NSSF

· NSSF OFFERS LINKS TO CONGRESS . . . To make it easier and quicker for our ‘net-driven readers to reach their members of Congress, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is providing a “Legislative Action Center” on the NSSF and related Web sites (www.nssf.org). The Action Center offers a directory of state legislatures, the Congress and all federal agencies, a guide to current issues and pending federal legislation, and a listing of media outlets across the country. Now, with just a click of a mouse, you can find your U.S. representative or senator, including their committee assignments and voting records and their legislative aides, and call, write or e-mail them. A special section offers tips on how to compose correspondence. The status of pending legislation can be found by using a simple “keyword” search. The Media Guide section lists local, regional and national newspapers, radio and television stations and networks, and provides on-line writing of letters to the editor.

· STATE PREEMPTION LAWS CURB INDUSTRY SUITS . . . With the enactment last week of a North Dakota law barring municipalities from suing the firearm industry, and the expected signing of a similar law by the governor of Indiana, 25 states have now sent a clear message to their city and county governments — politically driven lawsuits that seek to bankrupt gun manufacturers and usurp the state’s legislative authority to regulate firearms will not be tolerated. Two other states, Florida and Ohio, are currently considering preemption legislation. Those states that have already enacted such laws include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. In Missouri, the state enacted a “loser pay” law that inhibits the kind of reckless and groundless suits being filed against the industry by imposing court costs and attorneys’ fees on municipalities if they lose their case. In Wyoming, the legislature passed a strongly worded resolution that urges the state attorney general to act on behalf of the industry should such a lawsuit be filed.
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· SCHOLASTIC TRAP PROGRAM HELD FIRST COMPETITION . . . The inaugural Scholastic Trapshooting Program’s first competition was held Saturday, April 14, at the Missouri Trapshooters Association facility in Linn Creek, MO. This cooperative effort by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Amateur Trapshooting Association promises to be one of the hottest events this spring and summer, as it brings local junior high and senior high school-aged teams from around United States together to vie for the title of National Scholastic Trapshooting Team Champion. If you would like additional information about the MTA facility, contact Nancy Pruett at 573-346-2449. For more information about the Scholastic Trapshooting Program, go to the NSSF Web site at www.nssf.org or contact Scott Moore at smoore@nssf.org.
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CONGRESSIONAL BATTLE LOOMS OVER GUN SHOW ISSUE . . . The stage is being set for a renewed gun control debate in Congress as U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) are reportedly working together on legislation to require background checks on all firearm sales at gun shows. Word that the two are drafting a bill that may also include a government requirement for gun locks coincides with a newly announced national television ad campaign aimed at closing the so-called "gun show loophole." The ads are being launched by Americans for Gun Safety (AGS), a new advocacy group headed by the ex-chief of staff to former HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo, which bills itself as a "non-partisan" organization claiming to support the rights of gun ownership and to seek only "common sense" gun laws. AGS was actively involved in ballot initiatives that passed last fall in Oregon and Colorado requiring gun show background checks. McCain appeared in TV ads for the group in those efforts. Current law requires federally licensed gun dealers selling at gun shows to run a background check on purchasers, but non-dealers are not required to do so. Gun show legislation passed both houses of Congress last year but died in conference committee when agreement could not be reached over how much time to allow for conducting the checks.
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SCHOLASTIC TRAPSHOOTING REGISTRATION LIVE ON 'NET . . . Any sponsoring group or coach can sign up a youth shooting team in the new National Scholastic Trapshooting Program by going to the NSSF Web site, www.nssf.org. Look for the flashing Scholastic Trapshooting icon on the top of the home page, click on it and follow the simple directions. The National Scholastic Trapshooting Program is open to junior and senior high school-age students. To find out more, visit the NSSF Web site, read the press release and consider sponsoring a team today.
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ASHCROFT FAVORS ENFORCEMENT, NOT NEW GUN LAWS . . . U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft made it clear that he feels the nation has "enough [gun] laws on the books" and that enforcement of current laws is the answer to criminal violence. He stressed that the Justice Dept. was "going to take a hard line on people who used guns in the commission of crime . . . We should nail them," Ashcroft said.
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· PHILADELPHIA’S LAWSUIT AGAINST INDUSTRY DISMISSED . . . The City of Philadelphia’s effort to hold the firearm industry responsible for criminal violence was unequivocally rejected by a federal judge in a ruling December 20 that dismissed the city’s lawsuit against 14 gun manufacturers. U.S. District Judge Berle M. Schiller ruled that the city had no legal standing to sue, and that Pennsylvania law expressly forbids municipalities from regulating firearms or filing such legal actions against the gun makers. That power was reserved to the state legislature. Schiller gave little credence to the city’s case, noting that its “novel legal theories” failed as a matter of law. The city is expected to appeal.

“We are extremely pleased by Judge Schiller’s ruling. This decision strengthens our resolve to fight these politically motivated lawsuits,” commented Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF vice president and general counsel. “The court reaffirmed that there is no basis, legal or otherwise, to hold a responsible industry accountable for the actions of criminals.”

Pennsylvania is one of a growing number of states to enact laws preventing municipalities from suing the firearm industry, and the Philadelphia ruling is the first to apply such a law to an industry lawsuit. The National Rifle Association worked with state legislators to pass the law last year. NRA also worked for the adoption of similar laws in Georgia and Louisiana where court decisions are pending in lawsuits in Atlanta and New Orleans.

Philadelphia joins Camden County, Chicago, Miami, Bridgeport (Connecticut) and Cincinnati in having its lawsuit dismissed.
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● CLINTON ACKNOWLEDGES NRA IMPACT . . . There is no doubt that widespread voter turnout by American gun owners influenced the outcome of this year’s elections, most notably in the race for the White House, but in the House of Representatives as well. Despite Vice President Al Gore winning the overall popular vote due to his margins in major metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, he ultimately lost because he failed to win the electoral vote in such key swing states as Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and his home-state of Tennessee, all targeted by the NRA and the NSSF for major voter registration and turnout drives to reach hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts. The NRA’s effort was specifically cited by President Bill Clinton in a recent interview with Dan Rather on CBS’s “Sixty Minutes,” where the President said that “in at least five states I can think of, the NRA had a decisive influence . . . They’ve probably had more to do than anyone else in the fact that we didn’t win the House this time. And, they hurt Al Gore.” This is not the first time the President has credited the gun-owner vote with influencing an election. In 1994, when the Republicans swept to power in both houses of Congress, Clinton admitted that the Democratic Party’s and his administration’s anti-gun positions “cost us the election.”
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● “BLUE DOG” DEMOCRATS REJECT GUN CONTROL ISSUE . . . A coalition of some 30 conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives, blaming their party’s failure to win back the House because of the gun control issue, are urging their party to drop it from the Democratic agenda. The group believes the issue hurt Democratic candidates in many races. “As we analyzed what happened and why we’re not successful in some of these races, that [gun control] just stands out,” said U.S. Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR). House Democratic leadership aides blame the Clinton administration’s aggressive stance on gun control for the party’s poor showing. “We don’t want it to be part of the Democratic agenda. We just don’t think it’s a good issue for the party,” Berry said.
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● PHILADELPHIA ADOPTS GUN REGISTRATION ORDINANCE . . . In what is sure to spark another round of legal action in the “City of Brotherly Love,” the city council recently passed a new gun registration law requiring residents with firearm permits to submit annually a list of all the guns they own. Observers note that state law preempts municipal governments from attempting to regulate firearms ownership, and a legal challenge to the new ordinance is sure to follow. The city has twice before attempted to enact gun controls that were subsequently overruled by the courts.
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CANADA ISSUES NEW REGULATIONS FOR VISITORS WITH GUNS . . . The Canadian government has issued new requirements for travelers taking firearms into the country. Under the new Firearms Act, visitors who do not have a current Canadian firearms license must report their firearms to customs agents at the border, complete a non-resident Declaration Form (in triplicate), have it confirmed by a customs officer, and pay a $50 (Canadian) fee. Once confirmed, the Declaration Form will act as a temporary license and registration certificate valid for 60 days, and may be renewed at any time during a 12-month period without paying an additional fee. Visitors who intend to borrow a firearm while in Canada must obtain a Temporary Borrowing License for $30 (Canadian) that must be completed before arrival in the country. A confirmed Declaration Form and/or Temporary Borrowing License are required for visitors to purchase ammunition while in Canada. The non-resident Declaration Form is available at the border, or by calling 1-800-731-4000, or at www.cfc.gc.ca under "visitors." The Borrower's form is available at the above number or at www.cfc.gfc.ca under "visitors." The Canadian government warns visitors with firearms that they are subject to the same safe storage and transportation regulations as resident firearm owners, are prevented from bringing in certain firearms prohibited in Canada, and that certain restricted firearms require an Authorization to Transport form before arriving at the border.

Reports on the 2001 SHOT SHOW in New Orleans. Record-breaking SHOT SHOW Mirrors Strength of Hunting and Shooting Traditions

NEW ORLEANS-With a show floor stretching nearly a mile long and exhibitors filling a record-breaking 486,200 net square feet of floor space, the 2001 SHOT SHOW was a reaffirmation of the strength of the nation's hunting and shooting traditions.

Overall attendance was 25,291, which included 12,857 retailers, 11,234 exhibitor personnel and 1,200 press professionals. Buyer registration was down 6.8 percent from the Atlanta show in 1999 and more than 20 percent below record attendance numbers in Las Vegas.

The record-setting exhibitor space of 486,200 net square feet easily surpassed the 465,600 of last year's Show. More than 447,000 square feet has already been sold for the 2002 SHOT SHOW at the Las Vegas Convention Center February 2-5.

State of the Industry

The Show featured a well-attended State of the Industry Report at which Robert T. Delfay, President NSSF, explained that "the foundation is in place" to empower all segments of industry to determine its future. "How many deer rifles, turkey guns, 12-gauge trap loads, 7mm reloading dyes, telescopic sights and how many yards of fuzzy tree camo pattern will be sold next year is not already preordained by some naysayer, some demographic trend or some anti-gun politician," Delfay said. "We can impact these sales this year and next. The foundation is in place to do this."

Among the blocks in the "foundation" that Delfay and other speakers described are the industry's multi-faceted efforts in public outreach, participation, political action and legal responses to municipal lawsuits.

"As proof of the industry's strength and growth potential, you need to look no further than the nearly one mile-long floor of this 23rd annual SHOT SHOW-once again the largest in our history. It is an extraordinary success and a tribute to your association, to our industry and to the strength of what we stand for. The foundation for growth is in place," Delfay said.

At the State of the Industry meeting, the National Wild Turkey Federation announced a $1 million contribution to the Heritage Fund to help support and preserve the nation's hunting and shooting sports traditions.

The SHOT SHOW featured well-attended seminars that brought together firearms retailers and representatives from the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to discuss important issues such as the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and Don't Lie for the Other Guy, the joint NSSF-ATF developed program that helps prevent illegal straw man purchases.

The SHOT SHOW continues to grow and its success in New Orleans mirrors the overall strength of the shooting sports. "Twenty-three years ago, another trade show did not share our industry's vision about the future of the hunting and shooting sports and so we left that show and started our own," said Delfay. "Today that other show no longer exists, but the SHOT SHOW is the largest show of its kind in the world and 35th largest in the United States. We attribute that to hard work, great products and a growing industry unity - all of which are on display at the SHOT SHOW."

Comments by Doug Painter, Executive Director NSSF:

Beginning in 1986, NSSF commissioned a nationwide survey of hunting and shooting sports participation every five years, and our latest study, conducted last year, points to a range of positive trends:

Reflecting many new efforts to encourage hunting activity, 24% of all hunters said they hunted more frequently last season as compared with only 15% who said they hunted more in 1986. Underscoring our continuing successes in wildlife management, a record 92% of hunters hunted deer last year, the percent of hunters going turkey hunting more than doubled over the past 15 years and, after a decade of decline, the number of hunters going duck hunting increased by more than 25% during just the past five years.

A strong promotional emphasis on the shooting sports is also paying dividends. 77% of hunters say they now participate in target shooting as compared to only 47% in 1986 and frequency of participation in all disciplines has risen steadily among core participants. So the good news is that we haven’t been standing still. But, we must continue to develop and promote appealing entry points to our sports, the kind of introductory programs at the grassroots level that open the door to newcomers and create a pathway for continued participation.

To further this goal, we are very pleased to announce a new partnership with the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and more than 120 ATA-affiliated clubs in 20 states. This cooperative effort has resulted in a new shooting sports program for junior high and high school-age students that will culminate in a first-of-its-kind national high school team championship and the 2001 Grand American.

As we expand this program to other shooting disciplines this year, we will be taking a major step forward in providing every young adult in the country who has an interest in our sports the opportunity to get started. Hunter education courses are the entry point to our sports for hundreds of thousands of future hunters each year. To help ensure that this door is wide open and accessible to everyone who wants to hunt, we are pleased to announce a major expansion of our partnership with the International Hunter Education Association through a One Million Dollar challenge grant to the IHEA. Our award-winning Step Outside program has made tremendous progress by mobilizing current hunters and shooters to act as recruiters and mentors for newcomers through hands-on introductions to our sports. And, our partners at the Women’s Shooting Sports Foundation (WSSF) are focusing their efforts in precisely the same direction by ensuring that women interested in our sports have the opportunity to get started in a supportive and woman-friendly environment. The National Association of Shooting Ranges, a new division of NSSF, is helping to ensure that new and current shooters are met with a friendly and welcoming attitude when they arrive at a shooting range. And, as we clear the path for new entry into our sports we must also focus on building a better public understanding of our sports and our industry’s tradition of safety and responsibility. As we build for the future, we cannot expect potential customers to join our ranks or for the public to support the traditions we stand for if we fail to effectively tell our side of the story. So, the good news is that we haven’t been standing still. But, as we look ahead, we also realize that from now on we’re going to have to run faster.

SCHOLASTIC TRAPSHOOTING PROGRAM LAUNCHED . . . NSSF has announced a partnership between the nation's clay target governing bodies and sportsman's clubs across the country to launch an aggressive shooting sports program for students in the junior high and high school age groups. The Scholastic Shooting Program will feature team competition in trap, skeet and sporting clays supported with NSSF grants and by affiliated sportsman's clubs. The program will emphasize safe firearm handling and shooting skills and provide for competition at the local, state and national level, while increasing interest in the shooting sports. The inaugural competition will be trap and will be known as the Scholastic Trapshooting Program (STP). Joining NSSF in this effort is the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA), including its affiliated state associations, and state wildlife agencies, in a partnership with more than 120 ATA-affiliated gun clubs in 20 states, over 60 teams have signed on for this first-of-its kind program.

If you would like to sponsor a team through your company or store, or would like additional information, please contact Scott Moore at 203-426-1320 or at smoore@nssf.org.

CITIES’ SUITS AGAINST GUN MAKERS
SUFFER MAJOR DEFEAT

BATON ROUGE, LA – The City of New Orleans’ landmark lawsuit against gun makers, which sought to hold these manufacturers responsible for the criminal use of their legal and non-defective products, was today dismissed by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

In filing the first-of-its-kind lawsuit in October of 1998, New Orleans officials and attorneys acknowledged that their ultimate goal was to pressure firearms makers into accepting municipally-imposed restrictions on their businesses. In response to the suit, however, the Louisiana legislature and Governor Mike Foster acted quickly to assert and protect the state’s authority to regulate firearms by enacting a law that prohibits Louisiana cities from suing firearms manufacturers for the lawful sale and distribution of firearms.

In its decision today, the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that the state’s preemption statute could be applied retroactively to dismiss the City’s suit without violating either the United States or the Louisiana state constitutions.

The Supreme Court ruled the New Orleans suit was “. . . an indirect attempt to regulate [at the local level] the lawful design, manufacture, marketing and sale of firearms.” The Court said the preemption law was passed “in the interest of the public” and that state regulation of firearms “is of vital interest to the citizens of Louisiana” which “preserves the public safety and welfare.” The Court noted that municipal suits that attempt to regulate the firearms industry would result in haphazard and inconsistent rules which would threaten public safety.

“We are pleased that the Louisiana Supreme Court has a greater respect for the authority of the state legislature and the constitutionally prescribed legislative process than does the Mayor of New Orleans and his Handgun Control, Inc. allies,” said Robert T. Delfay, president and chief executive officer of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the major trade association for the firearms and recreational shooting sports industry.

Since the New Orleans suit, some 30 similar suits have been filed across the country. Of these, 14 have been decided, with 13 being fully or partially dismissed. In addition to Louisiana, 23 other state legislatures have enacted preemption laws to protect their authority to regulate firearms and to preclude politically motivated and inconsistent regulations threatening public safety.

Shooting tips of the Century:

"If you think you can, or if you think you can't... you're right!"

Do it big, or stay in bed.

Be anchored to some ideal, philosophy or cause that keeps you too excited to sleep.

Practice being excited!

Have the guts to go!

More powerful than the will to win is the courage to begin

Do one thing after another, one at a time.

Never try to catch two frogs with one hand

When one must, one can!

Change your thoughts and you change your world.

Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.

Shoot as if it is impossible to fail!

When things go wrong, don't go with them!

Forget tomorrow, today is the day!

Don't fear what you want.

He conquers who endures!

Big shots are only little shots who keep shooting!

The real sin is to persuade oneself that the second best is anything but second best.

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.

"To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life"
Robert Louis Stevenson

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got!

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, even though checkered by failure, than to live in that gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat...”
Teddy Roosevelt

Gun control is not about guns;
it's about control!

Press on!
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: Nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent!

Hit just one more target, why not!

The squeaky wheel doesn't always get greased, it often gets replaced.

From self alone expect applause.

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