Fed. Judge Rules Licensed Carry Ban on IL Public Transit Unconstitutional

A federal district court judge in Illinois has ruled that state’s ban on licensed concealed carry aboard public transit violates the Second Amendment in a case supported by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). The case is known as Schoenthal v. Raoul.

In a 50-page decision, U.S. District Judge Iain D. Johnston, a Donald Trump appointee in the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, granted declaratory relief to the four plaintiffs — Benjamin Schoenthal, Mark Wroblewski, Joseph Vesel and Douglas Winston — who brought their lawsuit in an effort to carry concealed firearms on Metra and on Metra’s real property. In addition, Vesel and Winston also secured relief for riding on CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) and being on CTA property.

SAF was joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition in financially supporting the plaintiffs. Plaintiffs are represented by attorney David Sigale of Wheaton, Ill.

Defendants are Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and State’s Attorneys Rick Amato (DeKalb County), Robert Berlin (DuPage County), Kimberly M. Foxx (Cook County) and Eric Rinehart (Lake County), all in their official capacities. In his ruling, the judge dismissed claims against Amato and Rinehart. The ruling applies to Raoul, Foxx and Berlin as it applies to Schoenthal. The ruling applies to Raoul and Foxx as it applies to Wroblewski, Vesel and Winston.

“This is a significant victory for legally armed Illinois residents who rely on public transit,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “It is important that the court recognized Cook County Attorney Foxx’s argument that the ban was legal because Illinois is acting as a property owner was ‘breathtaking, jaw dropping and eyepopping,’ and that wasn’t a compliment. It demonstrates how far government will reach in an attempt to justify its effort to restrict Second Amendment rights.” Read more

Gun Control

Springfield Armory Announces 2024 M1A Gear Up Promotion

Springfield Armory® is pleased to announce the M1A™ Gear Up Promotion for 2024, offering shooters a selection of top gear for this popular line of rifles.

Customers who purchase a new Springfield Armory® M1A™ rifle between Sept. 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, are eligible to receive two 20-round magazines and an M1A scope mount for free as part of the Gear Up promotion. This promotion includes all M1A models except the 50th Anniversary Rifle. The package is valued at $282. For consumers in states with magazine capacity restrictions, you are eligible to receive two 10-round magazines that are compliant with your state laws along with the M1A scope mount.

The Springfield Armory 4th Generation Aluminum Scope Mount included in the Gear Up package is both extremely secure and lightweight. For stability, it attaches at two points to ensure a sound foundation for your optic. The mount is also designed to allow you to use the factory iron sights with the scope removed, meaning you do not have to uninstall the mount to run the irons. Read more

Firearms, Promotions

Kimber Releases KDS9c TFS Model

The Kimber KDS9c family continues to grow and garner significant market share for the EDC category following its introduction in April of 2023. This latest introduction features a threaded barrel designed to work with all standardized 9mm suppressors compatible with a 1/2×28 thread pitch. Like the original KDS9c, and the railed model, the KDS9 TFS is built to be the next generation of hammer fired EDC semi-automatic pistols from Kimber. This addition highlights the continuing shift toward optic and light bearing firearms demanded by today’s concealed carry owner. Plus, the TFS delivers a threaded barrel making it the most fully equipped model yet in the KDS9c family.

Because of the significant increase in volume and production, Kimber has been able to adjust pricing on all KDS9c models which will deliver an outstanding price for the new TFS. With an MSRP of $1,695. The family of KDS9c products are now all able to be purchased at reduced costs and deliver MSRP’s of $1,345 for the standard model and an MSRP $1,615 for the Rail model. The KDS9c provides more attributes than any other firearm of this quality at this price point. Featuring an alloy frame made with 7075 aerospace grade aluminum and a fully integrated crosshatch textured design for the front strap and grip panels, the ergonomics of the KDS9c deliver terrific comfort and superior control. A new flat faced trigger comes with a crisp 3.5-4.5lb trigger pull and provides the superior trigger characteristics you have come to expect from Kimber. This new EDC offering will come standard with one 15 round magazine and one 18 round magazine with alloy extended base. The optics capability mimics that of the legacy KDS9c and features mounting plates for the Trijicon RMR family of footprints, and Holosun K optics. Read more

Firearms

Hunting in Warm Weather Requires Extra Care to Prevent Meat from Spoiling

Plan ahead to ensure you end up with quality game meat in the freezer

Some early season hunting opportunities have already begun in Idaho, with additional archery seasons and moose hunts starting in September. While early season hunts can provide an excellent opportunity to harvest a big game animal, warm weather brings additional challenges when it comes to properly caring for game meat to prevent it from spoiling, especially when dealing with larger animals like moose and elk.

The key to preserving meat in hot weather is to begin the cooling process as quickly as possible. Meat spoils the quickest around the ball joints in the hip and underneath the front shoulders. Your harvest should be immediately skinned, reduced to quarters, and quickly transported to cold storage. In larger animals it may even be necessary to make some cuts in between muscles to the bone to allow heat to escape. Larger muscle masses take a long time to cool, and meat can spoil in a matter of hours if heat cannot escape. Read more

Hunting

Langdon Tactical Kicks Off Their 2024 92 Day Social Media Challenge

Langdon Tactical Technology is proud to announce this year’s 92 Day Social Media Challenge encouraging customers to hit the range and earn a chance at an incredible Grand Prize.

No purchase is necessary to enter, and anyone can download the 92 Day Challenge targets at 92 Day Challenge. Participants are asked to record themselves doing the challenge using their Beretta 92, upload it to their social media page and tag Langdon Tactical and include hashtags, #LTT92day. If the participant does not have a social media page, they can upload their video to the link shown in the landing page. The first 100 participants that complete the challenge will receive the commemorative 2024 92 Day challenge coin and will be entered to win a Grand Prize.

The 92 Day Challenge will run from September 2nd to September 30th, Grand Prize winner will be randomly selected at the end of the challenge.

To learn more about Langdon Tactical and browse the full lineup of custom gun options, visit www.LangdonTactical.com. For other news and tips, you can find Langdon Tactical Technology on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Read more

Firearms

Silencer Central Unveils Carnivore Camp Combo Giveaway with Nearly $25,000 in Prizes

Silencer Central, the nation’s largest suppressor dealer, announces the launch of its Carnivore Camp Combo Giveaway, celebrating the release of two highly anticipated silencers. One lucky winner will take home an incredible prize package valued at nearly $25,000, including the yet-to-be-released MeatEater by BANISH and BANISH 46-V2 suppressors, two rifles with optics, premium gear, and a 2024 Polaris Sportsman 570 Hunt Edition ATV.

“We are thrilled to release these new silencers and wanted to mark the occasion with an unforgettable giveaway,” said Brandon Maddox, Silencer Central CEO. “Thanks to our amazing partners, we’ve put together a prize package that will not only equip the winner with top-of-the-line gear but also help them enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest.”

The Carnivore Camp Combo Giveaway is a dream setup for any hunting enthusiast, providing everything needed to hunt, shoot and explore. The grand prize includes: Read more

Ammunition, Contests, Firearms, Optics

Registration Open for Michigan Tree Climbing Championship

Registration is open for the 30th anniversary of the International Society of Arborists Michigan Tree Climbing Championship, held Sept. 20-22 in Holland, Michigan.

This event is an opportunity to provide a competitive learning environment for professional tree climbing arborists and the public. Competitors will be scored individually in each event, with the combined total scores from all six events used to move the highest scorer to the Masters’ Challenge Championship. Competitors and volunteers should register before the event.

General

During Michigan’s Elk Season, Public Awareness and Reporting of Poaching Are Key

Safari Club International-Michigan Involvement Committee helps fund rewards for tips that lead to arrest and conviction

Michigan’s first 2024 elk hunt is underway for those who were selected in this summer’s elk license drawing. While the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wishes all hunters a safe, successful hunt, DNR law and wildlife officials encourage everyone to be alert to illegal hunting activity.

Once considered extinct in the state by the late 1800s, elk now are a protected and highly managed species in Michigan.

“Conservation officers rely on a collaborative relationship with the public to solve elk- and moose-related crimes, and we very much value those who report tips or suspicions of illegal elk or moose activity,” said Sgt. Mike Mshar, DNR Law Enforcement Division. Read more

Poachers

The Follow-Up Shot

Because basketball stars making millions of dollars still miss free throws

 

Excerpt from Fair Chase Magazine Summer 2015
By Wayne Van Zwoll, regular contributor, photos courtesy of author
wvz_followup_header.jpg
Approach ready to fire again, from behind the animal, rifle up front. Save congratulations for later.
Why is there time to do it over, when there isn’t time to do it right the first time? Our first efforts often fail. Even after we know how to get it right, we get it wrong. And we don’t always have a chance to do it over.

These were my thoughts as I peered through the aperture sight. The bead covered nearly all I could see of the elk—a patch of rib above the elbow. It was a long poke, as iron sights go. I squeezed the last ounce. The bull vanished in recoil as the “whup!” bounced back. I climbed, found hoof-gashes, then red spray in the snow. He lay dead, perfectly shot.

I’d like to say all my bullets flew true. If that were so, however, I’d not bother to load magazines.

Killing with the first shot isn’t always imperative, though you can make it so. Read more

Hunting
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