Washington – September 19, 2026 -- President Donald Trump signed a "Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage" Executive Order on Sept. 17, 2026, locking in protections for traditional ammunition and expanding hunter access to federal lands, a move the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) says secures the industry's manufacturing base and conservation-funding pipeline.
Order blocks bans on traditional ammunition sought by manufacturers
The Executive Order bars restrictions on traditional ammunition and fishing tackle, an outcome NSSF lobbied for after warning that mandated alternative ammunition costs several times more than lead-based rounds. NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi, who attended the Rose Garden signing, called the order "a tremendous victory" for the industry and said NSSF "led this fight" alongside the White House and the Department of the Interior.
Excise tax revenue underpins $29 billion in wildlife conservation since 1937
Firearm and ammunition manufacturers pay a 10 to 11 percent Pittman-Robertson excise tax that NSSF identifies as the primary funding source for U.S. wildlife conservation, totaling more than $29 billion since 1937 in inflation-adjusted terms. NSSF reported earlier in 2026 that $804 million of the $1.3 billion apportioned to states in February came directly from that excise tax base, tying manufacturer output volumes directly to state conservation budgets.
New "open until closed" rule reverses default land-access policy
The order introduces an "open until closed" standard presuming public lands remain open to hunting unless a specific justification requires closure, reversing prior default restrictions. It also directs cooperative agreements with private landowners to unlock currently inaccessible public parcels, prioritizing access over objections from preservationist groups.
Federal push targets Sunday hunting bans and invasive species management
The Executive Order encourages state fish and wildlife agencies to lift remaining Sunday hunting restrictions on federal and state lands, an issue NSSF has pushed as a barrier to participation growth. Additional provisions open hunting in designated monuments and establish a qualified volunteer framework allowing sportsmen to help manage overabundant and invasive species populations.