NSSF PAC Achieves Unprecedented Support in 2019
More than $250,000 in contributions, 77 pro-industry legislators supported
The National Shooting Sports Foundation Political Action Committee, NSSF PAC, released its 2019 Year in Review report to members and industry partners announcing over $250,000 in contributions received during the last year. The contribution total represents unprecedented support for the NSSF PAC during an off-election year and places the committee in a strong position to support pro-firearm and ammunition industry legislators during the 2020 election year.
“NSSF had a tremendously successful 2019 and accomplished our mission to place member companies in the best position to be successful moving forward,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF PAC Treasurer and Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs. “With the financial resources the NSSF PAC received from our friends in the firearm, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry last year, we look forward to working to elect even more pro-industry, pro-sportsmen and pro-Second Amendment allies to join us in Washington, D.C. after November’s elections.”
Highlights included in detail in the 2019 NSSF PAC Year in Review: Continue reading
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Seeks Comments on Firearm Possession Revision
Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) published an announcement to seek public comment on a proposed revision to an existing regulation governing the possession and transportation of firearms and other sporting equipment at USACE managed projects and locations.
Currently, sportsmen and women are prohibited from possessing firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment on USACE managed lands and waters unless the equipment is unloaded during transportation to hunting and fishing sites, in possession at authorized shooting ranges, or written permission has been received from a USACE District Commander. As such, sportsmen and women may not possess such equipment for personal protection while participating in outdoor recreation activities unless they have received written permission.
This proposed revision will eliminate the requirement to obtain written permission to carry a firearm and other equipment on USACE projects, which will strengthen the ability of sportsmen and women to safely participate in hunting and fishing on federal lands and waters. Furthermore, the proposal will also align USACE’s regulations to be more consistent with other federal land management agencies as well as state and local regulations regarding the possession for firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
Vortex Optics Awarded OTA for the US Army’S Competitively Solicited Next Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control (NGSW-FC) Prototype Program
For the last 18 years, innovation has meant everything to Vortex Optics. It’s meant our emergence as a leader in the sport optics industry. It’s allowed us to provide our customers the tools they need to pursue and protect what matters most in their lives.
But starting today, our dedication to innovation means something even more.
We’re honored to announce that the US Army – PM Soldier Lethality awarded Vortex an agreement to deliver the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Fire Control (NGSW-FC) Production Ready Prototypes for Soldier TouchPoint (STP) evaluations.
As a direct-view optic, the 1-8×30 Active Reticle Fire Control provides everything you’d expect from a variable-power, first focal plane riflescope. When augmented with an overlaid digital display, however, it provides features unheard of in a traditional small arms fire control.
“As a veteran-owned, non-traditional defense contractor, it’s very important to us that we listen to warfighters,” said Sam Hamilton, Chief Technical Officer at Vortex Optics. “When we learned of the soldier’s need for increased lethality out of their squad weapons—combined with the Small Arms Ammunition Configuration (SAAC) study, which proved that advancements in electro-optical fire control had the greatest potential to increase soldier’s lethality—we knew there was an important capability gap we could fill.” Continue reading
ATF Seeks Assistance with Cold Case
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect responsible for the burglary and theft of multiple firearms and firearm silencers from Schupbach’s Sporting Goods, located at 141 W. Pearl Street, Jackson, Michigan, on May 8, 2013.
On that date, an unknown individual entered the business at approximately 4:30 p.m. and concealed himself in the business. After closing time, the male suspect emerged and stole two firearms and 15 firearms silencers. To date, none of those stolen items have been recovered. The individual may be a suspect in another unrelated crime. Given the passage of time, this individual may have left the Michigan area.
Anyone with information about this crime or recognizing this person should contact ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867). Information can also be sent to ATFTips@atf.gov, or through ATF’s website at www.atf.gov/contact/atftips. Tips can be submitted anonymously using the Reportit app or by visiting www.reportit.com.
SAF Sues Georgia County, Judge Asserting Deprivation of Rights
The Second Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition today filed suit in federal district court in Georgia, in a case alleging Cherokee County and Probate Court Judge Keith Wood have violated the constitutional rights of citizens by ordering that the county would not accept applications for Weapons Carry Licenses during the coronavirus outbreak.
The case names Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia Department of Public Safety Commissioner Gary Vowell, Cherokee County, and Judge Wood, in their official capacities.
SAF and FPC filed the action in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, on behalf of one of their members, Lisa Walters. According to the 16-page federal complaint, Walters’ husband contacted the probate court several days ago to inquire about her ability to obtain a carry license. The county informed Walters’ husband that the order to not accept license applications will remain in effect.
The case is known as Walters v. Kemp. Plaintiffs are represented by attorney Adam Kraut of Sacramento, Calif., John R. Monroe of Dawsonville, Ga., and Raymond M. DiGuiseppe of Southport, N.C. Continue reading
NRA, SAF, FPC, et al. File Lawsuit Against Anti-Gun New Mexico Governor
Suit is Among Many filed in Fight Against Gun Store Closures During COVID-19 Pandemic
The National Rifle Association (NRA) and other pro-Second Amendment organizations filed a lawsuit in New Mexico today challenging anti-gun Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s use of emergency powers and her COVID-19 statewide order to shut down firearm retailers and ranges.
“Politicians imperil our families by declaring our fundamental right of self defense ‘non-essential’ while they free criminals,” said Jason Ouimet, executive director, National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action. “As always, the NRA and its membership will continue to fight every hypocrite who enjoys armed security while denying American families their essential access to firearms.”
The NRA filed the suit in U.S. Distict Court with the Second Amendment Foundation, the Firearms Policy Coalition, the Mountain States Legal Foundation, and the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association.
Grisham has exploited this crisis to continue her attack on the rights of law-abiding citizens. Other Democratic colleagues of hers, in states such as Colorado, have deemed gun stores and ranges “essential” and protected residents’ right to purchase and own guns.
A copy of the lawsuit can be found here.
