NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION, INC. (NSSF)

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is the trade association for the firearms industry, established in 1961. Headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, its core mission is to promote, protect, and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. The organization operates as a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt entity, representing a broad spectrum of the industry.

NSSF's key services include extensive lobbying and government relations efforts on behalf of the firearms and ammunition industry, advocating at all levels of government. It also focuses on safety and education programs, such as Project ChildSafe, which promotes secure firearm storage. A significant activity is the ownership and sponsorship of the annual SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show), which is described as the largest trade show for shooting sports, hunting, and law enforcement industries. The NSSF represents thousands of members, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen's organizations, and publishers.

Joseph Bartozzi serves as the President and CEO of NSSF, with Robert L. Scott as the Chairman of the Board of Governors. The organization remains actively engaged in legislative and regulatory affairs, as evidenced by recent actions such as commending Indiana's governor for protecting firearm retailers and vowing legal action against Maryland's proposed handgun ban in April 2026. NSSF also applauded Kansas for removing suppressor prohibitions and welcomed new ATF rulemaking packages in early 2026. The NSSF's public affairs managing director, Mark Oliva, frequently comments on legislative issues impacting the industry.