Ammunition News and Media Presented here at TargetSportsUSA.com

News & Events at TargetSportsUSA.com

August 19,2009

Your Car’s a “Public Place”?

According to an Oregon Appeals Court ruling, a privately-owned vehicle is a public place. The ruling concerns the case of a man arrested for having an unconcealed handgun in his car—a “public place,” the court decided, making his handgun illegal. So firearms may now be illegal in vehicles, depending on local laws.

According to the Oregon Firearms Federation, “it has always been our position that open carry in a vehicle was clearly protected by Oregon law. ORS 166.250 states that except for CHL holders, it is concealed carry in a vehicle that is prohibited.” OFF’s considering an appeal.

August 20, 2009

Gun Sales Push Excise Taxes to New Highs

NEWTOWN, Conn. – During a time period of great economic uncertainty, firearm and ammunition sales have continued to increase throughout the country.

According to the most recent Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collection Report, released earlier today by the Department of the Treasury, firearm and ammunition manufacturers paid more than $109.8 million in the first calendar quarter of 2009; up 43% over the same time period reported in 2008.

This dramatic increase follows a 31.3 percent increase in excise taxes from the previous quarter (4Q, 2008) and eight straight months of increased FBI background checks – another strong indicator of firearm sales.

A third reliable source, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), reported that in 2008, "Hunting and Firearms" equipment was the only category to grow double digits and only one of seven categories that exhibited growth. NSGA's forecast for 2009 shows "Hunting and Firearms" as one of only two categories to exhibit growth.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Local Bloomington Business Stands Up for Second Amendment

Fairfax, Va. – The careless action by the Bloomington Herald-Times making public the private information of Indiana's Right-to-Carry permit holders drew widespread outrage after NRA alerted members to this senseless act and urged them to contact the paper and its advertisers to express their displeasure. Thanks to the efforts of NRA members, one of the newspaper’s pro-Second Amendment advertisers has taken a stand.

In a press release issued December 10 from Bloomington Harley-Davidson the business states, “Harley-Davidson of Bloomington believes in freedom and is a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights … We believe the decision of the Herald-Times, a valued business partner, to publish a searchable database of gun permit holders in the state of Indiana by street, is an unnecessary and dangerous practice.”

“I want to sincerely thank Harley-Davidson of Bloomington for their strong support of Indiana gun owners. Gun owners appreciate their principled denunciation of the Bloomington Herald-Times’ reckless action of publishing a database of law-abiding right-to-carry permit holders,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA-ILA. “Our freedom is the cornerstone of our democracy, and we are grateful to have businesses like Harley-Davidson of Bloomington on the side of the Second Amendment.”

On Dec. 1 the Bloomington Herald-Times published a searchable database of individual law-abiding right-to-carry permit holders. While house numbers were not included, the database continues to be searchable by street name and zip code. It remains NRA’s firm belief that media outlets abuse their First Amendment rights when they harass and demonize lawful citizens for exercising their Second Amendment rights.

“Once again, NRA members and gun owners have stood up on principle, and have shown that they will not tolerate any effort by a media outlet to try and malign law-abiding gun owners” concluded Cox. “NRA remains steadfast in our commitment to seek a legislative remedy to ensure that media outlets in Indiana and across the country will no longer be able to exploit lawful gun owners.”

-nra-