Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Russ Thurman We Can Be No Less Passionate A nti-gun assaults come in many fashions. There’s the in-yourface, we’re-going-to-destroy-you variety, usually presented on the national scene. We haven’t seen this type recently, as anti-gun forces are concentrating on the election of an anti-gun president and increasing their antigun power in Congress. Once done, the anti-gun movement will launch attacks that will make such assaults of the past look like the White House Easter Egg Roll. Most recently, we’ve seen the anti-gun movement focus its efforts on banning firearms and ammunition at the state and local level. The most recent headline-grabbing effort has been in San Francisco, where the city passed an ordnance banning the manufacture, sale and distribution of any type of firearm and ammunition. Fortunately, the ban was dealt a likely fatal blow in January, when a state appeals court ruled local governments cannot prevent their citizens from owning handguns. Other similar efforts, however, are gaining momentum in other states. Then there are the behind-the-scenes, subtle attacks, like those of Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp., who refuse to process credit card transactions between gun dealers, distributors and manufacturers. Salutes to NSSF for calling these companies on the carpet and then holding firm on blasting their antigun policy. Visit www.nssf.org for more details. It is time to stop rewarding anti- gun financial institutions. To switch to an NSSF-affiliated credit card processing program, contact Payment Alliance International at 1-866-371-2273, ext. 1131. Also, check out GunsAmerica’s new Live Payments program, which offers, through Electronic Transfer Inc., www.insureyourgunrights.com extremely competitive merchant accounts and other gun-dealer friendly benefits. Visit www.gunsamerica.com/livepayments for more information. While you’re on the Web site, consider the opportunities offered by GunsAmerica through their On-Demand program. Back to the anti-gun movement: There are hundreds of other examples, large and small, that are challenging industry companies and dealers throughout the country: new zoning laws, increased business restrictions, exorbitant licensing fees, onerous shipping and storage rules, etc. Anti-gunners are very creative. The point of all this: The anti-gun movement, while maintaining an extremely low profile at the national level, is still here. They are still passionate — angry, really — and their objective remains the same: the elimination of private gun ownership and the destruction of the firearm industry. Period. That why this year’s presidential election is so important and why the industry-driven NRA Membership Campaign is vital to our future. The campaign to dramatically boost the ranks of the NRA launched Sept. 21, 2007, and is gaining momentum. Companies throughout the industry are providing significant support, with direct promotions, distribution of brochures, magazine ads and endorsements on Web sites. Vi s i t w w w. i n s u r e y o u rg u n rights.com for more information. While you’re on the site, click on the “Full List” link on the right-hand portion of the home page to view all the companies that are supporting the campaign. If your company’s logo is not there, contact Andrea Myers at (703) 267-3759 or e-mail: amyers@nrahq.org to discuss how you can get involved. Those in the anti-gun movement are dedicated to their cause. We can be no less passionate. Academy Deadline Is Here Y ou have until Feb. 15 to submit your entries for the 2008 Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence awards. The academy, now in its 17th year, will consider entries in 14 categories. The prestigious awards will be presented July 25 in conjunction with the Shooting Industry Masters. Entries may be e-mailed to: siae08@shootingindustry.com, or sent (better make it “Overnight”) to the academy’s office: Academy of Excellence, 12345 World Trade Dr., San Diego, CA 92128. For additional information on the awards, visit www.shootingindustry.com and click on the Academy’s logo on the home page. continued on page 45 We’re Calling You Out: Gun Valley Showdown! Page 44. 46 FEBRUARY 2008 WWW.SHOOTINGINDUSTRY.COM