| Industry Sales Up 36 Percent in Second Quarter
EXCISE TAX CONTRIBUTIONS TOP $3 BILLION . . . The latest report of Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collections released by the Department of the Treasury indicates that firearm and ammunition manufacturers paid more than $76.6 million in the second calendar quarter, up 36 percent over the same time period in 2006, and bringing the 15-year cumulative industry excise tax contribution to more than $3 billion. The second-quarter increase was driven by strong handgun sales, up 44.8 percent, long-gun sales, up 37 percent, and ammo sales, up 29.2 percent. It is projected that $715.5 million in sales was generated in the quarter, not including retail markup or final retail sales. NSSF continues to campaign on behalf of the industry, however, for a more equitable, pro-growth, pro-conservation excise tax payment schedule. Excise taxes are calculated as a percentage of wholesale receipts, paid quarterly by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, and earmarked for state wildlife conservation and habitat restoration programs.
COUNTRY SUPERSTAR TO PERFORM AT SHOT SHOW GALA . . . Randy Travis, one of the biggest-selling country artists of all time, will be the guest performer at NSSF's annual State of the Industry Dinner-Concert Gala at the 2008 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The gala will be held Saturday evening, Feb. 2, in the Las Vegas Hilton Barron Ballroom. The concert, sponsored by Versus, follows a cocktail reception sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, dinner, awards and a "state of the industry" multi-media presentation. Tickets are $90 each or $850 for a table of ten. Travis' career as a singer, as well as a film and TV actor, spans 20 years and has earned him a multitude of awards, nearly two dozen No. 1 hits and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Tickets are on sale now at www.shotshow.org.
GUN SAFETY CAMPAIGN RETURNS TO VIRGINIA . . . Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling last week announced the return of NSSF's firearm safety campaign Project ChildSafe to Virginia. The statewide effort will provide 8,000 free gun safety kits to Virginia residents. Since 2003, Project ChildSafe has distributed 35 million firearm safety kits free of charge in all 50 states and some of the U.S. territories. The program, funded by grants from the United States Department of Justice with additional funding provided by the firearms industry, demonstrates industry's commitment to the safe handling and storage of firearms.
U.S. SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE ON 2ND AMENDMENT CASE . . . The United States Supreme Court is set to decide this week whether to grant cert to Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and city Attorney General Linda Singer's appeal of a decision by the D.C. Circuit Court holding that the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees an individual right to keep and bear arms. The decision in the Parker, et al., v. District of Columbia (circuit docket 04-7041) case was handed down on March 9 of this year. NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane called the ruling "a watershed moment for the Second Amendment."
YOUTH SHOOTING SPORTS ALLIANCE FORMED . . . Several hunting and shooting industry executives have joined forces to create the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA). The YSSA was created to facilitate fund-raising and create grants that help keep the industry active in the involvement in all youth shooting sports. The board members of the YSSA were all former board members of the 4-H Shooting Sports Foundation, which has been dissolved. For more information on the YSSA, visit www.youthshootingsa.com.
MEMBERS PROVIDING WEB SITE EXPOSURE FOR NSSF . . . A number of NSSF member companies have added banner ads or links to their corporate Web sites promoting the Foundation's programs and initiatives. To date, companies participating in the promotional program include Browning, Hornady, Leupold, Marlin and RSR Group. NSSF President Doug Painter expressed his appreciation to those companies and urged other Foundation members to step up and help spread the word to the shooting public. Painter suggested that members add a banner ad for the HuntandShoot.org Web site, which includes a vast amount of information, from locating a local shooting range, gamebird preserve or firearms dealer to determining state license requirements and hunting seasons. It's full of practical and timely information that enhances the value of members' sites. Learn how to participate.
ATK PROFIT UP 28 PERCENT . . . Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE:ATK), maker of weapons and space system products as well as ammunition for the military, hunting, sport shooting, homeland security and law enforcement markets, reported second-quarter profit rose 28 percent. Net income for the quarter was $51.2 million or $1.44 a share, up $39.9 million, or $1.15 a share, compared to the same period a year ago. Sales in ATK's Ammunition Systems Group increased by 25 percent to $355 million compared to $283 million in the prior-year quarter.
OLIN REPORTS INCREASE IN WINCHESTER SALES . . . Olin Corp. (NYSE:OLN) reported sales in its Winchester ammunition division were $129 million in the third quarter, up from $104.6 million in the same period in 2006. The company said the increase reflects the combination of increased selling prices and higher shipment volumes.
CABELA'S REALIGNS SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM . . . Outdoor retailer Cabela's Inc. (NYSE:CAB) announced organizational changes designed to better align the company's business units with its multi-channel strategy. Michael Callahan, currently senior vice president of retail operations, will assume the new title of senior vice president of business development and international operations. Brian Linneman, currently vice president and chief operating officer, has been named senior vice president of global supply chain and operations. Pat Snyder, currently senior vice president of merchandising and marketing, will take on the additional responsibility of retail operations. Cabela's also reported third-quarter earnings last week.
GOVERNOR HOSTS PHEASANT HUNT TO ATTRACT BUSINESS . . . South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds invited businessmen to join local landowners, government officials and members of the press and himself on a pheasant hunt as part of a weekend meant to introduce outside business interests to the favorable economic environment his state offers. South Dakota already serves as the base for several industry companies, and representatives of others who are considering a move to the state participated as well. South Dakota, however, is not the only Western state wooing the firearms industry, as an article in the Twin Falls, Idaho's, Time-News points out.
OHIO BILL REQUIRES SUPERVISION OF HUNTERS, SHOOTERS UNDER 21 . . . Defying sound statistics showing the excellent safety record of young hunters and shooters, two Cleveland state representatives have introduced House Bill 354, which would require the supervision by someone at least 21 years of age over anyone under that age who wishes to shoot or hunt. The bill has been referred to Ohio's House Criminal Justice Committee, and the U.S. Sportsman's Alliance urges state residents to call 800-282-0253 to protest the bill.
TRADESHOW WEEK WARNS OF DECEPTIVE SHOW-GUIDE PUBLISHER . . . Stymied by European consumer protection authorities, Austria-based exhibitor directory producer Construct Data Verlag has turned to North America and may now attempt to deceive the SHOT Show's nearly 2,000 exhibitors with its "Fair Guide," reports Tradeshow Week. The SHOT Show, owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, recently sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding the company stop using the show's name on forms mailed to exhibitors, and it has also filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission to intervene in stopping Construct Data from targeting SHOT Show exhibitors. Exhibitors should contact Jeff Yue, NSSF associate general counsel, telephone 203-426-1320, if they receive any unsolicited material from Construct Data, as well as file a complaint with the FTC.
BLOOMBERG AGAIN MEDDLES IN OUT-OF-STATE AFFAIRS . . . New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg traveled to Virginia last week to make an endorsement in an out-of-state election. Bloomberg endorsed Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, a state senator from Fairfax, largely because of her stance on gun control, reports The Washington Post.
'HUNTERS: FOR LOVE OF THE LAND' . . . "National Geographic" magazine in its November issue includes a feature story on hunters and their role in conservation.
INDUSTRY CAREER CONNECTION . . . 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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