The US had 21 million background checks for the sale of a gun last year, shattering records. NSSF (which hosts Shot Show) survey revealed that over 8.4 million people bought their first firearm in 2020. We had notable increases in more women and minorities buying firearms. This year, we’re on track for likely the second strongest year and estimate that there were 3.2 million first-time buyers in the first six months.
One of the most significant victories for the firearm industry recently was defeating the nomination of David Chipman to become the Director of the ATF, who would have otherwise had a devastating effect on the industry by politicizing the bureau for gun control. Another victory, Texas is passing the Firearm Industry Nondiscrimination (FIND) Act. That law told big banks and corporations that they couldn’t benefit from municipal contracts while using the profits from taxpayer-funded contracts to advocate for discriminatory policies against the firearm industry. Ergo, Citibank, and JPMorgan Chase can’t hold a contract with any Texas municipality while it refuses to do business with a gun company just because they make guns they don’t like. Ohio is considering a similar bill right now, and Louisiana’s Attorney General said he’s adopting the same policy.
A current priority is defending the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. That’s the law that says you can’t sue a gun manufacturer or retailer for the crimes committed by a non-related third party (criminal). NY recently passed a law trying to get around that, and the Biden administration has made it a priority to repeal that law. NSSF and others are working to defend this Act.
Special thanks to Mark Oliva (USMC), Director of Public Affairs, NSSF, for providing the above. Join us Tuesday, November 3, hit up the NSSF virtual table, and ask Mark your questions.
Register: Meritorious | State of the Firearms Industry & Future of Military Tech
