February 22, 2010
Vol. 11 No. 8
This Week:

NSSF's Year in Review

SETTING THE COURSE . . . In 2009, the National Shooting Sports Foundation mirrored the extraordinary year many of its member companies experienced with a wide range of successful programs and efforts. NSSF provides a snapshot of the past year in its 2009 Annual Review. Titled "Setting the Course," the annual review is available for viewing online in PDF format and as an accompanying video that was shown during NSSF's State of the Industry Dinner at the SHOT Show. "We set our course by our five strategic goals, all in furtherance of our mission -- to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports -- all the shooting sports," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. "This report is just a small sample of the many ways in which we have pursued that mission, so important to us all. It's what we do to help keep that precious tradition of American shooting sports alive and well." Take a look at NSSF's 2009 Annual Review: PDF format | Video

Industry News

  • SHOOTING TIMES MSR AUCTION RAISES $12,000-PLUS FOR NSSF . . . The one-of-a-kind LAR-15 that graces the cover of the March Shooting Times to celebrate that magazine's 50th anniversary has been sold for $12,051 in an online auction hosted by GunBroker.com that ended on Feb. 20. The rifle was donated to the NSSF by Shooting Times' publisher, Intermedia Outdoors and the proceeds from the auction will benefit the National Shooting Sports Foundation's informative modern sporting rifle effort.

  • CABELA'S SAYS AMMO, LONG GUN SALES UP IN FOURTH QUARTER . . . In its fourth-quarter earnings call, outdoor retailer Cabela's (NYSE:CAB) said sales of long guns and ammunition increased during the quarter compared to the same period a year ago. Handgun sales, which had very strong sales the previous year, were down compared to last year's fourth quarter. "Ammunition was strong in the quarter, which was maybe a little bit surprising to some people. But I think what we have seen is all these guns were bought last year, people are shooting them and buying ammunition for that," said Ralph Castner, Cabela's vice president and CFO. Sales at Cabela's retail stores rose 8 percent in the fourth quarter. Same-store sales (sales at stores open for at least a year) declined 0.5 percent.

  • RUGER TO HOLD EARNINGS CALL THURSDAY . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. (NYSE:RGR) will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss 2009 results on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. EST. The call is being Webcast by Thomson Reuters and can be accessed at Ruger's Web site, www.ruger.com/corporate.

  • INDUSTRY REFERENCE GUIDE . . . NSSF'S Industry Reference Guide is a more than 130-page resource that provides the most comprehensive overview of the shooting-sports industry in terms of statistics and data. The comprehensive guide includes many industry variables, demographics, participation data, social research and expenditures. It is available to NSSF members starting at $30 and to non-members starting at $225. Learn more about the guide and ordering information at nssf.org/research.

  • NSSF PROGRAMS WIN AWARDS . . . Two nationwide initiatives developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation--Project ChildSafe and Don't Lie for the Other Guy--have been recognized by the Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program. "NSSF is honored to receive these awards. It is through Project ChildSafe that NSSF promotes the safe and responsible use and storage of firearms and through Don't Lie for the Other Guy that NSSF helps prevent illegal purchases of firearms," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. Read the press release.

  • NAME CHANGE FOR NSSF BLOG . . . NSSF has changed the name of its "Aiming for Accuracy" blog to the "NSSF Blog" to allow comment on a broader range of topics. "Aiming for Accuracy," which was launched a few years ago as NSSF's first blog, focused on correcting inaccuracies that appeared in media stories about firearms and the firearms industry. Responding to inaccurate reporting will still be a major part of the "NSSF Blog," but so will discussion of NSSF's many programs and services as well as NSSF's positions on issues affecting the industry, gun ownership and hunting and shooting participation.

  • ROUNDTABLE SLOTS OPEN FOR FIREARM, RANGE RETAILERS . . . The National Shooting Sports Foundation and Growth Strategy Partners LLC together offer a proven program that allows firearm and range retail owners to enjoy a peer-group experience designed to help participants learn how to solve daily and strategic challenges.  Business experts and non-competing retailers serve on the Retailers Roundtable, and a few spots remain in the group forming now.  To learn more, e-mail Christopher DiCenso of Growth Strategy Partners or call 781-837-3276.

  • NSSF "GOOD NEWS" VIDEO ON HUNTING LICENSE SALES . . . Jim Curcuruto, NSSF Director of Industry Research and Analysis, helps explain NSSF's Hunting License Sales Index and the increase it revealed for 2009 hunting licenses sales in this video with NSSF Director of Communications Bill Brassard. Watch videoWatch Video

     

Legal and Legislative

  • NSSF HAILS WASHINGTON STATE SUPREME COURT RULING . . . NSSF hailed Thursday's ruling by the Washington State Supreme Court holding that the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans are applicable to the states through the 14th Amendment. "This decision by the Washington State Supreme Court is a welcomed development and victory for the rights of law-abiding firearms owners," said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. "America's firearms industry remains optimistic that the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in the upcoming McDonald v. City of Chicago case that the Second Amendment is a fundamental individual liberty that all states and local governments must respect." NSSF filed an amicus brief in support of the petitioner in McDonald v. City of Chicago, set to be heard by the High Court next month.

  • NSSF CONGRESSIONAL FLY-IN . . . The 3rd Annual NSSF Congressional Fly-In is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, to Friday, April 30. Participation in the Fly-In is a voting member benefit. All Voting Members are strongly encouraged to attend this key government relations effort to help advance our industry's federal legislative priorities. If you are interested in attending and receiving additional details as they become available, please contact Marje Swarts at mswarts@nssf.org. Register for the Fly-In online.

  • NATIONAL PARKS GUN BAN ENDS TODAY . . . A long-standing ban on carrying firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges ended today, as a new law took effect. The new law allows gun owners to carry if they have a permit in the state where the national park or refuge is located. Congress passed the measure in May, when it was included in a credit-card industry reform bill. Dave Workman writes in the Seattle Gun Rights Examiner about some of the mainstream media coverage of the law.

  • 'GETTING RID OF GUN CONTROL' . . . "Virginia finally is poised to repeal its unusual law that prohibits law-abiding citizens from buying more than one gun per month. It's about time, because the red tape has not had the desired effect in lowering crime," begins an editorial in Friday's Washington Times. Read the complete editorial.

  • LAW REPEALS SURCHARGE ON MENTORED YOUTH LICENSES . . . South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds has signed a bill into law that repeals a $5 surcharge on mentored youth big-game hunting licenses, reported the Associated Press.

 

News of Note

  • NSSF MOURNS SUDDEN PASSING OF USFWS DIRECTOR . . . NSSF mourned the sudden passing of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Sam Hamilton, who passed away this weekend in Colorado. "Director Hamilton was a devoted sportsman who understood and respected the key role our industry plays in helping to fund wildlife conservation," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. "Sam will be greatly missed."

  • ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . . . Ron Regan has been selected as the new executive director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Before joining the association in 2007, Regan served for more than 25 years working in wildlife management and conservation in the state of Vermont. In 1999, he was appointed commissioner of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, a position he held for four years, and he also served as director of operations and director of wildlife for that department.

  • KANSAS REPORTS RECORD-LOW HUNTING ACCIDENTS IN 2009 . . . The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks reports that the state's 2009 hunting seasons were the safest on record. Hunters reported 12 hunting accidents and no fatalities. Approximately 271,000 hunters spent about 3.5 million hunter-days afield throughout the season, the department said.

  • NSSF TAKES ON ANDY ROONEY . . . On last evening's 60 Minutes, Andy Rooney sarcastically questioned the Biathlon, an Olympic event requiring athletes to be highly trained in two distinct disciplines - rifle shooting and cross-country skiing. Countering the remarks, NSSF Senior Vice President Chris Dolnack issued a letter to the CBS personality.

  • WALL STREET JOURNAL WRITES ABOUT BIATHLON GOLD MEDALIST . . . Though it is the Summer Olympic Games when world-class shooters get in the spotlight, another brand of marksmen--and women--has been getting exposure during the current Winter Games in Vancouver. Olympic biathlon competitors face the combined challenges of cross-country skiing and rifle target shooting. The Wall Street Journal reported on one Olympian whose speed on skis has never been in doubt, but the accuracy of her shooting had held her back from gold--until soon after the article was published. Read about German "Biathlon Beauty" Magdalena Neuner.

  • FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR NEVADA PUBLIC RANGES . . . The Nevada Department of Wildlife announced that it has up to $80,000 available for shooting range construction or enhancement grants. The grants, funded through federal excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, would be for projects that must provide public shooting opportunities or hunter education. Learn more about the criterion and application process.

  • LaBARBERA JOINS HUNTING HERITAGE TRUST . . . Industry communications and marketing veteran Mark LaBarbera has been named director of development and partnerships for the Hunting Heritage Trust by Bob Delfay, president of the trust. LaBarbera's initial responsibilities will include supervision of a trust-coordinated effort to produce a two-hour television documentary on America's hunting heritage. He will also concentrate on expanding communications with all segments of the outdoor community and the development of new program and fundraising partnerships.

  • MASON-DIXON OUTDOOR WRITERS HIRE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . . . A regional professional outdoor communicators' organization, the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association (M-DOWA), has hired Ken Tidy, of North East, Md., as its executive director. Tidy, who is a freelance photographer, has vacated his position on the association's board of directors to assume this new position. Though M-DOWA's criterion places no boundaries on a member's home, most members hail from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.

  • WHERE BUCKS CAN GO ON SCHOOL BUSES . . . An Outdoor Life blog entry, actually a Newshound item from J.R. Absher, makes you wonder how many schools across America would have reacted the same way. The entry tells of a basketball team from Minnesota's Rushford-Peterson High School, whose school bus, returning from an away game, hit and killed a very large buck. Rather than leaving the giant animal to waste alongside the road, the coach loaded the deer on the school bus, where players posed with the animal and shot cell phone photos. An area taxidermist volunteered his services so that the head could be displayed in the school's natural resources classroom.

 

NSSF Member News

Wally Nelson

  • ATF COMPLIANCE CONSULTATION GETS EVEN BETTER . . . NSSF members who hold FFLs have had a great opportunity over the last three years to schedule a one-day training and consultation session with NSSF consultant Walfred (Wally) Nelson, former deputy assistant director for ATF's office of enforcement programs and services, to evaluate and improve their record-keeping and compliance practices regarding ATF regulations. That service has just gotten better, says NSSF Member Services Director Bettyjane Swann. "NSSF is asking members to only pay three-quarters of the flat consultation fee. That is, they'll pay $750 for the day," Swann said. "NSSF will pay not only the remaining $250 of the fee, but also all of Wally's related expenses. That takes the guess work out of the total fee and lowers the cost for members considerably." Full Story

  • IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING OUR NUMBERS . . . In December 2009, when the NSSF membership roll reached the 5,000 mark for the first time, not only was a record established, but so was a new level of strength and power as an industry force. "While I'm proud to say that as of Feb.15 our membership was at 5,540, I also encourage every member to not only maintain and renew his membership, but help recruit new members," said NSSF Member Services Director Bettyjane Swann. Full Story

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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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