On the farm where I grew up, in a very rural part of North Dakota, summers were hot, and the winters were brutally cold. In the spring and fall of the year you enjoyed a few days of spectacular weather and boy did we appreciate them.

That’s a pretty big exaggeration, but those of you from the northern U.S., and rural communities in particular, likely understand just how difficult the winters can be and how quick the summers fly by. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to believe it takes a certain type of person, generally a very optimistic person, to deal with the wild swings in weather and the inherent seclusion that comes from living where you mostly have to do it yourself, and you sometimes just need to do without. There were no YouTube instruction videos to help!

Wow, what an exciting time to be a member of NASGW. Our organization is really taking some major steps forward to position two-step distribution at the forefront of the shooting sports industry. In Las Vegas last week, we announced the recent acquisition of CLX and the upcoming integration with our SCOPE platform.

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.

Trade show “silly season” is upon us. Many of you reading this have already taken part in a whole host of trade show activities and you’ve been traveling like mad as the 2020 sales season gets into full swing. I wish I could alleviate that pain for you all, but it won’t get much better until after IWA in March, and then only just a slight reprieve before we’ll be back at it for the annual NRA event in April. As I’m writing this, and surely as you read this, many of you are putting the final touches on your 2020 Shot Show preparations.

As you do that, I want to take just a moment to wish you all a Happy New Year! I know a number of you, who had a difficult year last year, would prefer to never think of 2019 again. So, let’s all resolve to make 2020 a fantastic year in our industry and put 2019 into the dustbin of history.

Can you believe it is already the end of 2019? This year has flown by. I sincerely hope that you all have had a wonderful Holiday Season. It is a busy time of year for all of us with parties, family get togethers, sporting events, year-end tasks for our businesses and planning for the new year.   Lastly, it’s time to get one more piece of dessert in before the inevitable diet of 2020 begins.

On December 19th, Congress approved two legislative packages which include many strong provisions that will further conservation efforts and benefit America’s sportsmen and women.

On December 16, House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey released the text of two legislative packages that together will fund the government until the end of Fiscal Year 2020. One of the packages released by Chairwoman Lowey, H.R. 1865, includes funding for the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior as well as a number of other federal agencies.

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.

Sometimes the best presents don’t come in a box, aren’t found under the Christmas tree and aren’t decorated in fancy paper and bows. Every once in a while, the best presents come from cutting a giant ribbon out front of your new building, with hundreds of friends there to celebrate with you.

Such was the case earlier this month when Taurus cut the ribbon for the grand opening of their new manufacturing facility in Bainbridge, Georgia. Taurus was very warmly received in the state of Georgia, and even Governor Brian Kemp was on hand to offer his congratulations to one of the world’s largest gun manufacturers for opening up shop in the state. There were hundreds of industry leaders, city, county, and state officials and plenty of local supporters and gun enthusiasts on site.

This time of year, we can’t help but count our blessings. Thanksgiving brings us together with family and friends to reflect on what really matters in life. Thanksgiving is truly my favorite holiday. One of the reasons may be that the weather finally turns cool(er) in Louisiana, as Fall is the season of change. Holiday time brings out smiles, laughter, family gatherings, and of course, cooking. I can’t say that my kids have memories of waking up on Thanksgiving morning to me cooking hot, fresh muffins or to a pumpkin pie baking in the oven in time for our feast.