Coast Guard Rescues 46 Ice Fishers from Ice Floe in Western Lake Erie

Members from Coast Guard Station Marblehead rescue ice fishermen from an ice floe north of Catawaba Island, March 9, 2019. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo)

CLEVELAND — The U.S. Coast Guard and local agencies rescued 46 ice fishermen from an ice floe that broke free near Catawaba Island, Saturday.

An additional estimated 100 people were able to self-rescue themselves from the ice floe either by swimming or walking on ice-bridges that were still connected to the floe initially.

At 8:13 a.m., Coast Guard Station Marblehead received notification from an Ohio Department of Natural Resources representative that there were approximately 100 people stranded on an ice floe and that there were an additional 30 to 40 people in the water. Coast Guard District 9 Command Center launched two 20-foot Special Purpose Craft–airboats from Station Marblehead, two MH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Detroit, and two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City to respond for a mass rescue. Read more

Fishing

S&W Safety Alert and Inspection Procedure for M&P15-22

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Smith & Wesson Corp. announced today that the Company has identified two M&P15-22 firearms from recent production on which the breech face counter bore depth was not within manufacturing specification. In those firearms, the lack of depth may allow the bolt, upon closing, to crush the rim of the case, causing the round to fire, cycling the bolt, and potentially resulting in multiple discharges without depressing the trigger.

This issue can occur in the following two scenarios:

1) With a loaded magazine in the firearm and the bolt locked to the rear, depressing the bolt release to allow the bolt to drop freely may ignite the round as the bolt closes without engaging the trigger and with the safety selector in either the safe or the fire position, and may also result in multiple discharges.

2) With a loaded magazine in the firearm, bolt in the closed position and a round in the chamber and the safety selector in the fire position, depressing the trigger will cause the round to fire normally, however as the bolt cycles, the next round may be ignited by the bolt crushing the rim of the case as it closes, causing multiple discharges.

This Safety Alert applies to all M&P15-22 firearms manufactured before February 1, 2019. We believe these are isolated incidents, however, any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, we are asking all consumers of all M&P15-22 firearms manufactured before February 1, 2019 to immediately inspect their firearms for this condition. Read more

Firearms

Federal District Court Dismisses Massachusetts AG’s Motion to Stay

Firearms Retailers, NSSF Federal Suit Against ‘Enforcement Notice’ Goes Forward

NEWTOWN, Conn. — The United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts today denied Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey’s attempt to stay a federal lawsuit brought by four federally-licensed Bay State firearms retailers and the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®). The lawsuit states that Healey in her 2016 “Enforcement Notice” redefining “assault weapons” had overstepped her legal authority and deprived the retailers of their due process protections guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

In 2018, a federal district court judge denied Healey’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit finding that the plaintiffs had asserted valid federal due process claims. In January 2019, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit dismissed Healey’s appeal of that decision, just hours after hearing oral argument.

The ruling today to deny a stay in this case, pending parallel litigation in a state court, is the third attempt by Attorney General Healey to stall a trial in federal court. “… the Enforcement Notice warrants constitutional review for vagueness without reaching the state law issue,” wrote District Judge Timothy S. Hillman. The parallel state court case filed by different retailers claims the enforcement notice is an invalid regulation that was improperly issued by the Attorney General in violation of the state’s administrative procedure act. Read more

Gun Control

Bushnell Offers AR Optics Rebate

Bushnell, an industry leader in high-performance optics, is pleased to announce its AR Optics Rebate. This limited-time offer lets consumers purchase a Bushnell AR Optics riflescope (excluding red-dot) and receive $40 back. The rebate is limited to five qualifying products per person or household, and there’s a $200 maximum payout per person or household. The offer began March 1 and runs through March 31, with an April 30 redemption deadline.

Bushnell’s growing AR Optics line has a scope specifically tailored for almost every prevalent caliber in the AR platform — including 22 LR, .223/5.56, .308 Win., .300 BLK, and even the red-hot 6.5 Creedmoor and .224 Valkyrie.

AR Optics riflescopes feature fully multi-coated optics throughout the lineup to deliver crisp images in every lighting condition. Custom BDC reticles purpose-built for each model allow precise elevation holds with today’s most popular calibers. Other features are model specific, including two options with illuminated reticles and four that are standard with robust 30mm tubes. In all, the AR Optics line boasts 11 models in configurations from 1-4x24mm to 4.5-18x40mm with eight optimized reticles.
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Optics

Taurus 856 Now Includes Concealed Hammer Models

New Line-Up Boasts Carry-Friendly Spurless Hammer and Available Custom Colors

In response to enthusiastic consumer reception and high demand for the recent Taurus 856 compact revolver, Taurus has expanded the 856 line by introducing a concealed hammer version of this versatile handgun. Designed for discrete everyday carry or home defense, the new Taurus 856 Concealed Hammer sets new standards in the personal defense handgun category.

The new 856 Concealed Hammer model not only delivers an easy wear, low-print profile, it also provides an element of customization with its several available finishes, including matte black, matte stainless, and an expanded range of optional anodized coatings, such as Azure (blue), Rouge (red), Bronze, and Burnt Orange. Customers can also choose between matte black carbon steel or matte stainless-steel cylinders. Read more

Firearms

CCRKBA, SAF Question Congressional Motives Behind NRA Investigations

BELLEVUE, WA – Reports that the National Rifle Association is being engulfed in what one publication described as “a rapidly expanding tangle of congressional investigations” raise an important question that nobody has been asking: Is this a deliberate effort by anti-gun-rights Congressional Democrats to overwhelm the organization’s leadership and prevent NRA from fulfilling its mission to protect the Second Amendment?

That’s what the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms are wondering as House Democrats are pressing their gun control agenda.

“According to The Trace, which is funded by anti-gun billionaire Michael Bloomberg, Congress has launched six investigations of the NRA,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb. “With Democrats in control of the House, promising to push a full slate of gun control measures, that seems just a little curious.”

Gottlieb, who also chairs the CCRKBA, said it is fair to question an avalanche of investigations involving the NRA at a time when its attention should be focused squarely on renewed efforts to erode the Second Amendment. Read more

Gun Control

Northern Michigan and UP ice shanty removal dates are approaching

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers that mandatory ice shanty removal dates are approaching. Regardless of the date, shanties must be removed before the ice is unable to safely support them. In warmer weather, the ice quickly can become unsafe for anglers to retrieve their property.

The deadline for removal from waters in the northern Lower Peninsula is midnight Friday, March 15. Counties in this area include Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Bay, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Isabella, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford. Read more

Fishing

JP Enterprises MR-19 Manual Rifle

Hugo, MN – JP Enterprises has debuted their new manual rifle for 2019, the MR-19™, which is now available for purchase. The MR-19™ serves as a collaborative rifle project between JP and other premier manufacturers in the precision rifle market, including Ultimatum Precision and Proof Research.

Shown for the first time at SHOT Show 2019, the MR-19™ is built on JP’s recently released APAC™ precision rifle chassis. This next generation chassis system is fully ambidextrous and adjustable and was designed in conjunction with retired U.S. Army sniper instructor and national precision rifle competitor, Brian Whalen.
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Firearms

Outdoor Enthusiasts Gather in Lansing this Weekend

LANSING, Mich. — The outdoor community comes together this weekend at the expanded Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo presented by Suzuki KingQuad at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Mich., March 8-10.

Featuring the latest products, gear and equipment for hunting, fishing and outdoors enthusiasts, the Expo is a must-see event for anyone interested in the outdoors. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet industry insiders, attend educational seminars and demonstrations, test out the newest products, shop for show deals and bring their deer to have it scored. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Michigan high schoolers: Explore outdoors in Career Pathways Program

Students ready for an intensive, inspiring four days immersed in natural resources learning are encouraged to submit their applications for this year’s Career Pathways Program, June 23-27 at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center on beautiful Higgins Lake in Roscommon County. Program highlights include hands-on field experiences with wildlife and fish biologists, foresters, park rangers and conservation officers.

DNR education manager Kevin Frailey oversees the program, now in its second year. “Over the course of a year, our department gets hundreds of inquiries from parents and students about natural resources careers,” he said. “We wanted to create a sampler of many of our key positions and let students learn about these unique career paths from the professionals themselves.” Read more

Wildlife
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