By Glen Wunderlich

Noise pollution.  What is it good for?  Absolutely nothing!  When it comes to firearms, it comes with the territory.  Why the common man does not have the ability in Michigan to suppress the ear-damaging noise of guns is beyond me.  But, if you attach a sound suppressor to your firearm in this state, you’d be guilty of a felony, unless you have a Title II firearms license for machine guns, sound suppressors, and destructive devices. 

Recently, the State of Washington has allowed its citizens the option of using sound suppressors on their firearms, and believe it or not, even the state sheriffs and police chiefs supported the measure.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Bryan Blake, a Democrat says “Hollywood movies have stigmatized the silencers.  They show them as the bad guys’ guns.”  But, if it were actually true, there’d be a push to overturn the legal use of sound suppressors in the 30+ states that currently allow them.  But, the silence is deafening. 

That’s not to say everyone likes the idea.  “We are disappointed,” said Washington Ceasefire member Michael Martin. His group is working to decrease gun violence.  I guess I just don’t see the connection, but then again, I’m probably not as much of a movie buff as Mr. Martin.

However, there is a connection to hearing loss when big bores go boom without adequate ear protection.  It’s happened enough to me to know.  And, if sound suppressors could save the hearing of just one individual, I’m all for it.  (Sorry, gun grabbers, for stealing your rhetoric.)

Even in the 34 or so of states that permit sound suppressors, there’s a hefty price to pay beyond the cost of the hardware itself.  In 1934 a tax of $200 was levied on the gun mufflers and the tax is still in place today.  Extensive background checks are also mandated.  And skirting the law by owning a sound suppressor, which is not properly registered and taxed, is a violation of federal tax code (tax evasion) a felony punishable by large fines and up to ten years in prison.  That’s serious stuff, as anyone familiar with Al Capone’s demise will attest.  Unless your name is Timothy Geithner, you’d better not try it.

Legitimate users for today’s sound suppressors include animal control officers, and contractors in municipalities, parks, and airports.  It’s all about public relations.  Although the majority of states consider target shooting a legitimate use ,Michigan does not. 

As we continue to run out of land, neighbors get closer and closer.  While Michigan law defines a safety zone as an area within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling, house, cabin, or any barn or other building used in a farm operation, hunting and shooting requires written permission of the owner or occupant of such safety zone.  Not so with target shooting and the discharge of firearms. 

There’s no way to be polite with the sound of gunfire when neighbors are within earshot distance.  Public relations should not be the sole privilege of government entities, nor should hearing protection be limited to the select. 

There simply is no legitimate reason why someone willing to pay the fee and be subjected to intense governmental scrutiny, shouldn’t have the right to a little less noise for himself and those around him.

The award-winning Winchester® Ammunition Ballistics Calculator recently received an upgrade—providing shooters and hunters more bullet types to choose from and adding shotgun slugs, rimfire and handgun ammunition to the menu.
 
The Winchester Ballistics Calculator allows users to choose their type of ammunition and compare up to five different Winchester products with easy-to-read, high-tech ballistic charts and graphs. Users can customize ‘shooting’ conditions by entering wind speed and outside temperature, adjust zero marks for sighting in, then print or save the ballistics for later reference on the range or in the field.
 
“The Winchester Ballistics Calculator is an outstanding tool for all hunters and shooters; it’s simple to use and absolutely perfect for understanding ammunition ballistics,” said Brett Flaugher, vice president of sales and marketing for Winchester Ammunition. “We expanded our product assortment on the calculator, and we continue to research new technologies that will make this tool widely available to shooting and hunting enthusiasts.”
 
The calculator is live at www.winchester.com/ballistics and is also available as an app that can be used on iPhones, iPods and iPads.
 
The Ballistics Calculator uses Microsoft® Silverlight®, a cutting-edge technology that integrates seamlessly into Web browsers and allows users to run highly advanced software applications over the Web.
 
For more information about Winchester Ammunition and its complete line of products visit www.winchester.com.
 
Winchester Ammunition is proud to be a leader in conservation

NILO® Farms, established by John M. Olin in 1952, is Winchester’s prestigious hunting preserve providing guests with quality hunting on more than 640 acres of natural habitat. As one of the finest hunting and shooting facilities in the country, NILO Farms represents the best in game management and safety. Many of the land management practices developed at NILO have proven to be an example for other waterfowl and upland game bird preserves to follow. For more information about NILO Farms, visit www.nilofarms.com.

WEST POINT, MS -A company native to Mississippi that revolutionized the camouflage industry over 20 years ago, has created an avenue for conservationists and land managers across the country to find and purchase plants for the betterment of wildlife and their habitat.

In the past year, Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries has shipped specialized plants to outdoorsmen and conservationists in over 30 states around the continental U.S. Plants that for the most part have been previously unavailable for purchase anywhere.

Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries cultivates naturally occurring species of plants that wildlife and wildlife enthusiasts prefer. The Nativ Nurseries plant collection includes an assortment of hybrid and specialty oak trees, many of which are exclusive only to Nativ Nurseries. The collection also includes many different varieties of fruit trees and shrubs. These plants play an essential role in producing healthier wildlife and a more productive habitat.

Through the Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries web site, www.nativnurseries.com, customers can view information on how, where, when, and which species to plant, including many helpful tips and tactics. For in depth questions, customers can call and speak to a Nativ Nurseries representative for a more individual answer to their inquiries.

Toxey Haas , Founder and CEO of Mossy Oak, said, “Our trees are all hand selected from genetically superior trees. We collect seed from parent trees that exhibit nature’s very best attributes, and produce hard and soft mast at a much younger age than traditional seedlings. Combine the naturally superior genetics of these trees with our revolutionary new growing method, the Rapid Mast System, and the result is a tree that will produce food in the near future and for generations to come.”

For information or questions about Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries or its plant offerings visitwww.nativnurseries.com or call 662-494-4362.
Contact:
Jesse Raley
Ph: 662-494-4326
jraley@mossyoak.com

Senators advanced a bill Wednesday to allow for a state meat inspection program and possibly a horse slaughter and processing facility, but one senator took the opportunity to discredit the Humane Society of the United States.

Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege, the chairman of the Agriculture Committee used strong language, calling the national group deceptive, unethical, overreaching, shameless, ruthless.

He made the distinction between HSUS and local humane societies, saying it is not the same as such groups…More here

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg that alleges New York City’s $340 fee for a permit to keep a handgun in the home is “excessive and impermissibly burdens the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.”

SAF is joined in the lawsuit by the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association and five individual New York City residents. Also named as a defendant in the lawsuit is New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Read more

GW: I can hear the HSUS whining from here…

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas hunters could soon be able to book trips on helicopters to shoot wild hogs and coyotes under a plan approved by lawmakers Monday that would dramatically expand the state’s strict rules on aerial hunting.

The bill, which passed the Texas House on a 137-9 vote, would allow landowners to sell seats on helicopters for such hunts. Estimates show that as many as 3.4 million feral hogs roam Texas, and bill sponsor Rep. Sid Miller of Stephenville argued that aerial hunting is the most effective way to control the animals. More here