NSSF Witness to President Trump Signing Great American Outdoors Act into Law
NSSF®, the trade association for the firearm industry, was honored to be present at the White House as President Donald Trump signed into law the Great American Outdoors Act, H.R. 1957. This historic federal law is among the most meaningful legislative measures for sportsmen conservationists ever.
“This is a proud moment for the firearm industry which supported this legislation to see it passed into law by the Trump administration which has kept the promise that public lands and waters belong to all of America’s sportsmen and women,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Great American Outdoors Act is bold in its scope and historic in the guarantee that public lands and waters will be accessible to America’s conservation-minded hunters and recreational target shooters. Outdoorsmen and women are the greatest stewards of our natural resources of wildlife, natural habitats and conservation-minded traditions that pass along the benefit of the preservation of public lands access for all. This law enables current and future generations of Americans to enjoy and preserve our national outdoor heritage.”
The Great American Outdoors Act delivers on the promise of sustained wildlife conservation, public land hunting and recreational shooting for current and future generations of outdoorsmen and women. The law was conceived with bipartisan support and ensures full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). It addresses the maintenance backlog of public lands and water projects across the United States. Those projects include wildlife habitat conservation, road and trail repairs and increased recreational access to our public lands and waters.
White House Celebrates National Shooting Sports Month
NSSF, the trade association for the firearm industry, is proud to share the Presidential Message on National Shooting Sports Month 2020, in which President Donald Trump commemorates “…our Constitutional right to bear arms by celebrating America’s cherished past time of recreational and competitive shooting sports.” National Shooting Sports Month was developed by NSSF to celebrate, share and invite newcomers and grow participation in the shooting sports.
The Presidential Message recognizes America’s “rich history of fostering responsible gun ownership.” President Trump notes in his message the shooting sports’ history of community events early in the nation’s growth, bringing communities and families together. Those competitions grew and gave rise to 19th century sharpshooters, including Pawnee Bill and Annie Oakley celebrating shooting skills and a national pioneering character.
The White House message, issued during a time of record-setting firearm sales, encourages Americans to participate in the shooting sports, practice safe firearm storage and handling and seek proper instruction. President Trump reiterated his commitment to preserving and safeguarding America’s Second Amendment rights and individual liberties.
“Since my first day in office, I have made clear that my Administration will always protect and defend the Second Amendment,” President Trump wrote in his message. “We will continue to oppose those individuals and policies that attempt to tread on this essential and cherished liberty.” Continue reading
Millions of New Gun Owners Will Enjoy National Shooting Sports Month in August
America’s millions of first-time firearm owners will find National Shooting Sports Month® in August a great time to pursue training and learn about the dozens of target shooting sports they can enjoy with their newly purchased firearm.
Developed by NSSF®, the firearm industry trade association, National Shooting Sports Month reminds everyone—newcomers as well as experienced gun owners—about the safe, fun, exciting activity of target shooting. It’s a pastime more than 52 million Americans, adults and youth, engage in.
What about the coronavirus? Whether you visit an outdoor or indoor range, target shooting is an activity where social distancing can be followed relatively easily. Also, the shooting sports are well-suited to socializing while heeding your state and local coronavirus safety guidelines.
Here’s 10 great reasons to head to the range during National Shooting Sports Month: Continue reading
NSSF Hails Congressional Passage of Great American Outdoors Act
NSSF, the trade association for the firearm industry, praised the U.S. House of Representatives’s bipartisan passage of H.R. 1957, the Great American Outdoors Act. This historic legislation is among the most meaningful legislative measures for sportsmen conservationists ever. The bill now moves to President Donald Trump’s desk.
The Great American Outdoors Act is a leap forward to delivering on the promise of sustained wildlife conservation, public land hunting and recreational shooting for current and future generations of outdoorsmen and women. The bipartisan legislation ensures full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and addresses the maintenance backlog of public lands and water projects across the United States. Those projects include wildlife habitat conservation, road and trail repairs and increased recreational access to our public lands and waters. NSSF is confident that the legislation will be signed into law by President Trump who has previously expressed support for the bill.
“This will be a great example of a promise kept by the Trump Administration for America’s sportsmen and women,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs and General Counsel. “Secretary David Bernhardt and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwith recognize that our nation’s public lands belong to all Americans and the Trump Administration delivered on the guarantee that those lands and waters are accessible to America’s conservation-minded hunters and recreational target shooters. Those men and women are the greatest stewards of our natural resources and this initiative to expand and open new opportunities will nurture the next generation to enjoy and preserve our national outdoor heritage.”
NSSF: 2021 SHOT Show Moving Forward
The Show Must Go On
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has been shutting down businesses and grinding trade shows to a halt (I have missed exhibiting at two and attending another two already), firearms industry trade organization National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has announced that the 2021 SHOT Show will go on as planned.
The Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trades Show, scheduled for January 19-22, is the largest show of its kind. With the expansion into the brand new Caesars Forum, this 43rd iteration of the SHOT Show will be the biggest one yet – featuring nearly three-quarters of a million square feet (nearly 17 acres) of exhibit space.
Despite rumors that several big names are already pulling back from the show over Coronavirus concerns, NSSF said that the SHOT Show team has spent the past month working with industry manufacturers and suppliers to confirm exhibitors and plans to have nearly 3,000 booths on display.
“The health and safety of our attendees, exhibitors, media, and our employees is a foremost priority,” noted NSSF Senior VP, Chris Dolnack. “We are in constant contact with our partners monitoring the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic as well as clarifying important safety protocols and guidelines for large events.”
Dolnack said that, although the 2021 SHOT Show may feel a bit different thanks to health and safety precautions (likely meaning mask requirements, lower attendance, social distancing guidelines, and so on), the critical buying and networking opportunities should be very much the same.
From the opening shots of the invite-only SHOT Show Range Day to the 17 acres of exhibit floor, the GunLink team will be at the show to bring you the latest news, product releases, and reviews as we celebrate our 10th year of SHOT Show coverage.
Stay tuned to the GunLink Blog and GunLink Forums for full coverage and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for live updates before, during, and after the show.
NSSF Likely Voter Survey Shows Firearm Free Choice a Key Election Issue
NSSF
, the trade association for the firearm industry, surveyed likely voters in 18 election battleground states and learned that enforcing existing gun laws and protecting lawful firearms sales is on the forefront of voters’ minds. The survey results can be found here, at NSSF’s website.
NSSF learned that 94 percent surveyed are very likely to vote. Nearly three quarters responded they would be more likely to support a political candidate that supported true firearm safety programs. Nearly 60 percent believe a ban on semiautomatic Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) would not reduce crime in their community and more than half said law-abiding citizens should be able to choose the type of firearm and amount of legal ammunition for lawful use. More than half also oppose a ban on MSRs.
More than half believe self-defense is the primary motivation for firearm ownership. Nearly half surveyed said magazine capacity limits for self-defense would have no effect on crime reduction. Forty-one percent said enforcing existing laws would have an immediate impact on reducing criminal misuse of firearms. Continue reading
