Open Carry Issues to be on the Table

From Jim Shepherd…

With the District of Columbia v. Heller decision in 2008 and the McDonald v. Chicago decision in 2010, the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed the individual right to possess a firearm in the home for self-defense.

Since then, it’s been…crickets when it comes to the Second Amendment. Despite a wealth of contradictory lower court rulings creating potential Supreme Court review of everything from carrying guns in public to prohibitions on “assault weapons” or magazine limitations, the Roberts-led Court has essentially refused to take on Second Amendment cases.

It’s been the hope of the pro-Second Amendment groups that the confirmation of a third Trump-appointed Justice, Amy Coney Barrett, would compel Chief Justice Roberts to once again revisit the many open questions regarding the right to keep and bear arms. So far, that’s not happened.

So what’s ahead? What’s the potential for the Supreme Court being forced to hear Second Amendment cases, especially with a less-than-friendly administration poised to take occupancy of the White House?

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to participate in a webinar given by the Liberty & Law Center of the Antonin Scalia Law School of George Mason University. During that webinar, Professor Nelson Lund and Associate Professor Robert Leader discussed a variety of topics, from the idea of “strict scrutiny” as the standard of 2A case review to the potential for executive actions being used against guns and gun ownership because legislative actions have proven to be a dead end for anti-gun groups.

Lund, author of The Future of the Second Amendment in a Time of Lawless Violence, says politicians hold too-narrow a definition of “public safety” and it drives some of the more unreasonable positions against guns. Instead, he writes, “the most practically important Second Amendment issue that is ripe for Supreme Court resolution concerns the scope of the constitutional right to bear arms in public.” Read more

Gun Control

Michigan: Alcona County Snowmobile Trails Temporarily Closed

Many state-designated snowmobile trails in Alcona County are temporarily closed due to safety challenges caused by heavy, wet snow that blanketed the area Saturday, Dec. 12.

Trees and branches, weighed down by the heavy snow, broke and fell onto trails, creating hazardous obstacles. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Huron-Manistee National Forest and the Alcona County Parks and Recreation Department have determined that riding conditions are unsafe at this time.

Snowmobile Trails No. 96 (west of Trail No. 665), 961, 962, 963, 964, 966 and 971 will remain closed until the debris is cleared, and reroutes will not be identified due to the widespread impact of the snow on trails throughout the region. It’s estimated that it will take up to two weeks for the grant sponsor, Alcona County Parks and Recreation, to safely clear the trails. Closure signs and blockades will be removed as trails are cleared and deemed safe for riding. Read more

General

ZEISS DTI 3/35 Thermal Imaging Camera

ZEISS DTI 3/35 – The First Thermal Imaging Camera from ZEISS

ZEISS unveils thermal imaging camera developed specifically for hunting

White Plains, NY – December 17, 2020 — ZEISS is proud to announce the release of the ZEISS DTI 3/35, its first thermal imaging camera specifically developed for hunting. The thermal imaging camera combines a high-resolution display that delivers detailed images with a well-balanced, ergonomic design. “The combination of high-contrast images in the dark with intuitive and ergonomic operation makes ZEISS thermal imaging technology the perfect choice for predator and feral hog hunting,” said Kyle Brown, Director of Marketing/Product at ZEISS Consumer Products for Carl Zeiss SBE, LLC. “As a result, we make it possible for hunters to accurately identify their target, even in poor lighting conditions, turning night into day.”

Thanks to the arrangement of the control buttons optimized as part of the ErgoControl concept and the device’s specially shaped design, the ZEISS DTI 3/35 is extremely intuitive to use. The buttons are arranged so that they can be identified quickly and accurately when it is dark, cold and with gloves on. Read more

Optics

SIG SAUER Electro-Optics SIERRA6BDX Riflescope Now Shipping

NEWINGTON, N.H. – SIG SAUER Electro-Optics is pleased to announce the SIERRA6BDX super zoom riflescope line to the Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX) family of products is now shipping. Designed by hunters for hunters the SIERRA6BDX riflescopes brings the advanced and streamlined features of BDX 2.0 to a premium super zoom HDX optic.

The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics BDX System combines traditional hunting equipment with technology. BDX 2.0 takes all of the advanced Applied Ballistics Ultralight and Bluetooth™ technology and adds simplified, and easy to use, functionality to get hunters and shooters on target with unprecedented speed and accuracy. New features of BDX 2.0 include nine pre-loaded, user-selectable Ballistic Drop Compensation (BDC) reticles in all SIERRA Riflescopes, eight ballistic groups pre-loaded in KILO BDX rangefinders and the QuickBOND™ feature that quickly bonds BDX rangefinders and scopes together as a ballistic system. The BDX 2.0 System is simple, fast, and intuitive – Just Connect The Dot.™ Read more

Optics

Realtree Fire Starter 50 Pack

COLUMBUS, Georgia — Enjoy a warm, cozy fire anytime with the help of the Realtree Fire Starters 50 Pack. The Realtree Fire Starters 50 Pack comes packed in a lightweight canister and can be used to start 50 or more fires.

The camouflage fire starters light when wet and burn at 750 degrees for up to 10 minutes. If the fire starters get wet or freeze, they will still light as they are 100% waterproof inside or outside of the packet.

Realtree Fire starters were designed to accompany the rest of your Realtree gear on your next hunting trip, camping trip or anywhere else you want or need a fire.

Features:

    • Includes 50 Realtree fire starter pouches
    • Can be used for charcoal grills, fireplaces, campfires, wood-burning stoves and more
    • 100% waterproof
    • Burn time: Up to 10 minutes
    • Light time: 0.5 to 2 seconds
    • Flame height: 8 to 13 inches (20.32 to 33.02 cm)
    • 30-Year shelf life

Read more

General

ALLEN Company Adds Trap & Skeet Products

Louisville, CO: Recent NICS data indicates a nearly 70% increase of firearm sales, when comparing Q3 of 2019 to Q3 of 2020. That is not “news” to anyone working near the shooting sports markets. What is noteworthy, however, is the impact that this phenomenon is having on the Trap and Skeet Shooting Category. This segment is being pulled along by typical active adult consumers and the nearly 10x increase in high school shooting programs across the nation.

ALLEN Company has taken notice of this spiked trendline with the introduction of 3 NEW Trap and Skeet product families.

The Competitor Series of products feature modern styling blending molded EVA foam, fashionable soft fabrics, and rip-stop materials together with pivotal product features shooters demand. Products showcasing these features include:

·Competitor Premium Range Bag featuring; removable tote/ ammo carrier, extra-long working mat as a great way to protect your firearms from getting scratched by on-demand range adjustments and cleaning, and a lockable main compartment to keep your firearms and valuables safe.

·Competitor All-In-One Shooting Bag featuring; mobile storage hub of organization holding 50 loaded shot shells/ 50 spent shot hulls in the same payload, a rapid-removal hull sack to dump your payload quickly and easily, and a space-aged, one-handed aluminum release buckle enabling you to release the bag from your waist with one hand-freeing the other hand to control your shotgun.

·Competitor Choke Tube Case featuring; extra-long choke tube vials for shooting disciplines that require long distances like target leagues or turkey and goose hunting. If you need a place for your choke wrenches, there’s also a smart little removable pouch included for you. Read more

Firearms

Michigan: journey of 1,200 feet moves state park’s historic building out of harm’s way

After months of planning, Orchard Beach State Park’s historic shelter building now sits a safe 230 feet back from the eroding Lake Michigan shoreline. The necessary, winding, 1,200-foot journey through this popular park in Manistee, Michigan, wasn’t swift; the entire move took 23 hours over three days, from Thursday, Dec. 10, to Saturday, Dec. 12.

For more than 70 years, the building sat perched high atop a bluff overlooking the Great Lake. However, high water and wave action have made the bluff unstable, requiring that the 850-ton building be relocated within the park to preserve its story, protect public safety and keep the building open for future recreation.

“The DNR proudly preserves and protects both natural and cultural assets,” said Ron Olson, chief of the Parks and Recreation Division within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Investing in this important place is an investment in the story of Michigan and preserves the memories of those who have enjoyed this iconic destination.” Read more

General

Zeta6 EDC Offset Speedstrip for 5-Shot J-Frame Revolvers

Gainesville, GA – Zeta Industries is please to introduce the Zeta6™ J-PAK™, an offset speedstrip that loads 3 and 2 in 5-shot J-frame revolvers chambered in 38SP/357. Traditional speedstrips load a 5-shot revolver in a 2-2-1 sequence. With J-PAK™, the familiar speedstrip design has been offset slightly to load in a 3-2 sequence, loading three rounds in the first motion. Its narrow profile makes it great for concealed pocket carry. The thin, flexible material allows the cartridges to flex and conform when in a pocket yet align the rounds perfectly when reloading a revolver. And like the K-PAK™, two J-PAKs can be nested together to carry ten rounds in a little more space than only five. This is the fourth speedloader product in the Zeta6 brand for 5-shot J-frames. www.zetasix.com

“Our goal was to design a narrow, EDC/pants-pocket speedloader that offered advantages over conventional speedstrips, and could still be carried discreetly.”, says designer Michael Lyle. “The commercial success of our first offset strip, K-PAK™, resulted in substantial customer feedback asking for a J-frame version. During the design process, we learned that by adding an extra sixth socket we could make the product ambidextrous.”, continues Michael Lyle. “Depending on which of the two middle sockets are left empty, the user can configure J-PAK for either left- or right-hand use. And the empty middle socket creates a finger gap that can be used for added stability.”

The Zeta6™ J-PAK™ works perfectly with all 5-shot J-frame size revolvers chambered in 38 Special and 357 Magnum. Read more

Ammunition

QuietKat Announces the Sherpa Cargo e-Bike

When you need to carry a lot of gear up to the highest points on earth, you count on Sherpas to help make the journey possible. The QuietKat Sherpa is based on the Villager model and includes a longer wheelbase and an integrated rear rack to carry all the gear you need. Perfect for a trip to the lake, to the park, or take an epic multi-day adventure!

The Sherpa comes standard with a 750-watt hub-drive motor and 203mm disc brakes that give enough power to climb steep hills and mountains, as well as plenty of stopping power to inspire confidence on technical descents. A premium RST Coil Suspension Fork and 3” plus-size all-terrain tires make for a smooth and comfortable ride on a variety of terrain from paved paths, dirt roads, snow, sand, and everything in-between. Check out the all-new Sherpa at www.quietkat.com!

General

Michigan: Give-Or Get- the Gift of Outdoor Recreation Skills

Looking for the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast on your holiday shopping list, or maybe for yourself? The DNR Outdoor Skills Academy can help.

Offering in-depth, expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of activities – from fishing and hunting to finding wild mushrooms – 2021 Outdoor Skills Academy classes are now available for purchase online.

“Wondering what to get the hunter, angler or nature lover who has everything? Send them to an Outdoor Skills Academy class!” said Ed Shaw, interpreter at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center and originator of the OSA program. “Our classes offer more than just a brief taste of outdoor activities – we spend a full day or more teaching the needed skills to get out and confidently try them.”

Classes in the new year include:

  • Bear Hunting Clinic
  • Fly Fishing Clinic for Beginners
  • Hard Water School (ice fishing class) and Advanced Hard Water School
  • Steelhead Clinic
  • Trapping Clinic
  • Walleye Clinic
  • Whitetail Food Plot Clinic
  • Wild Turkey Hunting Clinic
  • Wild Mushroom Clinic

Cost for most of the classes is $25-40. All of them will take place at the Carl T. Johnson Center, located inside Mitchell State Park in Cadillac. Classes at other locations around the state may be added to the calendar throughout the year.

For class dates, detailed descriptions and registration information, visit Michigan.gov/OutdoorSkills. Read more

Fishing, Hunting
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