SHARE Act Headed for House Floor Vote;
Call Your House Member and Ask Support

The Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act, HR 2406, a comprehensive bipartisan sportsmen's legislative package, appears headed toward debate and a vote on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by the end of next week, NSSF has learned. Thank you to everyone who contacted their House member in support of this action to bring HR 2406 to the floor urged by NSSF and 50 sportsmen's groups representing millions of Americans involved in hunting and the shooting sports.

The SHARE Act is the most important pro-sportsmen and pro-hunting legislation in a generation. It passed the House in the previous Congressional session, but was stalled procedurally in the U.S. Senate. Now is the time to use this action alert or to call the U.S. House of Representatives at 202-224-3121, ask for your U.S. Representative and urge a YES vote on the SHARE Act. NSSF will keep you informed on the progress of this priority legislation.

 

Georgia Senate Passes Firearms Industry Protection Bill

Earlier this week, the Georgia Senate approved SB 282, the NSSF-backed Georgia Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act, by an overwhelming vote of 39-16. Sponsored by State Sen. Jesse Stone, the Georgia FIND Act would grant protections to FFL's seeking financial services, by making it illegal for a business providing financial services to refuse services to someone in the firearms industry solely because that business is involved in the lawful commerce of firearms or ammunition products. SB 282 has been transferred to the Georgia House of Representatives where it is currently awaiting a committee assignment.

 

Jeb Bush Visits FN America South Carolina Plant

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush visited the FN America manufacturing plant in Columbia, South Carolina, on Tuesday morning, holding a town hall-style meeting ahead of Saturday's Republican presidential primary election. Bush was presented with a personally engraved handgun at the event, where he shared his views on a variety of topics, including the Second Amendment. Speaking to reporters later that day, Bush said, "The purpose [of the visit] was we went to a gun manufacturing facility where lots of jobs are created, high-wage jobs. And I received a gun and I was honored to have it."

 

ATF Personnel Announcement

Boston Field Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Daniel Kumor has been selected to be Deputy Assistant Director (FO) Programs. Mr. Kumor will oversee the Firearms Operations Division, National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR), and Special Operations Division. Mr. Kumor has served as the SAC of the Boston Field Division since September 2013.

 

ATF Seeking Comment on Proposed New Forms 1, 4 & 5

The ATF is seeking comments on three newly proposed application forms of information collection regarding the making and registering a firearm, the paid transfer tax and registration of a firearm, and the tax-exempt transfer and registration of a firearm. Comments are being accepted until April 18. The proposed revised forms are watermarked with the word "draft" so as not to be confused with current forms, which you should continue to utilize. The information has been posted to the ATF website.

 

Appeals Court to Consider Whether to Rehear Second Amendment Case

Maryland's Attorney General is seeking review by the entire bench of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals following a three-judge panel decision earlier this month in the case of Kolbe v. Maryland. The panel's opinion directed the Maryland district court to apply strict scrutiny when considering the constitutionality of Maryland's Firearm Safety Act, which prohibits, among other things, the possession, purchase, sale or transfer of modern sporting rifles featuring certain enumerated features. The court has requested NSSF and co-plaintiffs to respond to the attorney general's request by the end of February. We will keep you updated as this important litigation continues.

 

State Court to Hear Oral Argument in PLCAA Case

On Monday, a Connecticut superior court judge will hear arguments on whether to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a survivor and relatives of those murdered in the tragic 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Defendants argue the suit is barred by the Protection in Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prevents lawsuits from continuing when the claims attempt to hold manufacturers and retailers liable solely for the unforeseen criminal actions of others. Learn more.

 

New Jersey Smart Gun Bill Passes Senate

The New Jersey State Senate last week once again passed legislation to repeal the state's "smart gun" mandate and replace it with a new mandate by a 21-13 vote. While repealing the overall "smart gun" mandate could be viewed as a net positive development, NSSF opposes the bill since it would impose a new mandate on all retailers in the state to carry in inventory at least one model of an authorized-user technology-equipped firearm. The legislation, introduced by State Sen. Loretta Weinberg (sponsor of the original "smart gun" mandate), is also opposed by smart gun manufacturers. The bill now moves to the general assembly where passage is also expected. The bill will then land on Gov. Chris Christie's desk where less than a month ago he vetoed the exact same legislation.

 

Kansas House to Consider Right to Hunt and Fish Bill

The Kansas House of Representatives will consider HCR 5008 on Monday, Feb. 22. HCR 5008 would guarantee the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife in the State of Kansas. The language included in HCR 5008 would protect the use of traditional methods, and promote wildlife management and conservation, thus, creating a permanent safeguard for sportsmen and conservation in Kansas. Contact your state representative today and respectfully urge him or her to vote YES on HCR 5008.

 

Universal Background Checks Qualifies for Maine November Ballot

Maine Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap certified a ballot initiative earlier this week that will place "universal background checks" on the November ballot. If approved, the measure would require a background check to be run prior to any firearm being transferred, including private party transfers. Those supporting the initiative were able to gather more than 61,000 signatures needed for the measure to qualify for the ballot.

 

NSSF Congressional Fly-In, April 12-13

The 2016 NSSF Congressional Fly-In will be held April 12-13. Every year the Fly-In provides an outstanding opportunity for leaders from NSSF voting member companies and supporting distributor and manufacturing member companies, as well as leading retailers, to meet with members of Congress. Those eligible to attend are receiving information regarding registration and hotel information via email. You can also register now.

 

Firearms Industry Compliance Conference May 2-4

Orchid Advisors and NSSF have announced that registration is now open for the third annual Firearms Industry Compliance Conference (FICC), to be held May 2-4 in Atlanta. The FICC program features three learning tracks and will include timely and relevant discussions of how the regulatory environment has evolved over the past two years, especially including the 2016 Presidential Actions. Two pre-conference sessions will be held on May 2, prior to the official conference start, and will provide FFLs with concentrated training sessions on firearms industry technology and federal firearm regulations.

Seating is limited for this conference. It will sell out, so industry members are encouraged to register now. To learn more about the 2016 Firearms Industry Compliance Conference, click here. To register and reserve your seat, click here. Limited sponsorship opportunities remain available so please contact Chris Tatulli, NSSF Director, Exhibit & Sponsorship Sales, for more information: ctatulli@nssf.org and (203) 426-1320 ext. 214.

 

#GUNVOTE in the South Carolina Primaries Feb. 20 & 27

South Carolina primary elections to select delegates who will pick the Republican and Democratic Presidential candidates are this Saturday, Feb. 20, and next Saturday, Feb. 27, respectively. The first primary elections in the South, Palmetto State results are closely watched for the candidates' ability to appeal to a diverse electorate. To help gun owners evaluate their candidates' positions on Second Amendment and sportsmen's issues in the South Carolina primaries and all those to come, NSSF provides #GUNVOTE. This voter education site is updated many times a week with news of interest. #GUNVOTE also provides election news and breaking updates on Facebook and on Twitter (@GUNVOTE).

Become educated about the candidates running for office and discuss 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 a list of names) and 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: