Firearm Forum in Rapid City

     PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - For a second year in a row, representatives
of firearms and ammunition companies are gathering in Rapid City
for a forum aimed at expanding those industries in South Dakota.
     State officials say nearly 100 people are expected to attend the
forum Thursday at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
     Gov. Dennis Daugaard says the forum will identify resources that
will help South Dakota's firearms industry expand. He says it also
will let company officials learn about the research and testing
capabilities of the state's universities and technical institutes.
     The governor says last year's forum allowed the School of Mines
and Technology to establish contracts with two of the nation's
biggest firearms companies.
     South Dakota now has 51 firearms and ammunition companies that
have more than 630 employees.