ICYMI: Industry News
From Dec. 18–22, 2023
SK Guns’ Give Back Initiative Contributes $750,000
SK Guns has contributed $750,000 to various organizations through its initiative — SK Gives Back. SK Gives Back was created in 2020, with the goal of giving back to those in need both locally and nationally by donating firearms and financially to organizations committed to enhancing personal growth and development opportunities. Since its inception, the program has made a significant impact by raising $750,000 through its various initiatives. SK Gives Back currently supports organizations that support shooting sports as a whole, firearm safety, hunter education and conservation efforts.
“Looking back three years after we started SK Gives Back, it has been amazing to see the impact these programs have had in their communities,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “We have the privilege of partnering with amazing organizations dedicated to the betterment of the shooting sports, military, veteran and firearm communities. We’re honored to work with each group, and are excited to expand this initiative in the future.”
As SK Guns continues to grow and innovate as a leading limited-edition manufacturer of custom firearms, SK Gives Back continues to represent its unwavering commitment to the shooting sports, military, veteran and firearm communities.
For more info: skguns.com
NSSF Announces Partnership With Lockton Affinity Outdoor
NSSF and Lockton Affinity Outdoor announced a new partnership benefiting NSSF members in need of insurance. For more than 23 years, Lockton Affinity Outdoor has been administering an insurance program specifically designed to protect firearm industry businesses. A wide range of businesses are eligible, including gun stores, ranges, ammunition manufacturers, gunsmiths, manufacturers of components and parts, home-based federal firearm licensees (FFLs), firearm instructors and more.
“Firearm industry businesses have all the risks of businesses in other industries, plus the added risks that come with operating within the firearm industry,” said Jeff Hewitt, SVP and program executive of Lockton Affinity Outdoor. “At Lockton Affinity Outdoor, our goal is to understand these risks and offer coverage solutions tailored to meet each business’s individual needs.”
“Through our Affinity Partner Benefit program, NSSF strives to connect our members to a variety of service providers who offer solutions that fit the unique needs of businesses in the firearm industry. In recent years, the area of insurance has been especially challenging for all, but especially so for our independent retailers, ranges, start-ups and home-based FFLs, who often report to us their difficulty in finding competitive rates and coverages,” said Samantha Hill, NSSF director of member services. “We are pleased to add Lockton Affinity to our list of trusted insurance providers to help give our members options, savings and peace of mind.”
Firearm business insurance from Lockton Affinity Outdoor includes both property and liability coverage to protect against damages, injuries and other risks. Additional coverage options are available.
For more info: locktonaffinityoutdoor.com/nssf
Aimpoint Awarded FBI Contract
Aimpoint was selected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to supply Aimpoint Duty RDS and Aimpoint CompM4s optics for its Red Dot Sights and Mounts Program.
Following extensive testing of a broad selection of competitive optics, Aimpoint was awarded a five-year contract with a maximum award amount of $7 million for the compact Duty RDS sight, and an additional $4 million award for the larger format CompM4s sight. Deliveries of both sights to the FBI began at the end of 2023.
Designed to meet the demands facing today’s law enforcement officers, the Aimpoint Duty RDS is a high-performance reflex optic in a compact package. The all-new design offers pressure-forged aluminum alloy housing, flush-mounted windage and elevation adjustments with tactile clicks and digital intensity adjustments for ease of operation under any conditions or while wearing gloves. The Duty RDS features a one-piece torsion nut mount that attaches to all MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rails and provides an absolute co-witness sight picture with standard height iron sights. The Duty RDS provides 30,000 hours (three years) of constant-on use using a single CR2032 battery powering a 2 MOA red dot and has 10 operating brightness settings. Compatible with all generations of night-vision devices, this sight is also submersible up to 80′ (25 meters).
The Aimpoint CompM4s is currently used and trusted by professional end users globally and has been type-classified as the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force M68CCO (Close Combat Optic) for over two decades. Offering a 2 MOA red dot, the CompM4s is powered by a single AA battery for over 80,000 hours (8 years) of continuous use and over 500,000 hours in the night-vision settings.
For more info: aimpoint.us
Gun Tote'n Mamas Supports Military & First Responders
Gun Tote’n Mamas announced its year-round discount of 20% off all regularly priced bags for military personnel and first responders. This exclusive offer represents commitment, respect and privilege to assist the men and women who serve our country and communities.
Gun Tote’n Mamas honors the sacrifices made by those in the armed forces, first responders and other public service professionals. This is why the company is extending the discount to active-duty personnel, veterans and dependents, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs/EMS, nurses, doctors, public service/government employees and retired individuals from these professions.
“We are humbled to support those who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving others and our nation,” said Claudia Chisholm, president of Gun Tote’n Mamas. “By offering this discount, we hope to make our high-quality concealed carry bags more accessible to those who daily put their lives on the line.”
In addition to the year-round discount, Gun Tote’n Mamas supports organizations such as the Military Women’s Memorial. This organization honors the service and sacrifice of women in the military and provides a place for their stories to be shared and celebrated.
For more info: gtmoriginal.com
MidwayUSA Foundation’s Giving Tuesday A $1M-Day For Youth Shooting Sports
Charities all over the world celebrate the kick-off of the giving season on Giving Tuesday and every year MidwayUSA Foundation encourages donations to youth shooting teams. This year, MidwayUSA Foundation received $513,980 in donations on November 28 alone, shattering previous Giving Tuesday performances. Thanks to a generous matching program, funded by Larry and Brenda Potterfield, every donation dollar is matched, providing over $1 million in support of youth shooting sports this year.
“The generosity of the youth shooting sports community never ceases to amaze me! This year’s Giving Tuesday donation total of nearly $514,000 not only far exceeds our goal and sets a record, but it also represents the passion of our constituents and their commitment to youth development through shooting sports,” stated MidwayUSA Foundation Executive Director G. Scott Reynolds. He continued, “On behalf of the Foundation staff and our youth shooting sports athletes across our nation, thank you! This was truly a million-dollar day!”
The 87% increase in donation dollars shows donors’ extreme generosity and proves the devotion of investing in the future of the outdoor industry.
Giving Tuesday 2023 resulted in over 700 donations to youth shooting teams and organizations assisted by a MidwayUSA Foundation endowment. Every youth shooting team that received a donation on Giving Tuesday also had the chance to win additional funds to grow their respective endowment. The teams that received the most donations on Giving Tuesday received endowment awards ranging from $8,000 to $4,000.
In addition to the top teams, all other participating teams were entered into a random draw, where 15 teams were drawn to receive $1,000 each. The top five teams cumulatively raised nearly $196,000. Those teams included:
1st Place: Mid Carolina Youth Shooting Team — R62919 [SC] $60,608
2nd Place: Taunton Marksmanship Unit — R4391 [MA] $42,300
3rd Place: Gaston Young Guns High School Shooting Team — R65997 [TX] $30,000
4th Place: Trinity University — R65997 [TX] $23,025
5th Place: Morehead State University — R64555 [KY] $20,000 *
5th Place: Pelican Rapids Trap Team — R15971 [MN] $20,000*
*notes tie for 5th
Donations made to youth shooting teams now and through the end of the year will also be matched. Every donation made to a MidwayUSA Foundation endowment is tax-deductible. There are no fees removed and 100% of the donor’s gift benefits that endowment directly. The Foundation keeps nothing for operational expenses.
For more info: midwayusafoundation.org
