with a curated selection of…

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Posted on July 19, 2024 (July 9, 2024) by Daniel Mitchell (Updated July 2024) In Washington State, a transfer of a firearm takes place when the ownership or possession of a firearm is passed from one person to another. This includes selling, gifting, or loaning a firearm. All transfers must go through a licensed firearms dealer, with a few exceptions such as transfers between immediate family members (as long as it’s within the State and not a currently banned firearm). And although the process is relatively simple, there are a lot of steps involved, which can get confusing. So we…

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In his role as a pilot with the Marine Corps air demonstration team, Maj. Craig Norris flew the F-35B Lightning II at airshows along the West Coast in 2024. While the fighter aircraft’s capabilities intrigued spectators, they were most interested in one specific issue.”The first question we always get is, ‘Hey, is there air conditioning in there?'” Norris said.Norris answered that question on a recent episode of “The Fighter Pilot Podcast,” where Maj. Craig Turner — his replacement for this airshow season — joined him for a discussion with host and former Navy fighter pilot Vincent “Jell-O” Aiello.Norris and Turner…

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The State Department is moving forward with a plan to eliminate or consolidate more than 300 of its offices and bureaus, according to documents provided to lawmakers and employees on Thursday, leading to a reduction of more than 3,400 employees and 45% of its structural entities.The changes, outlined in the multiple documents obtained by Government Executive and Nextgov/FCW, will address “bureaucratic overgrowth” and streamline functions with overlapping responsibilities, the department said, though some reforms to bureau missions are also included in the reorganization. The plans presented Thursday offer more detail than those first laid out by State Secretary Marco Rubio…

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