NSSF Applauds Sen. Ted Cruz for Addressing Banking Discrimination of Firearm Industry

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, applauds U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) for directly addressing the ongoing and illegal discrimination of the firearm industry by major banks and payment processors. Fox Business reported on this continued discriminatory practice of major banking institutions and payment processors refusing services because officials in those financial sectors politically disagree with Second Amendment rights.

“Discrimination against firearm manufacturers and retailers is not a new phenomenon but it is long past time this practice is ended,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “Major banks, and the payment processors they support, benefit from taxpayer dollars to insure they stay afloat, including the multi-trillion-dollar bailout they enjoyed at taxpayer expense. The discriminatory practice of denying banking services to a Constitutionally-protected industry with which they politically disagree is an abuse of those taxpayer funds. American taxpayers should not be forced to fund banks that actively work to erase their rights. The Second Amendment is not for sale.”

Sen. Cruz, in his capacity as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, recently wrote to Intuit, a payment processor, that reversed their discriminatory policies of denying QuickBooks services to firearm manufacturers and retailers. The change came only after Senate inquiries into the discriminatory practices. Intuit claimed the policy was directed to them by JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America, both banks that hold discriminatory policies against the firearm industry and refuse banking services in an effort to starve them of essential financial services.

NSSF supports legislative efforts to halt these discriminatory practices by financial service providers, including the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act (S. 428/H.R. 53), introduced by Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Mich.). This vital legislation would end the ability of corporate entities to profit from taxpayer-funded federal contracts while discriminating against a Constitutionally-protected industry at the same time.

NSSF also supports the Fair Access to Banking Act (S. 293/H.R. 2743), introduced by Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.). These bills would require banks to provide access to services, capital and credit based on the objective risk assessment of individual customers, rather than subjective broad-based decisions affecting whole categories or classes of customers.

Gun Control

SAF Cheers Ruling Overturning California Mag Ban

BELLEVUE, WA — The Second Amendment Foundation is cheering Friday’s 71-page ruling by a federal district court judge striking down, for the second time, California’s ban on so-called “high-capacity magazines,” and suggests this will affect similar bans in other states.

U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez handed down the 71-page ruling, noting in his decision, “Removable firearm magazines of all sizes are necessary components of semiautomatic firearms. Therefore, magazines come within the text of the constitutional declaration that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Because millions of removable firearm magazines able to hold between 10 and 30 rounds are commonly owned by law-abiding citizens for lawful purposes, including self-defense, and because they are reasonably related to service in the militia, the magazines are presumptively within the protection of the Second Amendment. There is no American history or tradition of regulating firearms based on the number of rounds they can shoot, or of regulating the amount of ammunition that can be kept and carried.”

“We are delighted with this ruling,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “The decision affects Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s defense against a lawsuit challenging a similar ban in his state, which is also in the Ninth Circuit, as well as bans in other states. Ultimately, we expect this issue will have to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.”

As explained by Judge Benitez, “Because the State did not succeed in justifying its sweeping ban and dispossession mandate with a relevantly similar historical analogue, California Penal Code § 32310, as amended by Proposition 63, is hereby declared to be unconstitutional in its entirety and shall be enjoined.”

“This is the second time California has tried to defend this ban,” noted SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut, “and the second time Judge Benitez has ruled against the statute. California clearly does not get the message about the Second Amendment.” Read more

Gun Control

Italian Firearms Group and Pedersoli Bring the “Droptine” to U. S. Hunters

AMARILLO, TEXAS: Combining cutting-edge technology and modern styling with Old World craftsmanship, the Italian firearms Group (IFG) and Davide Pedersoli and Co. proudly introduce the Model 86/71 Lever Action Droptine. From the big-North woods to the brush country of South Texas, the Droptine delivers a modern twist to this classic, dependable and time-honored platform.

Imported exclusively by IFG, the 86/71 Droptine offers hunters a svelte lever action chambered in the workhorse 30-30 Win., and is Pedersoli’s newest addition to the popular Boar Buster line of levers.

The heart of the 86/71 Droptine is a solid steel CNC machined receiver, matched with CNC machined lever. The 21-inch broach rifled barrel is premium match grade quality and is threaded at the muzzle for a suppressor.

After much research and development, Pedersoli engineers created an oversized lever that is both ergonomic and large enough to use while wearing gloves. The rifle’s five-round, tubular magazine loads easily from the right side, while empty brass ejects effortlessly through the top of the receiver.

The 86/71 Droptine comes standard with a fiber optic front sight and a dovetail rear sight, the latter integrated into a Picatinny rail mounted forward of the receiver. This mounting solution is perfect for red-dots or Scout-style rifle scopes that provide fast, precise shot placement. Read more

Firearms

HSGI Launches New Line of Sniper Sacks

SWANSBORO, N.C. –– High Speed Gear® introduces the newest Sniper Sacks on the market.

Versatility was paramount in the production of new products. The expert HSGI® design team wanted to optimize the capabilities of the product without sacrificing integrity that has long been the staple to all HSGI® products. To visualize this, High Speed Gear® collaborated directly with USMC Sniper Instructors to gather valuable input which helped lead to the creation of the revolutionary Sniper Sacks now being offered.

Offered in both a small and large size, these Sniper Sacks are created using tough and rugged 1000D Cordura® nylon fabric. Sporting dependable webbing handles, the sack is easily movable to adjust to any shooter’s preference. The innovative and eccentric shaping of the sack adds to the versatility of the product by allowing it to be shaped for use depending on the type of environment encountered by the shooter’s environment. Read more

General

NRA Response to The So-Called White House Office of “Gun Violence Prevention”

NRA-ILA Executive Director Randy Kozuch released the following statement:

“The White House Office of so-called ‘Gun Violence Prevention’ is yet another distraction, crafted to divert America’s and the media’s gaze from the Biden crime wave and their soft-on-crime policies destroying our communities.

Instead of confronting the real challenges and holding accountable the DAs who turn a blind eye to crime, this administration unfairly targets law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that this office is a puppeteering maneuver by the gun control lobby, designed to dismantle our Second Amendment rights.” Read more

Gun Control

Nosler Raises Over $30,000 in Support of NWTF

Bend, Ore –– Nosler Inc., a world leader in the manufacture of premium bullets, cartridge cases, ammunition, rifles and suppressors is proud to announce the success of their recent fundraising effort for the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Habitat for the Hatch Initiative. Through Nosler’s Ultimate Gear Package + Hunt Raffle, the company generated a grand total of $30,044 in contributions to support the NWTF’s mission.

Habitat for the Hatch is a pioneering conservation program focused on restoring and enhancing vital wild turkey habitats across the United States. It aims to recognize and bolster the critical nesting and brood-rearing habitats necessary for wild turkey survival, while also supporting a wide array of wildlife species through diverse and resilient habitat management. The initiative’s overarching goal is to establish 1 million acres that meet these specific criteria within the next decade. To accomplish this, the federation has an estimated fundraising goal of $8 million. Read more

Wildlife

Only One Week Left To Enter The Frogg Toggs Duck Huntin’ Giveaway

Prizes valued at over $7,200.

TBA Outdoors is excited to share the Fifth Annual Duck Huntin’ Giveaway from Frogg Toggs, purveyor of high-quality rain gear, waders, footwear and accessories.

“For the fifth annual Duck Huntin’ Giveaway, Frogg Toggs has put together another fantastic prize package this year with some amazing outdoors brands,” says Todd Fuller, President of TBA Outdoors. “We are excited to see all of these great brands collaborate for the lucky winner.”

For its fifth annual giveaway, Frogg Toggs has upped the prize package to greater than $7,200. The chance to enter this duck huntin’ prize package runs through Friday, September 29, 2023. One lucky grand prize winner will receive a bounty of gear from brands like Williams Knife, Realtree, Retay, Parallel Eyewear, Gunner and Frogg Toggs.

Grand Prize Includes:

  • Frogg Toggs – Gear bundle including jacket, bibs, waders and more
  • Down East – Shotgun case and decoy bag
  • Gunner – Bottomland intermediate kennel and 1 white bumper
  • KICKS – $425 gift card
  • Parallel Eyewear – 4 pairs of sunglasses
  • Realtree Max 7 – $250 gift card
  • Retay – 12 gauge Gordion 3” chamber, 28” barrel in Realtree Max 7
  • Riton – Primal binoculars
  • Tetra – Waterfowl Alpha Shield 90
  • Williams – Bird Knife, Glide Folder and Whitetail Skinner

Click HERE for your chance to win.

The contest runs through Friday, September 29, 2023. Contestants can find complete rules and enter at giveaway.froggtoggs.com/duck-hunting-giveaway/. Read more

Contests

Michigan Should Reduce the Cost of Antlerless Permits

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

A few days ago came an email from Chad Stewart, deer, elk and moose management specialist of Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources.  In the ominous preface to a detailed analysis of the over-population of the state’s deer herd, he arrives at a conclusion that might not sit well with some hunters:  More antlerless deer must be taken for the betterment of our deer herd.

T/C Contender in .45/70 Custom JDJ Barrel and EOTech Optic and Michigan Doe

If this bit of information comes at a surprise, you haven’t been paying attention.

After a bit of research into my personal archives, the DNR had strongly encouraged hunters to kill more antlerless deer with this language 14 years ago:  High numbers of antlerless permits are available again this year…  Hunters are encouraged to harvest antlerless deer, especially on private land in the Southern Lower Peninsula to bring populations closer to goals and to help address concerns of excessive crop damage and deer-vehicle collisions.

I wrote in 2009:  “What’s so funny about the statement is that hunters are encouraged to harvest antlerless deer after the fee to do so has been increased by 50 percent.  …it’s not likely that any noteworthy reduction in the problematic herd will be achieved through its counter-productive revenue enhancement strategy.”

Nonetheless, Mr. Stewart lays out his case with statistics that paint a bleak picture, if hunters don’t change their strategy.  He states that the typical Michigan hunting philosophy to date is to hold off on taking antlerless deer until later in the season.  Heck, that’s sure been my thinking.

Every other year since 2009, we’ve taken more antlered deer than antlerless deer.  A comparison with the states around us, such as Illinois, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin, they all typically harvest between 8 percent to 25 percent more antlerless deer than they do antlered deer in a given year.  Although Mr. Stewart does not connect today’s over-population to the 2009 cost-doubling of antlerless tags, I believe it was another straw on the camel’s back.

Because of our lower hunter numbers and our continued unwillingness to shoot antlerless deer, we are shooting far fewer antlerless deer than we have historically.  This past year was probably a record year in terms of the number of damage complaints our department received from farmers, and associated crop damage.  The [the DNR] mitigates this damage by providing out-of-season permits so those landowners experiencing damage can help protect their crops and livelihood. Since very few hunters like the idea of deer being shot out of season, we hunters need to do better at controlling deer numbers in the hunting seasons.

In 2022 there were nearly 59,000 reported deer-vehicle collisions, the highest number since 2009. Nearly 20 percent of the recorded collisions in Michigan involved white-tailed deer.  So again, there’s the reference to the year 2009 when the cost to help our own cause doubled.

For decades, Michigan intentionally grew its deer herd and bragged that herd would grow to one million deer!  They were so excited back then as the freight train gained momentum.  The old-timers wouldn’t shoot a doe no matter what, and although the philosophy has changed somewhat today, that train is still destined to run off the tracks.

In summary, we have the supply but not the demand and no amount of pleading has helped.

My solution now, as it was back then, is to drastically lower the cost of antlerless permits to increase sales.  Increased volume could put us on a path to better herd management, and it wouldn’t take long to discover the truth now that hunters are required by law to submit kill data.  For cost-reduction to be enough is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain:  What we are doing – and, have been doing – doesn’t work.

Hunting, Wildlife

CCRKBA Chair ‘Appalled’ Gun Grabbers Will Be On White House Payroll

The announcement that President Joe Biden will launch a White House “Office of Gun Violence Prevention” led by gun control proponents brought a scathing reaction from the head of one of the nation’s top grassroots gun rights organizations.

Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the 650,000-member Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, was quick to respond.

“I am appalled that Joe Biden is putting the gun prohibition lobby on the White House payroll,” Gottlieb said. “I know that many pro-gun rights members of Congress are working on legislation to prohibit funding for this obnoxious scheme.

“I wonder,” he mused, “how much of their time will be spent keeping guns out of Hunter Biden’s hands now that he has been indicted on gun charges?” Read more

Gun Control
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