Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Morgan Utah: New for 2014, Browning has expanded the Citori 725 line of over and under shotguns by adding new Trap and Skeet models in 12 gauge.
Both Trap and Skeet versions of the Citori 725 will be available in standard stock and adjustable comb models. Like other Citori 725 models, the Trap and Skeet models include the Fire Lite Mechanical Trigger System and full-width hinge pin and tapered locking bolt receiver design. Read more
Levels of scrutiny is a legal term that describes the various standards a law must survive in order to be ruled Constitutional. On Saturday, Senior Judge Fredrick J. Scullen, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the District of Columbia’s ban on carrying of handguns outside the home didn’t stand up to a constitutional test “under any level of scrutiny.”
Scullin’s ruling sets aside the longstanding argument by anti-gun groups that the right to keep and bear arms applies only inside one’s home. While pro-gun advocates are celebrating the ruling, legal experts say the carrying of handguns for self-defense can still be regulated, although the limitations have yet to be established.
At the same time, they agree prohibitive “discretionary issue” laws like those in Maryland, New Jersey and New York, may be in trouble. Groups, including the Second Amendment Foundation, say they have been studying Senior Judge Scullen’s ruling over the weekend and will issue a formal statement later today.
Last month, while addressing a group of Colorado sheriffs, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper spoke on the topic of the state’s 2013 measure outlawing almost all private transfers of firearms. According to the Denver Post, Hickenlooper told the sheriffs, “I think we screwed that up completely… we were forming legislation without basic facts.” A new Associated Press report examining Colorado background check data in the first year of the new law proves the accuracy of Hickenlooper’s statement, and should (although likely won’t) end the repetition of an already discredited anti-gun background check factoid.
The report states that the Colorado Legislative Council, an offshoot of the state legislature that is tasked with analyzing legislation, estimated that 420,000 additional background checks would be conducted in the two years following the new private sale restrictions. This led the Colorado legislature to allocate $3 million to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to handle the anticipated increase.
However, the AP notes, “officials have performed only about 13,600 reviews considered a result of the new law — about 7 percent of the estimated first year total.” The article goes on to state, “In total, there were about 311,000 background checks done during the first year of the expansion in Colorado, meaning the 13,600 checks between private sellers made up about 4 percent of the state total.” Read more
“There’s a sign on the door that says you have to check your weapons at the front,” she said. “But you can’t expect every crazy person to do that.” But when a “troubled” patient opened fire on people at a hospital office, he wound up with some different troubles. More here…
Citizen Initiative Garnered Almost 300,000 Signatures from Registered Michigan Voters
LANSING—The Michigan Board of State Canvassers has certified the Citizens for Professional Wildlife Management (CPWM) petitions for a citizen initiative to allow the Natural Resources Commission to make science-based decisions on fish and wildlife conservation issues, including naming game species and issuing fisheries orders.
The Secretary of State Bureau of Elections staff report estimated that the pro-hunting group turned in at least 297,051 valid signatures of registered Michigan voters in support of the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, which also creates a $1 million rapid response fund to protect fisheries from invasive species like Asian carp, and allows active military members to hunt and fish for free.
“We’re excited that so many registered Michigan voters directly petitioned their elected representatives under the Michigan Constitution to protect their outdoor heritage by making sure we make fish and wildlife conservation decisions with sound science,” said Matt Evans, legislative affairs manager for Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “Almost 300,000 registered voters have asked their legislators to pass this law, and I sincerely hope they listen to their constituents.”
The citizen initiative is now before the Legislature, which will have 40 days to pass the initiative. Both chambers are expected to meet on August 13, which would be within the 40-day timeframe.
The citizen initiative would render moot two referendums pushed by out-of-state anti-hunting and animal rights organizations that are trying to ban wolf hunting, despite biologists’ recommendations, by stripping the ability of the Natural Resources Commission to name game species using biologists’ recommendations. Read more
Shawnee Kansas- Hodgdon®, has launched three new professionally produced how-to videos on its popular Reloading Data Center. Rifle, pistol and shotshell reloading basics are shown in an easy to understand step-by-step format. For shooters on the go these informative videos can also be viewed on a smart phone or tablet in less than three and a half minutes each.
The Reloading Data Center (RDC) is not only the most innovative free web source of Hodgdon®, IMR® and Winchester® reloading data to ever be offered by the shooting industry, it’s now the education resource. In addition to the new videos there is a complete section of reloading for beginner’s information, safety procedures, frequently asked questions, tips and tricks and much more for every handloader.
To see the reloading videos go to the Reloading Data Center at hodgdon.com
Big things are happening in the halls of Adams Arms these days. Today they have the ability to take superior products to the market at industry leading prices. A recent move to bring production in house coupled with increasing overall productivity allows them to pass savings directly to customers. While traditional piston systems can cost an average of $1,200-$1,600, the Adams Arms base piston rife now has a MSRP of just $995. These prices allow the company to compete with lower priced, traditional rifle systems, while still offering consumers the ability to afford high-quality piston rifles, parts and accessories. Read more
Beretta U.S.A. Corp., located in Accokeek, Maryland, announced today that it has decided to move its manufacturing capabilities from its existing location to a new production facility that it is building in Gallatin, Tennessee. The Gallatin facility is scheduled to be opened in mid-2015. Beretta U.S.A. had previously planned to use the new Gallatin, Tennessee facility for new machinery and production of new products only.
“During the legislative session in Maryland that resulted in passage of the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, the version of the statute that passed the Maryland Senate would have prohibited Beretta U.S.A. from being able to manufacture, store or even import into the State products that we sell to customers throughout the United States and around the world. While we were able in the Maryland House of Delegates to reverse some of those obstructive provisions, the possibility that such restrictions might be reinstated in the future leaves us very worried about the wisdom of maintaining a firearm manufacturing factory in the State,” stated Jeff Cooper, General Manager for Beretta U.S.A. Corp. Read more
Morgan Utah: For 2014 Browning is extending the line of Black Label products with the introduction of the Black Label Mark IV Series safes in Wide and Standard sizes. The new Black Label Mark IV safe is designed to accommodate modern sporting rifles as well as traditional long guns. These new models are Made in the USA and are full-featured to provide maximum protection from fire and theft.
To keep firearms and other valuables protected, Black Label Mark IV Series safes include an 11-gauge steel body and 1 5/16” thick Duo-formed door with a full 10-gauge steel inner plate. For added security, the safe door also incorporates the Force Deflector™ Locking System, Pry-Stop End Bolts and 1¼” diameter chromed locking bolts on all four sides of the door. Read more
By Glen Wunderlich
During a recent session at the rifle range, I pulled out one of my most accurate firearms: a Remington model 700 in .22-250 caliber. I wanted to see where it was hitting at 200 yards, after having sighted it in at 50 yards. The computer indicated that the home-brewed 50-grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets would be on target.
At the 200-yard target, the first 2 shots were a scant one-inch low but grouped a respectable .625 of an inch. Since I had only 7 rounds remaining in the box, and wanted to save them for hunting coyotes, I was putting it away, when my friend, Joe, piped up, “Shoot it again. That could have been a fluke.”
Mind you, Joe has a .300 Winchester Magnum that’s his go-to, show-off gun and I’m quite sure that first group challenged his best of the day. I explained that I’d that I’d have to change ammo to satisfy his curiosity.
Again, I had already done a bit of testing with the other ammo, but only at 50 yards. However, the 50-yard results were just as good, but the groups were low and right compared to the other ammo.
“Alright, Joe, here goes. But, understand the group will be low and right.” Three more shots and the issue was settled: .687 of an inch at 200 yards – a bit low and right. No more from Joe.
To pull this off, several factors come into play. Read more