PROJECT CHILDSAFE IN PITTSBURGH . . . As industry leaders arrived in Pittsburgh for the NSSF Industry Summit, NSSF teamed up with the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to launch the Project ChildSafe program in the area. Free firearms safety materials, including gun locks, are available to area residents through the program. The industry’s “Own It? Respect It. Secure it.” campaign is also on full display in Pittsburgh this week, with safety messages along the interstate and in the airport.
2016 NSSF INDUSTRY SUMMIT UNDERWAY . . . Leaders from throughout the industry are convening this week in Pittsburgh at the NSSF Industry Summit. After an opening reception last night at PNC Park, there will be two days of informative sessions today and Wednesday, highlighting trends, challenges and opportunities. Follow along on social media with the hashtag #NSSFSummit.
THANK YOU TO LATEST NSSF EVENT SPONSORS . . . Joseph Chiarello & Co. has signed as a Bronze-level sponsor of the 2016 NSSF Industry Summit. For more information on sponsorship opportunities for upcoming events, contact Chris Tatulli at ctatulli@nssf.org.
THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION YEAR EVER, HELP SPREAD THE #GUNVOTE WORD . . . 2016 is one of the most important election years ever for our industry. With the voting balance of the U.S. Supreme Court at stake, this election could very well determine the future of our Second Amendment rights. It is crucial that all segments of our industry help our employees, our business partners and our customers become informed about all candidates’ positions on our issues and spread the message about #GUNVOTE, NSSF’s voter education initiative. You can start by visiting our newly redesigned #GUNVOTE site. Download and display the NSSF #GUNVOTE icon on your company’s website and social media pages. Display #GUNVOTE materials in your stores, plants and offices. Finally, encourage your employees and customers to register to vote and on Election Day in November, to #GUNVOTE.
NSSF Statement on ‘Under the Gun’
NSSF Statement on ‘Under the Gun’ . . . NSSF on Friday issued a statement after learning of comments made in a videotaped interview that indicated a producer of the Katie Couric documentary “Under the Gun” may have committed at least four federal felonies involving illegal purchases of firearms. It also appears that the film’s director may be guilty of engaging in a conspiracy to violate federal firearms laws and/or aiding and abetting the commission of the crimes her producer engaged in. See the NSSF Statement.
Retailers/Ranges
NSSF PARTNERS WITH ORCHID ADVISORS TO CREATE FIREARMS COMPLIANCE UNIVERSITY . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Orchid Advisors to create the Firearms Compliance University, a new online, continuing education forum for Federal Firearm Licensees (FFLs). FFLs can choose to take a one-day course, subscribe to ongoing education for a yearly subscription, or take part in the program’s Graduate Student advanced coursework. Read the NSSF press release for more information.
FIREARMS RETAILER SECURITY CONFERENCE . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that registration is open for its newest educational event, the Firearms Retailer Security Conference. The 2016 Firearms Retailer Security Conference will be held August 16-17 in Atlanta, Georgia. Register today.
ILL. BILL AFFECTING FFLS DIES WITH END OF SESSION . . . The Illinois State House ended its regular legislative session last week without again taking up HB106, the Gun Dealer Licensing Act strongly opposed by NSSF and previously defeated on the House floor, 55-43. The sponsor had withdrawn the bill after that vote and it could have been brought up again. The measure would have had detrimental impacts on FFLs and law-abiding gun-owners alike. The bill’s management was characterized by legislative game playing.
Government Relations
NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR MAY 2016 . . . The May 2016 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 928,532 is an increase of 1.1 percent compared to the May 2015 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 918,707. For comparison, the unadjusted May 2016 FBI NICS figure of 1,860,699 reflects an 18.4 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 1,570,893 in May 2015. To learn more about last month’s NICS report, log in to the member side of nssf.org.
Research
DID YOU KNOW? . . . NSSF members receive a discount on hardware designed to reduce liabilities associated with mechanical keys and locks. Properly securing your store, warehouse and outbuildings are paramount to the success of your business, and a robust controlled access program can enhance your compliance policies. Learn more.
ATF Q&A . . . Many great questions came in on our 24/7 NSSF member compliance hotline last week. The first question asks how an FFL should respond to a police officer’s request for an original Form 4473. The second question asks if a juvenile (18 and under) can possess a handgun on the business premises of a licensee.
‘IN-DEPTH LOOK AT SECTION A OF FORM 4473’ WEBINAR, JUNE 13 . . . Join former ATF Deputy Assistant Director and NSSF Compliance Consultant Harry McCabe as he covers Section A of the 4473 form. This in-depth review, taking place June 13, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT, is designed to help reduce errors and answer the common questions retailers and their customers have about the Form 4473. This webinar is only available for NSSF members. Register today.
CALIF. ASSEMBLY CONTINUES ASSAULT ON GUN OWNERS . . . The California Assembly waived the rules and approved bills NSSF will continue to fight in the Senate. AB 1664 would redefine “detachable magazine” as any ammunition feeding device that can be removed without disassembling the action. AB 1673 would redefine firearm to include any “unfinished” receiver or frame that can be “readily converted” to a functional frame or receiver. AB 1674 would prohibit purchases of more than one firearm a month, both handguns and long guns.
STATE ROUNDUP . . . Smart gun legislation was again before a New Jersey state legislative committee last week only six months after Gov. Christie vetoed a previous attempt to replace the state’s smart gun mandate with another form of mandate. In North Carolina, Senate Bill 889 to amend the state Constitution to protect hunting and fishing for generations to come was recently introduced. In the waning hours of the session, the Illinois Senate failed to take up legislation to permit possession and use of suppressors.
Read NSSF’s latest Government Relations Update for more.
News of Note
NO CLEO CERTIFICATION FOR NFA TRANSFERS . . . The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has issued an open letter to Chief Law Enforcement Officers (CLEOs) informing them that under a new rule effective July 13, 2016, their certification is no longer required before the transfer or making of an NFA firearm. Background checks will continue to be required, however. Applications to make or transfer NFA firearms that are postmarked prior to the effective date will be processed under current rules.
NSSF IN THE NEWS . . . Forbes, HBO, The Federalist, FoxNews, Washington Times, POLITICO, E&E and many other news outlets across the country included NSSF in their coverage in recent days. Popular topics included business trends, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, modern sporting rifles, Project ChildSafe, NSSF’s Shooting Sports Fantasy Camp and more. View a full wrap-up of NSSF in the News.