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Firearm Sales Reflect the 'New Normal'
 2014 PALES ONLY IN COMPARISON TO LAST YEAR'S HISTORIC SURGE . . . Remove the extraordinary 2013 from the rear-view mirror and sales of firearms in America still show an almost uninterrupted rise over the past 10 years, according to national background check figures adjusted by NSSF to reflect market activity. For the first seven months of 2014, total firearm sales rank as the highest in the last decade, with the one big exception of 2013 (see chart). "Those who are hostile to firearms ownership are trying to suggest sales are off in 2014 because people are no longer interested in owning guns, which is contradicted when you consider sales have risen for 10 years, that last year was the highest year ever and that studies show increases in first-time gun owners and women buying guns," said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. "The sky certainly is not falling," Sanetti added. "To me, firearm sales data through the first seven months is saying our industry is experiencing a 'new normal.' Read press release.
Research
 NSSF-ADJUSTED NICS BACKGROUND CHECKS . . . The July 2014 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 816,588 is the third highest July on record for the 16-year-old system, even with a decrease of 4.5 percent compared to the July 2013 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 855,259. For comparison, the unadjusted July 2014 NICS figure of 1,393,705 reflects a 9.6 percent increase from the unadjusted NICS figure of 1,271,571 in July 2013. More information.
- UPDATED FIREARM PRODUCTION REPORT FROM NSSF . . . NSSF has updated one of its most popular Industry Intelligence Reports, Firearms Production in the United States with Firearm Import & Export Data. This 16-page 2014 edition details U.S. production of pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns over the past 25 years. Additionally, the report outlines historical firearm import data by country of import as well as historical firearm export figures. NSSF members may access this popular report by logging in and clicking NSSF Industry Research then Industry Intelligence Reports.
Import/Export Conference
 IMPORT-EXPORT CONFERENCE SEES RECORD ATTENDENCE . . . Last week NSSF and the F.A.I.R. Trade Group held the 13th annual Firearms Import/Export Conference in Washington, D.C. A record number of attendees had the opportunity to hear from decision-makers at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the State Department, Customs and Border Protection, the Treasury Department, the Census Bureau and other experts about the laws and regulations that affect their businesses.
For the first time, this year's conference featured roundtable sessions that allowed companies to speak face to face with government officials about topics of interest to them. One attendee called the successful event, "A great refresher for old hands in the industry, and an excellent forum for new people to learn," and added, "The updates and changes to procedures were well explained and the round-table discussions were excellent opportunities to clarify these. The whole industry should support and attend this conference."
Government Relations
- STATE DEPT. PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON RUSSIAN IMPORT SANCTIONS . . . NSSF has learned that the U.S. State Department has provided guidance to ATF on the Russian sanctions that affect our industry. According to this guidance, only imports from entities named in the sanctions will be blocked. ATF has sent letters to those companies holding current Form 6s that are importing from named entities, e.g. Kalashnikov Concern, advising them the import permit is being revoked. In addition, those with Form 6s pending are being advised the permits are being denied. No new Form 6s will be issued while the sanctions remain in place. If an importer tries to bring in Kalashnikov-manufactured products in a transaction in which the Kalashnikov Concern has no interest those imports will not be blocked, but it will be incumbent on the importer to establish the lack of "interest" by the named entity.
- CASE OF COLORADO'S SHRINKING PRIVATE GUN-SALE 'LOOPHOLE' . . . Gun-control activists and the Obama administration repeatedly tell the American people that 40 percent of gun sales in this country are private, occurring without a background check. This number has always been an exaggeration. But we now have the results of an Associated Press examination of Colorado's experience in expanding background checks to cover all private firearms transactions in the state. Read about one state's real-world finding with expanding background checks in Larry Keane's blog post. Hint: Despite expressed expectations of high numbers of new checks, that's not what happened.
- NSSF STEPS UP ACTION FOR RECUSAL OF CALIFORNIA FISH & GAME COMMISSION PRESIDENT . . . National Shooting Sports Foundation attorneys have delivered a formal letter to California Fish and Game Commission President Michael Sutton asking that he recuse himself from involvement in the drafting of regulations to implement AB711, the law banning traditional ammunition for use in hunting, as well as any other issues related to lead ammunition or matters lobbied by California Audubon or Pacific Flyaway. Because Sutton is executive director with Audubon California, his involvement in the implementation of AB 711 regulations appears to violate state statutes and undermine the commission's impartiality in the regulatory process. Read the letter. See the full-page NSSF advertisement that appeared in the Sacramento Bee and San Diego Union-Tribune.
 VISIT GUNVOTE FOR 2014 ELECTION INFORMATION . . . The 2014 mid-term elections are fast approaching. Visit NSSF.org/gunvote to stay up to date on races with daily stories from House, Senate and Governor races around the country, get the latest polling data, find out what all the potential 2016 presidential candidates are doing and download the GUNVOTE button to display on your website.
For more Government Relations news, read NSSF's latest Government Relations Update. Members
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 DID YOU KNOW? SPECIALTY DISPLAY CASES AVAILABLE FOR NSSF MEMBERS . . . NSSF has partnered with a U.S. maker of specialized, roll-cover armored firearms display cases to offer our members a special discount. Cases are available in both handgun and long-gun configurations, and cases can be custom configured. For more information on this special offer, members should log in to the members-only side of www.nssf.org and follow the link to the Members Benefits section, or contact Member Services at 203-426-1320 ext. 209 or membership@nssf.org.
Rimfire Challenge
 WINCHESTER BECOMES SILVER SPONSOR OF NSSF RIMFIRE CHALLENGE PROGRAM . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that Winchester Ammunition has signed on as a Silver Sponsor of the Rimfire Challenge. With a company history of almost 150 years, Winchester Ammunition is a global supplier of firearms ammunition and is one of the most recognizable brands in the industry.Click here for full release.
Ranges
 ST. LOUIS' STL SHARPSHOOTERS INDOOR RANGE EARNS FIVE STAR NSSF RATING . . . NSSF is pleased to announce that STL Sharpshooter indoor shooting range, in St. Louis, Missouri, has earned its top Five Star member range ranking. To earn such a top honor, ranges must demonstrate excellence across the board, from business management, customer service and development, range amenities and aesthetics, and its relationship within its regional community. In addition to being the largest indoor shooting range in the St. Louis metro area, the well-appointed 20-lane range (which can handle up to .50 BMG), has an on-site barbeque restaurant, a massive retail store, classrooms, lockers for its range members and even a jewelry store. To learn more about STL Sharpshooters, click here. Find more information about how your range can qualify for the NSSF's coveted Five Star Range Rating here.
Retailers
- ATF Q&A - MORE ANSWERS TO COMMON COMPLIANCE QUESTIONS . . . Great questions from our retailer members keep coming in on our compliance hotline. Here are two of the many questions we received last week — one regarding filling out both state-required forms and the 4473 form and another about using a customer's social security card as valid identification. Do you know the answers? Click here to find out.
SHOT Show
 FIVE IMPORTANT RESOURCES OF SHOT SHOW . . . To ensure you and your company are ready for everything the show can throw at you, utilizing the many SHOT Show resources is crucial. The resources are rarely out of reach with mobile devices like smartphones and tablets that have incredible power the at show. Remember, help is at your fingertips. View five valuable SHOT Show resources.
News of Note
- SPONSORS TURN OUT FOR 'M3GI' . . . Crimson Trace's Midnight 3-Gun Invitational competition boasts many industry sponsors, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation. This fast-paced and wildly exciting multi-gun sport requires the skillful and precise use of pistols, rifles and shotguns as competitors shoot their way through nearly a dozen stages in darkness. The event begins Tuesday in Bend, Oregon. See the Crimson Trace press release for a list of the many sponsoring companies from the shooting sports industry.
- KIM RHODE TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR SCHOLASTIC CLAY TARGET SHOOTERS . . . Three-time Olympic gold medalist Kim Rhode has been named the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation Honorary Fundraising Chairperson for 2014-2015, the organization announced last week. SSSF manages the Scholastic Clay Target Program, which was developed by NSSF. "SCTP was very important to me as I began my competitive shooting career, and I am very pleased to lend my support to promote its ongoing growth," Rhode said. Learn more about SSSF at sssfonline.org.
- USA SHOOTING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS . . . At the USA Shooting National Championships last week, two first-time champions were crowned in men's and women's skeet as Morgan Craft, of Muncy Valley, Pennsylvania, won in convincing fashion, and World Team member Dustin Perry, of Lovelady, Texas, won in a shoot-off against Hayden Stewart, of Columbia, Tennessee. In doubles trap, Glenn Eller, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist and reigning World Champion, earned his first national championship title in that event since 2010. In international trap, Corey Cogdell, of Eagle River, Alaska, and Jake Wallace, of Castiac, California, earend titles. The National Championships serve as one segment of a two-part selection process for 2015 ISSF World Cup matches.
- FUNDRAISER SHOOT NETS $250,000 FOR USA SHOOTING . . .The inaugural National Sporting Clay Cup, July 10-12, at the American Shooting Center in Houston, provided a big financial boost to USA Shooting Team athletes in support of their goal to bring home medals from the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fundraiser netted an impressive $250,000.
- PROFESSIONAL SPORTING CLAYS TOUR HAS NEW AIR TIMES ON NBCSN . . . The PSCA Tour showcases the top sporting clays shooters in the U.S. competing head-to-head to see who can fill their score sheet with nothing but "Xs" on the fastest, most challenging moving targets ever seen in the shooting sports. Host Dan Carlisle, Olympic medalist and world champion shooter, breaks down the action in this intense and up-close look at one of shotgunning's most exciting action sports. The PSCA Tour airs Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10 p.m. (both ET) through Sept. 28 on NBC Sports Network. Click here for the full NBCSN schedule (be sure to check your local listings).
 NEW BOOK: THE FUTURE OF THE GUN AVAILABLE NOW . . . The future of our gun rights is inexorably linked to the future of gun technology. To get the true story the media so often won't tell, New York Times bestselling author Frank Miniter spent time with police, stepped inside firearms manufacturer's R&D departments, went to gun ranges and visited with gun lobbyists and historians. The NSSF's Larry Keane was interviewed at length. The result is a fast-paced read that provides insights on our past, present and even what lies ahead. Click here to order The Future of the Gun.
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.
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NSSF's Mission
"To promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. "
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COPYRIGHT © 2014 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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