Firearm Industry News Archives | Page 11 of 46

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021

SAF Launching Nationwide TV Campaign to Protect 2A from Biden-Harris

From SAF

Next week, the Second Amendment Foundation is launching a new nationwide TV campaign to protect the Second Amendment by joining SAF’s popular “2nd Amendment First Responder” program.

The 2nd Amendment First Responder project has brought tens of thousands of gun rights activists to the front lines in what promises to be a battle royal over the right to keep and bear arms.

“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have been crystal clear about their gun control and confiscation intentions since Day One,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “There is no way to misunderstand where they want to take America, and in order to get there, they plan to trample the Second Amendment. We’re launching a new television advertising effort to recruit more 2A First Responders.”

The one-minute message, which will appear 40 times on several TV networks, pulls no punches. The lineup includes DirecTV, Fox News, Fox Business, CNN, MSNBC, The Weather Channel, One America News Network, CNBC, HLN, Bloomberg and Dish TV. It tells viewers their Second Amendment rights are under attack like no other time in history. Biden and Harris have pledged to make taking away your Second Amendment rights a top priority of their administration.

“The Biden-Harris plan includes a ban on so-called ‘assault rifles’ and magazines, with those already in private hands to be regulated and taxed under provisions of the National Firearms Act,” Gottlieb said. “They plan to impose a one-gun-purchase-per-month restriction, they want to require licensing before anyone can even purchase a firearm, and impose waiting periods and invasive background checks.

“Long story short,” he observed, “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are going to treat the Second Amendment like a heavily-regulated privilege instead of a fundamental constitutional right. Gun owners can fight back by enlisting in the 2nd Amendment First Responder program. Just text ‘PROTECT 2A’ to ‘474747’ and gun owners will be able to join this movement immediately.

“Biden and Harris have aligned themselves with wealthy anti-gunners like Michael Bloomberg,” he stated. “They want to appoint self-styled gun grabber Beto O’Rourke as their ‘gun czar.’ They want a fight and we’re going to give them one.”

The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021

NSSF Commends Rep. Duncan’s Introduction of the Hearing Protection Act

From NSSF

The NSSF, the firearm industry’s trade association, commends U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan’s (R-S.C.) introduction of the Hearing Protection Act, H.R. 95. The legislation was introduced with 36 original co-sponsors. The bill would remove firearm suppressors from the list of definitions under the 1934 National Firearms Act (NFA), eliminating onerous and duplicitous background checks. Instead, what is essentially a muffler for a gun would be regulated under the 1968 Gun Control Act (GCA) with the same background check that is required for a retail firearm purchase.

Firearm suppressors are legal to own and possess in 42 states and 40 states allow them for hunting.

“This legislation removes barriers to owning an accessory that makes recreational shooting and hunting safer, more accurate and allows shooting ranges to be better neighbors,” said Lawrence Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Firearm suppressors are a safety device designed to make recreational shooting safer. They were originally listed under the NFA over concerns of poaching during the Great Depression, but that never bore out. Even today, suppressors are exceedingly rarely used in crime. NSSF thanks Congressman Duncan for his leadership to remove barriers to safe recreational shooting.”

Firearm suppressors, legally but inaccurately referred to as “silencers,” are devices that reduce the report of a firearm from a level roughly equal to that of a jet taking off which causes instant and permanent hearing loss to one that is safe, but still equal to a jackhammer. That decibel level will not permanently damage hearing. Suppressors work similar to a car’s muffler, redirecting exhaust gases and was originally patented more than 100 years ago by the same designer of car mufflers, Hiram Maxim.

The Marine Corps recently announced the fielding of 30,000 suppressors after extensive field testing demonstrated their use significantly reduced noise and permanent hearing loss among Marines. Many countries in Europe that have stringent gun control laws require the use of a suppressor when hunting or recreationally shooting. They are widely available and can often be purchased in a hardware store without the need for a background check.

Under current law, an individual purchasing a suppressor must locate a retailer that is regulated as a NFA Class III dealer, complete a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Form 4 with the model and serial number of the suppressor, and obtain two passport photos and fingerprint cards from a local police department. The local chief law enforcement official must receive a completed copy of the application. Then the form, photographs and fingerprints must be sent to ATF along with a check to pay the $200 tax. Currently, it takes ATF about nine months to process the paperwork. Then, the customer can obtain the suppressor from the NFA Class III dealer upon an additional background check through FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Congressman Duncan’s legislation would eliminate those requirements and make suppressors available with the same paperwork, markings, record keeping and background check approval that is required for a firearm.

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021

True Velocity Completes Shipment of Composite-Cased Ammo to U.S. Army

From True Velocity

Texas-based ammunition manufacturer, True Velocity, finalized delivery of more than 625,000 rounds of the company’s proprietary composite-cased 6.8mm ammunition to the U.S. Army for consideration in the Next Generation Squad Weapon Program (NGSW). This milestone marks a significant point in the review process to become the U.S. Army’s next choice in small arms Ammunition, which is anticipated to effectively replace the standard 5.56x45mm round carried by many soldiers.

The U.S. Army initially shortlisted True Velocity’s composite-cased ammunition in August 2019 as a finalist for the NGSW program and the first shipment of 6.8mm True Velocity ammunition was delivered to the Army in August 2020. Following this most recent delivery, the Army will test the ammunition in a variety of settings throughout 2021 before issuing a final decision on contracts related to NGSW participation.

“It has been a long, exciting road to get to this point,” said Chris Tedford, president of True Velocity. “We have consistently been able to demonstrate the effectiveness and superior performance of True Velocity’s designs and manufacturing processes time and time again, proving that we represent the obvious choice for the future of military small arms ammunition. Due to the dedication of our team, we are living up to our ethos of making ammunition perfect for our warfighters.”

True Velocity’s proprietary 6.8mm composite-cased ammunition presented to the U.S. Army boasts significant advantages over brass ammunition including a 30 percent weight reduction, improved accuracy, optimized muzzle velocity and increased ballistic efficiency. True Velocity’s manufacturing processes and infrastructure are also being reviewed by the U.S. Army, as the company’s technology and designs could drastically increase efficiency through automation and a substantial reduction in manufacturing footprint. A True Velocity production cell that occupies just 2,640 square feet can produce as many as 27 million rounds per year.

“We look forward to continuing the review process alongside the U.S. Army and exceeding their expectations in every way possible,” said Kevin Boscamp, CEO of True Velocity. “True Velocity rounds will not only give warfighters a significant advantage in the field, but we believe our products and processes will save institutions such as the Department of Defense millions of dollars in logistics costs. We are eagerly anticipating their decision.”

For more information, visit tvammo.com

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021

Washington State Legislature to Introduce “Large Capacity” Magazine and Open Carry Bans

From NSSF

Over the past few legislative cycles in Washington State, the firearm industry has been successful in narrowly stopping multiple efforts by the legislature to ban “large capacity magazines” and modern sporting rifles (MSRs) or what is being termed as “assault rifles.”

It appears 2021 will be more of the same in the Evergreen State. NSSF’s Government Relations – State Affairs team learned SB 5078 has been prefilled. If enacted, SB 5078 would make it a criminal offense to manufacture, possess, distribute, import, sell, purchase or transfer a magazine with a capacity greater than 10 rounds.

Additionally, SB 5038 was introduced and while mostly focused on banning an individual’s right to open carry, it also contains a troubling provision for retailers. It gives municipalities some authority to use zoning ordinances for the purposes of limiting the lawful commerce and location of firearm retailers.

NSSF®’s Government Relations – State Affairs team is committed to defeating all egregious bills this session and will provide updates on the situation as the session unfolds. As we get more information in the coming days, we’ll follow up this alert with ways you can help us defeat this anti-industry bill. In the interim:

Please contact your legislator and tell them to vote no on SB 5078! You can find your legislator by clicking here.

The legislature convenes Monday. This year will present additional challenges after the 2020 election and due to COVID-19. Washington plans to conduct the 2021 session mostly remotely and in other states, we’ve seen testimony on our side limited.

For information on the 2021 Washington Legislative Session can be found here.

January 7, 2021January 7, 2021

Gun sales set record in 2020

Photo by Guy J. Sagi, Copyright 2021

From Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting

Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) estimates total gun sales for 2020 came in at roughly 23 million. December 2020 U.S. firearms unit sales were 2.1 million units, a year-over-year increase of 24% from December 2019, and about half of the November year-over-year increase.

SAAF’s firearms unit sales estimates are based on raw data taken from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), adjusted for checks unlikely to be related to end-user firearms sales. For example, the FBI’s raw numbers (for December, some 3,904,879) cannot be taken at face value as large numbers of background checks are unrelated to end-user sales. As a case in point, in December the state of Illinois conducted about 830,000 so-called permit checks and rechecks alone whereas end-user unit sales at firearms retailers likely amounted to about 54,000. SAAF makes certain other adjustments to the data based on retailer reports and other information; nonetheless, the estimates still likely understate the true number of sales.

SAAF Chief Economist Jurgen Brauer comments that “while December 2020 continued the year’s record-breaking pace – summing to almost 23 million units – December’s 24% year-over-year increase was by far the smallest such monthly increase since March 2020.”

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

Riton Optics Products Available on Strelok Pro Ballistic Calculator

From Riton Optics

Veteran owned optics company, Riton Optics, is proud to announce the addition of their riflescope line to the Strelok Pro Ballistic Calculator.

Providing field proven accuracy since 2001, Strelok Pro has proven itself to be among the top ballistic calculators available to shooters worldwide. With apps available for both Android and iOS platforms, shooters are guaranteed to be right on target with every shot sent downrange.

In order to utilize the platform, simply select Riton optic and reticle combo and input the data to receive corrections. Custom data inputs for distance, wind speed and direction, slope angle, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, altitude, ammunition data (handloads and factory ammo), barrel twist rate, and much more are all included in the app.

Riton’s Director of Product Development, Jeremiah Alexander, has the following to say regarding Strelok Pro: “Being new to the shooting game can be overwhelming. A good ballistics calculator is key in getting impacts where you want them and collecting data along the way. I’ve used no application more intuitive than Strelok Pro. Thanks to the Strelok and Riton partnership, I have been able to consistently shoot past two miles.”

For more information about Strelok Pro and to download the app, visit the app store on your selected device.

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

NSSF Hails Proposed Concealed Carry Reciprocity Legislation

From NSSF

NSSF®, the firearm industry’s trade association, hailed U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson’s (R-N.C.) introduction of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2021, H.R. 38, on the first day of the 117th Congress. The legislation was introduced with bipartisan support and 154 original co-sponsors, demonstrating the wide-ranging support for protecting law-abiding concealed carry permit holders from navigating a patchwork of varying gun control laws when crossing a state line.

The bill aims to eliminate the confusion of varying state-by-state laws and provide protection for Second Amendment rights for permit holders. The legislation would allow handgun owners who are legally permitted and authorized by their home state to carry a concealed firearm in other states while complying with the laws of each state – much in the same way a driver’s license is recognized.

“This legislation provides an answer to the confusing patchwork of laws surrounding concealed carry permits, particularly with regard to states where laws make unwitting criminals out of legal permit holders for a simple mistake of a wrong traffic turn,” said Lawrence Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “It safeguards a state’s right to determine their own laws while protecting the Second Amendment rights of all Americans. We thank Rep. Hudson for his leadership on behalf of America’s hunters and recreational shooters.”

“Our Second Amendment rights do not disappear when we cross state lines, and H.R. 38 guarantees that,” said Rep. Hudson. “The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2021 is a common sense solution to provide law-abiding citizens the right to conceal carry and travel freely between states without worrying about conflicting state codes or onerous civil suits. I am especially proud to have such widespread and bipartisan support for this measure and will work with my colleagues to get this legislation over the finish line.”

Unlike other rights protected by the U.S. Constitution, the right to keep and bear arms is regulated differently by individual states. While individual rights to speech, religion and protections of Due Process or Search and Seizure are constant, gun rights vary according to the state. Reciprocity agreements exist, but not between all states and are ever-changing. That puts individuals at risk of running afoul of varying state-by-state laws when traveling and crossing borders.

The pitfalls of these varying state-by-state laws were exposed when Philadelphia resident Shaneen Allen faced up to five years in prison for bringing a firearm into New Jersey in 2013. She held a valid license to carry in Pennsylvania, but not in neighboring New Jersey. The mother-of-two voluntarily told a law enforcement officer of the firearm during a traffic stop, but was still arrested, charged, convicted and spent 48 days in jail – all for having made a wrong turn and accidentally crossing state line. Fortunately, after an 18-month legal ordeal, Republican Gov. Chris Christie pardoned Allen. Others are not so lucky.

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

USCCA Applauds House Introduction of Concealed Carry Reciprocity Legislation

From USCCA

On behalf of its over 500,000 members nationwide, the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) today commended U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-8) for introducing H.R. 38, The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2021, on the first day of the 117th Congress. This important bill aims to eliminate the confusion caused by a patchwork of state-by-state laws to ensure that concealed carry permits issued in one home state would be considered valid in other states, similar to a drivers’ license.

“Congress has an obligation to help responsible, law-abiding Americans keep their loved ones safe. With almost 20 million concealed carry permit holders nationwide and five million new gun owners in 2020 alone, national concealed carry reciprocity legislation is more important than ever,” said Tim Schmidt, President and Founder of the USCCA. “The current patchwork of state and local laws is overly complex for even the most conscientious concealed carry permit holders. It puts law-abiding citizens at risk of being charged with a crime or worse, being left in a situation where they cannot defend themselves or their families.”

“Our Second Amendment rights do not disappear when we cross state lines, and H.R. 38 guarantees that,” Rep. Hudson said today. “The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2021 is a common-sense solution to provide law-abiding citizens the right to conceal carry and travel freely between states without worrying about conflicting state codes or onerous civil suits. I am especially proud to have such widespread and bipartisan support for this measure and will work with my colleagues to get this legislation over the finish line.”

“The USCCA thanks Congressman Hudson for his continued leadership in supporting those who have chosen the awesome responsibility of being their family’s first line of defense. Whether it’s a family visiting relatives across state lines, a business owner traveling for work, or a single mother who lives in a community bordering a neighboring state, Americans should have the right to protect themselves and their families at all times. It is beyond time that Congress acts to ensure our laws provide common-sense protections for these responsible Americans,” Schmidt concluded.

USCCA’s President and Founder Tim Schmidt has appeared on leading national shows like 60 Minutes and C-Span’s Washington Journal to discuss the importance of national reciprocity. He has also authored op-eds in The Hill, Fox Business and other top publications in support of concealed carry permit holders. The legislation was previously passed by the House in a bipartisan vote in 2017 but was not acted on in the Senate.

The U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) – headquartered in West Bend, WI – is the largest and fastest-growing association whose sole focus is providing self-defense education and training to responsible American gun owners. For more information on how to get self-defense education and training offered through the USCCA, visit the website here.

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

Ohio Governor Signs Duty to Retreat Bill

From Buckeye Firearms Association

As a candidate for governor, then Attorney General Mike DeWine promised Ohio’s 4 million gun owners that he would sign legislation to repeal the state’s unjust duty to retreat law. On Monday, January 4th, 2021,Governor DeWine fulfilled that commitment by signing Senate Bill 175.

During the last days of session in late December 2020, the Ohio General Assembly voted to include this Second Amendment priority in Senate Bill 175, which also grants immunity to non-profit organizations from litigation in the event an act of gun violence takes place on their premises. DeWine’s signature on the bill enacts one of Buckeye Firearms Association’s top legislative priorities.

“We’re very pleased the Governor kept his promise to sign the repeal of Ohio’s duty to retreat law that forces victims of violent crime to retreat before they’re legally able to defend themselves,” said Buckeye Firearms Association Executive Director, Dean Rieck. “Our organization worked relentlessly down the stretch to see this bill become law.”

Although speculation ran high that the Governor might veto the bill, his signature on SB 175 keeps a promise he made multiple times in writing, in public and in private meetings with Buckeye Firearms Association and other gun rights advocates.

This bill brings Ohio into line with as many as 25 other states that have no duty to retreat for those who face imminent and deadly harm as long as they are in a place they are legally permitted to be. While this bill changes one technicality in Ohio law, it does not change the near universal and well-established standard for use of lethal force, nor does it give criminals a free pass to commit violent crime.

Governor DeWine has said that he thinks it’s important for the legislature to make changes to the NICS reporting system that is meant to prevent criminals from purchasing firearms. Unfortunately, the system has been hampered sometimes when courts or government agencies fail to update the system in a timely fashion.

“From the beginning, BFA has been open to changes that would ensure more timely reporting,” said Rieck. “However, we must protect the rights of the law abiding by making sure that reporting is done properly, and that people have a quick process to make corrections when the government makes mistakes. The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Fix NICS initiative is intended to do just that.”

Buckeye Firearms Association looks forward to the beginning of the new legislative session and the opportunity to further improve Ohio law.

Buckeye Firearms Association is a grassroots organization dedicated to defending and advancing the right of citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, including self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreation. Read more.

January 5, 2021January 5, 2021

Springfield Armory CEO Dennis Reese Receives Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award

From Springfield Armory

Springfield Armory® co-founder and CEO Dennis Reese has been awarded NRA Publications’ esteemed Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award for excellence and enduring innovation in the shooting sports industry.

As a compelling individual in the firearms industry, Reese has led Springfield Armory since its beginnings more than four decades ago. Throughout his career, he has placed an ever-present emphasis on quality, reliable craftsmanship, and the importance of unmatched customer service. His commitment to the protection and promotion of the Second Amendment, as well as support of the National Rifle Association, drives Reese in his role as CEO to honor Springfield Armory customers with a legacy of products they can trust.

Recipients of the Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award are unanimously selected by a seven-member committee “acting on behalf of NRA members nationwide whose experiences at the range and in the field have been enriched by Springfield Armory products and services.” Recipients must be “fundamentally responsible for the invention, development, marketing and/or promotion of the product(s) that gained widespread use and which fundamentally changed some aspect of shooting sports equipment or related products for the better.”

“I could not be more honored to be given the NRA Publications Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award,” said Dennis Reese. “From the earliest days of the company to where it stands today, our relationship with the NRA has been extremely important to me, both personally and professionally. The Association’s work to promote our Second Amendment rights is absolutely necessary to ensure that those rights, enshrined in the United States’ Constitution, are protected. I am proud to join the high achievers who have preceded me as Pioneer Award recipients.”

Reese was initially awarded this honor for the year 2020, but in the wake of the cancellation of the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits last April where he would have been formally recognized, NRA Publications decided to not select a new Pioneer winner, but instead accord Reese due recognition in 2021.

Springfield Armory is honored to celebrate CEO Dennis Reese in his receipt of 2021’s Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award, joining the ranks of a well-respected roster of firearms industry leaders awarded since 2007.

For more information about the Springfield Armory’s history and heritage, please visit: www.springfield-armory.com.