NSSF Bullet Points | Online News Service

August 26, 2013

Vol. 14 No. 33

This Week:

Retailers/Ranges

Government Relations

Project ChildSafe Needs Renewed Funding

CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN, SENATORS . . . The numbers tell the story. On behalf of the firearms industry, NSSF has distributed over the last 10 years more than 36 million firearm safety kits that include locks to law enforcement agencies across the nation through Project ChildSafe. Along with the locks directly provided by manufacturers with new firearms, the combined effort has worked to prevent firearm accidents and to keep guns out of the wrong hands. Today, NSSF cannot meet the demand for safety kit requests. Through a new infographic, we explain why Congress needs to renew funding for Project ChildSafe. Take a few minutes to contact your congressman and senators today.

Retailers & Ranges

QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABOUT NSSF'S 'PREMIUM' MEMBERSHIP . . . Since NSSF announced its new Premium Retailer Membership, a number of questions have been received from retailer members. "What's the catch?" Answer: There is no catch. "Are there any hidden costs?" Answer: No. NSSF has answered these and other questions here. NSSF created this level of membership to provide firearms retailers with an unprecedented level of compliance protection available in the industry. "Our goal as always is to promote, protect, and preserve our industry, and we hope you'll take advantage of this great opportunity today by upgrading to a Premium Retailer Membership," said Patrick Shay, NSSF retail development director. Overview | Frequently Asked Questions
SHOT BUSINESS: TOOLS FOR THE ESTABLISHED RETAILER . . . As part of its mission to promote the shooting sports industry, NSSF has created a number of "tools" for the retailer's toolbox. These tools were designed to help retailers succeed in an increasingly demanding, regulated and competitive market. Here are some of those tools, selected for the retailer that is operating an existing store.
LEAD MANAGEMENT, OSHA COMPLIANCE WORKSHOP IN NEW ORLEANS . . . Shooting ranges can be exposed to a number of liabilities, particularly in the areas of health and environment, which is why range owners or managers need to know about NSSF's Lead Management and OSHA Compliance Workshop scheduled for October 13-15 in New Orleans. Experts with extensive experience in environmental law, OSHA compliance, lead reclamation and range management will share their knowledge with attendees. "This workshop can literally save your business," said Zach Snow, NSSF’s manager of shooting promotions. Learn more about the workshop here or contact Zach Snow at zsnow@nssf.org. Register for the workshop by contacting Ani Chaghatzbanian at 203-426-1320, ext. 286.
SUPPORT PATRIOT RANGE DAYS . . . Here's an opportunity to combine one's love of the shooting sports with love of country. Throughout the month of September, participating shooting facilities across the United States will support the Folds of Honor Foundation through Patriot Range Days, an initiative designed to help provide scholarships to the families of those killed or disabled in service to their country. Participating public and private shooting ranges nationwide will request a minimum of $1 for each shooter for the Folds of Honor Foundation. NSSF is joined by the NRA, Bushnell, Remington, Outdoor Channel and North American Hunter as partners in this most worthwhile cause. "We're thrilled to have the support of the shooting sport industry in launching the second annual Patriot Range Days at facilities across the country," said Major Dan Rooney, Folds of Honor founder.

Government Relations

Sacramento-area billboard urging opposition to AB 711

CALIFORNIA'S ANTI-HUNTING AB 711 IN CRUCIAL WEEK . . . California Assembly Bill AB 711, strongly and actively opposed by NSSF, could come off the so-called suspense calendar this week, and that is not a good prospect for hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts in the Golden State. AB 711 would completely ban the use of traditional lead ammunition for hunting anywhere in the state and, many legislators acknowledge, could easily lead to extension of this ban to all shooting sports. NSSF has purchased billboards in the Sacramento area to urge opposition to AB 711 and has been airing radio commercials that point out the role of the anti-hunting Humane Society of the United States in advocating for this ill-conceived legislation. This week, the opposition to AB 711 was joined by a major state labor organization. Time is running short. NSSF urges all hunters, target shooters and gun owners to contact their state legislators today through Thursday to oppose AB 711. For background, a well-reasoned editorial on how AB 711 came to be introduced and the lack of good science to support it can be found in today's Outdoor Wire. In addition to AB 711, several highly restrictive measures that could move forward include adding all semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines to the state's list of banned "assault weapons," outlawing "bullet buttons" and requiring long-gun purchasers to pass a written test. All these bills are opposed by NSSF.
COLORADO PLUMBERS THROW A BIG WRENCH INTO ANTI-GUN POLITICS . . . It's Democracy the way it's supposed to work. The local group organized by three plumbers to recall Colorado State Sen. Angela Giron for her advocacy of stringent firearms restrictions that are now law is called Pueblo Freedom and Rights. The group has produced and is airing two television commercials that show this is a grassroots effort and not the product of the "national gun lobby." State Senate President John Morse also faces a recall election. One Colorado County Sheriff has taped a radio ad urging the recall of Sen. Morse.
WHITE HOUSE SILENT ON SURPRISINGLY BALANCED CDC REPORT . . . Tasked by the Obama administration "to research the causes and prevention of gun violence," the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) delivered a report in June that has been largely ignored by the media and certainly does not advance the president's gun-control agenda. Coming as it does from the CDC, reading that "Almost all national survey estimates indicate that defensive gun uses by victims are at least as common as offensive uses by criminals," must have been jarring at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The level-headed Investor's Business Journal deserves credit for supplying this commentary.
ATF ANNOUNCES eFORM SYSTEM NOW AVAILABLE . . . ATF has officially announced that its eForm system is now available for online submission and processing of NFA forms. The system became available Aug. 1. Registered manufacturers and importers will be able to file ATF Forms 2, 3, 5 and 9 online. The system is also available for ATF Forms 1 and 4 that do not require the submission of fingerprints, photographs and Law Enforcement Certifications, such as transfers to corporations and trusts. Transfers to individuals must still be submitted on paper to the NFA Branch. NSSF is pleased with this important development, having long urged that ATF use the Internet in its firearms-processing operation to reduce costs and improve its NFA service for the firearms industry.
CONN. COURT DENIES BRADY CENTER-BACKED LAWSUIT . . . The Connecticut Superior Court has again denied a Brady Center-backed lawsuit seeking to hold the Sportsmen's Outpost responsible for the criminal actions of a third party who stole a firearm from the Hartford-based retailer and then, more than a month later, fatally shot his wife. The matter of Rosenbeck v. Sportsmen's Outpost represents an unsuccessful attempt by the Brady Center to revive a 2009 lawsuit against the Sportsmen's Outpost brought under the caption Gilland v. Sportsmen's Outpost. The Gilland case was dismissed on the ground that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) barred the entire case. Representing Sportsmen's Outpost was the Renzulli Law Firm. Read more about the case (PDF).
ILLINOIS AMENDMENT EXPANDS YOUTH DEER HUNTING SEASON TO THREE DAYS . . . The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation reports that Illinois H 743 expands the youth-only deer season set by the director of natural resources to be three, rather than two, days long. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Adam Brown, was signed by the governor on Aug. 18.

Industry News

COLT DEFENSE ANNOUNCES SENIOR MANAGEMENT CHANGE . . . Colt Defense announced the appointment of Dennis Veilleux as president and CEO effective immediately. Veilleux was most recently president and CEO of New Colt Holding Corp., which was acquired by Colt Defense last month. Veilleux replaces Gerald R. Dinkel, who will remain on Colt Defense's Governing Board. Read more.
H&H SHOOTING SPORTS COMPLEX REPEATS IN INC MAGAZINE'S "5000 FASTEST-GROWING COMPANIES" . . . H&H Shooting Sports Complex, in Oklahoma City, Okla., for the seventh straight year has been selected by INC Magazine as one of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the United States. "H&H, welcome to a very exclusive club," stated the publication's editor-in-chief.

SHOT Show

SHOT SHOW REGISTRATION TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER . . . Attendee registration for the 2014 SHOT Show will open in September, and, after that, the show will be right around the corner. NSSF's Chris Dolnack provides an update about registration on the SHOT Show Blog.
WHY INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES' EMAIL ADDRESSES ARE REQUIRED FOR REGISTRATION . . . Over the last several shows, individual unique email addresses for attendees and exhibiting personnel have been required and for the most part the 62,000 attendees and exhibitors were understanding and cooperative. Read here, a number of reasons this requirement was implemented.
SHOT SHOW IS A PLACE FOR BUSINESS; HELP TO KEEP IT THAT WAY . . . One of the more consistent complaints received about the SHOT Show over the years pertains to unqualified attendees, that is, people not engaged in the shooting, hunting or outdoor trade and who lack purchasing authority or the ability to influence purchasing. It has been suggested that better screening of SHOT Show attendees would result in a better show experience for attendees and exhibitors alike, and considerable time and money has been invested to screen out unqualified attendees. However, the biggest opportunity for screening out non-buyers who are not engaged in the industry (consumers) lies with the exhibitors and attendees themselves. Read more at the SHOT Show Blog.

Research

UPDATED FIREARMS PRODUCTION REPORT FROM NSSF . . . NSSF has updated one of its most popular Industry Intelligence Reports, Firearms Production in the United States. This 16-page report details U.S. production of pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns over the past 25 years. Additionally the report outlines historical firearm import data by country of import as well as historical firearm export figures. NSSF members may access this popular report by logging-in and clicking NSSF Industry Research and then Industry Intelligence Reports.
SOUTHWICK SURVEY REVEALS WHAT INFLUENCES HUNTERS AND ANGLERS TO MAKE A PURCHASE . . . A new survey conducted by Southwick Associates on what influences hunters' and anglers' purchases sheds light on how manufacturers in the hunting and fishing industry might best market to their customers. For hunters, "personal experience" was the highest factor at 73.3 percent (with 72.1 percent of anglers concurring). Read the press release issued by Southwick.

News of Note

ARIZONA GAME AND FISH ENHANCES ITS ONLINE MAPPING TOOL . . . To better assist hunters in their planning, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has enhanced its innovative web-based mapping tool, Recreational Access Arizona, which is available online. Each game management unit now includes information on where to hunt, which species are in the area, unit boundaries and more.
TRINITY STUDENT EARNS PERFECT SCORE IN NAT'L SKEET CHAMPIONSHIPS . . . Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas) incoming freshman Josh Poole has not taken a college course yet, but he already has racked up a perfect score at the National Skeet Shooting Association's Collegiate World Championship. The 18-year-old broke 500 straight clays, making him the only shooter in the history of the competition to do so, and he established a mark at the same time as the youngest person to record a perfect score in skeet. Outdoor Hub offers a short article on the young man's accomplishment, and KCEN broadcast a news report on Poole.

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."

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