NSSF Bullet Points | Online News Service

May 6, 2013

Vol. 14 No. 17

This Week:

Government Relations

California Hearing to Ban Traditional Ammunition

BILL TO BE HEARD BY COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY . . . Assembly Bill 711 is scheduled to be heard by the California Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, May 8. NSSF is urging all retailers, sportsmen and gun owners throughout the state to call and email members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and your Assembly member asking them to oppose this anti-hunting bill. If passed, this bill would extend the now-limited condor-range ban on traditional lead ammunition to the entire state. The ban could go into effect as soon as the 2016 hunting season. This bill will have detrimental effects on the California economy, costing the state over 3,000 jobs, a loss of $320 million in economic impact and a decrease in tax revenue of more than $25 million. Please contact members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee TODAY.

Government Relations

OBAMA: 'JUST THE FIRST ROUND' ON GUN CONTROL . . . Speaking in Mexico City late last week, President Barack Obama said he would continue working to expand background checks to cover firearms purchased in private transactions at gun shows and online. "Things happen somewhat slowly in Washington. But this was just the first round," he said. Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden told a law enforcement group that he is planning a national tour to stump for expanded background checks. NSSF is closely monitoring activity on Capitol Hill.
SEN. AYOTTE NOT LOSING POPULARITY DUE TO KEY VOTE . . . The mainstream media narrative encouraged by gun-control advocates is that approval ratings have dropped for senators who provided key votes against the Manchin-Toomey amendment to expand background checks. This is supposed to be the case in New Hampshire, where Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte has been said to lose ground, emboldening gun-control advocates to mount confrontations at her town hall-style meetings. However, a live poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire showed she had actually gained popularity after the vote. And about those doing the confronting? Well, out-of-state license plates raise suspicion that some political theater was engineered for the benefit of the national media who parachuted in.
LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO BAN MAGAZINES . . . The Los Angeles City Council Friday voted unanimously to draft an ordinance that will prohibit individuals from possessing magazines that hold more than 10 rounds. California already bans the sale and transfer of these magazines, but residents can still legally own them. A vote on the ordinance itself could come this next week. State gun-rights organizations have warned that they will sue over the ordinance.
MAINE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE OKs GUN SHOW CHECK BILL . . . The legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee on a 7-6 party-line vote last week approved a bill to require federal background checks on private transfers of firearms at gun shows. Under the bill, individuals in Maine would retain the right to buy or sell a firearm as a private seller at any other location.
N.J. SENATE PANEL ADVANCES BILLS . . . The New Jersey Senate Law and Public Safety Committee last week voted to advance several pieces of legislation, including a ban on the future sale of .50-caliber firearms. The action came two months after the Assembly passed a package of 22 gun-control measures. Gov. Chris Christie has said he would support banning .50-caliber firearms, currently outlawed only in California, despite the fact there is no record of such a firearm being used in any crime.
TEXAS SAYS 'COME ON DOWN' . . . Texas Gov. Rick Perry, whose administration has been actively talking to firearms and component manufacturers in states such as Connecticut, Maryland and Colorado that have been enacting stricter gun-control laws, became more personally involved in recent days. Perry took the opportunity provided by the NRA's annual meeting in Houston to meet one-on-one with several executives to tell them their companies would be more than welcome to relocate to the Lone Star State. Connecticut-based Stag Arms President Mark Malkowski said he was impressed with what he heard from friendly Texans, both officially and unofficially encouraging him to move his modern sporting rifle manufacturing operations.

Industry News

RUGER SALES UP 39 PERCENT IN FIRST QUARTER . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. (NYSE:RGR) reported that first-quarter sales were up 39 percent and earnings increased 53 percent compared to the same period a year ago. The company said new product introductions were a significant component of sales growth, as new product sales represented $53.3 million or 35 percent of firearm sales during the quarter. Ruger's new product introductions in the first quarter included the LC380 pistol and the SR45 pistol.
ATK SALES UP 14 PERCENT IN SPORTING GROUP . . . ATK (NYSE:ATK) reported that fourth-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 14 percent to $320 million compared to $282 million in the same period last year. For the full year, the Sporting Group achieved record sales of $1.2 billion, compared to $1 billion in the previous year, up 15 percent. The company said the increase reflects stronger demand and a previously announced June 2012 price increase for ammunition.

Research

APRIL NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS CHECKS UP 27.2 PERCENT . . . The April 2013 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,185,231 is an increase of 27.2 percent over the NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 931,660 in April 2012. For comparison, the unadjusted April 2013 NICS figure of 1,702,455 reflects a 20.2 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,416,074 in April 2012. This marks the 35th straight month that NSSF-adjusted NICS figures have increased when compared to the same period the previous year. Read more.

FOURTH QUARTER EXCISE TAXES UP 44.2 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 $175.0 million in the fourth calendar quarter of 2012, up 44.2 percent over the same time period reported in 2011. This 2012 fourth-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 (3rd quarter 2012) by 7.1 percent. Read More.
SURVEY SHOWS ENORMITY OF SHOOTING/HUNTING HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING . . . According to answers to a question asked in a recent HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com poll, more than half of all hunters and shooters reported giving or receiving a hunting or shooting item during the holidays this past year. Of the 52 percent of respondents who gave or received hunting or shooting items, it seems hunters are more on the giving and receiving end as survey participants reported 66 percent of the gifts will be used for hunting versus 34 percent exclusively for shooting. The surveys were designed and conducted by Southwick Associates.

Retailers & Ranges

FFL COMPLIANCE CONSULTATION PROGRAM GETS RESULTS . . . NSSF's FFL Compliance Consultation Program is entering its second year of existence, and dramatic proof of the program's effectiveness is already being seen. Jackie Gengler of Alaska Illusive Arms had participated in the program the first week of June last year. In March, ATF performed its first inspection of her business, and Mrs. Gengler had this to say about the Compliance Consultation Program: "We just completed our first ATF inspection last week. We passed and were not told of anything for which we would be written up. In short, the site visit program WORKS." For those not familiar with the Compliance Program, NSSF has hired four retired ATF inspectors, each with more than 30 years of experience and with an extensive background of conducting thousands of ATF firearms retailer inspections, to come to our members' stores for a day-long compliance audit. For more information about the program and our consultants, visit http://nssf.org/retailers/consultants/.
NSSF INDOOR RANGE AND RETAIL COMPLIANCE WORKSHOP JUNE 2-4 . . . Shooting range owners and operators must manage and protect their businesses from risks and liability related to health and the environment. To ensure your business practices are in regulatory compliance and to improve management practices, NSSF encourages you to enroll in its Indoor Range and Retail Compliance Workshop June 2-4 at the Black Wing Shooting Center in Columbus, Ohio. Learn more at nssf.org/ranges.
THE RANGE REPORT: MAKING ALL-IMPORTANT FIRST IMPRESSION . . . A steady influx of new customers is the lifeblood of any small business, and to keep that lifeblood flowing, a welcoming first impression is critical. A new customer's first impressions at a shooting facility come in many forms. The exterior appearance of the building, the way staff reacts when the consumer walks through the door and the demeanor of the person answering the phone all play a significant role in shaping a new customer's attitudes and perceptions. Read The Range Reports article, "Make a Positive First Impression," to learn how you can bolster the chances of making a customer-winning welcome. Discover the variety of helpful information for shooting facilities at The Range Report website.
NICS NEWS . . . The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section has issued a newsletter, with a look back at its busy 2012 season, a thank you to the industry for its patience and support, an explanation of the status of facets of its checking process--and much more. You can read the NICS Newsletter at the NICS website.

NSSF Voting Members

$60,000 IN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYEES OF NSSF VOTING MEMBER COMPANIES . . . Employees of companies that support NSSF at the highest level can apply for education aid through the NSSF Voting Member Scholarship Program. NSSF has made a total of $60,000 in scholarship funding available for a maximum of 25 winning entries. NSSF is accepting applications in the Voting Member Scholarship Program through 5 p.m. EST on June 3, 2013. Read NSSF's press release for full details.

SHOT Show

REGISTRATION OPEN TO NEW EXHIBITORS AT SHOT SHOW INDUSTRY DAY AT THE RANGE. . . Joining the special Media Day at the Range, held the day before the SHOT Show floor opens, is a new event on the show's program--SHOT Show Buyer Day at the Range. Together, they are now referred to as SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range. The "Buyer Day" will feature 700 invited distributors, dealers and retailers being given the opportunity to test and learn about new products from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014, the opening day of the exhibition. Registration for exhibiting opportunities for both events or only for Media Day at the Range--exhibiting for only "Buyer Day" is not an option--has been open to existing exhibitors and opens today to new exhibitors. Visit the Industry Day at the Range's new website and register as an exhibitor.

News of Note

CONNECTICUT STATE POLICE OVERWHELMED . . . The Connecticut State Police are overwhelmed by a backlog of paperwork for firearm purchases and transfer-of-ownership applications since the enactment of new gun laws. In December, state police had a backlog of 1,000 firearm transfer applications. That number is now around 62,000. Paperwork backlogs also have increased for fingerprints for pistol permits and background checks. "All of these things are behind because we don't have people to keep up," Col. Danny Stebbins said, adding that some of the tasks can be done by civilian personnel.
INDUSTRY MOURNS LOSS OF SHOOTING LEGEND TOM KNAPP . . . Over decades of shooting exhibitions, Tom Knapp became a legend while entertaining and amazing audiences with his abilities with shotguns, rifles and handguns. At the same time he became beloved as an all-round nice guy. So, it is with sadness that the shooting industry has marked the passing of this gentleman. One eloquent tribute was written by Jim Shepherd in his morning Wires.
BILL DANCE NAMED HONORARY CHAIR OF NHF DAY . . . Ever-popular outdoor television host Bill Dance will serve as the honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day, when the celebration of sportsmen's contributions unfolds on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013. Dance has not only performed as an expert in fishing tournaments and afield when hunting, but he has been recognized for his work with many charitable organizations. Congress established National Hunting and Fishing Day, and every president has formally proclaimed the celebration since 1971. Read the announcement on Dance.

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.

COPYRIGHT © 2013 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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