Missoula Council Sets Background Checks Ordinance Hearing

The Missoula, Mont. City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance requiring "universal" background checks for most firearms sales and transfers on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 140 West Pine St. The ordinance sponsored by council members Bryan von Lossberg, Marilyn Marler and Emily Bentley would require "criminal background checks on all gun sales and transfers, with certain exceptions, including for family, hunting and emergency self-defense." NSSF opposes the ordinance.

Pressure from one of Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun groups resulted in the proposal even though it represents a clear violation of Montana's firearms preemption law that states local government "…may not prohibit, register, tax, license, or regulate the purchase, sale or other transfer (including delay in purchase, sale, or other transfer)..." of firearms. Should the ordinance be passed and enacted into law, it will face certain court challenge, the legal costs incurred to be paid by Missoula taxpayers.

NSSF urges city residents to please contact members of the city council and Mayor John Engen. Respectfully urge them to oppose this misguided effort.

 

NSSF Statement on Oregon Tragedy

In the days to come, the nation will learn from federal and state investigators crucial details involving the gunman responsible for the senseless tragedy at the community college in Oregon on Thursday. Our hearts go out to the family members of the victims and we want to express our appreciation to the law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel who responded to the horrific scene and conducted themselves with skill and professionalism. Out of respect for the families of the victims, survivors, the broader community in Oregon and first responders, we will not be responding to media inquiries concerning this tragedy at this time.

 

Sportsmen's Groups Write Colo. Sec. of State on HSUS Fund Raising

NSSF and 29 other sportsmen's and conservation organizations have sent a letter to Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams urging his office to take a close look at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) fund raising practices in that state. The letter follows submission of an official complaint and serves to represent the interests of millions of sportsmen who provide the vast majority of conservation and wildlife habitat management funding. This Colorado Springs Gazette.com editorial explains the concerns.

Last year, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt launched an inquiry into HSUS fundraising, saying, "…HSUS projects heart-wrenching imagery of puppies and kittens in solicitations in order to extract donations from unsuspecting Oklahomans who believe their donations are going to help local animal shelters, but instead, their hard-earned money may go to high-powered lobbying and special interest campaigns that are determined to shape state and federal legislation that would harm farmers, ranchers and other Oklahomans."

 

Congress Passes, President Signs Temporary Spending Bill

President Obama this week signed a short-term spending bill that averts a government shutdown and gives Congress and the president about 10 more weeks to fashion a longer-lasting budget deal. The House and Senate each voted to approve the bill on Wednesday. The legislation finances the government through Dec. 11 and includes several provisions that are favorable the firearms industry.

 

Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Colo. Gun Law Challenge

The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Monday in the case of Colorado Outfitters Association v. Hickenlooper. NSSF joined with several pro-Second Amendment groups to challenge Colorado laws that require background checks for all firearm transfers as well as banning magazines with greater than 15 round capacity. The district court upheld the Colorado laws as constitutional. The appellate panel indicated that they may be looking for ways to avoid addressing the Second Amendment issues addressed by the district court and may instead focus on the standing of the plaintiffs. NSSF does not expect the court to issue its decision for up to several months.

 

NSSF Submits Comments on New Legal Ivory Rules

NSSF this week submitted a comment letter regarding the proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to significantly increase regulatory burdens on those who would seek to sell legal ivory in interstate commerce. NSSF has urged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reissue its proposed rule after one of the researchers upon whose work the service relies submitted a comment raising allegations of bias and misrepresentation of his data. NSSF also believes that the proposed rule would significantly burden our small business retailers who operate in the secondary market while failing to actually assist conservation of African Elephants. Stay tuned for additional guidance once the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service responds to the many comments it has received.

 

Sunday Hunting on Private Land Begins in North Carolina

North Carolina hunters legally will be able to go afield on private lands on Sunday with firearms as the result of a new law going into effect. The state legislature this year partly repealed the 146-year-old ban on Sunday gun hunting; but restrictions remains in effect for state game lands, migratory game birds and throughout Mecklenburg and Wake counties. NSSF supported the measure, although a full lifting of the ban clearly would have been more beneficial for hunters and the economic benefits hunting brings to the state economy. Read the Charlotte Observer story.

 

FFLs Should Seek to Achieve Active Compliance

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Halloween is just around the corner, but we aren't trying to "scare you" with today's discussion on ATF revocations! It's important for FFLs to learn from our various teachings that include compliance advisory, business performance matters and ATF processes. Just remember, your primary goal should be to achieve proactive compliance and keep yourself free and clear of ATF ROVs, Warning Conferences, and definitely license revocations. Read the new posting from Orchid Advisors. Orchid Advisors is an approved compliance information provider for NSSF members.

 

#GUNVOTE Re-Loads Often with News of Interest to You

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 several times a week with news of interest. Recently, we posted our first video of the 2016 campaign season, which has proven very popular.

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. 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 our industry is heard as we approach the crucial 2016 election year. Sign up today! Online PAC Prior Consent Form.

 

Learn more about our industry's Political Action Committee: