Election Day is Tuesday — #GUNVOTE

Tuesday's mid-term elections for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and several governorships, provide the opportunity to help build a figurative firebreak between those incumbents and candidates who would seek to infringe your right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment and those who believe in the wisdom behind the Constitutional guarantee established by our nation's founders. For months now, we have been urging you to educate and inform yourself about your choices and to select U.S. Senators and Representatives who will stand with America's gun owners. The same holds true in the races for state office. In Colorado, Connecticut and elsewhere the choices are clear. Don't risk your rights, #GUNVOTE on Nov. 4.

 

NSSF's #GUNVOTE Initiative Airs Colo., Conn. TV Ads

With four days to Election Day, NSSF continues to air hard-hitting ads on targeted Colorado and Connecticut cable television channels in the most intense #GUNVOTE voter information education initiative we have ever undertaken. In both states, all who value their firearms ownership and Second Amendment rights face a clear choice when they vote for governor. Watch the Connecticut #GUNVOTE television ad. Watch the Colorado #GUNVOTE ad. In addition to television, these ads are being actively promoted through social media. Radio ads are also running in Connecticut. The Wall Street Journal last Friday took note of NSSF's #GUNVOTE effort in that state.

 

Protecting Maine's Bear Hunting Heritage

Maine voters on Tuesday have the chance to stand up to anti-hunting extremists, led and bankrolled by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), by voting "NO" on Question #1, Maine's Bear Hunting Referendum. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) opposes Question #1. In this recent release, the IF&W, made it clear that if Question #1 passes, their ability to control Maine's bear population will be devastated and lead to an increase in nuisance bear complaints and a heightened threat to public safety. Maine has achieved one of the largest bear populations in the United States by using proper wildlife management tools, including methods that would be banned by Question #1. Maine voters have the chance to ensure Maine's rich hunting heritage lives on for future generations by voting "NO" on Question #1.

 

Alabama Amendments Protect Hunting, Firearms Rights

Alabama voters have the opportunity on Tuesday to further protect their right to hunt and fish, along with their right to keep and bear arms. A "yes" vote on Statewide Amendment 3 and Amendment 5 will preserve the freedoms gun owners and sportsmen cherish and protect firearms ownership rights.

Statewide Amendment 5, the proposed language to strengthen Alabama's current "Sportsmen's Bill of Rights", specifies that hunting, fishing and harvesting of wildlife shall be used as the preferred means of managing wildlife. Constitutionally protecting the American heritage of hunting, trapping and fishing for future generations is vital as radical anti-hunting zealots led by HSUS will stop at nothing to destroy our heritage and wildlife conservation.

Statewide Amendment 3 would strengthen the current Right to Arms provision in the Alabama Constitution. Amendment 3 provides that every citizen has the fundamental right under the State Constitution to bear arms in defense of himself or herself and the State and ensures that this right would be entitled to the highest protection of the law.

 

Mississippi Initiative Would Protect Hunting Traditions

In Mississippi, a "yes" vote on Statewide Initiative Measure No. 1 will protect future generations of hunters and anglers. Proposed by the Mississippi Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, the measure would add protections for hunting and fishing into the State Constitution.

The initiative specifies that hunting and fishing shall be a preferred means of managing wildlife while promoting conservation and management of game species. All sportsmen and sportswomen in Mississippi need to go to the polls and vote for Statewide Initiative Measure No. 1 to ensure their rich hunting heritage is protected for many generations to come.

 

Protect Your Right to Keep and Bear Arms in Washington State

This coming Tuesday, Washington gun owners and sportsmen have a very easy decision to make when it comes to protecting their rights. Washington State is the site of a key political fight between anti-gun billionaires, who are trying to buy an election, and pro-gun advocates. It is vital for those who cherish their firearms freedoms to have their voices heard in Washington state by voting NO for Initiative 594 and YES for Initiative 591.

A past NSSF on-line survey of federal-licensed firearms retailers revealed that those who would be on the front line of implementing what is touted as "universal background checks" have serious concerns both about whether such proposals would work as well as the potential negative effects on their businesses. Asked whether they supported or opposed "universal background checks," 85.7 percent of the responding firearms retailers said that they opposed them. To the question of whether they believed that such legislation would prevent criminals from obtaining firearms, a nearly unanimous 95.7 percent said no. Initiative 594 would add "universal background" checks to state law and create a duplicative requirement on all firearms sales and transfers.

Initiative 591 would do exactly the opposite as I-594. It would prohibit background checks "unless a national standard is required." The choice is clear.

 

NSSF Member Companies Support #GUNVOTE

Many NSSF member companies are actively supporting #GUNVOTE, NSSF's voter education and information initiative, by displaying the #GUNVOTE button on their websites. The latest companies on board are Fiocchi Ammunition and Stag Arms. Thank you to all industry members downloading the #GUNVOTE button and using it in print publications and on their social media platforms.

Other companies displaying the #GUNVOTE button are Action Target, Advanced Technology International, Alliant Powder, Blackhawk, Browning, Bushnell, Butler, Champion Target, CCI, Colt's Manufacturing Co., Coonan Inc., Cor-Bon/Glaser LLC, Creek, Federal, FNH USA, Fobus Holsters, FrogLube, Glock, GunBroker.com, Gunslick, Hodgdon Powder Company, Hoppes, Hornady Manufacturing Co., Leupold & Stevens, Lewis Machine & Tool Co., Millett, North American Arms, O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Outers, Primos, RCBS, Remington Outdoor Company, Savage, Simmons, SinterFire, Smith & Wesson Firearms, Sturm, Ruger and Co., Taurus Holdings, Trulock Tool, Uncle Mike's, Volquartsen Custom, Warne Scope Mounts, Weaver and Winchester Ammunition.

 

Why Expertise Should Trump Politics in a U.S. Surgeon General

Early this year, NSSF opposed the confirmation of anti-gun activist Dr. Vivek Murthy as the next U.S. Surgeon General because the relatively inexperienced 36-year-old doctor clearly had more political than medical credentials for the job. America not only deserves better, it currently has better in the form of the acting surgeon general, Dr. Boris D. Lushniak, a recognized expert on epidemiologic emergencies of the kind the nation now faces with Ebola. So, as some of President Obama's partisans call once again for the confirmation of the very political Dr. Murthy, the NSSF's Larry Keane responds in this blog post.

 

NSSF Files Brief in Calif. Handgun Ammo Classification Case

This week, NSSF filed a friend-of-the-court brief with the California Supreme Court in support of overturning the state's newly enacted mandates regulating so-called "handgun ammunition" on the grounds that they are unconstitutional. At issue is California AB 962's incomprehensible and unconstitutionally vague definition of handgun ammunition that would ban mail order ammunition sales and require all purchases of such ammunition to be registered. Because there is no common understanding amongst firearms retailers as to what handgun ammunition is, NSSF's brief argues that the statutory language fails to provide law-abiding firearms retailers, including NSSF members, with proper notice of their statutory obligations, which could lead to their potential prosecution. NSSF further argues that state and federal constitutional rights would be impermissibly burdened if the California Supreme Court upholds enforcement of these statutes. Read the NSSF brief.

 

NSSF Argues Against CBD on Lead Ammunition Regulation

Last week, NSSF appeared before a federal appellate court to support the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rejection of the Center for Biological Diversity's (CBD) serial petitions seeking to ban traditional ammunition made with lead-core components. The EPA has twice denied attempts by the CBD and its coalition of fringe anti-hunting groups to have the agency regulate traditional ammunition. Both agency denials were subsequently upheld by the same federal district court in 2011 and 2013, respectively.

The NSSF intervened to defend the interests of industry, target shooters and sportsmen in both cases and did so again when CBD appealed the 2013 dismissal of their lawsuit to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The CBD erroneously believes that by adding radical anti-hunting groups to its new petition that this will somehow magically overcome Congress's clear expression that the EPA does not have authority to regulate lead ammunition under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The appellate panel that heard the case last week was well attuned to the CBD's backdoor tactics to ban the domestic manufacture and use of traditional ammunition. A decision from the court is not expected until spring.

 

NSSF Attends Annual Police Chiefs' Conference

NSSF's Elizabeth Karameighan and Jake McGuigan at the IACP Convention.

Three representatives from NSSF Government Relations teams attended last week's annual International Association of Chiefs of Police convention in Orlando, Florida. Larry Keane, Jake McGuigan and Elizabeth Karasmeighan had the opportunity to speak with this crucial audience about our initiatives including FixNICS, Project ChildSafe and the Don't Lie for the Other Guy program and to discuss areas in which the industry and police chiefs can work together moving forward.

 

 

 

Nearly All Manufacturers Must Register with DDTC

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Manufacturers of firearms, firearm components or ammunition, are required to register with the U.S. State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and pay a $2,250 annual fee, unless the only products they make fall within a narrow set of exceptions. This also applies for makers of suppressors, suppressor components, military grade sights or scopes or other attachments or accessories to covered firearms. For practical purposes, all firearms are covered except for non-combat shotguns with barrel lengths of 18 inches or longer, BB and pellet guns and muzzle-loading firearms. The only accessories not covered are riflescopes and sighting devices not made to military specifications or accessories and attachments such as slings, belts and cleaning kits that do not enhance the usefulness, effectiveness or capabilities of the firearm or covered component. The only ammunition not covered is sporting shotgun ammo. Read More. Orchid Advisors is an endorsed compliance information provider for NSSF members.

 

Thank You To Our Latest NSSF PAC Contributors

President's Club ($5,000): Charles Dunkin

Cabinet Club ($2,500 or more): James Boyce Jr.

Capitol Club ($1,000 or more): Robert Marcus, David Ridley, Stephen Sanetti and Gary Witherspoon

Caucus Club ($250 or more): No new contributors to report

Congressional Club ($250 or more): Ken Brown, Charles Jacobi and Kurt Richter

Industry Club (up to $249): Dennis Cusumano, Philip May, Douglas Sensenig and Russell Thurman

 

Learn more about our industry's Political Action Committee: