NEWTOWN, Conn.—The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, is pleased to announce that Leupold & Stevens has joined #GUNVOTE’s Ambassador Club in support of the association’s critical voter registration and education campaign.

Founded in Portland, OR in 1907, Leupold & Stevens has been making riflescopes in the US for over 70 years. On a fateful day in 1945 Marcus Leupold missed a shot on a black tail buck because the scope he was using fogged. Marcus immediately setout to make a better optic; and in 1947 Leupold & Stevens introduced the Plainsman, the world’s first fog proof scope. Leupold is now the most recognizable name in sporting optics and a pioneer of technology with industry changing innovations like the now ubiquitous duplex reticle, waterproof riflescopes and lifetime guarantee. Today the company’s offerings include handgun, rifle, shotgun and muzzleloader optics, with complementary binoculars, spotting scopes, mounts, rangefinders and accessories. As in 1947, 100% of Leupold’s riflescopes, gold ring products and black ring products are manufactured at the company headquarters just outside Portland, OR. Still a family owned company, now in its 5th generation of ownership, Leupold & Stevens is a uniquely American company and industry icon.

“We are honored to have Leupold join the #GUNVOTE effort,” said Lawrence Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “The company’s generous contribution underscores its long-standing and well-recognized commitment to America’s indelible firearms history, one that we’re all working to have #GUNVOTE continue.”

“Leupold has a storied history among America’s firearms enthusiasts, but our industry and American’s Second Amendment rights face unprecedented challenges,” said Bruce Pettet, president and CEO of Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “It is essential that #GUNVOTE succeed in its mission of educating voters about the candidates and their views on the issues that affect our livelihoods and 2A rights, and we are proud to contribute to this important campaign.”

NSSF’s #GUNVOTE is a voter registration and education campaign platform for use by firearms industry manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, ranges and media members, as well as the pro-Second Amendment consumer. #GUNVOTE—www.gunvote.org—provides vital information on the hundreds of pro-gun and anti-gun candidates up for election in 2016, as well links to polling places and voter registration, election news, voter education video resources and more. Industry members are strongly encouraged to download the #GUNVOTE button for their websites and social media use and order #GUNVOTE decals for distribution to family, friends and customers.