Editorial May/June 2007

By: Smith n’ Jones

Who the heck is Jim Zumbo and why should I care? That was the response (more or less) that I received when I called a friend to tell him about the mass detonation (or implosion as one SASS Wire poster called it) I read about on the SASS Wire Monday, February 19th. After being directed from the SASS Wire to Mr. Zumbo’s website I found that Mr. Zumbo, a well known gun/hunting writer, television personality, Remington Arms spokesman, and internet blogger stuck his foot in his mouth, or his head in another orifice of his body, and said some things that a lot of hunters, shooters, gun collectors, and Second Amendment defenders (myself included) took grave exception to. Now, I will take neither the time nor space here to review in depth what was stated on his blog site, but the Readers Digest Condensed Book version goes something like this: After a day of varmint hunting, Mr. Zumbo wrote on his Remington Arms sponsored blog that he was informed by his guide that the military styled AR-15 series of rifles were becoming quite popular with varmint hunters across the country, at which statement Mr. Zumbo proceeded to say several less than kind things about the AR-15 semi-auto rifle and those that would hunt with them, ultimately calling them (the rifle, that is) “assault” rifles (a term that is grossly incorrect for this particular firearm) and then ultimately stating that he would go so far as to call them “terrorist” rifles that should be banned from use by Fish and Game Departments across the country. For reasons that are crystal clear to most of us, his words set off a firestorm that manifested itself in more that 2,000 mostly hostile and angry responses on his blog as well as most hunting, shooting, and outdoor websites and periodicals. Most demanded his head at best and termination of his employment and rights as a hunter/sportsman spokesman at the least.

Now, what does all this have to do with Western-action shooting and SHOOT! Magazine? Well, the fact is that there has been a growing split, division if you will, between those that shoot recreationally (CAS, Trap, Skeet, IDPA, IPSC, etc.) and those that hunt. Many of us participate in both and see no real issue or cause for differences between the two or reason for any controversy. But, there are many, many others, perhaps the majority of shooters in this country, that participate in only one form of shooting sport and couldn’t care less about the others. Therein lies the problem. Call it what you will, arrogance, elitism, superiority, ignorance, whatever, but the plain truth is that with the attacks against gun ownership and Second Amendment rights that go on every day, we, the shooting public, can’t afford to alienate any other shooters or gun owners for any reason. For one segment of the shooting fraternity to think they are better, wiser, or more noble, based on the games they play or the kind of firearms they use is ignorance at best and elitism at its worst. It is not only just plain wrong but it creates the kind of chinks in the pro-gun armor that the gun control elite need to reach their ultimate goal of disarming the American public. Even this disaster has given the enemy a huge cache of ammo with the Brady Bunch already jumping on board and announcing that one of the foremost hunting and shooting spokesmen in America is on their side agreeing that no one should have these “assault” type weapons. All we can do now is work on damage control and try to head off another disaster like this one. If you think it is just about taking away those nasty, black plastic “assault” rifles and pistols that “no one really needs anyway,” you are sadly mistaken. The Constitution says not one word about duck hunting, cowboy action shooting, or any other recreational form of shooting. The Second Amendment is all about personal and corporate self defense. No more and no less. All these fun things we get to do with our firearms, be it is hunting, target shooting, plinking, or competition, are just fringe benefits of the rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Unfortunately, I have also read on some of these blogs and even on the SASS Wire individuals bad-mouthing the NRA as too weak and too PC to be of any real help in the fight for gun rights. Well, you know there might be some truth to those sentiments, but as a NRA Life Endowment member, let me tell you that the NRA is the one and only pro-gun, Second Amendment rights organization that the opposition fears and that has the ability to organize and unify the shooters and hunters of this country. I am not putting down any other group with similar goals, I love them all, but in this world there is strength in numbers and only as a unified force, speaking with one voice can we expect to be heard. Yeah, I know you get tired of all those cards and letters from the NRA asking for money and looking to sell you something, so do I. But, it takes a lot of money to run any business and the NRA is the big kid on block when it comes to gun rights and the best bang for my buck that I have seen yet. If you are a shooter, hunter, gun collector, care even a little about being able to play your game, pass your gun collection on to your kids, or want to protect your right to self defense and you are not a member of NRA, you are making a big, no, make that a huge mistake. It never ceases to amaze me that nationally somewhere around 30 million hunting licenses are sold each year, but all those folks leave it up to about four million of us to protect their right to go duck hunting. That’s just plain wrong.

So, the next time you are thinking about demeaning someone because they happen to enjoy hunting Whitetail deer or because they would rather shoot a semi-automatic rifle or pistol, regardless of the configuration, you better think again. These are your brothers and sisters in arms, literally. Next time you’re at the range and you see someone shooting a type of firearm that is not necessarily your favorite, stop and talk with them and ask to shoot it. Who knows, you may find something to like that you never thought you would and that person may just find an interest in your cowboy guns. Like most families we may fight a little internally but to the outside world we had better present a united front. As firearm owners and freedom lovers our one and only chance to defeat those who would take away our most precious right is to stick together and support one another. May it ever be so.

With the rapid growth and popularity of Cowboy Fast Draw as a Western action shooting sport SHOOT! Magazine is including the CFDA Gunslinger’s Gazette as an insert in our magazine. This is not to be a regular feature but something that we wanted to share with all our readers, especially those who are not familiar with this new, fast, and exciting sport. You will find a lot of useful information in the pages of the Gazette including interviews with the current world champions, “Quick Cal” Eilrich and Lori “Dusty Bottoms” Adrihan. This addition is just that, additional pages to Shoot! Magazine with no page deduction of our regular magazine content. We hope you enjoy the Gazette.

Gun-Free-Zone Tragedy Again

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Felicity Bower, Bloomfield Press

GUN-FREE-SCHOOL-FRAUD COSTS LIVES AGAIN

Virginia Is Latest State to Suffer

Another armed murderer has used the so-called Gun-Free-School-Zones law to simply walk onto school grounds and with impunity begin killing innocent children.
These dangerous criminals rely on the fact that no one on campus will be able to offer resistance. Congress passed the law in 1990 and renewed it in 1995 after the famous "Lopez" case declared it unconstitutional. Though it cannot stop murderers it has enabled many, experts say. States and schools themselves have copied the law locally for a false sense of security with disastrous effect.
"The Gun-Free-School law is a cruel hoax that costs lives," said Alan Korwin, author of Gun Laws of America. "Time and time again, psychotic killers are using the law to provide a safe haven, where they are the only people with guns." It's no surprise these madmen never attack gun stores, police stations, military facilities or other places where people are known to be armed, he says, and news reports tend to overlook this point.
Hoplophobic (gun-fearing) teacher's unions, school administrators and many legislators project their fears onto the system and disarm honest people, instead of taking prudent steps to protect the kids from a known menace.
Hoplophobia is a poorly understood morbid fear of weapons that afflicts millions. It is one of the greatest undiagnosed and untreated sources of harm in the country, Korwin and other experts believe.
People who are terrified of guns give themselves a good feeling but false sense of security by passing such dangerous laws. "All they have done is create target-rich, no-risk environments for monsters who have no fear of encountering an armed teacher or administrator, or a legally-armed private citizen who might happen to be in the building," says Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Second Amendment Foundation. The Virginia attack follows the precise model of murderers in other states. Some observers suggest the incessant media replays of the atrocities inspire copycats.
"Gun-control extremists will use this incident to claim we have not done enough," Gottlieb predicted, and in the past, the harm caused by gun-free laws has lead to calls for more of the same. This is irrational, which is a sign of hoplophobic behavior. "They have disarmed the wrong people and left our schools, and the children inside, vulnerable to this kind of atrocity."
"We need empowerment, not avoidance," Korwin says, who believes that properly trained and prepared teachers are at least one prudent step to take against a rash of homicidal maniacs preying on schools.
Hundreds of thousands of FBI-certified individuals, who routinely use personal firearms for crime deterrence and safety, but are kept out of the news, are also banned from school grounds under many states' laws. They can provide little help against the criminals who simply ignore the words in a distant law book. Virginia lawmakers recently voted down an effort to allow the FBI-certified civilians to carry on campus.
Several states have introduced Gun-Free-Zone-Liability laws, which would allow people to make the arbitrary and unenforced gun-free zones, but would hold them liable for any harm the zones facilitate. It is believed this would make people think twice about making the dangerous and negligent zones. Sample bill language is here: http://www.gunlaws.com/GFZ/index.htm
Gottlieb categorizes gun-free zones as a myth, since they stop no one, leaving victims defenseless.
An unintended consequence of the federal gun-free-school-zones law, 18 USC 922(q), is to criminalize millions of citizens who travel near schools.
Because the law stipulates a 1,000-foot gun-free perimeter around schools, virtually all private travel with firearms in American cities violates the law.
This creates tens of millions of federal felonies, of unsuspecting citizens, with no enforcement, but no actual harm done. The law is a travesty needing repeal. See maps and details here:
http://www.gunlaws.com/Gun_Free_School_Zones.htm

[Backgrounder: Phoenix-based Bloomfield Press, founded in 1988, is the largest publisher and distributor of gun-law books in the country. Our website, gunlaws.com, features a free national directory to gun laws and relevant contacts in all states and federally, along with our unique line of related books and DVDs. Gun Laws of America and The Virginia Gun Owner's Guide for news-media review is available on request, call 1-800-707-4020. Our authors are available for interview, call to schedule. Call for cogent positions on gun issues, informed analysis on proposed laws, talk radio that lights up the switchboard, fact sheets and position papers. As we always say, "It doesn't make sense to own a gun and not know the rules."]

Contact:
Alan Korwin
Bloomfield Press
"We publish the gun laws."
4848 E. Cactus #505-440
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
602-996-4020 Phone
602-494-0679 Fax
1-800-707-4020 Orders
http://www.gunlaws.com
alan@gunlaws.com
Call, write, fax or click for free full-color catalog

SHOT Show... Here we Come!!!

A large part of our staff will be at the SHOT Show this weekend in Orlando, Florida. Stop in at our booth to say Hi if you are around... if not, you're missing out on an excellent industry show!

120th ANNIVERSARY of FORT WORTH’S MOST FAMOUS GUNFIGHT

Fort Worth, Texas has a rich and proud cowboy heritage and what happened here 120 years ago rivals any western legend. In the 1880’s Fort Worth was a young city and had become a major rail head for moving cattle north to market. Cowherds and cowboys, drifters and gamblers, and anyone wishing to make a dollar in this wild boom town could be found on Main Street or Hell’s Half Acre in the city’s stockyards. It was a new city in the Old West and it attracted the kind of men whose reputations were growing like wildfire.
The two men involved in what has become this city's most famous gunfight, each had well deserved reputations as expert gunmen who were not to be trifled with. One man was a famous gambler who had worked dealing cards with the likes of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. The other was a former Fort Worth lawman who walked on both sides of the law. Each man had come to Fort Worth for different reasons. They knew one another well. They were for a time, friends.
But on the cold night of February 8, 1887, Jim Courtright called Luke Short out of the White Elephant Saloon. Words were exchanged, accusations were made, guns were drawn, and Courtright was killed in one of the last great shootouts of Texas’ bloody Old West.
The Gunfighters from Lagniappe Productions will re-enact this legendary duel on February 8, 2007 in front of the White Elephant Saloon at 106 East Exchange Avenue in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. The event is free and begins at 8 pm rain or shine.
If you love the Old West, you’ll want to be in Fort Worth for the 120th anniversary of this famous shootout.
Lagniappe Productions is a professional, fully insured entertainment company with 30 years of experience and over 10,000 shows to our credit. We specialize in Old West and High Tech entertainment. We provide cowboys, gunfighters, saloon girls, and robots for events and venues all over the world. 2007 marks Lagniappe’s 5th year of producing the Short/Courtright shootout and is the 25th anniversary of the re-enactment.
Additional information is available online at www.thegunfighters.com/shootout.htm.

Visit us at the SASS Convention!

From December 7-10, Chucky, Smith n' Jones, Marshal's Lady, and Sweet Violet will be setting up shop in grand ole Las Vegas for the SASS Convention!

If you are an Old West enthusiast, this is a "Can't Miss" event! It will be held at the Riviera Hotel on the strip.

If you are in town for the NFR, stop on by! We look forward to seeing new and old faces!

The Le Page du Roi Pistol

The Le Page pistol, one of the most recognized symbols of Davide Pedersoli production, is getting close to its 30th birthday. To celebrate in a special way this important birthday and to satisfy the requests of a great number of enthusiastic collectors, the company has started the production of a Le Page model, which until now was only offered in a limited series to some of the foreign distributors.

It is the special version of the Le Page pistol, percussion model, assembled on the stock of the Le Page flintlock model, made for the first time in 1994 for the American Historical Foundation of Richmond, U.S.A., a company which specialises in the distribution of special commemorative models.

The stock is the perfect “Empire” style, until today offered by Pedersoli Co. only for the Le Page in the flintlock version. It represents the typical design of the French gunsmiths of the first half of the 18th century and the elegant lines that Henri Le Page used in many of his percussion pistols. Therefore, it is natural to introduce a gun with such aesthetic features.

The pistol, which was created for the American Historical Foundation, was enriched with some gold inlays on the barrel where there was an inscription which referred to the “Duel” as well as on the lock and on the furniture’s: that gun was given the model name “Le Page du Roi” which reflected the fact that such a pistol was intended for royalty and the aristocracy of that era.
At the beginning of the new millennium a new limited series of the Le Page du Roi without golden inlays was prepared and given to an important mid-European distributor company well known for mail orders and until recently going through the big catalog of that company it was possible to see the Le Page du Roi pistols in the pages dedicated to the guns manufactured by Pedersoli.

Today the Le Page du Roi pistol is being added to the production series of the Pedersoli company continuing the tradition started with the first pistol reproduced thirty years ago and protected by our trademark. Since then we are extremely pleased with the continuous series of sporting successes in the “Kuchenreuter R” shooting discipline and the satisfaction of having introduced a gun that became a milestone among the modern muzzleloading reproduction guns.
As it has been shown year after year, the Le Page pistols accuracy and ability to win shooting matches has to be attributed to the high quality of the materials used, to the close tolerance of the hand craftmanship work, to the professional attitude Pedersoli company applies manufacturing its own models, as well as the incomparable beauty and elegance of the design.

The new Le Page du Roi pistols percussion models are available with brown barrel and case hardened furnitures. The oiled and polished walnut stock features the traditional checkered grips, the front part shaped with the classical shell style which is made on the butt cap and also on the butt plate being a small patch box: characteristics known and appreciated in the Le Page flintlock pistol for many years.

On request it will be possible to obtain white finishing of the metal parts in order to satisfy the several shooters and collectors’ who expressed the desire to have a pair of pistols featuring a different look but with the same stock shape.

For information: Davide Pedersoli & C., via Artigiani 57, 25063 Gardone Val Trompia; www.davide-pedersoli.com (info@davidepedersoli.com); tel. 030.8915000; fax 030.8911019.

National Hunting and Fishing Day

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing Day

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HUNTING ON THE RISE . . . The 35th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day is set for Sept. 23, amid growing -- yes, growing -- public support for hunting. A new study shows that 78 percent of Americans now support legal hunting, up 5 percent from a decade ago. Researchers credit the increase to greater public understanding of hunting and wildlife management, along with visible increases of deer in urban areas. More than nine out of 10 Americans approve of recreational fishing. A combined 38 million Americans hunt and fish, and their conservation and economic importance will be celebrated this weekend at nearly 100 National Hunting and Fishing Day events nationwide. NSSF founded the annual commemoration, which now has an official home at Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo.
HOUSE TO VOTE ON PRO-GUN BILLS . . . Two federal pro-gun bills will be voted on soon by the U.S. House of Representatives. HR 5092, the "Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Modernization and Reform Act of 2006," and HR 5005, the "Firearms Correction and Improvement Act," both were passed out of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. The full House is expected to vote on these bills shortly. HR 5092 represents a major advance in protecting the rights of firearms dealers, bringing consistency to ATF enforcement actions and providing ATF with additional compliance tools long sought by ATF. HR 5005 will serve to protect the integrity of law enforcement investigations and the lives of undercover agents and witnesses from misuse of ATF's trace data, such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's so-called "sting" operations that interfered with numerous ongoing criminal investigations. Contact your congressmen immediately, urging them to vote for HR 5092 and HR 5005.
STURM, RUGER NAMES NEW CEO . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. announced Wednesday the appointment of Michael O. Fifer to serve as its chief executive officer, effective Sept. 25. Most recently, Fifer was president of the Engineered Products Division of Mueller Industries Inc. He has held a number of general management positions in companies serving consumer, technology and industrial markets. Fifer is only the third CEO in the company's 57-year history, succeeding William B. Ruger (1949-2000), and William B. Ruger Jr. (2000-2006). Sturm, Ruger president Stephen L. Sanetti served as interim CEO in 2006 while the board conducted its search. Sanetti will continue to serve as the company's president and general counsel.
LARSON NAMED NSSF DIRECTOR OF RETAIL PARTNERSHIPS . . . NSSF has named Tom Larson as its new director of retail partnerships. Larson brings to NSSF more than 30 years experience in the firearms industry, having held sales and management positions in the firearms manufacturing sector and serving several years as a rep group principal. In his new position, Larson will oversee NSSF's retail division, the National Association of Firearms Retailers (NAFR), and work with NAFR- and NSSF-member firearms retailers nationwide. He will also work closely with a growing list of NAFR-affiliated state organizations, which provide retailers with leadership and guidance at state levels.
RESEARCHING THE HUNT . . . What more can be learned about hunting? After all, humans have been students of their most primal instinct for thousands of years, so what possibly could be left to discover? Plenty, as it turns out. NSSF conducts and compiles research on new trends in hunting and shooting sports participation, sales, demographics, business environments and more. View a roundup of some 2006 findings.
J. Paul Jackson, Steve Christian and Chris Nischan (left to right) were the winners of a new shotgun competition sponsored by NSSF at the 2006 Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge.
2006 FIELD & STREAM TOTAL OUTDOORSMAN CHALLENGE . . . An exciting new shotgun competition sponsored by NSSF debuted at the 2006 Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge, adding a new level of competition and action for the competitors. "We were proud to offer our support to ensure that this year's competition would include a test of wingshooting ability," said NSSF's David Miles. "Shooting skills are developed through practice at the range and play an important role in any hunter's success." The competition offered six targets presented to simulate shots that hunters commonly experienced in the field, ranging from the hard crossing shots experienced when dove hunting to decoying ducks and fast-running rabbits. To see the complete results and photos from this year's event, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.fieldandstream.com/totaloutdoorsman.
FFL SEMINARS A SUCCESS . . . A total of 172 federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) attended seminars last week in Spokane, Wash., and Portland, Ore., on how to better prevent the criminal misuse of firearms. "Both sessions were well attended, the subject matter was well received and the attendees had great questions," said Randy Clark, NSSF managing director of program development. The free "Partnership for Progress" seminars are provided by ATF, NSSF and the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The next scheduled event will be in Phoenix on Oct. 12. Retailers in the area are encouraged to attend. Click here for more details.
FIRST SHOTS ON THE MOVE . . . NSSF's First Shots will hold pilot events in Connecticut and Washington state in October, while Sprague's Sports in Yuma, Ariz., will hold another First Shots event due to the success it had with the program in May. Says owner Richard Sprague: "It is without a doubt a win-win program for the industry. I strongly encourage anyone with a range facility to get involved." Ranges that have held First Shots events report they are seeing, on average, a 35 percent increase in range memberships and a 30 percent increase in training class registration that they attribute to First Shots attendees. They also say they see First Shots attendees moving along to other handgun activities such as practical shooting and even cowboy action. NSSF surveyed First Shots attendees. See what they had to say.
COLTSVILLE: NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK? . . . A committee of the National Park Service will decide next month whether to recommend that parts of Coltsville -- the area of Hartford, Conn., developed by gun maker Samuel Colt -- be designated a National Historic Landmark, a decision the Hartford Courant calls "a critical moment in state history."
RESEARCHERS FIND NO BIRD FLU . . . More than 13,000 wild migratory birds have been tested since April for avian influenza in Alaska and, according to scientists, no H5N1 virus has been detected. The program’s goal is testing 75,000 to 100,000 migratory birds across the United States this year. Ducks Unlimited maintains a comprehensive online resource for bird flu information, with special info for waterfowl hunters. Visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.ducks.org.
GEORGIA VOTERS CAN ENSURE RIGHT TO HUNT AND FISH . . . When Peach State residents enter the polling booth on Nov. 7, they can vote to make the right to hunt and fish part of the state's constitution.
SKEET GREAT TO MANAGE CLAY TARGET FACILITY . . . The Arizona Game and Fish Department has hired accomplished skeet shooter John Satterwhite to manage the Ben Avery Clay Target Center, a public shotgun-shooting center located on the grounds of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. The game and fish department assumes operational control of the clay target facility today.
RHODE WINS FALL SELECTION MATCH . . . Though the event in which she claimed two Olympic gold medals and a bronze was eliminated by the International Olympic Committee, switching to a new shotgun discipline apparently hasn't hindered Kim Rhode. Rhode won the 2006 Fall Selection Match last week in international skeet. For complete results, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.usashooting.org.
SHOOTING INDUSTRY MASTERS TO BENEFIT STEP OUTSIDE . . . Shooters from throughout the industry, including top company executives, will compete this weekend for the 2006 Shooting Industry Masters. The three-gun competition, which supports NSSF's STEP OUTSIDE mentoring program, will be held Friday and Saturday in St. Cloud, Minn. Stay tuned for results. For information about the event, visit http://www.twelvehorses.com/ct/CMADYH/60JD29EA/*http://www.shootingindustry.com.
HUNTER'S HANDBOOK TV TO HIGHLIGHT NSSF PROGRAMS . . . Tune in to Hunter's Handbook TV this week on OLN to learn more about NSSF's programs and services geared toward creating access and opportunity, promoting safety and education and building participation in the shooting sports. Hunter's Handbook TV airs on OLN Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m., Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. For more information about Hunter's Handbook TV, visit OLN online.

NSSF's Mission Statement
"Our purpose is to provide trusted leadership in addressing industry challenges and in delivering programs and services to meet the identified needs of our members."
Click here to visit the NSSF Web site and see how we accomplish this mission.

Shooting USA Television Series to Air on The Outdoor Channel

FRANKLIN TN: Tier One Media, LLC and The Outdoor Channel have jointly announced the debut of Shooting USA that will air Saturday nights at 10:00 EST beginning September 30th. The long-running gun sports and firearms news series will continue year-round, without interruption.

Jim Scoutten, Tier One Executive Producer, said the new contract is what the fans of the show have been asking for. “We recently surveyed our fans on when they wanted to see the show and the majority said Saturdays.” Scoutten said, “And they told us they want to be able to see the series every week, without preemptions or changes in the schedule. They want to know when they tune in, we’ll be there. Our new contract assures that.”

Scoutten said this season of Shooting USA will be his 14th year of reporting on the firearms industry and the shooting sports for America’s 70 million gun owners and enthusiasts. The Outdoor Channel will be the fourth network to carry Scoutten’s gun shows. “Networks change, management changes, even network names change, as they evolve to chase new audiences.” Scoutten said. “But The Outdoor Channel has an unbroken commitment to serving the Traditional Outdoor Enthusiast and Sportsman. We’re delighted to be bringing Shooting USA into that stable environment where our fans can count on seeing the shows.”

Wade Sherman, Senior VP of Programming said, “The Outdoor Channel is pleased to welcome Jim Scoutten and Shooting USA. Jim is one of the pioneers of shooting sports television and has built a long and successful career on providing quality news, information and event coverage within the shooting sports world. Shooting USA will be a significant addition to our quality lineup of shooting sports programming that includes Guns and Ammo TV, Cowboys, and Shooting Gallery.”

Sherman said the series will air three times each week on The Outdoor Channel, with the prime time airing on Saturday nights at 10:00 EST, following American Rifleman. That’s 9:00PM Central, 8:00PM Mountain, and 7:00PM Pacific time, Sherman said.

Jim Scoutten said Tier One Media will produce 26 Shooting USA shows each year, with a new show appearing, on average, every other week, year-round. “We’re a little backed-up with the change in networks.” Scoutten said, “We’ve got exclusive coverage of National Title matches that will be some of the first editorial to go on the air. The first show presents the Limited, Production, and Revolver Division National Championships of the United States Practical Shooting Association from Barry, Illinois.” Scoutten said.

“Major sponsors of Shooting USA include those long associated with the series—Smith & Wesson, Benelli and Federal Premium Ammunition.” Scoutten said, “Plus we have three new show sponsors, Trijicon, Blackhawk Products Group, and Crimson Trace.”

Scoutten said the editorial content of each of the shows in the series will be posted on the www.ShootingUSA.com website as the schedule evolves in the weeks ahead.

“I can tell you this much now,” Scoutten said, “Our Pro Tips instructor series continues this season with Bill Davison teaching Precision Rifle, Jerry Miculek teaching AR-15 Rifle, and Todd Jarrett teaching Competition and Tactical Handgun Techniques. Our professionals are ready to help you improve your shooting.”

Scoutten said, Six-gun Master, Bob Munden is re-joining the Shooting USA team of Exhibition Shooters after a four year break. “Bob will be demonstrating what we call Impossible Shots along with Archer Byron Ferguson, Shotgun world record holder Tom Knapp, and the new shotgun guy, Tim Bradley.

“No question we’ve got the editorial our audience wants to see.” Scoutten said, “I’m just delighted we have a network that values our work and is willing to make it available to our audience.”

Shooting USA is a registered trademark of Tier One Media, LLC, a privately held production company based in Franklin, Tennessee.

The Outdoor Channel is a national television network dedicated to providing traditional outdoor programming to America's 82 million anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. The Outdoor Channel features approximately 100 weekly programs featuring hunting, fishing and shooting sports, as well as off road motor sports and other related lifestyle programming. Nielsen Media Research estimates The Outdoor Channel's universe, through a combination of cable and satellite dish subscribers, to be approximately 27.6 million homes for August 2006. The company also owns and operates related businesses that serve the interests of viewers of The Outdoor Channel and other outdoor enthusiasts, including Outdoor Channel 2 HD, LDMA-AU, Inc. (Lost Dutchman’s) and Gold Prospector’s Association of America, LLC. (GPAA).

To get The Outdoor Channel in your area, please call your local cable or satellite provider and request that they add The Outdoor Channel to their channel lineup.

1,600 Juniors Compete at the Grand and other news!

RECORD TURNOUT FOR SCHOLASTIC PROGRAM . . . Youth baseball has the Little League World Series. Youth trapshooting has the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) National Championships. More than 1,600 youth trap shooters from 26 states converged on the newly constructed World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta, Ill., Tuesday and Wednesday for the SCTP trap nationals. The two-day team competition, held in conjunction with the world's largest shooting competition―the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships―was the largest in SCTP's six-year history. "Thanks to hard work and commitment from our volunteer coaches and state directors, support from a growing number of state wildlife agencies and strong support from our industry sponsors, SCTP participation continues to grow at a remarkable rate," said Zach Snow of NSSF, which developed, sponsors and manages SCTP on the national level. The program, which began the year with about 6,000 youth participants, added over 2,000 more this spring and summer and now includes more than 8,300 in 41 states.

View the complete results from the SCTP national championships.

GRAND OPENING . . . Kicking off with the SCTP nationals, the 107-year-old Grand American opened in its new location in Sparta, Ill., last week. The new $50 million, 1,500-acre World Shooting and Recreational Complex is expected to be an economic boon for southern Illinois, with the annual Grand being the facility's largest draw. The Associated Press, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Chicago Tribune all provided coverage from the event, while the Illinois Southern helped put to rest any potential misconceptions with an editorial titled, "Guns plus the public doesn't equal danger." St. Louis-area television stations also provided coverage. View a televised report from KSDK's Steve Jankowski.

NSSF DEMANDS NBC CEASE AIRING POLITICAL AD. . . Last Thursday, WNBC-TV in New York City began broadcasting a political campaign commercial by candidate for attorney general Andrew Cuomo that states Cuomo "led a legal battle against gun makers who arm gangs." In response to this blatantly false and defamatory statement, NSSF has demanded the station cease any further broadcast of the ad and will also file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Read NSSF's letter to NBC Universal executive vice president and general counsel Richard Cotton.

ANNIE'S GOT YOUR GUN . . . The number of women turning to firearms for sport and safety has grown exponentially over the past five years. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune ("Lady's Got a Gun," Aug. 10, 2006) drew attention to this, citing increased membership in programs like NRA's Women on Target, which went from 500 participants in 2000 to close to 6,000 participants last year. With increased safety concerns and a growing love of the shooting sports and hunting, women are among the fastest growing demographic of shooters and firearms purchasers. NSSF's Scholastic Clay Target Program has also grown remarkably popular with young women. In 2005 alone, SCTP saw an 84 percent increase in teenage girls participating.

REPORT: OUTDOOR RECREATION POURS $730 BILLION INTO ECONOMY . . . A report released Friday by the Outdoor Industry Foundation, Southwick Associates and Harris Interactive revealed the economic impact of outdoor recreation, including hunting. The study concludes that $730 billion is spent annually, supporting 6.5 million jobs, that is, one in 20 jobs in the U.S., and producing $88 billion in federal and state taxes. The "Active Outdoor Recreation Economy Study" was released at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City.
RHODE TAKES SHOT AT SKEET . . . She has two Olympic gold medals and a bronze in doubles trap, but with the International Olympic Committee eliminating her event, Kim Rhode has her shotgun pointed in a new direction: international skeet. Rhode, in between training and an appearance at the SCTP nationals in Sparta last week, found the time to discuss her new goals in an interview with the Santa Clarita Valley Signal.

SUNDAY HUNTING TO BE DISCUSSED . . . Virginia remains one of only a few states that prohibit hunting on Sunday, but that might be about to change, reports The Roanoke Times. Sunday hunting is scheduled to be discussed by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' Wildlife and Boat Committee on Aug. 21. The results of the meeting will likely be passed onto the full board at its Aug. 22 meeting. The department's board doesn't have authority to end the ban on Sunday hunting, but its endorsement would likely be weighed heavily by the General Assembly.

CHINA ENCOURAGES HUNTING . . . To enhance its wildlife management system and boost the nation's economy, China is calling for the launch of a national hunting club "to further regulate the market, enhance relevant laws and co-ordinate between hunting areas in remote places and customers in the east coast," reports the China Daily. The first-ever auction of hunting quotas, scheduled for yesterday, has been postponed, however, to solicit suggestions from the public, reports the Shanghai Daily. That paper reports that last year international hunters killed more than 700 wild animals in China, contributing more than $4 million to that nation's wildlife conservation.

OREGON ALLOTS TAGS FOR TERMINALLY ILL YOUNG PEOPLE . . . The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved the issuing of up to 25 free hunting tags for terminally ill youngsters. At the hearing held by the commission earlier this month, Danny Benson, spokesperson for the non-profit group "Hunt of a Lifetime," was an avid proponent of the proposal, reports the Salem, Ore., Statesman Journal. During his presentation, Benson recounted the story of one of two similar participants on 2005 hunts: "Troy got to come on his hunt…he returned home [to Pennsylvania] with a trophy mule deer…Troy got to experience his dream…four months later he passed away."

GIRLS PROVE DOMINANT IN INTER-CAMP SHOOTING MATCH . . . When the Camp Oatka rifle team from Lake Sebago, Maine, pulled into Fleur de Lis Camp in Fitzwilliam, N.H., for a match against an all-girls team, the boys didn't beam with the confidence their undefeated record should have provided. "We can beat everyone else. We just can't beat the girls," Oatka's coach, Brian Petersen, said before the match. Despite his team's string of victories, he did have little reason to be confident. "Then again, who would be, knowing your last victory [against the girls] came when gas cost 93 cents a gallon and Ronald Reagan was president?" reports The Boston Globe in an amusing recap of the ensuing event and an insight into the girls' superiority.
CAMP PERRY COMPETITON ENDS TODAY . . . The annual NRA National Outdoor Rifle & Pistol Championships, which began with pistol competition on July 11, concludes today with the final high-power rifle long-range championships. The NRA Web site conveniently posts the results of all championship matches.

TIMES PROFILES GUN COLOR MANUFACTURER . . . Sunday's edition of The New York Times Magazine profiled Chippewa Falls, Wis.-based Lauer Custom Weaponry, which manufacturers DuraCoat gun coloration products. Since he began selling DuraCoat in 2002, Steve Lauer has attracted customers in firearm manufacturers, hobbyists, small gun shops and gunsmiths.

BIG GAME IN THE BIG CITY . . . Across America, and surprisingly in predominately liberal urban areas with strict gun laws, a deer hunting video game has become the hottest-seller in bars and arcades, reports the Associated Press. In the coin-operated Big Buck Hunter Pro, players use a plastic shotgun to hunt deer, elk and other game, often firing furiously at the screen. Asked if the next step might be heading to the woods with Remingtons and Mossbergs, Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine editor Russell Thornberry commented, "I thank God they are doing it in a bar. I'm not sure I'd want them hunting anywhere near where I was hunting. They'd be a danger to me and the deer."

MISSOURI STUDENT WINS NSCA/NSSF SCHOLARSHIP . . . Brian Ehrich, 18, has only been shooting registered targets for a year, but nevertheless is looking forward to shooting for University of Missouri when he matriculates as an Animal Sciences major. Though the university doesn't offer shooting scholarships, the Laclede, Mo., resident will find financial aid in the form of the 2006 NSCA/NSSF scholarship he has been awarded. Ehrich has not only been an active shooter on his Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) team, but he has also served as assistant coach of his squad, epitomizing the best of the growing number of SCTP alumni.
PENNSYLVANIA SPORTSMEN TO GET THEIR OWN MUSEUM . . . The Keystone State boasts loads of edifices of culture, including art, science and history museums. On August 19 ground will be broken for a different kind of center, the Hunting and Fishing Museum of Pennsylvania, on Lighthouse Island near Tionesta. The construction project is a 25,000-square-foot facility dedicated to the preservation and presentation of Pennsylvania's hunting, trapping and fishing heritage, reports the Star-Gazette.

FEDERAL COURT AFFIRMS SPORT HUNTING REPRESENTATION . . . Despite the attempts by Native Alaskan groups to exclude recreational hunters from participating in decision making concerning the use of the state's federal lands for subsistence purposes, the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska has acknowledged the government's desired balance of representation by setting aside 30 percent of the committee seats to recreational and commercial users. Among those battling for years for this decision has been Safari Club International. The court's ruling, however, only allows this decision to stand until the end of the year, by which time the government has been directed to correct procedural errors that have clouded the issue.

Firearm Industry Helps Idaho Recruit Hunters

Press Release
July 19, 2006
For more information contact:
Steve Wagner (203) 426-1320

Firearm Industry Helps Idaho Recruit Hunters
Idaho Department of Fish and Game Receives $112,000 Grant

NEWTOWN, Conn.—The firearm industry says it wants more hunters in Idaho, and it's putting money where its mouth is.

The industry's trade association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), has awarded $112,000 in a grant to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. NSSF says the grant recognizes the agency for developing one of the nation's most promising ideas for recruiting and retaining hunters.

"We rewarded the strongest concepts for strengthening America's hunting and conservation system into the future. Recipients this year have developed proposals that are creative and far-sighted and resolve some of the real barriers facing hunters today," said Doug Painter, president of NSSF.

Idaho's proposal: Survey hunters, landowners, program coordinators and steering committee members to evaluate overall success of Idaho's ACCESS YES! program. ACCESS YES! creates public hunting opportunities on and across private lands, with a goal of using easements and leases to acquire access to 700,000 acres of public land through private property by March 2007.

"The National Shooting Sports Foundation is a wonderful partner, and I know we will convert that support into significant and direct benefits for sportsmen through long-term public land access and for landowners with our Responsive Management Survey. We sure appreciate this opportunity," said Jim Unsworth, wildlife bureau chief for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

The grant was made through NSSF's Hunting Heritage Partnership program, which this year awarded $365,000 in grants to nine state conservation agencies. This is the fourth year of the granting program. To date, the program has allocated more than $1.7 million to 33 states.

Painter said, "More and more, state conservation agencies nationwide are getting into marketing, youth programs, responsive management and human dimensions research. Our industry believes that's vital and we're willing to help pay for it."

Included among 2006 grantees are Idaho and Maryland which received a grant for the first time; Wisconsin which received a grant for the second time; Nebraska, Tennessee, Vermont and Wyoming which received a grant for the third time; and New Hampshire and Ohio which received a grant for the fourth time.

Nineteen proposals from 15 states were submitted this year to the Hunting Heritage Partnership judging committee of NSSF.

Formed in 1961, NSSF is celebrating its 45th birthday in 2006. The organization recently reached important new milestones, topping 3,000 members and hosting the largest annual trade show (SHOT Show) in the history of the firearms industry.

July/August 2006 Editorial

Have you got your guns ready? The next big match is almost here and it is time to play! Sixguns, rifles, shotguns, side match guns, what do I choose? Calibers, models, barrel lengths, and more, so many decisions to make! Don’t forget the clothes and gun rigs. Should I shoot cross-draw or straight-draw? Should the calibers of my sixgun match the caliber of my rifle? Maybe I should see if I can buy that new Cimarron 1876 for side matches available this fall. What class should I shoot – black powder cartridge, traditional, duelist, gunfighter, classic cowboy, etc., etc.? There seems to be decision after decision. This was starting to become very confusing!

I spent some time thinking about all of these items and then realized that maybe I better check my guns and make sure they are clean and ready to go with smooth actions, no burrs, and full hammer impacts to ignite the primers. While doing this along with some shooting in the months before and talking and observing fellow shooters, I began to realize something else. We were becoming complacent about the most important item of all. What is that you say? Yep, you guessed it – SAFETY! We talk about it at the safety meetings, we try to ensure it on the line, and think about it while we are shooting. But what about when we get off the line? What about when we are sitting around the camp fire talking with our buddies or showing someone our new sixgun? I’ve got to tell you, I am concerned. Being complacent when it comes to gun safety is not a good idea. More and more I see people that should know better when handling firearms. While they are looking at them or showing them off, they have the muzzle of the firearm pass over a person. When you do this, you are breaking one of the most important safety rules of all – never point a gun at something you don’t want to see destroyed! It should not matter if you just checked the chambers and the person you handed the gun to did the same. Make sure that when handling the firearm the barrel never, ever points toward another person!

I know people who are around guns all of the time that know gun safety and yet they continually forget about this fundamental aspect because they checked the firearm to make sure it was safe. How many times has a gun gone off that was supposedly unloaded? Not only is letting the gun barrel point at another person unsafe, it is also rude.

Lets play it safe - don’t get complacent when it comes to gun safety.

Visit the Shoot Magazine website at www.shootmagazine.com

Gun Sales Rise as Crime and Accident Rates Fall

Press Release . . . edited

For more information contact:
Steve Wagner(203) 426-1320

Gun Sales Rise as Crime and Accident Rates Fall

NEWTOWN, Conn.—New statistics show that firearm and ammunition sales are on the rise, coinciding with steady downward trends in gun crime, suicide, and accident rates in the U.S.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the shooting, hunting and outdoor industry, has released U.S. Dept. of the Treasury figures indicating that 2005 retail sales of firearms and ammunition rose 2.6 percent for a total volume of $2.1 billion.

For the year, approximately 4.7 million new guns were sold, bringing the estimated number of citizen-owned firearms in the U.S. to more than 290 million. The number of American households with at least one firearm is now estimated at nearly 110 million.

Of the various firearm types, the sharpest gains were seen in retail sales of handguns (pistols and revolvers). Handgun sales rose 3 percent while long-gun (rifle and shotgun) sales rose 1.8 percent. Ammunition sales rose 3.5 percent.

Combined 2005 sales of firearms and ammunition generated $224.3 million in excise taxes earmarked for wildlife and habitat conservation projects, through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. Since inception, the act has raised more than $5 billion for conservation.

As NSSF-member companies and conservationists laud the latest sales numbers, their applause coincides with more good news about American society in general.

According to figures from government and independent sources, firearm crimes, suicides and accidental fatalities, including accidents among youth, are all trending downward.

“Reductions in gun crimes and accidental fatalities have been documented for many years, even as gun sales and ownership in our country continue to rise,” said Doug Painter, president of NSSF. “However, today’s anti-gun organizations rake in lots of cash by perpetuating the myth that more guns equals more bad news. Clearly, there is no relationship between gun ownership and firearm misuse.”

Painter credited many different organizations and programs working together to ensure that gun owners are safe, active, responsible and aware of their 2nd Amendment rights.

NSSF’s highlight programs include:

• Project ChildSafe. Has provided more than 30 million free firearm safety kits, including gunlocks, since 2003.
• Don’t Lie for the Other Guy. Educational program to help firearm dealers curb illegal gun purchases, and warns potential violators of the penalties for making a “straw purchase.”
• Safety Education. A variety of materials in print, video and electronic formats help deliver safety messages to America’s gun owners and students.
• Recruitment Programs. NSSF responsibly reaches out to new hunters and shooters through initiatives such as Scholastic Clay Target Program, Scholastic Rifle Program, Families Afield, First Shots, STEP OUTSIDE, and others.

Formed in 1961, NSSF is celebrating its 45th birthday in 2006. The organization recently reached important new milestones, topping 3,000 members and hosting the largest annual trade show (SHOT Show) in the history of the firearms industry.

ESPN Networks to Air Shooting Events

Press Release... edited

June 1, 2006
For more information contact:
Steve Wagner
swagner@nssf.org
(203) 426-1320

ESPN Networks to Air Shooting Events

Collegiate Clay Target Championships, Hot Shots! to be Televised on ESPN2, ESPNU Throughout June

NEWTOWN, Conn.-ESPN2 and ESPNU will televise two National Shooting Sports Foundation-sponsored shooting events in June, exposing the networks' millions of viewers to the action and excitement of the shooting sports.

On various dates and times throughout the month, ESPNU will air the 2006 Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Collegiate Clay Target Championships, while ESPN2 will air Hot Shots!, an adrenaline-fueled, head-to-head competition featuring the nation's best rifle and shotgun shooters.

"From America's best college shotgunners to Olympians and national-champion shotgun and rifle competitors, both of these televised events are a glimpse into the thrill and excitement of today's shooting sports," said Doug Painter, NSSF president. "Both will without doubt be enjoyed by shooters and non-shooters alike."

The Collegiate Clay Target Championships, being televised for the first time in its 38-year history, will air on ESPNU on June 6 at 7 p.m.; June 7 at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; June 9 at 3:30 a.m.; June 10 at 6 and 11:30 a.m.; June 14 at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; June 15 at 8:30 a.m.; June 17 at 4 p.m.; June 20 at 5:30 p.m.; July 1 at midnight; July 2 at 11:30 a.m.; and July 30 at 6:30 and 7 a.m. (all times EDT)

The event was taped April 5-9 at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio and includes shooters from more than 20 colleges and universities competing in international trap, international skeet, American trap, American skeet and sporting clays.

Hot Shots!, which includes shotgun, rifle and archery competitions similar to those seen in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, will air on ESPN2 on June 25 at 3:30 a.m., 4 a.m., 4:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (all times
EDT)
In Hot Shots!, competitors go head-to-head in single-elimination format. The shotgun competition is held at night under the lights. Each head-to-head round involves clay targets being thrown randomly in 3 1/2-second intervals. In the rifle event, shooters square off in a 60-second race on 10 horizontal 10-inch aperture targets. Shooters must hit all 10 targets before they move onto the "Dueling Tree," where they are able to shoot back or unscore their opponent's points.

Sponsors for the ACUI championships include NSSF, the Amateur Trapshooting Association and Kreighoff International. Hot Shots! is sponsored by NSSF, the Archery Trade Association, Hoyt and Limbsaver.

NSSF, formed in 1961, is the trade association for the firearms industry. It directs a variety of outreach programs to promote greater participation and better understanding of shooting sports, emphasizing safe and responsible ownership of firearms. For further information, visit www.nssf.org.

SCI Lauds EchoStar/OLN Long-Term Agreement

TUCSON, Ariz., May 3, 2006 – SCI today congratulates EchoStar Communications Corporation and its DISH Network™ and OLN for cementing a multi-year agreement that restores the channel to DISH Network customers.

“I can’t say enough about the incredibly positive and fruitful relationship SCI has had with OLN,” said Tom Riley, SCI’s executive director. “With OLN’s help, Expedition Safari, SCI’s exciting hunting adventure television series, has become the jewel in the crown of the network’s field sports programming, and I’m sure that EchoStar, a great corporation itself, will find its relationship with OLN just as fulfilling. Congratulations to both companies.”

“It was important that we negotiated a fair contract, enabling DISH Network to remain a tremendous value for our customers,” Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming, said in the April 24 press release announcing the agreement. “We understand that this has been a difficult period for our customers, and we thank them for all their patience. We look forward to a long relationship with OLN in which we can provide the network to our customers.”

“We are very pleased that millions of DISH customers can once again enjoy OLN's terrific programming," said Gavin Harvey, president of the network, in the release as well. "DISH and OLN belong together, and I appreciate the spirit of partnership that reconnected us. We look forward to serving our very passionate — and extremely patient — fans of the NHL, Tour De France, Professional Bull Riding, and the best hunting and fishing on television.”

According to the release, OLN returns to channel 151 in America’s Top 180, DishHD Gold or any higher programming package, bringing OLN’s field sports programming, which includes SCI’s top-rated Expedition Safari, to millions of DISH Network customers across North America.

SCI-First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI’s 173 Chapters represent all 50 United States as well as 13 other countries. SCI’s proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions, and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit www.safariclub.org or call 520-620-1220 for more information.

Shot in High Definition and produced by Orion Multimedia with their Emmy Award-winning editors for exclusive telecast on OLN, SCI’s Expedition Safari is sponsored by Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., Mossy Oak Brand Camo, BSA Sport, and Recreation Optics and GAMO USA Adult Precision Air Guns. Each episode follows host Mike Rogers and some of the world’s foremost guides and outfitters as they pursue big game species around the world while showcasing the richness of our shared hunting heritage and educating the viewing public on sportsmen’s longstanding role in wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian efforts. For more on Expedition Safari, visit www.safariclub.org on the Internet.

OLN (OLNTV.com) is the leader in competitive and adrenaline-charged content. Now in more than 69 million homes, OLN is the cable home of the National Hockey League and best-in-class events like The Tour de France, The America’s Cup, Professional Bull Riders (PBR), the Boston Marathon, and USSA Skiing. The network offers unique programming in four primary areas: Action Sports, Field Sports, Bulls & Rodeo and Awe-Inspiring Series, and is the exclusive home of Survivor in syndication. OLN, a wholly owned company of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK), is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States.

EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH) serves more than 12 million satellite TV customers through its DISH Network, the fastest growing U.S. provider of advanced digital television services in the last five years. DISH Network offers hundreds of video and audio channels, Interactive TV, HDTV, sports, and international programming, together with professional installation and 24-hour customer service. Visit EchoStar's DISH Network at www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474).