February 15, 2010

Vol. 11 No. 7

This Week:

SHOT Show Chat Set for Tuesday

TUNE IN ONLINE AT NSSF.ORG/SHOTSHOWCHAT . . . NSSF will be holding its rescheduled SHOT Show live chat on Tuesday from 2 to 2:30 p.m. EST. During the live chat, NSSF Senior Vice President Chris Dolnack will answer questions related to the 2010 SHOT Show as well as the upcoming 2011 show. Visit nssf.org/shotshowchat to take part.

Legislative

INTRODUCING 'KEANE INSIGHTS,' NSSF'S GOVERNMENT RELATIONS BLOG . . . NSSF has launched a new blog focusing on public policy, legislation, regulation and legal issues affecting the firearms industry. Titled "Keane Insights" after its author, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane, the blog is a direct response to member requests for more government-relations-based communications. "As NSSF continues to expand its communications reach, a government-relations blog is a logical next step," said Mark Thomas, NSSF managing director of marketing and communications. "Every member survey we have conducted shows a strong desire for more government-relations-related information. 'Keane Insights' will accomplish this while ensuring that visitors to the NSSF site remain educated on the most hot-button issues affecting our industry." Bookmark the blog, subscribe via RSS feed or read it online at www.nssf.org.
VIRGINIA COMMITTEE VOTES TO REPEAL ONE-GUN-A-MONTH LAW . . . The Virginia House of Delegates Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee voted 15-6 to repeal Virginia's one-gun-a-month law. The proposed legislation (HB 49), which Gov. Bob McDonnell indicated he would sign into law, is now headed to the full House of Delegates for a vote as early as tomorrow. NSSF supports the repeal of the one-gun-a-month law and is encouraging all Virginia gun owners to contact their state delegate today, urging him or her to support this commonsense measure. Read more in NSSF's Keane Insights blog.
ANTI-GUN BILLS INTRODUCED IN ILLINOIS . . . Efforts are under way in the Illinois Senate to pass firearms-microstamping legislation (SB 3425), while in the Illinois House a bill (HB 180) has been introduced that would establish a state-based licensing system for FFLs selling handguns. NSSF has sent letters of opposition on behalf of itself and the Illinois Association of Firearms Retailers for both bills. NSSF will also be issuing a legislative alert urging all sportsmen and gun owners to voice their opposition to these anti-gun / anti-business bills. Learn more.
MISSISSIPPI BILL WOULD ESTABLISH FIREARMS SALES-TAX HOLIDAY . . . State Rep. Warner McBride (D-Courtland) has introduced legislation (HB 1207) in Mississippi that would exempt firearms and ammunition sold over Labor Day weekend from state sales tax. NSSF is working with an economist to develop data in support of such tax-free holidays. This data would be used to encourage the introduction and passage of similar legislation in other states. Currently, tax-holiday legislation is pending in Kentucky, Oklahoma and Missouri.
'BLOOMBERG BILL' INTRODUCED IN WEST VIRGINIA . . . West Virginia State Sen. Jeffrey Kessler is proposing legislation to ban Mayor Bloomberg-like sting operations of West Virginia firearms retailers. In 2006, the New York City mayor hired private investigators to run undercover sting operations against out-of-state firearms dealers. These stings, which were conducted without the knowledge of ATF or Mayor Bloomberg's own police department, resulted in a written reprimand from the U.S. Department of Justice. The mayor's actions interfered with as many as 18 ongoing criminal investigations, jeopardizing the lives of law enforcement officers, witnesses and others.

Industry News

INDUSTRY SUPPORT STRONG FOR FIRST SHOTS IN 2010 . . . Offered free to the public at ranges across the country, First Shots has introduced thousands to the shooting sports. The program remains a success thanks to firearms manufacturers providing nearly everything range operators need to host successful First Shots programs in their communities. In 2010, industry support for the program has grown to include Birchwood Casey, COR-BON/Glaser, Crimson Trace, Remington, Sturm, Ruger & Co., Smith & Wesson and Taurus. "These companies are providing ammunition, targets and loaner firearms in an effort to assist this grassroots effort to increase participation in shooting," said NSSF First Shots Manager Cyndi Dalena. "First Shots is a cost-effective program that is a win-win-win, with new shooters getting great instruction from the beginning to ranges gaining new customers to the industry gaining more shooting enthusiasts for the future." Ranges wishing to get involved can visit www.firstshots.org/schedule to get started.

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE . . . ALMOST SOLD! . . . It began as an idea, sparked by the great tradition of custom rifles and the imagination of Shooting Times Field Editor Terry Wieland as he wondered how an AR would look with a tailored stock of the finest walnut. Would it have the same appeal as a Mauser 98 when it is given the full-dress treatment? In less than one week the gavel will fall, closing the auction of a special rifle that celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Shooting Times, adding horsepower to NSSF's Modern Sporting Rifle educational campaign and answering this question. To view the auction and to place a bid on this historic firearm, visit GunBroker.com.
LIPSEY'S NAMES ARONSON CEO . . . Laurie Lipsey Aronson has been named CEO of Lipsey's in addition to her current title of president. Aronson began her career with the Baton Rouge, La.-based wholesale firearms distributor in 1993 as credit manager, became COO in 2000 and president in 2002.
S.D. CONTINUES PUSH TO ATTRACT FIREARMS INDUSTRY BUSINESSES . . . The Argus Leader ran a lengthy story last week on South Dakota's push to attract firearms industry companies to the state. In the article, Gov. Mike Rounds was quoted on his trip to NSSF's SHOT Show. "They gave us a chance to tell our story about South Dakota and developing a niche market for individuals who are actively engaged in the firearms industry."
GUN MAKER EYES 'STRATEGIC GROWTH' OPTIONS . . . Firearm manufacturer Magnum Research Inc. announced Friday it has hired an investment banking firm to explore "strategic growth options," the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal reports. Over the last 18 months, Magnum has moved its manufacturing from a contract plant in Israel to its own facility in Minnesota, where all of the company's firearms are now produced. "Despite the economic downturn and despite moving production 6,000 miles, we have a bunch of new products we are introducing in 2010," said Todd Seyfert, Magnum Research vice president of sales and marketing.

Winter Olympics

TOUGH GOING FOR U.S. IN BIATHLON SPRINT . . . Stinging sleet, snow and poor visibility took away any chance of winning the 10km biathlon sprint on Sunday for American Tim Burke, a favorite to win a biathlon medal. The first biathletes to go off on Sunday skied and fired their rifles in a light rain, while those who went off later -- including Burke -- admittedly had no chance due to a sudden turn for the worse in the weather. "The people starting in the middle of the pack had no chance today. Unfortunately, I was one of those," Burke said. More Olympic biathlon action will get under way on Tuesday with the men's 12.5km pursuit and the women's 10k pursuit. Find a full schedule, results and news at nbcolympics.com/biathlon.

News of Note

MORE GOOD NEWS FROM HUNTERSURVEY.COM . . . NSSF and the research firm Southwick Associates recently announced that hunting license sales rose by 3.5 percent in 2009 in 12 states that make up the NSSF Hunting License Sales Index. Now more good news, as Southwick's HunterSurvey.com reports 25 percent of hunters saying they hunted more in 2009 and 40 percent saying they hunted about as much as they thought they would. Read more in the NSSF Blog.

NSSF FACEBOOK PAGE TOPS 1,500 FANS . . . In just over a week since its launch, NSSF's Facebook page has attracted more than 1,500 fans. Help us spread the word and encourage others to become fans. By becoming a fan, Facebook users not only show their support of NSSF, but they also receive NSSF status updates on shooting, hunting and the industry with links to news releases, blog posts, legislative alerts, videos and more. Become a fan.
WSJ: 'THE OUTFITTERS' LAMENT: TOO FEW KIDS WITH GUNS' . . . The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday featured an article titled "The Outfitters' Lament: Too Few Kids With Guns," which focused on outfitters worried about their aging clientele and whether young hunters will be able to fill the void.
RIFLE AUCTION NETS $175,000 FOR OLYMPIC SHOOTING TEAM . . . A rifle sold at auction -- five different times -- at a recent Wild Sheep Foundation convention netted $175,000 to help train American rifle, pistol and shotgun shooters for the 2012 Olympic Games. Auction proceeds will go to USA Shooting.

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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NSSF Blog

NSSF's Aiming for Accuracy Blog hunts down and corrects inaccuracies in the media about firearms, the firearm industry and the shooting sports.

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SHOT Show Blog

Stay current on news and information about NSSF's SHOT Show -- the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry's largest trade show.

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Keane Insights

An NSSF blog that takes on firearms-industry-related public policy issues.

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