The ground swell of support for passage of S. 659 - the Senate bill to block reckless, predatory lawsuits against the firearm industry - continues to gain momentum. In an August 27 letter to Senators Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.), more than two dozen wildlife conservation and shooting sports organizations, representing literally millions of dedicated sportsmen, expressed their unqualified support for this crucial legislation.
Specifically, the straightforward letter notes that, "S. 659 only protects legitimate businesses that comply with federal, state and local firearm laws. It has no effect on true liability cases...that are not related to third-party criminal misuse of firearms." The letter goes on to point out the potential for a serious loss of revenue to state fish and wildlife agencies if these types of suits are allowed to proceed. Revenues from excise taxes imposed on firearms are used to fund these agencies and would certainly be jeopardized by predatory lawsuits.
Included among the thirty co-signers of the letter are: BASS/ESPN Outdoors, Boone and Crockett Club, Izaak Walton League of America, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pope and Young Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Safari Club International.
As we`ve frequently noted in recent Alerts, the passage of S. 659 is critically important. We hope to have a vote on this crucial legislation in the coming weeks, and we cannot over emphasize the need for you to remain actively engaged in ensuring its passage. It is imperative that you continue to contact your U.S. Senators in support of S. 659 and urge them to do everything in their power to end these meritless lawsuits and ensure that this essential legislation is approved. Let your Senators know that it is crucial they cosponsor and support S. 659. Also, please urge them to support the will of the majority by working to derail the filibuster that anti-gun Senators have threatened to launch in a last-ditch attempt to defeat S. 659. You can find contact information for your elected officials by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or you can call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121.
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