NSSF-Adjusted NICS Background Checks for July 2024

The July 2024 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,064,790 is an increase of 4.0 percent compared to the July 2023 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,023,903.

For comparison, the unadjusted July 2024 FBI NICS figure of 2,021,235 reflects a 1.7 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 1,987,650 in July 2023.

July 2024 marks the 60th consecutive month, 5 years, that has exceeded 1 million adjusted background checks in a single month.

Please note: Twenty-four states currently have at least one qualified alternative permit, which under the Brady Act allows the permit-holder, who has undergone a background check to obtain the permit, to purchase a firearm from a licensed dealer without a separate additional background check for that transfer. The number of NICS checks in these states does not include these legal transfers based on qualifying permits and NSSF does not adjust for these transfers.

The adjusted NICS data were derived by subtracting out NICS purpose code permit checks and permit rechecks used by states for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. NSSF started subtracting permit rechecks in February 2016. Read more

Firearms

C&H Precision Partners with Taurus, Tyrant CNC for Dog Days of Summer Giveaway

C&H Precision has joined Taurus and Tyrant CNC in a prize packed giveaway to help shooters battle the summer heat. One randomly selected grand prize winner will receive a prize package consisting of different products carefully selected by each brand. The promotion begins at 9:00 a.m. EST on August 6, 2024, and ends on August 16, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

To enter and view the full terms and conditions, visit the sweepstakes entry page here.

2024 Dog Days of Summer Giveaway Grand Prize: Read more

Contests, Firearms

Luth-AR Launches Exciting August Giveaway

Buffalo, MN – Luth-AR, the leading provider of high-quality AR accessories, is thrilled to announce its latest giveaway for the month of August 2024. This month, participants have the chance to win an AR Armorer Wrench™.

The AR Armorer Wrench Is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the AR Armorer Wrench, from Luth-AR, is a versatile and indispensable companion for every firearm enthusiast. It combines durability, functionality, and ease of use to deliver unparalleled performance. This wrench effortlessly handles a wide range of tasks, including barrel nut installation and removal, castle nut tightening, flash hider installation, and more.

Uses: Read more

Firearms

Michigan Bear Forum, Furtaker User Group meetings set for August in St. Ignace

Hunting and trapping are an undeniable part of Michigan’s outdoor traditions. New and veteran hunters and trappers and anyone interested in how the Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages wildlife populations are invited to two upcoming opportunities in St. Ignace: the Michigan Furtaker User Group meeting (Aug. 23) and the Michigan Bear Forum (Aug. 24). Keep reading for details about each event, including links to surveys to collect recommendations that will help shape the discussions.

Hunting

Springfield Armory Announces New Echelon Gear Up Promotion

GENESEO, ILL. – Beginning August 1st, customers who purchase any new Springfield Armory® Echelon™ 9mm pistol will qualify to receive a “Gear Up” package featuring three extra magazines and a Springfield Armory dual pistol bag with the Crossed Cannon™ logo. This entire package totals up to a $170 added value.

The Echelon sets a new standard for modern, striker-fired duty pistols. With a host of patent-pending features, this modular and highly adaptable handgun is designed around a robust stainless steel chassis and revolutionary optics mounting system. Engineered with superior ergonomics and built to withstand the harshest conditions, the Echelon takes its rightful place at the front of the pack.

“Since its launch last year, the Echelon has proven itself to be a serious contender in the duty-grade 9mm pistol market with its robust performance and extreme adaptability,” said Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing for Springfield Armory. “With this new Gear Up promotion, customers will get the added value of three additional spare magazines and a high-quality range bag for this unparalleled 9mm pistol.” Read more

Firearms, Promotions

New Federal Premium Ultra Steel Waterfowl Loads Now Available

ANOKA, Minnesota –– Federal Ammunition launches Ultra Steel, a new Premium® product line designed for waterfowlers. Product details and availability can be found on the brand website.

Ultra Steel (federalpremium.com)

“Waterfowlers live for those moments when the birds do it right. And in those moments, they want a shell that does the rest,” said Federal Shotshell Product Manager Josh Vickers. “Our new Federal Premium Ultra Steel will exceed expectations. It blends the rear-opening FLITECONTROL FLEX wad with a payload of our best zinc-plated steel, producing extremely tight patterns for even deadlier performance.”

Federal Premium Ultra Steel loads are available in various standard payloads and double-stack loads that feature two sizes of shot: smaller pellets that create full patterns and larger ones that deliver better lethality. They feature reliable primers and clean-burning propellant with 12—or 20-gauge options. They are packaged in 25-count boxes.

“Our spherical, zinc-plated steel shot creates denser core patterns; the results in the core 15-inch circle are quite impressive,” continued Vickers. The new double stack payloads make it great for multispecies hunts, such as using BB & 2 blends on field hunts when either honkers or mallards could be coming in at any time.” Read more

Ammunition

SAF Wins Partial Judgment in Maryland Carry Law Challenge

BELLEVUE, Wash. —— A federal court in Maryland has handed a victory to the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners in a challenge of the state law restricting carry in certain locations, declaring three provisions in the statute to be unconstitutional. The case is known as Novotny v. Moore.

Chief U.S. District Judge George L. Russell III for the District of Maryland, a Barack Obama appointee, issued the 13-page ruling and a separate order granting summary judgment enjoining the state from enforcing provisions in the law which restrict the carrying of firearms in: (1) locations selling alcohol for onsite-consumption, (2) private buildings or property without the owner’s consent, and (3) within 1,000 feet of a public demonstration.

“We are pleased that the Court found Maryland’s draconian ‘anti-carry’ rule to be unconstitutional,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “Such a provision flies in the face of this nation’s history and tradition. Of course, we will examine the court’s opinion and weigh our options for appeal to continue to challenge other provisions we believe are unconstitutional.”

SAF is joined by Maryland Shall Issue, the Firearms Policy Coalition and three private citizens, all of whom possess “wear and carry permits,” including Susan Burke of Reisterstown, Esther Rossberg of Baltimore, and Katherine Novotny of Aberdeen, for whom the lawsuit is named. They are represented by attorneys David H. Thompson and Peter A. Patterson at Cooper & Kirk in Washington, D.C., Mark W. Pennak at Maryland Shall Issue in Baltimore, and Matthew Larosiere from Lake Worth, Fla. The case was consolidated with a similar case known as Kipke v. Moore. Read more

Gun Control

Trump’s Fitting Comments on DEI and Kamala Harris’ Appointment

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

When President Trump commented on President Biden’s push to factor-in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in his regime at the National Association of Black Journalists’ appearance recently, he was widely criticized for essentially indicating race was the reason for her appointment.  Interestingly enough, Biden made the following public comments in May 2024.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: “They’re trying to erase Black history. We’re going to write Black history because it’s American history.

It’s American history. Together, we make history, not erase it.

To me, the values of diversity, equality, inclusion are literally — and this is not kidding — the core strengths of America. That’s why I’m proud to have the most diverse administration in history that taps into the full talents of our country. And it starts at the top with the Vice President.”

So, who’s trying to erase history?  If the shoe fits, wear it!

 

General

Presque Isle County man arraigned after DNR discovered 85 abused, abandoned animals

Aug. 2, 2024

Scott Allen Thompson, 56, of Hawks, was arraigned  by a judge in Montmorency County 88th District Court, following an animal cruelty investigation conducted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Thompson pleaded not guilty to four charges, including:

  • One felony of failing to provide animals with adequate care, punishable of up to seven years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines and community service.
  • One misdemeanor of animal cruelty, punishable of up to 93 days in jail with up to $1,000 in fines and up to 200 hours of community service.
  • Two misdemeanors for improper burial of dead animals, each punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to $500 in fines.

“This is a rare situation for the DNR to get involved in, as domestic animal complaints and investigations are not our primary responsibility or focus. However, there were no other resources available,” said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “This is a very large-scale animal abuse case, and something had to be done.”

In June, DNR conservation officers initially responded to the more than 50-acre Thompson family property, located in Atlanta, with a search warrant regarding a dead horse. They located a total of 10 deceased animals, including: four geese, two chickens and a horse, pig, quail and rabbit.

The owners were ordered to properly bury the horse. The other nine animals were sent to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in East Lansing, where lab personal determined starvation and dehydration were the causes of death.

On , conservation officers returned to the property with a second search warrant. They were shocked to find numerous animals starving, with no water and poor living conditions. Read more

Wildlife

Montana Releases 2023 Wolf Report; Population Strong After Increased Harvest

The wolf population in Montana remains healthy, according to the 2023 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wolf Report. Increased harvest during the 2023 wolf season has not yet resulted in an estimated decline to the statewide total. However, FWP biologists expect to see a moderate decline in wolf numbers next year resulting from the increased harvest in early 2024.

“We are committed to following the law to reduce wolf numbers to a sustainable level, which means ensuring Montana has a healthy state managed population,” said Quentin Kujala, FWP Chief of Conservation Policy. “The statewide wolf population estimate for calendar year 2023 is approximately 1,100 wolves, similar to 2022. However, we are seeing declines in the estimated number of wolves and wolf packs in Regions 3 and 4, which suggests the combination of hunting, trapping, and conflict management removals can effectively reduce wolf numbers.”

An example of this moderate decline is in FWP Region 3, where wolf population estimates have gradually declined from 214 in 2020, to 178 in 2023. Statewide, wolf harvest from Jan. 1 through March 15 was 176 wolves in 2024, compared to 144 over the same period in 2023. Both trends indicate a moderate decline in wolf numbers FWP biologists expect to be illustrated in the 2024 wolf report that will come out during the summer of 2025.

The estimated statewide wolf population for 2023 was 1,096, just one less than the 2022 estimated population and slightly below the 10-year average of 1,140 wolves but well above recovery thresholds. The number of wolf packs was 181, spread over 66,000 square miles. Total wolf harvest for the 2023-2024 wolf season was 286 wolves, which was an increase from 258 taken during the 2022-23 season.

Livestock conflicts, confirmed livestock losses and wolf removals were all down considerably in 2023, according to the report. Wildlife Services confirmed the loss of 32 livestock to wolves, including 23 cattle and eight sheep; one livestock guard dog was also killed by wolves. This total was lower than numbers from 2012 to 2022. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife
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