Industry Notes

Statistics released last week by the FBI show that the estimated volume of violent crime was down 0.7 percent, and the estimated volume of property crime decreased 1.4 percent in 2007 when compared with 2006 figures.

U.S. District Judge John R. Adams sentenced Antrinna Collins of Cleveland, to 48 months imprisonment for violations of federal firearms laws.

Forjas Taurus S.A. announced September 9 its acquisition of the manufacturing and distribution rights of all Rossi products, including the famous Model 92 lever-action rifle from Rossi Firearms S.A.

Todd and Kathy Brown of Rosston, Arkansas, are suing Smith & Wesson in federal court in Texarkana, Texas, alleging negligence by the gun manufacturer that led to a Dec. 27, 2007, accident in which Todd Brown’s left thumb was severed.

NEWTOWN, Conn. -- The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) – the trade association for the firearms industry – congratulated Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on accepting the Republican nomination for vice president of the United States. The industry's association also reminded all hunters, sportsmen and gun-owners to register to vote and secure an absentee ballot if they plan on being in the field on Election Day, Nov. 4.

National gun-rights leaders and grassroots activists will headline at the 23rd Annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC 2008) in Phoenix, Arizona, September 26-28.

BELLEFONTAINE, Ohio – AcuSport Corporation will be distributing the new German Sport Guns 5 and other products from American Tactical Imports.

Burris Company, of Greeley, CO, part of Beretta Holdings, recently announced its acquisition of Steiner-Optik GmbH in Bayreuth, Germany. Steiner employs approximately 120 optics employees. Pietro Gussalli Beretta from Italy and Jeff Reh from the U.S. will be the directors and officers for the Steiner Company.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 4) — Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., today announced financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2008.

FFL dealers should advise their customers of two manufacturer recalls from Ruger and Smith & Wesson:

FAIRFAX, Va. – The National Rifle Association announced Sept. 3 that the Beretta Group of companies, led by Beretta U.S.A., Benelli U.S.A., and Burris in the United States have pledged to give the NRA $1 million over the next five years. This gift will benefit the NRA Institute for Legislative Action and the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund’s litigation activities to further expand the scope of Second Amendment protections in the wake of the recent United States Supreme Court ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller.

MidOcean Partners, a middle market private equity fund, and Bushnell Outdoor Products, a manufacturer in sports optics, premium eyewear, and outdoor accessories for more than 60 years, announced August 26 that Bushnell has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Millett Industries in Huntington Beach, Calif. The transaction is expected to close within the next thirty days. The terms of the purchase agreement were not disclosed.