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Around the Water Cooler: Some of This, Some of that...
Much of our break time chatter today comes by way of NSSF Bullet Points and involves money, real money.
The federal excise tax on guns and ammo, one tax requested by users to fund wildlife conservation, were reported to be $122 million for 2nd Quarter 2009, up 52% compared to the same period of 2008. This follows a 43% increase in the previous quarter. NSSF notes that the excise tax obligation is one of the best indicators of industry performance though they reflect only the excise taxes manufacturers filed and don't take retail markup and retail sales into account.
Meanwhile, Sturm, Ruger & Co. reported 70% increase in sales during Q3, up $41.8 million from the previous year. Olin Corporation reported that Winchester division sales were up 19% to $168.2 million in the 3rd Quarter. Think ammunition was being sold?
The ARMY TIMES was quoted in the NSSF weekly brief as reporting that the Army has requested nearly $10 million from Congress to start solicitations for firearms competition to begin acquisition of a new carbine. The current carbine is the M4. If approved, the first round of tests may kick off as early as late in the summer of 2010 and last for around a year.
While it's a mixed bag for gun owners, today is election day in NY23 - the 23rd Congressional District of New York - as well as races for governor in New Jersey and Virginia. The not-so-conservative "Republican" dropped out of NY23 and threw her support behind the Democrat candidate as it appeared that fiscal support had dried up. In New Jersey, Governor Corzine faced "opposition" from a third party candidate as well as Republican Christie. According to a news report in nj.com, both candidates received money from NRA. Meanwhile Corzine, who was for stiffer gun controls, criticized the Republican challenger for taking money from "the gun lobby."
In Virginia, the Republican challenger is reputed to lead in opinion polls over the Democrat incumbent. The NEW YORK TIMES ran an editorial on 21 October in which Bob McDonnell (R) was chided for his support from NRA that allegedly was generated from his position against "closing the gun-show loophole" (I think that means you couldn't sell your privately owned firearm at a gunshow, but I'm not sure.)
The incumbent Creigh Deeds (D) is against gun control but is in favor of outlawing private sales between citizens at gun shows. While that doesn't make him a favorite of the NYT and the rest of the Consolidated News Service, it makes him a little more palatable. Their lack of support may resonate at the polls today. Again, it appears of little moment in the grand scheme.
Keep your fingers away from the front of the cylinder - that's the big round thing!
NSSF also reported on a case discussed in TEXAS LAWYER Magazine. It seems that, on August 20, 2009, a judge declined to assess liability to S&W in the case of Foltz v. S&W Corp.. This is the .460 Magnum case that is apparently been appearing here and there on the internet. Roger Foltz, plaintiff, was shooting his S&W .460 Magnum in 2006. It seems he placed a digit forward on the frame to steady the high energy heavyweight and, upon firing, amputated some of the misplaced digit.
Now revolvers revolve, hence the name. To allow the firing chambers inside the cylinder to individually line up with the barrel at lock-up, there has to be space between the face of the cylinder and the forcing cone of the barrel. This we'll call the flash gap.
We call it that because gas escapes there. It's why putting a suppressor on the end of a revolver barrel isn't as efficient as having it on a pistol barrel. Rotating one's non-shooting hand to put a thumb up front isn't wise on revolvers.
Anyway, the court ruled that makers and sellers of firearms have no duty to warn of "the obvious dangers of owning or selling a handgun."
Keep your digits away from the flash gap.
Finally, a report from Seattle WA: at around ten PM last Saturday, two officers were parked on the street - Officer Timothy Brenton and a field trainee Britt Sweeney. A small, light colored sedan pulled alongside the police car and the occupant or occupants fired shots into the police car. Officer Brenton was struck several times and killed. Field trainee Sweeney was injured and returned fire.
Officer Brenton is survived by his wife and two young children. The nine-year veteran's father and uncle are retired Seattle police officers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Brenton's family, with Officer Sweeney and with the Seattle Police Department.