'I Think I've Found My New Hobby'
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First-time shooters were all smiles this weekend, when NSSF's First Shots program rolled into Chicago and Madison, Wis. |
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CHICAGO, MADISON RESIDENTS TAKE THEIR FIRST SHOTS . . . NSSF is pleased to report that the first leg of its First Shots Big City Tour was a resounding success this past Saturday in Chicago and Madison, Wis. "More than 300 people took those all-important first shots, and they absolutely loved it," said Tisma Juett, NSSF's First Shots manager. "Reactions ranged from 'exhilarating' to 'addicting' to 'I think I've found my new hobby.' It was just amazing to see." Each of the 25 sessions -- held at five ranges in the Chicago area and three ranges in Madison -- focused on firearm safety, ownership and local laws and gave everyone the chance to put their first rounds downrange. Participants gained a new awareness of firearms and a greater understanding of why NSSF fights so hard to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Next up on the big city tour are Miami and Sacramento. Learn more about First Shots and get involved at nssf.org/firstshots.
Government Relations
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HIGH-RANKING DOJ OFFICIAL ADMITS KNOWING ABOUT GUNS WALKING . . . Last week Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, the Justice Department's top criminal division official, acknowledged in testimony before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism that he knew about ATF "walking guns" (i.e., allowing firearms to be illegally purchased and smuggled) in early 2010. Though Mr. Breuer regrets not doing more to stop the gun-walking program, he didn't hesitate during his testimony to blame law-abiding firearm retailers for contributing to Mexico's problems and calling for multiple-sales reporting of long guns. Full story on the NSSF Blog.
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NSSF WEBPAGE FOR TRACKING INDUSTRY-RELEVANT LEGISLATION . . . NSSF has launched a new webpage that tracks all industry-relevant federal legislation. The page, located in the Government Relations section of nssf.org, tracks both Senate and House bills -- all of which are sorted in chronological order. Visitors can also subscribe to an RSS feed to stay up to date with new bills and changes to current bills.
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RECORD-LOW SUPPORT FOR HANDGUN BAN . . . According to Gallup's annual Crime Poll, a record-low 26 percent of Americans favor a ban on the possession of handguns in the United States. When Gallup first asked Americans this question some 50 years ago, 60 percent favored banning handguns; however, since 1975, the majority of Americans have opposed such a measure. This data follows the release last month of FBI statistics that show for the fourth straight year sales of firearms have increased while crime has continued to decrease. Read more.
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NICS BUSY SEASON BEGINS . . . The FBI announced that the 2011 National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Busy Season officially began on Nov. 1 and will continue through Jan. 20. NICS Contracted Call Centers will remain available from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. EST. The only deviation to this schedule will be Nov. 26, the day after Thanksgiving, when NICS will be available from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. The NICS Section will cease operation at midnight on Christmas Eve and remain closed on Christmas Day. NICS will resume normal operations on Dec. 26 at 8 a.m.
Industry News
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 RUGER SALES, PROFITS JUMP IN 3RD QUARTER . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. (NYSE:RGR) reported third-quarter sales of $80.5 million and earnings of 57 cents per share, compared with net sales of $58.4 million and earnings of 32 cents per share during the same period last year. Said CEO Michael Fifer, "Our earnings increase of 78 percent was driven by the 38 percent increase in sales and our ongoing focus on continuous improvement in our operations." Ruger last week also announced several senior level appointments to its sales staff.
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SALES UP 8 PERCENT IN ATK'S SECURITY AND SPORTING GROUP . . . ATK (NYSE:ATK) reported that second-quarter sales increased 8 percent in its Sporting and Security Group, which includes ammunition for law enforcement, military and sporting applications as well as optics, reloading gear and sport-shooting and tactical accessories. ATK said the increase "reflects stronger domestic and international demand for commercial ammunition, and increased sales of tactical accessories to the U.S. Department of Defense."
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CABELA'S REPORTS RECORD 3RD QUARTER . . . Outdoor retailer Cabela's Inc. (NYSE:CAB) reported that net income increased 65 percent to $35.6 million compared to $21.6 million in the same period last year. Same-store sales, or sales at stores open for at least a year, were down 1.6 percent. "We have made further significant improvements in areas of our strategic focus," said CEO Tommy Millner.
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NASGW HONORS COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS . . . The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers presented its Industry Awards at the group's Annual Expo & Meeting last week in Reno. The winners: Optics Manufacturer of the Year, Leupold and Stevens; Accessories Manufacturer of the Year, Birchwood Casey; Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year, Hornady Manufacturing; Firearms Manufacturer of the Year, Sturm Ruger & Co. NASGW presented its Chairman's Award for Industry Leadership to Hewitt Grant, chairman of the board of Ellett Bros., of Chapin, S.C., in recognition of his 40-plus years of outstanding performance in the sporting goods industry. See nasgw.org for more information.
Research
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OCTOBER NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS BACKGROUND CHECKS UP 10.6% . . . The October 2011 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 945,088 is an increase of 10.6 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 854,563 in October 2010. For comparison, the unadjusted October 2011 NICS figure of 1,331,836 reflects a 2.1 percent decrease from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,359,894 in October 2010. This marks the seventeenth straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year. Read more.
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INDUSTRY EXCISE TAX OBLIGATIONS UP 9 PERCENT IN 2ND QUARTER . . . The latest Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collection report released by the Department of the Treasury indicates that firearm and ammunition manufacturers reported tax liabilities of $111.23 million in the second calendar quarter of 2011, up 8.84 percent over the same period in 2010. The report, which covers April 1 through June 30, shows that $34.59 million was due in taxes for pistols and revolvers, $36.10 million for firearms (other)/ long guns and $40.53 million for ammunition (shells and cartridges). Compared to the same period in 2010, tax obligations were up 8.65 percent for pistols and revolvers, up 25.74 percent for firearms (other)/ long guns and down 2.67 percent for ammunition (shells and cartridges).
News of Note
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 RECORD TURNOUT AT SPORTING CLAYS NATIONALS . . . The 2011 National Sporting Clays Championship brought in more shooters than ever before. More than 1,600 shooters, an increase of 10 percent over 2010, came to the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio to compete. Bill McGuire of Charleston, Tenn., won his first national championship. Lady Champion was Ashleigh Hafley of Kokomo, Ind., taking her third national lady's title. Read more about it at nssa-nsca.org.
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NSSF TO SPONSOR 2012 SEASON OF WINGSHOOTING USA TV SERIES . . . NSSF has renewed its title sponsorship of Scott Linden's television series Wingshooting USA for 2012. This marks the fourth season for the partnership, which promotes the NSSF initiative of the same name, wingshootingusa.org. Read NSSF's news release.
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 2012 FEDERAL DUCK STAMP DESIGN SELECTED . . . Joseph Hautman, an artist from Plymouth, Minn., is the winner of the 2011 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. This is Hautman's fourth Federal Duck Stamp Contest win. His art previously appeared on the 1992-1993, 2002-2003 and 2008-2009 Federal Duck Stamps. Hautman's acrylic painting of a single wood duck will be made into the 2012-2013 Federal Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2012. The Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $15, raises about $25 million each year to provide critical funds for conserving wetlands for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of people. Learn more.
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CONSERVATION/WILDLIFE THEME FOR NOVEMBER PHOTO CONTEST . . . November's theme in NSSF's Facebook Photo Contest is "Post a photo with a conservation or favorite game-animal theme." (Both harvested and free-ranging game animal images are welcome). To post a photo, look for the Contests tab on NSSF's Facebook page at facebook.com/NSSFcomm. NSSF launched the contest in celebration of its 50th Anniversary this year. Read more.
NSSF History Snapshot
Throughout its 50th anniversary year, NSSF each week will be spotlighting various moments from the Foundation's history.
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GREAT OUTDOOR GAMES . . . NSSF jumped on the opportunity in the year 2000 to showcase the shooting sports and reach more than 110 million households through ESPN's Great Outdoor Games. During the show's five-year run, the rifle and shotgun events scored the second-highest ratings, behind only the timber sports. Learn more at nssf.org/50.
Jobs
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