Firearms and Ammunition Excise Taxes Up 31 Percent in 4th Quarter '08

NEWTOWN, Conn., May 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During a time period of great
economic uncertainty, firearm and ammunition sales have continued to increase
throughout the country.

According to the most recent Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Collection
Report, released earlier today by the Department of the Treasury, firearm and
ammunition manufacturers paid more than $98.1 million in the fourth calendar
quarter of 2008, up 31.3% over the same time period reported in 2007.

Manufacturers of firearms and ammunition pay a federal excise tax -- a major
source of wildlife conservation funding -- on all firearms and ammunition
manufactured (11% on long guns and ammunition and 10% on handguns).

The report, which covers the time period of October 1, 2008, through December
31, 2008, shows that $27.6 million was collected for pistols and revolvers,
$35.0 million for long guns and $35.5 million for ammunition. Compared to the
same quarter in 2007, collections were up 70.1% for handguns, 11.4% for long
guns and 31.1% for ammunition.

These figures close out the 2008 calendar year. In 2008, a total of $345.2
million was collected in excise taxes, up 13.9% from the $303.2 million
collected in calendar year 2007.

"Demand for firearms and ammunition is clear," said NSSF President Steve
Sanetti. "Since the November elections we've seen an increase in firearm
ownership coupled with an unprecedented level of attendance at firearm safety
courses nationwide. Americans are buying firearms, and they're taking the
proper precautions to ensure that they exercise their individual Second
Amendment rights safely and responsibly."

Translation to Sales:

Using the latest collections as an indication of sales, a projection of $917.5
million was generated in the fourth quarter (calendar year) of 2008. Please
keep in mind that although excise taxes are one of the best indicators of
industry performance, they only report what the manufacturers paid in taxes
and do NOT reflect retail mark-up and final retail sales. Furthermore, these
figures are based solely on U.S. civilian sales and do not include sales to
military, police and other governmental agencies.

Pistols and revolvers:
$27,649,109.11 / .10 = $276,491,091.10 = $276.5 million for handguns

Long guns:
$35,021,474.66 / .11 = $318,377,042.36 = $318.4 million for long guns

Ammunition:
$35,488,061.46 / .11 = $322,618,740.55 = $322.6 million for ammunition

Total estimation for the quarter: $917.5 million

Using the same methodology, a projection of $3.22 billion dollars was
generated in calendar year 2008, up 15% from the $2.8 billion projected for
calendar year 2007.

Pistol and Revolvers: $907.1 million
Long guns: $1.15 billion
Ammunition: $1.16 billion

"These numbers speak to a much greater story," said NSSF Senior Vice President
and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. "America's gun owners have serious
concerns about the country's current political make-up. Lawmakers should
recognize this and understand that these gun owners are not merely consumers
buying a product, but voters reacting to a very real threat."

SOURCE National Shooting Sports Foundation

Ted Novin of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, +1-203-426-1320,
+1-202-253-1860 (cell), tnovin@nssf.org