Bullet Points Vol. 2 - No. 28 · UNITED NATIONS BEGINS 10-DAY MEETING REGARDING SMALL ARMS . . . The much anticipated and much promoted United Nations Conference on Small Arms began July 9 in New York and is scheduled to run through July 20. Billed by the U.N. as the United Nations Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Aspects, the conference is being closely monitored by representatives from the firearms industry and by the National Rifle Association to see how the United Nations intends to regard the legitimate commerce and use of sporting arms worldwide. The U.N. itself appears unable to reach a consensus on just what constitutes legitimate ownership, having since 1997 used at least five different definitions to describe “civilian firearms” and “weapons of war.” The World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities (WFSA), of which NSSF, SAAMI and NRA are members, has called on the U.N. to adopt the definition “Lethal weapons of war which are capable of full automatic fire.” In a clear expression of concern for United Nations-led attempts to restrain legitimate firearms trade, the Bush Administration has declared it would not support any actions “contrary to (America’s) constitutional right to keep and bear arms.” John R. Bolton, of the U.S. State Department, told the U.N. conference in New York City, “The United States believes that the responsible use of firearms is a legitimate aspect of national life. Like many countries, the United States has a cultural tradition of hunting and sport shooting,” and Americans do not find all guns “problematic.” Although any agreement coming out of the conference would be purely voluntary and not legally binding on participating governments, Bolton has cautioned that “from little acorns, bad treaties grow.” · UNITED WAY CHAPTER CONTRIBUTES TO FIREARMS SAFETY EDUCATION FOUNDATION . . . During a recent fund-raising campaign by the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, a single donor designated that his contribution of $260 go to the Firearms Safety Education Foundation. “This serves as a valuable reminder to everyone in the shooting sports industry who contributes to United Way that they too can designate their cash, pledge donation or payroll deduction to the Firearms Safety Education Foundation,” said Bob Delfay, NSSF president and CEO. The FSEF is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that accepts contributions from individuals, businesses and charitable organizations to fund gun safety education initiatives such as Project HomeSafe. · OHIO GOV. TAFT SIGNS BILL PROTECTING INDUSTRY FROM SUITS . . . As reported in a recent issue of Bullet Points, the Ohio legislature passed a bill to grant firearm and ammunition manufacturers, dealers and their trade associations immunity from the politically motivated lawsuits being filed by municipal governments. Gov. Bob Taft has now signed that bill into law. Critics of the legislation say it will put an end to suits already filed by the cities of Cincinnati and Cleveland, and may challenge the law’s retroactivity provision as unconstitutional. · POSITION STATEMENTS ON HUNTING ASSEMBLED IN NSSF BOOKLET . . . NSSF has assembled the current position statements of major U.S. associations concerned with hunting in its “What They Say About Hunting” booklet. Hunting attitudes, pro and con, are represented in this collection of viewpoints held by a cross-section of over 20 national conservation, preservation and humane organizations concerned with wildlife. “What They Say About Hunting” is an unbiased collection of position statements and includes contact information of the organizations represented. “What They Say About Hunting” is a good resource handout for hunter education classes, sports fairs and conservation events, and Bullet Points subscribers may receive one complimentary copy of the booklet, as well as price ordering information, by contacting ting Colleen Swain at cswain@nssf.org or 203-426-1320. You can also view the booklet’s contents online at www.nssf.org. · U.S. BIATHLON PROGRAM GETS BIG BOOST IN MINNESOTA . . . The Blandin Foundation of Minnesota, whose mission is to strengthen the state’s rural communities, has awarded a pilot grant of $335,000 to the Mount Itasca Biathlon Association for development of a major shooting facility in Coleraine, not far from Grand Rapids. Once completed, the facility will have a 27-point firing range and will have complete snowmaking capabilities, making it suitable for both summer and winter biathlon events. It will also be open to the public for general shooting activities. According to Max Cobb, director of the U.S. Biathlon Association (USBA), “The facility will be one of the premier venues in the country.” Development of the facility from conception to the awarding of the Blandin Foundation’s grant took less than a year. “The project could not have come together the way it did without the efforts of local businessmen and the USBA,” said Piotr Bednarksi, USBA junior development coach. · CALIFORNIA LIST OF APPROVED HANDGUNS EXPANDS . . . The number of handgun models approved for sale by the state of California continues to grow as more and more manufacturers submit their products for testing and pay the $200 listing fee to be added to the Department of Justice’s roster of “Certified Handgun Models.” As of June 28, the number now stands at 549. To view the list, go to http://caag.state.ca.us/firearms/certlist.htm. · PUBLIC DAY AT THE SHOT SHOW? . . . The SHOT SHOW Committee has been asked to seek input from all SHOT SHOW exhibitors on the possibility of allowing consumers to attend the final day of the SHOT SHOW. While the SHOT SHOW was created as a trade-only event, there have always been exhibitors who feel it would be valuable to allow the public to attend some portion of the world’s greatest display of shooting, hunting and outdoor related equipment. Within the past week, all SHOT SHOW exhibitors were sent a survey requesting their input on allowing consumers to attend the last day of the show. Bullet Point readers are also invited to comment by simply sending an e-mail reply to this issue of Bullet Points.

Vol. 2 - No. 25 BULLET POINTS

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