nssf.org

May 15, 2015

Maryland Gov. Hogan Signs
Ballistics Imaging Repeal

On Tuesday morning, Gov. Larry Hogan signed SB 736, the repeal of Maryland's ballistics imaging program that had required firearms manufacturers and retailers to submit bullet casings for all handguns sold in the state. The signing of the bill is a victory for the industry as it brings to an end a decade-and-a-half-long experiment in crime lab technology that never worked, but that was embraced by gun control advocates. Under the direction of Jake McGuigan, Director, Government Relations-State Affairs, NSSF has worked diligently to repeal this legislation. The effort was capped by a final push in the waning days of the legislative session to repeal the 15-year-old law that had been defunded more than seven years ago.

NSSF would like to thank all the legislators who actively played a part in the bill's passing, specifically, Sen. Ed Reilly, Del. Seth Howard and the leadership in both the House and the Senate, whose support was paramount in advancing the bill. Read the Guns.com account of the scrapping of this ineffective and costly program.

 

Defense Authorization Bill Passes House with Traditional Ammo Protection

The U.S. House of Representatives late this morning passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation is traditionally considered one of Congress's "must pass" bills. NSSF Government Relations staff worked with members of the committee to ensure language was included in both the bill and committee report to protect traditional lead ammunition from being regulated under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA).

 

Senate Panel Appears Close to Defense Authorization OK

On Thursday the United States Senate Armed Services Committee met in closed session to debate its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Late Thursday, Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) held a press conference to announce that the committee had reached a conclusion and would hold a closed mark-up session on the bill Friday morning. At press time for this report, a series of votes on amendments and then on the full package was expected. As the full Senate begins to debate this bill in the near future, NSSF Government Relations staff will work with key Senators and their staffs to ensure that provisions within the current bill are favorable to the industry and our customers remain in place.

 

House Subcommittee Advances Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies FY2016 Appropriations Bill

The U.S. House Commerce Justice and Science (CJS) Subcommittee on Thursday passed the FY16 CJS Appropriations bill. The measure contains additional funding for the Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) that was included as the result of NSSF's request to Chairman John Culberson (R-Texas) in order to help the Export Control Reform (ECR) initiative move forward for Categories I – III. We anticipate progress to begin on ECR shortly after Memorial Day. Additionally, the bill makes the $500 Canadian exemption permanent law, rather than just for one year at a time.

Included in the bill is language that prohibits any funds from being used to force FFLs to report to the ATF the sale of multiple long guns to the same person. The legislation also makes permanent the provision that ATF cannot ban the import of a shotgun on the basis that it isn't particularly suitable for, or readily adaptable to, supporting purposes unless a similar model and configuration was already rejected for import prior to Jan. 1, 2011. There is a provision in the bill barring the use of taxpayer money to implement the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty.

 

Florida FFL Sees Discrimination in Service Denial

Another firearms retailer has come forward who says their business was denied service by a large bank. Peggy Craig, owner of Michael's Pawn and Gun in Fruitland Park, Florida, told The Daily Signal, "It affects my livelihood, it affects how I feel, and I think it's total bias and discrimination." The bank involved said it had no blanket policy against firearms sales. NSSF has been working with members of Congress to end discrimination by financial service providers against firearms-related businesses. On the state level, NSSF is advocating passage of Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) legislation to help protect the lawful commerce of firearms, ammunition and related products. State legislators in Kansas and Alabama have introduced such bills for consideration.

 

Gov. Kate Brown Signs Oregon Universal Background Check Bill

As expected, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Monday signed legislation to require background checks for private firearm sales. SB 94, which extends background checks for many private firearms transfers, passed the house last week by a 32-28 vote before being sent to the governor's desk. The bill does exempt background checks for the transfer of firearms by a law enforcement agency, private security, members of the military, between spouses, domestic partners or other immediate relatives, or resulting from a death. Retailers will be allowed to charge the service fee they deem necessary for completing a criminal history record check and the required ATF recordkeeping entries. The bill also grants retailers immunity from potential civil liability resulting from conducting the background check.

 

Families Afield Bills Signed into Law in Mont., Tenn.

Late last week, Gov. Steve Bullock signed into law HB 140, making Montana the 37th state to enact Families Afield legislation since 2006. The new law will allow hunters between the ages of 10 and 18 to hunt under the supervision of a licensed adult prior to taking a hunter education course. Meanwhile, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law SB 1237, which will expand Tennessee's current Families Afield program. The new law will allow an individual to purchase an apprentice hunting permit for up to three years, an increase from the current one year apprentice permit option.

 

Texas House Approves Tax-Free Holidays for Sportsmen

The Texas House of Representatives this week voted to approve legislation that would create two tax-free holidays for Texas sportsmen and women, one at the beginning of dove season and the other prior to the opening of deer hunting season. Passed by a vote of 110-36, HB 849 would provide a small break for Texas sportsmen when purchasing firearms and hunting supplies such as ammunition, archery equipment, hunting blinds and stands, hunting decoys, firearm cleaning supplies, gun cases and gun safes, hunting optics and hunting safety equipment. NSSF strongly supports Second Amendment and sportsmen-related sales tax holidays as a way to encourage more law-abiding Americans to exercise their rights to keep and bear arms and to participate in hunting and the shooting sports.

 

Suppressor Legalization Bills Await Conference Committee Action in Minnesota, Vermont

An amendment was added this week to an economic development bill in Vermont to legalize the ownership of suppressors. After the amendment was offered, S. 138 passed in the Vermont House of Representatives by a vote of 141-2. A conference committee was formed to work out the differences between the House and the Senate versions of the legislation but no action has been taken. Similarly in Minnesota, a conference committee is currently working through SF 878, which includes language to legalize suppressor ownership and use for hunting. Suppressors are currently legal to use and possess in 39 states, while 35 states currently allow suppressor use for hunting.

 

NSSF Pursuing UPS Policy Change on Suppressors

NSSF this week learned that UPS had changed its policy regarding the shipment of suppressors. New policy states that UPS will no longer ship suppressors, even between licensees. NSSF is working with UPS executives to determine what prompted the enforcement of this unwarranted policy. We are unaware of any thefts or losses that would explain the shipping company's sudden decision to enforce a prohibition against shipment. NSSF will keep you apprised of developments. Separately, NSSF is also working with the U.S. State Department to achieve a change policy to allow export of suppressors.

 

Iowa Residents: Urge Senate to Vote on SF 427

On April 10, we reported that the Iowa House of Representatives had once again approved legislation to legalize the ownership of suppressors and their use for hunting in the Hawkeye State. SF 427 seeks to make a number of other changes to benefit law-abiding gun owners, shooters and sportsmen alike. Unfortunately, the Iowa Senate has yet to take up SF 427. The legislative session will come to a close soon and we need to ensure this legislation receives a vote prior to their adjourning for the year. Let's make Iowa the 40th state to legalize firearm suppressors! Please contact your state Senator today and respectfully urge him or her to request SF 427 be brought to the floor and to vote in favor of SF 427. Contact information for your state Senator can be found here.

 

R.I. Supreme Court Clarifies 'May Issue' Standard

The Supreme Court of Rhode Island has made it easier for residents of the state to obtain concealed carry licenses by clarifying the standard that must be applied in that "may issue" state. Last month the court ruled that a former East Providence police chief's decision to deny a concealed carry license must be reviewed and any decision to deny the license must be based on a factual reason pursuant to statute. The original letter denying the license stated only that the petitioner "failed to show good reason to fear an injury to [himself] or property" and was therefore disqualified. The rote conclusions reached by the former chief were insufficient for the court and failed to follow the proper analysis, which does not require a showing of need to obtain a CCW license. The new chief of police has 90 days in which to review the petition and any supplemental information and must follow the proper analysis in making the decision to grant or deny the license application.

 

Trial Date Set in NSSF Suit against California City

Trial is set to begin Dec. 4 in NSSF's suit against the City of Pleasant Hill, California. NSSF and City Arms East, a premium retail member, sued the municipality after the city council approved a zoning ordinance that restricts the location of firearms retailers within city limits and imposes additional burdensome requirements on these lawfully operating businesses. The city's restrictive ordinance already has contributed to the closing of one of the city's few FFLs, announced earlier this month. NSSF's suit has as a goal to help ensure no other FFLs are similarly impacted.

 

Import/Export Conference Registration Opens

The annual NSSF-FAIR Trade Import/Export Conference will be held Aug. 4-5, 2015, at the Renaissance Washington D.C. Downtown, 999 Ninth St. N.W. Due to overwhelmingly positive feedback, this year we will be once again be offering roundtable sessions with ATF, including eForms and Compliance and Imports, National Firearms Act, Firearms Technology, and Firearms Industry Programs Branches, as well as with invited officials from Commerce Department. BIS Munitions Control Licensing Division, State Department DDTC, Customs and Border Protection, Treasury's Tax and Trade Bureau, and Census Bureau's Automated Export System. The conference will also feature topics related to Export Control Reform, presentations from ATF, an update on the Census Bureau's Automated Export System (AES), and State Department speakers. Register now for early-bird pricing.

 

Nearly 200 Attend Industry Compliance Conference

The 2015 Firearms Compliance Conference co-hosted by Orchid Advisors and NSSF was held in Orlando, Florida this week. In attendance were nearly 200 industry representatives as well as impressive representation from ATF Headquarters and field offices. Platinum and Silver sponsors were Epicor and Smith & Wesson. For three days, attendees involved in manufacturing, import/export, distribution and retail learned about a variety of compliance topics. Feedback concerning the conference was overwhelmingly positive and a number of attendees have already registered for the 2016 event to be held in Atlanta, Ga. Additional information about registration can be found orchidadvisors.com.

 

Thank You to Our Latest NSSF PAC Contributors

President's Club ($5,000): Michael Egan

Caucus Club ($500 or more): Shirley Steffen

Congressional Club ($250 or more): Brent Cayton

Industry Club (up to $249): Coy Park, Douglas Sensenig

 

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