FAIRFAX, VA – Friends of NRA has announced its Gun, Print and Knife of the Year for the 2007 fund-raising year. These items, along with other firearms, artwork and limited edition products, change annually and are auctioned off at Friends of NRA events throughout the year.

Friends of NRA designs, develops and purchases many unique offerings for its events. This upcoming year’s events feature several of the most distinguished items in its 14-year history. First is the Gun of the Year, a Smith & Wesson 460XVR Magnum Revolver. It has an 8.4-inch barrel with interchangeable compensators and Hi-VIZ^{® sights, and delivers over 2,300 feet per second muzzle velocity. The 2007 Print of the Year is called "Echoes in Gold" by world-renowned artist John Banovich. This Giclée on linen depicts elk in a peaceful pasture with golden tones and magnificent mountains in the background. Lastly, the D’Holder Drop Point Hunter from Canal Street Cutlery Co. is named the 2007 Knife of the Year. The Drop Point Hunter is 7.25 inches long and features one piece of 440C stainless steel, full mirror polished blade, tapered tang, genuine ram’s horn handle, and accompanying natural colored ram’s horn sculpture.}

"One of the reasons for choosing the Smith & Wesson was the versatility of the ammunition that can be used, which includes the .45 Colt and .454 Casull in addition to the .460 S&W Magnum. This gun will make an excellent choice for both hunters and gun enthusiasts alike," stated Mike Huber, NRA Senior Field Representative for Illinois and merchandise selection committee member. In regards to the artist of the year, Banovich was chosen because he is one of today’s premiere wildlife artists. "Using the Giclée method of reproducing ‘Echoes in Gold’ will add to its value and charm, making it an outstanding choice for our 2007 Print of the Year," Huber continued. (Giclée is a special high definition format of lithography that digitally produces artwork in super bright colors and crisp details.) As for the Drop Point Hunter, this knife is "known by serious knife collectors as one of the chief designs by D’Alton Holder," Huber concluded. "We had a great opportunity to feature his work as our Knife of the Year."

With a limited production of 1,100 each, these items will be the most exclusive auction pieces available at every Friends of NRA event. Items of the year are selected based on quality in craftsmanship and traceable heritage. They also each come custom engraved, embellished or stamped with the NRA logo and sequential numbering, making these already unique items even more exceptional.

"We strive to ensure incredible merchandise of the utmost quality and technological advancement. As a result, our members are proud to purchase and display these items in their home or office to show their support for The NRA Foundation and shooting sports programs," said NRA Florida Senior Field Representative and merchandise selection committee member Al Hammond.

Friends of NRA is a grassroots fund-raising program that fosters community involvement and grants 100 percent of its net proceeds to qualified local, state and national programs. Events include dinner followed by auctions and special drawings for one-of-a-kind merchandise. Attendees bid on Friends of NRA merchandise, as well as special products and services donated by local businesses and community members. All net proceeds benefit The NRA Foundation, with half allocated to fund projects within the state where the money was raised. The NRA Foundation uses the other half to fund similar projects within a national scope.

Organized by volunteers throughout the county, this grassroots program has raised more than $100 million since its beginnings in 1992, all of which went to promoting firearms and hunting safety, enhancing gun safety and marksmanship skills, and educating the general public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

The unique items described above are available for bid at any Friends of NRA event in 2007. For more information on events in your area, visit: www.nrafoundation.org/friends.