NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Disabled Find Way to Hunt

People who have injured themselves, even to the point of paralysis, often find a way to continue hunting. The New York Times reported on the determination of some such sportsmen and how organizations, equipment manufacturers and various government agencies are accommodating them.

Senator Renews Compliants About ATF Nominee

U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) on Wednesday renewed complaints about Michael J. Sullivan, nominee to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), The Boston Globe reports. Vitter, along with Idaho Sens. Larry Craig and Mike Crapo, has held up the nomination since December.

Henry Repeating Arms Moving to New Jersey

The Henry Repeating Arms Co. has announced its intention to move manufacturing jobs to the waterfront of Bayonne, N.J. The rifle maker specializing in Civil-War era lever-action guns plans to relocate operations from Brooklyn, N.Y. The company, which expects to keep about 50 employees and hire 40-50 new employees, has received a $345,000 grant from New Jersey for bringing jobs to an urban area, reports The Jersey Journal.

Class Action Lawyer Sentenced

William S. Lerach, a former partner of the law firm Milberg Weiss that was responsible for representing numerous cities in litigation against lawful firearms manufacturers, has been sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to forfeit pay in the amount of $7.75 million following his guilty plea of conspiracy to obstruct justice. The frivolous lawsuits filed by Milberg Weiss, seeking to hold lawful firearms manufacturers responsible for the actions of criminals, led to the passage of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.

Duck Stamp Price Hike Included In Federal Budget Proposal

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking to raise the price of the federal duck stamp from $15 to $25, the Great Falls Tribune reports. The price hike is included in President Bush's 2009 budget proposal. The increase, which would be the first since 1991, is aimed at raising more money for wetland conservation.

Realtree, NWTF to Sponsor National Hunting and Fishing Day

Realtree and the National Wild Turkey Federation have come aboard as sponsors of this year's National Hunting and Fishing Day, set for Sept. 27. They are among a growing list of major sponsors that already include NSSF, Bass Pro Shops and The Sportsman Channel. Congress established the annual commemoration in 1971 as a formal reminder that conservation funding depends on hunters and anglers.

Campaign Pays Off For NSSF Member

Encouraging a shooting range owner in his town to become an NSSF member earned South Carolina's William Powell a free trip to the 2009 SHOT Show. Powell, an NSSF member and owner of The World of Sports in Florence, S.C., took part in NSSF's 2007 Member-Get-A-Member campaign. Of the many who took part in the campaign, Powell's name was drawn as the lucky winner of airfare and accommodations for the upcoming SHOT Show in Orlando.

Ellett Brothers Continues Strong Support of NSSF

At the 2008 SHOT Show, Ellett Brothers President Hewitt Grant presented a check to NSSF for $20,000 that was raised from a silent auction held at the company's recent distributor show in January. The contribution continues a tradition Ellett Brothers started five years ago to generate additional support to advance and protect America's shooting traditions and firearm freedoms. "We're celebrating our 75th anniversary this year," said Grant. "By supporting the NSSF and its vital programs, our company is investing in our future, and we are proud to do our part to ensure that our traditions are equally strong for another 75 years, when we celebrate our 150th anniversary."

Firearms Retailers Form Association in Illinois

The Illinois Association of Firearms Retailers is the newest of state-specific organizations created to represent the rights and interests of its federally licensed firearms retailers. Heading the Illinois group as its first president is John Mann, owner of Mann & Son Sporting Goods in Pinckneyville, Ill. ILAFR was formed with the assistance of the National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR), the retailer division of NSSF. "NSSF, NAFR and each of the state retailer organizations are working together to protect the rights of retailers and give them a new form of representation at the state level," said Tom Larson, NSSF director of retail partnerships.

Remembering Grits Gresham

Grits Gresham, one of America's best-known outdoorsmen and a longtime friend to NSSF, died today in his hometown of Natchitoches, La., at age 85. Gresham enjoyed an extraordinary career that included serving as field host and producer for the "The American Sportsman" TV series on ABC and as a magazine writer and editor, book author, conservationist and television personality. At one time, Gresham was the outdoor industry's most visible champion thanks to his role in a series of commercials for Miller Lite beer. Back in the early 1980s, when cable television and outdoor programming were gaining a national audience, NSSF began to explore how to best use this new outreach for its hunting and shooting sports promotional messages. "What we really needed," said NSSF President Doug Painter, "was a great spokesman, and who better than the former co-host of 'The American Sportsman' series, Grits Gresham. We began in 1984 with a series of 'Where to Hunt' and 'Where to Shoot' specials on ESPN hosted by Grits. These specials were followed by broadcasts of the first 'made-for-TV' shooting event, the 'Sportsman's Team Challenge,' and continued with our 'Shooting Sports America' series on prime-time ESPN through the mid-1990s. Grits was a terrific host and a wonderful ambassador for our sports. As 'big' as Grits made it in his field, he gave back as 'big' to help the next generation get started in our sporting traditions." Obituary