NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Florida Bill Protects Gun Owners In Emergencies

In light of law enforcement's confiscation of firearms in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Rep. Mitch Needelman (R-Melbourne) filed Florida House Bill 285 to preserve the right of citizens to lawfully possess firearms during an officially declared state of emergency.

Mullin, 'Wildlife Harvest' Publisher, Passes Away

The preserve-hunting and outdoor writing community mourn the passing of John M. Mullin, 87, of Goose Lake, Iowa, who died last Monday after a brief hospitalization. Mullin founded "Wildlife Harvest," "the magazine for gamebird production and improved hunting." He published two books, including a definitive tome for gamebird propagators, and established the first private hunting preserve in his home state. Mullin was a past president of both the North American Gamebird Association and the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, as well as an active member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Eight-Year-Old Girl Tags Maryland's First Bear

The first kill of Maryland's second annual black bear season is credited to 8-year-old Sierra Stiles, reports the Washington Post. Hunting with her father and granduncle at Mount Nebo Wildlife Management Area last Monday, opening day of the second bear season in Maryland after a half-century closure, the 4 1/2-foot-tall Stiles downed the 211-pound bruin with her .243 rifle at 50 yards. By Thursday, hunters had taken 40 bears, causing the state's Department of Natural Resources to proclaim the hunt a success and close the season, which had a targeted harvest of 40 to 55 bears.

Virginians 'Find Game'

A new "Find Game" Web site created by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will soon help Virginians do just that, reports The Free Lance-Star. The new site, funded by an NSSF Hunting Heritage Partnership grant, will feature an interactive, mapping program that will provide users with all they need to know about public hunting opportunities in Virginia.

NHF Day Encore For Tracy Byrd

Country music star and avid outdoorsman Tracy Byrd is coming back for an encore performance. After serving as honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day in 2005, Byrd has agreed to fill that role again for 2006. National Hunting and Fishing Day, founded by NSSF and formalized by Congress in 1971, is newly headquartered in Springfield, Mo., at Wonders of Wildlife, the National Fish and Wildlife Museum and Zooquarium.

First Shot For 'First Shots'

More than 40 newcomers to handgun shooting came out to Smith & Wesson Shooting Sports Center in Springfield, Mass., on Saturday for the kickoff to "First Shots," a new NSSF program that partners with shooting ranges to attract newcomers to handgun shooting. In addition to learning the rules and requirements of handgun ownership in Massachusetts, attendees also had a chance to give shooting a try.

Hunter Numbers See Slight Increase

The number of paid hunting license holders in America has increased slightly over the previous year, according to a recent report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Numbers for 2004 rose less than one percent (.3 percent), from 14,740,188 to 14,779,071, but hunting advocates are hoping the uptick indicates stabilization following a long downward trend.

Lawsuit Talk North Of The Border

Canadian government officials are reportedly looking into the possibility of suing U.S. firearms manufacturers because they say U.S.-made guns are being used in crimes after being smuggled across the border. A number of Canadian legal experts and news sources have already denounced the idea, saying it is an attempt to blame the United States rather than looking for answers within the country's own borders.

Motions To Dismiss

Within two hours of President Bush signing the "Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act" into law Wednesday, industry defendants filed a motion to dismiss New York City's case against firearms industry companies. The city responded by opposing the motion and accusing the firearm industry of criminal wrongdoing. "This is a new low, even for Mayor Bloomberg," said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel for NSSF.

One-Stop Sportsmen's Issues Source

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance has added the Situation Room to its Web site, www.ussportsmen.org, which provides summaries of bills and other issues that are in the organization’s crosshairs. Federal, state and local issue updates are available by topic and location with the click of a button.