NCJ Number
153307
Date Published
1994
Length
9 pages
Annotation
An analysis of the funding and activities of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) revealed that Federal tax dollars are being used to help underwrite the NSSF's school-based marketing programs to children and young adults.
Abstract
In 1993, the NSSF received a grant totaling more than $229,000 form the United States Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior for the Wildlife Management Education in Schools program. The money was awarded to update and expand materials for its school programs. A second $101,000 grant was awarded to the organization that year for a series of video news releases, taped radio news releases, and print advertising campaign aimed at the general public outlining the success of wildlife management. Federal funding of NSSF activities is the latest development in the organization's history of marketing to children and youth. The organization's board of governors consists of representatives of firearms and ammunition manufacturers as well as hunting publications and conservation organizations. In addition, the Fish and Wildlife Service sees no need to review its grant guidelines despite the administration's strong stance on reducing firearms violence. To address these problems, the Department of the Interior should immediately review these guidelines, the Fish and Wildlife Service should review all pending or recently awarded grants to NSSF or related organizations to determine whether they are designed as marketing tools, and consideration should be given to diverting a significant portion of the funds to defray health care costs resulting from firearms violence.