FRI | AUGUST 7, 2020

Over 2,000 athletes from nearly 300 teams participated in the 2020 SCTP National Championships, representing 37 states.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. announced that Team Ruger's Beth Walker claimed the High Lady category at this year's American Defense Great Lakes Multigun event held at the Bass & Bucks range in Wabash, IN.
Federal brand ambassador and competitive shooter Dakota Overland takes home the Ladies Division title at the recent 2020 Magpul Governor’s Match in Cody, Wyoming. The teenager bested 15 other female competitors in that Division and finished 13th overall at the event.

Hornady congratulates team members Andrew Hyder and Jessie Harrison on their performance at the Area 3 Championship. Hyder placed second in the Open Division and Teammate Jessie Harrison won High Lady.
Nosler celebrates top finishes by Nosler shooters Nick Gadarzi and Christopher Hodl at the Northwest Precision Rifle League Match held at the Rock Lake Rifle Range in Saint John, WA on July 25.
Team SK shooter Erich Mietenkorte brought home two titles from the 2020 Washington High Power Silhouette State Championship. Mietenkorte scored a 68/80 placing him first in the Standard Rifle. After an intense shoot off he also won the Hunter rifle with a score 65/80.

PROOF Research announced the newest addition to their precision, long-range rifles with the Conviction Ti, a new standard in lightweight, tactical, long-range rifles.
SIG SAUER, Inc. announced that the SIG SAUER CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle is now shipping and will be available in retail stores soon. Whether you're hunting the steep terrain of mountains or densely forested hills, the CROSS delivers PRS performance, built for the backcountry hunter.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. introduces the Fourth Edition of the Ruger Collector's Series - the Vote 2020 10/22 Carbine. Accompanied by unique collector's memorabilia, this Fourth Edition of the Collector's Series is a great way to start a 10/22 collection, add to an existing collection, or simply celebrate your right to vote.

Regardless of the preferred wearing position of the concealed carry firearm, Galco has a holster to fit the need. From strongside behind the hip to crossdraw, Galco makes holsters to fit your needs.
NSSF is troubled by the politically-driven decision of New York Attorney General Letitia James to seek to dissolve the National Rifle Association, America’s oldest civil rights organization. The lawsuit filed today by Attorney General James seeks to punish the over five million members of the NRA based on mere allegations of possible wrongdoing by a few individuals.
Simply named the 22LR, this magazine-fed bolt-action rifle is a hunter, plinker, and/or trainer with a MSRP of $249/synthetic or $299/walnut stocks.
Apex Tactical Specialties is pleased to announce the introduction and upcoming release of its new Action Enhancement Trigger for the hugely popular Hellcat pistol from Springfield Armory. Starting at just $79.95, the trigger kit significantly improves the feel of the trigger pull while reducing overall trigger travel and pull weight to that appropriate for a duty or carry pistol.
Blackhawk announced that it has expanded its popular line of T-Series holsters with the introduction of the Level 2 Compact models specifically engineered to accommodate Colt 1911 and Springfield XD pistols.
Nexbelt introduced their new Frances EDC Gun Belts, designed especially for women.  The ratchet style buckle of the Frances EDC Gun Belt is a stylish take on the traditional equestrian D ring and features a 1 3/8” smooth leather strap in either black or brown.

Forensics Source, a brand of The Safariland Group, announced that it has launched an all-new, standalone website at ForensicsSource.com. Specifically redesigned with the forensics professional in mind, this website offers simple navigation with enhanced searchability for a streamlined and user-friendly experience.
FMG Publications’ cast of resident “guncranks” — Publisher Roy Huntington, GUNS Magazine Editor Brent T. Wheat and American Handgunner Executive Editor Tom McHale — hosted The Outdoor Wire Publisher Jim Shepherd on the latest episode of “Guncranks Live!”
At the 2020 S3DA 3-D Nationals, S3DA provided anyone on-site the opportunity to purchase as many raffle tickets as they would like for a chance to win a Sponsor Prize Package raffle.

Clarus Corporation subsidiary Sierra Bullets announces the appointment of Keith Enlow to president, effective August 17, 2020.
Meprolight’s engineers are recognized for utilizing the latest state-of-the-art technology to design and manufacture premium targeting solution products. Precision engineering in conjunction with precision ISO-9001:2008 and ISO-14001:2004 manufacturing provides accuracy and proven product durability.
NSSF announced that Primary Arms is the newest Gearbox Giveaway sponsor in support of 2020’s National Shooting Sports Month and the all new #RangeChallenge Series.
In this issue, Robert Jordan tests the Springfield Saint Victor .308 pistol and Jon Sundra considers Shaw Precision’s MK-X, the newest long-range competition ready rifle. There’s an article on a DIY 300 BLK build and a 9-way Blackout Shootout.
In the next Personal Defense World, author Todd Burgreen explains why you should upgrade to the Springfield Armory Saint Victor 300 Blackout pistol. Also, if you’re a tech-savvy homeowner looking to upgrade your castle-defense toolkit, Peter Suciu tells you why you should consider the possibility of using a drone to protect your homestead.
“With an execution most typically reserved for nuclear reactors or interplanetary spacecraft and a sticker price to match, the NXR .44 Magnum is the powerful rarefied handgun for the shooter of distinction,” proposes Will Dabbs, MD of the GUNS October cover gun.
Beretta announced the global launch of a brand-new collection of tactical clothing and accessories, the Beretta Tactical Defense Training Gear. The line includes Performance Shirts, BDU Pants, Waterproof & Softshell Jackets, Shooting Protection, and more.
Champion Traps & Targets has awarded 2020 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H student ambassadors: Cecelia Ossi of New Jersey and Thomas Singleton of Louisiana.
Winchester continues its decades-long support of the ATA as a title sponsor of the 2020 Grand American World Trapshooting Championships and AIM Youth Championships.
 

A pair of shoes finally dropped yesterday in the feuds between the National Rifle Association and the State of New York and the District of Columbia.

Before everyone starts going completely bonkers, let’s all take a deep, calming breath.

Granted, more suits were flying in New York and DC than a broken closet rod in Wayne LaPierre’s closet, but allegations in a lawsuit are exactly that- allegations.

From a purely legal standpoint, NRA officials might feel better about things today than they did on Wednesday.

Those who have been named in the suit: LaPierre, Wilson “Woody” Phillips, John Frazier and Josh Powell, know exactly what New York Attorney General Letitia James is alleging they’ve done wrong.

There’s no more wondering about what depositional questions - asked or unasked- meant, where the questioning was really heading or any of that. The initial “bill of horrors” is on the table.

Now, the only thing they need concern themselves with is disproving the allegations.

What does that mean for “the rest of us”?

That the NRA will likely continue as it has have for the past year.

At the risk of angering five-million other gun owners, the NRA hasn’t been exactly what you’d call active at anything (other than non-stop fundraising) for some time.

Stretched budgets, staff cuts and growing legal fees have put the NRA to the sidelines in this very important election cycle. That’s not opinion, that’s fact.

The NRA spent approximately $30 million supporting President Trump’s 2016 campaign. They didn’t have those millions to spend this year.

Behind-the-scenes infighting that has continued uninterrupted since the “Imbroglio in Indianapolis” when Mr. LaPierre and his supporters eliminated anyone who dared raise questions about the organization’s management should go quiet.

Unfortunately, the complaints raised by those “dissidents” spoke directly to the matters listed in the New York Attorney General’s suit. Now, instead of insiders asking for corrective actions, a District Attorney seeks to dissolve the 149-year old organization entirely.

As you can see in the news section today, the industry is lining up to support the National Rifle Association.

In that support, they characterize the entire matter as a “political campaign” designed to silence the NRA’s voice. Viewed through solely through political optics, I agree. This smells very similar to politics as usual.

But I disagree- strongly- with the assertion that any individual is the National Rifle Association.

The strength of the organization, despite the PR campaigns to the contrary, is not the person appearing on camera whenever a situation breaks out. The strength of the National Rifle Association is its members.

The membership, if motivated, is a powerful force in local, state and national elections.

If anything, bringing these suits this close to an election cycle risks a blowback that may bring every gun owning voter- including those who are new gun owners, out to act.

If that happens, any anti-gun Democrat facing reelection anywhere other than a solidly liberal area could pay the price.

The fact that District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine brought a similar suit today against the National Rifle Association Foundation indicates the timing wasn’t coincidental.

It’s a carefully orchestrated move on the parts of both AGs.

In explaining the reasoning behind the District's suit, Racine tweeted: “Donors gave money to fund firearms safety, firearms education and marksmanship training. Instead, that money was diverted to support wasteful spending by the NRA and its executives.”

Key to the D.C. complaint are a pair of $5 million loans in 2017 and 2018 from the Foundation to the Association. In addition to those loans, the suit alleges the Foundation paid millions in fees to the NRA with no oversight, essentially placing the NRA’s interests above its own. That is a violation of the Foundation’s articles of incorporation. The Board’s duty is to protect the Foundation, not the Association.

Both the New York and District of Columbia lawsuits focused on the idea of irresponsible conduct by the executives, and a lack of oversight by the Board of Directors of both organizations.

Technically, that’s breach of fiduciary trust. Being a Board member -of any not-for-profit organization- subjects you to specific obligations. Making certain money is spent wisely is a core obligation for any Director.

Both cases hinge upon the assertion that money was spent otherwise.

The only thing the “named defendants” in the New York suit need to do is demonstrate they acted responsibly and fulfilled their obligations. That’s the essence of New York’s case.

If Messers. LaPierre, Phillips, Frazier and Powell can prove they fulfilled their fiduciary obligations, there’s no case.

If they fail, New York will also seek to dissolve the NRA and redirect “any remaining funds to charitable uses consistent with the mission set forth in the NRA’s certificate of incorporation”.

It will also be compelled by law to recover $63-plus million dollars it says was misspent under their leadership- plus damages.

The dual filings yesterday ended much of the speculation that has swirled around the organization for months. From this point forward “the NRA story” will be about facts, not rumor and innuendo. Facts are essential to prove- or disprove- allegations.

Today, we’re also able to bring you an update on SHOT 2021. That update will come directly from the CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

In a July 30 letter to the NSSF’s Chris Dolnack, the NSSF’s top exec for SHOT Show, LVCVA CEO Steve Hill writes:

“Las Vegas is honored to call SHOT Show a valued partner, and truly appreciate the business it brings to our city each year. Your show, and your industry, are extremely important to our destination.

We greatly appreciate the efforts and commitment NSSF has made to continue planning for a safe and productive event in Las Vegas this coming January.

While no one can say with certainty what conditions will look like six months from now, what I can say with absolute certainty is that the safety and health of your exhibitors and attendees is paramount to your valued partners at ConvExx, Freeman, Las Vegas Sands, and Caesars Entertainment. Along with LVCVA, they are all working tirelessly to ensure SHOT Show is produced with every safety and security precaution in mind. Measures like checking temperatures of everyone entering the facility, requiring facial coverings, managing occupancy levels and traffic flow to ensure proper social distancing and following all guidance from the CDC and Nevada public health are just some of the safety protocols being discussed as we speak.

I can assure you that all the resorts and convention facilities throughout Las Vegas are doing everything possible to prepare safe meetings and trade shows during the months ahead. I am confident that everyone associated with the show will be excited and ready to host your industry, and the thousands of professionals it brings, for a safe and productive event in January.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in delivering a first-class event to Las Vegas, and we look forward to welcoming the SHOT Show family in January.”

That, in a nutshell, is about all any of us know about what’s going to happen six months from now.

But we’re watching, listening, and talking with people whose jobs are to make big decisions in uncertain times like these.

And, as always, we’ll keep you posted.

— Jim Shepherd

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