May 10, 2010

Vol. 11 No. 19

This Week:

Industry News

Legal & Legislative

News of Note

Jobs

Firearm Safety, Conservation Videos
for Schools

Safety and Conservation - Three videos on each DVD

MORE THAN 4,500 ORDERED . . . NSSF has launched an e-mail campaign offering free educational videos about firearm safety and wildlife conservation to teachers and school administrators across the country. Just several days into the campaign, NSSF is pleased to report that more than 4,500 DVDs have been ordered by educators, reflecting their strong interest in teaching students about these important subjects. "We believe teachers and school administrators should teach students how to correctly respond if they encounter an unattended firearm," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. About the conservation DVD, he said, "We have a generation of children who spend less time outdoors and who see more wildlife on television than in the wild. It's important that students today understand how once-endangered species . . . have been brought back to abundance through efforts funded by hunters." Order the firearm safety DVD and conservation DVD.

In Remembrance

  • ARNOLD H. 'ROCK' ROHLFING DIES AT 89 . . . Arnold H. "Rock" Rohlfing, longtime industry leader and executive director of the National Shooting Sports Foundation from 1976 to 1986, died on May 3. He was 89 and lived at his family home in Darien, Conn. A native of St. Louis and a graduate of Washington College, Rock was a Navy pilot in World War II. Starting off in the advertising agency business, Rock began his industry career at Winchester, where he served as the company's advertising director. He held the same post at Sturm, Ruger & Co. prior to joining NSSF as its executive director in 1976. With his strong background in communications, Rock significantly expanded the Foundation's educational programs in radio, television and print, and launched major new efforts in the areas of hunter ethics and firearms safety. Notably, he played the key role in helping to develop and launch our industry's own trade show, the SHOT Show, which debuted in St. Louis in 1979. A fine wing shot, Rock was an avid upland and waterfowl hunter throughout his life. "You had to love a guy," said Doug Painter, NSSF's senior advisor and trade liaison, "who always shot one of his beautifully stocked Model 21s whether we were at a fancy tower shoot or gunning from a muddy goose pit on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Rock had a tremendous passion for our hunting heritage that shone through in both his professional and personal life. He was a great boss and companion." A memorial service is planned for later this summer, and we will keep you advised on the date and location.

Industry News

  • ATK PROPELLED BY MILITARY, COMMERCIAL AMMO SALES IN FY10 . . . Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) reported that full-year sales in fiscal year 2010 increased 5 percent to $4.8 billion, led by the strength of the company's Armament Systems group. Sales in ATK's Armament Systems group were up 25 percent for the year to $2.2 billion, compared to $1.7 billion in the prior year. Fourth-quarter Armament Systems group sales rose 26 percent. ATK reported overall fourth-quarter earnings of $58.4 million, or $1.73 per share, compared to a loss of $36.5 million, or $1.12 per share, a year ago.

  • CABELA'S REPORTS RECORD FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS . . . Outdoor retailer Cablela's (NYSE:CAB) posted a profit of $8.1 million in the first quarter, up 57.8 percent compared the same period last year. Total revenue increased 5.1 percent to $559.6 million, while same-store sales (sales at stores that have been open for at least a year) decreased 1.7 percent. "As we anniversary the period of strong sales of firearms and ammunition, we have been pleased that sales declines in these two categories have been less than expected," said Cabela's CEO Tommy Millner. Earnings easily beat Wall Street expectations.

  • 2010 SHOOTING INDUSTRY ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE NOMINEES . . . The Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence has announced the final nominations for its 2010 awards. The academy considered 155 entries in 14 categories before selecting 44 for the final ballot, which includes top products and service nominees. Twenty-six companies are recognized, with Sturm, Ruger & Co. and SureFire leading the way with three nominations each. The 500-member voting academy, which includes manufacturers, distributors, executives, storefront dealers and outdoor writers, is now considering the final nominees with a second, final round of voting. The winners will be announced in conjunction with the Shooting Industry Masters on Friday, July 23, at the Holiday Inn Midtown in Grand Island, Neb. See the 2010 final nominees.

  • APRIL BACKGROUND CHECKS ON FIREARM SALES . . . Data released by the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) reported 1,146,912(a) checks in April 2010, ranking the month the second highest April for most NICS checks. This figure, while being a 6.5 percent decrease from the 1,225,980 checks conducted in April 2009, is an increase of 21.9 percent over checks in April 2008. The total number of background checks reported since the beginning of NICS is 114,827,284(b). (a)(b) The state of Utah is implementing a procedure in which it will be checking state Concealed Firearm Permit (CFP) holders up against NICS on a quarterly basis (January, April, July and October). The April 2010 count of 109,391 for Utah may be artificially inflated by this new procedure as the average NICS figure for Utah over the past 15 months (January 2009 - March 2010) has been 22,542. NSSF has adjusted the original April 2010 NICS figure for the state of Utah from 109,391 to 22,542 for the purpose of this report.

  • FIVE STAR RANGES . . . Center Target Sports in Post Falls, Idaho, has been awarded NSSF's top rating of Five Stars. "The passion and enthusiasm the staff presents as you enter the doors and while teaching classes make you feel right at home," said Zach Snow, NSSF's senior shooting promotions coordinator. "By creating such a friendly environment, Center Target Sports is a very inviting facility for the newcomer, while providing many opportunities to engage the active shooter. My hat goes off to Ed Santos and his staff for the job they do to educate and promote the shooting sports." In other Five Star news, H & H Gun Range & Shooting Sports Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla., was recently re-certified as a Five Star Facility by NSSF. "As the first to receive the honor, it seemed only fitting that they should be the first to be re-certified," Snow said. "H & H is truly a facility to emulate." Learn more about NSSF's Five Star Rating system.

Legal & Legislative

  • MAYOR BLOOMBERG TAKES TO THE HILL . . . WITH MISINFORMATION . . . New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was on Capitol Hill last week to advocate for denying the Second Amendment rights of Americans who the government has placed on secret "watch lists." The names of tens of thousands of law-abiding Americans have been added to these secret government watch lists, many times for no legitimate reason. Full Story

  • NSSF RESPONDS TO NY TIMES 'GOVERNMENT WATCH LIST' EDITORIAL . . . An editorial Friday in The New York Times, titled "The Gun Lobby's Long Shadow," prompted this response from the NSSF.

  • INDUSTRY MATCHES ATF REWARD . . . NSSF has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of those responsible for the recent theft of 24 firearms from Pannell's Firearms, located at 10102 Main Street in Woodstock, Ga. The case is being jointly investigated by ATF special agents and Cherokee Sheriff's Office (CSO) investigators. The NSSF reward offer matches a $5,000 reward offered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Steve Sanetti, president of the NSSF, said, "Our matching reward offer will hopefully help assist ATF and local law enforcement in solving this crime against a federally licensed firearms dealer and lead to the swift recovery of stolen firearms before they can enter the illegal underground black market where they can be misused to commit violent crimes."

News of Note

  • WORLD CUP COMING TO FORT BENNING . . . The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, in conjunction with USA Shooting, will host the 2010 World Cup USA May 22-31. The event, the third of four World Cups being held this year, is conducted by the International Shooting Sport Federation. So far, more than 400 of the world's top-level shooters from 49 countries have committed to the event.

  • OWAA NAMES GINER INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . . . The Outdoor Writers Association of America announced that Robin Giner has been promoted to interim executive director. She will manage and direct the day-to-day affairs of this 1,200-member organization for professional outdoor communicators and implement the policies established by its board of directors. Giner is familiar to the OWAA's membership, having served the organization the last three years as director of membership and conference services. She succeeds Kevin Rhoades, who was with OWAA for 11 years, first as editor of Outdoors Unlimited, the organization's magazine, and most recently as executive director.

  • GREAT LAKES IDPA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP THIS WEEKEND . . . Linwood Bay Sportsman's Club is hosting the 5th Annual Great Lakes IDPA Regional Championship May 14-16. A record turnout is expected at the event with shooters from throughout the United States and Canada including many state, regional and national IDPA champions. Read more.

Jobs


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