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July 1, 2016 |
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Anti-Terrorism Package Vote Postponed A vote on an anti-terrorism legislative package in the U.S. House of Representatives has been postponed indefinitely as the result of disagreements in Republican ranks concerning due process protections in a measure to help prevent suspected terrorists from buying guns. With only a few days remaining before the long summer recess, it is uncertain whether a vote even can be scheduled. NSSF has said from the outset that legislation that seeks to prevent terrorists from obtaining firearms must strike a proper balance between the interests of public safety, protecting the integrity of terrorism investigations and the fundamental, constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. NSSF supports bipartisan legislation that will both protect America from radical Islamic terrorism and respect the Second and Fifth Amendments. NSSF will keep you informed of developments. See NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Larry Keane's interview on One America News. Mental Health Reform Bill Passes U.S. House The U.S. House this week passed on a nearly unanimous 422-2 bipartisan basis NSSF-supported legislation to help reform and improve the nation's mental health system. The bill would reorganize the federal agency overseeing mental health policy and ensure that serious mental illness gets dedicated funding, as opposed to general mental health programs. Medicaid reimbursement policy for treating individuals with such illnesses as schizophrenia would also be addressed. Bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) has assessed mental health care in the U.S. as a model of federal incompetence that diverted money to frivolous and unproven programs for general mental health. He said current practices impede treatment for serious mental illness by emphasizing patients' civil liberties ahead of their treatment. Calif. Gov. Brown Acts Hastily on Gun Bills Gov. Brown signed the following bills into law: AB 1135 and SB 880 expand California's current assault weapons ban; SB 1235 requires background checks on ammunition purchases and a database of ammunition purchasers; SB 1446 bans the possession of magazines capable of holding more than 10; requires background check to loan a firearm to anyone other than immediate family members; AB 1695 creates a 10-year prohibition on owning firearms for someone convicted of falsely reporting a lost or stolen firearm. Gov. Brown vetoed the following bills: SB 894 would have made it a crime not to report lost and stolen firearms to law enforcement within the arbitrary time limit; AB 1673 would have expanded the definition of a firearm to include partially finished frames and receivers (no definition of what this means) and require their registration; AB 1674 would have made it illegal to buy or receive more than one firearm in any 30-day period. Court: Machine Guns Not Covered by Second Amendment The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an opinion holding that machine guns are not covered under the Second Amendment's broad protections. The case, Hollis v. Lynch, arose when Hollis established a trust and submitted an ATF Form 5320.1 to manufacture a machine gun, which the ATF approved before revoking that approval two days later. The district court dismissed Hollis's suit, believing he lacked standing because of a Texas statute that prohibits the manufacture and possession of a machine gun not registered with ATF, and alternatively reasoned that machine guns are not protected by the Second Amendment.
The court of appeals disagreed on the standing issue finding Hollis's suit was properly brought. The court went on to rely heavily on Heller to affirm that machine guns are not covered under the Second Amendment because they are only "useful in the militia or military" and not in common use. The court acknowledged the difficulties associated with determining whether a firearm is in common use, but found that no matter how one were to work the statistics they were still "dangerous and unusual and therefore not in common use." Read more about the case. DC Project Brings Women Shooters to Capitol Hill Bill Would Create Fund to Implement Wildlife Action Plans U.S. Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) this week introduced the bipartisan Recovering America's Wildlife Act (H.R. 5650), legislation calling for $1.3 billion in existing revenue from the development of energy and mineral resources on federal lands and waters be dedicated to the Wildlife Conservation Restoration Program. The bill introduction follows the March recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America's Diverse Fish and Wildlife Resources, comprised of national business and conservation leaders, that recommended that a trust fund of this size be created to support implementation of State Wildlife Action Plans. NSSF's New 'Guns Sales Up, Crime Down' Infographic ATF eForm Relaunched The ATF announced this week the return of the ATF Form 3 (5320.3), "Application for Tax-Exempt Transfer of Firearms and Registration to Special Occupation Taxpayer (National Firearms Act)," to eForms, effective immediately. This is a major improvement for manufacturers, which now will be able to e-file their Forms 3. However, there is still no revised Form 4 or new Form 5320.23, despite the requirement to use these beginning on July 13. Visit the ATF 41F 'one-stop' webpage which contains revised forms (fillable F1, F4, F5 and NFA RPQ), Q&As for all parties, and other pertinent general information. #GUNVOTE: Your Go-To Source in 2016 Visit #GUNVOTE | Download the #GUNVOTE icon | #GUNVOTE stickers Seats Filling Fast for 2016 Import/Export Conference Signing Up for NSSF PAC Made Easier for Member Companies 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 President's Club ($5000): Michael Egan Capital Club ($250 or more): Patrick Rothwell Learn more about our industry's Political Action Committee: |
The DC Project, a nonpartisan initiative, brought 50 women volunteers, one from each state, to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with Members of Congress about issues related to the Second Amendment. The project was initiated by professional shooter Dianna Muller to encourage female shooters to meet with federal legislators in order to provide a direct connection to the fastest growing demographic of gun owners. Females provide unique stories and perspectives on the importance of the Second Amendment, to the shooting sports, the lawful commerce in firearms, self-defense, hunting and conservation. The event was scheduled to feature a rally on the West Front Lawn this afternoon. 
