President's Message: Change is a Good Thing

I grew up playing a lot of sports. And I remain a huge fan of all kinds of sports. NFL, MLB, college basketball, baseball and football, you name it; I watch it. I’m a giant fan of the Olympics, winter and summer. I’d honestly ditch my cable subscription if it weren’t for the games I’d miss out on.

My knees keep me from getting out there and doing much on the court or in the field anymore, though from time to time I do make some questionable decisions in that regard. Then I regret it for a few days (weeks) afterward.

One of the critical things I learned playing sports is that change is part of the game. I’m not saying you should change just for the sake of change. But just because you’ve always done something a certain way doesn’t mean that’s the way it should stay.

If we had a pitcher who lost his stuff, we brought in a new one. If our shooting guard no longer had the touch, we had someone else step on the court. 

FEATURED ARTICLES

NASGW and the Hummel Group Launch
Fortify Insurance

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), the association representing shooting sports wholesalers, manufacturers, and their trade partners, and the Hummel Group announced earlier this month the creation of risk management and insurance solutions designed for the Shooting Sports Industry, called Fortify Insurance.

"We are extremely excited to offer insurance solutions to our industry at a time when many insurance providers are turning their back on us," said Kenyon Gleason, President of NASGW. "Our partners at the Hummel Group have years of experience working with our industry and others that experience similar outside pressures. They understand our unique challenges and are committed to being a great option for businesses struggling to find insurance providers."

Shotgun Sales on the Rise – More Heading to the Field

There’s a range with shotguns. You either have one, old inherited pump shotgun or a small collection of target and hunting shotguns. Compared to the myriad of handgun and rifle cartridges, variety in shotguns tends to come in action type and appearance.

2020 and 2021 were both strange years for gun sales. The pandemic and political unrest inspired many to look into options for home protection. For whatever reason, most go to a handgun as the first line of defense, even if it isn’t the best option given the circumstances. A shotgun is longer and not very concealable, but perfect for someone who just wants something in the house. Shotguns are valued for their versatility. If you want to only own one gun, a shotgun will do for hunting, target shooting, and personal protection.

3 Hot Takes from the 2022 NASGW Expo

Last month, scores of manufacturers and the industry’s leading wholesale distributors convened in Kansas City for the 2022 NASGW Expo & Annual Meeting. Thanks to its timing in the calendar, the NASGW Expo often sets the tone for the year ahead — as well as serving as a rallying cry for the industry.

Here are three “hot takes” from this year’s event.

Firearms Industry Compliance Education

Webinar: Digital Compliance & Your FFL Business

Monday, December 5, 1-2 PM EST

ATF Rulings in 2016 allowed FFLs the opportunity to request approval to maintain records and complete ATF Form 4473s electronically. Fast forward to today and ATF has made it even easier for FFLs to go digital. No matter how big or small your firearms business is or how far you may want to transition into the digital world, there’s likely a solution for you.

This webinar will explore the ATF Rulings and requirements to take the next step toward this digital advancement. We’ll help you understand the steps and cost effectiveness of implementation, as well as the successes and possible pitfalls with transitioning to help determine if it’s the right fit for your operation. We’ll also help alleviate the concerns and provide insights into what you need to know with knowledge and confidence should you want to move forward with making the transition.

Interest for SCOPE Has Never Been Higher!

After an exciting Expo interest in SCOPE has been at an all-time high. Businesses are seeing just how valuable distributor data and retail data are when combined together. The addition of our new Universal Dashboard makes SCOPE more accessible for businesses looking to leverage data. Schedule a meeting with the SCOPE team to learn all the different ways SCOPE can benefit your business. 

Firearms Shipments

Ammunition Shipments

Optics Shipments

Time to Register for the 2023 Shooting Sports Showcase in Talladega, Alabama

The 2023 Shooting Sports Showcase is right around the corner. Next year's event is planned for March 27th & 28th at the CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park. The Shooting Sports Showcase is a private event providing firearms companies with the opportunity to showcase their products to distributors, dealers, and members of the media. Each year this event continues to grow with more firearms manufacturers, more lanes, and more attendees. Register now to get a head start on planning. 

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

• Gun Controller Wants Glocks Regulated Like Machineguns
• Wholesale Inflation Eases in October
• Delivering the Experience B2B Buyers Want
• NSSF Challenges Claims Against Firearms Manufacturers
• Keys to a Resilient Supply Chain

UPCOMING EVENTS

January 17-20, 2023

SHOT Show

Las Vegas, NV

February 4-12, 2023

Great American Outdoor Show

Harrisburg, PA

March 27-28, 2023

Shooting Sports Showcase

Talladega, AL

April 14-16, 2023

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Indianapolis, IN

June 12-15, 2023

POMA Business Conference

Broken Arrow, OK