May 24, 2010

Vol. 11 No. 21

This Week:

News of Note

Legal & Legislative

Grants & Initiatives

Jobs

Support Grows for
Industry-Friendly Legislation

CO-SPONSORSHIP UP 42 PERCENT FOR EXCISE TAX REFORM SINCE NSSF FLY-IN . . . Since the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Congressional Fly-In was held less than a month ago in Washington, D.C., the number of co-sponsors for firearms and ammunition excise tax reform legislation (S. 632) has increased 42 percent. The latest senator to co-sponsor this pro-business, pro-conservation and bi-partisan legislation is Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho). He joins the ranks of Sens. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Roger F. Wicker (R-Miss.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John McCain (R-Ariz), Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and James Inhofe (R-Okla.), all of whom came on as co-sponsors following the Fly-In. The total number of sponsors / co-sponsors and those who have agreed to co-sponsor S. 632 is now 27. Companion legislation (H.R. 510) in the House has 116 co-sponsors, with Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) coming on last week. Learn more about this legislation and continue to urge your lawmakers to support it.

News of Note

  • FIREARM SALES SOAR, CRIME FALLS . . . Since the surge in firearms purchases began in October 2008, if one believes the oft-repeated mantra that "most crime guns are rapidly diverted from retailers to the street via straw purchasers," then there should have been a surge in homicides and other violent crime. There was not. In fact, preliminary figures released by the FBI today show that all forms of violent crime were down in 2009 from 2008, with homicides showing the greatest percentage decline (7.2 percent). These declines in crime came during a year when firearm sales were at historic highs.

  • SURVEY STRESSES LAND ACCESS AS CRITICAL HUNTING ISSUE . . . Results from a hunter survey conducted by Southwick Associates reaffirms the contention that access to hunting lands is a major issue for sportsmen and that restrictions, from private lands, in particular, are having an impact on the amount of time spent in the field. Read more about the survey.

  • REGISTERED FIREARMS IN HAWAII AT ALL-TIME HIGH . . . A record high 33,678 firearms were registered in Hawaii in 2009, outpacing the previous year by 30 percent, KITV reports. Furthermore, a record 66 percent of the guns registered were long arms, for which only one permit is needed for several firearms. The numbers don't come as a surprise to the president of the Hawaii Rifle Association. Read more and view the video of the televised report.

  • FIRST SHOTS SUCCESS STORIES CONTINUE . . . By hosting a First Shots seminar for 31 newcomers to shooting last weekend, Quaboag Sportsmen's Club in Massachusetts reached out to its local community and grew its membership in the process. "I'd call the day a big success. The club gained nine new members, and four of the students will be participating in a pistol match this Saturday," said George Hood, club secretary. "Everyone had a great time learning about firearms and enjoying their First Shots." Success stories like this continue to be heard at ranges across the country that have utilized NSSF's First Shots program. Learn more about First Shots and how to host a seminar at your range.

Legal & Legislative

  • NSSF RESPONDS TO MEXICAN PRESIDENT'S CALL TO REINSTATE BAN . . . Following calls by Mexican President Felipe Calderon that the United States re-institute a ban on modern sporting rifles, or so-called "assault weapons," NSSF issued this statement.

  • HIGH COURT REFUSES TO HEAR APPEAL IN ILETO V. GLOCK . . . Today, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal in Ileto v. Glock (09-812). Ileto stems from the August 1999 crime spree by Buford O. Furrow, Jr., a white supremacist, who shot several children at the North Valley Jewish Community Center and then gunned down U.S. postal carrier Joseph Ileto. Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel, applauded today's Supreme Court rejection of the Ileto appeal stating "Today, common sense and fairness prevailed over misguided attempts to blame members of the firearms industry for the criminal acts of others." Read more.

  • MENTORED HUNTING BILL AWAITS GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE IN VERMONT . . . The Burlington Free Press reports that Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas plans to sign into law a bill that would create an apprentice hunting program in the state. "That means it's about to become much easier to introduce a friend or family member to hunting in Vermont, which is good news," writes Free Press outdoor columnist Lawrence Pine. The bill, which is part of the Families Afield initiative of NSSF, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and National Wild Turkey Federation, will allow newcomers to try hunting under the close supervision of an experienced mentor prior to earning hunter education certification.

  • BILL GIVES STATES FLEXIBILITY IN SPENDING P-R DOLLARS FOR RANGES . . . The Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act (HR3781) would give state agencies more flexibility in spending Pittman-Robertson dollars for the development of new sites for shooting ranges. The bill, supported by NSSF, would give states the ability to use excise tax revenue to purchase land for new ranges for the first time and increase federal dollars for range construction and improvement.

  • BRITISH GUN LAWS COULD CAUSE CHAOS AT 2012 OLYMPICS . . . London 2012's shooting events could be heading for chaos because of Britain's stringent firearms laws for athletes from European countries, The Guardian reports. Organizers say action needs to be taken to ensure the events are a success.

  • NSSF ADDRESSES NO-FLY, NO-BUY MISINFORMATION . . . A recent letter to the editor from NSSF to the San Antonio Express-News drives home the message that depriving law-abiding Americans of a constitutional right without due process is unacceptable. "If those on the terrorist watch list are so dangerous, why aren't they in custody? Because being on an error-filled list for unknown reasons does not negate one's Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. It also doesn't negate one's Second Amendment rights." Read the full letter to the editor.

Grants and Initiatives

  • FOUNDATION MATCHES NSSF GRANT TO HILLSDALE COLLEGE . . . The Hillsdale College Shooting Sports Center has received a $7,500 grant from the Hal & Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation, matching the National Shooting Sports Foundation's grant awarded through its Collegiate Shooting Sports Initiative. Hal Glassen was an Olympic shooter and former NRA president. The grant is directed toward the establishment of a shooting club and team. The Hillsdale College Shooting Sports Club presently has 26 members.

  • BROWNELLS GRANT PROVIDES MOBILE RANGE FOR SCHOLASTIC STEEL CHALLENGE . . . Through a grant provided by Brownells, supplier of firearm parts, gunsmithing tools, equipment and accessories, the Scholastic Steel Challenge (SSC) program has purchased a portable indoor range allowing the program to perform demonstrations of the team-based youth shooting sports program. "Brownells has always been active in supporting youth shooting sports -- kids are the future of our sport," said company president Pete Brownell. NSSF is an active supporter of SSC.

  • OUTDOOR CHANNEL INITIATIVE AIMS FOR 1 MILLION VOLUNTEERS . . . Outdoor Channel has launched Outdoor Channel Corps, its latest effort to mobilize outdoor enthusiasts to "serve and conserve." As one of the largest conservation volunteer programs of its kind, this initiative will engage Outdoor Channel's base of viewers to volunteer for a variety of outdoor-related projects. Outdoor Channel Corps aims to recruit one million volunteers in the next five years. Learn more.

  • HUNTING HERITAGE TRUST OFFERS $10,000 CHALLENGE GRANT . . . The Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow program, initiated by the Wildlife Management Institute and the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, has since 2004 given future wildlife management decision makers an education and hands-on experience in hunting. The 3.5 day workshop is available only to wildlife and natural resource upper-class, graduate students who have never held a hunting license. The Hunting Heritage Trust has announced a $10,000 Challenge Grant to support the program, and invites individuals, corporations or organizations to match all or a portion of the grant by contacting rdelfay@earthlink.net.

Become an NSSF Member

  • VIDEO: WHY JOIN NSSF? . . . The efforts of a single individual or company are not enough to face the challenges that lie ahead for our industry and our sports. To succeed, a unified group of experienced industry allies is needed. The National Shooting Sports Foundation is that strategic alliance. As the trade association for the firearms industry, NSSF works on behalf of its more than 5,500 industry members to promote, protect and preserve the proud traditions of shooting and hunting in America. Watch a brief video on what NSSF membership helps accomplish and become a member today.

Jobs

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