High Turnout Against Magazine Ban,
But Threat Remains in Connecticut
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Jake McGuigan, NSSF director of government relations/state affairs, addresses the Connecticut Judiciary Committee at Wednesday's public hearing. |
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BILL HEARD IN COMMITTEE . . . A bill (SB 1094) that would ban the possession of any magazine (rifle, pistol or shotgun) capable of holding more than 10 rounds was heard in the Connecticut Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. There was overwhelming opposition, with more than 100 people speaking against the bill to less than 10 in support of it. Opposition was voiced by firearms owners, manufacturers and retailers at the more than 12-hour hearing in Hartford. NSSF extends its thanks to all that attended the hearing or participated through submitting written testimony. Even with the huge turnout, the threat of this legislation remains. The judiciary committee has until April 15 to decide on moving the legislation forward. NSSF urges everyone to continue to contact members of the committee, asking them to oppose the bill and also to thank them for listening to all concerns addressed during the hearing.
Industry News
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Mark Thomas |
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NSSF FINALIST FOR PR/COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS . . . NSSF has been named a finalist in four different communications categories and one individual category in the non-profit/association division by PR News. NSSF is a finalist in Advocacy Campaign & Lobbying Efforts, Annual Publication & Brochure, Digital PR and Marketing and Public Affairs and Issues Management, and Mark Thomas, managing director, marketing communications, is a finalist for Non-Profit Communicator of the Year. "As a finalist for PR News' Non-Profit PR Awards, NSSF shares company with the nation's top associations and non-profit organizations," said Chris Dolnack, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of NSSF. "Being recognized for these prestigious awards demonstrates the high level of work being produced by NSSF on behalf of our more than 6,000 members." Full Story
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BUSHMASTER MANUFACTURING LOCATION MOVING TO NEW YORK . . . The Freedom Group announced a manufacturing relocation of the Bushmaster Firearms International manufacturing facility located in Windham, Maine, to Ilion, N.Y. The company expects to create 40 to 50 new positions at the Ilion facility as a result of the relocation.
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SMITH & WESSON RELEASING NEW CLOTHING LINE . . . Smith & Wesson is planning to launch a line of shirts, jackets and pants with "shooting-inspired elements," the Boston Herald reports. The company has contracted with Wild Things, a Rhode Island-based outerwear manufacturer, to create a fashion line that could be available at firearms retail stores. "This line is geared toward a younger audience, a post-Abercrombie customer, that is comparable to Woolrich and Patagonia," said Edward Schmults, CEO of Wild Things.
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ATK AWARDED $49 MILLION SPECIAL OPERATIONS AMMO CONTRACT . . . Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) announced it has received a $49 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce a new special operations ammunition round with improved accuracy, stronger barrier penetration and a lower muzzle-flash. ATK Security and Sporting developed the round in partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division under the Special Operations Science and Technology (SOST) ammunition program.
Shooting Sports Summit
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 THURSDAY IS EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE . . . Your presence is needed. All leaders from throughout the industry and the shooting and hunting communities are encouraged to attend this year's NSSF Shooting Sports Summit, where the goal remains the same: to continue to increase participation in hunting and the shooting sports. Join us June 7-9 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown in Louisville, Ky. An early-bird discount is available to those who register by March 31. Register today.
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BRIAN SOLIS TO KEYNOTE DAY 1 . . . Brian Solis is globally recognized as one of the most prominent thought leaders and published authors in new media. A digital analyst, sociologist and futurist, Solis has influenced the effects of emerging media on the convergence of marketing, communications and publishing. He is principal of FutureWorks, an award-winning new media agency in Silicon Valley, and has led interactive and social programs for Fortune 500 companies, notable celebrities and Web 2.0 startups. He is also the author of Engage, the complete guide to build, cultivate and measure success in the social web. BrianSolis.com is among the world's leading business and marketing online resources. Solis will deliver a keynote address on Wednesday, June 8, at the Summit.
Retailers
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 NEW VIDEO STRESSES BENEFITS OF FIREARMS INVENTORIES . . . For firearms retailers, conducting inventories is crucial to maintaining an organized and successful store. A new online video from NSSF focuses on the importance and benefits of conducting firearms inventories. The video also explains how inventories can help stores better prepare for inspections by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (ATF). The video, titled "Taking Stock In Your Store and Firearms Inventory," can be viewed online for free at nssf.org/retailers. "During the quarterly meetings that NSSF conducts with ATF, one topic that is consistently stressed is the importance of retailers conducting firearms inventories," said Randy Clark, NSSF managing director of business development. "Performing inventories not only makes ATF's job much easier when visiting stores, but it also helps make paperwork more manageable, identifies bulges in inventory or low inventory levels on popular items and greatly contributes to a well-organized store." Taking Stock is the latest in a series of retailer education videos by NSSF, all of which are available in the retailers section of the NSSF website.
Government Relations
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IDAHO BECOMES 31ST STATE TO PASS FAMILIES AFIELD LAW . . . Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter has signed into law House Bill 85, making Idaho the 31st state to pass Families Afield legislation since the program's inception in 2004. The new law will allow the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to establish a mentored hunting program. The mentored hunting program would allow newcomers to try hunting under the watchful eye of an experienced mentor prior to the completion of a hunter education course. To date, 31 states have passed Families Afield-style laws, and new statistics show that more than 598,532 apprentice licenses have been sold since the program began. Read more on the NSSF Blog.
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NSSF URGES ALL MASSACHUSETTS SPORTSMEN TO SUPPORT YOUTH HUNTING PROGRAMS . . . H.2400, "An Act Relative to Youth Hunting Programs," was introduced by Rep. Anne Gobi on behalf of the Gun Owners Action League. The bill would benefit youth hunters, who are negatively impacted by state law. Currently, youths are not allowed to apply for a hunting license until they reach age 15. The bill will address some of the hurdles that make it difficult for today's youths to enter into hunting and shooting sports. NSSF encourages Massachusetts residents to contact their state senators and representatives and ask them to sign on to Rep. Gobi's letter of support for H.2400. The deadline for signing on is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 1.
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NEW YORK BILL WOULD LOWER AGE FOR PARTICIPATION AT RANGES . . . New York State Senate Bill 4017 authorizes youths 10 years of age or older to load and fire a rifle, shotgun or pistol at a shooting range while under the supervision of a qualified person. The bill lowers the age from the current 12 years while raising the minimum age of the qualified supervisor from 18 to 21. Currently, many youths are excluded from scholastic shooting sports competitions in New York because of the existing legislation.
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OPPOSE SOUTH DAKOTA PETITION TO BAN TRADITIONAL AMMUNITION . . . NSSF is urging all sportsmen to contact members of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission in opposition to its proposal to ban traditional ammunition for hunting on public roads and rights of way. The commission proposed the ban earlier this month and will vote on whether to put the regulation into place during its April 7-8 meetings in Brandon, S.D.
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TEXAS BILL WOULD LIMIT LITIGATION AGAINST SHOOTING RANGES . . . Legislation to limit litigation against shooting ranges has been initiated in the Texas House of Representatives. Read the bill, HB 1595, and voice your support.
News of Note
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SIX FORMER SCTP CHAMPS ARE COMPETING FOR USA SHOOTING TEAM . . . The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP), the youth shotgunning program founded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and now administered by the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, can be proud of its six former national champions that are representing their country at the ISSF World Cup Championships in Sydney, Australia. Competing for the USA Shooting team during the March 22-April 1 competition are Vincent Hancock, Men's Skeet; Jon Michael McGrath, Men's Skeet; T. J. Bayer, Men's Skeet; Caitlin Connor, Women's Skeet; Josh Richmond, Men's Double Trap; and Miranda Wilder, Women's Trap. Read more about the squad.
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POTTERFIELDS SUPPORT JUNIOR TRAPSHOOTERS . . . Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA have donated $110,000 to the Foundation for the Junior Trapshooters of Missouri, Inc., providing $100,000 directly to the foundation and matching a $10,000 gift from the Missouri Trapshooters Association this year and annually through 2015. "This organization is focused on developing tomorrow's shooters today. Changing the future requires us to make the commitment in time and money to support these efforts. We're pleased we can help," said Larry Potterfield, founder and CEO of MidwayUSA.
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BROWNELLS REVEALS SEMINARS FOR GUNSMITH CAREER FAIR . . . Brownells has released the topics of seminars planned for its fifth annual Gunsmith Career Fair, April 15 and 16 at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown in Des Moines, Iowa. Among the seminar lineup will be a session in which the ATF will distinguish the line between gunsmithing and manufacturing, and when variances are needed. At another, Tom Shay will speak on the essential components of a business plan. View online the full seminar schedule, learn about registering for the event as an attendee or exhibitor and get other details of the fair.
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OWAA SPONSORS WORKSHOP FOR OUTDOOR COMMUNICATORS . . . Six stellar professionals -- authors, photographers, TV producer and Emmy Award winner, publisher, humorists and more -- will serve on the faculty of the Outdoor Writer Association of America-sponsored Goldenrod Writing Workshop, from July 31-Aug. 6, at the University of Montana in Missoula. The workshop, offering a casual setting with hands-on learning opportunities, is limited to 30 students on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit the OWAA website or contact Robin Giner, OWAA executive director, at 406-728-7434, email rginer@owaa.org.
Jobs
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NSSF's Mission
"To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports."
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2011 Shooting Sports Summit, June 7-9
Help NSSF continue to increase participation in hunting and the shooting sports. Register today for the 2011 Shooting Sports Summit.
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