Hydra-Shok Deep Takes 2019 Golden Bullseye Award for Ammunition Product of the Year
The National Rifle Association’s (NRA) Shooting Illustrated magazine recently honored Federal Premium Hydra-Shok Deep with its Golden Bullseye Award for 2019 Ammunition Product of the Year. Federal Ammunition representatives accepted the award on April 26, during the 148th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Indianapolis, Indiana.
From the No. 1 brand in handgun ammunition, Hydra-Shok Deep bullets feature a more robust center post and a core design that penetrates to critical depths through common self-defense barriers, without over-penetrating. In fact, its updated bullet design penetrates 15 inches in bare ballistics gel and through heavy clothing—the optimal depth according to FBI standards. This results in a significant improvement in FBI protocol score.
“We are proud Hydra-Shok Deep was chosen for the prestigious award,” said Federal Ammunition President Jason Vanderbrink. “To even be considered for a Golden Bullseye, the product must meet a variety of demanding criteria on design, function, value and reliability. We are grateful they found the winner with Hydra-Shok Deep.”
Shooting Illustrated is the NRA’s newest official journal, with a focus on concealed carry, self-defense and tactical shooting. For its Golden Bullseye Award program, the magazine’s staff considers only products that are available to the public and meet or exceeded its testing-and-evaluation protocols. Candidates must offer a unique value to the American shooting public, whether by innovation, affordability or other stand-out qualifications.
Hydra-Shok Deep was initially launched in 9mm Luger 135-grain. Recently, it has also been released in 40 S&W 165-grain and 45 Auto 210-grain, in 20-count packs.
For more information on Federal ammunition, visit www.federalpremium.com.
Legal Challenges to Bump Stock Ban Begin Rolling In
As reported Tuesday and discussed on the GunLink Forums, the Department of Justice this week issued a new regulation reversing the BATFE’s longstanding position on bump stock devices. This regulation modifies the meaning of certain words and changes the codified definition of machine gun such that it now includes language inclusive of bump stocks.
This reclassification leads to a situation faced by many hundreds of thousands of owners of such devices whereby they must now either destroy or surrender to the BATFE their lawfully purchased property or become overnight felons in possession of illegal, unregistered machine guns.
No doubt worse than the fact that they must now hand over their property – purchased in good faith with assurance from the BATFE that the device was, in fact, not a machine gun – without compensation, is the manner in which the regulation came about.
To be certain, the regulation is causing an uproar among factions of the firearms community with talk about violations of everything from Article I of the US Constitution’s prohibition on ex post facto laws to various and sundry elements of the Bill of Rights to include the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 9th, and 10th Amendments.
The Cato Institute published a piece rightly stating that “this regulation is not an attempt to clarify a vague law, but to seize political expediency to expand the power of the executive,” continuing that they may reserve their “right to intervene in the coming litigation.”
It should come as no surprise that the first legal challenges to the Bump Stock Ban were put into motion just a few short hours after the announcement that it had been inked by Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker given that the opening shots in this legal battle were fired by some of the more prolific opposition to the change since its early stages. Continue reading
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.
Remington Introduces Semi-Auto Non-NFA 12ga with 13″ Barrel
Company says V3 TAC-13 Represents Ultimate in Compact Personal Defense
Remington’s advanced, patented gas-operated system now available with a 13″ barrel and a Birdshead pistol grip, maintaining an OAL of greater than 26″, allowing it to escape the purview of NFA regulation as a short barreled shotgun or AOW.
The V3 Tac-13 is based off the VersaPort gas system. The Remington V3 Tac-13 cycles all 2 ¾ to 3-inch 12 gauge loads while reducing recoil to what Remington calls “a level previously unheard of in autoloaders.” All that comes with a price, however, with the Tac-13 commanding an MSRP just north of $900.
Remington TAC-13 Features:
- Birdshead Pistol Grip – Allows for more ergonomic hold to help control the firearm and reduce recoil for the shooter.
- Hand Strap – User adjustable to help control muzzle flip and improve handling characteristics.
- Lightweight Aluminum Receiver – For easy, comfortable transport anywhere.
- 13″ Light Contour Barrel – Compact and easy to carry anytime its needed
- Reliable Feeding – Gas system optimized to run common light field loads or full power buck and slug and anything in between
- Low Recoil – Patented Versaport gas system is self regulating and offers very manageable recoil in a compact package
- Self Cleaning – Self-cleaning gas piston system greatly reduces time required for cleaning. With fewer parts than conventional gas systems, not only is cleaning easier but there are fewer parts to maintain.
Mossberg Joins Gun Manufacturers Cutting Ties with Dicks Sporting Goods
Dick’s Sporting Goods is continuing their anti-gun procession and firearms manufacturers and Second Amendment advocates are noticing.
First, they came for America’s Rifle (when they decided to stop selling AR-15 style firearms). Then they came for good business sense (when they decided to destroy their bought-and-paid existing stock of such firearms). Then they came for the young adults (when they decided not to sell any firearms to legal purchasers between the ages of 18-20). Most recently, they are coming for the Second Amendment as a whole (by hiring a team of anti-gun lobbyists to push gun control in Washington).
Today, Mossberg – alongside Springfield Armory and Hi-Point Firearms – joined the ranks of companies abandoning their business relationship with the retailer. We’re happy to see those in the $51.4 billion-and-growing industry standing up against alleged industry-partners who are actively working to do them harm and hope to see more jumping on board. It is time to stick together and let businesses know that they won’t let businesses stab them in the back and run roughshod over their livelihoods, rights, hobbies, and passions. Just look at the backlash over the YETI fiasco.
While the other companies may be more well known firearms with the potential to draw Dick’s unwarranted ire, the decision by Mossberg – who is known for their shotguns and rifles that may be more palatable to the sporting goods chain’s delicate sensibilities – might hit Dick’s, and their Field & Stream subsidiary – a little harder in the pocketbook. Vote with you wallet, and all…
Here is today’s announcement from Mossberg:
Mossberg Terminates Relationship with Dick’s Sporting Goods
O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., a leading American firearms manufacturer, announced today its decision
to discontinue selling products to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and its subsidiary, Field & Stream, in response to their hiring of gun control lobbyists in April 2018.
Effective immediately, O.F. Mossberg & Sons will not accept any future orders from Dick’s Sporting Goods or Field & Stream, and is in the process of evaluating current contractual agreements.
“It has come to our attention that Dick’s Sporting Goods recently hired lobbyists on Capitol Hill to promote additional gun control.” said Iver Mossberg, Chief Executive Officer of O.F. Mossberg & Sons. “Make no mistake, Mossberg is a staunch supporter of the U.S. Constitution and our Second Amendment rights, and we fully disagree with Dick’s Sporting Goods’ recent anti-Second Amendment actions.”
Consumers are urged to visit one of the thousands of pro-Second Amendment firearm retailers to make their purchases of Mossberg and Maverick® firearms. Firearm retailers can be found through the Mossberg Dealer Locator by visiting http://www.mossberg.com/dealers/.
Chicago Man Faces Federal Charges for Shooting ATF Agent
Ernesto Godinez, 27, of Chicago, was charged in connection with the shooting of an ATF Agent engaged in his official duties. A federal criminal complaint charges him with assault of a Federal Officer with a dangerous and deadly weapon.
Godinez made an initial court appearance today before United States Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez, who ordered him detained until a detention hearing on Thursday, May 17th at 11:00 am.
The charges were announced by John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Celinez Nunez, Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; and Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Substantial assistance in the investigation of and search for Godinez was provided by the United States Marshals Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Chicago office of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Illinois State Police, and several other local police departments.
The officials noted that the investigation continues.
“Violent assaults on law enforcement agents working to make the community safer will not be tolerated,” remarked U.S. Attorney Lausch. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to holding such offenders accountable, as are our local, state, and Federal law enforcement partners, whose tireless investigation to identify and locate the defendant after the shooting made this prosecution possible.” Continue reading
