ICYMI: Industry News From
July 17–21, 2023

NSSF, Community Partners Launch Project ChildSafe Galveston

NSSF and Galveston (Texas) Mayor Craig Brown, along with City Councilmembers Marie Robb and Sharon Lewis, Galveston Police Chief Doug Balli, representatives from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Galveston Parks & Recreation and the local hunting and shooting sports community launched a citywide firearm safety initiative, “Project ChildSafe Galveston” on July 18.

NSSF is providing thousands of firearm safety kits that include a gun lock and safety brochure to local organizations and Galveston residents through its Project ChildSafe initiative, which focuses on helping prevent firearm accidents, thefts and misuse, and emphasizes the importance of secure firearm storage to suicide prevention efforts. Other local partners include:

Texas Senator Mayes Middleton

La Marque Police Department

Chris Allen, Founder of Hoodneck

Galveston Gals Firearms Training

A Girl & A Gun

4-H

The Texas Gun Club

U.S. Concealed Carry Association

Heidi Rao, a local hunter education specialist

“We’re doing this because we know secure gun storage works — firearm accidents are preventable,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF president and CEO. “Fatal firearm accidents are at historic lows, and that’s a trend we want to see continue in the right direction. That starts with a community-shared responsibility and emphasis on firearm safety. We’re grateful to Mayor Brown along with Galveston’s city leaders and all our local partners for taking on this initiative.”

In addition to the free gun locks, NSSF will support the initiative by providing law enforcement agencies and other partners with free resources on gun safety in the home and in vehicles, an overview of safe storage options such as lock boxes and safes, tips for safe handling of firearms, hunting safety and other topics.

These efforts will be complemented by billboards and social media ads urging residents to be responsible gun owners and directing them to local partners, including the Galveston PD, for resources.

For more info: www.projectchildsafe.org

Florida Dept. Of Agriculture & Consumer Services Officially Adopts Walther PDP

Walther Arms Inc., in conjunction with its law enforcement distributor Shoot Straight Defense, announced the PDP as the official duty weapon of the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS). The FDACS works to promote Florida agriculture, protect the environment, safeguard consumers and ensure the safety and wholesomeness of food.

“We are thrilled to support and work alongside the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to ensure their agency has the best handgun in their holster while on duty,” said Ron Decker, East Coast law enforcement sales channel manager for Walther Arms Inc. “Providing the FDACS officers with an adjustable, reliable and capable handgun allows their focus to be on precision and technique, rather than the weapon itself.”

For more info: www.waltherarms.com

FN Launches Summer Sizzle Rebate

FN America launched its Summer Sizzle rebate program for 50 SKUs of new FN 509 pistols. Available through September 30, 2023, the two-tiered program has a total value of up to $220 and features a consumer rebate along with free virtual pistol-training classes through Sheepdog Response.

All qualifying purchases of FN 509 pistols are eligible to receive three virtual pistol-training classes (valued at $120) along with a consumer rebate of up to $100 depending on the model purchased. FN 509 Standard, optics-ready MRD model or MRD-LE qualify for a $75 consumer rebate, while a purchase of an FN 509 Edge Series or Tactical model qualifies for a $100 consumer rebate.

To offer these virtual training classes, FN has partnered with Sheepdog Response, a training organization that focuses on providing individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to respond effectively in high-stress situations. This exclusive pistol-training bundle streams online and features firearms expert and Special Forces operator Tim Kennedy. It includes Virtual Pistol Training Courses 1, 2 and 3, covering the fundamentals of marksmanship, practical drills, techniques, equipment and real-world defensive pistol tactics.

“Customers who take full advantage of this rebate program will have spare cash on-hand for extra magazines and accessories, along with top-tier Sheepdog Response pistol training they can complete at their own time and pace,” said Chris Cole, VP of sales and marketing for FN America LLC.

For more info: www.fnamerica.com

Savage Arms Continues Partnership With Sportsmen’s Alliance

Savage Arms renewed its business partnership with Sportsmen’s Alliance (SA). This organization acts as one of the nation’s leading advocates for sportsmen and women, as well as conservation issues, across the country. Savage will join SA as a Chairman’s Club partner and plans to include the donation of firearms for fundraising initiatives as a part of this partnership.

Beth Shimanski, director of marketing at Savage Arms, shared, “By renewing this partnership, we hope to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that all future sportsmen and women can share in the same, or greater, access than we have today.”

For more info: www.savagearms.com

NSSF Announces 2023 Hunting Heritage Trust Grant Recipients

NSSF announced its selection of five organizations to receive a portion of the $100,000 grant allotment provided by the NSSF Hunting Heritage Trust for 2023.

“Preserving our hunting and shooting heritage relies on community-driven initiatives that find new and creative ways to engage both longtime enthusiasts and newcomers. Making hunting more accessible and welcoming for everyone is crucial for ensuring the future of these activities we hold dear,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF president and CEO. “We’re pleased to see numerous passionate organizations dedicated to getting more non-traditional audiences involved in the proud traditions of hunting and the shooting sports. We are honored to support them through these grants.”

The recipients and projects funded by the grants include:

Georgia Wildlife Federation will prepare BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) college students for careers within the outdoors industry. Grant Amount: $20,000.

Hunters of Color will train BIPOC ambassadors to lead local hunter recruitment efforts in their communities. Grant Amount: $26,000.

National Deer Association will introduce a BIPOC Field to Fork program just outside Philadelphia in a National Wildlife Refuge. Grant Amount: $20,000.

Pheasants Forever will launch a BIPOC Learn to Hunt/Learn to Shoot program. Grant Amount: $10,000.

Ambassador Academy will educate 16 non-traditional participants to be more effective communicators in the hunting, conservation, shooting sports and the 2nd Amendment communities while promoting personal safety and proficiency with firearms. Grant Amount: $24,000.

These 2023 grant funds are the fifth to be released from the $1 million fund established in 2018 as the NSSF Hunting Heritage Trust. The grant was funded equally by NSSF and the Hunting Heritage Trust, which was founded by retired NSSF President and CEO Bob Delfay. This first-of-its-kind grant program works directly to support NSSF’s mission of promoting, protecting and preserving hunting and the shooting sports. It is designed to distribute funds for 10 consecutive years to organizations meeting eligibility requirements and intending to use the funds to support recruitment, retention and reactivation programs, known collectively as R3 efforts.

For more info: www.nssf.org