President's Message:
Technological Victory

My wife got me a VCR for Father’s Day.

And right about now, you’re wondering one of a few things. Maybe this lady is loony? Did she time warp back to the 80’s or 90’s? Does she not realize they quit making these things in about 2016?

Well, I assure you, she’s not loony, she didn’t jump back in time and yes, she’s aware manufacturers quit making them in 2016. She told me as much when she gave it to me. She knows because it was apparently a rather challenging thing to find a working VCR for sale anywhere. It’s not exactly new, it’s refurbished. Though it does look like new. And it works. Swimmingly, I might add. 

So, if you’re still reading along, you’re also probably asking the age-old question, “Why?”

Well, I’ll tell you why. First, because she loves me. I mean, no one would go to this sort of trouble if they didn’t. But more importantly, she knows I’ve wanted one for a long time, and she’s thoughtful like that. 

FEATURED ARTICLES

Submissions for the 2025 Caliber Awards & New Product Showcase are Now Open

NASGW is now accepting submissions for the 2025 New Product Showcase and the NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards. This is your opportunity to highlight the latest and most innovative products from your company at the NASGW Expo. NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards will honor the highest caliber new products in seven product categories, including the best new rifle, handgun, shotgun, ammunition, optic, best new accessory, and best new suppressor. We’ll also select an overall best new product award chosen from the finalists of all seven categories. The Caliber Awards are chosen by an independent panel of 18 industry professionals, encompassing hundreds of years of experience in the Shooting Sports Industry. The deadline to submit is August 1st, so don't wait.

New Product Video Features - New for 2025

NASGW Manufacturer Members can take their product visibility to the next level with our New Product Video Features. For just $750, manufacturers can have a
10–15 second 360° product video professionally created and showcased on two massive 10'x16' video walls located on the NASGW Expo show floor, as well as on a dedicated video board in the SCOPE Lounge. These high-impact visuals ensure your product stands out in front of key industry decision-makers.

As part of the process, manufacturers will ship their product to PVS Studios (an FFL holder), where a high-quality photos and video will be produced. Manufacturers will work directly with PVS Studios to review and approve the final cut. Upon completion, you’ll also receive a copy of the video & product photos to use in your own future marketing efforts.

The Industry's Resounding Supreme Court Victory

In Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc., et al. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected the Mexican government’s brazen lawsuit designed to regulate the firearm industry into oblivion based on an attenuated theory of liability for the lawless actions of narco-terrorist cartels within its own borders. The ruling is a resounding victory for the rule of law, as it vindicates the principles underlying the bipartisan Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which Congress passed in 2005 for the very purpose of stopping frivolous lawsuits just like this one.

Mexico Seeks Gun Control Through Judicial Fiat

In 2021 Mexico sued Smith & Wesson, Inc., and other industry members in federal court in Boston, claiming that these entities are responsible for the harms the Mexican government has incurred because of Mexican drug cartels illegally smuggling firearms into their country and committing crimes within Mexico’s borders. Based on this audacious theory, Mexico sought $10 billion in damages and an injunction that would, among other things, ban Modern Sporting Rifles (MSRs) – which lawyers for Mexico wrongfully claim are “assault rifles,” limit magazine capacity and regulate the sale of firearms in the U.S. In other words, Mexico wanted to bankrupt the industry, infringe on Second Amendment rights and impose its own failed gun control policy agenda through judicial fiat on our own soil. 

Book Your Hotel Rooms at the 2025 NASGW Expo

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.

Download the 2025 Q1 SCOPE Report

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. 

Game Plan for Fall: Gear, Growth & Strategy in a Pivotal Season for Hunting

The fall hunting season represents a foundation for the outdoor industry, both in revenue generation and in shaping long-term consumer engagement. As hunters prepare to hit the field, dealers and manufacturers across the U.S. enter their most critical sales window of the year. 

From gear rollouts to last-minute product restocks, this is when customer loyalty can be won or lost. Regionally, the season brings diverse demand curves. Western markets focus on big-game hunting with a strong interest in long-range optics, lightweight packs and precision firearms.

Remembering JB Hodgdon: A Legacy of Leadership and Service to Our Industry

The shooting sports industry has lost one of its most influential and respected leaders. JB Hodgdon, a visionary whose impact spanned decades, passed away on June 13, 2025, at the age of 88.

JB was a pillar of our community — known not only for his leadership at Hodgdon Powder Company but also for his unwavering support of the industry as a whole. His passion for the shooting sports, his commitment to innovation, and his dedication to our shared mission left an indelible mark on every corner of the industry.

JB Hodgdon believed deeply in protecting and preserving the rights and traditions that define our industry. His legacy will continue to inspire those of us who remain committed to defending those values.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 28 years, Anne; four sons; two stepchildren; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. JB’s legacy — grounded in faith, family, hard work, and a lifelong love for the outdoors — will continue to shape the future of our industry for generations to come.

From all of us at NASGW, we extend our deepest condolences to the Hodgdon family. We are grateful for JB’s remarkable life and enduring contributions to our community.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

• NSSF Confirms ATF Demand 2 Program Ending
• Preparing for Multiple Futures in Distribution
• How Washington State's New Gun Permit Law Will Work
• Chicago Inspector-General Calls out Gun Offender Registry
• US Inflation Sees Modest Rise in May

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 23-25, 2025

POMA Annual Meeting

Oregon, OH

October 15-17, 2025

NASGW Expo

Grapevine, TX

January 20-23, 2026

SHOT Show

Las Vegas, NV

April 17-19, 2026

NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Houston, TX