August 3, 2009

Vol. 10 No. 31

Firearm and Ammunition Excise Taxes Jump 43%

$109.8 MILLION GENERATED FOR CONSERVATION IN 1ST QUARTER . . . Firearm and ammunition manufacturers paid $109.8 million in excise taxes in the first quarter of 2009, up 43 percent over the same period last year. Released by the U.S. Department of Treasury, excise tax figures are one of the industry's best indicators of performance. Manufacturers pay the tax -- a major source of wildlife conservation funding -- on all firearms and ammunition sold (11 percent on long guns and ammunition and 10 percent on handguns). Between Jan. 1 and March 31, $33 million was collected for pistols and revolvers, $38.9 million for long guns and $37.8 million for ammunition. Compared to the same quarter in 2008, collections were up 65.5 percent for handguns, 42.9 percent for ammunition and 28.3 percent for long guns. Using the latest collections as an indicator of sales, a projection of $1.03 billion was generated in the first quarter. These statistics do not reflect retail markup or final retail sales and are based solely on U.S. civilian sales. Read more.

• URGE SUPPORT FOR EXCISE TAX MODERNIZATION . . . NSSF is urging all members of the firearms and ammunition industry to contact their U.S. senators and representatives while they are home for the August recess and urge them to co-sponsor S.632 and H.R.510, legislation to change the firearms and ammunition excise tax payment schedule to quarterly from bi-weekly. NSSF estimates that shifting to a quarterly payment schedule will free up approximately $22 million annually for manufacturers to invest in new equipment and product designs, in turn leading to greater participation in our sports and positively affecting conservation. Learn more.

Inside the Industry

• REPORT: BIG GROWTH FOR HUNTING AND SHOOTING EQUIPMENT IN '08 . . . According to a new National Sporting Goods Association report, hunting- and firearms-related equipment was the only sporting-goods equipment category to see double-digit sales growth in 2008. Sales rose 16 percent, while overall sporting-goods equipment sales declined 1 percent compared to the previous year. Hunting- and firearms-related equipment ranked second only to exercise equipment in 2008, NSGA reports. Included in the "hunting and firearms" equipment category are rifles, handguns, shotguns, ammunition, airguns, reloading equipment, paintball and cutlery. NSGA reported sales in the hunting and firearms category were $4.6 billion in 2008, up from $3.9 billion the previous year.

• RUGER FIREARM SALES JUMP 94 PERCENT IN SECOND QUARTER . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. reported Wednesday that firearms sales grew 94 percent in the second quarter when compared to the same period last year, and that sales were up 14 percent when compared to the first quarter of this year. For the six months ended July 4, Ruger's net sales were $135.9 million and earnings were 76 cents per share. Firearms unit production grew 63 percent from the second quarter of 2008 and 18 percent from the first quarter of 2009.

• CABELA'S PROFIT, SAME-STORE SALES UP IN SECOND QUARTER . . . Outdoor retailer Cabela's Inc. reported Thursday that net income jumped 27 percent to $9.1 million, or 14 cents per share, in the second quarter. Same-store sales -- sales at stores open for at least one year -- grew 6.1 percent during the quarter. Said Cabela's CEO Tommy Millner, "Our 6.1 percent increase in comparable store sales, driven by strength in hunting equipment, represents our third consecutive quarter of positive gains."

• SPORTSMAN'S WAREHOUSE TO EMERGE FROM BANKRUPTCY . . . Sportsman's Warehouse Inc. announced last week that it expects to formally emerge from bankruptcy by Aug. 15 and will continue to operate 26 stores across 14 states. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved its reorganization plan. The reorganized company will be led by new CEO John Schaefer, who most recently served as CEO of Team Express.

• BERETTA ANNOUNCES JUNE RESULTS . . . Beretta U.S.A. Corp. announced Wednesday that sales grew remarkably in June. "We are extremely pleased by our commercial pistol market sales," said Gary Ramey, vice president of sales and marketing, "June sales are up 219 percent compared to last year. All of our pistol families are performing very well, with the Px4 Storm family up an amazing 451 percent. Our Cx4 Storm Carbine is also doing extremely well, up 1,249 percent compared to last year."

• TAURUS AIMS TO STAY IN MIAMI-DADE . . . Firearms maker Taurus USA hopes to remain in Hialeah, Fla., and expand, if financial incentives are approved, the Miami Herald reports. The company, which has been wooed by Georgia with incentives to relocate there, is aiming for $369,000 in incentives to keep a planned expansion in Miami-Dade County.

SHOT Show

• REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR ATTENDEES . . . Retailer and buyer registration for NSSF's 2010 SHOT Show is now open. The SHOT Show -- the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry's largest trade show -- will be held Jan. 19-22 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. Register online at www.shotshow.org.

• ADD SHOT TO YOUR CALENDAR WITH ONE CLICK . . . Attendees can quickly add the SHOT Show to their Outlook or iCal calendar by clicking on "Add Show to Your Calendar" on the SHOT Show Web site.

• RETAILERS: SAVE THE DATE FOR SHOT SHOW UNIVERSITY . . . The always-popular SHOT Show University will once again be holding classes the day before the show opens. A great line-up of topics and speakers is already being planned. Among the featured speakers on Jan. 18 will be George Whalin, retail guru, who will be delivering the keynote address on strategies for a changing retail world. Whalin has a huge following, and his Web site, www.whalinonretail.com, offers extensive background. Get a sneak preview of this year's SHOT Show University.

NSSF First Shots

Across the country, shooting ranges are finding great success in using NSSF's First Shots program, which helps introduce newcomers to firearm safety and the shooting sports at local ranges. Bullet Points will randomly be spotlighting ranges that have hosted First Shots seminars and getting their take on this very successful program.

A First Shots seminar at Lower Providence Rod and Gun Club attracted 32 newcomers to the range to learn about the shooting sports and firearm safety.

• RANGE SPOTLIGHT: LOWER PROVIDENCE ROD & GUN CLUB . . . The Lower Providence Rod and Gun Club gained six new members this past weekend after holding its inaugural First Shots seminar. The member sportsman's club in Audobon, Pa., called on its volunteer base to put together a plan to present the shooting sports to local residents. Thirty-two attendees came out for the First Shots seminar, and they were also given an introduction to a variety of shooting games afterward. "Conducting a First Shots Program not only allowed many folks from our community to learn firearms basics and safety the right way, but it gave our club a method to showcase all of our offerings and fine people," said Mike Alexander, who coordinated the seminar at the club. "I'm certain many people have heard about our club due to its history, however, First Shots provides a 'blueprint' to follow in order to bring in the folks who are curious. We had six people join the club during the program. I highly recommend First Shots to any club or range." To learn more about First Shots and how to get your range involved, visit www.firstshots.org.

• FIRST SHOTS BENEFICIARY OF S.I. MASTERS . . . FMG Publications's Seventh Annual Shooting Industry Masters raised $25,000 during its July 25 raffle for NSSF's introductory shooting program, First Shots. Through the S.I. Masters, FMG has now raised nearly $80,000 in support of NSSF programs. "We sincerely thank FMG and the 200 industry participants who came out and had a ball over two days, shooting a superbly thought-out course of fire," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. Masters Chairman Randy Molde promises another top-notch event in Nebraska next July and encourages even more companies to field teams for the friendly three-gun competition. More details at www.shootingindustry.com.

News of Note

More than 125 media members turned out for the POMA conference's shooting day at Bench Rest Rifle Club of St. Louis, in Wright City, Mo.

• NSSF SUPPORTS A GROWING POMA . . . At its largest business conference ever last week in St. Louis, the Professional Outdoor Media Association provided its members with a full slate of professional development seminars and opportunities to learn about and test new products, including firing a variety of firearms during shooting day. New President Bill Miller reported that POMA has reached new highs in membership, with a strong showing by corporate partners, and is in good shape financially--key indicators for this relatively new organization whose members promote and defend hunting, shooting and fishing through their writing, photography and other media forms. More than 125 media members turned out for shooting day at Bench Rest Rifle Club of St. Louis, in Wright City, where NSSF sponsored a lunch and asked POMA members for their assistance in publicizing two key points important to all hunters and gun owners: that eating game taken with traditional ammunition does not pose a health risk and that AR-15-platform rifles are modern sporting rifles widely used for hunting and target shooting and should not be mislabeled "assault weapons," a misleading term used by those who seek to ban these firearms.

• N.D. FOOD BANKS TO RESUME ACCEPTING VENISON DONATIONS . . . NSSF is applauding the decision by the North Dakota Community Action Partnership to resume accepting at food banks across the state donations of venison harvested by hunters using traditional ammunition.

• LETTER GIVES 'DON'T LIE' CAMPAIGN A BOOST . . . Efforts by NSSF to secure continued funding for the Don't Lie for the Other Guy anti-straw purchasing campaign received a boost when the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) sent a letter strongly supporting Don't Lie to Attorney General Eric Holder. A copy of this letter was also delivered to Kenneth Melson, acting director of ATF. Since receiving this letter, both Attorney General Holder and Acting Director Melson have expressed support for Don't Lie.

• AUDIO, VIDEO PSAs PROMOTE NATIONAL HUNTING & FISHING DAY . . . Free audio and video clips with country music sensation Luke Bryan are now available for media, retailers, Web sites, sports venues -- anyone with an audience or public address system -- to help promote the Sept. 26 celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The digital public service announcements (PSAs), available at www.nhfday.org, are 30 seconds with an intro featuring Bryan's Top 10 hit, "Country Man." The PSAs were produced by NSSF.

• HEADED TO THE STEEL CHALLENGE . . . A FOX-News affiliate profiles Doug Carden, of West Branch, Iowa, who will be participating in the upcoming Steel Challenge Speed Shooting Championships in Piru, Calif., next week. Doug talks about practicing (he shoots 500 rounds a day), mentally preparing for the competition and the camaraderie he enjoys with his fellow shooters.

• FUND DRIVE LAUNCHED BY PVA's OUTDOOR RECREATION HERITAGE FUND . . . Lt. Col. Lew Deal announced a new fund-raising initiative, "Operation: 100,000 Patriots," at the Professional Outdoor Media Association business conference last week. "For $20 per donor--the cost of going to the movies--we can raise 2 million dollars" to help wounded veterans enjoy outdoor activities, said Deal. Also announced was the appointment of TV show host Jim Zumbo as national spokesperson for the Outdoor Recreation Heritage Fund, which supports the Paralyzed Veterans Assocation's outdoor sports programs and where donations for "Operation: 100,000 Patriots" can be made.

Jobs

• INDUSTRY CAREER CONNECTION . . . Visit www.nssf.org/jobs for current employment opportunities in the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry. Employers: Log in to post a job opening.

NSSF's Mission "To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports." Click here to visit the NSSF Web site and see how we accomplish this mission.

COPYRIGHT © 2009 by National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. Permission is granted for broadcast, publication, retransmission to e-mail lists, Web sites or any other copying or storage, in any medium, online or not, if 1) the text is forwarded in its entirety, including this paragraph, and 2) no fee is charged. "Bullet Points®," "National Shooting Sports Foundation®," "NSSF®," and all other trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos and images of the National Shooting Sports Foundation appearing in this publication are the sole property of the Foundation and may not be used without the Foundation's prior express written permission. All other trade names, trademarks, service marks, logos and images appearing in this publication are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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