The National Rifle Association (NRA) and Sturm, Ruger & Company (Ruger) recently announced the results of Ruger’s Million Gun Challenge to benefit the NRA as initiated by Ruger President and CEO, Michael O. Fifer. The announcement was made at the Sixth Annual Corporate Executives’ Luncheon during the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits last month in St. Louis, Mo.
In May 2011, Ruger launched the challenge to sell one million Ruger firearms over the course of one year, with one dollar of each sale going to benefit the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. The Million Gun Challenge quickly became the 1.2 Million Gun Challenge when Ruger customers purchased even more firearms than was originally anticipated.
“With the generous support of our customers, we blew past our goal and were able to donate $1,253,700 to the NRA,” said Fifer. “We hope our example of giving back to an organization that does so much to protect our freedom will inspire others to do the same, no matter what their means.”
Michael Fifer, an Annapolis Naval Academy graduate and proud submarine veteran, joined Sturm, Ruger & Company in 2006. Through his leadership, annual firearms sales have increased from $139 million to $324 million. Inspiration for the Million Gun Challenge came to Mike while attending the 2011 NRA Corporate Executives’ Luncheon in Pittsburgh, Pa.
“The future of our Second Amendment is directly dependent on the strength of NRA-ILA and resources provided by great companies like Ruger help us get the job done,” said NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris Cox. “We deeply appreciate Mike’s initiative to come forward with this challenge. Ruger’s customers should be proud to be a part of this significant gift at such a critical time.”
In honor of Ruger’s historic effort, Fifer was recognized as the 2012 Distinguished Corporate Leader at the NRA Annual Meetings on April 12. This annual award is given for outstanding corporate leadership at a private luncheon. Past honorees include Dick Heckert, J.D. Williams, Joe Gregory, Eric Johanson, Ugo Beretta, and Larry and Brenda Potterfield.
NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said, “We are grateful to Ruger and Mike Fifer for their unwavering support, and more importantly for providing the industry with a model of corporate leadership. Now more than ever, the Second Amendment needs the industry to follow Ruger’s lead and do everything possible to protect our freedom.”
“I am very proud and humbled to receive this award,” said Fifer. “I joined the NRA 44 years ago and can remember how fun it was to be a part of this organization, and what a tremendous impression the NRA instructors and members made upon me. That respect and admiration continues today, as I am so much more aware of the efforts made by the NRA to protect our rights and freedoms. Too often these efforts go unnoticed, but I am grateful for the hard work NRA does for us. Fundraising for the NRA is the least we can do.”
