ATF withdraws it's recently issued guidance on stabilizing braces
Written by reg mathuszThe ATF has announced that they are withdrawing their
Here is the NSSF statement:
"NSSF had been engaging with manufacturers, distributors, retailers, as well as policymakers to highlight concerns surrounding the proposed guidance. NSSF was working to illustrate the potential impact this guidance would have had on the firearm industry.
NSSF has long requested the ATF to publish objective criteria by which firearm manufacturers can readily produce firearms equipped with arm braces in compliance with the law. To date, the criteria is subjective and open to interpretation on a case-by-case basis. The guidance proposed by the ATF last week did little, unfortunately, to clear the ambiguity that exists with subjective criteria.
NSSF is committed to working with the ATF, on behalf of firearm manufacturers, to establish objective criteria for stabilizing brace-equipped firearms. The firearm industry trade association will continue to monitor and provide updates on any further developments. "
Here is a link to the ATF's withdrawal statement: https://nssfpdf.s3.amazonaws.com/sbcriteriawithdraw.pdf
Background:
The ATF has made a lot of news lately. First they met with Biden to discuss "priorities." And then they raided "Honey Badger" declaring their braces to be a SBR. Then they raided Polymer80 saying that kits that included an 80% receiver were somehow, a firearm even though the possession of the parts does not, and finishing the receiver by machining it and then assembling the kit, is also legal. There were stories that they took Polymer's customer list and were confiscating the kits as contraband. Rumor is that ATF was using an evidence form that allowed them to destroy the kits after the conclusion of their investigation INSTEAD of a normal evidence seizure form.
The focus appears to have been the fact that the kits are shipped in one box whereas shipping them separately would be illegal. Figure that one out. However, following along the (non) logic that a plastic stock can somehow be a "machine gun" the ATF issued a statement that they were looking into pistol braces as a potential NFA item! https://d3uwh8jpzww49g.cloudfront.net/sharedmedia/1511333/2020-27857.pdf
I suspect that this is a temporary pause that will, unfortunately, be revisited this upcoming year with a much more anti-gun Administration.
Source: https://www.nssf.org/nssf-announces-2021-shot-show-cancellation/
"OCTOBER 30, 2020
NSSF ANNOUNCES 2021 SHOT SHOW CANCELLATION
Statement from NSSF® President & CEO Joe Bartozzi:
Due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases throughout the world, NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, today makes the difficult announcement that the 2021 SHOT Show® has been canceled.
NSSF has remained in constant communication with Nevada officials throughout the year in our planning for the 2021 show. While there has been a concerted effort to expand the allowable levels for large gatherings by the county and state, with positivity rates peaking during our key planning period we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 show. Sadly, these spikes are currently transpiring worldwide. Given the sheer complexities, diminishing timeline and immense logistical planning required to conduct a trade show as large as SHOT, NSSF simply could not move forward at this point with so many unknowns and variables. We truly appreciate the guidance of Nevada and Las Vegas officials in allowing us to communicate this news to our exhibitors and attendees well in advance of the show. We would also like to thank the Sands directly for their help and efforts to navigate this unprecedented situation.
The planning and work that has gone into the 2021 SHOT Show has been nothing short of remarkable. Since the pandemic began in early 2020, NSSF staff and our show partners have been working around the clock to plan our largest show in history while keeping the health and safety of all involved as paramount.
The support of our show exhibitors this year has also been nothing short of remarkable. With three months to go until the show, floor space for both the Sands Expo Center and our expansion to the new Caesars Forum was nearly sold out, with more companies than ever before represented at the SHOT Show.
All of this positions us for a 2022 SHOT Show that will be undoubtedly the best in our industry’s history, and we look forward to bringing our entire community together again at a show that will be one to remember.
During the coming year, NSSF asks for our industry’s unwavering support as we continue our fight to promote, protect and preserve our industry in these unsettling times.
Throughout this year, NSSF has remained at the forefront for our industry. As thousands of businesses across the country were shuttered as being “non-essential” during the pandemic, NSSF worked nonstop to have firearm retailers, ranges, manufacturers and distributors listed as “essential,” which allowed them to remain open for business.
NSSF is your trade association. Everything we do—from education, safety initiatives, compliance and security resources, import/export guidance, consumer activation initiatives, government relations and the SHOT Show—is aimed at helping businesses in our industry succeed. Now, more than ever, we need your continued support.
-30-
About NSSF
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.
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Media contact:
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203-426-1320 ext. 212
NSSF: Washington State AG Opinion: Guns OK for Repair/Service Without Background Check
Written by reg mathuszHowever, the term “gunsmith” is not defined and there is no such thing as a “federally licensed gunsmith” under the Gun Control Act. In its advisory opinion the Washington State Attorney General’s Office has interpreted the term “federally licensed gunsmiths” to include federally licensed dealers, manufacturers and importers provided they are engaged in the business of repairing or modifying firearms. In the case of a manufacturer and importer they must be engaged in the busines of repairing or modifying firearms “of the same type he or she manufactures” or “imports” at their premises listed on their license. The net result is that a Washington consumer may send their firearm to a dealer, manufacturer or importer to be repaired or serviced and receive it back without requiring a background check under Washington State law."
Update: Files are back online. Webhost changed the server/name hosting this site and I had to reconfigure it manually.
Sorry!
From: https://www.yahoo.com/news/supreme-court-win-gun-control-204410207.html
"The justices are set to meet Friday for their private conference, during which they discuss cases before the court. On the agenda: at least six cases involving state and local firearms restrictions and the reach of the Second Amendment.
'The Supreme Court is well aware that they need to clarify the scope of the Second Amendment because presently, and Kavanaugh points this out, all the lower courts are doing is rubber stamping any gun law without giving it proper consideration,' said Matthew Larosiere, director of legal policy for the Firearms Policy Coalition."
This is a long legal process, so let's hope that they don't take too long.
And in other bad news for gun owners the US Supreme Court punted on the NY case (posted earlier). If you recall, NY quickly pulled the city's travel restrictions prior to the case being heard. Convenient. Very convenient.
SCOTUS decided that since it was rescinded that there was no need to further review. Of course, there is nothing to keep the city from simply re-enacting now, forcing it through the entire legal process....again.
2A advocates hoped that this would be a potential major victory in a clearly illegal order (even NY knows it), but it appears that we will have to wait for another suitable case. And unfortunately there is now precedent for the jurisdiction to simply halt their restrictions if they fear that they may get over-ruled.
Updated 4/28: it appears that some members of the Court agree: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dissenting-justices-claim-supreme-court-171809797.html
More...
UPDATE: On Friday 4/24 the 9th Circuit of Appeals issued an EMERGENCY stay of the Judge's order. This was requested by the CA AG.
Repost of article: https://www.yahoo.com/news/judge-tosses-california-ammunition-purchase-233528521.html
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday blocked a California law requiring background checks for people buying ammunition, issuing a sharply worded rebuke of “onerous and convoluted” regulations that violate the constitutional right to bear arms.
U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez in San Diego ruled in favor of the California Rifle & Pistol Association, which asked him to stop the checks and related restrictions on ammo sales.
“The experiment has been tried. The casualties have been counted. California’s new ammunition background check law misfires and the Second Amendment rights of California citizens have been gravely injured,” Benitez wrote in a 120-page opinion granting the group's motion for a preliminary injunction.
Voters approved toughening California’s already strict firearms laws in 2016, and the restrictions took effect last July.
New York was the first state to require a comprehensive ammunition background check system for each sale, but it never took effect. That left California as the first to the extend firearm background checks to each ammunition sale.
Four other states — Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Jersey — require buyers to undergo background checks to obtain firearms or ammunition licenses that they must show when buying bullets, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Hannah Shearer, the center’s litigation director, called the ruling “a dangerous step in the wrong direction” at a time when gun stores are seeing increased sales to those worried about the effect of coronavirus on society or their safety.
“The law’s red tape and state database errors made it impossible for hundreds of thousands of law-abiding Californians to purchase ammunition for sport or self-defense,” said Chuck Michel, the association’s general counsel. “The court found that the flimsy reasons offered by the government to justify these constitutional infringements were inadequate.”
He expected the state to appeal the ruling. But in the meantime “Californians can sleep a little easier tonight knowing their Constitutional rights were restored and strengthened by this decision,” he said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom championed the law before he became governor, and spokeswoman Vicky Waters said his administration is disappointed by the decision and considering its next steps. "California’s strong gun safety laws help keep our schools and communities safe,” she said.
The state attorney general’s office said only that it is reviewing the decision. It did not immediately say if it will appeal or seek to stay the order, which takes effect immediately at a time when some California gun stores have been ordered shut because of the coronavirus. Among the places where the shops were not deemed essential businesses are Los Angeles and San Jose.
The same judge’s decision last year striking down the state’s ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines sparked a week-long buying frenzy before he halted sales while the state appeals his ruling. Gun owners similarly rushed to stockpile ammunition before the new restrictions took effect last summer.
Benitez called the ammunition background check law “onerous and convoluted” and “constitutionally defective.”
“Criminals, tyrants, and terrorists don’t do background checks,” he wrote. “The background check experiment defies common sense while unduly and severely burdening the Second Amendment rights of every responsible, gun-owning citizen desiring to lawfully buy ammunition.”
While it is intended to keep ammunition from criminals, it blocked sales to legitimate, law-abiding buyers about 16% of the time, he wrote. Moreover, he ruled that the state's ban on importing ammunition from outside California violates federal interstate commerce laws.
Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a court filing earlier this month that the background checks stopped more than 750 people from buying bullets illegally from July 2019 through January 2020, not including those who didn’t even try because they knew they weren’t eligible.
The law requires buyers who already are in the state’s firearm background check database to pay a $1 fee each time they buy ammunition, while others can buy longer-term licenses if they do not have certain criminal convictions or mental health commitments.
It took an average of less than 5 minutes to complete the background checks, according to state court filings.
“There is no substantial impediment,” the state said in court documents. “Ammunition purchasers must pass an eligibility check that, in the vast majority of cases, delays a purchase by a few minutes.”
Benitez ruled that the ammunition law illegally locks out-of-state vendors out of California’s market, and that it conflicts with a federal law allowing gun owners to bring their firearms and ammunition through California.
The lawsuit by California Rifle & Pistol Association was joined by out-of-state ammunition sellers and California residents, including Kim Rhode. She has won six Olympic shooting medals.
Updated 4/27: SCOTUS booted this issue without any ruling since NY scuttled the law prior to it being heard. This sets a horrible precedent because there is nothing to stop NY from simply re-enacting it as fast.
SCOTUS heard arguments today in the case against NYC disallowing gun owners from traveling outside their home/city. This law was upheld by 2nd Circuit - however after SCOTUS agreed to hear the case NYC, fearing Court review, quickly changed the law and argued that the case was moot.
This is an important case because IMO if allowed to stand ANYTIME the SCOTUS agrees to hear a case the law can quickly be changed to avert a ruling. What is to stop them from simply re-enacting the SAME law later? Nothing. And the entire legal process would have to start from step 1 again! Basically, un-Constitutional laws could be kept just by this side-stepping. Imagine the precedent that this would set.
Additionally, the City was unable to answer Justice Alito's question if residents would be able to stop to see their mother if on the way to the range.
This is a very good article on what happened today:
https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/12/argument-analysis-justices-focus-on-mootness-in-challenge-to-now-repealed-new-york-city-gun-rule/
Review of the Craft Holster CH-100 OWB (for Sig P220)
Written by reg mathuszWhen Craft Holsters offered to send an OWB holster to do a review I jumped. As readers may know, I am a big fan of a good leather holster.
One of my favorite holsters (and first good holster) was a Galco Combat Master (also my first pistol). I still own both. I'd have to check my receipts but that was 30 years ago. I remember because, for me, it was a big jump $-wise to go from an Uncle Mikes holster to the Galco.
What I am saying is that a good leather holster is an investment and will serve you for many years to come. They are definitely worth the money.
I carried that combination for many years, but at some point I switched to a Sig P220 for its light-weight and out-of-box accuracy (even in my hands). At the time, I tried to go the route of an IWB like a Kramer but it is just not a very concealable pistol. As I got older it became impractical to me to to carry a such a large pistol and like others, I moved onto smaller more concealable pistols for CCW.
Although no longer my CCW pistol I still have a soft spot for my P220. In fact, taking it to the range reminded just how well it still shoots. Going through my box of holsters, I realized that I never did end up with a holster for it - I had traded/sold them!
That brings me back to Craft Holster's offer.
After taking a look at their website: http://www.craftholsters.com I was happy to find that P220. In fact, there is a good variety of other models that can sometimes harder to find. In my recent search (and on their site): CZ 75 Compact, HK VP9sk, Beretta 92 Compact (with or without rail). Additionally, newer pistols models are available like the new Glock 43x and 48. For newer Sig fans the P320s, P365 and 938 are also represented.
The "holster finder" allows you to find all their holsters that fit your model. It also gives you an in-stock status and estimated ship time.
So, with fall weather here (full size pistol time) and feeling a bit of old-school Sig nostalgia I requested a holster for my P220.
In just a few days a box arrived with the holster. The packaging is the ship box. I am all for minimal packaging, especially if it helps keeps the cost lower. For me, most of that stuff gets thrown away or lost anyway. The inside of the box has some information on their holster email club (10% off your second holster and email offers) along with support info:
The holster has a nice tan outer finish – mahogany. The boning is more detailed than the average holster, with a typical depth. I was pleased that there was no out-of-the box stain smell:
The first thing that I noticed is how thin the holster is. Leather work has come a long way! The issue with my old IWB attempts with the Kramer and now defunct C5 Custom Leather was how thick they were.
This is very thin:
Noteworthy is that the inside of the holster is unfinished and unlined. Lining adds additional cost and supposedly saves wear on your pistol, but I haven't noticed a difference.
An inside finish looks nice at first but it always wear off with usage and ends up looking the same.I have plenty of black leather holsters where the inside is tan now.
I am not personally concerned with holster wear on pistol. If it's a safe queen it should probably be in the safe and not a holster ;)
Inside, different angle:
The company logo and name are prominently stamped on the back-side. It is very clean, minimal, and looks very nice:
One thing that would be a nice addition to the holster would be what model it fits stamped into the holster - We all have A box of holsters that we are not quite sure of what they fit. For fun, I did a quick check of a few of my holsters and found that some companies, some do not, and a few vendors simply wrote the model in Sharpie on the inside of the holster. It works!
Continuing on...Double-stitching on the interior and single-stitching on the outside looks great!
Oops, is that a missing stitch at the bottom left? I am not sure if that is intentional, but there is no loose thread. Regardless, it is certainly no practical issue.
Another shot of the stitching and it also shows that muzzle is completely protected. This saves your jeans:
The sweat shield may look small but it works perfectly without requiring a huge shield. Craft calls it a partial shield and, if not convinced, does also offer a holster with a full shield.
The partial shield is a huge advantage over holsters without one (like the Galco Combat Master). Some of my other holsters do have a full guard, Sometimes they are even reinforced - and they are always huge - now I wonder why? Craft proves that all that extra material and thickness simply isn’t needed.
Notice how the "partial shield" does not dramatically over-arch the holster body?
It may not look like it covers the whole pistol completely, but I didn't feel the pistol against me. No cold steel sensation -- even with an un-tucked t-shirt.
I think that this is my favorite feature of the holster!
View from the other side:
You may have noticed that the holster does not have a reinforced mouth. Many feel that this is a requirement for rapid re-holstering. I have both and to be honest, I have never had an urgent need to re-holster. Still, it is nice not to have to use an additional hand as some holsters seem to collapse without the pistol. The Craft is actually not bad reholstering. I can press the P220 into the holster and re-holster with minimal effort and with one-hand - this is not something that I can do with all my OWB holsters.
NOTE: You do need to always glance down prior to holstering to ensure that there is no obstruction or anything that may catch the trigger. This is true of all holsters.
On the other hand (and more important to me) is that the pistol draws clean without any drag. There is no retention, but I did flip it upside down and it did not fall out with a light shake (sorry, no pic of that lol).
The belt slots are a standard 1.5”.
It fits my Wildnerness 5-Stitch perfectly:
It also fits the Wilderness CSM (polymer insert model):
One belt that a lot of holsters (especially Kydex) have issues with is the Galco SB2. It is simply ridiculously thick. Mine is at least 30 years old! (remember the quality leather statement)
The belt is a little snug going through the loops, but the Craft passes that thick belt test!
Wow, itwas a snug fit! But to be fair it is thicker than any of my other belts:
The loops passed through my Relentless Tactical "Steel Core" Ultimate Belt without any problems:
After wearing the holster for several weeks, the only noticeable wear was from squeezing the Galco Belt through! Nice quality leather and good finish.
Speaking of wearing the holster, I found it to be very comfortable. What was surprising is that the Craft's loops loops actually bend inward towards your body. With other holsters, like the Galco Combat Master, you can distinctly feel the edge of the pistol at the main holster body. I could not with the Craft. The only reason that I could think of was because of the loops. I was able to wear the holster, even seated all-day without any problem. Also, thinking that the lops bending makes the holster body a little more rigid making it easy to holster/reholster than others.
I struggled to come up with a pic that illustrates this, but this was all I could come up with. NOTE: I am actually wearing it in the pic - I tried a darker shirt but you couldn't see anything then):
In some of the photos above you can also see how the loops have become bent in from wearing it.
To conclude, the Craft Holster is very will made. It is basic (no lining, mouth reinforcement, etc) leather holster that is practical and comfortable. Their standard partial sweat guard works amazingly well and IMO should be on every holster!
Incidentally, their holsters are covered by a 5yr warranty but I suspect it will last MANY years to come.
This will not be my last from them:
Craft Holsters P220 holster selection:
https://www.craftholsters.com/sig-sauer-p220-holsters
There is a newer slimmer holster that is slimmer with better reholster capability:
https://www.craftholsters.com/open-top-leather-pancake-holster-panther
WA State: Magazine ban coming (again) and it means no CCW with them!
Written by reg mathuszI urge you contact your legislators because the magazine ban that did not get voted on this session (narrowly) WILL be back this January.
To make matters worse, even though they didn't get floor votes this past session they can skip the committee process again and go to vote, which the Speaker has promised as a priority.
Links to the Bills (House and Senate) are available here:
https://legiscan.com/WA/bill/HB1068/2019
This ban allows magazine usage on physical property (with permission) and at the range!
To get them to those locations you must carry them UNLOADED and separate.
THERE IS NO EXEMPTION FOR CCW!
There are a lot of firearms do not have 10 round variants, especially those that are out-of-production. This will essentially take those pistols out of LEGAL usage for CCW - by people ALREADY LEGALLY LICENSED to carry a pistol.
Of course, the concept of limiting to 10 is ridiculous itself. 10 is good but 15 is not? 2 x 10rd mags is 20. In the 10 years of the Federal "Assault Weapons Ban" did high-capacity mags disappear? I'll grant you that their prices sure did jump up, but they were far from gone.
