Industry Notes

More than $3 million in congressionally-directed funding secured by U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) for Remington Arms to begin upgrading the U.S. Army's fleet of 3,000 M-24 Sniper rifles was approved Sept. 30.

Sig Sauer Inc. has sued its ex-chairman Herbert M. Rudolf for more than $1 million, alleging that Rudolf used company funds to pay his personal tax bills and to fund hunting safaris in Africa.

Effective October 1, 2008, BATFE’s Federal Firearms Licensing Center will begin its permanent transfer of function from Atlanta, Georgia to Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation has eliminated approximately 80 hunting-related rifle production jobs at its Rochester, New Hampshire facility.

Statistics released last week by the FBI show that the estimated volume of violent crime was down 0.7 percent, and the estimated volume of property crime decreased 1.4 percent in 2007 when compared with 2006 figures.

U.S. District Judge John R. Adams sentenced Antrinna Collins of Cleveland, to 48 months imprisonment for violations of federal firearms laws.

Forjas Taurus S.A. announced September 9 its acquisition of the manufacturing and distribution rights of all Rossi products, including the famous Model 92 lever-action rifle from Rossi Firearms S.A.

Todd and Kathy Brown of Rosston, Arkansas, are suing Smith & Wesson in federal court in Texarkana, Texas, alleging negligence by the gun manufacturer that led to a Dec. 27, 2007, accident in which Todd Brown’s left thumb was severed.

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) – the trade association for the firearms industry – congratulated Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on accepting the Republican nomination for vice president of the United States. The industry's association also reminded all hunters, sportsmen and gun-owners to register to vote and secure an absentee ballot if they plan on being in the field on Election Day, Nov. 4.

National gun-rights leaders and grassroots activists will headline at the 23rd Annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC 2008) in Phoenix, Arizona, September 26-28.

BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio – AcuSport Corporation will be distributing the new German Sport Guns 5 and other products from American Tactical Imports.

Burris Company, of Greeley, CO, part of Beretta Holdings, recently announced its acquisition of Steiner-Optik GmbH in Bayreuth, Germany. Steiner employs approximately 120 optics employees. Pietro Gussalli Beretta from Italy and Jeff Reh from the U.S. will be the directors and officers for the Steiner Company.