NSSF Bullet Points | Online News Service

September 4, 2012

Vol. 13 No. 34

This Week:

#gunvote

Government Relations

SHOT Show

Research

News of Note

D.C. Metro-area Residents Pack First Shots Seminars

FIRST SHOTS A RESOUNDING SUCCESS IN D.C. . . . Washington, D.C., residents and their neighbors from Virginia and Maryland, displayed keen interest in the safe use of firearms, while at the same time showing appreciation for their individual right to keep and bear arms as reaffirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court's Heller decision, by attending recent First Shots seminars at area shooting ranges, Aug. 24-28. The program provided helpful answers to questions area residents had about the safe practice of handgun ownership, as well as offering first hands-on experiences in many cases. Five shooting ranges held filled-to-capacity free seminars:

Blue Ridge Arsenal, Chantilly, Va.;
Sharp Shooters Small Arms Range, Lorton, Va.;
St. Charles Sportsmen's Club, Waldorf, Md.;
Clark Brothers Guns, Warrenton, Va.;
Range 82, Midland, Va.

Remington Arms donated .22-caliber ammunition, targets were provided by Birchwood Casey and Beretta USA loaned semi-automatic target pistols for the seminars. Read the NSSF press release and watch a video to see what attendees had to say about their experiences.

#gunvote

REPUBLICAN PLATFORM PLANK STRONG ON SECOND AMENDMENT . . . Adopted last week at the Republican National Convention, the GOP's 2012 platform plank on the Second Amendment is strong. Although the wording is present-day, the directness of expression and clarity of sentiment is so in keeping with how our forefathers approached the issue of our freedoms that NSSF recommends it to you without further comment. Read it here.
DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM: 'COMMONSENSE IMPROVEMENTS' ON FIREARMS NEEDED . . . The 2012 Democratic National Convention released its party platform today and it quickly drew fire from several points of the political spectrum for its statement on the Second Amendment and firearms ownership. Read it here.

Government Relations

NSSF FILES MOTION TO DISMISS LAWSUIT AGAINST TRADITIONAL AMMO . . . NSSF has filed a motion to dismiss a second lawsuit brought by the radical anti-hunting Center for Biological Diversity and other groups demanding the Environmental Protection Agency ban traditional ammunition containing lead components. The EPA already has twice denied attempts by CBD to have the agency ban traditional ammunition, noting that it does not have the authority to regulate traditional ammunition under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The Court has already dismissed an earlier case brought by CBD seeking the same relief. "There is quite simply no sound science that shows the use of traditional ammunition has harmed wildlife populations or that it presents a health risk to humans who consume game taken with such ammunition," said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. Read more on the NSSF Blog.
NSSF IS TITLE SPONSOR OF SHOOTING DAYS FOR NATIONAL PARTY CONVENTIONS . . . The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation hosted the Stars and Stripes Shoot-Out Event in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday and plans to do the same for attendees to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., this week, with the National Shooting Sports Foundation serving as a title sponsor. NRA has also taken on that role. Olympic Champion Kim Rhode was on hand in Tampa to greet guests and offer tips to new shooters.

SHOT Show

ATTENDEE REGISTRATION . . . SHOT Show registration will open for all attendees on Oct. 1. If you are a member of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, you will be able to register starting on Sept. 17. NSSF members should keep an eye on their inboxes for an email letting them know that registration is open. NSSF members will also have the opportunity to buy tickets to the State of the Industry Dinner at that time. On Oct. 1, an email to all SHOT Show attendees will be sent, letting them know that registration is open at shotshow.org.
MEDIA REGISTRATION . . . Pre-approved SHOT Show media will be able to register for the show starting this week. An email will be sent to all pre-approved media this week along with information on registering for Media Day at the Range. Registration for all media will open on Oct. 1 at shotshow.org.

Research

View full-size chart.

AUGUST NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS CHECKS UP 27.8% . . . The August 2012 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,042,924 is an increase of 27.8 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 815,858 in August 2011. For comparison, the unadjusted August 2012 NICS figure of 1,514,696 reflects a 16.5 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,300,433 in August 2011. This marks the 27th straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year and the highest figures ever reported for the month of August. Read more.

Retailers

SHOT BUSINESS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER ISSUE . . . The most recent issue of SHOT Business magazine can be read online at shotbusiness.com. Enjoy its comprehensive feature on selling accessories, along with a special six-page section devoted to NSSF Retailer Services. In addition, you'll find all your favorite departments, such as Undercover Shopper, that you are used to seeing in every issue. On an iPad or other mobile device? Tap here for the digital publication.

NSSF PAC

STAY INFORMED ABOUT CAMPAIGN 2012 . . . NSSF PAC wants its members to be informed through Election Day--now just 60 days away. The results of the election could mean the difference between growth and opportunity for your business and livelihood or surviving another four years of an unstable business climate under the constant threat of new rules and regulations. No one understands better than the NSSF PAC the unique legislative and regulatory challenges industry members face. And no one other than the PAC will advance your interests with more passion and commitment on Election Day and beyond. Help industry help your business stay informed at this critically important time. If you are an NSSF corporate member, please complete and return your prior approval to become active in your industry's political action committee today.

News of Note

LOUISIANA'S SECOND AMENDMENT TAX HOLIDAY SET FOR SEPT. 7-9 . . . Despite the state giving priority to Hurricane Isaac, Louisiana still intends to exempt consumers of firearms, ammunition, archery gear and some other outdoor supplies from paying the 4 percent state sales tax and local sales taxes between Sept. 7 and 9. This annual Louisiana Second Amendment Weekend Sales Tax Holiday dates back to 2010. Read a report in The Times-Picayune.
USA SHOOTING ANNOUNCES STAFF PROMOTIONS AND HIRINGS . . . USA Shooting, the governing body of the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team, has promoted Olympian and National Rifle Coach Dave Johnson to Director of Operations. Also, Competitions Coordinator Pete Carson was promoted to competitions director. New hires announced by USA Shooting include Jeanna Mendoza as membership and merchandise manager and Sara Daum, who will manage USA Shooting Team Foundation functions at USA Shooting's headquarters in Colorado Springs. Read more.
TWO MUNICIPAL DEER-CONTROL PROGRAMS CONTRAST SHARPLY . . . Two news reports show a marked difference in cost between municipalities managing deer with commercial sharp shooters or doing it with hunters and, at the same time, providing recreational opportunities to its citizens. A hunter-participation program in Bernards Township, N.J., has seen car-deer collisions in the township drop from 289 in 2000-01 to a record low of 89 in 2011-12. Total expenses for the coordinated sportsmen hunting program that culled 357 deer in 2011-12 were $20,747, averaging out to $58 per deer. In contrast, Solon, Ohio, implemented a commercial sharp shooter program at a cost to taxpayers of $183,353. Some 300 deer were culled, at an average cost of $611.18.

Jobs

FIREARMS INDUSTRY JOBS . . . Visit www.nssf.org/jobs for current employment opportunities in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry. Employers: Log in to post a job opening.

NSSF's Mission

"To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports."

Click here to visit the NSSF website and see how we accomplish this mission.

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