"Mass casualty guns" defined in the bill as "any semi-automatic firearm designed or specially adapted to fire more than 31 cartridges without reloading, other than a firearm chambering only .22 caliber short, long, or long-rifle cartridges."
He's trying to go back ten years in Ohio law; the state used to ban magazines over 30 rounds.
This is Ohio HB 433.
https://www.nbc4i.com/news/politics/new-bill-seeks-to-limit-mass-casualty-guns-in-ohio/

I just purchased my first AR-15, a complete upper and a complete lower, from Palmetto State Armory (16" barrel, mid-length gas tube, magpul furniture). This is not my first firearm, I own four handguns, two rifles, and a shotgun, but this is my first AR-15.
I plan on spending some time getting to know my new weapon, inside and out, as soon as it arrives. I got 6 Magpul magazines, and plan on buying 1000 rounds of ammo, then will spend some time shooting it at the range.
Before I ever load a cartridge into the weapon, I want to be sure I know and understand every single element of the weapon. That said, does anyone have some tips, pointers, or resources that will help me get familiar with my new pew?
I know these things are designed to be so simple a child can use them, and I have some experience with gunsmithing, so I don't anticipate a challenge, but I would like to know if there is anything you wish you knew when you got your first AR.

Hi all, I'm fairly new to gravel bikes, with my new bike having 700x44 (WTB Raddler) tyres, set up tubelessly. I'm trying to work out the best Co2 cartridge size to get to get the tyre up to around 35 psi - pretty much every chart I've found goes up to 700x38 and and starts from 29x2.1 - I believe 700x44 is close to the equivalent of 29x1.75. Suppliers both local and online tend to have either 16g or 25g cartridges, and i suspect 16g wont inflate to 35 psi, and 25g will go way past that.
Maybe using the 16g cartridges and then using my mini pump to get it up to 35psi is the way to go? I'd use the mini pump alone if I didn't have a concern about potentially needing to reseat the tyre bead whilst out on a remote ride. Any experience/recommendations on Co2 cartridges for this kind of tyre size?

Despite this being a relatively new release (2021) you don't hear very much about this cartridge.
Released as a joint venture between Winchester & Browning, the 6.8 Western is a .277 caliber (i.e. 270) short-action cartridge that is specifically designed to shoot heavy-for-caliber bullets that exhibit both high ballistic coefficients and sectional densities.
It's essentially a modern take on the 270WSM that can utilize heavier bullets up to 175grains due to it's 1:7.5 twist.
The 6.8 Western strikes the perfect balance between long range capability, muzzle energy, felt recoil and terminal ballistics.
Situated right between the likes of the 6.5PRC and 7PRC it showcases the benefits of both calibers without their downsides.
The main criticism of the 6.8 Western is that it won't see widespread uptake and will disappear into obscurity within 5-10 years. Hornady refuses to load for it as it's a direct competitor to their PRC line of cartridges.
The cartridge is currently supported by two of the largest firearms companies who designed it (Winchester & Browning) who are also the only two companies chambering rifles for it (XPR, Model 70, X-bolt). It is rumoured that both Barnes and Norma will be loading factory ammo for it this year.
I'm seriously considering this cartridge in a future lightweight, mountain/sheep rifle.
What are your thoughts on the 6.8 Western? Do you own one or would you consider a rifle chambered in it?

Description: "United States military assault rifle chambered in the intermediate .277 Fury caliber. Accurate and hard hitting with average recoil, but boasts low ammo capacity."
Category: Assault Rifle
Rank Unlock: 177
Stats: Muzzle Velocity - 3000 studs/s Penetration Depth - 1.30 studs Firerate: ? (No data on this unfortunately) Damage: 37 (80 studs) > 27 (145 studs) Ammo Type: 6.8×51mm Ammo Capacity: 20 Round Magazine/25 Round Magazine (Extended Magazine)
Thoughts? Thought this assault rifle looked really cool, seems like a hybrid between an assault rifle and battle rifle. For some context, this assault rifle was just adopted by the US Army a few months ago as a candidate for new firearms. The 6.8x51mm cartridge or more commonly known as .277 Fury was adopted due to it being a middle point between the 7.62x39mm and 556x45mm NATO round, giving the cartridge a lot of power while still having somewhat manageable recoil. It was also made by concerns that the 556 cartridge would not be viable due to body armors adapting and becoming tougher.
https://preview.redd.it/5t3s3pvsjqzc1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=cd130fe5c7582de0ee05d0fdc454503171f19a49

Date: 05/10/2024

Reading time: 3 minutes, 657 words

🏛️ Politics & Government

Georgian PM says his Government is ready to establish relations between Georgia and EU, US “even closer”

Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze says his Government is ready to establish relations between Georgia and the European Union and the United States. He said the more steps are taken from the other side, the better. The PM called on international partners to “ensure as much as possible” the rapprochement of Georgia with both the USA and the EU.

AgendaGe

Nordic-Baltic Countries: Agents Bill “Incompatible with EU Norms and Values,” Disrupts European Future

Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania say the bill is incompatible with European norms and values. The Nordic-Baltic countries dismiss the comparisons of the bill with the EU draft legislation by the Georgian authorities.

CivilGe

U.S. State Department Condemns Harassment and Physical Assault of Agents Law Protesters

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller condemned reports from Georgia of harassment and physical attacks against civil society and opposition activists and journalists. Georgia has witnessed an orchestrated intimidation and attacks by violent thugs on civil society activists, opposition politicians and journalists for their critical stance on the foreign agents law.

CivilGe

PM Addresses “Sincere, Misled Youths,” Says Opponents Have “Lower IQ”

Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze published an “open letter’s” on Facebook addressing “sincere” but “misled” youths on May 10. He said people with high self-confidence and lack of intelligence are “more dangerous than a Russian tank” once again attacked youth protest movements.

CivilGe

Eleven Detained During March on Chavchavadze Avenue

Eleven people were detained on May 9 on Chavchavadze Avenue, where police confronted protesters marching after the controversial arrest of military blogger and activist Ucha Abashidze. Five of them have already been released on parole. Two more opposition politicians were beaten by violent groups the same night in Tbilisi.

CivilGe, MIA: Firearms, ammunition and cartridges were seized from blogger Ucha Abashidze’s house

Parliament Chairman Speaks about ‘Spiral of Violence’, Slams Embassies, Donors

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili blames NGOs and radical opposition for recent wave of violence against government critics. He also accused foreign Embassies and donors of turning a blind eye to what he claimed was “NGO-led violence’s” during rallies against the foreign agents law. The Speaker said he rejected request from heads of the Parliaments’ foreign affairs committees of several countries who asked to meet with him during their planned visit to Georgia next week.

CivilGe, International Reactions to Intimidation, Violence Campaign Against Civil Activists, Opposition Politicians over Foreign Agents Law

💵 Economy

Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion and ASYAD Group Showcase Oman’s Investment Potential at AIM Congress 2024

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) partnered with Asyad Group, Oman’s global integrated logistics provider. The 13th edition of the AIM Congress, which took place from May 7-9, 2024, at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi. Under the theme ‘Adapting to A Shifting Investment Landscape: Harnessing New Potentials for Global Economic Development’

GeorgiaToday

Export from Georgia to Israel increases

In the first quarter of 2023, products worth 4,648.33 thousand dollars were imported from Georgia to Israel, and in the same period of 2024, 8,670.21 thousand dollars. Accordingly, the export to Israel has increased by 87%.

GeorgiaToday

Date: 05/09/2024

Reading time: 3 minutes, 742 words

🏛️ Politics & Government

Orchestrated Intimidation of Protesters Against Agents’ Bill

Since the beginning of the protests against the Foreign Agents Law, there have been multiple attempts by still unidentified perpetrators to intimidate the protesters. These actions seem to be part of a well-organized campaign of intimidation against the opponents of the GD. Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on May 8 announced that Georgian Dream, through its party structures is launching a database containing information on all individuals.

CivilGe, CSOs: Government Violence Cannot Stop Georgian People’s European Aspirations, Ombudsman Calls for Law Enforcement Response to May 8 Beatings of Protest Activists, Public Defender: Attacks on civilians require immediate and effective response

The Correct but Untenable Geopolitical Quadrangle

Georgia has been trying for quite a while now to convince the world that living within a peaceful and potentially fruitful geopolitical configuration could well be the most optimal way for us to survive and successfully develop. Sakartvelo-West-Russia-East-Quadrangle has proven to be of little effect in the current neo-realistic world order, with a looming multipolar international arrangement.

GeorgiaToday

MIA Says Detained Six Demonstrators, Announces Further Criminal Investigations Against Protesters

Six people arrested during the ongoing rallies against the Foreign Agents Bill on charges of assaulting a police officer and damaging property. Director of the Tbilisi Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sulkhan Tamazashvili, held a briefing on the six people arrested on May 9. He announced new criminal investigation against all whose speeches during the rallies contain “criminal offenses”

CivilGe

Interior Minister on attacks: I condemn all kinds of violence

Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri has responded to the attacks on civil activists. 6 persons arrested on charges of assaulting a policeman and damaging property at the rally of the opponents of the ‘Transparency of Foreign Influences’ law.

GeorgiaToday

Georgian Ambassador to France Resigns Over Foreign Agents Law

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco, Gotcha Javakhishvili announced his resignation over the reintroduced Foreign Agents Bill. According to him, the atmosphere that was created between Georgia and its friends and partners due to the re-introduction of the bill made his job “extremely difficult”

CivilGe, MP Maka Botchorishvili on the “Foreign Agents” Bill and Georgia’s Chances at EU Integration under Georgian Dream Leadership

Ambassador Herczyński, President Zurabishvili Address Europe Day Event, GD Absent

European Union Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński and Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili spoke at a special Europe Day gala concert at the Rustaveli Theater. The addresses resonated with pertinent issues such as Georgia’s alienation from the EU due to the Foreign Agents Law and the strengthening of authoritarian tendencies.

CivilGe, EU Ambassador Herczyński Calls on Georgia to ‘Stay on the EU Path’ on Europe Day, Georgia to Celebrate First Europe Day with European Union Candidate Status, Georgia to Celebrate First Europe Day with European Union Candidate Status, Georgia to Celebrate First Europe Day with European Union Candidate Status

⚽ Sport

Paolo Barjija on the future of Napoli and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Paolo Barjija shared insights on the future of the Napoli club and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on Radio Capri’s program Bordocampo. Antonio Conte had no intention of joining Napoli, while Fiorentina's Vincenzo Italiano is being considered.

GeorgiaToday

Date: 05/08/2024

Reading time: 2 minutes, 552 words

🪖 Military

Georgian Citizen Illegally Detained by Russian Occupation Forces

Another Georgian citizen was illegally detained by the Russian occupation forces in the vicinity of the village of Akhalubani, Gori municipality, near the Tskhinvali occupation line. All existing mechanisms for the release of illegally detained Georgians have been activated, the SSSG reported.

CivilGe, Two Georgians Illegally Detained by Russian Occupation Forces Released

Two More Georgian Fighters Killed in Ukraine

Davit Ghoghadze and Beso Lomidze were killed in the vicinity of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. The latest casualty brings to 50 Georgian citizens who have died fighting in Ukraine since Russian invasion on February 24.

CivilGe

🏛️ Politics & Government

GYLA Raises Alarm Over Surge In Abusive Phone Calls Amid Protests, Alleges Personal Data Breach

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) voiced concern about a recent wave of abusive and intimidating phone calls targeting individuals involved in ongoing protests against the foreign agents law. The GYLA alleges a violation of the processing of personal data, possibly involving the use of state agencies’ databases. The Personal Data Protection Service said that it is studying the legality of processing of citizens’ telephone numbers.

CivilGe, MIA Showcases Violent Rally Dispersals Abroad, Threatens Similar Actions Against Agents’ Bill Protesters, Speaker Announces Launch of Incriminating Database on Opponents, GD to create database where information will be gathered about those “involved in violence”, GD to create database where information will be gathered about those “involved in violence”

OGP Gives 30 Days to Government to Develop Working Plan Addressing Key Concerns

The Open Government Partnership’s Criteria and Standards Subcommittee issued a response policy document on May 6. Georgia's Open Government Interagency Coordination Council raised concerns about the reintroduced Foreign Agents Law. Georgia has until June 6 to develop a comprehensive plan to address the identified challenges. Failure to do so may lead to Georgia's suspension from OGP unless concerns are addressed.

CivilGe

💵 Economy

The EU and UNDP supports new opportunities for entrepreneurs across Georgia

EU and UNDP support opened new opportunities for thousands of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs across Georgia empowering them to embrace greener, more innovative, and more sustainable business practices.

GeorgiaToday

Date: 05/07/2024

Reading time: 4 minutes, 846 words

🪖 Military

An attack on Volodymyr Zelensky was prevented in Ukraine

Ukraine's President of the State Volodymyr Zelensky was planned to be attacked and killed. The head of military intelligence Kirill Budanov and head of State Security Service Vasyl Maliuk should have been killed before Easter, officials say. The assassination of the head of the state security service was intended as an inaugural gift to Putin, they say.

EuroNewsGeorgia

🏛️ Politics & Government

ECtHR Finds Failure of Criminal Investigation in ‘Gavrilov’s Night’ Cases, Orders State to Pay Damages

At least 240 people, including 40 journalists and 80 police officers, were injured in the police dispersal of the anti-occupation rally outside the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi on June 20-21, 2019. The ECHR finds the violation of Article 3 only in the procedural part, not in the substantive part, taking into account the complex nature of the investigation and the fact that many applicants applied prematurely.

CivilGe, Strasbourg Resolution on "Gavrilov Night"

Opponents of Pashinyan march from Tavush to Yerevan

Residents of the northeastern province of Armenia, Tavush, started marching to Yerevan to protest against the Armenian government's decision to transfer land to Azerbaijan. In April, Armenia and Azerbaijan came one step closer to normalizing relations. According to the agreement reached, Armenia cedes certain territory to Azerbaijan.

EuroNewsGeorgia

Russia bans “foreign agents” from participating in elections

Russian lawmakers have passed a bill banning "foreign agents" from running for political office in the country. It is the latest in a series of tightening restrictions against those whom the Kremlin accuses of working in the interests of Western governments. The bill will now be sent to the upper-house Federation Council, after which it will need to be signed by President Vladimir Putin.

GeorgiaToday

"The basis of Putin's regime is lies and corruption" - Navalnaya

Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, urges Russian citizens not to give up in the fight against Putin's regime. She says now Russia is ruled by liars, thieves and murderers. Navalny's associates believe that Navalny was killed on Putin's orders.

EuroNewsGeorgia

Speaker Again Lashes Out at NED, EED, MEPs for ‘Non-transparency,’ Funding ‘Radicalism,’ Political Parties

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili again attacks the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the European Endowment. He accuses them of lacking transparency and funding what he called a “violent” local NGO, the Shame Movement, and, indirectly, political parties. The “I threw it” campaign was initiated by the “Shame Movement” to support of Lazare Grigoriadis, who was accused of allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at the police and setting fire to the police car during the March 7-9 protests.

CivilGe

MEPs Call for Suspension of EU Candidate Status for Georgia

Leading MEPs call for suspension of Georgia’s EU candidate status, review of EU funding of the Georgian state budget. The MEPs, in a letter of May 7 to European Commission Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, say that “continued undemocratic behaviour of Georgian authorities has crossed the line”

CivilGe, MEPs to Borrell: Georgia’s candidate status should be suspended, authorities crossed the line, MEPs to Borrell: Georgia’s candidate status should be suspended, authorities crossed the line

Fifth term and fifth oath - another inauguration of Putin

Vladimir Putin took the presidential oath for the fifth time in the St. Andrew's Hall of the Kremlin. Few doubt that Putinism is the modern incarnation of Stalinism, writes Alexander Nemenov. Putin does not seem willing to deviate from his path of destruction, repression and antagonism towards free countries, he writes.

EuroNewsGeorgia

SIS: Investigation into Police Brutality Ongoing

On May 7, the Georgian Special Investigation Service (SIS) released a statement saying it is collecting evidence concerning the allegations of police violence against the participants of the April-May protest rallies. SIS immediately launched a criminal inquest into possible facts of exceeding authority through the use of violence.

CivilGe

Top Abkhaz Diplomat Dismissed, Goes to Moscow

Inal Ardzinba is the de facto foreign minister of the Russian-occupied Georgian region of Abkhazia, Aslan Bzhania, fired without giving a reason. He recently appeared at the Russian First Channel, the main Russian propaganda outlet, as an anchor of the talk show titled “The Global Majority” with Bashar Assad as his first guest.

CivilGe

A week of rallies against the Russian law to be held in regions of Georgia

A week of rallies against the “Russian” law is planned in the regions of Georgia. Citizens will gather in Zugdidi, Gori, Kutaisi and Borjomi to protest against the law.

GeorgiaToday

💵 Economy

EBRD Warns Against Foreign Agents Law

The president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso warned that the foreign agents law may hurt investment in Georgia and the country’s economy. “We were surprised to see it coming back, and we are concerned by the dynamics of what's involved,” he said.

CivilGe

Close friendly ties, economic cooperation in focus of meeting between Georgian FM, Swedish Foreign Trade Minister

Georgia and Sweden discussed close friendly ties and growing trade and economic cooperation. The sides highlighted the importance of having a “very close” political dialogue. The parties reaffirmed their willingness to continue close and mutually beneficial cooperation both bilaterally and multilaterally.

AgendaGe, Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation Visits Georgia

Date: 05/06/2024

Reading time: 0 minutes, 34 words

🪖 Military

Another Georgian Fighter Killed in Ukraine

Soso Gugutashvili was a fighter with the “Black Eagle’s combat unit. He was killed in the vicinity of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka. 48 Georgian citizens have died fighting in Ukraine since February 24.

CivilGe

Date: 05/05/2024

Reading time: 0 minutes, 45 words

🏛️ Politics & Government

Patriarch’s Easter Epistle Urges Unity Through “Love of Motherland” Despite Confrontation

The 2024 Easter Epistle of Patriarch Ilia II accentuated the need for unity and peace. He lamented the distraction of people from spiritual thoughts to earthly life due to recent “political processes” He called for unity out of “love for the homeland” despite people’s differences.

CivilGe

Date: 05/04/2024

Reading time: 0 minutes, 98 words

🪖 Military

Sakpatenti, WIPO joint project, supporting production of unique Georgian products, completed

Project on Collective Management, Branding and Commercialisation of Selected Registered GI in Georgia was completed. It aimed to support farmers, associations and entrepreneurs who produce unique Georgian products marked with geographical indications and appellations of origin. Tushetian Guda cheese was selected, on which training sessions were delivered for producers.

AgendaGe

🏛️ Politics & Government

President Denounces Ivanishvili’s “Provocative” Speech, Urges High-Level European Visits

Salome Zurabishvili said ruling Georgian Dream founder and honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili’s speech at the April 29 counter-rally in support of the Foreign Agents Bill “was very provocative” The President said Georgia is in a “tense” situation and called on Ambassadors to encourage high-level visits from Europe in May.

CivilGe

If you'd like to support this work/ get these reports emailed daily: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/newsreports

It is not that I have a problem with the weapon being in the game, it's just that it should be classed as an machine gun that fires .308 rounds or .50 cal rounds. You know, a late-game machine gun used to mow down late game enemy types en mass, not a selective fire rifle that fires intermediate cartridges. Aside from the energy weapons, I do not use vanilla weapons, because they are all poorly designed, even for the setting. Even the 10mm pistol looks like some steam punk abomination chambered in .50 AE. 10mm cartridges were nothing special, as they were just rounds that were roughly between the 9mm and .45 in stopping power.
When it comes to switching out the firearms, I replace the 10mm pistol with a Glock 20 GEN4, the assault rifle with an AR-15, replace the sniper rifle with that Hecate II seen in New Vegas, all of those weapons fitting perfectly fine into Fallout's setting. I really wish Bethesda could have got the guys who made Fallout New Vegas to work on their guns for Fallout 4, as Bethesda only knows how to make retro-future energy weapons. Fallout's firearms, however, would strongly resemble firearms developed in the 1960s to 1980s, given the nature of the setting. I love Fallout 4, but Bethesda really should have consulted the original dev behind Fallout.
The weapons feel like they belong in a WWII shooter, not a retro-futuristic cold war-style action RPG. Now, if the water cooled assault rifle was a post-war design created by the East Coast version of the GunRunners, then I would understand its silliness. The Handmade rifle is the only vanilla firearm I use in my playthroughs, as it is the only gun that actually seems to fit Fallout's setting. Then again, it's Bethesda just adding the Chinese Assault rifle that was cut from the vanilla game back in.

1. There is an upper receiver of a safety firing pin trigger action auto spring auto sear pin action gas system gas blowback ejector breach chamber breach ejector barrel out and a lower receiver of chassis magazine actuator magazine action magazine spring magazine top which contains magazine size smokeless reload powder bullet antipersonell forward ammo +pressure noncorrosive FMJ ammunition size and a trigger of safety trigger ejector connector ejector motion ejector flip ejector action ejector lower ejector catch tensioner ejector spring ejector flip action ejector spring two ejector backaction no connection with a magazine catch and magazine spring and primer of activity reload explosion safety miniyield primer identity safety with a trigger action motion for every bullet that is safe. 1.1 The bullet not is in the chamber and there are magazine size bullets in the magazine 1.2 The Trigger is pulled and the firing pin moves forward at the rate of the auto sear 1.3 The smokeless powder inside the ammunition casing explodes with a flash of at least 33 grains of powder explosion and propels the bullet out the barrel at a meters second by meters rate for no more than 5 grains of actual film the bullet is observed and there is the confirmation of the explosive primer which fires at the same time 1.4 The firearm bolt ejects the cartridge and there is an effect on target of the ammunition type of the user 1.5 The first ammunition is depleted and there is brass evidence and the next smokeless powder in the next cartridge explodes propelling the next bullet with a flash of at least 33 grains of powder explosion out the barrel at a meters second by meters rate for no more than 5 grains of actual film the bullet is observed and there was confirmation of the bullet by the explosive primer 1.6 The second ammunition is depleted and the bolt goes to rest at home position and there is an effect on target of the ammunition type of the user.

I assume MT is for the mongoose edition.
I don't understand how "guidance" works for RAM grenades. It isn't explicitly explained what it does other than loose referral to similar effects that don't quite fit (unless I'm missing something).
The entry for RAM grenades in the Field Catalogue reads:

Rocket-Assisted Multipurpose (RAM) grenades become available from TL8. These are essentially an advanced form of the cartridge grenade, with greater range and accuracy. Some RAM grenades are configured to receive basic guidance, typically from a laser designator. A RAM grenade that hits without detonating will do Damage 2D. RAM grenades cost three times the payload price, plus any additional features. Weight is the same as a hand-thrown grenade. RAM grenades have a base Range of 300m.

p53, Field Catalogue (emphasis mine)
This doesn't seem to make clear what basic guidance actually is in this case. It sounds like it should be a new weapon trait similar to Smart but isn't mentioned at the start of the book alongside the others. An entry for smart (not the weapon feature) rounds in the section prior presents rules for Conventional Firearms that have the "Guidance" effect but it isn't obvious if the same applies to RAM cartridges or how they would interact with a laser designator in such a case:

Smart (TL10): Although commonly called ‘smart’, this ammunition is more correctly designated ‘limited-guidance’. It is only useful with a weapon mounting a gun computer as no person can react quickly enough to keep a bullet on target. The user can choose whether to lock in a particular target then shoot, or to have the gun computer assess the situation at the instant of firing and make an assumption about what the target is to be. Either way, once the projectile is in flight it deploys small fins for guidance and attempts to correct the aim point using signals from the weapon. This is of little use at ranges under 100m as the projectile does not have time to make meaningful course corrections, but at greater ranges DM+1 is gained for guidance from an Intelligent weapon. This increases to DM+2 for TL13+ intelligent weapons. Smart ammunition costs six times as much as ball. If the guidance capability is combined with another special ammunition type, the two costs are added together. Thus smart enhanced-wounding ammunition would cost 6 times the cost of ball plus 2 times the cost of ball, for a total of 8 times the cost of conventional ammunition.

p50, Field Catalogue (emphasis mine)
The price modifier is different and from the wordling it seems like the laser designator might replace the need for an intelligent weapon accessory but a guidance system is listed as a possible receiver feature so perhaps you need that instead (or maybe a designator and guidance system both? Which would be a much more expensive system to guide a larger, presumably more manoeuverable, projectile). I don't know if grenades actually travel much slower than bullets but I'd imagine they would so I'm also not sure if the lower limit on range would apply (at least to that extent).
Even the example RAM grenade launcher (p121) offers no help as, although it's description talks at length about it's guidance properties, no actual benefit is listed beyond the extended range and a reference to "guided fragmentation". Is that it? Have I just been had by a slightly flowery description of fancy flying grenades that promises more than they can give? The rocket launchers listed after it include the guidance system and do indeed fire missiles with the Smart feature, so what's going on with their smaller cousins?
Laser Designator:

A basic laser designator becomes available at TL6. It ‘paints’ a target by projecting a laser onto it, allowing a guided munition to home in on the reflected radiation. Much depends on the ability of the user to keep the weapon on target; the munition will follow a moving spot as best it can. Designators also act as rangefinders. At TL9, a much smaller designator is available, which can be mounted on a personal weapon.

p139, Field Catalogue (emphasis mine)
This doesn't really offer any further insight other than perhaps the "basic guidance" literally means that the guidance system is not self-contained within the projectile (strange that a bullet can apparently do what a propelled grenade cannot).
My best guess from what's presented is it's meant to function like the Special smart rounds (not the feature Smart) when used with a designator, essentially a glorified laser sight attachment but for long range engagements instead of <50m and at a substantial markup.
Certainly, when compared to the automatic grenade launcher provided in the Central Supply Catalogue I see no reason to ever use this system for such a launcher.
I haven't actually played all that much so let me know if I'm being thick.

As more information is coming out, the more I'm starting to understand what the situation was.
Just to state facts, a student at the North district laundromats found a single cartridge in one of the machines that led to the arrest of a student who will be referred to as Chris. In his possession was an illegally modified semi-automatic Aero Precision firearm with a flash suppressor and telescoping stock. Along side that was ammunition and magazines for the firearm. The said drawings depicted are described as an individual shooting another individual as a crowd of people are watching. A bit of background from the suspect is that he is part of the Highlander Student Safety Team.
Additionally, there was no other evidence found that would point him towards the planning of a mass shooting. There was no tactical gear, body armor, manifestos,building schematics, or even additional weaponry. (Which all have been commonly used and found in other incidents)
Although the drawing is of a concern, I would argue he has more of a superhero complex. Which would provide context to the drawing, he was wanting to use the firearm on an attacker, not a crowd.
It is still very illegal and dangerous to be holding onto a weapon on a campus apartment. But that is why I believe in investigators and the court allowed him to post bail. As he didn't present a danger to the student body. It is also why he isn't being charged with additional crimes of threatening a mass shooting.
Although as stated in the title, this is my overall analysis on the situation provided by evidence and research I've made.

1. Fa-bokao type matchlock rifle. 

2. Nung-fa-shuo type special rifle. 

3. Ka-fa type shooting cylinder. 

4. Ka-fa-mokau fragmentation hand cannon. 

Blurb: Stranded on the hell-planet of Arachnea, the last remnants of the human Fleet fight to survive in a world overrun by insectoid monsters and a sentient ecosystem gone mad. It is a war they are destined to lose, as with every century that passes, more of the ancient science lies forgotten, replaced by myth and superstition. That is, until assistant navigator Rene stumbles the mightiest weapon of the ancestor-gods...
Link for more chapters available here!: Engines of Arachnea on Royal Road
Into the depths of the endless green Rene plunged forward. His breath was labored yet steady, his pace swift but measured. He could not allow terror to steal his breath away. For he was a man pursued, and as quick as he was, they were quicker still.
He fumbled at his breast pocket, took out a brass whistle and snatched it to his lips. He blew hard, two piercing notes that cut through the foliage and curved round the flanks of the surrounding hills, echoing into the distance.
He listened. From far away there came an answering cry, faint and urgent. He dashed off towards it without wasting a moment, trampling ferns and dead leaves beneath his boots.
It came again, louder and more insistent. His eyes darted about the eerie stillness of the trees, lips pulled back unconsciously into a rictus grin of fear.
The signal sounded for a final time, rising to a high-pitched note of terror that was brutally cut short. Rene stopped in his tracks. There was a pause pregnant with tension, and then he turned and fled in the opposite direction.
He had discovered the mistake on the third day of reconnaissance, as they had toiled up the slopes of a yet another narrow trail. He had been near the rear of the column, while behind him Lethway panted with exertion, weighed down like a mule with the excess baggage.
“What’s all this about then?” Lethway had asked Rene through the harsh rasping that issued from his mask as he gasped through the valves of his intake tube. He was moving heavily beneath the thick skin of his sealant suit, rubber-lined canvas creaking beneath the straps of the heavy packs he bore on his broad back.
“What’s all what about, Lethway?”
“All this. Give us a hand, would you?”
Rene reached down and helped his friend hoist himself over a boulder slick with moss.
“Well ostensibly,” he said, grunting as his arms took the weight, “The point is to establish the supremacy of the human race, and claim this world that is our irrevocable birthright, as decreed by the ancestors.”
“This world? Hah! They can keep it. Bastard place is too wet for my liking.”
Their journey had been greeted at the outset by pouring rain and intractable mud. Crossing the gorge, they had become mired so deep they’d been forced to abandon their pack animals in a hurry, hence Lethway’s discomfort. Finding a way through the place was nothing short of a nightmare. The karst hillsides were a wilderness of monolithic stone pillars overgrown with greenery, chess pieces arranged on a board without thought or reason. Every turn in the road carried the risk of becoming hopelessly confused, as surroundings shifted and landmarks were lost to view.
They reached a section of level ground and paused to take a breath. Rene cleared away the thick dew that had settled over his lenses with a grimy sleeve. About them a feverish mist had risen until the entire forest of stunted trees and dense shrubs that covered the hillsides seemed to perspire in unison with the twenty weary, footsore men. Looking out across the alien landscape, he began to wonder if there was truth after all to the myths of old, of the shaping of the world of Arachnea by the ancestor--gods. The stories spoke of Divine Engines striding about, tearing up the mountains by their roots and stomping the valleys into existence, drinking deep from the oceans and belching forth plumes of life-giving air.
But Rene knew differently. The strangely geometric proportions of the karst hills were merely the result of millennia of rainwater carving the soft stone to its present shape. Just as the stalactites at home shrank with each drip and drop that fell in the caves, everything could be explained by the action and consequence of the laws of nature.
As for the ancestor—-gods, they belonged to an age of myth. Their wonderous works were long gone, if they had ever truly existed. Their children would have to make do with what they had. Which, admittedly, was not much.
Rene took out his compass, holding it in his cupped hands and frowning.
“How’s the old girl treating you?” asked Lethway.
“Oh, you know. The usual. Silly thing can’t make up its mind where to point.”
He tapped irritably at the glass casing, watched the lodestone needle within bobbing upon the film of oil that kept it afloat. It wasn’t like he could complain about its quality. Each man in the unit was outfitted with the best equipment the settlement could produce. They wore sleek sealant suits tailored for easier movement and carried state-of-the-art flintlock firearms fresh from the Fleet gunsmiths. Even their masks were a step above the ordinary and used a highly sophisticated arrangement of intake valves and filters rather than the primitive recycler systems used by civilians.
All of this belied the importance Command placed on their mission. They wanted to push northwards again, deep into enemy territory. Why was anyone’s guess, but this was the first of a series of actions taken against what the biological division had designated as Mound Euler. For some inscrutable reason their superiors had decided it had to go, and so once again the 3^rd Pathfinder Regiment would lead the way for the iron shod boot that would come crashing down.
“Crewman Rene!”
“Aye sir!” He ran up to the head of the column. The advance had been stalled for some time now. The men had begun to fidget, sliding packs from their aching shoulders or fiddling with the clasps on their sealant suits.
The navigator stood waiting, one foot leaning against the roots of a tree, a sour, pensive look on his face. Deschane was a lean man with a balding pate and dour appearance, and a personality to match it. Rene drew up, said:
“What’s the matter, sir?”
The navigator scowled and unfolded a disheveled map.
“Look,” he stabbed at it with a finger, “this was where we passed the river and took a right. Assuming we’ve been making the same time as yesterday, that should’ve brought us right about there,” he encircled a segment already cluttered with scrawls and arrowheads, “Correct?”
Rene swallowed hard and nodded.
“Care to fill in the rest?”
“Certainly, sir,” he stammered, “We proceeded north about eleven kilometers and paused to take bearings of several locations of interest. We would have gone further but our path was obstructed by the landslide on the southern slopes. For the past five hours we’ve taken a nor-nor eastern heading.”
“Where would that put us, crewman Rene?”
“Right about here, lord navigator.” He pointed with reluctance.
The navigator grabbed the compass twined around Rene’s neck and shook it in his face.
“And does here look even close to resembling that?” he snarled.
Rene had been tasked with occasionally peering down the compass’ pinhole sight and taking readings from one of the many peaks around them. Working together, using the same reference points, he and the navigator had aimed to chart a safe course through the endless karst hills that would steer them well around the ominous grey mountain that dominated the center of their maps. But the method was not without its difficulties. Their compasses, usually so obedient, had begun to act eccentric. The obstinate things refused to point out exactly where true north lay, tending instead to stray by six to eight degrees. The navigator hadn’t noticed the magnetic declination until recently, but by then they had already strayed from the intended path by a considerable margin. The phenomenon was caused, they had supposed, by massive amounts of iron deposits hidden somewhere beneath the area. But Rene had his doubts. At times it seemed to him that the place itself was deliberately leading them astray.
“We should be clear of it by now. We passed by the last feeder tower yesterday, yes? And yet there they are again!” Deschane gestured in disgust. Rene saw nothing at first, for the heavy precipitation was playing tricks with the lighting of the place. Huge blocks of stone raised their craggy heads above a veil of morning mists, some cast in shadow, others verdant and bright with foliage. It was only when the navigator had shoved a pair of binoculars into his hands that he finally caught sight of them.
Hidden amongst the columns of limestone were several tall, fluted structures so slender they almost faded into the background. Their ominous snouts reared hundreds of meters high and seemed so fragile that a stiff breeze could snap them in half. Far too graceful to be the result of natural process. A shiver of fear ran down his spine.
The mists were clearing, and in his mind’s eye he could trace the outline of the mound at the base of the towers, broad and dark and girdled with menace, stretching a full third of the horizon.
Dimly he was aware of Deschane taking the table of readings from his unresisting hands, the navigator mumbling as he compared it with his own set of measurements.
“Hmph,” he looked from one table to the other, and frowned at the map. “That’s odd.” he said with hesitation.
“Sir?” said Rene, numbly.
“Our readings are in agreement. Which means either both of us are completely wrong, or once again we’ve been led astray by our friends in military intelligence. Military intelligence,” Deschane snorted. “A contradiction in terms.”
A week before a squadron of balloons had been sent over to reconnoiter the territory, their swaying canvases pumped full of refined swamp gas. Some had been lost with all hands, smashed against the cliff faces by the wild winds that brewed in this tropical clime. The rest of the aircraft had been grounded by worsening weather conditions. Hence the need to send a foot patrol.
It was from these flights that they’d acquired the first rough sketches of Mound Euler and its surroundings. Now Rene knew how little those flight missions had really accomplished.
Rene stooped low and spoke urgently into his ear.
“Sir, those aren’t the same towers we saw yesterday.”
“What? Nonsense.”
He handed the binoculars back to Deschane and the navigator peered, unconvinced. At last he lowered the binoculars, clearly shaken.
“You mean to say they’re offshoots?”
“Aye sir. Tributaries of the main spine.”
The navigator riffled through the papers and found the charcoal sketches of the enemy structure. The artist depicted a trio of massive towers atop the Mound, a forbidding array of horns crowning a malevolent beast: the primary ventilation systems of the mound. They were clearly conical, as opposed to the cylindrical secondary structures that loomed before them now.
Oh yes, Rene thought, the aerial maps were wrong alright. Their actual position was several kilometers further from the Mound. Not that it mattered of course, because they had made another crucial mistake, one that would be the death of them all.
“Ridiculous,” Deschane looked sharply behind him—­—the men were uneasy and had begun to eavesdrop­—­—then continued in a whisper, “That would make Mound Euler at least three times larger than our estimates.”
“Yes sir. I’m afraid so.”
“But that would mean that the pheromone trails radiate outward for tens of kilometers.”
“We probably tripped it hours ago and never realized it,” Rene said hoarsely, “They know we’re here, sir.”
It was the Deschane’s turn to swallow this time. The navigator took a moment to gather himself, then nodded to himself and began to slowly fold his papers. Rene thought he was making an admirable effort not to show the panic that both now felt.
“We have to get back,” Deschane said through tight lips, “No matter what happens to us now, Fleet Command must hear of this. A colony of this magnitude...they must call off the offensive. Rene, what’s the shortest route back to friendly lines?”
Rene pored over the maps, sweat coating his palms.
“There is an inhabited mound around eighty kilometers south west. Shouldn’t take more than a day’s travel.”
He tapped a small grey spot east of the river.
“A settlement? This far north?”
“Not quite. It’s only a forward operating base--Mound 13, according to the legend on the map.”
“It will have to do,” the uncertainty had gone from his superior’s demeanor, replaced by a layer of cold efficiency. “Column, about face!” he bellowed to the rest of the men, “We’re heading home on the double!”
There were dire mutterings, and strings of curses levelled at the officer, the mud and the mission in general.
“None of that lip, your dogs!” bellowed Lieutenant Jensen, snatching up his pistol.
The murmurs died down, but a few stuck out their chins and let their voices be heard.
“What about the mission, sir?” someone asked.
“We were tasked with making a reconnaissance in force. The way I see it, we came, we saw, and we reconnoitered. Mission accomplished, as far as I’m concerned. You’re welcome to stick around if you like.”
Without another word Deschane began marching down the path from which they had come. Rene caught up to him, satchel bouncing on the back of his knees.
“Sir, is it wise to keep this a secret from the men?”
“What, that we’ve just stumbled upon the largest mound on this side of creation? That they could be nesting under our feet at this very moment? If I told them that we’ve been walking in the kill-radius for the past few hours, they’d go to pieces. Better an orderly retreat than a rout. Button up your lip if you know what’s good for you.”
“Very good sir,” Rene whispered. He fell back into place, his heart hammering in his chest.
The going was easier than earlier, since they were no longer travelling uphill, but that was little comfort as Deschane rode them hard all the way down the slopes.
The men swore as they tripped over the butts of their muskets, the clay clinging to them every inch of the way.
“What the hell have you gotten us into?” hissed Lethway as he went past, sliding on his behind. But Rene only shook his head.
“Fine then. But even a fool like me can see that something’s got you and the navigator spooked.”
“Deschane knows his business,” said Jensen, the lieutenant, “Keep your eyes peeled and tread softly. If there’s trouble, we’ll deal with it the usual way.” He patted a hatchet he kept on a leather sheathe by his side. Rene knew Jensen wouldn’t be so cocky if he knew the extent of their troubles.
What had been intended as a long, wayward route safely beyond the deadly kill-radius had instead cut deep into enemy territory, across dozens of invisible biochemical tripwires, laid by their adversaries in the hopes of detecting prey, which they now undoubtedly were.
As they passed through a defile between two low hillocks, they heard up ahead of them a stone clattering sharply over a bare cliffside. Rene drew back in apprehension. The others saw his reaction and paused to look at one another.
“Keep a steady pace, men!” growled Deschane. He glared at Rene. By sheer force of will he kept rest of them kept going, though they glanced all about them in trepidation.
“Right. They’ve found us. You all know the drill. Load and half-cock.”
“How?” whispered Lethway. The bags began to slip from his nerveless fingers. “We walked all the way around-”
“Never mind how! Pick that up right now, or I swear on ship and crew I’ll shoot you first!”
The men unslung their muskets and tore off the water-proof jackets. As they plodded forward, they hastily rammed paper cartridges down the muzzles and set their percussion caps.
“That’s right. Keep walking, easy does it now,” Deschane said in the same low voice, “Don’t let on that we know. Find your partners and form ranks.”
They exited the defile and fanned out cautiously into a wide semi-circle.
“Listen to me now,” Deschane proclaimed, “The survival of our species rests on your shoulders. Whatever happens now, at least one of us must return there and tell Fleet Command the following message: Mound Euler is an omega-class colony. Call off the offensive. The north is closed to us.”
“Remember the message. And may Sol, star of the ancestor--gods, shine upon you all.”
By unconscious consensus they all slowed to halt. There was the sound of muffled clicks as thumbs found hammers and coaxed them gently back into full cock. The lord navigator raised his pistol. Rene licked his lips--all the moisture had suddenly been sucked from his mouth.
They saw nothing before them but the ruddy faces of the cliffs. A nervous gust of wind shook the hanging vines and sent a shiver through the leaves. Rene held his breath for one long and agonizing moment, waiting for the inevitable.
And then Deschane stepped forward and fired into the shadows, and all at once the world erupted into violence.
Link for more chapters available here!: Engines of Arachnea on Royal Road