FPC: Biden Administration Uses Tragedy to Attack Second Amendment Rights

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) issued the following statement in response to President Biden’s continued push for unconstitutional legislation and policies on the fourth anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida:Shamefully, President Biden and the committee of vultures who support his extreme anti-rights agenda—the Michael Bloombergs, Everytowns, and others—continue to undermine and attack our constitutionally protected natural rights by dancing on the graves of innocents, leveraging tragedy to their immoral ends. They are, without question, exclusively concerned with advancing authoritarian policies rather than creating a world of peace and liberty. Read more
Gun Control

Lower 48 Wolves Returned to ESA Protections by Court Order

This from the Sportsmen’s Alliance  

Gray wolves delisted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2020 have been returned to protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act by court order.

On Feb. 10, 2022, District Court Judge Jeffery White of the Northern District of California ruled in favor of three radical animal-rights and environmental groups seeking to return wolves in the lower 48 States (except Idaho, Montana and Wyoming and portions of neighboring states) to protected status. Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council and Wildearth Guardians filed suit against the USFW and Department of Interior seeking to overrule a Trump-era delisting of the apex predators.

Among other points, Judge White found that “the Service’s analysis relied on two core wolf populations to delist wolves nationally and failed to provide a reasonable interpretation of the ‘significant portion of its range’ standard.”

The 26-page ruling issued by District Court Judge White putting wolves back on the endangered/threatened list applies to all gray wolves in the lower 48 states, except those found in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming and portions of neighboring states, which were delisted by Congressional action in 2011. Any appeal of Judge White’s ruling would be to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

“We’re very disappointed by today’s ruling, as it’s clear that wolves have recovered across their intended range when placed under federal protection,” said Evan Heusinkveld, president and CEO of the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, which filed an amicus brief in the court case. “We will continue to work with our partners to ensure recovered wolf populations are properly delisted and returned to state management as was laid out in the 2017 court case.”

In the 2017 Great Lakes wolf ruling, the court laid out a road map for FWS to delist the Western Great Lakes wolves and dismantled many of the dangerous and unsupported holdings in a lower court decision. That ruling also demonstrated that delisting of Great Lakes wolves by distinct population segment was supported as a way to scientifically manage recovered wolf populations.

“We will continue to evaluate today’s ruling while examining our legal options moving forward,” said Heusinkveld.

About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research.  Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Animal Rights

Frank Beckmann Has Died

An award-winning broadcaster, who was the distinctive voice of Michigan Wolverines football for decades and also called games for top professional teams including the Detroit Lions has died at the age of 72.  Recently, he had retired from broadcasting.

WJR-AM, the Detroit-based “Voice of the Great Lakes”, where Beckmann spent most of his career, reported Sunday that he suffered from vascular dementia, a rare brain disease, and had also suffered strokes. It reported that he died Saturday at a hospice center in Clarkston, Michigan.

Beckmann started at WJR in the early 1970s and was, at the time, the newsroom’s youngest-ever reporter. Within several years, he became WJR’s sports director. At various times, Beckmann served as announcer for both for Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions games. He also called Pistons and Red Wings games.

“I recall when he began as a talk-show host and wondered if he would succeed coming from a sports-centered background.  But, he sure surprised me!  He was always prepared when he went on air and never held back.  I’ve already missed him,” said Glen Wunderlich.

Frank is survived by his wife, Karen, two children and three grandchildren.

General

Interior Announces Over $1.5 Billion to Support State Wildlife Conservation, Outdoor Recreation

Photo: Hunter walking through wetlands at Selawik National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Steve Hillebrand/USFWS

Record funding highlights strong outdoor recreation economy, underscores importance of fishing, hunting, and shooting sports to conservation efforts

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a record $1.5 billion in annual funding through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program to support state and local outdoor recreational opportunities, and wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. The WSFR Program contains two funding sources: the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which was reauthorized as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Wildlife Restoration Program.

“Hunters, anglers, and sportsmen and women have some of the deepest connections to nature. For 85 years, this program has been foundational to wildlife and habitat conservation and outdoor recreation throughout the country,” said Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau, who will highlight the historic disbursements in remarks at the Mule Deer Foundation’s Inaugural Summit today. “With the historic investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and opportunities through the Great American Outdoors Act, these grants will make significant progress in our work to protect our cherished wild treasures.” Read more

Wildlife

Michigan: Conservation Officer Honored for Lifesaving Effort

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Holly Pennoni was honored Thursday with a Lifesaving Award at the Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.

Pennoni is credited with delivering rescue breaths to an unconscious man, Ross Gillespie of Cadillac, who – as the result of an unexpected medical condition which caused his blood pressure to plummet – crashed his vehicle on the side of the road while driving southwest of Cadillac on May 18.

Pennoni, driving behind the vehicle, witnessed the incident, called 911 and assisted Gillespie until an ambulance arrived and transported him to the hospital.

“Detective Holly Pennoni was in the right place at the right time,” said Chief Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Mr. Gillespie, EMS personnel and the survivor’s attending physician all believe that Pennoni’s quick actions contributed to saving this man’s life. Any delay in response would have resulted in a fatality.”

A conservation officer since 2000, Pennoni was promoted to detective in 2015. Her position is funded through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to investigate environmental crimes that threaten Michigan’s natural resources. Read more

General

Michigan: With Federal Gray Wolf Protections Restored, Two State Laws Suspended

Livestock compensation, update to Michigan Wolf Management Plan continue

An order Thursday from a federal court in California returns gray wolves, including those in Michigan, to the federal list of endangered species. The ruling means that two state laws governing the ability to kill wolves preying on livestock, pets and hunting dogs have been immediately suspended.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White in the Northern District of California vacated a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service order from Nov. 3, 2020, which removed gray wolves from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the lower 48 states, beginning Jan. 4, 2021. That original U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ruling did not include wolves in the northern Rockies, nor the Mexican wolf subspecies.

“The changes on wolf protections took effect immediately Thursday with the judge’s signing of the U.S. District Court order,” said Michigan Department of Natural Resources Public Information Officer Ed Golder. “Ongoing work to update the 2015 Michigan Wolf Management Plan will continue, with completion of that process expected later this year.”

The now-suspended state laws are Public Act 318 of 2008, which allows hunting dog owners to remove, capture or use lethal means to destroy a wolf in the act of preying on the owner’s dog, and Public Act 290 of 2008, which offers the same provisions to livestock owners. Read more

Animal Rights, Wildlife

American Tactical Offering ROMES Target Systems

(Summerville, SC) – American Tactical, Inc., U.S. manufacturer and worldwide importer of firearms, ammunition and tactical equipment, is proud to offer ROMTES target systems.

ROMTES specializes in interactive live-fire targets and tactical training target systems. The ROMTES product line is centered around their patented Short Circuit Target (SCT) system, which provides immediate live-fire feedback.

The SCT technology offers valuable training benefits for civilians, law enforcement and military applications. The instant feedback saves invaluable training time on the range. Real-time hit scoring enables immediate correction and results. The target systems have near 100% accuracy for reliable scoring. The high volume hit absorption saves time and money. ROMTES targets offer multiple scoring zones for advanced and focused results. They are tactically modular so that every training session can recreate real-life scenarios. The wireless system gives the user the freedom of mobility and ease of transportation. The SCT database offers continuous shooting skill monitoring, allowing the user to easily keep track of improvement. Read more

Firearms

CMP: Alabama’s GunPort Academy Hosts Boy Scouts in January

Submitted by Wm. Gary Mozingo, U.S. Army Lt. Col. (Retired)

GunPort Academy and Range, a CMP Affiliated Club, celebrated a much-anticipated day on Jan. 8, 2022, when it hosted a fine group of Boy Scouts, Troop 292, out of Mobile, Alabama.

The visit started with a brief history of the evolution of law and a review of The War for Independence – beginning at George Washington’s Valley Forge all the way through to the first permanent settlement in North America, Jamestown. The group also learned about the writing of the U.S. Constitution, the need for a Bill of Rights and reviewed the first 10 Amendments.

Just prior to leaving for the range, the Boy Scouts were instructed on safety, marksmanship and range etiquette. Once on the range, each participant shot four action types: bolt, lever, pump and semi-automatic rifles chambered in .22 caliber. The scouts were consistently ringing steel at 100 and 200 yards. No safety violations were witnessed, and the parents were well behaved.

Working with youth is always enjoyable for us. We are looking forward to doing this again at GunPort. Also, if you ever find yourself on the Gulf Coast, be sure to stop by. Read more

Firearms

Federal Ammunition – New Personal Defense HST in 357 Magnum, 327 Federal Magnum

ANOKA, Minnesota –– Federal Ammunition announces new line options to the HST product family with the addition of Personal Defense HST 357 Magnum and 327 Federal Magnum. Continuing to build off an already extensive line of personal defense ammunition options, the addition of these magnum loads gives users a reliable and effective personal defense option for revolvers.

“When it comes to choosing a caliber for personal defense, the 357 Magnum and 327 Federal Magnum continue to be popular choices,” said Federal Ammunition Handgun Product Director, Mike Holm. “A big reason for the continued popularity of these calibers is the preference to carry a revolver for everyday carry. We are excited to add these new loads to the already proven line of HST Personal Defense handgun ammunition.”

Reliability is key especially when it comes to choosing self-defense ammo. To remove any doubts of performance, the HST 357 Magnum and 327 Federal Magnum boast a nickel-plated case for long-term corrosion resistance. The high-performance primer ensures consistent ignition when it is needed most. Read more

Ammunition

IHEA – USA Launches New Online Firearm Fundamentals Courses

Lolo, MT—The International Hunter Education Association – USA announces the launch of its new, online Firearm Fundamentals courses (https://www.ihea-usa.org/firearm-fundamentals/).

Developed by the IHEA-USA to meet the nationally growing demand for an accessible firearm safety education, these courses offer each state fish & wildlife agency the opportunity to meet the needs of their newest customers. These courses were crafted with contributions from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, state hunter education staff, tenured volunteer hunter education instructors, conservation industry executive leadership, and professional hunters. Read more

Firearms
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