NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Browning Forms Endowment For NRA Foundation

Browning Company has created the John M. Browning Endowment to honor the name of the company's founder and to ensure a permanent funding source for shooting programs. The endowment is part of the NRA Foundation, which will fund the NRA Shooting Sports Camp. The revenue will come from a joint $25 donation from Browning and Davidson's GalleryofGuns.com for the sale of each of the two new special-edition Buck Mark pistols created for this cause.

Judge Grants Partial Dismissal To Refuge Hunting Ban

Federal District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Ricardo Urbina granted a motion for partial dismissal of a lawsuit filed to ban hunting on the National Wildlife Refuge System. The suit challenged the 2000-2005 Strategic Plan published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which called for an increase in wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting.

Lipsey's Honored

Baton Rouge-based Lipsey's Inc., a major wholesale distributor of firearms, has been awarded the 2005 Douglas Manship Sr. Torch Award by the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana. The award honors businesses that exhibit the highest ethical standards of behavior toward customers, suppliers, employees and the community.

Equine Encephalitis In Michigan Deer

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, collaborating with Michigan State University, confirmed two cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in white-tailed deer from Kent County, followed by two additional confirmations from the same county. EEE, which can prove fatal, is transmitted by mosquitoes, the DNR emphasizes, and not from deer to deer.

Smith & Wesson Police Tribute

Smith & Wesson Corp. is partnering with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) to pay tribute to police officers in 50 states, two of which will receive national recognition at NASCAR events in November. FOP will select a law enforcement "Hero" in each state and, from those nominees, two will be recognized nationally by Smith & Wesson at NASCAR events in Texas and Phoenix. The two police nominees will serve as honorary crew chiefs for the No. 30 Smith & Wesson team at the NASCAR Busch Series events.

Project Childsafe In New England

Last week New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch announced the launch of Project ChildSafe at a press conference in Concord, saying, "It is free, it is easy and it builds on the steps (gun owners) already take to keep children safe." In Montpelier, Vt., U.S. Attorney David Kirby, representing Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie, also announced the return of Project ChildSafe, reinforcing its message to gun owners about proper handling and storage of firearms.

Ban On Spring Bear Hunting In Ontario Questioned

Many Canadians are blaming the significant increase in black bear sightings and unwanted encounters in Ontario on the provincial ban on spring black bear hunting that was put in place in the late 1990s. The hunt kept the population in check with a culling of 5,000 animals and injected considerable money into the local economy.

Brazilians To Vote On Gun Ban Referendum

Poverty and drugs may be at the heart of Brazil's unwelcome claim to the most firearms fatalities in the world. A vote on Oct. 23, in which all of that nation's adults from 18 to 70 must participate, will decide whether all guns and ammunition will be banned nationwide except for the police and military.

Ruffed Grouse Society Steps Outside

Newcomers across the country will be introduced to hunting and shooting through a new partnership between NSSF's STEP OUTSIDE® program and the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS). Through the partnership, RGS chapters will host STEP OUTSIDE events designed to welcome new faces to traditional outdoor sports. NSSF has provided RGS with $10,000 in grant money to be distributed to its chapters for the events.

New York Bans Online Hunting

New York has joined a growing list of states to ban Internet hunting, reports the Associated Press. The state's new law includes a fine of up to $2,500 for those who partake in online hunting or set up an online hunting Web site. A number of other states are considering similar bills. NSSF was a key supporter of the New York bill and provided assistance in assuring the bill would not inadvertently prevent hunting in the field by handicapped persons through the use of technology.