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February 3rd, 2014
On January 9, 2014, the NSSF and SAAMI filed suit seeking to invalidate and enjoin California’s micro-stamping statute, which was codified in 2007, but not implemented until late in 2013. In the commentary below, NSSF Senior VP and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane explains the reasons gun industry groups have filed suit to enjoin California’s micro-stamping requirement.
Manufacturers Now Acting — Second Amendment Rights Are in the Balance
by Larry Keane
It was inevitable given the unconstitutional and unworkable governmental overreach now under way in the State of California. Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Co., two of the most recognized names in American firearms manufacturing, have confirmed that they are being forced to stop selling new or improved models of semiautomatic handguns in California because it is simply impossible to comply with the state’s microstamping law. That law became effective last year and applies to all new models of pistols introduced to the California market. Read the Smith & Wesson Statement. Sturm, Ruger & Co. also said it will stop new sales there.
On Jan. 9, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) filed a lawsuit on behalf of our respective members against the State of California in Fresno Superior Court challenging the state’s microstamping law. NSSF and SAAMI are seeking to invalidate and enjoin enforcement of provisions of state law enacted in 2007, but not made effective until May 2013, requiring that all semiautomatic pistols sold in the state not already on the California approved handgun roster contain unproven and unreliable microstamping technology.
Under this law, firearms manufacturers would have to micro laser-engrave a gun’s make, model and serial number on two distinct parts of each gun, including the firing pin so that, in theory, this information would be imprinted on the cartridge casing when the pistol is fired.
As I said when we announced this important legal challenge, there is simply no existing microstamping technology that will reliably, consistently and legibly imprint the required identifying information by a semiautomatic handgun on the ammunition it fires. The holder of the patent for this technology himself has written that there are problems with it and that further study is warranted before it is mandated. A National Academy of Science review, forensic firearms examiners and a University of California at Davis study reached the same conclusion and the technical experts in the firearms industry agree.
Manufacturers can not comply with a law the provisions of which are invalid, that cannot be enforced and that will not contribute to improving public safety. As a result, NSSF and SAAMI are seeking both declaratory and injunctive relief against this back-door attempt to prevent the sale of new semiautomatic handguns to law-abiding citizens in California.
In 2007, over our industry’s strenuous objections, California Assembly Bill 1471 was passed and signed into law requiring microstamping on internal parts of new semiautomatic pistols. We had called for a federal study of microstamping rather than a one-state mandate for this flawed, unreliable and easily defeated technology.
The legislation provided that this requirement would only became effective if the California Department of Justice certified that the microstamping technology is available to more than one manufacturer unencumbered by patent restrictions. The California legislature subsequently reorganized certain statutes concerning the regulation of firearms, including the microstamping law in 2010. On May 17, 2013, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris provided such certification despite the fact that peer-reviewed research proved microstamping does not work.
We predicted in 2007 that the passage of AB 1471 would lead to a de facto semiautomatic handgun ban. Now that the law has become effective, that ban has begun to roll forward.
See the NSSF Fast Facts on Microstamping for additional background.
The eyes of the nation are now turning to California. The national media has begun to take notice. This situation is not only about a consumer’s right to select the handguns with the latest features, or the aforementioned inability of manufacturers to comply with an unworkable law, the Constitutional, Second Amendment stakes are very high. You will want to stay tuned.
February 2nd, 2014
 “Buy One, Get One Free” usually applies to things like cans of soup, or maybe, at best, amusement park tickets. So when a major gun manufacturer offers a “Buy one, get one free” offer on firearms, we sit up and take notice.
Here’s the deal: if you buy any one of six select Sig Sauer centerfire handguns, Sig will give you a free 1911-22 .22LR rimfire pistol. That’s right — buy the centerfire handgun, and get the rimfire pistol tossed in for free. The Sig models that qualify are: 1911 Ultra TT, 1911 Compact C3, 1911 Carry Nightmare, 1911 Tacops, 1911 Spartan, and 1911 Stainless. To take advantage of this offer, contact a participating Sig Sauer dealer. For more information on the qualifying products, visit SigSauer.com.
This deal is good through April 30, 2014 but the offer is limited to participating dealers. Also, “FREE” is not completely free for the 1911-22. Transfer fees, taxes, and all other transaction costs are the customer’s responsibility. SIG also states that: “Offer subject to on-hand inventory and not necessarily model depicted.” So, if this “two guns for the price of one” offer strikes your fancy, you should act quickly to ensure you get the model you want.
February 2nd, 2014
 The NSSF’s Where To Shoot mobile App has topped 100,000 downloads. The app, which rose to No. 4 on the Apple App Store’s list of free sports Apps, has been a hit with target shooters and gun owners. It is available FREE for both iOS (Apple) and Android devices.
The Where To Shoot App quickly and easily locates shooting ranges near you, drawing on North America’s most comprehensive directory of shooting ranges. Users can search by current location, state, or zip code and find specifics about each range, including shooting activities offered and contact information. Once you’ve location a place to shoot, the App helps you get directions to the range. The App also includes video tips for shooters, news, and firearm-safety information.
CLICK HERE for Apple iPhone and iPad App.
CLICK HERE for FREE Android App.
The app is modeled after NSSF’s popular WhereToShoot.org® website and is updated frequently with range information in every U.S. state and Canadian province. New tips for hunters and shooters are also added regularly. Download the app via the links above or by visiting wheretoshoot.org on your mobile device.
 
January 31st, 2014
Olin Corporation, through its Winchester Division, is recalling two (2) lots of M*22™ .22 LR rimfire ammunition. The recall is for M*22™ 40 Grain Black Copper-Plated RN rimfire ammunition:
Symbol Number: S22LRT
Lot Numbers: GD42L and GD52L
The Lot Number is imprinted on the left tuck flap of the 500-round carton as indicated here.
The 1000-round intermediate carton does not have a Lot Number.
DO NOT USE WINCHESTER® M*22™ 22 Long Rifle RIMFIRE AMMUNITION WITH LOT NUMBERS GD42L or GD52L. Winchester has determined the above lots of 22 Long Rifle rimfire ammunition may contain double powder charges. Ammunition with double powder charges may subject the shooter or bystanders to a risk of serious personal injury and/or death, or cause firearm damage, rendering the firearm inoperable.
To determine if your ammunition is subject to this notice, review the Symbol Number and Lot Number. If it is Symbol Number S22LRT with a Lot Number GD42L or GD52L, immediately discontinue use. Contact Winchester toll-free at 866-423-5224 or visit Winchester’s Online Service Page to arrange free pick-up of the recalled ammunition.
This notice applies only to Symbol Number S22LRT with Lot Numbers GD42L and GD52L. Other Symbol Numbers or Lot Numbers are not subject to this recall. If you have any questions concerning this .22LR rimfire ammunition recall call Winchester toll-free 866-423-5224, or visit Winchester Customer Support online.
January 29th, 2014
The Berger Southwest Nationals, one of the biggest shooting events west of the Mississippi, kicks off next week at the Ben Avery Range near Phoenix, Arizona. The event begins with a Shooting Clinic on Tuesday, February 4, and concludes with 1000-yard Matches on Sunday the 9th. The host Desert Sharpshooters Club, and the staff at Berger Bullets, are working very hard to make this the best SW Nationals ever. And if you are interested, there is still time to register. Berger tells us: “It’s not too late to sign up for the 2014 Southwest Nationals! The match runs from Feb. 4-9 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. We have a great schedule and prizes.” The weather will be good (it was 74° in Phoenix yesterday), and there will be thousands of dollars of gear on the Prize Table. If you want to join the fun, download the entry form below, and, as soon as you can, send an email to michelle.gallagher [at] bergerbullets.com.
CLICK HERE for MATCH INFORMATION | CLICK HERE for Match Program and ENTRY FORM
 The Berger Southwest Long Range Nationals are held every February at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility just north of Phoenix, Arizona. Berger has partnered with the Desert Sharpshooters Rifle Club and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, resulting in a “must attend” event for long range shooters around the world.
Ben Avery is a truly world-class facility, with 98 firing points, carefully maintained firing lines and plenty of wind flags. As the match sponsor, Berger provides the “extras” – ice chests full of drinks on the firing line, a banquet on Saturday night and awards to the winners, including over $3,500 in cash prizes and over 30,000 bullets in awards.
CLICK HERE for Phoenix Travel and Lodging Information.
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January 29th, 2014
Beretta USA announced today that it will open a new firearms manufacturing plant in Sumner County, Tennessee. Beretta, a global manufacturer of sporting and military firearms, will invest $45 million in a state-of-the-art manufacturing and R&D facility in the Gallatin Industrial Park. Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam stated that this new facility will create 300 new Tennessee jobs. Beretta hopes to complete construction on the facility this year. Moving production and R&D functions to Tennessee will allow Beretta to scale down its operations in the state of Maryland. In recent years, Maryland has become less attractive to firearms-related businesses.
Beretta supplies sporting and self-defense firearms to consumers worldwide. The company manufactures the U.S. Armed Forces M-9 pistol, the standard sidearm of U.S. soldiers since 1985. Beretta will make firearms at the new Gallatin plant from both their sporting and tactical product lines.
Established in 1526, Beretta is one of the oldest industrial companies in the world. The company has enjoyed 16 generations of continuous family ownership. Firearms bearing the Beretta name have been sold for almost 500 years. Beretta also owns and markets other leading firearms brands, including Benelli, Franchi, SAKO, Stoeger, Tikka, and Uberti. For more information, visit www.beretta.com.
“From the moment when we started to consider a location outside of the State of Maryland for our manufacturing expansion, Governor Haslam and his economic development team did an excellent job demonstrating the benefits of doing business in Tennessee. We are convinced we could find no better place than Tennessee to establish our new manufacturing enterprise.”
— Franco Gussalli Beretta, Vice President and Managing Director of Fabbrica D Armi S.p.A and Executive Vice President of Beretta USA.
January 27th, 2014
Who is the Best of the Best? That question will be answered this coming September at the first-ever Trijicon/NRA World Shooting Championship at the Peacemaker National Training Center in Glengary, WV. The overall objective of this match is to assemble the top 400 shooters from around the world — including existing and previous champion shooters from virtually every organized shooting sport. One of these 400 marksmen will be crowned as the undisputed “World Shooting Champion”, a distinction never before bestowed upon any shooter. That lucky (and talented) shooter will win $50,000.
Watch Teaser Video for Trijicon/NRA World Shooting Championships:
This match, perhaps the largest event of its kind ever held, will test competitors’ abilities with a wide variety of firearms and shooting disciplines. The match combines pistol shooting (action and bullseye), rifle shooting (action, smallbore, high-power, and F-Class), and Shotgun (Sporting Clays/trap/tactical). All guns and ammo are provided! The winner gets $50,000 and there is a $150,000 Prize Table. This new match carries “multi-gun” competition to a whole new level, with big money at stake:
| Prize Money Awards at World Championships |
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First Place Overall: $50,000
Lady Champion: $5,000
Pistol Segment Winner: $5,000
Rifle Segment Winner: $5,000
Shotgun Segment Winner: $5,000 |
Second Place Overall: $3,000
Third Place Overall: $2,000
Fourth Place Overall: $1,000
Stage Winner $2,000
Side Match Winner: $1,000 |
How You Can Compete
In early February, invitations will be sent to champion shooters (from various disciplines) around the world. Later in February, open registration will be available. A total of 400 entries will be accepted for the match. For more info or to seek an invitation, visit the World Shooting Championship webpage, call 304-229-GUNS, or send email to: info [at] peacemakernational.com .
Preview the Peacemaker National Training Center Facilities
All shooters will compete over four days (September 10-13, 2014) in twelve, equally-weighted disciplines from various shooting sports. All firearms and ammunition will be provided for each event. This levels the playing field and obviates the need for competitors to purchase more equipment. Moreover, competitors will not have to worry about bringing guns and ammo through airports or clearing customs inspections, making the travel experience much easier.
Match Segments & Stages
Pistol Segment: Overall 3-Stage Winner (World Pistol Champion Trophy + $5K Cash)
- Stage One: NRA Action Pistol Bianchi Cup Mover
- Stage Two: USPSA
- Stage Three: NRA Conventional Pistol Bullseye
- Side Match One: IDPA Challenge
- Side Match Two: SASS Bullseye
Rifle Segment: Overall 3-Stage Winner (World Rifle Champion Trophy + $5K Cash)
- Stage Four: NRA National Defense Match
- Stage Five: F-Class 600 Yards
- Stage Six: NRA Smallbore Standing
- Side Match Three: NRA Bianchi Plate Rack
- Side Match Four: AR X Ring Bullseye
Shotgun Segment: Overall 3-Stage Winner (World Shotgun Champion Trophy + $5K Cash)
- Stage Seven: NSCA Sporting Clays – 5 Stand
- Stage Eight: ATA Trap
- Stage Nine: NRA Law Enforcement Shotgun
- Side Match Five: Tactical Shotgun
- Side Match Six: Turkey Shoot
Combined Segment: Overall 3-Stage Winner (Combined Champion Trophy + $5K Cash)
- Stage Ten: 3-Gun
- Stage Eleven: SASS 3-Gun
- Stage Twelve: PNTC Long Range 2-Gun
- Side Match Seven: Top Of The World Long Range Challenge
- Side Match Eight: Long Range Pistol Challenge
January 26th, 2014
 Greg Jordan is now $50,000 richer, and he can claim bragging rights as the top 3-Gun shooter in the nation. Jordan defeated ace shooter Taran Butler to claim the title of 3-Gun Nation Champion, taking home $50,000 from Leupold Tactical Optics and NRA Sports. The 3-Gun Nation Championship was held at the Clark County Shooting Sports Complex outside of Las Vegas, on January 15, during SHOT Show week. This final match culminated the 2013-2014 3-Gun Nation Pro Series Tour, where more than 50 of country’s top 3-gunners battled for cash and series points.
Jordan completed what was arguably the most impressive 3GN Shoot-Off run to date, eliminating two past 3GN Shoot-Off winners, including the 2010 3GN Champ, a world champion Steel Challenge shooter, and a multi-time national handgun and 3-gun champion. Jordan navigated a minefield of talent — BJ Norris, Burton Thompson, Daniel Horner, and Taran Butler — to become the fourth competitor to earn the title of 3GN Champion.
Lena Miculek Wins Ladies Championship After Clean Sweep of Season Events
Lena Miculek won the Ladies’ Division in dominating fashion, followed by runner-up Dianna Leidorff of Team MGM. Lena, who earned a $25,000 prize, came into the event as the number one overall seed after sweeping the 2013 3GN Lady Pro Series, winning all four matches during the season. Lena’s back-to-back championships, in only her second season of 3-gun competition, rivals the accomplishments of her mother, Kay, arguably the top female 3-gunner in the sport today.
For more info on the 3GN Final Championship in Las Vegas, visit the 3-Gun Nation News Blog.
January 25th, 2014
Here’a a new twist. Earlier this month a CMP Air Rifle match, the Bass Pro 600, was held inside a shopping mall. This match featured a junior 3×20 match, as well as a 60-shot standing competition. The Tracker Boat section of the Bass Pro Shop of Leeds, Alabama was adapted to hold the CMP’s mobile range, so the young shooters could showcase their air rifle skills indoors. Some 24 electronic targets were set up in the boat garage, between permanent artificial swamp trees that decorate the area. Competitors traveled from several states to shoot in this unique indoor match, held January 4th and 5th. “The Bass Pro 600 is such a unique idea that many competitors travel to shoot in the event just for the novelty of the venue,” said James Hall, CMP program outreach supervisor.
Shoppers at the store could actually watch the young competitors in action. On Saturday, 42 junior competitors fired in a three-position match, while the store’s music played and shoppers stopped by to watch. Spectators were drawn over to the boating area, with 60-inch big-screen TVs displaying the scores in real-time.
Bass Pro patrons were also allowed to try their hand at air rifle shooting using a SCATT electronic training system, right beside competitors on the line. The photo below shows the trace captured by the SCATT machine. This tracks muzzle movement, helping shooters to steady their aim and chose the right moment to break the shot.
This is the second year the Bass Pro Shop in Leeds has opened its boating area for a CMP match. The success of these events have inspired many young shooters to attend the open range nights at the CMP Marksmanship Center in nearby Anniston, Alabama.
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