The economy isn't completely in the tank...
FIREARMS SALES SURGE IN WISCONSIN . . . Since the state's concealed carry law went into effect last November, permit applications and firearms sales have been surging in Wisconsin, according to a story in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Steve Lauer, owner of Lauer Custom Weaponry, a manufacturer of firearms, coatings and accessories in Chippewa Falls, said, "It's incredible. We can hardly keep up." Use of the state's background check hotline is at record pace. Anti-gun groups trying to downplay Americans' rising interest in gun ownership use the weak argument that those buying guns in Wisconsin (and nationally) are simply adding to their collections, but Kevin Nugent, owner of the Shooters Shop in West Allis, says otherwise. "We're seeing a lot of new shooters and a lot of women shooters," said Nugent, whose business is up 20 to 30 percent.
RUGER SALES JUMP 49 PERCENT IN FIRST QUARTER . . . Sturm, Ruger & Co. (NYSE:RGR) reported that first-quarter sales were up 49 percent compared to the same period the previous year. Said CEO Michael Fifer, "New product introductions were a significant component of our sales growth as new product sales represented $40.8 million or 37 percent of sales in the first quarter of 2012." Ruger's results again beat Wall Street expectations. The company has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in seven of the last seven quarters.
ATK SALES UP 12 PERCENT IN SECURITY AND SPORTING GROUP . . . ATK (NYSE:ATK) reported that fourth-quarter sales were up 12 percent in its Sporting and Security Group, which includes ammunition for law enforcement, military and sporting applications as well as optics, reloading gear and sport-shooting and tactical accessories. For the full year, Security and Sporting group sales were up 8 percent compared to the previous year.