NSSF Urges Public to Oppose
ATF Ban on 5.56 M855 'Green tip' Ammo

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has announced it is seeking to ban widely held 5.56 M855 "green tip" ball ammunition as "armor piercing ammunition." ATF is seeking public comment on the proposal. NSSF urges all industry employees, target shooters and gun owners to contact ATF to oppose this unnecessary ban, which is truly a solution in search of a problem and that raises serious questions about executive agency attitude and overreach. See the NSSF Action Alert and email or write ATF today.

 

2015 NSSF Congressional Fly-In Registration Opens

Registration is now open for the annual NSSF Congressional Fly-in, scheduled for April 22-23 in Washington, D.C. This is a great opportunity for leaders from NSSF Voting Member companies and supporting distributor and manufacturing member companies to meet directly with members of Congress. At stake is passage of the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act, the industry's top priority, as well as defeating President Obama's regulatory gun control agenda. To learn more about the importance of claiming a seat at the table, watch this short video. For security purposes, a full agenda including locations and information on how to book a room in the NSSF hotel block will be sent to you via email after you register. Register today if you plan to attend this crucial Fly-In.

 

Calif. AG Asks for Judgment in NSSF, SAAMI Microstamping Suit

The California Attorney General this week moved for judgment on the pleadings (effectively, a motion to dismiss) in the NSSF and Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) lawsuit filed early last year challenging a provision of the California Unsafe Handgun Act requiring all semiautomatic handguns not currently registered with the state to be equipped to imprint microstamps on two or more places on the interior surface of the firearm that will transfer to fired ammunition. NSSF challenged this provision of California law because it is impossible for manufacturers to comply with this requirement, thus effectively banning sales of new pistols in California. This motion is set for hearing next month in Fresno Superior Court, and NSSF will vigorously defend the merits of this important case. Read this story on the suit.

The law is a back-door attempt to mandate unproven, unreliable and flawed technology in order to prevent the sale of new semiautomatic handguns to law-abiding citizens in California and will not contribute to improving public safety. As with its prior pleadings, the state attempts to misdirect attention by fixating on issues not even raised by NSSF and SAAMI's complaint.

 

Keane Discusses Calif. Microstamping Law on Fox News Show

The aforementioned California law requiring the incorporation of microstamping technology in new semiautomatic handguns means law-abiding citizens in that state will not be able to purchase the latest models of such firearms, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Larry Keane explained Thursday on the Fox & Friends program. Watch the Fox & Friends Segment.

 

Rubio Introduces Bill to Halt 'Operation Choke Point' Funds

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) has introduced legislation to cut off any funding to the Obama administration's "Operation Choke Point" effort. "We must stop this administration's effort to target private industries and the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens," Rubio said. Previously, Republican members of the Banking Committee have called for the Justice Department to terminate the program. Justice has targeted banks' interactions with so-called "high risk" business. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) has admitted including firearms dealers on a list of potentially "high-risk" businesses that could require extra monitoring by banks. The FDIC later retracted this list.

NSSF supports this legislation and has been active on both sides of Capitol Hill in assisting lawmakers and their staffs to gather information on the extent of Operation Choke Point abuses and in helping devise immediate and long-term solutions to end the discriminatory practice. We will continue to keep you apprised of all developments.

 

Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Gaining Steam in Congress

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow licensed handgun holders to carry concealed firearms across state lines, has been introduced in both chambers of Congress. "The Second Amendment doesn't end at the border of your state," the NSSF's Larry Keane told The Hill. "This would enhance the rights of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves when they're away from home." Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) is the lead sponsor of the concealed-carry bill in the upper chamber, while Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) leads the effort in the House.

 

States Proceed on Suppressor-Related Legislation

This week a number of states addressed legislation related to firearm suppressors. A New Hampshire House committee held a public hearing on HB 500 that would repeal the current ban on hunting with suppressors in the state. Suppressors are already legal to possess in the Granite State, and 35 states allow the use of suppressors for hunting. NSSF attended the American Suppressor Association and National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucus Shoot in New Hampshire on Monday which helped to educate legislators on the benefits of suppressors in hunting and the shooting sports.

A Vermont House committee held a hearing for H. 210, legislation to repeal the current ban on the manufacture, sell, use or possession of a suppressor. Vermont would become the 40th state to allow the lawful ownership of firearm suppressors.

A South Dakota House committee approved HB 1205, which would streamline the National Firearms Act process by imposing reasonable deadlines to ensure that individuals who are lawfully seeking to obtain an NFA item are able to do so in a prompt manner. HB 1205 would require the chief law enforcement officer to act on the application within 15 days of receipt. For information on benefits to using suppressors for hunting and the shooting sports, please see the NSSF suppressors fact sheet.

 

NSSF Campaign Against Oregon Ammunition Ban

NSSF has been engaged in an informational campaign in Oregon that seeks to educate legislators and the public about the negative impacts that a ban on traditional lead-component ammunition would have on sportsmen and wildlife conservation funding for the state. This past week using Facebook, Google ads, Pandora, web videos and strategically placed digital billboards throughout the Salem/capital area, NSSF generated many thousands of impressions. Emails and letters have been pouring into legislators and the governor's office over the past two months. NSSF will continue to be engaged in this ongoing initiative, especially given the current change in the political environment due to the resignation of the governor in a scandal involving favoritism in the awarding of state contracts.

 

Colorado Hearing to Repeal Magazine Ban

The Colorado Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Monday on SB15-175, which seeks to overturn the ammunition magazine capacity bill championed by Gov. Hickenlooper and former New York City Mayor Bloomberg. The legislation, which has bipartisan support in both chambers, would repeal statutory provisions banning "large-capacity" ammunition magazines and requiring identification marking on such magazines manufactured in Colorado. Colorado has already seen manufacturers depart the state after the bill was passed, led by magazine manufacturer Magpul relocating production to Wyoming and its headquarters to Texas. NSSF will be supporting this legislation and will update everyone as it progresses.

 

Legislation Would Repeal Maryland Ballistics Imaging

In NSSF's ongoing initiative to repeal the State of Maryland's ballistics imaging requirement, legislation was introduced late last week. SB 736 would repeal the provision of law passed in 2000 that requires firearms manufacturers and dealers to submit bullet casings on both new and used firearms to the now defunct Department of State Police ballistics imaging database. NSSF has worked to repeal this requirement ever since it was successfully removed from the books in New York a few years ago. Maryland is the only state in the country with this mandate, which is based on a flawed and defunded system unsupported even by the state police. NSSF will continue to strongly support this legislation and will provide updates. A March 10 hearing is tentatively scheduled for the bill.   

 

Another Hearing on Vermont Universal Background Checks

After a successful hearing for law-abiding gun-owners last week in the Vermont State Senate Judiciary Committee on Senate Bill 31, one of the bill's co-sponsors scheduled a hearing stacked with supporters of the bill. The committee heard testimony from such "experts" on background checks as the Academy of Pediatrics, the Vermont Medical Society and Gun Sense Vermont, a Bloomberg-funded group. SB 31 would impose restrictions on the private transfer of firearms and expose federally licensed retailers to liability. This hearing is an attempt by bill supporters to reverse momentum in the capitol after sportsmen and gun owners won points last week arguing that background checks create undue and costly burdens for law-abiding citizens even as Vermont remains one of the safest states in the country. Gov. Peter Shumlin has repeatedly said the state's current laws are sufficient and has voiced opposition to universal background checks. 

 

Eagle Numbers Fly High While Media Reports Distort

The bald eagle population in the United States is soaring. You would not know that, however, to read the scattered media coverage from around the country that reports on individual bald eagles affected by lead poisoning. The organizations and agencies may be different, but the messaging that brings attention to individual birds' cases is similar in tone. Using isolated deaths of America's symbol to pull on people's heartstrings is a tactic of the anti-hunting movement. Read this blog post from the NSSF's Larry Keane.

 

It's Sweet Home Alabama for Remington in Huntsville

Remington began relocating to Huntsville, Ala., about a year ago, leaving New York state where in early 2013 some of the nation's toughest and worst written gun laws were passed hurriedly without regard for the company's economic contribution to the state. That both Remington and the Huntsville community are happy with the move and future prospects for the company under friendly Alabama skies is apparent in this Huntsville Times story.

 

Business Decisions, Tax Implications and Being an FFL

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As April 15 approaches, individuals and business are reviewing operations from the previous year in preparation for filing taxes. This would include any business opportunities or situations that would affect their tax liability. Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) should review, on a regular basis, any changes that could impact their "business structure" and operations. Business decisions based upon tax implication might impact, unknowingly, the ability to continue to act as a firearms licensee. It is important to remember that defining business organizations according to ATF's definition is not necessarily the same as what you may have experienced when dealing with the Internal Revenue Service. This Orchid Advisory looks at this issue. Orchid Advisors is an endorsed compliance information provider for NSSF members.

 

Thank You to Our Latest NSSF PAC Contributors

President's Club ($5,000): J.B. Hodgdon
Cabinet Club ($2,500 or more): Thomas Shepherd
Capitol Club ($1,000 or more): Robert Marcus
Caucus Club ($500 or more): No new contributors to report
Congressional Club ($250 or more): Bill Kempffer
Industry Club (up to $249): Darrel Spicer

 

Learn more about our industry's Political Action Committee: