NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Helping Hunter Safety

The International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) proudly recognizes award recipients of the IHEA Industry Award for 2004. This award recognizes members of industry showing continued support of the IHEA's hunter education effort through active and innovative fostering of new ideas in hunter education and who, by virtue of personal staff efforts, professional advice or financial assistance, help the hunter education movement in a superior way.

Making Progress In Protecting Your Rights

A couple of weeks ago, we told you about NRA's new program to establish Second Amendment Activist centers at gun stores and other locations to help feed grassroots political efforts. Already, 22 centers have been established and there are more opportunities to assist in the fight to protect firearms rights for sporting goods or other stores and clubs who distribute information to folks sent to the businesses by NRA's communications. If you own such a business, or know someone who does, get more information with a call to the NRA's Grassroots Division at (800) 392-8683.

Half A Million For More Hunting

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has awarded 15 state agencies $422,868.50 in grants to help expand hunting opportunities in NSSF’s Hunting Heritage Partnership program. “Grant recipients in each of these states have designed unique and dynamic recruitment tools that will help carry on America’s hunting legacy and the conservation funding that relies on it.

Govenor And Youth Shooters at SCTP Event

Over 500 young trapshooters joined Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen in celebrating the largest state championship shoot in the history of NSSF’s Scholastic Clay Target Program. “I’m very proud of Tennessee being the jewel of the (SCTP) program, " Bredesen said. "You get to be governor and you see a lot of problems in our state, and this is an example of some of the things that are really right about Tennessee, and about the young people in our state.” Twenty-four teams earned the right to represent the Volunteer State at the Grand American national championships in August. Read all about it at the SCTP Web site.

Group Points Finger At PETA For Killing Animals

A People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) publicity stunt was crashed this week by a band of protestors who want to expose the group for its involvement in the destruction of thousands of animals.

On Nov. 9, PETA activists created a media spectacle in front of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protest poultry consumption and advocate a vegetarian lifestyle. Minutes into the demonstration, advocates from the Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF), an organization that works to protect consumer choices, kicked off a counter-protest to expose the animal rights group’s involvement in the killing of an estimated 12,000 animals.

Harassment Law With Teeth

Frederick and Rosanee Shuger of Berverly Shores, Indiana, were found guilty of hunter harassment after they drove through their community where hunters were engaged in bowhunting. They honked their car horns and allowed their dog to bark in an admitted effort to disturb the deer. They were to be sentenced today and faced up to 60 days in jail for each of two misdemeanor harassment charges. In addition Frederick Shuger faces up to a year in jail for intimidation.

Minnesota DNR Teams Up With Step Outside

Minnesotans enjoy a great hunting tradition but, like many other states, attracting new participants is a constant challenge. To help encourage active sportsmen and women to reach out to the next generation of Minnesota outdoorsmen and women, the Department of Natural Resources has announced its first ever Step Outside Week. To get involved with planned events or to organize one of your own, click here. To learn more about scheduled events around the country, visit the STEP OUTSIDE calendar.

Supreme Court Asked To Review Case

Firearm manufacturers filed papers Wednesday asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a District of Columbia Court of Appeals ruling permitting lawsuits against firearms manufacturers under the District of Columbia’s “Assault Weapon Manufacturing Strict Liability Act.” Firearm manufacturers maintain the District’s act is unconstitutional because it is intended to and does regulate out-of-state commerce. “There is simply no way to avoid liability, except to go out of business—precisely the law’s intent and practical effect,” said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel to NSSF. Read the full petition.

States To Ease Youth Hunting Restrictions

The future of hunting and shooting sports will be strengthened if special measures become law in several states. Bills easing youth age restrictions—a barrier to traditional outdoor lifestyles—are in the works in New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Minnesota led the effort earlier this year with a new law that opened doors for youth turkey hunters. NSSF, National Wild Turkey Federation and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance continue to urge such action through their Families Afield initiative.

SCTP Crowns National Skeet, Sporting Clays Champs

Youth shooting teams from Michigan, Georgia, Arizona, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Virginia earned national championships last weekend at the Scholastic Clay Target Program's (SCTP) National Skeet and Sporting Clays Championships. The shoot, one of two annual crowning events in NSSF's fast-growing youth program, was held at the Detroit Gun Club. A record 15 states were represented, and the event set a new high mark for attendance. More than 170 youngsters competed in skeet, while 130 competed in sporting clays.