In the hectic pace of today’s festivities, don’t forget to find time to pause, and reflect on the most important gifts we receive throughout the entire year—life, friends family, the warmth they mean and love they bring.
Merry Christmas
Pandemic Resurgence May be the Final Nail in the SHOT Show Coffin
Fifty thousand professionals across the globe are finalizing plans to attend the firearm industry’s largest annual event. The January gathering takes place in Las Vegas, but the latest COVID-19 pandemic resurgence may be the final nail in the SHOT Show coffin.
Update: SHOT Show has been cancelled
There are a variety of business reasons the National Shooting Sports Foundation likely hasn’t cancelled SHOT Show yet. I’ve covered some of them earlier this month in another article. Things have changed, though, and not for the better. The Nevada Governor’s Office will announce modified guidelines sometime in November and the odds are it will be bad news.
The Sept. 29 guidelines mandate a crowd-size limit of 1,000 people. They must attend in separate groups or rooms of 250. There are too many other requirements to mention here, but they are restrictive.
Changing Pandemic Landscape
The total number of documented COVID-19 cases in the state of Nevada on Sept. 25 was 602. On Oct. 26 that figure was up to 762. The jump’s significant, yet nothing compared to elsewhere.
Hospitals nationwide are once again filling to capacity with pandemic patients. Last week set an all-time high for new cases across the nation.
The SHOT Show attracts manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers and media from across the globe. And, according to the New York Times, “…the number of new cases is growing faster than ever worldwide, with more than 200,000 reported each day on average.”
That means the odds are better than ever that each attendee is a carrier. If you were governor would you be comfortable welcoming a convention this size? The Consumer Electronics Show scheduled scarcely a week before SHOT already cancelled. So did Safari Club International. The NRA has cancelled its Great American Outdoor Show.
National and international travel restrictions may come into play. The odds of nearly empty international aisles at the SHOT Show are increasing daily.
Final Nail in the SHOT Show Coffin?
It’s the odds working against the 2021 SHOT Show. And Vegas knows a lot about working statistics in its favor.
Chances are good things won’t improve dramatically by the time the Governor issues new guidelines in November. In fact, it’s looking like the timing of this latest pandemic resurgence may be the final nail in the SHOT Show coffin.
Those, like myself, who’ve already received confirmation of their credentials for the SHOT Show, may’ve overlooked this notice. I know I did.
Carry a Sub-Compact Pistol Without Sacrificing Tactical Optics
From Holosun
The most popular pistol models sold today are sub-compact “pocket pistol” designs, leaving little room for accessories and tactical sights. Additionally, a streamlined concealed carry approach holsters the pistol safely out of sight, while still enabling the armed citizen to draw quickly. The lack of an electronic sight that is small, rugged, reliable and reasonably priced has meant that red dots are not often considered for concealed carry permit holders… until now.
Holosun’s new HS407K and HS507K micro sights solve these problems while allowing concealed carry pistol owners to couple their firearm with a highly effective sighting solution. While these units are compact, each offers a serious suite of features that rivals any full-sized sight on the market.
The HS407K and HS507K offer the same incredible 50,000 hours of battery life capability found on larger Holosun sights. Both units also feature our Shake Awake™ technology. This auto on/auto-off feature allows the optic to remain ready when you need it and conserve battery life when you don’t.
The HS407K uses a simple and accurate 6 MOA dot reticle. The HS507K uses our Multi-Reticle System (M.R.S.™), allowing flexibility to choose from a 2 MOA dot, a 32 MOA ring, or a combination of both! Since all three reticle options are projected from the same LED, no re-zeroing is needed when cycling between choices. This gives the optic adaptability for various conditions and preferences.
Holosun is pushing the limits of open-reflex sights through durable construction practices and advanced sight technology. The HS407K and HS507K micro sights are ideal for concealed carry pistols and serve shooters desiring a lightweight, compact option for everyday needs.
Specs:
- HS407K (6MOA Dot), HS507K (2MOA Dot and 32MOA Ring M.R.S.™)
- Up to 50,000 Hours Battery Life (Setting 6)
- IP67 Waterproof Rated
- 12 Brightness Setting: 10 DL & 2 NV Compatible
- Side Tray Battery Compartment
And don’t forget to take a look at the company’s 509T reflex sight.
U. S. Coast Guard Selects GLOCK Pistols
From Glock
GLOCK, Inc., a global leader in firearm manufacturing, is proud to announce that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has selected and begun fielding the GLOCK pistols after a thorough review of testing results.
The USCG operates under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during peacetime with a maritime law enforcement mission with jurisdiction in domestic and international waters. The USCG is charged with protecting America’s economic, national, and border security as America’s maritime first responder. With missions of search and rescue, homeland security, and national defense, the USCG requires a reliable sidearm that performs in all conditions and harsh elements.
After careful evaluation of existing federal contracts supported by GLOCK, the USCG selected to purchase through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contract the GLOCK 19 Gen5 MOS as the standard service pistol. USCG acquisition objective was fulfilled by GLOCK within four months of the initial purchase request. CBP’s extensive solicitation process, which included independent testing by the Institute of Justice Laboratories, comprehensive field evaluations, and direct input from 16,000 CBP law enforcement personnel, helped guide the selection by USCG.
“GLOCK is honored to support the requirements of the USCG and provide a weapon solution that delivers on unmatched performance and value in any environment,” said GLOCK, Inc. VP Josh Dorsey. “The comprehensive testing and evaluation process conducted by CBP demonstrated the GLOCK pistols lasting reliability that instills confidence in those who use it to go into harm’s way.”
The CBP award incorporates GLOCK’s newest 5th Generation technology pistols. For more information about GLOCK Gen5 technologies, visit us.glock.com. Also of interest to GLOCK fans is the fact it was victorious in a lawsuit that took years to resolve.
And if you’re curious how long polymer-framed handguns will last, I asked the experts.
O.F. Mossberg & Sons Contributes to NSSF’s 2020 #GUNVOTE Campaign
From NSSF
NSSF, the trade association for the firearm industry, is pleased to announce that O.F. Mossberg & Sons, a leading shotgun, rifle and handgun manufacturer, has contributed $75,000 to NSSF’s #GUNVOTE® voter registration, education and mobilization campaign.
“The implications of November’s elections on the Second Amendment and the continuation of the entire firearm industry family are profound and our top priority leading to November 3rd is ensuring every gun owner and gun rights supporter casts their ballot and makes their voice heard at the polls. This includes the more than 5 million new first-time American firearm owners,” said Mossberg & Sons CEO Alan Iver Mossberg, Jr. “Contributing to NSSF’s #GUNVOTE campaign was an easy decision for Mossberg and we whole-heartedly support their tremendous efforts to educate and mobilize voters to ensure a successful November result.”
“The firearm and ammunition industry is fortunate to have a leader like Alan Iver Mossberg, Jr., whose dedication to protecting the Second Amendment and ensuring the growth and success of our industry is unquestioned,” stated Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “With their generous contribution to NSSF’s #GUNVOTE campaign, Mossberg is going above and beyond to assist NSSF in registering, educating and activating voters ahead of November’s election. Mossberg’s substantial contribution is vital now more than ever and is to be commended.”
Election Day is less than six weeks away when tens of millions of voters, including more than 5 million first-time gun buyers, will head to the polls to cast their ballot in the most consequential election for the Second Amendment.
#GUNVOTE is a campaign by the NSSF to encourage America’s gun owners, target shooters and hunters to register to vote, to become educated on where the candidates stand on the Second Amendment and, on election day, not to risk their rights and #GUNVOTE. The campaign’s website provides links to help voters register and find their polling place. NSSF strongly encourages all industry members to download the #GUNVOTE button to use on their websites and social media.
Sector Optics Introduces Specialized Riflescope Rings & Mounts
From Sector Optics
To complement their assortment of highly innovative thermal optics, Sector Optics has now introduced a series of specialized riflescope rings and mounts.
Sector Optics has now given every hunter and shooter the ability to add a thermal imager to their shooting setup. The new Sector Optics rings and mounts feature a Picatinny rail on the top of the front ring, thus allowing for the mounting of the T20x or T3 thermal imager on top of most 30mm or 34mm riflescope.
The new Sector Optics rings and mounts are all constructed of durable, aircraft grade, anodized aluminum and come in a matte black color. The rings easily and quickly attach to Picatinny rail or Weaver style bases. The 30mm rings come in low, medium, and high sets and the 34mm rings in medium and high sets.
In addition to the rings sets, Sector Optics now also offers a 30mm cantilever mount for flat-top AR rifles. The off-set forward mount allows the shooter to maintain a proper shooting position due to correct eye relief distance and riflescope height.
Available from any authorized Sector Optics retailer, the ring sets have a MSRP starting at $94.99 and the 30mm cantilever mount as a MSRP of $149.99.
About Sector Optics: Based in San Diego, California, Sector Optics manufactures cutting edge optics for hunters, shooters and law enforcement professionals. From riflescopes and rangefinders, to thermal imagers and optical accessories, Sector Optics produces highly innovative optical products for the modern consumer. Sector Optics is a division of Torrey Pines Logic, Inc. Find out more at https://sectoroptics.com/.
Equity Firm Makes Offer on Remington’s Ammo Business
JJE Capital Holdings made an offer of $65 million—plus assumption of liabilities—last week to purchase the ammunition portion of Remington’s business, according to the Wall Street Journal. The assets include the famed gunmaker’s name brand line of cartridges and components, as well as Barne’s Bullets and corresponding plants in Arkansas and Utah.
Remington, the nation’s oldest firearm manufacturer, filed for bankruptcy protection in early 2017 and emerged in only a few weeks. The official announcement from the latest move, made in July, indicates this year’s financial challenges are vastly different.
“Remington Outdoor Company (‘Remington’ or the ‘Company’), a leading manufacturer of firearms and ammunition, announced today that Remington and its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama (the ‘Court’),” the late July official statement read. “The Company intends to conduct a competitive bidding process for the sale of some or all of its assets pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.”
“The court’s protections during the Chapter 11 process will enable the Company to manage the sale process on an expedited basis while protecting the interests of its customers, employees and other stakeholders. Remington is in active discussions with a number of parties and will continue to engage with parties interested in a going-concern sale. The Company expects to solicit bids prior to an auction to be held in September 2020.”
Bankruptcy court has final approval on any sale of Remington’s assets, however, and creditors could successfully argue in court that the bid price is too low. In the interim a better offer might also appear.
JJE Capital Holdings is a private equity firm based in Columbia, SC, with subsidiary companies in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. Many are in the firearm business , including Palmetto State Armory, Lead Star Arms and PSA Defense.
Kryptek Patterned Wiley X Sunglasses Available in Multiple Colors and Styles
From Kryptek
Kryptek’s most popular patterns meet the durability, versatility and protection of Wiley X sunglasses.
Available in Kryptek Highlander, Altitude, Typhon and Neptune, there’s a pair of Wiley X sunglasses for every environment, ensuring uncompromising performance no matter what.
From Shatterproof Selenite™ Polycarbonate lenses that meet ballistic-rated protection standards to frames that include a removable Facial Cavity™ seal that blocks out dust, debris and peripheral light, each pair is UVA/UVB treated and ANSI-rated for maximum impact protection and optimal clarity.
“We are proud to have partnered with Kryptek since 2017, and have respected how aligned we are in brand history, creating purposeful designs and delivering premium products to our customers,” said Ray Hill, VP of Retail Sales for Wiley X. “With both of our brands being veteran-founded, both sides of this relationship are proud to provide premium protective eyewear for people all over the world – no matter the Kryptek pattern that works best for each user.”
“We’ve put Wiley X sunglasses to the test. Scaling rocks in triple-degree heat, out on the water for hours or in extreme wind and dust, Wiley X glasses keep everyone out in the field comfortable and protected,” says Sydney Butler, PR specialist for Kryptek. “We could not be happier with our continued partnership with Wiley X and the support they show for Kryptek and providing a product to our customers that matches the quality of Kryptek apparel.”
Six styles are currently available in Kryptek Camo patterns, all purchases include a zippered clamshell case, cleaning cloth and leash cord with rubber grips.
Alleged Portland Attacker Surrenders
Twenty-five-year old Marquise Lee Love turned himself in at 8:30 a.m. today at the Portland Police Department, where he was arrested for his alleged role in severely beating a truck driver in the city’s downtown area Sunday night. “He was charged with assault, coercion and rioting, all three of which are felonies,” according to Fox News.
Video from the incident appears to show the accused beating the motorist and knocking him unconscious with a final kick. The suspect posted a message on Snapchat earlier this week, according to the U.S. Sun, that read, “Might go to jail for murder tonight for a racist when all i did was fight him look it up on twitter put money on my books and come see me.”
The victim has a GoFundMe page, which was established by his brother. At press time donations had already reached more than $130,000.
Love’s history of encounters with law enforcement is lengthy, likely one reason the resemblance in the video was noted early in the investigation. Fox News reports he was arrested in Washington County, OR, seven times in the last eight years and, “…still owes thousands in unpaid fines from various convictions.”
Businesses Fleeing Downtown Portland
A spokesman for Standard Insurance told Fox Business news yesterday that, “Our downtown properties have sustained significant vandalism and a number of employees and contractors have been assaulted in recent months.” The building is now empty and the 2,000 staff members who once worked there are reporting to the company’s Hillsboro campus—a safe distance away from the riots.
OCHIN, a health care non-profit once based in downtown Portland, has also announced the sale of its 40,000-square-foot building. The organization has determined remote work for the staff will become a permanent fixture of its operation.
“Businesses are leaving,” Portland Business Alliance President and Andrew Hoan told KATU TV. The report also details the theft of $1 million in jewelry from one of the local retailers. “The financial consequences to the downtown corridor are a running calculation that is almost impossible to wrap your mind around.,” he said.
The news that two major businesses are packing up comes only days after a motorist was drug from his truck and beaten to unconsciousness by rioters. His injuries were significant enough to require hospital treatment. Eyewitnesses to the assault said the assault began after he came to the aid of a person robbed by rioters.
Authorities are still investigating the incident, although an Aug. 11 report in Forbes provides a glimpse as to why the nearly three months of nightly violence that has continued unchecked. According to the story, a policy announced by Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt effectively drops all charges,“When damage is primarily financial instead of physical…charges will be dropped and victims will have three month[s] ‘to make it right.’”
It remains unclear whether “making it right” means companies and individuals must identify the criminal responsible and incur the legal fees required to recover financial loss in civil court—assuming the rioter has the means to compensate for the damage or theft. The Forbes story does, however, explain that the policy resulted in, “…a significant portion of the over 500 charges against protesters [earlier this month] being dropped.”
The violence has spilled into the daytime hours as well. Yesterday an award-winning photojournalist was forced to shelter in his vehicle after being targeted by protesters.