Evolution of the American Hunting Rifle

Vol. 10, No. 40 - October 5, 2009

5-MINUTE VIDEO LOOKS AT HISTORY, ADDRESSES MISCONCEPTIONS . . . As part of its continuing effort to correct widespread misperceptions among gun owners and non-gun owners about modern sporting rifles, NSSF has released a new 5-minute video. A shorter version of the video, which has been circulating on YouTube, will soon be airing as an ad on outdoor television networks. The long-form video explores the history of popular hunting rifles and their origins -- from the 1903 Springfield bolt-action rifle to today's AR-platform rifles. It illustrates how for more than 100 years rifles used by the military that possess battlefield requirements of accuracy, ruggedness and reliability became, understandably, popular civilian sporting rifles. The message: Today's AR-15-style modern sporting rifles are just another step in the evolution of the tools hunters and target shooters use to enjoy their activities.

Industry

BACKGROUND CHECKS UP 12.4% IN SEPTEMBER ON FIREARM SALES . . . Background checks on the sale of firearms were up 12.4 percent in September, according to data released by the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). A total of 1,093,230 checks were reported for the month, up from 973,003 in September 2008. FBI background checks are required under federal law for all individuals purchasing either newly manufactured or used firearms from federally licensed retailers. As such, the checks serve as a gauge of sales but do not reflect the actual number of firearms produced or sold. The increase coincides with a rise in excise taxes reported by firearms and ammunition manufacturers, another key economic indicator for the firearms industry.

FNH USA JOINS NSSF AS VOTING MEMBER . . . NSSF is pleased to announce FNH USA as its newest voting member. Located in McLean, Va., FNH USA is the sales and marketing arm of FN Herstal, S.A., Belgium, whose corporate mission is to remain a global leader in the areas of defense, law enforcement and associated commercial markets, providing the highest quality products and the finest in training and logistical support. "NSSF is proud to welcome FNH USA aboard, and we look forward to its support as we work to better promote, protect and preserve our industry and our shooting sports traditions," said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president.

ATK CONTRACT COULD EXCEED $200 MILLION . . . Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has received an initial $105 million contract award as part of a three-year contract by the U.S. Army Sustainment Command in Rock Island, Ill., to supply various types of non-standard (non-NATO) ammunition for the security forces of Afghanistan. If all options are fully exercised, the contract value could potentially exceed $200 million. This is ATK's second contract from the U.S. Army to supply non-standard (non-NATO) ammunition for the security forces of Afghanistan. The first $87 million contract award was announced in December 2008.

Legal & Legislative

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR 2ND AMENDMENT CASE . . . The U.S. Supreme Court announced Wednesday that it will hear the case of McDonald v. City of Chicago, No. 08-1521. The appeal to the nation's highest court was brought about when the National Rifle Association and a group of firearms owners in Chicago challenged Chicago's ordinance that essentially bans the private ownership of firearms in the city. A lower federal appeals court ruled earlier that the Second Amendment does not apply to the states and municipalities, allowing Chicago's ban on firearms to stand.

CENSOR HUNTING AND FISHING IMAGERY? SUPREME COURT HEARS CASE . . . Justices will hear oral arguments tomorrow in the United States v. Stevens, No. 08-769, a case that could affect the First Amendment rights of media to publish still images and video of hunting and fishing. NSSF alerted media, conservation and sportsmen groups about the case and has filed a friend-of-the-court brief. At issue is a 1999 federal law that makes it a crime to create, sell or possess videos and other depictions of cruelty to animals. The case arose over the conviction of a Virginia man, Robert Stevens, who received a three-year prison sentence from a western Pennsylvania court for selling videos that included scenes of hunting with dogs. The Professional Outdoor Media Association took a lead role in encouraging many writer and photographer groups to file briefs on behalf of their members. Read a news story about the case and NSSF's press release.

U.S. REPS. JOIN SENATORS IN SUPPORT OF TRADITIONAL AMMUNITION . . . A letter signed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives' Second Amendment Task Force raising important questions about the National Park Service's intent to ban the use of traditional ammunition in parks that allow hunting has been sent to Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. The letter, which follows a similar message sent to Salazar by U.S. senators last week, said, "the rationale for such a ban is not based on sound scientific analysis, and it would greatly restrict the ability of sportsmen to engage in hunting and fishing activities in the national parks that permit those activities.”

STUDY IS FURTHER PROOF WHY GOVERNOR SHOULD VETO BILLS . . . Regulations on small businesses in California have cost the state an estimated $492 million and 3.8 million jobs, according to a study released by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office. NSSF and the California Association of Firearms Retailers (CAFR) say this astronomical figure is further proof why the governor should veto three ill-conceived and burdensome anti-gun bills that would hurt independent businesses and law-abiding firearms owners in the state.

SHOT Show

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE TO NSSF MEMBERS . . . NSSF members are being given the opportunity to order tickets to the annual State of the Industry Dinner Show before they go on sale to all SHOT Show attendees on Oct.15. Join us on the opening night of the show as we celebrate and recap the industry's accomplishments for 2009. This year's dinner will be capped by an exclusive performance by comedic great Dennis Miller. It all begins at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 19 at the Palazzo Ballroom on Level 5 of the Venetian Hotel. You can't miss! NSSF members: Order your tickets now.

FREE WEBINAR SERIES FOR EXHIBITORS CONCLUDES THURSDAY . . . Want to learn how to more effectively manage your SHOT Show leads and measure exhibiting return on investment? If so, register for the final Webinar in a three-part series for SHOT exhibitors, set for Thursday, Oct. 8. Whether a seasoned veteran or new to the SHOT Show, the 45-minute Webinar will provide your staff with skills they can use at show to improve your exhibit performance. Register and learn more at shotshow.org/webinar.

Wingshooting USA

WINGSHOOTING USA TV DEBUTS ON SPORTSMAN CHANNEL AND ICTV . . . Cross "Dog Whisperer" with "A River Runs Through It," add shotguns, beautiful places and the camaraderie of the hunt and you've got the definitive show on the subject -- by passionate participants, for them. Shot entirely in high definition, Wingshooting USA focuses on the fun of bird hunting and honors the dogs that make it all possible. The program offers the viewers great hunting action, dog training and shooting tips, and helps drive the audience to NSSF's Web site that shares the show's name, WingshootingUSA.org. There the viewer can search from more than 1,000 places to hunt, enter a sweepstakes for a shot on the show and gain some valuable safety tips before heading afield. This week's episode offers hunting action in Montana's big sky country. Watch Wingshooting USA on the Sportsman Channel (Direct TV Channel 605) Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 p.m. or on In Country TV (Dish Network Channel 230) Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. All times Eastern.

News of Note

ARIZONA AWARDS $100,000 IN GRANTS TO SHOOTING RANGES . . . The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has awarded $93,790 in shooting range grants for construction, improvement, expansion or enhancement to public shooting ranges located throughout the state. See the recipients and what the grants will be used for.

TRACK HUNTING AND SHOOTING OPPORTUNITIES AT NSSF WEB SITE . . . A team of veteran outdoor communicators keeps track nationwide of shooting events, new hunting opportunities and seminars and programs for learning or improving shooting and hunting skills at NSSF's HuntandShoot.org. Timely items are posted regularly, so be sure to bookmark the Web site, and check out "Track Hunting and Shooting Opportunities in Every State." If you are staging or know of an event or opportunity worthy of coverage, let the team of reporters know about it.

NPR: MORE WOMEN HUNT, SEEKING FOOD, TOGETHERNESS . . . National Public Radio's Morning Edition featured a segment on women hunters last week. "Around America this fall, hunters are stalking everything from birds to bears. An estimated 12.5 million Americans hunt -- a number that has fallen in the past 15 years. But the number of female hunters has held steady -- and more young girls than ever are hunting," the story begins. Listen.

GREEN BAY PACKERS, HUNTERS TEAM UP TO FIGHT HUNGER . . . The NFL's Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin hunters are teaming up for a campaign called "Hunting Down Hunger," the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The Packers are selling a special line of hunter orange and camouflage hats emblazoned with the team's trademark "G." Five dollars from the sale of each hat will be contributed to state food pantries and other hunger relief efforts. The hunting community will again be providing donations to the Wisconsin Deer Donation program, which has provided more than 3.1 million pounds of ground venison for needy state residents.

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.