NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Accurate And Fair

Since we often note in Bullet Points the inaccuracies of stories and editorials about firearms and our industry appearing in The New York Times, it seems only fair to mention that The Times has been reporting accurately and fairly in stories about hunting issues this fall, including a piece on a controversial bison hunt in Montana that ran in today's issue (registration required). Several weeks ago it featured a story on the front page of a Sunday issue on the topic of lowering the hunting age for children and the Families Afield program promoted by NSSF, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance.

ATF State Laws, Ordinances Online

The newly revised “ATF P 5300.5 State Laws and Published Ordinances—Firearms (2005 - 26th Edition)” is available online at www.atf.gov/firearms/statelaws/26thedition/index.htm. The Web site includes links to all 50 states as well as a downloadable version of the bureau’s entire new edition.

New ATF Form 4473 Goes Into Effect Today

Federal Firearms Licensees (FFL) must use the new ATF Form 4473 beginning today, as previous versions become obsolete on Oct. 17. Every FFL should be in receipt of the new forms (OMB No. 1140-0020). If any FFL is not in receipt of the new forms, he or she should contact their local ATF office. If those who have received the forms wish to place an additional order, they should contact the ATF Distribution Center at (703) 455-7801.

No Avoiding N.J. Bear Hunt

It is critical that New Jersey resume hunting to deal with an explosive growth in the black bear population in the state, writes James Ahearn of The Record. Human encounters with bears have become increasingly common this year in the Garden State, but hunting as a solution has been met with opposition.

NSSF Staffer Joins ATF

John Badowski, a five-plus-year member of the NSSF staff, serving as its first director of retail partnerships and head of its retailer division, the National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR), has resigned his position to join the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as its firearms industry technical advisor.

All Signs Point To Hunting

South Dakota has begun marking 800,000 acres of state trust land that is open for hunting, reports the Associated Press. With the help of an NSSF Hunting Heritage Partnership grant, the state’s Office of School and Public Lands was able to purchase 2,500 signs, which will alert hunters to about 550 miles of state land available for hunting.

Important Notice To All Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama Federal Firearms Licensees

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has asked NSSF to help communicate to the dealer community in the Gulf Coast region that may have been affected by Hurricane Katrina with an important message. In the near future, ATF will begin attempting to contact Federal firearms licensees (FFL) in the affected areas to determine to what extent businesses were impacted.

Conn. Takes CWD Preventative Measures

In a precautionary effort to prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) from entering the state, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection has instated an emergency regulation that prohibits importing or possessing carcasses or parts of any deer or elk from wild or captive herds from other states or Canadian Provinces where CWD has been confirmed.

Landowners Earn Money By Aiding Wildlife

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency is administering the new Upland Bird Habitat Buffer program, which compensates landowners who create strips of vegetation around field edges, providing nesting and brood cover for bobwhite quail and other wildlife. This aspect of the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program's Northern Bobwhite Habitat Initiative is aimed at creating 250,000 acres of habitat in 35 states. Among the state's participating is Virginia, where funding for 3,600 acres has been allocated.

Ill. Senate Backs Vetoed Bill

Despite the governor's veto, the Illinois Senate on Thursday backed a statewide standard for transporting firearms, reports the Associated Press. The measure would establish a statewide policy, eliminating the current system where local governments restrict how firearms can be transported through their communities. The Senate voted 38-20 to override the veto. The bill will next head to the House. If the veto is overridden there, the measure will become law.