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September 16, 2016 |
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House Gun Controllers Reap the Whirlwind  Gun control advocates in the U.S. House of Representatives, familiar from their sit-in political theater in the well of the House earlier this year, this week took to social media and attempted to summon up a "Twitterstorm" to try to pressure leadership into holding votes on gun control legislation. Instead, they reaped the whirlwind. Second Amendment advocates were quick to respond when they saw the social media activity and tweeted in force. In the end, they dominated the Twitter space. The seemingly unknowing use of #GunVote by the House Democrats actually served to benefit NSSFs ongoing #GUNVOTE voter education initiative and the industry's campaign picked up a considerable number of new followers. All this was unsurprising to us since a recent Pew Research poll showed 52 percent of Americans believe protecting the Second Amendment is more important than controlling gun ownership. In addition, 58 percent of those surveyed said 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. Gun Control politicians often ignore this public opinion dynamic. The result is that they were completely overmatched.
Join Your Industry's #GUNVOTE Effort in 2016
What You Find When You Unpack Mrs. Clinton's Basket
Conservation Group Targets Traditional Ammunition
The approved motion encourages governments to "to phase-out, where feasible, lead shot used for hunting over wetlands and lead ammunition used for hunting in areas where scavengers are at particular risk from the use of lead ammunition, based on scientific evidence, and the replacement of it with suitable alternatives." Although the motion is non-binding and the IUCN has no legal authority over the 1,300 participating members including government agencies and non-government organizations, it could be considered a policy-driver for the members. Neither the draft motion nor the adopted motion offer evidence that traditional ammunition poses a risk to wildlife populations or human health risk from consuming game harvested using traditional ammunition.
Court: Mental Health Lifetime Prohibition Challenge Can Go Forward The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Tyler v. Hillsdale this week answered the crucial legal question, "Is it reasonably necessary to forever bar all previously institutionalized persons from owning a firearm?" For brief background, Clifford Tyler was involuntarily committed to a mental institution in 1985 for depression. Tyler permanently lost his right to firearm ownership because federal law prohibits those committed to mental health institutions from having a gun. Tyler filed a federal suit in 2012, arguing that, as it applied to him, the law was unconstitutional since his mental health condition was temporary. The case was thrown out of court twice, but this decision will permit him to proceed with his federal legal challenge.
Diane Cihota Joins NSSF Government Relations Team Diane Cihota this week joined NSSF in its Washington, D.C., office as Director, Government Relations-Federal Affairs, reporting to Patrick Rothwell, Managing Director, Government Relations-Federal Affairs. Diane has worked for U.S. Congressman Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) for 11 years, most recently as legislative director. Congressman Miller is retiring at the end of his term. NSSF is very pleased to welcome Diane to our team.
ATF Launches Anonymous Tip App
Signing Up for NSSF PAC Easy 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, including current political news, election information and exclusive invitations to PAC events and updates, to corporate member executives. 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. Sign up today! Online PAC Prior Consent Form.
Thank You to Our Latest NSSF PAC Contributors President's Club ($5,000): Richard Lipsey Industry Club (up to $249): Laura Springer
Learn more about our industry's Political Action Committee:
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Hillary Clinton's characterization of half of Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump's supporters as "a basket of deplorables" continues to receive considerable media attention and commentary. In that characterization and her subsequent limited apology, NSSF's Larry Keane hears both the expression of a genuine elitist attitude toward Americans and a familiar political echo. 
During the world congress of 
