by Joseph P. Tartaro
Executive Editor
Sturm, Ruger has purchased a minority interest in Kodabow Inc., a crossbow manufacturer based in West Chester, PA. Ruger’s investment will help Kodabow accelerate its business plans and expand its infrastructure.
“This investment reflects our interest in participating in one of the faster growing segments of the hunting market,” said Ruger President & CEO Michael O. Fifer. “Crossbows are increasingly becoming a new and exciting choice for outdoor-oriented consumers as they bridge the gap between traditional archery and firearms. Crossbows are gaining broader acceptance and more states are adopting crossbow hunting seasons. We have watched Kodabow make steady progress with its innovative crossbow platform and USA-based manufacturing.
We expect that Kodabow will have a bright future and this Ruger investment will assist the company in moving forward,” he concluded.
“We are extremely pleased to have an association with Ruger,” said Chuck Matasic of Kodabow. “Ruger shares our vision that delivering dependable and innovative hunting products made in the USA will drive industry leadership and success.” New Form 4473 A new, controversial question now appears on the most recent “Firearms Transaction Record Part I – Over-the Counter” (Form 4473), which must be filled out by anyone purchasing a firearm from a Federal Firearm Licensee. According to the ATF, this new Form 4473 was to be used after July 9, 2012, making previous editions obsolete.
Every person completing the new form must now, under a new question “10.a,” either confirm or deny whether they are Hispanic/Latino. Failure to do so will cause potential criminal prosecution and a denial of Second Amendment rights.
“The Form 4473 has been around since 1968, but never before has one ethnic group been singled out where individuals have to affirmatively state whether they ARE or ARE NOT a member,” noted New Hampshire and New Jersey gun law attorney Evan Nappen on his website.
“[I]t is offensive and not necessary,” Nappen concluded in his website advisory.
“It has nothing whatsoever to do with one’s qualification to purchase a gun.” SAAMI Working Group The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI), since 1926 the firearms and ammunition industry’s technical standards-setting organization, recently launched a new Ballistics Instrumentation working group.
“Our combined industries are driven by mechanical and chemical engineering innovation. SAAMI takes great pride in the fact that our industry’s ballistic engineers and laboratory staff are among the most knowledgeable and skilled in their field. The Ballistics Instrumentation working group will provide a format for our members to exchange technical ideas and expertise, create mentor relationships between senior and junior members, and work to insure that SAAMI maintains the widely held recognition of being a cutting-edge industry standards-setting body,” said Randy Bimson, director of technical affairs and technical advisor of SAAMI.
In conjunction with an inaugural technical training seminar hosted by PCB Piezotronics of Depew, NY, a Buffalo suburb, Les Bearl, ballistics instrumentation engineer with ATK/ Federal Cartridge, was appointed as the group’s first chairperson.
The technical training seminar was attended by 27 members from 16 SAAMI member companies as well as guest representatives of three federal agencies who subscribe to SAAMI protocol and standards.
Lapua Service Center Speaking of ammunition, in July, Lapua announced the opening of its new Rimfire Service Center in Mesa, AZ, located on the grounds of Nammo Tactical Ammunition, just outside Phoenix.
Patterned after the world renowned Lapua Service Center in Schönebeck, Germany, this facility gives American shooters the same opportunity to test not only various types, but also different lots of rimfire ammunition, in their own firearms, under tightly controlled conditions. This assures that the customer will be able to purchase not only the best type of ammunition for his or her particular rifle, but the specific lots of that ammo that perform best in their guns.
At the heart of the Lapua operation is the new 100-meter test tunnel. Fully instrumented with state of the art Meyton electronic targeting systems, the Mesa facility offers the unique ability to test ammunition at both 50 meters and 100 meters, simultaneously with a single string. As the bullets pass through the screen at 50 meters, a group will appear on the first targeting screen. As the bullet continues its flight downrange, it will also be picked up on a second screen at the 100-meter line. This approach allows the shooter to see, instantly, which ammunition performs best at both the shorter and longer distances.
Lapua will maintain an inventory of approximately two million rounds of rimfire ammunition on site, of a variety of different types and grades, and of many different lots.
Carry Fashion Show Our old friend Dick Nelson, an outdoor writer of long standing and experience based in New York’s Hudson Valley, recently reported on an upcoming first-of-its-kind fashion show for women gunowners in July sponsored by the Tri-Village Rod & Gun Club in Churchville, NY, in cooperation with IDPA and the Columbia Pistol Action League.
The Woman’s Concealed Carry Holster Fashion Show was scheduled to demonstrate the various types of holsters available specifically for women, how to wear them and draw from them.
Imports Up Using US International Trade Commission (USITC) data, NSSF reported that US imports (in units) in six sporting arms and ammunition categories increased 7.1% in April 2012 compared to April 2011. April 2012 imported units in tracked categories totaled 145.5 million, up from 135.9 million reported in April 2011.
Handgun imports increased 45.0% from 136,308 to 197,636 units. Within the handgun category, Pistol import units increased 30.0% from 122,651 to 159,434 units while imported Revolver units rose 179.7% from 13,657 to 38,202 units.
Rifle imports were up 41.2% from 57,937 to 81,811 units. As of April 10, 2012, this category was adjusted to exclude HTS codes 9303304010 & 9303308005 (Telescopic Sights Imported with Rifles).
Shotgun category posted a 41.7% increase in imported units from 36,154 to 51,240.
