With the Future in Mind

Vol. 09 No. 43 - October 20, 2008

TASK FORCE 20/20 MEETS . . . The 2008 Shooting Sports Summit ended last summer with a commitment by attendees to form a task force that would focus on recruitment and retention strategies for growing hunting and target shooting in the face of such serious challenges as urbanization, a changing culture and lack of access to huntable lands and shooting ranges. At the core of the NSSF-sponsored Summit was a new three-year research project that is expected to play a key role in developing recruitment and retention strategies. And now the process has begun. Representatives from 26 organizations representing six industry segments came together in person and by teleconference last week in Dulles, Va., for the first meeting of Task Force 20/20. Out of this gathering came the significant goal of increasing participation in hunting by 20 percent and target shooting by 20 percent over the next five years. "With hunting and shooting facing serious challenges in the near future, these individuals checked their hats at the door and with enthusiasm and optimism made an auspicious start for Task Force 20/20 and all that it means to the future of hunting and shooting," said NSSF senior vice president Chris Dolnack. Learn more at TaskForce2020.org.

Inside the Industry

COLTSVILLE NOW A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK . . . The Coltsville Historic District in Hartford, Conn., has officially been designated a National Historic Landmark, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne announced last week. Located at the southern edge of downtown Hartford, Coltsville is known for its association with Samuel Colt and the industrial enterprise that he founded, Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Co. The company played a key role in the development of the American economy from 1855 to 1945. The nomination for the Coltsville Historic District expands upon the existing Samuel Colt Home (Armsmear) National Historic Landmark, which was designated in 1966. The enlarged property tells the story not only of the Colt home, but the broader story of the important industrial enterprise, which includes industrial buildings, an office building, workers' housing, a church and parish house, and Colt Park.

BUSHNELL ACQUIRES SPANISH DISTRIBUTOR . . . Optics, eyewear and outdoor accessories manufacturer Bushnell Outdoor Products has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ultroptic of Barcelona, Spain, via the Bushnell wholly-owned subsidiary Bushnell Outdoor Products SAS. Ultroptics is currently a Bushnell distributor and handles the full line of Bolle and Serengeti eyewear. The terms of the purchase agreement were not disclosed.

GRESHAM NAMED GUN RIGHTS DEFENDER OF YEAR . . . The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) has named Tom Gresham Gun Rights Defender of the Year, recognizing decades of work supporting the Second Amendment. The award was presented at the Gun Rights Policy Conference in Phoenix, Ariz. Gresham created and hosts the only national radio talk show about guns, "Tom Gresham's Gun Talk," reaching millions of listeners each week.

SHOT BUSINESS PROFILES NSSF MEMBERS . . . SHOT Business, NSSF's trade publication with a circulation of 20,000, features a page in every issue that profiles an NSSF member, their business and how their NSSF membership delivers value to them. Read their stories, then e-mail NSSF's Colleen Swain or call her at 203-426-1320 to tell your story about an NSSF benefit that has helped you.

Politics

ELECTION DAY APPROACHING FAST . . . Election Day is only two weeks away. NSSF reminds everyone in the industry as well as all sportsmen and sportswomen to head to the polls on Nov. 4 or to cast timely absentee ballots. Get registered, get absentee ballot information in all 50 states and get informed on where the candidates stand on firearm-related issues at NSSF.org/VoterEd.

D.C. COUNCILMAN TAKES 'FIRST SHOTS' . . . Washington, D.C., Councilmember Phil Mendelson (D-At Large) traveled to Maryland last week to try something he said he's only tried twice in his life -- shooting. Mendelson, who has been involved in writing the city's new gun laws, was one of a number of D.C. residents that attended a First Shots seminar hosted by the Community Association of Firearms Educators. Mendelson told the Washington City Paper that he attended the seminar in search of "understanding" about guns and safety. What surprised him the most about the experience? "There were about 17 people [at the range]," he said, "and 14 of them were women." NSSF's First Shots program has been utilized by a number of facilities around the D.C. area following the Heller Supreme Court decision that affirmed the Second Amendment rights of District residents. At the seminars, newcomers to shooting learn firearm safety, the basics of local rules and ownership requirements, how to get started in the shooting sports and have an opportunity to give shooting a try.

Shooting

IDPA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS . . . Results from the 2008 International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) National Championship are now posted online at www.idpa.com. The championship had 17 stages requiring at least 197 rounds from each competitor. According to IDPA, 316 competitors put at least 62,252 rounds downrange during the match, and 127 competitors participated in the BUG Side Match, putting another 1,905 rounds downrange for a minimum of 64,157 rounds downrange. The event was held at Guthsville Rod & Gun Club in Allentown, Pa.

Jobs

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.