SAF Sues New York Over Church Gun Carry Prohibition

The Second Amendment Foundation today filed suit in federal court challenging the new concealed carry statute in New York State that, among other things, prohibits concealed carry in churches.

Joining SAF in this legal action are the Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. and two private citizens, Bishop Larry A. Boyd of Buffalo and Rev. Dr. Jimmie Hardaway, Jr., of Niagara Falls. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

Defendants are State Police Supt. Kevin P. Bruen, Niagara County District Attorney Brian D. Seaman, and Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn, all in their official capacities. The case is known as Hardaway v. Bruen.

The 23-page federal complaint says Hardaway and Boyd “are leaders of their respective churches, who wish to exercise their fundamental, individual right to bear arms in public for self-defense” and for the safety of their congregants, but are prohibited from doing so because the state law prevents them from doing so. Read more

Gun Control

Judge Issues Injunction Against California Gun Owner Data-Sharing Law

SAN DIEGO, CA – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal has issued a preliminary injunction in its lawsuit challenging California Assembly Bill 173, which requires the state’s Department of Justice to share the personal identifying information of millions of gun and ammunition owners with other parties for non-law-enforcement purposes. The ruling in Barba v. Bonta, which was affirmed by the judge in full, can be viewed at FPCLegal.org.

“Defendant responds plaintiffs cannot establish irreparable harm because the personal identifying information has already been shared with researchers as recently as November of 2021. Yet this does not account for the potential ongoing and future harms that could occur by continuous use of the information,” wrote Judge Bacal in her ruling. “Additionally. . .this does not necessarily mean that future requests for data would not occur in the interim . . .and while this motion has been pending, a massive data breach reportedly occurred that leaked personal identifying information from the firearm databases for concealed carry applicants in or about June of 2022. Accordingly, plaintiffs have shown that the balance of harms weighs in favor of issuing the injunction.”

“The California government has proven time and time again that it can’t be trusted with the private personal information of its residents,” said FPC Director of Legal Operations Bill Sack. “Today’s ruling reinforces what FPC has been arguing all along; that you needn’t be forced to open your front door to immoral government intrusion in order to exercise your fundamental rights.”

FPC is joined in this lawsuit by the Second Amendment Foundation, California Gun Rights Foundation, San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, Orange County Gun Owners PAC, and Inland Empire Gun Owners PAC. Read more

Gun Control

SAF Victory in Tenn. Court Ruling Against Housing Authority Gun Ban

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation scored a victory in a ruling by a Tennessee Appeals Court panel striking down a gun ban by a public housing authority in the community of Columbia on the grounds it violates the Second Amendment, citing recent Supreme Court language in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

SAF supported Columbia resident Kinsley Braden in the case. He was represented by attorneys David G. Sigale of Wheaton, Ill., and Eugene R. Hallworth, of Columbia. The case is known as Columbia Housing & Redevelopment Corp. v. Kinsley Braden.

Writing for the three-judge panel, Judge Frank G. Clement, Jr., explained, “(I)n light of the Supreme Court’s most recent decision in Bruen and keeping in mind the presumptively unconstitutional status of Columbia Housing’s policy based on the Supreme Court’s decision in Heller, we conclude that a total ban on the ability of law-abiding residents—like Mr. Braden—to possess a handgun within their public housing unit for the purpose of self-defense is unconstitutional under the Second Amendment.” Read more

Gun Control

Michigan: DNR Donates Poached fish to Manistee County Families

DNR donates over 460 pounds of poached fish to Manistee County families; out-of-state group faces over $4,000 in restitution

An angler’s tip helped Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers recover more than 460 pounds of illegally taken salmon from an out-of-state fishing group on the Manistee River this week. The group went away with far less than they caught, while the officers were able to safely donate the poached fish to local families in Manistee County.

“There is a large amount of coho and Chinook salmon running the local rivers this time of year, attracting anglers from across the country to be a part of one of Michigan’s finest fishing adventures,” said the DNR’s Sgt. Grant Emery. “While we’ve seen a decrease in illegal fishing activity over the years, unfortunately, we still run into illegal and unconventional methods.”

Conservation Officers Josiah Killingbeck, who patrols Lake County, and Scott MacNeill, who patrols Manistee County, were conducting a fish patrol Tuesday along the Manistee River, near the Tippy Dam in Dickson Township when an angler approached and informed them about a group downriver using illegal methods and equipment to take fish. Read more

Fishing, Poachers

Florida: FWC Creates Hotline to Address Thousands of Vessels Displaced by Hurricane Ian

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has established a hotline for reporting displaced vessels still on Florida state waters because of Hurricane Ian.

When Hurricane Ian swept across the state, thousands of vessels were displaced by wind and storm surge. Some were pushed ashore, some damaged in marinas and private docks, others relocated but still afloat and some partially or fully sunken.

“We take this matter seriously and understand the hardship that Hurricane Ian has placed upon our residents,” said Boating and Waterways Section Leader Maj. Rob Beaton. “FWC officers are diligently working to determine the current number and ownership of storm-related displaced vessels across the state. We are committed to helping boat owners find their vessels and facilitate the removal of vessels from state waters that are posing a threat to the environment or blocking waterways.” Read more

General

Daniel SoundGuard Suppressor Line from Daniel Defense

BLACK CREEK, GA – Daniel Defense, manufacturer of the world’s finest firearms and accessories, today announces the release of a new line of hard-use and titanium suppressors.

Daniel SoundGuard Suppressors Powered by KGM provide multiple benefits to the user, with an emphasis on backpressure reduction. “Through years of working with multiple military/law enforcement agencies – as well as consumers – our team pinpointed specific criteria for this family of suppressors,” said Marty Daniel, President and CEO. “In addition to the obvious, sound reduction, limiting the amount of toxic gasses, reducing muzzle flash and accuracy were all critical.”

These well-balanced, reliable suppressors utilize cutting-edge gas-flow dynamics that eliminate over-gassing and direct gas forward, substantially decreasing the amount of blowback. State-of-the-art KGM technology significantly lowers impulse noise levels, and a patent-pending baffle stack and proprietary coating on internal parts reduce a firearm’s flash signature to virtually zero. Patent-pending gas-flow pathing stabilizes rounds to ensure extreme accuracy with minimal point-of-impact shift. Read more

Firearms

HIVIZ Introduces Co-Witness Tritium Sight Set for Glock

Laramie, WY –– HIVIZ® Shooting Systems introduces its new Co-Witness Tritium Sight Set for Glock. Designed to co-witness on Glock MOS models with a reflex sight, these absolute co-witness sights feature ultra-bright, encapsulated Tritium in an all-steel constructed frame for durability. The Green tritium, in both front and rear sights, makes sight acquisition easy day and night. Manufactured at a height of 0.430, these sights will be visible with reflex sight at or below the reflex reticle for most reflex sights.

Designed for the roughest use, whether it be tactical application, personal defense, in the field or on the range, the HIVIZ Co-Witness Tritium Sight Set for Glock will keep you on target shot after shot. Fits Glock MOS models only in 9mm, 40 S&W and 357 Sig. Does not fit models 42, 43, 43x and 48. SKU: GMNG21-2. MSRP: $135.00. Read more

Firearms, Optics

Streamlight USB Rechargeable Syclone Jr. Light

Compact Light Rotates 360o; Attaches to Metal Surfaces or Hangs from Hook

Eagleville, PA – Streamlight® Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting, launched the Syclone® Jr., an ultra-compact rechargeable work light that fits in tight spaces for a variety of identification and repair uses. Hands-free or hanging, the body of the light can rotate 360 degrees in its U-shaped magnetic base and can be easily adjusted with one hand. Weighing just 2.0 ounces and delivering up to 210 lumens and 8.5 hours of run time, it also provides the convenience and cost savings of USB rechargeability.

The new light features both high and low beams and uses a cool white LED for maximum illumination. The light can stand on its weighted base, which also includes magnets for attaching to metal surfaces for hands-free lighting. A handy folding hook to hang the light is also provided for added versatility.

“The Syclone Jr. is small but mighty, with a rotating body that aims light where it is needed, even in the tightest spaces,” said Streamlight Chief Revenue Officer Michael F. Dineen. “First responders, auto technicians, industrial workers and DIYers alike will reach for it whenever they need a task light that can stand on its own, attach to metal surfaces, or function as a hanging light. And because it uses a USB rechargeable battery, it offers among the lowest operating costs of any area light of its type and size.” Read more

Optics

Michigan: follow safety guidelines for highly pathogenetic avian influenza

Remember to be observant and careful when harvesting and handling wild birds this fall, due to the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Dabbling ducks are the most commonly infected waterfowl, but geese, swans, shorebirds and other species also can be infected.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza primarily affects birds, but is also a zoonotic disease, or one that has the potential to pass from domestic or wild animals to humans. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the public health risk associated with HPAI remains low, but people are advised to avoid handling any sick or dead wild birds.

Learn more about HPAI, what to watch for and safety guidelines for hunters.

Get the latest information and updates on the current outbreak of avian influenza.

Hunting, Wildlife

New State of the Birds Report Reveals Widespread Losses of Birds in All Habitats–Except for One

The Need for the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

Washington D.C. )- Wednesday, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI) published the State of the Birds 2022 Report, highlighting two important trends and revealing an important message. The report reveals that birds are declining overall in every habitat except in wetlands, where decades of investment have resulted in dramatic gains. Comebacks of waterfowl show the power of dedicated conservation funding and policy investments. Passage of proactive conservation legislation, such as the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, is essential to reverse this trend and bring birds back.

“Over 3 billion birds have been lost since 1970- more than a quarter of our birds in the U.S. and Canada. These dramatic bird losses demonstrate the urgent need for increased funding for their conservation,” said Curt Melcher, Director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is a solution to this critical problem.”

Findings included in the report:

  • More than half of U.S. bird species are declining.
  • U.S. grassland birds are among the fastest declining with a 34% loss since 1970.
  • Waterbirds and ducks in the U.S. have increased by 18% and 34% respectively during the same period.
  • 70 newly identified Tipping Point species have each lost 50% or more of their populations in the past 50 years, and are on a track to lose another half in the next 50 years if nothing changes. They include beloved gems such as Rufous Hummingbirds, songsters such as Golden-winged Warblers, and oceanic travelers such as Black-footed Albatrosses.

Read more

Wildlife
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