Positive Sociology

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is filing a lawsuit against the Burearu of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) .  In a nutshell, the NRA is protesting a federal law that would require gun vendors to report bulk sales of AK-47s, AR-15s, and other semiautomatic rifles.  Representatives from the NRA claim that semiautomatic rifles aren't explicitly covered under existing gun control laws (which require vendors to report bulk sales of handguns), and therefore, want vendors to retain ultimate discretion over reporting/not-reporting semiautomatic rifle sales. The AK-47: The gun of choice for revolutionaries across the world The ATF is arguing that these policies would curb the illicit flow of guns--particularly high-powered rifles--into the hands of Mexican drug cartels.  This law is one of many that reflects a growing awareness of how much criminal groups (and individuals) rely on "straw buying" to get their guns.  For those who aren't familiar, st...

I got choked unconscious yesterday.  Don't worry, I wasn't a victim of a serial strangler.  Instead, I fell victim to a bow-and-arrow-choke (see below), a nasty submission move in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I've been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) for the past 6 months.  I love it.  I haven't loved a physical sport/activity as much since I first got into popping, back in 1999.  I train about 5-6 times per week at Balance Studios in Philadelphia, PA.  I can't say enough good things about Balance Studios.  People are very friendly; the instructors are top-notch; the atmosphere is low-key and unpretentious; and to top if off, people are really good at BJJ!  World Champ, Ruben "Cobrinha" Charles does a bow-and-arrow choke Typically, classes begin with about 30 minutes of drilling techniques.  This is a part of class in which you pair off with someone and work on a series of techniques.  On some days, you learn a sequence of submission ...