Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
At americanhandgunner.com, FMG Online Editor Mark Kakkuri hosts a forum on “How To Be A Good Gun Store Customer” — referencing a video from Roy’s Insider Tips, featuring American Handgunner Publisher Roy Huntington. Read more
HILLSBORO INLET, Fla., Recreational boaters and paddlers understand that late afternoon thunderstorms are common during the summer boating season. A recent incident involving two TowBoatUS Fort Lauderdale captains and their rescue of four kayakers pre-fishing a local tournament offers some lessons learned on how to survive an afternoon storm.
Just before 2 p.m. on Friday, June 24, under severe thunderstorm watch, Captains Eric Laury and Steve Reuss ran for cover as a large, fast-moving storm approached. Safe in a marina close to Hillsboro Inlet, they began to “wait out Armageddon,” as Reuss described the strong storm. Minutes later the US Coast Guard reported three overturned kayakers in the water about two miles south of the inlet. Read more
Ruger Delivers On and Extends the “2 Million Gun Challenge”
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is excited to announce the extension of the 2 Million Gun Challenge to Benefit the NRA – which is now the 2.5 Million Gun Challenge!
Between the 2015 and 2016 NRA Annual Meetings, Ruger met the challenge goal of selling two million new firearms, for a total donation of $4,000,000 to the NRA-ILA. Ruger CEO Mike Fifer and President/COO Chris Killoy presented Chris Cox, NRA-ILA’s Executive Director, with a check for $4,000,000 at the 2016 NRA Annual Meetings in Louisville, Kentucky. Read more
The R51 sub compact pistol features a lightweight aluminum frame with rounded edges for comfortable conceal carry, grip safety, low bore axis for reduced recoil/muzzle flip, concealed carry trigger (light/crisp/single action), light slide racking-force for ease of manipulation, ambidextrous magazine release, locking drift adjustable sights and optimized grip angle – making it extremely easy to point and shoot. Read more
WASHINGTON — At the request of its members and representatives of state wildlife agencies, the Archery Trade Association (ATA) Board of Directors has released a position statement concerning airbows. The statement was drafted immediately following the organization’s summer board meeting in Washington, DC, July 11-12.
The ATA’s full position statement on airbows is below: Read more
Birchwood Casey® has introduced two great new Dueling Tree Targets for fast-paced shooting action that you can see and hear.
The new Dueling Tree Target Stand is available in both .22 rimfire and airgun versions. The Dueling Tree has four steel plates that dodge from side to side when hit, providing constant shooting action. The heavy steel construction ensures the targets will stand up well to long-term range use.
With both models offered in matte black finish and a lightweight resin, they weigh in at 6.0 lbs and 6.2 lbs respectively. The STD-15 models feature a 5.56 caliber and 16″ barrel length as well as a 1/9 Twist 4150 CMV, Government profile with M4 feed ramps and QPF Nitride Coating. Unlike other cases, the STD-15 makes them easier to stack and place in storage. While both feature Direct Gas Impingement, the Model A sports an A2 Flash Hider where the Model B features the Phantom. The models range in MSRP of $999 to $1,249.00 depending on the model. Read more
From Jim Shepherd…
Effective “immediately” AG Healey’s ban is designed to stop the sale of those modern sporting rifles (a/k/a “assault rifles”) that had been modified so as to pass the multi-point exam as to what actually constituted an “assault rifle” under Massachusetts state law.
“The gun industry doesn’t get to decide what’s compliant,” she said, “We do.”
“We” of course, meaning those who agree with her position.
Almost simultaneous with AG Healey’s announcement, Massachusetts gun rights groups like the Gun Owner’s Action League of Massachusetts, said her unilateral action, taken with “actually going through the process, then telling licensed retailers they’re not allowed to sell something” would “probably be a very interesting legal challenge at some point.”
Healey’s actions are, apparently, aimed at the myriad of changes that gun makers have made to the modern sporting rifle in order to make them “compliant” in states like California -and Massachusetts. Those changes have included non-removable, reduced-capacity magazines, fixed versus adjustable stocks and other largely cosmetic changes.
Operating systems, however, have remained essentially untouched because semi-automatic rifles or handguns operate on long-established mechanical principles, not eyewash legislation designed to ban the most popular long-gun in the country simply because of a resemblance to military-issued, fully automatic rifles.
According to Healey’s new interpretation of the law, a gun sharing the same basic operating system or having any interchangeable parts in common with a banned weapon is now verboten.
Healey used what has become standard operating language for opponents to modern sporting rifles, telling those present that those “deadly assault weapons were intended for military use” and “do not belong in civilian hands.”
If a dealer in Massachusetts has any of the now-banned guns in stock, they will be allowed to sell them to out-of-state dealers, but not individuals. If you’re a Massachusetts-resident and purchased on of the “copycat” rifles before Wednesday (July 20), you’ll be allowed to keep it.
But Healey warns that no Massachusetts resident will be able to possess an assault-style weapon purchased after Wednesday -even if they bought it elsewhere.
After announcing her sweeping change, Healey refused to categorize her action as an assault on legitimate businesses in Massachusetts, saying that her intent wasn’t to criminalize dealers.
Rather, she said her press conference was simply to “get the word out.”
Apparently, that’s not worked so well. Notices were reportedly mailed Tuesday, but none of the dealers we spoke with yesterday have yet received them. Many had, however, seen Healey’s Op-Ed in the Boston Globe where she accused the gun industry of “exploiting” a “loophole of potentially horrific proportions” -writing, “And it’s time we act.”
Does she expect a legal challenge? Definitely. In her Op-Ed, she writes that other states have banned assault weapons, and “Many of those bans have been challenged (unsuccessfully) by the gun industry, and we anticipate our directive may be too.”
“But,” she writes, “our job is to enforce state laws and to keep people safe. And this directive will do both.”
If it were only that simple.
Editor’s Note: You can read Attorney General Healey’s Boston Globe Op-Ed yourself at:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/07/20/the-loophole-mass-assault-weapons-ban/eEvOBklTriWcGznmXqSpYM/story.html
You can also read the Attorney General’s letter to Dealers Here:
http://www.mass.gov/ago/public-safety/awbe.html
GW: Beretta’s selected a most skilled rifle builder, Scott McRee, and this combination of components and craftsmanship should be a bull’s eye in the market of higher-end firearms. Best of luck with the venture, Scott!
This project combines the best of both worlds, the smooth running Tikka T3 and a lightweight version of the system that has served our military with distinction. Scott McRee, owner of McRee Precision, is very enthusiastic about how the market will respond to the collaboration stating, “I am confident that the sport shooting, tactical run and gun competitor, as well as the law enforcement community will enjoy this offering. It’s an honor to be working with Beretta U.S.A. and to be helping them provide another superb product to the American market.”
Built for the U.S. market, commercial production will be limited to 400 pieces and will be available immediately. The TSR-1 is available for purchase at authorized Beretta dealers and leading outdoor retailers.
To locate your nearest dealer visit http://www.beretta.com/en-us/dealer-locations/
Beretta, established in 1526, is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world tracing its roots through 15 generations of continuous family ownership. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for almost 500 years. Beretta USA Corp. was founded in 1977 and supplies the standard sidearm to the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, Beretta manufactures, distributes and markets a complete line of firearms, accessories and apparel. Beretta also owns and operates six retail Beretta Gallery stores worldwide. For additional information, visit www.Beretta.com.