NSSF Bullet Points | Online News Service

July 22, 2013

Vol. 14 No. 28

This Week:

Where To Shoot

Government Relations

SHOT Show

Industry News

Research

Ranges/Retailers

Record Turnout for Shooting Industry Masters

NSSF President Steve Sanetti thanks FMG Publications and everyone in attendance at the Shooting Industry Masters for their support of NSSF's First Shots program.

FIRST SHOTS BENEFITS . . . A modern version of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show came to Cody, Wyo., last week in the form of the 11th Shooting Industry Masters, the annual fundraising 3-Gun match owned and organized by FMG Publications. Plenty of cowboy hats, boots and lace were on display as a record number of industry representatives rode into town to support the event. NSSF's introduction-to-shooting program, First Shots, is the chosen beneficiary of the Masters. Competitors were tested by fun and challenging rifle, handgun and sporting clays events. Equally enjoyable were the side matches, where participants could shoot everything from a Gatling gun to a Sharps rifle. These popular side matches raised over $20,000 alone, and the event's GunBroker.com auctions brought in approximately $22,000. The USA Shooting Team also benefited from a separate auction. The town received the Masters with open arms, as nearly 100 volunteers assisted at the Cody Shooting Complex. One of many highlights was the opening reception at the Buffalo Bill Center for the West's world-class firearms museum. For a list of Masters sponsors and a soon-to-be-posted fundraising total, visit the S.I. Masters website. Any NSSF member shooting range in the country can host a First Shots event. Learn more at www.nssf.org/firstshots.

  • FIRST SHOTS' BIG CITY TOUR TO MAKE BIG STOP IN HOUSTON . . . The First Shots Big City Tour is heading to the Houston, Texas, area Aug. 2-4. Four ranges are on board for the event. Area facilities offering NSSF's introductory shooting seminar will be: The Arms Room, in League City; Spring Guns & Ammo, in Spring; American Shooting Center, in Houston; and High Noon Indoor Pistol Range, in Crosby. Learn more about these free classroom and live-fire events and claim one of the remaining available slots at the First Shots website.

Where To Shoot

  • NSSF'S 'WHERE TO SHOOT' APP HITS NO. 4 ON APPLE'S LIST OF FREE SPORTS APPS . . . After launching a week ago, NSSF's Where To Shoot app for iOS and Android has been one hot item. It's been so popular that on Friday the app reached No. 4 on the Apple App Store's list of free sports apps, topping popular mainstays like ESPN ScoreCenter, Yahoo! Fantasy Baseball and many others. If you haven't downloaded the app, visit wheretoshoot.org/iOS or wheretoshoot.org/Android on your mobile device and install it for free today. NSSF also encourages all shooting ranges to add their businesses to the database -- or update their listings -- at wheretoshoot.org.

Government Relations

  • CARTER AMENDMENT WOULD END FUNDING FOR ATF COLLECTION OF INFORMATION ON MULTIPLE LONG-GUN SALES . . . Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.), chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, last week introduced an NSSF-supported amendment to the FY2014 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill to prohibit the use of any funds to require reporting of multiple rifle or shotgun sales. Quickly passed by the full House Appropriations Committee and included in the Commerce, Justice and Science appropriations bill, the amendment comes in response to a two-year-old program that requires firearms dealers in Texas, Arizona, California and New Mexico to report to the federal government all sales of multiple rifles or shotguns made to the same buyer.

  • Fix NICS | FixNICS.orgCOMMITTEES IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS OK FUNDING TO FIXNICSSM . . . Growing recognition on Capitol Hill that the records gap in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) needs attention has resulted in appropriators in both the U.S. Senate and House voting for funds to be made available to the states to enter the appropriate criminal and adjudicated mental health records into the system. The House version awards $55 million, while the Senate has assigned $50 million, for this purpose. NSSF has long advocated that Congress appropriate funds to help ensure that the states that are not doing so begin the systematic entry of data on all legally prohibited persons into the NICS database. Earlier this year, NSSF substantially stepped up its advocacy activities on both the state and federal levels through the launch of its FixNICS initiative.

  • FEINSTEIN AMENDMENT REQUIRING FFL INVENTORIES FAILS TO GAIN SUPPORT . . . Mayors Against Illegal Guns led by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was dealt a defeat on Capitol Hill late last week when Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) failed to get enough support from members of the Appropriations Committee on her amendment to the FY 2014 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill. As a result, the amendment, which would have cost firearms manufacturers and retailers millions of dollars in lost revenue, was never offered. When NSSF learned of Sen. Feinstein's efforts, this letter was sent to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee urging opposition.

  • REGISTER NOW FOR 12TH ANNUAL FIREARMS IMPORT/EXPORT CONFERENCE . . . Don't be left on the sidelines as Export Control Reform moves forward this year. Register today for the 12th annual Firearms Import/Export Conference and learn what the potential changes will mean for your business. Members receive a discounted rate for the joint conference hosted by NSSF and the FAIR Trade Group on Aug. 6-7 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Downtown, 999 Ninth St., NW. Registration pricing for NSSF/FAIR Trade members is $400. Pricing for non-members is $500.

  • SEN. DURBIN TO INTRODUCE TRACE BILL . . . U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill) was expected to announce today that he would be introducing legislation to encourage local law enforcement departments to report guns recovered from crimes to a national database run by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for tracing. This legislation is said to provide a preference in federal community policing grants for departments that make such reports. NSSF will closely monitor developments with this legislation.

  • NEXT MASS. GUN LAW HEARING ON AUG. 2 IN SPRINGFIELD . . . The Massachusetts legislature's Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security will hold its next public hearing in Springfield at American International College on Aug. 2. A hearing originally set for this week in Topsfield has been canceled. The committee potentially will be looking at more than 60 bills, including proposed legislation restricting gun owners to one firearm purchase per month. If you are a firearms owner residing in western Massachusetts, you should attend this hearing to express your opposition to additional laws that do little more that restrict law-abiding citizens in a state that already has some of the toughest gun-control measures in the country. Smith & Wesson President and CEO James Debney will testify at the hearing, as will NSSF and other industry representatives. Because the company is located in Springfield, a large number of Smith & Wesson employees will be attending the hearing. Employees of other manufacturers, retailers and all others involved in the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade should make every effort to attend this hearing to remind legislators of the economic importance of the firearms industry in the Bay State.

  • PENNSYLVANIA HUNTERS SUE TO REMOVE SUNDAY HUNTING BAN . . . Hunters United for Sunday Hunting (HUSH) has filed suit in federal court against the Pennsylvania Game Commission to remove that state's Sunday hunting ban on the grounds that the ban violates constitutional rights. In the suit filed in U.S. Middle District Court, the Lancaster County-based sportsmen's group contends that the ban, which dates back to colonial days, violates federal and state protections of the right to bear arms and freedom of religion. HUSH is seeking an order permanently barring the state from enforcing the Sunday hunting prohibition. Pennlive.com reported on this development.

  • NSSF PAC IS YOUR BUSINESS . . . The NSSF PAC -- a cornerstone of NSSF's government relations efforts in Washington, D.C. -- is asking NSSF members to join and fight back against President Obama, Mayor Bloomberg and their anti-gun, anti-industry allies who are determined to bring gun-control legislation up for another vote when Congress returns from August recess. If you care about your company and our industry, you need to make it your business to get involved -- and stay involved -- in the political process, by joining the NSSF PAC today. Our friends on Capitol Hill need us now more than ever.

SHOT Show

  • 'WHO'S ON FIRST?' AND OTHER SHOT SHOW QUESTIONS . . . Since NSSF's announcement about selecting ConvExx as the SHOT Show's new management partner, both NSSF and ConvExx have received a number of inquiries from exhibitors as to who is responsible for what. Or as the classic Abbott and Costello bit asks, "Who's on first?" On the SHOT Show Blog, NSSF's Chris Dolnack provides some more details about the partnership.

  • MEET CONVEXX'S CHUCK SCHWARTZ . . . The announcement of NSSF selecting Las Vegas-based ConvExx as the new SHOT Show management company has reverberated throughout the firearms, exhibition and event industries as well as in the Las Vegas business community. The news was met with no small number of words of encouragement and congratulations from SHOT Show exhibitors and attendees alike. In the coming weeks, the SHOT Show Blog will be featuring a series of "who's who" blog posts to introduce the ConvExx team. This week: Chairman Chuck Schwartz.

Industry News

  • COLT DEFENSE LLC AND NEW COLT HOLDING CORP. MERGE . . . Colt Defense LLC, manufacturer of rifles and carbines for the military, law enforcement and sporting markets, has acquired Colt Holding Corp., parent company of Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC, manufacturer of firearms for the civilian and sporting markets. For the first time since their separation in 2003, a single company will now develop, manufacture and sell firearms under the Colt name for all markets.

  • NSSF SPONSORS CRIMSON TRACE 3-GUN EVENT . . . NSSF has signed on as an exclusive sponsor of Crimson Trace's 2nd Annual Midnight 3-Gun Invitational. "The explosive growth of 3-Gun has been an awesome thing to see over the past few years, and we look forward to seeing that growth continue," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer. The event begins in Bend, Ore., on Aug. 14. Read more about the event.

  • NSSF WELCOMES TWO NEW VOTING MEMBERS . . . NSSF's Board of Governors recently approved two new voting members, Stag Arms and Double Tap Defense. Voting members--NSSF's highest membership category--contribute greatly to the success of NSSF and receive a long list of additional benefits. Any industry company interested in becoming an NSSF voting member can learn more by contacting Bettyjane Swann, NSSF director, member services, at bswann@nssf.org.

Research

  • USITC FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION DATA FOR MAY 2013 . . . NSSF tracks and reports monthly U.S. import and export units for several sporting arms, ammunition and optics categories from the U.S. International Trade Commission. See a complete breakdown of each category's May import and export data. NSSF members can access additional historical import and export data by logging in at www.nssf.org/members and clicking NSSF Industry Research.

  • RECRUITING ARTICLE CITES NSSF STUDY . . . An article in a recent issue of Colorado Outdoors concentrated on recruiting new hunters, with an emphasis on reaching out to minorities, and it cited findings from the NSSF-commissioned Diversity and Shooting Sports Study. "According to the NSSF study," writes author Lisa Densmore, "49 percent to 65 percent of households in each of four ethnic groups--white, African-American, Hispanic, Asian--are interested in firearms and shooting sports, with Hispanic households leading all groups." Read Densmore's article. NSSF members can review the diversity study.

Ranges & Retailers

  • NSSF HOLDS SUCCESSFUL RETAILER EDUCATION SEMINAR IN IOWA . . . The popular free Retailer Education Seminars (RES), presented by NSSF, have been scheduled in record numbers in 2013, and the 10th of 13 seminars scheduled around the country was presented last week in Des Moines, Iowa. The seminar taught firearms retailers from across the state about best practices in store security and inventory controls, the top 10 most cited ATF violations and how to avoid them, straw purchase awareness, the NICS background check process and much more. Among the speakers was Ross Loder, bureau chief of the Iowa Department of Safety, who provided information about Iowa state firearms regulations. Remaining on the 2013 schedule are seminars planned for Louisville, Ky., on Aug. 13, Cleveland, Ohio, on Aug. 15, and Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sept. 10. Learn more about these free seminars.

  • MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE ARTICLE REPORTS ON GROWTH OF RANGES . . . The remarkable surge in interest and sales of firearms over the last year has caused increased demand for range time in most parts of the country. In an article that perhaps typifies circumstances nationwide, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports how in the Twin Cities region that demand is being met. Several new commercial ranges have been built. As another means of meeting demand, Maple Grove renovated its police range and, for the first time, opened it for public use. Read the newspaper report.

  • SHOT UNIVERSITY IN LOUISVILLE AUG. 12 . . . SHOT University, the popular daylong business-building series of sessions presented the day before the SHOT Show floor opens, is being held off site for the first time when it rolls into Louisville, Ky., next month. There, leading experts in the retailing field will offer cutting-edge strategies to help you as a retailer grow sales while protecting your business. It will begin with a reception on Sunday evening, Aug. 11, followed by a full-day schedule of classes running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 12. The following day will feature a free Retailer Education Seminar focused on ATF compliance. Cost for the entire event will be $199 to NSSF members, $299 to others. Get more information on this exciting program and register.

News of Note

  • AMMO DEMAND HAS INCREASED RELOADING ACTIVITY . . . A segment on National Public Radio has focused on the upsurge in reloading as a result of the great demand for ammunition in recent months. "Ammunition has been selling at historic levels--for historic prices--in recent months," said NPR host Linda Wertheimer. "From Walmart to mom and pop gun shops, stores have not been able to keep bullets on the shelves. As Scott Graff of Boise State Public Radio reports, that lack of availability has led more and more shooters to take up a new hobby." Read the report and listen to the radio segment.

  • DISMISSAL OF LAWSUIT AGAINST RETAILER UPHELD ON PLCAA GROUNDS . . . The Missouri Court of Appeals has upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to hold a firearms retailer responsible for the criminal acts of a third party who fatally shot two individuals at a Kansas City mall in 2007. Separate complaints filed in this case alleged that Shawnee Gun Shop d/b/a/ The Bullet Hole was negligent in selling the ammunition used in the criminal shootings. A lower court previously dismissed the case on the grounds that it was barred by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) and state law. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal stating that the plaintiffs failed to allege a viable cause of action for which relief could be granted. The law firm of Pisciotti, Malsch & Buckley represented The Bullet Hole in this matter.

  • FORD TRUCKS, INTERMEDIA OUTDOORS INK MULTIMEDIA DEAL . . . Ford Motor Co. and outdoor media company InterMedia Outdoors announced they have committed to a multimedia partnership that centers around the production of a new custom adventure TV series "The Outfitters Built by Ford F-Series." The new 13-episode half-hour series premiered recently on Sportsman Channel and includes promotional assets, including an original website, social presence, consumer promotion and print and digital advertising inventory across IMO's fishing and hunting properties. The promotional campaign kicks off this month. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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.



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.

Share this email

Share via Twitter Share via Facebook Share via Email Share Other

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

Fix NICS | FixNICS.org

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

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