Industry Notes

However, his view on guns isn't as strong as many of us would like.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Smith & Wesson Corp. has introduced a new tactical rifle chambered in .22 LR: The M&P15-22.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Smith & Wesson Corp. has begun shipping both full-size and compact M&P pistols, in all calibers, with an optional frame-mounted thumb safety. Originally available only on the M&P45, the optional frame-mounted thumb safety is now being offered on M&P pistols chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W and .357 SIG.

GEORGETOWN, Texas -- Dave Skinner, STI's so-called Commander-In-Chief, recently released STI International business statistics for 2008.

SIDNEY, Neb. -- Cabela's Incorporated (NYSE: CAB) announced January 23 that Stephen P. Murray resigned from the Board of Directors effective January 20, 2009.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This is now posted on the whitehouse.gov website under The Agenda>Urban Policy>Crime and Law Enforcement: Obama and Biden would repeal the Tiahrt Amendment, which restricts the ability of local law enforcement to access important gun-trace information, and give police officers across the nation the tools they need to solve gun crimes and fight the illegal arms trade.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has approved select models from Smith & Wesson Corp.'s Military & Police (M&P) Pistol Series as authorized firearms.

Our friends at Brownells are selling a helpful tool for anyone who wants to zero a new gun quickly. The Mobile Hunting Technologies laser boresighter is an easy-to-use, self-contained boresighting system that fits in the chamber of your rifle or pistol and projects a powerful red laser beam aligned with the bore axis for sighting to the point-of-aim without firing a shot.

Crimson Trace announces suit for patent infringement against LaserMax's J-Max(TM), Sabre(TM), and Uni-Max(R) products. The company seeks injunctive relief and monetary damages.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Firearms maker Heckler & Koch announced that it will manufacture two new rifle designs in a newly opened U.S. factory in 2009. The new rifles, the HK MR556 and HK MR762, are inspired and influenced by the HK416 and HK417, two models designed and produced by Heckler & Koch's Oberndorf, Germany plant.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI), the immediate past co-chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, has reinforced his commitment to legislation that would rectify a long-standing inequity in the collection of the firearms and ammunition excise tax (FAET) -- a major source of wildlife conservation funding.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Senate Judiciary Committee began hearings January 15 for the controversial nomination of Eric Holder to the position of Attorney General of the United States. Independent Institute Research Fellow and attorney Stephen Halbrook is among the witnesses testifying, arguing that Holder's reputation as a steadfast opponent of Second Amendment rights makes him an unfit candidate for the job.