SHOOTING HUNTING OUTDOOR TRADE SHOW 1979–2014
NSSF
NEW PRODUCT REPORTS SHOT Daily scours the floor to find the latest in knives from the show P. 16. Also, see what’s new in accessories P. 26
NEWS *GRITS GRESHAM
AWARD PRESENTED
POMA and NSSF honored shooting industry veteran Jim Zumbo. SEE PAGE 4
*OPTICS FOR TURKEY HUNTERS
The Weaver KASPA scope is specially designed to meet turkey hunters’ needs. SEE PAGE 65
*TROPHY CAM WIRELESS
Bushnell introduces the world’s first plug-and-play wireless camera. SEE PAGE 67
*NEW 1911 BEAUTIES
Republic Forge begins production and distribution of a complete line of custom Model 1911 pistols. SEE PAGE 69
FEATURES *FIRST SHOTS
EXPANDS ITS REACH
NSSF’s Second Round events deepen interest in the shooting sports. SEE PAGE 42
*LOFTY AMBITIONS
Remington’s new airgun division is dedicated to building the finest airgun company in the business. SEE PAGE 54
*MATCHING AMMO
Manufacturers serve up hunting ammunition designed around the MSR. SEE PAGE 58
DAY 3, JANUARY 16, 2 014
The Daily News of the 2014 Las Vegas SHOT Show Brought to You by The Bonnier Corporation and the NSSF
Upholding a Precious Legacy
E
arly in his presentation to the attendees at the NSSF State of the Industry Dinner Tuesday night, NSSF president Steve Sanetti issued a challenge: “If our industry doesn’t have the integrity, the passion, and the determination to stand up for the law-abiding citizens of this great nation, then we are finished.” He clearly believes that is not the case. “But we’re not finished,” he said. “Not by a long shot. In fact, our message of thoughtful criticism of well-meaning but ineffective proposals to thwart the lawless elements of our society by heaping even more restrictions upon hunters, target shooters, collectors, and those seeking to lawfully defend their families has resonated with the American public. Not only has support for these wrongly directed gun-control proposals returned to pre-Newtown levels, but we have seen record numbers of Americans from all walks of life flock to the side of lawful firearms ownership. We have weathered the storm.” In large part, he said, this is due to “the dedicated efforts by a lot of good people.” Sanetti then listed some of the many positive trends in the industry: “Working together as never before,
NSSF president Steve Sanetti urged the attendees to “be proud.”
in the face of overt hostility by those who see no value in the lawful enjoyment of responsible firearms ownership or a day afield or at the range with family and friends. We know those joys—and our efforts to include others is having a profound effect upon the shooting sports.” From an increase in sales of hunting licenses and increases in skeet and clay target shooting participation to a surge in NSSF membership, Sanetti said, “our analysis of sport-shooting participation trends in the U.S. between 2008 and 2012 shows that more than 40 million Americans now enjoy target shooting, up 17 percent since 2009.
Twenty percent of all target shooters first started participating during the past five years.” These new participants are younger and more urban-based— and many are women. That coincides with the surge in firearms sales that began in 2008—40 consecutive months of sales growth. Though he noted that self-defense was a key motivation for 76 percent of these sales, “right behind that was a desire to participate in shooting activities with family and friends. Women target shooters have also increased by 34 percent.” These trends, he said, represent the future of our industry and shooting sports in America. In closing, Sanetti asked the attendees to “be proud.” “Be proud of all those who take the time to take a new person to the range. Be proud that the excise taxes you all pay every time you buy any firearm or ammunition contribute billion of dollars a year to conserve wildlife, game, and non-game species alike. And finally, be proud that you are keeping our nation strong by keeping a precious American tradition of personal responsibility and safety and security alive for future generations. For ours is a precious legacy enjoyed by no other society on the face of the earth.”
Black Sheep Sporting Goods Black Sheep Sporting Goods, based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, added to its long list of accomplishments when it was named 2013 Overall Dealer of the Year by ATK Sporting Group. Owner Dave Knoll founded the business in 1975 and built it into a full-line outdoors sports retailer that offers firearms, ammunition, reloading supplies, shooting accessories, apparel, archery gear, knives, optics, gun safes, and more. Today, Black Sheep operates a store in Lewiston, Idaho, as well as the 65,000-square-foot Coeur d’Alene location. In addition to the 2013 Dealer of the Year title, it has been voted “Best Sporting Goods Store” by the Spokane Journal of Business for six straight years. According to Jim Bruno, ATK Sporting Group vice president of sales—east, Black Sheep’s advertising
efforts and its practice of warehousing products to ensure availability have grown its already-strong sales for ammunition and reloading equipment. Meanwhile, the retailer has dramatically expanded its accessory offerings, including Weaver Optics, Outers gun-care equipment, Blackhawk clothing and leather holsters, and Champion ear and eye protection and targets. Through these efforts, Black Sheep has shown sales increases in excess of 350 percent for ATK products. “These kinds of numbers—and the strategy and hard work that led to them—are exemplary,” Bruno says. “Black Sheep’s performance and its dedication to our family of brands make it more than deserving of the Dealer of the Year title.”
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