ALPS OutdoorZ Big Bear Day Pack in Mossy Oak Break-Up

ALPS OutdoorZ

NEW HAVEN, MO --(AmmoLand.com)- ALPS OutdoorZ is excited to offer a number of packs, bags and portable chairs in the new Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity for 2010.

“As we’ve continued to grow and develop a brand reputation for great, comfortable products that are durable and affordable, we were constantly being asked ‘when are you going to get into more hunting products?’

As you can see, that answer is now,” said Adam Brune with ALPS OutdoorZ/ALPS Mountaineering. “We’re starting with several key pieces that are great for in-the-field use. The initial response has been great, and we’re thrilled to offer our products in Break-Up Infinity.”

Look for the following products from ALPS OutdoorZ in the new Break-Up Infinity in 2010:

• Rhino and Rhino MC folding seat
• Hunting seat cushion
• Turkey Chair and Turkey Chair MC
• Big Bear 3-way pack
• Pursuit pack
• Trailblazer pack

ALPS offers performance oriented packs, tents, sleeping bags, furniture and air pads. All products are consumer designed for comfortable enjoyable trips that have tough, durable construction for a lifetime of use, and while the products are great, the prices are even better.

For more information, log on to www.alpsoutdoorz.com or call 1-800-344-2577.

ALPS Outdoorz produces official licensed products of Mossy Oak/ Haas Outdoors Inc. Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (www.mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, MOOSE Media, Nativ Nurseries, and Mossy Oak Properties.

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ALPS OutdoorZ Introduces Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity Products

GunBroker.com

KENNESAW, Ga. --(AmmoLand.com)- GunBroker.com®, the world’s largest online auction site for firearms and hunting/shooting accessories, has partnered with Spokes360 to grow its advertising base while providing additional value to its ever-expanding community of hunting, shooting and outdoor enthusiasts.

With over 1.5 million registered users, 2.8 million unique monthly visitors and 150 million monthly page views, GunBroker.com is consistently ranked as a top 1,000 website according to Quantcast.

The company’s partnership with Spokes360 marks GunBroker.com’s first significant program to introduce industry partners to GunBroker.com’s large customer base and desirable demographic. Spokes360 will be responsible for designing customized advertising packages that tap into the company’s core assets, meet advertiser objectives and provide value to GunBroker.com users.

“With expertise in the outdoor space, digital media and community building, the Spokes360 team complements the leadership position GunBroker.com enjoys in the market,” said GunBroker.com CEO, Steve Urvan, “Their approach to creating programs that mutually benefit advertisers, publishers and the consumer alike aligns well with our customer-focused philosophy.”

“GunBroker.com has built the top Web site in the industry” said Lee Sarles, Spokes360 principal. “We are excited to present measurable advertising and marketing opportunities on GunBroker.com to endemic and non-endemic media buyers.”

About GunBroker.com
GunBroker.com® (www.gunbroker.com) is an informative, detailed, secure and safe way to buy and sell firearms and hunting/shooting accessories. GunBroker.com promotes responsible gun ownership. Aside from merchandise bearing its logo, GunBroker.com sells none of the items listed on its Web site. Third-party sellers list items on the site and Federal and state laws govern the sale of firearms and other restricted items. Ownership policies and regulations are followed using licensed firearms dealers as transfer agents.

About Spokes 360
A partnership of senior level advertising sales and marketing executives, Spokes360 serves marketers looking to reach outdoors enthusiasts. The company was founded by advertising sales and marketing veterans Lee Sarles and Christen Everly. The members of Spokes360 first came together at North American Media Group, parent company of the North American Hunting Club and North American Fishing Club. While there, they launched advertising platforms for the company’s media entities including websites, national magazines, e-newsletters and television. Sarles served as publisher for several NAMG titles and Everly served as Marketing Director for North American Hunter and North American Fisherman media properties.

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GunBroker.com Launches Strategic Advertising Partnership

ArmaLite Inc

Geneseo, IL –-(AmmoLand.com)- Who could have imagined it? An idea sprung just a week ago has now gone viral on the Internet. On March 10th, ArmaLite President Mark Westrom came into the office and said we’re having a truckload sale.

He said if you buy a truckload of ArmaLite, you get to keep the truck. The trucks... and we have a parking lot full of them here in tiny Geneseo… are military M35A2’s, commonly known as a “duece and a half.”

But that wasn’t enough for the folks here at the factory. After our crack engineers figured out how many AR10 shipping boxes would fit in the back of a deuce, we took it a step further. We announced a “guess how many guns fit in a deuce and a half contest.” It’s along the lines of guessing how many jelly beans are in a jar. The prize for our contest is a complete upper of our new SPR Mod 1 Continuous Optics Platform (COP).

Here’s a brief discription of the Mod 1:

ArmaLite® is known for its history of innovation. Its Special Purpose Rifle (SPR®) has proved it for years. Now, the introduction of the ArmaLite SPR Mod 1™ proves it once more, in spectacular fashion. The SPR Mod 1 is a forged, one-piece upper receiver/rail system with exclusive detachable side and bottom rails.

That’s right, you can change your 1913 rails to fit your changing needs for sights… lights… lasers… grips… or swivels. The SPR Mod 1’s one-piece construction offers you a continuous optics platform (COP). There’s no gap to bridge between receiver and upper rail when installing your scope or sights. This one-piece construction’s strength and rigidity will also keep your sights zeroed in the most trying conditions.

So, we sent out to AmmoLand.com first and then to firearms trade magazines and websites, along with the local TV stations and newspapers.

“We did NOT expect what happened next!”

Internet sites from around the world have run with the story. Two local TV stations have paid a visit. Their stories have been run by TV stations across the U.S. The “Guess The Number of Guns Contest” already has nearly 600 entries and that number grows by the hour. A lot of the entrants have been quite methodical in their calculations!

To enter that contest, e-mail your guess to steadmana@armalite.com. Make sure that in the topic box it says exactly, “TRUCKLOAD CONTEST.” Your entry must be e-mailed to us by March 31, 2010. Please, only one entry per e-mail address. The name of everyone with the correct answer will be put in a hat, and one winner will be pulled at random. Please don’t call or e-mail the factory with questions. The truck model is M35A2. The year doesn’t matter because the cargo area is the same size in all the trucks.

About:
ArmaLite has one of the broadest product lines in the firearms industry. We manufacture and sell semiautomatic rifles in a variety of calibers including 5.56mm and 7.62mm, long range super-accurate bolt action rifles in calibers including .308 Winchester, 300 Winchester, 338 Lapua, and 50 BMG, and classic 9mm pistols. Visit: www.armalite.com

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Gun Manufacturer’s Social Media Campaign Goes Viral

For 80 years Weaver has been producing proven optics, rings and bases; generations of shooters have come to rely on Weaver’s rugged construction, quality components and unwavering commitment to the shooting sports

Weaver Optics

ONALASKA, Wis. --(AmmoLand.com)- Weaver®, one of the most trusted names in optics, rings and bases celebrates their 80th anniversary with a limited edition K-Series™ K4 steel tube scope. Shipped in a vintage collector’s tin with handsome Timex® Expedition watch, this 4×38mm commemorative scope (MSRP: $486.49) is scheduled for a spring 2010 release.

Return to Weaver roots
For those shooters who love the K-Series and the nostalgia of bygone years, this commemorative K4 fixed power scope is a reflection of a timeless classic.

“We know that millions of hunters were brought up under the Weaver name,” states Tom Knudtson, Weaver’s product line manager. “And many of them fondly remember their first steel tube K4. It was often passed down to future generations of hunters. The K4 remains a true classic and was an obvious choice for our 80th anniversary scope.”

More of a good thing
Just like the original K-Series scopes, the limited edition K4 features the rugged styling of the original combined with many benefits of modern optics technology.

• 4×38mm fixed power
• Rugged steel tube construction
• Fingertip adjustable 1/4″ MOA turrets
• Dual-X reticle
• Eye relief: 3.2 inches / Length: 11.5 inches / Weight: 15.3 ounces
• Shipped in an 80th anniversary collectable tin with Timex Expedition watch

The celebration continues
In addition to the commemorative K4 scope, Weaver’s 80th anniversary celebration continues with the addition of several new products within the Weaver lineup. Parent company ATK has demonstrated their willingness to put significant resources into the Weaver brand. Look for more celebration news throughout 2010 as Weaver continues to aggressively promote their brand.

For more information and Weaver’s 2010 products, news, promotions or product images, visit www.weaveroptics.com.

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Weaver Optics Celebrates 80 Years of Optics Excellence

Knight's Stoner KAC SR25 Rifle

RSR Group

Winter Park, FL --(AmmoLand.com)- RSR Group, Inc. is pleased to announce that it is the Exclusive Commercial Distributor for Knight’s Armament Company, a leader in the defense industry.

The legendary Knight’s Armament Stoner Rifle Series is now in stock at RSR Group.

Founded in 1983, Knight’s Armament offers a unique line of products that encompasses rifles, tactical accessories, rail systems, and night vision optics.

The company offers a comprehensive selection for military, law enforcement and commercial applications.

Knight’s Armament manufactures the legendary Stoner Rifles, a line of rifles that stands as one of the most technologically advanced on the market. Knight’s Armament products are renowned for their innovative, cutting-edge features for the tactical shooter.

The SR-15 and SR-25 model rifles will be immediately and exclusively available for the commercial market through RSR Group, Inc.

RSR Group adds the Knight’s Armament lineup to an inventory selection of more than 15,000 products from as many as 240 manufacturers.

Knight KAC Sr15 Rifle

RSR Group, Inc. is committed to the total satisfaction of its customers by providing a well-stocked selection of products at competitive prices. With five sales centers across the U.S. and a distribution center located in Texas, RSR Group, Inc. is able to provide fast and reliable service. For additional information about RSR Group, Inc. call Alysa George at 407-677-1333 ext. 625 or visit www.rsrgroup.com.

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Knight’s Armament Rifles Exclusively at RSR Group

Kruger Optical

Sisters, OR –-(AmmoLand.com)- Long-time optics sales executive Rich Babcock has joined sports optics provider Kruger Optical, the company announced today.

Babcock assumes the role of National Sales Manager. He will be responsible for expanding sales of sports optics and accessories, including binoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes and other products for the hunting and outdoor recreation markets.

“Rich brings a vast array of knowledge and experience to our company that is unmatched in the marketplace today,” said Dan Callen, Kruger’s vice president of sales and marketing. “He has built many strong relationships throughout the industry and is extremely well respected within the optics market.”

“We are lucky to have someone of his caliber joining our team and believe he has the ability to help us grow in the short and long term,” Callen said.

Babcock has gained a wealth of experience in the optics field during his 38-year sales career. As regional sales manager for Bushnell Outdoor Products, he was responsible for sales of sports optics in a 12-state region, in addition to having responsibility for several large national accounts.

Prior to joining Bushnell, Babcock was an account executive for Bausch & Lomb Inc. and Xerox Corp.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” Babcock said. “I hope I can build on the previous success of the Kruger Optical team.”

“This opportunity allows me to stay in contact with people in an industry that I have spent a lot of years with,” he continued. “I look forward to getting back in touch with them.”

Babcock will work from his home in Carmel, IN, where he lives with his wife, Linda. When he’s not selling optics, Babcock enjoys golf, reading, working out and following Michigan State University football and basketball. He also enjoys spending time with friends and family, including his two daughters and 3-year-old granddaughter. “Grandkids bring a totally new meaning to life and a way to pay back your kids for the stuff they did growing up,” Babcock said.

Kruger offers a line of innovative, price-sensitive specialty optics for the sporting goods and tactical markets. Products include the K4™, K5™ and TacDriver™ riflescopes, DTS™ 1-8×40 Dual Tactical Sight, Caldera™, Kalahari™ and Kilimanjaro™ binoculars, and various tripods and accessories.

Kruger-branded products are aimed at customers who are willing to look beyond well-known brands to find unusual innovation and value. Kruger products are engineered in the company’s Sisters, OR, facility, with selected products manufactured in Oregon.

In addition, Kruger is developing a line of Discovery Expedition™ binoculars under license from Discover Communications, LLC. Discovery Expedition binoculars will be available in the summer of 2010.

Kruger also provides private label optics for a variety of large retailers, and they offer Columbia Sport Optics under license from Columbia Sportswear Co.

Babcock is available to discuss sales of any of these product lines. He can be reached at (913) 814-7844, or by email at RichB@krugeroptical.com.

About Kruger Optical
Kruger Optical is a full-service provider of quality sports optics. Headquartered in Sisters, Oregon, and Walnut, California, the company has been providing binoculars, riflescopes, spotting scopes and other optics products, as well as optical engineering services for more than a decade. With nearly 150 years of combined experience in optical product development and marketing, Kruger Optical’s talented and dedicated staff is committed to developing innovative, high performance products for the discerning customer. To learn more, please visit our website at http://www.krugeroptical.com.

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Kruger Optical taps Rich Babcock as National Sales Manager

I'll take a deuce and a half of Armalite Rifles..Please

ArmaLite Inc

Geneseo, IL - (AmmoLand.com)- Here’s a new one. Mark Westrom just came into the office and said we’re having a truckload sale.

He says if anyone buys a truckload of ArmaLite firearms and products, you get to keep the truck.

The trucks… and we have a parking lot full of them here in Geneseo… are military 35A2’s, commonly known as a “deuce and a half.”

We’re still working out the details on this… but Mark says any order of in-stock or “rapid response” product that will fill a truck means the truck is yours.

Mark sprung this on us at closing time this evening. We’ll have more tomorrow.

Call to place your order: 1-800-336-0184 Toll Free

Buy two and save on shipping.., You can never have to many Armalite Rifles

About:
ArmaLite has one of the broadest product lines in the firearms industry. We manufacture and sell semiautomatic rifles in a variety of calibers including 5.56mm and 7.62mm, long range super-accurate bolt action rifles in calibers including .308 Winchester, 300 Winchester, 338 Lapua, and 50 BMG, and classic 9mm pistols. Visit: www.armalite.com

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ArmaLite Firearms Truckload Sale

MasterPiece Arms 460 Rowland Pistol

AcuSport

BELLEFONTAINE, OHIO – AcuSport Corporation, a leading distributor of shooting and hunting products announces that they will sell Masterpiece Arms (MPA) products.

MPA is an American gun manufacturer located in Braselton, GA.

They have specialized in creating pistols, rifles and tactical weapons and accessories for over 20 years.

During the course of the company’s history they have improved upon the original MAC-10 design. The new generation MPA MAC-10 offers a more ergonomic cocking device that is built-in to the side of the pistol opposed to the top. The design allows the firearm to accommodate a scope rail.

All MPA firearms offer a lifetime manufacturer warranty. With the addition of MPA, AcuSport retailers can improve their tactical presence in the marketplace by providing their customers the opportunity to purchase products from this unique line firearms. MPA offers a variety of 9mm pistols, 45 ACP’s, 22LR’s, tactical weapons and accessories.

MasterPiece Arms

First shipments of the MPA pistols are available to ship from AcuSport starting today, Thursday, March 11, 2010. Independent retailers, who would like to place an order, please call 1-800-543-3150 or visit AcuSport’s e-OnLine ordering system at www.AcuSport.com for additional product information.

Based in Bellefontaine, Ohio, AcuSport Corporation is a nationwide distributor of shooting and hunting products with regional sales offices in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, Texas, Montana and California. Visit: www.acusport.com

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Acusport To Add Masterpiece Arms To Their Inventory Line-Up

John L. May - Sales Director - Wilson Combat

Wilson Combat

Berryville, AR - -(AmmoLand.com)-  Here we are in March already, and it is still too cold for me here in Arkansas.

We have been busy getting some new products ready to come your way, new website is soon to be online, and we are busy as bees building your dream gun.

The new Ultra-Light Carry Pistol has been a huge hit, we knew it was a great pistol, but those of you that use a working gun really got the concept and have let us know by placing your orders. We have been hard at work getting the next working gun ready to be released and I promise it will be coming very soon. We do our best to meet your demands and to keep all of our products on the cutting edge while remaining true to what thirty years has taught us about building your custom guns.

The Gun of the Month for March is the Ms. Sentinel. This fine pistol has all the right stuff to become the best carry pistol available for your significant other. This little gun offers maximum concealability, built from our shortest aluminum frame making it the smallest and lightest pistol available. Packed with new features, concealment beavertail grip safety and hammer, round butt frame, a shortened and rounded magazine release and carry cuts, you just cannot get a smaller or lighter package. Chambered in 9mm, outfitted with a short trigger, Cocobolo Starburst grips and tritium night sights the Ms. Sentinel offers all the right features to make it the most shootable small pistol available today. When combined with modern self-defense ammo, the Ms. Sentinel is a potent concealed carry pistol, equally at home in a purse or in a concealment holster.

Wilson Combat Ms. Sentinel 1911 Pistol

We get a great deal of questions from you on holsters and specifically on recommendations for daily carry. There are two schools of thought on best carry methods when it comes to full-size pistols. Inside the waist band (IWB) and normal on the belt carry. I actually use both methods of carry depending on the plans for the day. I prefer IWB using one of our Summer Companions, for best concealment in a more relaxed environment or while traveling in the car when I can just leave my shirt tail out, this is my first choice. Back in the day when I first started shooting IDPA, I actually competed from an IWB holster. I have carried so long with that method, I have a void where my holster rides just behind the right hip.

When you first begin carrying using an IWB holster, it may require an adjustment period. It may feel foreign at first adding the thickness of the pistol surrounded by the holster, but with time it becomes almost a part of you. I still feel almost undressed if I do not have my Summer Companion tucked inside my pants. Barrel length plays little or no role in your choice of cover garment when suing an IWB, since the majority of the pistol is covered by your trousers. Many use another shirt as a cover garment, or you can simply leave your shirt tail out to cover your pistol no matter what size pistol you carry.

If a very active and formal day is in the works for me I use one of our Lo-Profile® Holsters. The Lo-Profile® is a very comfortable holster for continuous carry, but is best concealed when wearing a cover garment. I have spent untold hours wearing either of these holsters, and I let the day’s plan dictate which will work best for me. If the day’s activities allow me to continuously wear a cover garment or are of a formal nature, the low profile is my choice.

This past weekend I have some full days and used the Lo-Profile® for the entirety of my weekend. Saturday afternoon I spent a good deal of time with the kids riding four-wheelers and found it to be perfect for that sort of use as well. Speaking as one who carries on a daily basis, the mission of the day dictates which holster I choose. If I had to choose only one holster to cover all bases, I would have to pick the Lo-Profile®. It will work for all around demands and is the perfect place to start in your holster selection. Over the years I have acquired lots of different holsters. I was a holster maker for several years, so I have many that I built as prototypes, some that other makers sent me to give opinions on their work, and quite a few that I purchased because something about them caught my eye. Over the years holsters have become for me like shoes are for the ladies. I have some for all occasions. Funny thing is as the end of the day I wear either our Summer Companion or the Lo-Profile® most of the time.

Feel free to send me your questions related to all things Wilson Combat® and I will include them in future Soap Boxes. Keep an eye on the website, some exciting things come your way soon.

To all of you in harm’s way, stay safe.

About:
Founded in 1977, Wilson Combat has grown to include more than 50 employees – no one else in the custom gun business has as many professionals, as many years of experience, or as much history with hand-crafting custom guns as we do. Here’s an idea of the type and number of years experience you will find at Wilson Combat: Vist: www.wilsoncombat.com

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Wilson Combat Busy As Bees Building Your Dream Gun

Southwick Associates

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – -(AmmoLand.com)- Southwick Associates’ compiled the following data for the brands anglers, hunters and target shooters preferred most in 2009.

These lists were compiled based on surveys completed by 34,185 anglers and 44,734 hunters and target shooters that voluntarily participated in AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and TargetshootingSurvey.com polls, respectively.

In 2009, the top angler brands were:

• Top rod brand: Shakespeare Ugly Stik (16.4% of all purchases)
• Top reel brand: Shimano (23.0% of all purchases)
• Top rod and reel combo brand: Shakespeare (25.7% of all purchases)
• Top fishing line producer: Pure Fishing’s Berkley line (Trilene, Fireline, Big Game, Vanish) (42.6% of all purchases)
• Top hard bait brand: Rapala (30.6% of all purchases)
• Top soft bait brand: Zoom (16.8% of all purchases)
• Top spinner bait brand: Strike King (16.6% of all purchases)
• Top hook brand: Eagle Claw (34.5% of all purchases)
• Top sinker brand: Bullet Weight (19.0% of all purchases)
• Top fly rod brand: Sage (16.7% of all purchases)
• Top fly reels brand: Orvis (11.1% of all purchases)
• Top fly combo brand: St. Croix (18.0% of all purchases)
• Top fly line brand: Scientific Angler (28.8% of all purchases)
• Top fly brand: Orvis and Cabelas tied (11.0% of all purchases, each)
• Top fly leader brand: Rio (28.4% of all purchases)
• Top fly tying material brand: White River (60.5% of all purchases)
• Top fish finder or sonar brand: Humminbird (42.9% of all purchases)
• Top tackle box brand: Plano (55.8% of all purchases)
• Top landing net brand: Frabill (20.2% of all purchases)
• Top fishing knife brand: Rapala (22.6% of all purchases)

The top hunting and target shooting brands in 2009 were:

• Top rifle brand: Remington (16.5% of all purchases)
• Top shotgun brand: Remington (22% of all purchases)
• Top muzzleloader brand: Thompson Center (29.5% of all purchases)
• Top handgun brand: Sturm, Ruger (16.6% of all purchases)
• Top scope for firearms: Bushnell (17.3% of all purchases)
• Top rifle ammunition brand: Remington (28.8% of all purchases)
• Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (32.0% of all purchases)
• Top handgun ammunition brand: Winchester (22.0% of all purchases)
• Top blackpowder brand: Pyrodex (51.5% of all purchases)
• Top balls, bullets, or shot brand: Hornady (26.2% of all purchases)
• Top bow brand: BowTech (14.8% of all purchases)
• Top arrow brand: Easton (30.3% of all purchases)
• Top fletching brand: Bohning (30.3% of all purchases)
• Top broadhead brand: Muzzy (25.3% of all purchases)
• Top archery target brand:  The Block (22.3% of all purchases)
• Top decoy brand:  Flambeau (15.7% of all purchases)
• Top game call brand: Primos (34.8% of all purchases)
• Top reloading bullet brand: Hornady (30.2% of all purchases)
• Top reloading primer brand: CCI (36.0% of all purchases)
• Top reloading powder brand: Hodgdon (36.5% of all purchases)
• Top binocular brand: Bushnell (19.5% of all purchases)
• Top holster brand:  Uncle Mikes (21.4% of all purchases)
• Top knife brand: Buck (16.7% of all purchases)
• Top scent or scent covering brand:  Scent-A-Way (24.5% of all purchases)
• Top shooting target brand: Shoot-N-C (38.9% of all purchases)
• Top clay brand: White Flyer (34.3% of all purchases)

You can stay abreast of consumer buying patterns and overall market trends by purchasing an annual subscription to Southwick Associates’ monthly AnglerSurvey or HunterSurvey/ TargetShooting Survey reports. Reports are available for specific product categories including fishing rods, reels, line, lures, tackle, electronics, apparel, fly-fishing and ice fishing gear, and more. Year-end summary reports are available, too. To purchase, contact Donna Leonard at Donna@southwickassociates.com.

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Top Hunting and Target Shooting Brands of 2009

U.S. Practical Shooting Association

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. --(AmmoLand.com)- The list of stage sponsors for the 2010 U.S. Practical Shooting Association’s Area 6 Championship sponsored by Glock continues to grow as three more companies, Brazos Custom Gunworks, Montana Gold Bullet and Shooters Connection, sign on to support the match.

In addition to serving as a stage sponsor, Shooters Connection will also be the main target supplier for the match. Already the Area 6 Championship has garnered support from Glock, the match’s main sponsor, Springfield Armory, Atlanta Arms & Ammo and Techwear USA.

“The list of Area 6 corporate sponsors continues to grow,” said Charles Bond, USPSA Area 6 director. “Brazos Custom Gunworks, Montana Gold Bullet and Shooters Connection are all strong supporters of the shooting sports and 2010 marks the sixth consecutive year these three companies have participated in this match.”

The Area 6 Championship will take place at the South River Gun Club in Covington, Ga., April 16 through 18. Some 325 shooters from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, the states that make up the Area 6 region, and 20 other states are expected to attend as well as international shooters from Columbia and Jamaica.

Competitors will put more than 80,000 rounds down range as they negotiate their way through 12 challenging stages, vying for top honors in six divisions: Production, Limited, Limited-10, Single Stack, Revolver and Open.

For more information on the USPSA Area 6 Championship sponsored by Glock, or to register to compete in the match, visit www.USPSA6.org. For more information on the sport of Practical Shooting and the U.S. Practical Shooting Association visit www.uspsa.org or call (360) 855-2245.

About USPSA:
The United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) is a non-profit membership association and the national governing body for the sport of Practical Shooting in America. USPSA has over 18,000 members and more than 350 affiliated clubs which host weekly matches throughout the country providing recreational shooters with the opportunity to test and refine their shooting skills in a safe, competitive environment. USPSA is also the U.S. Region of the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), which is comprised of approximately 67 nations.

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Brazos Custom Gunworks, Montana Gold Bullet & Shooters Connection Sign On As Area 6 Stage Sponsors

Crosman

ROCHESTER, New York, --(AmmoLand.com)- Crosman Corporation, long known for innovation and quality in the shooting sports, today announced the opening of a new warehouse and distribution facility in Shannon, Ireland.

The state-of-the-art facility will serve as the company’s European distribution center (EDC) and warehouse. The company says that its design will streamline the order flow process and ensure product delivery within 7 days to anywhere in Europe, fulfilling Crosman’s global supply chain requirements. The new EDC will be operational in April, 2010.

According to Marc Miller, Crosman’s international sales manager, Crosman’s new EDC will provide trans-continental logistics to the European marketplace with a more expansive and cost-effective product selection. It will also reduce transport costs, improve delivery times and provide efficiency in inventory management.

“Having the ability to fulfill orders swiftly and customize products that satisfy EU countries’ regulation requirements provides our customers with solutions to their merchandising needs. It also underscores our commitment to enhancing service to our European customers”, he said. “Rather than simply providing our standard air rifle, the new EDC will inventory product with multiple joules, allowing us to offer a larger assortment of goods to markets with different requirements. We are able to maintain our management strategies and ensure that product is available and flows efficiently into each market.”

Many of the products available to Europeans via the new EDC will be presented at the open-to-the-trade-only 2010 IWA & Outdoor Classics Show being held March 12-15 in Nuremberg, Germany. At the show, a new booth will debut featuring new products such as the Nitro Piston powered Benjamin and Remington break barrel air rifles, and the Benjamin Marauder PCP air rifles. Also being introduced are the new line of PCP pistols and the new Marlin Cowboy lever action BB gun. The new Crosman Corporation exhibit is in Hall 3, Stand 403.

Crosman Europe’s, Martin Stelling comments, “The future looks promising for Crosman in Europe. With the consolidation of distribution channels and the large number of new products being launched this year, Crosman is poised for unprecedented growth and enhanced service for its European customers. I am particularly excited,” he said, “about the creation of the Game Face Airsoft division. The new automatic electric airsoft carbines, as well as the first-ever Verdict Marking BBs, have generated a great deal of excitement in the airsoft world already. In the airgun category, Crosman’s Nitro Piston technology for break barrel air rifles is causing quite a stir.”

For further information on the new Crosman European Distribution Center, the IWA & Outdoor Classics Show or on any Crosman, Benjamin, CenterPoint Hunting and Outdoors Precision Optics or Game Face Airsoft products, visit the company’s Web sites at www.crosman.com, www.centerpointhunting.com, www.gamefaceairsoft.com,

Rochester, N.Y.-based Crosman Corporation is an international designer, manufacturer and marketer of Crosman® and Benjamin® airguns, Crosman Archery products, CenterPoint® Hunting and Outdoors Precision Optics and Archery products, and Game Face™ Airsoft products. Crosman is also the exclusive licensee for Remington® airguns and airsoft products. The company is privately held.

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Crosman Corporation Announces New European Distribution Center In Shannon, Ireland

Leupold Scopes

BEAVERTON, Ore. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Leupold & Stevens, Inc. announces the promotion of Pat Mundy to communications manager.

An avid hunter, shooter and handloader, Mundy oversees a staff of six in developing and implementing advertising, public relations, interactive and other marketing communications.

Prior to his promotion, Mundy served as marketing communications supervisor. He joined Leupold in 2003 as senior marketing communications specialist. He previously spent 6½ years working in advertising and public relations for an agency in the Portland, Ore., area that specializes in hunting and shooting accounts.

A native of Canby, Ore., Mundy is a graduate of the University of Oregon in Eugene with a degree in English literature. Post-graduation he attended Oregon State University in Corvallis, taking course work in business and management.

“Pat has tremendous knowledge of Leupold products and markets, as well as great passion for the hunting and shooting sports,” said Mike Slack, Leupold’s senior corporate communications manager. “Over the past seven years, he has become a key member of our marketing team and made many contributions to our business success. It is a real pleasure to work with Pat and to announce this well-deserved promotion.”

Leupold & Stevens, Inc., the most prominent American-owned and -operated optics company, employs more than 600 people in its state-of-the-art facility near Beaverton, Ore. Leupold is a fifth-generation, family-owned company whose products are sold worldwide to hunters, competitive shooters, wildlife observers, golfers, law enforcement officers and special operations military personnel.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a Charter Supporter of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation.

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Leupold Promotes Pat Mundy to Communications Manager

Cabelas Shooting Sports

SIDNEY, Neb.--(AmmoLand.com)- Cabela’s Incorporated (NYSE: CAB) announced today the addition of a new member to its executive team. Doug Means will be joining Cabela’s as Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, reporting to Tommy Millner, Chief Executive Officer.

Previously, Means served as Executive Vice President of Production for Better Sportswear at Jones Apparel Group, which he joined in 1992. During his 18 years at Jones Apparel, Means held a variety of positions within supply chain operations focused on day-to-day management as well as process, speed and cost improvement. His responsibilities included managing the industrial engineering, distribution, logistics, social compliance, customs, production, sourcing and product development areas.

Prior to joining Jones Apparel, Means was a consultant for Kurt Salmon Associates in Atlanta, Ga., where he assisted clients in improving operations, developing strategic distribution and logistics plans, and building logistics optimization models.

“In January, we announced several changes and promotions in our top leadership roles, better aligning Cabela’s executive management team with our strategic initiatives,” said Tommy Millner, Cabela’s Chief Executive Officer. “Today I am excited to welcome Doug to our executive team and look forward to his valuable contributions to our supply chain operations.”

About Cabela’s Incorporated
Cabela’s Incorporated, headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, is a leading specialty retailer, and the world’s largest direct marketer, of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. Since the Company’s founding in 1961, Cabela’s (R) has grown to become one of the most well-known outdoor recreation brands in the world, and has long been recognized as the World’s Foremost Outfitter(R). Through Cabela’s growing number of retail stores and its well-established direct business, it offers a wide and distinctive selection of high-quality outdoor products at competitive prices while providing superior customer service. Cabela’s also issues the Cabela’s CLUB(R) Visa credit card, which serves as its primary customer loyalty rewards program. Cabela’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CAB”.

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Cabela’s Announces Addition to Executive Team

Beretta USA

ACCOKEEK, MD --(AmmoLand.com)- The first 2010 issue of Beretta USA’s mail order catalog is now in-home and marks the sixth year the spring catalog has been published.

Ryan Muety, Beretta USA’s Director of Marketing and Consumer Direct, explained that Beretta launched its mail order catalog to provide a new way to promote Beretta-branded apparel and accessories – items related to the hunting and shooting sports. Even though the products offered in the catalog are not firearms, the products offered, like Beretta firearms, reflect the brand’s core characteristics of performance, quality, and innovation.

Beretta Spring 2010 Catalog

This is especially evident in Beretta’s new TEQ (pronounced “tech”) Performance Collection. The collection includes a jacket, vest, pant and short and is made of specially engineered polyester. Beretta developed this technical fabric to keep hunters cool, comfortable and protected during warm weather hunting. Lightweight and breathable, this quick-drying fabric is treated also to repel insects and UV rays. The TEQ Performance Collection is featured in Beretta’s Spring catalog.

The jacket from the TEQ Performance Collection is expected to be a particularly popular item this Spring. It packs easily and wears as comfortably as a softly constructed shirt.

“It’s a great jacket whether you’re hunting, fishing or hiking,” said Rebecca Etchen, Apparel Manager for Beretta USA, “and with its safari-style it also looks great on the street.”

Beretta plans a total of eight catalog issues this year. Each catalog features apparel for men and women, as well as various accessories such as shooting glasses, belts, hats and gloves. The apparel items include classic hunting apparel, apparel for clay shooting sports, as well as a selection of branded merchandise such as polo shirts, mock-turtlenecks, t-shirts and caps. Discounts are also offered on clearance items.

Beretta’s catalogs have been designed to reflect a selection of apparel and accessories most appropriate for the season, so the Spring catalog includes an extensive collection of items geared towards clay shooting sports. Men will also find seasonal casual wear like sweaters, shirts and jeans.

Each issue of the catalog includes a selection of gun accessories such as holsters, optics and choke tubes, as well as various luggage pieces, range bags, and gun and ammunition cases.

All the merchandise in the catalog is also available on line at Beretta’s website (www.berettausa.com). Customers can view a copy of the catalog on line or by calling 1-800-BERETTA.

About:
Beretta, established in 1526, is the oldest industrial dynasty in the world tracing its roots through 16 generations of continuous family ownership. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for almost 500 years. Beretta USA Corp. was founded in 1977 and supplies the standard sidearm to the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, Beretta manufactures, distributes and markets a complete line of firearms, accessories and apparel. Beretta also owns and operates six retail Beretta Gallery stores worldwide. For additional information, visit www.berettausa.com.

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Beretta USA Mail Order Catalog Enters Sixth Year of Publication

S4Gear

Junction City, Or --(AmmoLand.com)- S4Gear, the manufacturer of outdoor stuff that gets noticed, introduces its inaugural product, the Sidewinder Retractable Tether System.

The Sidewinder is a convenient way for recreational enthusiasts to secure their electronic devices – rangefinder, GPS, radio, cell phone, etc – for instant access.

Sidewinder Retractable Tether System.

More importantly, the Sidewinder offers security, keeping those expensive gadgets confidently intact with multiple attachment points. It also offers silence, an essential element whether you’re in a tree stand, photographing wildlife or on the fairway.

“The Sidewinder is specifically designed to meet the rugged expectations of the outdoors person interested in conveniently locating and securing their electronic devices while maintaining a silent atmosphere,” stated Dayne Lester, S4Gear‘s Vice President of Product Development and Business Strategies.

Constructed with a thermal plastic over-molded cover that absorbs impact noise, the Sidewinder attaches to your hip, arm, thigh, belt, or backpack. Its 36” low-friction, high-tensile strength cable keeps your device within easy reach. Every part is designed to eliminate noise, which makes the Sidewinder ideal for hunters, golfers and outdoor enthusiasts. Its rugged design also works for ATV riders, cyclists, hikers, skiers, and anyone else who likes to test the outdoors.

Look for the Sidewinder at fine outdoor and golf retailers or online at www.S4Gear.com.

About:
S4Gear makes outdoor stuff that gets noticed. Innovative, cutting-edge equipment that creates an air of confidence for the outdoor enthusiast. S4Gear is based in Eugene, Oregon and was born in the woods. S4Gear is dedicated to providing superior quality, expert craftsmanship, and technically advanced products that meet the demands of nature and those who tame it.

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Sidewinder Retractable Tether System: Convenient, Secure, Silent

S4Gear - Meeting the Demands of Nature and Those Who Tame It

S4Gear

Junction City, Or --(AmmoLand.com)- What do you do once you complete your exit strategy from a hugely successful outdoor recreation company you founded and brought to a leadership position over the past decade?

You venture out and start another one, of course.

That’s exactly what John Strasheim is doing with S4Gear, now making its debut in the general outdoor market. Strasheim was the Founder, President and CEO of BowTech, which included the Diamond Archery, Stryker, and Octane brands, as well as WaterDog Surface Technologies, provider of hydrographic coatings.

Now, he and his three partners hope to find the same success with S4Gear. The business model is to compete in the high-end outdoor equipment market by focusing on superior quality, expert craftsmanship, and advanced technology. S4Gear is launching the company with a single product, the Sidewinder Retractable Tether System, and plans to expand by introducing a number of additional outdoor products by the end of 2010.

The Sidewinder is a convenient way for recreational enthusiasts to secure their electronic devices – rangefinder, GPS, radio, cell phone, etc – for instant access and transport. The Sidewinder is expected to be available for purchase at hunting/outdoor retail locations and the S4Gear website in March.

“Like our tagline says, we started S4Gear with the knowledge and passion to provide general outdoor and hunting products that meet the demands of both the outdoor enthusiast and the outdoors,” Strasheim said from his headquarters in Eugene, Oregon.

“I am equally enthused with the opportunity to remain in the industry and continue the relationships with the many friends we have been blessed to have.”

For further product information and updates, visit www.S4Gear.com

S4Gear makes outdoor stuff that gets noticed. Innovative, cutting-edge equipment that creates an air of confidence for the outdoor enthusiast. S4Gear is based in Eugene, Oregon and was born in the woods. S4Gear is dedicated to providing superior quality, expert craftsmanship, and technically advanced products that meet the demands of nature and those who tame it.

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S4Gear – Meeting the Demands of Nature and Those Who Tame It

Bond Arms & Buck Knives Self Defense Knife

Bond Arms

GRANBURY, Texas - -(AmmoLand.com)- Bond Arms, best known for manufacturing the finest double barrel handguns in the world, has teamed up with Buck Knives to produce a Signature heavy duty, high quality knife perfect for self defense needs.

This assisted knife, which is made in the USA, features a stainless steel blade and offers effortless one-hand opening. It fits perfectly in your back pocket while the removable pocket clip allows for quick and easy retrieval. You can choose from a handsome black ash or rosewood grip that perfectly matches the grip on your Bond Arms handgun and the Bond Arms logo is embossed right into the wood.

“We’ve been searching for a long time for the perfect knife,” said Gordon Bond of Bond Arms. “A knife that would match the quality and craftsmanship of our Bond Arms double barrel handguns. The new Bond Arms Buck Knife is exactly what we’ve been looking for. It has the same rock solid appeal as our line of handguns and it’s a knife that any collector would be proud to own.”

At only $60, this durable, perfectly weighted knife is a great addition to your collection. To purchase this knife, click here.

About Bond Arms
Bond Arms has been manufacturing 100% Made in the U.S.A., derringer style firearms, since 1995 and is recognized for its dependable, well-built double-barrel handguns, which feature historically inspired designs. They are trusted firearms for personal protection as well as cowboy action shooting. Bond Arm derringers have been the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) World Champions for 10 years in a row.

Their most popular models, including the Snake Slayer, Snake Slayer IV, Texas Defender, Cowboy Defender and Ranger, are compact pistols that pack a big wallop. But what might be even cooler is the fact they have multiple personalities. Bond offers 15 interchangeable barrels for their guns, which gives shooters 23 different caliber combinations including popular choices such as .410 shot shells or .45 Colt cartridges, and changing the barrels is a snap. A standard allen wrench allows you to remove the hinge screw so you can change out the barrel in about a minute.

For more information about Bond Arms visit http://www.bondarms.com/ or call 817-573-4445

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Bond Arms Teams Up With Legendary Buck Knives On Self Defense Knife

NRAFoundation.org

FAIRFAX, Va. --(AmmoLand.com)- MidwayUSA and its CEO, Larry Potterfield, have pledged $50,000 to become a Friends of NRA 2010 National Corporate Sponsor.

The donation will be used to provide funding for NRA Foundation programs dedicated to youth and women’s shooting sports, range development and law enforcement such as the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program, Refuse to be a Victim and Women on Target.

MidwayUSA is a world leader in shooting and reloading supplies which it sells online and through mail-order catalogues. Founded in 1977 and headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, they have maintained their strong commitment to Friends of NRA and the shooting sports over the years. Brenda Potterfield, co-owner and wife of Larry, has previously served as the Vice President of the NRA Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

Friends of NRA is a grassroots fund-raising program that fosters community involvement, raises money, and gives 100% of the net proceeds to qualified local, state, and national programs. Working with the NRA’s field staff, thousands of volunteers nationwide participate in the program by organizing committees and planning events in their communities.

Larry Potterfield was instrumental in the startup of Friends of NRA with the founding of the first chapter in Columbia, Missouri, in 1992. Since then, Friends of NRA has expanded to hold over 12,000 events. The original chapter still holds its monthly meetings at the MidwayUSA building.

“Since the beginning of the program, the shooting and hunting industry has been a key source of financial support in achieving fundraising goals,” said John da Silva, National Manager of Events & Marketing for Friends of NRA. “Both Larry and Brenda Potterfield, along with their business, MidwayUSA, understood the significance of our mission and have generously contributed financial support at the local and national level for the Friends of NRA program.

“This new corporate sponsorship commitment has established a standard [for the program]. We are very grateful for this $50,000 annual contribution and look forward to Midway and other corporations financial support of the Friends of NRA program and The NRA Foundation,” said da Silva.

“Everyone knows that Friends of NRA has been a tremendous financial success for NRA and the shooting sports programs in the states,” said Potterfield. “But often overlooked is the grassroots networking value it brings to NRA members and the NRA organization. At every event you get to see and talk with ‘Friends of NRA’.”

In addition to helping establish Friends of NRA, MidwayUSA has asked customers to round up the total of each order and donate the change to the NRA/ILA since 1992. The Potterfields have also created several educational endowments in the NRA.

Visit the Friends of NRA website at www.friendsofnra.org. For more information contact Event Services Manager Jeremy Greene at (703) 267-1354 or jgreene@nrahq.org.

Visit the MidwayUSA website at www.midwayusa.com. For more information you can contact customerservice@midwayusa.com or call 1-800-243-3220.

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Friends of NRA Announces 2010 National Corporate Sponsor MidwayUSA

Top Brass Military Surplus & Tactical Gear

EOTAC.com

West Columbia, SC --(AmmoLand.com)- EOTAC, makers of the highest quality tactical and discreet garments available, have added five additional showrooms across the country.

Due to the growing demand for EOTAC apparel, EOTAC has recently established additional EOTAC Showrooms to better meet the demand.

EOTAC Showroom accounts offer the full range of EOTAC products at locations spanning both coasts.

The new EOTAC Showroom Dealers include:

• Cro Bar Public Safety Supply in Covington, GA;
• Top Brass in Stafford, TX and Houston, TX;
• Blackwater ProShop located at the US Training Center Facility in Moyock, NC;
• Outdoor Bunker in Fargo, ND;
• Nightstalker Tactical Solutions in Springfield, OR.

To learn more about Team EOTAC visit www.EOTAC.com.

About EOTAC
EOTAC taps decades of real world military, law enforcement, and private sector experience to produce the highest quality tactical and discreet garments available to operators today. Offering both traditional and next gen tactical clothing, EOTAC designs innovate without sacrificing utility or comfort. Leveraging outdoor industry experience and end user feedback, EOTAC continually refines the capabilities of its product line maintaining a high level of excellence in every garment offered.

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EOTAC Tactical Clothing Establishes Five Additional Showroom Dealers

Brownells is proud to announce a 37,000 square foot expansion of their Montezuma, Iowa warehouse...

Brownells.com

Des Moines, Iowa - -(AmmoLand.com)- Brownells is growing. The company is proud to announce a 37,000 square foot expansion of their Montezuma, Iowa warehouse is well underway.

According to company President, Pete Brownell, “The extra space makes room for the additional inventory needed to maintain our industry-leading in-stock position and to also help us get our orders out even more efficiently.”

Along with the new space, plans call for the addition of several people, plus more technology to assist order picking, packing, and bulk warehouse staff with their jobs.

CEO Frank Brownell told us, “I remember working for Dad in the basement of the old movie theatre on the town square. We couldn’t imagine filling the current building when we moved in back in the 1970s and we’ve had to add on every five years. What’s really neat is we’ve been able to expand without losing the personal service that our customers deserve.”

At Brownells Everything is Guaranteed period! …Forever, 100%, with no restocking fees. Founded in 1939, Brownells provides free tech help and there’s no minimum order size or small order fees.

About:
Brownells is the world’s largest supplier of firearm parts, gunsmithing tools, reloading equipment and accessories. Stocking more than 30,000 items, the company supplies armorers, gunsmiths, and shooters worldwide. All of their products are backed by a 100% satisfaction, unconditional, lifetime guarantee. For more information, or to place an order, call 800-741-0015 or visit Brownells.com

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Brownells Expands

ATK

MINNEAPOLIS, MN --(AmmoLand.com)- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that Tig H. Krekel has been elected as an independent director to the company’s board of directors, effective March 1, 2010.

“Tig brings impressive credentials and a significant breadth of operational and senior leadership experience to ATK’s Board of Directors,” said Chairman Ron Fogleman. “His background in aerospace, defense, and finance will provide a valuable perspective as the company expands its market presence both domestically and internationally.”

Mr. Krekel is the Vice Chairman and a partner of J.F. Lehman & Company, a New York private-equity investment bank. He joined the firm in 2001. Prior to J. F. Lehman, Mr. Krekel served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hughes Space and Communications and President of Boeing Satellite Systems, the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial and military communications satellites. Before joining Hughes in 1999, Mr. Krekel was the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Aerospace Equipment Systems group of AlliedSignal (now Honeywell), which served the commercial transport, regional airline, general aviation, military and space markets. Mr. Krekel also served in senior executive positions at Decair Corporation, an aviation/aerospace holding company, Poloron Products, a diversified manufacturing concern and Jet America, a domestic and international air carrier.

Mr. Krekel spent five years as a Naval Officer holding various assignments including nuclear engineering duty on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, and aide in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. Mr. Krekel graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, from the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School as a licensed Nuclear Engineer and earned an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot’s license and has more than 3,000 hours of flight time in jet and rotary-wing aircraft.

He is Chairman of the Board of the Defense Venture Group (”DVG”), a director of Atlantic Marine and Drew Marine, a principal at the Hudson Group, and a National Trustee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

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ATK Names Tig H. Krekel to Board of Directors

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SAGINAW, Mich. --(AmmoLand.com)- Special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and detectives from the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) on February 22, 2010, arrested an individual identified as Joshua BRUFF of Owosso, Mich, for alleged violations of federal firearms laws.

ATF Agents, SCSO detectives, investigators from the Michigan State Police and officers from the Owosso Police Department immediately served a federal search warrant at BRUFF’S residence located in Owosso, Mich. This arrest and search warrants were served as part of a joint investigation by ATF and SCSO after it was uncovered that BRUFF was allegedly stealing firearms and other items from his employer, Bare’s Sporting Goods in St. Charles, Mich. Bare’s is a federal firearms licensee (FFL).

This investigation is a cooperative effort between ATF and the SCSO. The following items were seized pursuant to the federal search warrant: 17 long guns, three handguns, thousands of rounds of ammunition and miscellaneous documents. Agents and detectives are comparing serial numbers of these firearms to those reported stolen from Bare’s to determine the status of these firearms.

BRUFF is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Flint, Mich. for his initial appearance on a criminal complaint which charges him with disposing of and selling a stolen firearm in violation of Title 18, United States Code Section 922(j). If convicted of this charge, BRUFF faces up to 10 years imprisonment and/or up to a $250,000 fine.

ATF and the SCSO are seeking the public’s assistance in this matter. If you are an area FFL who purchased firearms from BRUFF, please call the ATF Flint Field Office at 810-341-5710 or the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office, Detective Bureau at 989-790-5447.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment. This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office in Flint, Michigan.

ATF is the principal federal law enforcement agency dedicated to reducing violent crime, and protecting our nation. ATF is committed to working directly, and through partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies, to investigate and reduce crime involving firearms and explosives, acts of arson, and illegal trafficking of alcohol and tobacco products. More information on ATF is available at www.atf.gov.

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Federal Arrest Warrant and Search Warrant Served in Firearms Theft Case

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BALTIMORE, MD --(AmmoLand.com)-  Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Theresa R. Stoop of the Baltimore Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), today announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the burglary of The Bank, a federally licensed firearms (FFL) dealer, located at 323 St. John Street, Havre de Grace, Maryland.

On September 3, 2009, after regular business hours, someone forcibly broke into and entered the gun dealer’s business and stole 20 firearms including pistols and revolvers.

“We take this crime very seriously,” said SAC Stoop. “There are 20 firearms on the street, with the strong potential of being sold to or used by other criminals. Firearms trafficking is a serious offense which results in significant federal prison time for the person or persons responsible.”

The burglary is being investigated by ATF’s Firearms Trafficking Team (FTT), the Harford County Sheriff’s Department, the Havre de Grace Police Department and the Aberdeen Police Department. Anyone with information about this crime may report it to the following agencies:

• ATF Baltimore Field Office: (443) 965-2154
• ATF Gun Hotline: (800) ATF-GUNS or (800) 283-4867
• Havre de Grace Police Department: (410) 939-2121

All information will be treated confidentially and the callers will remain anonymous upon request.

ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating federal firearms violations and regulating the firearms industry. More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.

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ATF Offers $5,000 Reward in Gun Store Burglary

Outdoorchannel TV

Temecula, Calif. --(AmmoLand.com)- Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD), parent company of America’s leader in Outdoor TV, today announced the promotion of Randy Brown to Executive Vice President, Affiliate Sales and Marketing at Outdoor Channel, from Senior Vice President.

Since joining the Company, Mr. Brown has played a significant role in Outdoor Channel’s expansion and entrance into key markets by securing and improving carriage across leading cable, satellite and telco companies.

“Randy is an invaluable member of our executive team and has made substantial contributions to our ongoing success,” said Tom Hornish, COO at Outdoor Channel. “His outstanding leadership and sales expertise has earned him this well deserved promotion, and we certainly expect his accomplishments in the distribution arena to continue.”

Outdoor Channel Advances Randy Brown

Mr. Brown joined Outdoor Channel in September 2007, bringing more than two decades of proven experience from companies such as ESPN and Tennis Channel. Together with his six-member sales force, he secured nearly 5 million additional subscribers in 2009.

According to Nielsen Media Research, Outdoor Channel was the fourth fastest growing network in 2009 and has 36 million subscribers as of February 2010. In addition, Outdoor Channel added 235 new systems carrying its channel in HD last year, increasing its HD presence by 2.5 million homes. The network’s HD service now exceeds 4 million total subscribers; those subscribers receiving both the standard as well as the HD signal are included in Nielsen’s Universe Estimate as only one subscriber.

“I’m proud to be an integral part of Outdoor Channel during this important growth period,” said Mr. Brown. “The network has a loyal base of viewers centered around our top-quality programming, expert outdoor talent and contemporary branding. I am honored to play a role in expanding its reach and solidifying our position as the nation’s category-leading entertainment company for the outdoors.”

In June 2009, both Mr. Brown and his team were awarded two prestigious CableFAX Sales Executive of the Year Awards in the category of Affiliate Sales Person of the Year (Mid-Size Network) and Affiliate Sales Team of the Year (Large and Mid-Size Networks). He was also honored with a CableFAX 100 award in December 2009, recognizing the most influential professionals in the cable industry.

About Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.
Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) owns and operates Outdoor Channel, America’s leader in outdoor TV, and Winnercomm Inc., an Emmy Award winning production and interactive company. Outdoor Channel offers programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, shooting, off-road motorsports, adventure and the Western lifestyle and can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic broadband website. Winnercomm Inc. is one of America’s largest and highest quality producers of live sporting events and sports series for cable and broadcast television. Winnercomm also owns and operates the patented Skycam and CableCam aerial camera systems which provide dramatic overhead camera angles for major sports events, including college and NFL football. For more information please visit www.outdoorchannel.com.

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Outdoor Channel Advances Randy Brown To Executive Vice President Affiliate Sales And Marketing

Pictured left to right: Jerry Wydner, Jim Barta, Michael Wydner (seated), David Langston, John Wydner.

Hunter Safeyu Systems

DANVILLE, Alabama --(AmmoLand.com)-Hunter Safety System, the company dedicated to making everyone’s hunting experience a safe one, announced the addition of Michael Wydner to the company.

In his role as assistant director of marketing, Wydner is responsible for developing programs with hunter education foundations to promote treestand safety and build the HSS brand. He will also work with outfitters and the media to spread the message of safe hunting and treestand safety while promoting the Hunter Safety System products. He reports directly to David Langston, director of sales and marketing.

Prior to joining the HSS team, Wydner held a territory sales representative position for Newell Rubbermaid from 2004 to 2009. He has also worked in field and event marketing for Lenox Industrial Tools. Wydner comes to the company as the second generation in this family-owned company. His father, Jerry, and uncle John created the company with their life-long friend Jim Barta in 2001, and the trio continues to lead the company.

“We are very excited to have Michael as part of the HSS team,” said Langston. “He has joined us at the perfect time. Hunter Safety System vests have firmly established themselves as the benchmark by which all other fall restraint systems are measured, and our company has entered an exciting new era with new products that enhance the hunting experience.

“Michael’s enthusiasm and passion for HSS and concept of hunter safety are contagious,” Langston continued. “The company was founded after his uncle John miraculously survived a treestand accident, so Michael absolutely understands the tremendous importance of treestand safety, and he has intimate knowledge of all the products.”

Wydner attended Birmingham-Southern College on a 4-year baseball scholarship. He earned his degree in business administration with a minor in economics. He and his family reside in Danville, Alabama.

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Danville, Alabama, Hunter Safety System is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative deer hunting gear and hunting equipment for the serious hunter. For additional information, you can write to: The Hunter Safety System, 8237 Danville Road, Danville, AL 35619, call toll free 877-296-3528, or visit the company website at www.huntersafetysystem.com.

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Hunter Safety System Names Michael Wydner Assistant Director Of Marketing

Author: Ashley Burgess, Senior MARCOM Manager Laura Burgess Marketing

Shooting Sports And Firearms Companies Get Connected To Social Media

Manasquan, NJ - -(Ammoland.com)- Few marketers truly understand the syndication and reach potential of new social media tools. The engine that drives new media marketing is content and “content is king” in social media.  A marketer helps clients by producing quality content to drive visitor interest and maintain a brand in the eyes of the marketplace.  Social media provides the technical environment to syndicate content, using the new media tools to locate interested users and deliver  news, events and commentary to maintain interest and enhance the value of a brand.

Social media marketing is the future of building brand awareness through content syndication.  The Shooting Sports industry is the perfect industry for this marketing method.  Internet activism through blogs and user forums are abundant in the shooting and firearms industry.  There are large volumes of users embracing the technology that is the foundation of social media marketing.

Email Marketing One Piece of the Pie
As an Editor of Ammoland.com I have the pleasure of working with a number of industry leading companies discussing advertising and marketing.  Many established companies rely heavily on email marketing to get their message out.  Email marketing has a value but innovation with smart phones and the rapidly changing habits of email users are impacting the effectiveness of email marketing. Effective marketers must look to adapt their methods to maximize their reach. Email marketing click through rates and subscription rates are on the decline.  I recently read that nearly 35% of email broadcasts never reach the intended recipient. Many email recipient’s are opting out of broadcast email lists in preference to receiving updates through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, user forums and other real time news sources such as Ammoland Shooting Sports News.

Mobile devices are changing the habits of users and marketers need to adapt to the new technology.  Smart marketers know that innovation means opportunity.  Mobile devices are being used to receive emails but the opportunity to deliver an effective marketing message through email to a mobile device is in jeopardy. As users migrate from traditional personal computer based email clients to smart mobile devices they are reducing the volume of email they receive by opting out of non essential emails lists.  Marketing email’s tend to be the first to go in this transition.

Users are not abandoning their quest to stay informed. On the contrary, their desire to receive interest specific news is growing as they learn how to tweak their smart device to retrieve the content they seek. In fact users are tuning their mobile devices to stay informed by adding specialized applications to track their favorite events and sports.    Other users are using Facebook to stay on top of friends, family and of course, their personal interests. It’s easy for a user to become of fan or friend of a company through Facebook. Building a Facebook page for your company is simple but your efforts to make the social media connection do not stop there.

Being an effective social media marketer requires a concentrated effort, just like email marketing.  Producing content with regular frequency, content that works well in all delivery devices and content that communicates your message is vital to your online marketing success.   Adding your Facebook page, Twitter account, or LinkedIn page to all your announcements is a logical next step in building an online social following through the established social media sites. Making the social connection with the user is your goal.  Like adding subscribers to your email list, building a social following can help you reach more users with your message in more ways then ever before.

Create a Social Media Plan
Before you jump into the world of social media marketing, you should develop a well thought out plan of attack. Do not just jump on the bandwagon of every popular site hoping people will find you. Just like with any other marketing, you want to do your research and make sure your client base is out there. This is not necessarily a numbers game. Sure, it’s great to look at your Facebook Fan Page and see you have thousands of fans, but are they quality leads? It is better to find and join sites with targeted, quality leads who are serious about your product, even though that number may be small, than to join a social media site and have thousands of contacts that you can’t move down your pipeline. Remember, numbers aren’t everything.

Once you have targeted which social media sites are right for you and your company, then create your plan. Your persona should be consistent across all platforms. Who you present yourself or your company as online should be what you and your company represent in person. This is an era and these are platforms of authenticity and transparency. If you deceive your followers, they will leave you. Ensure that you have the same image, similar usernames and similar descriptions of your company for each platform to make it easy for users to recognize and find you.

Remember that social media platforms are only as effective as the time and energy you put into them. Social media sites are a great way to get your name out there as a Subject Matter Expert. Don’t just push out content about sales and deals that your company is offering, although do keep in mind that your goal is to find new contacts through these sites and drive them to your main website. If you offer nothing more than hot deals and what is on sale at your site, people will get bored of you and stop paying attention.  If you present your company as an industry leader, share your thoughts and opinions on hot topics, answer questions when asked, pose questions when you are looking for information, then people will look to you for more. They will trust you and respect your opinion.

Make the Right Partners
Finding an effective syndication partner like Ammoland.com can help you connect with more users.  Ammoland pushes content out to many different social media sites including Facebook, Technorati and Google news. Increasing your content distribution helps you reach a greater volume of users and will keep your content in front of your target user.  Ammoland helps break down some technical barriers in the distribution of content.  Some shooting enthusiasts get Ammoland shooting sports news on their iPhone while others are getting real time feed updates streaming through Facebook.  I was amazed that we have such a fast growing group of readers using our news feed through Amazon Kindle.  Lexus Nexus is another downstream partner that uses our media feed to deliver pro firearms news to their user base. An effective syndication partner can help a company drive their message beyond the limitation of a device or a service and that means more coverage in more places.

Don’t be alarmed if you’re not building a huge following through Twitter or other social media sites.  Users may choose to source your news through an aggregator like Ammoland.  We deliver a snapshot of news across the industry, every day, making our news source vertical while delivering as much information as possible.  A syndicated news aggregator like Ammoland is attractive to users who want more interesting news on vertical topics like shooting sports.

So how can the shooting industry embrace social media marketing?  Like all marketing efforts, social media marketing starts with a good plan.  Random tweets will not replace your email marketing.  Deciding what content to push out through social media is critical.  Some content must be adapted to communicate your message in the medium you choose; in the case of Twitter, you only have 140 characters to make an impression. A static press release may need to be upgraded to include video and high resolution images.  The title of a press release is more important now then ever as a properly worded title with key marketing terms is vital to click through rates on downstream media syndication sources.  Many social media sites will only stream the title of an article to a smart phone and user action is required to push the full article to the device.  Creating custom landing pages for your press announcements with traceable URLs that deliver the statistic is important for today’s marketer who is looking to understand the effectiveness of a press release pushed through the social media syndication process.
Engage & Respond
Reaching your clients through social media is only half the task.  Unlike static press or email, social media offers the ability for a company to engage the end user and communicate their message in real time.  Comments and user forums should be tracked using tools like Google alerts to find all environments where a company’s products or name are mentioned.  Marketers should use these user conversations to transfer their intimate company knowledge and to keep the user receiving the right message.  Connecting with users and communicating your company message is the true intention of social media marketing.

About Brian Johnson
A ten year veteran to ecommerce and search engine based marketing Brian is an Editor and owner of the popular shooting sports news website Ammoland.com. Ammoland is pushing out industry specific news content to keep Shooters in the know on the latest innovations and happenings regarding firearms and shooting sports. Get connected with Brian on Linkedin , Facebook, or receive all the industry news in real time through Ammoland.com. If your company is involved in shooting sports please send us your press announcements, product announcements, staff or sponsorship news. Ammoland will publish your news through our syndicated network for FREE.

About Ashley Burgess
Ashley is a graduate of Babson College, one of the leading private business colleges within the country, and  currently serves as Senior MARCOM Manager for Laura Burgess Marketing, a public relations and marketing communications firm for the law enforcement, tactical, military, shooting sports, home building, boating and recreational fishing markets. She is THE Social Media Guru on board and has written several White Papers on LinkedIn, Twitter and a forthcoming Facebook edition. Get connected with Laura Burgess Marketing on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or sign up to receive our bi-monthly newsletter. Looking for a la carte or retainer public relations and marketing communications services? Contact Laura Burgess Marketing today and discover all our wonderful services.

This article shall not be copied reproduce or published in whole or part without written permission by the authors.

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Shooting Sports And Firearms Companies Get Connected To Social Media

Shooters Ridge Website

Shooters Ridge

ONALASKA, Wis. –-(AmmoLand.com)- February 23, 2010 – The shooting accessories experts at Shooters Ridge® have launched a new and improved website at www.shootersridge.com.

The redesigned website helps shooters of all backgrounds quickly find what they are looking for, every time.

The company has transformed the site, invigorating a new look and feel to support the growing brand. New images, concise text and cleaner, easier navigation helps retailers and shooters move better through the site to locate information and product.

On target:
Site upgrades provide convenient solutions. Shooters Ridge, a leader in shooting supports and accessories industry, proudly offers a new website with convenient solutions for shooters. It features widely acclaimed products such as Shooters Ridge swivel bi-pods, Picatinny bi-pods, bench shooting rests, range or hunter gear bags and universal shooting sticks.

The company tailored the new site to the needs of its regular visitors for the ultimate user experience. Shooters Ridge based the information architecture of its new website on input directly from its users.

“We wanted the site to reflect the way real visitors use the content,” said Raluca Simian, brand manager. “As a result, visitors will find new product coverage, company and industry news, and the latest promotions front and center.”

Site highlights ideal, consistent shooting accessories for any sportsperson

The following areas stand out as most prevalent on the site:

• Featured products: Products like Sasquatch Blinds, the Ultimate Range Bag and the new Stripper Clip Guide for AR-15/M16 firearms are highlighted as well as the full lineup of Shooters Ridge products. For a quick look at their benefits, check out the Products section .
• What’s new with Shooters Ridge: Perfect for shooters of all disciplines, the What’s New area provides the latest gear, promotions and shooting information.

According to Simian, “In planning the Shooters Ridge website redesign, our main goal was to make it more user-friendly. It was important to demonstrate our commitment to hunters and shooters by making improvements in our products and in our online presence. Now viewers can quickly and easily access the information and resources we have available.”

Visit www.shootersridge.com to navigate the new site.

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Shooters Ridge Launches Redesigned Website

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

PHOENIX, AZ –-(AmmoLand.com)- Cavalry Arms Corporation and its owner Shawn Michael Nealon, 38, of Mesa Arizona., pleaded guilty to the felony offense of Illegal Sale by a Federally Licensed Firearms Dealer to an Out-of-State Resident, in federal district court in Phoenix.

Cavalry Arms Corporation and Nealon have also agreed to surrender their federal licenses to sell firearms.

“Selling to out-of-state residents has been illegal since 1968, we are enforcing federal firearms laws that have been on the books for over 40 years,” said John A. Torres, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Los Angeles Field Division.

“Selling firearms illegally to out of state residents, is something ATF and our state and local partners will aggressively pursue, and although there are very few dealers that engage in criminal transactions, their impact on individuals and communities can be devastating.”

Nealon maintained a federal firearms license (FFL) in his name as well as one under Cavalry Arms Corporation and both operated in the state of Arizona. The investigation conducted by ATF agents and inspectors spanned from Arizona to California and began in January 2008.

The investigation uncovered that on March 2, 2007, Nealon used his personal FFL to sell four firearms to an out-of-state resident. Nealon knew that at the time of the sale, the buyer resided in California. Over a 24 month period beginning in September 2005, Cavalry Arms’ FFL was used to sell 36 firearms to that same individual including AR-15 and AK-47 rifles and a variety of shotguns and handguns.

“Mr. Nealon has finally taken responsibility for his crime of illegally selling firearms to someone he knew was an out-of-state resident,” said Dennis Burke, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. “When firearms are sold illegally, they often end up being used in crimes of violence in the United States and other countries. This criminal activity will not be tolerated in the District of Arizona.”

Nealon is scheduled to be sentenced on April 26,2010. A conviction for Illegal Sale by a Federally Licensed Dealer to an Out-of-State Resident carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

Anyone with information about firearms trafficking or the illegal possession of firearms is encouraged to call ATF at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (800-283-4867). Callers can remain anonymous.

More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov

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Cavalry Arms and Its Owner Plead Guilty to Illegally Selling Firearms

Outdoorchannel TV

Temecula, Calif. – Effective immediately, Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD), parent company of America’s leader in Outdoor TV, today announced the promotion of Greg Harrigan to Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales for Outdoor Channel, from Senior Vice President.

In his new role, the industry veteran will oversee the Company’s national advertising sales activities and operations. Mr. Harrigan will direct sales strategy, develop new account acquisitions and create category growth programs.

“Greg is a seasoned leader who understands the strategic value of Outdoor Channel for our advertisers,” said Roger Werner, President & CEO of Outdoor Channel. “We are pleased to announce this well deserved promotion within our advertising sales division, and we expect that Greg’s efforts will continue to produce successful advertising experiences for our marketing partners.”

Mr. Harrigan joined Outdoor Channel in May 2002. During his tenure with the Company, he has been a key player in producing advertising sales success for Outdoor Channel.

“There has been significant momentum behind Outdoor Channel’s growth. Our ongoing investments in our multiplatform offerings, innovative formats and top-notch personalities continue to provide new and creative opportunities for advertisers,” said Mr. Harrigan.

“It’s an exciting time to lead our sales effort and leverage the extraordinary value of our brand to serve clients and drive revenue.”

About Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.
Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: OUTD) owns and operates Outdoor Channel, America’s leader in outdoor TV, and Winnercomm Inc., an Emmy Award winning production and interactive company. Outdoor Channel offers programming that captures the excitement of hunting, fishing, shooting, off-road motorsports, adventure and the Western lifestyle and can be viewed on multiple platforms including high definition, video-on-demand, as well as on a dynamic broadband website. Winnercomm Inc. is one of America’s largest and highest quality producers of live sporting events and sports series for cable and broadcast television. Winnercomm also owns and operates the patented Skycam and CableCam aerial camera systems which provide dramatic overhead camera angles for major sports events, including college and NFL football. For more information please visit www.outdoorchannel.com.

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Outdoor Channel Elevates Greg Harrigan To Executive Vice President Of Advertising Sales

National Rifle Association

FAIRFAX, VA. --(AmmoLand.com)- The National Rifle Association (NRA) is proud to announce that MidwayUSA has collected more than $5 million through the NRA “Round-Up” program, bringing the company’s total giving to the NRA to over $8 million.

Created by MidwayUSA founders Larry and Brenda Potterfield in 1992, NRA’s “Round-Up” program asks customers to “round up” their order amount to the next highest dollar. The proceeds are then sent to the NRA-ILA’s National Endowment for the Protection of the Second Amendment.

“We’re proud the Round-Up Program has been so successful,” said Mr. Potterfield. “It’s an easy way to offer customers the opportunity to make a big difference in the future of hunting and shooting.”

Each week, MidwayUSA sends a check to the NRA which is then deposited in the Endowment for the Protection of the Second Amendment. To ensure that the fund continues to grow, no donations are spent. Instead, NRA-ILA utilizes the interest from the account for fighting anti-gun legislation across the United States.

Charter members of the NRA Golden Ring of Freedom, Larry and Brenda Potterfield have been active patrons of the NRA for years and supported programs such as “Round-Up,” the Bianchi Cup, Friends of NRA, the Keystone Endowment, and The NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits to name a few. Their leadership in this field is testimony to their devotion to freedom and the protection of our Second Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution.

“We can’t thank the Potterfields and MidwayUSA customers enough,” said Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President. “In the history of the NRA, no other company has given so generously to support the Second Amendment. Larry and Brenda’s idea for the Round-up program was pure genius by itself, but their additional support of other NRA programs is inspiring. We are deeply grateful for their friendship and trust.”

Midway USA

MidwayUSA is the world leader in the distribution of shooting and reloading supplies and equipment. They offer a huge selection of shooting, reloading, gunsmithing, hunting and outdoor products to customers worldwide. For more about MidwayUSA, call 1-800-243-3220 or visit their website at www.midwayusa.com.

To learn more about making a gift to benefit NRA programs, contact Nicole Capossela, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, NRA Office of Advancement, (703) 267-1122 or visit www.nragive.com.

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Round-Up Contributions to NRA-ILA from MidwayUSA Pass $5 Million Milestone

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Two nationwide initiatives developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation “Project ChildSafe and Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” have been recognized by the Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program.

NSSF received an Award of Excellence for its Project ChildSafe program, the firearms safety education effort that has distributed 35 million gun lock safety kits.

Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, the NSSF program that works to prevent the illegal purchase of firearms, was named to the AAA Honor Roll.

NSSF is one of only 13 organizations nationally to receive an Award of Excellence in the first round of the 2010 Associations Advance America Awards program, a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and The Center for Association Leadership in Washington, D.C. Project ChildSafe is now in the running to receive a Summit Award, ASAE and the center’s top recognition for association programs, to be presented at ASAE’s 11th Annual Summit Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29, 2010.

“The National Shooting Sports Foundation is honored to receive these awards for Project ChildSafe and Don’t Lie for the Other Guy from ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership,” said Steve Sanetti, president of NSSF.

“It is through Project ChildSafe that NSSF promotes the safe and responsible use and storage of firearms to millions of gun owners throughout the country and through Don’t Lie for the Other Guy that NSSF helps prevent illegal purchases of firearms by prohibited persons.”

Project ChildSafe’s goal is to help reduce firearms-related accidents through the distribution of free gun locking devices and safety education literature. With support from the firearms industry and U.S. Department of Justice grants, Project ChildSafe has distributed approximately 35 million gun lock safety kits to nearly every law enforcement department in the 50 states and U.S. Territories. Law enforcement then provides the safety kits free of charge to gun owners in their communities, reminding them to safely handle and store firearms in their homes. Through the efforts of Project ChildSafe and other firearm safety programs, accidental firearms fatalities have dropped to their lowest levels since record-keeping began in 1903, including a 60 percent decrease in fatal firearms accidents among youth 14 and under in the last 10 years.

Through Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, NSSF assists the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in educating federally licensed firearms retailers on how to better detect and prevent illegal straw purchases of firearms. An advertising component of the program warns the public that to illegally purchase a firearm is a serious crime. Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, which is funded by the firearms industry and U.S. Department of Justice grants, has been launched in 25 cities, with the focus in the past year along the U.S.-Mexico border. The program’s straw purchase deterrence message – “Buy a gun for someone who can’t and buy yourself 10 years in jail” – recently topped one billion media impressions.

The NSSF programs Don’t Lie for the Other Guy, Project HomeSafe (the forerunner to Project ChildSafe) and Step Outside were previously recognized by ASAE, the last time coming in 2006 when Don’t Lie received an Award of Excellence.

Now in its 20th year, the prestigious Associations Advance America Awards program recognizes associations that propel America forward – with innovative projects in education, skills training, standards-setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship and community service. Although association activities have a powerful impact on everyday life, they often go unnoticed by the general public.

“NSSF’s programs truly embody the spirit of the Associations Advance America campaign. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase these activities as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance American society,” said 2009-2010 Associations Advance America Committee Chair Ping Wei, director of educational opportunities for the American Society of Civil Engineers.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 5,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

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NSSF Wins Awards for Two Programs

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Members who hold FFLs have had the wonderful opportunity over the last three years to schedule a one-day training and consultation session with NSSF consultant Walfred (Wally) Nelson, former deputy assistant director for ATF’s office of enforcement programs and services, to evaluate and improve their record-keeping and compliance practices regarding ATF regulations.

Under the previous terms of this service, NSSF members were responsible for half of the $1,000 consultation fee, plus all of Nelson’s expenses, including travel, lodging, dining and other incidentals. NSSF covered the other half of the one-day consultation fee.

“This has been an incredibly valuable benefit to our membership,” said Bettyjane Swann, NSSF director, member services. “Any member who has availed himself of Wally Nelson’s expertise has found the investment to be an excellent one.”

Walfred Nelson, former deputy assistant director for ATF

However, some members, knowing that Nelson’s expenses could not be predetermined, passed on the opportunity to meet with him. NSSF, aware of how fruitful such a daylong meeting could be for its members, stepped up its financial commitment by eliminating the member’s obligation to pick up expenses.

“NSSF is asking members to only pay three-quarters of the flat consultation fee. That is, they’ll pay $750 for the day,” Swann said. “NSSF will pay not only the remaining $250 of the fee, but also all of Wally’s related expenses. That takes the guess work out of the total fee and lowers the cost for members considerably. “

To learn more about this special opportunity or to initiate scheduling a session with Wally Nelson, you must first join the NSSF.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 5,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

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ATF Compliance Benefit Gets Even Better

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Thousands of members and prospective members stopped by the NSSF booth in the second floor lobby of the SHOT Show, held Jan. 19-22, at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.

There they received information, complimentary gifts for their support and perhaps a respite from the throngs of buyers and media that walked the aisles of the exhibit halls.

If it seemed like a lot of industry members were in attendance, preliminary figures bear out that impression:

• A record 31,280 buyers registered for the show.
• An all-time high of 1,804 professionals were issued media credentials.
• Overall attendance was 58,444, only a few hundred shy of the show’s all-time record set at the 2008 SHOT Show, held in Las Vegas.
• Exhibiting companies numbered nearly 1,800, about 125 of them international, covering 700,000 net square feet in the Sands Expo & Convention Center’s halls and the Venetian Hotel’s meeting rooms.
• SHOT Show University, the State of the Industry Dinner and the Law Enforcement education program were filled to capacity.

Preparations are already being made to assure that the 2011 SHOT Show, scheduled for Jan. 18-21 in the same venue, is not only as big as it was in 2010 but also that improvements will make it an even greater experience for all involved.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 5,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

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The SHOT Show Statistics Spell Success

NSSF 2009 Annual Review Video - Click to View

National Shooting Sports Foundation

NEWTOWN, Conn. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Every year NSSF holds a business meeting during the SHOT Show to report to members on the previous year’s operations. This year, that meeting was held on Thursday, Jan. 21,, the third day of the show.

When Bettyjane Swann, NSSF director, member services, was called to the microphone to give her report, she was able to tell of record numbers on the membership roll.

“I am pleased to report since our last meeting we have added 1,339 new members, including 239 individuals, 137 ranges, 86 retailer/ranges, 748 retailers, 12 non-profits, 113 supporting and four voting members.”

She went on to emphasize just how significant this previous year’s growth is to NSSF.

“Our new members make up 25 percent of our total membership,” Swann reported. “Our new membership campaign helped us achieve an all-time high in NSSF membership.”

According to Swann, membership for the first time reached the 5,000 milestone. As of Feb. 15, that total had climbed to 5,540.

At the State of the Industry Dinner held in the Palazzo Ballroom of the Venetian Resort and Casino the previous evening, NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti presented an annual report on NSSF’s activities in video format. Click here to view that video.

About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 5,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.

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NSSF Membership Meeting Recaps Record Year

Barrett Firearms

Murfreesboro, TN - Ronnie Barrett, founder and CEO of Barrett®, a company world-known for providing high-end firearms, optics, ammunition and training, will be awarded the 2010 Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award from NRA Publications.

The Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award, first presented in 2007, spotlights exemplary achievement by individuals who were responsible for the development, introduction, and promotion of equipment that has made a profound and enduring impact on the way Americans shoot and hunt.

Ronnie Barrett of Barret Rifles

Executive Director of NRA Publications, Joe H. Graham, wrote that Ronnie Barrett was “the unanimous choice of a seven-member selection committee acting on behalf of the NRA members nationwide whose experiences at the range and in the field have been enriched by Barrett Firearms’ products and services and…commitment to innovation, quality, value and customer service.”

To qualify for the Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award, an individual must also meet the following criteria:

• Fundamentally responsible for the invention, development, marketing, and/or promotion of a product(s) that gained widespread use and which fundamentally changed some aspect of shooting sports equipment or related products for the better.
• Demonstrably influential beyond the actual product(s) themselves; i.e., to have spawned imitators or offshoots.
• A contributor, through his/her works, to the goals and mission of the National Rifle Association and a member in good standing.
• Ronnie Barrett will be presented this award during the 2010 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits which will be held May 13-18th in Charlotte, NC. He will also be featured in an editorial overview of the Golden Bullseye Awards. Articles will appear in the May issue of American Rifleman® and American Hunter®, as well as the June issue of Shooting Illustrated® magazines.

Since developing his Model 82 semi-automatic .50 BMG rifle nearly 30 years ago, Ronnie Barrett’s name and big-bore, long-range rifles have become well-regarded by military, recreational, and competitive shooters alike. Adoption of his original Model 82 A1® .50 caliber rifle as the U.S. Army’s M107® also gave him the distinction of being one of only a handful of Americans whose small-arms designs have gone on to serve in an official capacity on battlefields around the world. Mr. Barrett is not only a tireless supporter of the Second Amendment; he has not wavered from the mission of making uniquely American products that serve shooters with the distinction worthy of the Barrett® name.

Barrett® is a family-owned and operated company specializing in high performance rifle systems and accessories. Barrett manufactures rifles, ammunition, optics, and other related accessories for civilian sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and over 63 foreign allied militaries worldwide. For more information, go to barrett.net.

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Ronnie Barrett, Winner Of The NRA 2010 Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award

Benchmade Knife

Oregon City, ORE – -(AmmoLand.com)- Benchmade is proud to support the Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences (CAIS), a new charter school in Oregon City.

Sponsored by the Oregon City School District and Clackamas Community College, CAIS allows high school students to prepare for an industrial career by working for local manufacturing companies and earn college credits.

The program is structured with the first two years of classes at Oregon City High School. The junior year allows students to spend time in different industrial settings, and senior year focuses on an internship and CCC courses. The program begins this fall for the 2010-2011 school year.

The CAIS program allows students with engineering and industrial interests to focus and develop the skills they need to join the workforce. CAIS curriculum is still being developed, however the structure of the program will cover on the job skills, as well as other aspects relating to manufacturing and engineering, including math, physics, and science.

“It is important that students realize that manufacturing is a critical aspect in the workforce,” says Rick Murphy, Director of Finance at Benchmade Knife Company. “By joining forces with other local companies, we are proud to encourage the youth in our community.”

Students will become involved in several different aspects of the manufacturing process and learn skills that will help them to grow and become successful in our community. Other local companies that will be participating are Miles Fiberglass in Clackamas and Pioneer Pump in Canby.

For more information on the Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences (CAIS), please visit: http://www.orecity.k12.or.us/schools/cais

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Benchmade Knives Supports Local Charter School to Encourage Students in Community

Paul Erhardt of MH Media

MH Media

BETHESDA, Md. – -(AmmoLand.com)- MH Media, an award-winning political communications and advertising agency based in Bethesda, Md., announced that Paul Erhardt has been named Vice President. Mr. Erhardt most recently served as senior consultant to MH Media during the 2008 election cycle.

With more than 20 years’ experience in communications, marketing and public relations, Mr. Erhardt is a seasoned political veteran whose campaign experience includes races in Idaho, Michigan, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, among others. In 2008 he served as a member of the McCain for President media team working closely with MH Media to execute the campaign’s winning media strategy during the primary election season.

Said Mike Hudome, agency president, “Paul is an excellent field producer with a keen eye for design and composition. We are delighted to formalize our business relationship and offer Paul`s creative talent to our clients.”

Mr. Erhardt is also an accomplished public relations professional, recognized expert in Second Amendment issue advocacy, and a skilled photographer.

About MH Media:
An award-winning political communications and advertising firm, MH Media has provided the margin of victory for candidates, political committees, and trade associations from coast to coast. A recognized leader in its field, MH Media specializes in crafting a seamless blend of its highly regarded strategic communications advice with its renowned production of television, radio, online, and print advertising. Vist: www.mhmediaonline.com

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MH Media Names Erhardt Vice President

Sabre Defence

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --(AmmoLand.com)- Federal agents from the Nashville field division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have searched the Nashville factory of military weapons manufacturer Sabre Defence Industries.

Sabre manufactures firearms and firearm parts and accessories. It is contracted by the U.S. armed forces for parts and mounts for the M2 Browning .50-caliber machine gun and Minigun. In addition to its government contracts, it produces the XR15 rifle, non-standard M4 Carbines, and non-standard M16A4s.

Jim Cavanaugh, special agent in charge of the Nashville field division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said agents executed a search warrant at the plant Wednesday afternoon, but he would not say what they were looking for.

Law enforcement officials were seen escorting employees one by one of the company out of their 35,000-square-foot facility on Allied Drive. Each employee was searched next to their personal vehicle, had their vehicle searched and, when cleared, were allowed to leave the premises. No individuals were witnessed being arrested.

The company released a statement saying one or more employees may have obtained and resold some items without appropriate licenses. The company says it’s cooperating in the investigation.

Sabre’s Web site says the U.S. government is its largest customer.

Among its military contracts is one to provide parts for Browning M2 .50 caliber machine guns.

About Sabre Defence Industries:
Founded in the USA in 2002, Sabre Defence Industries, LLC, manufactures precision engineered rifles and assemblies for responsible civilians, law enforcement and the military.

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Sabre Defence Industries Raided by ATF Agents

Leupold Scopes

BEAVERTON, Ore. –-(AmmoLand.com)- Leupold & Stevens, Inc. has sued Bushnell, Inc. and others for infringement of a patent granted to Leupold relating to its True Ballistic Range® technology (TBR®).

With TBR, Leupold pioneered ballistic compensation for uphill/downhill shot angles, superseding basic trigonometric angle/distance compensation. TBR was introduced by Leupold in 2006, and uses an advanced algorithm to deliver exceptionally accurate ranging capability that is matched to a bullet’s ballistic profile.

The complaint was filed February 2, 2010, in U.S. District Court in Portland, Ore., and alleges that Bushnell’s sales of range-finding products incorporating Angle Range Compensation™ (ARC™) infringe U.S. Patent No. 7,654,029 owned by Leupold.

“Leupold asserted provisional patent rights more than two years before filing suit, but Bushnell continued to manufacture and sell the infringing products,” said Andy York, Leupold’s vice president of sales, marketing, and product development.

“Leupold has invested a significant amount of engineering and development resources in the production of this patented technology and the company will vigorously enforce its intellectual property rights against all infringers. Generally, we prefer to resolve disputes without resorting to litigation, but in this case, our management decided that due to the substantial amount of time some of the defendants had been on notice, that litigation was necessary.”

The complaint also names as defendants Burris Co, Inc. for the Burris Eliminator™ laser scope, and Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc. for sales of range-finding products incorporating its Ballistic Information System™ (BIS) feature.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a fifth-generation, family owned company that employs over 600 American workers in its state-of-the-art facility near Beaverton, Ore. Leupold has manufactured a variety of optical and surveying instruments since opening for business in 1907, and its modern campus is currently where sport optics are designed, machined and assembled. Leupold manufactures a wide range of optics for the hunting, shooting, military, law enforcement, golf and observation markets.
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Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a Charter Supporter of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation.

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Leupold Files Suit to Defend TBR Patent