Here we see, Rudy Reyes and Jay Neely of Tumwater Creative at the Beyond Clothing catalog shoot.
Photo Credit: The Warden, Lawless Truth
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
Friday, April 28th, 2017Blue Force Gear Flash Sale at Extreme Outfitters
Friday, April 28th, 201715% OFF all Blue Force Gear at Extreme Outfitters. Use code BFF. Friday 4/28/17 only
LBT Inc Issues Statement Regarding Federal Investigation
Thursday, April 27th, 2017
Earlier today, I saw on the local news that officers from the Department of Homeland Security and Defense Criminal Investigative Service served two writs on London Bridge Trading Company (LBT) at their headquarters and factory on London Bridge Road in nearby Virginia Beach. Immediately, the conjecture began on social media, but I decided to find out about what was going on before I wrote anything.
What apparently began as a show of force at about 9:00 AM, quickly dwindled to just a few officers as LBT’s employees cooperated with the investigation, clarifying how their business operates and who its customers are. LBT posted this to social media, in response to social media comments about the event.
As far as I know, no one was arrested, and nothing was seized in the “audit”. To be honest, I’m not quite sure how to refer to it. Raid seems too over the top and audit seems a bit optimistic considering the way it was initiated. It certainly didn’t end the way it started. In response, LBT issued this statement just awhile ago on social media.
From what I understand, the “audit” was part of an ongoing investigation, but so far, no one outside of the government knows exactly what that investigation entails. However, sources tell me that while federal agents knew that LBT manufactured goods in Peru, they had no idea about subsidiary LBX Tactical, nor that business’s purpose, to sell tactical products commercially to the public. It sounds like all they knew was LBT and military contracts. Naturally, this could cause some confusion to anyone who knows that the Berry Amendment requires that all textiles sold to the US military be completely of US origin, from base materials all the way to the finished item. However, many do not know that there are exceptions to this rule.
The governemnt has a lot of flexibility in how it buys the items it needs. The vehicle used to purchase items all depends on who is buying the items, how they are buying them, as well as the overall cost of the purchase. For example, Berry has a threshold of $150,000. This means that if the total procurement is less than $150k, Berry isn’t an issue. This generally applies to direct buys like Government Purchase Card purchases. However, anything purchased through DLA, including via Tailored Logistics System, must be Berry compliant. Another example of an exception to Berry is that if the item is purchased overseas and intended to only be used overseas, Berry requirements can be waived. Early in the war this was sometimes done to buy mountaineering boots.
In addition to Berry purchases, military units can buy through GSA, but this requires that the items be TAA or Trade Agreement compliant in origin. These are made in countries who are on the “good guy” list. Few countries aren’t on the list, but they include China, Vietnam and North Korea, amongst others. Interestingly, several of the countries who aren’t TAA compliant seem to be found in the textile good supply chain. Confused yet?
It can be even more confusing because elements of the national security infrastructure like the intelligence community as well as the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice are not bound to the rules of the Berry Amendment, despite their missions. They must apply other rules which will hopefully be cleared up a bit as the new “Buy American, Hire American” Executive Order, signed just last week by President Trump, is implemented.
Hopefully, for LBT and their employees, this is simply a case of confusion. But, until we know the ultimate outcome, LBT says they plan to continue to fill orders. We will keep you posted.
TYRANT DESIGNS CNC | MiniVert Grip colors Launch
Thursday, April 27th, 2017Tyrant Designs CNC, coming off an impressive product launch that sold out everywhere within 72 hours, Tyrant has now released the MiniVert in Red, Grey and Blue. The early reviews have come back very positive, with the guys at Tyrant already shifting their focus onto their upcoming Hand Stop.
“We are extremely happy with the launch of the MiniVert. For us it is an indicator that our design efforts and R&D are on the right path. We will continue in this direction and will be adding new products to the HALO Series very soon!”
SHOP THE HALO SERIES MINIVERT NOW AT WWW.TYRANTCNC.COM.
AustriAlpin – New Cobra FM Buckles
Thursday, April 27th, 2017Although these are non-life support buckles, they will still hold up to 1000 lbs (4 kN). Weighing in at 19 oz, these are available in fixed and adjustable models, in 3/4″ and 1″.
Kyle Defoor Joins Russell Moccasin Co Prostaff
Thursday, April 27th, 2017Berlin, WI – Defoor Proformance Shooting announced today that VP and head instructor Kyle Defoor has joined the prostaff at Russell Moccasin Co. Defoor Proformance Shooting is an industry leader in contracted military shooting and tactics instruction, training over one thousand DOD personnel each year. In addition DPS conducts civilian shooting courses monthly throughout the U.S.
“I would like to welcome Kyle Defoor to our prostaff at the Russell Moccasin Co. He will be a strong addition to our already talented group of Professional Hunters here at Russell Moccasin. He will help us field test our boots and shoes in the pro shooting industry and in his running and motorcycle adventures” said Suzanne Fabricius, VP of Sales and Marketing for Russell Moccasin.
Russell Moccasin Co. is an over 100 year old family run business that hand makes each shoe and boot in Berlin,Wisconsin to perfectly fit the customer. Russell Moccasin got its start in the booming logging industry pre 1900 and has since made footwear for everyone from U.S. Presidents, to Kings, Generals, Professional Hunters and Outdoorsman the world over.
“I am humbled and very excited about being on the Russell Moccasin Prostaff. I spend 300 days a year outside in every condition imaginable. Footwear is beyond important for me. Over the years I grew tired of constantly traveling with multiple pairs of shoes and boots to meet the needs of that trip. I also didn’t like the fact that most shoes and boots I wore wouldn’t last more than a year and couldn’t be resoled or recrafted. Russell Moccasin footwear is warm, dry, lightweight, rebuildable, breathes and they can have dual or triple use. Everyone that knows me and gear will be excited to see the products from Russell Moccasin that I’ll be highlighting on my social media while shooting, running, hunting and riding motorcycles.”
For more information visit; www.russellmoccasin.com or defoor-proformance-shooting.myshopify.com/collections/all
Leupold Adds to Thermal Optics Line with Handheld LTO-Quest
Thursday, April 27th, 2017During SHOT Show, Leupold introduced the LTO-Tracker, a monocular-style, handheld thermal camera intended primarily for the hunting market. Due to its low cost and simple operation, it didn’t take long for LE professionals as well as search and rescue teams to show interest. During a recent writers event at the High Bar Homestad in Wyoming, I had the opportunity to check out the LTO-Tracker as well as the new LTO-Quest. While you employ the LTO-Tracker like a monocular, the LTO-Quest reminds me of the bug tracker feom ‘Aliens’. You point it at your objective and look down at a screen.
I really like the temperature readout and the eight filters are easy to browse through in order to find the best contrast for the situation. I also appreciate the ability to collect screen captures. It’s a cool product and definitely worth checking out.
BEAVERTON, Ore. — Leupold & Stevens, Inc. introduces the latest in its line of Leupold® Thermal Optics, the LTO-Quest™.
This pocket-sized thermal optic helps hunters find downed game, track blood trails and increase situational awareness. The LTO-Quest provides a precise temperature reading of the object being scanned and displays it on the screen. In addition to showing heat sources, the LTO-Quest has a built-in flashlight and camera which allows you to capture and store as many as 2,000 images.
“Leupold works closely with hunters to develop products to help them be more effective in the field,” said Tim Lesser, vice president of product development for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “The LTO-Quest gives hunters a pocket-sized tool to help recover game that may otherwise have been lost.”
Cycle through the eight color filters using a simple three-button interface. An internal, rechargeable battery delivers four hours of run time, and uses a standard micro USB for charging and image downloads.
A built-in flashlight offers user-adjustable power settings that can be set to meet the needs of the hunter. With a maximum output of 300 lumens, the LTO-Quest provides plenty of power to help locate game or find paths to stands and blinds.
Featuring a generous 2.4″ LCD screen, the LTO-Quest provides a 20-degree field of view with a 300-yard detection range. The 15hz display offers smooth images and is easy to view in all lighting conditions.
Sized to fit in a pocket or small pouch, the LTO-Quest is a lightweight powerhouse that belongs in every hunter’s pack. In addition to afield, the LTO-Quest is a great tool for everything from keeping an eye on property, examining energy efficiency around the home, or checking mechanical equipment for heat issues.
For more information on Leupold products, please visit us at www.leupold.com.
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