The academy, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, also presented its first Founder’s Award to a “Warrior’s Warrior,” Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association. LaPierre, who received the academy’s first Shooting Industry Award in 1992, was honored this year for a lifetime of service to the industry.

“I am really honored by you doing this tonight,” LaPierre said. “We as Americans breathe freer air, we live freer lives and our freedom gives us more opportunity from the day we’re born than any other country in the world; it’s because of the Constitution and the freedoms in the Bill of Rights.  I want to thank all of you for what you do every day to help us defend those freedoms, and for helping to make the National Rifle Association strong to work alongside you to make sure we succeed in that task. Thank you very much. I really appreciate this award.”

In announcing the Founder’s Award, Russ Thurman Shooting Industry magazine’s editor, called LaPierre a “Warrior’s Warrior.”

“His tireless efforts are impressive and his passion unwavering. Year after year, cause after cause, crisis after crisis, he is there — always on the front line, always in the fight,” Thurman said.

The academy’s annual individual honor, the Shooting Industry Award, was presented to Frank Brownell, president and CEO of Brownells.

“We work very hard to see that everything we do as a business is handled in most honest and most honorable way possible. That’s our commitment to the industry; that’s our commitment to life and, of course, that our commitment to all of you. I’m overwhelmed. I’m deeply honored and humbled,” Brownell said.

Smith & Wesson received the 2006 Manufacturer of the Year award.

“At Smith & Wesson, for the last year and half, we’ve been in the process of reenergizing a terrific, 150-year-old American legacy company,” said Michael Golden, S&W president and CEO. “We take this award very seriously, as really a vote of confidence from the industry that the things we’re doing are the right things for our company and for the industry. Thank you very much and we look forward to growing in the future.”

Established in 1992, the academy is sponsored by FMG Publications, publisher of Shooting Industry, GUNS, American Handgunner and American COP magazines. However, no one at the publisher is permitted to vote.

The voting power is held exclusively by the academy, which includes 500 industry executives, gun dealers and outdoor writers. They vote twice for each award, first in the potential-nominee round and then to determine who will receive the awards. This year, the academy considered 164 potential nominees in 14 categories before selecting 42 for the final vote.

Randy Moldé, academy director and Thurman, presented the awards.

“The academy faced some tough choices this year,” Moldé said. “Just reaching the top three in each categories is quite an accomplishment and we congratulate all the companies who made the final ballot.”

Frank Brownell received the Shooting Industry Award "for working to guarantee the future of our industry by supporting colleges with gunsmithing programs and contributing to the NSSF Heritage Fund. For funding the NRA Summer Youth Shooting Camp with $500,000 and the Law Enforcement Patrol Rifle Instructor Development Program with $253,000. And for supporting law enforcement by opening the company’s training room and range to area agencies at no charge."

Smith & Wesson was honored “for a continuing commitment to manufacture 100-percent, American-made firearms. For introducing 43 new products, including the M&P pistol and M&P15 tactical rifle. For responding to consumer demand with the re-introduction of the Model 29, Model 21 and Model 22. For continued support of shooting sports with programs such as NSSF’s First Shots and Step Outside, as well as many women’s and youth shooting sponsorships.”

Ellett Brothers was presented the Distributor of the Year award “for its continuous support of the firearm industry and its innovative service to gun dealers. In 2005, Ellett Brothers contributed $35,000 to the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Fund, money raised during its 2005 Dealer Show. In all, Ellett Brothers has contributed more than $130,000 to the Heritage Fund.”

Lipsey’s was honored with the Citizenship Award “for their extraordinary involvement and contributions to Baton Rouge, surrounding communities and the state of Louisiana. During Hurricane Katrina, Lipsey’s opened its warehouse for use as a relief staging area, donated 19 handguns to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department and spear-headed search and rescue operations. Following Hurricane Rita, Lipsey’s organized a relief fund for families.”

Full coverage of the 2006 award’s presentation will be featured in the July issue of Shooting Industry.