Obama to Nix Imports, Require FBI Checks for Firearms Trusts; New Director of BATFE Sworn In

More than a century ago, Congress established the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and authorized it to sell surplus military firearms to Americans interested in improving their marksmanship in support of national defense. "The Board," as it was commonly known among avid rifle shooters for decades, now exists as the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP).

To the everlasting benefit of all of us who are committed to maintaining Americans' marksmanship superiority over the peoples of all other countries on Earth, the CMP has continued to sell M1 Garands, many in outstanding condition. In doing so, the program has given tens of thousands of Americans the chance to develop their rifle skills with one of the most important firearms in our nation's history--which Gen. George S. Patton described as "the single greatest battle implement ever devised"--and to test those skills in its popular John C. Garand Matches, held across the country and during the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. As the legendary Jeff Cooper once observed, "the purpose of shooting is hitting," and the contribution of John C. Garand and the CMP to that worthy goal has been immeasurable.

However, you know how President Obama feels about guns.

Swing and a Miss: Anti-Gunners Strike Out In Their Bid to Block Open Carry Law

On March 4, 2013, Governor Phil Bryant (R) signed Mississippi House Bill 2 into law. Among other things, this legislation clarified Mississippi law regarding the open carrying of firearms. Specifically, it limited the state's prohibition on the unlicensed carrying of handguns and certain other weapons to situations in which the item is "concealed on or about one's person …." It also defined "concealed" to mean "hidden or obscured from common observation" and further explained that a "loaded or unloaded pistol carried upon the person in a … holster that is wholly or partially visible" does not fall within the prohibition on carrying concealed weapons. The bill contained additional amendments that clearly established that the open carrying of a holstered handgun is not, in itself, a violation of law.

As we reported in July, the passage of HB 2 led to a frenzied and confused legal effort by a coalition of anti-gun officials to convince the courts to prevent the law from taking effect. Their main complaint was that HB 2 was unconstitutionally vague.

In rulings that surely will not burnish the judiciary's reputation for legal precision, a Hinds County circuit judge issued injunctions preventing the law from taking effect. The state appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court. Your NRA participated in these proceedings with a "friend of the court" brief that explained how existing laws that were left undisturbed by HB 2 still allowed authorities to address the public safety concerns raised by the lower court concerning dangerous persons and misuse of weapons.

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His Group Honored the Boston Bomber

2013 Firearms Law & The Second Amendment Symposium

The 2013 NRA "Firearms Law & The Second Amendment Symposium" will be held on Saturday, October 12th, at The University of Denver.

Focusing on recent developments in our nation's courts and legislatures regarding the Second Amendment, speakers will discuss and debate current Second Amendment developments and related issues. The symposium will feature top Second Amendment scholars and attorneys discussing topics that range from the history of the Second Amendment to current Second Amendment litigation in Colorado and across the nation, to the nuts and bolts of legal practice in both defending and advancing gun owners' civil rights.

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Enter the NRA Giveaway by Tuesday, September 3, at 3:00 p.m. ET, for a chance to win. CLICK HERE TO ENTER.

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