Pending Legislation, Part 2

Continuing from last week, at the request from our members, MCRGO E’News is reviewing several pending bills in the Michigan Legislature that MCRGO anticipates may move in the weeks and months ahead. A complete list of pending Michigan firearms legislation can be found on our website HERE.

Permitless Carry (Constitutional Carry)
Bills: House Bills 4416-4419

Details: In short, these bills would remove the requirement to have a concealed pistol license to carry a concealed firearm in public or in a vehicle while loaded. As no CPL would be required, no pistol safety class is required either. However, carry without a CPL would not provide the full benefits of a CPL including out-of-state reciprocity, the ability to borrow another person’s pistol, the exemption for a purchase permit for private party pistol sales, and an exemption from some gun free zones. It is unlikely these bills will be taken up by the Senate until a deal is reached to prevent a veto by the governor. The rapid passage of these bills in the House this spring along with public misunderstanding of the limitations of permitless carry is believed to be the primary reason behind the drop in total statewide CPL numbers this summer. Regardless of the prospects of passage, MCRGO strongly encourages gun owners to obtain a CPL and current CPL holders to renew their license when it expires. MCRGO continues to engage in public education on this issue.

Status: The legislation is pending committee consideration in the Senate having passed the full House.

Preemption Enforcement
Bills: Senate Bill 586 & House Bill 4616

Details: HB 4616 would put teeth in Michigan’s preemption law by requiring local units of government with illegal firearms ordinances to bring them into compliance with state law or award costs and reasonable attorney fees to the parties challenging the illegal ordinances. SB 586 would add additional local units of government including school districts and community colleges to those prescribed by preemption.

Status: Both bills are awaiting committee consideration in the Senate. HB 4616 has passed the House.

Penalty for an Expired CPL
Bill: House Bill 4458

Details: The legislation would eliminate the felony for carrying an expired CPL if the CPL has been expired for not more than 6 months and the person would otherwise qualify for a renewal. Instead of a felony charge, a $330 civil fine would be imposed. Even this civil fine would be waived if the person obtains a renewal CPL within 60 days after the violation.

Status: The legislation is pending committee consideration in the Senate having passed the full House.

Contact MCRGO via our website.

Shipping Now to Wholesalers

North Haven, CT – Following the unprecedented success of the 590 Shockwave 12-gauge pump-action firearm, Mossberg announces the release of a 20-gauge version of the 590 Shockwave. Featuring a 14-inch barrel, “birds head” pistol grip and an overall length of 26.4 inches, the 590 Shockwave does not fall under the purview of the National Firearms Act (NFA) and does not require additional paperwork or the payment of a tax stamp for transfers. Federal Law does require the purchaser of this firearm to be 21 years of age. And coinciding with the announcement of this new 590 Shockwave, Mossberg is pleased to announce that the 20-gauge versions are already in production and shipping to wholesalers.

Based on the 590 pump-action design, the 20-gauge version of the Shockwave required an engineering redesign as this is the first time that Mossberg has offered the 590 platform in a smaller gauge. In addition to a scaled-down receiver, the cob-styled, tactical forend was reduced in overall size. Weighing in at a mere 4.95 lbs, this compact 20-gauge firearm combines the field-proven design of Mossberg’s legendary pump-action platform with the innovative Raptor® pistol grip from Shockwave Technologies; strapped forend for safe, controlled handling; and 6-round capacity. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Many of us deer hunters will be sighting in our firearms in the coming weeks leading to the firearms deer opener November 15^th.  This spell of unseasonably warm weather can make the chore more comfortable and can produce better results at the range, so why not take advantage of it?  Here are some tips.

Assuming a scoped firearm has been bore sighted, or maybe it has been shot previously, begin the target session at 25 yards with a single shot.  If it’s close to center, move the target to 100 yards and get comfortable.

The act of getting and remaining comfortable cannot be overly stressed, because the object is to minimize human error in the process.  Begin with good hearing protection, so that the firearm’s report can be adequately muffled.  Also, add some type of cushion at the shoulder to soften the effect of recoil; a folded towel can suffice under clothing.

A stable rest must be used to squeeze as much accuracy as possible from your deer gun.  Sand bags filled with sand or kitty litter are inexpensive and effective.  I like to recycle old socks by filling them with cat litter, twisting the open end and tying them securely with electrical tape and cutting them off cleanly with a utility knife.  If they develop holes from use, just stuff the defective one into another sock and tie it off.

What you don’t want to do is rest the firearm – and, especially the barrel – onto any hard surface.  While short bipods are convenient and hold a rifle steady, they will also cause the rifle to jump.  Believe it or not, the barrel can move before the bullet leaves the bore and this condition must be eliminated to get good readings on the target.

Next, dial the magnification up to or near maximum and aim for small targets instead of big black circles.  Now, with feet firmly on the ground and the firearm pulled tightly to the shoulder, a most difficult, yet critical, component to accuracy comes next:  holding steady and calling your shot.

No doubt, it’s a daunting task to relax and to make a good shot, when you know you are going to get walloped in the shoulder.  That’s why it’s important to pull the gun tight, but to do otherwise it to invite unpleasantness in results.

The art of calling shots must be acquired; otherwise, a shooter will never know why he or she is shooting targets that look more like shotgun patterns, as opposed to groups.  Calling a shot is not at all like Babe Ruth’s pointing to the stands and then knocking one out.  It is the act of stating where your hold was when the gun went boom without looking at the target to see the hole.

A heavy, sticky trigger can make the process difficult, if not impossible, and cannot be discounted as an enemy of accuracy.  However, you’ll have to gut it out, if that’s the case, or get it to a good gunsmith for tweaking or replacement.

With the scope at high magnification, a shooter can see any movement transmitted through the lens.  Even a heartbeat can be detected in the reticle.  Just because you may be shooting with iron sights or poor quality optics and can’t see any movement, doesn’t mean it’s not there; it is!  But, now that you’ve become aware of it, you’ll be able to settle down with optical feedback through the lens.

Concentrate on the small target and the crosshairs and be totally aware of the crosshairs’ position, as you attempt to get them to stop moving.  Slowly begin to squeeze the trigger, while taking constant note of the crosshair’s position relative to the target.  When the gun finally fires, you should be able to call the shot meaning you knew exactly where you were holding when the gun discharged.

Understanding this technique is crucial to accuracy.  Although there are many factors that contribute to accuracy, this one cannot be ignored.  Practice does not make perfect, unless it’s perfect practice.