According to the NRA-ILA, the number of concealed handgun permits reached 18.66 million in 2019 – a 304% increase since 2007. And many more have been issued in 2020.
In America, a violent crime happens every 26 seconds (FBI statistics). Because of this, and growing concerns over social unrest and riots, more Americans than ever before are buying handguns and getting CCW permits. To help Americans understand concealed carry laws, get trained properly, and have legal support after an incident, the U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) was created. This organization has been very successful, experiencing more than 30% year-over-year growth since 2016.
CCW holders can definitely benefit from USCCA membership, primarily because of the legal services that are offered by the USCCA. If you even draw a firearm in an encounter, you will probably need a lawyer, and need one immediately. The USCCA states: “If you ever have to defend yourself or your family, you’ll have access to a local attorney, the financial funding to protect against criminal charges and civil suits, and instant connection to our emergency response team.”
Proper Training is Very Important for CCW Holders
The USCCA recently announced that its organization has reached over half a million members, keeping pace with record-breaking 2020 firearm sales across the nation. This surge in membership demonstrates that firearms education and training remains a top priority. The USCCA also reported a 620% increase in online training/education courses through the first nine months of 2020 compared to all of 2019.
“Record numbers of Americans are embracing their Second Amendment rights and in doing so, they are turning to the USCCA for industry-leading self-defense education, training and legal protection”, said Tim Schmidt, president and founder of the USCCA. “Our mission is to help save lives and so it is both incredible and humbling that more than 500,000 Americans have now joined the USCCA[.]”
Election Day is just 61 days away. On November 3, 2020, Americans will head to the polls. For gun owners, this may be the most significant Presidential election in a generation. The Democratic Party, as stated in the DNC platform, intends to severely restrict gun rights, and ban whole classes of firearms.
Nearly 5 million Americans are first-time gun buyers. We hope they, along with ALL gun owners, will vote on November 3rd, and remember which candidates support the Second Amendment. As the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) states: “Current events across the United States demonstrate why the Founding Fathers 230 years ago had the foresight to recognize why the right to keep and bear arms would still be vital today.”
Smith & Wesson Contributes $500,000 to 2020 Gunvote Effort
#GUNVOTE is a vital NSSF campaign to encourage America’s gun owners to register to vote and vote for candidates who support the Second Amendment and gun rights. Go to Action.gunvote.org to learn how to register to vote in your state, and find your polling place.
Firearm manufacturer Smith & Wesson has contributed $500,000 to the NSSF’s #GUNVOTE® voter registration and education campaign. This is the largest donation the campaign has received to date.
“This election cycle marks a crossroads in the future of the firearms industry and of our very freedom to bear arms,” said Mark Smith, President and CEO of Smith & Wesson. “We must ensure the Second Amendment is protected at every level. It is critical that hunters, recreational target shooters, and all those seeking to exercise their constitutional right to protect themselves and their families be educated and vote in November. [Voters’] choices at the polls will impact the future of all Americans’ free exercise of their constitutional rights.”
Six Companies Will Match NRA-ILA Donations Dollar-for-Dollar
The NRA-ILA has joined forces with with six companies that have pledged to match $1 million in donations made to NRA-ILA through November 15, 2020. The six participating companies are: SIG SAUER, Kel-Tec, Credova, Rock Island Auction Company, Taurus, and Davidson’s Gallery of Guns. If you make a donation to the NRA-ILA, your donation will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, by these six companies. If you give $50, they give $50. If you give $100, they give $100. The maximum matching is $1,000,000.
“These patriotic businesses are pledging vital resources to support and defend the Second Amendment because they understand that our right to own a gun in defense of ourselves and our families is on the ballot in November. By working together with such partners, our membership intends to defeat those … trying to strip our rights away”, said Jason Ouimet, executive director, NRA-ILA.
Through this Partners for Patriotism campaign, anyone who makes a donation to NRA-ILA between now and 11/15/2020 will have their donation matched. Folks can make donations of any size — whatever they can spare. Whatever individuals donate will automatically be doubled by the six participating companies.
With the Presidential election looming, the stakes have never been higher. Joe Biden and his VP candidate Kamala Harris have pledged to enact new laws that could result in rifle confiscation, criminalization of private sales, and banning of online guns and ammo purchases. In addition, Biden and Harris have called for new gun taxes, while Harris has advocated banning guns by Executive Action — rule by fiat, bypassing the legislative process.
The 2020 NRA Annual Meetings, originally set for June in Nashville, TN, and then rescheduled for September in Springfield, MO, has been moved yet again. This week the NRA announced that the 2020 NRA Annual meeting will be held in Tucson, Arizona, on October 24, 2020, at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort hotel. Here is the NRA’s official announcement of the venue change:
The National Rifle Association is pleased to announce that the 149th Annual Meeting of Members, previously scheduled for Saturday, September 5, 2020 in Springfield, Missouri, has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 24, at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort hotel located at 7000 N. Resort Drive, Tucson, Arizona.
The NRA Annual Meeting will take place in the Kiva Ballroom and commence at 9:00 am local time. All members are invited to attend. Please visit nraam.org/membersmeeting for further details and updates on pre-registering.
The NRA has not yet released a full schedule of events. But this will be a meeting of members only — not a multi-day gathering with entertainment and celebrity guests. And there will be no large trade show with hundreds of exhibitors. This is a basic meeting of members only, being held to comply with the NRA’s charter. All NRA members are invited to attend.
New environmental regulations in the state of Washington could soon impact shooters. Restrictions on the use of lead compounds could lead to expensive range remediation programs, or even range closures…
The Washington Department of Labor and Industries Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) has released an updated draft of the lead rules they originally released last year following stakeholder meetings. These proposed regulations will impose complicated and expensive burdens on shooting ranges and retailers, potentially making it difficult for some to continue operations. DOSH will be holding additional stakeholder meetings to discuss these proposed regulations. Shooting ranges are vital to the safe practice and exercise of our constitutionally protected Second Amendment right to self-defense, and maintaining access to shooting ranges is a top priority for NRA.
Existing federal and state law already provides extensive regulation of lead in the workplace. In addition to the federal requirements under the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Washington also has regulations in place regarding workplace lead exposure and has enforced these regulations through inspections and citations. This Washington State draft regulation proposes new and much more demanding requirements that significantly exceed compliance under existing law without providing any clarification on their need. Furthermore, there have been no economic impact studies on the effect these regulations will have on small businesses.
The NRA will continue to actively participate as a stakeholder in the development of these new rules in meetings with the Department of Labor and Industries. We will provide ongoing input on the impact the proposal will have on gun ranges, retailers, and our shooting community. Check out www.NRAILA.org for further updates on the status of the proposal.
Didn’t make it to the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Indianapolis last week? Not to worry. Here are four videos created at the NRA convention. There was so much to see, with 800+ exhibitors, and 15 acres of guns and gear. Most of these video creators have additional NRA Meetings & Exhibits segments on their respective YouTube Channels.
Address by President Donald Trump at NRA-ILA Leadership Forum
This hour-long video includes the full speech by the President. Definitely worth watching. We are lucky to have a Chief Executive who respects the Second Amendment and gun rights.
Featured Rifles at NRA Convention — GunBlast.com
Jeff Quinn of GunBlast.com visits multiple booths in this video, the first of four 2019 NRA Show videos produced by Gunblast. Quinn visits Colt (0:26), Ruger (1:00), Savage (3:16), Springfield Armory (3:46), CZ-USA/Dan Wesson (4:30), Henry Rifles (4:20), Auto-Ordnance (7:05), Smith-Wesson & T/C (9:35) Alexander Arms (10:47) among others. The “Trump AR” from Auto-Ordnance (shown above) is featured at the 12-minute mark. CLICK HERE to see three other GunBlast videos from the 2019 NRA Show. This page has links to ALL the 50+ manufacturers showcased in the four GunBlast Show Videos.
Pistols and Rifle at NRA Convention — ClassicFirearms
This lengthy 25-minute video showcases a wide variety of interesting firearms, starting with Remington rifles. Next up are some innovative FosTech AR-platform rifles (6:20), followed by Beretta (11:48), Delton (15:00), and some other smaller vendors. There are two other NRA Show videos (Day 1, Day 2) from Classic Firearms.
Women Talk Guns at NRA Convention — The Daily Caller
Here ladies from the Daily Caller interviewed attendees at the 2019 NRA Convention. One hot topic was how women can protect themselves with CCW handguns. One video viewer noted: “We need more of these videos promoting positive and healthy firearm ownership. Women, families, mother or daughter etc… enjoying their right to enjoy sport shooting or have self defense confidence.” Another viewer posted: “There’s nothing more attractive than beautiful conservative women who love the 2nd Amendment!”
It’s Friday, April 26, 2019 so the 148th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits opens today at 9:00 am! The event runs through Sunday, April 28th. The NRA Convention features over 800 exhibitors, along with seminars, workshops, special events, and an appearance by President Trump. The NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits takes place at the Indianapolis Convention Center, with some major events nearby at the Lucas Oil Stadium and J.W. Marriott Grand Ballroom.
Seminars, Workshops, and Special Presentations
This is a partial list.
10:00am – 12:00pm, Room 234 – NRA Clubs and Associations Workshop
10:30am, Room 232 – Refuse to be a Victim: Crime Prevention Strategies
11:00am, Rooms 140-142 – Current and Emerging Threats: How it Affects You!
11:00am, Room 233 – What You Need to Know About NRA’s Collegiate Program
11:30am, Rooms 132-133 – You’re the First Responder: Whether You Know It or Not!
11:30am – 1:30pm, Room 131 – Hornady Reloading for Accuracy
12:30pm – 1:30pm, Room 231 – Concealed Carry Facts
1:30pm, 237-239 – 15 Factors Impacting your Shooting Performance under Duress
1:30pm – 3:00pm, Rooms 235-236 – Mental Dynamics of Target Shooting
2:00pm, Room 232 – Refuse to be a Victim: Crime Prevention Strategies
2:00pm, Rooms 140-142 – The Guns of Omaha: D-Day Plus 75 Years
2:30pm – 3:30pm, Rooms 134-135 – Medical Mindset: Are you Prepared?
2:30pm – 4:30pm, Room 131 – Hornady Ballistics
3:30pm, Room 233 – Friends of NRA Workshop
Click here for a complete list of seminars, workshops, and special presentations.
Major Special Events Friday, April 26
NOTE: Tickets are required for ALL these events. For more information visit NRAam.org.
22nd Annual National Firearms Law Seminar
Hyatt Regency, Cosmopolitan Ballroom > Event starts at 8:00 am
Women’s Leadership Forum Luncheon & Auction
J.W. Marriott, White River Ballroom > Event starts at 9:30 am
NRA-ILA Leadership Forum
Lucas Oil Stadium > Event starts at 11:00 am
President Donald J. Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other notable spearkers will address NRA members at the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) Leadership Forum on Friday, April 26, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana
NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction
J.W. Marriott, Grand Ballroom > Event starts at 6:00 pm
NRA Country Jam featuring Jacob Bryant and Payton Taylor
8 Seconds Saloon > Event starts at 8:00 pm; Door Open at 6:00 pm
Celebrity Appearances
CLICK HERE for a complete list of celebrity appearances. Top names include: Jerry Miculek, Doug Koenig, Max Michel, Jessie Harrison, Sheriff Jim Wilson, Tom Gresham, Lanny Barnes, Colion Noir, and Eva Shockey.
The world’s best female Action Pistol shooter, Jessie Harrison.
Major Everyday Events (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Wall of Guns, Crossroads Hallway at Hoosier Hallway
Pyramid Air® Air Gun Range, Rooms 143-144
NRA Booth, Booth #3639
NRA Store, Rooms 136-139
Eddie Eagle, Crossroads Hallway – Booth #15
NRA Hunter Education – Booth #3838
NRA Country Sound Stage, Wabash West Lobby
Map for Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN
The Indiana Convention center is in the heart of Indianapolis, so it’s easy to find. However, events are spread out over multiple facilities, so you’ll want to study this map when you get to your hotel.
It’s Friday, which means the exhibit hall of the 147th NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits (NRAAM) opened today at 9:00 am at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Check out the 800+ exhibitors, seminars, workshops, special events, and celebrity meet and greets all in one spot. Here’s a quick glimpse of what’s happening today, Friday, May 4. The NRA Show runs Friday through Sunday. The Exhibit Hall is open 9:00 am – 6:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and then 10:00 am through 5:00 pm on Sunday, May 6th.
For more info on events and exhibitors, visit www.nraam.org or download the NRAAM Mobile App.
President Donald Trump will speak today at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum.
Daily Events NRA Booth, Booth #8833 NRATV, Booth #8839 Pyramid Air® Air Gun Range, Ballroom C2 NRAstore, Ballroom C3 & C4 Eddie Eagle, Lobby D – Booth #130 Wall of Guns, Lobby C – Booth #109 Featured Product Center, Lobby D NRA Country Sound Stage, Lobby F
Celebrity Appearances Lena Miculek – Booth #6220 – 11:30am-12:00pm, 2:30pm-3:00pm, 5:00pm-5:30pm Max Michel – Booth #6220 – 10:30am-11:00am, 1:30pm-2:00pm, 4:00pm-4:30pm Sergeant Sammy L. Davis – Booth #10150– 10:00am-6:00pm Mykel Hawke – Booth #10150 – 12:00pm-6:00pm Norris Jernigan – Booth #10163– 9:00am-6:00pm Lou Ferrigno – Booth #8627 – 12:00pm-1:15pm John “Tig” Tiegen – Booth #8627 – 1:30pm-3:00pm Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko – Booth #8627 – 10:00am-11:30am John Correia – Booth #8623 – 2:00pm-3:00pm Corinne Mosher – Booth #4323 – 1:00pm Jerry Miculek – Booth #8555 – 11:00am-12:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm Jim & John Scoutten – Booth #8555 – 10:00am-11:00am Cheyenne Dalton – Booth #9556 – 10:00am-11:00am Anthony Amantine – Booth #9556 – 11:00am-12:00pm Jerry Miculek – Booth #9556 – 1:00pm-2:00pm The Gould Brothers – Booth #9556 – 2:00pm-3:00pm Black Rifle Coffee Company – Booth #7733 – 9:00am-6:00pm
Click here for a complete list of celebrity appearances!
This statement was released by the NRA Institute for Legislative Action:
The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) applauded on Wednesday the passage of H.R. 4909, the “STOP School Violence Act of 2018″. This bi-partisan legislation provides funding for training students, teachers, school administrators, and local law enforcement to identify early warning signs that a person is a threat to themselves or others. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a vote of 407-10.
“This important bill will help stop school violence before it happens,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director, NRA-ILA. “Identifying individuals at risk for violence is a critical part of securing our schools. This bill will give communities the tools they need to stop school violence through early intervention.”
In addition to providing funding for training, the STOP School Violence Act, introduced by Florida Rep. John Rutherford, will also provide funds to implement school threat assessment procedures, and create a coordinated violence prevention reporting system.
“We must improve security in our schools and this legislation will help make that happen. We look forward to seeing it pass quickly in the Senate so President Trump can sign it into law,” Cox concluded.
Parallel Stop School Violence Act in U.S. Senate
A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). The NRA supports both the House and Senate bills. Senator Hatch explains his legisation in this video:
The National Rifle Association thanks Rep. John Rutherford, Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, Speaker Paul Ryan and the House Republican leadership for their support on this issue.
Got questions about gun laws in your home state? Are you curious if other states recognize your carry permit? You can get quick answers to state gun law questions on the NRA-ILA website. The NRA-ILA has compiled gun law information for all 50 states. From the NRA-ILA home page, scroll down, to a box titled “Know Your State’s Gun Laws”. Use the simple pull-down menu to select your state. Then a page will open with key legal information.
For example, shown below are the NRA-ILA’s gun law highlights for Arizona. (The NRA-ILA website has more detailed information on purchase, possession, and carrying of firearms). You will find useful law summaries like this for all 50 states. This can help you understand the laws of other states when traveling — to stay out of trouble. NOTE: While you can use these NRA-ILA law summaries as a starting point, if you have complex questions about gun transfers, we recommend you consult an attorney in your state.
Remember that State Laws Can Change — And Read the Fine Print
Note: For all the state legal summaries (including Arizona above), the NRA-ILA includes an important disclaimer, noting that states laws change frequently: “We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation.”
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 (H.R. 38) in a 231-198 vote on Wednesday, December 6th. The legislation will next proceed to the U.S. Senate. If a joint version of the Bill is approved by both House and Senate, the new legislation would then go to the President for signature.
Story Based on Report by NRA-ILA.org
The National Rifle Association applauded House Members for passing the most far-reaching expansion of self-defense rights in modern American history. “This vote marks a watershed moment for Second Amendment rights,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director, National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action. “The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is the culmination of a 30-year movement recognizing the right of all law-abiding Americans to defend themselves, and their loved ones, including when they cross state lines.”
Next Stop — the U.S. Senate
“This bill ensures that all law-abiding citizens in our great country can protect themselves in the manner they see fit without accidentally running afoul of the law. We now call on the Senate to take up and pass this critical legislation,” Cox concluded.
H.R. 38 — What This Legislation Does and Does Not Do
The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 ensures that those Americans who can legally carry a concealed firearm in one state will legally be able to do so in every other state. It eliminates the confusing patchwork of state laws that have ensnared otherwise law-abiding gun owners.
While the bill allows recognition of concealed firearms permits from one state to the next (reciprocity), it does NOT create a federal licensing or registration system or establish national standards for concealed carry. Moreover, H.R. 38 will NOT override current state laws governing the time, place, and manner of carrying concealed weapons.
The bill also makes improvements to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, NICS. This bill incentivizes states and government agencies to update the NICS with legitimate records of prohibited persons.
Summary of H.R. 38 — Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017
This bill amends the Federal criminal code to allow a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows individuals to carry concealed firearms. A qualified individual must: (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid concealed carry permit issued by, or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in, his or her state of residence.
Additionally, the bill specifies that a qualified individual who lawfully carries or possesses a concealed handgun in another state: (1) is not subject to the federal prohibition on possessing a firearm in a school zone; and (2) may carry or possess the concealed handgun in Federally-owned lands that are open to the public.
New environmental regulations in the state of Washington could soon impact shooters. Restrictions on the use of lead compounds could lead to expensive range remediation programs, or even range closures…
