NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks for July 2023

July 2023 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,023,903 is a decrease of 17.0 percent compared to the July 2022 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,233,115.

For comparison, the unadjusted July 2023 FBI NICS figure 1,987,650 reflects a 15.7 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,358,150 in July 2022. July 2023 marks the 48th month in a row, 4 years, that has exceeded 1 million adjusted background checks in a single month.

Please note: Twenty-four states currently have at least one qualified alternative permit, which under the Brady Act allows the permit-holder, who has undergone a background check to obtain the permit, to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer without a separate additional background check for that transfer. The number of NICS checks in these states does not include these legal transfers based on qualifying permits and NSSF does not adjust for these transfers. Read more

Firearms

SAF Hails 5th Circuit Opinion Saying Pistol Brace Rule ‘Likely Illegal’

The Second Amendment Foundation is delighted with the a 2-1 ruling by a Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel that the Biden administration’s “final rule” on pistol braces is “likely illegal” because the government violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) by adopting the rule without meaningful opportunity for public comment.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives—under Joe Biden’s hand-picked director Steve Dettelbach—violated the APA. Writing for the majority, Fifth Circuit Judge Jerry Smith observed, “(P)laintiffs establish a substantial likelihood of success on the merits. The ATF incorrectly maintains that the Final Rule is merely interpretive, not legislative, and thus not subject to the logical-outgrowth test. The Final Rule affects individual rights, speaks with the force of law, and significantly implicates private interests. Thus, it is legislative in character. Then, because the Final Rule bears almost no resemblance in manner or kind to the Proposed Rule, the Final Rule fails the logical-outgrowth test and violates the APA.”

“This is a significant win for gun rights,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “because the arguments in this case are essentially the same as we are making in our own challenge of the pistol brace rule.”

SAF’s case is known as SAF, et.al. v. ATF, et. al and is joined by Rainier Arms, LLC and two private citizens, Samuel Walley and William Green. They are represented by attorney Chad Flores at Flores Law in Houston, Texas. SAF has already won a preliminary injunction in that case.

“This ruling,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, “is a serious setback for the Biden administration’s gun control agenda. As the court noted, the Final Rule was not the logical outgrowth of the original proposed rule, and therefore must be set aside. Thanks to this ruling, we can jump start our own case with very good prospects for success.”

Gun Control

SAF Files Opposition Brief in SCOTUS in Receiver Case Stay

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation today filed its opposition brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, opposing a stay in its case challenging the government’s attempt to classify unfinished firearm frames and receivers as “firearms.”

The case is known as VanDerStok v. Garland, and last month, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to stay portions of the rule which SAF successfully challenged. SAF has intervened in the case.

“With our attorney, Chad Flores of Houston, Texas, we’re arguing that the Biden administration’s new administrative definition of a firearm illegally expands the term beyond its critical statutory boundaries,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “We consider this expanded definition to be nothing more than a power grab. Our opposition brief details our position to Associate Justice Samuel Alito succinctly.” Read more

Gun Control

Spend Saturday Evenings with Sportsman Channel

DENVER – When it is too hot outside – head inside to watch a marathon of popular archery and hunting series on Sportsman Channel Saturday evenings. On Saturday, August 5 beginning at 5 p.m. ET, tune in for the Delta McKenzie ASA Classic in Cullman, Alabama. A marathon of Become 1’s best episodes airs Saturday, August 12 from 5 – 8 p.m. ET and features outdoor adventures from hosts Nick Ventura and Tom Petry. On Saturday, August 26 from 5- 8 p.m. ET, tune in for Legends of the Fall series marathon chronicling the high-energy hunts and behind-the-scenes action of a dedicated crew of passionate hunters.

Delta McKenzie ASA Classic on August 5 beginning at 5 p.m. ET: This event is presented to the public via broadcast linear programming, digital and social channels (Sportsman Channel, MOTV and Sportsman Channel Facebook page).

Become 1 marathon on August 12 beginning at 5 p.m. ET will have six episodes with hosts Nick Ventura and Tom Petry from whitetail to elk to moose and yes, even golf is thrown in the mix!

Legends of the Fall marathon on August 26 beginning at 5 p.m. ET also features six episodes with hosts Mike and Bonnie McFerrin chasing big game from their home state of Texas to Canada to everything in between. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan: water source confirmed in Ontonagon County, search for viable water supply continues

Piping determined to be too fragile for continued use

While the source of water supplying two residences and an unregulated trailside spigot has been confirmed in Ontonagon County’s Greenland Township, the search for a safe, viable and affordable water supply continues.

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources crew recently uncovered an old wellhead off the Bill Nichols Rail-Trail that has been determined to feed the homes and the trailside stop where the water has been used for drinking water and other watering needs for decades.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has granted the DNR an extension into September to determine whether potential alternatives exist that might keep the water available to the public. Read more

General

Waterfowl Hunters, Apply Now for Reserved Hunts

Michigan’s reserved waterfowl hunts may be a few months away, but hunters can apply now through Aug. 28 to get in the hunt. Applications are $5, and hunters may apply only once. Apply online or anywhere DNR licenses are sold.

Drawing results will be available Sept. 11.

Reserved hunts will be held mornings and afternoons of the Middle Zone waterfowl season’s Oct. 7-8 opening weekend and the following weekend (Oct. 14-15) at Fish Point State Wildlife Area in Tuscola County and Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area in Bay County.

In the South Zone, reserved hunts will be held mornings and afternoons of the Oct. 14-15 opening weekend at the Harsens Island Unit of the St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area, Pointe Mouillee State Game Area and Shiawassee River State Game Area. Reserved hunts also will be held mornings and afternoons of the following weekend (Oct. 21-22) at Harsens Island and Shiawassee River. Read more

Hunting

NEXTORCHWL14 Weapon Light

Cleveland, TN –– NEXTORCH Industries, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of illumination tools and specialized equipment for law enforcement, first responder, tactical, and outdoor applications, is proud to announce the rechargeable WL14 Compact Weapon Light.

“The W14 is a great addition to our premium weapon light offerings,” said Jordan Brothers, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, NEXTORCH. “We realized the market was missing a genuinely reliable weapon light at an entry level price point. There are lots of great gun lights on the market at a $150+ price point (including several of our own), but just because someone doesn’t want to go that route doesn’t mean they should be forced to compromise on quality. Weapon lights are an essential part of low-light and home defense kits, and not one that should be trusted to an unreliable product.” Read more

Optics

$23.3 million in Michigan’s outdoor recreation development and acquisition grants

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed legislation creating more opportunities for quality outdoor recreation by authorizing $23.3 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grants.

“From camping and kayaking to swimming and snowmobiling, Pure Michigan offers us world-class recreation right in our backyard,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Since 1976, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has helped us protect our precious natural places and invested in accessible outdoor public recreation. Today’s grants will fund 45 projects across the state, anchoring communities, spurring local economies and making our state a better place to live.”

House Bill 4437 approves funding for the 45 recreation development projects and land purchases recommended by the board. It is now Public Act 119 of 2023. Read more

Wildlife

Tour Black River sturgeon hatchery for free Aug. 26

Anyone wanting to get a close-up look at lake sturgeon or learn more about what goes into rearing this unique fish species is encouraged to take advantage of free hatchery tours at the Black River facility Saturday, Aug. 26. Tours will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the facility, located northwest of Onaway.

“Visitors will see 3-month-old lake sturgeon currently in the hatchery and learn about early life history, as well as how we can all play a role to keep this species healthy in our waters,” said Tim Cwalinski, Northern Lake Huron Unit supervisor with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Researchers from the DNR and Michigan State University will be on hand to talk about lake sturgeon biology, early life history and current research. Sturgeon for Tomorrow representatives will discuss restoration work to improve sturgeon spawning habitat, sturgeon conservation and outreach programming.

The hatchery is located in Cheboygan County on the Upper Black River adjacent to the Kleber Dam. From M-68 2 miles west of Onaway, take Black River Road (F-05) north to Twin School Road, then west a little over 3 miles to the hatchery which is on the north side of the road just before the dam. Read more

Fishing

Knife Rights Accepts Philadelphia Offer of Judgement

Gilbert, Arizona: In 2014 Knife Rights published a list of the Ten Worst Anti-Knife Cities in America. At that time, New York City was number one, but Knife Rights fixed New York City’s “gravity knife arrests” problem in 2019, moving Philadelphia up to the number one Worst Anti-Knife City spot. Now Knife Rights has accepted Philadelphia’s offer of judgment in Knife Rights, Inc. v. Outlaw, our federal lawsuit that sought to declare unconstitutional and enjoin Philadelphia’s laws that ban the possession and carry of any bladed arms (knives) in public. The City also agreed to pay $10,000 to cover Knife Rights’ legal expenses.

Knife Rights Chairman, Doug Ritter said, “we are excited that after the Supreme Court precedent in Bruen, Philadelphia has recognized that its ban on carry and use of knives in public could not pass constitutional muster. As the premier advocacy organization for the right to possess and carry knives, Knife Rights looks forward to striking down all unconstitutional knife bans throughout the United States.”

Bottom line is that with the court’s order in this case it is no longer illegal to possess or carry a knife in public in Philadelphia. That includes an automatic knife that is carried openly and not concealed — which also due to Knife Right’s efforts — became legal in Pennsylvania on January 2nd this year. Note that you still cannot carry any knife that that is still illegal in the state, including daggers and similar knives. Read more

Cutlery
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