Obama Administration Endorses New U.N. Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations

Just as NRA warned would happen, following the election, the Obama administration has moved forward with its plans to support a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. On Wednesday November 7, the U.S. Mission to the U.N. made clear its support for renewed ATT negotiations, casting a vote in favor of resolution A/C.1/67/L.11. The resolution calls for a "Final United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty" to be held in New York City from March 18-28.

Undeterred by the failure of July's U.N. Conference on the ATT, in recent months the global civilian disarmament groups and their patron governments have been working nonstop to revive the treaty. Most visible were the attempts made by participants at the Second Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons. At the conference, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon used his time to state, "an arms trade treaty is long overdue… I urge you to redouble efforts to agree on a robust 'ATT' as soon as possible."

Anti-Gunners Start Gun Ban Plans

Any attempt by the anti-gun elite to hide their agenda has officially gone by the wayside. Recent electoral history had taught the gun control crowd to camouflage their intentions during the campaign season, and then wait for an opportune time to act. That tactic now appears to have run its course.

With Obama winning a second term as president, the anti-gunners know they don't have to face voters at least until mid-term elections, so they seem to be wasting no time in pressing what they see as an advantage, and are starting to once again come after our guns in earnest (please see U.N. Story above).

Last week, anti-gun Senator Dianne Feinstein's (D-Calif.) staff met with the legal staff of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to discuss a new and very comprehensive "assault weapons" ban.

2012 Election Recap

The dust is still settling from Tuesday's voting, but one thing is clear: NRA-ILA's 2012 election effort was one of the most sophisticated and targeted endeavors in our history. Though President Obama was able to secure a second term, pro-gun voters did turn out to the polls in significant numbers, making the difference in several down-ballot races and ballot measures. Prior to Tuesday, our country had an anti-gun president, a questionable U.S. Senate majority, and a pro-gun U.S. House majority. Today, America still has an anti-gun president, questionable U.S. Senate majority, and pro-gun U.S. House majority. As Ronald Reagan once famously said: "Status Quo is, you know, Latin for the mess we're in."

Urge Your U.S. Senators to Support the "Sportsmen's Act of 2012"

When Congress reconvenes on November 13, one of the first items the U.S. Senate could vote on is S. 3525, "The Sportsmen's Act of 2012." S. 3525 is an essential piece of legislation focused on the expansion and enhancement of hunting, recreational fishing and shooting on federal public land.

This bill is a compilation of 19 bipartisan bills important to the sportsmen's community. In addition to promoting land access, the bill would amend the "Toxic Substances Control Act" to prevent this and future administrations from using the Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate the right of hunters, shooters and anglers to use traditional ammunition and fishing tackle. The bill would amend the law to clarify that the EPA does not have the authority to regulate shot, bullets or sport fishing equipment.

A Special Debt of Gratitude: Celebrating Our Veterans

In this week's alert, we observe two important days in our nation. Election Day always reinforces how lucky we are to live in a country where "we the people" can choose our elected leaders and have a voice in how we are governed.

A few days later, Veterans' Day reminds us that our ability to participate at all was guaranteed by the sacrifice of American servicemen and women--many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom and the freedom of others around the world.

NRA, along with the rest of the nation, expresses our debt of gratitude as we remember and celebrate the actions of those who are veterans of our nation's wars, and those who are currently in harm's way protecting and promoting freedom.

Without their service, our service would be of little consequence.

NRA Giveaway: 141 Items to Celebrate the NRA's 141st Birthday!

The National Rifle Association was founded on November 17, 1871. To celebrate our 141st birthday, the NRA is giving away 141 items in our NRA Giveaway on Facebook! You could win one of the following items: 11 people will win an NRA range coat, 20 people will win an NRA shooting vest, 25 people will win an NRA shooting shirt, 40 people will win an NRA shooting belt, and 45 people will win an NRA divided belt pouch plus a pair of NRA shooting gloves.

To enter to win, just "Like" the National Rifle Association on Facebook (if you haven't already), navigate to the NRA Giveaway app on our page, and enter your info. Winners will be chosen on NRA's official birthday- Saturday, June 17th, but will be open for Facebook fans to enter all week long.

Who Will Be Top Gun? Vote in the NRA Facebook Firearm Face Off

Voting has begun for the NRA Firearm Face Off on the NRA's facebook page. You can vote for your favorite firearm in a bracket-style tournament (like March Madness). Eight handguns have been paired off to go head-to-head to receive the most votes. Each head-to-head game runs for two days and a winning firearm will be announced at the end of the fourteen-day Firearm Face Off.

When voting for your favorite firearm, you can watch a video for more information on the guns and leave a comment to lobby others to vote for your favorite. Be sure to vote every other day in each of the games! Click "Read More" below to start voting today!