Vol. 09 No. 32 – August 4, 2008

THOUSANDS OF YOUNG SHOOTERS, PARENTS FLOCK TO SCTP NATIONALS . . . The future of the shooting sports is on full display this week in Sparta, Ill., where a record 2,100 trap, skeet and sporting clays shooters in grades 12 and under are competing at NSSF's Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championships. Youths and their families from 35 states are in attendance at the big event, which kicked off Friday and concludes Tuesday. This has been another record-setting year for SCTP, with 9,135 young shooters competing and 1,562 adults volunteering as coaches and directors -- both new records for the program. "The anticipation and excitement of the Olympics and two SCTP heroes competing in the Olympics appear to be helping drive interest in our program this year," said Steve Sanetti, president of NSSF. Former SCTP standouts Corey Cogdell and Vincent Hancock will represent the U.S. in Beijing in women's trap and men's skeet. Video highlights from the big event at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex are being posted online at the National Shooting Sports Foundation's You Tube channel--youtube.com/thenssf.

WORLD SPEEDSHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIPS NOT JUST FOR PROS . . . As the world's fastest shooters face off in southern California next week, the world's newest shooters will get a chance to take their First Shots. On Aug. 15 and 16, several free First Shots seminars will be held in conjunction with the Steel Challenge World Speedshooting Championships in Piru, Calif. Visitors to the range will have an opportunity to learn from professional instructors the basics of how to get started in handgun shooting. Owned and managed by the U.S. Practical Shooting Association (USPSA), the Steel Challenge was developed in 1981 to determine the world's fastest shooter. USPSA is one of many industry supporters that have helped NSSF's First Shots program become a successful tool for ranges in attracting new customers and creating new enthusiastic shooters. Take a look back at last year's First Shots at the Steel Challenge.

NEW HEAD OF SHOT SHOW SAFETY COMMITTEE . . . Ken Green has been appointed chairman of the SHOT Show Safety Advisors Committee, the group responsible for ensuring the safe condition of all firearms displayed at the show. He succeeds retiring longtime chairman, Paul Eschrich. Ken, who is director of technical affairs for the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, has been a member of the SHOT Show safety committee since 1994 when he joined SAAMI. "The SHOT Show has had an excellent safety record thanks in no small part to the safety advisors' inspections. We look forward to many more years of a safe show under Ken's leadership," said SAAMI President Steve Sanetti.

NSSF'S SAPIR HONORED BY NWTF . . . Glenn Sapir, NSSF’s director of editorial services, was honored with the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 2008 Communicator of the Year Award during a Professional Outdoor Media Association conference luncheon last Saturday in Sioux Falls, S.D. The annual award recognizes a communicator who answers the call to promote wild turkey conservation and the preservation of North America's hunting heritage. Sapir is an avid sportsman who has demonstrated for many years his passion and support of outdoor traditions through a distinguished career as a magazine editor and contributor to outdoor publications, as a book author and, for the last five years, as director of NSSF’s editorial services. Tammy Sapp, NWTF senior vice president of communications, said, “We all know Glenn as one of the most prolific and talented outdoor communicators of our time. Through his words and stories, Glenn has inspired countless people to love the outdoors as much as he does.” Upon accepting the award, Sapir said, “This is a tremendous honor and I’m really appreciative of the editors, industry, members and mentors that enabled me to write about perhaps America’s greatest wildlife conservation story.”

SELL IT IN THE RANGE REPORT . . . If you have a range-related product to sell, a service to offer or a job opening at your shooting range or sportsmen’s club, list it in the classified section of The Range Report, the exclusive print magazine for NSSF’s range division, the National Association of Shooting Ranges. Your message will reach a community of more than 7,000 ranges and over 30,000 readers and be posted to the classified section of NASR’s Web site, www.rangeinfo.org.

HOUSE BILL WOULD END D.C. REGISTRATION RULES . . . Frustrated by the limited changes the District of Columbia’s government has made in its handgun ban since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the ban was unconstitutional, two congressmen have co-sponsored a bill that would repeal the district’s ban on pistols and eliminate all registration requirements, reports the Washington Post. Similar legislation previously was introduced, and stalled, but its sponsors are employing an unusual tactic in attempting to move this bill onto the House floor. Meanwhile, the man who successfully challenged the district's handgun ban, Dick Heller, last week filed a second lawsuit with the goal of overturning the district's continuing ban against pistols.

A WIN IN MASSACHUSETTS . . . A proposal by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick to increase firearm license fees was defeated in the House of Representatives last week. Another bill, sponsored by Rep. George Peterson, would have decreased licensing fees to only $40 but failed to win passage in the State Senate. “A clear message has been sent to Governor Patrick,” said NSSF Director of Government Relations Jake McGuigan. “Defeating the firearm license fee increase was a big win for all law-abiding firearms owners and a big step backward for the governor’s anti-gun platform.”

SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS RAISES $16,500 FOR STEP OUTSIDE . . . The sixth annual Shooting Industry Masters lived up to its billing as a fun three-gun competition and as a major supporter of STEP OUTSIDE, raising $16,500 for the NSSF program that introduces newcomers to shooting and gets inactive shooters pulling triggers again. “I’d like to thank FMG Publications for its support of STEP OUTSIDE," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. "We all know that introducing new people to the shooting sports is important to the preservation of our industry and our heritage. STEP OUTSIDE does that, and we thank all those companies taking part in the event for their support." Bragging rights went to Ruger Team 1, winner of the Industry Class, and DPMS, top dog in the Open Class for pro shooters. Full results. At a reception the night before the Masters, Shooting Industry magazine presented its Academy of Excellence Awards. The Masters will return to The Hartford Gun Club in 2009 on July 24-25.

ILETO CASE . . . Oral arguments in the appeal of Ileto v. Glock will occur tomorrow before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The remaining defendants in the case are Glock and RSR. The case was originally dismissed March 14, 2006, by the United States District Court for the Central District of California on the grounds that it was precluded by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). "The Ileto case is the 'poster child' of precisely the kind of frivolous lawsuit the PLCAA was specifically designed to stop. Glock was sued for lawfully selling a pistol to the City of Cosmopolis Police Department in Washington State that subsequently sold it to a federally licensed dealer and was later acquired by white supremacist Buford Furrow who misused it in 1999 in a notorious criminal shooting in the Los Angeles area. Incredibly, RSR was sued even though it never owned or possesed the pistol," said Glock's attorney Chris Renzulli, who will argue the case tomorrow.

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SPARKS FIREARM SALES . . . Austin, Texas, firearm dealers may have the Democrats to thank for brisk sales this summer, reported the Austin American-Statesman. According to the report, the prospect that an Obama administration could bring new gun-control laws, including reenactment of the so-called assault weapons ban, may be responsible for increased firearms sales, as exemplified by the 10 percent increase in sales that McBride’s Guns in Austin has reported this summer, compared to the same period last year.

NO EARLY CRP RELEASES . . . The United States Department of Agriculture announced that it will maintain the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and there would be no early releases of acres. The program, which provides technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner, is also responsible for ensuring strong wildlife populations. The move by the USDA brought praise from NSSF and conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited.

WISCONSIN SPORTS FEST SLATED FOR AUG. 15-16 . . . The Wisconsin Sports Fest attracts more than 30,000 attendees each year, and the sixth edition, at the Sunnyview Exposition Center in Oshkosh, should be another crowd-pleasing festival. In addition to live musical entertainment, outdoor personalities will be on hand to speak and sign autographs. A highlight of the event will be the drawing for cash and prizes valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars in a new fundraising effort administered by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and the Wisconsin Wildlife Conservation Fund. Learn more about the Sports Fest and how you can participate in this unusual raffle.

STEVENS HONORED FOR SERVICE TO 4-H SHOOTING PROGRAM . . . Bill Stevens, retired conservation manager for Federal Ammunition, was recognized for his lifelong dedication to the 4-H Shooting Sports Program during the 2008 National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational. “Bill Stevens played a crucial role in teaching America’s youth the safe and responsible use of firearms, the principles of hunting and archery and the importance of conservation ethics,” said Cathann Kress, national 4-H youth development director. During his 42-year career, Stevens dedicated countless hours to promote the concept of 4-H Shooting Sports.

DU HAS A BUD IN WETLANDS CONSERVATION . . . With an ambitious objective of raising $1.7 billion to restore North America’s wetlands, grasslands and waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited’s Wetlands for Tomorrow campaign has received a considerable boost by the commitment of Anhauser-Busch’s Budweiser brand to contribute $2 million while the company works with its wholesalers to raise the funds. Anheuser-Busch, Inc., combined with its wholesalers, has contributed more than $9 million to DU during the past 10 years.

HUNTING ACCIDENTS REMAIN LOW IN KANSAS . . . As the numbers in Kansas point out, hunting continues to be a very safe pastime. In 2006, the year for which the latest figures are available, the state's department of wildlife and parks reported 19 hunting accidents with one fatality. While the number represents an increase of two accidents over the previous year, the total remains small when considering that 271,000 hunters spent 3 million days afield. Read the story.

Sights on Beijing: A Look at America's Olympic Shooters….With the 2008 Olympics set to kick off this week, Bullet Points is offering a brief look at the U.S. Olympic team shooters headed to Beijing. This week are the shotgun shooters. Two of these shooters are former participants in NSSF's Scholastic Clay Target Program.

COREY COGDELL . . . Event: Women's Trap. Hometown: Eagle River, Alaska. Age: 21. Grew up hunting with her father, and she actually began shooting when she was just three years old. Cogdell fostered her shooting skills through NSSF's Scholastic Clay Target Program and 4-H. She also attended SCTP's Junior Olympic Development Camp. Cogdell, a 2007 spring selection match gold medalist, was home-schooled and currently lives at the Olympic Training Center as a resident athlete. In addition to an interest in old cars -- particularly Jeeps and Mustangs -- she enjoys riding motorcycles, rock climbing and downhill skiing in her free time.

BRET ERICKSON . . . Event: Men's Trap. Hometown: Bennington, Neb./Muenster, Texas. Age: 47. Brett's previous Olympic experience includes competing in the 1992, 1996 and 2004 Games. His first shooting experience came when he was 10, with a little help from his father, and that beginning has led him to six national championships. When he is not competing, Erickson spends most of his time coaching, developing juniors and working with the local 4-H.

DOMINIC GRAZIOLI . . . Event: Men's Trap. Hometown: Myrtle Beach, S.C./San Antonio, Texas. Age: 44. Served as an alternate in trap to the 1996 Olympic Team, but this year he has earned a spot by finishing second at the Olympic Trials. Grazioli, a major in the U.S. Air Force, was encouraged to start shooting when he was young. His long list of accomplishments includes breaking 295 of 300 targets at the 1997 national championships.

GLENN ELLER . . . Event: Men's Double Trap. Hometown: Katy, Texas. Age: 26. Began shooting at the age of eight and became a very accomplished junior shooter, taking several gold medals at junior Olympic championships. Eller progressed to the Olympic Team for both the 2000 and 2004 Games. He hunts gamebirds and deer. His athleticism helped him as a pole vaulter in high school. Eller is currently a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit at Ft. Benning, Ga.

JEFF HOLGUIN . . . Event: Men's Double Trap. Hometown: Yorba Linda, Calif. Age: 29. Took the gold medal at the 2004 national championships. He thanks his father and grandfather, both competitive trap shooters, for guiding his progress. Holquin graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a degree in health care science and forensic science and was a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for several years before joining the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit in 2006. In his spare time, he enjoys waterfowl hunting, bass fishing, golf, snowboarding and rooting for the University of Southern California football team.

KIM RHODE . . . Event: Women's Skeet. Hometown: El Monte, Calif. Age: 28. An incredibly accomplished shooter, Rhode has won two Olympic gold medals and one bronze in women's double trap to make her the most decorated female shooter in Olympic history. When double trap was removed from the Olympic schedule after the 2004 Games, Rhode turned her attention to international skeet, and she demonstrated her versatility by qualifying in that event for this summer's Olympic Games. A precocious shooter, Rhode won her first national championship at age 13. When she is not shooting or studying to be a veterinarian, she loves to surf, ski, hunt and build and restore cars.

VINCENT HANCOCK . . . Event: Men's Skeet. Hometown: Eatonton, Ga. Age: 19. At just 19 years old, Hancock has already earned some of the most prestigious titles in competitive skeet. At 16, he won his first world championship in men's skeet and was awarded the International Shooting Sports Federation's Shooter of the Year Award. Hancock is a product of NSSF's Scholastic Clay Target Program and is currently a member of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit.

SEAN McLELLAND . . . Event: Men's Skeet. Hometown: Mission, Texas. Age: 23. Began shooting at clay targets when he was 14 and now shoots competitively for Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., where he is majoring in business. McLelland began shooting in 4-H and eventually won that program's national championships. His favorite pastimes are bird and big-game hunting, hiking and fly fishing.

HELP YOUR CUSTOMERS TRACK OLYMPIC SHOOTING EVENTS WITH USA SHOOTING . . . To help industry and consumers follow the progress of the U.S. Olympic team during the 2008 games, USA Shooting has developed a Web site that will provide easy access to the latest news, athlete profiles and scores. But it needs your help to get the word out about the Web site. To help, USA Shooting has developed a graphic that can be easily uploaded and placed on a company's Web sites. "We only have this chance once every four years to celebrate our sports and our athletes as they compete in the Olympic Games," said Buddy DuVall, USA Shooting's director of marketing. "The games offer a huge opportunity for the shooting industry. The positive stories about the shooting sports that result from our participation will surely inspire future Olympic dreams and help provide a better understanding of our sports with the general public. We just want to make sure these stories and competition updates are easily available to anyone with an interest. With industry's support, we can do just that." Learn more about the campaign.

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.