Industry Notes

Ruger Names Two New Distributors

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. has added two new distributors--W. L. Baumler Co. of Loraine, Ohio, and Zanders Sporting Goods of Baldwin, Illinois-- to the list of authorized Ruger distributors.

ISRA Snags CCRKBA’s 2008 Affiliate of the Year Award

The Citizen's Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms has recognized the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA) as CCRKBA's 2008 Affiliate of the Year.

ATK and FNMI Team to Win $53.4 Million Mk19 Grenade Machine Gun Contract

Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and FN Manufacturing, LLC (FNMI), have received a $53.4 million contract from the U.S. Army Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, to produce Mk19 Mod-3 Grenade Machine Guns (GMG).

Uncle Sam to Upgrade Existing M-24 Rifles

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 Sues Former Chairman for Safari Expenses

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.

Federal Firearms Licensing Center Moves to Martinsburg, West Virginia

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 Cuts Hunting Long Gun Production

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

FBI Releases 2007 Crime Statistics

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.

Female Firearm Trafficker Sentenced to 4 Years

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

Taurus Acquires Rossi Firearms

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.

Arkansas couple files negligence suit against Smith & Wesson

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.

Firearms Industry Congratulates Palin on Nomination; Urges Sportsmen to Register to Vote

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.

Ammo Price Increases Are Coming

Since President Donald Trump’s announcement on April 4 about new tariffs — a 10% blanket tariff on all imports, plus targeted reciprocal tariffs —...