Hoffman's Gun Center & Indoor Shooting Range

Ruger Firearms

Southport, CT --(Ammoland.com)- Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is pleased to announce that Hoffman’s Gun Center & Indoor Shooting Range of Newington, CT has been named the 2011 Ruger Retailer of the Year.

Owner Scott Hoffman received an engraved Mark III pistol to recognize his strong support for Ruger and his success in the retail firearms industry.

“We are very excited to present the 2011 Retailer of the Year to Scott Hoffman and Hoffman’s Gun Center. Scott and his entire staff are very knowledgeable regarding Ruger firearms, and they are dedicated to stocking and promoting our entire product line,” said Ruger President and CEO Mike Fifer.

“Hoffman’s advertising efforts are industry leading and give our products visibility in print, online and on the radio. They also operate an indoor shooting range and participate in the Ruger Range Program, allowing potential customers the opportunity to try out and fall in love with Ruger firearms. Without a doubt, Hoffman’s offers the very best in service, value, and selection, and we’re honored to recognize them as our Ruger Retailer of the Year,” Fifer concluded.

Hoffman’s Gun Center & Indoor Shooting Range is a family operation that began in New Britain, CT in 1919. Surviving multiple re-locations and even a devastating fire, Hoffman’s has grown into the largest firearms retailer in New England with an equally strong online store. Ruger is proud to honor this first-class firearms retailer with the 2011 Ruger Retailer of the Year Award.

For more information on the extensive line of Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. For more information on Hoffman’s Gun Center & Indoor Shooting Range, visit www.HoffGun.com.

As always, thanks for your continued support!

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn --(Ammoland.com)- When it comes to record keeping and maintaining internal controls, firearms retailers need to “sweat the details,” but the National Shooting Sports Foundation® reminds them that they don’t have to go it alone.

NSSF, the trade association for the firearms industry, offers federally licenced firearms retailers (FFLs) the opportunity to work with experienced advisors who, as former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officials, understand what it takes to stay compliant with ATF rules and regulations.

This service is a key benefit available only to NSSF retailer members; it alone can be worth the price of a retailer membership.

“Working with an ATF compliance advisor can save a firearms retailer time, money, hassles and, in a worst case scenario, his or her business,” said Randy Clark, NSSF’s managing director of business development.

This is how it works. Retailers requiring assistance contact NSSF, which coordinates requests with retired ATF compliance advisors participating in the program. A compliance advisor will then personally visit the retailer to assess its level of ATF compliance, conduct a review of internal controls over firearms and record keeping and train the retailer and staff to help the business to be prepared for an ATF compliance inspection and pass it with flying colors. The price of this service for members is only $499. NSSF also will pick up other fees of compliance advisors, including all travel expenses.

Each ATF compliance advisor brings a wealth of experience to the job, having conducted hundreds of firearm retailer compliance inspections.

“These are high quality, seasoned former ATF compliance professionals,” said Clark.

NSSF has added three advisors to its popular retailer compliance program so that more FFLs can take advantage of expert advice and avoid warning conferences, warning letters, fines, license revocations or license non-renewals that often are due to oversights and human errors involving paperwork and inventory and not staying abreast of new regulations.

The enhanced program was announced at SHOT Show University, a series of educational seminars for firearms retailers that took place the day before the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) in Las Vegas.

To learn more about the NSSF’s Retailer Compliance Program, email Randy Clark at rclark@nssf.org. Additional NSSF resources for firearms retailers are available at www.nssf.org/retailers/.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 7,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

274 Guns Stolen in Recent Burglaries ATF Offers Rewards

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

HOUSTON, TX --(Ammoland.com)- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Crime Stoppers of Houston and local law enforcement agencies announce today a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for eight burglaries at Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) in the Houston area.

“In the last six weeks approximately 274 firearms were stolen from eight burglaries. ATF is requesting the public’s assistance in recovering these firearms to prevent their use in violent crimes,” said Gary Orchowski, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Field Division.

ATF is working with Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 4, Houston Police Department, FBI, Brazos County Sheriff’s Office and West Columbia Police Department to investigate these burglaries.

The burglaries in question are listed below:

• Cypress Jewelry and Loan (12-2-11), 11133 Huffmeister, Cypress, TX, 37 firearms stolen, ATF and Harris Co Pct 4.
• Great Texas Gun Company (12-17-11), 6951 State Highway 21 East, Bryan, TX, 80 firearms stolen, ATF and Brazos County SO. (Reward previously offered.)
• Fiesta Pawn (12-24-11), 12726 North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77060, no firearms, Harris County SO, ATF.
• People’s Pawn (1-4-12), 11431 North Freeway, Houston, Texas, 10 firearms and electronics, ATF and Houston PD.
• Amex Pawn (1-4-12), 12303 Veteran’s Memorial, Houston, Texas, 131 firearms stolen, ATF and HCSO.
  JJ Enterprise Sporting Goods (1-7-12), 505 E. Brazos Ave, West Columbia, Texas (Brazoria County), 16 firearms stolen, ATF and West Columbia PD.
• Value Pawn (1-12-12), 10790 W. FM 1960, Houston, Texas, 77064, no firearms but other items, ATF and Harris County Pct 4.
• Jet Pawn (1-14-12), 6135 FM 2920, Spring, Texas 77379, 3 suspects arrested during attempt, ATF, HCSO, Harris County Pct 4.

Anyone with information on these burglaries is encouraged to contact:

Crime Stoppers of Houston at (713) 222-TIPS (8477)

www.stopcriminals.org

ATF at (800) ATF GUNS or 800-283-4867

Tipsters will remain anonymous and can be eligible for up to $5,000 for arrest and charging/conviction of persons responsible for these crimes.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating firearms crimes and regulating the firearms industry. More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov.

###

The Specialty Arms II gun shop was heavily damaged by fire early Sunday morning. Law enforcement officials have deemed the fire as an arson.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --(Ammoland.com)- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Nashville Field Division and the Tennessee State Bomb and Arson Section announced a combined reward of $5,000 for anyone who has information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the arson fire on Dec. 25, 2011 at Specialty Arms II, 184 Old Nashville Highway in LaVergne, Tenn.

The fire at the federal firearms licensee was reported to police at approximately 2:15 a.m. Christmas morning.

The fire has been determined to be arson following fire scene examination and other investigative efforts. The ongoing criminal investigation is being conducted by ATF, the Tennessee Bomb and Arson Section and the LaVergne Police Department. Anyone with information should call ATF at 615–565–1410 or the Tennessee Arson Hotline at 1–800–762–3017 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All caller identities will be kept confidential and remain anonymous.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson. For more information about ATF and its programs, please visit www.atf.gov. ATF can also be followed on Twitter at http:twitter.com/ATFHQ.

Finding Gun Retailers & Guns Online

FindTheBest

USA --(Ammoland.com)- Looking for a local gun dealer that holds a Federal Firearm License?

FindTheBest is here to help sort out the confusion surrounding the status of dealers with Federal Firearms Licenses from the ATF.

While the ATF releases this information for the public it is hard to sort through all the confusion with over 65,000 licensees. FindTheBest has organized the data into an easy to use format, where you can easily sort through the information to find what you are looking for. Additionally, you can filter the License Type so you can find the dealer that meets your needs.

Now that you have found the dealer, you can compare the different guns on FindTheBest as well. With a database of 626 guns, you can compare side-by-side guns that you are considering to see how they stack up. The variables you can compare across include Manufacturer, MSRP, Class, Action, Caliber, Capacity, Dimensions, and more. So whether you are in the market for Hunting, Sports, or Defense FindTheBest can help you sort through all the information and find the information on guns you need.

If you are in the market for guns, then you may want to consider a Gun Safe to store your guns and ammunition. Before you purchase a gun safe, you will want to make sure that the safe can accommodate the range of guns that you are planning to store.  Other factors to influence your decision may be the Fire Rating, Burglary Rating, or Lock Rating. If you are still unsure then FindTheBest compiles ratings for the safes based on relevant data provided by manufacturers.

Finally, you may also be interested in going out to a shooting range to test out any new guns. With over 300 indoor or outdoor shooting ranges listed, FindTheBest can help you find the one nearest to you.

Author: Jack Middlebrook student at University of California Santa Barbara and shooting enthusiast. He also works for FindTheBest in the Sports and Recreation group.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The Gun Control Act (GCA) generally prohibits any person from transferring firearms to any unlicensed person who they know or have reasonable cause to believe does not reside in the State in which the transferor resides.

See 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(5). Longstanding Federal firearms regulations at 27 C.F.R. 478.11 define the term “State of residence” differently for U.S. citizens and aliens.

A U.S. citizen’s State of residence is the State in which he or she is present with the intention of making a home; while an alien is considered a resident of a State if he or she has resided in that State for a period of at least 90 days prior to the date of transfer with the intention of making a home.

As you know, Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) are required to obtain documentation establishing that an alien legally in the United States has resided in the State continuously for at least 90 days prior to the transfer of the firearm.

This documentation is currently recorded as a response to Question 20c of the Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473.

The Department of Justice (the Department) has recently concluded that, as a matter of law, applying a more stringent State residency requirement for aliens legally present in the U.S. than for U.S. citizens is incompatible with the language of the GCA.

As a result, ATF will be revising the regulations in 27 C.F.R. Part 478 to conform to the Department’s conclusions by removing the separate 90-day residency requirement for aliens. Once the regulations have been revised, both U.S. citizens and aliens legally present in the U.S. will be subject to the same requirements for State residency and proof of residency. ATF is in the process of amending its forms to conform to the statute as well.

This process of amending the relevant regulations and forms will be completed as expeditiously as possible. Until that process is complete, however, the current regulations have the force of law. Accordingly, for the time being, FFLs should continue to use the current forms and abide by the current regulations.

ATF is committed to assisting you in complying with Federal firearms laws. If you have any questions, please contact ATF’s Firearms Industry Programs Branch at (202) 648-7190.

Maryland Shall Issue

Maryland -–(Ammoland.com)- As some of you will recall, we brought to your attention on June 16 of this year the fact that the Anne Arundel County Council passed an ordinance that required dealers of second hand merchandise to maintain records and purchase an additional business license in order to continue to maintain their business in the county.

While the word firearm is nowhere mentioned in the ordinance, the County Executive and the Anne Arundel County Police Department took it upon themselves to determine that they would apply the terms of that law to licensed firearms dealers in the county.

Maryland Shall Issue took a position in opposition to the bill for two reasons:

1. That the $250 base license with $50 per employee add on fee was an unacceptable burden to these heavily regulated small businesses which must already purchase federal and state firearms licenses as well as county business licenses.
2. Most importantly, that the records keeping requirements were a blatant violation of the state preemption laws. The State of Maryland “preempts the right of a county, municipal corporation, or special taxing district to regulate the purchase, sale, taxation, transfer, manufacture, repair, ownership, possession and transportation of” a handgun, rifle or shotgun as well as the ammunition for those firearms. (Criminal Law Article – Section 4-209 (a) )

The Public Safety Article – Section 5-104 also states that “the Regulated Firearms Subtitle supercedes any restriction that a local jurisdiction imposes on a sale of a regulated firearm”. Similar language is repeated in Section 5-134 of the same article.

This ordinance would have required these licensed firearms dealers to submit a daily record of their transactions to the county police with information including the type of firearm as well as the name and address of the person transferring the firearm.

You will also recall that Councilman Jerry Walker of the 7th Council District proposed a bill that would have expressly exempted licensed firearms dealers from the language of the ordinance. This bill was subsequently voted down in spite of MSI’s attempts to get the members of the county council to see reason.

With the assistance of Delegate Don Dwyer (R – District 31) and his staff, Maryland Shall Issue drafted a request to the Attorney General’s office requesting an opinion on the legality of the ordinance on the basis of not only the Maryland preemption language, but also MSI’s assertion that this bill violated the federal Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986.

After a long wait, we are happy to report to you that Delegate Dwyer’s office has forwarded us the official opinion from the Office of the Attorney General confirming that the ordinance as being enforced is in direct contravention of the state preemption laws.

A copy of that opinion can be found here.

Anne Arundel County will be forced to change their policy of coercing licensed dealers to comply with the language of this ordinance.

Contact Information for Anne Arundel County Council

Now that the Office of the Attorney General has ruled the dealers’ licensing ordinance illegal as it is being applied to licensed firearms dealers, it is time for the County Council to hear from the MSI membership that we expect compliance with state law.

As always, be polite and respectful in your communication, but be firm in stating that the council is clearly in violation of state law and that the council must direct the county police to stop this illegal application of this ordinance.

Anne Arundel Residents can find their council districts by going here and looking at the top link on the right side of the page.

District 1 – Hon. Daryl Jones
410-222-1401
Email: daryl.jones@aacounty.org

District 2 – Hon. John Grasso
410-222-1401
Email: John.grasso@aacounty.org

District 3 – Hon. Derek Fink
410-222-1401
Email: dfink@aacounty.org

District 4 – Hon. Jamie Benoit
410-222-1401
Email: james.benoit@aacounty.org

District 5 – Hon. Dick Ladd
410-222-1401
Email: dladd@aacounty.org

District 6 – Hon. Chris Trumbauer
410-222-1401
Email: ctrumbauer@aacounty.org

District 7 – Hon. Jerry Walker
410-222-1401
Email: jerry.walker@aacounty.org

Mission Statement: Maryland Shall Issue is an all volunteer, non-partisan effort dedicated to the preservation and advancement of all gunowners’ rights in Maryland, with a primary goal of CCW reform to allow all law-abiding citizens the right to carry a concealed weapon; and to the education of the community to the awareness that ‘shall issue’ laws have, in all cases, resulted in decreased rates of violent crime.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- Since 1998, the Gun Control Act (GCA) has prohibited certain nonimmigrant aliens from receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition that have a connection to interstate commerce.

See 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5)(B). In a regulation published on February 5, 2002, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) interpreted this restriction to apply to all aliens present in the United States in a nonimmigrant classification as defined by section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15), unless they qualified for one of the exceptions contained in 18 U.S.C. § 922(y)(2). See 27 C.F.R. § 478.11.

ATF’s Firearms Transaction Record Part 1 – Over-the-Counter (Form 4473) reflects this interpretation of the GCA.

Recently, the Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice, (OLC) has informed ATF that its interpretation of the scope of persons prohibited by section 922(g)(5)(B) is overly broad.

That is, OLC determined that the prohibition contained in section 922(g)(5)(B) does not extend to all nonimmigrant aliens present in the United States, but only extends to aliens who were admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa. Some nonimmigrant aliens, including most Canadian visitors, as well as aliens admitted under the Visa Waiver program, are allowed to be present in the United States without a nonimmigrant visa. Those aliens, and others who are lawfully in the country without a visa, are not within the scope of the GCA prohibition. This interpretation of the scope of persons prohibited by section 922(g)(5)(B) extends to the scope of transfers of firearms by sellers (including Federal firearms licensees) under 922(d)(5)(B).

ATF is in the process of amending its regulations and forms to conform with OLC’s determination

California Rifle and Pistol Association

Sacramento, CA --(Ammoland.com)-To all members, please be aware that a new FFL “Gun Safari“ is in the process of opening a store front in Los Angeles.

It is not an easy task; there has not been a new gun shop opened in Los Angeles in quite some time.

All legal hurdles have been met and now part of the process is an open forum for residents to voice their support for or against the opening of a new firearms dealer in the area.

This obviously weighs on the city’s decision on whether or not Gun safari will be permitted to sell firearms.

We are asking Los Angeles area CRPA members to attend this hearing and speak your support for this gun shop.

Gun Safari

The meeting is scheduled for December 7th at 7 p.m.

For those of you who would like to see another FFL open in Los Angeles, we ask that you come show your support.

When: Wednesday, December 7 at 7 p.m.

Where: 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406. In the Tillman water plant at the Japanese Gardens.

Thank you and we hope to see you there!

The California Rifle and Pistol Association “CRPA,” founded in 1875, is dedicated to defending the rights of law-abiding citizens to responsibly use firearms for self-defense and the defense of their loved ones, for sport, and for all other legal activities. CRPA is the official state association of the National Rifle Association. A California non-profit association, CRPA is independently directed by its own Board of Directors. CRPA’s members include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, professionals, firearm experts, the general public, and loving parents. CRPA has always worked to reduce the criminal misuse of firearms and firearms accidents, while actively promoting and organizing the competitive shooting sports and Olympic training programs in California. We are proud to say that many CRPA competitors are among the best in the world.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

RICHARD S. HARTUNIAN --(Ammoland.com)- RICHARD S. HARTUNIAN, United States Attorney, Northern District of New York, WILBERT L. PLUMMER, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and DELANO A. REID, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), announces that a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) named JOHN RUMBLE (56, of Ogdensburg, New York), was sentenced to 121 months imprisonment by the Honorable David N. Hurd, in Utica, New York, for several federal firearms related offenses.

On June 2, 2011, a U.S. District Court jury in Utica convicted RUMBLE, of the following offenses: one count of conspiracy to make false statements in his FFL records; two counts of sale of a firearm to an illegal drug user; two counts of making false statements in his FFL records; and one count of being an unlawful drug user in possession of 150 firearms that traveled in interstate commerce. The jury also rendered a special verdict wherein they decided that RUMBLE must forfeit his 150 firearms to the federal government for destruction.

This investigation was initiated in the Spring of 2008 when the Saint Lawrence County Drug Task Force initiated a state court authorized wiretap on the telephone of an individual believed to be involved in drug trafficking. The wiretap investigation revealed that this individual and others were involved in the smuggling of high grade marijuana from Canada into the United States. On October 8, 2008, a state search warrant was executed at this individual’s residence. During the search warrant, officers located approximately 100 pounds of marijuana, 8 ounces of cocaine, and 72 firearms. Further investigation revealed that two of the seventy two firearms traced back to RUMBLE.

On April 2, 2009, agents executed a federal search warrant at RUMBLE’s residence located at 305 King Street, Ogdensburg, New York. During the execution of the search warrant, ATF seized RUMBLE’s FFL records and 174 firearms. ATF also obtained a court authorized hair sample from RUMBLE which tested positive for marijuana. During an audit and investigation of RUMBLE’s FFL records, ATF discovered that RUMBLE knowingly facilitated the straw-sale of three firearms to people that were prohibited from possessing firearms by making false entries in his FFL records to hide and conceal the identity of the actual purchaser of the firearms. Throughout this entire investigation, law enforcement officers seized approximately 305 firearms.

This prosecution resulted from an investigation conducted by the following agencies: New York State Police Troop B Gun Investigation Unit; United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Saint Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office; Saint Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department; U.S. Border Patrol; and Ogdensburg Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ransom P. Reynolds. Further questions may be directed to Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney John Duncan at (315) 448–0672.

AcuSport

BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO --(Ammoland.com)- AcuSport Corporation, a leading distributor of shooting and hunting products, provides customized solutions and products that are specifically designed to increase the growth and profitability of independent retail businesses.

AcuSport is excited to announce its exclusive distributor-partnership with FFLGuard related to its National Firearms Act Legal Services Plan (NFA- LSP).

FFLGuard, the firearms industry’s cooperative legal services program and their group of firearm lawyers, subject matter experts, and professionals, provides cost-effective and specialized legal counsel to independent firearms retailers. AcuSport has been a supporter of the FFLGuard program, since its launch in 2008, and continues its support by teaming with FFLGuard’s latest NFA-LSP initiative to better address the legal needs of retailers across the nation.

FFLGuard

The NFA-LSP is a comprehensive package of materials and legal services aimed at supporting both current SOT holders and retailers seeking to enter the Class III market. The offering includes a companion piece to FFLGuard’s “Law Plus Guidelines,” as formulated by FFLGuard in consultation with ATF, in an effort to keep Class III retailers compliant and away from the “willfulness” threshold that triggers potential license revocation. Also included with the NFA-LSP is access to David Goldman, Esq., and his NFA Trust practice, which includes: five (5) redeemable vouchers for NFA trusts to be formed at a 50% discount; and ten (10) $100 redemption certificates. These vouchers and certificates are available for retailers and their Class III customers for NFA trust formation. Retailer support is further delivered through one (1) hour of FFLGuard HelpDesk time regarding and NFA related legal issue and a one (1) hour teleconference with FFLGuard’s Director of Field Operations, Scott Braum, on the implementation of the Law Plus Guidelines for NFA. Other components of the comprehensive plan include a redemption voucher for the day-long seminar on NFA matters presented yearly by attorney Mark Barnes at a special rate, a sample ATF Form 5630.7 and instruction sheet, and numerous informational brochures including an overview of Class III products with emphasis on the suppressor market.

“The NFA-LSP is truly a complete offering that will benefit any retailer currently in the Class III market, or those wanting to enter this rapidly expanding market segment” stated Christopher Chiafullo, attorney and founder of the FFLGuard program, who serves as its National Coordinating Counsel and Director of Special Operations. “The more comfortable we can make retailers about being within the confines of the law, the more likely they will be to sell Class III firearms… which makes everyone happy from manufacturers, to distributors, to retailers, to ATF, to the firearms industry as a whole.”

The standard fee for a one-year subscription to the NFA-LSP is $995 for all FFLGuard clients on their full-service plan. Through an exclusive partnership with FFLGuard, AcuSport retailers can purchase the NFA-LSP for $495 the first year and each year thereafter, whether or not they are current clients on FFLGuard’s full-service plan. AcuSport’s decision to offer this expanded solution as part of their CustomerLink offering “[w]as a natural fit,” states AcuSport Director of Business Integration, Kenan Ikels.

“Our retailers have experienced superior service from the FFLGuard program over the last three years, and we are so confident in the value of this program that AcuSport has agreed to subsidize the cost by offering a substantial discount only available through AcuSport’s CustomerLink program,” noted Mr. Ikels.

He finished by stating that “[t]he partnership with FFLGuard to offer the NFA-LSP combined with an expanding offering of Class III products allows AcuSport’s retailers to take advantage of this growing segment of our industry ultimately increasing customer satisfaction levels for the end consumer… We are encouraging our manufacturing partners to join in on this opportunity as well, because we see it as such a tremendous value.”

Based in Bellefontaine, Ohio, AcuSport Corporation is a nationwide distributor of shooting and hunting products with regional sales offices in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Montana and California. If retailers are interested in joining FFLGuard or would like additional information on the FFLGuard program, please visit www.fflguard.com, call 1-888-335-4731 Ext. 710, follow them on Twitter (@FFLGuard), or contact your AcuSport Sales Professional at 1-800-543-3150. AcuSport is committed to providing superior industry business solutions for the independent firearms retailer.

Philadelphia Insurance Launches New Coverage for Gun Stores, Gunsmiths

Philadelphia Insurance

Bala Cynwyd, PA --(Ammoland.com)- Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) is launching its newest insurance product for retail gun stores and gunsmithing.

The Retail Gun Store product is designed to meet the unique needs of the ever expanding outdoor recreational industry.

“Adding Retail Gun Stores and Gunsmithing to PHLY’s product lineup is a natural and exciting progression in the evolution of our Outdoor Program,” commented Brent Skiles, Assistant Vice President. “Retailers and gunsmiths will find PHLY offers a ‘one-stop shop’ to fulfill property, auto, crime, professional liability and general liability insurance needs.”

The coverage enhancements provide a broad array of protection specific to retail gun store exposures including gunsmithing (repairing, modifying of fire arms), shooting ranges, firearm instructors, personal property of others and property off premises. Policyholders are also entitled to discounted background checks for employees through PHLY’s Loss Control Program. More information on the Retail Gun Store product can be found online at: www.phly.com/products/RetailGun.aspx

Philadelphia Insurance Companies designs, markets, and underwrites commercial property/casualty and professional liability insurance products incorporating value added coverages and services for select industries.

In operation since 1962, the Company, whose commercial lines insurance subsidiaries are rated A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company and A+ for counterparty credit and financial strength by Standard & Poor’s, is nationally recognized as a member of Ward’s Top 50 and National Underwriter’s Top 100 (for in-depth financial information, please visit our website at www.phly.com). The organization has 46 offices strategically located across the United States to provide superior service.

Philadelphia Insurance Companies is the marketing name for the property casualty insurance operations of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp., a Member of the Tokio Marine Group. In the United States, all products are written by insurance company subsidiaries of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to actual policy language. Certain coverage may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds. Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent third parties.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- This video helps FFL’s to understand the requirements for transfers of firearms to members of the U.S. Military.

This instruction focuses on documentation establishing residency requirements for military personnel under permanent or temporary change of duty stations.

AmmoLand Gun News

Manasquan, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- The ATF has issued an open letter to all federal firearms licensees in response to inquiries regarding the use of marijuana for medical purposes and its applicability to federal firearms laws, specifically Form 4473.

The letter address if holders of state cards allowing their possession and use of marijuana for medicinal purposes need to answer yes if they are addicted to or an unlawful user of marijuana.

Answer is YES!

Read the letter below.

ATF Open Letter to FFL’s Regarding Medical Marijuana

ATF Announces $5,000 Reward In Wisconsin's Fletcher Arms Gun Theft

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ST. PAUL, Minn. --(Ammoland.com)- ATF is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft of firearms from Fletcher Arms, Waukesha, Wis., announced Special Agent in Charge Bernard J. Zapor of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) St. Paul Field Division,

Approximately 30 firearms were stolen in a Sept. 2 burglary from Fletcher Arms, a federally licensed firearms dealer.

ATF and the Waukesha Police Department are investigating the theft.

“We are asking for the public’s help to recover these firearms and bring the person or persons responsible for this crime to justice,” said Zapor.

Any information regarding this burglary should be reported to ATF at 1 (800) ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867) or Waukesha Police Department at (262) 524-3814.

Fletcher Arms

More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov

ATF Offers $5,000 Reward in Tulsa Firearms Gun Store Theft

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

TULSA, Okla. --(Ammoland.com)- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for a burglary and theft at Tulsa Firearms located at 5949 S. Garnett Road, Tulsa said Robert R. Champion, Special Agent in Charge for the Dallas Field Division.

On Sept. 4, suspect(s) entered the business through the roof ventilation system and exited a back door.

Twenty–six firearms were stolen from the gun store during the burglary.

Tulsa Firearms Training Academy opened its’ doors in 1976. Owner, Riley Gilmore’s interest in firearms began at an early age, dating back to his Boy Scout days. He later began teaching firearms instruction as a volunteer for the YMCA in the late 70′s. Riley believed there was a need within the region for a safe location where homeowners, sportsmen, security officers and policemen could have a place to shoot indoors and enjoy the benefits of target shooting. With the help and support of the Gilmore family, Tulsa Firearms opened its doors as the fourth indoor shooting range in the United States and has become the premier indoor shooting facility in this part of the country. www.tulsafirearms.com

Anyone with information about this crime should contact ATF at 1–800–ATF–Guns (800–283–4867, ATF Tulsa Field Office at (918) 594–1801, or Tulsa Police Department at (918) 596–COPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

ATF to Conduct Webinar on Form 4473 for Federal Firearms Licensees

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- ATF is offering an educational opportunity designed to provide Federal Firearms Licensees and their employees with a general overview on the proper completion and importance of the ATF Form 4473. This will be done through an online web seminar (“webinar”).

The webinar will be conducted September 13, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EST). It is limited to the first 100 licensees who register.

Those interested should send an e-mail to fflonlineseminars@atf.gov. Please include your city and the State in which you are licensed and your email address in the body of the email. A link with a unique identifier will be forwarded to the 1st 100 licensees on Monday, September 12th.

The webinar will provide essential instruction for new employees and is a good refresher for seasoned employees.

To enhance its effectiveness, please provide us any questions you may have relevant to the ATF F 4473 in advance.

Firearms Serial Numbers

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- A primary purpose of the Gun Control Act (GCA) is to enable firearms to be traced from the manufacturer or importer of the firearm through the firearm’s sequence of distribution.

Federal firearms laws and regulations require that the identifying information contained on firearms be accurately and fully recorded in the acquisition and disposition (A&D) records retained by FFLs.

The markings required to be placed on firearms and the records maintained by FFLs are critical in tracing firearms that are used in crimes. Symbols, numbers, and/or letters found in firearms serial numbers often identify model designations and date of manufacture and may include other coded manufacturer data that can be very important to a successful crime-gun trace.

Two regulations implementing, respectively, the GCA and the National Firearms Act (NFA), 27 CFR § 478.92 and § 479.102, specify the marking requirements for licensed manufacturers and importers relative to firearms and armor piercing ammunition, and for makers of NFA firearms. Licensees and makers of NFA firearms must legibly and conspicuously mark the firearms with the required markings.

The above regulations require markings that legibly identify each firearm. A serial number must consist of an actual number or series of numbers. However, such numbers may be accompanied by a combination of letters. ATF has consistently taken the position that “legibly” marked means using Roman letters (A, a, B, b, C, c, and so forth) and Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.).

ATF has received many questions regarding whether a manufacturer may identify a firearm with an individual’s name. This may be done provided it is also marked with a number(s) adjacent to the name (e.g., “adamsgun1234”). In addition, ATF has received numerous requests from Federal firearms licensees about special characters.

A legibly marked firearm may also include, but may not be comprised solely of, special characters provided that a variance is requested and approved. We caution that the manufacturer must ensure that the serial number used should be readily located in their A&D records.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- In preparation for Hurricane Irene and other natural disasters, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today urged federal firearms licensees (FFLs) to be prepared and protect their merchandise and facilities.

ATF has prepared guidance, available online, regarding how to plan ahead before disasters strike.

An informational ATF brochure and video are available on ATF’s website that should answer questions for FFLs that are affected by flooding or other such incidents.

The brochure, “Disaster Preparedness for Federal Firearms Licensees,” (ATF publication 3317.7), is available at www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-3317-7.pdf .

The video, “Disaster Preparedness,” can be found under “ATF’s Online Education Seminars” at www.atf.gov/training/firearms/ffl-educational-seminars/.

FFLs that have additional questions concerning how to prepare for disasters are urged to contact their local ATF field office or the ATF Firearms Industry Programs Branch at 202-648-7190.

Further information about ATF is available at www.atf.gov.

AcuSport Corporation is the leading distributor of shooting and hunting products.

AcuSport

BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO --(Ammoland.com)- AcuSport Corporation, a leading distributor of shooting and hunting products, provides customized solutions that are specifically designed to increase the growth and profitability of independent retail businesses through their CustomerLink brand.

The e-OnLine ordering system is a key component of that offering. The system provides retailers with a full-featured, state-of-the-art platform to research and order products. AcuSport is pleased to release the latest edition of e-OnLine to their retailer base today.

AcuSport is committed to providing retailers with the best online ordering system in the industry. Several months of research that included numerous focus group sessions, retailer visits, and user surveys went into the development of the new system. The resulting solution improves on the system that is already identified as the leading ordering website in the industry. Enhanced search and navigation makes it easier for users to find the products they need, monitor availability on merchandise they want, and replenish standard stocking items with the press of a button.

Users will find the new version of e-Online functionally very similar to the existing ordering system making the transition to the new site very easy. For example, core features such as “dealer lock” and our 2% release discount will not change with this new version.

“Based on feedback from our retailers, the goal when building the new system was to keep the functionality as close to the existing system as possible,” stated Electronic Business Manager, Mark Albright. “While the user will find some new features and things may look a little different, the new site is basically the same e-OnLine system our retailers are accustomed to using, only better!”

AcuSport Corporation is the leading distributor of shooting and hunting products.

Based in Bellefontaine, Ohio, AcuSport Corporation is a nationwide distributor of shooting and hunting products with regional sales offices in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Montana and California. Independent retailers who would like to place an order, please call 1-800-543-3150 or visit www.AcuSport.com for additional information.

FFLGuard

New York City, NY --(Ammoland.com)- FFLGuard, a cooperative legal program offered to Federal Firearms Licensees by The Chiafullo Group, LLP (“the Group”), a law firm based in New Jersey, provides cost-effective and specialized legal counsel to independent gun retailers in the event of a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives (“BATFE”) compliance inspection, or in defense of civil litigation aimed at scrutinizing the retailer’s business practices. FFLGuard has experienced increased demand as the program has caught the attention of clients across the nation who face similar legal obstacles in their marketplaces.

Christopher Chiafullo, attorney and founder of the FFLGuard program, currently serves as its National Coordinating Counsel and Director of Special Operations. Chiafullo works with subject matter experts and firearms-specific counsel to develop FFLGuard’s “Law Plus Guidelines” and deliver the unique legal program nationwide, affording cost-effective compliance solutions to over 200 FFL’s in 36 states. Chiafullo recently asked attorney David Goldman, to join the FFLGuard program. He joins a growing and impressive group of experts in FFLGuard’s Special Operations Branch.

Mr. Goldman, founder of the Apple Law Firm of Jacksonville, FL, will provide his National Firearms Act (“NFA”) Trust expertise to the FFLGuard program. Specifically, FFLGuard will refer clients (and their retail customers) to Mr. Goldman and his network of Gun Trust Lawyers to utilize his expertise developing Gun Trusts for NFA firearms and collectors of firearms in every state where FFLGuard has clients.

“NFA Trusts,” “Firearms Trusts,” “Title II Trusts,” and “Class 3 Trusts” are all a specific type of legal instrument called “Revocable Living Trusts,” that deal with the unique issues of owning,transferring, and possessing Title II firearms (silencers, short barrel rifles and shotguns, AOWs and machine guns).

When individuals purchase a Title II firearm sold by a Dealer with a Class 3 SOT, the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the city or county where the individual resides is required to sign a document called a Form 4. This sometimes leads to delay or disappointment. Yet individuals can legally purchase and own a Title II firearms through a NFA Trust, wherein the Trust (not the individual) actually purchases and holds title to the restricted firearm or gun.

The NFA trust is not required to submit fingerprints nor seek the approval of the local chief of police. Instead the federal government will verify and investigate the application. Many individuals prefer the NFA Trust over creating a corporation or LLC to do the same thing because the NFA Trust is less expensive to operate, deals with issues of incapacity and death, and provides greater privacy as to who owns the Class 3 firearms.

“The ability to assist current and prospective FFLGuard clients with access to Mr. Goldman and his Gun Trust Lawyers will help our clients sell more products under their Class III License to qualified retail customers, while still keeping in line with our ‘Law Plus Guideline’ philosophy,” states Chiafullo. “We understand that the right to bear arms is a constitutional right that is always ‘under fire’ by current state and federal laws. Giving our FFLGuard clients better legal tools to comply with state and federal laws is part of our obligation to them, and aligning with David [Goldman] adds the bonus feature of giving our clients a ‘value-added’ service they can share with their customers.” Chiafullo added, “[if] both our clients and their customers have better access to and understanding of NFA Trusts, then it’s a win- win-win for the industry, FFLGuard, and the Title II weapon-buying public.”

“This is the next step for our program as we continue to provide superior legal counsel to the independent firearms retailer,” Chiafullo said.

If retailers are interested in joining FFLGuard or would like additional information on the FFLGuard program, please visit www.fflguard.com or call 1-888-FFL-GRD1 (1-888-335-4731). Also, anyone can follow Mr. Chiafullo on Twitter: @FFLGuard.

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- On Monday, July 11, the Obama administration announced that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will soon begin requiring firearm dealers in the southwestern border states to file “multiple sale” reports on detachable-magazine rifles larger than .22 caliber.

Under the plan, each dealer will be required to report, to the BATFE, any sale of two or more such rifles to a single individual with a period of five business days.

The administration’s decision, supposedly aimed at the trafficking of U.S. firearms to Mexican drug cartels, follows findings by Congress that the BATFE, in “Operation Fast and Furious,” knowingly allowed straw purchasers to buy five, 10 or 20 firearms in single transactions and transfer them to higher-level gun traffickers working for the cartels. Disapproving of the new sales reporting scheme, House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) said “It is the height of hypocrisy for the Obama administration to restrict the gun rights of border state citizens, when the administration itself knowingly and intentionally allowed guns to be trafficked into Mexico.”

NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox promised legal action to stop the BATFE from implementing the rifle sales reports requirement. “The Administration lacks the statutory authority to do this and the NRA will file suit as soon as ATF sends the first demand letters” to dealers, Cox said. The BATFE lacks the authority because Congress has specifically required similar reports only for handgun sales, and therefore implicitly rejected such a requirement for other guns.

The move has already sparked action by pro-gun federal lawmakers. The House Appropriations Committee voted on Wednesday to ban any use of appropriated funds for the scheme (please see related story above), and even before the administration announcement, Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) introduced S. 570 to prohibit the use of federal funds for long gun sales reporting.

Gun control activist groups have demanded the new reporting requirement for months. Michael Bloomberg’s Mayors Against Illegal Guns called for it as part of its August 2009 Blueprint for Federal Action on Illegal Guns. As recently as last week, MAIG ignored the fact that Fast and Furious knowingly allowed straw purchasers to fill up their cars with guns and drive away unimpeded, telling President Obama that the rifle reports would “help ATF and other law enforcement identify individuals who may be buying guns like AK-47s and AR-15s by the carload.”

Even if the sales report requirement survives a legal challenge, it is doubtful that it would satisfy gun control supporters’ desire for ever-increasing record-keeping on firearm purchases. Bloomberg said the requirement is “a logical step” and Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico’s ambassador to the U.S., called it “a step that should prevent straw purchasers and individuals from illegally purchasing weapons in the U.S.” Their comments echoed the Brady Campaign’s earlier characterization of the requirement as “a first step of what should be a comprehensive approach to prevent gun violence in Mexico, and in America.” (Emphases added.)

The subsequent steps that Bloomberg, Sarukhan and the Brady Campaign have in mind are easy to anticipate. First, since some firearm dealers in Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana are closer to the Mexican city most plagued by cartel murders, Ciudad Juarez, than dealers in some parts of California, gun control supporters could call for the rifle sales reporting requirement to be expanded to dealers in more states and, ultimately, nationwide. They could demand that the reporting requirement be expanded to the purchase of any two firearms —rifle, handgun, or shotgun— in any combination. And as illegal buyers predictably change their behavior to avoid reporting, anti-gun groups would likely demand a reporting threshold longer than five days.

Second, since straw purchasers could avoid appearing in dealers’ sales reports by buying firearms from multiple dealers, gun control supporters could demand that the instant check system be used to track how often an individual buys guns, as Virginia does to enforce its so-called “one gun a month” law. (Of course, gun control supporters would not be satisfied with a 30-day purchase record retention requirement. In 2009, Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) introduced legislation, S. 2820, proposing that the FBI be authorized to retain records of approved firearm transactions for 180 days.)

Finally, gun control supporters have already called sales by non-dealers a “loophole” that should be “closed” by prohibiting ordinary private firearm sales. Legislation to that effect, H.R. 1781, has already been introduced in Congress by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.).

None of this would affect the ability of the cartels to obtain guns by theft, by pay-offs to corrupt Mexican police officers and military personnel, or by smuggling from Central America. But, of course, for gun control supporters that has never been the goal.

Editor’s Note: In response to the BATFE plan to force the reporting of semi-automatic rifle sales by Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL’s) in Southwest border states including Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas, NRA-ILA is looking to gather as much information as possible about the BATFE demand letters.

If you are:

1.  a FFL; and
2. received a letter from the BATFE requiring you to report multiple sales, or other dispositions, of two or more rifles, as described above, and;
3. you have conducted such sales in the past and believe that the letter you received requires you to report them to the BATFE, please contact NRA-ILA’s Office of Legislative Counsel. The office may be reached by phone at (703) 267-1161, fax (703) 267-1164 or email at ILALegal@nrahq.org. If you contact the office via fax or email, please be sure to provide your name, contact information, and, if possible, a copy of the letter you received.

Please do not contact this office if you are not a FFL, have not received one of these demand letters, or do not conduct sales that would require such reporting.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

California Rifle and Pistol Association

Sacramento, CA --(Ammoland.com)-On June 14, 2011, the City Council for the City of Oakley with little notice passed an “urgency ordinance” that will drastically expand its regulation of firearms vendors in the City.

See ordinance documents here. Being an “urgency ordinance,” it became law as soon as the mayor signed it on June 16th.

The ordinance appears to have been proposed because the City Council realized that its current laws do not regulate home-based firearm vendors. But rather than just prohibit home-based firearm vendors, or adopt a reasonable zoning and/or licensing scheme covering them, the City adopted an oppressive set of regulations, including a 15-day wait period for firearm transactions (as opposed to a 10-day wait period as state law requires), and a requirement that all firearm vendors be located certain distances from places like schools and adult entertainment establishments.

In reality, the zoning restrictions leave few if any places where a gun store could open. And it strands the City’s only gun store in its present location, while subjecting it to other unlawful, business-unfriendly provisions of the ordinance.

Attorneys for NRA and CRPA, through their joint Local Ordinance Project (“LOP”) have submitted a letter explaining the legal shortcomings of the ordinance. (See the letter here). The letter explains how Oakley’s new ordinance is not only preempted by state law, but also raises Second Amendment issues that will need to be litigated. Since the Second Amendment is a newly court-recognized right, the contours of the Second Amendment’s protections are still being litigated in courtrooms across the country. The letter amicably explains the current legal landscape regarding firearm regulation, and suggests Oakley should avoid entering the litigation fray on these issues by repealing, or at least amending, the ordinance.

Seventeen years ago the NRA and CRPA joined forces to fight local gun bans being written and pushed in California by the gun ban lobby. Their coordinated efforts became the NRA/CRPA “Local Ordinance Project” (LOP) – a statewide campaign to fight ill conceived local efforts at gun control and educate politicians about available programs that are effective in reducing accidents and violence without infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun owners. The NRA/CRPA LOP has had tremendous success in beating back most of these anti-self-defense proposals

In addition to fighting local gun bans, for decades the NRA has been litigating dozens of cases in California courts to promote the right to self-defense and the 2nd Amendment. In the post Heller and McDonald legal environment, NRA and CRPA Foundation have formed the NRA/CRPA Foundation Legal Action Project (LAP), a joint venture to pro-actively strike down ill-conceived gun control laws and ordinances and advance the rights of firearms owners, specifically in California. Sometimes, success is more likely when LAP’s litigation efforts are kept low profile, so the details of every lawsuit are not always released.

About:
The California Rifle and Pistol Association “CRPA,” founded in 1875, is dedicated to defending the rights of law-abiding citizens to responsibly use firearms for self-defense and the defense of their loved ones, for sport, and for all other legal activities. CRPA is the official state association of the National Rifle Association. A California non-profit association, CRPA is independently directed by its own Board of Directors. CRPA’s members include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, professionals, firearm experts, the general public, and loving parents. CRPA has always worked to reduce the criminal misuse of firearms and firearms accidents, while actively promoting and organizing the competitive shooting sports and Olympic training programs in California. We are proud to say that many CRPA competitors are among the best in the world. Visit: www.crpa.org

Anne Arundel County MD Enacts Firearms Registration Database

Maryland Shall Issue

Maryland -–(Ammoland.com)- At the end of last year, the outgoing Anne Arundel County Council passed a law that added additional regulations on licensed firearms dealers.

The bill is extremely troublesome for a few reasons outlined below. The legislation was presented to the previous council under the guise of recovering stolen merchandise and although the police mentioned firearms dealers during their testimony the main thrust of their testimony was related to stolen electronics…not firearms. In fact, the word “firearm” appears nowhere in the law and the Anne Arundel County Police is interpreting the ordinance to apply to any licensed firearms dealer whose business handles used firearms.

Why we oppose this bill:
The county has created a new licensing structure for licensed firearms dealers that will require them to pay an annual fee of $250 plus $50 per employee. The state and the federal government already regulate licensed firearms dealers and there is no reason for the county to add additional regulation to an already highly regulated group of business owners.

As part of the new regulations the licensed firearms dealers are now required to enter into a statewide database the personal information of an individual who sells or trades in a used firearm. The county is now violating state law by inserting its own regulations on a firearms transaction. Furthermore, we maintain that the county is in violation of the Firearms Owners Protection Act by maintaining what amounts to a registration list of gun owners.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department is supportive of these rules because they believe that this will aide them in recovering stolen firearms.

Why this matters even if you are not an Anne Arundel resident:
This ordinance attacks the heart of our cherished statewide pre-emption laws that are one of the few protections that gun owners in Maryland have. Once that line is breached, we will start to see other counties attempt to chip away at pre-emption.

What we need you to do:
Councilman Jerry Walker who is a Republican representing the 7th District has submitted a bill that would exempt licensed firearms dealers from this new regulation. None of the other six council members has co-sponsored the bill and at this time, Jerry has no additional support so he needs our help. The County Executive is opposed to the Councilman Walker’s bill and Councilman John Grasso has said he will vote against this bill. Please contact your council representative and let him know that you support bill 25-11.

Bill 25-11 is on the agenda for the June 20 council meeting so please call or email your council member with your thoughts ASAP. If you send an email, please cc Councilman Jerry Walker so he knows that we support his efforts to overturn this bad law.

Anne Arundel Residents can find their council districts by going here and looking at the top link on the right side of the page.

• District 1 – Hon. Daryl Jones
  410-222-1401
  Email: daryl.jones@aacounty.org
• District 2 – Hon. John Grasso
  410-222-1401
  Email: John.grasso@aacounty.org
• District 3 – Hon. Derek Fink
  410-222-1401
  Email: dfink@aacounty.org
• District 4 – Hon. Jamie Benoit
  410-222-1401
  Email: james.benoit@aacounty.org
• District 5 – Hon. Dick Ladd
  410-222-1401
  Email: dladd@aacounty.org
• District 6 – Hon. Chris Trumbauer
  410-222-1401
  Email: ctrumbauer@aacounty.org
• District 7 – Hon. Jerry Walker
  410-222-1401
  Email: jerry.walker@aacounty.org

Mission Statement: Maryland Shall Issue is an all volunteer, non-partisan effort dedicated to the preservation and advancement of all gunowners’ rights in Maryland, with a primary goal of CCW reform to allow all law-abiding citizens the right to carry a concealed weapon; and to the education of the community to the awareness that ‘shall issue’ laws have, in all cases, resulted in decreased rates of violent crime.

NASGW

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- At a recent meeting with representatives of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, NASGW Board members were provided recent statistics on inspections of wholesaler member locations by ATF.

The Bureau conducted over 10,500 inspections between 2008-2010, thirty six of which were firearms wholesalers (FY 2008-2010). Eighty six percent of wholesale distributors were found to have NO violations, while 5.56% received reports of violations and 2.78% a warning letter. 5.56% were either out of business, surrendered their license or were revoked.

Equally impressive were the Firearms Inventory numbers where initially 8.4% of inventory inspected was found missing but the final count after review and analysis indicated 0% was missing.

By comparison, the industry averages are much higher. For example, there were 12.96% were given violations notices and 23.36% received a “Warning Letter.” Industry averages for missing and final inventory number also indicated 21,041 missing (1.35%) vs. 0% for wholesale distributors.

“NASGW members do a great job in complying with ATF Inspections,” stated John Badowski, Firearms Industry Technical Advisor and NASGW Liaison. “They show a stellar performance for the industry in best practices.”

Chad Yoder, Division Chief, Bureau of Firearms, Explosives, also praised NASGW members for the stellar numbers. “We sincerely appreciate the fantastic cooperation we receive from NAGW members as exemplified by these statistics. Your members set an example the rest of the industry.” See the chart below for further details.

NASGW Members Score Well in Firearms Inspections

About NASGW:
For additional information on the NASGW and the services and benefits it provides for members, visit www.nasgw.org or contact: Tracy King Kolojeski, NASGW Director of Operations at PO Box 721564, Orlando, FL 32872 • Telephone 407-362-6391

CalGunLaws.com

Long Beach, California --(Ammoland.com)- “Willful” acts in violation of law by a firearm dealer can carry dire consequences. Criminal prosecution is possible, and under federal law, a single “willful” violation of the Gun Control Act (“GCA”) can result in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (commonly referred to as “ATF”) revoking a dealer’s Federal Firearm License (“FFL”).

MAPC has released a memorandum to educate FFL’s on how to avoid these problems.

As commonly used, “willful” means deliberate, voluntary, or intentional. But words can have a different meaning in the legal world than they do in normal use. “Willful” for example.

Originally, the GCA did not have a “willfulness” requirement. FFLs could be revoked by ATF for even innocent violations. This led to injustice, and, in 1986, ATF abuses led Congress to amend the GCA – specifically, 18 U.S.C. § 923(e)) – “to ensure that licenses are not revoked for inadvertent errors or technical mistakes,” as stated in the Senate Report on the issue.

In amending the law n 1986, the Senate adopted the view of the court in Rich v. United States, 383 F. Supp. 797 (S.D. Ohio 1974), which rejected mere negligence as a standard for revoking an FFL license. Instead, the Senate endorsed the position that “willful” means “purposeful, intentional behavior.”

Although Congress adopted this more limited standard, courts have nonetheless continually struggled to articulate a definitive standard for “willful.” Several distinct definitions have resulted. The court decisions discussed in the MAPC memo show that a dealer’s acts can be considered “willful” when done repeatedly, after prior warnings, and even without any deliberate intent to violate the law.

Thus, in the legal realm, “willful” may include reckless or indifferent acts. Consequently, repeated mistakes and oversights can be considered “willful” even without intent to violate the law involved, especially if they are committed after warning and instruction from ATF. And when courts determine whether a dealer’s acts are “reckless” or “indifferent,” the dealer is at the mercy of the court, because even those terms are not expressly defined. Dealers would do well to educate themselves by reading the MAPC memo posted at www.michellawyers.com/ffl-resources.

FFL Willful Violations Memo

About:
CalGunLaws.com is an online research resource designed primarily for use by attorneys and interested firearm owners. CalGunLaws.com strives to provide easy access to and facilitate understanding of the multitude of complex federal, state, and local firearm laws and ordinances, administrative and executive regulations, case law, and past and current litigation that defines the California firearms regulatory scheme in theory and practice. CalGunLaws.com is designed and organized to make it easy to research the law and to locate source materials and related information. All of the articles are cross referenced. Note the two sections on the right: Related Items and Related Law. Related Items will take you to any article related to the one you are currently viewing. Related law takes you to the related law and statutes for the item you are looking at.

Oregon Firearms Federation

Salem, Oregon --(Ammoland.com)- As we told you on May 12th, our bill to remove the Oregon State Police as the point of contact for firearms background checks will be heard in the Public Safety Subcommittee of the joint Ways and Means Committee tomorrow.

This bill would save Oregon gun owners and gun dealers millions of dollars and countless headaches due to unwarranted delays.

As we have told you in the past, for months, the Oregon State Police have been costing dealers sales while creating unjustified delays for buyers.

Unlike the Feds, who inform dealers that they may proceed with a sale even without an approval once three days have elapsed, the State Police continue to leave dealers with the mistaken impression that they MUST have an approval code before transferring a firearm. This is NOT the case.

Please send a note today to the Ways and Means Committee, through their staff, and ask for a speedy approval of HB 2791.

ACTION: Contact info and a sample message follow:

gina.rumbaugh@state.or.us

To the Ways and Means Committee,
RE: House Bill 2791Dear Committee Member,

HB 2791 would eliminate the costly and redundant use of the Oregon State Police to conduct background checks for firearms purchases.

The National Instant Check System, used by most states for background checks, is more efficient and is already being paid for by our tax dollars. It makes no sense to ask Oregonians to pay twice for the same check.

The State Police are causing unnecessary delays for both buyers and sellers. Dealers have faced inexcusable wait times simply to get the OSP to answer their phones.

The OSP already use the Federal system to conduct their checks. Let’s cut out the middleman and save millions for Oregon residents.

Yours,

About:
The Oregon Firearms Federation has proven itself to be Oregon’s only no compromise lobbying group, OFF takes the same tough stands and serves as a vehicle for educating gun owners, promoting their rights and when necessary, fighting the freedom haters in court. Visit: www.oregonfirearms.org

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

INDIANAPOLIS --(Ammoland.com)- Joseph H. Hogsett, United States Attorney, announced today that Charles F. Ludington, 61, Parker City, Ind., was charged with violating numerous federal firearms laws following a thorough three month investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

According to the allegations in the criminal complaint, Charles F. “Fred” Ludington (Ludington) is the sole owner of Ludco Gun Shop, a federally licensed firearms dealer located in Parker City. Between August and November of 2010, Ludington’s firearms dealership underwent a routine, periodic audit conducted by agents of the ATF. During the course of that audit, ATF Inspectors discovered that Ludington had acquired but could not account for 997 firearms that were recorded in his inventory. Ninety-three (93) firearms were located in the physical inventory that had not been logged into the A & D record. In twenty-five (25) instances, a firearm was found in physical inventory but the A & D books reflected the firearm has been sold. Additionally, inspectors uncovered documents suggesting that, on at least seven (7) occasions, Ludco sold firearms to persons who were prohibited by federal law from possessing them. Ludington was also cited with selling a handgun to an out of state resident in violation of federal law, and numerous other regulatory and record keeping violations. At the conclusion of the audit, the inspectors issued Ludington a warning not to engage in such unlawful conduct in the future.

As a result of this audit, an investigation was initiated in January of 2011. On five (5) separate occasions between January and March 2011, undercover Indiana State Police detectives, ATF agents, and a confidential informant went to Ludco posing as customers. On each of those occasions, Ludington sold firearms despite the fact that someone other than the actual purchaser of the firearms was filling out the mandatory paperwork. This practice is commonly referred to as a “straw purchase.” In three (3) of those instances, an informant (who is also a convicted felon) informed Ludington that he wanted to purchase a firearm. Ludington knew the purchaser was a convicted felon, yet sold the firearm anyway. Ludington assisted an undercover ATF agent, acting as a straw purchaser, in filling out the required paperwork for the firearms the convicted felon wanted to buy. Ludington allowed the felon to purchase two 9mm pistols, two 7.62x39mm assault rifles, a 9mm assault rifle, and a .45 caliber revolver capable of firing a 410 shotgun shell. While the undercover ATF agent was filling out the required paperwork, Ludington asked the convicted felon whether he needed any ammunition. The convicted felon handed Ludington the money to complete the purchase of the firearms.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Rinka, who is prosecuting the case for the government, ATF and ISP also executed search warrants today at Ludco Gun Shop, Ludington’s residence, and at a storage facility owned by Ludington, seizing the more than 3,000 firearms in Ludington’s inventory and as well as records related to Ludco’s business operation. The government is seeking forfeiture of all the firearms on grounds that Ludington’s business is permeated with an active scheme to defraud federal regulators and violate federal law, and that proceeds of unlawful firearms sales were used to maintain Ludco’s extensive inventory of firearms.

If convicted of the charges, Ludington faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. An initial hearing will be scheduled for a later date in Indianapolis before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.

A criminal complaint is only an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- The purpose of this open letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person.

The permanent provisions of the Brady law took effect on November 30, 1998. The Brady law generally requires Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) to initiate a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check before transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person.

However, the Brady law contains exceptions to the NICS check requirement, including an exception for holders of certain State permits to possess, carry, or acquire firearms. The law and implementing regulations provide that permits issued within the past 5 years may qualify as alternatives to the NICS check if certain other requirements are satisfied. Most importantly, the authority issuing the permit must conduct a NICS background check and must deny a permit to anyone prohibited from possessing firearms under Federal, State, or local law.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has reviewed the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act, K.S.A. 2010 Supp. 75-7c01 through 75-7c19, which contains the provisions for a license to carry a concealed handgun, and has determined that Kansas’ license to carry a concealed handgun qualifies as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

If you transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person pursuant to the permit alternative, you must comply with the following requirements:

1. Have the transferee complete and sign ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record.
2. Verify the identity of the transferee through a Government-issued photo identification (for example, a driver’s license).
3. Verify that the license to carry a concealed handgun was issued within the past 5 years by the State in which the transfer is to occur, and that the license has not expired under State law.
4. Either retain a copy of the transferee’s license to carry a concealed handgun and attach it to the Form 4473, or record on the Form 4473 any identifying number from the license, the date of issuance, and the expiration date of the license.

If you have any questions about Kansas’ license to carry a concealed handgun qualifying as an alternative to the NICS check, please call ATF’s Firearms Industry Programs Branch at (202) 648-7190.

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- Reps. Steve King (R-Iowa) and Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) have introduced H.R. 1093, the “Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reform Act.”

The bill would roll back unnecessary restrictions, correct errors, and codify longstanding congressional policies in the firearms arena. This bipartisan bill is a vital step to modernize and improve BATFE operations.

Of highest importance, H.R. 1093 totally rewrites the system of administrative penalties for licensed dealers, manufacturers and importers of firearms. Today, for most violations, BATFE can only give a federal firearms license (FFL) holder a warning, or totally revoke his license.

H.R. 1093 would allow fines or license suspensions for less serious violations, while still allowing license revocation for the kind of serious violations that would block an investigation or put guns in the hands of criminals. This prevents the all-too-common situations where BATFE has revoked licenses for insignificant technical violations — such as improper use of abbreviations, or filing records in the wrong order.

Among its other provisions, H.R. 1093 would:

• Clarify the standard for “willful” violations — allowing penalties for intentional, purposeful violations of the law, but not for simple paperwork mistakes.
• Improve the process for imposing penalties, notably by allowing FFLs to appeal BATFE penalties to a neutral administrative law judge, rather than to an employee of BATFE itself.
• Allow a licensee a period of time to liquidate inventory when he goes out of business. During this period, all firearms sold would be subject to a background check by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
• Allow a grace period for people taking over an existing firearms business to correct problems in the business’s records — so if a person inherited a family gun store (for example), the new owner couldn’t be punished for the previous owner’s recordkeeping violations.
• Reform the procedures for consideration of federal firearms license applications. Under H.R. 1093, denial of an application would require notification to the applicant, complete with reasons for the denial. Additionally, an applicant would be allowed to provide supplemental information and to have a hearing on the application.
• Require BATFE to establish clear investigative guidelines.
• Clarify the licensing requirement for gunsmiths, distinguishing between repair and other gunsmith work and manufacture of a firearm. This would stop BATFE from arguing that minor gunsmithing or refinishing activities require a manufacturer’s license.
• Eliminate a provision of the Youth Handgun Safety Act that requires those under 18 to have written permission to use a handgun for lawful purposes (such as competitive shooting or safety training) — even when the parent or guardian is present.
• Permanently ban creation of a centralized electronic index of out of business dealers’ records — a threat to gun owners’ privacy that Congress has barred through appropriations riders for more than a decade.
• Allow importation and transfer of new machineguns by firearm and ammunition manufacturers for use in developing or testing firearms and ammunition, and training customers. In particular, ammunition manufacturers fulfilling government contracts need to ensure that their ammunition works reliably. H.R. 1093 would also provide for the transfer and possession of new machineguns by professional film and theatrical organizations.
• Repeal the Brady Act’s “interim” waiting period provisions, which expired in 1998.
• Give BATFE sole responsibility for receiving reports of multiple handgun sales. (Currently, dealers also have to report multiple sales to state or local agencies, a requirement that has shown little or no law enforcement value.) State and local agencies could receive these reports upon request to BATFE, but would have to comply strictly with current requirements to destroy these records after 20 days, unless the person buying the guns turns out to be prohibited from receiving firearms.
• Restore a policy that allowed importation of barrels, frames and receivers for non-importable firearms, when they can be used as repair or replacement parts.
• Prohibit BATFE from requiring multiple sales reports on the sale of long guns by limiting BATFE’s authority to collect data that is not specifically allowed by statute.
• Provide greater protection of gun owners’ privacy by strengthening the ban on creation of any complete or partial gun registration system.
• Authorize payment of attorneys’ fees to licensees who prevail before an administrative law judge.
• Restrict the use of “demand letters” by BATFE to compel FFLs to turn over information outside what is allowed by statute.

The House passed similar legislation (H.R. 5092) in the 109th Congress, by a 277-131 vote. Supporters included 63 Democrats. In the 111th Congress, a majority of the House — 243 congressmen, including 63 Democrats–cosponsored H.R. 2296. Similar BATFE reform legislation was introduced in the Senate for the first time in the 111th Congress.

Please be sure to contact your U.S. Representative at (202) 225-3121 and urge him or her to cosponsor and support H.R. 1093. Additional contact information can be found using the “Write Your Representatives” feature at www.NRAILA.org.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Reform Act Introduced **Oleg Volk

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA --(Ammoland.com)- The former owner of a Front Royal pawn shop pled guilty this morning in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia in Charlottesville to charges related to the illegal sale of firearms.

Don Francis Simonpietri, 64, of Front Royal, Virginia, pled guilty this morning to one count of selling firearms without a license and one count of knowingly selling a firearm to a previously convicted felon. As part of his plea agreement, the defendant has agreed to forfeit more than 1,100 guns to the United States. The maximum penalty faced by the defendant at sentencing is 10 years in prison and a period of supervised release thereafter.

Today in District Court, Simonpietri admitted that after losing his Federal Firearms License in 2005, he continued to engage in the business of selling firearms, often selling guns at a local flea market. He also admitted to selling a firearm to a person he knew, or should have known, was a previously convicted felon.

The charges were brought following a lengthy investigation by local law enforcement in which a series of undercover gun purchases were made directly from Mr. Simonpietri, or his codefendant, Charles Shipe.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Front Royal Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, the Virginia State Police, the Warren County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Ronald Huber prosecuted the case for the United States.

AcuSport

BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO --(Ammoland.com)- AcuSport Corporation, a leading distributor of shooting and hunting products, provides retailers with customized solutions that are specifically designed to increase the growth and profitability of their businesses.

AcuSport has recently incorporated a web-based firearms management company, AutoGunTracker (AGT) to their line of business solutions.

AGT adds value to retailers by simplifying and automating the required BATF record keeping while providing reporting functionality that will put information in an easy to use format. In addition, Range owners can utilize powerful features to better manage their profitability and overall range operation.

Independent retailers tackle many obstacles on any given day, while time is sometimes limited, maintaining an up-to-date Acquisition and Disposition Firearms Record is a necessity. AGT automatically updates retailer electronic bound books and will create electronic 3310.4 and 3310.11 forms based on the type of transaction.

“AutoGunTracker provides independent firearms retailers with a suite of services targeted at improving their business not only from a monetary standpoint, but more importantly from a BATF compliance perspective,” states FFLGuard National Coordinating Counsel, Christopher Chiafullo. “The Bound book functionality of the system is a real plus when an ATF inspection occurs,” Chiafullo added.

AcuSport’s vision for the future success of independent sporting goods retailers drives their commitment to provide innovative solutions like AutoGunTracker.

An AcuSport retailer from West Virginia quotes, “We have been a customer of AutoGunTracker’s since 2007. The system has helped our business become more efficient while staying BATF compliant. Also, I have found that anytime I have questions or concerns, someone always calls me back within a day. Thanks to the creators of AutoGunTracker for making our lives easier!” states Stacy Sears, Vice President of High Caliber Guns & Ammo in Parkersburg, WV.

AcuSport retailers can contact their AcuSport Sales Professional for more information about this innovative solution by calling 1-800-543-3150 or by contacting AutoGunTracker directly at 1-866-834-4815.

Based in Bellefontaine, Ohio, AcuSport Corporation is a nationwide distributor of shooting and hunting products with regional sales offices in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Montana and California. Independent retailers who would like to place an order, please call 1-800-543-3150 or visit www.AcuSport.com for additional information.

Fairfax, VA --(Ammoland.com)- NRA-News is a valued partner that continues to cover breaking gun rights news with a new and improved short video format in the “NRA News Minute” videos.

Cam Edwards talks to John Cushman from the Sportsmen’s Association for Firearms Education (SAFE) about the harassment of New York Gun Shop owners who have been arrested on charges of selling AWB weapons even though they are documented as being legal in NY state.

To view the current firearms or gun rights news video, please click above:

Read More on these topics:

• New York Assault Weapons Bill Would Ban Common Hunting Firearms
• Will DA Vance Arrest Colbert for Switchblade Possession
• University Gun Owner Harassment Lawsuit To Be Heard…Finally

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, Va. --(Ammoland.com)- If you’re one of the nearly 71 million Americans who live in the four southwest border states, some of your gun purchases could soon be reported to the federal government.

And whether you live in one of those states or elsewhere, your help is needed now to stop the federal government’s plan to register Americans’ gun purchases.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is demanding the authority to require all of the 8,500 firearm dealers in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to report all sales of two or more semiautomatic rifles within five consecutive business days, if the rifles are larger than .22 caliber and use detachable magazines.

For example, a dealer would have to tell the government every time a deer hunter in Sacramento or Amarillo finds a good deal on a pair of semi-auto .30-06s like the popular Remington 7400.

The ATF has no legal authority to demand these reports, and the flood of new paperwork will waste scarce law enforcement resources that should be spent on legitimate investigations.

Unfortunately, there are only a few days left to comment on this proposal. Comments will be accepted until Monday, February 14. Every concerned gun owner’s voice should be heard on this critically important issue.

• To read the ATF proposal, click here
• To read the NRA’s comments, click here.

Please send your comments today. Be sure to refer to the December 17, 2010 “Notice of Information Collection Under Review: Report of Multiple Sale or Other Disposition of Certain Rifles.” You can submit your comments to:

Please send a copy of your comments to:

Barbara.Terrell@atf.gov
Fax: (202) 648–9640

NRA on AmmoLand QR Code

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

NRA - ILA

Charlotte, NC --(Ammoland.com)- NRA-ILA grass roots news continues to cover break gun rights news with a new and improved format for the “Grassroots News Minute” video!

Cam Edwards talks to John Frazer, Director of NRA-ILA’s Research and Information Division about White House delay of ATF to Require Multiple Sales Reports for Long Guns.

To view the current video in its new format, please click above:

Read More on these topics:

• Montana’s Congressman Takes Aim At ATF Firearm Reporting Rules
• ATF to Require Multiple Sales Reports for Long Guns
• Buying More than One Shotgun the ATF Wants to Know

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

FFL Abel Ammo's Store in Huntsville TX USA

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Washington, DC --(Ammoland.com)- At the close of FY2010, the FFL population was approximately 118,400.

This represents more than 2.5% increase over the FFL population at the end of FY2009.

A Federal Firearms License (FFL) is a license that enables an individual or a company to engage in a business pertaining to the manufacture of firearms and ammunition or the interstate and intrastate sale of firearms.

Holding an FFL to engage in certain such activities has been a legal requirement within the United States of America since the enactment of the Gun Control Act of 1968. (source Wikipedia)

The total figure represents an increase in every category of Federal firearms licenses issued under the Gun Control Act.

Currently the largest number of GCA licensees is 03-Collectors, which represent approximately 48% of the ATF licensee population. 01-Dealers and 02-Pawnbrokers represent approximately 46% of the ATF licensee population.

Co-operative legal program showcased at the Ellett Brothers 2011 Shooting Show, the SHOT SHOW, and the 2011 AcuSport Business Conference, gives independent retailers peace of mind when faced with BATF audits or civil lawsuits aimed at scrutinizing their business practices.

FFLGuard

New York City, NY --(Ammoland.com)- FFLGuard, a cooperative legal program offered to Federal Firearms Licensees by The Chiafullo Group, LLP (“the Group”), a law firm based in New Jersey, provides cost-effective legal counsel to independent gun retailers in the event of a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (“BATF”) compliance inspection or in defense of civil litigation aimed at scrutinizing the retailer’s business practices.

FFLGuard has now expanded after increased demand and success, all in an effort to thoroughly protect the needs of clients across the nation who face similar but different obstacles in their marketplaces.

Christopher Chiafullo, Esq., created the FFLGuard program and currently serves as its National Coordinating Counsel and Director of Special Operations. Chiafullo previously teamed up with Scott Braum, Esq., FFLGuard’s Director of Field Operations, to develop FFLGuard’s “Law Plus Guidelines” and launch the unique legal program nationwide, affording cost-effective compliance solutions to nearly 200 FFL’s in 36 states. During this past year, Chiafullo asked Dr. Stephen Halbrook to provide his Constitutional perspective and insight to FFLGuard’s clients. At the same time, Chiafullo cultivated the new position of ‘FFLGuard Business Manager’ to help service the program’s administrative, marketing, advertising and promotional needs.

“In 2010, we focused on building FFLGuard’s infrastructure and exploring new relationships,” says Chiafullo, adding, “and now we’re happy to bring in some additional, like-minded, ‘gun law gurus’ to help us in 2011.”

Mr. Chiafullo has formed strategic alliances with 3 such “gurus,” each of whom brings his own expertise and experience to FFLGuard for 2011. The first of those is C.D. “Chuck” Michel, Esq., who is the Senior Counsel at Michel & Associates, P.C. in Long Beach, CA. Mr. Michel has one of the largest firearms law practices in the country, and has been representing the NRA and other self-defense civil rights associations, as well as firearms manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, for almost 20 years. He will serve as FFLGuard’s Counsel on California Legislation and Litigation, providing California-specific legal advice exclusively to FFLGuard clients. Next, Mark A. Barnes, Esq., is the principal of Mark Barnes & Associates, with offices in Washington, DC and Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Barnes also boasts one of the most comprehensive and wide-reaching firearms law practices in the country, and will serve as a Preferred Provider of Counsel to FFLGuard as it relates to his particular area of expertise: the National Firearms Act. FFLGuard clients will be afforded exclusive access to Mr. Barnes and his practice when dealing with NFA issues as they arise. Finally, James Zammillo is the founder of Ponte Nuovo Consulting, LLC, located in Ellicott City, MD. As the recently retired Deputy Assistant Director of Industry Operations for the BATF, Mr. Zammillo provides FFLGuard clients with elite insight into BATF practice and procedures, especially as it relates to FFL compliance inspections. Mr. Zammillo, through Ponte Nuovo, will serve as FFLGuard’s ATF Liaison and Special Projects Manager.

Mr. Chiafullo and the FFLGuard team will travel to the Ellett Brothers 2011 Shooting Show in Columbia, SC from January 5-8, 2011, then to the SHOT SHOW (Booth#15743) in Las Vegas, NV from January 18-21, 2011, and then to the AcuSport Business Conference in Fort Worth, TX on January 25-28, 2011. At the AcuSport Business Conference, FFLGuard professionals will meet with AcuSport retailers, which will include meetings with current FFLGuard clients and daily educational seminars for all attendees. FFLGuard educational sessions topics range from “ATF Compliance” to “Things to Know about California Gun Laws” to “Starting an NFA Sales Practice.” Independent retailers at the AcuSport Business Conference will learn first-hand how to protect the sanctity of their Federal Firearms License through techniques disclosed at this event, and will have exclusive access to the FFLGuard team.

For more information on FFLGuard, visit www.fflguard.com or call 1-888-FFL-GRD1 (1-888-335-4731) or visit their booth at SHOT SHOW (Booth #15743), the Ellett Brothers 2011 Shooting Show, or the AcuSport Business Conference.

U.S. Department of Justice

Nashville, Tenn. --(Ammoland.com)- Edwing Ronal Morales, a former Metropolitan Nashville police officer, was found guilty on December 15, 2010 by a jury, after a two day trial in U.S. District Court in Nashville, of two counts of making false statements to a firearms dealer during two attempted purchases of handguns in 2009.

Announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee; Glenn N. Anderson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Nashville Field Division; Jon Ruttencutter, Resident Agent in Charge of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Nashville Field Office; and Steve Anderson, Interim Chief of Police, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

According to the trial testimony, Morales went to Guns and Leather, a federal firearms licensee, located in Greenbrier, Tennessee on two occasions in May and July of 2009. Morales attempted to purchase handguns for a friend and co-defendant in the case, Julio Rojas-Lopez. During the attempted purchases, Morales, a Nashville police officer since September 2007, falsely represented on a Firearms Transaction Record, commonly known as a 4473 Form, that he was the actual buyer of handguns that were actually intended for Rojas-Lopez, who was illegally transporting guns to Guatemala.

Morales was terminated from the police department in September 2009.

National Rifle Association

Charlotte, NC --(Ammoland.com)- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has proposed that it be given emergency authority for six months, beginning January 5, to require about 8,500 firearms dealers along the border with Mexico “to alert authorities when they sell within five consecutive business days two or more semiautomatic rifles greater than .22 caliber with detachable magazines.”

A Washington Post story reporting on the BATFE proposal described that definition as being applicable to “so-called assault weapons,” but it would also apply to many rifles that have never been labeled with that term.

The reporting requirement will apparently be imposed under the “authority” the BATFE has used in the past to demand reporting of other types of transactions from certain limited groups of dealers over the past 10 years, but the new proposal is far broader than any previous use of this authority. Of course, there’s no law today that prevents dealers from reporting suspicious transactions (or attempted transactions) to the BATFE, and dealers often do so. The BATFE is also free to inspect dealers’ sales records—either for annual compliance inspections or during a criminal investigation.

NRA-ILA’s chief lobbyist, Chris Cox, denounced the attempt to establish a registry of Americans who purchase semi-automatic rifles that gun control supporters ultimately want to see banned. “This administration does not have the guts to build a wall, but they do have the audacity to blame and register gun owners for Mexico’s problems,” Cox told the Post.

“NRA supports legitimate efforts to stop criminal activity, but we will not stand idle while our Second Amendment is sacrificed for politics.”

The Post says “The plan by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives revives a proposal that has languished at the Justice Department and in the Obama administration for several months,” and that the gist of the plan was proposed by Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) last year. It its August 2009 Blueprint for Federal Action on Guns, MAIG indeed proposed that “ATF should identify the long guns most linked to crime and require dealers to report multiple sales of such guns.”

The idea must have appealed to the BATFE, because in June of this year Congress’ Government Accountability Office released a report noting that BATFE officials had claimed that U.S. efforts to stop the smuggling of firearms to Mexico are hindered by “a lack of required background checks for private firearms sales, and limitations on reporting requirements for multiple sales.”

Curiously, in September, a draft of the Department of Justice’s Inspector General’s Office’s unfavorable review of BATFE’s Project Gunrunner, established to combat the trafficking of firearms to Mexico, didn’t mention multiple sales at all. But the final version of the review, released in November, mentions “multiple sales” 43 times and says “the lack of a reporting requirement for multiple sales of long guns – which have become the cartels’ weapons of choice – hinders ATF’s ability to disrupt the flow of illegal weapons into Mexico.”

Whether BATFE intends its plan as another expansion of its oft-criticized firearm sales record tracing empire, or to lay the groundwork for legislation or regulations restricting “assault weapon” sales, or to fatten the files the agency keeps at its National Tracing Center in West Virginia remains to be seen. And the legality of requiring sales reports on any long guns is also in doubt. When the Congress specifically imposed multiple sales reporting on handguns only, it implicitly stated its intention that the same requirement not apply to sales of long guns.

However, it is crystal clear that some in the Obama Administration agree with those who believe the answer to crime is always more gun control. In September, MAIG blamed crime in states that have “strong” gun laws, on states that don’t have the same laws. And ever since President Obama took office, gun control supporters have been blaming Mexico’s crime problem on America’s gun laws.

The fact that Mexico’s multi-billion dollar drug cartels have machine guns, rocket launchers, grenades, and other potent weaponry you cannot buy in the United States is, to gun control supporters, irrelevant. The fact that most of the cartels’ guns have never been on this side of the U.S. border is, as far as they are concerned, a trifling inconvenience. The fact that the cartels will never have enough “assault weapons” or any other guns from the U.S. to hand out to all the Mexican policemen, soldiers and politicians on their payrolls, is, in their view, an unimportant detail. And the fact that the murder rate in the United States is at a 45-year low, while crime in Mexico is through the roof (the murder rate in Juarez is 115 times higher than in El Paso) is, they would certainly say, a contradiction best ignored.

To read the BATFE’s Federal Register notice about the plan, and for information on how to send your comments, click here (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-31761.pdf). Comments about the proposal will be accepted for two months; if you choose to comment, please state your firm but polite opposition to the plan.

Needless to say, the NRA will not only comment, but take whatever other action is appropriate to block this sweeping expansion of federal recordkeeping on gun owners. Stay tuned.

About:
Established in 1871, the National Rifle Association is America’s oldest civil rights and sportsmen’s group. Four million members strong, NRA continues its mission to uphold Second Amendment rights and to advocate enforcement of existing laws against violent offenders to reduce crime. The Association remains the nation’s leader in firearm education and training for law-abiding gun owners, law enforcement and the military. Visit: www.nra.org

FFLGunTrader.com Creates Licensed Gun Dealer Marketplace

FFLGunTrader.com

Grand Rapids, MI –-(Ammoland.com)- FFLGunTrader.com has created a brand new marketplace to help federal firearm licensed (FFL) gun Distributors and dealers to buy and sell firearms and accessories online.

Because the deals are completed among licensed and verified dealers, the transactions are easier to complete and require only the swapping of licenses.

“We wanted to create an online marketplace for licensed distributors and dealers that allows them to buy and sell firearms and accessories from all over the country,” said Scott Chatman with FFLGunTrader.com.

“Many times a collector will want a special rifle that is available in another state. Instead of turning away the customer, our marketplace will help the dealer make the sale.”

FFLGunTrader.com verifies each buyer and seller is a federal firearm licensed dealer through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms eZCheck process. Buyers and sellers are required to submit the first three and the last five of their license number in order to be approved for the transaction.

“We check each buyer and seller to verify that they are licensed and registered to participate in our marketplace,” Chatman said. “If they fail the license check, the transaction is not completed.”

Buyers don’t have to pay for purchasing an item on FFLGunTrader.com. Sellers pay a very small three percent transaction fee from the sales price to list the item on the marketplace to a national audience.

“It is a great deal for dealers looking to move excess inventory,” Chatman said. “Plus dealers have the peace of mind knowing that each buyer had to submit to a license check to complete the transaction.”

For more information about FFLGunTrader, please check out their online marketplace at www.fflguntrader.com.