1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is an independent federal regulatory agency that was created in 1972 by Congress in the Consumer Product Safety Act. In that law, Congress directed the Commission to "protect the public against unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products." They have jurisdiction over about 15,000 types of consumer products, from automatic-drip coffee makers to toys to lawn mowers.
Some types of products, however, are covered by other federal agencies. For example, cars, trucks and motorcycles are covered by the Department of Transportation; foods, drugs and cosmetics are covered by the Food and Drug Administration; and alcohol, tobacco and firearms are within the jurisdiction of the Department of the Treasury.
Source: http://www.cpsc.gov/
2. U.S. Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is a law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Treasury with unique responsibilities dedicated to reducing violent crime, collecting revenue, and protecting the public. They regulate all firearms for safety and legal compliance and enforce the federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives and arson by working directly and in cooperation with others. In the U.S. they are assisted by SAAMI in regards to the safety of guns and ammunition.
Sources:
http://www.atf.treas.gov/about/mission.htm
http://www.atf.treas.gov/about/history.htm
Firearms Regulations:
http://www.atf.treas.gov/regulations/index.htm
http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/rules/index.htm
3. Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI & SAAMI Logistics And Regulatory Affairs Committee (SLARAC) - The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute was founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government. SAAMI has been actively involved in the publication of industry standards, coordination of technical data, and the promotion of safe and responsible firearms use. It is an association of the nation's leading manufacturers of sporting firearms, ammunition, and components. SAAMI currently publishes more than 700 standards related to firearm and ammunition quality and safety. For a listing of SAAMI members, write to: SAAMI, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470 or see their website.
SAAMI Is An Accredited Standards Developer For The American National Standards Institute (ANSI): - As an accredited standards developer, SAAMI's standards for industry test methods, definitive proof loads, and ammunition performance specifications are subject to ANSI review and various ANSI criteria. According to the American National Standards Institute:
"Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by ANSI that the requirements for due process, consensus, and other criteria for approval have been met by the standards developer. Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of Standards Review, substantial agreement has been reached by directly and materially affected interests. Substantial agreement means much more than a simple majority, but not necessarily unanimity. Consensus requires that all views and objections be considered, and that a concerted effort be made toward their resolution."Standards are developed when the governing body, SAAMI, proposes a new standard and circulates the draft to canvasses. Canvasses for each standard include government agencies (such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Customs Service), non-SAAMI member companies, and interested parties (such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology). Once the draft standard has been reviewed and returned to SAAMI with comments or corrections, the canvass group votes on whether or not to accept the standard. If there is disagreement and a canvassee opposes the standard but the standard is accepted by the other members of the canvass group, there is an ANSI appeals process that decides the matter.
It is ANSI and SAAMI policy that every five years the standards be revised or reaffirmed. Even if the standards remain the same, they must go through the approval process outlined above. Simply stated, the standards accepted by ANSI and promulgated by SAAMI are reviewed and accepted by outside experts, and every five years the validity of the standards are re-affirmed. In 1996, SAAMI was audited by ANSI and received exemplary marks for technical expertise, professionalism, and competency. The audit concluded that, "SAAMI staff is competent and knowledgeable concerning the SAAMI standards process and ANSI requirements. The standards are processed in a professional manner."
Over the years, there have been attempts to put firearms and ammunition under the Consumer Safety Protection Act. Recognizing that firearms are not traditional "consumer products", Congress exempted the firearms and ammunition industries in 1972 saying, "The Consumer Product Safety Commission shall make no ruling or order that restricts the manufacture or sale of firearms, ammunition, including black powder or gun powder, for firearms." Congress was correct because numerous anti-gun advocates have since argued that the CSPA should be allowed to regulate firearms and ammunition in the name of safety. Numerous industries in addition to firearms and ammunition were exempted from the CSPA, including automobiles, boats, and aircraft. Congress has not wavered from its initial position.
Since 1926 SAAMI has been the principle organization in the United States actively engaged in the development and promulgation of product standards for firearms and ammunition. The U.S. military, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and many other state and local agencies frequently require that their suppliers manufacture to SAAMI specifications. SAAMI is the only trade association whose member companies manufacture and set standards for high-performance law enforcement ammunition.
SAAMI Sets Product Standards for Firearms and Ammunition - The primary work of SAAMI is done by its Technical Committee in the setting of industry standards. Product standards for firearms and ammunition are developed by two Product Standards Task Forces, one for ammunition and one for firearms. Recommendations of the task forces are submitted for review by the entire Technical Committee. Other key areas of technical expertise and standardization include pressure measurement, muzzle loading, and working toward universal, internationally recognized standards by working with the Commission Internationale Permanente (CIP).
In Europe, proof houses or testing facilities for firearms and ammunition, have set European standards since the 1800s. The CIP is an international association of proof houses. By working together, the CIP and SAAMI are working towards the development of international standards.
SAAMI Proposes and Reviews International and Domestic Shipping Regulations - The SAAMI Logistics & Regulatory Affairs Committee (SLARAC) performs some of the most important functions of SAAMI. SLARAC participates in reviewing and proposing both domestic and international regulations so that products offered by SAAMI members can be distributed economically and safely, without unreasonable restrictions, throughout the world.
Working with the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Treasury Department (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) on a domestic basis and internationally through the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, SAAMI is intimately involved in the development of domestic and global standards for the safe transportation and distribution of products manufactured by SAAMI-member companies.
The Logistics and Regulatory Affairs Committee (SLARAC) regularly offers its expertise to agencies on such important matters as the classification, labeling, placarding, and packaging of small arms ammunition. The Committee conducts tests in support of their views concerning the limited hazards associated with the storage and transportation of small arms ammunition and components. The harmonization of domestic and international regulations is a high priority and is an ongoing project.
One important product of the SLARAC Committee is a video, Sporting Ammunition and the Firefighter, which was produced by the Committee many years ago. The video analyzes the characteristics associated with the small arms ammunition when it is subjected to severe impact and fire. When a primer ignites, it causes the propellant to burn which creates gases which, when under pressure in a firearm, send the bullet down the barrel. Pressure created by the propellant being burned is what discharges a bullet.
As such, loose ammunition in a fire does not result in bullets being discharged because the propellant is not burning under pressure. The video, which has been widely circulated to fire departments, concludes that while ammunition produces a popping sound when it burns, there is no mass detonation of the ammunition, any projectiles are of low velocity, and there is no threat to firefighters in their standard turn-out gear.
The Environmental Committee examines environmental issues affecting the shooting sports by analyzing and collecting data and offering policy proposals to regulatory agencies and the shooting public. The Environmental Committee provides SAAMI members and the public with important information about the impact of shooting on the environment. Responding to concerns about lead and lead mobility at shooting ranges, SAAMI commissioned E.A. Engineering, Science and Technology, Inc. to prepare an exhaustive literature search on the issue. The committee has also helped develop range owners so the shooting sports can be enjoyed in harmony with the environment.
SAAMI Member Companies - a list of members can be found at http://www.saami.org/membership.html
More references to SAAMI can be found in the following BATF publications:
(1) ATF - Code of Federal Regulations - T.D. ATF-402; Ref: Notice No. 855 RIN 1512-AB68
http://www.atf.treas.gov/regulations/tdatf402.htm
and
(2) Quarterly Bulletin
http://www.atf.treas.gov/pub/qtrly_bulletins/qbv3.htm
Sources: http://www.saami.org, http://www.saami.org/member.html, http://www.saami.org/ansi.html, http://www.saami.org/ship.html, http://www.saami.org/environment.html
4. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - ANSI is a private, non-profit organization (501(c)3) that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. The Institute's mission is to enhance both the global competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. quality of life by promoting and facilitating voluntary consensus standards and conformity assessment systems, and safeguarding their integrity. ANSI was founded on October 18, 1918.
Headquarters:
American National Standards Institute
1819 L Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Offices:
American National Standards Institute
25 West 43nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Website:
http://www.ansi.org
Source: http://www.ansi.org/public/about.html
Yes, in Art I, Sec 8, Cl 3, Congress is granted, (I want to emphasize the word "granted,") the power, from the people, to "regulate commerce among the states."
(I will concede there is a big question as to the intent of the founders of this republic if they meant for the commerce clause powers to be used in the manner those powers are used today.)
However, there is also the Bill of Rights. All laws enacted by Congress cannot exceed their enumerated powers and cannot violate the Bill of Rights.
The CSPC agency, created by Congress, may have jurisdiction within state boundaries because of the "commerce clause," but any action by the CSPC other than providing information about manufactured products safety to citizens, would be a violation of the Bill of Rights.
Specifically,
--Amendment II, "...the right of the people to keep and bear arms, SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED."
--Amendment V, "...nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation."
--Amendment IX, "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to DENY OR DISPARAGE others RETAINED BY THE PEOPLE."
If I have to explain why each amendment is violated by any confiscatory action, any mandated design additions, or prohibition of any type of firearm by the CPCS, then you are not reading our constitution from the perspective of a presumption of liberty.
I will admit, because of 40 years of Democrat control of the House and Senate, it has saddled us with judges that look out for our government's interests over the liberties of the people, and most individuals and business owners do not wish to take on the monumental effort to stand up to the CPSC agency.
It is no longer in Treasury, it's now in Justice, mostly. The booze and tobacco tax collection part is still in Treasury. The rest is now the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. So BATFers are now BATFErs. Downgraded from a 4 letter agency to a 5 letter agency, although they like to pretend they are a TLA, (Three Letter Agency) like FBI, or DEA.