Attorneys General Oppose Biden’s ATF Director Nominee

HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and 19 other state attorneys general today called on the U.S. Senate to reject David Chipman’s confirmation as director of the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), citing concerns over his approach to public safety and Americans’ right to keep and bear arms.

In a letter to U.S. Senate Republican and Democratic leadership, Knudsen and the coalition of attorneys general outlined the threat President Joe Biden’s ATF nominee would pose to law-abiding gun owners if confirmed to lead the agency responsible for regulating firearms. Chipman has a long history of anti-gun rights lobbying and activism.

“Mr. Chipman has a First Amendment right as a private citizen to work for these political organizations and to lobby for the taxation, registration, and even confiscation of firearms. Americans likewise have the Second Amendment to protect their God-given rights to keep and bear arms,” Knudsen and the attorneys general wrote. “Accordingly, we ask you to oppose Mr. Chipman’s confirmation to this important position and demand President Biden nominate someone who is not hostile to our rights and way of life.”

ATF agents play an important role in upholding the public safety of communities around the country and will be disserved by an agency director with a political agenda. Americans’ Second Amendment rights do not need to be infringed to keep them safe from violent criminals.

“Its agents deserve a director who will inspire confidence from the people they serve. Given Mr. Chipman’s history of anti-gun lobbying and political activism, Americans cannot be reasonably expected to believe he will be an unbiased enforcer of current laws,” the letter stated. “As the chief legal and law enforcement officers in our respective states, we are concerned that Mr. Chipman will make Americans less safe by diverting ATF resources to attack the rights of law-abiding gun owners instead of cracking down on violent criminals and criminal organizations.”

Attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and West Virginia also signed onto Knudsen’s letter.

Click here to view the letter.

CONTACT: Kyler Nerison | kyler.nerison@mt.gov

Firearms, Gun Control

Primary Arms and On Target Magazine Announce Rifle Giveaway

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Primary Arms has announced a new rifle giveaway in partnership with On Target Magazine that runs until July 10, 2021. Like other Primary Arms gun giveaways, this giveaway is completely free to enter and is available through the On Target Magazine giveaway page.

The Gun & Gear Giveaway centers on a Faxon Firearms 5.56mm Ascent 16-inch carbine, paired with a Primary Arms Optics GLx® 2.5-10x44mm FFP Rifle Scope and GLx 30mm Cantilever Scope Mount. This general-purpose rifle also includes a Magpul MS1 Sling, Magpul QD swivels, a Slate Black Industries SVG M-LOK Vertical Grip, a Real Avid Gun Boss Pro AR-15 Cleaning Kit, and an Evolution Outdoor EVA 42” Tactical Rifle Case. All in all, this kit is worth over $1,700, making it a worthy addition to any rifle collection.

“We’re excited to partner with On Target Magazine for another free rifle giveaway,” says Dina Sanders, Primary Arms’ Brand Marketing Manager. “This giveaway package is perfect for new or experience gun-owners that want to supplement their collection with a high-performance, general-purpose AR-15. We’ve hand-selected these parts from our collection to ensure comfortable ergonomics and exceptional precision for any activity.” Read more

Firearms

Federal Ships Shotshell Ammo to Help USA Compete for Gold

ANOKA, MN – The Federal shotshells that will be used to compete with at the Olympics have begun the journey to Japan. The official ammunition of USA Shooting left the docks this week and will arrive at Camp Asaksa, Japan, site of the Olympic shooting competition. Team members Kayle Browning, Brian Burrows, Vincent Hancock, Austen Smith, and Derrick Mein will load the best shotshells Federal makes as they chase their Olympic shotgun sports dreams.

“As a company that sponsors the highest level of competition shooters, we are excited to watch them compete and to be part of their journey to bring home a medal for the U.S.A.,” stated Jason Vanderbrink, President of Federal Ammunition. “We’ve been planning for this event with USA Shooting for years. The time is finally here, and our ammo is ready to help place them on the Olympic podium.” Read more

Firearms

CZG Completes Colt Acquisition

West Hartford, CT – Colt Holding Company LLC (“Colt”) announced Monday (May 24, 2021) that CZG – C?eska? zbrojovka Group SE (“CZG” or “the Group”; PSE: CZG), having secured all necessary regulatory approvals from the U.S. and Canadian authorities, has successfully closed its acquisition of 100% of the equity interest in Colt, the parent company of the U.S. firearms manufacturer, Colt’s Manufacturing Company LLC as well as its Canadian subsidiary, Colt Canada Corporation.

CZG and Colt are confident that the merger will bring significant operational, commercial, and R&D synergies for the combined business, which generated pro-forma aggregated annual sales in excess of USD 570 million in 2020 and which has more than 2,000 employees in the Czech Republic, the United States, Canada and Germany. Read more

Firearms

Michigan Releases Pheasant Restoration Initiative 2020 Annual Report

Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative Coalition partners recently compiled a 2020 annual report sharing accomplishments attained last year.

2020 highlights:

  • Coalition partners worked together to enhance and restore over 10,000 acres of grassland habitat and close to 1,000 acres of wetland habitat.
  • The Michigan Department of Natural Resources acquired 440 acres of land for the new Potterville State Game Area in Eaton County, which will provide recreation opportunity and excellent habitat for wildlife, including pheasants.
  • Over 15,000 acres of farmland were enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, a federal land conservation program that aims to reestablish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce loss of wildlife habitat.
  • There were increased opportunities for enrollment of wildlife habitat in the Conservation Reserve Program through State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement initiatives, of which Michigan had three (Southern Michigan Grasslands, Native Pollinator Habitat and Southern Michigan Pheasant and Monarch Recovery Effort). Michigan had historic high acceptance rates of proposals in this sign-up, with 100% of State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement offers being accepted and an overall acceptance rate of 94%.
  • The Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative Coalition offered 82 education and recruitment events in 2020, with over 3,000 participants.
  • The Adopt-a-Game-Area program helped to enhance and restore 181 acres of grassland habitat. Over $200,000 was raised to help improve and restore pheasant habitat on Michigan public lands.

“Even with the challenges that we all faced in 2020, the MPRI coalition made important progress on wildlife habitat in Michigan,” said Bill Vander Zouwen, Pheasants Forever regional coordinator. “It signifies the end of the first 10 years of the MPRI, and we’re looking forward to many more years of productive partnership for the people and habitat of Michigan.”

The Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative is a conservation initiative to restore and enhance Michigan pheasant habitat, populations and hunting opportunities on private and public lands. It works by acquiring state, federal and other partner resources to assist landowners in the cooperatives to improve wildlife habitat on their properties and by improving habitat on selected state game areas, recreation areas or other public lands. Learn more at:

Michigan.gov/Pheasant ?

Questions? Contact Holly Vaughn at 313-396-6863.

Hunting

Berger’s Emil Praslick Hosts Kestrel Ballistics’ Wind Reading Class

Mesa, AZ – Berger’s Mil/LE Business Development Manager and “Wind Wizard”, Emil Praslick, will join Kestrel Ballistics to host a virtual Wind Reading class on Tuesday, May 25 at 3PM EST.

Kestrel Ballistics offers virtual classes to help shooters learn how to make the most of their Kestrel weather meters, maximize their time at the range, and advance their shooting capabilities to the next level.

“I am really looking forward to this class and discussing how to best use the powerful capabilities of the Kestrel. There are a number of different strategies used to determine your wind and engage targets, and I’ll talk about how the Kestrel complements those processes,” commented Emil Praslick.

For more information on Kestrel Ballistics’ Virtual Classes and to sign up for the Wind Reading class with Emil Praslick, visit kestrelballistics.com/classes.

About Berger
Berger manufactures precision projectiles and match-grade ammunition for Target, Hunting and Tactical applications in Mesa, AZ. Berger is part of the Capstone Precision Group, the exclusive U.S. distributor for Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori and SK-Rimfire products. For more information, visit Bergerbullets.com.

Ammunition, Firearms

ALPS Mountaineering Helix 1- and 2-Person Tents

New Haven, Mo. – ALPS Mountaineering, manufacturer of performance-driven technical support gear for wilderness adventures, exploration, and family camping, adds two new backpacking tents to its expansive line of wilderness adventure gear with the release of the Helix series lightweight tents.

The new Helix tents are available with one- or two-person capacity and are sized for backpacking or ultralight camping. Based on a three-pole mesh tent and rain fly configuration, the Helix boasts a minimum weight of 2 lbs., 14 oz. or 3 lbs., 12 oz. for the one- and two-person models, respectively, and with a packed size of 5×16 or 6×18 inches.

These free-standing tents utilize 7000-series aluminum poles and lightweight aluminum hardware for support. Both the floor and fly are made of 20D 380T nylon ripstop, with the floor receiving a 3000mm silicone/pu coating and the fly a 2000mm silicone/pu coating that resists UV damage. The fly offers full coverage for maximum weather protection and, along with the floor, has factory-sealed seams.

Practical and ergonomic features include roof ventilation to minimize moisture buildup, mesh storage pockets, and vestibule storage to accommodate gear. Assembly is quick and easy thanks to snap-on pole clips, 7075 aluminum stakes, and guy ropes for anticipated high-wind conditions. Read more

General, Wildlife

Michigan: Two Huron County Men Arraigned for Over the Limit Gamefish

Men will pay a total of more than $8,500 in mandatory restitution

Stanley Garbacz Jr., 68, of Caseville, and Bruce Warren, 53, of Pigeon, were arraigned in Huron County District Court recently for illegal possession of panfish, perch and walleye.

Garbacz turned himself in to authorities the week of May 10 and faces two charges of over limit possessions; one charge for perch and one charge for walleye, and must pay $7,930 in restitution.

Warren surrendered earlier this week and was arraigned on one charge of taking a daily over limit of perch and owes $600 in mandatory restitution. Both men face additional court fines and costs and could lose their fishing privileges when they are sentenced at a future court appearance.

“Fish rules and regulations are in place to maintain a healthy natural resource,” said Lt. Dave Shaw, Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Taking over limits by one or more individuals can impact the harvestable population and which could potentially reduce fish species for future generations.”

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Josh Wright received a tip from the DNR’s Report All Poaching Hotline in March that Garbacz was potentially at his residence in possession of a few hundred perch.

While in route to the Garbacz’s residence, Wright requested assistance from Huron County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joshua Loss, who arrived at the suspect’s home first. Loss confirmed that there were “a lot” of perch being filleted.

Wright arrived at the residence and received permission to count the 170 perch that Garbacz and Warren caught earlier in the day – putting them each over the daily catch limit by 60 perch.

As Wright continued the investigation, he found 85 bags of frozen fish in four of Garbacz’s freezers. Wright thawed and counted the fillets. Based on the Saginaw Bay area daily and possession limits, Garbacz was over limit by:

  • 35 walleye; the daily limit is eight. Anglers may possess an additional two days’ limit of walleye as long as they are processed, with a total possession limit of 24.
  • 245 panfish; the daily limit it 25. An angler may possess an additional two days’ limit of panfish as long as they are processed, with a total possession limit of 75.
  • 393 additional perch; the daily limit it 25. Fishers may possess an additional two days limit of walleye as long as they are processed, with a total possession limit of 75.

Processed fish from previous days must be canned or frozen.

Suspected poaching violations may be reported 24 hours a day, seven days a week to the DNR’s Report All Poaching hotline at 800-292-7800. Tips may be submitted anonymously and rewards may be offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects.

Poachers ,

SCI Prevails in Lead Ammunition Case: State Regulations Upheld

By Safari Club International

Tucson, AZ – Safari Club International (SCI) has successfully defended a lawsuit brought by anti-hunting groups attempting to ban lead ammunition in Arizona’s Kaibab National Forest.

That lawsuit aimed to restrict hunting access on the fabricated grounds of a federal environmental law violation, and the issue has bounced around the courts for the last several years. In April 2021, however, a federal judge once again sided with SCI and the National Rifle Association (NRA) in allowing the use of lead ammunition as provided by Arizona law.

“This ruling not only preserves the freedom to hunt in an accurate, cost-effective, and accessible way, but it also upholds state authority in the regulation of ammunition use on Forest Service lands,” said Laird Hamberlin, CEO of SCI. “And it is yet another SCI win against anti-hunting groups seeking to destroy our hunting heritage.”

The case is part of a long-running series of lawsuits brought by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD), a group that opposes hunting, that has challenged the use of lead ammunition in the Kaibab National Forest. CBD has claimed that the U.S. Forest Service violates the Re- sources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), a federal solid waste law, by allowing the use of lead ammo for hunting. Although this law is typically applied to manufacturing and industrial sites, CBD has tried repeatedly to expand its reach to cover lead ammo left behind in gut piles, arguing that the leftover solid waste has negatively impacted populations of the California condor, which is listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Since the first challenge in 2012, the case has ping-ponged back and forth between the district court in Arizona and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Arizona law permits the use of lead bullets. The CBD cases have been an obvious attempt to diminish state law and move more control to federal regulation. However, the federal government has no authority over ammunition use on the state level, and the judge’s decision affirms that the RRCA, a law intended for industrial waste, cannot be convoluted to limit hunting access.

As SCI has always maintained, hunters, of course, are free to choose alternatives to lead ammunition–yet the choice must remain with the individual hunter. While it is commonly understood that excessive lead exposure can be harmful, there is insufficient research and data to show that hunting with lead ammunition can hurt habitat or wildlife, or humans eating game meat harvested with lead ammunition.

As the NRA has pointed out, California, in 2007, banned the use of lead ammunition for hunting big game in the California Condor zone. Despite 99-percent hunter compliance, the ban has failed to reduce lead poisoning in condors. It is likely that industrial lead compounds, which are much different from the metallic lead used in ammunition, are responsible for many of the lead poisonings falsely attributed to lead ammunition. Read more

Gun Control, Hunting

Michigan: Great Lakes frontage, acres of forest and more DNR surplus lands available at online auction

Great Lakes frontage, acres of forest, prime residential lots – these and more DNR surplus lands available at online auction

Keeping your eyes open for the right piece of Michigan property? Don’t miss the current auctions of surplus public land from the Department of Natural Resources.

After careful consideration of properties it manages on behalf of Michigan residents, the DNR has selected 10 that are much better suited for private ownership. The department is preparing these surplus properties – in Antrim, Baraga, Benzie, Berrien, Delta, Gogebic, Midland and Oakland counties – for sale via online auctions open now through June 15 and 16.

Scott Goeman, DNR Real Estate Services manager, said that while these properties no longer fit the department’s goals of efficient management and broad access to public outdoor recreation opportunities, they could fit nicely into potential bidders’ future plans.

“We are responsible for more than 4.6 million acres of public lands, and we regularly review those lands to evaluate how well they fit with our overall management strategy,” said Goeman. “Sometimes, it becomes clear that, due to a number of factors – for example, if a parcel is landlocked by private property, isolated from other DNR-managed land or doesn’t support optimum outdoor recreation opportunities – it makes more sense to remove that parcel from our management. Read more
Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife
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