I started and stopped this column approximately 10 times before settling on what you see here now. I was going to write about the market, predictions, forecasts, sales figures, NASGW new projects, thoughts on the New Year, and even some thoughts on the year we just had.

Instead I’ve decided to focus on something entirely different: gratefulness.

I want each one of you reading this to know just how grateful that I am specifically, and how grateful NASGW is for your continued support, encouragement, and dedication to the shooting sports industry and to the 2-step distribution channel.

What you do, matters. What we do together, matters. What this industry does for this country, matters. What this industry does to provide people with jobs, recreation, and self-protection, matters.

It seems none of what we do these days in the shooting sports world is easy. There’s no perfect way to predict the future because something will inevitably come up that can change everything you thought you knew.

But there is one thing we can always do, no matter what is thrown our way. We can always choose to be grateful, even if things aren’t perfect.

As we close in on the end of another year around the sun, I’m incredibly grateful we get to do it at all. Every day I wake up and get to take part in an industry I love, with people who inspire and encourage me to be even better tomorrow. How can you not be grateful?

I hope your 2022 turned out to be amazing, but even if it wasn’t, I hope you can find the good in what did come your way and I hope and pray that the year we have in front of us will be even better than amazing.

I want to wish you all a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and cheers to a wonderful and prosperous New Year!

I am grateful. I hope you are too.

Until next year,