Zinke, NWTF Celebrate Wildlife Restoration Act

DiBona, Zinke, Bird (left to right)

EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke held a press conference today formally announcing the release of $1.1 billion from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act that will continue to support fish, wildlife and habitat conservation. This year marks the 80thanniversary of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act.

Prior to the announcement, Zinke met privately with a group of hunting and conservation representatives which included two local National Wild Turkey Federation representatives; Fred Bird, regional director and Matt DiBona, district biologist.

“Secretary Zinke reiterated his strong support for our hunting and fishing traditions and said the Department of Interior is committed to managing our federal lands for the benefit and enjoyment of sportsmen and the general public,” DiBona said.

The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, which is commonly referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Act, was established in 1937 and imposes a tax on firearms, ammunition, archery and fishing equipment. Those funds are then returned to each state to manage wildlife and habitats. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Hearing Protection Act Language Incorporated into Comprehensive Sportsmen’s Package WASHINGTON – The House Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a hearing for this morning (June 14) in which the Federal Lands Subcommittee will hear a discussion draft of the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act. The SHARE Act, which is being championed in a bipartisan manner by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chairs Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Representative Gene Green (D-TX), is a comprehensive package that covers a wide range of hunting, fishing, and outdoor related issues. Included in the legislation is Title XVII, a strengthened version of the Hearing Protection Act. Since the re-introduction of the Hearing Protection Act by Rep. Duncan and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) in January (H.R. 367, S. 59) the American Suppressor Association (ASA) has met with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on multiple occasions to discuss technical amendments to the language. As a result, we were able to create several technical amendments that were incorporated into the current draft of the SHARE Act. These include: • Sec. 1702: Removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act, subjecting them to the same instant NICS background check as long guns, and issuing a refundable tax credit to anyone who has purchased a suppressor since the HPA’s original date of introduction • Sec. 1703: Ensuring that suppressors will remain legal in all 42 states where they are currently legal, after suppressors are removed from the National Firearms Act • Sec. 1704: Preempting states from levying taxes or registration requirements on suppressors. However, this will not make suppressors legal in any state where state law currently prohibits them. • Sec. 1705: Granting the ATF 365 days to destroy all suppressor related records from the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) • Sec. 1706: Developing a “keystone part” definition, and requiring that such keystone part is serialized on every suppressor. This will ensure that individual suppressor parts, like pistons and endcaps, will not require serialization. • Sec. 1707: Imposing a 10% Pittman-Robertson excise tax on the manufacture of each new suppressor, a tax that is currently imposed on all Title I firearms “The inclusion of the Hearing Protection Act in the sportsmen’s package highlights the commitment of the Sportsmen’s Caucus to make the hunting and recreational shooting experiences safer and more enjoyable for all,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association. “We know for a fact that exposure to noise from recreational firearms is one of the leading causes of hearing loss, which is why the CDC, NIOSH, and the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) have all recommended using suppressors as a tool to mitigate the danger. We look forward to working with the Sportsmen’s Caucus to make this legislation a reality.” Suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. Currently, prospective buyers must live in one of the 42 states where they are legal, must send in an application including fingerprints and passport photos to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax, and wait for an indeterminate amount of time for the ATF to process the application. As of June, 2017, wait times are in excess of 10 months. In stark contrast, many countries in Europe place no regulations on their purchase, possession, or use. This legislation will remove suppressors from the onerous requirements of the NFA, and instead require purchasers to pass an instant NICS check, the same background check that is used during the sale of long guns. In doing so, law-abiding citizens will remain free to purchase suppressors, while prohibited persons will continue to be barred from purchasing or possessing these accessories. To voice your support for the Hearing Protection Act, visit www.HearingProtectionAct.com. ABOUT THE AMERICAN SUPPRESSOR ASSOCIATION The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor industry. Our mission is to unite and advocate for the common interests of the suppressor community. To accomplish our mission, our principal initiatives focus on state lobbying, federal lobbying, public education, and industry outreach. For more information on how you can join the ASA, and help protect and expand your right to own and use suppressors, please visit www.AmericanSuppressorAssociation.com.

WASHINGTON – The House Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a hearing for this morning (June 14) in which the Federal Lands Subcommittee will hear a discussion draft of the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act. The SHARE Act, which is being championed in a bipartisan manner by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chairs Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Representative Gene Green (D-TX), is a comprehensive package that covers a wide range of hunting, fishing, and outdoor related issues. Included in the legislation is Title XVII, a strengthened version of the Hearing Protection Act.

Since the re-introduction of the Hearing Protection Act by Rep. Duncan and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) in January (H.R. 367, S. 59) the American Suppressor Association (ASA) has met with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on multiple occasions to discuss technical amendments to the language. As a result, we were able to create several technical amendments that were incorporated into the current draft of the SHARE Act. These include:

• Sec. 1702: Removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act, subjecting them to the same instant NICS background check as long guns, and issuing a refundable tax credit to anyone who has purchased a suppressor since the HPA’s original date of introduction
• Sec. 1703: Ensuring that suppressors will remain legal in all 42 states where they are currently legal, after suppressors are removed from the National Firearms Act
• Sec. 1704: Preempting states from levying taxes or registration requirements on suppressors. However, this will not make suppressors legal in any state where state law currently prohibits them.
• Sec. 1705: Granting the ATF 365 days to destroy all suppressor related records from the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR)
• Sec. 1706: Developing a “keystone part” definition, and requiring that such keystone part is serialized on every suppressor. This will ensure that individual suppressor parts, like pistons and endcaps, will not require serialization.
• Sec. 1707: Imposing a 10% Pittman-Robertson excise tax on the manufacture of each new suppressor, a tax that is currently imposed on all Title I firearmsHearing Protection Act Language Incorporated into Comprehensive Sportsmen’s Package

WASHINGTON – The House Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a hearing for this morning (June 14) in which the Federal Lands Subcommittee will hear a discussion draft of the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act. The SHARE Act, which is being championed in a bipartisan manner by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chairs Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Representative Gene Green (D-TX), is a comprehensive package that covers a wide range of hunting, fishing, and outdoor related issues. Included in the legislation is Title XVII, a strengthened version of the Hearing Protection Act.

Since the re-introduction of the Hearing Protection Act by Rep. Duncan and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) in January (H.R. 367, S. 59) the American Suppressor Association (ASA) has met with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on multiple occasions to discuss technical amendments to the language. As a result, we were able to create several technical amendments that were incorporated into the current draft of the SHARE Act. These include:

• Sec. 1702: Removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act, subjecting them to the same instant NICS background check as long guns, and issuing a refundable tax credit to anyone who has purchased a suppressor since the HPA’s original date of introduction
• Sec. 1703: Ensuring that suppressors will remain legal in all 42 states where they are currently legal, after suppressors are removed from the National Firearms Act
• Sec. 1704: Preempting states from levying taxes or registration requirements on suppressors. However, this will not make suppressors legal in any state where state law currently prohibits them.
• Sec. 1705: Granting the ATF 365 days to destroy all suppressor related records from the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR)
• Sec. 1706: Developing a “keystone part” definition, and requiring that such keystone part is serialized on every suppressor. This will ensure that individual suppressor parts, like pistons and endcaps, will not require serialization.
• Sec. 1707: Imposing a 10% Pittman-Robertson excise tax on the manufacture of each new suppressor, a tax that is currently imposed on all Title I firearms

“The inclusion of the Hearing Protection Act in the sportsmen’s package highlights the commitment of the Sportsmen’s Caucus to make the hunting and recreational shooting experiences safer and more enjoyable for all,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association. “We know for a fact that exposure to noise from recreational firearms is one of the leading causes of hearing loss, which is why the CDC, NIOSH, and the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) have all recommended using suppressors as a tool to mitigate the danger. We look forward to working with the Sportsmen’s Caucus to make this legislation a reality.”

Suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. Currently, prospective buyers must live in one of the 42 states where they are legal, must send in an application including fingerprints and passport photos to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax, and wait for an indeterminate amount of time for the ATF to process the application. As of June, 2017, wait times are in excess of 10 months. In stark contrast, many countries in Europe place no regulations on their purchase, possession, or use. This legislation will remove suppressors from the onerous requirements of the NFA, and instead require purchasers to pass an instant NICS check, the same background check that is used during the sale of long guns. In doing so, law-abiding citizens will remain free to purchase suppressors, while prohibited persons will continue to be barred from purchasing or possessing these accessories.

To voice your support for the Hearing Protection Act, visit www.HearingProtectionAct.com.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SUPPRESSOR ASSOCIATION

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor industry. Our mission is to unite and advocate for the common interests of the suppressor community. To accomplish our mission, our principal initiatives focus on state lobbying, federal lobbying, public education, and industry outreach.

For more information on how you can join the ASA, and help protect and expand your right to own and use suppressors, please visit www.AmericanSuppressorAssociation.com.

“The inclusion of the Hearing Protection Act in the sportsmen’s package highlights the commitment of the Sportsmen’s Caucus to make the hunting and recreational shooting experiences safer and more enjoyable for all,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association. “We know for a fact that exposure to noise from recreational firearms is one of the leading causes of hearing loss, which is why the CDC, NIOSH, and the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) have all recommended using suppressors as a tool to mitigate the danger. We look forward to working with the Sportsmen’s Caucus to make this legislation a reality.”

Suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. Currently, prospective buyers must live in one of the 42 states where they are legal, must send in an application including fingerprints and passport photos to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax, and wait for an indeterminate amount of time for the ATF to process the application. As of June, 2017, wait times are in excess of 10 months. In stark contrast, many countries in Europe place no regulations on their purchase, possession, or use. This legislation will remove suppressors from the onerous requirements of the NFA, and instead require purchasers to pass an instant NICS check, the same background check that is used during the sale of long guns. In doing so, law-abiding citizens will remain free to purchase suppressors, while prohibited persons will continue to be barred from purchasing or possessing these accessories.

To voice your support for the Hearing Protection Act, visit www.HearingProtectionAct.com.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SUPPRESSOR ASSOCIATION

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor industry. Our mission is to unite and advocate for the common interests of the suppressor community. To accomplish our mission, our principal initiatives focus on state lobbying, federal lobbying, public education, and industry outreach.

For more information on how you can join the ASA, and help protect and expand your right to own and use suppressors, please visit www.AmericanSuppressorAssociation.com.Hearing Protection Act Language Incorporated into Comprehensive Sportsmen’s Package

WASHINGTON – The House Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a hearing for this morning (June 14) in which the Federal Lands Subcommittee will hear a discussion draft of the Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act. The SHARE Act, which is being championed in a bipartisan manner by Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chairs Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Representative Gene Green (D-TX), is a comprehensive package that covers a wide range of hunting, fishing, and outdoor related issues. Included in the legislation is Title XVII, a strengthened version of the Hearing Protection Act.

Since the re-introduction of the Hearing Protection Act by Rep. Duncan and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) in January (H.R. 367, S. 59) the American Suppressor Association (ASA) has met with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on multiple occasions to discuss technical amendments to the language. As a result, we were able to create several technical amendments that were incorporated into the current draft of the SHARE Act. These include:

• Sec. 1702: Removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act, subjecting them to the same instant NICS background check as long guns, and issuing a refundable tax credit to anyone who has purchased a suppressor since the HPA’s original date of introduction
• Sec. 1703: Ensuring that suppressors will remain legal in all 42 states where they are currently legal, after suppressors are removed from the National Firearms Act
• Sec. 1704: Preempting states from levying taxes or registration requirements on suppressors. However, this will not make suppressors legal in any state where state law currently prohibits them.
• Sec. 1705: Granting the ATF 365 days to destroy all suppressor related records from the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR)
• Sec. 1706: Developing a “keystone part” definition, and requiring that such keystone part is serialized on every suppressor. This will ensure that individual suppressor parts, like pistons and endcaps, will not require serialization.
• Sec. 1707: Imposing a 10% Pittman-Robertson excise tax on the manufacture of each new suppressor, a tax that is currently imposed on all Title I firearms

“The inclusion of the Hearing Protection Act in the sportsmen’s package highlights the commitment of the Sportsmen’s Caucus to make the hunting and recreational shooting experiences safer and more enjoyable for all,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association. “We know for a fact that exposure to noise from recreational firearms is one of the leading causes of hearing loss, which is why the CDC, NIOSH, and the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) have all recommended using suppressors as a tool to mitigate the danger. We look forward to working with the Sportsmen’s Caucus to make this legislation a reality.”

Suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. Currently, prospective buyers must live in one of the 42 states where they are legal, must send in an application including fingerprints and passport photos to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax, and wait for an indeterminate amount of time for the ATF to process the application. As of June, 2017, wait times are in excess of 10 months. In stark contrast, many countries in Europe place no regulations on their purchase, possession, or use. This legislation will remove suppressors from the onerous requirements of the NFA, and instead require purchasers to pass an instant NICS check, the same background check that is used during the sale of long guns. In doing so, law-abiding citizens will remain free to purchase suppressors, while prohibited persons will continue to be barred from purchasing or possessing these accessories.

To voice your support for the Hearing Protection Act, visit www.HearingProtectionAct.com.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN SUPPRESSOR ASSOCIATION

The American Suppressor Association (ASA) is the unified voice of the suppressor industry. Our mission is to unite and advocate for the common interests of the suppressor community. To accomplish our mission, our principal initiatives focus on state lobbying, federal lobbying, public education, and industry outreach.

For more information on how you can join the ASA, and help protect and expand your right to own and use suppressors, please visit www.AmericanSuppressorAssociation.com.

Firearms

MI DNR moose survey results estimate a population increase

Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologists estimate the number of moose in the western Upper Peninsula core population area at 378 animals, up from 285 in 2015.

“Our survey findings this year are encouraging because a possible population decline detected in 2015 was transitory,” said Dean Beyer, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife research biologist who organizes the sampling and generates the estimate for the biannual survey effort.

The results were reported to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission Thursday at a meeting in Houghton. A moose hunt in Michigan is not currently being considered.

Moose are found in Michigan at Isle Royale National Park and in two population areas on the mainland of the Upper Peninsula.

The western U.P. moose range covers about 1,400 square miles in parts of Marquette, Baraga, and Iron counties. The population there is the result of moose reintroduction efforts in 1985 and 1987. Read more

Wildlife

Summer maintenance under way at rural floodings in northern Lower Peninsula

In the mid-20th century, the Department of Natural Resources created floodings across northern Michigan to help provide suitable breeding habitat for waterfowl and furbearer species to help provide suitable breeding habitat for waterfowl and furbearer species after the loss of wetlands habitat over time. Today, the earthen berms and water-control structures used to create floodings require inspections, maintenance and, in some cases, complete removal of the structures.

“Summer months are the best time to complete maintenance work at managed floodings,” said DNR wildlife communications coordinator Katie Keen. “We can start drawing down water levels in the spring, and by summer we can get in and do the needed repairs or even remove infrastructure. In some cases, our goal is to expose the mud that had been underwater for years and let the new sunlight grow all sorts of great plants for wildlife.”

Most land surrounding each flooding is publicly owned and provides great access for hunters and trappers looking for standing water conditions to hunt or set a trap. Some locations will be flooded again by this fall and will be ready for fall waterfowl hunting or trapping activities. Other locations may have the dam structure completely removed, restoring the natural flow of the wetland complex.

Projects happening this summer in the northern Lower Peninsula include: Read more

Fishing

Colt Announces New BowLight™ for Crossbows

WEST HARTFORD, CT – Legendary firearms manufacturer Colt is excited to announce the release of the industry’s first truly professional compact high output Crossbow light, apply named the PGS100 BOWLIGHT™ Predatory System.

With the recent increased interest for bow and crossbow hunting and fishing, the need for a truly professional long-range illumination system has arisen, and the new Colt BOWLIGHT™ PGS100 Predator system answers that need.

Crossbows create severe and an unusual types of “recoil” which can and will destroy conventional mountable flashlight and illumination systems. The Colt BOWLIGHT™ was, in-turn, designed to not only handle this type of severe and unusual recoil, but in addition, was built with advanced machined micro-sized coated reflector optics which allow its single AAA power-plant to throw a 100 lumen beam over 300 feet, and do so within the constraints of the scarce space typically found on today’s modern bow and crossbow platforms. Read more

Archery, Optics

Healthy Food Plots = Healthy Deer

By Glen Wunderlich

With summer at the doorstep, the process of growing deer is in full swing.  This year’s mix of high-yield treats will be planted to maximize attractiveness and nutritional value throughout the year.  To do so, however, takes a fair amount of planning.

Late last summer, a blend of brassicas and legumes was planted in a small plot giving the local herd some fine turnips and rape plants for forage during hunting season and well into the winter months.  Not all the plants were consumed, thus allowing the remnants to decompose and to provide nutrients to the developing clover and alfalfa plants that would now take over. 

However, in comparison to a nearby healthy food plot of ladino clover, the new perennial plot was a pale green – nothing that a shot of fertilizer wouldn’t cure.  And, if one wonders about the difference in a plot that is well-maintained and one that has been neglected, a trailcam won’t lie.

A perennial plot that was “sweetened” in the fall continually drew more deer than even a nearby brassica plot. 

On several occasions, another trailcam has also revealed a striking revelation immediately following a thunderstorm with lightning:  A tiny plot – maybe a quarter of an acre – has drawn as many as 50 swarming deer, as though the dinner bell rang at the storm’s conclusion.

In a thunderstorm there is enough electrical energy in lightning to separate the nitrogen atoms in the air, thus making them available to plants. Once the atoms are separated they can fall to earth with rain water, and combine with minerals in the soil to form nitrates.  This form of fertilizer is obviously readily available and attractive to deer.  The point is that fertilizer makes all the difference in desirability.

Another means to improve the attractiveness of clover and alfalfa is to periodically mow.  The new growth that follows a haircut makes for a tender and juicy salad!

spring buck in clover plot

This year’s experiment with annuals continues, as a blend of soybeans and sugar beets is on the planting schedule for July 1.  The idea is to make luscious soybean foliage available to the deer, when typical soybeans are brown and being harvested.  Sugar beets speak for themselves and should be another good energy source in the bitter cold. 

 Unfortunately, there was no preparation last fall, so herbicide was applied late April to rid the site of grass.  The challenge has been to get the old Ford tractor on the site to disk up the dying vegetation, because a wet spring delayed progress.  Since then, lime and fertilizer has been disked into the soil, but with about three weeks until planting time, more prep is needed.

So, whether you settle on annuals or perennials or both, understand a lot of time, energy, and some cash are all part of the equation for healthy deer that’ll call your place home. 

Wildlife

Lyman® Products Announces Summer Mail-In Rebate

Purchase select products between June 9 through August 31, 2017 to receive a $25 rebate per item.

Middletown, CT – Lyman® Products is pleased to announce its special Summer Mail-In Rebate. Kicking off on June 9, 2017, Lyman Products’ customers will have the opportunity to earn a $25 rebate per select item bought from any Lyman dealer, online or direct from the Lyman website. Items must be purchased between June 9 and August 31, 2017 to qualify. The rebate form can be downloaded by visiting www.lymanproducts.com/rebate.

Products included in this sizzling summer mail-in rebate include:

• Cyclone Rotary Tumbler (Item #7631550)
• Gen6 Compact Digital Powder System (Item #7750550)
• Borecam Borescope (Item #04055)
• Case Prep Xpress (Item #7810220)
• AutoAdvance Remote Control Target System (Item #4320051) Read more

Ammunition

Ultra Shot M-Spec FMS Carbon Fiber Reflex Sight


Same trusted M-Spec, now with real Carbon Fiber!(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Hunters, competition shooters and law enforcement have come to trust Sightmark’s Ultra Shot M-Spec series to help them make their mark. Now, this dependable line of reflex sights is adding a new variant to the mix: introducing the Ultra Shot M-Spec FMS Carbon Fiber Reflex Sight (SM26015).

Taking advantage of the same robust optical design as other M-Spec models, the all-new Carbon Fiber FMS is a special offering for Sightmark’s 10 year Anniversary and features a carbon fiber protective hood, helping it weigh-in 30% lighter than other popular reflex sights at just 7.1 oz. Boasting a 65 MOA circle dot crosshair with 2 MOA central dot reticle, the M-Spec Carbon Fiber is as durable as they come with a scratchproof lens, cast magnesium alloy housing, IP68 waterproof rating (submersible to 40 ft.), Interlok™ internal locking system and a recoil rating up to .50 caliber. Read more

Optics

Springfield Armory® Introduces Latest SAINT AR-15 Model

GENESEO, ILL. (June 12, 2017) – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the newest edition of the SAINT™ series: the SAINT with Free Float Handguard. Like the original model, the new SAINT proves once again that high performance and upgraded features do not have to mean high price.

To further add value the latest version of the SAINT starts with a patent-pending Free Float Handguard (FFH) system with pinned low-profile gas block allowing the operator to grip the full length of the handguard without impediment. The hard-anodized aluminum FFH design accepts M-Lok accessories for easy, almost unlimited customization. The rock-solid pinned gas block runs wobbly set-screw alternatives right off the battlefield.

Elevation-adjustable, flip-up front sight, and dual aperture flip-up rear sight can be folded down or utilized to co-witness with optics. Bravo Company trigger guard and Bravo Mod 3 pistol grip surround the enhanced nickel-boron coated, single-stage GI trigger resulting in an incredibly crisp, grit-free break.

Upper and lower receivers are forged type III hard-anodized aircraft-grade 7075 T6 aluminum, locked together with Springfield’s Accu-Tite™ system to defeat the shake and clatter that plagues many AR-15 rifles. The M16 bolt carrier group is precision-machined, the bolt made from Carpenter 158 steel, shot peened and magnetic-particle inspected for durability. The 16-inch barrel is premium chrome moly vanadium steel with a 1:8 right-hand twist, chambered for 5.56 NATO (.223) to stabilize a wide range of ammunition types. Chamber, bore and exterior are all Melonite® treated, for second-to-none durability in the field. Read more

Firearms

Michigan Constitutional Carry Approved by House

The constitutional concealed carry bills shot through the full Michigan House of Representatives on Wednesday, a week after they were approved by the House Judiciary Committee. The legislation, House Bills 4416-4419, received bi-partisan support, each passing with between 4-6 more votes than necessary for a majority.

 

Reps. John Chirkun (D-Roseville), Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) and Phil Phelps (D-Flushing) joined most Republicans in supporting the bills. Among Republicans, Reps. Chris Afendoulis (R-Grand Rapids Twp.), Martin Howrylak (R-Troy), David MATUREN (R-Brady Twp.), Michael McCready (R-Bloomfield Hills), Dave Pagel (R-Berrien Springs), and Rob Verheulen (R-Walker) voted against some or all of the bills. Many thanks to all of you who contacted your state representative in support of removing this barrier to self defense rights. Our grassroots lobbying paid off!
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration. A reminder that these bills are not yet law and carrying concealed without a license is still a felony in Michigan. Due to the extra benefits that a concealed pistol license provides including an exemption from MCL 750.234d gun free zones, out-of-state reciprocity, the ability to borrow a pistol from another person, and the ability to by-pass purchase permits for private party pistol purchases, CPL holders with licenses expiring this year should renew regardless of the forward progress of this legislation.
Self Defense
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