Invasive Box Tree Month Found in Lenawee County, Michigan

Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724

LANSING, Mich -The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the detection of box tree moth (BTM) (Cydalima perspectalis) at two residences in Clinton located in Lenawee County. Although not a threat to Michigan’s natural resources, extensive feeding from box tree moth can lead to significant defoliation and death of ornamental boxwood.

In May 2021, potentially infested boxwood plants were shipped to retail locations in several states including six in Michigan. The pest was then identified in three of the six Michigan facilities. It is not known whether the box tree moth populations detected in Clinton are linked or if the pest entered the state through another pathway.

“Box tree moth poses a serious threat to our boxwood industry,” said Mike Philip, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division Director with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. “We are in the assessment stage of this response, and we are asking Michiganders to look closely at their boxwood plants and report any signs of this pest so we can determine the scope of this infestation and work to reduce the spread.” Read more

Wildlife

GOA Defeats NY’s Concealed Carry Improvement Act in Federal Court

Washington, D.C. – Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) have secured a preliminary injunction in federal district court against most of New York’s poorly named “Concealed Carry Improvement Act.” This follows GOA and GOF securing a temporary restraining order against the law in October, which was frustratingly blocked by a federal appeals court.

The ruling from Judge Glenn Suddaby, who indicated this law has imposed “unprecedented constitutional violations,“ enjoins the following provisions:

Requiring good moral character

Requiring the names and contact info of spouses and other adults in the applicant’s home

Requiring applicants to disclose social media accounts for review

The restrictions on carrying in public parks, zoos, places of worship, locations where alcohol is served, theaters, banquet halls, conferences, airports and buses, lawful protests or assemblies, and the prohibition on carrying on private property without express consent from the owner

The injunction will take effect immediately, despite the State of New York’s attempt to delay the injunction.

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement:

“Just like we warned politicians after the Bruen decision, fall in line, or we will force you to. We are excited to see Kathy Hochul finally served a plate of humble pie, and we are fully prepared to continue the fight should she again attempt to disarm the citizens of her state at a time when her party’s policies are only escalating the danger that everyday citizens face.” Read more

Gun Control

New SIG SAUER Academy Courses and FPV Video Tour of the SEC

NEWINGTON, N.H. – SIG SAUER Academy is proud to present an amazing FPV (First Person View) drone fly-through video of the new SIG SAUER Experience Center as part of the announcement of the 2023 course calendar, seminar schedules and events happening on the campus of SIG SAUER Academy.

This incredible video shot using a FPV drone gives you a one-of-a-kind view of the exciting new SIG Experience Center, a state-of-the-art 40,000 square foot facility featuring the SIG SAUER Flagship Store, the SIG SAUER Academy Shooting Center and Indoor Range, the SIG SAUER Museum, a Conference and Events Center along with the hospitality suite Club 1751.

SIG SAUER Academy offers a comprehensive course schedule that caters to all types of shooters from beginner to expert for handgun, rifle, shotgun, and hunting. Visit sigsaueracademy.com to review the 2023 course schedule and register for a course at the SIG SAUER Academy in Epping, New Hampshire or one of the many courses offered at a SIG SAUER Academy Outpost location in Central Florida or California.

The Seminar Series is new to the SIG SAUER Academy and the SIG Experience Center. The Seminar Series offers students education and resources on a wide variety of subjects from Concealed Carry to Wilderness Survival, range from 2 hours to a half-day in length, typically cost $30 to attend, and require no equipment to participate. For a full schedule and to register of the 2023 SIG SAUER Academy Seminar Series visit sigsaueracademy.com. Read more

Firearms

SAF Files Motion to Intervene in Challenge of New Gov’t. ‘Firearm’ Definition

The Second Amendment Foundation has filed a motion to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging the federal government’s new regulatory definition of a firearm, including the frame or receiver.

The case is known as VanDerStok, et.al. v. Garland, et.al. and was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division. A company known as Blackhawk Manufacturing Group, Inc., d/b/a/ 80 Percent Arms, has already been allowed to intervene as a plaintiff.

Joining SAF is Defense Distributed, a Texas-based company.

“We are intervening because our members have already suffered massive irreparable harms from this new regulatory move,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “because it contradicts the statute it is supposed to be administering. When Congress passed the Gun Control Act of 1968, it defined a firearm to include the finished frame or receiver. But the new rule expands that definition and criminalizes unfinished frames and receivers, and ‘parts kits’ that include those components.

“Furthermore,” he added, “the new rule violates the Administrative Procedures Act by failing to comply with mandates in the Supreme Court’s Bruen ruling in June, and because it is essentially an exercise of legislative power it doesn’t have, because Congress could not constitutionally grant such authority to a federal agency.” Read more

Gun Control

Federal Judge Again Blocks New York “Places of Worship” Handgun Carry Ban

BUFFALO, NY – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that United States District Judge John Sinatra, Jr. has issued a preliminary injunction against New York’s ban on guns in “any place of worship or religious observation.” The order in Hardaway v. Nigrelli, which is effective immediately and comes two weeks after a temporary restraining order was issued in this case, can be viewed at FPCLegal.org.

“For these reasons, New York’s place of worship exclusion ‘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,’” wrote Judge Sinatra in his opinion. “The State’s renewed opposition offers nothing to change the outcome. Thus, Plaintiffs remain likely to succeed on the merits of their constitutional claim.”

“Here, a stay pending appeal is not warranted,” he went on to write. “As discussed above, Plaintiffs’ constitutional rights are being violated absent a preliminary injunction. The State fails to establish irreparable injury in the absence of a stay. The balance of hardships and public interest weigh in favor of Plaintiffs, also as discussed above. Finally, it is Plaintiffs who have demonstrated that they are likely to succeed on the merits. Legislative enactments may not eviscerate the Bill of Rights. Every day they do is one too many.” Read more

Gun Control

Winchester Awarded $9 Million NGSW Tracer Manufacturing Study Contract

EAST ALTON, IL — Winchester, the largest manufacturer of small caliber ammunition for the U.S. military, announced that the U.S. Army has awarded the company a $9 million cost-plus contract to complete a manufacturing study in support of tracer projectile production for the 6.8mm Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program.

Work will be performed at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Missouri, the United States’ only government-owned, contractor-operated small caliber ammunition production facility.

“Winchester is very excited to begin executing this critical 6.8mm NGSW trace ammunition study at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant,” said Brett Flaugher, President of Winchester. “With the goal of improving soldier capability, this groundbreaking work will utilize new tracer technology to create robust production processes and enable the transition of prototype trace technology into fielded NGSW tracer ammunition. This NGSW tracer ammunition produced at Lake City will equip the future American Warfighter and help maintain the safety and defense of our nation.”

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Ammunition

WildEar’s SafEarz Protects Hearing While Filtering Out Unwanted Sounds

WALKER, Minn. – SafEarz™ is a simple, affordable way to protect your hearing against unwanted sounds. SafEarz ready-fit earplugs are available with three distinct filter options, Shooter, Everyday, and Toggle. The Shooter filter reduces high-intensity sounds such as gunfire, while still allowing you to have face-to-face conversations and hear sounds around you. The Everyday filter turns down the volume (noise) without sacrificing listening quality (the sounds you want to hear – music, warning signals, speech, etc.). The Everyday filter is ideal for lawn work, indoor or outdoor music concerts, and other activities with moderate noise. Our special Toggle option engages the Everyday filter when the toggle is in the open position and offers full protection when the toggle is closed. This product is best when you are in and out of the noise and would like the option to close the toggle for full protection (great for power tools and loud sporting events).

SafEarz incorporates a three-flange earplug design for a tight but comfortable fit in the ear canal, with four sizes (small, medium, large, and extra-large) to ensure you get the right fit for your ears. Unlike disposable products, SafEarz are simple to clean and will provide months of reliable use. Each package includes one set of the selected filter, a lanyard, and a convenient storage case. The suggested retail price is $44.50-$49.50. More information on SafEarz ready-fit hearing protection and the entire line of WildEar products is available at https://www.wildear.com/, by calling 855-494-WILD(9453), or simply Click Here.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Walker, Minnesota, CavCom is the leader in innovative industrial hearing protection and communication systems. CavCom’s WildEar designs provide advanced electronic and passive hearing protection for avid outdoor enthusiasts, weekend warriors, music lovers, cell phone users, and those desiring comfortable, undisturbed sleep. For more information on the full line of state-of-the-art products visit https://www.wildear.com/, call 855-494-WILD(9453), or Click Here.

Firearms, Hunting

Hillsdale College’s Halter Shooting Sports Center Hosts Veteran’s Day Shoot

HILLSDALE, Mich. — The Hillsdale College John Anthony Halter Shooting Sports Education Center will hold its annual Veteran’s Day Shoot on Nov. 12. All veterans will receive complimentary clay targets. The American skeet, American trap, five stand, Olympic bunker, and sporting clays course will be available.

WHEN

Saturday, Nov. 12

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST

WHERE

John Anthony Halter Shooting Sports Education Center

4390 Bankers Road

Hillsdale, MI

HOW

All media must RSVP to Emily Stack Davis at pr@hillsdale.edu

About Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College is an independent, nonsectarian, Christian liberal arts college located in southern Michigan. Founded in 1844, the College has built a national reputation through its classical liberal arts core curriculum and its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies, even indirectly in the form of student grants or loans. It also conducts an outreach effort promoting civil and religious liberty, including a free monthly speech digest, Imprimis, with a circulation of more than 6.3 million. For more information, visit hillsdale.edu

Firearms

Umarex USA Announces Hunting For A Deal Scavenger Hunt

FORT SMITH, AR — Umarex USA, innovator, manufacturer, and marketer of airguns, optics, and accessories for the outdoor enthusiast is on the hunt this fall and giving its wonderful fans and customers a chance to track down some great deals and even a few great giveaways with their “Hunting For A Deal” website scavenger hunt.

The Umarex E-Commerce team has created 12 discount codes that will be hidden on various pages of the UmarexUSA.com website and hidden in various ways. These codes will vary in difficulty and the reward for finding them will be commensurate to the level of effort needed to hunt them down. The “Trophies” hidden on the Umarex USA website will include free gun bundles like an Umarex AirJavelin CO2 powered air archery gun, Axeon Optics Scope, and AirJavelin Arrows and an Umarex Origin .22 Caliber PCP kit with an Axeon Optics Scope. Other “Trophies” will include percentage-off discount offers and cash-off discounts for the order subtotal. This “Hunting Season” starts at 12 p.m. Friday, November 4, and runs through midnight Sunday, November 13th (Eastern Time). Read more

Firearms

Fourteen Individuals Convicted of Stealing Venison and Poaching Ohio Deer

GALLIPOLIS, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife recently closed the adjudication phase of one of Ohio’s largest white-tailed deer commercialization cases, spanning four counties and two states. The case primarily concerned A&E Deer Processing in Gallia County and included the illegal taking of deer and selling venison.

In all, the cases resulted in 14 defendants being charged with 122 counts in four counties and two states to include felonies and misdemeanors. They combined to pay $70,013.14 in fines and restitution. The group also collectively received a hunting license revocation totaling 63 years and paid more than $6,700 in court costs. All evidence seized during the execution of the search warrants was forfeited to the Division of Wildlife.

Included in the list of charges: engaging in a pattern of corrupt activities, grand theft, falsification, tampering with records, possession of untagged deer parts, hunting with an illegal implement, and complicity to wildlife sales. The maximum restitution to one individual was $20,000. A second individual received restitution of $13,000. Multiple individuals received extensive hunting license suspensions. Read more

Poachers
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