NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Interior Secretary Creates Sporting Conservation Council

Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton announced on Thursday the creation of a new Sporting Conservation Council that will advise her department on resource conservation issues of interest to the hunting community.

N.J. County Funds $1.2 Million Pistol Range

New Jersey's Middlesex County will fund construction of a $1.2 million pistol range in Keasbey, the Woodbridge Sentinel reports. Construction will start in early summer, officials said. The project will include two ranges on the property, one for public use and another solely for use by the area's police officers.

Sportsmen's Warehouse Joins NSSF

Sportsman's Warehouse, which operates outdoor retail stores in more than 20 states, has become an NSSF member. "We at Sportsman's Warehouse support many organizations and we are happy to be a part of the National Shooting Sports Foundation," said Stu Utgaard, the company's president and CEO. Sportsman's Warehouse is based in Midvale, Utah.

Newspaper Defends Gun Manufacturers

An NSSF round of applause goes out to The Republican of Springfield, Mass., for its editorial last week in response to an activist's off-the-mark comments about gun manufacturers. During an appearance in Springfield, the Rev. Lennox S. Yearwood said gun manufacturers should shoulder the blame for the nation's gun violence problem.

Kansas Overrides Concealed Carry Veto

The Kansas Legislature overrode Gov. Kathleen Sebelius's veto of a concealed carry bill. With seven more votes than needed, the state House voted 91-33 for an override. The Senate voted 30-10, three more votes than needed. It was the first time in 12 years a Kansas governor had a veto overridden, the Associated Press reports. Sebelius vetoed a similar bill in 2004. The new law will take effect in July, leaving only three states – Nebraska, Illinois and Wisconsin – with an all-out ban on carrying concealed handguns.

States Make Progress For Youth Hunters

Utah, Michigan and Mississippi last week took steps toward creating more opportunities for parents to introduce their sons and daughters to hunting. Utah's governor signed a bill last week that will eliminate the age requirement for hunting small game, upland game and turkeys.

The Outdoor Channel Honored At North American

Through its television show, "Step Outside," The Outdoor Channel has offered outstanding support of NSSF's STEP OUTSIDE program. The TOC original production encourages viewers to invite newcomers to STEP OUTSIDE by documenting the satisfaction and personal rewards experienced by sportsmen when they introduce newcomers to hunting.

Bill Would Protect Maryland Ranges

A bill aimed at protecting Maryland's shooting ranges from noise lawsuits is headed to the state Senate after being passed out of a Senate committee Wednesday. The bill – SB 907 – is supported by NSSF, the National Association of Shooting Ranges (NASR) and the NRA. Marylanders are encouraged to contact their state senators and urge them to support the bill.

Don't Lie Launching In North Carolina

Already active this year in Georgia and South Carolina, the Don't Lie for the Other Guy straw purchase-deterrent program kicks off in North Carolina Wednesday at a press conference with U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Frank D. Whitney, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina Anna Mills Wagoner and representatives from ATF and NSSF. The program is designed to educate firearm retailers on how to detect and deter illegal purchases and to raise public awareness that it is a serious crime to purchase a firearm for someone who cannot legally do so. For more on this partnership effort between ATF and NSSF, visit www.dontlie.org.

FFLs Notified Of Child Safety Lock Act

The Child Safety Lock Act of 2005, which is Section 5 of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, requires dealers to provide a safety device to handgun purchasers starting April 24. ATF has notified all federally licensed firearm retailers (FFLs) of the act and posted a notice on its Web site.