Aloha! After President's Hawaiian Holiday, We can Expect Gun Control Executive Orders

It is being openly telegraphed from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that President Obama will issue one or more executive orders to impose tighter federal gun control regulations on the nation shortly after he returns from his Hawaiian vacation in early January. Already expected as the sole remaining course of action from an administration that has been unable to pass gun control legislation on Capitol Hill, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest confirmed Thursday he expects that the President's legal advisors will work through the holiday period to determine exactly the nature and extent of the executive action. White House Chief of Staff Valerie Jarrett appears to be leading this renewed gun control initiative. This week, Obama met with Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former New York City Mayor and highest profile gun-control advocate. Last week, he hosted former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-Ariz.) and her husband, Mark Kelly, at a White House meeting to discuss the next steps in gun control. NSSF will continue to closely monitor all developments and will keep you informed.

 

2016 Will Feature Unrelenting Gun Control Pressure

Any Democrat running for office hitherto inclined to independent thinking on the issue of firearms and public safety can expect intense pressure to fall into line as pro-gun control, POLITICO reports, as divisions open up within the party in states including Ohio and Florida. Scrutiny on this issue from the left wing of the party follows Hillary Clinton's embrace of gun control as a presidential campaign issue. Historically, the party allowed moderate members leeway on gun-related votes, understanding that swing- district Democrats needed the space to survive at the polls. In another sign that the issue will be pressed relentlessly, the Bloomberg-funded Everytown for Gun Safety purchased air time in some markets during this week's Republican Presidential candidate debate to run a TV ad touting a role for the terrorist watch list in gun control. NSSF has been active in the media countering this appealing sounding, but misleading narrative. We can expect more, much more in 2016.

 

The New York Times Puts It Out Front

The News York Times editorial page has long been the home of anti-gun rhetoric born of cultural elitism and disdain for often strongly-held beliefs of millions of those who reside in flyover country. So, it was not surprising to see another editorial calling for the imposition of more gun control on American citizen. But it's been nearly a century since the left-leaning newspaper placed an editorial on its front page. The topic? You guessed it. Read NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Larry Keane's blog post.

 

Effort to Resurrect Gun Control Advocacy Research by CDC Fails

U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was unsuccessful in the effort she led to eliminate a long-standing federal budgetary provision that prevents the federal government from funding research into the criminal misuse of firearms as if it is a public health issue. NSSF has pointed out the fallacy of this politically-inspired approach to pursue gun control through confirmation-biased research many times in recent years.

 

Two Bills Passed Today Benefit Sportsmen

The National Shooting Sports Foundation applauds today's congressional passage of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act and the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Legislation, which both include a number of authorizations and appropriations important to hunters and recreational shooters. For example, the PATH Act permanently authorizes enhanced and expanded tax deductions that will allow lower- income farmers and ranchers to keep more of their own money in exchange for conserving wildlife habitat and expanding sportsmen's access on their lands. The Omnibus appropriations bill includes more than $20 million to expand access to difficult or impossible to reach parcels of federal land for sportsmen and shooters. In addition, the omnibus included a funding increase for the Bureau of Industry Security, which was one requirement needed for the Export Control Reform initiative to progress. The President is expected to sign both bills into law.

 

District's Concealed Carry Rules Back to Square One

The Washington, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals this week issued an order undoing years of litigation after it found Senior Judge Scullin, a temporarily assigned visiting judge, should not have heard the case of Wrenn v. District of Columbia regarding the right of citizens to carry handguns. This sudden turn of events stems from a request by the court that the parties provide briefs on the issue of whether Scullin, who entered an order finding the District of Columbia's requirement that required applicants for a D.C. carry license to provide "good reason" to be unconstitutional, was properly authorized to hear the case. As a result, the D.C. Circuit has vacated Scullin's order and the tough standard is back in place. Expect further litigation on this issue.

 

It's A Tale of Two States for Beretta USA

After Maryland enacted highly restrictive new gun control laws in 2013, which banned many of its firearms from being sold within the state, Beretta USA made good on its pledge to move its U.S. manufacturing operations. Beretta's choice for a new plant location was Tennessee. As this CNN Money story explains, Gallatin, Tennessee, welcomed Beretta's $45 million new factory facility with open arms and economic incentives granted because of the employment opportunities being generated. And many other cities and states vied for the business.

 

#GUNVOTE Reloads Often with News of Interest to You

To help gun owners register to vote and evaluate their candidates' positions on Second Amendment and sportsmen's issues, NSSF provides #GUNVOTE. This voter education site is updated several times a week with news of interest.

Voting in the 2016 election is a process that culminates in going to your polling place. It begins by making sure to register, then becoming educated about the candidates running for office and discussing choices with family and friends so that they understand the importance of voting to protect America's firearms freedoms and the lawful commerce in firearms. So #GUNVOTE early and #GUNVOTE often.

 

Signing Up for NSSF PAC Made Easier for Member Companies

The NSSF Political Action Committee (NSSF PAC) works to support pro-firearms industry, pro-Second Amendment and pro-sportsmen candidates for federal office. Federal law requires a trade association PAC to obtain prior approval from its corporate members before it may send important PAC news and updates to corporate member's executives, including current political news, election information and exclusive invitations to PAC events.

Now, signing up for NSSF PAC has never been easier. Just click the link below, fill out the form, add contacts (or email us a list of names) and hit submit! What are you waiting for? Help ensure our industry is heard as we approach the crucial 2016 election year. Sign up today! Online PAC Prior Consent Form.

 

Thank You to Our Latest NSSF PAC Contributors

Capitol Club ($1,000 or more): Matthew Bley

Caucus Club ($500 or more): Ron Whitaker, Kurt Richter

Congressional Club ($250 or more): Shirley Delia, Roger Smith

Industry Club (up to $249): Dean Coldiron, Karin Levine, Philip May, Douglas Mayhall, Chip Miller, Glenn Sapir, John Sharpless, Daniel Watson

 

Learn more about our industry's Political Action Committee:

Editor's Note: Due to the way the holidays fall, this is the last issue of NSSF Government Relations Update for 2015. We wish our Members and readers all the best the holiday season can offer.