Seattle City Council Approves
Tax on Guns and Ammo

The Seattle City Council voted unanimously this week to adopt an additional tax on the retail sales of all firearms and ammunition. Disguised as a “Gun Violence Tax,” Council Bill 118437 will require retailers to pay a $25 tax on each firearm, two cents on each .22-caliber round and a nickel on all other rounds of ammunition sold in the city. Ordinance supporters claim it will help deter criminals from purchasing firearms. Council President Tim Burgess championed the measure and opined, “I think it’s very reasonable to expect a multibillion-dollar-a-year industry, the gun industry, to help offset the cost.”

NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Larry Keane told CNN Money, the tax “... is like imposing a tax on a pharmacy to address a heroin epidemic.” This misguided ordinance will do nothing to benefit public safety, but will penalize law-abiding businesses and Seattle taxpayers, who will bear the costs of defending against one or more lawsuits due to the clear violation of Washington State’s firearms preemption law. NSSF testified against the ordinance and will continue to work on this issue. We will keep you informed of developments.

 

Ore. Background Checks Law in Effect; Sheriffs Unimpressed

What if they passed a law and there was no money, let alone much inclination, to enforce it?  That’s exactly what’s happening in Oregon and anyone who has spent any time seriously looking at the issue of so-called “universal background checks” can rightly say, “told you so.” In an interview with Oregon Public radio, Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel explained why he is one of several of that state’s county sheriffs who will not spend his deputies’ time or the taxpayers’ money in an attempt to enforce the newly-in-effect Oregon law, saying, “The bad people are going to get the guns regardless. So I truly think it’s a waste of time.”

 

Gun Manufacturing Moves Still Interest the Media

The relocation of firearms manufacturers’ operations from those states (Connecticut, New York, Maryland) that passed strict gun control measures in 2013 to states that eagerly welcomed the skilled machinists’ and other jobs the industry brings is a topic of continued interest to the news media. USA Today this week again tackled the issue with a story that focused on PTR Industries but provided considerable additional information on what has transpired in the last three years. Bottom line: the recruitment continues. “We are constantly getting calls from state economic development officials,” the NSSF’s Larry Keane said.” “It's not with the frequency that we experienced in 2013, but they still come.” NSSF received such an inquiry today apparently prompted by this week's news coverage of the ribbon cutting at the new Kahr Arms facility in Pikes County, Penn.  Kahr’s decision to move its headquarters was a direct result of the SAFE act rammed through the New York General Assembly by Gov. Cuomo in the immediate wake of the Newtown tragedy.

 

NSSF Donates $25,000 to Fraternal Order of Police Foundation

NSSF is honoring the nation’s fallen law enforcement officers by contributing $25,000 to the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Foundation. The donation was presented to FOP National President Chuck Canterbury this week at the organization’s 62nd biennial national conference. “Members of the firearms industry are proud to stand with the brave men and women of law enforcement across this great nation who everyday put their lives on the line to serve and protect our citizens,” said Keane. “As a former prosecutor and son of a New York City policeman, I am especially thankful for the opportunity to have our industry contribute to this most worthy cause.” Read the NSSF press release.

 

'New NICS' Deployment Now Scheduled for Jan. 12, 2016

The planned deployment of what the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division describes as Phase 1 of the “New NICS,” originally slated for July 14, has been rescheduled to Jan. 12, 2016. CJIS explained that this date was selected to:

• Avoid potential risks to Federal Firearms Licensees, the public, and the NICS team associated with going live during peak season
• Provide additional time for the CJIS Division's NICS Section employees to build proficiency with the system
• Allow for additional performance testing of the system and to support NICS Index data migration

We will continue to keep you informed. Questions may be directed to the NICS Liaison staff at nicsliaison@ic.fbi.gov.

 

Invite your State Legislators to Visit Your Business

It is better to have met your state senators and representatives before you need to contact them on a legislative matter affecting your business. At NSSF, we are proponents of inviting your state legislators to visit your manufacturing or warehouse distribution facility to see the economic contribution your business is making to the state and their district. If you are a range operator or retailer you have the same opportunity to help educate our state lawmakers. NSSF Government Relations, State Affairs staff can tell you how to go about this process and will assist you. Contact Jake McGuigan, jmcguigan@nssf.org or Trevor Santos, tsantos@nssf.org for more information and to get started.

 

#GUNVOTE Early; #GUNVOTE Often

Voting in the 2016 election is a process that culminates in going to your polling place. It begins by making sure to register, then becoming educated about the candidates running for office and discussing choices with family and friends so that they understand the importance of voting to protect America's firearms freedoms and the lawful commerce in firearms. To assist eligible voters with registering and with evaluating candidates' positions on Second Amendment issues, NSSF provides #GUNVOTE, our voter education site, which we update regularly with news of interest. So, #GUNVOTE early and #GUNVOTE often.

 

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