President's Message: Walk the Talk

How many of you grew up with parents who told you if you’re going to “talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk”?

What they meant of course is that you can’t just say you’re going to do something, you’ve actually got to do it, or the talk is meaningless. Well, on one particular issue, it’s time for me to start walking a little more often. So these next few paragraphs are going to be just that… talking and walking.

This is not a column I wanted to write. Not because the issue isn’t important, but because it’s a challenging one. It’s hard to talk about mental health and its impacts on our daily lives. It’s even more of a challenge when you throw into the mix the notion of guns and suicide.

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NASGW Expo Hotel Solicitation

Several NASGW members have notified us that they have received phone calls and emails from companies called Convenue Hotels and  NTA Travel soliciting rooms for our upcoming Expo in Kansas City.

Please know that these companies, or any other third-party company that is contacting you to book rooms, are absolutely NOT authorized to sell hotel rooms to our exhibitors or any other NASGW Member.

Not only are you risking a potential scam when booking rooms outside of NASGW contracted room blocks, but it greatly impacts our ability to secure rooms and group room rates at hotels in the future. When we fail to fill our room blocks, hotels are less likely to look at our event as a viable partner. I ask that you please utilize the link that will be provided next week by NASGW to book your rooms at the Marriott Downtown Kansas City, our headquarters hotel. This will get you the best rate and make sure your reservation counts toward our event.

Room block information for the Marriott will be released on April 22nd when registration for our 50th Expo opens.

2024 Q1 SCOPE™ Report Now Available

The 2024 Q1 SCOPE Report is now available. The Overview Report is included in your NASGW membership and can be downloaded by just clicking the button below. The enhanced Detail Report goes deeper and provides an additional level of information for those looking to understand regional distribution and product segmentation. The Detail Report is available at no cost for current SCOPE subscribers, by logging into your SCOPE portal, and available for purchase by NASGW members who are not currently subscribed to SCOPE. 

If We Don't Speak Out, Who Will? 

“That would never happen” and if it does, “I’ll call the cops for help.” These are common expressions we hear in the gun industry as justifications for people who don’t think they need to own a firearm for protection. We typically shake our heads in disbelief someone could be so ignorant. Sadly, when it comes to politics and fighting for our Second Amendment rights, many gun owners suffer from a similar perspective deadly to the 2A cause.

In recent weeks, I’ve been running around in exhaustion trying to spread the word to gun owners and firearms retailers of the repercussions of the “assault weapons” ban bill hitting Colorado once again. Two types of people spoke the loudest to me: Those who deny it will happen, and those who rely on others to fight and save them. Congrats, gun owners! You officially rationalize like the anti-gun crowd. In a community that prides itself on self-reliance and being your own defender, this reduced outlook goes against everything this industry stands for.

Firearm Industry Leaders Flock to DC For NSSF Congressional Fly-In

It was perfect timing for dozens of firearm industry leaders to congregate in the halls of Congress in Washington, D.C., to speak with elected leaders during the 2024 NSSF Congressional Fly-In. It’s been a confluence of numerous trends – both celebrated and concerning – for the firearm industry over the past three years and Members of Congress needed to hear firsthand how the policies they are debating impact the nearly 385,000 Americans employed within the Constitutionally-protected firearm and ammunition industry, as well as the several million law-abiding Americans who lawfully purchase – and seek to purchase – firearms every year.

All told, dozens of firearm industry leaders came into town to get critical facetime with policymakers, both in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Industry leaders met with over 80 Members and Senators, as well as congressional staffers who monitor and track Second Amendment and firearm industry-related legislation.

SHOT Show a Record-Breaking Success

The 46th Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, owned and operated by NSSF — The Firearm Industry Trade Association — was a resounding success, setting new benchmarks for industry innovation, collaboration and engagement. With an expanded show floor, a record-high number of exhibitors, and an array of new features and networking opportunities, the 2024 SHOT Show was the largest to date.

More than 55,400 industry professionals packed the 13.9 miles of aisles over four days at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum, eager to view new, innovative products used for target shooting, hunting, outdoor recreation and law enforcement.

Firearms Shipments

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UPCOMING EVENTS

May 7, 2024

NSSF Marketing & Leadership Summit

Ponte Vedra, FL

May 14, 2024

Congressional Clays Competition

Glenn Dale, MD

May 17-19, 2024

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Dallas, TX

July 30, 2024

NSSF Annual Import/Export Conference

Washington, D.C.

October 15-18, 2024

NASGW Expo

Kansas City, MO