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August 27th, 2009
Looking for a job in the gun industry? The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) launched its Industry Career Connection two years ago as a free service for member companies. It has proven to be immensely popular with both employers and job seekers. “It’s a very helpful and beneficial tool for our members,” said Bettyjane Swann, NSSF member services manager. “On several occasions, our Webmaster has had to pull job postings early because of the overwhelming response.” The NSSF’s Career Connection is regularly updated with new positions from solid companies such as Brownells, Remington, and Smith & Wesson.
Currently, here are some of the job positions offered:
How to List Available Jobs
The Career Connection is designed to serve both job-seekers AND companies needing additional manpower. If you have a shooting-sports-related business and need to hire new personnel you can add openings to the job board (NSSF membership required). NSSF members (mostly manufacturers and wholesalers) can easily post jobs by logging into the members-only section of NSSF.org. For more information on NSSF’s Industry Career Connection, contact bswann@nssf.org.
June 2nd, 2009
The National Shooting Sports Foundation’s 2009 Shooting Sports Summit is under way in Weston, Florida. Over the next two days, more than 150 leaders from the firearms industry, wildlife conservation groups, and shooting sports organizations are joining members of TaskForce 20/20 to devise strategies to increase participation in hunting and the shooting sports by 20 percent over the next five years. Several key segments of the summit are broadcast live via webcast (click links below).
LIVE Summit Webcasts |Webcast Schedule for Shooting Sports Summit
The keynote speech is being delivered by Clyde Fessler, former vice president of business development for Harley Davidson who is credited with spearheading the re-branding of that company and broadening H-D’s appeal to younger generations. That success story should resonate with this audience who will be considering ways to attract more youth to participate in hunting and target shooting.
Following the Fessler speech, the summit kicks off with its first presentation — Youth Programs — one of five areas that attendees will focus on during the two days here. Three areas — Youth Programs, Recruitment and Retention/Reactivation–will be considered today, with two more — Access/Opportunity and Coordinating Efforts — tomorrow. Each area has a strategic initiative and three to four “questions” that will be discussed in roundtable meetings. Each roundtable will generate suggested action plans that all attendees will have a chance to vote for through an electronic poll.
Photo copyright NSSF, all rights reserved, used with permission.
May 19th, 2009
FMG Publications teamed up with P2K Shooting Range in San Diego, CA last week to host the first-ever “First Shots for Media”. FMG (which publishes GUNS Magazine and American Handgunner) invited members of the local press to the range to learn about firearm safety and shooting. Many of the media attendees admitted they held a fearful and/or negative attitude toward firearms when they arrived. However, after participating in the program, many of these same reporters and editors explained that their attitudes had changed dramatically. They learned that shooting could be safe and fun.
FMG’s Russ Thurman and NSSF President Steve Sanetti were on hand to provide the media with information on the industry’s efforts to promote firearm safety and responsible firearms ownership. Said one local columnist who had never tried shooting before, “It was not as ominous as I expected. . . . It’s less negative to me. This was fun, and it’s exciting, and it’s not people going crazy about their guns. It’s a sport, and I can see that now.” NSSF President Sanetti observed: “You change attitudes one person at a time.” Click on the frame below to watch a video that shows the successful “First Shots for Media” program.
April 27th, 2009
 The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is offering $250,000 in grant money for shooting ranges through NSSF’s 2009 Shooting Range Grant Program. The grant program is designed to help public and private shooting facilities jumpstart their recruitment and retention efforts. “The best way to increase participation is to enhance and promote shooting opportunities at the local level,” said Melissa Schilling, NSSF recruitment and retention manager. “We’re looking for unique proposals that move the needle on recruiting new shooters, attracting lapsed shooters back to the range and increasing opportunities for active shooters.” The projects will serve as pilot programs, which, if successful, can be used by other facilities across the country.
 Project applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis in 2009, and the funded program must be completed by February 1, 2010. A total of $250,000 will be available through the program. Visit RangeInfo.org for program details. That site also includes profiles of successful 2008 grant projects.
CLICK HERE to Download 2009 Grant Application Form
The NSSF noted that this grant program is NOT intended for land purchases, for building or improving structures (such as club-houses), or for acquisition of range equipment and supplies. A winning grant proposal will focus on bringing new shooters to the sport and reviving the interest of shooters who are currently inactive. The NSSF also favors programs that will allow active shooters to try new disciplines. To learn more about program objectives and grant selection criteria, visit RangeInfo.org.
NSSF Gives $499,060 to States
In related news, the NSSF announced today it would donate nearly half a million dollars to nine states for the purpose of promoting hunting. In 2009, the NSSF Hunting Heritage program will allocate $499,060 to these state agencies: Arizona Game & Fish Department ($82,500), Colorado Div. of Wildlife ($22,000), Florida Div. of Hunting ($58,620), Idaho Dept. of Fish & Game ($73,500), Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources ($27,500), Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources ($66,200), Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife ($80,000), Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries ($78,500), Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources ($10,240). Since its inception seven years ago, NSSF’s Hunting Heritage Partnership program has contributed more than $3.3 million in support of projects managed by state natural resource agencies.
“Hunting faces challenges that are often state-specific, and these grants from the National Shooting Sports Foundation help make possible programs that state agencies might not otherwise be able to provide,” said Steve Sanetti, NSSF president and CEO. “This year’s recipients are right on target with initiatives addressing access issues and encouraging inactive hunters to go afield once again.”
March 10th, 2009
 Putting an end to nine years of litigation, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear New York City’s request to continue a lawsuit that sought to hold firearms manufacturers responsible for the criminal misuse of firearms. Among the companies sued were Beretta USA Corp., Smith & Wesson Holding Corp., Colt’s Manufacturing Co. LLC, Sturm, Ruger & Co. and Glock GmbH.
“We are very pleased by today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to not review lower appellate court rulings that dismissed cases based on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act,” said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “These baseless lawsuits against responsible, law-abiding companies are the type that Congress intended to prevent by passing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.”
The city’s lawsuit was originally filed in 2000 by Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and was continued by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. After the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act was passed by Congress in 2005, a federal judge threw out the New York lawsuit. Then in April of 2008, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that decision, saying the new law was constitutional. New York City’s final recourse was to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, but on March 9th the High Court refused the case.
LINK to N.Y. Times Report on NYC Gun Litigation.
This report is provided by the NSSF.
March 6th, 2009
 If you have a background in marketing or communications, and you’d like to work in the firearms industry, here’s a great job opportunity. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is looking to hire a new Managing Director of Marketing Communications. The NSSF seeks someone with at least 5 years experience in marketing communications, who has “exceptional communication and presentation skills”, and who has experience doing print, radio and TV interviews. The job is located at the NSSF’s Newtown, CT headquarters.
The Managing Director of Marketing Communications will have a leading role in NSSF’s communications, safety and education efforts. The Marketing Communications Managing Director will perform these tasks: lead proactive media and public relations campaigns incorporating NSSF developed data; implement the strategic plan and develop partnerships that enhance the effectiveness of NSSF; craft all outbound marketing communications such as press releases, corporate Web site copy, white papers, e-mail campaigns, etc.; cultivate long-standing relationships with the media, including reporters, news editors and industry analysts.
How to Apply for the Job
Interested candidates should visit the NSSF website, www.nssf.org for complete job information. Qualified candidates should forward a cover letter, resume and salary history to dkenney [at] nssf.org. You can also fax these materials to (203) 426-7994, or mail them to: D. Kenney, NSSF, 11 Mile Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470. No phone calls please.
Formed in 1961, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a membership of more than 4,800 manufacturers, distributors, retailers, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers.
August 26th, 2008
 The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in D.C. v. Heller recognized the Constitutional right of District of Columbia residents to own handguns. In the wake of this victory for gun rights, on August 24th, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) sponsored a free “First Shots” seminar expressly for District of Columbia residents.
Participants received an introduction to handgun shooting at the Arlington-Fairfax Isaak Walton League shooting range in Centreville, Virginia. A classroom presentation covered topics such as D.C. firearm regulations, safety, grip, sight alignment and trigger control, and then it was on to the range where participants shot .22-caliber revolvers and pistols, with a certified instructor by their side. The team of NRA-certified instructors was led by multiple USPSA and IDPA champion Julie Goloski.
Many female D.C. residents came to the seminar. Attendees also included legislative staffers and a reporter from the Washington Informer, an African-American newspaper in the District. “We were very pleased with this initial First Shots seminar for D.C. residents,” said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. “It shows that District residents, after having their Second Amendment rights denied for over 30 years, have a strong interest in firearms ownership.” Smith & Wesson and Taurus provided loaner pistols and revolvers. Sunday’s program was the first in a series of planned no-cost First Shots seminars in the D.C. area.
‘First Shots’ Programs Offered Nationwide
Interested in hosting a “First Shots” session at your club or range? CLICK HERE to learn more about the First Shots program, or watch the promo video linked below.
Click Here to Watch Video of NSSF First Shots Seminar at Ben Avery Range in Phoenix, AZ.
February 18th, 2008
As we noted recently, the case of District of Columbia vs. Heller, is slated to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on March 18, 2008. This landmark case squarely presents the High Court with the question whether the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution affords an individual right to own firearms.
Along with many other interested organizations, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has filed a “friend of the court” Amicus Brief in the D.C. v. Heller case. The NSSF’s well-researched brief provides a fascinating history of the Second Amendment, explaining the factors which gave rise to its adoption. We recommend you read the brief and save it for future reference.
CLICK HERE to READ NSSF AMICUS BRIEF (.pdf format)
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