Gun Rights Groups Challenge Maryland Gun Ban in Federal Court

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its sister organization, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the state of Maryland’s ban on common semiautomatic rifles.

The lawsuit was filed today in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland and captioned Bianchi, et al. v. Frosh, et al. Partnering with SAF and CCRKBA in the case are the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), a commercial business and several individual citizens.

Individual plaintiffs are Dominic Bianchi and David Snope of Baltimore County, and Micah Schaefer who resides in Ann Arundel County, where Field Traders, LLC, the commercial plaintiff, is also located.

Named as defendants are Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh, State Police Secretary Col. Woodrow W. Jones III, and Sheriffs R. Jay Fisher of Baltimore County and Jim Fredericks of Ann Arundel County, in their official capacities. Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Nicole J. Moss, David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson and John D. Ohlendorf with Cooper & Kirk PLLC in Washington, D.C., Raymond M. DiGuiseppe of North Carolina and Adam Kraut, director of FPC Director of Legal Strategy of Sacramento, Calif.

This makes the second federal challenge filed against Maryland gun laws in recent days. The earlier action challenges the state’s concealed carry law that makes it nearly impossible for average citizens to exercise their right to bear arms. At issue are Maryland’s laws that individually and collectively deny millions of people their fundamental right to keep and bear commonly-owned arms. That case is Call, et.al. v. Jones et. al.

“Maryland has instituted laws that ban scores of firearms simply because they look like other guns, and that cannot be allowed to stand,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “As we note in the lawsuit, the right to keep and bear arms includes, but is not limited to, the right of individuals to acquire, transport, possess, purchase, and receive common firearms for all lawful purposes, including self-defense. Maryland bans such firearms and there is no basis for such a ban, so we’re taking the state to court.” Read more

Gun Control

View the FeederWatch Live Cams

A Blue Jay at a peanut feeder was submitted to BirdSpotter by Susan Grove from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
A Pine Siskin and American Goldfinch share a window feeder in this photo by Linda Petersen from Terril, Iowa.

Enjoy live views of birds visiting the feeders on both sides of the border in Canada and the United States – in Ontario and New York. Each of the cooperating Project FeederWatch nations host a live video camera at an exciting feeding station where you can witness the live action during any daylight hour. You can also enjoy some prime Video Highlights provided on each webpage, along with a “Species Info” section with photos of some of the birds you may see; and if you click on a photo an introductory description of the species will appear – all part of the fun.

The Canadian FeederWatch Live Cam Read more

Wildlife

Firearms Sales by the Numbers: Up, Up and Away

The adjusted NICS numbers from the National Shooting Sports Foundation came out yesterday afternoon. As you may have surmised, 2020 -despite being a crazy year- has been a very good one for the firearms industry. It could mean a vote of confidence in shooting sports or a nervous public trying to assuage their nervousness about the future. Your answer, like the mileage in your car, may vary with local conditions.

Looking at the numbers, Black Friday -the day, showed a slight dip in sales. Overall, however, the Black Friday weekend numbers were higher. Hopefully, that’s a reflection of retailers realizing that they’re going to actually have more sales if they space their Black Friday “specials” out over the weekend. A smothered NICS system on Black Friday isn’t helpful for overall results. The NSSF’s been preaching that lesson to member retailers- hopefully, some have started to take the lesson to heart.

Overall, the 4-Day total of adjusted NICS numbers is up 4.2 percent over 2019, with a total of 417,465 checks this year versus 400,681 in 2019.

Cyber Monday produced some eye-popping numbers, with totals up 65.2% over 2019. That’s 123,797 checks versus 74,926 in 2019. Big numbers.

Overall, November 2020’s numbers were another record. The November 2020 NSSF-adjusted NICS figures: 1,949,141- an increase of 45.2 percent over 2019-the previous record year.

Year-to-Date, we’ve seen 19.1 million adjusted NICS checks -a record setting year for firearms sales. According to the NSSF’s Retailer Surveys, nearly 7.7 million people were first-time firearms buyers in 2020.

This from from NSSF’s Director of Public Affairs, Mark Oliva:

“November background checks are in line with what we’ve seen all year long. Americans continue to purchase firearms at record pace for a variety of reasons, including concerns for personal safety, onerous gun control plans by a Biden-Harris administration and for lawful purposes including recreational shooting, hunting and self-defense.

“The fact that the pace of these sales hasn’t slowed since March shows Americans value their Second Amendment freedoms and will exercise the right to keep and bear arms of their choosing.

“Politicians looking for a mandate on firearms should examine the record setting figures Americans are posting every month with firearm sales. Americans have told their elected representatives more than 19 million times exactly where their voters stand when it comes to their rights, more than 7.5 million making that declaration publicly for the first time in their lives.”

Firearms

Michigan: Forest Heritage Trail project seeks local history stories at Dec. 9 online meeting

Forest Heritage Trail project seeks local history stories at Dec. 9 online meeting

A new segment of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail currently under development will add about 20 miles to the trail’s planned 828-mile biking route, but project managers also plan to add layers of story to this stretch that connects Higgins Lake Nursery and the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at North Higgins Lake State Park with Hartwick Pines State Park – and you can help.

Led by the Michigan History Center, this heritage trail project in Crawford County – unofficially dubbed the Forest Heritage Trail – is welcoming local history stories. The Center is partnering with Central Michigan University and local stakeholders to identify the unique and critical history of the area and plan for a series of interpretive informational signs for people to enjoy while exploring the trail. Read more

Wildlife

Steiner Optics TOR Series of Pistol Lasers and Light Now Available

Now Available to Dealers and Consumers

GREELEY, Colo. – Steiner Optics TOR pistol laser and light models are now available for dealers and consumers. The TOR Mini and TOR Fusion mounted to a pistol will fit a variety of holsters from popular manufacturers.

The TOR Mini features a Type III hard-anodized, machined aluminum housing and rail mount, which is dustproof and splash-proof to IP54 standards. The universal rail mount on the lasers and light will fit all pistols that have a Picatinny or Weaver-style rail forward of the trigger guard. This design allows optimum positioning of the laser so that the fire buttons are easily accessible for a wide range of users.

It is available with either a red (635 nm) and green laser (520) lasers. Both lasers are direct diode type, allowing them to operate in extreme cold weather. Other features include left and right fire buttons for ambidextrous use, constant power drive that ensures the laser output remains constant throughout the life of the battery, low battery indication, as well as windage and elevation bore sight adjustment screws.

The TOR Fusion is a rail-mounted white light and aiming laser combination specifically designed for pistols. It is small enough to fit inside the majority of all commercially produced holsters on the market. It features left and right fire buttons for ambidextrous use and is available in red (635 nm) or green (520 nm) visible lasers. Ruggedly built with a Type III hard-anodized machined aluminum housing, the TOR Fusion is framed by a rail mount and illuminator bezel, ambient sealed, dustproof, and is splash-proof to IP54 standards. Read more

Optics

Riton Optics Sponsors Shoot for $1 Million Sweepstakes

Tucson, AZ – Riton Optics is proud to be a sponsor of Athlon Outdoors Shoot for $1 Million Sweepstakes. From now until January 31st, eligible participants can enter to win a Riton Optics package that includes some of Riton’s most popular products, $80,000 in additional prizes or the $1 million grand prize.

The Riton Optics prize pack includes the X5 Conquer 5-25×50 MRAD, which features a 34mm tube, First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle, integrated throw lever, and advanced Riton R5 Zero Stop turrets. The package also contains the X1 Tactix ARD, an ultra-precise red dot comes with a lower 1/3 co-witness QD mount and a flush mount for the perfect mounting height no matter the platform. The final item is the X5 Primal 10×42 Binoculars. These Riton binoculars are built with a lightweight magnesium alloy frame that can handle the most rugged applications.

Regarding the sweepstakes, Director of Marketing for Riton Optics, Calley Carpenter said, “Athlon Outdoors is a valued partner of ours, and we are excited to be a part of something that is reaching beyond the norm to find new ways to engage consumers in a fun and exciting way.”

For information on Riton Optics’ participation in the “Shoot for a $1Million” giveaway, visit https://www.ballisticmag.com/shoot-for-one-million/. You can sign up there to win a million dollars worth of prizes and cash, including a Riton Optics X5 Conquer 5-25×50 MRAD, X1 Tactix ARD and a X5 Primal 10×42 Binoculars. Submit your entry by 11:59 PM ET on January 31, 2021. Read more

Optics

SSSF Donates Over $450K To Youth Teams

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) recently donated $451,258.50 to Team Endowment Accounts at the MidwayUSA Foundation, providing assistance for youth shooting sports expenses. Teams earned funds by raising money through the SSSF’s Reload For 2021 campaign and the SSSF Member Matching Program. Teams purchasing ATA and or NSSA/NSCA memberships through the SCTP also had deposits made to their accounts. Read more

Firearms

Michigan: time to check trees for hemlock woolly adelgid

Invasive pest already confirmed in five southwest Michigan counties

The recent discovery of hemlock woolly adelgid as far north as Ludington State Park in Mason County is a reminder of the importance of checking hemlock trees for signs of the invasive insect.

The Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development encourage those who have eastern hemlock trees on their property to take time this winter to inspect the trees for signs of hemlock woolly adelgid. Anyone taking to the woods can help by looking for signs of the insect while hunting, hiking or enjoying any outdoor activities.

Winter is the optimum time to look for evidence of an infestation, according to Robert Miller, MDARD’s invasive species prevention and response specialist.

“Cooler temperatures trigger feeding activity,” Miller said. “As hemlock woolly adelgids feed, they secrete a white, waxy material that creates ovisacs. The presence of these small, round, white masses makes it possible to identify infested trees.”

As they feed, these tiny, soft-bodied insects consume a hemlock’s stored nutrients, slowly sucking the life from the tree. Read more

Wildlife

Mossberg Donates $75,000 to NSSF After SHOT Show Cancellation

NORTH HAVEN, CT – O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. announced today a donation of $75,000 to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) following the cancellation of the 2021 Shooting Hunting & Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show. The 42nd annual SHOT Show, scheduled to take place in January 2021, was canceled due to potential health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re very disappointed we won’t be able to gather in Las Vegas this year for SHOT Show, and I believe that sentiment is held across the entire industry,” said John MacLellan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Given the unfortunate recent rise of COVID-19 infections on a global level, and the precautions that are being taken regarding slowing the spread of the virus, we fully support NSSF’s decision to cancel the upcoming show. We also understand that most of NSSF’s annual operating expenses are generated through SHOT Show every year, which is why we’re pleased to announce that Mossberg intends to donate $75,000 to help NSSF maintain normal business operations in 2021.”

Firearms

DuraSafe Launches Holiday Bundles

NEW BERLIN, WIS. – DuraSafe Locks launches three holiday bundles: one for fishing, hunting and towing. These bundles were designed to streamline the shopping process for gift-givers to be able to hop onto one site, and buy the ultimate package without having to go anywhere else!

“We wanted to offer bundles that streamlined the gift-giving process to an all-in-one deal. No matter which bundle is chosen, each has unique offerings to surprise one another with an outdoors-inspired holiday gift package,” explained Brooke Kangas, DuraSafe’s marketing manager.

For whoever is the outdoors expert in your household, these are the ultimate gift packages for you.

FISHING BUNDLE: includes the E-LOCK®, Bow Mount Lock and Spare Tire Lock with an additional

floatable boat keychain and DuraSafe microfiber towel.

HUNTING BUNDLE: includes the Chain Wheel Lock, Cable Lock and Receiver Lock (5/8 in. diameter) in addition to a pocket knife and DuraSafe microfiber towel.

TOWING AND TRAILERING BUNDLE: includes the Coupler Lock (3 in.), Off Vehicle Coupler Ball Accessory and Receiver Lock (5/8 in. diameter) with a pocket knife, car decal and car air freshener.

These bundles are only available while supplies last! Read more

Fishing, General, Hunting
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