Anti-Hunting Bill Held in Key California Committee

On Wednesday, before a hearing room packed with opponents, the California Assembly Appropriations Committee moved to place Senate Bill 1221 on suspense. Bills are placed on suspense when the fiscal impact to the state is significant enough to warrant further consideration. Senate Bill 1221, the highly controversial measure that would ban the use of dogs in bear and bobcat hunting, would directly cost the state of California nearly half a million dollars in license and tag sales annually. This does not take into account the tens of millions in economic activity generated by hound hunters to rural communities each year. "While it is a good sign that the bill was placed on suspense, the fight is definitely not over. The committee will make their final determination on SB 1221 by the end of next week," said Evan Heusinkveld, USSA's Director of State Services. "It's critical that all California sportsmen contact members of the Appropriations committee TODAY and URGE them to 'Keep SB 1221 on Suspense'. This bill will be devastating to California, its citizens and its wildlife." [Source: U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance]

LMT Rifles help protect 2012 Olympics

Weapons produced by Lewis Machine & Tool Company, a privately-owned Midwestern maker of elite weaponry, are being used by the Royal Air Force to protect the 2012 Olympics in London, England, against terrorist attacks. According to a recent Daily Express U.K. article, Royal Air Force soldiers assigned to protect the Olympics have been armed with the LMT L129A1 Sharpshooter rifle, which is highly accurate over long ranges. "From the beginning, LMT has been proud to assist soldiers and law enforcement officials in protecting our country," said Monica Sipp, Director of Sales and Marketing for LMT. "We are equally proud that our products are being used to protect the Olympics, an event which fosters global unity." According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, 205 countries are sending more than 10,000 athletes to compete in 300 events at this year's Summer Olympics. Stanford University terrorism expert Martha Crenshaw, said, "From the point of view of this year's Olympics, London could be as much of a target as the Olympics themselves." She further explained that there are now more British troops guarding the streets of London than in Afghanistan.

YSSA Announces 2013 Grant Program

The Youth Shooting Sports Alliance is conducting its sixth National Youth Shooting Sports Program Needs Assessment this fall to identify youth shooting sports programs that are being limited in growth by their need for additional equipment and supplies. Youth program leaders are welcomed and encouraged to submit an application for YSSA support by October 15, 2012. The screen-fillable application is available at the YSSA website." A panel of select members of the shooting sports industry will review proposals submitted in response to this assessment and select the priority programs that best contribute to the future market goals of the industry. The proposals will be judged in the following categories: Current and projected participation level; Diversity of shooting disciplines accommodated; Uniqueness of program; Probability of obtaining equipment needed to fulfill the request; Efficiency of use of donated product; and Visibility and public relations value. The YSSA has provided product support for 215 priority youth shooting sports programs to date and has distributed nearly $700,000 worth of equipment and supplies to address limitations to growth of these programs.