New NSSF President
Ruger Veteran Sanetti To Head Industry Trade Association

Photo: National Shooting Sports Foundation New National Shooting Sports Foundation president Steve Sanetti is an avid hunter, target shooter and firearms collector, and also an amateur gunsmith.

He replaces Doug Painter, who guided the organization for 6 years but recently asked for a change in his position to become a senior adviser and trade liaison for NSSF.

Sanetti, who's been a member of the NSSF Board of Governors and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) Board of Directors, will assume his new role on May 1.

"Steve is one of the most well-respected individuals in our industry," said NSSF Board of Governors chairman Robert Scott. "His experience and good judgment have been valued at Sturm, Ruger for decades and by the industry at large for his role in helping defeat the municipal lawsuits filed against our industry."

Ready for New Challenge

Sanetti said he was thrilled to be taking the helm of the 47-year-old trade association.

"Although I've been in this industry for 30 years and associated with the NSSF Board of Governors for 15 of those years, the challenges we all face will be new and constantly changing," he said. "The only way we will survive and prosper is to be flexible in our thinking and creative in our problem-solving.

"New situations demand novel approaches, and I am confident that with the skilled staff and thousands of loyal members of NSSF, we will continue to help increase participation in and understanding of the shooting sports we are so passionate about. I'm excited to begin this new phase of my career at a place where I can have a positive and lasting impact on the future of hunting and shooting."

Sanetti was hired by Bill Ruger in 1980 to be the company's first general counsel and rose up through the executive ranks to become, in 2003, president, vice chairman of the board and chief operating officer – the position he currently holds. A founding member of the Firearms Litigation Support Committee, he helped direct the successful coordinated response to municipal lawsuits that threatened the firearms industry in the late 1990s.

A Strong Communicator

In addition to his legal and executive experience, Sanetti brings strong communications skills to the position, having written numerous articles and given many interviews defending the lawful and responsible ownership and use of firearms. He's been interviewed on 60 Minutes, ABC News Nightline, CNBC and National Public Radio, and has spoken before various federal and state legislative bodies.

He's an avid hunter, target shooter, firearms collector and amateur gunsmith who was a 3-year member of his college rifle team and later the team's coach. He was the enthusiastic captain of many victorious Ruger shooting teams at industry competitions and says his favorite hobby is to spend a day target shooting with his family.

A 1971 Distinguished Military Graduate (with honors) of the Virginia Military Institute, he earned his law degree from Washington & Lee University Law School. He served as a captain in the U.S. Army from 1975-78 and was chief of criminal law for the First Cavalry Division at Ft. Hood, Texas.

Painter praised the choice of Sanetti as his successor, "Steve has a tremendous knowledge of our industry and a real passion for our sports," he said. "He is a true believer in our cause."

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