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October 8th, 2010
 Recently Charles Lake, President of Warne Scope Mounts, applied for a business line of credit at Home Depot. The application was initially approved, but a day later the credit line was rescinded based on Warne’s industry sector. Lake was expressly told that credit was denied because Warne “make[s] parts for the gun industry.”
Home Depot credit lines are managed by Citibank, so the decision to black-ball Warne Scope Mounts was based on Citibank policies. Rich Grassi, editor of the Tactical Wire, contacted Citibank to find out why Warne’s credit application was denied. Grassi received this reply from Citibank’s Elizabeth Fogarty (Public Affairs):
“Citi does not prohibit the financing of firearms purchases by individuals nor the financing of businesses that manufacture and sell them to individuals for recreational use. However, we do prohibit financing merchants in the non-ancillary military equipment industry, including the financing of businesses that manufacture and or sell firearms for military use.” In response to Grassi’s request for clarification, Citibank replied: “The policy prohibits financing businesses that manufacture and/or sell firearms for military use.”
Grassi Will Provide Updates on Gun Talk Radio Show
To learn more about this situation, read the “Politics of Credit” story on The Shooting Wire. This weekend, Rich Grassi will appear on Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk radio show to provide the latest updates on the Citibank vs. Warne controversy.
October 7th, 2010
If you are a gun enthusiast with leadership experience in the sales/marketing field, here is a potential dream job with a good salary and decision-making clout. Savage Arms is seeking a National Sales Manager who will be responsible for the development and performance of all sales activities with distributor, buying group, and select ‘big box’ retailer accounts. The National Sales Manager will lead the team of sales reps and will manage domestic distributor and big-box accounts. The National Sales Manager also will attend national trade shows, provide market feedback to senior management, and assist in the development and implementation of marketing plans.
Job Experience Required
The successful candidate will posses a bachelors degree or equivalent experience, 10+ years experience in a sales management role, and knowledge of Savage customers, products and competitors. The candidate also must have strong organizational skills, a proven ability to motivate and educate, the ability to operate under pressure and manage multiple priorities. To apply for the job, send resume and salary requirements to:
Savage Arms, Inc.
100 Springdale Rd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Fax: 413-562-7130
plessard@savagearms.com
October 4th, 2010
 There’s some good news to report from Washington this week. Legislation has been introduced that would: 1) Block efforts to ban ammo (and bullets) that contain lead or lead; and, 2) Allow the import of Korean surplus rifles that have been embargoed by the Obama Administration.
Ammo Protection Bill Introduced in both House and Senate
Following continued attacks by anti-hunting groups to ban traditional ammunition (ammunition containing lead-core components) under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) of 1976, Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) has introduced legislation (H.R. 6284) to clarify the longstanding exemption of ammunition under the act. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) has introduced a similar bill in the U.S. Senate.
Bill Would Allow Importation of Korean Surplus M1 Garands and M1 Carbines
U.S. Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) is seeking to stop the federal government from interfering with the legal importation of surplus collectible U.S.-made firearms from South Korea, the Billings Gazette reports. Lummis has joined with Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) in introducing a bill called the Collectable Firearms Protection Act. NSSF, which called for a congressional hearing to investigate this ban, supports the bill.
Washington Legislative report from NSSF.
October 4th, 2010
 The Western CMP Games/ Creedmoor Cup are less than two weeks away. From October 16-24, 2010, the Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Assn. will host the 6th Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup at the Ben Avery Range in Phoenix, AZ. The Western CMP Games Matches run from October 16 to 19. The Creedmoor Cup Matches take place on 20-24 October. All interested shooters, from novices to High Masters, are invited to participate. Event registration deadline is October 13, 2010.
| CLICK HERE for Match Program and Schedule
The Western CMP Games kick off with a Garand-Springfield-Military Rifle New Shooter Clinic from 8:00 am – 11:00 am on Saturday, 16 October. The clinic includes lecture, demonstration and dry fire position work while emphasizing what new shooters need to know to shoot these matches. Gary Anderson, CMP Director Emeritus, will be the lead instructor. After the clinic the first Garand-Springfield-Vintage Military Rifle Match will be fired in the afternoon. Hornady will then present a Reloading Clinic from 5:00 – 7:00 pm.
 Plenty of Garand Action, Plus Rimfire Sporter Match Debuts
On Sunday, 17 October, there will be an As-Issued M1 Garand EIC Match in the morning where shooters lacking EIC points can earn introductory “4-point legs.” That afternoon, there will be a new event on the schedule, a Rimfire Sporter Match. The Rimfire Sporter Match is a low-key event that caters to all ages and skill levels.
Shooting opportunities on the third day, Monday, 18 October, have also been expanded. There will be a second Garand-Springfield-Vintage Military Rifle Match that morning followed by an M1 Carbine Match that afternoon. The Western CMP Games Matches conclude on Tuesday, 19 October, with a third Garand-Springfield-Vintage Military Rifle Match, and Vintage Sniper Test Match.
Creedmoor Cup Clinic and Matches
The Creedmoor Cup schedule begins on Wednesday, 20 October, with an Advanced Clinic. The Creedmoor Cup Matches include a Practice Match, a 4-Man Team match, the 80-shot Creedmoor Cup Match and an EIC Match. Both events feature special hospitality events and prize awards. For more information visit the Western Games Webpage, or contact Christina Leveck-Roguski, (419) 635-2141 x1114, croguski [at] odcmp.com.
October 3rd, 2010
On the Mark is a free digital newsletter available from the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The latest On The Mark edition contains an interesting (and very candid) interview with the “Gunny” — R. Lee Ermey. A well-known TV and movie actor, Ermey served as a Gunnery Sgt. in the USMC before earning fame and fortune on the silver screen. Ermey is also an active shooter who regularly competes in CMP Garand matches and NRA High Power events. Here are some excerpts from the interview:
 The Appeal of Shooting Sports
“What I like about the shooting sports is the camaraderie. It’s a bunch of great guys. They’re good patriots –- they would never burn a flag. They’re grassroots Americans and the most patriotic people I know.”
Message to New Shooters
“What I’d like to stress more than anything is that people who are nonshooters who think they might like to give this a try should buy an M1 Garand from CMP and get out here. They can buy one that’s very shootable off the rack for 600 bucks.”
On the Future of Shooting…
“As I walk up and down the firing line and I look at these old codgers out here — a bunch of old farts over the age of 50, I’m saying in another 10 or 20 years shooting sports are going to go downhill if we don’t add to the sport, so we need to groom these young people to step up and take our place.”
Good Training Article by Gary Anderson
In addition to the R. Lee Ermey interview, the current issue of “On the Mark” features an excellent four-page article on “How to Practic” for shooting event. Authored by Gary Anderson, Director of Civilian Marksmanship Emeritus, this article explains how to develop practice plans, how to practice economically using dry firing and aiming practices, and how to combine at-home practice with field sessions.
Along with feature stories, On the Mark includes match reports from both Junior and adult competition programs around the country. CLICK HERE to download the Fall issue of On the Mark (PDF).
October 2nd, 2010
Canada’s mandatory long-gun Registry has been a billion-dollar failure that has not reduced crime. In recent months, concerted efforts have been made to scrap the Registry. Success was almost achieved last week, when a Private Members Bill to eliminate the Registry was narrowly defeated by just two votes. On September 22, Members of Parliament voted 153 to 151 to maintain the Registry. The vote followed weeks of intense political maneuvering by the federal Conservative, Liberal and NDP parties.
Canadian Outdoors Network Vows to Continue Registry Fight
The Canadian Outdoors Network (CON), a consortium of 28 outdoors groups (including the Canadian Shooting Sports Assn.), says Parliament’s decision to keep the long gun Registry will not end the national debate on firearm ownership.
 “This is just one battle in a long war,” says Dr. Robert Bailey, CON National Coordinator. “This is about competing visions driven by differing ideologies. For us, the fight is about preserving our hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting lifestyle. The Registry paints legitimate gun owners as people who are inherently a threat or a risk to society and that’s simply not the case.”
The Canadian Outdoors Network, representing 500,000 Canadian hunters, shooters, and sportsmen, will continue its campaign to scrap a program plagued by cost overruns and controversy. Since 1995, the registry has cost taxpayers more than $1 billion with no demonstrated reduction in gun crime.
“If public safety was the primary objective, the current national debate would be about crime control, not gun control,” says Bailey. “It’s time we refocused these funds, and our efforts, on more appropriate programs that actually target crime, such as the smuggling of illegal firearms.”
The Outdoors Network will continue to push for change as the country prepares for an anticipated federal election. “It’s important that these MPs know exactly what they’ve done,” says Bailey. “They were elected on promises to get rid of the Registry, then flip-flopped for political reasons… they have to be held accountable.”
The Canadian Firearms Registry is a government-run registry of all legally-owned guns in Canada. Compulsory gun registration was written into the Firearms Act (Bill 68) in 1995, which also provided for the establishment of a centralized database. It requires every firearm in Canada to be registered or rendered in an unusable state. This was an effort to reduce crime by making every gun traceable. Any person wishing to obtain a firearm must first acquire a Possession and Acquisition Licence or PAL.
The Registry was supposed to cost Canadian taxpayers approximately $119 million dollars. Instead, documents obtained by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation show the program has cost upward of $2 BILLION dollars. At the same time there is little evidence that the Registry has had any notable effect on crime.
CANADIAN OUTDOORS NETWORK
Alberta Fish and Game Association
Alberta Outdoors Coalition
BC Wildlife Federation
BCWF Political Action Alliance
Canadian Institute for Legislative Action
Canadian Section of the Wildlife Society
Canadian Shooting Sports Association
Canadian Sporting Arms & Ammunition Assn.
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
Fédération Québecoise des Chasseurs et Pecheurs
Fur Institute of Canada
Friends of Fur
Hunting for Tomorrow Foundation
Long Point Waterfowl |
Manitoba Wildlife Federation
National Wild Turkey Federation
New Brunswick Wildlife Federation
Newfoundland & Labrador Wildlife Fed.
Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen’s Alliance
Nova Scotia Fed. of Anglers and Hunters
Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Pr. Edward Island Chapter Delta Waterfowl
Pr. Edward Island Trappers Association
Pr. Edward Island Wildlife Federation
Ruffed Grouse Society
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation
Yukon Fish and Game Association
Wildlife Habitat Canada |
October 2nd, 2010
This year’s final NRA Range Development & Operations Conference will be held next week in San Antonio, Texas. Graduates of the course tell us they learned more in this 5-day course than in years of independent research. Attendees will receive a multidisciplinary perspective on major topics including:
- Developing business and master plans
- Public hearings and zoning boards
- Environmental sound
- Insurance
- Lead on outdoor ranges and OSHA lead standards
- Range maintenance
- Range safety
Next week’s event is sold out, but the NRA will offer other range development conferences in the months ahead. NRA event coordinator Kara Schlifke reports the 2011 dates will be posted as soon as possible. Potential participants should register early to guarantee their spots. Registration is $450.00 per person, and includes a continental breakfast, afternoon snack, and conference materials.
Would you like to learn more about this program? Contact Kara Schlifke at KSchlifke@nrahq.org or 877-NRA-RANGE, or visit the NRA’s Range Development webpage.
September 30th, 2010
Earlier this month Wilson Combat launched its new gun blog, which is worth a visit. Though focused primarily on handguns, the Wilson Combat Blog also features tactical rifles and shotguns. While there are match reports and gun maintenance articles, the Wilson Blog is mainly a showcase for products, which are illustrated with really superb photography (some of the best “gun glamour” images on the web). Here are some examples of the “eye candy” Wilson combat offers on its site…
Case Colored 1911 for Trey of Jackson Armory in Texas
Trey calls this unique, Case-Colored custom the “Patriot Elite”. The slide is hand polished and then sent to Doug Turnbull for his exceptional bluing and color case hardened finish on the frame. The frontstrap was left bare to show off case colors.
Custom Professional with Flush-Crowned Barrel
Another interesting gun is this 4″ Commander-style 1911 K-5 with beautiful, fan-pattern Cocobolo grips. Notice that the muzzle is flush crowned. A new option for Wilson, the flush crown is made possible by the use of a flat wire, Glock-style recoil spring. This new feature is only available for compact/professional length slides at this time.
Wilson Arms AR Trigger — Long-Term Test
The Wilson Arms Blog also links to a Military Times long-term test of the Wilson Tactical Trigger Unit (TTU) for AR-type lowers. The Times tested the TTU over six months with 10,000 drops of the hammer. Click Here to read the full review, published on Sept. 29, 2010.
September 26th, 2010
Would you like a “dream job” helping to develop new firearms for a major manufacturer with a strong heritage? Are you interested in Tactical and Law Enforcement rifles? Well here are two great opportunities. Both Smith & Wesson and FNH USA are currently seeking to hire product managers.
 S&W Tactical Rifle Product Manager
The S&W Tactical Rifle Product Manager, based in Massachusetts, will be responsible for developing short-term tactics and long-term strategies to achieve margin and revenue objectives. This position involves strategic planning, product development and category growth. According to S&W, the successful candidate “will drive the strategic positioning of S&W within the broad tactical rifle market, identify and execute emerging user trends and growth opportunities with a very strong focus on new product development.” A bachelors degree is required, with MBA desirable. Candidates should have 7-10 years job experience with 5 years in product management leadership roles. To apply, contact Danielle Sanville, HR Dept., dsanville [at] smith-wesson.com, (413) 747-3477.
 FNH Commercial/LE Asst. Product Manager
FNH is seeking an Assistant Product Manager for its Law Enforcement and Commercial Sales group, based in McClean, VA. FNH says: “Candidate duties will include new product launch and enhancement development for firearms in the law enforcement and commercial markets. Experience in product or project management to include business case development and product launch planning/scheduling is required.” Knowledge of firearm design, testing, and manufacturing processes is beneficial. A bachelor’s degree in business administration or marketing is preferred. Knowledge of the general firearm market or competitive shooting sports is desired. If you’re interested, email Paula Staudt, FNH Human Resource Director, fnhusahr [at] gmail.com, or call (703) 288-3500.
September 25th, 2010
 If you’re located anywhere near Camp Perry, Ohio, you may want to plan a road trip on Saturday, 2 October, a week from today. On October 2nd, the CMP North Store is running a special Customer Appreciation Day and Open House. The store opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. in the afternoon.
Over 400 surplus military rifles will be on display. If you don’t have an M1 Garand yet, here’s you chance to hand-pick a classic rifle for your collection. CMP Armorers will help customers inspect the rifles they have picked out and assist customers with the purchasing process.
Open House visitors get free complimentary coffee and donuts in the morning and complimentary hot dogs and chips in the afternoon. In addition to food and refreshments CMP will give out free summer event T-shirts to the first 50 visitors to the store. Guests may also take home free CMP giveaways while they last, Conrad said.
The CMP North store recently reopened following an inventory organization period following the 2010 National Matches. The store sells surplus M1 Garand rifles to qualified buyers along with ammunition, books, clothing, memorabilia and a limited supply of .22 caliber rifles, air rifles and accessories. For more information, call the CMP North Store at 419-635-2141 Ext. 1505. CLICK HERE for a map and directions to the CMP North store.
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