April 12, 2010

Vol. 11 No. 15

This Week:

Industry News

Legal & Legislative

SHOT Show

News of Note

Apprentice Hunting License Sales
Soar to Nearly 400,000

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FAMILIES AFIELD CONTINUES TO MAKE STRIDES . . . In just five years, nearly 400,000 people have purchased apprentice hunting licenses thanks to the efforts of Families Afield, a program launched in 2004 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and National Wild Turkey Federation. Since then, 29 states that have passed legislation lowering barriers to youth hunting. A recent report shows that from 2005 through 2009 more than 388,000 apprentice hunting licenses have been sold, based on 24 states reporting their license sales numbers. An increase of 100,000 apprentice hunting licenses occurred in 2009 alone. "A lot of research went into making sure Families Afield was planned properly before its launch, and now because of that preparation Families Afield is really starting to pay dividends for youth hunters and for hunting in general," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president. States with the most apprentice hunting license sales are Pennsylvania, 102,663; Michigan, 59,929; and Ohio, 51,416. Read more and see license sales reported by other states.

NSSF Members

  • WEBINAR FOR FIREARMS RETAILERS . . . The first in a series of Webinars for NSSF's firearms retailer members is now available online. Titled "Wrap It Up, I'll Take It -- How to Sell at Retail," the presentation is about 45 minutes in length and is presented by industry marketing specialist Bill Kendy. NSSF members can view or download the Webinar at any time with their member ID and password at http://nssf.org/retailers. Click here to access the Webinar now and to learn more about upcoming presentations.

Video

  • A RENAISSANCE FOR COLLEGE SHOOTING SPORTS IN THE NORTHEAST . . . "It's good to have New England shooting back on the map," said Yale University Assistant Coach Rob Person during the first-ever New England Clay Target Championships. The event was held recently outside Boston and is something organizers hope will become a lasting tradition for the shooting sports in the Northeast. The competition, which included teams from Harvard, Yale, the University of Vermont and other schools, is part of a broader effort of NSSF to grow the shooting sports at the college level. Play Video

Industry News

  • ATK ACQUIRES BLACKHAWK . . . Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) has acquired Blackhawk Industries Products Group Unlimited. ATK said the acquisition of Blackhawk, combined with the recent acquisition of Eagle Industries, strengthens the company's position in tactical accessories and equipment for domestic and international military, law enforcement, security and sport enthusiast markets. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

  • UNITED SPORTING COMPANIES ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT TEAM . . . United Sporting Companies (USC), the recently formed holding company for Ellett Brothers, LLC and Jerry's Sport Center Inc. (JSC), has announced the reorganization of its management team. Berne Ziomek has announced his retirement from JSC after building the company over the last 50-plus years. Hewitt Grant has been named CEO of USC. Read about the entire reorganization.

  • CRIMSON TRACE ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT TEAM ADDITIONS . . . Crimson Trace announced several new additions to its management team. Michael Caulk is now director of engineering, Fredrick Karl has been promoted to product development director and Maureen Zwicker has been hired as director of human resources.

SHOT Show

  • LAS VEGAS IN JANUARY: A POPULAR CHOICE FOR THE SHOT SHOW . . . Eighty-five percent of SHOT Show exhibitors have stressed that holding the industry's largest trade show in January is a must. A January show gives manufacturers plenty of lead time to introduce new products, get a head start on sales and ensure their products are in stores with plenty of time to spare before hunting season. Read the latest post in the SHOT Show Blog.

Legal & Legislative

  • NSSF TO TESTIFY IN OPPOSITION TO ANTI-GUN BILLS IN CALIFORNIA . . . NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane will testify in opposition to two anti-guns bills (AB 2223 and AB 181) in California tomorrow. If passed, AB 2223 would ban the use of traditional shotgun ammunition for hunting and recreational shooting in all state Wildlife Management Areas and AB1810 would require all transfers of rifles and shotguns, whether through a retailer, private party transfer, inheritance or gift, to be registered.

  • RETAILER HARRASSED BY ANTI-GUN PROTESTERS; NSSF TAKES ACTION . . . The Shooter Shop in Philadelphia has been recognized by the District Attorney's Office for its outstanding efforts to thwart the illegal acquisition and sale of firearms. Apparently, a group of anti-gun protesters could not care less. The group recently used the store as a stage to call for strict gun laws. Another anti-gun rally will be held outside the store on April 14 at 11 a.m. NSSF has put its full support behind the Shooter Shop and has provided the store with a shipment of materials to help educate the local public about the efforts of firearms retailers to prevent illegal straw purchases. NSSF provided the store, in addition to Don't Lie for the Other Guy materials, 50 Project ChildSafe firearm safety kits and NSSF literature on the importance of firearm safety and the overall contributions of sportsmen and gun owners. Residents of the area are encouraged to show their support for the Shooter Shop by attending a respectful counter-demonstration on April 14 at 11 a.m. The store is located at 2001 E. Allegheny Ave. in Philadelphia.

  • 'DON'T LIE' CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN EL PASO, LAS CRUCES . . . Continuing its Southwest tour to help stop illegal purchases of firearms, the Don't Lie for the Other Guy campaign was launched in El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, N.M., last week. The Don't Lie message, "Buy a gun for someone who can't, and buy yourself ten years in jail," was delivered at a kickoff press conference on Wednesday featuring NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane and senior representatives from ATF. Residents and visitors to El Paso and Las Cruces will see Don't Lie billboards, transit signs and posters as well as hear the Don't Lie public service announcement over the next two months. In addition, NSSF, in conjunction with ATF, put on a retail education seminar that attracted more than 55 firearms retailers from the El Paso area. The seminar also encouraged retailers to utilize the Don't Lie for the Other Guy program.

  • NSSF ESTABLISHES PAC . . . NSSF has set up a Political Action Committee. This move will enhance NSSF's ability to fully represent the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry on Capitol Hill.

  • KEANE INSIGHTS: TIME TO SCHOOL THE BRADY CAMPAIGN . . . Read the latest post on NSSF's Keane Insights blog.

News of Note

  • AMID POLICE BUDGET CUTS, JUDGE TELLS CITIZENS TO CARRY FIREARMS . . . "One judge's solution for citizens feeling less secure because of budget cuts in an Ohio county: Carry a gun," reports the Associated Press. In response to Ashtabula County cutting its number of deputies about in half, Judge Alfred Mackey advised law-abiding residents to "arm themselves."

  • NSSF BLOG A WATCHDOG FOR MEDIA INACCURACIES . . . Media outlets that get firearms-related facts wrong get corrected in the NSSF Blog. Recent postings responded to a mistatement in an Air Force article that inflated the number of accidental firearms-related fatalities involving children and to a guest columnist writing in support Chicago's gun ban law. Other topics last week included a ranking of top NICS background check months, good media coverage of the NSSF/ATF Don't Lie for the Other Guy launch in El Paso and the latest salvo in the heated debate over wolves decimating elk herds.

  • ICORE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL REVOLVER CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS . . . Richard Wolfe of Escalon, Calif., made up for his second place finish in last month's ICORE Southern Regional by capturing the open division title at ICORE's 13th Annual Southwest Regional Revolver Championship this past weekend in San Luis Obispo. John Bagakis, a Livermore, Calif., resident and Team Smith & Wesson shooter, successfully defended his limited division. Jude Javier of Santa Clara, Calif., claimed the retro division title. Sponsored by Smith & Wesson, the Southwest Regional drew over 90 top revolver competitors from throughout the Golden State as well as Arizona and Nevada.

  • GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR WASHINGTON STATE RANGES . . . June 30 is the deadline for not-for-profit shooting clubs and range operators to apply for federal grants to construct, maintain or expand public shooting-range facilities in Washington state. Pittman-Robertson funding allows for the approximately $50,000 expected to be awarded, ranging from grants of $5,000 to $25,000. Prospective applicants must attend a May 1 grant-writing workshop. See more details on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Shooting Range Program, including information on the May 1 workshop.

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NSSF Blog

Covering issues affecting the industry, gun ownership and hunting 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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