What is happening in our country today is, at the very least, unprecedented. The failed assassination attempt of former President Trump followed by the withdraw of President Biden from this November's ballot, are all adding to the plot of an uncertain fall election cycle.  Last week, we watched as protestors defaced our Capitol with graffiti and messages in opposition to our country. It sure seems like the political arena just keeps getting more chaotic.  There are many questions surrounding this Fall's election and how it will impact our businesses over the next four years. Currently, it appears that we could have an ally in the Oval Office, which should help stabilize the negative political influences and attacks on our industry, but the impact of sales is still a mystery.  Many of us have been around the industry long enough to have endured the constant ups and downs and I'm confident that despite the challenges ahead, we will band together and navigate the unknowns no matter the outcome.

Meanwhile, in our own industry, summer has taken hold and has certainly created an extended election year slowdown. SCOPE data has shown that ammunition has been a bright spot at times, but we haven’t seen firearms rebound to the extent that most of us had hoped for.  As we continue to navigate the coming months, we need to exploit all the tools at our disposal.  SCOPE is just one way to empower data, but we should also lean on our partners like NASGW, NSSF, and Orchid to name a few.  With the NASGW annual show now just a couple of months away, please ensure your company is locking down your hotel reservations as the NASGW room blocks are quickly filling up. Likewise, NASGW has put together an advertising opportunity in the 50th Expo Commemorative Directory that that they're putting together in honor of this major milestone year; please reach out to Meg or Kenyon if you have interest in participating.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the US Olympians representing our country in Paris. I so enjoy watching our athletes compete on a global stage and reinvigorating a sense of American pride. Maybe these Summer Olympics are just what we all need to bring us back together and overcome the political circus being portrayed by our media. 

Until next time,

Bill Sumner

NASGW Chairman