Bullet Points

NSSF · Post by **NSSF** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 1:05 pm

Vol. 4 No. 44 November 3, 2003

Please feel free to forward Bullet Points to your friends.

RECORD BREAKING INDUSTRY PROMOTION OF GUN SAFETY ADDRESSES WORRIES ABOUT FIREARM ACCIDENTS
Launching in another ten states this month, Project ChildSafe has already distributed a record 1.5 million gun locks in the past 60 days, helped by a multi-state rollout in October — to New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, Connecticut and New York. Positive media coverage drives interested gun owners, or their family members, to the Project ChildSafe Web site to find distribution locations for the locks they want. The NSSF-developed Web site is a valuable program tool, with distribution locations posted within 24 hours of deliveries to participating law enforcement agencies. Firearm owners can also sign up for a quarterly e-mailed gun safety reminder at the site.
In November, Project ChildSafe will be visiting Montana, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, Wyoming, Nevada, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Illinois.

At Connecticut’s official launch, NSSF President Doug Painter joined Lt. Governor Jodi Rell, who commented, "You have a right to own a gun, but you also have a responsibility to store it safely.”
NRA DAYS AT RSR . . . To show its support for and continued commitment to the shooting sports, RSR Group, Inc., is holding one "NRA Day" each quarter beginning with November 17 this year, the 132nd anniversary of the founding of the National Rifle Association. All net profits generated by the outdoor wholesaler at all five RSR locations for that day will be donated to the NRA-ILA, the organization's lobbying arm. Bob Steger, RSR President and CEO, says "We are thankful to have profits to donate, and we owe that in part to the NRA-ILA and its work." Steger, whose company is also a member of the NSSF and the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Fund, encourages other companies to likewise show their commitment to preservation of the shooting sports and notes that the second NRA Day at RSR will be February 12, 2004, the opening day of the SHOT Show.
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY RALLY TO SUPPORT LAWFUL COMMERCE IN ARMS . . . The latest group to endorse S. 659 is the American Insurance Association (AIA), representing more than 400 insurance companies which write more than $118 billion in premiums annually. Its members share the concerns other business and organized labor groups have about the threat junk lawsuits represent to America's entire economy, not just the firearm industry. The nation's largest insurance trade group writes, "In recent years there has been an increase in speculative lawsuits designed to achieve policy objectives through the judicial process. Many of these suits are based on theories without a foundation in U.S. common law and jurisprudence and do not represent a bona fide expansion of the common law. They cost time and money to defend. Your legislation is a balanced approach that will prevent such lawsuits against the firearms industry for criminal or unlawful misuse of their products by making clear that a cause of action does not exist for such suits. It does not prohibit legitimate suits against wrongdoers for defective products or for certain illegal acts." You'll find all the letters of support in an Acrobat file at http://www.heritagefund.org/PDF/support.pdf.
FBI REPORTS DOWNWARD SPIRAL CONTINUES . . . Violent crime reported to law enforcement in 2002 decreased 0.9 percent over the previous year, with 1.4 million estimated offenses. Five-year and 10-year trend data revealed the estimated number of violent crimes was 7.0 percent lower than the 1998 number and 25.9 percent less than the 1993 number. The weapon data collected for murder, robbery and aggravated assault showed that offenders used personal weapons, such as hands, fists, and feet, in 31.2 percent of these crimes. Firearms were involved in 26.8 percent of murders, robberies and aggravated assaults, and knives or cutting instruments were used in 14.9 percent. Other types of weapons were used in 27.1 percent of murders, robberies, and aggravated assaults. See more details in a Federal Bureau of Identification news release.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS . . . Today's announcement of a manufacturing surge in October and word that the third quarter Gross Domestic Product jumped 7.2% isn't the only good news for firearm retailers. "Tom Gresham's Gun Talk" radio show surveyed consumers on his Web site and discovered that more than 90 percent of those responding say they plan to buy a firearm before the end of 2003. "That's an astounding percentage," said Gresham, "but it mirrors what I hear every week from callers on the radio show. They have been sitting on their wallets through the stock market decline ... and now they want to buy guns." When asked, "Do you plan to buy a gun before the end of 2003?" 61% of respondents in the unscientific sampling said yes to a new gun, 21% yes to a used one and 9% planned gifts of a firearm for someone else.
DODGING THE BULLET . . . There are 40 million Americans who hunt and target shoot each year. So, Democrat front runners for their party's presidential nomination have never been more challenged trying to please both sides on an issue than they are these days on guns. John Kerry staged a pheasant hunt in Iowa, complete with shotgun for reporters to see, and then accused rival Howard Dean of being too cozy with the gun lobby. Dean, while governor in Vermont with it's abundant population of sportsmen, said he would not support a ban on semi-automatics. Now his camp claims that was true only at the state level and not for the federal ban on so-called "assault weapons." Retired general Wesley Clark, who admits to many guns safely stored in his Arkansas home while he was in the Army, gave this apologetic explanation to a New Hampshire audience, "My son was never exposed to guns back then because I didn't believe it was necessary, and I don't believe it now."
GETTING IT THERE FOR LESS . . . The NSSF FedEx Program combines the purchasing power of over 2,000 NSSF members to provide substantial savings opportunities on FedEx Priority and Standard Overnight Letters and Packages, FedEx International Services, FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery. This program provides all NSSF members with real savings and the convenience of single billing for all their delivery needs. Already have a FedEx account? Just complete a one-page enrollment agreement to start saving immediately. NSSF members may enroll by contacting Shane Hotchkiss at 203-426-1320.
CWD NEWS
A NEW WEB SITE . . . For reports on research matters, the US Geological Survey's Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit in Wisconsin has developed a new display for chronic wasting disease (CWD). Located at http://wildlife.wisc.edu/coop/CWD/CWD_Introduction.html, this website describes the research projects underway at the research unit and provides a bibliography of the unit's current publications and presentations. For the latest general information about Chronic Wasting Disease, check the NSSF-supported CWD-Info Web site's News and Updates section.
NEW REPORTS IN WYOMING . . .The Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports additional areas where CWD has been found. The latest cases are in the Black Hills area of northeastern Wyoming. Two mule deer and two white-tailed deer in four northeastern Wyoming hunt areas tested positive for the fatal brain malady during recent sampling efforts. These positives are near the towns of Lusk and Moorcroft.
ALASKA CHECKING . . .The Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports it will test 500 deer and as many elk as possible for CWD on Kodiak Island this fall. They are working with USDA-APHIS to conduct tests to determine if CWD has infected cervids in that state.
MICHIGAN ACTS . . .The Michigan Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force, appointed earlier this year by Governor Jennifer Granholm, has issued its final report of recommendations for keeping the disease out of Michigan. A full copy of the report can be downloaded from the Michigan State Government Web
site at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/cwd_f ... 5838_7.pdf
AROUND THE STATES
MARYLAND . . . In its zeal to ban toy guns that might be used by criminals, the Annapolis city council is widening the definition of "toy" to mean replica guns. That has re-enactors facing the possibility of a $1,000 fine just for possessing or transporting their black powder arms in or through town. The Washington Post reports that, while elected officials are puzzling about the issue, some of the people who recently testified against the idea are clear on the concept. "There are more common-sense ways to deal with crime," said Annapolis resident Laura Townsend. "I don't know why we are making it illegal to have a toy gun, when it is legal to have a real one."
A VOTE IN WISCONSIN . . . This Wednesday, the Assembly votes on the Wisconsin Personal Protection Act, AB 444, to provide for concealed carry in the state. The Senate has already given its approval to a similar bill, but Governor Jim Doyle has promised to veto it. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently published a guest opinion article by Dave Workman, senior editor at Gun Week, in support of the measure.
MONTANA GAME SUITS . . . Montana has won another victory in the ongoing lawsuits over the voter passed initiative banning new game farms and outlawing the “hunting” of captive animals. U.S. District Judge Sam Haddon ruled against game farmers who claimed the state robbed them of property rights. Haddon rejected the game farmers' claim, noting that landowners have no "absolute or unfettered right" to operate game farms. What's more, he ruled, the state has a legitimate interest in protecting wildlife.
AROUND THE INTERNET
WE NEED MORE HUNTERS . . . With autumn's falling leaves weaving a new forest carpet, it's time to reflect on the declining number of human participants in one of nature's oldest pursuits. Cleverly titled, "Hunter Orange Gets Grayer, Michael Hill writes about the aging of America's hunters, and James Swan points out what a valuable resource there is in harvested game. Even The Washington Post sees the need for more hunters, especially the paper's columnist Marc Fisher, whose car recently went to the body shop after a dangerous encounter with a rut-lusty buck reportedly weighing 300 pounds.
PASSING ALONG THE TRADITION . . . The Outdoor Heritage Education Center (OHEC) in Minnesota recently completed its mobile air gun range van as one of several organizations to receive a STEP OUTSIDE Model Event grant. The awards were based on creativity and how well the activity would reach out to new audiences and/or offer a process that introduces a newcomer to traditional outdoor sports such as target shooting, hunting, fishing and archery. “With help from the STEP OUTSIDE program and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, we’re reaching folks who might not go out to a range,” said Mark LaBarbera, OHEC president and creator of the mobile range. Designed for safety and accessibility, so that anyone could have an opportunity to discover shooting fun, the mobile range will visit various outdoor events in Minnesota this year.
YOUTH AND SHOOTING . . . The National Rifle Association and its network of local gun clubs have hosted a record number, more than 100 so far this year, of Shooting Sports Camps across the United States. Shooting Sports Camps offer community-based firearm training opportunities for youths, adults and families, in a safe, hands-on environment under the supervision of experienced shooters, coaches and instructors. "We are especially proud of the record number of young people who have participated in our Youth Shooting Sports Camps, and learned important lessons about gun safety and the sheer fun of the shooting sports," said Craig D. Sandler, executive director of general operations at the NRA. Safety and firearm education, basic shooting, hunter education, competition and trap shooting are some of the topics for camp. Instruction may be offered in basic rifle, shotgun, handgun, air gun, archery and blackpowder shooting, as well as hunting and conservation.
SAVE YOUR SPORT . . . The vote on S. 659 in the Senate could come in a matter of days. Concerned sportsmen and women, business operators and employees, whose sport and jobs remain in serious peril without support for S. 659, should check the list of co-sponsors for this bill at the NSSF Legislative Action Center. Contact any Senator from your state who is not in favor of this affirmation of common law and American jurisprudence.

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