New NSSF Report: More Women Owning Guns, Going Target Shooting and Hunting
‘Women Gun Owners’ report and new infographic highlight fastest growing segment in shooting sports
More than half of women (55.6 percent) participating in a new study commissioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation said they intend to purchase at least one firearm in the next 12 months. That finding and many others reflect the growing popularity of firearms ownership by women, who represent the fastest growing segment of the shooting sports.
Today during the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti discussed the findings in the new report, “Women Gun Owners: Purchasing, Perceptions and Participation.” NSSF, which owns the SHOT Show, is the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry.
“In the past decade, the number of women owning firearms and participating in target shooting and hunting has soared. This study helps us understand why women are choosing to purchase firearms and accessories and what shooting activities appeal to them most,” said Sanetti.
The study, conducted in 2014, focused on women ages 18 to 65 who owned at least one firearm. Over a third of women in the study were new gun owners, having purchased their first firearm within the last three years. This group of new gun owners, who are primarily between the ages of 18 and 34, reflects the changing demographics among women choosing to own firearms—a change captured visually in NSSF’s new infographic, “Girl Power,” which complements the new report.
“The women’s market is a force in our industry, and manufacturers, retailers and shooting ranges are making changes to their products and services to satisfy women’s tastes and needs. This report will assist anyone interested in knowing more about women’s enthusiasm for and attitudes toward firearms,” said Jim Curcuruto, NSSF Director of Industry Research and Analysis.
Among the report’s findings Continue reading
New GLOCK Models Officially Unveiled at SHOT
Although ads for the new GLOCK MOS models were leaked several weeks ago, they haven’t been officially announced by the Austrian firearms maker until now.
GLOCK, Inc. announced yesterday the release of the new Modular Optic System (MOS). The MOS platform was designed by GLOCK engineers to enable users to mount their preferred reflex sights to their pistol in order to improve their target acquisition. The Gen4 models G34, G35, and G41 will now be available in the new MOS platform. The GLOCK 40 Gen4 in MOS Configuration – a long slide 10mm pistol intended for 10mm enthusiasts as well as handgun hunters – will be available soon.
“Our research has prompted us to release the MOS configurations for the G34 Gen4, G35 Gen4 and G41 Gen4 and the new G40 Gen4 in the MOS Configuration.” stated Josh Dorsey, VP at GLOCK, Inc. “The new GLOCK MOS platform offers a convenient way to mount reflex sights without costly alterations to a warrantied slide.”
The MOS models include an Adapter Plate Kit containing 4 adapter plates as well as the tools for the removal and installation for a variety of optics. Optics are not included with the MOS pistols, leaving users the flexibility to add the sight of their choice. Otherwise, the specifications for the Gen4 MOS configured G34, G35, and G41 are the same as their respective non-MOS versions. Continue reading
NSSF Launches New Premium Range Membership
NEWTOWN, Conn. — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) is pleased to announce that it is now offering a Premium Range membership to add to its array of membership options.
Modeled after the success of the Premium Retailer membership, the new category will provide a variety of benefits and tools to range owners and operators seeking to improve how they do business, grow their customer bases and successfully meet the challenges of safety and environmental issues today’s modern firearm ranges face.
“Over the past year, we’ve talked with many of our member range owners who expressed an interest in having a membership level that offered the additional benefits offered to our Premium Retailer members but was tailored to the concerns of shooting range operations,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Manager, Shooting Promotions. “We think the comprehensive list of benefits in the new Premium Range membership addresses those needs and will prove to be a foundation for all ranges seeking to run successful and safe enterprises.”
Members signing up for or upgrading to the new NSSF Premium Range membership will have several important tools and programs available to them. These include:
- OSHA/State OSH Compliance Program Review
- 24/7 EPA and OSHA Compliance Phone-in Hotline
- Professional Media Consulting
- On-site OSHA Mock Auditing
- Access to NSSF’s Legal Defense Fund
“Mirroring the Premium Retailer membership’s focus on ATF compliance, our range owners wanted their membership upgrade to focus on OSHA compliance,” explained Snow. “They expressed strong interest in maintaining their range environments and the health and safety of their staff and customers at the highest levels, and we think this package of tools will help them do just that.”
NSSF range members can learn more about the Premium Range Membership, including eligibility requirements, at nssf.org/ranges/premium.
And don’t forget that getting listed in the GunLink Directory is a great resource for shooting ranges, gun stores, online retailers, manufacturers and other businesses related to the firearms, hunting, and shooting industries. Free listings are available.
What Will We See at SHOT Show 2015?
It is hard to believe, but SHOT Show 2015 is less than four days away. The eagerly anticipated Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show is the largest show of its kind, featuring more than 1,600 exhibitors and drawing tens of thousands of industry-member attendees as they seek out the next trend setting products and services in the shooting industry. Simply put, this is the show to find out about new firearms and gear product launches.
As usual, GunLink will be covering the show again this year – from the SHOT Show Range Day before the official show opening to the 170,000 square feet of show floor exhibit space. There will no doubt be many great product unveiled this year and GunLink will be covering them live during the show and continuing coverage after the show closes.
So, what can we expect to see from SHOT this year?
Heckler & Koch is rolling out several new updates to the handgun and long gun categories, including new HK45 Cerakote colors, the brand new USP9 Tactical, and the now-shipping MR556A1 rifle – a semi-auto version of the HK416. Range day attendees will also have a chance to get their hands on the new striker-fired VP9 pistol.
Charter Arms adds another model to its Pitbull line of rimless cartridge revolvers. The stable will now include a .45 ACP model in addition to the existing 9mm and .40 S&W models. IWI US will be showing off their $1200-range UZI Pro pistols, one of which features a now-ubiquitous arm brace.
A perennial hot topic is what new products Glock will unveil at SHOT. Rumors of a single-stack 9mm pistol have been Continue reading
How Many People Really Carry Concealed?
Estimated numbers compiled by NSSF indicate that more people than ever are carrying a concealed weapon these days. Not surprisingly (and despite anti-gun rhetoric to the contrary), crime has not increased commensurately with with the greater number of “guns on the street.”
While nationwide CCW is estimated to be around 4%, some states are estimated to have 10% or more of the population packing (good job, Iowa and South Dakota), with several others following closely. See the chart below for a full state-by-state breakdown.
Reasons for the increased number of concealed carriers are many and varied. As depicted in the map above, many states have moved from having no concealed carry or restrictive “may issue” CCW regulations to being “shall issue” states. Even unlikely states like Illinois have joined the concealed carry crowd. This relaxation of carry restrictions allows more people to get carry permits, which may help to remove the perceived stigma of carrying a firearm, which snowballs into even greater numbers as citizens view a firearm as a viable way to protect themselves and their loved ones. Greater reciprocity and even the ability to take CCW training online make it even easier for law abiding individuals to get a permit.
Do you or someone you know carry a concealed firearm? Share your story and experiences below in the comments section.
Fact: Total concealed carry permits in the U.S. increased approximately 29 percent from an estimated 6.9 million in 2010 to an estimated 9.0 million in 2012.
Cast Your #GunVote at the Polls This November 4th
Learn About the Issues, Find NRA Endorsements & Grades and More
General elections will be held throughout the US on November 4th this year. Early voting is already well underway in many locations and absentee ballots are being circulated.
With controversial issues like healthcare and immigration reform being talked about, an openly anti-gun administration which recklessly wields “a pen and a phone,” personnel shake-ups at the Department of Justice and close decisions by an aging supreme court there is clearly a lot at stake with this election.
If you like the idea of more gun control laws and greater restrictions on individual rights, your task is easy: stay at home and don’t get involved. On the other hand, if you desire to see our constitution upheld and our rights preserved you have a little more work to do. An informed, involved populace is the only thing that will keep our nation on track. Continue reading
