Beretta’s First Full-Size Striker Fired Pistol

(Gadone V.T., Italy) February 23, 2015 — The introduction of the APX model completes the company’s full size pistol portfolio and positions Beretta as the world’s premier small arms manufacturer. Beretta has manufactured semi-automatic pistols since 1915 and is now one of the very few manufacturers to offer full size polymer and metallic framed handguns in both hammer and striker fired operating systems.

Beretta elected to debut its new APX striker fired pistol at the upcoming IDEX Show (International Defence Exhibition & Conference) in Abu Dhabi because it is one of the most important shows for the international defense sector. “With the show opening February 22, IDEX is one of the first venues where defense contractors present their wares to worldwide military customers and Beretta felt this was the ideal environment to present the international offering of its APX pistol,” stated Carlo Ferlito, General Manager of Beretta and Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) Vice President. Read more

Firearms

Pharmacist Doles out Medicine to Robber

A man wearing a mask came to rob a family pharmacy, while some thought it was a joke – cold weather and all in West Virginia’s town of Pinch.  Don Radcliff asked the would-be robber if he was, in fact, there to rob the store.  Bad guy pulls his handgun, points it at employees, and Radcliff pulled his.  First shot, bull’s eye.  Second shot, hits the bad guy’s gun, causing it to malfunction.  Third shot, finishes the job.  Video here…

Firearms, Self Defense

SAF Victory Again Shows Gun Rights Restoration Possible

BELLEVUE, WA — The Second Amendment Foundation has once again funded and won a small but significant federal court victory in a Pennsylvania case in which a federal judge ruled that a man convicted of a misdemeanor crime several years ago, but who has demonstrated that he “would present no more threat to the community” than an average law-abiding citizen, may not lose his Second Amendment rights under a federal gun control statute known as 922(g)(1).

Julio Suarez was convicted in Maryland 25 years ago of a misdemeanor for carrying a firearm without a license. Since then, he has led an exemplary life, but the conviction was enough to cost Suarez his ability to buy and keep a firearm for defense of his home and family. He’s been married for 20 years, fathered three children and has a government security clearance. He is also an elder of his local church.

Middle District Court Judge William W. Caldwell said in his 26-page opinion that Suarez “is no more dangerous than a typical law-abiding citizen and poses no continuing threat to society.”

SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb said that “This case provides a building block upon which similar cases in which people are convicted of non-violent crimes might be challenged because they have lost their right to keep and bear arms as a result.”

“A person should not lose his or her constitutional rights for non-violent indiscretions that occur once in a lifetime,” added Attorney Alan Gura, who represented Suarez in this SAF-funded case. Read more

Gun Control, Self Defense

MD DNR Icebreaker to Free Frozen Tangier Island

Ice breaking missionThe largest icebreaker in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources fleet will make an out-of-state house call Saturday to free the frozen residents of Virginia’s Tangier Island.

DNR’s 100-foot vessel, J. Millard Tawes, will divert from its duties keeping the shipping channel clear between Crisfield and Smith Island to attack the glacier that has enveloped Tangier, a Chesapeake Bay island 12 miles from the mainland that is part of Accomack County, Va.

John Gallagher, director of DNR’s hydrographic operations, said he received a call for assistance Thursday morning from Tangier Mayor James Eskridge after a Coast Guard icebreaker broke down. Gallagher said he expects the Tawes will arrive early Saturday morning to break ice and then escort the ferry boat Sharon Kay III to Crisfield. The plan is weather dependent. Read more

General

The New Bushwacker from Parker Comes Packed Comes Packed with High-End Features at a Starting Price of Only $399.95

WITH HIGH-END FEATURES AT A STARTING PRICE OF ONLY – $399.95

Parker Bows, a leading U.S. manufacturer of high quality Compound bows, Crossbows and Crossbow Accessories is proud to introduce the NEW Bushwacker for 2015. Built on years of success, the NEW 2015 Bushwacker reinvents itself in performance, speed and value.

The NEW Bushwacker sports a redesigned front-end system that features Parker’s Advanced Solid Limb Technology with integrated Micro-Lite Limb Pocket System, making it ultra-compact while hurling arrows downrange at over 300 Feet Per Second (FPS). With the ergonomic contoured pistol grip and forearm, the Bushwacker is easy to maneuver in a treestand or ground blind. At a mere 7 lbs, the Bushwacker is also Ultra Lightweight and Optimally Balanced for a steadier aim on the target. Like its contemporaries, the Bushwacker is engineered with Parker’s Exclusive Synergy Cams that deliver greater performance and diminish the cocking effort by over 50% when paired with the RED HOT EZ Roller Rope Cocker; making Parker crossbows the easiest to cock in the industry.

The Bushwacker includes a Four Arrow Quick Detach Quiver, Four Arrows with Field Points, and is available in three Premium RED HOT optic packages: (1) 4x Multi-Reticle Scope, (2) Illuminated 1X Multi-Reticle Scope, (3) Illuminated 3 x 32 Multi-Reticle Scope. Read more

Archery

Arizona Game and Fish votes to take legal action to support federal officials’ new 10(j) rule for Mexican wolves

Studies clearly indicate a relatively sparse ungulate population in western Arizona that is inadequate for supporting wolves.

Groups critical of rule lack on-the-ground field perspective of what changes will lead to success

PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Commission voted recently to intervene in a lawsuit filed by environmental groups earlier this year against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The lawsuit is over the Service’s recently-revised 10(j) rule that governs the management of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico.

“The Game and Fish commission took this action to defend the Service’s new 10(j) rule for Mexican wolves. The rule relies on sound scientific principles and helps address critical stakeholder concerns that have long challenged the Mexican wolf reintroduction effort,” said Commission Chair Robert Mansell. “It’s important that this action is not confused with the department’s recent action meant to encourage the Service’s development of a new recovery plan. The 10(j) rule and the recovery plan are designed to address very different aspects of Mexican wolf recovery.” Read more

Animal Rights, Wildlife

The Practical Nature of Wolf Management

By Glen Wunderlich

Michigan and other states, as well, understand wild game management.  In fact, by virtue of how well wildlife is managed is demonstrated in one word:  sustainability.  Nowhere in the history of regulated hunting has game suffered at the hands of hunting to the point that any game species has been threatened with extinction.  Thoughtful leaders have adhered to the strict guidelines of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and dutifully brought back countless wild animals from the brink of being wiped out.  Such is the case with the Great Lakes wolves.wolf

 

Yet, federal judge Beryl Howell has ruled that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)  could not de-list wolves under its distinct population segment rule, in part, because Congress had never manifested an intent to approve the use of the distinct population segments for de-listing a species, though the rule could be used to list species. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting, Wildlife

Larry and Brenda Potterfield Win Prestigious 2015 Beretta Conservation Leadership Award

Tucson, AZ – Joseph Hosmer, President, Safari Club International Foundation (SCI Foundation) recently announced that Larry and Brenda Potterfield, founders of Midway USA, were awarded the first ever Beretta and SCI Foundation Conservation Leadership Award. The award is given to individuals for demonstrating extensive international hunting experience and a lifetime of commitment to wildlife conservation and education though volunteer service and philanthropy. Over the years, the Potterfields have contributed generously to Conservation, Education and Humanitarian Services efforts in both time and financial resources. Read more

General

Making your own snowshoes at Michigan state parks

Craig Kasmer begins with a warning: You will face challenges.

“This isn’t the easiest thing to do,” said Kasmer. “I’ll be up front about this. Some of you will have issues. Some of you will think you don’t have issues, but you do.”

So what are we talking about here? Navy SEALs training? Rebuilding a ’57 Chevy? Undergoing psychotherapy?

man holding a snowshoeNope. Kasmer, the interpreter at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, Michigan, is talking about making snowshoes.

For the last eight winters, Kasmer has hosted three weekend classes (in December, January and February) on building snowshoes. The students begin with the basic materials – a wooden frame, some lengths of tubular nylon, and a set of bindings – and by the end of the weekend, they’ll have a self-made pair of snowshoes ready to be varnished and used to negotiate the winter outdoors. The workshop currently costs $175 per student, includes all necessary materials, and comes with Kasmer’s personal warranty on the product.

The class and similar others at a number of Michigan state parks are among the most popular hands-on winter activities offered by the Department of Natural Resources. This year’s classes are full, but there will be plenty of opportunities next winter. (Follow the DNR calendar to learn about classes like these and other upcoming events at Michigan state parks, historic sites and museums.) Read more

General

Michigan records safest hunting season with no fatal incidents in 2014

Older man instructing young boy holding a rifleFor the first time, Michigan recorded no fatalities during all hunting seasons in 2014, according to reports compiled by the Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division. Ten incidents involving injuries were recorded in the state – nine in the Lower Peninsula and one in the Upper Peninsula.

“We had 10 incidents reported for 2014, which ties with last year for the fewest number of reportable hunting incidents since Michigan started tracking them in the 1940s,” said Sgt. Tom Wanless of the DNR’s Recreational Safety, Education and Enforcement Section.

“What makes 2014 the safest on record is that for the first time we had no fatalities,” Wanless added. “Michigan’s hunter education program, and the dedicated volunteer instructors who are the backbone of it, is a big reason we have been experiencing a low number of hunting incidents.”

With more than 729,000 base licenses sold in 2014, Michigan’s hunting injury/fatality rate per license is .001 percent. The base license is required to purchase any hunting license.

Of the 10 incidents reported in 2014, four involved small game hunters, two involved waterfowl hunters and four involved deer hunters. One of the deer hunting incidents occurred during the early antlerless season in September and one was in December’s late antlerless season. Two incidents were reported during the firearm deer hunting season from Nov. 15-30. One incident took place Nov. 20 in Osceola County, while the other happened Nov. 25 in Oakland County at Bald Mountain Recreation Area.

Information on the hunting incidents recorded in 2014 and so far in 2015 can be found online at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers under Law Enforcement Reports.

Hunting
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