DOJ, SAF Reach Settlement in Defense Distributed Lawsuit

BELLEVUE, WA – The Department of Justice and Second Amendment Foundation have reached a settlement in SAF’s lawsuit on behalf of Cody Wilson and Defense Distributed over free speech issues related to 3-D files and other information that may be used to manufacture lawful firearms. SAF and Defense Distributed had filed suit against the State Department under the Obama administration, challenging a May 2013 attempt to control public speech as an export under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), a Cold War-era law intended to control exports of military articles.

Under terms of the settlement, the government has agreed to waive its prior restraint against the plaintiffs, allowing them to freely publish the 3-D files and other information at issue. The government has also agreed to pay a significant portion of the plaintiffs’ attorney’s fees, and to return $10,000 in State Department registration dues paid by Defense Distributed as a result of the prior restraint.

Significantly, the government expressly acknowledges that non-automatic firearms up to .50-caliber – including modern semi-auto sporting rifles such as the popular AR-15 and similar firearms – are not inherently military.

“Not only is this a First Amendment victory for free speech, it also is a devastating blow to the gun prohibition lobby,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “For years, anti-gunners have contended that modern semi-automatic sport-utility rifles are so-called ‘weapons of war,’ and with this settlement, the government has acknowledged they are nothing of the sort. Read more

Firearms

Piping Plovers Nest Again On Presque Isle

Common terns also nest on historic beach

For the second consecutive year, a pair of federally endangered piping plovers are raising chicks on Presque Isle State Park’s Gull Point.

Further heightening this breaking conservation news is the nesting of a pair of state-endangered common terns on the same beach, maybe the first time both species have nested there since the mid-20th century.

That these nestings have occurred on Gull Point’s 300 or so acres in the easternmost reaches of Presque Isle is gratifying. Much work had gone into making this area, already considered one of Pennsylvania’s best birding areas, even more attractive to nesting shorebirds and avian migrants.

But the forces of nature that helped create Gull Point – erosion and deposition of sand – continually threaten its size and stability. It is a veritable living landmass, fluctuating in size and other ways with each incoming wave, which is why state and national conservation agencies banded together several years ago to eliminate vegetative cover on its shores for the greater good of wildlife, but particularly migratory birds. Read more

Wildlife

Export Control Reform and the Ammunition Industry

When Export Control Reform (ECR) takes effect in 2019, sporting ammunition will accompany non-automatic and semi-automatic firearms on their journey from the International Traffic in Arms Regulations’ (ITAR) to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Ammunition that is primarily non-military in nature will be classified under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 0A505 of the Commerce Control List (CCL), rather than Category III of the United States Munitions List (U.S.M.L.).

What will that change mean for exporters of ammunition (other than the need to learn new acronyms)?

Two consequences of ECR for ammunition exporters stand out. First, U.S. exporters of sporting ammunition will be able to ship to 34 countries without a license. That’s the good news. The second major consequence, the not-so-good news, is that determining which ammunition is controlled by the EAR and which by the ITAR will involve some analysis and may sometimes require an official government determination.

Ship ammunition and components to 34 countries without a license!

Exporters of ammunition that migrates from the ITAR to the EAR will enjoy one big benefit that exporters of firearms will not. Ammunition exporters will not need any export license at all to export ammunition or components to the following countries:

Australia Estonia Ireland Netherlands Slovenia
Austria Finland Italy New Zealand Spain
Belgium France Japan Norway Sweden
Bulgaria Germany South Korea Poland Switzerland
Croatia Greece Latvia Portugal Turkey
Czech Republic Hungary Lithuania Romania United Kingdom
Denmark Iceland Luxembourg Slovakia

 

In contrast, exporters of firearms will require an export license for exports to all countries. Exports of firearm components will generally require an export license, too, with exceptions for low value shipments ($500 of less) of most parts and a few other exceptions. Read more

Ammunition

Leica Rangemaster CRF 2400-R

Rangemaster CRF 2400-R

Revolutionize scouting with Leica’s newest handheld laser rangefinder

Class-leading measuring for just $499

Now it’s possible to range that elusive buck from an even greater distance thanks to Leica’s new

Rangemaster CRF 2400-R which measures up to an astonishing 2,400 yards (2,200 meters).

Compared with its predecessor, Leica has added an additional 800 yards (731 meters) to the unit’s measuring capability. This provides superior usability to hunters spotting game and long-range shooters checking targets. The handheld laser rangefinder offers a newly designed LED display which increases precise readability of scanned distances and ballistic data.

Another remarkable feature is the extremely fast scan mode, which takes measurements every 0.5 seconds. Up to a measuring distance of 200 yards (182 meters) the unit provides the results in decimal figures to 0.1 yard, enabling even more precise distance measurement, especially for bowhunters.

The Leica Rangemaster CRF 2400-R also determines the equivalent horizontal range (EHR) relevant for hunting up to a distance of 1,200 yards (1,097 meters) when required. With this feature the unit provides the practical angle-compensated distance, which is essential for an accurate long-distance shot.

Thanks to its compact design it fits easily into any pocket – weighing just 6.5 ounces (185 grams). The outstanding optics with a 7x magnification ensures the best image brightness and a wide field of view.

The Leica Rangemaster CRF 2400-R is available in Leica Stores and at retailers in late September 2018.

Selling Price: $499.00 Read more

Optics

SureFire Shipping XH30 Weaponlight

SureFire Shipping ALL NEW 1,000 Lumen XH30!

Fountain Valley, CA—SureFire, LLC, manufacturer of the world’s finest—and most innovative—illumination tools and tactical products, is proud to announce the launch of the all-new 1,000 lumen XH30 weaponlight. It features a recoil-proof LED paired with a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens which creates a far-reaching, high-intensity beam with ample surrounding light. The XH30 includes two mode selector switches. One  switch toggles between 1,000 lumens and 300 lumens, for when less light is desired by the user. The second switch toggles between continuous light operation and a strobe mode. Activating the XH30 is achieved via ambidextrous switching located at the rear of body, consistent with our X300U & X400U switching. Optional DG grip switches, which allow for ease of one-handed activation without altering your grip, are also available. This powerful and versatile XH30 WeaponLight was created to interface with SureFire’s revolutionary MASTERFIRE™ Rapid Deploy Holster. It features a unique bezel with cam slots, and pin slots on both sides of the body, which serve to lock the light into the holster and secure the weapon at an advantageous angle for quick deployment. Read more

Optics

New PHARMAKON XP Broadhead

NEW PHARMAKON XP BROADHEAD
Belgrade, MT-  The PHARMAKON XP broadhead, with its patented coring technology, is like no other broadhead in the industry. When it comes to pure devastation and bone crushing performance, look no further. One glance at the PHARMAKON XP and you’ll see that it speaks for itself. The PHARMAKON XP broadhead is another one of the latest members to join the Flying Arrow Archery family. Like its big brother, the original TOXIC, the PHAMAKON XP has all the great features of the TOXIC and more. The PHARMAKON XP is a 2 blade coring broadhead that is much shorter than the TOXIC and very aerodynamic, making this head very easy to tune and great for setups requiring more penetration. The PHARMAKON XP has a solid 1 piece, stainless steel ferrule and tip. The new and improved 2018 blades provide a 7/8” cutting diameter and are heavier than the TOXIC’s for even more durability. MSRP $39.99. You can find their full product list at http://flyingarrowarcheryusa.com/pharmakon-xp-2-blade-100-grain/

Archery

NSSF Backs President’s Selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh Media contact: Mike Bazinet 203-426-1320 NSSF Backs President’s Selection of Judge Brett Kavanaugh for Supreme Court NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition and related industries, tonight expressed its strong support for President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to become an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. “We are pleased to lend our support to President Trump’s nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and urge the Senate to approve his nomination before the next term begins on the first Monday in October,” said Lawrence Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “We are confident that Judge Kavanaugh will serve our nation with distinction as an Associate Justice of our nation’s highest court and that he will make decisions that will serve to protect the Second Amendment and other Constitutionally guaranteed rights of law-abiding Americans.”

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearms, ammunition and related industries, tonight expressed its strong support for President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to become an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

“We are pleased to lend our support to President Trump’s nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court and urge the Senate to approve his nomination before the next term begins on the first Monday in October,” said Lawrence Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “We are confident that Judge Kavanaugh will serve our nation with distinction as an Associate Justice of our nation’s highest court and that he will make decisions that will serve to protect the Second Amendment and other Constitutionally guaranteed rights of law-abiding Americans.”

Firearms

SIG SAUER Match Elite Pistol Competition Ammunition

NEWINGTON, N.H.   – SIG SAUER is pleased to introduce Match Elite pistol competition ammunition.   Available in 147gr 9mm Luger, the soft-shooting, low-recoil Match Elite load features coated nickel cases and fast, clean-burning powder for exceptional performance and shootability in fast-paced competitions. Velocities will range from approximately 860 to 900 fps, depending on the type of pistol used.  With a power factor between 126 and 132, these loads are legal for all USPSA competitions and the lower felt recoil allows competition shooters to stay on target, resulting in faster and more accurate shots.

“This is the most accurate competition load I have ever shot,” said Max Michel, Jr., Captain of Team SIG.  “The SIG SAUER Match Elite consistently delivers groupings of less than two inches at 25 yards versus four inches on average with other ammunition, making it the ideal choice for professional and everyday shooters who want to improve their performance.” Read more

Ammunition

Recruits strive for honor of becoming Michigan DNR conservation officers

Twenty-two men and eight women will start their journey toward becoming Michigan conservation officers when the DNR’s Conservation Officer Recruit School #9 gets under way Sunday in Lansing.

The candidates face 23 weeks of intensive training that will test them academically, emotionally and physically.

The DNR again will offer weekly blog entries that provide a firsthand look at the challenges and accomplishments of recruits as they progress through the academy. Readers can subscribe to the blog, which also will be posted on the Michigan DNR Facebook page. Read more

General
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