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NSSF Congressional Fly-In Largest, Busiest to Date
The annual NSSF Congressional Fly-In last week in Washington, D.C., brought to the nation's capital a record number of leaders from NSSF Voting Member companies, supporting manufacturing and distributing member companies and leading retailers. Participants described the record number of meetings with members of both houses of Congress as highly productive with great interest expressed in the positive economic impact of the industry on the nation's economy, as well as in passage of the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act, which is the industry's top priority. Other issues discussed included defeating President Obama's regulatory gun control agenda, export control reform and "Operation Choke Point." For the first time in the eight-year history of the Fly-In, there were more opportunities for meetings than could be accommodated.
- U.S. REP. LUETKEMEYER NAMED 2014 NSSF LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR . . . NSSF honored U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) as NSSF's 2014 Legislator of the Year at a dinner during the firearm industry's 2015 Congressional Fly-In. The Congressman's early leadership in identifying and working to halt the abuse of executive power inherent in "Operation Choke Point" was instrumental in his selection for the annual award. Read the press release.
- NSSF RECOGNIZES SEN. INHOFE FOR SHINING LIGHT ON HSUS . . . U.S. Sen. James M. "Jim" Inhofe (R-Okla.) has received special NSSF recognition for bringing attention to the misleading fundraising tactics of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). During a recent Senate hearing on the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015, Sen. Inhofe questioned HSUS CEO Wayne Pacelle about the organization's misleading fundraising, pointing out that HSUS raised $1.7 million from Oklahomans from 2011 to 2013 through ads implying donations would be used to help animals displaced by tornadoes.
Project ChildSafe
 NEW JERSEY MAYORS APPRECIATE NSSF . . . Debbie Buzby-Cope, president of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, presented NSSF with an Award of Appreciation for its support of the organization's community Gun Safety initiative at NJCM's Spring Conference in Atlantic City last Thursday. With encouragement from its gun safety committee, NJCM has worked with NSSF to provide NSSF's Project ChildSafe program and firearm safety materials, including the new "How to Talk to Your Kids about Gun Safety" video, to mayors, law enforcement and school leaders in communities throughout The Garden State. At the conference, NSSF exhibited its Project ChildSafe/ "Own It? Respect It. Secure It." campaigns and also discussed gun safety in an interview with Comcast News. Additionally, NJCM announced its support for legislation that would bring gun safety education to New Jersey schools.
- WIN A LIBERTY GUN SAFE IN PROJECT CHILDSAFE SWEEPSTAKES . . . The Project ChildSafe Spread the Firearms Safety Message Sweepstakes is here. Now until May 10, NSSF will conduct four separate weekly drawings for a chance to win a biometric handgun vault from Liberty Safe. Five prizes will be awarded in the sweepstakes. By reminding friends and family of the importance of safe gun storage, you could be one of the lucky weekly winners announced on Project ChildSafe's Facebook page each Monday during the sweepstakes. Learn more at http://bit.ly/1FLDnGh.
 PROJECT CHILDSAFE IN HOUSTON . . . After several tragic accidents involving children and unattended firearms earlier this year, the Harris County Sheriff's Office, 4th Precinct Constable's Office and Houston P.D reached out to NSSF's Project ChildSafe for gun locks and safety materials to help promote secure storage. To continue to raise public awareness about gun safety, the agencies and NSSF held a press conference on Saturday at the Salute to Law Enforcement Day that attracted news coverage by the Houston Chronicle and several TV stations. Speaking for NSSF, Bill Brassard Jr., Senior Director of Communications, reminded residents that "the number one way to help prevent firearm accidents, theft and misuse is to securely store firearms when not in use."
- TIMES CHANGE IN MORTON GROVE . . . Noting that more than 91,000 concealed carry permits were provided to Illinois residents in 2014, a Chicago Tribune article focused on the city suburb of Morton Grove providing firearm safety education materials to residents through NSSF's Project ChildSafe program. In the early 1980s, Morton Grove gained notoriety for being the first town to prohibit the possession of handguns, but following the U.S. Supreme Court Heller decision in 2008 the town voted to drop the prohibition.
Setting the Record Straight
 NSSF'S KEANE RESPONDS TO 'PUBLIC HEALTH' ARGUMENT . . . In response to the article "Diagnosis: Gun deaths and injuries are a public health issue" that appeared recently in The Hill, a publication widely read in Washington, NSSF's Larry Keane wrote that renewed calls to treat the misuse of firearms in our society as a public health issue are nothing new and, in fact, began in the late 1980s. "Then as now, putting the emphasis on guns, and not their criminal misuse, remains a wrong-headed approach, even if it's one with appeal to those with little personal experience with firearms. Doctors should concentrate on genuine public health concerns — and there are many of those, ranging from the return of once nearly conquered childhood illnesses such as measles to inadequate infection control protocols leading to unnecessary deaths in hospitals, as well as such perennial issues as obesity, diabetes and heart disease," Keane wrote.
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Government Relations
 THERE IS NO CALIF. BAN ON .45 ACP AMMO . . . A story from a fake-news website has sent the internet and social media into overdrive. So, as they say in the Navy, "Now hear this": There is no truth whatsoever to reports that California has implemented a state-wide ban on the sale and possession of all .45 ACP ammunition with a 60-day grace period to allow police to begin enforcing the ban. There was just enough detail and superficial knowledge represented in the fake news report to lure in the unsuspecting. As readers of Bullet Points know, any development that big would not become law overnight and there would be tremendous opposition, as we saw in the recent and quickly withdrawn attempt by ATF to eventually ban 5.56 green-tip ammunition.
- BILL TO END INACTIVE INDIANA LAWSUIT HEADED TO GOVERNOR . . . The Indiana Senate last week voted to concur with House amendments and approved legislation that will likely put an end to a 16-year-old, inactive lawsuit aimed at the firearms industry. SB 98, sponsored by State Sen. Jim Tomes and State Rep. Ben Smaltz, will now head to Gov. Mike Pence for approval. The Governor indicated his support for the bill earlier this year.
 MONTANA GOVERNOR APPROVES HUNTING WITH SUPPRESSORS . . . Gov. Steve Bullock signed HB 250 into law last week. The enactment of this legislation immediately brings Montana in line with the 34 other states that currently allow the use of suppressors for hunting all animals. NSSF supports efforts to remove restrictions on the use of suppressors for hunting and to permit their use at shooting ranges.
For more of the latest Government Relations news, see last week's Government Relations Update.
Legal
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- JUDGE ALLOWS NSSF SUIT AGAINST CALIF. CITY TO GO FORWARD . . . NSSF made significant progress last week in litigation against the City of Pleasant Hill, California, which has passed an ordinance that not only restricts the location of firearms retailers within city limits, but also imposes other burdensome requirements on lawfully operating businesses. The ordinance contradicts state preemption laws and appears to be an attempt by city leaders to regulate law-abiding FFLs out of business. The city had challenged the legal sufficiency of NSSF's complaint, but with last week's order the judge has allowed this suit to proceed. NSSF is in the process of reviewing the order and, in the meantime, the city has extended the deadline for Pleasant Hill retailers to comply with this unlawful ordinance until Nov. 1.
- COLO. RESPONDS IN MAGAZINE CAPACITY LAWSUIT . . . The state of Colorado has filed its response brief in Colorado Outfitters v. Hickenlooper, a case that NSSF has joined with other pro-Second Amendment non-profit groups to challenge the state's restrictions on ownership of standard-capacity magazines. The Colorado laws criminalize the new acquisition of standard-capacity magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds and expand background check requirements to cover most private firearms transfers. The state argues that these burdens are necessary as they promote public safety. NSSF will file a brief to address the state's response next month and expect that oral argument may be held as early as this coming autumn.
ATF
- ATF APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED . . . Firearms and Explosives Industry Division Chief Mike Fronczak has been selected as Washington/Baltimore DIO, replacing Gary Bangs who will be retiring. We have no indication at this time of who will replace Mr. Fronczak as division chief. Earl Griffith has been selected as Chief of the Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division (FATD). Max Kingery has been selected as Chief of the Firearms Technology Criminal Branch.
- NO IMPLEMENTATION YET SEEN FOR NOTICE 41P AS FINAL RULE . . . NSSF has confirmed with ATF that the bureau is unlikely to publish Notice 41P (NFA Trusts) as a Final Rule for quite some time. This is in part because EPS resources are being diverted to help process the 310,000 public comments received in response to the armor piercing ammunition framework proposal. In addition, it seems ATF has not prepared to revise the NFA database so that it can track "responsible persons" for NFA trusts. The proposed rule would require the responsible person(s) on an NFA Trust be fingerprinted.
Import/Export
- CBP CLARIFIES TEMPORARY EXPORTATION OF FIREARMS RULES . . . U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has provided clarification that it will continue to issue a paper Certificate of Registration (CBP Form 4457) so that U.S. citizens traveling abroad may take their firearm(s) out of the country without experiencing undue delays due to a new electronic Automated Export System (AES) filing requirement. The requirement is difficult for individuals to satisfy as they lack the required Employer's ID Number (EIN). While there has been much confusion on this topic, CBP said its enforcement focus is on the export of firearms for use by criminals or terrorists. CBP recommends travelers allow a few hours for declaration of their firearms and advises knowing the import requirements of foreign country(s) that they may be traveling through or visiting. Work is under way to modify the AES system to make it more "user-friendly." Companies that use the ITAR export license exemption when sending their employees overseas with up to three non-automatic firearms (other than sporting shotguns) and up to 1,000 rounds for business purposes should comply with the regulation and file their travel information. NSSF is continuing to raise concerns with the Department of Homeland Security, CBP and other involved agencies.
Firearms Industry Compliance Conference
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FIREARMS INDUSTRY COMPLIANCE CONFERENCE MAY 11-13 . . . The 2015 Firearms Industry Compliance Conference (FICC) to be held on May 11-13, 2015, in Orlando, Florida, is bringing together more than 30 speakers from organizations such as ATF, Remington Outdoor Company, Smith & Wesson, Sports Authority, Dunham's Sports, NSSF, Orchid Advisors and SAAMI. The conference is co-sponsored by Orchid Advisors and NSSF. Discounted registration is available to all NSSF members. Register to attend. Highlights from last year's event can be found on the Orchid Advisors website. ALERT - Fraudulent Hotel Scam: Be aware of third party organizations that may contact you to register for the 2015 FICC or hotel (ex: Exhibitors Housing Services is NOT an authorized service provider). You should book your reservations only through the Orchid Advisors' registration page. DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY INFORMATION. Contact mingram@orchidadvisors.com if you have any questions.
2015 Industry Summit
 HOTEL DEADLINE APPROACHING . . . If you haven't registered for the 2015 NSSF Industry Summit, the time is now. Registration does not include housing accomodations, so please be sure that you have made your hotel reservations. The deadline for taking advantage of special group hotel pricing is May 11. More than 150 Industry leaders have already committed to attend and contribute to this critical discussion. Take part in shaping our industry's future and register today. The Summit is slated for June 1-3 in Savannah, Georgia, and registration is open to individuals representing hunting and shooting sports organizations, conservation groups, wildlife agencies and the firearms and ammunition industry.
Retailers
- ATF Q&A . . . Every week many great questions come in on our NSSF member compliance hotline. This hotline is free to our members and available 24/7. Log into your account to get the details. The first question asks if a licensee can return a consigned firearm to a different individual other than the person who originally placed the firearm on consignment. The second question asks what a customer must do if he or she mistakenly answers "No" on Question No. 12 on Form 4473 when the question does not apply to him or her. Click on the links to find answers to these and many more great questions from our members.
 SEMINARS SLATED IN LOUISIANA AND GEORGIA THIS MONTH . . . Two NSSF Retailer Education Seminars are scheduled this month: May 12 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and May 19 in Atlanta, Georgia. All firearms retailers in these regions are encouraged to register to attend one of these extended, eight-hour seminars designed to not only help FFL holders stay in compliance but to also learn to adapt quickly and proactively to changes in the marketplace. Register to attend or find out more about NSSF Membership.
 DID YOU KNOW? . . . NSSF Retailer Seminars are free to NSSF members ($100 per person for non-members). These seminars cover such topics as error proofing your 4473 forms, straw purchase awareness, properly selling at gun shows, how to take a firearms inventory like ATF, the NICS background check process and much more. Find out more.
News of Note
 NSSF APPOINTS SAMANTHA PEDDER NEW MANAGER, OUTREACH AND DIVERSITY . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that it has appointed Samantha Pedder as its new Manager, Outreach and Diversity.
Pedder previously worked for the Pennsylvania Game Commission as the Hunting Outreach Coordinator, where she oversaw the agency's efforts to recruit, retain and reactivate Pennsylvania's hunters and shooters. In her position with NSSF, Samantha will address the need for participant diversity in hunting and the shooting sports, working with retailers, state agencies, and other industry partners to identify successful strategies and programs that help meet these goals. Read the full press release.
- NSSF IN THE NEWS . . . The Washington Post, CNBC, The Hill, Washington Times and many other news outlets across the country included NSSF in their coverage last week. Popular topics included the new NSSF Industry Economic Impact Report, NSSF's new "Ammunition Under Attack" infographic, women and the shooting sports, modern sporting rifles, impacts of Project ChildSafe and more. View a full wrap-up of NSSF in the News.
NSSF PAC
 THANK YOU TO OUR LATEST NSSF PAC CONTRIBUTORS
President's Club ($5,000): Bruce Pettet
Caucus Club ($500 or more): Kenny Barlow, Sandy Chisholm, Marty Daniel, Joshua Dorsey, Taylor Gross, Bradley Johnson, Pat O'Malley, Kevin Reid, Matthew Ridenour
Congressional Club ($250 or more): Nathan Bicking, Peter Brownell, Mitch Butler, Andrea Cerwinske, John Goodwin, Michael Halleron, Len Nelson, Vickana Norton, Teddy Novin, Chris Payne, Leonard Puzzuoli, Seth Waugh, Scott Williams
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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