President's Message:
Will Artificial Intelligence Lead to More In-Person Sales?

Sometimes people say things and it hits you right in the face.

For example: “I think the rise in AI (artificial intelligence) is actually going to mean an increase in in-person sales and interactions.” This was said by entrepreneur Ronan Perceval, the founder of a software company on a recent podcast.

He went on to explain that with the growing prevalence of AI, people are likely going to start tuning it out. It’s his belief as a business and software leader that because every email, video and photo have the potential of being generated by AI, and because it’s getting harder and harder to tell what’s real and what’s fake, people simply won’t believe any of it.

Will it come to that? Will we be forced to look people in the eye and make handshakes again in order to have faith? To trust? Will the lack of trust in AI lead to a return to in-person sales? I think he makes a compelling argument.

FEATURED ARTICLES

REMINDER: Have You Registered for the Expo?

Second Amendment Foundation May Updates

SCOTUS Denies Cert in Worth, SAF Win in Eight Circuit Stands

In a case that could potentially have far-reaching implications for similar lawsuits across the nation, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Minnesota’s Petition for Writ of Certiorari in Jacobson v. Worth, the Second Amendment Foundation’s (SAF) challenge to the 18-20-year-old carry ban in the state.

Minnesota asked the Supreme Court to take the case after SAF was granted an injunction at the district court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed. The high court’s refusal to hear the case means the Eighth Circuit’s ruling stands as a final judgment, confirming SAF’s win.

Federal Anti-Credit Card Tracking Code Legislation Moves Forward

Last month, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law HB 1509, the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, bringing the total number of states with similar laws to 20. It’s a significant and positive development. The Second Amendment Privacy Act legislation – similarly titled in other states – prohibits financial institutions, credit card companies and payment processors from using a firearm retailer-specific Merchant Category Code (MCC) to track firearm and ammunition purchases. NSSF was the first to call foul on the MCC creators and supporters back in 2022 and has been at the forefront of bringing these protections to gun and ammunition purchasers.

Now there’s even greater momentum – and a more favorable political landscape – for the federal legislation in the same vein that would block activist banks and gun control allies from tracking and denying purchases at firearm retailers made by law-abiding Americans exercising their Second Amendment rights.

NASGW Expo Hotel Blocks Are Now Open

Along with Expo registration, the hotel room block at the Gaylord Texan is available for you to make your reservations. The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center is the host hotel for the 2025 Annual Meeting & Expo. All hotel reservations will be processed through our authorized housing bureau, Orchid Events. Hotel reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served, space available basis. Submit your request as soon as possible for the best opportunity of receiving your hotel choice.

REMINDER: Please do not book rooms through any other third-party hotel solicitations via email or phone calls. Hidden fees, restrictions or no cancellation policies are typically associated with unauthorized room solicitations. If in doubt, please contact mpawelski@nasgw.org or staff@nasgw.org.

Colorado Gun Owners Facing 2A Assault

As the Colorado legislative session closes, its 2025 edition will long be remembered and lamented as a historic assault on the Second Amendment. The worst-case scenario of erasing the fundamental and constitutional protections of the Second Amendment with the stroke of a pen came true for Coloradans. It’s an example all Americans, especially those who believe they live in a “safe” state for gun rights, should heed.

With Governor Jared Polis’s signature on three consequential firearm bills, the stark reality is that these laws take effect next year, and while the legal fight will continue, it is critical for citizens to fully understand the application and effect of this egregious legislation.

2025 Q1 SCOPE Report is Now Available

This quarterly update provides a timely snapshot of distributor shipment data and key trends shaping the shooting sports industry in the first months of the year.

As a NASGW member, you can access the Overview Report—included with your membership—by clicking the button below. For those seeking deeper insight into regional distribution, category performance, and product segmentation, the Detail Report offers a more comprehensive analysis.

The Detail Report is free for current SCOPE subscribers via the SCOPE portal, and available for purchase to NASGW members who are not currently subscribed. It is also provided at no cost when scheduling a demo with the SCOPE team.

Firearms Shipments

Ammunition Shipments

Optics Shipments

See the Bills Impacting the Shooting Sports Industry at the State and Federal Level

2025 continues to see ups and downs in the economy at the federal and state level. There are numerous bills impacting our industry Stay up to date by checking the NASGW Bill Tracker. 

The NASGW Bill Tracker monitors pending legislation that directly affects the firearms industry, at the Federal and State level. The bills are reflective of the current legislative sessions based on jurisdiction and include defeated, passed and pending bills until the current legislative session ends. Sort bills by their current progress, category, state or region and bill year. Stay informed about current legislation in the works before it impacts your business. 

Click below to view the latest bills of interest. 

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

• Fair Access to Banking Needs to Be a Congressional Priority
• Anti-gun Democrats Dig  Themselves an Ever Deeper Hole
• US Consumer Sentiment Falls as Inflation Worries Rise
• Sen. Schiff Picks up the Gun Control Torch
• Supply Chain Volatility Spikes Amid Tariffs, Trade Tension 

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 23-25, 2025

POMA Annual Meeting

Oregon, OH

October 15-17, 2025

NASGW Expo

Grapevine, TX