News Articles

Find news articles from the gun and safe communitty here.  If you have an article you would like posted contact us and we will post it for you.

Thieves grab at least a dozen guns from Orange City pawn shop

By PATRICIO G. BALONA

Posted in: West Volusia

Video courtesy Orange City Police Department.

ORANGE CITY -- More than a dozen guns were stolen by burglars Wednesday morning from a North Volusia Avenue pawn shop, police said.

It is believed two burglars broke into the Central Florida Pawn and Gun at 1065 N. Volusia Ave. at 5 a.m., said Orange City police spokesman Sgt. Jason Sampsell.

The thieves smashed the glass cases where the guns were kept and took them, Sampsell said. The guns stolen include .45-caliber handguns, semi-automatic pistols, revolvers and an assortment of rifles, Sampsell said.

A possibly dark-skinned male wearing a dark hoodie, with distinctive markings on the front of the hood and back of the sweat shirt, is one of the burglars, Sampsell said. Surveillance released by police shows one of the burglars using a hammer on the glass case.

A second, lighter-skinned male stood on the outside of the business wearing all black with a black baseball cap turned backward, Sampsell said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Orange City Police Department at 386-775-9999.

Catterton Partners has agreed to sell Liberty Safe and Security Products Inc., a Payson, Utah-based gun safe manufacturer, to Compass Diversified Holdings. The deal is valued at approximately $70 million. Baird managed the sell-side process.

PRESS RELEASE

Compass Diversified Holdings (Nasdaq: CODI) (”CODI” or the “Company”) an owner of leading middle market businesses, announced today that on March 31, 2010, it entered into an agreement to acquire and consummated the acquisition of Liberty Safe and Security Products, Inc. (”Liberty”).

Based in Payson, Utah and founded in 1988, Liberty is the premier designer, manufacturer and marketer of home and gun safes in North America. From its over 200,000 square foot manufacturing facility, the company produces a wide range of home and gun safe models in a broad assortment of sizes, features and styles. Products are marketed under the Liberty brand, as well as a portfolio of licensed and private label brands, including Remington, Cabela’s and John Deere.  The company’s products are the market share leader and are sold in various sporting goods, farm and fleet, and home improvement retailers. Liberty also has the largest independent dealer network in the industry. For the year ended December 31, 2009, Liberty reported revenue of $73.8 million.

CODI paid approximately $70 million to purchase Liberty, funding the acquisition with drawings under CODI’s revolving credit facility.  In addition, CODI paid approximately $1.5 million in expenses associated with this transaction.  CODI’s initial ownership position in the company is approximately 96%.

Commenting on the acquisition, Joe Massoud, CEO of Compass Diversified Holdings, said, “Liberty represents an ideal addition to our family of niche leading businesses.  The company possesses those important characteristics that we seek in all of our businesses, including strong industry positioning, experienced management, stable cash flows and favorable macro trends. Demand among avid shooting sports enthusiasts remains healthy and we expect to benefit from increasing awareness of the need for safe storage of firearms. In addition, we believe that there is a largely untapped market for premium home safes that represents an important growth avenue for the company going forward.  We are enthusiastic about the prospect of working with the Liberty management team.”

Mr. Massoud added, “We expect the acquisition of Liberty to immediately provide our owners with ten to fifteen cents per share of cash flow accretion on a full year basis.  Furthermore, we are optimistic that in the current environment, we will have additional opportunities to acquire businesses attractively on behalf of our shareholders.”

Jeff Talley, President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty, will continue to serve in the same capacity at the company.  Mr. Talley commented, “We are excited about Compass’s acquisition of Liberty.  We look forward to continuing our long history of providing outstanding products to our customers.  In addition, we expect to work with the Compass team to assess and implement a range of marketing and operating initiatives designed to further enhance cash flow.”

Additional information on the acquisition will be available on the Company’s current report on Form 8-K that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 2, 2010.

About Compass Diversified Holdings (”CODI”)

Compass Diversified Holdings (”CODI”) was formed to acquire and manage a group of middle market businesses that are headquartered in North America. Its subsidiaries are a diverse group of businesses with highly defensible market positions.

CODI’s structure involves acquisition of controlling ownership interests in its subsidiaries in order to maximize its ability to impact each subsidiary’s performance. The Company provides both debt and equity capital for its subsidiaries, contributing to their financial and operating flexibility. CODI’s model involves discipline in identifying and valuing businesses, proactive engagement with the management teams of the companies it acquires and the monetization of its subsidiaries when it believes that doing so will maximize shareholder value. The Company seeks to provide an extraordinarily high level of transparency in financial reporting and governance processes for the benefit of its shareholders. CODI currently has seven subsidiaries operating in distinct market niches.  The cash flows generated by these businesses are utilized in pursuit of CODI’s dual objectives of investing in the long-term growth of the Company and making distributions of cash to its shareholders.

Our Subsidiary Businesses

Each of our companies is a leader in their respective market niche.

Based in Ecru, MS, American Furniture Manufacturing is a manufacturer of promotionally priced upholstered furniture.  Visit www.americanfurn.net.

Based in Coral Springs, FL, Anodyne Medical Device is a designer and manufacturer of medical therapeutic support surfaces and other wound treatment devices.  Visit www.anodynemedicaldevice.com.

Based in Aurora, CO, Advanced Circuits is a manufacturer of quick-turn, prototype and production rigid printed circuit boards (”PCBs”).   Visit www.advancedcircuits.com.

Based in Watsonville, CA, Fox Racing Shox is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of suspension products for mountain bikes and powered off-road vehicles.  Visit www.foxracingshox.com.

Based in Sterling, IL, Halo Lee Wayne is a one-stop resource for design, sourcing and fulfillment of promotional products.  Visit www.haloleewayne.com.

Based in Payson, UT, Liberty Safe is a designer and manufacturer of premium home and gun safes.  Visit www.libertysafe.com.

Based in Cincinnati, OH, Staffmark is a provider of temporary staffing services, operating approximately 300 locations in 29 states.  Visit www.staffmark.com.

To find out more about Compass Diversified Holdings, please visit www.compassdiversifiedholdings.com.

- pehub.com

3 GREAT REASONS TO USE A HOME SAFE

If you have a gun collection, you know that keeping them in a safe at home is the key to keeping your firearms protected from intruders and away from little hands. But what about other types of home safes? In today’s uncertain world, it’s more important than ever to keep important documents, jewelry, family antiques, keepsakes, and anything else that’s valuable to you under lock and key. Here are just three of the many great reasons why homeowners across America are turning to the use of home safes.

1. A Security Deposit Box is Not Always Accessible, But a Home Safe Is

Let’s face it: there are definitely times when you need access to important documents that traditionally have been kept in bank security deposit boxes. When your child needs an original of his social security card or birth certificate, you don’t want to have to worry about running to the bank to get it. And if the bank is closed, getting access to a security box is simply impossible. Home safes will securely store important documents such as the above-mentioned items, as well as marriage certificates, banking and investment documents, and anything else you may need to get access to quickly.

2. They Are Water-  and Fire-Resistant

Many people have hesitated to keep important items at home for fear of a disaster such as a house fire, tornado, or flooding. Today’s home safes will still be standing if everything else around them is destroyed. And the contents will be protected from fire and water damage so you will not lose those items which are simply irreplaceable.

3. They Keep Valuables Out of the Hands of Those Who Shouldn’t Touch Them

The huge majority of home break-ins are crimes of opportunity: and thieves will be more likely to be deterred from taking your precious valuables if they are stored in a home safe. Additionally, the little children living in your home will never be able to play with, damage, or lose items that are tucked away in home safes.

In the unfortunate event of a disaster or theft, we can replace most of our “stuff” quite easily. But for those valuables that are truly irreplaceable, keeping them securely stored and organized yet readily accessible in a home safe is the way to go.

-www.cannonsafe.com

It’s Self-Defense Day on Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio

Natchitoches, Louisiana – -(AmmoLand.com)-  It’s self-defense day on Gun Talk, Sunday, March 21st, from 1pm to 4pm, with guests talking about the guns, the training, and the ammo available for those concerned about personal safety.

On Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk (www.guntalk.com) this Sunday, Bob Morrison, President of Taurus USA firearms, will be talking about the Judge family of revolvers, which have become a phenomenon in the shooting world. These revolvers fire either .45 Colt cartridges or 410 Shotgun shells.

Ed Head is the director of Gunsite, widely considered to be the grandfather of schools dedicated to teaching honest citizens the skills they need for self defense with firearm. Located in Paulden, AZ, Gunsite offers classes in shooting handguns, rifles and shotguns, as well as specialized courses for women and those qualifying for their concealed carry permits. Ed Head is a former federal law enforcement officer, and he’s a favorite guest with Gun Talk listeners.

Tom Gresham also will be talking about some of the new ammunition developed for self-defense use, including new 410 shotshell ammo from Winchester that was designed specifically for the Taurus Judge.

Gun Talk listeners have a chance to win a big prize this month!
Liberty Safe and Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk have teamed up for Gun Talk’s Liberty Safe Giveaway, running from March 14th to April 9th, 2010. The Grand Prize Package includes a Franklin 25 cubic foot safe in textured granite, the exclusive deluxe accessory door panel and free delivery by one of Liberty Safe’s 350 dealers. Total Grand Prize package worth over $2,400! Each week, ten lucky First Prize winners win a Liberty Safe Lighted Baseball Hat.

As a special bonus, Liberty Safe is also offering a rebate through March 31st for anyone using the code “Tom” after clicking the FatBoy icon at the top of their homepage – good for up to $200 back! Liberty Safes stand up to fire, burglars and even F4 tornadoes! See more at www.libertysafe.com.

Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio is in its 15th year of national syndication and runs on 89 stations, plus SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio. All Gun Talk shows are available as a podcast through Apple or at www.guntalk.libsyn.com. More information is available at www.guntalk.com.

$3,000 in guns and weapons stolen

AUGUSTA, Ga. - Police say gun theft is a real problem here in Georgia-Carolina. A Hephzibah man lost more than $3,000 in weapons Tuesday night. Jack Furman is a real deer-lover shown by his fridge full of packets of meat. Furman says the six guns that were stolen and his bow-and-arrow were used for hunting. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says now those guns are most likely being re-sold on the streets. Furman kept the guns in a locked gun safe in his bedroom closet with the keys nearby, which is why he worries he may know the intruder. Deputies say the best place to keep guns is in a locked gun safe but advise you not to keep the password taped to the safe or the key nearby.

-NBC Augusta 26

http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/84666712.html

Tracy gun shop owner finds a niche in a down economy

TRACY, CA - A young man took a chance during this recession. He opened a new store in a Tracy strip mall.

Mike Baryla, 22, hurt his knee in Marine Officer Training School last summer, but he had a fall-back position: a gun store.

"It's definitely something I fell in love with and and I'm glad I'm able to do it right now," Baryla said.

Baryla worked at a gun shop in San Diego while in college and convinced his family help him out with the , even in a down economy. "I'm the person that's going to be hiring people. I'm going to be selling items," he said, as he prepared for his opening this Saturday.

Four days before his opening, his inventory computer is still sitting on the bare floor and his gun safe is waiting for shipments to arrive on Wednesday.  But Baryla is ready to go.

"Not a lot of people my age get to be their own boss," he said.

While Baryla is excited, he is taking a risk. A bar on one side of his business recently closed its doors, and a nail salon on the other side is idle.

"You see Toyota closing down the NUMMI plant and you see a lot of big businesses going down," he said. "It'll be a good business. You'll see a lot of people are coming through."

But even with the big businesses going under, Baryla believes  small businesses will bring the country out of the recession.

Future neighbor Cristian Covarrarubias is opening a bar three doors down and is delighted Baryla is moving in.

"It's huge. It gives you more confidence in what you're doing, knowing there's going to be tenants next to you rather than an empty lot," Covarrarubias said. 

Baryla says he hopes the strip mall can find a new synergy. "I can go to lunch over there. He can come buy a gun over here. And that's a good trade for me," he said laughing.

Baryla said he plans to hire at least two employees, including a friend who's now a Marine serving in Afghanistan.

He says his family had no doubts once they saw his business plan and realized how well gun stores have been doing in the down economy.

By Dave Marquis, dmarquis@news10.net

The Safe Place Featured on Channel 2 News ktvn.com