ICYMI: Industry News
From May 27–31, 2024
NRA Foundation Is America’s Leading Supporter Of Youth Shooting Programs
Friends of NRA is the blockbuster fundraising program under The NRA Foundation. Established in 1992, Friends of NRA is a 100% grassroots effort dedicated to securing the Second Amendment and raising money for the shooting sports. Each year, volunteers across the country raise charitable dollars (and generous donors make gifts) that are then awarded as grants in support of educational and public service programs relating to the shooting sports in our communities.
Since The NRA Foundation is invested in the next generation of America’s leaders, a significant majority of grants support youth shooting sports programs. In 2023 alone, The NRA Foundation funded over 2,100 grants for youth programs across the nation, totaling almost $8 million. These programs included 4-H, JROTC, Scouts, school/college clubs and teams and a wide variety of other youth shooting programs. From air rifle, to smallbore rifle and trap/skeet/clay programs, these grants help youth learn safe, responsible firearm handling.
2023 grants for youth programs funded over 7 million shotgun shells, 5.7 million rounds of rimfire ammo, more than 400 shotguns, more than 500 rimfire firearms, $700k+ in archery supplies, 187 trauma kits, 120,000+ pairs of foam earplugs, over 1,000 pairs of ear muffs, over 12,000 pairs of safety glasses, 90 gun safes, 180+ assorted reactive targets and 500+ shooting mats and kneeling rolls.
The grants helped major organizations, including 4-H, Boy Scouts of America, JROTC and ROTC, Scholastic Clay Target Program, Future Farmers of America, NASP and S3DA archery groups and hundreds of competitive youth shooting teams.
For more info: friendsofnra.org
GunBroker Partners With Gearfire Capital To Offer Financing Solutions
AMMO Inc., owner of GunBroker, an online marketplace for firearms and accessories, entered a partnership with Gearfire Capital, a provider of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) consumer financing solutions. This collaboration aims to empower retailers by offering flexible financing options to their customers, enhancing purchasing power and driving sales growth.
By partnering with Gearfire Capital, GunBroker will be able to extend its offerings to include consumer financing solutions tailored specifically for the firearms industry. This initiative will enable participating retailers to offer their customers competitive financing options, making it easier for buyers to purchase the products they need and want.
Jared Smith, CEO of AMMO Inc., said, “Our partnership with Gearfire Capital enhances our platform’s capabilities, giving sellers the tools to thrive in a competitive market and buyers a flexible way to finance their purchases. It’s about creating opportunities and driving the industry forward.”
“We are excited to partner with GunBroker and support the growth of firearms retailers across the country,” said JW Shultz, CEO of Gearfire Capital. “Our tailored financing options are designed to help businesses expand their customer base and boost sales by making their products more accessible.”
GunBroker expects to have these new financing programs available to its sellers later in 2024.
For more info: gunbroker.com
SIG SAUER To Host Inaugural Archery Rifle Challenge Invitational
SIG SAUER Inc. announced the inaugural hosting of the SIG SAUER Archery Rifle Challenge (ARC) this June in the majestic mountains of Montana. ARC is an industry-first event that will test teams of competitors’ skills in archery, marksmanship, observation and target detection on a course designed by world champion and Team SIG Professional Shooter Daniel Horner, with a $50,000 grand prize donation to the winning team’s charity of choice.
“The SIG Archery Rifle Challenge answers the call of what is possible when leaders across the industry come together to showcase capabilities through a friendly competition to benefit a good cause,” said Tom Taylor, CMO and EVP, SIG SAUER Inc.
ARC Teams consist of three-member teams, captained by individuals representing leading hunting brands and ARC Challenge partners; each team is named for one of the award-winning SIG SAUER Electro-Optics product lines.
The Inaugural Rifle Challenge Invitational consists of two days of competition on a five-mile Daniel Horner-designed course with seven required stages each day. Stages will test a range of skills utilizing SIG SAUER electro-optics, SIG SAUER rifles and pistols, SIG SAUER ammunition and competitor-preferred archery equipment.
For more info: sigsauer.com
Silencer Central Renews SCI Corporate Sponsorship
Silencer Central has renewed its corporate sponsorship with Safari Club International (SCI). As a partner, Silencer Central pledges to support SCI’s efforts to raise awareness for hunting and conservation.
“We firmly believe in conservation and preserving our hunting heritage,” said Brandon Maddox, Silencer Central CEO. “Supporting organizations such as SCI, which has a rich history of protecting the rights of hunters and worldwide conservation efforts, is part of our corporate DNA. We started working with SCI in 2020, and I look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”
For over 50 years, SCI has worked to preserve the rights of hunters both in the United States and around the world. The organization has 146 chapters and affiliates and works through the SCI Foundation to promote and bolster conservation projects across the globe.
“We are grateful for Silencer Central’s continual support of and partnership in SCI’s core mission,” said W. Laird Hamberlin, CEO of Safari Club International. “The company and its many customers are invaluable partners and advocates on critical efforts such as better wildlife conservation and the protection of the hunting and sport shooting community, making this announcement all the more exciting for our Chapters and members worldwide.”
With its partnership with SCI, Silencer Central, a strong advocate and partner to conservation efforts, provides financial support, participates in and sponsors SCI’s Annual Hunter’s Convention. Silencer Central works with groups like SCI by donating silencers to organizations to help with fundraising efforts for their chapters. The chapters can auction or raffle off the silencer certificate, which allows the winners to redeem it through Silencer Central to obtain their silencers. The conservation chapters retain 100% of the proceeds raised.
For more info: silencercentral.com, safariclub.org
