Those who have been in the shooting sports industry long enough have undoubtedly heard of NASGW and the Annual NASGW Expo. The Expo is the premier event for wholesalers and manufacturers to connect, discuss sales results from the current year, introduce new products, and plan sales for the upcoming year. It is an efficient week for manufacturers and wholesalers alike. They get a few days to meet with as many partners as possible, all in one location, and without the involvement of consumers or dealers, so it’s a very “focused” opportunity.

As has been our family's tradition for several years, our annual Chanukah celebration takes place on Christmas Day. It’s the most logical time for everyone to get together. The candle lighting takes the place of the tree lighting, and the traditional turkey is replaced with a taco bar. The beautiful buffet was filled with all of the usual fixings: taco shells, tortillas, ground meat, bell peppers, onions, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes, and three kinds of salsa (you get the idea).
Now comes the family discussion over which order to line them up on the buffet. Seven people, seven opinions. Nevertheless, it was a celebration, exactly as we had planned, and we were all grateful for the small family gathering and the opportunity to be together and exchange gifts. Let the rejoicing begin!

NSSF’s Government Relations Team dedicates its time and resources to supporting legislation beneficial to our industry and fighting those bills that infringe on our rights to legally conduct business and compromise everyone’s Second Amendment rights. Team members attend legislative hearings on the federal, state and local levels year-round across the nation, keeping their finger on the pulse of those issues affecting us.

While we are, of course, waiting for Georgia’s state runoffs to determine the balance of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, the intents of the Biden administration when it comes to firearms in this country have come in sharper focus.

“Success doesn’t come by wishing and wanting… it comes by doing.”

I honestly don’t remember where exactly I saw or heard that. I must have been in a hurry though, because I wrote it just that way in my phone notes app… with no further explanation. I usually write more so I can refer back to it later. Regardless, the fact of the quote does not change – success requires work.

I’m in the middle of a book right now sent to me by an industry friend whom many of you will know. His name is Gene Lumsden, and the book is called “Grand: How to Take Your Shot at the American Dream.” Gene signed it and sent it to me a while back and I’ve been reading it now over the past few days.

As the song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of year,” and I couldn’t agree more, especially in 2020. This year has been a ride of a lifetime and I don’t think any of you would disagree. This holiday season will hopefully be a celebration and a send-off to the year that was.

Each Thanksgiving, our family celebrates over a generous lunch accompanied by too many desserts and good wine. For this I am grateful. (NOTE: For the record, there were only seven of us at the table and there were no cooties spread during the consumption of our meal.) During our lunch, we each take a turn to go around the table and express what we are grateful for. I always look forward to this tradition and I’m often surprised and delighted by what is said. One key comment that was made was that it doesn’t matter what you have been given; you should work hard to earn things for yourself and don’t rely on others to do it for you. It was a lesson that everyone could appreciate.

NSSF’s Government Relations Team dedicates its time and resources to supporting legislation beneficial to our industry and fighting those bills that infringe on our rights to legally conduct business and compromise everyone’s Second Amendment rights. Team members attend legislative hearings on the federal, state and local levels year-round across the nation, keeping their finger on the pulse of those issues affecting us.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been taking a very deep dive into all things aviation, as I’m working toward a life-long dream of getting my private pilot license. When I say deep dive, of course, I mean studying things in ground school. Fortunately, there have been no deep dives in my actual piloting (I’m going to make sure it stays that way too).

For anyone who flies a lot, whether commercial or on a private airplane, you know all too well that your perspective on things is considerably different when up in the air. You see things from a much bigger and broader perspective.

Latest on the Paycheck Protection Program

Deductibility of expenses:  As you know, the IRS ruled earlier this year that otherwise-tax-deductible expenses that are paid with a forgiven PPP loan will not be deductible.  This ruling is in direct conflict with the statute, which clearly said PPP loans would not be taxable.  NAW and our trade association colleagues have been working with allies in the House and Senate to pass legislation that would reaffirm statutory intent and reverse the IRS ruling.  We have also communicated with the SBA and Treasury urging that the IRS ruling be rescinded, but with no success – Secretary Mnuchin has been truly “dug-in” on this issue.

November 3rd. It’s finally here. It feels a bit silly to submit my monthly column just prior to the Presidential election, but here it goes. I’m not a professional political commentator, nor do I want to predict the winner. Let’s just hope we have a clear winner right away, so we can all get on with our lives. I whispered to my friends as they headed to the polls, “Make good choices.”

I get asked this question frequently, “So what do you think will happen to gun sales if Trump wins (or if Biden wins)?” yada yada yada. My answer hasn’t changed much in the past several election cycles. My answer of “We will be fine” is not a complacent one. I know we will have challenges either way, but our industry is tough, and we have the right people on Capitol Hill (NSSF, CSF, and others) fighting for our Second Amendment and hunting/shooting rights. The fight may be more challenging at times, but we’ve been there for each other, and we fight together.

NSSF’s Government Relations Team dedicates its time and resources to supporting legislation beneficial to our industry and fighting those bills that infringe on our rights to legally conduct business and compromise everyone’s Second Amendment rights. Team members attend legislative hearings on the federal, state and local levels year-round across the nation, keeping their finger on the pulse of those issues affecting us.