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NSSF Industry Reference Guide Now Available
170-PLUS PAGES . . . The new NSSF Industry Reference guide is now available for distribution. This one-of-a-kind, 170-plus-page reference is an extensive compilation of firearms and hunting-related industry data. The report provides sourced information on dozens of topics, including historical data on industry indicators such as NICS firearm background checks, firearm production, excise tax collections and hunting license sales, as well as economic impact and participation data, making it a must-have resource for anyone in the firearms and hunting industry. For additional information, visit nssf.org/research/IRG.
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Research
 NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS BACKGROUND CHECKS . . . The January 2015 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,052,441 is now the second highest January on record for the 16-year-old system, with an increase of 8.4 percent compared to the January 2014 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 970,510. For comparison, the unadjusted January 2015 NICS figure of 1,763,233 reflects a 6.8 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,650,565 in January 2014. To learn more about last month's NICS report, log in to the member side of nssf.org.
 EXCISE TAX OBLIGATIONS DOWN 25.5% IN THIRD QUARTER . . . The latest Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collection report released by the Department of the Treasury indicates that firearm and ammunition manufacturers reported tax liabilities of $168.9 million in the 3rd calendar quarter of 2014, down 25.5 percent over the same time period reported in 2013. Still, the 2014 period is the second highest third quarter on record, reflecting continuing historically strong firearms and ammunition sales. To view more third quarter data, log in to the member side of nssf.org
Government Relations
 FDIC REVERSES COURSE ON 'OPERATION CHOKE POINT' . . . In a major development involving NSSF's leadership to halt discrimination in the provision of financial services to firearms related businesses due to "Operation Choke Point," top officials of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) last week said they would cease practices that had the effect of encouraging such disparate treatment. U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) issued a statement after meeting with FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg and Vice Chairman Tom Hoenig. NSSF has been assisting Rep. Luetkemeyer in his investigation of Operation Choke Point practices against law-abiding businesses held in disfavor by Obama administration officials. Read the full story from NSSF here. NSSF will continue to keep you informed of developments in our ongoing initiative to identify and end willful, unfair discrimination in the provision of financial services and products against businesses involved in the lawful commerce in firearms, related products and services.
- COUNCIL URGES DENIAL OF HSUS-LED PETITION SEEKING LEAD AMMO BAN ON FEDERAL LANDS . . . In July 2014, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other organizations filed a petition asking the Department of Interior to issue a rule to ban the use of traditional ammunition made with lead components and require alternative ammunition for use on lands managed by the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service nationwide. In response, the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council this month wrote Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell urging denial of the petition. NSSF President Steve Sanetti is a council member.
- THE HILL TAKES NOTE OF NSSF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WORK . . . The Hill, a "must read" for Capitol Hill insiders, today published a story in which Senior Vice President and General Counsel Larry Keane discusses NSSF's increased role on behalf of the firearms industry in Washington, D.C., and the state capitals. Of particular interest was NSSF's success through the FixNICS initiative in passing legislation to ensure that more states send all appropriate records, including adjudicated mental health records, to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Read The Hill story.
 SAVE THE DATE: 2015 NSSF CONGRESSIONAL FLY-IN . . . Save the date for NSSF's 2015 Congressional Fly-In, April 22-23, in Washington, D.C. More details on this year's event will be available in the near future. Participation in the NSSF Congressional Fly-In is limited to presidents/CEOs (or a senior staff member of their choosing) of voting members and supporting manufacturer and distributor members. The NSSF Congressional Fly-In provides the opportunity to meet directly with senators and representatives to explain legislative priorities and outline the significant economic impact our industry has on their districts, states and the nation. Watch the Fly-In Video.
- NSSF PAC IS HERE TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS . . . Guess what time it is? It's a new year and the perfect time for NSSF business members to get engaged in the NSSF Political Action Committee (PAC). The NSSF PAC is the only PAC fighting to promote, protect and preserve the interests of industry members against the never-ending attacks by the Obama Administration, gun control groups and others committed to regulating us out of business and destroying America's hunting and shooting sports heritage and firearms freedoms. If you like the ever-growing costs and burdens associated with doing business, then do nothing. However, if your company is like other law-abiding, tax-paying and job-producing businesses in our industry fed up with over regulation and the increased costs of compliance, take a stand now by joining the NSSF PAC. All you need to do is complete and return your prior approval form. The NSSF PAC and its pro-industry, pro-Second Amendment and pro-sportsmen allies in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives want to fight for you. Join the NSSF PAC today so your business is here tomorrow!
For more Government Relations news, read NSSF's latest Government Relations Update.
ATF
 ATF ACKNOWLEDGES FORM 4473 DATE FIELD INCONSISTENCIES . . . There are six date fields on ATF Form 4473, but they are not formatted consistently causing undue confusion for firearms retailers and purchasers alike. NSSF brought this inconsistency to the attention of ATF, which acknowledged the issue and indicated the matter would be corrected on the next iteration of the form. No word yet on when that might occur.
- INDUSTRY, PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON 'ARMOR PIERCING' EVALUATION . . . ATF advised NSSF in a meeting held during the SHOT Show that it would be releasing a report for industry and public comment on or before Feb. 17 on a proposal for the bureau to objectively evaluate whether a projectile or ammunition cartridge that meets the technical definition of "armor piercing ammunition" under the Gun Control Act qualifies for a "sporting purpose" exemption to the law. ATF has pending more than 30 separate petitions from manufacturers seeking an exemption for alternative ammunition designed and intended for the hunting market, some for almost three and a half years. NSSF will make the report available upon release, closely review the proposal and submit comments on behalf of industry.
Retailers
- CABELA'S NAMED 'DON'T LIE FOR THE OTHER GUY' RETAILER OF THE YEAR . . . NSSF has announced the selection of Cabela's as its Don't Lie for the Other Guy Retailer of the Year. Don't Lie for the Other Guy was formed as a cooperative program between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and NSSF more than 15 years ago to help ATF educate federal firearms licensees to be better able to identify and prevent illegal straw purchases of firearms and to raise public awareness about the seriousness of the crime of purchasing a firearm for someone who cannot legally do so. Read the NSSF press release.
- ATF Q&A . . . We received a number of great questions at this year's SHOT Show compliance training sessions to share in the coming ATF Q&As. This week the first question covers what documentation a law enforcement officer will need to produce to purchase a duty weapon. The second question covers a common error customers continue to make, inadvertently marking box 12 as "No." For answers to these questions, and a slew of others, visit our ATF Q&A page.
Project ChildSafe
 DU, SSSF JOIN FORCES WITH PROJECT CHILDSAFE TO PROMOTE GUN SAFETY . . . Ducks Unlimited and the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation announced they have become organizational supporters of the NSSF-developed Project ChildSafe program to help promote responsible firearm handling and storage. Both these major partnerships focus on educating youth about firearm safety. DU's Youth and Education programs work regularly to provide firearm safety education to children 12 and under, in high school and in college. SSSF, which manages the Scholastic Clay Target Program, promotes gun safety as its highest priority to more than 12,000 student-athletes participating on more than 800 teams in shotgun and pistol competitions across the country. Through these cooperative efforts, DU and SSSF will promote Project ChildSafe's safety initiative, "Own It? Respect It. Secure It.," to members and their families and in their communities.
Members
 DID YOU KNOW? . . . NSSF has recently partnered with a highly respected U.S.-based company to provide its range members discounts on services working towards enhanced OSHA and EPA compliance, range cleaning, backstop construction and maintenance, air filtration sytems and improved safety practices. For more information on our newest affinity member benefit partner, click here.
- NOW AVAILABLE: PREMIUM RANGE MEMBERSHIP . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that it is now offering a Premium Range membership to add to its array of membership options. Modeled after the success of the Premium Retailer membership, the new category will provide a variety of benefits and tools to range owners and operators seeking to improve how they do business, grow their customer bases and successfully meet the challenges of safety and environmental issues today's modern firearm ranges face. Read the full press release here. For more information,go to nssf.org/ranges/premium.
News of Note
- CRIME DOWN IN FIRST HALF OF 2014 . . . According to FBI data out last week, violent crime declined in the first half of 2014, compared to the same period in 2013. The Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report showed decreases across all types of violent crime including a 6 percent decline in the number of homicides and a 10 percent drop in the number of robbery offenses. This trend appeared in all city groupings and U.S. regions. The latest figures show a continuation of the long-term decline in violent crime, even as the number of firearms in the hands of law-abiding American citizens has been increasing. See the NSSF Infographic.
- FISH & WILDLIFE SEE $135 MILLION PROPOSED INCREASE IN BUDGET . . . In a press release, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service notes that President Obama's Fiscal Year 2016 discretionary budget request supports $1.6 billion in agency programs, an increase of $135.7 million over the 2015 enacted level. The budget also contains an additional $1.4 billion available under permanent appropriations, most of which will be provided directly to states for fish and wildlife restoration and conservation. "Investing in the conservation of our wildlife and habitat resources results in myriad health and economic benefits to U.S. communities," said Service Director Dan Ashe. "Investing in the next American generation is also critical, so we are creating new ways to engage young audiences in outdoor experiences, both on wildlife refuges and partner lands. With 80 percent of the U.S. population currently residing in urban communities, helping urban dwellers to rediscover the outdoors is a priority for the Service."
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. "
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COPYRIGHT © 2015 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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