ORLANDO - At the ring of the first bell at SHOT Show today Bob Morrison, President and CEO of Taurus International was pleased to announce Dave Butz and Ted Nugent as the 2009 Taurus Defender of Freedom Award recipients.

The Defender of Freedom Award is given to an NRA member each year to honor their selfless commitment to the second amendment. , said Bob Morrison, President and CEO of Taurus International. Once again, we honor those who are unafraid and unabridged in the fight to protect our  the right to keep and bear arms.

Dave Butz, former NFL defensive Lineman and current NRA Board Member, was honored for the countless hours of personal time he has spend defending the second amendment and right to keep and bear arms. Disregarding public opinion and potential effects to his career, Mr. Butz serves as a crucial activist for the NRA year in and year out.

Ted Nugent, legendary singer and musician and current NRA Board Member, was recognized for bravely in defending the second amendment and right to keep and bear arms. Mr. Nugent has never waivered in his fight to defend our freedom and has put his career to the side when defending the NRA.

For more than a decade Taurus International has awarded the Defender of Freedom Award to an NRA member who has staunchly defended the Second Ammendment and freedom to keep and bear arms. Past receipients include Chris Cox, Sandra Froman, Joe Graham, Wayne LaPiere and John Zent.

Beginning as a small tool manufacturer in Porto Alegre, Brazil over sixty years ago, Taurus has become a diversified, international company celebrating resounding success as one of the worlds leading small arms manufacturers.  In 1941 the company produced its first revolver, and in 1984 changed the industry forever by offering customers an unqualified LIFETIME REPAIR POLICY, posting record growth every year since.

For more information about Taurus and its complete line of products, please contact: Taurus International MFG, Inc., 1-800-327-3776, or visit www.taurususa.com.