Happy New Year 2014 From the GunLink Family
To all of the GunLink readers, followers, visitors fans, friends and +1ers, thanks for a great 2013 and here’s hoping for an even better 2014. We met and talked to new people, made new friends, learned new stuff and we hope to see all of that continue in the new year.
There is a supposedly-Chinese curse that says “May you live in interesting times” and, as far as our Second Amendment rights go, we certainly are. 2013 saw a number of 2A gains as well as some losses and renewed pushes for gun control fueled by anti-gun zealots desperately trying to “not let a tragedy go to waste.” While you’re making your new years resolutions, consider adding something to your list to help protect the right to keep and bear arms. Whether it’s organizing a local group for grassroots action, contacting your representatives using a tool like POPVOX, or supporting pro-2A businesses and avoiding anti-2A businesses, many small steps put together equals a lot of progress.
Don’t forget that 2014 starts off with a bang for firearms enthusiasts. At SHOT Show, the big trade show for the shooting, hunting and outdoor industries in January, the latest and greatest technology from all the big companies will be on display and GunLink will be there to cover it for you (note that SHOT is industry-only). If you’re the outdoors type, you’ll have an opportunity to see some new gadgets and gizmos for yourself at the Great American Outdoor Show in February. Then, in April, you’ll have a chance to connect with other RKBA supporters at the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits, where you can see some of what you missed at SHOT.
Have a safe, happy and prosperous 2014, GunLink-ers!
NSSF Reaches 10,000-Member Milestone
NEWTOWN, Conn. — The membership roll of the National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®) has topped 10,000 — an all-time high for the trade association of the firearms industry.
The major milestone comes in advance of NSSF’s Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) in January, where the association usually adds significantly to its membership totals. NSSF members include manufacturers, distributors, federally licensed firearms retailers, shooting facilities, outdoor media publishers, industry associates and individuals. Special member categories include Voting Members and Supporting Members.
“NSSF membership continues to climb because more industry-connected companies, organizations and individuals are aware of the many ways NSSF works to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports,” said Chris Dolnack, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “Such growth empowers NSSF to speak with a single, powerful voice on behalf of industry inside the Beltway and in state houses across the country.”
NSSF members benefit from many initiatives in the areas of government relations, communications, firearm safety, increasing participation in the shooting sports, the SHOT Show, and discounts and benefits related to their business. “The more member support we have, the more we can help support and protect their businesses and their customer base,” said Dolnack.
Learn more about why so many industry companies are joining the National Shooting Sports Foundation at this website. Continue reading
NFL to Daniel Defense: “No Ads for You!”
You’ve probably heard some of the hubbub about the NFL rejecting Daniel Defense‘s commercial for inclusion in the Superbowl ad rotation. The ad was rejected based on the “no guns allowed” policy when it comes to commercials that they run. This, despite the fact that there are no firearms shown or mentioned in the advertisement save for the one in the company logo (which they even offered to remove, to no avail).
If you haven’t seen the commercial, here it is in it’s nasty, offensive entirety:
Pretty awful stuff, right? Continue reading
Busy Show Season Approaching for Firearms, Shooting and Outdoor Aficionados
Firearms enthusiasts, hunters, outdoorsmen, law enforcement personnel and members of firearms related industries will have ample opportunity to see the latest and greatest new offerings over the course of the next few months. The first half of the 2014 calendar is host to a number of large shows and exhibitions catering to these markets, including the NSSF SHOT Show, NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits and the Great American Outdoor Show. There may have been a few shake-ups in the world of firearms shows over the past year but, as they say, the show must go on…
It’s hard to believe that it’s only a month away, but the year starts off with a bang in January at the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s (NSSF) Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show). The annual industry-only show is held Continue reading
SHOT Show Offers Educational Opportunities
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades Show (SHOT Show) ins’t just about seeing the latest and greatest guns and gear that is coming down the line. The show offers great opportunities to get the education you need to be successful in your field, wether it’s law enforcement, operating a shooting range or selling firearms and accessories.
SHOT Show University
SHOT Show University, held January 13 (the day before SHOT Show starts), offers four separate course tracks that you can check out based on your educational needs: ATF Compliance, Marketing, Retail Operations and Range Operations. These courses cover everything from Error Proofing your 4473 Forms to using social media, from taking inventory to hiring the right people and everything in between.
Retailer Seminars
Retailer Seminars run from January 14-17 and cover a variety of topics including grassroots political organizing, NFA compliance, background checks, loss prevention and much more.
Law Enforcement Education Program
This program, which also runs the duration of the show, January 14-17, is presented by NSSF and Law Officer Magazine. The LEEP covers topics including advanced sighting systems, illumination systems, recruiting practices, low light training, enhanced weapons systems and more.
Visit the SHOT Show Education page to see the full schedules and register for courses to help you get the most out of your SHOT Show attendance.
Freeman Named Official Services Contractor for SHOT Show
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, has awarded Freeman a five-year contract to serve as the official exposition services contractor for the SHOT Show, beginning with the 2014 show.
“In this period of transition, our goal is to maintain continuity for our customers to help make their SHOT Show experience the best it can possibly be. Our new agreement with Freeman provides that continuity and continues to deliver best-in-class services to our exhibitors,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
Freeman is the leading global partner for integrated marketing solutions for live engagements. It produces more than 4,300 expositions annually, including 135 of the 250 largest U.S. trade shows, and 11,000 Continue reading
