Sportsmen Get the Call - Be Sure to Vote!

Vol. 09 No. 44 - October 27, 2008

ONE WEEK TO ELECTION DAY . . . In uncertain times, there is always one certainty: when they are counted on most, sportsmen rally together in support of their cause. Next Tuesday, America will head to the polls to elect its next president as well as many local, state and congressional leaders. Sportsmen and sportswomen are being counted on more than ever before to support the candidates that will stand up for their rights. NSSF encourages all sportsmen to make their vote count on Nov. 4. Learn where the candidates stand on firearms-related issues and get absentee ballot information in all 50 states at NSSF.org/VoterEd. Don't risk your rights. It's your freedoms that are at stake.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE TIGHTENING . . . According to Gallup, Barack Obama has a five-point lead over John McCain -- 50 percent to 45 percent -- in the presidential preferences of likely voters using Gallup's traditional model. Find polling data in key battleground states at NSSF.org/VoterEd.

'GUN SALES THRIVING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES' . . . The Washington Post today featured a front page story on a national rise in gun sales. The newspaper reports that uncertainty about the upcoming elections and concerns about the economy are seen as contributing to the increase. "Americans have cut back on buying cars, furniture and clothes in a tough economy, but there's one consumer item that's still enjoying healthy sales: guns," the article begins. NSSF worked with the Post to provide statistical information for the article.

Legal & Regulatory

ATF PUSHES DATE TO USE REVISED FORM 4473 TO JANUARY . . . The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has informed NSSF that it is pushing back the date by which the revised and updated Form 4473 must be used to Jan. 15, 2009, from Nov. 15, 2008, because of objections from dealers about implementing a new form during hunting season.

FBI NICS TO EXTEND HOURS ON DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING . . . The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Section will be extending its hours of operation on the day after Thanksgiving. The NICS Section will be available on Nov. 28 at 6 a.m. EST. The NICS Section will return to its regular hours on Nov. 29.

JERSEY CITY, ACORN APPEAL ONE-GUN-A-MONTH . . . Jersey City, N.J., has filed a petition asking the New Jersey Supreme Court to review a lower appellate court ruling that struck down the city's "one-gun-a-month" ordinance as a violation of state law. A local chapter of the controversial group Associated Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) also filed a motion to enter the case on the side of Jersey City. ACORN is currently under investigation in several electoral battleground states for allegations of voter-registration fraud. "The appellate court correctly held that Jersey City's 'one-gun-a-month' ordinance was a violation of state law," said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. The ordinance was passed under the guise of reducing straw purchases that are virtually impossible in New Jersey because, in addition to mandatory background checks, local law enforcement pre-approves all handgun sales, even between private parties. "Rationing the exercise of this individual constitutional right is both misguided and proven to be ineffective at reducing crime."

Inside the Industry

WINCHESTER AMMO SALES UP 9 PERCENT . . . Winchester Ammunition sales rose 9 percent in the third quarter, compared to the same period last year. Clayton, Mo.-based Olin Corp., owner of Winchester, said ammunition division sales were $140.8 million, compared to $129 million in the third quarter of 2007. The company said a combination of higher selling prices and increased law-enforcement and government -- including military -- sales volumes were partially offset by lower sales volumes to commercial customers.

PURCHASE SHOT SHOW STATE OF THE INDUSTRY TICKETS ONLINE . . . The annual State of the Industry Dinner at NSSF's SHOT Show will be held on the evening of Jan. 15 in the Valencia Ballroom of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The night includes a cocktail reception sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, dinner, a "State of the Industry" multimedia presentation and industry awards, and a special performance by one of the most popular comedians of our times, Bill Engvall, presented by Versus Country. Tickets for the evening are $90 each or $850 for a table of 10. The event requires assigned seating with priority given to NSSF members followed by order date. Read more about Bill Engvall and order tickets online at www.shotshow.org.

TARGET THE SHOOTING RANGE MARKET . . . The Range Report, the exclusive magazine for NSSF's range division, the National Association of Shooting Ranges (NASR), provides a unique opportunity for advertisers to reach this niche market. Now's the time to launch a full year of advertising beginning with the Winter 2009 issue. Reach nearly 30,000 shooters and key decision-makers from more than 7,500 ranges across the country by advertising your product or service. NSSF is extending the time for submitting your ad materials from Oct. 15 to Nov. 3. Download an insertion order from the 2009 media kit and fax it in to 203-426-1245. Read past issues or subscribe at www.rangeinfo.org/rangereport.

BUSHNELL PROMOTES LIPHAM TO PRESIDENT . . . Blake Lipham has been named president of Bushnell Outdoor Products. Lipham will also continue in his role as chief financial officer. Lipham joined Bushnell in 2007 as CFO. Prior to joining the company, he spent three years as the COO/CFO of Union Corrugating Company and five years as CFO of Home Depot Installed Products. Bushnell's board also named current director Robert L. Caulk to the role of chairman.

NWTF NAMES TWO NEW VICE PRESIDENTS . . . Danny Young, a National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) employee since 1993, has been named vice president of marketing for the organization. Donna Leggett, a professional fundraiser who has worked with NWTF to secure support for some of its programs and projects, was tabbed as the federation's vice president of development. Among Leggett's responsibilities will be helping to begin the NWTF Foundation, which is meant to provide permanent funding for many NWTF endeavors. In his new capacity, Young will help direct sponsor and advertising partner acquisition efforts, as well as work to create member benefits.

In the News

GUN STORE OWNER HELPS NAB MAN WANTED FOR MURDER . . . Because of the efforts of a Virginia gun store owner, a man wanted for murder is behind bars, the Virginian-Pilot reports. After a background check revealed that Barry Cleveland Roberts, 22, of Chesapeake was not only prohibited from buying the handgun he wanted at Bob's Gun Shop in Norfolk, but wanted in Baltimore on a murder charge, store owner Robert Marcus helped state police apprehend him. Marcus called the customer and told him he had been approved. When he arrived back at the store, police wrestled him to the ground and handcuffed him. Asked if he was nervous about the sting, Marcus said, "I wasn't. We have more guns than he has."

METS SLUGGERS NEWEST MEMBERS OF NEW YORK PISTOL ELITE . . . New York Mets sluggers David Wright and Carlos Delgado are two of New York City's newest pistol permit holders, the New York Post reports. The city of 8,274,527 has a list of permit holders that includes a mere 36,000 people. The list includes celebrities, billionaires and politicians. Former Mets outfielder Shawn Green also applied for a carry permit last year, but was denied, the Post reports. Maybe putting up more than a lackluster 10 homers in his final season could have changed that.

QUEBEC 'IMAGE CAMPAIGN' AIMS TO ATTRACT NEW HUNTERS . . . In an effort to raise the profile of hunters and build respect for hunting in the province, Quebec hunters have launched an advertising campaign to attract urbanites out of the city and into the outdoors to try hunting, the Canadian Press reports. The ads include messages like, "Eat organic" and "Popular for the past 3 million years." Quebec's hunting and fishing federation partnered with the provincial Natural Resources Department for the project.

WRITER BLAMES PARENTS FOR HUNTER DECLINE, OTHERS CREDIT ECONOMY FOR INCREASE . . . Though the industry is being innovative and vigorous in its efforts to increase hunting participation, Bob Marshall, in The Times-Picayune, suggests parents are not doing their share. He indicates that moms and dads aren't giving an introduction to hunting and a push for time in the outdoors the same priority that they give to organized sports for their children. Participation in hunting, however, continues to show an increase in many places, aided, ironically, by a bad economy. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review cites studies showing reduced working hours or even unemployment, for example, in the housing sector, will allow people more time to go afield. A Responsive Management survey found that 22 percent of active hunters nationally are in the building trades. No other professional segment includes as many hunters. An article in the Washington Daily News notes increases in sales, gunsmithing and other hunting services. "Our ammo sales have been phenomenal," said Steve Williams, owner of Awesome Outdoors in Washington, D.C.

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.