NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Strong Industry Support Sought at Conference

SEPT. 21 IN WASHINGTON . . . As the 2008 election approaches, the firearms industry is leading the charge to bolster National Rifle Association membership in order to maximize the influence of America's 80 million gun owners at the polls and in the halls of Congress and statehouses. On Friday, Sept. 21, and Saturday, Sept. 22, the "Celebration of American Values" Conference will be held at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. Strong representation from the industry is encouraged. NRA conference organizers are seeking more than 100 representatives from the industry to attend. The event will feature several political leaders, including presidential candidates John McCain, Rudy Guiliani, Fred Thompson and Bill Richardson. A press conference will be held at noon on Sept. 21 announcing the NRA membership drive supported by the industry. The Celebration of American Values Conference is scheduled to begin Friday at 9 a.m. and continue to noon on Saturday. "I encourage our industry leaders to come to Washington, D.C., to ensure a strong show of support for the NRA at this important conference," said Doug Painter, president of NSSF. Those who would like to attend should respond to NRA at rclark@nrahq.org.

California Governor Signs Anti-Gun Bills

MICROSTAMPING, LEAD BAN BECOME LAW . . . California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Saturday kowtowed to anti-hunting interest groups and the gun-ban lobby by signing into law legislation that will ban traditional ammunition and require firearms sold in California to include a patented, sole-sourced technology known as firearms microstamping -- a technology ballistics experts say is "flawed." The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has been the first to push-back on the governor, calling his decision to sign these two bills into law "myopic" and "reckless." Full Story

NSSF Launches Membership Drive

WEB SITE OFFERS EASY WAY TO JOIN . . . "Help us grow our sports. We'll help you grow your business," headlines a new membership campaign launched by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to help not only build its ranks of industry members, but also to help support efforts aimed at expanding the ranks of hunters and shooters nationwide. "Here at NSSF, job one is to encourage new and added participation in the hunting and shooting sports," said Doug Painter, president of NSSF, "Every new member we add allows us to do more to attract, excite and inform new hunters and shooters, and new potential customers for our members." Joining NSSF is simple and straightforward at a new Web site, www.MembershipMeansBusiness.org, which offers online and downloadable membership applications, a special new member rate for retailers and ranges, and important information about the programs and services offered by NSSF. For additional information about membership in NSSF, contact NSSF's member services manager at bswann@nssf.org or call 203-426-1320.

Spotlight on First Shots

REPORT: CUSTOMER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MAKING BIG IMPACT . . . The true test of success for a program designed to introduce beginners to the shooting sports is in how many participants return to the range and continue with the sport. NSSF's First Shots® customer development program is clearly passing that test, according to recent survey results. The latest "Industry Intelligence Report" details some staggering findings about the two-year-old program. A few highlights: 40 percent of First Shots participants say they have returned to the host range; 50 percent had met their state's requirements for handgun ownership; 61 percent had introduced someone else to handgun shooting; and 23 percent purchased a membership at the host range. Developed by NSSF and hosted by independent shooting facilities, First Shots provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to handgun shooting by qualified range operators and instructors that includes handgun safety, local ownership requirements, shooting fundamentals, hands-on instruction and how and where to continue. The program is being adopted by shooting ranges around the country. Full Story

New Tools for Planning, Promoting National Hunting and Fishing Day Events

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- Right on time to help hunters and anglers organize hometown celebrations of National Hunting and Fishing Day, Sept. 22, 2007, a free assortment of new planning and promotional tools are now available at www.nhfday.org.

'Watershed Moment for Second Amendment'

COURT: D.C. GUN BAN VIOLATES INDIVIDUAL'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS . . . Washington, D.C.'s 31-year-old ban on handguns in the home is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled Friday. "We conclude that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms," the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit said in its 58-page ruling. The court also rejected the argument that the Second Amendment does not apply to the District of Columbia because it is not a state and rejected the law's requirement that gun owners keep firearms disassembled or use trigger locks, making them non-functional. Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel, called the ruling "a watershed moment for the Second Amendment." Read the ruling.

Semi-Auto Ban Headed for Defeat

STATE LEGISLATION ROUNDUP . . . Efforts to ban semi-automatic firearms in Maryland appear to be headed for defeat once again, while anti-gunners continue to push for bans on 50-caliber rifles, guns that have never been used in crimes, in New Jersey and Illinois. Grassroots efforts, including a rally last week in Illinois, are showing positive results as lawmakers continue to debate a proposed semi-auto ban there. The gun-ban lobby in the Garden State is also pushing for mandatory Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to be incorporated into all handgun sales for post-sale tracking. In Maryland, there is legislation pending to tax ammunition and require "bullet serialization." And in California, a bill to mandate microstamping has been introduced again this year. Rest assured, NSSF is fighting these and other efforts by anti-gun legislators in state capitals across America.

New Hunting License Sales Reach 34,000

APPRENTICE PROGRAMS SHOW PROMISE . . . The sale of apprentice hunting licenses in six states brought nearly 34,000 new hunters safely afield in 2006, an acknowledgement of industry and sportsmen's efforts to establish new opportunities for novice hunters. Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Ohio began offering the new licenses last year to youths and other newcomers with the guidance and support of NSSF, the National Wild Turkey Federation and U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance. "To see 34,000 new hunters take advantage of new opportunities in their states is encouraging news for everyone in the hunting and shooting sports community," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president. "It goes to show that when given more opportunities, hunters are very willing to utilize them. In the years to come, these new licenses have the potential to make a significant impact on the future of hunting and conservation in America." According to industry estimates, if these new hunters choose to stick with their new outdoor pursuits they will spend more than $10 million in the coming year on hunting-related equipment and more than $550 million over their lifetimes. With the support of the Families Afield initiative, 12 states have now adopted laws that provide youths and other newcomers more opportunities to go afield with family members, friends and mentors.

Industry Sales Up 36 Percent in Second Quarter

EXCISE TAX CONTRIBUTIONS TOP $3 BILLION . . . The latest report of Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collections released by the Department of the Treasury indicates that firearm and ammunition manufacturers paid more than $76.6 million in the second calendar quarter, up 36 percent over the same time period in 2006, and bringing the 15-year cumulative industry excise tax contribution to more than $3 billion. The second-quarter increase was driven by strong handgun sales, up 44.8 percent, long-gun sales, up 37 percent, and ammo sales, up 29.2 percent. It is projected that $715.5 million in sales was generated in the quarter, not including retail markup or final retail sales. NSSF continues to campaign on behalf of the industry, however, for a more equitable, pro-growth, pro-conservation excise tax payment schedule. Excise taxes are calculated as a percentage of wholesale receipts, paid quarterly by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, and earmarked for state wildlife conservation and habitat restoration programs.

SHOT Show Auction

RUGER MILESTONE RIFLE HIGHLIGHTS AUCTION . . . Over the years, manufacturers and sportsmen have helped raise well over $500,000 for the future of hunting in America through the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show's annual firearm and knife auction. The 2008 auction promises to be another exciting one. The items include a highly embellished Ruger rifle with a historic serial number, an elegant Pennsylvania longrifle and a finely crafted, expertly engraved folding knife. The 5,000,000th Ruger 10-22 was presented to the 4-H Shooting Sports Program by Ruger President Steve Sanetti to help raise support and awareness of this vital program that provides 300,000 youths shooting instruction and opportunity each year. Following the presentation, the rifle was turned over to the Ruger Custom Shop for further enhancements, resulting in one of the finest 10-22s ever made. Proceeds will benefit the 4-H Shooting Sports Program. Bidding on these auction items begins Jan. 5 online at www.gunbroker.com and concludes at noon, Feb. 5.