President Obama Calls for Gun Control Measures

President Obama on Sunday used a rare address to the nation from the Oval Office to acknowledge that the deadly attack in San Bernardino was a terrorist act `” and he called for banning popular semi-automatic rifles. He also advocated using a troublesome government watch list to prevent individuals from buying firearms, a proposal defeated procedurally Thursday in the U.S. Senate. NSSF issued a legislative alert to help defeat that and another measure. We will continue to keep you informed of developments and NSSF actions.

Our hearts go out to the family members of those killed and injured in the unforgiveable San Bernardino attack. We salute the bravery and expertise of the law enforcement and emergency medical personnel who responded and who exhibited the professionalism and selflessness on which we as Americans know we can rely.

Government Relations

• TERRORIST WATCH LIST FACTS FULLY EXPLAINED . . . Even before the San Bernardino attack, Americans were expressing concern that Jihadi terrorism was far from contained and likely to occur here, whether directed or inspired. But conversation about terrorist and no-fly lists constitutes more of a public-relations play than it does constitutionally sound public policy formation. NSSF's Lawrence Keane explains the facts about the trouble-ridden terrorist watch list in this NSSF blog post, re-printed by The Daily Caller.

• MINNESOTA LEAD SHOT BAN PUBLIC COMMENT DEADLINE NEARS . . . The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) 60-day comment period on proposed rule changes to ban use of lead shot on farmland zone wildlife management areas ends Friday. According to the Star Tribune, the ban would affect nearly 600,000 acres of land. If approved, this would be the second-largest statewide ban, behind only California. Minnesota residents should submit comments to DNR this week. Comments can be emailed to jason.abraham@dnr.state.mn.us or mailed to: DNR Wildlife, Box 20, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4020. For NSSF's position on traditional ammunition, click here.

• SUPREME COURT WON'T HEAR CASE CHALLENGING HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS BAN ON MSRs . . . The U.S. Supreme Court today denied review in the case of Friedman v. City of Highland Park. NSSF submitted amicus briefs in the Supreme Court and Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals against the city's ban on AR-style firearms and "large capacity" magazines. In a rare dissent from the Court's denial of review, two justices argued the Seventh Circuit's legal analysis was foreclosed by the Heller opinion and the Court should have summarily reversed the Seventh Circuit ruling.

Read NSSF's latest Government Relations Update for more.

Research

• NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS BACKGROUND CHECKS . . . The November 2015 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,432,451 is an increase of 7.7 percent compared to the November 2014 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,329,688. For comparison, the unadjusted November 2015 FBI NICS figure of 2,236,457 reflects a 24.4 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 1,797,163 in November 2014. To learn more about last month's NICS report, log in to the member side of nssf.org.

SHOT Show

• UPCOMING EXHIBITOR DEADLINES ON DEC. 11, 14 . . . Just a handful of exhibitor deadlines coming up, most on Dec. 11 and one on Dec. 14. Here's what's on the schedule: Fabric Solutions Early Bird Pricing Deadline, "No Soliciting" Sign Order Deadline, Press Conference Room Application Deadline, Visa Letter Submission Deadline for International Exhibitors, and First Day Advance Freight Accepted at Freeman Warehouse. Get more details.

• RESERVE THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM AT THE SHOW . . . A great way for exhibitors to reach media attending the SHOT Show is to schedule a press conference in the Press Conference Room, located next door to the Press Room at the show. Reservations can be made online on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't delay. Reserve a day and time for your company's press event.

• SHOT SHOW UNIVERSITY SEATS SOON TO SELL OUT . . . Register today to reserve a seat at the 2016 SHOT Show University, which will take place Jan. 18. The educational day-long event addresses the unique challenges of retail business and range operations. High-profile keynote speakers will help attendees gain a deeper understanding into important topics that impact business every day.

• PSSST! CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? . . . Theft of trade secrets, commonly known as "industrial espionage," occurs when someone knowingly steals or misappropriates a trade secret to the economic benefit of anyone other than the owner. For companies whose trade secrets are their lifeblood, the stakes are too high for them not to have a trade secrets protection program. Read more.

Retailers/Ranges

• NSSF DEBUTS 'STARTING POINT' RESOURCE CENTER FOR NEW FFLs . . . NSSF is pleased to announce the debut of Starting Point, a comprehensive resource center for entrepreneurs beginning the process of entering the firearms industry marketplace. Intended to provide a business planning and compliance policy foundation for new FFLs and shooting range operators, Starting Point offers several benefits. Read more.

• 'TIS THE SEASON FOR GIFT CARDS . . . With Christmas approaching at a rapid pace, gift buying is about to be, if not already, in full swing. Gift cards allow you to reach the non-firearms consumer and provide them a way to shop with you, and they solve a lot of issues for a lot of people, but especially for people who are not "gun people." Read more.

• ATF Q&A . . . Many great questions came in on our 24/7 NSSF member compliance hotline last week. One question concerns transferring a firearm to a dealer out of state and recording proper information. Another question asks about replacing a lost 4473 form. Click on the links to get answers to these and many other great questions.

• EN.RANGE SPONSORS NSSF LEAD MANAGEMENT AND OSHA COMPLIANCE WORKSHOP . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that En.Range Inc. has become a sponsor of the NSSF Lead Management and OSHA Compliance Workshop, slated for Dec. 13-15 in Orlando, Florida. Miami-based En.Range Inc. is a specialized environmental and range services firm fully licensed and insured and operating in accordance with the EPA, DEP, OSHA and all applicable regulations and guidelines. Read more and register today.

• BEARINGARMS.COM SPONSORS 2016 SHOT SHOW UNIVERSITY . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that BearingArms.com has agreed to sponsor the 2016 SHOT Show University at the Bronze level. Bearing Arms is an online publisher of Townhall Media, a conservative news organization leading national discussions on political commentary and analysis. Its other web properties include Townhall.com, HotAir.com and RedState.com, among others. Read more.

• 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.

News of Note

• IN MEMORIAM . . . The firearms industry mourns the loss of two great men: Jim Clark Jr. and Frank Baron. Clark, proprietor and chief gunsmith of Clark Custom Guns, passed away this past weekend. Baron, founder of Baron Technology, passed away on Thursday. He would have been 89 on Christmas Day. NSSF extends its thoughts and prayers to the Clark and Baron families.

• NATIONAL DEER ALLIANCE NAMES PINIZZOTTO PRESIDENT AND CEO . . . The National Deer Alliance (NDA) announced Nick Pinizzotto as its first President and CEO. Pinizzotto most recently served as CEO of the Sportsman's Alliance. The nonprofit NDA's mission is to serve as the unified voice for wild deer, deer hunting and deer management in the United States. NSSF is a founding member.

• NSSF IN THE NEWS . . . The Washington Post, National Review, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, BuzzFeed and many other news outlets across the country included NSSF in their coverage in recent days. Popular topics included business trends, government relations, ATF/NSSF Matching Rewards program, Project ChildSafe and more. View a full wrap-up of NSSF in the News.

Jobs

• FIREARMS INDUSTRY JOBS . . . Visit jobs.nssf.org for current employment opportunities in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry. Unmatched job listing exposure, easy online job management, résumé search and résumé uploading for job seekers gives NSSF members and non-members more opportunities than ever before.

NSSF's Mission "To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports." Visit the NSSF website and see how we accomplish this mission.

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