Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Two new Triumph™ HD optics from Vortex® are making it even easier for you to get dialed for deer camp. The all-new Triumph™ HD 3-9×40 Riflescope and Triumph™ HD 850 Laser Rangefinder make it simple to get mounted up and shooting faster, thanks to intuitive controls, and FREE riflescope rings.
Triumph™ HD 3-9×40 Riflescope: Ready for Deer Camp, Right Out of the Box. Read more
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) issued a scathing rebuke of the Northern District of Texas, which, in a profound act of judicial abdication, delivered an erroneous opinion upholding the federal government’s unconstitutional prohibition on the acquisition of handguns by peaceable Americans in Elite Precision Customs v. ATF.
Despite the clear mandates of the Supreme Court’s binding Bruen opinion, the Trump Administration shamefully defended this unconstitutional regulatory scheme, adopting the rhetoric of gun control extremists by arguing that this fundamental, enumerated right can be dismissed as merely subject to “reasonable commercial restrictions” and a “minimal burden on the right to acquire arms.” The district court—wrongly—agreed with the government.
“In short, the Court holds that the Sale Restrictions do not function as a de facto prohibition on possession but rather a reasonable commercial restriction enacted by Congress,” said Judge Pittman in his decision. “Consequently, the Court holds that the Sale Restrictions do not violate the Second Amendment.”
Said FPC President Brandon Combs, “This ruling is nothing short of judicial abdication. The court chose to ignore the clear mandate of Bruen and instead applied the very sort of test the Supreme Court rejected three years ago. The right to keep arms inherently includes the right to acquire them, and federal regulations that prohibit peaceable Americans from purchasing handguns across state lines are patently unconstitutional. We reject the fiction that infringing upon a fundamental, enumerated right is merely a ‘modest inconvenience’ that can be deferred to Congress. We will appeal this horrifically flawed decision to the Fifth Circuit.” Read more
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas has ruled in favor of the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners in a case challenging the ban on possessing and carrying firearms in United States Post Offices.
In granting summary judgment in favor of SAF, the court granted both declaratory and injunctive relief, declaring the ban unconstitutional and preventing its enforcement for the plaintiffs, including SAF members. Originally filed in June 2024, the lawsuit challenges the ban on firearms carry in U.S. Post Offices and on postal property. SAF is joined in the case, FPC v. Bondi, by the Firearms Policy Coalition and two private citizens.
“Millions of people across the country visit the U.S. Post Office as part of their daily routine,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “As we’ve stated throughout this case, there is no historical tradition of banning firearms at post offices, and peaceable Americans all over the country should not be forced to choose between using basic postal services and the exercise of their fundamental rights. Today’s ruling is an encouraging step towards restoring these rights.” Read more
FN America, LLC is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a Prototype Project Opportunity Notice (PPON) contract valued at $2 million, by the U.S. Army to further develop its submission for the Precision Grenadier System, a next-generation primary soldier weapon system and family of ammunition that enables precision engagements to destroy targets with increased lethality and precision compared to legacy grenade launchers.
The FN Multi-purpose Tactical Launcher 30mm (MTL-30™) that was designed in the U.S. and will be manufactured by FN America at its plant in South Carolina is a soldier-portable, semi-automatic, medium-velocity, flat trajectory grenade launcher that enables warfighters to engage targets at extended ranges with more effective payloads over existing technologies. After extensive testing, FN’s solution has successfully met the DoD’s key performance criteria while also delivering desired characteristics. In addition, the FN solution is easily manufacturable and logistically supportable due to state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, ensuring the program will be cost-effective.
“This program is a U.S. Government priority with the shift in modern warfare and engagements, and FN is honored to be selected to develop this new, innovative solution,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO for FN America, LLC. “Once developed and implemented, this weapon system could radically change future battlefield strategies. It will offer new capabilities at the squad level and upgraded tactical options, giving the warfighter a more effective system.”
FN’s solution, the FN MTL-30, is the first in this family of launchers and ammunition, as FN works with the Department of Defense (DoD) to help solve one of the world’s most pressing battlefield needs.
“The FN MTL-30 shoulder-fired launcher can engage in close-quarter warfare, defeat targets in defilade, and engage unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It could also be networked with FN remote weapon stations to create a multi-layered defense against UAS,” said John Bungard, Sr. Director, Military Development Programs for FN America, LLC. “Providing solutions that can counter multiple threats is critical for future battlefield engagements. We are excited that the Army is interested in maturing our PGS solution. We are fully committed to this system and its development.” Read more
Oct. 1, 2025
Contact: Lt. Jeremy Payne, 989-297-2941
A 70-year-old man from Ogemaw County, Michigan, was reunited with family Tuesday afternoon after becoming lost near his home earlier that day.
Around 11:30 a.m. the man wandered away from his home, a wooded and rural area located near County Highway F-18 and M-30 in Edwards Township. Read more
As temperatures cool during fall, some birds begin to use nest boxes as overnight havens – as “roost boxes” – and they use these boxes increasingly as winter-like weather approaches. This has long been a secondary use of nest boxes, but during recent years some birders and nest box builders have improved the process in small but excellent ways to serve cold-weather birds by building a focused roost box. A roost box can be a great way to attract some favorite birds to your yard or property, while providing a considerable benefit to the birds that use it in the process. And who wouldn’t want to provide a roost box for a small owl, bluebirds, or chickadees to name a few of the birds that may benefit. Read more
MISSOULA, Mont. — Wildlife enthusiasts of all ages have a new way to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of big game country thanks to the captivating exhibits at the James R. Wilkins Jr. Conservation Education Center. Located at Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation headquarters in Missoula, Montana, the Conservation Education Center officially opens to the public on Thursday, Oct. 16, following a year of development and construction.
“This center is a great piece to the community here in Missoula,” said RMEF President and CEO Kyle Weaver. “It tells a remarkable story about RMEF as we move toward conserving 10 million acres of big game habitat by 2030. But I think the greatest impact it makes is for the youth. Kids can come here and learn about elk and the leading role hunters play in big game conservation. The center teaches that lesson well and in a way that will be remembered.” Read more
SDS Arms is proud to announce the expansion of its Spandau Arms S2 line with the addition of the 20-gauge caliber. Following the success of the S2 12-gauge, this latest offering is now available in response to the demand for more variety. The Spandau Arms S2 20-gauge delivers the performance seen in the 12-gauge, with the added benefit of reduced recoil that hunters have been seeking in the field.
Working with the input from partners at leading hunting and conservation organizations, including the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl, SDS Arms saw an essential need for the 20-gauge among hunters. Through the development of this expansion, the team carefully paired heritage-driven craftsmanship with a strong value proposition. These efforts resulted in the S2 20-gauge shotgun, allowing hunters to focus on valuable hunting traditions.
“The introduction of the Spandau Arms S2 20-gauge reflects our dedication to listening to hunters and delivering the products they want,” said SDS Arms’ Digital Marketing Manager Jahred Gamez. “Sub-gauge shotguns like the 20-gauge continue to be in strong demand, especially among conservation and hunting groups. They provide reduced recoil with modern performance, while staying true to the heritage of the sport. With the S2 20-gauge, we’re proud to give hunters more options, more value and more reasons to spend time in the field.”
Featuring a dependable Inertia operating system, the Spandau Arms S2 20-gauge delivers lightweight power and high-performance. It comes equipped with a customizable Benelli/Mobil choke tube system and a fiber optic front sight for enhanced accuracy. Engineered for ease, precision and versatility, the S2 also includes oversized controls, a widened loading gate and compatibility with Benelli® M2 accessories. The Spandau Arms S2 20-gauage is now available in Mossy Oak Bottomland with 24” or 28” barrel lengths, and Traditional Matte Black finish with Turkish Walnut furniture with a 28” barrel length. Read more
MARYVILLE, TN. – Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, announces the release of the Model 1854 Traditional Walnut, chambered in .30-30 Winchester.
This Model 1854 exhibits a classic lever-action wood aesthetic, while also integrating modern features to improve performance. It has a 6+1 capacity, a forged 416 stainless steel receiver, and a 20-inch 410 stainless steel barrel that includes a 5/8-24 thread pattern for suppressor use. Its large loop lever is constructed for smooth operation, allowing for quicker follow-up shots, while the flat trigger design assists in reliable finger placement to support accuracy.
The Model 1854 .30-30 rifle comes equipped with several out-of-the-box features such as a 5 ¾-inch Picatinny base for optics mounting, an adjustable XS Sights® ghost ring rear sight, a gold bead front sight, and a fixed magazine tube. The walnut forend and stock features textured grip panels for improved control and the rifle includes integrated mounts for the addition of a sling. Experience the perfect blend of heritage and innovation out in the field this hunting season – experience Smith & Wesson Smooth™ Read more
Fort Worth, Texas – XS Minimalist OR tritium night sights are now available for the HK CC9. Designed to co-witness in the lower fifth of the optic window of a direct mounted RMSc footprint optic, the Minimalist OR provides better visibility through the optic while still sitting low enough for use as a stand-alone iron sight set.
The Minimalist OR design is simple and highly effective with a self-illuminating tritium tac lamp in the front sight and a non-tritium, blacked out rear sight designed to drive focus to the front sight. Both the front and rear sights are serrated to eliminate glare, and the rear sight ledge allows for one-handed racking of the slide.
Ideal for those who prefer minimal features in the rear sight, paired with a tritium front sight, the XS Minimalist OR is currently the only aftermarket sight option for the HK CC9.
“By collaborating with HK on dimensions and fit, we built a sight that installs easily and stands up to hard use,” said Jeff King, Marketing Manager, XS Sights. “Between the low-profile sight picture and the Black Nitride finish, the Minimalist OR delivers reliable performance and long-term durability.”
The Black Nitride surface finish on the Minimalist OR offers twice the corrosion resistance of traditional black oxide treatments, ensuring superior durability and long-lasting performance.
Retail Price: $109.99 Read more