NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Battling Ballot Initiatives

The Ballot Issues Coalition (BIC) has been instrumental in the past few years in assisting state organizations in their efforts to block ballot initiatives that would have negatively impacted wildlife management and sportsmen. NSSF—along with numerous sportsmen’s organizations—continues to support BIC in its efforts and recently provided $10,000 for future efforts. BIC was formed in 1998 and has since helped to provide a number of state organizations with assistance in defeating anti-hunting and anti-trapping ballot initiatives.

Industry Awards

At its recent convention in Reno, the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) presented four awards honoring firearm industry companies for their support of NASGW initiatives: Chairman's Award for Industry Leadership—Sturm, Ruger and Co. Inc.; Firearms Manufacturer of the Year—Glock; Accessory Manufacturer of the Year—Michael's of Oregon; Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year—Hornady Manufacturing. Congratulations to all the 2005 winners!

Grizzly Rebound

The greater Yellowstone population of grizzly bears has recovered and no longer needs protection from the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced last week. The DOI attributed its recommendation to three decades of successful conservation efforts. “Thanks to the work of many partners, more than 600 grizzlies now inhabit the Yellowstone ecosystem and the population is no longer threatened,” said Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

New York Age Questioned

With a minimum age of 16 to hunt deer with a firearm, New York has the highest hunting age requirement in America. Coupling that fact with a slide in the state’s hunter population in recent years, some New Yorkers have begun to question whether it’s time for a change. News stories over the past week, including a front-page feature in The Journal News and an article in the Albany Times-Union, have put the spotlight on this issue.

Youth Hunting In Ohio

Legislation to bolster hunter numbers has cleared its first hurdle in Ohio. The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee last week unanimously voted in favor of HB 296, a bill that creates an apprentice hunting license as well as new opportunities for youths to try hunting.

Industry Opportunity To Hire Military's Severely Injured

NSSF is proud to bring together industry employers and the Military Severely Injured Center, a U.S. Department of Defense support program for those true heroes who have personally sacrificed so much for our country in order to preserve our freedoms and way of life. This "Hire a Hero" opportunity gives companies a chance to provide employment to veterans who have interests or job skills that relate to our industry.

More Sporting Opportunities On Refuges

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced on Tuesday plans to open six refuges to hunting and fishing and further expand opportunities for sportsmen at seven more. Hunters and anglers in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York and Washington will benefit from this proposal.

President Hears From Conservation Leaders

Jeff Crane, president of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, and members of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) met last Tuesday with President Bush's principle advisor on environmental issues, Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Jim Connaughton. The AWCP, a coalition of leading sportsmen’s organizations, including founding member NSSF, compiled a series of recommendations for the second-term Bush Administration on key conservation challenges entitled, Wildlife for the 21st Century: II, which the group presented to Chairman Connaughton.

Celebrating 1852

Smith & Wesson offered factory tours as part of a three-day weekend event celebrating its Club 1852, which was formed last year to develop stronger relationships with consumers and already boasts 44,000 members. Thousands of visitors were able to enjoy the tours and seminars and browse vendor tents at the company's Springfield, Mass., headquarters.

NRA Pulling Out Of Columbus

Citing the City Council's vote to ban semi-automatic firearms, Excecutive Vice President Wayne LaPierre announced that the NRA was pulling its 2007 convention out of Columbus, costing the city an estimated $20 million in business. According to an NRA news release, LaPierre said the NRA would return to Columbus when the Ohio legislature enacts a preemption law that would override the ban.