Breaking Industry News
USRAC to Close CT Plant, Drop 3 Classic Models
U.S. Repeating Arms Co., the licensed (by Olin Corp.) maker of Winchester brand rifles and shotguns, has sent shock waves through the firearms industry with its mid-January announcement that it will close its New Haven,
Connecticut manufacturing facility. Effective March 31, 2006 the New Haven manufacturing facility will stop manufacturing three hallmarks of the company's line: the Winchester Models 70, 94 and 1300. The plant closure
does not mean that the Winchester line will be discontinued in its entirety, since some of the products are made in Belgium at facilities owned by its parent, FN Herstal, while other models are made under contract by
Miroku of Japan. Some work also is done in Portugal.
S&W's First Long Gun Entries
Smith & Wesson's initial entry into the long gun market will consist of two tactical rifles. Preparations are being made to have the two rifles ready for shipment as early as February. S&W's M&P15 and M&P15T tactical
rifles are additions to the Military & Police (M&P) series based on the AR-15 design. Both semi-auto and are chambered in 5.56mm NATO ammunition.
Survey: Hunting Equipment Sales Rose in 2004
Hunting-related equipment sales during 2004 saw the highest percentage increase of all athletic and sports equipment, according to new data from the National Sporting Goods Association. Within the hunting-related
equipment category, firearms saw a 9.5% sales increase in 2004 to $1.9 billion, according to the report. Rifle sales ($722 million) showed a 16.5% increase, handgun sales ($524 million) increased 10.4%, shotgun
sales ($534 million) were up 1.9% and air gun sales ($120 million) rose 3%. The NSGA's report, "The Sporting Goods Market in 2005" estimates sales of hunting-related equipment totaled $2.8 billion in 2004, up 8%
from the previous year.
ATF May Start E-Mail Newsletter
An electronic (e-mail) newsletter focusing on regulatory issues affecting FFL-holders is being considered for start-up by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.
Fiocchi Partners with FN
Fiocchi & FN have partnered to increase availability of 5.7x28mm ammunition, as Fiocchi will load the round in its U.S. plant.
Smith & Wesson Sees Sales Gains
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation reports it achieved a year-over-year sales growth of 22.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 which ended Oct. 31, 2005. As a result, the company has increased its revenue
growth forecast to between 13% - 15%.
Legacy Sports Intl. Under New Ownership
Legacy Sports International, the importer of a variety of European and South American-produced sporting firearms run by two principals who are former Interarms employees, David MacGilivray and Gene Lumsden, is under
new ownership. Australian businessmen, David and John Fuller have purchased Legacy, according to MacGilivray who said he sold out his interest in the company but will stay on for a time as a consultant. Lumsden will
remain with the new firm and is to be named its chief executive officer. Legacy, which is located in the rented former Interarms warehouse and offices in Alexandria, Virginia, is expected to be moved to Reno,
Nevada.
Gander Mountain Has Third Quarter Loss
Gander Mountain Company (NASDAQ:GMTN) , a leading outdoor lifestyle retailer, has reported mixed results for its third quarter ended October 29, 2005.
For the third quarter of fiscal 2005, sales increased to $214.4 million, an increase of 20 percent over the third quarter of fiscal 2004. However, comparable store sales decreased 8.5 percent. Thus, the company
reported a net loss for the third quarter of $7.5 million, compared to a $1.7 million restated profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2004.
Judge Clears Way for New York City to Sue Firearms Companies
The federal judge hearing the New York City case against the industry in Brooklyn has ruled that the suit can go forward, despite the new federal legislation devised to protect gun makers from such lawsuits.
Judge Weinstein ruled that the new law, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, does not apply to the city's lawsuit because it falls under a narrow exception that allows lawsuits against the gun makers if their
sales or marketing practices violate state or federal statutes.
The ruling contained one victory for gunmakers: the judge rejected the city's argument that the new federal law was unconstitutional.
Remington to Import Zastava Rifles to U.S.
Serbian weapons maker Zastava Oruzje has signed a U.S. importation agreement with Remington Arms Co. The agreement is worth 3.2 million US dollars. The deal involves the production for Remington of some 24,000 rifle
barreled actions (without stocks) in various calibers. The rifles will be marked, "Remington-Zastava."
Zastava sporting rifles were previously imported by K.B.I., Inc. of Harrisburg, PA
San Fran Gun Ban Delayed
San Francisco will delay enforcement of a voter-approved ban on gun and ammunition sales until March 1, while a judge considers a National Rifle Association lawsuit challenging the measure, City Attorney Dennis Herrera
has announced.
The city was scheduled to enforce the ban Jan. 1, but Herrera said his office agreed to push implementation back by two months. In exchange, the NRA agreed not to seek an immediate restraining order blocking Proposition
H, the Nov. 8 ballot measure that includes the prohibition on gun sales
Brownells Wins U.S. Military Contract
Brownells® has entered into a contract to supply the United States military with more than 336,000 high-capacity 30-round magazines for M16 rifles in 2006, with a two year extension option.
Thirty round M16 magazines are a highly backordered item in the military's supply line. The military is scheduled to take delivery of its first batch of Brownells M16 magazines in May, 2006, with additional
shipments scheduled to follow on a monthly basis.
Ithaca Guns Assets Sold at Auction
The remaining assets of the 125-year-old Ithaca Gun Co. were sold at auction in late November at a liquidation. The company, which was founded in 1880 in Ithaca, New York, moved to King Ferry, NY in the 1980s.
In April, it moved to Auburn, NY in anticipation of a sale to a Rhode Island investor. When that sale fell through around Memorial Day, Ithaca Gun closed its doors.
Most Stolen New Orleans Guns Still Missing
ATF officials say that fewer than 137 of the 1,000 guns looted from three Gulf Coast states hit by hurricanes have been recovered. The guns have been found in Georgia, Arizona, Texas and Mississippi, but the vast
majority were turned up in Louisiana.
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