Sig Sauer's John Hollister on Prospects for Hearing Protection Act

At the NRA Annual Meetings last weekend, John Hollister of the SIG Silencer Team and Michael Bane of The Outdoor Channel talked Suppressors.  During the conversation Bane asked about the prospects for passage of the Hearing Protection Act (HPA).  Hollister said he believes it will pass, but not this year (at the 4:38 mark of the below video).

I had the opportunity to speak with Hollister in the hotel Saturday afternoon and he said he believes it may take several years to pass the HPA but he does believe it will eventually pass.  I told him my fear was if it is not done in the next two years, or at least the next four, our window of opportunity may close due to politics and political changes in Congress or the White House.  He said every gun owner needs to go to the American Suppressor Association web site and complete the form that will send an email to your congressman and senators to support the Duncan-Carter Hearing Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 367) in the House and the Hearing Protection Act (S.59) in the Senate.  

Verizon Drops Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, From TV Offerings

Sporting Classics Daily reports that Verizon has dropped the Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel from its television line-up blaming low viewership and high costs as the reason.  But according to Sporting Classics Daily, that reasoning has some wondering if other issues are really the cause of the decision:

...While other niche channels like Al-Jazeera America continue to be broadcast, outdoor viewers are being told they don't make up a large enough audience to justify contract renewals between the telecom giant and the channels' provider, Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks.

The owner of Outdoor Channel/Sportsman Channel has enlisted the head of the AFL-CIO to their cause:

“We have more than 6.5 million members who make the outdoors an important part of their lives,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said on the group's website. “We are disappointed that Verizon has chosen to take these actions against Outdoor Channel and Sportsman Channel. Working people can’t be silenced by big corporate interests and will stand up to fight back against this unfair move by Verizon.”  

Trumka, Chairman of the Union Sportsmen's Alliance as well, sent Verizon's Ceo and Chairman Lowell C. McAdam a letter expressing his and the unions' concerns.

The Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks is encouraging sportsmen to contact Verizon and urge them to begin carrying the channels again or to outright cancel their service.

Yes, People Do Use Guns for Self Defense

The gun ban advocates tout a recent study that claims owning a gun does not make you safer.   While that study has already been debunked, it is far more convincing to hear from someone who did fear for her life and turned to buying a firearm and training to use it for the purpose of protecting her life.   This morning, actress Kelly Carlson appeared on Fox News to talk a little about her experience and how she turned to the NRA for help, as well as promoting her appearance on the Outdoor Channel's NRA All Access airing tonight.

Here is a preview of the NRA All Access segment.

Update:Carlson spoke more in-depth with Cam Edwards about her experience during Wednesday's NRANews program.

Kahr Arms Showcases New Gen2 at NRA Annual Meeting

Kahr Arms used the NRA Annual Meeting to showcase their new Gen2 Premium line of handguns ahead of this summer's availability.  With tighter tolerances and many upgrades, the company's web site notes the Gen2 "truly is the second generation of Kahr pistols."  Some of the new features include:

• shortened trigger stroke allowing for quicker firing rates – 30% shorter than premium model
• integrated trigger safety
• accessory rail for lasers and lights
• front slide serrations on 5” and 6” barrel models
• 6” compensated barrel model
• Leupold® Deltapoint™ Red Dot mount (5” barrel models) with tall target sights
• Leupold® Deltapoint™ Red Dot optic included with 6” barrel models
• TRUGLO® TFX™ Tritium/Fiber-Optic Day/Night sights standard on 3.5” and 4” barrel models
• Safe-Cam striker-fired action
• double recoil spring system for reduced felt recoil
• redesigned magazine base and grip for a sleeker look
• slide machined from the highest quality of stainless steel available for firearms
• erial tag on grip frame
• ergonomic single stack grip frame fits most hand sizes from small to large
• ships with 3 magazines and a lockable, hard, polymer case

Outdoor Channel's Michael Bane spoke with Kahr Arms' Frank Harris about the new offerings showcased in Nashville.
Kahr rolled out eight of the firearms in Nashville but a total of 12 models will be available by December 2015 with four barrel lengths and three calibers including 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Premium doesn't only describe the model, it could also be used to describe the price.  The MSRP on the new series will range from $976 to $1668.  The 9mm and .45 ACP will be available in July/August 2015 and the .40 S&W will be available in December.

Gun Free Zone Documentary Debuts April 1

The topic of “gun-free zones” and campus carry is facing the glare of the national spotlight with lawmakers in 10 states promoting bills to permit licensed carriers who are 21 or older to bring their firearms on college campuses. Safety/security (sexual assault and mass shootings) and constitutional-rights concerns are driving the discussion.  So it is timely that the Outdoor Channel's Safe Haven Documentary hosted by Fox News contributor and Townhall news editor Katie Pavlich debut's April 1.

According to the Outdoor Channel media release:

"Safe Haven" takes a critical look at the history of gun-free zones in the United States and their effect on crime prevention through a series of interviews with law enforcement, industry experts and survivors, among others. The documentary explores how effective, or perhaps ineffective, these gun-free measures have been and offers possible solutions that would better protects schools, businesses and the public at large.

The program airs at 4:30 ET on April 1.