| U.S. House Passes Farm Bill
PRO-CONSERVATION LEGISLATION HEADS TO SENATE . . . The Farm Bill, sponsored by Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus member and chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), is one of the most important pieces of conservation legislation, helping to sustain America's rural economy and improve fish and wildlife habitats. Last week the legislation passed out of the U.S. House by a vote of 231-191. NSSF joined with conservation partners, such as Ducks Unlimited, to urge passage of the pro-conservation bill. "This Farm Bill is extraordinarily important to industry," said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. "By keeping in place conservation programs that are vital to wildlife habitat, hunting opportunities around the country will improve. We are pleased that the House passed this pro-hunting legislation." The bill now heads to the Senate Agriculture Committee.
INTRODUCING NSSF MARKETPLACE . . . NSSF and MultiView Inc., a publisher of industry-specific search engines, have developed the NSSF Marketplace, a searchable database of industry products and services. MultiView sales representatives will be contacting NSSF member businesses to explain how to get listed in this new NSSF online resource. Or call 972-402-7070 to learn more. Full Story
SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS . . . Many of industry's finest shooters turned out at the Shooting Industry Masters last Saturday at Mike Raahauge's range in Corona, Calif., with some wearing their Wild West getup for the cowboy action rifle and pistol stages and then switching vests for 100 targets of sporting clays. At a reception the night before the competition, the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Awards were presented by Russ Thurman and Randy Molde to honor those companies producing new and innovative products. The Shooting Industry Masters promotes the theme of NSSF's STEP OUTSIDE program, which encourages sportsmen and women to introduce newcomers to hunting and target shooting, and also supports the program with a generous donation. There were a few surprises at this year's competition! Look for the full results in a few days on the Shooting Industry Web site.
NSSF RETURNS FROM ALEC . . . The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a bipartisan membership association for conservative state lawmakers, held its annual meeting last week in Philadelphia. Attending the conference and meeting with state legislators from around the country were NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Director of Government Relations Jake McGuigan and NSSF Director of Public Affairs Ted Novin. "The ALEC meetings were very successful," said Keane. "We had the opportunity to represent industry and discuss with state lawmakers such key legislative issues as lead ammunition, microstamping, bullet serialization, lawsuits against retailers and the importance of the Shelby/Tiahrt amendment."
UTAH LEGISLATORS, FAMILIES STEP OUTSIDE WITH BROWNING . . . Members of the Utah Sportsmen's Caucus and their families participated in a shoot hosted at Browning Arms' Morgan, Utah, headquarters. More than 70 people attended the event hosted by, in addition to Browning, the Utah chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife. Many of the Utah legislators who launched this state caucus last spring have been taking courses, taught by caucus member Rep. Curt Oda, to receive their concealed carry permits.
ONLINE FORUM A HIT WITH YOUNG SHOOTERS, COACHES . . . NSSF has launched an online forum for Scholastic Clay Target Program shooters and coaches. The SCTP Online Community allows teams across the country to connect online. It's a place to share tips and experiences with other SCTP participants and a way to get some expert advice from Olympic medalists, top-level instructors, collegiate champions and others.
RUGER SECOND-QUARTER EARNINGS SURGE . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. (NYSE:RGR) earnings more than tripled in the second quarter. The company reported second-quarter net income of $5.1 million, or 22 cents per share, compared to $1.4 million, or 6 cents per share in the same period last year. Total net sales for the quarter increased to $39.6 million, from $29.2 million in the previous year.
WINCHESTER AMMO SALES UP 16% IN SECOND QUARTER . . . Sales in Olin Corp.'s (NYSE:OLN) Winchester ammunition division increased 16 percent in the second quarter to $99.8 million, compared with $85.7 million in the same period a year ago. Winchester income grew 70 percent in the quarter to $5.6 million, from $3.3 million the previous year. The company said the favorable impact of the higher selling prices and higher shipment volumes more than offset the impact of higher material and manufacturing costs. Overall earnings at Olin were up 8 percent in the quarter.
INTERVIEW WITH CABELA'S CEO . . . Online financial advisor "The Motley Fool" featured an interview with Cabela's CEO Dennis Highby, who discusses the outdoor retailer's business priorities, growth opportunities and its competition in the outdoor sporting goods market.
STORES REPORT INCREASE IN GUN SALES AFTER HOME INVASION . . . In the days following a brutally tragic home invasion in Connecticut, local firearms retailers reported an increase in gun sales to residents concerned with their families' safety. A report from CBS affiliate WFSB-TV quoted Connecticut Association of Firearms Retailers President Scott Hoffman, owner of Connecticut's Hoffman's Gun Center.
NORTH CAROLINA REPORT SHOWS TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FOR HUNTING . . . A new report released by the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) and the North Carolina Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation shows that 84 percent of North Carolinians approve of hunting and 83 percent agree that hunting and fishing are part of the scientific management of fish and wildlife populations. Aaron Hobbs, spokesperson for NASC, says the report shows that legislators need to be aware of the economic impact and public support of these activities.
SAFARI CLUB INTERNATIONAL GETS NGO STATUS AT U.N. . . . Safari Club International (SCI), a leading hunters for conservation organization, has been recognized as a Non-Governmental Organization and has received "special consultative status" with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations General Assembly. This will allow SCI continuing access to meetings, the ability to submit position papers and in other ways have input on matters affecting international hunting.
MISS USA CONTESTANT'S 'PERFECT DAY' INCLUDES SHOOTING . . . Miss Kansas USA Cara Gorges, second runner-up at this month's Miss USA pageant, revealed her love of shotguns, handguns and rifles last week in The Kansas City Star. Gorges enjoys shooting so much that she lists it as part of her "perfect day" in media interviews.
NON-MEMBER SHOT SHOW EXHIBITORS TO RECEIVE SPECIAL INVITE . . . It may be July, but NSSF, the owner of the SHOT Show, is already gearing up for another record-breaking show Feb. 2-5 in Las Vegas. SHOT Show exhibitors who are not yet members of NSSF should keep an eye out in their e-mail inboxes for a special invitation to join NSSF and discover the advantages members receive at SHOT Show and beyond.
ATF COMPLIANCE CONSULTATIONS EXCLUSIVE FOR NAFR/NSSF MEMBERS . . . Members of NSSF and its National Association of Firearms Retailers are able to take advantage of a one-day training and consultation session with former ATF executive Walfred (Wally) Nelson. NSSF will subsidize the cost for the first 20 retailers who sign up for this service by paying $500 of the fees associated with this consultation. Meet with a top expert in the field and save on valuable training for business success. For details, e-mail NSSF's manager of member services or call 203-426-1320.
ZINS CLAIMS EIGHTH NATIONAL PISTOL CHAMPIONSHIP . . . Gunnery Sergeant Brian Zins of Quantico, Va., took his eighth national pistol championship -- a record -- at the NRA Pistol Championships at Camp Perry, Ohio. With wind gusts exceeding 30 mph on the final day, Zins shot an aggregate of 2640-115X to ensure his place in history.
PUBLIC GETS CRACK AT NEW JERSEY BEAR POLICY . . . With the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the state Fish and Game Council in disagreement over a new black bear management policy, and a court waiting to review the state’s final version, citizens have a chance to offer input at a public meeting to be held Wednesday evening, Aug. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Trenton. At the heart of the problem is a virtually uncontrolled, growing black bear population and the D.E.P.'s reluctance to allow hunting to help keep bear numbers in check.
KUDOS TO REPORTER SARA SEDLACEK . . . Sara Sedlacek, a reporter for Iowa's West Liberty Index and a self-described liberal "with a cookie-cutter image of what 'gun club people' were like," recently visited her local gun club in search of a story. After her first and subsequent visits, she not only tried shooting for the first time, but also learned a lot more in the process. In a column about her experience, she writes, "I walked into that gun club with the worst thoughts about the place and I walked out with a completely different opinion. It never hurts to try to learn a little more about the things you don't like and the people you don't agree with. You may find out you didn't know enough about them to have an opinion in the first place." Read Sara Sedlacek's complete column.
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