Bullet Points 3-9-15

March 9, 2015

Vol. 16 No. 10

Senators Join House Colleagues to
Call Out ATF Ammo Action

U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) is busy obtaining the signatures of his colleagues on aSenate letter to ATF Director B. Todd Jones opposing the Obama administration's effort to ban 5.56 M855 "Green Tip" ammunition. More than half of the members of the U.S. House of Representatives, some 239 in all, signed a similar letter. The House letter calls into question the reasoning, manner and fast-track timing behind the bureau's announcement it sought to end the exemption for the ammunition under the sporting purposes test that has been in effect since 1986. See the NSSF Action Alert and email ATF today. You should also email or Tweet your Member of Congress.

• CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS WRITE ATF . . . The American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), a consortium of 42 organizations representing more than six million individual members, today sent a letter to ATF Director Jones expressing concern about how the proposed framework will impact the amount of Pittman-Robertson excise taxes collected on the sale of ammunition, which provides vital funding for wildlife management activities across the country. That letter follows one from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) also asking for a comment-period extension (90 days) and which notes "… Not only does this run the risk of decreasing interest and participation in these sports as ammunition choices become more limited and more expensive, but as participation potentially decreases, so do sales of taxable goods and hunting licenses." Earlier, NSSF also called for an extension of the comment deadline. Read the NSSF letter.

• THE WHITE HOUSE SNEAK PLAY . . . A late Friday news dump before the long February President's Day holiday weekend is a sure sign extra effort is being made to obscure something big, as is the case with the ATF's proposal to end the sporting use exemption for M855 ammo. "The proposed change represents a massive overreach by the Obama administration," writes the NSSF's Larry Keane. "It confirms that the White House is willing to try virtually anything to pursue its gun control agenda in defiance of Congress and existing law. This time they are hiding in plain sight behind ATF and the agency's rule-making authority." Read more.

Advertisement

POS System Designed for Gun Stores... Manage yourA&D book, trade-ins/buy-backs, consignment, rentals, and smithing with one system. There is even an optional component for shooting range management. The Rapid Gun System provides turnkey solutions for gun stores and shooting ranges. Their mission is to provide the world's best POS system for gun stores. Their integrated A&D book helps keep you compliant with ATF Ruling 2013-5 without having to utilize multiple systems. Easily manage your gun show sales, holding periods, special orders, driver's license scanning, and integrate with your current accounting software. Designed with enhanced email marketing capabilities, the Rapid Gun System helps drive business while you run your business. Their system is configurable to create a perfect fit for all sizes of gun stores - from mom-and-pop to multi-chain stores. Call 619.754.4100 to speak with one of their gun system experts.

Advertisement

Government Relations

• BIPARTISAN SPORTSMEN'S ACT GAINS 12 CO-SPONSORS, HEARING THIS WEEK . . . The Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015, an NSSF legislative priority that includes an array of measures to enhance opportunities for hunters, anglers and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, has gained 12 new Republican and Democratic cosponsors: Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.). A hearing on some provisions of the bill is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The text of the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act of 2015 is available here. Urge your senators to support S. 405 by taking action here.

• TAX-FREE HOLIDAYS FOR SPORTSMEN BILLS INTRODUCED IN 3 STATES . . . At least three states have introduced legislation that would create tax-free holidays on the sales of firearms and hunting supplies. Maryland, Texas and Tennessee have proposals in their respective state legislatures that would provide a small break for law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen during one or two weekends a year. This is not a new concept, however, as three states have implemented similar sales-tax holidays: Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. NSSF strongly supports these measures 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.

• REGISTER FOR APR. 22-23 CONGRESSIONAL FLY-IN . . .Registration is open for the annual NSSF Congressional Fly-in, April 22-23 in Washington, D.C. This is a great 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. At stake is passage of the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act, the industry's top priority, as well as defeating President Obama's regulatory gun control agenda. To learn more about the importance of claiming a seat at the table, watch this short video. For security purposes, a full agenda including locations and information on how to book a room in the NSSF hotel block will be sent to you via email after you register. Register today to attend this crucial Fly-In.

For more Government Relations news, read NSSF's latest Government Relations Update.

Legal

• APPEALS COURT WON'T STOP ENFORCEMENT OF CITY'S MAGAZINE BAN . . . The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals last week, in the case of Fyock v. Sunnyvale, let stand a district court ruling by refusing to enjoin the City of Sunnyvale, California's ban on standard capacity magazines. NSSF filed a "friend of the court" brief in support of the injunction, which would have prevented the City from enforcing an ordinance prohibiting, with limited exceptions, the possession of ammunition magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds within city limits. The Ninth Circuit was careful to point out that its ruling had no bearing on the merits of the plaintiffs' case, which now returns to the district court for trial.

• FEDERAL COURT DENIES STAY IN INTERSTATE HANDGUN SALE CASE . . . A federal court in Texas has denied the U.S. Department of Justice's motion to stay judgment in the case of Mance v. Holder, which recently struck down the federal interstate handgun transfer ban as unconstitutional. The Department had sought a 60-day stay in which to consider whether it will appeal this ruling, although there is little question that the department will file an appeal due to the potential ramifications of this ruling. Once an appeal is filed, we expect the government to revisit its request and a stay likely will be issued for the duration of the appellate process. We will continue to keep you updated once the appeal is filed.

NSSF PAC

• THANK YOU TO OUR LATEST NSSF PAC CONTRIBUTORS
  
  President's Club ($5,000): Cassandra Arnold, Steve Urvan
  
  Cabinet Club ($2,500 or more): No new contributors to report
  
  Capitol Club ($1,000 or more): Bryan Rommel, Robert Southwick
  
  Caucus Club ($500 or more): No new contributors to report
  
  Congressional Club ($250 or more): William Douglas
  
  Industry Club (up to $249): Michael McAleenan, Jesse Poole

2015 Industry Summit

• REGISTER IN MARCH TO RECEIVE EARLY BIRD PRICING . . . Discounted, early bird registration pricing is in effect until March 31 for the NSSF Industry Summit. Representatives from all segments of the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry, conservation and hunting organizations, target shooting organizations and federal and state wildlife agencies are encouraged to attend. The Savannah Marriott Riverfront is the host hotel, which is expected to reach capacity with more than 200 individuals who feel strongly about creating a positive future for the shooting sports attending. Register today to reserve your place at this most important industry event. The Summit's Platinum sponsor is the Georgia Department of Economic Development, but many other sponsorship opportunities are available.

Project ChildSafe

• SHOP AT AMAZON AND SUPPORT PROJECT CHILDSAFE . . . Project ChildSafe, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit charitable organization, is now listed at smile.amazon.com. When purchasing merchandise on Amazon, you can use the Amazon Smile option to benefit Project ChildSafe, the NSSF-developed national firearm safety education program. Project ChildSafe will receive a percentage of your purchase payment. To participate, go to smile.amazon.com, log in to your Amazon account and select Project ChildSafe as your charity of choice. At Project ChildSafe, every $2 helps put a gun lock in someone's hands! You can also donate to Project ChildSafe at projectchildsafe.org/donate.

Industry Compliance Conference

• 'HOW CAN I OPTIMIZE COMPLIANCE?' . . . NSSF and Orchid Advisors are sponsoring the annual Firearms Industry Compliance Conference, May 11-13, at the Marriott's Orlando World Center Resort. Discounted registration is available to all NSSF members. The 2015 conference brings together firearm manufacturers, importers, exporters, distributors, dealers and regulators such as the DOJ and ATF to answer the question, "How can I optimize compliance?" Larry Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel, explains, "NSSF is pleased to join with Orchid Advisors to co-sponsor this important and timely conference because it will offer the practical, operations-oriented solutions to our member base that we strive to provide." Register to attend.  Highlights from last year's event can be found on the Orchid Advisors website.

ATF

content provided by

• DO YOU HAVE AN ATF COMPLIANCE CONTINGENCY PLAN? . . . In a world of unforeseen changes, it is always best to be prepared for those "worse-case scenarios." Having a "Plan B" helps relieve the stress of trying to quickly scramble to fix the issue you are dealing with. ATF Compliance is no exception to this rule; the more "what-ifs" that you plan for, the more prepared you will be to face them and the smoother the process if/when you do. Read More. Orchid Advisors is an endorsed compliance information provider for NSSF members.

• ATF, NSSF REWARD HELPS SOLVE OREGON THEFT CASE . . . A joint ATF-NSSF reward has encouraged a citizen to provide information leading to an arrest in the theft of firearms from Wilbur Auction located in Wilbur, Oregon. In the early morning hours of Feb. 5, the FFL was burglarized and approximately 20 firearms, including handguns, rifles, shotguns and AR-15 type lower receivers, were stolen. ATF offered a reward of up to $5,000, which was matched by the NSSF for a total reward of up to $10,000. Most of the firearms have been recovered. Further information is being withheld pending disposition of the case. This reward is part of the ongoing national cooperative initiative between the ATF and NSSF to curb the criminal acquisition and misuse of firearms.

Retailers

• MARY JO HUGHES JOINS NSSF FFL COMPLIANCE CONSULTING TEAM . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that former ATF Director of Industry Operations Mary Jo Hughes has agreed to join the organization as a member of its retail FFL Compliance Consulting Team. NSSF provides a team of Compliance Consultants, all former ATF officials, to work with its members in an advisory capacity and aid them in issues of regulatory compliance. Read the press release.

• ATF Q&A . . . As part of NSSF's goal to provide support for the independent firearms retailers, we've established a free and unlimited 24/7 compliance hotline for our retailer members. Members can call in at any time and receive an answer within 24 hours. Here are two of the questions we received last week. The first question relates to a customer who may be under a restraining order. The second question covers how to record a firearm in your A&D book that does not have the make and model on the barrel, only the serial number. Click on the links to get the answers to these questions and many others.

• CRIME IS DOWN, SO WE CAN RELAX, RIGHT? . . . While any business owner would be wise to periodically shop services provided by alarm companies, the truth is that if today's FFL accepts the status quo and fails to maintain an acceptable level of store security, you encourage a rise in crime by becoming an easier target and, in turn, you increase the risk of firearms falling into the hands of criminals. So what can you do to maintain a culture of store security through both the good times and the bad? Find out here.

Members

• DID YOU KNOW? . . . NSSF's partnership with a U.S. maker of specialized, roll-cover armored firearms display cases provides a special discount for NSSF members. Cases are available in both handgun and long-gun configurations, and cases can be custom configured. Find out more.

News of Note

• NSSF PRESIDENT TELLS IWA ATTENDEES TO SPEAK UP FOR THE INDUSTRY . . ."The key to the preservation of our hunting and shooting sports heritage is not a static defense," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti in a well-received Call to Action speech March 5 at the WFSA Plenary Session held during the IWA show in Germany. "There can be no saying 'new ideas won't work' or that 'we have always done something in a certain way.' We cannot surrender the truth in the war of ideas. We must be proactive." Read Steve Sanetti's full remarks.

• NSSF IN THE NEWS . . . The New York Times, Fox News Channel and many other news outlets across the country included NSSF in their coverage last week. Popular topics included ATF's proposed ban on 5.56 M855 "Green Tip" ammunition as well as the increasing number of women gun owners. View a full wrap-up of NSSF in the News.

• TEAM USA SHOTGUNNERS EARN GOLD AND BRONZE MEDALS, OLYMPIC QUOTA SLOT . . . Shotgun shooters from the U.S. Army Markmanship Unit helped the USA Shooting Team capture gold and bronze medals in men's double trap at the 2015 International Shooting Sports Federation Shotgun World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico, March 5. Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Holguin won the individual gold and earned the USA an Olympic quota slot by besting teammate Sgt. Derek Haldeman in a 52-target shootoff in the semifinals. In the finals, after tying with China's Hu Binyuan by breaking 28 targets, Holguin won another shootoff to earn the gold medal. The victory gives the United States its second and final Olympic quota slot for men's double trap; Sgt. 1st Class Josh Richmond earned the first quota in the 2014 ISSF World Championship.

• LED BY KIM RHODE, USA WOMEN'S SKEET TEAM DOMINATES . . . The USA Shooting trio of Kim Rhode, Caitlin Connor and Morgan Craft represented 50 percent of the women's skeet final and walked away with the top two podium spots and an Olympic quota slot at the International Shooting Sports Federation Shotgun World Cup in Acapulco, Mexico, March 8. Rhode, the five-time Olympic medalist and current Olympic champion, was her usual stellar self on her way to victory. She's competed in four World Cups since her London Olympic gold and the birth of her son, winning three of them and finishing third in the other.

• WORLD RECORD RAM FOUND . . . Boone and Crockett Club reports that a bighorn sheep killed in a highway collision in Alberta has the largest horns ever recorded for the species and has been certified as a new world's record. The horns' final score of 209-4/8 B&C points edged out the previous record holder, a ram taken near Luscar Mountain, Alberta, in 2000 that scores 208-3/8. The 14-year-old ram was hit by a vehicle on a highway west of Longview, Alberta. Boone and Crockett accepts and records legally obtained "pick up" (found) trophies as part of a complete record of native North American big-game species. Other "pick up" world's records include the reigning No. 1 non-typical whitetail deer, tule elk, black bear, grizzly bear and Pacific walrus.

• BOBERG PISTOL TO BENEFIT USA SHOOTING . . . Boberg Arms Corporation, an NSSF member company, has donated a pistol for auction with proceeds going to benefit the USA Olympic Shooting Team. "This is a great cause for a terrific team, and we are glad to participate in supporting them in their pursuit of the gold medal," said company Vice President Melody Boberg. Minnesota-based Boberg Arms has been manufacturing its patented pistols since 2011.

Jobs

• FIREARMS INDUSTRY JOBS . . . Visit nssf.org/jobs for current employment opportunities in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry. Employers: Log in to post a job opening.

NSSF's Mission "To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. " Click here to visit the NSSF website and see how we accomplish this mission.

COPYRIGHT © 2015 by National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. Permission is granted for broadcast, publication, retransmission to email lists, Websites or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, if 1) the text is forwarded in its entirety, including this paragraph, and 2) no fee is charged. "Bullet Points®," "National Shooting Sports Foundation®," "NSSF®," and all other trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos and images of the National Shooting Sports Foundation appearing in this publication are the sole property of the Foundation and may not be used without the Foundation's prior express written permission. All other trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos and images appearing in this publication are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.