Industry Notes

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has approved select models from Smith & Wesson Corp.'s Military & Police (M&P) Pistol Series as authorized firearms.

Our friends at Brownells are selling a helpful tool for anyone who wants to zero a new gun quickly. The Mobile Hunting Technologies laser boresighter is an easy-to-use, self-contained boresighting system that fits in the chamber of your rifle or pistol and projects a powerful red laser beam aligned with the bore axis for sighting to the point-of-aim without firing a shot.

Crimson Trace announces suit for patent infringement against LaserMax's J-Max(TM), Sabre(TM), and Uni-Max(R) products. The company seeks injunctive relief and monetary damages.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Firearms maker Heckler & Koch announced that it will manufacture two new rifle designs in a newly opened U.S. factory in 2009. The new rifles, the HK MR556 and HK MR762, are inspired and influenced by the HK416 and HK417, two models designed and produced by Heckler & Koch's Oberndorf, Germany plant.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), the immediate past co-chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, has reinforced his commitment to legislation that would rectify a long-standing inequity in the collection of the firearms and ammunition excise tax (FAET) -- a major source of wildlife conservation funding.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings January 15 for the controversial nomination of Eric Holder to the position of Attorney General of the United States. Independent Institute Research Fellow and attorney Stephen Halbrook is among the witnesses testifying, arguing that Holder's reputation as a steadfast opponent of Second Amendment rights makes him an unfit candidate for the job.

Writing on the Buckeye Firearms Association website, Alan Korwin writes:Slipping below the radar (or under the short-term memory cap), the Democrats have already leaked a gun-ban list, even under the Bush administration when they knew full well it had no chance of passage (HR 1022, 110th Congress). It serves as a framework for the new list the Bradys plan to introduce shortly.

ORLANDO, Fla. – American Tactical Imports Inc is unveiling a limited supply 2009 SHOT special edition version of its popular GSG-5 rifle.

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- Despite a weak economy, gun sales are continuing to increase amid concerns that incoming lawmakers will institute a new gun ban on law-abiding Americans, according to data derived from the FBI's National Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Smith & Wesson Corp. will arm the South Australia Police Force's (SAPOL) 4,000-officer front-line force with the company’s M&P 40 pistols.

The German firm Brenneke is introducing its Quik-Shok Copper centerfire rifle bullets to the U.S.

As a result of an unprecedented increase in demand for ATF Forms 4473 (5300.9) Part I Revised August 2008, inventory of the form at the ATF Distribution Center is running low.