NSSF Bullet Points Articles

Winchester Ammo Sales Up, Overall Olin Earnings Down

Winchester Ammunition sales rose 8 percent in the first quarter, compared to the same period last year. Olin Corp., owner of Winchester, announced ammunition division sales were $90 million, compared with $83.3 million in the first quarter of 2005.

Cabela's Profit Up In First Quarter

Cabela's Inc. on Thursday reported that profit increased nearly 17 percent in the first quarter. Net income was $9.1 million, or 14 cents per share, compared to $7.8 million, or 12 cents per share for the same period a year ago.

Bruce Karaban, Publishing Leader, Mourned

Bruce Karaban, 64, who purchased Shooting Sports Retailer in 1988 and became its innovative publisher, passed away on April 18. Karaban’s generosity, kindness and wisdom helped make him a widely respected individual throughout the firearms and shooting sports industry. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, his son Glenn, who is the current publisher of Shooting Sports Retailer, and three grandchildren.

5-Year-Old Finds Success On First Turkey Hunt

Madison Peisert, 5, of Kearney, Mo., took a 23-pound tom during Missouri's youth turkey hunting season, the Kansas City Star reports. It was the first time that Madison, the daughter of two avid hunters, had been turkey hunting. "My dad told me I had to be real quiet," Madison said. "We looked out and saw 11 hens walk by. Then two toms came up and they were strutting. That’s when my dad said, 'Get ready.' . . . Now we get to have turkey dinner."

Micro-Stamping Takes Hit In Professional Journal

Industry expert George G. Krivosta, with the Suffolk County, N.Y., Crime Laboratory, has had a peer-reviewed article on micro-stamping, the process that theoretically would imprint the make, model and firearm serial number on a spent cartridge casing, published in the journal of the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners.

'Lost Or Stolen' Firearms Legislation Is Dead

Connecticut gun owners were concerned about a movement to reconsider legislation defeated a week earlier. The bill would have made it a crime to fail to report the loss of theft of a firearm within 72 hours from when you "knew or should have known" of the loss or theft and subjected gun owners to criminal investigation. The NRA-ILA reports, however, that lawmakers refused to reconsider the bill before adjourning the legislative session on Wednesday night.

ATF Letter To New York FFLs

ATF has posted an open letter to New York firearms dealers on its Web site regarding a change to the procedure they must follow. Beginning May 2, New York's license to carry and possess handguns no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Background Check System (NICS) check through the FBI. The change also applies to pawn transactions. The change is discussed in detail in the letter.

Catch The Vision

A fundraiser last week benefited Catch-A-Dream, the hard-working organization that helps children who have a life-threatening disease realize their once-in-a-lifetime wish to go hunting or fishing. The event, dubbed Catch The Vision, was held in West Point, Miss., and featured shooting and golf tournaments.

Vermont Range Protection Bill Heads To Governor

A shooting range protection bill (H. 447) was passed by the Vermont Legislature last week and now heads to Gov. Jim Douglas. The bill, supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and National Association of Shooting Ranges, passed 28-0 in the Senate and 126-7 in the House thanks to strong support from the recently formed Vermont Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus. Vermonters are encouraged to contact Gov. Douglas and urge him to support America's hunting and shooting sports heritage by signing H. 447.

2005 Excise Taxes Close Out On Top

Excise tax collections on firearms and ammunition were up 2.6 percent in calendar year 2005, signaling growth in sales among manufacturers. According to the U.S. Treasury Department, firearm and ammunition manufacturers paid $224.3 million in excise taxes last year, up from $218.6 million in 2004.