Senate's First Procedural Vote on Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act Now Expected After July 4th Recess

A procedural motion to proceed having been filed this week, NSSF now expects that the U.S. Senate will have an initial vote to move forward with the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act, S. 2363 soon after senators return from the July 4^th recess. We need your continued support.

The most significant such package of legislation in a generation, S.2363 protects the use of traditional ammunition, allows more flexibility for federal funds to be used to build and maintain ranges on public lands and ensures access to federal lands for hunting, shooting and other outdoor activities. But make no mistake, anti-hunting and extremist environmental organizations are trying to derail this truly bipartisan effort, co-sponsored by more than 40 senators.

NSSF is urging hunters, target shooters and outdoor trade business owners to get on the phone to ask your senators to co-sponsor our industry's top legislative priority. To protect your hunting and shooting heritage call 202-224-3121 and ask your senators to co-sponsor S.2363. You can also send emails to your senators.

Get NSSF's fact sheet on S.2363.

 

Rhode Island Legislature Passes FixNICS Bill in Session's Final Hours

The Rhode Island General Assembly, in a final flurry of bills during the early morning hours on June 20, passed NSSF-advocated FixNICS legislation. The legislation would make Rhode Island compliant in the submission of mental health records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Over the past year, NSSF has testified before house and senate committees and also in front of a specially appointed task force on firearms and mental health. In testimony, NSSF Director, Government Relations, State Affairs Jake McGuigan stressed the importance to the industry that appropriate mental health records be submitted to NICS. Until this point, Rhode Island was not submitting any such records. The Ocean State was one of the priority target states in NSSF's nationwide FixNICS initiative. Once signed by the Governor, this legislation will take effect Jan. 1, 2015.

 

New York General Assembly Adjourns

The New York General Assembly adjourned its 2014 legislative session late last week. Fortunatel, for retailers, manufacturers and gun-owners, the legislature did not pass any anti-gun legislation. After passage and implementation of Governor Cuomo's SAFE Act last year, the desire to pass anti-gun legislation this year did not have much of a chance. The industry did secure a small victory with the fact that for the first time in recent memory microstamping legislation did not even pass the Assembly. NSSF will continue to work in Albany to protect the industry and lawful commerce in firearms. This year's elections in the Empire State are extremely important and will determine if anti-gun New York City legislators take control of the Senate.

 

National Public Radio Airs 'Smart Gun' Story

National Public Radio affiliate stations nationwide this week aired a story on so-called "smart gun" technology for which NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Larry Keane was interviewed to explain the industry's views. The piece focused on the New Jersey law mandating this technology and the unintended consequences of it being on the books. Hear the broadcast or read the accompanying story.

 

Hillary Clinton Reminds Us of What She Thinks about Gun Owners

Former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State Clinton in a recent live CNN Town Hall hosted by Christiane Amanpour was asked by an audience member whether she believed that implementing bans on "assault weapons" and restricting standard sized magazines would be effective gun control measures.

As expected, Mrs. Clinton explained that she thought such measures would be helpful and went on from there to say of citizens who advocate for the Second Amendment, "we cannot let a minority of people, and that's what it is, it is a minority of people, hold a viewpoint that terrorizes the majority of people." Read the NSSF's Larry Keane's take on Mrs. Clinton's comments.

 

Chicago City Council Approves Firearms Retailer Ordinance

Under a federal court order to act, the Chicago City Council reluctantly voted this week to approve regulations governing the opening and operation of firearms retail stores within city limits. The strict regulations will prevent stores opening in most neighborhoods and require videotaping of all firearms sales. Mayor Rahm Emanuel had until July 14 to satisfy a court order to allow retail stores after U.S. District Court Judge Edmond Chang overturned the city’s longstanding ban on them. Read a newspaper account of the city council action.

 

Import/Export Conference Early-Bird Registration Ends Today

To help industry members navigate the federal laws and regulations that govern the import and export of firearms and related products, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the FAIR Trade Group will present our 13th annual Firearms Import/Export Conference on Aug. 5-6. This year's conference features a morning of round-table sessions with key ATF branches, Customs and Border Protection, Treasury's Tax and Trade Bureau, and Census Bureau's Automated Export System. The conference will also feature presentations from ATF, an update on the U.N. arms trade control actions, and State Department speakers covering policy updates, enforcement trends, compliance, commercial export policies and brokering licenses, among other topics. Register now for early bird pricing.

 

Register, Stay Informed and GUNVOTE

In the 2014 elections, the most closely contested races for U.S. Senate seats are especially important. Our industry and consumers must join forces with other pro-Second Amendment groups and individuals to help elect enough new pro-gun lawmakers to ensure that the anti-gun agenda will not pass in either chamber of Congress during the final two years of the Obama administration.

On Election Day, every gun owner, hunter and Second Amendment supporter must cast an informed ballot that prioritizes the protection of our rights. And the first step is making sure you are properly registered to vote. That's why we are providing this easy-to-use tool to fill out your application online, then simply print it out and put it in the mail. It's that easy.

Don't risk your rights. REGISTER TO VOTE today. Keep yourself informed. And on Election Day -- GUNVOTE

 

Federal court upholds Colorado gun control restrictions

Yesterday in a case filed by NSSF, Magpul Industries, firearms retailers and others, a federal court judge ruled that Colorado’s ban on standard-capacity ammunition magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds and mandatory background checks on private firearms transfers do not violate the Second Amendment. According to the court, while Colorado’s gun-control laws burden an individual’s Second Amendment right to acquire and use firearms that are both widespread and commonly used for self and home defense, the burden is not "severe." "We are disappointed that the court honors the Second Amendment and ignores it as the same time," said NSSF Senior VP and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. "The court's reason for upholding the law—that it may force a criminal to pause to reload—are precisely why it violates the Second Amendment because it interferes with the right to self defense by forcing a law-abiding citizen to reload while being attacked by a criminal who will not comply with the law." Recently, Gov. Hickenlooper apologized for signing the law and acknowledged it will not reduce crime.

 

PAC Note: Corporate Members Should Return Prior Approval Forms

With the critical midterm elections that will determine which party controls the Senate less than five months away, there is no better time than now to make sure that you are informed about which candidates will protect our rights and support our industry. If you are an NSSF corporate member the only way the NSSF PAC can keep you up to date on the political landscape is if you complete and return your prior approval form. Without it we can't send you the vital political news and information you need to know.

 

Learn more about our industry's Political Action Committee: