Plano, IL – In 2015, Plano® proudly introduced the Field Locker™ Mil-Spec Case Series; considered by many to be the finest firearms cases ever engineered. The robust series consisted of two pistol models, two long-gun models and a tactical model. These cases were engineered and constructed to meet or exceed the exacting requirements of the U.S. Military and law enforcement. Specifically, each of these five cases were certified by an accredited test facility as meeting military specifications for immersion, dust, vibration and transit drop per MIL-STD-810G. Read more

Browning’s new Sound Shield shooting glasses have an added feature shooters will find very useful: Ear plugs stored on a retractable cord in the end of the ear pieces. Now, if you have your shooting glasses with you, you also have your hearing protection.Sound Shield shooting glasses feature tall lenses with a frameless design to provide additional coverage and help eliminate visual distractions and blind spots. The glasses are available with either yellow or lightly tinted indoor/outdoor lenses and both exceed ANSI Z87.1 impact standards. A soft rubber standoff nosepiece reduces slipping and lens fogging. Read more

SUFFIELD, Conn. – The Stevens 320 pump shotgun series has built a reputation for solid, affordable performance for everything from wingshooting to home defense. Stevens has now expanded its model 320 field-grade shotgun lineup to include a new turkey-specific model. Shipments of these firearms are currently being delivered to dealers.Stevens’ new turkey-hunting shotgun boasts the same features as the company’s other 12-gauge 320 field-grade models, including dual slide bars, a rotary bolt, rugged synthetic stock and five-round capacity. Turkey-specific features include Mossy Oak® Obsession® camouflage, an extended full choke, a fiber optic sight, and drilled and tapped receiver that accepts optics such as the Weaver® VZT turkey scope.

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NEWTOWN, Conn. – The total economic impact of the firearms and ammunition industry in the United States increased from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $49.3 billion in 2015, a 158 percent increase, while the total number of full-time equivalent jobs rose from approximately 166,000 to almost 288,000, a 73 percent increase in that period, according to a report released today by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the industry’s trade association.On a year-over-year basis, the industry’s economic impact rose from $43 billion in 2014 to $49.3 in 2015, a nearly 15 percent increase while total jobs increased from approximately 263,000 to almost 288,000, a 9 percent increase in the same period.”Our industry is proud to be one of the truly bright spots in our economy as an unprecedented number of Americans have chosen to exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms and to safely enjoy the shooting sports,” said Stephen L. Sanetti, NSSF president and chief executive officer. “In response to that dynamic, we have increased our direct workforce by about 21,000 in the last two years alone, adding jobs that pay an average of more than $50,000 in wages and benefits. In addition, since 2008 we increased federal tax payments by 144 percent, Pittman-Robertson excise taxes that support wildlife conservation by 92 percent and state business taxes by 96 percent.”

The Firearms and Ammunition Industry Economic Impact Report: 2016 provides a state-by-state breakdown of job numbers, wages and output covering direct, supplier and induced employment, as well as federal excise taxes paid. Read more

With Hillary Clinton threatening more loss of gun rights with her possible seat at the throne, one thing is for certain: Gun-control rhetoric continues to be good for the gun business. And, since the results don’t speak highly of her and her ilk’s ongoing strategy to disarm Americans, one would think they’d change their strategy. Nope. Full steam ahead.The March 2016 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,297,275 is an increase of 9.2 percent compared to the March 2015 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,187,823. For comparison, the unadjusted March 2016 FBI NICS figure of 2,509,065 reflects a 25.4 percent increase from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,001,245 in March 2015.

The first quarter 2016 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 4,147,993 is an increase of 17.8 percent over the 3,521,089 figure for first quarter 2015. Read more

Accokeek, MD – Beretta Defense Technologies (BDT) is pleased to announce that the first five M9 Lot Acceptance Tests (LATs) conducted to date by Beretta U.S.A. under the Company’s current contract to supply the standard 9mm sidearm to the U.S. Armed Forces successfully passed, with the pistols then being delivered to the U.S. Army. “Fifty pistols from these 5 lots have successfully undergone 100% complete individual component interchangeability testing with no issues. These same 50 pistols then passed all of the same individual pistol tests after the Interchange Test, including Headspace Verification, Firing Pin Indent, Trigger Pull, Function, and Targeting & Accuracy. The 2,500 pistols (to which these 5 lot tests applied) also each passed the function and other individual pistol tests 100%”, stated Gabriele de Plano, Vice President of Military Marketing and Operations for Beretta Defense Technologies. Read more