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. Dealers’ Troubles Are Industry’s Troubles — page 28 Industry Posts Impressive Firearm Sales By Russ Thurman he industry continues to post strong firearm sales, defying the nationwide economic downturn that has significantly affected the retail sales of nearly every other market. The increase continues a jump in firearm sales that began following the nation’s November election. The FBI’s data from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) indicates 1,213,885 firearm background checks were conducted in January, a jump of 28.8 percent compared to January 2008. The 1.2 million background checks was the highest number recorded for a January since NICS began operation in 1998. The statistic is also impressive since such numbers have never been posted outside of December, except for the record-setting sales of this past November. Following the national elections, firearm sales surged to record levels, with NICS reporting 1,529,635 background checks in November, an increase of 42 T percent over the same month in 2007. That was followed by a record number of background checks in December: 1,523,426, a 24-percent jump over December 2007. For 2008, NICS conducted a record 12,709,023 background checks, a 14-percent increase over 2007. While the number of background checks does not correlate to the actual number of firearms sold by federally licensed dealers, they are the most viable data available to indicate sales trends. “Since the election, sales of firearms — in particular handguns and semiautomatic hunting and target rifles — are fast outpacing inventory,” said Steve Sanetti, president of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. “Americans are clearly concerned about their ability to be able to purchase these products in an uncertain future.” Sanetti’s observation is substantiated by data from Southwick Associates. In January, the data-collecting company reported that, according to its December 2008 poll, a large majority of hunters and shooters believe the changes in Washington D.C. will make it more difficult for them to purchase firearms. According to Southwick, when asked to define their expectations regarding the new administration and Congress, 80 percent of respondents said they expect it will become more difficult for them to purchase firearms. Less than 1 percent said they expect purchasing firearms will become less difficult, while 16 percent said they expect their firearms purchasing ability will remain the same. Slightly fewer than 4 percent of respondents said that they don’t know or have no opinion. “These results show that most hunters and target shooters expect changes resulting from the 2008 elections will make it more difficult for them to buy guns,” said the survey’s author, Rob Southwick of Southwick Associates. “Increases in firearm sales since the November election are also a strong indicator of such sentiment.” National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Firearms Retailer Defense Fund Launches A new not-for-profit organization dedicated to the legal defense of firearms retailers, the Firearms Retailer Defense Fund (FRDF), was unveiled in January at the AcuSport West Dealer Conferences in Salt Lake City, Utah. AcuSport Corp. officials, in presenting the launch of FRDF, indicate they are actively supporting the effort to defend retailers when faced with litigation seeking to regulate the industry. According to FRDF, other firearms distributors have also shown interest in becoming charter members in support of FRDF. FRDF accepts donations through collection efforts by participating distributors to help independent firearms retailers defray legal expenses they may incur to defend unfair lawsuits filed by municipalities, politicians and anti-gun organizations. Each participating distributor will accept and process individual donations on a negligible per-order basis with existing customers. In addition, a Web site, www.FRDF.org, has been created to accept online donations. “Firearms retailers should not feel alone when a plaintiff strikes, and FRDF is just one of the resources that will help protect them,” said Christopher Chiafullo, a firearms industry attorney and chairman of the FRDF board of directors. Chiafullo cited the lengthy and costly legal battle ensuing between New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and retailer Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna, Ga., noting, “[a] focused and well-fundwww.FRDF.org ed plaintiff’s effort to put a retailer out of business via ‘bankruptcy by lawsuit’ is a true example of David versus Goliath . requiring the proper resources and industry expertise to increase the likelihood of success when facing that seemingly impossible fight. (The FRDF) gives ‘David, the firearms retailer’ at least a few stones for his slingshot.” For more information or to make a donation to FRDF, call AcuSport at (937) 593-7010 or visit www.FRDF.org. WE’RE CALLING YOU OUT TO THE SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS! Page 26 8 MARCH 2009 Read SI DIGITAL www.shootingindustry.com