FDIC Reverses Course on 'Operation Choke Point'

In a major development involving NSSF's leadership to halt discrimination in the provision of financial services and products to firearms related businesses due to "Operation Choke Point", top officials of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on Wednesday admitted wrongdoing and said they would cease practices that had the effect of encouraging such disparate treatment. U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Mo.) issued a statement after his meeting with FDIC Chairman Martin Gruenberg and Vice Chairman Tom Hoenig in which the admission was made. NSSF has been assisting Rep. Luetkemeyer in his investigation of Operation Choke Point practices against thoroughly law-abiding businesses that are nonetheless held in disfavor by Obama administration officials.

On Thursday, Rep. Luetkemeyer told NSSF, "After a year of mounting pressure from Congress and outside organizations, like the National Shooting Sports Foundation, top officials from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation finally acknowledged their involvement and wrongdoing in Operation Choke Point. While I am very pleased the FDIC will put in place new polices and change the culture at the agency, there is still work to be done, specifically with the Department of Justice. I am pleased the National Shooting Sports Foundation supports my legislation, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act, and I have no doubt the foundation will remain steadfast in educating its members and continuing the fight in ending Operation Choke Point once and for all."

The FDIC's admission immediately received the attention of the Heritage Foundation's Daily Signal, which filed this comprehensive story by news producer Kelsey Harkness. Earlier this week, the firearms industry's outspoken opposition to discriminatory financial services practices was the subject of major print and video coverage by the Daily Signal's Harkness, who traveled to the SHOT Show to gauge industry response, including an exclusive interview with NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane.

NSSF will continue to keep you informed of developments in our ongoing initiative to identify and end willful and unfair discrimination in the provision of financial services and products against businesses involved in the lawful commerce in firearms, related products and services.

 

Council Urges Denial of HSUS-Led Petition Seeking Lead Ammo Ban on Federal Lands

In July 2014, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and other organizations filed a petition requesting the Department of Interior issue a rule to ban the use of traditional ammunition made with lead components and require alternative ammunition for use on lands managed by the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service nationwide. In response, the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council this month wrote Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell urging denial of the petition.

The letter reads, in part "There is no evidence suggesting that lead from ammunition is acting as a widespread environmental contaminant that harms wildlife by its presence on public lands, as asserted in the petition. We also reject the assertion that lead ammunition and residues present on public lands pose a health risk to humans; there is no evidence for such a claim nor a logical mechanism for visitors to be exposed to lead contained in spent ammunition." NSSF President Steve Sanetti is a council member.

 

ATF Acknowledges Form 4473 Date Field Inconsistencies

There are six date fields on ATF Form 4473, but they are not formatted consistently causing undue confusion for firearms retailers and purchasers alike. NSSF brought this inconsistency to the attention of ATF, which acknowledged the issue and indicated the matter would be corrected on the next iteration of the form. No word yet on when that might occur.

 

Crime Down in First Half of 2014

According to FBI data out this week, violent crime declined in the first half of 2014, compared to the same period in 2013. The Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report showed decreases across all types of violent crime including a 6 percent decline in the number of homicides and a 10 percent drop in the number of robbery offenses. This trend appeared in all city groupings and U.S. regions. The latest figures show a continuation of the long-term decline in violent crime, even as the number of firearms in the hands of law-abiding American citizens has been increasing. See the NSSF Inforgraphic.

 

Kansas Introduces Constitutional Right to Hunt, Indiana Bill Advances

Late last week, Kansas State Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady introduced House Concurrent Resolution 5008, a constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right to hunt fish and trap. NSSF recently submitted a letter to the Representative stating our support for this much needed legislation. If passed and approved by Kansas voters, HCR 5008 will ensure hunting, fishing and trapping are enshrined in the Kansas constitution to protect future generations of sportsmen and women. Similar to bills filed in Indiana and Texas, the Kansas bill would protect the use of traditional methods, and promote wildlife conservation and management.

Additionally, SJR 2 in Indiana advanced out of a Senate committee earlier this week and awaits consideration by the entire Indiana Senate. Constitutionally protecting the American heritage of hunting, trapping and fishing for future generations is critically important as radical anti-hunting zealots led by HSUS will stop at nothing to destroy our heritage and wildlife conservation in America.

 

Ivory Ban Legislation Considered in Washington State

Earlier this week, Washington state House and Senate committees took public testimony on a pair of ill-advised bills related to a ban on ivory. House Bill 1131 and Senate Bill 5241 would prohibit the sale, offering to sell, purchasing, trading, trafficking, bartering for, or distribution of any ivory article or rhinoceros horn, with very few exceptions. While the goal of restricting illegal commerce in endangered species is admirable, the effects of the ivory ban would be disastrous for American gun owners and sportsmen. NSSF submitted a letter of opposition to each of the committees stating that such a ban would do nothing to impact poaching and illegal trade; rather these bills would only negatively impact law-abiding gun-owners, sportsmen, retailers and manufacturers.

 

ATF Will Seek Comment on 'Armor Piercing' Evaluation

NSSF was advised by ATF in a meeting held during the SHOT Show that it would be releasing a report for industry and public comment on or before February 17 on a proposal for ATF to objectively evaluate whether a projectile or ammunition cartridge that meets the technical definition of "armor piercing ammunition" under the Gun Control Act qualifies for a "sporting purpose" exemption to the law. ATF has pending more than 30 separate petitions from manufacturers seeking an exemption for alternative ammunition projectiles designed and intended for the hunting market, some for almost three and a half years. ATF indicated that it will not be deciding those longstanding petitions at this time. NSSF will make the report available upon its release and, of course, closely review the ATF proposal and submit comments on behalf of our industry.

 

District of Columbia Issues First Concealed Carry Permits

District of Columbia Metro Police have issued the city's first concealed handgun carry permits — some eight in total. More permit applicants have been denied than approved. The District government was forced to adopt a legal framework allowing civilians to carry firearms after a federal judge declared the city's previous ban unconstitutional in July 2014. The City Council adopted a strict "may issue" law, imposed 18 hours of training requirements, a $110 application fees and required applicants prove to city officials their need to carry a firearm.   

 

Save the Date: 2015 NSSF Congressional Fly-In

Save the date for NSSF's 2015 Congressional Fly-In, April 22-23 in Washington, D.C. More details on this year's event will be available in the near future. Participation in the NSSF Congressional Fly-In is limited to presidents/CEOs (or a senior staff member of their choosing) of voting members and supporting manufacturer and distributor members. The NSSF Congressional Fly-In is a great opportunity to meet directly with senators and representatives to explain legislative priorities and outline the significant economic impact our industry has on their districts, states and the nation. Watch the Fly-In Video.

 

Thank You to Our Latest NSSF PAC Contributors

President's Club ($5,000): Michael Evans, Michael Fifer and Travis Hall
Cabinet Club ($2,500 or more): Robert Steger and JoAnn Weisenford
Capitol Club ($1,000 or more): No new contributors to report
Caucus Club ($500 or more): Mitchell Butler and Taylor Gross
Congressional Club ($250 or more): Christopher Dolnack, Michael Halleron, Christopher Killoy, Richard Patterson and Thomas Sullivan
Industry Club (up to $249): Nicholas Seifert

 

NSSF PAC Is Here to Help Your Business

Guess what time it is? It's a new year and the perfect time for NSSF business members to get engaged in the NSSF Political Action Committee (PAC). The NSSF PAC is the only PAC fighting to promote, protect and preserve the interests of industry members against the never-ending attacks by the Obama Administration, gun control groups and others committed to regulating us out of business and destroying America's hunting and shooting sports heritage and firearms freedoms. If you like the ever-growing costs and burdens associated with doing business, then do nothing. However, if your company is like other law-abiding, tax-paying and job-producing businesses in our industry fed up with over regulation and the increased costs of compliance, take a stand now by joining the NSSF PAC. All you need to do is complete and return your prior approval form. The NSSF PAC and its pro-industry, pro-Second Amendment and pro-sportsmen allies in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives want to fight for you. Join the NSSF PAC today so your business is here tomorrow!

 

Learn more about our industry's Political Action Committee: