As hundreds of businesses across the country have been forced to close as being “non-essential” during the coronavirus pandemic, the National Shooting Sports Foundation^®(NSSF^®) has worked nonstop to have firearm retailers, ranges, manufacturers and distributors listed as “essential.” There have been numerous challenges to this even in gun-friendly states, but to date, we have been successful in keeping the doors open and businesses operating in more than 20 states and in numerous towns and cities that have enacted stay-at-home orders. 
 
We did not realize these successes alone. NSSF’s thousands of members were making phone calls to legislators and law enforcement at all levels of government, right alongside our Government Relations team, letting them know what was happening in their communities. Together, they made the message crystal clear: It is critical, essential, that our manufacturers, distributors, retailers, ranges and importers remain operational.
 
Our collective ability to influence lawmakers and keep our businesses open now has federal backing. Late in March, NSSF secured a “critical infrastructure” listing from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for nearly all sectors of our industry—and again, it was NSSF members, working right alongside us, who were instrumental in championing this effort.
 
I’m asking you now to join your colleagues—especially if your business has remained open during this crisis—and become an NSSF member. There are many, many challenges we have yet to face and many unknowns, but as the trade association for the firearm industry—your trade association—we know from long experience in other difficult times that our strength derives from our numbers. 
 
This crisis will pass and, if there’s a silver lining in it all, there are hundreds of thousands, evenmillionsof people who have become firearm owners for the very first time during this pandemic—and they will be turning to your business for new products and education when it’s over. Please join us in being a part of the fight to get through this and the successes to be found at the other end.
 
Sincerely,

Mike Vrooman
National Shooting Sports Foundation 
Managing Director – Member Services 

We’ve all learned new terms over the past several weeks that will now be in our vocabulary for some time such as social distancing and “elbumping” (heck, we aren’t even doing that anymore).  As I write this newsletter, I sit in my home office which I use from time to time, but never to the extent I am now.  As I look around, I’m constantly reminded of the filing and the dusting that is long overdue.  Honestly, I’m looking forward to cleaning it up.  I’ve actually taken on a household project every single day.  Some days the projects are more ambitious (think bathrooms and closets), but others are small.  Regardless, I feel a sense of accomplishment in doing this at both my home and in my office at work.  Who knew I would look forward to cooking each evening?  This too shall pass…

The Government Relations Team of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, 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 2nd 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. They are pleased to provide a monthly summary of legislation that directly affects and impacts the business of NASGW members.

I can honestly tell you, as I now approach 50 years on the planet, I’ve had the opportunity to experience some pretty amazing and unique things. Some good, some really awful.

When I was a television anchor and reporter, I had the chance to fly with the Blue Angels. Won’t EVER forget that. As controversial as the wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone was (and still is), it was still pretty incredible to be in the enclosure the day they brought in a mother and her pups. We were allowed to film and even pet the wolf pups briefly. It was surreal.

In a recent conversation, a manufacturer shared a unique perspective about how they consume data:

"Applying data is about understanding and managing exceptions," he said.

Like the back corner shelves of a distributor warehouse – data is inherently messy. How some of it got there is complicated. There's clutter to sort through before anyone can determine what's valuable and what should be thrown to the wind.

When I was given the opportunity to go to Argentina for my first dove hunt in the “promised land,” I jumped at the chance. I had always heard about the wonderful experience out in the field shooting birds until your shoulder can’t take it anymore. There were so many added benefits that surprised me as well: grilled meats and vegetables for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; an unlimited supply of Malbec; and a great upper-body workout that was much tougher than being in a sweaty gym. Getting back to a smoothie diet is now a welcomed change.

Everyone in the firearms industry understands their business is strictly regulated by several federal and state government agencies. The obvious one at the forefront of the mind of most is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”).  While many believe government agencies are free to implement whatever restrictions or controls upon your business that they see fit, they are largely bound by laws passed by Congress, or applicable state legislature, in setting regulatory requirements. Thus, the regulations adopted by any government agency, ATF in particular, are what that agency sees as what Congress would adopt or approve of if they were to get into the details as agencies are required to do.