NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Families Afield Bill Becomes Law in Nebraska

A Nebraska bill aimed at recruiting the next generation of hunters has been signed into law by Gov. Dave Heineman. The new law creates an apprentice hunter education exemption certificate, allowing experienced hunters to take a newcomer hunting before the completion of a hunter education course. The law also lowers the state's deer hunting age for mentored youths from 12 to 10. "This law opens the door for the next generation of hunters in Nebraska," said Heineman. The new law is a result of the Families Afield campaign, established by NSSF, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and National Wild Turkey Federation to eliminate unnecessary hunting-age restrictions and ease hunter education mandates for first-time hunters. "More and more states continue to see the importance of providing today's youth with welcoming opportunities to experience hunting," said Melissa Schilling, NSSF recruitment and retention manager. "Nebraska, along with 20 other states, has taken an important step to help ensure a strong future for our hunting heritage." Other states are currently considering similar legislation. In Virginia, Gov. Tim Kaine is expected to sign an apprentice hunting bill that has passed both the House and Senate. In Indiana last week, state senators unanimously passed an apprentice hunting license bill.

Realtree to Sponsor National Hunting and Fishing Day

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Wonders of Wildlife, the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day, today announced another sponsor -- Realtree -- has come aboard to help Americans discover the conservation benefits of hunting and angling.

Pheasants Forever Recognizes Young Hunters' First Bird

Anyway you can help excite a youngster about hunting is a step in creating a lifetime participant and advocate, and Pheasants Forever is trying to do just that with its new "First Bird" program. When a young hunter sends a photo of his or her first gamebird, he or she will receive a "First Bird" commemorative pin, a coupon for a free mini-pizza at any of the restaurants of the program's corporate sponsor, Pizza Ranch, and a chance to get the photo published in Pheasants Forever’s magazine.

'ATK Fires Up Profits'

Online financial magazine TheStreet.com was at the SHOT Show to interview ATK's Mark DeYoung, senior vice president and president of the company's Ammunition Systems Group ( Play Video). ATK produces about 6.5 billion rounds of ammunition per year. In related news, the U.S. Defense Department announced Thursday it has awarded ATK a $24.4 million contract to supply ammunition to the Army.

Republican Candidates and the Second Amendment

At last week's Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain addressed his record on the Second Amendment. Said McCain: "I have defended my position on protecting our Second Amendment rights, including my votes against waiting periods, bans on the so-called 'assault weapons,' and illegitimate lawsuits targeting gun manufacturers." A 2000 letter from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has been posted in NSSF.org's Voter Education section. In the letter, sent to then New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer, Huckabee sticks up for the firearms industry and gun owners.

Court Again Rejects ATF Motion to Revoke N.C. Dealer License

Stating that, "While willfulness may be inferred from an individual's plain indifference to a legal requirement ... a licensee's repeated violations of the Gun Control Act do not necessarily compel a finding of willfulness as a matter of law," the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina again rejected an ATF motion to revoke the federal firearms license of a North Carolina retailer. The matter will now proceed to trial.

Maryland Bill Would Establish Minium Hunting Age

Legislation has been introduced in Maryland that will establish a minimum hunting age while devastating youth recruitment efforts. House Bill 655 prohibits anyone under the age of 13 from receiving a hunting license. Under current law, youths age 15 and under must pass a hunter education course and be under the supervision of a licensed hunter. The bill has been referred to the House Environmental Matters Committee. Maryland sportsmen are encouraged to contact their legislators to reject HB 655.

Anti-Gun Movement At State Level

In the past two weeks, NSSF has identified increased anti-gun movement at the state level nationwide, most notably seen in legislation to require bullet serialization and firearms microstamping. Visit NSSF's online Legislative Action Center for specific state-by-state updates.

First Shots Announces More Than 30 New Ranges

At this year's SHOT Show, NSSF's First Shots program added 33 new shooting ranges to its rapidly growing list of ranges utilizing the program. Multiple ranges in more than 30 states are planning First Shots seminars this year that reach out to a new audience of potential shooters and industry customers. "The response to First Shots from ranges, retailers and consumers has been great," said Cyndi Dalena, NSSF's First Shots manager. "Newcomers to shooting across the country are responding to the advertising and attending First Shots at their local ranges. Ranges are using First Shots to generate a steady stream of new customers." A regularly updated lineup of seminars is posted at www.firstshots.org.

Vice President Shows Support For Second Amendment

Vice President Dick Cheney, distinguishing himself from the administration's solicitor general, demonstrated his strong support for the Second Amendment when last week he, as president of the U.S. Senate, signed onto the Congressional friend of the court brief in support of the individual rights view of the Second Amendment. The brief, signed by 55 members of the U.S. Senate and 250 members of the U.S. House, has the largest number of co-signers for a congressional amicus brief in history.