Why It Matters: As you may remember from Schoolhouse Rock, a bill’s journey is not complete after it has been approved by the Legislative Branch – the Executive Branch (the Governor at the state level) must either sign or veto it. Recently, the Wisconsin Governor elected to sign a few sporting bills into law while…
Why It Matters: Legislation seeking to restrict the Second Amendment is often eventually used as a vector of attack for issues more directly pertaining to sportsmen and women, just as restrictions on hunting are often used as a vector of attack against Second Amendment rights. Our issues are fundamentally intertwined given that firearms of every…
Why It Matters: Particularly during election years, legislation regarding firearms, both good and bad, dominates much of the conversation among state legislatures. Often, these efforts align closely with the priorities for one major political party or the other. However, there are ideas that truly transcend party lines in support of our shared mission of increasing…
Why It Matters: Introduced on February 28, 2024, Maine Legislative Docket 2238 (LD 2238) An Act to Address Gun Violence in Maine By Requiring a Waiting Period for Certain Firearm Purchases, is legislation that imposes a minimum three-day waiting period on the transferring of a firearm. On March 7, 2024, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF)…
Why It Matters: Despite existing security and reporting requirements on Federal Firearms License (FFL) holders, a bill is making its way through Washington State that would add onerous restrictions on firearms businesses. During recent testimony, licensed firearms dealers warned that these proposed restrictions will put them out of business. Should FFL locations begin closing as…
Why It Matters: Maryland Senate Bill 983 seeks to require the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create a lead hunting ammunition phase-out plan and ammunition verification process by December 31, 2026. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) encouraged the legislature and the Department of Natural Resources to work together to instead consider implementing voluntary,…
Why It Matters: Firearm and ammunition laws and regulations are often intricate, confusing, and, without state preemption laws, can vary from locality to locality. Recently, South Dakota introduced and passed a firearm preemption bill of their own, restricting homeowner’s associations from placing restrictions on the possession and use of firearms or ammunition. Firearm preemption legislation…
Why It Matters: Law-abiding hunters and recreational shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation through various wildlife management nationwide. Recently, state legislatures have begun proposing state excise taxes in addition to the existing manufacturer-level taxes already being paid under federal law. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user…
Why It Matters: As airguns and arrow-shooting airguns continue to gain popularity and pique the interest of sportsmen and women, state fish and wildlife agencies have begun exploring opportunities to allow their use for hunting. Following last year’s legislative efforts to authorize arrow-shooting airgun use during Oklahoma’s general firearms deer season, staff at the Oklahoma…
Why it Matters: To date, the Pittman-Robertson Act has generated over $15 billion in critical funding to conserve wildlife, improve recreational shooting and hunting access, fund hunting education programs, and support other programs that are vital to our hunting and recreational shooting heritage. Building on this foundation, the Tax Stamp Revenue Transfer for Wildlife and…
Why It Matters: California’s law-abiding hunters and recreational shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation through various wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays — public benefits” program, California’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for…
Why It Matters: California’s law-abiding hunters and shooters have long played a vital role in funding conservation and wildlife management efforts throughout the state. Under the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF), a unique “user pays — public benefits” structure, California’s sportsmen and women generate tens of millions of dollars each year for the California…