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Been saying this for 10 years. How many lives can Virtra save? "Better training for police costs less than settlling with brutality victims."
http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2016/04/police_brutality_settlements.html
Long time no comment. I've been a shareholder before 2001, in the GameCom days. I know this company inside and out.
Got tired of waiting and sold all my shares couple years ago at the last spike to $0.15.
Once the debt was paid off and the failed proxy vote back when, management has been very shareholder unfriendly. They don't need us anymore.
Virtra has become a nice employment/retirement plan for management.
I still follow the stock and news. The latest PR, however exciting to newbies, seems to read like the many other empty promises over the years. Its not a "company changing deal" until the contract is signed and Virtra gets a check.
Words like "If successful in winning" don't excite me.
With Trump knocking on the White House door, "simulators to eventually be donated to foreign partners in support of U.S. Foreign Assistance program" will never happen.
There is a 50% x 50% or 25% chance Virtra will ever see $1.
Virtra has a good product, but I'll be waiting for an uplisting to a reputable exchange before re-entering this investment. Good luck to all.
The RT and Gawker articles are negative stories about a Virtra employee with a questionable history of poor judgement. Ferris has defended his employee here:
http://sputniknews.com/us/20150901/1026418053.html
The war on bad cops is ramping up in the media and until the LEO community cleans its own house, its just going to get worse.
Virtra should have done better to vett this guy before hiring him.
I personally no longer own this stock. No agenda here. Just don't trust management's decisions anymore. Good luck to you all.
Listen to this ex-police officer talk about his fellow officer's firearms training. "80% of cops couldn't hit the broad side of a barn." Warning: Some bad language.
http://pca.st/GQG5
The audio starts around 2:10 and listen for about 4 min. Unbelievable.
Background: Michael A. Wood, Jr. is a retired Baltimore police officer and veteran of the USMC. He recently made the news for publicly speaking out against police brutality and has become a proponent of a new era of policing.
Feel free to forward this post to Virtra management.
Many years ago there were rumors of "company changing" deals of $30M and stock prices of $1+. I'm not having much faith in those any longer. I wish the longs luck. My investment had sat stagnant for too long.
Personally, I believe managements vision is not focused on getting us rich, but geared more toward having secure employment through retirement. I respect that. The risk/reward ratio is just not very attractive anymore and I think the investment community agrees.
Watching this stock daily for 10+ years was torture. I got out at 13c, but with the dip below the 52-week average, I may re-enter. I think we'll see 7c again before we see anything higher.
My dream of a large contract is dwindling and even if they get one I have my doubts the stock price will react appropriately.
Any speculation on a bottom price? We're moving into the slow part of the year.
Anyone want to speculate where the volume in the last hour came from?
The TV spot news was already out earlier today. Possible CNN started AC360 promos around 3 EST sparked interest. Can anyone watching CNN please give us an update? Thanks.
Maybe this new PR firm finally convinced Ferris that promoting one's self is about more than just the financial markets. Celebrity publicists don't get actors movie contracts, but help heighten awareness of their existence by attracting eyeballs. Police chiefs and city council members watch TV too.
Did everyone fail to notice this tidbit?
"Barry Monheit, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Modern Round, who has been Chairman of Smith & Wesson (Nasdaq:SWHC) since 2005."
S&W was the suitor that wanted to buy Virtra technology in 2006, subsequently, the CEO then, Kelly Jones, left over it.
This could be interesting.
Virtra isnt currently worth $160M, but we could get a 30c/sh offer. I don't think Ferris would sell though.
Maybe they are changing the name of the company to:
Virtra Systems, A Subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Industries
Virtra Newsletter Released
Letter from the CEO
It is my sincere pleasure to report that VirTra has made substantial gains during the last two quarters. We are deeply thankful for our current and new customers, who selected VirTra for over $10 million in sales orders during the 3rd quarter.
At VirTra, everything we do begins with our customers and those they train. We know that our success hinges on life-like, effective, simulation products that are always improving. The recent surge in marketplace adoption is highly encouraging for both the future of VirTra as well as the future of a higher standard of training for a growing list of customers. Of course, as our customer base expands so must VirTra's capacity. VirTra has been hiring more staff nearly every week to ensure we will succeed with the increased business.
As our list of talented employees and customers grows, and we continue to build on the foundation of 21 years in the simulation industry, our promise of improving effective simulation training has never been brighter!
Sincerely,
Bob Ferris - CEO, VirTra
"VirTra Staff Grows
VirTra selectively hires people who are at the very top of their profession. We are in the process of hiring additional staff, please review our open positions here."
http://www.virtra.com/careers/?utm_source=Q2-Q3+Newsletter+2014+1214&utm_campaign=VirTra+2014+Q2%2FQ3+Newsletter&utm_medium=email
This will be the first year that Virtra won't drop in price on capital tax selling weakness. But, we might see a pull back after the new year for those wanting to delay gains till next year.
The trade show will also help, but I'm speculating most new money will wait till mid-march when the year end financials are released.
I had a huge order to buy at .112 and my new broker missed the dip. Why? Cause my new broker has extra security measures and makes buyers of OTC stocks jump through several extra hoops to trade.
One of those hoops? SMS trade confirmations before sending them to the market.
FERRIS! Can you see why Virtra needs to get off this market?
I wonder what % of potential investors see VTSI in pinks and walk away. Probably more than half.
That's an odd PR to release. What is being implied here?
I recently saw a new 360 degree camera about the size of a GoPro or billiard ball size. The optics still needs work, but I can see these things in the future being strapped to the top of cops.
Who needs to make scenarios when you can get the police to make them for you.
Ive seen something similar in the past with penny stock touters. They accumulate shares under the radar before the pump newsletter is released. Then dump it on the run's strength.
Which means we might see a volume spike this afternoon or tomorrow.
Watching level 2, lots of small volume trades on both buy and sell side.
Are these long term investors trying to accumulate a thin stock or day traders playing the spread?
Market cap of 20M. Google and Apple spend that per month on coffee for their employees. I cant believe Buffet, Gates or Koch types havent stepped in and scooped this company up for pennies. Lockheed is going to miss the boat here. While they seek one federal government meal, Virtra is taking small bites out of a bigger local law enforcement market. They could take it all if they bought Virtra.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department story showed up on Google Finance. Might explain interest.
Yeah, their PR threw a cold water bath onto my excitement with this gem:
"However, I want to remind our shareholders that sales/purchase orders in one quarter are not a guarantee of all the revenue in the following quarter. Each customer’s requirements, fulfillment and set up are unique. VirTra is often subject to customers’ delivery schedules, cancelations, third party protests, milestones, and extensions."
Place this in the disclaimers, not in the body of a release. im skeptical that Virtra will ever promote themselves to the investment community properly. Low risk and high rewards, but very few know about this stock.
Typical rollercoaster of emotions. Virtra stock is predictable. One would think investors would follow it more closely, but again we wait.
Better news than the Lockheed Threatfire Belt purchase and that drove tge stock beyond 10c.
Virtra wins $6 million contract from Department of Homeland Security and the US Customs and Border Protection Agency.
http://usaspending.gov/explore?tab=By+Prime+Awardee&typeofview=complete&frompage=contracts&pageno=7&contractorid=799711929&contractorname=VIRTRA+SYSTEMS+INCORPORATED&fiscal_year=2014
Can one of the moderators pin this post to the top of the forum. Thanks
The contract alone is worth 3.8c per share. The stock, as ive mentioned before, has a buyout value of 10c per share minimum and that was before today.
Once the word gets out that the government wants Virtra, the suitors will come knocking.
Im upping the buyout value of Virtra to at least 15c.
Not sure who is selling today, but you might want to reconsider.
Can someone here actually explain, in plain English, what this PR means? And how will it translate to an increase in shareholder value?
It appears from the reactions here that many of you are also perplexed.
There won't be any link because the buyout negotiations were never concluded. The company that wanted to buy Virtra's technology in 2006 was Smith & Wesson. Talks started within the company's board members and there were conflicts between the then CEO, Kelly Jones, and management. Ultimately Jones resigned causing S&W to back off.
At least that's how I remember it.
At the time, I was never able to find out what role Ferris had in the talks.
Either way, Virtra's technology has value, especially now that the company is essentially in the black. The company is easily worth 10c/sh.
It comes down to trust. I don't care about the inner workings of the business and I'm sure companies despise having to deal with "Armchair Shareholders".
That said, I do expect some feedback in the form of conference calls, PRs, a detailed business plan and some plain honesty about the company's position vs. the competition.
I feel like Virtra is hiding behind Miller. Are they just investor relations or more? Steve Haag was one man and did a much better job at talking to investors.
And when they did put something important up to vote and the consensus went against their wishes they cancelled the proxy.
A large gun manufacturer offered 6c per share for Virtra back in 2006 when the company was in deep debt and had very little sales.
So why not just put the company on the market? Take it private.
It worked for Meggit. $15M could buy the whole thing if Ferris wasn't so stubborn.
Anyone know why he ended up merging Ferris Productions? Is he repeating a mistake? Fear of failure?
Now that the company is in the black, what motivation does management have to increase shareholder value? They don't need the $$ from stock sales. In general, if management keeps getting paid salaries, why care about the value of the shares? I'm curious.
VETERAN, FATHER OF TWO, MURDERED BY IMPERIAL, CA POLICE AT TRAFFIC STOP
http://www.copblock.org/54208/veteranfather-of-2-murdered-by-imperial-ca-police-at-traffic-stop/?utm_source=feedly&utm_reader=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=veteranfather-of-2-murdered-by-imperial-ca-police-at-traffic-stop
How many Virtra 300 systems could this city buy with the $millions in settlement awarded on this stupidity? Where is the marketing?
Even though many of us are here for the longterm, it's still disappointing to experience another rollercoaster ride that ends back where we started. Ultimately we are here to make money, not pass our shares onto our grandchildren.
Every time this happens it drains the stock of some equity and credibility as a very valuable investment in the eyes of a serious market community. How many potential future investors have been frightened away with this short term volatility?
No matter what Ferris & Miller think or say, they continue to ignore the public aspect of the company with a lack of promotional strategies. Shareholders deserve more attention.
Another potential Virtra customer. Why can't training extend to any procedures? Mistakes cost the city $$$.
Suspect Escapes From Handcuffs Shoots Out Patrol Car Window, dies in shootout.
"would be nice to make some real money with it"
Just curious, and this applies to all shareholders on here:
What would you consider a reasonable exit point?
Oculus VR is in the news again. Anyone check to see if this is a VR industry buying spree?
This can't be from Thursday's shareholder meeting because Friday was quite tame. Only two reasons for this run: News leaking or pump.
A little history... Many here don't remember that Ferris's company was bought by Virtra back in 2001.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gamecomferris-announces-new-symbol-vtsi-77208277.html
Ferris's pride is keeping him from selling again. Engineers tend to have a fear of failure. He's gun-shy (no pun).
Ferris, swallow your pride and let a larger competitor take Virtra private. Put out some reasonable offers for the company. Take anything over 15c and retire.
I used to dream of $1-2 share prices that Kelly Jones felt the company could reach back in 2004, but those days are over. Lets all make a little money and move on.
A 20c buyout would cost $32M. Such a drop in the bucket in comparison to Facebook’s $2 billion acquisition of Oculus VR. Technology from a company that's losing money and in which Virtra proved 10 years ago customers did not like or want a head-mounted display.
(FYI, $2B is 62 times $32M)
"Facebook’s $2 billion acquisition of Oculus VR is just one sign of the growing business thirst for using virtual reality technology to change ways of working and improve customer experiences."
http://www.forbes.com/sites/leoking/2014/03/30/facebook-oculus-and-businesses-thirst-for-virtual-reality/
Client Testimonial at Artemis Defense Institute
Dear Steve and Sandy Lieberman,
I wanted to express my gratitude for your services and the training I have recieved from Artemis Defense Institute since you recently opened.
For the past thirty years I have been employed by a large law enforcement agency and worked many differnt partrol assignments in many different places such as Firestone, Carson, Compton, and Lennox, just to name a few. I have recieved a great deal of firearms and defensive tactics training from my Department over the years and I have also sought out my own firrearms training at indoor and outdoor public and private club ranges over the past 25 years.
I thought of myself as a “better than average” shooter, until I challeneged myself in your training and shooting scenarios. I then realized that most of all my shooting training, on and off duty has been in traditional static settings where I normally have shot at paper and metal targets in ranges where the conditions are very controlled. I never had to interact, verbally, with the targets and none of them ever shot back at me forcing me to fight through the pain in order to control my trigger control and sight alignment.
I have also never had such an opportunity to “move” practicing my defensive foot work by continually moving (VirTra 300) to try and improve my position of advantage: before, during and after a shooting. I have finally understood the true menaing of the phrase: “Keep your head on a swivel” after I had been back shot a numbers of times in your scenarios: office, school, and bank.
Your training ideas and scenairos have forced me to ralized I have much more rooom for improvement and training that I must do in order to be a better shooter.
I have also enjoyed the type of professional training I have received at your Institute as it is not the typical Military type “boot camp” tactics where the instructor is God and just yells at the students. I have enjoyed the coaching mentoring style of your training melded with the legal aspects and ramifications in times I have used “simulated” deadly force too quickly or not accurately. I have never receieved that type of immediate feedback during traditional firearms training.
Your decision to open this school for law enforcement and non-law enforcement folks will probably save many lives down the road, but only if responsible people who own or carry guns avail themselves to your services.
That is why I have encouraged both my son and daughter (who are not in law enforcement but both own guns) to include ADI into their normal shooting training and practice.
Thank you again for opening my eyes and helping me to become a better shooter and law enforcement professional.
Sincerely,
Bret Parker
VirTra Systems : TACTICAL TRAINING AND BIRTHDAY PARTIES
04/11/2014 | 11:08am US/EasternRecommend:
0
Boise native Matt Schneider saw a need for tactical training "in the crazy world we live in," so on March 1, he opened the 25,000-square-foot Forward Movement Training Center.
The facility in downtown Meridian provides classes in self-defense and concealed weap- ons, but it goes far beyond a matted room with an instructor in a black belt-although, it has that, too.
In the middle of FMTC's giant concrete- floored warehouse sits a charming blue house with white trim. The house has five bedrooms and two baths, with pictures framed on the walls, knickknacks on the shelves, even a satellite dish on the exterior. But it's no home-sweet-home; instructors at FMTC use it to simulate realistic home inva- sions, complete with windows that can be broken again and again.
Next to the house, there's a bank where Schneider offers robbery and hostage situa- tion training to bank tellers. Custom classes like that are available for businesses and individuals.
But Schneider is probably most excited about the VirTra-a wall-sized screen with actors playing out a range of scenarios, from home invasions to robberies to handling a suicidal person. Trainees use an actual gun outfitted with a laser instead of a magazine to navigate each situation.
"It's a judgment-based simulator," Schnei- der said. As these scenarios unfold, trainees have to decide if they'll use force, possibly lethally, or address the situation verbally. The simulator tracks their shots, showing accuracy and tracking if innocent bystanders were hit.
"The real benefit is for the civilian side," he added. "Lots of people have a concealed weapons permit, they carry the gun, but they don't have the training. Now they can be trained in world-dynamic situations. It's much different than shooting at a paper target."
Schneider said many people leave the room with sweaty palms and armpits and an elevated heart rate. Spending 45 minutes in the VirTra costs $65. Training is available for citizens, law enforcement, armed security, paramedics, SWAT and military.
FMTC goes beyond tactical training and also offers courses in first aid and youth wilderness survival, as well as team-building activities that include obstacle courses and shooting at balloons with air guns.
They even host children's birthday par- ties. Schneider will happily switch the VirTra from a "domestic terrorism" scenario to a game of duck hunt or shoot-the-asteroids- before-they-hit-the-rocketship.
-Jessica Murri
"Don't bother to get of f the couch or anything, I got this."
(c) 2014 Boise Weekly
http://www.4-traders.com/VIRTRA-SYSTEMS-INC-3701047/news/VirTra-Systems--TACTICAL-TRAINING-AND-BIRTHDAY-PARTIES-18247985/