Graves Praised for Protecting Americans Second Amendment Rights

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, today praised U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) for his introduction of H.R. 2361, legislation intended to prevent states and municipalities from enacting or raising taxes or fees on the purchase of firearms or ammunition.

"Congressman Graves is to be commended for introducing a bill to prevent one of the latest tactics of anti-gun politicians, that is pricing firearms and ammunition out of reach of responsible, law-abiding Americans through new taxes on the state or local level," said Lawrence G. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel, NSSF. "We believe that such taxes are unconstitutional and, in effect, amount to a poll tax on the Second Amendment. We endorse H.R. 2361."

Cook County, Illinois enacted a $25 tax on new firearms purchases earlier this year and had considered a tax on ammunition, as well. Legislators in several other states, including California, Maryland and New Jersey have introduced similar proposals.

H.R. 2361 is known as the Protecting Honest, Everyday Americans from Senseless and Needless Taxes Act, or PHEASANT Act.

By: NSSF

White House cites progress on gun issue

The White House says President Obama is close to completing a series of executive actions to address gun violence, but they are not a substitute for congressional legislation.

In a report issued Tuesday, the administration has "completed or made significant progress" on 21 of 23 executive actions that Obama outlined Jan. 16 as part of a major gun control initiative.

"But Congress must also act," the report says. "Passing common-sense gun safety legislation, including expanding background checks and making gun trafficking a federal crime, remains the single most important step we could take to reduce gun violence."

With Obama in Northern Ireland for the G-8 summit, Vice President Biden will discuss the report in a speech on Tuesday afternoon.

The Senate blocked a background check bill in April, thanks mostly to the votes of Republicans. Obama administration officials and Senate Democrats are trying to revive the bill by pressuring senators who voted against it to reconsider.

Gun control opponents say the proposals are ineffective, and undermine the Second Amendment rights to gun ownership.

The Obama administration began pushing for new gun legislation after the Dec. 14 shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., that killed 20 students and six educators.

The new White House report listed the executive actions on guns taken by the administration.

Among them: Ending a freeze on federal research into the causes of gun violence, reducing barriers that prevent states from submitting certain records to the existing background check system, and easing the ways in which federal law enforcement agencies can trace guns recovered in investigations.

The report did not mention two other legislative proposals backed by gun control supporters: A new ban on assault weapons, and restrictions on the size of ammunition magazines. Neither proposal has sufficient support in Congress as of yet.

The White House report says the president's executive actions are designed to address several goals, including improvements to the existing background check system, law enforcement, and school safety, as well as promote responsible gun ownership.

By: David Jackson, USA TODAY

NSSF® Bolsters SHOT Show® and Events Staff

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the trade association for the firearms and ammunition industry, has announced the hiring of Dave Jeannette as senior director, sales, and Chris Tatulli as director, exhibit and sponsorship sales.

The additions of Jeannette and Tatulli will bolster NSSF's internal SHOT Show® and events staff. In their new roles, both will support the SHOT Show and other NSSF events, including the Shooting Sports Summit, Import/ Export Conference, national and regional firearms retailer and shooting range conferences and NSSF's Congressional Fly-In.

"During this transition, it is important to maintain continuity for our customers so that their SHOT Show experience continues to meet their expectations," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "Dave and Chris have provided outstanding customer service and marketing opportunities for SHOT Show exhibitors for a combined 35 years and we're excited to welcome them to the NSSF team."

Jeannette has worked on the SHOT Show for more than 20 years, having overseen the show's growth from 377,000 net square feet of exhibit space to today's more than 628,000 net square feet. Most recently, he served as the SHOT Show's event director and had previously served as SHOT Show sales executive and sales manager.

Tatulli brings to NSSF nearly 15 years of experience in the trade show business, most recently working on the SHOT Show. He has developed strong relationships with the show's exhibiting companies since beginning work on the show two years ago.

"Bringing Dave Jeannette and Chris Tatulli to the NSSF team is consistent with our recruitment philosophy of hire the best," said Deb Kenney, NSSF vice president of human resources and administration. "The experience and value they bring to our organization is incomparable."

The SHOT Show -- the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show -- is owned and sponsored by NSSF. It is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries. The 2014 SHOT Show will be held Jan. 14-17 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.

By: NSSF