Nation's Passion for Firearms Reflected
in Record-Setting SHOT Show
 EXPECTATIONS HIGH FOR COMING YEAR . . . Energized by unprecedented sales nationwide, firearms industry professionals turned out in record numbers to NSSF's 2012 SHOT Show, and many made a point of saying "the best is yet to come." "It's a wonderful time to be in our industry," said Sandy Chisholm of handgun manufacturer North American Arms. "We've seen tremendous enthusiasm on the part of sellers and buyers, and we see the prospect of a very good year ahead." Many agreed with that assessment of the market and of the SHOT Show. The largest trade show of its kind in the world and the fifth largest trade show in Las Vegas, a city of trade shows, the SHOT Show set an overall attendance record of more than 61,000, including new highs for buyers at 36,383 and media at 2,466. Though show organizers deliberately reduced the size of the show to better accommodate attendees at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, still some 1,600 exhibitors filled booth space covering 630,000 net square feet. The show attracted industry professionals from all 50 states and 100 countries. Take a look back at the 2012 SHOT Show:
Wrap-up Press Release | Blog | Photos | Videos | SHOT Daily
More From SHOT Show
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 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY: MORE UNIFIED THAN EVER, SAYS NSSF PRESIDENT . . . In his 34 years in the industry, NSSF President Steve Sanetti said he has never seen the industry more unified. During the SHOT Show's annual State of the Industry event, Sanetti said that membership in NSSF, the industry's trade association, is more than double what it was just five years ago. "Together we comprise a record number of more than 7,000 of America's favorite firearms and ammunition manufacturers, wholesalers, importers, retailers, shooting ranges, gun clubs, conservation groups, outdoor media, safety instructors, and many others, who share our avocation and our passion for our industry and our uniquely American way of life," Sanetti said. "Our membership has never been stronger or more engaged. We have had great success in recent years solidifying our industry's base of support." Read more.
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SHOT DAILY . . . Digital editions of all four issues of SHOT Daily, the magazine printed each day of the SHOT Show, are available online at shotbusiness.com and the SHOT Show Blog. SHOT Daily is published for NSSF by Bonnier Corp., publishers of Outdoor Life, Field & Stream and SHOT Business magazines.
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 2012 FIREARMS SALES OUTLOOK PROMISING AFTER RECORD-SETTING YEAR . . . Many indicators, including a record-setting 2011, show the firearms industry continues to thrive in a down economy and that the potential exists for another strong sales year in 2012, NSSF reported at a press conference at the SHOT Show. The $4 billion firearms and ammunition industry stands apart from other industries that are struggling in the slow economy. Demand for guns has continued at a robust pace since late 2008. NSSF estimates the industry is responsible for approximately 180,000 jobs and has impact on the U.S. economy of $28 billion. Read NSSF's press release.
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WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ACT'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY . . . At the SHOT Show, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the start of a year-long celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, one of the most successful partnership approaches to fish and wildlife conservation. The program includes the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson), which raises funds through an excise tax on sporting guns and ammunition, and the similarly designed Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act that provides funds for fish conservation and boating and fishing programs. The celebration will culminate on National Hunting and Fishing Day in September. Learn more at WSFR75.com.
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 DOLNACK: SHOT SHOW LAUNCHING PAD FOR NEXT ICONIC BRANDS . . . Some of the industry's most iconic brands started out small. At the SHOT Show's State of the Industry Dinner sponsored by Outdoor Channel, Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer, provided some encouraging words for small companies looking to break through in the industry. "By repurposing the SHOT Show floor and opening up exhibit space for those companies that represent our core hunting, shooting and tactical business, we've infused the SHOT Show with new product offerings that will offer retailers new opportunities when these 100 waitlisted companies begin their journey to becoming the next generation of iconic industry brands," Dolnack said. Read more.
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SHOT SHOW GOLF EVENT RAISES $70,000 FOR MILITARY GROUPS . . . NSSF is pleased to report that this year's pre-SHOT Show Birdies for the Brave charity golf outing at TPC Las Vegas raised $70,000 for eight military homefront groups. Proceeds from the Birdies for the Brave event will benefit organizations that are supported by PGA TOUR players, which provide critical programs and services to meet the specialized needs of wounded warriors and military families. Read more.
Government Relations
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VA. SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO END SUNDAY HUNTING RESTRICTION . . . On Thursday, the Virginia Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee supported legislation by a vote of 11-4 to end the antiquated blue law which prohibits hunting on Sundays. Senate Bill 464, sponsored by state Sen. Ralph Northram (D-Norfolk), was amended by the sponsor to repeal the ban on Sunday hunting on private property and public waters and prohibit the hunting of deer with dogs on Sundays. Expanding Sunday hunting in the state could have a tremendous economic impact on Virginia to the tune of more than $296 million annually and create close to 4,000 jobs. These numbers have evidently gained the attention of Gov. Bob McDonnell, who also supports the legislation. NSSF is urging all sportsmen to support the repeal and take action by calling members of the Senate. Currently, the legislation has not been scheduled for a floor vote, but it is expected to be this week.
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NSSF FILES APPEAL IN MULTIPLE SALES REPORTING CASE . . . NSSF last week filed a notice of appeal in response to a federal court's denial of its lawsuit challenging ATF's demand for firearm retailers to report multiple sales of certain semiautomatic rifles. The lawsuit, NSSF v. Jones, was filed last August in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia after ATF had sent demand letters to nearly 8,700 federal firearms licensees and pawnshops, including law-abiding NSSF members, located in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas requiring them to report multiple rifle sales information. Read NSSF's press release.
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IOWA: RESOLUTIONS TO PROTECT TRADITIONAL AMMO TO BE HEARD . . . Last week the Iowa State Senate Natural Resources and Environment Subcommittee and the Iowa House Natural Resources Subcommittee passed resolutions (SJR2001 and HJR 2001) that would remove the Iowa Natural Resources Commission's scientifically unfounded regulation banning the use of traditional ammunition for dove hunting. The full committees in both the House and Senate are slated to vote on the measures this week. Read NSSF's legislative alert.
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AMERICAN SPORTFISHING ASSOCIATION SEEKS HELP IN LEAD DEBATE . . . The debate over lead in fishing tackle is heating up again, and KeepAmericaFishing is calling for help. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was recently petitioned, again, to ban lead in all fishing tackle. At issue are several things: there is no scientific data to support the argument that lead in any fishing tackle is harmful to bird populations; alternative metals can cost from nine to 18 times more than lead; and most alternatives to lead don't perform as well. Learn more and help support the American Sportfishing Association.
Awards
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 SHOT BUSINESS HONORS INDUSTRY LEADERS . . . SHOT Business magazine honored six industry leaders at the SHOT Show with its annual SHOT Business Awards. The honorees were Retailer of the Year: Joe Keffer, the Sportsman's Shop; Distributor of the Year: Big Rock Sports; Manufacturer's Representative of the Year: Phil Murray, White Flyer; Range of the Year: John Munsen, Bill's Gun Shop and Range; Company/Organization of the Year: Toxey Haas, Mossy Oak; Person of the Year: Frank Brownell, Brownells. Read more.
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BUDWEISER NAMES D'ALONZO CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR . . . Bill D'Alonzo of Greenville, Del., was named the 2012 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year at the SHOT Show. This is the 17th consecutive year Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have recognized an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the outdoors and conservation. The annual award is part of the Budweiser Outdoors program. Read more.
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NSSF HONORS LARRY POTTERFIELD WITH SEDLECKY AWARD . . . MidwayUSA founder and CEO Larry Potterfield has done a lot for the shooting sports over the years. At the SHOT Show, he was recognized for all he has done. Potterfield was awarded NSSF's Ken Sedlecky Achievement Award, which is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves by their long-term commitment to the success of the industry and by their support of NSSF's mission to promote, protect, and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Read more.
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'BLUE BOOK OF GUN VALUES' AUTHOR RECEIVES COMMUNICATOR AWARD . . . The Professional Outdoor Media Association and NSSF honored veteran communicator and best-selling author S.P. Fjestad with the prestigious POMA/NSSF Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award during the SHOT Show State of the Industry Dinner. With over 1.4 million copies in print, Fjestad's Blue Book of Gun Values remains the best-selling gun book worldwide. Read more.
News of Note
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 NSSF 2011 VIDEO REPORT . . . Take a look back at the National Shooting Sports Foundation's efforts, challenges and successes in 2011. Produced by NSSF's Dave Miles, this 13-minute video was first shown at the SHOT Show's State of the Industry Dinner last week.  Play Video
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RETAILER SURVEY: WHAT PRODUCTS WILL BE BEST SELLERS IN 2012? . . . Shooting Industry magazine has launched an online survey to gather the opinions of firearms retailers. The survey asks two questions: 1.) What 2012 firearm do you think will be a best seller with your customers this year? 2.) What other new product do you think your customers will make a best seller during 2012? The survey can be accessed at shootingindustry.com.
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 MANUFACTURERS PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR FIRST SHOTS . . . Companies within the industry continue to strongly support NSSF's First Shots program. This year Remington has pledged to continue to support First Shots by donating .22 rimfire ammo, ATK has pledged to donate shotgun ammo to the program for 2012, Birchwood Casey will continue to provide paper targets for pistol and rifle First Shots events and White Flyer will continue to donate clay targets for the shotgun events. "We thank all of our partner manufacturers for their continued support of the First Shots program and look forward to the program growing tremendously in 2012," said Tisma Juett, NSSF's First Shots manager. In related news, FMG Publications presented a check to NSSF for First Shots at the SHOT Show. The money was raised during FMG's Shooting Industry Masters events.
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