NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Families Afield Closer To Law

A bill that would create more opportunities for parents to hunt with their sons and daughters moved one step closer to becoming law last week in Wisconsin. AB 586, which would create an apprentice hunting license program, was approved by the Wisconsin Senate Natural Resources and Transportation Committee by a 4-1 margin.

A Voice For Retailers

In an effort to strengthen the voices of law-abiding firearms retailers in New York and New Jersey, two state organizations affiliated with the National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR) have formed. Retailers in both of these states are facing new threats from anti-gun lawmakers this year.

New Yorkers Urged To Take Action

The New York State Assembly passed a package of anti-gun bills last week that would not only negatively impact law-abiding firearms retailers, but also shooters and hunters statewide. The package, which includes bills A 9280, A 2466A, A 2837, A 4471A, A 2302 and A 673A, will next head to the State Senate.

Impressive Year - To Say The Least

USA Shooting has named Vincent Hancock of Eatonton, Ga., and Haley Dunn of Eddyville, Iowa, its athletes of the year. Hancock, 16, who has competed in NSSF’s Scholastic Clay Target Program, won seven medals in seven major ISSF competitions around the world. His impressive year saw gold and silver medals at World Cups and a gold medal at the World Clay Target Championships.

Activist Receives First Rowse Leadership Award

Bill Miles, for his achievements in promoting the sportsmen’s agenda through victories in the Maryland state legislature and in building the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and Foundation into powerful voices for Maryland’s sportsmen, received the inaugural Brad Rowse Leadership Award from the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC).

'Guns For Cash' Violates N.J. Gun Laws

In a press release issued on Friday, the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs stated that the “Guns for Cash” program scheduled for last weekend in Monmouth County appeared to violate state gun laws and help violent criminals escape prosecution and get rid of evidence. The official NRA state association claims that the anonymous turn-in of guns, which may involve transportation of firearms to the surrender location without a permit, is illegal, and points out other improprieties in the county prosecutor’s program.

N.Y. Times Op-Ed Supports Deer Hunting

The Sunday, Dec. 4, New York Times' popular “Week in Review” section carried an article on the ecological benefits of deer hunting. “For Environmental Balance, Pick Up a Rifle,” by Nicholas D. Kristof, points out that deer kill more humans each year than bears, wolves, cougars and other predators, primarily because of the road hazards they create.

USA Today Focuses On The Business Of Hunting

USA Today, the nation’s largest daily newspaper, covered hunting from a dollars and cents’ perspective in “A-hunting we will go—after time at the spa” in its Nov. 30 edition. Coverage focused on the appeal of upscale hunting resorts and the pastime’s support from the mass market, evidenced by the many retail giants’ mushrooming destination stores.

Virginia Launces 'Find Game'

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has launched an interactive Web site that provides users with information on hunting land locations and access. Created with the help of an NSSF Hunting Heritage Partnership grant, “Find Game” allows users to map hunting areas throughout the state by location and by game species. The Hunting Heritage Partnership has provided nearly $1.5 million in grants to state wildlife agencies in the last three years, helping states create programs to recruit and retain hunters.

Bill Would Lower Hunting Age

A bill that would lower Michigan’s minimum big-game hunting age from 14 to 12 has been introduced in the state’s House of Representatives. State Rep. Scott Hummel (R-DeWitt), the sponsor, says he hopes the bill will be passed in time for more young hunters to head afield during next year’s deer season, reports the Lansing State Journal. Michigan has some of the country's most restrictive laws prohibiting young hunters, according to the Families Afield report produced by NSSF, National Wild Turkey Federation and U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance.