The NFAFA will be the strongest direct action/lobbying organization working at the state and federal level to ease

restrictions on the ownership, manufacture, sale, and use of items regulated by the National Firearms Act.

Currently, there is no clear voice speaking for the manufacturers, distributors, dealers, owners, and collectors of NFA items. The NFA community has no organization dedicated to protecting its interests at the state and federal level. Although there are organizations that represent a single class of NFA items (e.g., suppressors) and organizations that tangentially deal with NFA laws and policies as part of the larger fight for gun rights, there is no single direct action/lobbying organization devoted to addressing all items regulated by the NFA.

Ownership of NFA-regulated items is one of the fastest growing segments of the firearms industry. The companies manufacturing these items, the dealers selling them, and the people buying them are becoming increasingly vocal about the need for a unified voice to speak for their interests.

The NFAFA is that unified voice.

Why is the NFAFA needed?

Sales increased from 360,000 units in 2012 to 500,000 units in 2013, according to CNN Money.

Supressor sales up37% 2012 -2013

2012

2013

95% of market impacted by not having Shall Certify43 states still need the Shall Certify legislation"

Why Are Silencer Sales on the Rise? KHOU TV - July 18, 2014 http://smarturl.it/khou

Gun Silencer Sales Booming CNN - April 22, 2014 http://smarturl.it/money.cnn

Gun Silencers Are Suddenly Selling Like Hot Cakes Time Magazine - April 22, 2014 http://smarturl.it/time-mag

Suppressors: Shooting Doesnt Have to Be Loud Breitbart - April 10, 2014 http://smarturl.it/breitbart-sports

Silencer Boom: Why More Shooters Are Going Over to Cans Air Force Times - January 14, 2013 http://smarturl.it/airforcetimes

What the press is saying about NFA related sales

One Silencer Company p r e d i c t i n g $20,000,000 in civilian sales for 2014

. . .and that s just one company- KHOU News July 19, 2014

ATF Form 4 applications have increased

380%from 2005 to 2013 from 41,600 in 2005 to more than 199,000 in 2013

-ATF Letter to the firearms industry April, 2014

Manufacturers and customers of NFA items currently have no direct action/lobbying organization dedicated to advancing their interests. There are organizations that attempt to advance these issues through education, but none are dedicated exclusively to lobbying.

As a 501c4 tax-exempt organization, the NFAFA is not eligible for tax-deductible charitable contributions; however, most donors within the NFA industry can deduct contributions to NFAFA as business expenses (membership in a trade organization is generally deductible; contributors should consult a licensed CPA before claiming such deductions).

As the former chief lobbyist for the American Silencer Association (now the American Suppressor Association), NFAFA Executive Director Todd Rathner successfully lobbied six states to pass laws allowing hunting with suppressors. This type of legislation helps to expand the NFA community by expanding the market for NFA items (i.e., suppressors).

During his time with ASA, Mr. Rathner also developed the concept of Shall Certify legislation, which amends state law to compel chief law enforcement officers (CLEOs) to certify any Form 1 or Form 4 submitted by an applicant who is not a prohibited possessor under state or federal law. This was a

direct and immediate response to the BATFEs proposal to require CLEO certification for transfers of NFA items to LLCs and Trusts (proposal 41P). This language developed in close concert with the National Rifle Association was subsequently passed in five states in just one legislative cycle. Four of those victories are directly attributable to Mr. Rathners personal lobbying.

Shall Certify legislation is a perfect example of why the NFAFA is needed. Most gun-rights organizations view NFA issues as ancillary concerns. However, if the federal government approves the BATFE proposal, the subsequent change in policy will have a chilling effect on sales of NFA items in those jurisdictions where CLEOs refuse to certify applications. The NFA community must rally together to get Shall Certify legislation in as many states as possible. There is a dire need to coordinate this effort, but that will not happen until an organization steps forward to lead the charge.

The NFAFA is that organization. Proactive direct action and lobbying are essential to the future of both the NFA industry and the NFA community, and the NFAFA is ready to lead the fight.

NFAFA Executive Summary

Have Shall Certify legislationStill need Shall Certify legislation

NFAFA Goals and Objectives:

Short term: Enact Shall Certify legislation in the

remaining 43 states, where it is not yet law. Identify states where NFA items are illegal

and defense to prosecution (DTP) is the only protection for NFA owners .

Work to repeal and replace DTP with statutes that affirmatively protect ownership of NFA weapons.

Identify states that do not allow hunting with suppressors and enact legislation to allow such activities.

Remove state-level prohibitions against the possession of NFA items.

Work closely with the ATFs NFA Branch to improve the forms approval process, including optimizing the e-filing system.

Work with the U.S. Congress to eventually eliminate CLEO certification.

Long Term: Work with Congress to repeal the

Hughes Amendment.

Work with Congress to remove silencers, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns from NFA regulatory control.

Stakeholders: NFA Gun owners Firearms manufacturers Silencer manufacturers NFA item distributors NFA item retailers Firearms accessory manufacturers Firearms accessory retailers

Todd J. Rathner ChairmanNFAFA Executive Director

Mr. Rathner has twenty years' experience lobbying Second Amendment issues. He is a member of the NRAs national board of directors and serves on the NRAs Legislative Affairs Committee. Mr. Rathner has served as a registered lobbyist at the federal level and in more than a dozen states. He is an avid hunter, shooter, and NFA owner.A selection of Mr. Rathners most significant legislative accomplishments:

Drafted, filed, and enacted laws permitting hunting with suppressors, in at least four states.

Developed the concept of CLEO Shall Certify legislation and worked to pass it in four states.

Represented the American Silencer Association and its members in meetings with the BATFE, regarding the e-file system, proposed federal regulation 41P, and other issues.

Strengthened and improved Arizonas firearms preemption law, which repealed dozens of local gun control ordinances and prohibits new local ordinances from being enacted.

Served as one of the chief architects of Arizonas Constitutional Carry law, which removed the requirement that a citizen obtain a license before carrying a gun for self-defense.

Introduced, passed, and enacted Knife Law Preemption in seven states, thereby, repealing local knife laws and preventing new ones from being enacted.

Repealed the ban on switchblade knives and knives exceeding an arbitrary length, in seven states

Drafted and helped to enact numerous laws allowing shooters to utilize public and private lands and protecting public shooting ranges from closure.

Assisted in the drafting and introduction of the Knife Owners Protection Act, which is still pending before the United States Congress.

Assisted in drafting national policies for the FAA/TSA to allow hunters to travel with firearms as checked baggage, in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy.

Defeated anti-Second Amendment proposals in numerous states. Appeared on various programs on Fox News, National Public Radio,

Huffpost Live, and many local television and radio outlets.

Featured as an expert in Second Amendment lobbying, in The New York Times, The Arizona Republic, The Huffington Post, and many others.