Michigan: the expanding mission of conservation officers

The mission of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division is to, “protect Michigan’s natural resources and the environment, and the health and safety of the public through effective law enforcement and education.”

It is a physically and mentally demanding career that officers and their families commit their lives to.

“Our mission evolves based on how our citizens and stakeholders engage in outdoor recreation,” said Steven Burton, assistant chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “Our mission has been shifting for 133 years.”

Early conservation

State historical documents explain that the conservation movement began during a time when most people thought natural resources were in infinite supply.

Michigan citizens then realized there was a shortage of game, fish, timber and land due to human overexploitation and took it upon themselves to preserve what remained. As a result, citizens identified the need for natural resources regulation.

William Alden Smith was appointed the state’s first game warden in 1887, establishing the Law Enforcement Division. Smith was one of the first salaried wardens in the United States and began a tradition of excellence the division continues to adhere to today. Read more

Fishing, Hunting

Beretta 92X $100 Back Promotion Continues

(Accokeek, MD) Now through March 31, 2020, Beretta will continue to run a promotion in which you will be eligible to receive a $100 rebate when you buy any of these eligible Beretta 92X series pistols: Full-Size, Centurion, and Compact with and without rail (excludes the new Beretta 92X Performance).

Eligible guns must be new, purchased, and paid in full between the dates of February 1, 2020 and March 31, 2020. Read more

Firearms

New Umarex Fusion 2 Sends 9 Rounds in Silence

Umarex USA continues blazing the path to deliver innovation, adventure and performance at an attractive price with the new Umarex Fusion 2 CO2 powered bolt action air rifle. The original Umarex Fusion pellet rifle was a CO2 powered bolt action design that was very popular for backyard plinking and quiet pest control. Umarex has carried over the best aspects of the original Umarex Fusion and added to it a re-designed SilencAir muzzle device, a nine-shot rotary magazine, a flexible CO2 power system, and an all-new stock design.

The original Umarex Fusion was popular because of its accuracy, quietness, and compact design. These three elements remain the bedrock to which Umarex began their revamp of this classic rifle. The first thing shooters will notice about the Umarex Fusion 2 is how quiet it is. Umarex re-worked the SilencAir for better performance and a bold look. Shooters will notice the impact of the pellet on the target as louder than the muzzle report. Read more

Firearms

Michigan Preemption Bill Passes House

Knife Rights’ Michigan Knife Law Preemption bill, HB 5286, the “Michigan Knife Rights Act,” was passed by the House with a bipartisan vote of 71-36. It will now move to the Senate.

Thanks to all who used Knife Rights’ Legislative Action Center to email their legislators. We will let you know when it is time to again contact legislators on this bill.

Sponsor Rep. Steven Johnson said, “One of the things my constituents sent me to Lansing to do is to clear up confusion in government. This common-sense change will ensure that law-abiding individuals carrying knives for work and recreation only need to know the state law, instead of the ordinances of multiple jurisdictions they travel through.”

Knife Rights is proud to work with Rep. Johnson on this important legislation. We believe that the citizens of Michigan, and all states for that matter, have a right to expect that the law regarding knives is consistent and consistently applied by law enforcement no matter where you are in the state. We are proud to partner with organizations like the ACLU to support this criminal justice reform legislation.

Preemption prevents enforcement of existing local knife ordinances, and prohibits new ordinances, more restrictive than state law which only serve to confuse or entrap law-abiding citizens traveling within or through the state.

In 2017 Knife Rights’ Michigan Switchblade Ban Repeal bill was enacted. HB 5286 would ensure that automatic knives are legal throughout Michigan. Read more

Cutlery

Escort’s New PS Turkey Hunter

Bentonville, AR – Escort’s proven PS line of semi-automatic shotguns are now available in turkey-specific models. The PS Turkey Hunter is available in 12-GA, 20-GA, and .410-Cal and is tailored with the turkey shooter in mind. Common to many Escort semi-automatic shotguns, the PS Turkey Hunter features Hatsan’s FAST Loading System and Smart Valve Piston technologies. The FAST Loading System enables faster and easier loading with one hand and without the need to change shooting position. The loading button acts as both a carrier latch release for loading and the bolt release when the bolt is locked back. This gun’s Smart Valve Piston will cycle 7/8 oz, 2 ¾” all the way up to 3″ full magnum loads, credited to its self-regulating design. This patented design is so reliable that one can mix heavy and light loads in the same magazine without a hiccup.

The PS Turkey Hunter is available in two camo patterns: RealTree APG and Mossy Oak BottomLand. Each gun ships with 3 interchangeable chokes suitable for a variety of turkey hunting situations. A 5-inch long cantilever optics rail features 4 cross-slots to accommodate a variety of Weaver mounts. The gun is also equipped with bright fiber optic front and rear sights for low-light hunting. The red front fiber is windage adjustable while the green fiber rear sight is both windage and elevation adjustable. Both fibers can be removed entirely to make way for mounted optics. All of Hatsan’s barrels are hard chrome lined for maximum durability and corrosion resistance. Read more

Firearms

Nikon Announces All-New ACULON T02 Binoculars

Melville, NY – Nikon’s celebrated ability to bring the action closer to you is now easier to bring with you. The all-new ACULON T02 family of binoculars are available in two different magnifications and three colors to make the perfect pairing for travel, family sporting events, concerts or any time a closer view while on the go is desired.Available in both 8×21 and 10×21 models, and three different colors, the ACULON T02 offers users much more than enhanced viewing for adventures and events. 8×21 models are available in a sleek blue or white, while the 10×21 model is offered in the classic black. Weighing a mere 6.9 ounces and less than 3.5” in length, the ACULON T02 family is the perfect companion to bring along.Bright, crisp and detailed viewing is made possible by Nikon’s multilayer-coated lenses in every ACULON T02 model. Large center-focusing ring for smooth operation as well as turn-and-slide rubber eyecups facilitate an easy, enjoyable and comfortable viewing experience.

Whether you are hiking in the mountains, sightseeing historic locations, watching a sporting event or attending a concert, the ACULON T02 binoculars will greatly enhance the experience and enjoyment. Read more

Optics

Dan Wesson Vigil 1911 Series

Kansas City, KS – A more affordable entry into the Dan Wesson lineup of high-quality semi-automatics, the Vigil Series 1911 pistols are built around a forged aluminum frame with a stainless-steel slide. The round-top slide sports a tritium night sight on the front and a serrated tactical rear sight. The front strap is checkered at 25 lines per inch, as is the rear strap, and the Vigil’s feature a rounded butt for comfortable carry.

The aluminum frame is a real weight saver, too, shaving off approximately six ounces in the Vigil Government-size compared to standard Government-size 1911s. All Vigil 1911’s are made from premium components and feature a beveled magazine well, carry bevel treatment, undercut trigger guards, and hand-polished flats. The Dan Wesson triggers are crisp and creep-free and are set at 3.5 to 5 pounds. Each pistol comes with two magazines.

In addition to the government model with a five-inch barrel, Dan Wesson offers these Vigil options: Read more

Firearms

Hatsan FlashPup Synthetic QE PCP Rifles

Bentonville, AR – Hot on the heels of Hatsan’s recent introduction of the light-weight affordable PCP rifles is the FlashPup Synthetic QE. Modeled after the original FlashPup, the FlashPup SYN features a durable, light-weight, all-weather synthetic polymer stock. This compact bullpup rifle weighs in at just over 6 pounds, and it is only 32 inches long but packs up to 40 ft-lb of energy-generating wallop. The enhanced side cocking lever makes cycling the rifle easier than traditional bolt-action style guns. Two self-indexing S/Roto-Index magazines are included, along with a clip-in single-shot tray that caters to more precision shooting tactics. Read more

Firearms

Hawke Optics’ New Vantage 30 WA IR .223/.308 Marksman Riflescope

The Newest Vantage Wide-Angle Scope in 3-9×42 Adds a New Compact Option in Affordable Accuracy For AR Platform Rifles

Hawke® Optics is a leader at producing quality sporting optics that perform in the field at a stellar value for the consumer. For 2020, Hawke adds to the popular Vantage 30 WA series of riflescopes that have a strong reputation for clarity, eye relief and field of view at a budget-friendly price.

The Hawke Vantage 30 WA 3-9×42 IR scope comes with a precision reticle designed for the popular 223/308 calibers. This compact scope is perfect for your AR-15, AR-10 or any rifle chambered for .223, or .308, with a special reticle calibrated and optimized for these calibers. The illuminated crosshairs are set from 100 yards to 600 yards, making the popular scope a true threat for longer range shooting too. The 3-9 power magnification provides great versatility and the 42mm objective lens maximizes light transmission and clarity. Hawke Optics proved that lowered prices don’t have to mean lowered quality and accuracy with the popular Vantage 30 WA scopes. Read more

Optics

SAF Sues Connecticut Over Mag Limit

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation and Connecticut Citizens Defense League have filed suit in Federal District Court challenging the State of Connecticut’s prohibition on ammunition magazines holding more than ten rounds, or loading more than ten cartridges into a so-called “high capacity magazine.”

The lawsuit is filed on behalf of Connecticut residents Susan Ross and Domenic Basile. Plaintiffs are represented by noted civil rights attorney David Jensen of New York.

Named as defendants are Connecticut State Police Col. Stavros Mellekas; Commissioner James C. Rovella of the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and Chief State’s Attorney Richard J. Colangelo, Jr., all in their official capacities. The case is known as Ross v. Mellekas.

The lawsuit alleges state violations of the Second and Fourteenth amendments. Since 2013, Connecticut statute has prohibited individuals from having magazines containing more than ten rounds of ammunition. Violations of the statute can be prosecuted as Class D felonies.

Ross owns a pistol with an original-capacity magazine that can hold 17 cartridges and Basile has pistols that hold 15 rounds in their magazines. Both are licensed to carry for personal and family protection, yet they justifiably worry that they could be prosecuted for carrying fully-loaded defensive sidearms under the state law. Read more

Gun Control
1 … 940 941 942 943 944 … 2,055