#GUNVOTE — NRA Endorses Donald Trump

The National Rifle Association this afternoon endorsed Donald Trump for president at its annual convention in Louisville, Ken. Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, made the endorsement immediately before Trump took the stage to deliver his previously scheduled speech.

"The Second Amendment is under threat like never before," Trump told attendees. "Crooked Hillary Clinton is the most anti-gun, anti-Second Amendment candidate ever to run for office."

NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre described Clinton as a fierce opponent to Second Amendment rights. "If she could, Hillary would ban every gun, destroy every magazine, run an entire national security industry right into the ground" and put gun-owners' names on a government registration list, LaPierre said.

 

2017 CJS Funding Bill with 2A Protections Now Before House Appropriations Committee

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee this week received the Fiscal Year 2017 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations bill from its subcommittee of jurisdiction, where it passed on a unanimous voice vote. This bill provides $1.3 billion to fund ATF, $18 million above the FY 2016 enacted level, and continues all legislative provisions to protect citizens' Second Amendment rights, even going a step further to make four of these provisions permanent law.

Those provisions cover import applications on shotguns for sporting purposes, the importation of "curios and relics" firearms, the export of firearms to Canada and a prohibition on so called "gun-walking" as occurred in the administration's ill-conceived and disastrous "Fast and Furious" operation. Also included is a prohibition on forcing unauthorized reporting and registration requirements on consumers purchasing multiple rifles or shotguns, such as those previously imposed on FFLs located in four southwestern states.

NSSF will keep you updated on the progress of this appropriations legislation.

 

US Rep. LaMalfa introduces NSSF supported resolution against Microstamping

An NSSF-supported resolution was introduced this week by Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif) in the US House of Representatives. H.Res 731 condemns the law in California mandating that every new handgun submitted for the CA handgun roster must include microstamping technology. NSSF worked with Congressman LaMalfa's office to bring this issue to the forefront and we encourage everyone to contact their representatives in the US House at 202.225.3121 and ask them to cosponsor H.Res.731.

 

NSSF Testifies Against Ill. Measure Affecting FFLs

NSSF, representing its Illinois retailer members, expressed the trade association's strong opposition to the Gun Dealer Licensing Act HB1016, in testimony Tuesday in Springfield. Anti-gun Illinois legislators seem determined to interfere with the lawful commerce in firearms while making it ever more difficult for law-abiding citizens to legally acquire a firearm.

HB1016 mandates elaborate security standards and other costly operating procedures that will seriously impact the state's federally licensed firearms retailers, potentially forcing many out of business. The heart of HB1016 is the requirement that all firearm dealers must have a state-issued license in order to operate. NSSF now has the specifics on what this legislation seeks to implement: See the NSSF Legislative Alert. NSSF is asking all Illinois gun owners, retailers and sportsmen to contact their state representatives and express their opposition to this unnecessary and burdensome bill.

 

California Senate Passes Package of Anti-Gun Bills

It should come as no surprise that the California Senate this week passed a number of anti-gun bills. Once again, a majority of these legislators have shown they do not care about the Second Amendment or law-abiding gun owners, firearms retailers, or manufacturers.

AB 156 and SB 1235 would mandate background checks on ammunition purchases and require those selling ammunition to apply for and pay for an "ammunition vendor" license. Such ammunition purchases would also be logged into a database known as the Ammunition Purchase Records File maintained by the Department of Justice and kept for up to two years. These provisions are similar to the initiative introduced by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.

AB 1135 and SB 880 would expand California's current definition of "assault weapon," banning many popular semi-automatic firearms that are currently legal under California law while doing nothing to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. It is imperative that you contact your California Assembly member today and urge him or her to oppose these misguided measures. Read this San Jose Mercury news story in which the NSSF's Larry Keane is quoted.

 

NSSF Testifies at Penn. Sunday Hunting Hearing

The Pennsylvania State Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Wednesday held a hearing to discuss Senate Bill 1070, legislation that would repeal the ban on Sunday hunting. Jake McGuigan, Director of State Affairs for NSSF, testified in favor of removing the prohibition, explaining that other states such as North Carolina and Virginia have taken steps to repeal their antiquated laws. McGuigan also pointed to the positive economic impact that Sunday hunting would have on the commonwealth.

Committee members expressed interest in the topic and told those in attendance to work together to create a workable piece of legislation. NSSF thanks all retailers, sportsmen and gun owners who contacted members of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee in support of SB 1070 and will continue to work to enable hunters to enjoy their sport on Sundays if they so choose.

The benefits of Sunday hunting are not limited to the sportsmen's community, however. An economic impact report found that the removal of Sunday hunting restrictions would result in an estimated 8,100 new Pennsylvania jobs, $245 million in wages and approximately $765 million in additional economic activity for the commonwealth.

 

Delaware Sunday Hunting Approved by Senate Committee

As we reported last week, the Delaware Sunday hunting bill supported by NSSF was approved by the Delaware House of Representatives by an overwhelming 36-3 vote. This week, we are pleased to report, the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Control Committee reported House Bill 289 out of committee. HB 289, which would allow for deer hunting on five Sundays during the hunting season, is expected to go before the full Senate for consideration. NSSF is asking Delaware residents to reach out to their state senator and respectfully urge him or her to support HB 289.

 

Second Judge Says D.C. Concealed-Carry Rules Too Strict

For the second time in as many years, the constitutionality of the District of Columbia's "good reason" concealed carry ordinance and regulations has been called into question. On Tuesday, a district court judge issued a preliminary injunction after finding plaintiffs demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits based on the historical applicability of the Second Amendment beyond the confines of the home and the unlikelihood of the District being able to demonstrate the constitutionality of its "good reason" requirement.

The court found the District's concealed carry scheme is likely unconstitutional, because the "good reason" requirement imposes a substantial burden on core Second Amendment conduct, and issued the injunction preventing the District from enforcing its requirements. Despite another ruling against them, the District of Columbia has signaled its intention to request the injunction be stayed pending appeal.

 

NSSF Statement on Teixeira v. Alameda County Opinion

NSSF has long maintained that the lawful commerce in firearms is protected by the Second Amendment, that the right to keep and bear arms includes the right to make, buy and sell them. So, we are heartened by the majority opinion of the three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Teixeira v. Alameda County, brought by three individuals seeking to operate a federally licensed firearms retail business in Alameda County, California. Read the full NSSF Statement.

 

NSSF Seeks Extension on New ATF Rulings

NSSF is requesting that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) delay the implementation date of ATF Ruling 2016-1 and ATF Ruling 2016-2 for those FFLs with electronic systems in place on April 29, 2016. ATF announced the rulings at the Firearms Industry Compliance Conference co-sponsored by NSSF and Orchid Advisors earlier this month.

"We respectfully request that the effective date of both rulings be delayed at least 180 days to allow these industry members to work with their IT developers to come into compliance with the new requirements. Although NSSF applauds ATF's modernization efforts detailed in these two new rulings, several changes to currently used software and other solutions are necessary to be in full compliance with the rulings," NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Larry Keane wrote to ATF Deputy Director Thomas E. Brandon.

NSSF is also seeking a six-month delay in the implementation of revised Form 4473. Read the NSSF letter.

 

Department of Justice/ATF Considering New Rules

The Department of Justice and ATF have just provided notice in today's Federal Register that the administration is considering new firearms rules, including background checks for law enforcement officers applying for concealed weapons permits, easier access to firearms for non-citizens and new definitions for pistols. NSSF will assess the impact of these proposed rules and advise you after expert analysis.

 

ATF Communications Migration Said Complete

ATF this week reported that it has completed the migration of current subscribers to one of five new targeted electronic communications options. Subscribers are able to select additional options at managing your subscriptions. ATF says new communication products will continue to launch throughout the summer. These email distributions will "replace and enhance existing communication tools" under the name e-ATF.

 

Sen. Murphy Continues to be 'Fact-Challenged'

Last year U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) was "awarded" the highest number of "Pinocchios" from the Washington Post's Fact Checker column for inaccurate comments about gun violence in America. Murphy claimed that "Since Sandy Hook, there has been a school shooting, on average, every week," and Fact Checker ranked the statement "as one of the biggest Pinocchios of 2015," giving him 4 out of 4 long noses. The article noted, "The number came from Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun violence prevention group. But its methodology was deeply flawed, including suicides, accidental discharges and so forth." The fact-challenged senator continues to manipulate and conflate figures to suit his gun-control agenda, as NSSF President Steve Sanetti explains.

 

Facebook Should Face Up to Broader Issues

While Facebook has been in the news recently due to its practice of diminishing conservative opinions in its trending news section, its censorship practices are nothing new to many in the firearms industry. While the policy cited by Facebook ostensibly targets only the private transfer of firearms, the site has repeatedly shut down the pages of reputable FFLs that use the site to advertise lawful commerce. Since the site now acts as a virtual public square, the exercise of such censorship can be viewed as the stifling of commercial free speech, which has constitutional protection. Since the lawful commerce in firearms, which makes exercise of the Second Amendment possible, also has been deemed to have constitutional protection, the NSSF's Larry Keane sees an attack on two essential liberties.

 

Trump Hunting for Sportsmen's Votes

"The Trump campaign has pledged to nominate a hunter to lead the Fish and Wildlife Service, aggressively fight lawsuits by anti-hunting groups, make wildlife habitat more productive, and control predators like wolves that prey on game species like elk" reports the Inside the Beltway daily e-letter Energy & Environment. Indeed, the candidate's son, Donald Jr., has actively sought opportunities to interact with America's hunters and anglers. Earlier this year during the 2016 SHOT Show, both Trumps sat for an interview with the widely respected magazine Peterson's Hunting, and Trump Sr. spoke at the Outdoor and Sportsman Channels' 16th annual "Outdoor Sportsman" awards. Even the liberal New Yorker magazine has taken note of the Trump campaign hunting for hunters' and angling for anglers' votes in the November election.

 

Registration Now Open for 2016 Import/Export Conference

Registration is now open for this year's NSSF-FAIR Trade Import/Export Conference, taking place Aug. 2-3 in Washington, D.C. In addition to presentations by key regulators, we will be once again offering roundtable sessions with ATF, including Imports Branch, National Firearms Act Branch, Firearms Technology Branch, Firearms Industry Programs Branch, eForms and Compliance, as well as with invited officials from Commerce Department BIS Munitions Control Licensing Division, State Department DDTC, Customs and Border Protection, Treasurys Tax and Trade Bureau, and Census Bureaus Automated Export System. This year we will also be offering two optional add-on sessions to run on Aug. 1, "Firearms & Ammunition Excise Tax: The Basics" and "International Sales & Marketing and the Export Process." Register now for early-bird pricing.

 

#GUNVOTE Go-To Source from Now Until November

While Donald Trump is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and Hillary Clinton enjoys the benefit of a Democratic nominating process that makes it nearly impossible for challenger Bernie Sanders to overtake her, there are races for Senate and House seats that will determine control of the Congress. To help you evaluate candidates' positions on Second Amendment and sportsmen's issues, NSSF provides #GUNVOTE. This voter education site is updated many times a week with news of interest. Newly added are delegate counts for the three Republican and two Democratic candidates. #GUNVOTE also provides election news and breaking updates on Facebook and on Twitter (@GUNVOTE).

 

Order #GUNVOTE Stickers — Help Spread the Word!

Show your support and order #GUNVOTE stickers. Display them on your vehicles, in your office, at events and anywhere else you see fit to get the word out. There is too much at stake this election year not to be 100 percent committed. Some races could determine whether more anti-gun laws are in our future and whether your rights will be infringed. Don't risk your rights. #GUNVOTE. If you are an NSSF Member, please order from the NSSF Member shopping cart to receive a member discount.

Stickers are priced $1 each and a minimum order of 15 stickers is required.

 

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, including current political news, election information and exclusive invitations to PAC events and updates, to corporate member executives.

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.

 

Thank You to Our Latest NSSF PAC Contributors

Cabinet Club ($2,500 or more): Christopher Hodgdon, Bruce Pettet

Industry Club (up to $249): Laura Springer

 

Learn more about our industrys Political Action Committee: