NSSF Bullet Points | Online News Service

November 26, 2012

Vol. 13 No. 45

This Week:

Sportsmen's Act

NICS Checks Soar on 'Black Friday'

ONE-DAY RECORD . . . A new single-day record for point-of-sale background checks was established on Black Friday, Nov. 23, when 154,873 were conducted by the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). That total was nearly 20 percent more than the previous high of 129,166 set on Black Friday last year. Because a federal background check is mandatory for every firearm sold at retail, background check activity serves as an indicator of retail gun sales. "Responsible firearms ownership is popular, mainstream and growing," said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. "Americans in record numbers are choosing to own firearms for target shooting, hunting, collecting and personal and home protection." Saturday's total of 88,419 background checks also earned it a spot among the Top Ten most active single days. The new one-day record was not unexpected, as NSSF pointed out in a recent blog post, given reports of increased sales following the election of President Barack Obama to a second term and hunting license sales increasing. Full Story

BENEFITS OF E-CHECK . . . During this record period for background checks, NICS reports that some firearms retailers calling into the NICS Section experiences extended wait times or received a message saying "all circuits are busy." However, the NICS E-Check system was up and running with little delay. NICS encourages FFLs to enroll with the NICS E-Check system to avoid extended wait times. To learn more about enrolling with the NICS E-Check, visit the NICS FFL website. FFLs using NICS E-Check are able to check the status of all their NICS Transaction Numbers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The NICS Section also provides the ability for the FFL to sign up to receive notification of modifications and messages. Sign up to receive NICS Messages by visiting the NICS FFL website above.

Sportsmen's Act of 2012

FINAL SENATE VOTE IMMINENT ON THE SPORTSMEN'S ACT . . . As Bullet Points was near deadline today, the U.S. Senate was poised for its final vote on S.3525, the Sportsmen's Act of 2012. Approval is expected. Broad, bipartisan support of S.3525 was ensured both by the coalition of 46 organizations in support and by the outpouring of grassroots phone calls and emails to Senators from across the country. As soon as we have word on the final vote, we will update you with a special bulletin.

Retailers/Ranges

HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF FROM NSSF; DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY . . . NSSF has made $125,000 available in dedicated aid for business loss or damage resulting from Hurricane Sandy to qualifying member companies located in federally declared disaster areas, with emphasis on providing relief to store-front federally licensed firearm retailers and shooting ranges. "We want our member companies to know that their trade association stands with them in these challenging times, and that this assistance is another benefit of membership," said NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Chris Dolnack. Applicants for relief should contact Cathy Walker at NSSF at 203-426-1320. See the relief application form online. Deadline for submission is Friday, Nov. 30. Read the blog post.
THE RANGE REPORT: SHOOT FOR SENIOR MOMENTS . . . Talk to range owners anywhere and they will more than likely mention the upswing in attendance at their shooting classes lately. They might even mention that the demographics for their classes have grown in the senior citizen category. Is your range reaching out to seniors? Here are five good reasons from NSSF's Range Report magazine that your range should shoot for some senior moments.
JOIN NSSF FOR $35: BENEFITS, SERVICES AND DISCOUNTS FOR MEMBER RETAILERS . . . To celebrate 35 years of NSSF's SHOT Show, NSSF retail/range memberships for a limited time are as low as $35. Retailers can take advantage of this offer while registering for the show or by visiting nssf.org. In addition to all of NSSF's retailer-specific benefits -- including access to ATF compliance consulting, FFL Hotline, NSSF research and more -- NSSF offers an array of resources and information to help members operate their businesses in compliance with ever-changing laws and regulations. As NSSF members, firearms retailers gain full access to the regulatory compliance resources found at NSSF's Regulatory Compliance Resource Center, including articles, newsletters, videos, online training courses, legal and regulatory compliance consultants and more.

NSSF Research

HUNTER PROFILE AVAILABLE TO NSSF MEMBERS . . . NSSF's 16 page report, "A Profile of Today's Hunter,"
provides a state-by-state 20-year historical view of paid hunting-license holders in the US. With the recent increases in firearms sales, hunting-license sales have started to reverse a downward trend and have leveled off in recent years. The report also provides statistics on excise tax collections and the economics of hunting. NSSF members that log in at nssf.org/members may access this and additional reports by clicking NSSF Industry Research and then Industry Intelligence Reports.

Legal

FEDERAL COURT SANCTIONS ATTORNEY FOR BASELESS LAWSUIT AGAINST GUN MAKER . . . A federal court has slapped an attorney and his law firm with monetary sanctions for bringing a frivolous products liability lawsuit against Beemiller and MKS Supply without adequately investigating their client's alleged injury claims. According to the court, "[T]his case was 'a shot in the dark' and unfortunately for Counsel, he not only missed his mark, his gun was not even loaded." Representing Beemiller and MKS Supply were Christopher Renzulli and John A. Tartaglia, III of Renzulli Law Firm and Stephen J. Dalesio and Gregory C. Scheuring of Davies, McFarland & Carroll.

SHOT Show at 35

WHO KNOWS THEIR SHOT SHOW HISTORY? . . . For those who have been there from the beginning, it may be hard to believe that 2013 will mark the 35th SHOT Show. Put your knowledge of the show's 35-year history to the test by answering this week's trivia question found on the SHOT Show Facebook page. Answer correctly and you'll be in the running to win one of five SHOT Show T-shirts. The contest ends this Thursday at 11:59 p.m. EST, and winners will be randomly drawn Friday, Nov. 30.
CELEBRITIES AT THE SHOW? LET US KNOW ABOUT PLANNED APPEARANCES . . . Professional athletes, actors, rock stars, authors, pro shooters. Each year, the SHOT Show has its fair share of celebrity appearances. Let us know if your company is planning to have a celebrity make a personal appearance at the show. In return, NSSF will help you promote it. We'd like to start letting all attendees know what famous faces they can expect to see at the 2013 show. Log in to the Exhibitor Dashboard and let us know about celebrity appearances or other special events you are planning at your booth.

News of Note

FIREARMS INDUSTRY BIG NEWS IN MONTANA'S FLATHEAD VALLEY . . . How big is the firearms industry becoming in Montana's Flathead Valley? Big enough that it had its own special section this past weekend in the local Sunday newspaper. A collection of stories about the growing success of local firearms businesses was featured in the Daily Inter Lake. The area is home to a number of industry companies, including Montana Rifleman, Proof Research, McGowen Precision Barrels and others. Read more.
GERMANY SPEEDS UP GUN REGISTRY PLAN . . . New European Union laws will require member countries to create a national gun registry within the next two years, but Germany has decided to launch its registry at the beginning of next year, according to a media report. The country's interior minister cited security and public safety benefits. There are an estimated six million licensed firearms in Germany.
HIGH-SCHOOL TRAPSHOOTERS ON TV . . . What is the fastest-growing sport in Minnesota high school athletics? Trapshooting, which now, according to the Nov. 18 edition of "Ron Schara's Minnesota Bound" aired on KARE-11, has more than 100 schools competing, with an additional 29 signed up for next season. Schara's award-winning TV series includes a segment on the popular sport, beginning at the 7-minute 10-second mark, that was videoed at the Minnesota State High School Clay Target Tournament.
TIPS AND REMINDERS TO ENSURE A MEMORABLE HUNT . . . Whether it be the hunt of a lifetime or simply a day out on a neighbor's farm, nothing should get in the way of having a great experience. NSSF has compiled a number of suggestions to help hunters avoid common mistakes and oversights, and ensure a hassle-free, enjoyable hunting trip. See NSSF's tips and reminders.

Jobs

FIREARMS INDUSTRY JOBS . . . 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."

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

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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.

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