Shortshots

Once again, an appellate court has recognized that the wrong plaintiffs have improperly attempted to sue the wrong defendants under failed legal theories, based upon the actions of criminals thousands of miles distant, over whom we have no control, commented Sturm, Ruger & Company President Stephen L. Sanetti. Particularly gratifying was the appellate courts finding constitutional the state statute passed by its elected legislature which preempted such lawsuits. We urge the U.S....

The Walloon regional government has closed its deal to buy FN Herstal, the financially-troubled small arms manufacturing company that had been on the market for several months, from French-owned defense conglomerate Giat Industries.

Union employees at FN's Liege, Belgium plant voted by a 54 percent margin to accept the deal, although it will likely mean fewer hours per week for them. The regional government, which owned 8 percent of FN, vetoed Giat's planned sale of the unit to Colt's Manufacturing Company because it feared a loss of jobs. The region paid approximately $82 million for the FN operation, the same price that was offered by Colt's.

Few sources can say for certain what the...

Smith & Wesson has reached an agreement granting Safari Enterprises, Inc. worldwide rights to manufacture and market a line of recoil pads using the handgun manufacturer's name.

The product line, which both companies say incorporates "innovative technical design and materials," is the result of five years of research and development by Safari. Company president Morton Gerger said his firm has a complete inventory of the recoil pads to fit 90 percent of the rifles and shotguns made. He added that a line of handgun grips bearing the S&W name will be available within a year.

Safari has also developed a stick-on recoil pad that will adhere to vests or any other clothing worn during shoo...

German handgun manufacturer Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen is in negotiations to buy Interarms, Inc., the firm that has handled its marketing and distribution in the United States for more than 30 years, market sources report.

Officials from the two companies would neither confirm nor deny the reports, but several sources in Europe and in this country said talks between Walther and Interarms have been under way for some time. Most observers think the deal, worth a reported $13-14 million, could close within a couple of months, although no timetable had been set.

Rumors that Interarms was on the block began late last year when the firm lost the Rossi revolver and rifle line—its largest...

Tomkins PLC, the British conglomerate that lists Smith & Wesson among its U.S. holdings, has taken the first steps toward purchasing Remington Arms Company, according to widespread market reports.

Tomkins would not comment on what, if any, interest it has in Remington, but market observers suggested that it is probably too early in the game for anyone to have signed letters of intent or a definitive agreement to buy the long gun, ammunition and fishing tackle manufacturer. Goldman, Sachs & Company, which is conducting the "strategic review" for Remington has asked potential suitors to sign confidentiality agreements before receiving an offering memorandum. The companies are then to submi...

Modern Muzzleloading, Inc., which less than a year ago was looking for acquisitions of its own in the hunting industry, has instead been acquired by Pradco Outdoor Brands. To date, terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

The acquisition gives Pradco, a subsidiary of Ebsco Industries, its first presence in the firearms market. Pradco bought game call and accessories producer Knight & Hale last year. The firm also manufactured a long line of fishing tackle products, including the Excalibur/Silver Thread line and lure brands Rebel, Heddon, Bomber, Cotton Cordell, Excalibur, Smithwick, Riverside, Arbogast, Creek Chub and Lazy Ike. Additional acquisitions are expected.

Ebsco is a private...

Interarms obtained the American rights to the Walther trademark in the mid-1960s in a deal negotiated by Sam Cummings, the firm’s late founder. The deal was to have run until 2013.

Under the agreement announced last week, Interarms will sell the Walther name and product inventories to an entity that will be called Walther USA. The new company will be the exclusive agent for Walther handguns and airguns in the United States.

Officials said Walther USA is obtaining the necessary American licenses but should be...