National Shooting Sports Foundation

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is a national trade association 501(c)(6) for the firearms industry. Founded in 1961, the NSSF's mission is "to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports."

The NSSF is described by Everytown Research & Policy as "the organization that fights the hardest to prevent the firearms industry from being held accountable for its role in endangering the public," and that in comparison to the more well-known National Rifle Association (NRA), the NSSF "shares many of the same goals, is just as extreme, and exacerbates our gun violence epidemic."

According to the Guardian, NSSF's membership numbered 10,000 gunmakers, dealers, and firearm firms in August 2023.

The NSSF's Board of Governors is composed of executives from the country's largest gun and ammunition companies, including Smith & Wesson, Hornady, Beretta USA, Glock, Daniel Defense, Ruger, and others.

News and Controversies

Challenging State Gun Control Laws Following Bruen Decision

The 2022 Supreme Court decision, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, struck down a long-standing New York state law on concealed carry permits. Not only did this create an avenue to challenge most existing state laws that restrict or prohibit concealed carry, but it also ruled that public carry is a constitutional right. As noted by the Guardian, the NSSF has mounted several legal challenges against new state gun-control measures enacted in the wake of the Bruen decision.

In May 2023, NSSF filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of California's Firearm Industry Responsibility Act. According to Courthouse News Service, the law allows "Californians, the state, and local governments to sue gun manufacturers, distributors and dealers that don't follow strict safety and marketing standards." NSSF's suit filed in district court claims that California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the law in defiance of the Bruen decision. In February 2024, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction barring California from enforcing the "abnormally dangerous" provisions of the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, as requested by NSSF. However, NSSF's request to block other provisions of the law that require manufacturers and distributors to implement "reasonable controls" was denied.

A similar law, also named the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act, was passed in Illinois in August 2023. Just two days later, NFFS filed a federal lawsuit challenging this law, which allows the state or private individuals to file civil lawsuits again gun manufacturers and distributors for violations of the state's Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

Anti-ESG Lobbying

An investigation by the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) found that Nephi Cole, Director of Government Relations at NSSF was the most active anti-ESG (environmental, social and governance) lobbyist in 2023. Cole testified on 6 bills in 5 state houses during this legislative session, while his NSSF colleague, Christopher Lee, lobbied for an addition 5 bills.

Anti-ESG legislation is legislation that severely curtails and often prohibits state governments from considering environmental, social, and governance factors when making decisions on investments and contracts. Similar to other firearm advocates, NSSF claims that their industry is unfairly treated by banks, businesses, and governmental agencies.

Activities

Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show

The Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is an annual trade show sponsored by the NSSF. NSSF's website describes the event as the "largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries." The trade show is not open to the general public.

NSSF reports that over 55,400 participants attended the 2024 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, the largest turnout in the event's history.

Project ChildSafe

Project ChildSafe is a "comprehensive firearm safety and education program" run by NSSF, according to Project ChildSafe's website. The website also claims that is has distributed over 100 million free gun locks since 1998.

However, as Everytown Research & Policy notes, NSSF's Project ChildSafe is under cut by a number of factors. NSSF has lobbied against state and federal "child access prevention" laws that would require gun owners to lock up their firearms when they are not being used. NSSF President Joseph Bartozzi's written testimony for a Senate Judiciary Committee in 2021 outlines NSSF's objection to government mandates in favor of "education and training." In addition, NSSF's IRS filings reveal that it never spent more than 5.8% of its annual revenue on "safety and education" programs from April 2014 to March 2019.

Lobbying

According to the NSSF website:

"The NSSF Government Relations team advocates for measures on behalf of and works in defense of the firearms and ammunition industry at all levels and before all branches of government. We determine threats or benefits to the industry, develop strategies to address those activities and act through lobbying, grassroots advocacy and public affairs efforts."

Open Secrets reports that the NSSF spent $44,380,000 in lobbying between 2013 and 2023. In addition, the NSSF has outspent every other gun group on federal lobbying, according to Everytown Research & Policy. While the NRA spent $2.2 and $4.9 million on federal lobbying in 2020 and 2021 respectively, NSSF spent $4.6 and $5 million those same years.

Funding

National Shooting Sports Foundation is not required to disclose its funders but major supporters can be found through their IRS filings. Here are some known contributors:

• Ames Collegiate Shooting Sports: $130 (2015)
• Georgia Corporation for Economic Development: $195,656 (2015-2021)
• Michael D Ferguson Charitable Foundation: $4,500 (2022)
• National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers: $100,000 (2015-2018)
• Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States: $10,000 (2019)

Core Financials

2022

• Total Revenue: $57,068,690
• Total Expenses: $46,528,441
• Net Assets: $57,060,748

2021

• Total Revenue: $51,692,186
• Total Expenses: $36,101,896
• Net Assets: $49,998,732

2020

• Total Revenue: $20,295,527
• Total Expenses: $38,764,836
• Net Assets: $32,137,755

2019

• Total Revenue: $46,704,892
• Total Expenses: $40,611,948
• Net Assets: $48,643,700

2018

• Total Revenue: $46,307,739
• Total Expenses: $43,642,699
• Net Assets: $45,695,310

2017

• Total Revenue: $44,022,322
• Total Expenses: $37,536,499
• Net Assets: $43,542,258

Grants Distributed

2022

Grants reported:

• American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce: $25,000
• Camp Compass Academy: $26,820
• Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation: $55,000
• Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting: $15,000
• Cute and Cocky: $22,000
• Fairfield County Fish & Game Protective Association: $15,000
• Femme Fatale Arms: $10,180
• Friends of Christine Drazan: $10,000
• GoPAC: $30,000
• IAEE: $14,999
• IHEA USA: $20,000
• JMD Defense: $17,500
• Kari Lake Win in 2022: $10,000
• Koenig Shooting Sports: $11,000
• Lombardo for Governor: $10,000
• NASGW: $8,000
• National African American Gun Association: $25,000
• National Deer Association: $50,000
• National Wildlife Federation: $12,500
• New York Republican State Committee: $25,000
• Non Typical Outdoorsman: $23,500
• North American Gamebird Association: $10,000
• Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference: $8,500
• Oregon Sportsmen Opposed to Violence: $10,000
• Outdoor Writer's Association of America: $6,000
• Professional Outdoor Media Association: $6,000
• Progressive Agriculture Foundation: $10,000
• Republican Governors Association: $10,000
• Ronald McDonald House of CT: $10,000
• Shine United: $75,713
• Southwick Associates: $128,150
• Sportsmen's Alliance: $20,000
• Stop Woke Banks: $25,000
• Swanson Russell: $9,275
• WAFWA: $5,500
• Wonders of Wildlife: $40,000

2021

Grants reported:

• American Red Cross in Connecticut: $20,000
• Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Foundation: $10,000
• Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation: $75,000
• Georgia Wildlife Federation: $35,600
• Honored American Veterans Afield: $10,000
• Major County Sheriffs of America: $10,000
• Minnesota Conservation Federation: $7,400
• National Deer Association: $65,000
• National Wildlife Federation: $12,500
• New Mexico Wildlife Federation: $10,000
• Outdoor Writers Association of America: $6,000
• Professional Outdoor Media Association: $6,000
• Progressive Agriculture Foundation: $10,000
• Republican Governors Association: $10,000
• Responsive Management: $185,953
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts: $10,000
• Shine United: $72,663
• Southwick Associates: $55,475
• Swanson Russell: $125,841
• Wyoming Women's Foundation: $7,000

2020

Grants reported:

• Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies: $5,000
• Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) Foundation: $5,000
• Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation: $95,000
• Delta Waterfowl Foundation: $7,500
• Hoodneck: $10,000
• Major County Sheriffs of America: $10,000
• National Deer Alliance: $100,000
• Progressive Agriculture Foundation: $10,000
• Quality Deer Management Association: $15,000
• Republican Governors Association: $10,000
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts: $10,000
• Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership: $5,000
• U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance: $10,000
• Union Sportsmen's Alliance: $20,000
• USA Clay Target League: $20,000
• Wonder of Wildlife - Johnny Morris Foundation: $40,000

2019

Grants reported:

• American Sportfishing Association: $18,000
• Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies: $5,000
• Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writer: $7,500
• Bryce Harlow Foundation: $5,000
• Center for Organizational Research: $25,000
• Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation: $135,750
• Delta Defense: $7,000
• Ducks Unlimited: $50,000
• First Hunt Foundation: $16,000
• Fraternal Order of Police Foundation: $50,000
• Georgia Wildlife Federation: $36,000
• Honored American Veterans Afield: $10,000
• Jefferson Islands Club: $10,000
• Major County Sheriffs of America: $10,000
• Nation's Best Sports: $35,000
• National 4-H Council: $25,000
• National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers: $15,000
• National Deer Alliance: $100,000
• National Pawnbrokers Association: $10,000
• National Wild Turkey Foundation: $13,000
• North American Gamebird Association: $25,000
• Pheasants Forever: $20,000
• Professional Outdoor Media Association: $6,000
• Progressive Agriculture Foundation: $10,000
• Responsive Management: $40,050
• Rimfire Challenge Shooting Association: $10,000
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts: $10,000
• Shoot for a Cure: $5,000
• Southeastern Outdoor Press Association: $6,000
• Southwick Associates: $123,575
• U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance: $35,243
• Union Sportsmen's Alliance: $5,000
• USA Shooting: $50,000
• Warriors United: $5,000
• Wildlife Management Institute: $46,800
• Wonder of Wildlife - Johnny Morris Foundation: $40,000

2018

Grants reported:

• Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies: $6,000
• Boy Scouts of America: $90,604
• Center for Organizational Research: $25,000
• Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation: $85,000
• Conserve and Protect Arizona: $10,000
• Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports: $10,000
• Honored American Veterans Afield: $25,000
• National 4-H Council: $25,000
• National Deer Alliance: $100,000
• New Jersey Sportsmen's Wildlife Foundation: $5,000
• North American Gamebird Association: $25,000
• Progressive Agriculture Foundation: $12,000
• Rimfire Challenge Shooting Association: $50,000
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts: $8,000
• Shoot for a Cure: $10,000
• Sportsman Team Challenge: $10,000
• U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance: $65,000
• USA Shooting: $50,000
• Wildlife Management Institute: $16,000
• Wonder of Wildlife - Johnny Morris Foundation: $40,000

2017

Grants reported:

• Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies: $6,000
• Boy Scouts of America: $90,604
• Center for Organizational Research: $25,000
• Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation: $85,000
• Conserve and Protect Arizona: $10,000
• Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports: $10,000
• Ducks Unlimited: $5,000
• Honored American Veterans Afield: $25,000
• National 4-H Council: $25,000
• National Deer Alliance: $100,000
• New Jersey Sportsmen's Wildlife Foundation: $5,000
• North American Gamebird Association: $25,000
• Progressive Agriculture Foundation: $12,000
• Rimfire Challenge Shooting Association: $50,000
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts: $8,000
• Shoot for a Cure: $10,000
• Sportsman Team Challenge: $10,000
• U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance: $65,000
• USA Shooting: $50,000
• Wonder of Wildlife - Johnny Morris Foundation: $40,000

Personnel

Board of Governors

As of February 2024:

• Robert L Scott, Chairman
• Stephen Hornady, Co-Vice Chairman
• Jeffrey Reh, Co-Vice Chairman
• Joshua W Dorsey IV, Secretary
• Lawrence G Keane, Assistant Secretary
• Brett Flaugher, Treasurer
• John Smith, Assistant Treasurer
• Laurie Aronson
• Joseph Bartozzi
• Jim Chandley
• Paul Chartier
• Sandy Chisholm
• Marty Daniel
• Christopher Dolnack
• William Dunn
• Travis Hall
• Deborah Kenney
• Christopher Killoy
• Bruce Pettet
• Richard Sprague
• Bryan Tucker
• Jason Vanderbrink
• Jeanelle Westrom

Former Board of Governors

• Tom Gresham
• Tom Taylor

Staff

As of February 2024:

• Joseph Bartozzi, President and CEO
• Lawrence G Keane, Senior VP and General Counsel
• John Smith, VP and CFO
• Christopher Dolnack, Senior VP and CCO
• Deborah Kenney, VP, HR and Administration
• William Dunn, VP, Marketing
• Ross Biddle, Managing Director
• Jacob McGuigan, Managing Director
• Patrick Rothwell, Managing Director
• John McNamara, Managing Director
• William Brassard, Senior Director
• Nephi Cole, Director of Government Relations
• Salam Fatohi, Director of Research
• Mark Oliva, Director of Public Affairs

Former Staff

• James Curcuruto, Director of Research and Market Development
• Steve Sanetti, President and CEO

Affiliated Organizations

• Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufactures' Institute
• Project ChildSafe

Contact Information

National Shooting Sports Foundation
6 Corporate Drive Suite 650
Shelton, CT 06484

Website: nssf.org
Phone: (203) 426-1320
Facebook: NSSF - The Firearm Industry Trade Association
Instagram: @thenssf
Twitter: @NSSF
YouTube: NSSF - The Firearm Industry Trade Association

EIN: 06-0860132

Articles and Resources

IRS Form 990 Filings

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Articles

• Juliana Broad, Leading Anti-ESG Lobbyists Represent Firearms and Fossil Fuel Industries, ExposedbyCMD, July 19, 2023.
• David Armiak, Republican Group of State Financial Officers Takes on Woke Capitalism, ExposedbyCMD, February 16, 2022.
• David Armiak, ALEC’s “Critical Energy Theory” Bills Moving in Four States, ExposedbyCMD, February 8, 2022.