Editorial

Ted Szabo, the president of Para-Ordnance Mfg. Inc., passed away on March 28, 2007, at the age of 60. Szabo founded the company in 1985 with his friend, Thanos Polyzos. Their first offering, introduced in 1987, was an all-plastic, selective-fire paint ball gun called the Model 85 "Dye Marking Tactical Machine Pistol." In full-auto mode, this pistol fired at a rate of 1,200 rounds per minute, and was designed as a close-quarters-combat training device for law enforcement and military personnel.

Thompson/Center Arms, a Smith & Wesson company, has introduced the Icon, its first bolt-action centerfire rifle."While developing the Icon, our engineers and designers worked with numerous master gunsmiths, tactical shooters and hunters to better understand what features they desired in a premium bolt-action rifle," said Gregg Ritz, President of Smith & Wesson Hunting.

Thompson/Center Arms, a Smith & Wesson company, has introduced the Icon, its first bolt-action centerfire rifle."While developing the Icon, our engineers and designers worked with numerous master gunsmiths, tactical shooters and hunters to better understand what features they desired in a premium bolt-action rifle," said Gregg Ritz, President of Smith & Wesson Hunting.

In early March, one of the most anti-gun courts in the country ruled in favor of the 2nd Amendment - declaring the Washington, D.C., gun ban unconstitutional, and much, much more.Two big rulings: The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Second Amendment is an individual right and concluded that the District of Columbias ban on guns in the home is unconstitutional.

Over the years, Gun Tests readers have asked us to alter aspects of what we do. On an issue-by-issue basis, there are always questions about mix (the ratio of certain types of guns compared to others), quantity (the number of guns in a certain test or in a certain issue), and matchup (how closely guns resemble each other in physical configuration).

Smith & Wesson Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Thompson/Center Arms, Inc., a 40-year-old, privately held, New Hampshire-based designer, manufacturer and marketer of hunting firearms, for $102 million in cash. The transaction was expected to close in January 2007.

Following the decision of Lake County, Ind., Superior Court Judge Robert A. Pete, declaring the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act unconstitutional, firearm manufacturers under suit have filed a motion to certify the courts ruling.

As we reported in "Short Shots" some months back, Smith & Wesson has expanded the Military & Police (M&P) Pistol Series to include compact frames. The first compact in the compact line is a 9mm, the M&P9c.

BATFE Modernization & Reform

Microstamping Defeated; NYC Mayor Sued by Gun Dealer: What Did Hillary Know and When Did She Know It?

The Coming StormU.S. gunowners are right to fear the confiscatory nature of our lawmakers who believe the 2nd Amendment is an anachronism. But the larger fight about any human beings right to defend himself with a firearm is being played on a global stage, and the debate is chilling for anyone who believes gun ownership is a right on par with free speech, free assembly, and free association. …

Are NY Snoops Straw Buyers?The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is taking a closer look at the information used to support a federal lawsuit filed by the city of New York against gun shops around the country.The lawsuit contends that 15 gun shops in five states broke federal law by letting one person buy a gun for another in what is called a "straw purchase." …