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August 31st, 2007
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has given notice that, effective 9/1/2007, all federal firearms licensees must use the revised Firearms Transaction Record Part I – Over-the-Counter (ATF Form 4473).
“In the immediate aftermath of the tragic events at Virginia Tech in April, many questions arose about whether the person responsible was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm and how the shooter passed the background check required before purchasing the two firearms used,” said ATF Acting Director Michael J. Sullivan. “ATF is clarifying this form in an effort to make it clear that any person who has been found by a court board or other lawful authority to be a danger to self or others is prohibited from purchasing a firearm or ammunition.”
The form clarifies the question regarding “mental defectives” and incorporates the definitions of this term set forth in the regulations, 27 CFR 478.11. The revision also incorporates certain provisions of the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-162) by adding “tribal offense” and “Tribal Law” to the definition of Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence.
August 30th, 2007
Bushmaster Firearms unveiled its impressive new website this week. The upgraded Bushmaster.com site now makes it easier to select guns and accessories for particular applications including competition, hunting/varminting, and self-defense. Bushmaster is clearly intent on becoming more than a “black rifle company”. A quick look at the website reveals that Bushmaster wants to promote the use of AR15-style rifles for hunting and target shooting. It speaks volumes that Bushmaster includes a picture of a female Service Rifle competitor on its new home page.
The upgraded site has many cool features, including an advanced, interactive Flash diagram that allows users to view all the internals of an AR15 as it cycles. You can choose from different views, including transparent and cutaway. Definitely check this out. Tip: To see all the internal workings, including shell loading/ejection, hammer function, and buffer operation, click “Zoom In” twice, center the lower receiver using your mouse, and select “Split” from the menu bar.
Bushmaster’s revamped website features a modern, secure e-commerce shopping cart system, with detailed specs and high-quality photos for all models including the new Real-Tree Camo Varminter (below).
The Bushmaster site is now structured to serve six “Communities”, each representing a particular sector of the shooting market: Hunting, Competition, Law Enforcement, Military, Recreation, and Home Defense.
Said Tom Tyler, Bushmaster Manager of Customer Service and Retail Sales “Besides information on the various rifle products Bushmaster offers, the new site provides an ‘e-shopping’ environment that has evolved from just parts, to one that now consists of accessories and associated items relating to the rifle market place to include; optics, cleaning kits, AR15 accessories, magazines etc.”
Bushmaster Firearms International, LLC (BFI) is the leading supplier of AR15-type rifles in the United States for Law Enforcement, Security applications, and consumer applications. Headquartered in Windham, Maine with manufacturing facilities in Windham and Lake Havasu, AZ, BFI supplies both Aluminum and Carbon Fiber-based AR15 type rifles and accessories to its US customer base, as well as LEO and Military customers worldwide. BFI, along with Remington Arms, is owned by Cerberus, a large holding company.
August 30th, 2007
Keeping track of upcoming shooting events and summarizing them for our Bulletin, Monthly Blog, and searchable Event Calendar is keeping the webmaster away from critical tasks. We are looking for a calendar/event assistant who can locate and update event info and upload that to the web. No special computer skills are required, but the candidate should be a careful typist and know how to digitally crop and resize photos. We will compensate the assistant for his/her time based on the amount of work involved. This would be a nice “side-job” for a retired individual, student, or somebody working part-time. If you are interested, please contact mailbox@6mmBR.com or post a comment below.
August 25th, 2007
Many readers have been concerned that they have been unable to access Benchrest.com. Please be patient. The site should be up and running again very soon. Wilbur and his staff are in the process of upgrading server equipment to better handle the load on the popular website. This should permit the site to handle hundreds of simultaneous connections much more efficiently. Hopefully full access will be restored by Sunday, August 26.
August 24th, 2007
MyTopo.com sells custom topo maps centered on the customer’s choice of location. Until recently, Mytopo’s offerings were limited to the United States. Just this week, MyTopo announced the addition of all 13 Canadian provinces and territories. The MyTopo Canadian system provides access to more than 12,000 new base maps, allowing customers to center a custom map print anywhere in Canada. Each map is available in a variety of sizes from 18″ by 24″ to a huge 36″ x 48″. Available finishes include waterproof synthetic paper, glossy poster finish, and full-seal laminated. Every map is printed with UV/fade-resistant inks.
“Those who have planned a backpacking or hunting trip to Canada know it can be hard to find good paper maps,” said Kevin Toohill, founder of MyTopo.com. “We expect the service to be a welcomed resource, and we know map enthusiasts will appreciate our customizing features, our folded, lightweight, waterproof paper option, and our ability to ship the maps within 24 hours.” With the ability for custom-centering and custom-scaling, map buyers have found they can often carry just a couple maps instead of a dozen or more.
Canadian topographic maps are based on the 1:50,000 scale, versus the US Geologic Survey (USGS) topo maps which are 1:24,000. MyTopo’s Canadian maps are made from scans of the original Natural Resources Canada topographic maps. MyTopo offers a choice of paper finishes, including waterproof, glossy, and laminated maps. The topographic maps range in price from $9.95 to $44.95, depending on map’s size. For more information, visit <a href=”Canadian topographic maps are based on the 1:50,000 scale, versus the US Geologic Survey (USGS) topo maps which are 1:24,000. MyTopo’s Canadian maps are made from scans of the original Natural Resources Canada topographic maps. The maps can vary between metric (meters) and English (feet) units. Newer maps are metric. The datum of the original maps also varies between the older North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27) and newer NAD83 maps. Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grids are pre-printed on ALL of the Natural Resources Canada base maps.
MyTopo’s Canadian topographic maps range in price from $9.95 to $44.95, depending on map size. For more info, visit MyTopo.com or call 1-877-587-9004 (toll-free).
August 21st, 2007
Doskocil cases — you see them everywhere in the gun world. With their durable plastic shells, dimpled foam linings, and distinctive low-profile sliding latches, Doskocil cases are inexpensive, durable and easy to store. This editor must have a dozen Doskocils, large and small.
Well, now Doskocil cases will be made by Plano, another large manufacturer of plastic-shelled gear cases. Plano Molding Co. announced the purchse of Doskocil Mfg.’s Doskosport Outdoor Division, effective immediately. The Doskosport product line includes Gun Guard, Bow Guard, Cargo Golf and related outdoor products. Currently, Plano makes Pro-Max gun cases and Bow-Max bow cases, plus a range of shooting sports and accessory storage cases.
We hope that Plano maintains the Doskocil design features that we like, particularly the sliding latches and recessed handles on the “GunGuard” value-line cases. These features make Doskocil cases much easier to slide in a cardboard shipping box, plus they are more convenient to store in a safe than cases with handles and latches that stick out. We’ll have to wait and see…. All Gun Guard, Bow Guard & Cargo Golf items will be manufactured by Plano by the end of 2007.
August 20th, 2007
Shooting USA, the popular television series, has created a series of instructional features in conjunction with the United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU). These online ‘Pro Tips’ USAMU Shooting Lessons will now be available on MyOutdoorTV.com through a partnership with Shooting USA.
Shooting USA Television has joined more than 80 outdoor sports television producers in offering programming segments to MyOutdoorTV.com. More than twelve-hundred television videos are now available to DSL and Cable Internet users via MyOutdoorTV.com.
“We’ve used the internet for years to stay in touch with our audience,” commented Jim Scoutten, executive producer of Shooting USA. “Now we’re able to make our show content available world-wide, thanks to our partnership with MyOutdoorTV. The fans are telling us they’re thrilled,” Scoutten said.
Streaming Gun Videos on MyOutdoorTV.com
In addition to making the USAMU Pro Tips available, MyOutdoorTV.com also streams Shooting USA segments on manufacturers such as Blackhawk and ZM Weapons, as well as the Int’l Sniper Competition recently held at Fort Benning. MyOutdoorTV.com streams over 80 shows on shooting sports, hunting, fishing, and boating. The website also hosts radio shows, outdoor videos, and the new State Explorer sections.
August 19th, 2007
Cabela’s Incorporated, (NYSE: CAB), recently announced that it will acquire S.I.R. Warehouse Sports Store, a Winnipeg, Canada-based retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and outdoor merchandise. Founded in 1924 by Sydney Isaac Robinson, S.I.R. has grown into one of Canada’s leading outdoor outfitters through its mail-order operation and 44,000-square-foot retail store in Winnipeg. A family-owned and operated business, S.I.R is headed by Earl Robinson, son of the company’s founder, who serves as president.
According to Dennis Highby, Cabela’s President and CEP. “This acquisition will allow us to accelerate growth of our retail, catalog and Internet business in Canada, and though we already have a loyal customer base in Canada, we expect significant growth in Canadian business as a result of this transaction.”
Cabela’s, founded in 1961, has a similar family-oriented history and tradition. Dick Cabela and his brother, Jim, built the company from a small mail-order operation to a world-wide multi-channel retail operation, selling merchandise through mail-order, a Web site and a growing chain of destination retail stores. Cabela’s went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2004. Cabela’s currently has thousands of catalog and Internet customers in Canada, but this would be its first Canadian retail operation. The purchase price has not been disclosed.
August 17th, 2007
John Whidden is the 2007 NRA National Long-Range Champion. He not only won the overall championship but he also won the Canadian Cup and the Palma competition. In fact, John won the Palma with the very same gun featured on this site as our “Gun of the Week”. Congrats to a great champion for well-deserved victories.
Thanks to Jim Hardy for this Report.
August 15th, 2007
I lost my father last night. One moment I was holding his hand, feeling his pulse racing in one final effort to hold on to life. Then he closed his eyes, and I could feel his pulse slow until the last beat. You never realize life is so fragile until that moment when it ebbs away. Forever.
Here’s hoping you are in a better place Lieutenant.
Go with God, old soldier.
If you know an old soldier… spend time with them soon. We will all be poorer for their passing. Men like my dad were once young and brave — part of a great, noble effort that just managed to save the world. For that, they should be honored.
 In his lifetime, my father was many things — a Forest Ranger on fire watch in the Olympic Mountains, a commander of Army Engineers in North Africa, a student at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, a college professor, a celebrated artist whose works hung in the Guggenheim, an illustrator for the Space Program. He was one of the “Greatest Generation” — those young Americans that fought to save the world from Nazi oppression in WWII. He lived an amazing life for 87 years, but his time came at last. I can only take solace in the fact that his passing was gentle and without pain. But I will miss him, and I already feel an emptiness in my life.
Though he never became a rich man, he was truly a gentleman and a scholar. He was compassionate to all and honest to a fault. One thing I can do in his memory, something I know would give him a smile, is to show some of his art. He would enjoy knowing that people, around the world, could see something he created.
God bless, Dad, this is for you.
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