NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Our Side Of The Story

The op-ed pages of the San Francisco Chronicle are better known for giving space to California's anti-gun politicians like Senator Dianne Feinstein rather than the firearms industry, but on Sunday the paper ran a piece by Doug Painter, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, explaining why the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act is critical tort reform legislation that will protect law-abiding companies from "junk" lawsuits. The bill (S. 397) was passed by the U.S. Senate recently with a bi-partisan vote of 65-31 and will be taken up by the House of Representatives when Congress returns from its August recess. Learn more about the legislation.

Playing "Beat The Clock"

Ignoring the intent of the U.S. Senate, which recently passed a bill that would protect the firearms industry from unwarranted municipal lawsuits, Brooklyn, N.Y., federal court judge Jack B. Weinstein last Friday ordered industry members to trial on September 6 in the City of New York's "junk" lawsuit despite pre-trial proceedings being nowhere near complete. Judge Weinstein rebuffed complaints from attorneys representing gun companies in the case that their clients could not get a fair trial.

NSSF Range A Big Hit

Thousands of Boy Scouts had an opportunity to test their marksmanship skills and to meet an Olympic gold medal winner at the Boy Scout Jamboree in Virginia last week. NSSF, in partnership with Boy's Life magazine, funneled more than 6,000 Scouts through an air rifle range, giving each youngster a chance to earn a Junior USA Shooting Team patch with a chevron commemorating the 2005 Jamboree."

More Gun Laws

Alan Korwin, author of "Gun Laws of America," says in the past decade there has been a 17 percent increase in federal gun laws. "Some gun laws have been repealed, the assault-weapon law expired, and many new gun laws have been enacted by Congress," Korwin notes on the tenth anniversary of his book's release. "All told, we have 40 more statutes, for a total of 271 federal gun laws, a 17% increase in the past decade. That is the true measure," Korwin says.

Outstanding Journalism Recognized

NSSF has awarded $19,000 in prize money to writers, photographers and broadcasters whose entries were judged superior in the 8th Annual “Good Shots, Great Stories” contest. NSSF administers the contest to recognize outstanding coverage of interesting, unique and even unexpected personalities who participate in the shooting sports. “These professionals produced the finest work this year in communicating the great worth and value that 40 million Americans place on firearms, shooting and hunting. We extend our sincere congratulations to them,” said Doug Painter, NSSF president.

Nevada Law Enforcement Sets Record Straight

The sheriffs in Clark, Lander, Humboldt and Washoe counties say the Brady Center was wrong to tell Nevadans and testify before Congress that those law enforcements officers opposed protection for gun makers and gun dealers targeted by predatory lawsuits designed to bankrupt honest people and businesses. Phone calls to the sheriffs were generated by NRA alerts about the Brady Bunch's attempts to defeat "The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms" legislation now nearing a vote, and the officials quickly set the record straight. They never authorized the use of their names on a letter the Brady Campaign circulated to generate support for its gun-banning efforts.

State Caucuses

The first session of Nebraska's 99th legislature concluded with two bills successfully passed by the Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, and more important work to be done in the next session. Connecticut's Sportsmen's Caucus reports helping thwart several attempts to restrict the activities of outdoorsmen in the state's just concluded session.

DC Gun Fight

A coalition of political, labor and religious operatives in Washington, D.C. is threatening U.S. Senators who are working to restore full civil rights for residents of the District of Columbia with legislation to permit firearms ownership again in the district. The Washington Post reports (registration required) Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (R-TX) and Senator George Allen (R-VA) are leading the move to repeal 29 years of repressive gun laws in D.C., and Joslyn Williams, president of the AFL-CIO's Washington Metropolitan Council, is threatening to send union workers to their home states to campaign against the Senators.

California - It's Working

An e-mail action alert NSSF and California Association of Firearm Retailers (CAFR) sent to more than 6,000 past SHOT Show attendees has turned up the heat on supporters of SB 357. This ill-considered legislation -- if passed -- will require all “handgun” ammo to be laser-engraved with a serial number and creates a database of ammunition purchasers. This legislation is a de facto ammunition ban, as the price of cartridges would go from pennies to dollars apiece.

California Craziness

The state's Department of Justice has changed its mind and will make felons of people who bought Walther P-22 pistols that DOJ previously pronounced were safe and it authorized for sale in the state. Each of approximately 4,300 Californians whose purchase of a P-22 was approved through the state's Automated Firearms System is being sent a letter giving them 45 days to modify the pistol or face prosecution since DOJ now considers the semi-auto rimfire an "assault weapon" because a portion of the pistol's barrel is threaded.