President's Message: Distribution is the Industry's Sales Engine

Every so often, someone trots out the old, tired argument – and usually it’s from someone running spreadsheets a little too late at night with a little too much coffee: “We could save a couple points of margin if we just sold direct to retailers. We’ve got the internet. We’ve got overnight shipping. Can’t we just… cut out the middleman?”

Tempting – until you realize it’s sorta like pulling the engine from your car to save fuel. You might coast downhill, but the moment you need to accelerate, you’re stuck.

Even in the age of e-commerce and next-day delivery, the smartest brands aren’t ditching distributors. They’re doubling down. Because they know what many don’t understand, there is great power in partnering with wholesale distributors.

FEATURED ARTICLES

New Product Video Features - Deadline Sept. 15th

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.

Q2 SCOPE Report Delivers Data-Driven Clarity

The latest SCOPE Report for Q2 2025 is now available, providing a clear, data-backed look at trends shaping the shooting sports industry. From shifting shipment volumes to inventory build-ups and emerging category opportunities, this report is a valuable resource for manufacturers and distributors looking to make informed, strategic decisions. Stay ahead of the curve—log in to access your report and gain critical mid-year insights.

Firearms Shipments

Ammunition Shipments

Optics Shipments

National Shooting Sports Month Highlights a Movement’s Growth and Diversification

As National Shooting Sports month continues through August, the ongoing celebration of America’s outdoor sporting heritage is expected to resonate with the firearms community. The diverse reach and wide-ranging appeal of the shooting sports, however, may come as more of a surprise to some and are worth celebrating year-round.

Demystifying the shooting sports over the years has invigorated the movement, and activities designed for National Shooting Sports Month are poised to pay ongoing dividends. Shooting sports continue to increase in popularity and are becoming more mainstream, as evidenced by growth in the utilization of shooting-based activities in new ways by non-traditional participants.

Everytown Gun Control Wants to Train Gun Owners

Some things are just so insanely foolish, they can’t be made up. This is one of those. Get in the clown car because this circus is crazy.

The Michael Bloomberg billionaire-bankrolled gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety is rolling out a new firearm ownership campaign to teach gun owners how to be safe and responsible with the firearms they’re bringing into their homes. It would be easy to dismiss this as the stuff of comedy writers. In fact, it was hardly believable until NSSF staff saw it with their own eyes at the recent National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) held in Boston, Massachusetts.

Everytown is the same group that wants to ban guns, require firearm registries, permits to purchase a firearm, prohibit young adults from legally purchasing a firearm, enact waiting periods to take possession of legally-purchased firearms, keep guns under constant lock-and-key, restrict their use to designated areas and slap exorbitant taxes and fees just to purchase one. 

Gob. DeSantis is an Example of How Pro-Gun Governors Operate

very morning as I don my Staccato 9mm and my Microtech automatic knife without any permits or paperwork cluttering my wallet, I realize that these freedoms would never have taken place without the honest pro-gun leadership of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Law-abiding Floridians no longer need to apply in writing or pay a state fee to carry a concealed weapon.

Gov. DeSantis saw to that.

For the state’s millions of gun owners, our 46-year-old, soon-to-be-former governor has been a true friend.

Unfortunately, DeSantis is term-limited and barred from running again. Fortunately, during his terms in office, the good governor gave gun owners one heck of a good ride.

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. 

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• Tolerating Crime was a Choice for D.C. Officials
• Brands Rethink Sourcing Strategies Due to Tariffs
• SAF, Partners Secure Historic Victory in Ninth Circuit Court
• Supply Chain Resiliency in 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS

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