| Semi-Auto Ban Headed for Defeat
STATE LEGISLATION ROUNDUP . . . Efforts to ban semi-automatic firearms in Maryland appear to be headed for defeat once again, while anti-gunners continue to push for bans on 50-caliber rifles, guns that have never been used in crimes, in New Jersey and Illinois. Grassroots efforts, including a rally last week in Illinois, are showing positive results as lawmakers continue to debate a proposed semi-auto ban there. The gun-ban lobby in the Garden State is also pushing for mandatory Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to be incorporated into all handgun sales for post-sale tracking. In Maryland, there is legislation pending to tax ammunition and require "bullet serialization." And in California, a bill to mandate microstamping has been introduced again this year. Rest assured, NSSF is fighting these and other efforts by anti-gun legislators in state capitals across America.
USA SHOOTING, SCTP FORM COMBINED JUNIOR OLYMPIC PROGRAM . . . USA Shooting and NSSF's popular Scholastic Clay Target Program have joined forces to create one combined Junior Olympic Shotgun Program. The new program's objective is to develop and promote Olympic-style shooting among the nation's youth, while creating a competitive atmosphere at the national level. Through the program, states will conduct qualifier matches. Each state's top SCTP team and top SCTP male and female shooters in international skeet and bunker trap will earn an invitation to the National Junior Olympic Shooting Championship (NJOSC) in Colorado Springs, Colo. Clubs interested in hosting a state junior Olympic event as well as SCTP teams interested in participating may click here to learn more.
COMMITTEE TAKES NO ACTION ON PROPOSED VERMONT LEAD BAN . . . Legislation that would allow for a ban on the manufacturing, sale and possession of lead ammunition in Vermont appears to be headed for defeat following a strong campaign from NSSF, NRA and the Federation of Vermont Sportsmen's Clubs. Because a House committee did not take action by the March 16 crossover deadline, the legislation is dead for the year, and only extraordinary measures by legislators could save it. It is important to note that anti-gun forces are lobbying hard to revive the legislation. Attorney General William Sorrell, who has been championing this bill, has teamed up with anti-gun New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in an effort to export similar legislation into other states. NSSF is continuing to educate lawmakers in Vermont and other states on this dangerous legislation.
OPPOSITION TO NEW YORK NOMINEE GROWS . . . New York's Warren County Board of Supervisors and the Rensselaer County Legislature joined with many other groups last week when they voted to oppose the confirmation of state Assemblyman Alexander "Pete" Grannis as the state's Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner. Grannis' support for legislation to restrict hunting and other statements and actions in opposition to hunting have been credited with the intensifying opposition. Groups already opposing Gov. Elliot Spitzer's nominee include NSSF, the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, the state Conservative Party and the Adirondack Park Local Government Review.
RANGE OWNERS: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FIRST SHOTS . . . NSSF's First Shots program is currently scheduling dates throughout the year. Ranges interested in hosting First Shots seminars can receive industry support, including cooperative advertising funds and loaner handguns, to facilitate the program. Funds and loaners are limited and are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. So, don't delay; schedule your seminars now.
NEBRASKA RANGE-PROTECTION BILL ADVANCES . . . LB 352, state legislation to provide shooting range operations with guidelines and protections that would allow these facilities to continue operating when faced with urbanization, has passed through the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Next stop is the Senate floor, and Nebraskans are being asked to call their state senator at 402-471-2311 to urge them to support the bill.
SMITH & WESSON FIREARM SALES JUMP 41 PERCENT. . . Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:SWHC) last week reported a 41 percent increase in firearm sales in third quarter ended Jan. 31. Firearm sales for the quarter were $50.8 million, up from $36 million the previous year. The increase reflected a 59.5 percent jump in Smith & Wesson pistol sales and a 66.5 percent rise in Walther pistol sales. Looking ahead, the company's outlook for the remaining fiscal year and 2008 sat well with investors.
OUTDOOR CHANNEL REBRANDING . . . Outdoor Channel today announced the launch of a complete corporate rebranding campaign that will introduce a new logo, on-air look and ancillary branding elements. Outdoor Channel's new look will be unveiled Thursday at an event in New York City, with a specifically targeted ad campaign rollout to follow. The new look on-air will make its debut in May, with a new tag line to be added later in the year. As a result of the rebranding, the network will also officially drop "The" previously used in its name and will now simply be referred to as "Outdoor Channel."
DICK'S SPORTING GOODS PROFIT, SALES UP . . . Retailer Dick's Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS) last week reported fourth-quarter profit grew 25 percent because of strong sales at established stores. Net income for the quarter ended Feb. 3 was $67.7 million, or $1.20 per share, up from $54 million, or $1 per share, during the same period last year. Sales were up 21 percent to $1.03 billion, from $849.5 million the previous year.
VERMONT'S HUNTING FUTURE . . . A group of Vermont landowners, hunters and government and business leaders came together last summer to outline initiatives on the future of hunting in the state. Now, the state is following through on those initiatives, namely creating a plan to encourage more youth hunters, reports the Rutland Herald. A conference, dubbed the "Future of Hunting in Vermont," was held in August with the help of a grant from NSSF's Hunting Heritage Partnership.
OHIO BRINGS UNIFORMITY TO GUN LAWS . . . An Ohio law creating statewide preemption on firearm laws and regulations took effect last week. The law preempted an estimated 80 local laws, including those restricting right-to-carry and bans on many semi-automatic firearms. After the law took effect Tuesday, Cleveland filed a lawsuit in an effort to regain the right to enact its own laws, and Columbus is considering a lawsuit as well, The Columbus Dispatch reports.
LADIES CHARITY SKEET CLASSIC . . . The Memphis Sport Shooting Association will host the 5th Annual Ladies Charity Skeet Classic April 20 to 22 to benefit the St. Jude's Children's Hospital. This popular event draws women from 24 states and Ontario. The 2006 event raised $75,000, and this year's event is shaping up to exceed that. For more information, visit www.ladiescharityskeetclassic.org.
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