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February 23, 2015

Vol. 16 No. 08

PROJECT CHILDSAFE HITS MAJOR MILESTONE . . . When the firearms industry's Project ChildSafe program launched its "Own It? Respect It. Secure It." initiative eight months ago, industry companies and organizations were encouraged to use the power of their outreach to remind gun owners to securely store their firearms when not in use to help prevent access by children and other unauthorized persons. Today, more than 1,000 companies and groups are supporting Project ChildSafe by using the "Own It? Respect It. Secure It." logo in their advertisements and videos and on their websites and social media outlets. Their efforts are helping industry reach millions of gun owners with a safety message designed to help deter firearms accidents, theft and misuse. "This milestone is more than a number—it's further testimony to the commitment on the part of the firearms industry, individual gun owners and the sporting community to make gun safety and personal responsibility a priority," said Steve Sanetti, President and CEO of NSSF, in an announcement that also noted firearm accidents are dropping dramatically and make up only 0.5 percent of all accidental fatalities. "With these tremendous supporters on board, and more joining every day, the more Project ChildSafe will succeed in this mission," Sanetti said. Help your industry promote gun safety by becoming a Project ChildSafe supporter. Learn how at NSSF.org/ORS.

• CABELA'S SUPPORTS PROJECT CHILDSAFE IN EMAIL BLAST AND NEW VIDEO . . . An outstanding example of a Project ChildSafe supporting company is Cabela's, the giant outdoor retailer, which has embraced Project ChildSafe and its "Own It? Respect It. Secure It." initiative and included gun safety messages in its printed and online catalogs and in stores across the country. Last week, Cabela's sent an email blast telling its huge number of customers that "Cabela's Has Teamed With Project ChildSafe To Promote Firearm Safety For The Whole Family" and included a link to its dedicated safety page. In addition, a video lets viewers know the retailer is working with Project ChildSafe to provide public education on the importance of storing firearms responsibly when not in use. Thank you, Cabela's!

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2015 Industry Summit

• REGISTER TODAY TO RECEIVE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT . . . Groundbreaking research and insights on proven programs that result in growing the ranks of target shooters and hunters are hallmarks of NSSF Industry Summits, which is why you'll want to save the dates to attend NSSF's 2015 Industry Summit in Savannah, Georgia, June 1-3. Representatives from all segments of the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, conservation and hunting organizations, target shooting organizations and federal and state wildlife agencies are encouraged to attend. Register today to reserve your place at this most important industry event. Discounted, early bird registration pricing is in effect until March 31.
  
  

• INDUSTRY SUMMIT WELCOMES ITS NEWEST SPONSORS . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that Daniel Defense and Troy have signed on as the newest Bronze sponsors of the 2015 NSSF Industry Summit. The Summit will work to share dynamic models of success that contribute toward the common industry goals of promoting hunting and target shooting, discuss threats to our industry's success and explore new avenues of opportunities for recruitment and growth. Many sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Government Relations

• NSSF URGES PUBLIC TO OPPOSE ATF BAN ON 5.56 M855 'GREEN TIP' AMMO . . . The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has announced it is seeking to ban widely held 5.56 M855 "green tip" ball ammunition as "armor piercing ammunition" and is seeking public comment on the proposal. NSSF urges all industry employees, target shooters and gun owners to contact ATF to oppose this unnecessary ban, which is truly a solution in search of a problem and that raises serious questions about executive agency attitude and overreach. See the NSSF Action Alert and email or write ATF today.
  
  

• RUBIO INTRODUCES BILL TO HALT 'OPERATION CHOKE POINT' FUNDS . . . U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has introduced legislation to cut off funding to the Obama administration's "Operation Choke Point" effort. "We must stop this administration's effort to target private industries and the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens," Rubio said. Previously, Republican members of the Banking Committee have called for the Justice Department to terminate the program. Justice has targeted banks' interactions with so-called "high risk" businesses. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) has admitted including firearms dealers on a list of potentially "high-risk" businesses that could require extra monitoring by banks. The FDIC later retracted this list.  NSSF supports this legislation and has been active on Capitol Hill assisting lawmakers and their staffs to gather information on the extent of Operation Choke Point abuses and in helping devise solutions to end discriminatory practices.
  
  

• CONCEALED CARRY RECIPROCITY ACT GAINS STEAM . . . The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow licensed handgun holders to carry concealed firearms across state lines, has been introduced in both chambers of Congress. "The Second Amendment doesn't end at the border of your state," the NSSF's Larry Keane told The Hill. "This would enhance the rights of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves when they're away from home." Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) is the lead sponsor of the concealed-carry bill in the upper chamber, while Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) leads the effort in the House.

For more Government Relations news, read NSSF's latest Government Relations Update.

Congressional Fly-In

• REGISTRATION OPEN FOR APR. 22-23 OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS . . . Registration is now open for the annual NSSF Congressional Fly-in, April 22-23 in Washington, D.C. This is a great opportunity for leaders from NSSF Voting Member companies and supporting distributor and manufacturing member companies to meet with members of Congress. At stake is passage of the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act, the industry's top priority, as well as defeating President Obama's regulatory gun control agenda. To learn more about the importance of claiming a seat at the table, watch this short video. For security purposes, a full agenda including locations and information on how to book a room in the NSSF hotel block will be sent to you via email after you register. Register today if you plan to attend this crucial Fly-In.

Legal

• CALIF. AG ASKS FOR JUDGMENT IN NSSF, SAAMI MICROSTAMPING SUIT . . . The California Attorney General last week moved for judgment on the pleadings (a motion to dismiss) in the NSSF and Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) lawsuit challenging the California Unsafe Handgun Act provision requiring all semiautomatic handguns not currently registered with the state to be equipped to imprint microstamps on the interior surface of the firearm that will transfer to fired ammunition. This motion is set for hearing next month in Fresno Superior Court, and NSSF will vigorously defend the merits of this important case. Read this story on the suit. The law is a backdoor attempt to mandate unreliable technology in order to prevent the sale of new semiautomatic handguns in California and will not contribute to improving public safety. Read NSSF and SAAMI's complaint.

Members

• DID YOU KNOW? . . . NSSF members receive a significant discount from a web-design company that specializes in firearms and outdoor businesses to provide customized online business solutions. Find out more.

Research

• UPDATED ATF U.S. FIREARMS PRODUCTION REPORT . . . The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced in a press release last Thursday the release of its Annual Firearms Manufacturers and Export Report (AFMER). The report contains information about the manufacturing and export activity from all U.S. federally licensed manufacturers of firearms and destructive devices. The latest figures show a 25.1-percent increase in U.S. firearm production from 8.2 million units in 2012 to 10.3 million units in 2013. NSSF will use this data to update its popular Industry Intelligence Report, Firearms Production in the U.S.

Retailers

• ATF Q&A . . . As part of NSSF's mission to help promote, protect and preserve the shooting industry, we offer a 24/7 compliance hotline to our retailer members. Here are two questions that were asked during the numerous calls we received last week. The first question concerns transferring a firearm to a dealer out of state and recording proper information, and second question asks about replacing a lost 4473 form. Click on the links to get answers to these and many other great questions.
  
  

• STORE SECURITY TIPS . . . One item that often gets trusted to work on its own is your store's alarm system. Other than paying the alarm company its monthly monitoring fee, there's not much to think about, is there? When it comes to store security systems, there's more to making them work for you than setting it and forgetting it. In this blog post, several items are listed to put on your regular to-do list.

News of Note

• YET ANOTHER UPSCALE SHOOTING RANGE . . . In a Kansas City Star article, outdoor writer Brent Frazee focuses on Frontier Justice, a new upscale shooting range, or "guntry club," as representative of a growing trend in shooting facilities providing new and experienced shooters with services and amenities not usually found at gun ranges of yore. At Frontier Justice, when shooters are finished at the firing line, they can enjoy lunch at a café and shopping at a boutique with "Western chic apparel, jewelry and home furnishings," as well as an impressive firearms retail shop, Frazee writes. The story notes NSSF statistics on the growing popularity of the shooting sports.
  
  

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• BUSINESS DECISIONS, TAX IMPLICATIONS AND BEING AN FFL . . . As April 15 approaches, individuals and business are reviewing operations from the previous year in preparation for filing taxes. This would include any business opportunities or situations that would affect their tax liability. Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) should review, on a regular basis, any changes that could impact their "business structure" and operations. Business decisions based upon tax implication might impact, unknowingly, the ability to continue to act as a firearms licensee. It is important to remember that defining business organizations according to ATF's definition is not necessarily the same as what you may have experienced when dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. This Orchid Advisory looks at this issue. Orchid Advisors is an endorsed compliance information provider for NSSF members.

NSSF PAC

• THANK YOU TO OUR LATEST NSSF PAC CONTRIBUTORS
  
  President's Club ($5,000): J.B. Hodgdon
  
  Cabinet Club ($2,500 or more): Thomas Shepherd
  
  Capitol Club ($1,000 or more): Robert Marcus
  
  Caucus Club ($500 or more): No new contributors to report
  
  Congressional Club ($250 or more): Bill Kempffer
  
  Industry Club (up to $249): Darrel Spicer

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.

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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