Senate Votes Down Anti-Gun Measures Opposed by NSSF

The U.S. Senate Thursday afternoon voted procedurally against a revived Manchin-Toomey bill to expand the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background checks to cover private gun transfers. Co-sponsored by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Patrick Toomey (R-Penn.), the measure was defeated by an even wider margin than when it was first proposed in 2013. Also defeated was a proposal by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) that would permit the federal government to place people on a problem-ridden, secret terrorist watch list without due process or recourse thereby preventing them from exercising their constitutional rights protected by the Second Amendments. Read this Associated Press account of the votes and the underlying politics.

On learning mid-day Thursday that these measures were being brought to the Senate floor, NSSF moved quickly to issue a legislative alert, urging calls be made to Senators' offices to oppose both these measures. We thank all those who responded and took immediate action to oppose opportunistic partisan anti-gun politics launched in the wake of what was clearly a terrorist attack and that sought to exploit emotions due to the true human tragedy that ensued. Find out how your senators voted on the Manchin-Toomey and Feinstein amendments. Then, call their offices at 202-224-3121 and thank them for voting against these ill-advised measures.

Our hearts go out to the family members of those killed and injured in this unforgiveable 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.

Terrorist Watch List Facts Fully Explained

Even before this week's Christmas party attack in San Bernardino, Americans were expressing concern that Jihadi terrorism is far from contained and likely to occur here. But rather than seriously discuss the military and security policy issues with the American people, what we are witnessing instead is a public-relations play that sounds good to their political base, but that is misleading and that again sets up domestic strawman enemies instead of facing up to the real threat posed by real-world terrorists. NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence Keane explains the facts about the trouble-ridden terrorist watch list in this NSSF blog post, re-printed by The Daily Caller.

NSSF Hails Enactment of Priority Legislation

Late on the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving, President Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015. In an important accomplishment for America's hunters and target shooters, that legislation included a provision precluding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from asserting Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) authority over ammunition and its component parts. Radical anti-hunting organizations have been trying to force the EPA to issue a regulation under TSCA to ban traditional ammunition. Read the NSSF press release.

Minn. Lead Ban Public Comment Deadline Nears

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) 60-day comment period comes to an end next Friday, Dec. 11 on proposed rule changes that include a ban on the use of lead shot on wildlife management areas in the farmland zone beginning in 2018, and would also prohibit the use of lead ammunition while hunting snipe or rails. According to this news account by the Star Tribune, the ban would affect nearly 600,000 acres of land. If the proposed rule is approved, this would be the second-largest statewide ban, trailing only California.

While the current proposal does not include lead projectiles, such as those fired from a rifle, or even a shotgun slug, it does set a bad precedent. NSSF strongly opposes such a ban on the use of traditional ammunition and urges Minnesota residents to submit written comments to DNR in the next 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 more information regarding NSSF's position on traditional ammunition, click here.

Top Cops Tell Citizens to Protect Themselves, but Deny Them Guns

In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Paris, the top law enforcement officers of Washington, D.C., and New York City suggested that citizens should take action to defend themselves if faced with a similar attack. These statements make sense to many gun owners, some of whom may already carry concealed, but what makes this astounding is that both of these police chiefs are viewed as two of the most anti-gun in the country. Read Larry Keane's blog post.

The CDC's Proven History of Anti-Gun Advocacy

Several U.S. House Democrats recently urged repeal of the 1996 ban on funding for gun control advocacy, although they prefer to call it "research," at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In an op-ed essay in The Hill, Dr. Tim Wheeler points out that it was the abuse of authority and misuse of tax dollars that had prompted Congress to act to some 20 years ago to ensure that CDC would end and not repeat its past malpractice. Dr. Wheeler is director of Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership.

#GUNVOTE Reloads Often with News of Interest to You

To help gun owners register to vote and evaluate their candidates' positions on Second Amendment and sportsmen's issues, NSSF provides #GUNVOTE. This voter education site is updated several times a week with news of interest.

Voting in the 2016 election is a process that culminates in going to your polling place. It begins by making sure to register, then becoming educated about the candidates running for office and discussing choices with family and friends so that they understand the importance of voting to protect America's firearms freedoms and the lawful commerce in firearms. So #GUNVOTE early and #GUNVOTE often.

Signing Up for NSSF PAC Made Easier for Member Companies

The NSSF Political Action Committee (NSSF PAC) works to support pro-firearms industry, pro-Second Amendment and pro-sportsmen candidates for federal office. Federal law requires a trade association PAC to obtain prior approval from its corporate members before it may send important PAC news and updates to corporate member's executives, including current political news, election information and exclusive invitations to PAC events.

Now, signing up for NSSF PAC has never been easier. Just click the link below, fill out the form, add contacts (or email us a list of names) and hit submit! What are you waiting for? Help ensure our industry is heard as we approach the crucial 2016 election year. Sign up today! Online PAC Prior Consent Form.

Thank You to Our Latest NSSF PAC Contributors

President's Club ($5,000): John French, Mike French

Cabinet Club ($2,500 or more): Pete Brownell, John Rovtar, Thomas Shepherd

Capitol Club ($1,000 or more): Ken Brown, Thomas Farchione, Mark LeBarbera, John Renzulli, John Robertson

Caucus Club ($500 or more): Dwaine Knouse, Sean Orr, Jeffrey Reh

Congressional Club ($250 or more): Joseph Chiarello, Stephen Chiarello, Glenn Duncan, Cory Rath, Scott Volquartsen, Amy Williams-Hopkins

Industry Club (up to $249): Victor Gabriella, Harry Howle, Michael Jolly, John Keating, William Napier, Natalie Oliver, Linda Pilgram, Jim Reynolds, Kristin Roscoe, Erik Scarpati, David Simsek, Laura Springer, George Stebbins, John Torchia