New York Gun Carry Ban Unconstitutional, Supreme Court Rules

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Supreme Court of the United States held today that the Second and Fourteenth Amendments protect the right to carry firearms in public in the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC)-supported case, NYSRPA v. Bruen. The opinion, along with the two supporting briefs FPC filed last year, can be found at FPCLaw.org.

The 6-3 majority opinion, authored by Justice Clarence Thomas and joined by Justices Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett, and Chief Justice Roberts, was notable in a number of important ways:

* The Court expressly rejected the “two-step” approach often employed by lower courts since the McDonald v. Chicago decision in 2010, saying that the Constitution “demands a test rooted in the Second Amendment’s text, as informed by history.”

* The Court expressly held that “when the Second Amendment’s plain text covers an individual’s conduct, the Constitution presumptively protects that conduct.”

* Quoting the McDonald plurality opinion, the Court held that: “The constitutional right to bear arms in public for self-defense is not a second-class right, subject to an entirely different body of rules than the other Bill of Rights guarantees.”

* The Court said that: “We know of no other constitutional right that an individual may exercise only after demonstrating to government officers some special need. That is not how the First Amendment works when it comes to unpopular speech or the free exercise of religion. It is not how the Sixth Amendment works when it comes to a defendant’s right to confront the witnesses against him. And it is not how the Second Amendment works when it comes to public carry for self-defense.”

* Ultimately, the Court held that: “New York’s proper-cause requirement violates the Fourteenth Amendment in that it prevents law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their right to keep and bear arms.” Read more

Self Defense

Senate Passes Bipartisan Gun Bill

Last night 15 GOP Senators voted in favor of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to win its passage by a 65-34 margin. The measure will now move to the House of Representatives where it may be considered as early as today. Lawmakers have said their intent is to pass the measure into law prior to their July 4 recess.

Gun Control

NSSF Applauds Senator Steve Daines’s FIND Act Bill

NEWTOWN, Conn. — NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, welcomed the introduction of S. 4435, the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act, into the U.S. Senate by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.). This vital legislation will end the ability of corporate entities from profiting off of taxpayer-funded federal contracts while discriminating against a Constitutionally-protected industry at the same time.

“Senator Daines’s legislation is crucial to protecting against ‘woke’ corporations that use their financial might, funded by taxpayers, to deny essential services to companies in the firearm industry,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Corporations, in particular financial institutions, have been forcing their own public policy agendas that discriminate against firearm businesses, which are Constitutionally-protected. This bill will ensure public policies are crafted by the elected officials the American public sends to represent them and not unaccountable corporation executives that benefit from taxpayer dollars while at the same time using those funds to deny Americans their Second Amendment rights. We thank Senator Daines for his leadership to ensure fairness in business, reasserting Congress’s role in ensuring the federal government isn’t picking winners and losers in the marketplace based on politics and protecting the ability of a lawful industry to compete for goods and services without artificial and agenda-driven barriers.”

Sen. Daines’s FIND Act doesn’t tell companies with whom they must do business. However, just as companies can choose who they wish to do business with, so can the government when it spends taxpayers money. This bill ensures corporations cannot benefit from contracts and subcontracts funded by taxpayers only to use their financial strength to unfairly discriminate against members of the firearm industry. For far too long, corporations have engaged in “boardroom gun control” to force firearm businesses to adopt measures that would restrict Americans’ Second Amendment rights. Corporations are free to hold these anti-Second Amendment policies if they choose but would forfeit access to compete for federal contracts. Read more

Firearms

U.S. LawShield Champions Permitless Carry in Ohio

Legal Defense for Self Defense®

Houston, Texas – June 22, 2022 – U.S. LawShield®, industry leader and America’s largest provider of Legal Defense for Self Defense® coverage, addresses Ohio becoming the 23rd state to pass permitless carry, also known as constitutional carry, and encourages gun owners to educate themselves on what this means to them as residents of the state.

Under Senate Bill 215, which went into effect, Monday, June 13, 2022, gun owners, 21 or older can carry a concealed handgun without a permit. This new law also means they can legally possess a handgun without a license, training, or a background check.

According to U.S. LawShield President, Kirk Evans, “Even with this new law passed in Ohio, restrictions on carrying guns in certain places like courthouses remain in place. Understanding the new law will be important for handgun owners who want to carry without a permit because gun laws are complex and could place you in a difficult position if you don’t follow them.”

Evans continued, “Education is the core of the U.S. LawShield mission, and we provide our members and other fellow gun owners with the in-depth information they need to legally arm themselves and to create safer communities. Permitless carry doesn’t mean that everyone can just carry because they want to. It’s important to know who can carry, where you can carry, etc. Without having your concealed carry license or CCW, you could be completely unaware that you’re committing a felony. Ignorance of the law isn’t an excuse.” Read more

Self Defense

New Mauser M18 Savanna Bolt-Action Rifle

San Antonio, Texas (June 22, 2022) – Blaser Group is pleased to introduce the Mauser M18 Savanna bolt-action rifle. This newest M18 features a Savanna tan stock with grip inserts and a threaded barrel for the addition of a suppressor or muzzle break.

Recognized for its accuracy and ruggedness at an exceptional price point, this popular hunting rifle features a cold hammer-forged German-steel barrel, three-position safety, and adjustable trigger that allows you to set your own preferred pull weight from 2.25 – 4.25 lbs. The 60-degree oversized bolt with three locking lugs and two extractor pins allows for quick and smooth cycling of cartridges from the standard five-round magazine. Ten-round magazines are also available.

The Mauser M18 Savanna is backed by a sub-MOA performance guarantee and 10-year factory warranty.

“The new Mauser M18 Savanna presents the opportunity for even more American hunters to experience the benefits of German engineering and manufacturing,” said Jason Evans, CEO, Blaser Group. “This ultra-rugged rifle is a true value delivering superior reliability, durability, and accuracy in its class.” Read more

Firearms

Primary Arms Optics SLx RS-10 Mini Reflex Sight

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms Optics has just released their new pistol-ready reflex sight: the SLx RS-10.

Weighing only 1.07 oz, this ruggedized mini reflex sight is made of 7075 aluminum and fits the commonly used Docter/Noblex standard mounting footprint. This optic offers a true daylight bright 3 MOA reticle, multi-coated lenses, night vision compatibility, and an ultra-long battery runtime with a side-loading battery slot.

As pistol-mounted reflex sights continue to grow in popularity, the SLx RS-10 offers a lot of functionality for just $199.99, and as part of the SLx product line, it comes with a guarantee of quality. SLx optics built Primary Arms Optics’ reputation for innovation, reliability, and value. All SLx optics undergo rigorous field-testing during development to best serve the user in any environment.

“With the SLx RS-10, we’ve developed a tough-as-nails, pistol-ready optic that doesn’t break the bank,” says Stephen Morgan, Director of Product Marketing at Primary Arms Optics. “It incorporates many of the outstanding quality of life features of premium pistol optics while also maintaining our commitment to reliability and value.” Read more

Optics

ZeroTech Optics Announces 6-24×50 Thrive HD FFP Precision Hunting Riflescope

ZeroTech Optics is redefining long range hunting precision and all-round usability with the new Thrive HD First Focal Plane (FFP) series of riflescopes that has been developed for shooters and hunters who are looking for a ‘do it all’ riflescope. The combination of FFP and adjustable illumination enables the LR Hunter to mimic traditional reticles on low magnification. Whilst at higher powers, a level of precision is on offer to help you connect with the farthest targets. The LR Hunter is a true hybrid.

Available in 4-16x44mm & 6-24x50mm with the LR Hunter illuminated reticle.

  • FFP Illuminated glass etched reticle – Facilitates precision at higher magnification and high speed at low magnification
  • 30mm one piece tube
  • Push Button Illumination with memory function and auto off feature
  • Heavy Duty aluminium flip-up covers
  • Capped, high performance resettable turrets (0.1 MRAD).
  • 92% Light Transmission
  • Weathershield lens coating

https://youtu.be/YLNLxzTyxYU Read more

Optics

FPC Statement on Senate Gun Control Agreement

“Unalienable rights are not up for negotiation”

WASHINGTON, DC — Firearms Policy Coalition issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Senate’s release of the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act”:

In closed-door Senate gun control negotiations, and after-hours release of text, the United States Senate has failed the People yet again in both their cowardly process and on the merits of the measure, which seeks to abrogate the fundamental rights of the People. The two-party system has fallen miserably short of protecting the rights of the People since its inception and this tradition of treachery continues today.

The proposal seeks to chill the right to keep and bear arms by incentivizing local disarmament proceedings, of which many states currently employ secret ex-parte hearings, massive penalties and enhancements reminiscent of the mass incarceration of the so-called war on drugs, naked discrimination against young adults, and an aggressive assault on peacable conduct.

This proposal is an act of violence against the fundamental rights of the People. Should this package be adopted, it will result in the imprisonment, injury, and death of peaceable people. Those who vote in opposition to human liberty terrorize the People who must chose to be disarmed or take the risk of incarceration, locked in a cage and separated from their families, their career and their agency–for peaceably keeping and bearing arms–which is their unalienable right. Read more

Gun Control

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The 2022-23 Federal Duck Stamp goes on sale Friday, June 24. The stamps, which cost $25 and raise about $40 million for conservation each year, are valid from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.

Purchased by millions of waterfowl hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and stamp collectors every year, duck stamps provide critical funding to purchase and protect wetlands and associated habitat for ducks, geese and other wildlife species.

“The Federal Duck Stamp is one of the most efficient and effective ways to support conservation anywhere in the world,” said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. “Buying Federal Duck Stamps is one of the easiest ways you can support habitat conservation. The stamps are one of the most successful conservation tools ever created to provide a funding source for wildlife conservation. Of every dollar spent on a Federal Duck Stamp, 98 cents is used by our friends at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire and protect waterfowl habitat. The first day of sale is our opportunity to celebrate and support the waterfowl and wildlife we love so much.” Read more

Wildlife

Lake Michigan experiencing seasonal alewife die-off

Alewife, small prey fish that reach 2 to 9 inches in length, are experiencing a seasonal die-off in Lake Michigan, an event that frequently occurred 20 to 60 years ago but has been rare in recent times.

Not native to the Great Lakes, alewife migrated from the Atlantic Ocean into the Great Lakes through the Welland Canal in the 1920s.

Alewife spend most of the year in deep, cold waters. In the spring and summer, they migrate to nearshore areas to spawn and search for food. Some alewife come out of winter in a weakened state and don’t tolerate changing conditions such as large temperature swings. The combination of poor over-winter condition, temperature changes and spawning stress cause the die-off.

“The die-off is larger than normal this year and something we have not seen in years,” said Jay Wesley, Lake Michigan basin coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “We are seeing the die-off extend from Muskegon all the way up to Cross Village and out to the Beaver Island complex.” Read more

Fishing
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