Bullet Points

[NSSF]

Vol. 4 No. 46 NOVEMBER 17, 2003



Stuntwoman Katie Rowe receives instruction
from Bruce Gray about precision rifle shooting with a .308 Win. bolt-action.
FIREARMS INDUSTRY OUTREACH TO HOLLYWOOD
GETTING GUNS RIGHT IN THE MOVIES . . . About two dozen members of Hollywood's oldest association for stuntwomen participated in an intense, three-day long Aiming for Accuracy seminar sponsored by NSSF this weekend, with instruction emphasizing firearm safety, proper handgun technique and rifle marksmanship. Participants included some of the most adventurous ladies one could ever hope to meet, all members of Stuntwomen's Association of Motion Pictures (SWAMP), whose work regularly includes getting set on fire, wrecking cars, falling from great height and the martial arts. While many had participated in on-camera shooting scenes, few had any actual experience with real firearms. Some of the nation's top law enforcement tacticians and practical shooting experts, assembled by The Outdoor Channel's Michael Bane, put them through rigorous hands-on training at the range for three days and evenings, starting with a fundamental review of how firearms operate and how to carry and use them safely. Room clearing, making safe traffic stops and the basics of Special Response Team tactics were taught along with night-firing techniques, precision rifle shooting and the essentials of action-pistol competition. At the end of the 72 hour-long experience, the ladies had a chance to run three IPSC stages to check their skills, and many who had never before fired a live cartridge were turning in some very impressive scores and times. Watch for a full half hour of coverage about the training on Michael Bane's Shooting Gallery TV show, and in future editions of NSSF publications.

NASGW'S AWARDS AND NEW OFFICERS . . . At the recent National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Show in Phoenix, NASGW Outgoing President Bill Hicks presented Manufacturer of the Year Awards to Leupold (optics), Smith & Wesson (firearms), Michaels of Oregon (accessories) and Federal Cartridge (ammunition). The awards breakfast featured dynamic speaker Dr. Barry Asmus, senior economist with the National Center for Policy Analysis, who told industry professionals that an economic recovery in the U.S. is well underway. Bill Foster, president of Dixie Shooters Supply, Inc., of Blakely, Ga., is the new president of NASGW, with Dennis Spindler of Big Rock Sports Inc., Moorehead City, N.C., vice president, and Michael Brown, of Camfour, Inc., Westfield, Mass., treasurer. Next year's NASGW Show is scheduled for November 11-13 in Fort Worth, Texas.
7th GOVERNOR'S SYMPOSIUM ON NORTH AMERICA'S HUNTING HERITAGE . . . The theme of this year’s symposium is “Taking Action to Secure the Future of Hunting in North America.” Among the presenters will be Doug Painter, NSSF president and CEO, who will address attendees on opening day, Thursday, December 4, about “The Future of Hunting in North America – Its Relevance and Ethics." Additionally, Cynthia Dalena, NSSF’s STEP OUTSIDE national coordinator, will present a research paper entitled “Using STEP OUTSIDE to Increase Participation in Traditional Outdoor Activities.” The National Shooting Sports Foundation is a Patron Sponsor of the symposium, which runs December 3-6 in Houston. Anyone with an interest in preserving America’s outdoor heritage is encouraged to register to attend.
FOCUS ON HUNTING . . . Last week's article about hunting in The Washington Post, "Taking a Shot at Saving Tradition Dear to Some,' highlighted how state agencies, conservation organizations and other groups are focusing on introducing more youth and women to this great American tradition. Additionally, NSSF’s support of Big Brother and Big Sister’s "Pass It On" program was cited. The article was generally well-balanced but unfortunately failed to mention the significant contributions hunters make to wildlife conservation, a point Jodi Valenta, director of recruitment and retention of NSSF, addressed in a follow-up letter to the editor. "It's important for the paper's editors and readers to know that the shooting sports and ammunition industry pay excise taxes that benefit wildlife under the Wildlife Restoration Act," said Valenta. Visit NSSF's Web site for the latest economic impact and license sales facts about hunting.
SHOT BUSINESS . . . December's magazine features a special section on reloading. It examines the timeless truths of, and some new tricks for, accurate and economical ammunition do-it-yourselfers that will help you sell to this market. If you don't know all the good reasons why firearm retailers should go to the SHOT Show, you'll learn about them and some new features of the show this year. There's also a story about outdoor survival firearms, and the undercover shopper goes looking for a lever action deer rifle. If you're a firearms retailing professional who is not yet getting your free subscription, fill out the questionnaire at http://www.shotbusiness.com to see if you qualify.
NSSF MEMBERS HAVE THE STAPLES BUSINESS ADVANTAGE . . . The NSSF has partnered with Staples Business Advantage, the leading small business office supply company, to leverage the buying power of over 2,000 NSSF members. That buying power means BIG savings for NSSF members. Staples Business Advantage provides NSSF members with the convenience of ordering online and free next-day delivery right to your door. This particular program is ideal for retailers, smaller manufacturers, distributors, manufacturer’s reps and advertising agencies. NSSF members may enroll by contacting our Staples Business Advantage Account Manager Andrea Morin at (800) 617-1712 ext. 141.
WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY LUNCHEON . . . The National Shooting Sports Foundation will host the 2nd annual Women in the Industry luncheon on Friday, February 13, 2004, during the SHOT Show®. The luncheon will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in room N258 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. The keynote speaker will be Melinda Gable, executive director of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. The luncheon is for women attending the SHOT Show, and will be by invitation only. Contact Shane Hotchkiss at shotchkiss@nssf.org or (203) 426-1320 to request an invitation.
CWD UPDATE
FIRST CASE IN BIGHORN BASIN . . . Wyoming Game and Fish report a positive test for CWD on a mule deer buck harvested by a hunter in the Big Horn Basin. This is the first case of the disease in the Basin and represents an extension of the area where CWD has been found in that state. The Department has set a goal of collecting 600 samples from the Big Horn Basin this hunting season for testing.
TRACED TO CANADA . . . After a hunter in Montana shot an elk, he found tags on the animal that allowed Montana Game, Fish and Parks to trace the elk to a game farm in southern Saskatchewan. Officials in Canada did not have any reports of escapes from this farm. Montana officials will test the animal for CWD. The incident highlights the need for vigilance in surveillance efforts, especially along borders with states that have reported positive cases of CWD.
AROUND THE STATES
LICENSE REQUIRED . . . The North Carolina Natural Resources Commission has set a deadline of January 1, 2004, for all individuals holding captive cervids to apply for a license to hold the animals and to maintain them in facilities that meet the commission’s requirements. The license has been required since 1990 but it is believed that several individuals hold pet deer and other cervids in backyard pens and are not aware of the requirements. After January 1, animals will be confiscated and owners cited. The commission will not accept applications for new facilities, just applications for those who already hold cervids.
AROUND THE INTERNET
TWO TAKES ON DAISY'S SETTLEMENT . . . In last Friday's Special Bullet Points, we reported on the settlement of the lawsuit between Daisy Manufacturing and the Consumer Product Safety Commission--a victory for Daisy since the company avoided a potentially financially devastating recall of two of its popular air rifle models. An AP story provided a fair-handed treatment of the matter, while The Washington Post's story seemed to focus more on dissenting comments by the lone Democrat on the commission, Thomas H. Moore.


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