Industry Notes

Montezuma, Iowa, (March 18, 2009)--Brownells, the Iowa gunsmithing tool and firearm accessory supplier, announced today that it has been awarded another contract for magazines by the U.S. Army TACOM, Rock Island, Illinois.

The Department of Defense has announced it has scrapped a new policy that required destruction of fired military cartridge brass.

The attack on gun ownership has begun in earnest, but in an asymmetrical way. Log on to the Georgia Arms website, and you’ll see this notice: Due to new government regulations concerning the purchasing of surplus brass, we are removing sales of all 223 and all 308 until further notice.

Excise taxes paid on sporting firearms, ammunition and archery equipment in 2009 contributed a record nearly $336 million, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

The NRA's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) published a response to the ABC News item last week about Attorney General Eric Holder's comments that the Obama Administration will seek to ban some imported semi-autos, misrepresented as assault weapons.

Smith & Wesson is recalling all Walther PPK and PPK/S pistols manufactured by Smith & Wesson from March 21, 2002, until February 3, 2009.

From Barron's, the financial publishing firm: 'The stay-at-home hobbyist speculator crowd has been manically betting that societal unrest will have us all arming ourselves.'

ABC News reports what gun owners feared from Eric Holder: A statement that the Obama Administration will seek to ban currently legal semi-auto rifles and other self-defense firearms.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Gander Mountain Company (NASDAQ:GMTN) has announced preliminary results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended January 31, 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The Brady Campaign has released its annual state scorecards, which the group claims 'rate each state on the strength of its gun laws.'

This from Alice Tripp of the Texas State Rifle Association: 'House Bill H.R. 45, introduced in Congress on 1/6/2009, aka 'Brian Holt’s Bill,' is an interesting read. Apparently, every gun owner will need to get a license [under this bill]. To get one, you’ll need the following:

EPPING, N.H. -- Sig Sauer Academy is offering a 30% discount on its February 21-22, 2009 Defensive Pistol course. The two-day course regularly costs $395, the special offer price is $277.