Starbucks Reverses Position: “No Guns, Please.”
In a recent post on Voting With Your Wallet on gun rights, we lauded Starbucks’ use of common sense in in regard to their policy on firearm carry in their restaurants. This week, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz issued an open letter (shown below) to the American people to “respectfully request” that customers no longer bring firearms into the 18,000 outlets it operates in 62 countries, while stopping short of an outright ban.
It may not have been a surprising outcome, however, with many gun rights advocates pushing the envelope on the company’s policy (and, perhaps, the boundaries of common sense). The company’s previous policy was to defer to the law of the land – local, state and federal laws in effect at the restaurant’s location. Thus, if the law allows concealed carry then the restaurant allowed concealed carry. If the law allows open carry, then the restaurant allowed open carry. And this is where the story starts to come off of the rails. Continue reading
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Safety Alert
S&W M&P Shield Safety Alert
PRODUCT: ALL M&P Shield™ firearms manufactured before August 19, 2013.
DESCRIPTION OF THE HAZARD: Smith & Wesson has identified a condition where the trigger bar pin could damage the lower trigger in certain M&P Shields in a way that may affect the functionality of the drop safety feature of the firearm, potentially allowing the pistol to discharge if it is dropped.
Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury, and we ask that you STOP USING YOUR PISTOL IMMEDIATELY UNTIL IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND, IF THE CONDITION IS FOUND, REPAIRED.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT INVOLVED: This Safety Alert applies to all M&P Shield pistols manufactured before August 19, 2013. We believe this condition is largely limited to recently manufactured M&P Shield pistols. However, out of an abundance of caution, we are asking all consumers of all M&P Shields manufactured before August 19, 2013 to immediately inspect their pistols for this condition. Continue reading
NSSF Names Las Vegas-based ConvExx as SHOT Show Management Partner
After an extensive national search involving the trade show industry’s top management companies, the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) has selected ConvExx as its new SHOT Show® management partner. ConvExx replaces longtime NSSF partner Reed Exhibitions.
Based in Las Vegas, ConvExx is privately held and has produced more than 200 shows and events, working with more than a million exhibitors and attendees. ConvExx produces the annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, which at nearly 1 million net square feet and 135,000 attendees is ranked as the fourth largest trade show in America by Trade Show Executive magazine (SHOT Show is ranked 16th).
“We’re excited to have ConvExx on board as our new management partner,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “ConvExx offers a unique combination of extensive large-show and Las Vegas experience, which will serve our exhibitors and attendees well.”
“We’re thrilled to be selected to help NSSF manage the SHOT Show,” said ConvExx Chairman Chuck Schwartz. “The SHOT Show is one of the premier trade show events, and we are proud to be associated with NSSF and the shooting sports industry.”
The SHOT Show — the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show — is owned and sponsored by NSSF. It is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries. The 2014 SHOT Show will be held Jan. 14-17 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.
ATF Releases Lost and Stolen Firearms Report
ATF Release:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced the release of the 2012 Lost and Stolen Firearms Report. This annual report is published to increase transparency and information sharing among the law enforcement community and to promote a better understanding of the dangers of lost and stolen firearms. This report is part of President Obama’s comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence.
Lost and stolen firearms pose a substantial threat to public safety and to law enforcement. Individuals that steal firearms are more likely to commit violent crimes with stolen guns, transfer stolen firearms to others who commit crimes, and create an unregulated secondary market for firearms, including a market for those who are prohibited by law from possessing a gun. Continue reading
CSG Creative Named Marketing Agency of Record for SHOT Show
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, has selected CSG Creative as its agency of record for marketing the 2014 SHOT Show. CSG was selected at the conclusion of a national account review that included a number of well-known trade show marketing agencies.
“We’re pleased to partner with CSG,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Their experience in the trade show and face-to-face event business is unparalleled, and we look forward to working with them to make the 2014 SHOT Show the best event yet.”
“CSG Creative is pleased to be selected as the strategic marketing agency for the SHOT Show,” said Paige Cardwell, CSG president. “The trade show industry holds the show in high regard for delivering a must-attend event experience that truly supports all aspects of the shooting sports industry. We are looking forward to working with the SHOT Show team to enhance their marketing initiatives in target and emerging markets.”
The SHOT Show — the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show — is owned and sponsored by NSSF. It is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports, hunting and law enforcement industries. The 2014 SHOT Show will be held Jan. 14-17 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.
See also: NSSF Drops Reed Exhibitions as Managers of SHOT Show Continue reading
Shooters Can Help Prevent Fires During Hot Dry Months
Summer doesn’t officially start until June 21 this year but in our area we’ve already had plenty of summer-like weather. We’re still getting some of the spring rain but the temps are climbing and the sun is… well, hot. I’ve watched numerous fires burn hundreds or thousands acres after a round touched off a blaze. The picture at right shows one such fire at Fort Knox, which burned over 12,000 acres over the course of a week and required thousands of firefighter man-hours, all sparked by a tracer round.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has recently launched an awareness campaign to help remind the shooting community that they can do their part to prevent wildfires. NSSF offers several tips: Continue reading
