NSSF PAC Achieves Unprecedented Support in 2019
More than $250,000 in contributions, 77 pro-industry legislators supported
The National Shooting Sports Foundation Political Action Committee, NSSF PAC, released its 2019 Year in Review report to members and industry partners announcing over $250,000 in contributions received during the last year. The contribution total represents unprecedented support for the NSSF PAC during an off-election year and places the committee in a strong position to support pro-firearm and ammunition industry legislators during the 2020 election year.
“NSSF had a tremendously successful 2019 and accomplished our mission to place member companies in the best position to be successful moving forward,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF PAC Treasurer and Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs. “With the financial resources the NSSF PAC received from our friends in the firearm, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry last year, we look forward to working to elect even more pro-industry, pro-sportsmen and pro-Second Amendment allies to join us in Washington, D.C. after November’s elections.”
Highlights included in detail in the 2019 NSSF PAC Year in Review: Continue reading
Vortex Optics Awarded OTA for the US Army’S Competitively Solicited Next Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control (NGSW-FC) Prototype Program
For the last 18 years, innovation has meant everything to Vortex Optics. It’s meant our emergence as a leader in the sport optics industry. It’s allowed us to provide our customers the tools they need to pursue and protect what matters most in their lives.
But starting today, our dedication to innovation means something even more.
We’re honored to announce that the US Army – PM Soldier Lethality awarded Vortex an agreement to deliver the Next Generation Squad Weapon-Fire Control (NGSW-FC) Production Ready Prototypes for Soldier TouchPoint (STP) evaluations.
As a direct-view optic, the 1-8×30 Active Reticle Fire Control provides everything you’d expect from a variable-power, first focal plane riflescope. When augmented with an overlaid digital display, however, it provides features unheard of in a traditional small arms fire control.
“As a veteran-owned, non-traditional defense contractor, it’s very important to us that we listen to warfighters,” said Sam Hamilton, Chief Technical Officer at Vortex Optics. “When we learned of the soldier’s need for increased lethality out of their squad weapons—combined with the Small Arms Ammunition Configuration (SAAC) study, which proved that advancements in electro-optical fire control had the greatest potential to increase soldier’s lethality—we knew there was an important capability gap we could fill.” Continue reading
NSSF: Firearm Industry Economic Impact Rises 213% Since 2008
The total economic impact of the firearm and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $60 billion in 2019, a 213-percent increase, while the total number of full-time-equivalent jobs rose from approximately 166,000 to over 332,000, a 100-percent increase in that period, according to a report released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearm industry trade association.
On a year-over-year basis, the industry’s economic impact rose from $52 in 2018 to $60 billion. Total jobs increased by 20,000 in the same period, from nearly 312,000 to over 332,000. The broader impact of the industry flows throughout the economy and supports and generates business for firms seemingly unrelated to firearms at a time when every job in America counts. These are real people, with real jobs, working in industries as varied as banking, retail, accounting, metalworking and printing, among others.
The firearm and ammunition industry paid over $6.74 billion in business taxes, including property, income and sales-based levies.
“Our industry continues to show the steady and reliable growth that is a hallmark of a healthy industry,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “The workers who comprise our ranks are the fabric of our communities. They produce the highest quality firearms and ammunition that millions of law-abiding Americans rely upon to exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms and safely enjoy the recreational shooting sports. This growth translates to more jobs that add to our local economies, averaging $55,200 in wages and benefits. In addition, since 2008 we increased federal tax payments by 162 percent, Pittman-Robertson excise taxes that support wildlife conservation by 79 percent and state business taxes by 116 percent.”
The Firearm and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report provides a state-by-state breakdown of job numbers, wages and output covering direct, supplier and induced employment, as well as federal excise taxes paid. Access the full report here.
FN Remains Fully Operational During COVID-19
FN America, LLC would like to inform its customers that the company has been designated as an essential business to the Defense Industrial Base by the Department of Defense and the state of South Carolina. The company’s production facility, based in Columbia, South Carolina, remains open and is operating at full capacity to deliver against FN’s multiple military contracts and customer orders. FN’s two other locations in Virginia also remain open and at full operation, as well.
“As COVID-19 continues to impact our nation, our employees, their families and our customers are at the forefront of our thoughts and actions during this unprecedented time,” said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO for FN America. “Because we are designated as an essential business by our state and by the Federal government, we remain open and continue to produce but have taken measures to ensure the safety and security of our team while we operate under these circumstances. Our customers depend on us each day to supply them with dependable, reliable firearms and we will continue to support them.”
“In response to this outbreak, FN has established a COVID-19 response task force to implement measures above and beyond recommended guidelines, ensure employee safety while on the job and keep our teams informed as we work to minimize disruption to our daily operations. Additionally, FN has implemented telework for those who are able to work remotely and introduced a new program called Patriot Pay.”
“The Patriot Pay program provides a temporary wage increase to FN employees who are working onsite at the company’s production facility directly engaged in manufacturing operations. In addition to this wage lift, employees have flexible leave schedules to care for themselves or their families should they need to, as well as other benefits.”
“During these uncertain times, as our nation responds and adjusts to this unprecedented pandemic situation, please rest assured that FN stands ready to support its customers with the dependable, reliable firearms they expect.”
Hi-Point Firearms Voluntarily Ceases Operations Temporarily Due to COVID-19
Statement from Hi-Point regarding work during the COVID-19 outbreak:
The state of Ohio and other states have organized complete business shutdowns due to Covid 19 situation. However, Ohio where Hi-Point is located is designated as a select or strategic business, therefore in Ohio, firearm manufacturing is exempted from closure.
The management of Hi-Point has chosen to voluntarily shut down and perform preventative work until April 6th. This also gives Hi-Point Employees time off to self-quarantine and be with their families.
MKS Supply, the exclusive marketeer of Hi-Point is following this same program. MKS Supply will continue to monitor business orders for Hi-Points in stock but will have a reduced output until April 6.
So, what can gun owners do since even going to the range is a potential no no? Well, now might be the time to sit down in front of the tele with some outdoor show on and do some firearms cleaning you have put off. We all know cleaning guns is the “best part of shooting”-huh? That’s why we do it all the time. But this really is a good time to get shooting gear well maintained and maybe even, and this takes courage for some of us, organize our shooting gear and shooting boxes for more convenience for when we get to go to the range.
Also, we expect to see some of the best-looking lawns in years across the country this coming spring as self-isolating people get out and garden in the fresh air during this pandemic.
We are all on a steep learning curve, but we will win this thing-Americans are winners, always have been! We the people will pull through this mess. So, from all of us at Hi-Point Firearms and MKS Supply, LLC, please use care, stay isolated, keep clean, enjoy the new adventure, and god bless.
Kimber Announces New York Shutdown Impacts Kimber Manufacturing
Due to the New York state decision to shutter non-essential businesses as part of the COVID-19 response plan, Kimber Mfg. Inc. has stopped production at its New York facilities.
Production continues at Kimber’s new, state-of-the-art Troy, Alabama manufacturing facility, with the entire line of handguns and long guns being assembled. Due to the large number of parts manufactured in Yonkers and the state mandated closure in New York, the Troy facility will suspend production on March 31st.
“This situation is unfortunate as we were off to an incredible start in gun shipments in 2020 and were running our factories seven days a week. We would like to thank our dealers and consumers for their overwhelmingly positive response to our new 2020 products,” said Greg Grogan, Kimber president. With that said, if you are in the market for a Kimber firearm, now is the time to make that purchase.” Kimber’s Alabama based customer service and repair services remain open to help customers with any questions they may have.
In addition, the Alabama based Kimber online store is open and products are shipping as long as inventory lasts. Montana based dealer sales and customer service departments also remain open. “We greatly appreciate the patience and understanding of our dealers and our fans,” Grogan said. “Rest assured that any disruptions in product manufacturing are temporary, but the duration is out of our hands. As soon as we are allowed, we have plans in place to restart production as quickly as possible.” In addition to the temporary closure of the Kimber, New York facilities, Kimber has adopted CDC-issued guidelines to protect employee health and prevent the spread of COVID-19 at all Kimber locations.
“Much like all Americans, Kimber will be challenged by these closures,” Grogan said. “But no one here has any doubt that we will all soon be back in production and stronger than ever.”
