Industry Notes

Remington Arms Company, Inc. announced that it has recently been awarded a $12 million contract from the US Army-TACOM (Tank-Automotive and Armament Command), for the purchase of M24 Sniper Weapon Systems (SWS) for use by the US and its allies.

2008 marks the 20th anniversary that the M24 SWS and its variants has been the 'standard' issue sniper rifle for the US Army and US Air Force.

Based on the Model 700 bolt action platform, like the USMC M40, the M24 SWS is considered the 'standard' by which other sniper weapon systems are judged.

It provides extreme accuracy out to 800 meters and can engage targets well beyond that distance, as well as low maintenance starting at approximately 10,000 rds. at the operator level.

Soldiers of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit have scored some major victories recently. The following results are some of their accomplishments...

For the sixth consecutive year, The NRA Foundation has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities. Rated for efficiency and effectiveness, four stars is Charity Navigator's highest rating. In the past 15 years, the foundation has funded more than 11,000 grants totaling more than $72 million dollars, becoming America's leading charitable organization in support of competitive shooting, range development, education and training, and the second amendment. …

Ruger is now retrofitting SR9 pistols and will continue to send shipping boxes to customers on a weekly basis, the company says.

Sabre Defence Industries, LLC, a government contractor for the manufacture of machine gun parts and accessories and commercial XR15 rifles, has been awarded an IDIQ contract for a minimum of 4,952 M16A3 and 702 M16A4 rifles to support the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and foreign military customers.

The Rochester Police Department in New York State has announced the purchase of 775 Beretta Px4 Storm .45 handguns

The Nevada American Civil Liberties Union has declared its support for an individual's right to bear arms, apparently making it the first state affiliate in the nation to buck the national organization's position on the Second Amendment.

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI), an association of the leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components, elected new officers at its recent annual meeting.

Belgium brewer InBev has agreed to buy Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion. How much will this impact the business of sports, particularly sports with gun themes?

HR 6310 will allow the firearms and ammunition industry to pay the FAET on a quarterly basis, the same payment schedule as every other industry that supports conservation.

Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation has announced new appointments to its senior management team.

Dan Schnur, writing in the New York Times online 'Campaign Stops' column, took a broad view of what Heller means for the upcoming presidential election: Partisans on both sides will argue about whether Mr. Obama's equivocation represents a clarification or a reversal of his previous statements on the subject. But the truth is that it doesn't matter. …