April 15, 2013

Vol. 14 No. 14

This Week:

Government Relations

Retailers & Ranges

Research

NSSF Grants

Jobs

U.S. Senate to Begin Gun-control Debate

INDUSTRY OPPOSES MANCHIN-TOOMEY AMENDMENT . . . On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate is expected to begin debate on the bipartisan amendment put forward by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Patrick Toomey (R-Pa.) to the Safe Communities, Safe Schools Act of 2013 to extend federal criminal background checks to all transactions at gun shows and Internet sales. Although the measure would exempt noncommercial transfers, such as those between relatives, a number of provisions in the amendment are of concern and, as a result, NSSF is opposing the Manchin-Toomey Amendment. See the NSSF Legislative Alert for retailers on this measure.

Government Relations

• CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY HOLDING GUN-CONTROL HEARINGS . . . The California Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation was scheduled to hear testimony today pertaining to Assembly Bill 760 that seeks to impose a sales tax of .05 cents per ammunition component (complete cartridge, bullet or case) in an already sparse environment for ammunition. On Tuesday, the committee process will be in full swing when the focus is on numerous anti-gun bills. First the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife will hear AB 711, a bill that if passed and signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown would extend the now limited condor range ban on traditional lead ammunition to the entire state. Also on Tuesday, the Senate Committee on Public Safety will be taking up some of the most restrictive pieces of gun legislation proposed in California. The bills range from Senate Bill 293 that bans the sale of conventional handguns and implements owner-authorized "smart" handgun technology, to Senate Bill 374 that expands the definition of "assault weapons" to ban the future sale of almost all semi-auto rifles that accept a detachable magazine. You can contact legislators here urging them to OPPOSE the anti-gun bills listed above.

• TEXAS GOV. PERRY TO FIREARMS MANUFACTURER: 'COME ON DOWN!' . . . Beretta USA Corp., which employs 400 and pays $31 million in taxes in Maryland, is awaiting Gov. Martin O'Malley's promised signature of legislation that outlaws in-state sales of several of its products. If the governor does sign that law, Beretta has promised to move to a state more hospitable to the firearms industry. In Connecticut, meanwhile, PTR Industries announced it would decamp the historical birthplace of the modern firearms industry for a more friendly state to be named later. Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy recently signed far-reaching law that prohibits the sale of the modern sporting rifles that PTR's 50 employees make. Several states are competing to attract firearms makers unhappy with their current domiciles, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who tweeted an invitation to PTR and sent letters to some 30 other manufacturers to consider moving to the Lone Star State. The best analysis of the situation in Connecticut comes from Forbes Online's Frank Miniter.

• DEBATING BACKGROUND CHECKS . . . NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Larry Keane appeared on the PBS NewsHour last week to discuss legislation pending in the U.S. Senate that would expand the National Instant Criminal Background Check system (NICS). Appearing in the same segment was Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson.

Retailers & Ranges

• RETAILING 101: FINANCIALS . . . In a new, regularly appearing department in SHOT Business Magazine, NSSF Director of Retail Development Patrick Shay provides operational tips for the firearms retailer to help tune up his/her business. The debut article, "Tune Up Your Retail Business - Retailing 101: Financials," will help firearm retailers understand how their business is performing by providing business owners with a list of the key financial numbers that they should be reviewing. Read the article.

• 'RIFLE GOLF' A HIT AT UTAH RANGE . . . Spirit Ridge Rifle Golf in northern Utah has developed Rifle Golf -- a new concept in shooting range activity that has marksmen coming back and back -- and back for more. Rifle Golf uses conventional golf as a model to create a standardized course, scoring system and set of rules, so that shooters of any skill level can compete, either against themselves or other shooters. The game has been a roaring success. NSSF's Range Report magazine reports on the Rifle Golf craze in Utah.

• AMERICAN COP MAGAZINE ENCOURAGES RANGES TO HOST FIRST SHOTS EVENTS . . . "For some, like law enforcement, owning a firearm is a job requirement. For others it might be for recreation: for hunting, sport or competition. There are also those who own firearms for personal protection. All very good reasons to own a firearm! Then there are people who are thinking about firearm ownership, but they don't really know how to get started. For them, NSSF's First Shots is a great way to begin." This month's American Cop magazine gives an overview of the First Shots program and encourages ranges to host an event and invite the community.

• FIRST SHOTS SECOND ROUND AT SIG SAUER ACADEMY . . . First Shots, NSSF's introductory shooting program held at independent ranges, has conceived First Shots Second Round, a next step for First Shots participants. SIG SAUER Academy in Epping, N.H., will be hosting a First Shots Second Round event on Sunday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to noon. There, participants will learn the basic skills needed to handle a firearm safely from holster to target and serve as a great introduction to competitive shooting sports like IDPA, USPSA and IPSC. All equipment will be provided. Know of someone who might be interested? Get them to register today. Any questions regarding First Shots should be directed to Tisma Juett at tjuett@nssf.org.

Research

• RISE IN PUBLIC APPROVAL OF HUNTING . . . New data compiled by Responsive Management, an independent research firm, shows 79 percent of the American public approves of hunting--the highest level of support for hunting since 1995. The nationwide scientific survey showed the public's approval of hunting rose five points in the past year, up from 74 percent in 2011. Read the NSSF press release.

NSSF Grants

• NSSF OFFERS CHALLENGE GRANTS TO BOY SCOUTS . . . NSSF is accepting applications from local Boy Scout Councils for a total of $100,000 in challenge grants that local councils can use to develop or expand their activities in target shooting and marksmanship. NSSF will provide funding to the first 50 qualifying applicants up to a maximum of $2,000 in matching support. See grant guidelines and application procedures at www.nssf.org/bsagrant. Direct questions to NSSF's Melissa Schilling at mschilling@nssf.org.

• NSSF STEEL TARGET GRANT PROGRAM FOR RANGES HOSTING RIMFIRE CHALLENGE . . . In partnership with Action Target and MGM Targets, NSSF has announced a new Steel Target Grant Program to provide support for shooting ranges that plan to begin or expand Ruger Rimfire Challenge target-shooting events. A total of 26 steel target grant packages worth $30,000 are available. Qualifying ranges must host public Ruger Rimfire Challenge events. Range managers interested in applying for a steel target grant should visit the Steel Target Grant Program website.

Jobs

• WANTED: MANAGER, PUBLIC RELATIONS . . . NSSF has a great opportunity for an experienced public relations professional to work on communications activities and public relations with endemic media to promote industry programs and points of view with an emphasis on digital online communications. The position calls for someone with a BA/BS degree in communications, journalism or public relations, or with equivalent experience. Click here to read the full job posting and to apply on the NSSF firearms industry jobs page.

• 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.

COPYRIGHT © 2013 by National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. Permission is granted for broadcast, publication, retransmission to email lists, Websites or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, if 1) the text is forwarded in its entirety, including this paragraph, and 2) no fee is charged. "Bullet Points®," "National Shooting Sports Foundation®," "NSSF®," and all other trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos and images of the National Shooting Sports Foundation appearing in this publication are the sole property of the Foundation and may not be used without the Foundation's prior express written permission. All other trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos and images appearing in this publication are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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