Back to News
June 11, 2025
NSSF Government Relations Team Profile: Tim Lachance
NSSF’s Government Relations Team is working hard on behalf of the entire firearm and ammunition industry, both at the federal level and at state capitals across the country. To give our members a better understanding of who is fighting for their businesses and Second Amendment rights every day, NSSF will periodically publish a Government Relations Team member profile. June’s NSSF GR Team profile is for Tim Lachance, NSSF Assistant General Counsel.
1) What is your favorite hunting or recreational shooting sports activity?
I didn’t grow up in a hunting family, so my early shooting experience was entirely target based – my biggest passion as a kid was Junior Olympic recurve archery. Today I would say pistol and rifle shooting is my go-to, particularly defensive-use scenario training.
2) How did you become interested in professionally advocating for pro-firearm industry policies and Second Amendment rights?
Growing up in New Hampshire, I had a lot of exposure to politics – especially the first in the nation primary every four years – and I become politically interested at a very young age. I would say my views on firearms and the Second Amendment were pretty well instilled by the age of 10, and I never lost my interest in the political process, or advocating for the Second Amendment and other freedoms. My professional interest specifically began when I decided to pursue law school – I saw a posting for an internship with an NSSF member on admitted students day, and knew that was where I wanted to end up. I did, and I have been in the industry ever since.
3) Describe your role within NSSF to the firearm industry community.
As Assistant General Counsel for NSSF, my role is largely focused on the legal operations of the organization – managing contracts, trademarks and corporate registrations, advising our various business units on legal compliance in their operations, etc. I also have a focus on certain regulatory comment matters, and keeping members advised of relevant legal updates that affect the industry as a whole. I also serve as General Counsel for SAAMI, with much the same responsibilities for that organization.
4) What is your favorite aspect of your role with NSSF while interacting with industry partners?
The absolute favorite part of my role here at NSSF is seeing the real-world impact and effect of the work that NSSF does on a daily basis. Being connected to the results of my work product was a major draw for me in pursuing an in-house legal career, I enjoy being part of a team that actually puts out a product, rather than just providing a service. Being a part of the great work that everyone on the NSSF team contributes to is extremely gratifying.
5) Describe your favorite “win” from your role/advocacy on behalf of the firearm industry.
My favorite win dates back to the Frame/Receiver Rule in 2021. Many I’m sure will recall, that the proposed definition of firearm frame in that rule would have been nigh impossible for manufacturers to comply with. In my role at the time, I drafted and submitted a comment which included a suggested alternative definition, which both met ATF’s goal with the updated definition, and which was drafted in a way that could actually be implemented without hardship or headache by industry members. ATF adopted this suggestion in the final rule as the new definition for pistol frames, citing our comment as the source of the change. Knowing that I was able to have a real and impactful effect on the rulemaking process was a great personal victory, and particularly motivated me towards becoming more focused on industry advocacy activities.
6) What’s a favorite hobby or recreational activity outside of hunting or shooting sports?
I honestly have too many hobbies to keep up with, however the two that occupy most of my time are flyfishing and motorcycling. I try to spend at least a couple weeks a year in northern Maine chasing brookies and salmon, and on nice weekends you can usually find me cruising around on the Harley. I’m currently trying to find a way to ride while wearing my waders and carrying the fly rod…
You may also be interested in:
Surprise, Surprise: Millions More Lawful Gun Owners, Antigun State Govs. Plug Crime ‘Going Down’
Categories: BP Item, Featured, Government Relations, Top Stories
25650
