Congressman Walker Visits Ruger N.C. Facility

U.S. Rep. Walker makes a point during his visit to Ruger's Mayodan. N.C. facility. Also shown is Mickey Wilson (left), Director of Operations at Mayodan.

U.S. Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) this week toured the Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. manufacturing facility in Mayodan, N.C. and met with employees and company executives. Ruger established this facility in 2013 to accommodate its continued growth, creating approximately 200 jobs with more expected in the future. Employment was clearly on the Congressman's mind who noted, "This facility and its employees have a tremendous impact on Rockingham County and surrounding communities." Mickey Wilson, Ruger's Director of Operations for Mayodan thanked Rep. Walker "… for taking the time to meet with us and for his continued support of our critical Second Amendment rights." Read the Ruger press release.

NSSF salutes Ruger for proactively engaging with a federal lawmaker in this way and encourages other member companies to invite Senators and Representatives to visit their manufacturing or distribution facility to see firsthand the economic contribution your business is making to the state and congressional district. NSSF Government Relations, Federal Affairs staff can tell you how to go about this process and will assist you. Contact Patrick Rothwell, prothwell@nssf.org or Seth Waugh, swaugh@nssf.org for more information and to get started.

 

NSSF Gets FixNICS Credit during Lively Fox News Discussion

Last Friday's segment of "The Five" on the Fox News Channel in which the recent tragic deaths of two local television journalists in Virginia at the hands of a mentally disturbed man served as the starting point for an at-times heated debate between the show's panelists. Filling in on the panel that evening was Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich, who has written extensively on gun issues in America and is one of the best informed commentators on the topic. Although the point may have been lost on the viewers who saw the exchange that eventually ensued, Pavlich made an important point: "The National Shooting Sports Foundation has done significant work at encouraging the states to put mental health records into the FBI Background Check System so that these kinds of people can't get their hands on guns." Watch that segment of "The Five".

 

'Bad Apple' Dealers Few and Far Between

The vast majority of federally licensed firearms retailers (FFLs) are law-abiding business owners that comply with a complex regulatory system. That's well established. Recently, however, the anti-gun crowd returned to one of their old and familiar arguments, namely that a few "bad apple" retailers need to be singled out for extra legal or regulatory scrutiny. And they returned to their stage a favored FFL who does not actually run a retail business as most people would recognize one, anyway. Read the NSSF's Larry Keane's blog post.

 

Scotts Valley, Calif. Council OKs Temporary Moratorium on New Firearms Retailers

The Scotts Valley, Calif. City Council this week voted to impose a 45-day moratorium on future firearms retailers opening in the city while officials review future application of zoning laws. In addition, the council approved an ordinance requiring such standard security measures as burglar alarms and video surveillance cameras at current and future gun retailers as well as a one-time $100 license fee. More than 60 members of the public attended the council session and people spoke on both sides of the issue. The Council last month rejected what was arguably a tougher ordinance governing firearms retailers. Read a local news account. NSSF opposed this additional city-level regulation of firearms retailers. Read the NSSF letter.

 

Calif. Lead Ammo Ban Implementation Confuses

With the opening of the dove season this week in California has come confusion over the ongoing implementation of the state's ban on the use of traditional lead ammunition in hunting. The full ban will not be in effect until July 1, 2019. For this year, hunters may continue to use lead shot in areas that are not state Department of Fish and Wildlife ecological reserves or wildlife areas. Next July, the ban goes to all upland bird hunting except dove, quail and snipe and also will includes small game mammal and fur-bearing mammals. Read about the California regulation phase-in.

 

#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 help gun owners to register to vote and evaluate candidates' positions on Second Amendment and sportsmen's issues, NSSF provides #GUNVOTE, our voter education site, which we update regularly with news of interest. So #GUNVOTE early and #GUNVOTE often.

 

Signing Up for NSSF PAC Made Easier for Member Companies

The NSSF Political Action Committee (NSSF PAC) works to support pro-firearms industry, pro-Second Amendment and pro-sportsmen candidates for federal office. Federal law requires a trade association PAC to obtain prior approval from its corporate members before it may send important PAC news and updates to corporate member's executives, including current political news, election information and exclusive invitations to PAC events.

Now, signing up for NSSF PAC has never been easier. Just click the link below, fill out the form, add contacts (or email us list of names) - hit submit! What are you waiting for? Help ensure that the industry is heard as we approach the crucial 2016 election year. Sign up today! Online PAC Prior Consent Form

 

Thank You to Our Latest NSSF PAC Contributors

Capitol Club ($1,000 or more): Mitch Butler, Patrick Rothwell

Caucus Club ($500 or more): Anthony Acitelli, David Nau, George Trulock

Congressional Club ($250 or more): Larry Ahlman, Whit O'Daniel, Jeff Pressman, Mark Wojnar

Industry Club (up to $249): David Rude

 

Learn more about our industry's Political Action Committee: