NSSF Bullet Points | Online News Service

November 5, 2012

Vol. 13 No. 42

This Week:

#gunvote 2012

Industry News

SHOT Show

Retailers/Ranges

News of Note

The Only Poll That Matters -- Election Day

#GUNVOTE IN TUESDAY'S ELECTION . . . Political ads are running around the clock, and pundits are parsing polling results on every news outlet, but in the end only one poll will truly matter. That is the tally of votes on Tuesday, Election Day. Your vote is your opportunity to choose between freedom or control, and the protection of your rights or a wholesale assault on the Second Amendment. Some say that one vote does not matter. We strongly disagree. Whether it's an election being decided or the Supreme Court voting on the Second Amendment, we all know that one vote is powerful. It has become downright common in this country to see elections decided by handfuls of votes, so voter turnout is everything. Think of Election Day as if it were the last part of shooting a target--follow through. By now you've heard the candidates' arguments and probably have made up your mind. Casting your vote is the follow-through. For the past several months, NSSF through its #gunvote initiative has urged firearms owners to determine which of their candidates strongly support our firearms, hunting and shooting freedoms. In most cases, the choice is obvious.

Election Day is here. Don't risk your rights. Follow through with your #gunvote!

Find your polling place | Share this via Twitter and Facebook

#gunvote 2012

  • MORE GUNS, STILL LESS CRIME . . . According to the most recent crime data released by the FBI for 2011, violent crime is down for the fifth straight year. When one drills down into the data, the long-term trend is astounding: Violent crime has fallen 65 percent since 1993. Read more.

  • NOW HE TELLS US! . . . Recently on the campaign trail in Iowa, the president told his audience: "Trust matters. Iowa, you know me. I say what I mean and mean what I say. You could take a videotape of the things I say, (from) 10 years ago, 12 years ago, and you'd say this is the same guy." Since he insists, take a look for yourself. The closer we get to election day, the more President Obama seems to be willing to own up to his true ideological leanings. Read more.

  • #GUNVOTE . . . NSSF extends its thanks to all in the industry who are helping to spread the word of the 2012 #gunvote campaign -- posting the #gunvote button to their websites, sharing #gunvote information and videos, using the #gunvote hashtag on Twitter. Please, continue to help us spread the word. The votes of shooters, hunters and gun owners can make a huge impact at the polls. Learn more at nssf.org/gunvote.
    Tweet #gunvote | Share #gunvote on Facebook

Industry News

  • OCTOBER NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS CHECKS UP 18.4 PERCENT . . . The October 2012 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,118,994 is an increase of 18.4 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 945,088 in October 2011. For comparison, the unadjusted October 2012 NICS figure of 1,604,743 reflects a 20.5 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,331,836 in October 2011. This marks the 29th straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year and the highest figures ever reported for the month of October. Read more.

  • SECOND QUARTER EXCISE TAXES UP 43.7 PERCENT . . . According to the latest Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collection report released by the Department of the Treasury, firearm and ammunition manufacturers reported tax liabilities of $159.9 million in the second calendar quarter of 2012, up 43.7 percent over the same time period reported in 2011. This 2012 second-quarter total is the highest quarter reported since the Alchohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau took over record collection in 1991 -- surpassing the previous highest quarter reported (1st quarter 2012) by 9.78 percent. Read More.

  • RUGER ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS . . . Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) has announced that for the third quarter 2012, the company reported net sales of $118.2 million and fully diluted earnings of 88 cents per share, compared with net sales of $80.5 million and fully diluted earnings of 56 cents per share in the third quarter of 2011. The company also announced that its board of directors declared a dividend of 38.2 cents per share for the third quarter, for shareholders of record as of Nov. 12, 2012, payable on Nov. 26. View more details about the company's report.

  • ATK SALES UP 11 PERCENT IN SPORTING GROUP . . . ATK (NYSE:ATK) reported that second-quarter sales in its Sporting Group--which includes ammunition for law enforcement, military and sporting applications as well as optics, reloading gear and sport-shooting and tactical accessories--were up 11 percent to $275 million compared to $249 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase in sales was driven by higher volume in both the ammunition and accessories divisions. The company also reported that operating profit increased by 8 percent to $25 million compared to $23 million in the prior-year quarter, primarily reflecting higher sales volume, lower commodities costs and improved product sales mix. View more details about the company's report.

  • TAURUS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION . . . Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc. has announced the finalization of a real-estate purchase of a neighboring facility. The multi-acre parcel with an existing modern manufacturing and distribution building will provide a 30 percent increase to Taurus' current factory. Mark Kresser, president and C.E.O., said that the acquisition will allow future growth to support production and distribution. Read more about this expansion.

SHOT Show

  • GUNBROKER.COM RETURNS AS SPONSOR OF NSSF MEMBER LOUNGE AND BUSINESS CENTER . . . GunBroker.com will return as exclusive sponsor of the NSSF Member Lounge and Business Center for the 2013 SHOT Show. Thanks to GunBroker.com, NSSF members will find free wireless service among many other amenities in the NSSF Member Lounge and Business Center, which serves as a central point for NSSF members to take a break from the show floor or to network and conduct business. The NSSF Member Lounge and Business Center will be located in the Venetian Hotel, Level 3, Lido Ballroom. The Venetian Hotel adjoins the Sands Expo Convention Center. Read more at the SHOT Show Blog.

  • GET YOUR STATE-OF-THE-INDUSTRY TICKETS TODAY, TERRY FATOR TO PERFORM . . . More than 1,200 tickets have already been reserved for the Jan. 15 State of the Industry event -- sponsored by Outdoor Channel. Don't miss out on an unforgettable performance by Terry Fator, Las Vegas star and past winner of "America's Got Talent." As the headliner at The Mirage, Fator nightly captures the hearts and funny bones of America with "Terry Fator: Ventriloquism in Concert." Without moving his lips, Fator leaves audiences stunned with comedy, celebrity singing impressions and unparalleled ventriloquism. Tickets to the State of the Industry event can be purchased when registering for the show. Order Tickets | Learn More About Terry Fator

  • RENOVATION BRINGS NEW LIFE TO SANDS EXPO . . . As part of an extensive refresh, guests will find substantial changes to the Sands Expo at the 2013 SHOT Show. The project, which began in June, brings a fresh modern look for the facility, which opened in 1990. Read more at the SHOT SHOW Blog. SHOT Show will run Jan. 15-18 at the Sands Expo Convention Center in Las Vegas. Register now: Attendees | Media

  • BRIAN SYKES TO SPEAK AT SHOT SHOW UNIVERSITY . . . SHOT Show University (SSU), the full-day series of sessions tailored to firearms industry retailers, will have an all-star slate of experts presenting classes at SSU's 2013 edition on Monday, Jan. 14, the day before the show floor opens. Among those experts will be Brian Sykes, chief creative officer of a full-service creative agency, who will be opening up and sharing his "Tool Box of Digital Communications." He'll cover social media, smart phone apps, website, blog and email blasts, telling how to use them to complement and align your digital-marketing efforts. Register for SSU when you register for SHOT Show. Already registered? No problem; edit your registration file.

Retailers/Ranges

  • JOIN NSSF FOR $35 . . . To celebrate 35 years of NSSF's SHOT Show, NSSF retail/range memberships for a limited time are as low as $35. FFLs and ranges can take advantage of this offer while registering for the show or by visiting nssf.org.

  • NICS ADJUSTS SCHEDULE TO MAXIMIZE TIME TO SERVICE FFLS . . . To process incoming National Instant Criminal Background Check System's (NICS) background checks and delayed transactions more efficiently, the NICS Section will no longer receive general Customer Service-related calls during Saturday hours of operation. These calls include but are not limited to NICS transaction status checks, Appeal- or Voluntary Appeal File-related questions and general NICS-related questions. NICS encourages FFLs to learn about NICS E-Check and to enroll to allow them to check status of NTNs 24/7 and to receive important emails. Read more about the adjusted schedule.

  • GET RANGE NEWS UPDATES AT RANGE REPORT WEBSITE . . . Since NSSF's Range Report, the magazine for shooting facilities, went to an exciting all-digital format last summer, it has been showcased at its own website. Though the magazine is quarterly, the www.rangereport.org website is refreshed almost daily with links to news items of interest to the shooting range community. So visit www.rangereport.org and make a habit of visiting it not only to read current and past issues of the magazine, but also to keep up on range news.

News of Note

  • NEW MEXICO 34TH STATE TO ADD FAMILIES AFIELD . . . The New Mexico State Game Commission has passed a mentored youth hunting measure to allow a youngster to give hunting a try with a licensed adult before completing the state's hunter education course. This makes New Mexico the 34th state to approve a Families Afield-type provision to lower barriers to youth hunting. "Families Afield youth hunting initiatives are safe, and these early and exciting hunting experiences mean individuals are likely to remain active hunters as they get older," said Melissa Schilling, NSSF's director of recruitment and retention. Families Afield was established by NSSF, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and National Wild Turkey Federation, and receives assistance from the NRA and Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. Read news release.

  • NSSF: 10 REASONS TO INVITE A NEWCOMER HUNTING AND SHOOTING . . . Before the weather turns uninviting and schedules fill up with holiday obligations, NSSF reminds experienced hunters and shooters that autumn is a great time of year to invite a newcomer, whether a youth or adult, to experience the rewards of hunting and target shooting. NSSF gives you 10 reasons to invite someone and makes available themed postcards to email from its Invite Someone Shooting and Invite Someone Hunting webpages. Read NSSF's news release.

  • SURVEY SHOWS MEMBERSHIP INCREASE IN RANGES AND SPORTING CLAYS CLUBS . . . A recent survey of more than 5,000 shooting enthusiasts conducted on ShooterSurvey.com discovered approximately one-third -- 32 percent -- of active shooter respondents claim membership at a shooting range or sporting clays club, a 6 percent increase over the previous year's survey results. The press release announcing the results lists the identified seven top reasons for joining a range or sporting clays club. Read the press release.

  • NONRESIDENT HUNTERS BRING $185 MILLION TO SOUTH DAKOTA IN 2011 . . . The Oct. 23 edition of Outdoor Hub, a daily electronic newsletter, reported that "Nonresident Hunters Bring $185 Million to South Dakota in 2011." The article went on to report that for this fall, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Wildlife Division has issued 200,000 nonresident hunting licenses. Of those, 100,000 were issued for pheasant hunting. Read the complete article.

Jobs


NSSF's Mission

"To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports."

Click here to visit the NSSF website and see how we accomplish this mission.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Find NSSF on:


COPYRIGHT © 2012 by National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. Permission is granted for broadcast, publication, retransmission to email lists, Websites 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.

Share this email

Share via Twitter Share via Facebook Share via Email Share Other

--------------------

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.

---------------------

SHOT Business

The modern magazine of the shooting sports industry and the official publication of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

---------------------

NSSF Marketplace

The firearms industry's search engine

---------------------

Promote | Protect | Preserve