NSSF Bullet Points | Online News Service

May 20, 2013

Vol. 14 No. 19

This Week:

Government Relations

California Certifies Microstamping

NSSF WEIGHS LEGAL CHALLENGE . . . Last Friday the California Dept. of Justice suddenly announced that the technology to microstamp firearms is now unencumbered by patents. As a result, a law passed in 2007 becomes effective immediately. Every newly introduced model of semiautomatic handgun in the state now must have a microstamped firing pin that, theoretically, would accurately and reliably engrave a firearm's identification information on each cartridge casing fired from the pistol. The law was signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2007 but never implemented because the technology was, and remains, patented. NSSF is exploring legal options to challenge the erroneous and politically motivated certification, which is in essence a gun ban since manufacturers cannot comply with the law due to the extra cost of at least $200 it will add to the price of each firearm. Even the patent holder has acknowledged his concept functions unreliably and requires further study, and should not be legislatively mandated at this time. The flawed and unreliable nature of this technology has been noted in independent peer-reviewed studies, including one by the National Research Council and another in the professional journal of the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark Examiners. As a crime-solving tool, microstamping is suspect because it does not reliably and legibly imprint the information on the casing, and the shallow marks on the firing pin wear through normal usage. Also, microstamping can be easily circumvented by criminals by filing down the imprinted code using common household tools or swapped out for unmarked pins. Read the Monterey Herald story and NSSF fact sheet.

Government Relations

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY APPROVES BAN ON TRADITIONAL AMMUNITION . . . The California Assembly on Thursday, on a largely party-line 44-21 vote, passed legislation that would make California the first state to ban completely the use of traditional lead ammunition in hunting. Previously, traditional ammunition was banned only in California condor range areas. The bill, AB711, sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman Anthony Rendon of Lakewood, now goes to the state Senate. NSSF and other opponents had testified that AB711 would create a de facto ban on hunting, due to possible federal prohibition of alternative ammunition made of other materials, which is under consideration by the ATF. Even though the science used to justify the legislation is flawed, if the law passes the Senate and is signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, the ban would be phased in over two years and become fully effective in July 2016. NSSF will continue to closely monitor legislative developments in Sacramento and will keep you informed. Visit the NSSF Legislative Action Center to locate your state senator. Tell the senator that you oppose this legislation.
MARYLAND GOVERNOR SIGNS SWEEPING NEW GUN LAWS . . . Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed into law on Thursday some of the nation's most extensive gun-control measures, including a ban on the sale of modern sporting rifles, a 10-round restriction on magazine capacity and handgun-licensing provisions that include fingerprinting. Though a legal challenge is expected, a petition drive is already under way to prevent the law from going into effect on Oct. 1. As a result of the governor's action, Beretta USA, which is headquartered and has manufacturing operations in Maryland, issued an announcement that said, in part: "The idea now of investing additional funds in Maryland and us rewarding a government that has insulted our customers and our products is offensive to us, so we will take steps to evaluate such investments in other States. At the same time, we will continue our current necessary operations within Maryland and we are thankful for and welcome the continued support of our employees as we do so."
NSSF JOINS LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW COLORADO GUN-CONTROL LAWS . . . NSSF has joined with 54 county sheriffs, Magpul Industries, the Colorado Outfitters Association, several firearms retailers, disabled individuals and other parties in a federal lawsuit brought today in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado in what is a broad-based challenge to Colorado's recently enacted gun-control laws. Read NSSF's press release.
PENNSYLVANIA MENTORED HUNTING BILL HEADS TO GOVERNOR . . . A bill that would expand the popular Mentored Youth Hunting program in Pennsylvania to allow adult participation recently passed the legislature and is awaiting approval of Gov. Tom Corbett. The bill allows those ages 12 and older to try hunting under the watchful eye of an experienced mentor prior to completing hunter education. Also known as "apprentice hunting," this try-before-you-buy philosophy is the hallmark of the Families Afield campaign. Families Afield was established by NSSF, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and National Wild Turkey Federation to bring a new generation of sportsmen to the field. Along with the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, the coalition has worked to pass measures in 34 states since the program's inception. Read NSSF's press release.
U.S. HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON SPORTSMEN BILL . . . The U.S. House of Representatives' Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulations recently held a hearing on H.R. 1825, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act, which was introduced by U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Mich.). This pro-sportsmen legislation will allow hunters and target shooters more opportunities by establishing an "open unless closed" policy on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Urge support and co-sponsorship for H.R. 1825.

Industry News

SMITH & WESSON TOPS THE BOSTON GLOBE'S ANNUAL 'GLOBE 100' . . . Springfield, Mass.-based firearms manufacturer Smith & Wesson topped The Boston Globe's annual list of best-performing public companies in Massachusetts. "With its sights trained on firearms once more, Smith & Wesson increased profits 14 times over in 2012, netting $66 million on sales of $538.6 million and rocketing to the first position on this year's Globe 100 list," the newspaper said. Read more.
REMINGTON EXPANDS AMMUNITION OPERATIONS . . . Remington Arms Co. announced that it will be expanding operations at the Remington Ammunition Plant in Lonoke, Ark. Work on the expansion, which will include the construction of a new building, is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2013. The $32 million expansion plan is projected to be in operation by the second quarter of 2014.

SHOT Show

YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, WE HAVE ANSWERS . . . In the week since the announcement that NSSF and Reed Exhibitions have ended their SHOT Show partnership, a number of exhibitors have called or emailed to ask for clarification on a variety of issues. In a SHOT Show Blog post today, NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Chris Dolnack provides answers to some of the more commonly asked questions.

Research

FIFTH ANNUAL FIREARMS RETAILER SURVEY REPORT, AVAILABLE . . . The fifth annual edition of the NSSF Firearms Retailer Survey Report, now available, contains trend data from 2008 to 2012 based on firearm retailer employee responses on topics such as products sold, sales trends, margins and profit, inventory and consumer behaviors. The study includes responses from more than 700 firearm retail establishments nationwide. The member price is $50, a substantial discount from the nonmember price of $500. See order information.
INTERESTED IN OPENING A SHOOTING RANGE OR FIREARMS RETAIL SHOP? . . . NSSF Customized Market Reports (CMR) are a great way to learn more about the demographic makeup, potential customer base and local competition in and around the area you've selected to open a range or retail establishment. A CMR from NSSF averages 80 pages and contains detailed data for a chosen radius on any U.S. address. To learn more about Customized Market Reports and how you can commission one, email Dianne Vrablic, NSSF research coordinator, at dvrablic@nssf.org or call her at 203-426-1320 ext. 263. More information on this report is available at the NSSF website. This custom report, which costs non-NSSF members $5,000, is available to NSSF members for $500. Read about one member's experience with a CMR and view a sample report.

Retailers & Ranges

SHOT BUSINESS: RETAILER STRATEGIES FOR AMMO INVENTORY SHORTAGES . . . For a look at how retailers are dealing with the latest dearth of shooting sports inventory, SHOT Business magazine talked to some top retailers and ranges. Said Larry Hyatt of Hyatt's Gun Shop, "One thing that shocked us is the shortage of .22 long rifle. I've never seen that before, and in my mind it's a classic example of a shortage building on itself. People are in panic mode, which is perfectly understandable."
THE RANGE REPORT: MAKE A POSITIVE FIRST IMPRESSION . . . A steady influx of new customers is the lifeblood of any small business. Given the, at times controversial, topic of firearms, creating an inviting, welcoming first impression is critical for a shooting range's long-term success. Here are several strategies for creating a welcoming environment for new customers.

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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