NSSF Names Sanetti President and CEO

The National Shooting Sports Foundation has named a well-known firearms industry insider to head the 47-year-old trade organization.

Steve Sanetti was tapped by the NSSF's Board of Governors. Sanetti steps into the position May 1.

Sanetti spent 28 years with Sturm, Ruger and Company as an executive and general counsel, been a member of the NSSF Board of Governors and the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manutacturer's Institute Board of Directors

"Steve is one of the most well-respected individuals in our industry," said Robert Scott, chairman of the NSSF Board of Governors in a news release. "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."

In the same release, 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. 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 am 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."


According to the news release, Sanetti is a founding member of the Firearms Litigation Support Committee and helped direct the successful coordinated response to municipal lawsuits that threatened the firearms industry in the late 1990s.

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 has spoken on 60 Minutes, ABC News Nightline, CNBC, National Public Radio and before various federal and state legislative bodies.

Sanetti is an avid hunter, target shooter, firearms collector and amateur gunsmith.