Philadelphia Police Departments Adopts SIG SAUER M400 Pro Rifles
SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the Philadelphia Police Department has adopted the SIG SAUER M400 Pro Rifle for their SWAT officers. The Philadelphia Police Department is the fourth largest police department in the United States with over 6,300 sworn officers protecting over 1.5 million citizens across 140 square-miles.
Tom Jankiewicz, Executive Vice President, Law Enforcement Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. began, “the SIG SAUER M400 Pro is becoming the choice of police departments across the country for their special tactical operations. It’s designed to exceed military standards with features that are most requested by law enforcement agencies, is engineered to be the most accurate and reliable rifle in its class, and can be quickly and easily deployed in extraordinary enforcement situations.”
The SIG SAUER M400 Pro is an AR-platform rifle with a direct impingement gas operating system. The M400 features a full-length free-float M-LOK™ handguard, enhanced SIG trigger 6 position telescoping stock, and a rotating lock bolt.
“As one of the largest municipal police forces in the country, and the first department to establish a fast response tactical team, the Philadelphia Police Department’s choice of the SIG SAUER M400 Pro rifle for their SWAT operations clearly shows the quality and reliability of the rifle for specialized enforcement purposes,” continued Jankiewicz. “We are honored that this prestigious department has chosen the SIG SAUER M400 Pro Rifle, and we look forward to serving the Philadelphia Police Department, and their SWAT operations, to help them carry out their mission to protect and serve the citizens of Philadelphia.”
The SIG SAUER M400 Pro rifles will be distributed by Firing Line, Inc. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Acting AG Signs New Bump Stock Ban
Devices Must Be Destroyed Within 90 Days of Rule Being Published
After months of speculation on whether such a measure could be taken under an ostensibly pro-RKBA administration, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker signed a new rule today that classifies “bump stocks” as machine guns and bans their possession. The rule, set to take effect 90 days after it is published in the Federal Register – which is expected to happen this Friday – would require current owners of the devices to destroy them.
The BATFE had previously concluded that such devices were unable to be federally regulated as such because they are simply an accessory part. Following the Mandalay Bay attack in October 2017 in which the attacker allegedly used weapons equipped with such devices, President Trump prompted the DOJ to revisit the matter. AG Jeff Sessions introduced the proposed legislation in March 2018.
The new rule inaccurately concludes that these devices allow a “shooter of a semiautomatic firearm to initiate a continuous firing cycle with a single pull of the trigger,” making it a machine gun. Generally, under current regulations, possession or transfer of a machine gun manufactured prior to May 19, 1986 – the date on which the Firearms Owners Protection Act (and the Hughes Amendment thereof) went into effect.
The complete Final Rule can be read here. The summary of the rule reads as follows (emphasis added):
The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to clarify that bump-stock-type devices […] are “machineguns” as defined by the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968 because such devices allow a shooter of a semiautomatic firearm to initiate a continuous firing cycle with a single pull of the trigger. Specifically, these devices convert an otherwise semiautomatic firearm into a machinegun by functioning as a self-acting or self-regulating mechanism that harnesses the recoil energy of the semiautomatic firearm in a manner that allows the trigger to reset and continue firing without additional physical manipulation of the trigger by the shooter. Hence, a semiautomatic firearm to which a bump-stock-type device is attached is able to produce automatic fire with a single pull of the trigger. With limited exceptions, the Gun Control Act, as amended, makes it unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun unless it was lawfully possessed prior to the effective date of the statute. The bumpstock-type devices covered by this final rule were not in existence prior to the effective date of the statute, and therefore will be prohibited when this rule becomes effective. Consequently, under the final rule, current possessors of these devices will be required to destroy the devices or abandon them at an ATF office prior to the effective date of the rule.
The BATFE sought public comment on the proposal, receiving upward of 100,000 comments, although passage of such a rule seems to have been a foregone conclusion with direction straight from the White House. Given the Second and Fifth Amendment concerns surrounding the issue and the time frame for it to go into effect, we expect to see a number of legal challenges to the rule.
Department of Justice Announces Bump-Stock-Type Devices Final Rule
Today, Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker announced that the Department of Justice has amended the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), clarifying that bump stocks fall within the definition of “machinegun” under federal law, as such devices allow a shooter of a semiautomatic firearm to initiate a continuous firing cycle with a single pull of the trigger.
Acting Attorney General Whitaker made the following statement:
“President Donald Trump is a law and order president, who has signed into law millions of dollars in funding for law enforcement officers in our schools, and under his strong leadership, the Department of Justice has prosecuted more gun criminals than ever before as we target violent criminals. We are faithfully following President Trump’s leadership by making clear that bump stocks, which turn semiautomatics into machine guns, are illegal, and we will continue to take illegal guns off of our streets.”
On February 20, 2018, President Trump issued a memorandum instructing the Attorney General “to dedicate all available resources to… propose for notice and comment a rule banning all devices that turn legal weapons into machineguns.” In response to that direction the Department reviewed more than 186,000 public comments and made the decision to make clear that the term “machinegun” as used in the National Firearms Act (NFA), as amended, and Gun Control Act (GCA), as amended, includes all bump-stock-type devices that harness recoil energy to facilitate the continuous operation of a semiautomatic firearm after a single pull of the trigger. Continue reading
SIG SAUER Introduces M17 9mm +P Ammunition
SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to introduce the newest addition to the SIG SAUER Elite Ammunition product line – the high-performance M17 9mm +P ammunition. This military-grade ammunition is available in 124gr SIG Elite V-Crown Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) personal defense loads, and SIG Elite Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) training loads. SIG M17 ammunition is specifically engineered for exceptional performance in any 9mm +P rated pistol, including the SIG P320-M17.
“The commercial release of the civilian variant of the U.S. Army’s M17 pistol, the P320-M17, has been a tremendous success. We are excited to have the opportunity to offer the M17 9mm +P to our customers who want to shoot an ammunition that combines high-quality SIG performance with a military-grade +P ammunition,” said Brad Criner, Senior Director Brand Management and Business Development, SIG SAUER Ammunition. “The M17 V-Crown and FMJ loads are both ballistically-matched, making it easy for our customers to train with the ammunition they carry.”
Both loads have a muzzle velocity of 1,198 fps and muzzle energy of 395 ft.-lbs. SIG V-Crown ammunition features a stacked hollow point cavity, to deliver exceptional on-target energy with maximum weight retention and expansion for the ultimate stopping power. SIG FMJ training ammunition is engineered to match SIG V-Crown ballistics for a more seamless transition from training to carry ammunition and features durable, copper jacketed bullets offering the perfect combination of affordability and performance.
M17 9mm Ammunition MSRP:
– M17 124gr 9mm +P V-Crown $ 20.95 (per box of 20 rounds)
– M17 124gr 9mm +P FMJ $ 18.95 (per box of 50 rounds)
The SIG SAUER M17 V-Crown and FMJ Ammunition is now available for purchase at the www.sigsauer.com/store.
All SIG SAUER Elite Ammunition is manufactured by SIG SAUER at its state-of-the-art ammunition manufacturing facility in Jacksonville, Arkansas to the same exacting standards as the company’s premium pistols and rifles. For more information, visit www.sigsauer.com/ammunition
Federal Ammunition Receives Five Year, $41 Million Ammunition Contract for United States Navy
Federal Ammunition was recently awarded a significant contract from U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC), for MK 318 Mod 0 carbine small rifle cartridges. The five (5) year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, is valued at $41 million, and will begin shipping early in 2019, to be utilized by Navy and Marine Corps units.
The MK 318 Mod 0 cartridge, Caliber 5.56mm Ball, Carbine, Barrier is compatible with existing 5.56mm weapons systems and utilizes Federal’s unique barrier defeating projectile. The 62 grain open tip match, lead free projectile is designed to defeat intermediate barriers while providing terminal performance through barriers commonly encountered during warfare, like auto windshields and doors.
“This contract demonstrates the design and production strengths within our business, achieving our goals of meeting customer requirements,” said Federal Ammunition President Jason Vanderbrink. “We are enthused Federal ammunition will continue to serve Navy and Marine Corps units, and their unique needs in combat. Design parameters and development of the projectile, a joint effort between Federal and NSWC, represent the continued innovation, and excellence required to support our units in the field.”
Headquartered in Anoka, Minnesota, Federal ammunition has been providing shooters with high-quality rimfire, centerfire and shotshell ammunition since 1922. It pioneered the Premium category of ammunition and is a world-leading ammunition manufacturer.
The NSWC cohesively and seamlessly operates the Navy’s full spectrum research, development, test and evaluation, engineering, and fleet support centers for offensive and defensive systems associated with surface warfare and related areas of joint, homeland and national defense systems from the sea.
Federal Ammunition – is a brand of Vista Outdoor Inc., an outdoor sports and recreation company. For more information on Federal ammunition, go to federalpremium.com.
SAF, CCRKBA, JPFO: “Bill of Rights Still Includes Second Amendment”
As the nation prepares to celebrate National Bill of Rights Day on Saturday, it is important to remember that all of the rights enshrined in the first ten amendments to the Constitution are equal, and deserve the same zealous protection as all the others, the Second Amendment Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership said today.
“Despite the efforts of lobbying groups and some politicians,” noted SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb, “the Second Amendment has retained its position as the cornerstone of our Bill of Rights. The individual citizen’s right to keep and bear arms protects all of the other rights, including free speech and press, the right to legal counsel, the presumption of innocence, and to be secure in our persons, homes and papers against unreasonable search and seizure.
Gottlieb, who is also CCRKBA chairman, noted that these two organizations have steadfastly defended other rights, and will continue doing so “because the Bill of Rights is only as strong as its weakest link.” JPFO is a non-profit educational organization that defends human rights.
“Our mission is that of any citizen who values the liberty and freedom our nation symbolizes above all other nations of the world,” he stated. “Our Bill of Rights is the envy of every other citizen of every other country. Our Bill of Rights is the foundation upon which our nation continues to stand as the land of opportunity. It’s why so many want to come here, and why so few ever want to leave.
“Since it was ratified in 1789,” Gottlieb continued, “our Bill of Rights has weathered many a storm, not the least of which has been the almost unceasing effort to erode the protections provided by the Second Amendment. We must defend the Second as vigorously as we have defended all of our other individual rights.
“The Bill of Rights doesn’t give anything to anyone,” he observed. “It doesn’t grant rights, but it does guarantee them. Our Bill of Rights has the much tougher job of protecting our natural and fundamental rights from infringement or abridgment. Those wise old Founders understood this when they delineated our rights within the first ten amendments of the Constitution. Bill of Rights Day serves as a reminder that what we have is worth protecting.”
