Legislation

NSSF praises Sen. John Cornyn's introduction of S. 4775, the SHOT Act, which would strengthen the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to prevent frivolous public nuisance lawsuits against firearm manufacturers and retailers. Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel, stated the legislation addresses gaps created by court decisions that have allowed lawsuits in 11 states.

Safari Club International (SCI) commends Representative Mike Rulli (R-OH) for introducing legislation to reform the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), which SCI argues has been exploited by wealthy nonprofit organizations to pursue repeated litigation against federal agencies. The proposed reforms would impose hourly fee caps and annual limits on fee recovery for 501(c)(3) organizations.

NSSF commends House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Jared Huffman for introducing H.R. 9250 to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund. The legislation would continue funding for deferred maintenance on federal lands managed by USFWS, USFS, and BLM, supporting hunting, recreational shooting, and wildlife habitat conservation.

Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam expressed support for the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250, introduced by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Jared Huffman. The legislation would invest $1.9 billion over five years in national parks, public lands, and recreational infrastructure benefiting hunters and anglers.

House Natural Resources Committee leaders Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman introduced the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250, reauthorizing the 2020 landmark bill. The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation praised the legislation for reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund and establishing a pilot program allowing up to 15% of funding for outdoor recreation and sportsmen's access projects.

Safari Club International commends Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Jared Huffman for advancing bipartisan legislation investing $1.9 billion in America's national parks and public lands over five years. The initiative is projected to create approximately 72,500 jobs and generate $26.4 billion in economic activity while strengthening conservation and outdoor access.

Delta Waterfowl praised House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Jared Huffman for introducing bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund, which would provide $95 million annually for five years to address deferred maintenance on federal public lands and improve waterfowl habitat.

The Second Amendment Foundation submitted formal testimony to the Virgin Islands legislature opposing Bill No. 36-0144, urging a wait-and-see approach due to pending Supreme Court and Third Circuit cases that will impact the bill's constitutionality, including Wolford v. Lopez and Koons v. Attorney General of New Jersey.

Gun Owners of America endorses Representative Lauren Boebert's Freedom from Taxes Act of 2026, which would eliminate the $200 NFA tax on machine guns and destructive devices. Erich Pratt, GOA's Senior Vice President, praised the bill for restoring Second Amendment rights without punitive taxation.

The U.S. House passed the Farm Bill with the Sportsmen's Alliance successfully removing anti-hunting language that would have banned certain hounds and sporting dogs. The organization now focuses on ensuring the Senate version remains free of similar restrictions pushed by animal-rights groups.

The Sportsmen's Alliance successfully advocated for the removal of anti-hunting language from the Farm Bill that would have banned certain hound types and live lures for training. House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson led the effort to eliminate provisions from the Greyhound Protection Act of 2025, backed by animal-rights activist Wayne Pacelle and Animal Wellness Action.

The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) achieved a significant victory with the removal of anti-hunting and dog training language from the House Farm Bill. The Greyhound Protection Act language, which would have impacted hunting with hounds and dog training practices, was eliminated following efforts by CSF and Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus members led by Chairman G.T. Thompson.

The NSSF praised Kentucky's legislature for overriding Governor Andy Beshear's veto of HB 78, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms (PLCAA) Clarification Act. The bill establishes legal immunity for firearm and ammunition manufacturers and retailers against lawsuits arising from criminal misuse of lawfully sold products. NSSF Senior Vice President Lawrence G. Keane stated the override corrects the governor's decision to stand with gun control groups seeking to abuse courts through litigation.

Georgia's State Senate and House passed S.B. 478, bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Act through 2039. The bill increases sales tax revenue allocation to GOSA from 40 to 60 percent, providing approximately $15 million annually for land conservation, wildlife habitat protection, and regional parks. Since 2019, GOSA has funded 88 projects totaling over $175 million.

Michigan lawmakers voted on March 25 to designate the wood duck as the state's official duck, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signing HB 4044 into law. Lead bill author Representative Alabas Farhat credited Ducks Unlimited's habitat investments in enabling the wood duck's recovery from near extinction to thriving populations.

Anti-hunting activist groups inserted House Resolution 5017, the Greyhound Protection Act of 2025, into the Farm Bill, which would ban sight hounds, scent hounds, and bird dog training nationwide. The Sportsmen's Alliance urges hunters to contact their representatives and senators to remove the hunting ban language before final passage.

The Virginia General Assembly passed SB749, banning semi-automatic firearms and magazines holding over 15 rounds, despite Second Amendment protections. Governor Abigail Spanberger is expected to sign the bill, which takes effect July 1, 2026. Firearms Policy Coalition President Brandon Combs announced plans to file a federal lawsuit challenging the ban.

Gun Owners of America supports SB 1071 in West Virginia, which would authorize state-run distribution centers to transfer machine guns to qualified citizens under the Hughes Amendment exemption. Erich Pratt and Chris Stone of GOA argue the legislation adheres to existing federal law while defending Second Amendment rights.

South Dakota Governor Rhoden signed SD 2 into law at Silencer Central's headquarters, removing suppressors from the state's controlled weapons definition. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Casey Crabtree and Representative Drew Peterson, was supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and provides a template for other states seeking suppressor deregulation.

Hawaii's SB433, a restrictive knife ban bill, was deferred indefinitely by the Senate Committee on Safety and Military Affairs. Knife Rights Director Todd Rather testified against the bill, which would ban most knife carry in public places. Over 400 people, including law enforcement and civil rights organizations, opposed the measure.