Sturm, Ruger names new president - Industry News

Shooting Industry, June, 2003

Stephen L. Sanetti is the new president and chief operating officer of Sturm, Ruger & Co. He replaces Erle Blanchard who resigned in late April.

Sanetti is a 23-year veteran of Ruger, starting as general counsel in 1980. He has served as vice president since 1993. He joined the company's board of directors in 1998 and was named vice chairman, senior executive vice president and general counsel in 2000.

Sanetti was the chairman of the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute from 1993 to 2001. He presently serves on the board of governors for the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Hunting and Shooting Sports Heritage Foundation.

He graduated with honors from the Virginia Military Institute in 1971 and received his Juris Doctor degree from the Washington & Lee University School of Law. As a captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, he served with the 1st Cavalry Division.

Sanetti is a lifelong firearm enthusiast, target shooter, gun collector and amateur gunsmith. He was president of the VMJ Rifle and Pistol Club and later coach of the school's rifle team. He is an NRA certified rifle, pistol and home firearms safety instructor and a member of the New Hampshire Firearms Safety Coalition, the Fairfield Country Fish and Game Protective Association and the Arms and Armor Society of New York. He was captain of the Ruger Pistol Team and the Ruger Sportsman's Team Challenge Competition Squad.

Sanetti has testified before Congress and appeared on "60 Minutes" in support of firearm ownership.