NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Bloomberg Deposed

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was deposed as part of a defamation lawsuit brought against him by firearms retailers in South Carolina. During his Jan. 10 deposition, Bloomberg again chided the men and women of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for "not doing their job." He also noted that ATF isn't "protecting this country," and questioned whether ATF agents should be carrying badges and firearms "given their practice." View video excerpts from Bloomberg's deposition.

Mayor Calls for Microstamping in New York City

In his State of the City address, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed bringing firearms microstamping to Gotham. Microstamping, the patented process that laser engraves the firearm's make, model and serial number on the tip of the gun's firing pin so that, in theory, once the gun is fired the information is imprinted onto the discharged cartridge cases, has been proven "flawed" by scientific research. NSSF will continue to monitor calls from Bloomberg to enact microstamping and fight any attempts to draft such anti-gun legislation. For more information on microstamping, visit NSSF.org's Media Resources section.

Sponsirships Kick off 2008NHF Day Celebration

Sponsorships from NSSF and Bass Pro Shops have helped to kick off the 2008 celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day, Wonders of Wildlife museum announced last week. NSSF founded NHF Day and urged Congress to formalize the concept nearly 37 years ago. In 2006, NSSF launched a partnership with Wonders of Wildlife to ignite new energy for the commemoration. The 2008 sponsorship from NSSF will underwrite the museum's national awareness campaigns and coordination of events.

Grant Money to Aid States' Hunter-Recruitment Efforts

Safari Club International Foundation announced it will contribute $250,000 to NSSF's Hunting Heritage Partnership (HHP) program. The donation increases annual grant money available by 50 percent, from $500,000 to $750,000, to address critical issues affecting the future of hunting. The program awards annual grants to individual states for projects aimed at recruitment and retention of hunters. States and local grassroots partners provide funds and in-kind services to match the critically needed HHP funds. "SCI is looking forward to building upon our conservation and education work through this collaboration with NSSF and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies," said SCIF President Dennis Anderson. To date, HHP has awarded more than $2.1 million to state agencies, with positive and tangible results for hunters and conservation. "We are delighted to have SCIF as a major new partner in the Hunting Heritage Partnership and their generosity is taking the program to a whole new level," said NSSF President Doug Painter. To learn more about HHP and its impact, visit www.nssf.org/hhp or view a short video.

Survey Participation May Help Keep Ranges On Federal Lands Open

Recreational shooting on public federal lands may vary from unsupervised sites to ranges managed under a special use permit, but a number of factors have been cause for closing some of these areas. A roundtable consisting of 40 national organizations and three federal agencies was created to remove barriers to access and to enhance opportunities for hunting and recreational shooting. The NRA, a member of the roundtable, is asking that people who shoot on lands managed by the National Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management complete a Federal Lands Survey, which could provide the roundtable with valuable information.

Tomorrow Is Deadline For Range Grant Application in Arizona

Shooting clubs, sportsmen's groups and government agencies involved in the development, improvement or maintenance of public shooting ranges have until 5 p.m. MST on Jan. 15 to submit an application for grant funds from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The maximum award is $50,000, but privately owned and for-profit ranges are not eligible.

NBA, NFL Called Anti-Gun

An article in Reason Online states that both the National Football League and the National Basketball Association have for years attempted to distance players from firearms, and the effect has been to put their players at risk rather than protect themselves with guns. The article quotes NBA Commissioner David Stern as erroneously suggesting that "if you carry a gun, your chances of being shot by one increase dramatically."

'Gun Vote Could Decide Mighigan GOP Primary'

"One point not often discussed is that Michigan has a strong and robust gun culture," writes former NRA president Sandy Froman. Froman points out that if one candidate could corner the state's gun vote, they could take Tuesday's primary. Read Froman's complete column at TownHall.com.

Appeals Court Upholds Overturning San Francisco Gun Ban

A California state appeals court upheld a ruling by State Superior Court Judge James Warren stating that local governments cannot prevent law-abiding citizens from owning handguns. The decision has been called a "fatal blow" to San Francisco's handgun ban, originally passed by voters in November 2005.

Ohip Range Adds First Shots to Monthly Offerings

Sim Trainer Academy in Dayton, Ohio, will be hosting First Shots seminars once a month in 2008. The range has had such success with the NSSF program that it has begun hosting rifle seminars in addition to handgun seminars. A number of ranges around the country will be hosting First Shots over the next month. See where.