Below is a transcript of arguments in Supreme Court case McDonald v. City of Chicago. The decision in this case is likely to affect the US firearms industry and by extension, the US small arms industry and is presented purely for informational purposes.
McDonald v. City of Chicago Transcript 030210
If you’ve got a great new widget that fits any one of the categories below then Naval Air Systems Command at Pax River wants to hear about it. What’s great about a Broad Agency Announcement is that they last all year so it’s easy to make the deadline and are intended to cast a wide net in search of solutions for issues facing a command. There aren’t any pesky requirements that you have to meet. They want to hear about your good ideas and see if they fill any of their capability gaps.
(1) protection against G-induced loss of consciousness, loss of situational awareness, spatial disorientation, and high altitude hypoxia; (2) micro / nanotechnology applicable to life support and protective devices; (3) protection against hypothermia / hyperthermia; (4) auxiliary or integrated human cooling and heating systems; (5) integrated helmet mounted displays, multi-mode helmet vision system technology; (6) advanced filter / device development for eye and / or sensor protection; (7) warfighter / equipment compatibility; (8) breathing systems and advanced concept approaches for current and future applications; (9) crash protection, advanced restraint systems (all axes of restraint), accelerative loads reduction and seating concepts; (10) emergency egress / escape concepts such as but not limited to improved signaling / locating, thermal signature reduction, and day / night cloaking technologies (11) integrated communications systems; (12) hearing protection and communication capabilities in high noise environments (13) integrated floatation systems; (14) human strength enhancement technologies; (15) garment textiles / materials, flame resistant / melt-proof fibers, webbings, water-proof, high-stretch, breathable fabrics, durable, malleable, lightweight conductive-network fabrics, low-bulk / high flexibility vascular compression mechanisms for acceleration protection, fast-response cooling / heating textiles; (16) crew / workstation design; (17) lightweight, portable power sources, recharging and scavenging technologies, and (18) other personal protective technologies.
As you can see this pretty much runs the gamut of Soldier Systems as well as some aviation technologies. If you think you’ve got what they need you will need to submit a white paper. Check out the entire solicitation at www.fbo.gov for further guidance.
“In connection with Snugpak Limited Company’s defamation lawsuit against Wiggy’s Inc. and Jerry Wigutow, in Broward County Circuit Court, we are informing you that the matter has been amicably settled and we have withdrawn all references to Snugpak. Wiggy’s apologizes to Snugpak for any inaccurate information which appeared on the website or for any harm any such inaccurate information may have caused.”
Wiggy’s Newsletter Nov 2009
Planning for SOFEX is in full swing. In its eighth year, SOFEX will be held at the King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. SOFEX is held biennially under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II, the Chairmanship of HRH Prince Feisal Bin Al Hussein and with the full support of the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF).
SOFEX 2010 is a four-day event that kicks off with a one day conference that includes a series of comprehensive and topical seminars delivered by top military officials from around the world, tackling a wide range of issues pertinent to current counter terrorism and homeland security issues. It also features a great trade show. For more information visit www.sofexjordan.com
L-3 Communications announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Insight Technology Incorporated (Insight). Insight develops and manufactures night vision and laser aiming and illumination devices. Headquartered in Londonderry, New Hampshire, Insight employs approximately 1,100 people. The purchase price was not disclosed and will be funded with cash on hand. However, according to Business Wire, “Insight is expected to generate approximately $290 million of sales for the twelve months ending December 31, 2010. Before giving effect to the present value of tax related benefits of the transaction and expected synergies, the purchase price represents a multiple of approximately nine times estimated 2010 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).”
It is anticipated that Ken Solinsky, Insight’s founder and president, will become president of L-3’s newly created Warrior Systems Sector. He will report to James W. Dunn, senior vice president and president of L-3’s Sensors and Simulation Group. The Warrior Systems Sector will include Insight as well as L-3’s existing electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) businesses currently addressing the warrior systems market and will be reported in L-3’s Electronic Systems segment. As you may remember, in 2007 L-3 purchased Eotech, producers of holograraphic gunsights. Based on this information it is a safe bet that the Eotech line will be moved into the Warrior Systems Sector. It will be interesting to see how this affects Insight’s line of Red Dot Sights.
www.L-3com.com
www.insightlights.com
Responding to a call for aid to earthquake damaged Haiti from the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), DRIFIRE has assisted the Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) organization by shipping approximately 1,650 comfortable FR shirts to be distributed to two orphanages.
“We’ve worked with the AAFA and K.I.D.S. in the past, donating more than 500 garments during the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina. We’re happy to join them in supporting orphans in Haiti with our products. Our donations may be a tiny piece of the overall relief effort, but we wanted to be involved and we’re excited for our chance to directly impact these orphanages,” says Kim Scarbrough, Executive Assistant at DRIFIRE, who is leading the company’s efforts in Haiti.
The flame retardant shirts sent in DRIFIRE’s first shipment feature moisture wicking and antimicrobial technology that is crucial for staying dry and comfortable in humid, warm climates. The second shipment will include rolls of raw fabric made of soft, comfortable material in response to the strong need for blankets. The fabric also features antimicrobial technology, cutting down on germs and odor. In addition to blankets, the fabric can be used to make clothes, tents and other garments to help keep the children protected and comfortable.
DRIFIRE isn’t stopping there. They plan to continue helping the orphanages on a long-term basis as more products become available for shipment in the coming weeks. Additional aid will be spread among the communities in Haiti as needed.
“Everyone at DRIFIRE is eager to contribute to helping the people in Haiti. From warehouse employees working overtime to get products shipped, to the executive team coordinating with AAFA and K.I.D.S. to make this all happen, we’re thankful and proud to be part of such a generous, hard-working company. Working together is crucial in these times of need, and we hope that our efforts will encourage and inspire others in the FR apparel and safety industry to donate high quality, life-saving products to those who need them,” says Scarbrough.
If you are looking for one stop shopping to quench your thirst for nylon gear news from a variety of sources, then head over to Tactical Gear Digest where the reader drives content. Readers post stories and content from different source sites and are encouraged to vote and comment on the content.
They have been around for some time but recently updated their site to make it more user friendly. Additionally, they are running a new member drive and are giving away a Blackwater Gear Rifle Case.
There’s a new forum in town and it’s not quite like anything we have ever seen before. In addition to free general memberships, the staff at Global Spear will offer special consideration to those members who choose to disclose their backgrounds. Such information will be kept confidential but will add considerable weight to a poster’s contributions. The goal is to avoid having the unqualified dispense advice that could get a forum member injured or killed.
Additionally, Global Spear seeks to provide unbiased product evaluations free from the influence of corporate shills. Evaluators must disclose how they obtained the product and any affiliations they might have with the product’s producer. The establishment of a poster’s credibility will also help to temper the voice of fan boys as they rush to defend the object of their affection’s latest turd polisher.
Global Spear also envisions a forum where small business owners can go and exchange information on how to better serve the market as well as themselves.
I am very excited about the possibilities being offered here. Visit www.GlobalSpear.com to learn more.
