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SHOT Show Only 10 Weeks Away
 TICKETS TO ALL SHOW EVENTS GOING FAST . . . Are you ready? Believe it or not, the National Shooting Sports Foundation's 2015 SHOT Show is just 10 weeks away. As the entire industry prepares, enthusiasm is already building for the Jan. 20-23 event in Las Vegas. Registration is trending ahead of last year's show, so be sure to reserve your spot for SHOT Show University and all of the show's offerings before it's too late. Also, be sure to purchase your tickets to NSSF's State of the Industry Dinner if you haven't already done so. Held the first evening of the opening of SHOT Show, this year's event promises to have dinner guests rolling in the aisles with laughter, courtesy of the unbeatable humor of Jay Leno. Tickets for the State of the Industry Dinner are one of the most highly requested items at every SHOT Show, so tickets are going fast. Register, book your hotel rooms and more at shotshow.org.
SHOT Show
 NSSF MEMBERS SAVE 50% ON SHOT SHOW REGISTRATION FEES . . . If you aren't an NSSF member yet, now is the time to get on board. NSSF members save 50 percent on SHOT Show registration fees compared to non-members. It's NSSF's way of saying thank you to those companies who are supporting our industry outreach all year long. Read more.
- SHOT SHOW UNIVERSITY SPEAKER LIST GROWS . . . Adding to the growing list of expert business leaders lecturing at the 2015 SHOT Show University are professional consultant Larry Mersereau, former ATF agents Harry McCabe and Wally Nelson, and expert small business owner and author Tom Shay. These knowledgable professionals will cover a long list of topics that are crucial to firearms retailers. Find out more about each speaker by clicking their name above.
 INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER OPEN TO ALL 2015 BUYERS AND U.S. EXHIBITORS . . . For the second consecutive year, the SHOT Show is participating in the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program (IBP). There are three components to the IBP taking place at the 2015 SHOT Show, which include the Showtime Program, the B2B Matchmaking Program and the International Trade Center. Read more.
Read the SHOT Show Blog for all of the latest SHOT Show news.
2014 Elections
 THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING #GUNVOTE 2014 . . . NSSF would like to thank all of those companies and individuals who supported the #GUNVOTE 2014 voter education and information initiative by sharing our information with customers, workers, friends and family. Most importantly, thank you to all who went to the polls to #GUNVOTE. With #GUNVOTE 2014 our industry raised the level of our game. We appreciate your involvement and your continuing commitment to making a difference.
 U.S. SENATE CHANGE OF CONTROL BODES WELL FOR GUN ISSUES . . . With control of the U.S. Senate going to Republicans in the new Congress, there is little likelihood of legislation passing in the next two years that would be detrimental to our citizens' firearms rights or the lawful commerce in firearms. In the U.S. House of Representatives, additional Republican members will bolster the majority already supportive of America's hunting and sports shooting traditions. NSSF will, of course provide leadership in a renewed coalition effort for passage of the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act early in the 114th Congress.
- A SPLIT DECISION IN THE GOVERNORS' RACES . . . In the elections for control of state governorships, the results were decidedly more mixed. Anti-gun Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and the hand-picked successor to anti-gun Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley were both defeated, while Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker prevailed for the third time in four years in a hard-fought challenge. Colorado's John Hickenlooper and Connecticut's Dannel Malloy prevailed in hard-fought contests, urban areas in those states delivering the margins needed for narrow victories. Malloy did not win the popular vote in NSSF's headquarters community of Newtown.
Government Relations
- BLOOMBERG ANTI-GUN GROUP TURNS ATTENTION TO STATES . . . Expect former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's Everytown for Gun Safety to turn its attention to a strategy of taking gun control issues directly to voters. In Washington State, the Bloomberg-funded organization assigned six full-time staffers and poured $4 million into its successful effort to pass Initiative 594, a "universal background check" ballot initiative. That state's legislature would not pass similar proposals in 2013 and 2014. So, the effort going forward will turn from Washington, D.C., to spending millions in advertising to convince low-information, sound bite-susceptible voters to try to force policy change in some of the 26 states that allow initiatives or referendums.
For more Government Relations news, read NSSF's latest Government Relations Update.
Legal
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NSSF FILES APPEAL IN MARYLAND FIREARM, MAGAZINE CASE . . . NSSF has filed an appeal in the 4th Circuit federal court challenging Maryland's prohibition on many popular models of semi-automatic rifles and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. At issue are provisions of the Maryland Firearm Safety Act of 2013, which outlaw the transporting, possessing, selling, transferring, purchasing, receipt of, or offer to sell so-called "assault weapons." With the exception of firearms possessed prior to 2013, two of the most popular rifles on the market today — the semi-automatic AR-15 and AK-47 platforms — are banned in the state. NSSF also challenges the state's decision to allow retired law enforcement officers but not the rest of the state's citizens who may be equally or better qualified to own such a firearm.
- BRADY CENTER TRIES TO HOLD FFLS LIABLE FOR THIRD-PARTY CRIMINAL ACTS . . . In a case to watch out of an Indiana State Court, the Brady Center for Handgun Violence has sued KS&E Sports on behalf of an officer wounded with a firearm allegedly purchased at the store by an illegal straw purchaser. This case is yet another attempt by the Brady Center to hold an FFL liable for the criminal acts of a third party. The court recently provided KS&E an opportunity to amend its answer to the complaint. NSSF will continue to track this case as it develops.
- NSSF COMMENTS ON ATF PROPOSED RULE REGARDING THEFTS IN TRANSIT . . . NSSF filed comments on ATF's proposed rule to require the tracking of every shipment to confirm delivery and to require the reporting of firearms lost and stolen while in transit, which industry members do now through ATF's voluntary reporting program that has been in place since 1975. Only a very small fraction of 1 percent of firearms shipped in interstate transit every year are lost or stolen.
Members
 DID YOU KNOW? . . . SHOT Show University (SSU) tickets are discounted for retailer members and Premium Retailer members receive one free ticket for the event. SSU is an educational day-long session for retailers that is held the day before the official opening of the SHOT Show. Learn more.
Research
 USITC FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION DATA FOR SEPTEMBER 2014 . . . NSSF tracks and reports monthly U.S. import and export units for several sporting arms, ammunition and optics categories from the U.S. International Trade Commission. See a complete breakdown of each category's September import and export data, as well as the additional third quarter data (July-September). NSSF members can access additional historical import and export data by logging in and clicking NSSF Industry Research.
- NSSF RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES DURING 2015 SHOT SHOW . . . Several opportunities are available to expand your knowledge of industry research during the 2015 SHOT Show. For industry members that would like an overview of industry indicators, current research and how to use it, NSSF is offering two Market Research 101 courses. NSSF has also put together a strong panel discussion session for retailers interested in learning how to better expand their customer base through diversity. Also, a press conference will be held to announce the release of NSSF's report "Women Gun Owners: Purchasing, Perceptions and Participation." It will take place Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. in the Press Conference Room. For more information on research presentations during the SHOT Show, contact NSSF Director of Industry Research and Analysis, Jim Curcuruto.
- FOR MAJORITY OF AMERICANS, 'GUNS MAKE HOMES SAFER' . . . The public clearly doesn't buy into the rhetoric anti-gun groups use to try and scare Americans into thinking that owning a firearm for home protection is wrong or dangerous. According to a Gallup poll released last week, the percentage of Americans who say a gun makes their home a safer place has nearly doubled since 2000. When asked if having a gun in the house makes their home safer or more dangerous, 63 percent of Americans polled said "safer" compared to 35 percent in the year 2000. A majority of both men (67 percent) and women (58 percent) said they believe having a gun in the home is a safety measure.
Retailers
 'TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY HELP . . . With the holiday season upon us and its impending crowds of shoppers, one of the things your store will have to focus on is its staffing. Do you have enough staff to deal with heavier than normal foot traffic? Do you have enough staff willing to work extra hours as you capitalize on this busy and (hopefully) profitable season?
Having enough staff at what should be your busiest sales season of the year is essential. Read this NSSF Blog post to find out why.
- ATF ANSWERS QUESTIONS ON RECEIVER BLANK TRANSACTIONS . . . A recent press release from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) answers dozens of questions for both firearms retailers and consumers. Of particular focus in this release, ATF helps readers understand the commonly heard phrases "80-percent receiver" and "unfinished receiver," including what differentiates these receivers from those considered fully manufactured, as well as when markings and serial numbers are required on a receiver being manufactured into a functional firearm. Read the full press release here.
- ATF Q&A . . . Here are a couple of the many questions we received this week on our NSSF compliance hotline. The first question asks whether it is legal for an FFL, while in another state, to purchase firearms. The second question covers whether or not a person filing out a 4473 form has to provide their social security number. Click on the links to find the answers. Remember that the NSSF Compliance Hotline is provided solely for our members and is just one of the many great benefits NSSF Membership offers. View more information about joining NSSF at nssf.org.
- NICS E-CHECK HOURS EXTENDED FOR PEAK SEASON . . . FBI NICS is reminding all firearms retailers that now through Dec. 27, the NICS E-Check is available at 6 a.m. Eastern every Friday and Saturday only (except for Black Friday, when the NICS E-Check will be available at 4:30 a.m.). NICS Contracted Call Centers are available during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern.
Project ChildSafe
 CLINTON (THE AIRPORT) PROMOTES FIREARM SAFETY . . . An Arkansas Democrat-Gazette column co-authored by NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti and Joe Huggins, hunter education coordinator with the Game and Fish Commission, pointed out that hunting season is a good time of year for gun owners to review their firearms safe storage practices to help ensure guns don't fall into the wrong hands. To encourage firearm safety, managers at Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock chose to accept advertising promoting NSSF's "Own It? Respect It. Secure It." message, the same message officials at Reagan National Airport serving Washington, D.C., recently refused because the ads made a "reference to weapons." Said the writers, "Reagan National retreated to the inflexibility of a zero-tolerance policy," and added, "It is a worthwhile message to get out, and Arkansans should be proud for leading the way."
- HELP PROMOTE 'OWN IT? RESPECT IT.SECURE IT' . . . Firearms industry companies, conservation organizations, state wildlife agencies and other groups with outreach channels to gun owners are helping to promote "Own It? Respect It. Secure It.," the new firearm safety campaign of NSSF's Project ChildSafe program. Participating in the initiative is easy to do. Whether it's including the campaign's logo on packaging and advertising, displaying it in your store or sharing a note to your social media followers, you will be reminding gun owners to store their firearms responsibly when not in use, thereby helping to prevent unauthorized access. NSSF has set up a special website at NSSF.org/ORS for industry to access all the digital tools necessary to help promote firearm safety through the "Own It? Respect It. Secure It." initiative.
News of Note
- SOME GERMAN FIREARMS EXPORTS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED . . . NSSF has learned that the export of some firearms has been temporarily suspended by the German federal government. We have heard that good progress is being made in Germany to resolve the issue and that export licenses are being reinstated. However, the market availability of some German-made products in the United States is being affected and it may take some time for supply to return to normal. Dealers are advised both to be aware of this supply interruption and that they should see improvement early next year.
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- WHAT IS AN ITAR COMPLIANCE PROGRAM, WHY YOU NEED ONE . . . In light of the ITAR's intent to regulate not only the export of physical defense articles but also the transfer to foreign persons of U.S. defense technology, an ITAR compliance program contains provisions to protect against the transfer of "technical data" or "defense services" to foreign persons without an appropriate license. For those readers who are required to register with DDTC but who never ship product outside the U.S., your ITAR compliance plan would be designed primarily to protect against unauthorized transfers of technical data or defense services by your personnel. Read more. Orchid Advisors is an endorsed compliance information provider for NSSF members.
Jobs
- FIREARMS INDUSTRY JOBS . . . Visit nssf.org/jobs for current employment opportunities in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry. Employers: Log in to post a job opening.
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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 © 2014 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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