Members-Only Login | Join NSSF

August 10, 2015

Vol. 16 No. 32

New NSSF Hispanic Market Study Available

With a collective buying power quickly approaching $1 trillion, America's Hispanic population (at 57 million) is an important part of today's economy. NSSF's latest report, "A Hispanic Market Study: Firearms and the Shooting Sports," provides the insight needed to attract a new, passionate constituency to the shooting sports. Read the press release and be sure to log in and review this informative report.

Research

• NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS BACKGROUND CHECKS . . . The July 2015 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 946,528 is the highest July on record for the 17-year-old system, with an increase of 15.9 percent over the July 2014 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 816,588. For comparison, the unadjusted July 2015 NICS figure of 1,589,462 reflects a 14.0 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,393,705 in July 2014. To learn more about last month's NICS report, log in to the member side of nssf.org.
  
  

• EXCISE TAX OBLIGATIONS . . . 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 $177.2 million in the first calendar quarter of 2015. NSSF Members can log in to view detailed information on quarterly excise taxes.

Government Relations

• NSSF MEETS STATE LEGISLATORS . . . Three NSSF Government Relations team members represented the firearms and ammunition industry at the National Conference of State Legislators annual conference last week in Seattle. Among the topics of most interest: NSSF's FixNICS initiative to ensure that the state send all appropriate records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); "smart gun" technology and bans on traditional ammunition. Legislators and key staff were generally receptive to NSSF messages at this important annual conference.
  
  

• IMPORT/EXPORT CONFERENCE SETS RECORDS . . . NSSF and the FAIR Trade Group this week held our annual Import/Export Conference to bring members of the firearms industry together with key regulators for two days of presentations and small round-table sessions. The sold-out event provided the opportunity for attendees to hear updates on our industry's rules of the road and to ask questions directly to government officials. With a more than 20 percent increase in attendees, this year's conference broke records in terms of attendee participation, satisfaction, and sponsorships. Save the date for next year's conference: Aug. 2-3, 2016 at the Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, D.C.
  
  

• FEDERAL AND STATE ROUNDUP . . . Some 28 U.S. senators are echoing NSSF's call to halt ITAR Harmonization Rule Definition changes. The August congressional recess provides the opportunity to invite your U.S. representative or senator to visit your business. The Seattle City Council today is expected to adopt a NSSF-opposed tax on all firearms and ammunition sold within city limits. Los Angeles is moving ahead with an ordinance imposing a fine for citizens found with unsecured guns in their residence. Read NSSF's latest Government Relations Update.

2016 SHOT Show

• REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2ND ANNUAL HAVA GOLF CLASSIC . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2nd Annual NSSF/HAVA Golf Classic. Organized to support Honored American Veterans Afield, the pre-SHOT Show outing is a charity event that raises money to support disabled veterans with their healing process through guided hunts, target shooting events and other outdoor sports activities. Register a team.
  
  

• WIN A HOTEL STAY AT THE SHOT SHOW . . . Each year at SHOT Show, NSSF's trade publication SHOT Business recognizes those in the firearms industry who work the most diligently to promote NSSF's programs and support its mission of promoting, protecting and preserving hunting and the shooting sports. To thank members for participating in these nominations, NSSF will award one lucky voter a complimentary first-class hotel stay on the Las Vegas Strip during the dates of the 2016 SHOT Show, January 19-22 (approximate retail value $1,350.00). Learn more and submit your votes for your chance to win.

Retailers/Ranges

Advertisement

• ATF Q&A . . . More great questions came in on our 24/7 NSSF member compliance hotline last week. One question asks if the ATF considers a family member picking up a pawned firearm for another family member a straw purchase. Another question asks if a licensee can return a consigned firearm to a different individual than the person who originally placed the firearm on consignment.
  
  

• DID YOU KNOW? . . . NSSF members receive a 15 percent discount on any orders from an NSSF affinity benefit partner that specializes in video surveillance security solutions. Cutting-edge IP video, hybrid solutions and access control, as well as superior customer service and strategic industry partnerships result in customized video surveillance solutions that help businesses succeed. Learn more.

News of Note

• WOULD TROPHY-HUNTING RESTRICTIONS SAVE LIONS? . . . In a well-reasoned op-ed in the Aug. 6, Wall Street Journal, the authors quoted work of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe for perspective in the wake of news coverage generated by the taking of a named lion in Zimbabwe. "Lions are not in trouble because of responsible sport hunting. In fact, evidence shows that scientifically sound conservation programs that include limited, well-managed sport hunting can and do contribute to the long-term survival of the species." Read the op-ed.
  
  

• HANCOCK WINS WORLD CUP GOLD . . . At the International Shooting Sports Federation World Cup in Gabala, Azerbaijan, two-time Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock took the top spot and served notice he has his eyes set on defending his Olympic title at the 2016 Rio games. Hancock missed only two targets in the entire competition, spanning from qualifying with a score of 124 out of 125 (he missed his first target) to a perfect six in a row in the championship shoot-off. In women's skeet, Morgan Craft won the silver medal.
  
  

• FIREARM SAFETY 'CHAMPION' FEATURED IN LAS VEGAS . . . Kevin McNair, who has been recognized by NSSF as a Project ChildSafe "Local Champion," will lead two firearm safety seminars this Saturday, Aug. 15, at Bass Pro Shops on Dean Martin Drive in Las Vegas. McNair, featured in a Las Vegas Review-Journal story, is owner of Tactical West, teaches hunter education classes, is a licensed concealed carry instructor and local chapter chair for the Mule Deer Foundation. He will highlight Project ChildSafe's S.A.F.E. Summer campaign at the seminars and provide the program's safety materials.

Jobs

• FIREARMS INDUSTRY JOBS . . . Visit jobs.nssf.org for current employment opportunities in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry. Unmatched job listing exposure, easy online job management, résumé search and résumé uploading for job seekers gives NSSF members and non-members more opportunities than ever before.

NSSF's Mission "To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports." Visit the NSSF website and see how we accomplish this mission.

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.