July 19, 2010

Vol. 11 No. 29

This Week:

Report: Women Outpace Men as New Hunters

5.4 PERCENT INCREASE IN NUMBER OF FEMALE HUNTERS . . . More women than men took up hunting last year, according to new figures from the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). A news release from National Hunting and Fishing Day highlights the new statistics. NSGA's report shows that the number of female hunters in the United States increased by 5.4 percent last year, netting 163,000 new participants. Muzzleloading showed an annual increase among women of an astounding 134.6 percent. The 2010 NSGA Annual Shooting Sports Participation report (Item No. 310; $85 for NSSF members, $425 for nonmembers) and segment reports by categories ($15 for members, $75 for nonmembers) are now available from NSSF.

Legal & Legislative

NSSF SUPPORTS LEGISLATION TO MAKE COLTSVILLE A NATIONAL PARK . . . In a letter today to U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), NSSF thanked the congressman for his leadership in sponsoring H.R. 5131, the Coltsville National Historical Park Act. The legislation would designate the Coltsville Historic District in Hartford, Conn., as a national park. Located at the southern edge of downtown Hartford, Coltsville is known for its association with Samuel Colt and the industrial enterprise that he founded, Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. The company played a key role in the development of the American economy from 1855 to 1945. Larson testified recently before a House subcommittee in support of the bill. During his testimony he said, "Establishing Coltsville as a National Historical Park will not only preserve our unique history for future generations, but it will also boost the local economy by creating jobs and attracting more cultural tourism to the region." Read NSSF's letter to Rep. Larson.
ANTI-HUNTING GROUP ANNOUNCES TRADITIONAL AMMO ATTACK . . . In a fundraising e-mail sent last week, the Center for Biological Diversity, an extremist anti-hunting organization, announced the launching of a national campaign to ban the use of traditional ammunition throughout the U.S. This campaign will begin next month. NSSF considers the protection of traditional ammunition -- specifically the ability of hunters and sportsmen to continue choosing for themselves what ammunition they shoot -- a legislative, regulatory and legal priority. Learn more about helping to preserve your right to use traditional ammunition.
MILLS SUSPENDS ARIZONA GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN . . . NRA Board Member and Gunsite Academy Owner Buz Mills has suspended his gubernatorial primary campaign, clearing the way for Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to win the Republican nomination next month, reports the Arizona Republic. Mills said he was exiting the contest because the state's new immigration law has become the dominant topic in the race rather than issues such as the state budget and the economy, which were the reasons he launched his campaign.
GOVERNORS SPORTSMEN'S CAUCUS MEETS IN MASSACHUSETTS . . . State chief executives of the bi-partisan Governors Sportsmen's Caucus (GSC) convened last Thursday in Boston to discuss the future of hunting and fishing in America and the national economic engine driven by sportsmen. Four representatives of the caucus met with members of the sportsmen's community at a reception sponsored by NSSF, NRA, Remington and Altria. Read more about the gathering of the one-year-old GSC.
ABC NEWS REPORTS ON SUPREME COURT DECISION AND GUN SALES . . . In a news piece discussing the legal reverberations of the recent Supreme Court ruling in McDonald v. Chicago, which reaffirmed the Second Amendment as a fundamental right of the individual, and how the court's ruling will affect gun sales, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane spoke with ABC News reporter Rich Blake. "Over the long term, as restrictions fall by the wayside, you will see gun sales increase," said Keane. "This (McDonald) is not the end of the discussion, it's just the beginning."

Industry News

SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS KICKS OFF FRIDAY . . . Sixty-plus teams representing some of the firearms industry's biggest names will compete later this week at the 2010 Shooting Industry Masters. The competition will be held Friday and Saturday at Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Neb. The annual event benefits NSSF's First Shots program. This three-gun shooting match features handgun, rifle and shotgun events. Shooters compete in two classes: Open Class and Industry Class. Stay tuned to Bullet Points for results.
BUSHMASTER PRESIDENT TO RETIRE . . . Bushmaster Firearms has announced the retirement of its president, John A. DeSantis. "He surrounded himself with a great team of professionals and together they have grown Bushmaster into the largest commercial AR-platform rifle manufacturer in the world," the company said in a press release. DeSantis' retirement will be official on July 31, but he has agreed to oversee the day-to-day business of Bushmaster until his replacement can be found. He also will continue on a consulting arrangement to help grow Bushmaster's modern sporting rifle business.
COR-BON/GLASER HONORED BY LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALS . . . Sturgis, S.D.-based Cor-Bon/Glaser Ammunition was honored recently by Black Hills Community Economic Development as the area's Manufacturer of the Year. The decision was unanimous by the board and selected from several other manufacturers within the surrounding communities of the Black Hills.
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HONORS LEGACY SPORTS WITH AWARD . . . The Department of Defense has announced that Gene Lumsden and his company, Legacy Sports International, will receive the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.
SPECIAL NSSF MEMBERSHIP OFFER FOR RANGES AND RETAILERS . . . NSSF is offering a limited-time special membership offer to ranges and firearms retailers. Become a member now and your membership will be extended until the end of 2011. As an NSSF member, you will be able to learn from the top industry leaders in the field, whether it be via SHOT Show seminars, ATF seminars or the broad portfolio of information NSSF provides to its members. The best part is that NSSF offers hundreds of information resources free or greatly discounted to our members. Most importantly, your membership directly supports NSSF's mission to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Video: Why join NSSF? | Join NSSF Today

News of Note

4-H SHOOTING SPORTS INVITATIONAL SETS RECORD ATTENDANCE . . . Some 516 youths, representing 31 states, combined to set a record for participation at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational when the 2010 edition was held June 28-July 3 in Kerrville, Texas. State teams and individual competitors demonstrated their skills in shotgun, air rifle, air pistol, small-bore rifle, muzzleloading rifle, hunting skills, wildlife ID, wildlife management and decision making and archery. Read more about the event.
PENNSYLVANIA USING P-R FUNDS TO RECRUIT NEW HUNTERS . . . A spike in firearm and ammunition sales over the past two years has created a windfall for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which is spending part of the money on a campaign to recruit new hunters, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. This year, the commission is receiving $3.5 million -- a 28 percent jump -- in Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act funds, which are generated through a federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition.
HISTORY CHANNEL SEEKS MARKSMEN FOR SHOW . . . If you are skilled with a pistol, rifle or any other firearm, you could win $100,000 in prizes on the second season of History Channel's hit competition show, "TOP SHOT." Producers are seeking participants with outstanding shooting skills and a big personality to take on the show's physical challenges with multiple guns. Whether you're professionally trained or self-taught, you could be America's next "top shot." To apply, e-mail TopShotCasting@gmail.com with your name, city/state, phone number, a recent photo of yourself and a brief explanation of why you should be on the show. Deadline to apply is Aug. 12. For more information, visit www.pilgrimfilms.tv and click on "casting" or call 818-478-4570. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and a resident or citizen of the United States.

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."

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