Vol. 5 No. 46 November 22, 2004
You'll find Bullet Points on the NSSF Web site each week at http://www.nssf.org
Tickets are now available for SHOT Show attendees to see LeAnn Rimes in concert.
NSSF'S STATE OF THE INDUSTRY EVENT
LeAnn Rimes Concert To Cap Gala Evening . . . Put a finishing touch on your first day of the SHOT Show by attending the annual State of the Industry gala featuring a concert by one of the recording world's hottest stars, Grammy Award-winning LeAnn Rimes. The 22-year-old's newest album, "This Woman," is scheduled to be in stores just prior to SHOT. The State of the Industry event, which includes a cocktail reception and an elegant dinner, NSSF president Doug Painter's multi-media report to members and the SHOT Business Awards, will take place in the Barron Ballroom of the Las Vegas Hilton on January 28, 2005. Tickets are priced at $90 per person or $850 for a table of ten. Use the handy online order form. More information about the concert is available at www.shotshow.org.
CHICAGO LAWSUIT DISMISSED. . . In a unanimous decision, the Illinois Supreme Court last week rejected the City of Chicago's attempt to blame gun makers for the criminal misuse of firearms within the city. In rejecting Chicago's case the court ruled that gun makers do not owe a “duty to the city of Chicago or its residents to prevent their firearms from ending up in the hands of persons who use and possess them illegally.” The court concluded that the “matter of regulating the manufacture, distribution, and sale of firearms” was best left to the legislature, not the courts. “Today's decision is the latest in a long list of appellate court decisions that have rejected politically motivated 'junk' lawsuits that have tried to blame the makers of well-made, lawfully sold firearms for the actions of criminals,” said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the firearm industry's trade association. At the same time, the court also dismissed a suit brought by five Chicago residents who had sued firearm manufacturers, distributors and dealers under the same "public nuisance" theory. Read NSSF's press release.
NATIONAL MEETING OF STATE SPORTSMEN'S CAUCUSES . . . More than 50 executives from the outdoor industry and conservation organizations and scores of state legislative leaders are preparing to participate in the launch and first annual meeting of the new National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses in Lake Whitney, Texas, December 4-6. The historic gathering, hosted by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) with major funding support from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, will feature three days of focused discussions aimed at enhancing the important partnership between industry, conservation organizations and pro-sportsmen legislators. Attendance is limited but interested industry or conservation representatives may still register by contacting Nicole Nelson at 202-543-6850 x14 or Casey Condra at extension 22.
NEW EFFORT TO DEVELOP YOUNG HUNTERS . . . While the majority of states permit youth hunting, 23 states restrict the age a person can hunt big game, something a new campaign called "Start 'Em Young" will try to change by working with leaders in these states to lift limits on youth hunting opportunities. "Start 'Em Young" is being sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “Introducing our children to hunting is important for several reasons,” said Rob Keck, NWTF CEO. “First, hunting allows families to spend time outdoors and share quality time together. Second, research shows that those who start hunting early in life are more likely to hunt as adults. We need those future hunters to shoulder the costs and responsibilities of conserving the country’s wildlife and wildlife habitat after we’re gone.” Among the 23 states that restrict the age a person can hunt, 16 require kids to be at least 12 years old before they can hunt big game. New York, which is the most restrictive, prevents children under 16 years of age from hunting big game with a firearm. “This program will pave the way for hunters to serve as mentors, giving young people a greater chance to spend time outside and enjoy the tradition of hunting," said Doug Painter, president and CEO of NSSF.
BOB ALLEN DIES . . . The founder of the well-known shooting apparel company, Bob Allen, and his wife, Sari, died last week in a one-car accident on Interstate 29 in western Iowa. Allen, 84, was a world champion trapshooter and gunnery instructor in World War II. After the war, he founded Bob Allen Sportswear, which made shooting vests and other apparel that outfiitted everyone from weekend clay target shooters to Olympic champions.
ANTI-HUNTING GROUPS TO MERGE . . . The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance reports that two anti-hunting groups, the Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals, are combining forces and the first priority of the new group will be to seek a ban on bowhunting. In response, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance is asking for an emergency meeting of bowhunting organizations, businesses and publications to prepare a counterattack. The new group will have assets of $97 million to fund its anti-hunting agenda. hence the need for a coordinated strategy on the part of sportsmen.
WE'RE HONORED . . . The National Shooting Sports Foundation recently was recognized by the Connecticut Sportsmen's Coalition and was presented with the organization's Patriots Award for the many programs and services it provides that promote participation and safety in the shooting sports. Bob Crook presented the award to NSSF's Rick Patterson, who said, "To have our efforts recognized by sportsmen is the highest honor we can hope for because it means NSSF's programs are truly making a difference in preserving our hunting rights and firearm freedoms."
ON THE MOVE AT NSSF . . . The National Shooting Sports Foundation has announced two changes in its programs department. Cyndi Dalena, formerly national coordinator of the Step Outside program, has been appointed director of Shooting Sports Development where she will oversee the popular Scholastic Clay Target Program and Scholastic Rifle Program, and NSSF’s involvement in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games. Melissa Schilling, who served as public relations assistant, has been selected to replace Dalena as national coordinator of Step Outside, the program that encourages sportsmen to introduce newcomers to traditional outdoor activities. "Cyndi and Melissa bring key skill sets to their new positions and I know their program partners will enjoy working with them and will appreciate their professionalism," said Chris Dolnack, managing director of program development.
AROUND THE STATES
NEW JERSEY BEAR HUNT ON AGAIN . . . The seesaw issue of bear hunting in New Jersey is now "on again" following a state appeals court decision to deny a motion by DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell to stop the hunt by closing off state-owned lands. Not only did the appeals court judges rule unanimously in favor of the hunt but the U.S. Department of the Interior threatened in a letter to withdraw $2 million in annual wildlife aid to New Jersey because Campbell's "attempting to take control" of wildlife management authority violates federal regulations. That forced Campbell to call the federal agency and to say, "We will not do anything that will imperil federal funds." New Jersey's new governor, Richard Codey, also weighed in, saying that state lands will remain open to bear hunting. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and several sportsmen filed the suit to have the hunt continue.
SCHOOL ADDS RIFLE TEAM . . . Despite protests the Montville (CT) Board of Education approved a new rifle team for its high school, supporting a request by school physics teacher and shooting enthusiast Stephen Rocketto to form the squad. The measure passed on a 5 to 4 vote, having failed the year before on a tie vote. While some said allowing students to use firearms sends the wrong message, Rocketto responded appropriately, saying, "They're confusing a legitimate sport with crime."
AFFIRMING THE RIGHT OF SELF DEFENSE . . . The Illinois General Assembly followed on the heels of the senate in overriding Governor Rob Blagojevich's veto of a pro-gun bill that would provide an affirmative defense for a gun owner if he uses a firearm prohibited by local ordinance in defense of himself or others. This legislation was brought about when Hale DeMar of Wilmette, Illinois, used a handgun to defend himself and his family against a convicted criminal who had broken into his home two nights in a row. Unbelievably, DeMar wound up being prosecuted for his self-defense action.
CWD UPDATE
COLORADO UPDATE . . . The Colorado Division of Wildlife has reported on the first round of tests for this fall’s hunting season, with samples collected August 28-October 29 confirming 24 positive animals from 6,197 deer, elk, and moose heads submitted. Species breakdown is 2,669 mule deer (17 positive), 72 white-tailed deer (0 positive), 3,356 elk (7 positive), and 100 moose (0 positive).
AROUND THE INTERNET
HOW SHE LEARNED TO LOVE FIREARMS . . . With encouragement from NSSF, writer Emily Yoffe, who writes for Slate, the online magazine, hooked up with an NRA instructor who taught her and her friend, a reporter for National Public Radio, how to shoot and to discover, to their great surprise, why millions of Americans enjoy the fun and excitement of recreational shooting. Emily's article is the lead story on the popular Internet magazine site. You can also listen to Emily talk about her experience in an NPR segment.
AND THEY CALL THIS HUNTING? . . . In a bizarre story out of Texas that the media couldn't resist playing up last week, an individual claims to have developed a system whereby "hunters" can shoot their prey from the comfort of their home office or living room via the Internet. In response, Kirby Brown, executive director of the Texas Wildlife Association, said, "I think I can speak for the vast majority of hunters and hunting organizations when I say the idea of sitting at a computer screen and activating a remote-controlled firearm to shoot a deer is not hunting. Real hunting takes place in the great outdoors, where the sights, sounds and sensations are a vital part of the experience. [Hunters] have an obligation to be present to deal with the full consequences of having taken the life of the animal. To do otherwise dishonors the animal and is an abdication of your duty as a hunter. It cannot be done from a remote location." We couldn't agree more.
TRAGEDY IN WISCONSIN WOODS . . . Five people are dead and three others injured in a dispute that erupted over a tree stand in northwestern Wisconsin on opening day of deer hunting's rifle season, according to an Associated Press story. The 36-year-old suspected shooter was arrested by authorities.
DRIVERS, WATCH FOR DEER . . . If there is still anyone out there who doesn't believe hunting can play a necessary wildlife management role and possibly even save human lives, this AP story may change their minds, as it notes that last year there were 1.5 million deer vs car accidents (that's 4,000 a day), injuring 13,713 people and causing $1.1 billion in damage.
IT'S SPORTING EQUIPMENT . . . Several weeks ago Bullet Points reported on a 17-year-old Londonerry (N.H.) High School senior who is an avid hunter and skeet and trap shooter and was told by school officials that he could not pose for his yearbook photo with his favorite shotgun. The student's attorney has now filed a lawsuit against school board officials. The student wanted to pose outdoors in a shooting vest with his shotgun broken open and resting on his shoulder, not any different than other students posing with tennis rackets, baseball bats and their automobiles. It's just another example of the over-zealous approach to a zero-tolerance policy involving schools and firearms. Read the story in the Concord Monitor.Several weeks ago Bullet Points reported on a 17-year-old Londonerry (N.H.) High School senior who is an avid hunter and skeet and trap shooter and was told by school officials that he could not pose for his yearbook photo with his favorite shotgun. The student's attorney has now filed a lawsuit against school board officials. The student wanted to pose outdoors in a shooting vest with his shotgun broken open and resting on his shoulder, not any different than other students posing with tennis rackets, baseball bats and their automobiles. It's just another example of the over-zealous approach to a zero-tolerance policy involving schools and firearms. Read the story in the Concord Monitor.
REPORT ON LEAD AT RANGE . . . Professor Donald Rimstidt of the Department of Geosciences at Virginia Tech, who recently reported on a five-year study at a U.S. Forest Service range near Blacksburg, Va., said on the topic of lead mobility at this range, "We learned that [lead] is absorbed in the top few inches of soil and does not migrate beyond that. Lead is not very mobile. It does not wash away in surface or ground water." Rimstidt said he'll provide recommendations to the Forest Service so that it can develop best management practices at the range. "They already knew to put lime on the range to limit corrosion [and] to take measures to prevent soil erosion," Rimstidt said. The study reaffirms the efforts of the National Association of Shooting Ranges, which has been educating range owners and club managers that by taking the proper steps lead can be managed so that it does not pose a hazard to the environment. "The issue of lead is site-specific," said Rick Patterson, who heads up NASR, a division of NSSF. "That's why we encourage every range to evaluate its situation and to make use of the educational materials we developed." Read about the report in Science Daily.
OLD NEWS . . . New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof said in a recent column, "Nothing kills Democratic candidates' prospects more than guns" and then goes on to enumerate a tired laundry list of gun-control measures that haven't helped anti-Democrats much in the past and are unlikely to do so in the future. Read his column.
A TIME FOR THANKS
We wish all Bullet Points readers a Happy Thanksgiving and ask that while you are giving thanks this Thursday to remember our men and women in the armed forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world.
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