Nothing is more influential and more important for lawmakers than to hear directly from their constituents. That’s why I couldn’t have been more proud of the 70 attendees from across the firearms and ammunition industries for joining together this week to make NSSF’s annual Fly-In a success.
Representatives from over 40 firearms manufacturers assembled in Washington, D.C., this week to team up with staff members from NSSF to ensure that Congress understand the impacts of pending legislation to America’s firearms and ammunition makers, distributors, retailers and ranges. Lawmakers heard directly from our industry’s leaders of the threats facing the firearms industry and about the jobs the firearms industry supports in their states. Our industry’s leaders were able to explain what lawmakers can do to ensure opposing interests do not control the legislative agenda of our country.
Strength and Protections
NSSF and industry representatives attended more than 70 appointments with Senators, Representatives and their staff on both sides of the aisle to ensure that the most pressing issues facing the firearms and ammunition industry are addressed. We covered a variety of issues crucial to the continued success and growth of our industry and were proud to share the economic strength of our industry supporting local economies in their states and Congressional districts.
For example, we pushed for Senators and Congressmen and women to co-sponsor and vote for the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act, a much-needed law that would strengthen the criminal penalties for the theft of firearms from federal firearms licensees. Senators and Representatives also learned about the importance of the Freedom Financing Act, which would end the discriminatory lending practices of major banking institutions that seek to circumvent the legislative process by setting social policy from the boardroom. These bills are important measures that protect the industry that makes the right to bear arms a reality.
Industry Threats
Not only is it important for us to present a united message about these must-pass pieces of legislation, but it is equally important to pressure lawmakers to vote no on bills that seek to chip away at our rights under the Second Amendment. For example, proposed bans on so-called “assault weapons” would actually ban the most-popular selling rifles in today’s firearms market, which are used for a wide variety of legitimate purposes including hunting, predator control, target shooting and personal defense.
Most important, however, is the persuasiveness our industry holds when it bands together for initiatives like this week’s Fly-In. The firearms and ammunition retailers and manufacturers represent hundreds of thousands of American workers, and combining our voices to send clear and concise messages to Congress is the best way to ensure federal legislators protect jobs in their home state and our freedom to exercise our Second Amendment right throughout our nation.
Larry Keane is SVP for Government and Public Affairs, Assistant Secretary and General Counsel at National Shooting Sports Foundation
I can see the dems now, fingers in their ears and humming loudly
Every legal business deserves political representation. They are made up of individuals. Who also deserve representation.
Hello? The House doesn’t care about you or your employees. They wish you would go away, go bankrupt, close down. It’s not about safety. It’s not about sports. It’s about power. They will always have a personal security detail. The only answer is to vote-in like minded congressmen/women. Nancy/Maxine/Kamala/Sandy will always vote against you. They will never like you. The Republicans who “crossed the aisle” were liked by them for a day. Read history.
Victoria for the win!
How ’bout a national, Gone Shooting Day…got guns…go shooting & take someone with you..no guns…go buy some & take someone with you…Where were you yesterday? Let me tell you about that…”the worst day shooting is better than the best day working…unless, you work in the gun business.”…So, we’re goin’ shootin’, wanna come…sure, bring ’em along. If only one in ten of us “went shootin'” all on the same day, it would truly be a “shot heard ’round the world”. -30-
I like that. We already have a national shooting sports month. We need to publicize more, the other days like 9mm day, shotgun day and inventors/designers like Browning, Stoner, Kalashnikov, etc. Give folks an excuse to take their Safe Queen Gun to the range. Take your gatling gun to the range on Maxim Day! I’m sure someone has a list of these dates. 6.5 CM Day anyone?
Seems like an easy way for TTAG to generate useful/enjoyable “content” without hardly trying…hint, hint
It’s a waste of time trying to reason with Un American Leftists,who do not believe in the Constitution. They are working feverishly to destroy it and the citizens of this nation,casting them into the slavery of Marxism.
NSSFudd supports the bump stock ban and background checks…such wonderful friends of the industry
Alright, alright, alright.
Not one word about restoring INDIVIDUAL 2A rights. The NSSF plays right into the Lefts argument that the INDUSTRY pulls the strings and sets the agenda. Sad.
I don’t know that one is a “puppetmaster,” but I do know that they same sort of people run both orgs, which is why their policy is so moderate (and usually lock-step)
This is where the collusion to banish the 80% DIY market will occur.
I hope SW gets grilled about the key hole.
“it is equally important to pressure lawmakers to vote no on bills that seek to chip away at our rights under the Second Amendment. For example, proposed bans on so-called “assault weapons” would actually ban the most-popular selling rifles in today’s firearms market”
How about a bill removing the extant ban on the most common type of firearm in the world?
NSSF should do a state by state printout of the number of jobs, the sales taxes derived from guns and hunting related equipment and licenses, and how that money is returned to the individual states in the form of funds for conservation, etc. Maybe then, the dumb-asses who are trying to eliminate our ability to enjoy the lawful pursuit of a legal hobby, occupation, or business enterprise; would realize just how their stupid anti-gun motives can have a long-lasting detrimental effect on many.
But, but…you’re using facts! And every gun-grabber knows facts don’t matter.
“But, but…you’re using facts! And every gun-grabber knows facts don’t matter.”
Liberalism is an incurable mental disorder; and it will get us all killed.
Good luck with that….Course it will be lip service only. Theres not enough real Conservatives in congress that will want to uphold the 2nd Amend!
Colorado was only too happy to drive Magpul and it’s jobs out of the state.
Florida has lots of fire companies and I am sure our Republican state government would love to have some more come here.
I hope they paid attention of our concerns about the2nd amendment!
With all the threats to the 2nd Amendment and the D.N.C.’s descent into socialism it is time to remind those in politics and the courts of the Founders’ words concerning the Bill of Rights. The Founders described over and over when referencing the Bill of Rights, as a documentation of GOD given rights which no person shall tamper with. Politicians are akin to meddlesome children that can’t leave well enough alone. Since the late 1890’s they have continually, since the rise of the progressive attempted to curtail our access and ownership of firearms. What part of “Shall not tamper with” do they not understand. In light of the Founders’ documented statements concerning the Bill of Rights, all laws hindering a citizen from buying the weapons of their choice, owning them and carrying them, are illegal and may be treasonous. Why. Because the Founders all stated over and over the people are the militia, America’s last line of defense. The politicians have forgotten they are our servants, not benevolent dictators and are bound by oath to uphold the Bill of Rights.
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