'Families Afield' Continues to Make Gains
 |
The Families Afield initiative continues to help remove barriers nationwide. Since 2004, 30 states have passed laws aimed at bringing new hunters into the field. Click the map above to see the program's successes and what challenges remain. |
|
IDAHO, MICHIGAN LATEST TO TAKE AIM AT REDUCING BARRIERS TO HUNTING . . . Legislation aimed at reducing barriers for new hunters is on the move in Michigan and Idaho. The bills are similar to measures that 30 states have adopted since the "Families Afield" movement began in 2004. All of these laws are helping people of all ages get started in hunting. The Families Afield initiative was developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and the National Wild Turkey Federation. The National Rifle Association and the National Assembly of Sportsmen Caucuses have also come on board with the common goal of reducing barriers to hunting. Learn more about the bills in Michigan and Idaho.
Industry
-
SMITH & WESSON FIREARM SALES UP 6 PERCENT IN THIRD QUARTER . . . Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:SWHC) reported that third-quarter firearm sales increased 6 percent, led by a 47.9 percent jump in pistol sales. The company said firearm backlog levels at the end of the third quarter grew to $73.8 million from $32.4 million at the end of the sequential second quarter of fiscal 2011. "We believe that increased firearm backlog levels reflect positive customer reaction to our new products, such as the BODYGUARD and Governor firearms, and our recent price repositioning," said President and CEO Michael Golden.
-
 WHAT'S SELLING WHERE? . . . In each issue, SHOT Business magazine interviews store owners and managers across the country to find out what products are selling. Stores in four regions provide insight on current trends they're seeing. Take a look at what's been selling recently.
-
ATK RECEIVES $54 MILLION ARMY AMMO ORDER . . . ATK (NYSE:ATK) has received a $54 million order for 120mm training tank ammunition from the U.S. Army. The award is for the fourth year of a four-year contract. Since 1980, ATK has delivered more than four million rounds of 120mm tactical and training tank ammunition to the Army, Marine Corps and allied militaries.
-
FEBRUARY NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS BACKGROUND CHECKS UP 13.6% . . . The February 2011 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 963,746 is an increase of 13.6 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 848,036 from February 2010. For comparison, the unadjusted February 2011 NICS figure of 1,463,138 is an increase of 18.2 percent over the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,237,617 from February 2010. The adjusted NICS data was derived by NSSF by subtracting out all NICS purpose code permit checks used by several states such as Kentucky, Iowa and Utah for CCW permit application checks as well as checks on active CCW permit databases. While not a direct correlation to firearms sales, the NSSF-adjusted NICS data provides a more accurate picture of current market conditions. Questions concerning NSSF-adjusted NICS data should be directed to NSSF research at 203-426-1320 or research@nssf.org. In addition to other purposes, NICS is used to check transactions of firearm sales and transfers on new and used handguns and long guns. Additional information on NICS and a complete set of current monthly NICS reports are available online. NSSF members may access historical monthly NICS reports in the log-in members section of nssf.org.
Shooting Sports Summit
-
 EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE MARCH 31 . . . Those who register for NSSF's Shooting Sports Summit by March 31 will receive considerable savings on registration fees. All leaders from throughout the industry and the shooting and hunting communities are urged to attend this year's summit, where the goal remains the same: to continue to increase participation in hunting and the shooting sports. Join us June 7-9 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown in Louisville, Ky. Register and learn more at nssf.org/summit.
Government Relations
 |
-
PRESIDENT CALLS FOR IMPROVING NICS . . . On Sunday, President Obama penned an op-ed in a Tucson, Ariz., newspaper calling for improving the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Mr. Obama tried to reassure gun owners that "commonsense" gun control does not mean "confiscation." Mr. Obama's op-ed was short on specifics. Members of the firearms industry supported instant background checks long before the Brady bill was introduced. Our industry has consistently supported making improvements to the NICS system to increase its accuracy so licensed firearms retailers do not unwittingly sell a firearm to a prohibited person. For example, NSSF supported legislation to improve state reporting of mental-health records to NICS prior to the Virginia Tech tragedy. While the recent incident in Tucson was not caused by the lack of any gun-control law but by a breakdown in our nation's mental health system, NSSF remains supportive of making further enhancements to the current system, provided the Second Amendment and privacy rights of law-abiding Americans are fully respected.
-
INDUSTRY LEADERS WILL HEAD TO WASHINGTON IN APRIL . . . Executives from NSSF and SAAMI voting member companies will travel to Capitol Hill April 6-7 to meet with key lawmakers and help advance the industry's federal legislative priorities. Building on the success of past Congressional Fly-Ins, representatives from the industry will meet face-to-face with congressional leaders to discuss matters affecting our industry. There will be an NSSF PAC event the night of April 6, where Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) has been invited to speak. Participation in the Fly-In is a voting member benefit. All voting members are strongly encouraged to attend this key government-relations effort. This year's Fly-In will be held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Voting members interested in attending and receiving additional details as they become available should contact mswarts@nssf.org.
News of Note
-
 AT NORTH AMERICAN CONFERENCE . . . Steve Sanetti, NSSF's president and CEO, will be one of four keynote speakers at the 76th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, where he will highlight the Wildlife Management Institute's 100th anniversary and industry's longstanding support for the organization. The North American Conference began today in Kansas City, Mo., and will run through the week. Other keynoters speaking at the plenary session on Wednesday, March 16, are Robert Ziehmer, director of the Missouri Department of Conservation; Steve Williams, president of the Wildlife Management Institute; and Ken Salazar, Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The conference, presented by WMI, brings together leaders dedicated to the conservation, enhancement and management of North American wildlife and other natural resources.
-
DESIGN APPROVED FOR NORTHERN ARIZONA SHOOTING RANGE . . . The Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Friday unanimously approved the master site plan for the future Northern Arizona Shooting Range. "Approval of the site design is a huge step towards filling the more than 40-year void for a designated shooting venue in Northern Arizona," said Jay Cook, chief of shooting ranges for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The range will be developed in stages over the next couple of years based on funding, resources, weather conditions and other factors. To keep up-to-date on the progress of the range, visit azgfd.gov/nazsr.
-
LADIES LOCK AND LOAD . . . Judy Rhodes, who was prominently featured in the recent ABC News story about the rise in the number of women taking up hunting and target shooting, finds herself quoted again along with another member of the organization she founded, DIVA-WOW (Women Outdoors Worldwide), in a story from The Daily Beast, which reports, "Thousands of women are learning how to shoot--and going hunting together." NSSF provided statistics for both stories.
-
FORMER SCTP SHOOTERS TIE WORLD RECORD IN MEN'S SKEET . . . Two former Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) shooters were part of a three-man team that tied the world record in men's skeet and won gold for the United States at the recent World Cup in Concepcion, Chile. Out of a possible 125 targets, Frank Thompson finished with a competition score of 123, and with former SCTP shooters Vincent Hancock (122) and Jon Michael McGrath (121), combined for a total score of 366/375. SCTP, which was developed by NSSF and is now managed by the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation, has become the official clay target youth development program of USA Shooting. The program continues to introduce thousands of youths each year to the fun and excitement of the shooting sports. Get more results from the World Cup at usashooting.org. Learn more about SCTP at shootsctp.org.
NSSF History Snapshot
-
CHARTERED WITH 30 FOUNDING MEMBERS . . . NSSF was officially incorporated on November 30, 1961, with 30 founding members and A. Robert Matt as its first executive director. Learn more at www.nssf.org/50.
Jobs
 |
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. |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Find NSSF on:
COPYRIGHT © 2011 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.
|
NSSF.org
Bullet Points Online
Archive
Subscribe
---------------------
---------------------
NSSF Blog
Covering issues affecting the industry, gun ownership and hunting and the shooting sports.
---------------------
SHOT Show Blog
Stay current on news and information about NSSF's SHOT Show -- the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry's largest trade show.
---------------------
2011 Shooting Sports Summit, June 7-9
Help NSSF continue to increase participation in hunting and the shooting sports. Register today for the 2011 Shooting Sports Summit.
---------------------
|
