Morphy Auctions officially became a multinational company today as founder and president Dan Morphy announced the launch of a European division based in Zwingen, Switzerland.

“Having a permanent presence in Europe means we can now offer collectors there a convenient and economical way in which to consign valuables to our major sales in Pennsylvania and Las Vegas,” Morphy said.

To ensure the intercontinental operation runs professionally and without any delays due to time-zone differences, Morphy’s has partnered with the respected Swiss firm CBR Trading AG, d.b.a. Munitionsdepot.ch (hereafter Munitions Depot). Consignors may now access a streamlined service that includes pickup anywhere on the Continent or in the U.K., safe storage of goods in Zwingen, and prompt shipment to the USA. Confirmed initial consignments include antique firearms and militaria; antique toys, fine and decorative art, jewelry, and other high-quality antiques.

“We’ve had a strong involvement with European collectors for many years, especially those who collect antique firearms and militaria,” Dan Morphy said. “We’ve often been asked if there were a way to consign firearms to Morphy’s that didn’t involve tedious government paperwork or international shipping hassles. We knew that in order to set up a seamless, consignor-friendly system, we would need the right partner – a business with unquestionable integrity, a secure facility, and a thorough understanding of the documentation and legalities involved in handling firearms. We found that partner in Munitions Depot.”

Led by CEO Christoph Borer, Munitions Depot is a premier retailer of modern and contemporary weaponry, sporting arms and ammunition. The Swiss firm’s venue is already set up specifically for firearms storage, with state-of-the-art security, locking display cases and a sizable vault. They have vast experience in the legal exportation of weapons to authorized dealers in other countries.

Christoph Borer remarked: “Being part of such a great alliance with a company as renowned as Morphy Auctions is an honor. We invite European collectors to visit us in Zwingen or view our website, www.munitionsdepot.ch. We can’t wait to get started on the first exciting project.”

Munitions Depot will pick up collections anywhere in Europe and, in the case of firearms, handle the packing and paperwork required for shipment to Morphy’s government-authorized arms importer in the USA. Militaria (medals, uniforms, etc.), other types of antiques, artwork or jewelry are shipped direct to Morphy’s Pennsylvania gallery. Firearms may be previewed at the Zwingen gallery approximately one month prior to auction.

Dan Morphy noted: “Some firearms, like WWI and WWII European arms, sell for 2-3 times as much here as they do overseas. The biggest collectors of early German, French and Austrian militaria are also here in the States. The US market is hungry for it. The same applies to many types of antiques and luxury items. Amphora pottery, Rolex watches, and high-end German and French toys and trains often achieve higher prices in the States.”

Morphy’s plans to conduct two auctions per year in Zwingen, starting in fall 2024. Those sales will feature American consignors’ property that, in the opinion of Morphy’s specialists, would fare better in Europe.

Morphy Auctions staff will be at major firearms shows across Europe this year, including the March 22-24 Weapons Sammlerborse in Luzern, Switzerland, to meet with potential consignors and those wanting information about Morphy’s referral program, which pays generous fees for introductions leading to auction consignments. Contact Dan Morphy: +1 877-968-8880; info@morphyauctions.com.

“When it comes to dependability and terminal ballistics, Speer is the gold standard. That’s why Speer is a top choice of law enforcement and military professionals,” said Vice President of Government Sales David Leis. “Speer continues to supply our U.S. DOD and unified forces with superior products for their efforts in protecting U.S. global interests.”

Speer Gold Dot G2 offers the ultimate performance in duty ammunition, thanks to an exclusive nose design. Instead of a large hollow-point cavity, Gold Dot G2 has a shallow dish filled with a high-performance elastomer. On impact, the material is forced into engineered internal fissures to start the expansion process. The result is extremely uniform expansion, better separation of the petals, and more consistent penetration across barrier types through duty handguns.

Speer Ammunition can be found at dealers nationwide and online. For more information on all products from Speer, visit www.speer.com.

“MYSTERY RANCH packs have earned a global reputation within the most demanding communities by building load-bearing equipment that delivers in the harshest environments. Their ethos, passion and people not only align with the YETI team, but also connect well with our commitment to innovation and our customers.” said Matt Reintjes, President & CEO at YETI. “Their communities, ambassadors and obsession with quality make it a natural fit with YETI.”

Founded in 2006, the original YETI cooler was born out of frustration and passion. YETI has since grown into an industry innovator of premium outdoor gear designed for the hardcore outdoor adventurer, outside enthusiast and everyone in between. Like YETI, MYSTERY RANCH products have been built with durability and performance in mind for over two decades whether for use on the fire line, backcountry or in your everyday adventure.

“YETI’s passion for innovation and the outdoors aligns closely with our founding vision,” said Dana Gleason, Co-Founder of MYSTERY RANCH. “Renée Sippel-Baker, my co-founder, and I know they are a perfect partner to build upon our long history of making the best load-bearing equipment in the world for the most extreme users as well as the everyday mission.”

MYSTERY RANCH and the team will continue to operate out of Bozeman and will work with YETI over the next several months to integrate teams and functions.

For more information about YETI or MYSTERY RANCH, visit yeti.com. or mysteryranch.com.

“Federal continues to position itself as a trusted supplier for the U.S. Military and Special Operations,” said Peter Gillette, Federal’s Director of International LE & Military Sales. “We are excited for this contract win. It validates the quality of our products, thoroughness of our testing procedures, and dedication to hard work from our American factory workers.”

The cartridge selected during the two-year contract term is the Mk316 Mod 0, 7.62x51mm, 175-grain precision match rifle load.The ordering period is for a total of two years. The ammunition will be produced by Federal at the Anoka, Minnesota facility.

“In general, our match ammunition has a legendary reputation for extreme accuracy, shot after shot, lot to lot. It is trusted time-and-time-again by police and military marksmen,” continued Gillette. “MK316 Mod 0 fits in perfectly with Federal’s history of producing extremely accurate ammunition held to tight tolerances required by strict U.S. Military specifications.”

Federal ammunition can be found nationwide and online. For more information on all products from Federal, visitwww.federalpremium.com.

“With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” says Wayne LaPierre. “I’ve been a card-carrying member of this organization for most of my adult life, and I will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom. My passion for our cause burns as deeply as ever.”

During an NRA Board of Directors meeting today in Irving, Texas, NRA President Charles Cotton reported that he accepted LaPierre’s resignation. According to the NRA, LaPierre cited health reasons as a reason for his decision. The NRA continues its defense of a lawsuit by the New York Attorney General, and LaPierre is an individual defendant in that action. It is well-known that the NYAG vowed to pursue the NRA when she was candidate for her office and, upon being elected, filed a lawsuit to dissolve the Association in August 2020. Trial proceedings in that case begin Monday.

In March 2022, the NRA scored a major legal victory, when a New York court dismissed the NYAG’s claims to dissolve the organization. The court issued an opinion that vindicates the NRA’s position: the NYAG’s effort to shut down the Association ran afoul of common sense, New York law, and the First Amendment. Since then, the NRA maintains that it is committed to good governance. With respect to the NYAG’s allegations, the NRA Board of Directors reports it has undertaken significant efforts to perform a self-evaluation, recommended termination of disgraced “insiders” and vendors who allegedly abused the Association, and accepted reimbursement, with interest, for alleged excess benefit transactions from LaPierre, as reported in public tax filings.

LaPierre said, “I am proud of the NRA’s advocacy in New York and, through it all, determination to defend the Second Amendment. I can assure you the NRA’s mission, programming, and fight for freedom have never been more secure. What makes the NRA unlike any other advocacy organization is the depth and experience of its professional team, the unwavering support of its members, and its fighting spirit. I have enormous confidence in our board of directors, executive leadership team, and my long-time colleague Andrew Arulanandam. Andrew knows every facet of this organization and has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me in every arena imaginable. Andrew knows how to help the NRA win – he’s been one of the key authors of our playbook for decades.”

Cotton said, “On behalf of the NRA Board of Directors, I thank Wayne LaPierre for his service. Wayne has done as much to protect Second Amendment freedom as anyone. Wayne is a towering figure in the fight for constitutional freedom, but one of his other talents is equally important: he built an organization that is bigger than him. Under the direction of Andrew Arulanandam, the NRA will continue to thrive – with a renewed energy in our business operations and grassroots advocacy. Our future is bright and secure.”

The contract has a value of over $2.1 million and features the same holster solution that was adopted earlier this year by the French Army and the Niedersachsen State Police of Germany.

“This contract is a testament to the craftsmanship of Blackhawk products and the brand’s commitment to equipping law enforcement officials around the globe,” said Jeff Sposito, who leads the Blackhawk and Stone Glacier brands of Vista Outdoor.

The Belgian Federal Police selected the Blackhawk holsters to carry their service pistol, the Smith & Wesson M&P9, while the local police zones in Belgium will have the ability to purchase new duty holsters compatible with their Glock 17/45 service pistols.

The USG noted that Blackhawk T-Series is a secure and versatile platform, with the T-Series L3D holsters coming standard with the Jacket Slot Belt Loop or being compatible with the agency-selected Blackhawk Micro Tac Platform. This modularity allows officers to select the form of carry most suited to their needs without sacrificing accessibility or security.

To date, T-Series holsters have been selected for duty use by over 3,200 law enforcement agencies both in the U.S. and abroad. As the world’s first thumb-driven, dual-injected molded holster, the T-Series is Blackhawk’s premier duty-rated holster.

Learn more about Blackhawk’s T-Series holster and other duty products at blackhawk.com

NSSF, the firearm industry trade association, revealed that the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) completed 680,671 background checks related to firearms for the week leading up to, and including, “Black Friday,” one of the busiest shopping days of the year. That figure is down slightly from 2022’s total of 711,372 for the same time period. The 2023 total is a 4.3 percent decrease from the 2022 figure.

FBI NICS completed 214,913 background checks on Black Friday alone. That is the highest figure recorded for a Black Friday. The figure approximates firearm sales at retail on that day, although it also includes background checks for other purposes related to firearms such as approvals for concealed carry permits. NSSF will later this week release its Adjusted NICS figures for November reflecting only those background checks related to the sale of a firearm at retail.

NSSF has worked with firearm retailers to spread out special sales offers to customers throughout the week leading up to Black Friday so as not to overwhelm FBI NICS on a single day, which can result in longer than normal wait times.

“The background checks reported by the FBI are in keeping with the trends NSSF has seen throughout the year. Firearm sales remain consistently strong, with over a million per month for more than four years running,” explained Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “These figures tell us that there is a continued strong appetite for lawful firearm ownership by law-abiding Americans and that firearm manufacturers across the country continue to deliver the quality firearms our customers have come to expect.”

Annual background check data shows that firearm sales will typically rise during the final months of the year coinciding with hunting seasons and holiday sales.

Below are the breakout tables for each day of unadjusted FBI NICS background checks.

• Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023: 95,354
• Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023: 52,521
• Monday, Nov. 20, 2023: 79,970
• Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023: 101,199
• Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023: 110,703
• Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023: 26,011
• Friday, Nov. 24, 2023: 214,913

“We are proud to provide the highest quality duty ammunition to CBP officers charged with the monumental task of border security,” said Federal Ammunition President and CEO Jason Vanderbrink. “We know they require the best ammunition in their mission to protect our borders and keep the homeland safe. This large duty contract win solidifies Federal Ammunition as a top choice for law enforcement.”

The cartridge selected was the Tactical Bonded 64-grain soft point. This single-award, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract is a Strategically Sourced contract for all DHS components with a maximum quantity of 143 million rounds. The ordering period is for a total of five years.

“Federal’s Tactical Bonded line is a trusted partner for some of the most intense conditions,” said VP of Law Enforcement Sales Dave Leis. “Made exclusively for law enforcement and at our Anoka, MN headquarters, it achieves accuracy and terminal performance that defeats tough barriers with minimal change to its superior performance attributes.”

The three-day event attracts the world’s best marksmen and is regarded as the ultimate proving ground for long-range shooting, pushing the boundaries of precision and equipment performance. Of 69 competitors, Barrett represented 11% of rifles competing in the extreme long range event yet reflected 21% of the global Top 14 finalists. Barrett’s competing rifle system was the only factory configured product represented in this year’s competition that typically showcases custom-built rifles. 

Wolf said the results were a testament to the new Barrett rifle’s exceptional precision and the promise it holds for the future of long-range shooting. “It’s always amazing to shoot big ELR events like this. The feeling of accomplishment of making the finals and having this success with the new Barrett equipment is second to none.”

Bryan James, President of Barrett Firearms, said: “Justin’s performance with our rifle at the King of 2 Miles competition is a source of immense pride for Barrett. It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in long-range shooting. We look forward to officially unveiling this innovation to the world at the 2024 SHOT Show and bringing the same capability to the hands of marksmen who demand nothing but the best.”

Barrett Firearms invites media, industry professionals, and shooting enthusiasts to visit their booth #10344 or Industry Day at the Range during the 2024 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, from January 23–26, 2024, where they can experience the new product firsthand and learn more about this revolutionary rifle’s specifications and capabilities.

“This signature HAVA event is made possible through the overwhelming generosity of individuals, organizations, supporters, and industry partners. Since the events founding, the SIG organizing committee has raised close to $500,000 and countless volunteer hours,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, SIG SAUER Inc. “One hundred percent of this funding goes directly towards expanding the HAVA programming through shooting events and hunting, and in support of the HAVA mission to re-integrate disabled veterans and injured military back into normal life.”

HAVA is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 2007 by a group of executives from the hunting and shooting industry to help disabled veterans and injured active-duty military returning from war heal and reintegrate back into everyday life through participation in outdoor activities. HAVA sponsors guided hunts, shooting events, and outdoor activities across the country hosting hundreds of veterans annually.

SIG SAUER is a longstanding supporter and sustaining sponsor of HAVA. Annually, SIG SAUER participates in HAVA sponsored shooting and hunting events across the country benefiting hundreds of veterans, including the upcoming flagship San Antonio Police Department HAVA Family Day at the SAPD Training Facility on November 4, 2023.

To learn more about the HAVA organization visit honoredveterans.org.