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September 2, 2016 |
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Sen. Daines, Rep. Scalise Lead Effort Urging Obama Administration to Rescind Misguided ITAR Guidance  House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), U.S. Sen. John Tester (D-Mont.) and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) this week led an effort in both houses of Congress and were joined by both Republicans and Democrats to urge the Obama administration to rescind the July 22 guidance under the International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and complete the Export Control Reform (ECR) Initiative for sporting firearms and ammunition products. In one of the letters to Secretary of State John Kerry, the members underscore that this new guidance negatively harms hardworking small businesses and law-abiding gun owners and implore Secretary Kerry to give this his immediate attention and rescind the guidance. "The vast majority of our constituents engaged in gunsmithing make little to no income from their activities and often do it as a hobby or side business," the members wrote. "They most certainly do not export firearms. They also do not manufacture firearms in any widely understood sense of the term. Therefore, it makes no sense for them to be required to pay $2,250 and register under the Arms Export Control Act and ITAR." In another letter to Secretary Kerry, members stated "… this would not be an issue if the Obama Administration finished its seven-year 'Export Control Reform' initiative, which has bipartisan support in Congress." Additionally, U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) sent his own letter to Secretary Kerry pointing out that previously promised completion of the administration's ECR initiative "…would help eliminate much of the confusion that has resulted from the July 2016 guidance." These letters underscore the bipartisan effort to not only address the July 22 guidance, but are a tremendous showing of support to complete the ECR initiative by transferring export licensing of sporting firearms and ammunition products to the Commerce Department — that already licenses shotguns — from the State Department. NSSF is urging all members of industry and gun owners to call their Senators and Representative and urge them to support transferring export licensing of sporting firearms and ammunition products to the Commerce Department. Read the NSSF Import/Export News alert.
ATF Issues Nitrocellulose Update
Poll: Most Americans Favor Protecting Second Amendment
KS&E Guns' Lawyers Argue Before Indiana High Court Lawyers for KS&E Guns argued before the Indiana Supreme Court this week that state law shields the store from liability in a civil lawsuit concerning an illegal straw sale of a firearm that was later used to shoot an Indianapolis police officer. NSSF is involved in the case in the capacity of a friend of the court. KS&E is being sued by the officer who was wounded in a shootout and who killed a convicted felon and robbery suspect when returning fire. There is no indication as to when court may rule. Read the Indiana Lawyer account.
Remington, Glock Sue Mass. AG to End Document Chase
Healey several weeks ago unilaterally issued an enforcement directive ending the sale of what she called copycat assault rifles that had been legal in Massachusetts for nearly two decades. NSSF will challenge Healey's ban in court. We will keep you informed of developments.
'Public Health' Gun Violence Studies Are All About Politics Gun control advocates frequently try to make the case that the criminal misuse of firearms should be studied as a "public health issue" but that such research is barred from federal funding. In a recent letter to the editor of the Oregonian, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Larry Keane points out that despite the narrative there is no Congressionally-imposed moratorium on legitimate gun violence research, even though such an approach is wrong. What is banned is taxpayer-funded gun control advocacy. "The anti-gun movement continues to waste time and money on politics instead of sound policy formulation focused on improving access to mental health services and enforcing the many laws we already have on the books," Keane wrote.
#GUNVOTE is for Your Industry's Effort in 2016
Invite an Elected Official to Visit Your Facility This is a vital election year and both federal and state office holders are eager to meet constituents (and voters). They are interested in learning about companies, their employment and economic impact. NSSF encourages you to invite your U.S. Senators and Congressman or state legislators to visit your facility. The better your representatives in Washington and in your state capital understand your business and challenges, the more responsive they can and will respond to issues that concern you. Start with calling your elected representative's district offices and ask to speak with the person who schedules activities and visits. These numbers can be found on their websites. The person answering the phone will know how to direct your call. When you do make contact and schedule a visit, let us at NSSF know. We are interested and can help.
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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 ($5,000): Robert Hodgdon
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To end growing confusion and uncertainty, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) this week issued an addendum to its June 2016 Explosives Industry Newsletter that included a brief discussion of Nitrocellulose and attempted to clarify the circumstances under which wetted Nitrocellulose is considered a high explosive under 27 CFR, Part 555. 
A new Pew Research poll shows that 52 percent, of Americans surveyed said they believe protecting the Second Amendment is more important than controlling gun ownership. In addition, 58 percent of those surveyed say that gun ownership does more to protect people from becoming victims of crime while only 37 percent believe it does more to put people at risk. The Pew poll provides confirmation that anti-gun Democrats led by Hillary Clinton are ignoring American overall sentiment on guns, even if they believe the anti-gun narrative plays well to their base. Read the 
Remington Arms Co. and Glock Inc. have
NSSF's #GUNVOTE is a voter registration and education campaign platform for use by firearms industry manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers and media members, as well as the pro-Second Amendment consumer. #GUNVOTE – 