Change is a funny thing.
Most folks claim they don’t mind it right up until it shows up at the front door and starts rearranging the furniture. As humans, I’d say we genuinely like routine. We like our coffee brewed the same way, our favorite chair camped out in our favorite spot, and the same place to sit in church every Sunday.
Benjamin Franklin famously wrote in 1789 that “nothing can be said to be certain, except death
and taxes.” He was right then, and he’s still right today. But I believe, if Ben were around in
2026, he might add a third certainty: somebody eventually changing the rules on you. Whether
it’s technology, markets, politics, consumer habits or supply chains, change never really asks
permission.
I’ve personally witnessed dramatic changes in the dozen years I’ve been at NASGW. It’s
inevitable.
Retailers, distributors and manufacturers across America are constantly adapting to changing
consumer tastes, never-ceasing government regulations, breakthrough technologies and
economic swings. One year everyone wants walnut stocks and blued steel. The next year they’re
asking for optics-ready pistols, suppressors and enough rail space to mount the kitchen sink.
And I don’t believe this is a bad thing. Change keeps us alive.
If you think about it, every major success story in the shooting sports business came from
someone willing to embrace something new. Somebody took a chance on polymer-framed
pistols. Somebody decided social media could help build communities instead of simply posting
pictures of deer camp and trophy racks. Somebody looked at younger consumers and realized
they wanted education, experience and inclusion, not just products.
The businesses focused on adaptation are thriving. Those that dig in their heels and say, “We’ve
always done it this way,” often find themselves talking about the good old days, while
competitors are busy creating new ones.
Embracing change doesn’t mean you have to abandon tradition though. Because in our
community, likely more so than many others, tradition still matters. A lot. It’s still magical to
pass down a favorite shotgun or to teach a kid to shoot safely, like your parents and grandparents
taught you. Values don’t disappear simply because the marketplace evolves.
In fact, change and tradition can work together just fine.
Take today’s retailers. The successful ones are no longer simply stores with shelves and cash
registers. Many have become gathering places. They host training classes, sponsor competitions,
support conservation efforts and create communities around the lifestyle. Customers today want
connection. They want expertise. They want experiences. The retailer who recognizes that shift
isn’t losing tradition — they’re building on it.
The same goes for distributors. The days of simply moving boxes from Point A to Point B are
long gone. Data matters. Speed matters. Flexibility matters. The distributors who embrace
technology and smarter logistics aren’t replacing relationships; they’re strengthening them.
And manufacturers? Well, they’ve probably felt the pressure of change more than anyone.
Consumer expectations move faster than ever. New materials, manufacturing methods and
marketing channels appear overnight. But innovation and adaptation has always been part of
American industry.
The shooting sports industry in the United States has proven time and again that it can adapt
while still holding onto its core values. That’s why embracing change isn’t surrendering to
uncertainty. It’s recognizing reality.
It’s movement, adjustment, evolution. It’s change.
If history shows us anything, it’s that change isn’t always something to fear. Sometimes it’s the
very thing that opens the door to the next great opportunity – even if it occasionally rearranges
the furniture first.
Our SCOPE data platform continues to help change our community by providing insights and
analytics for making smarter business decisions. See the latest at www.nasgwscope.org and learn
how to put our growing data sources to work for your business.
And, in the coming days and weeks you’ll be hearing us talk a lot more about our newest change
agent: VAULT. The VAULT platform is a monumental shift in the way companies can do
business in our arena. Check out www.itsonvault.com to learn more about how your company
can change for the future in how you provide your product images and information to the rest of
the shooting sports channel. It’s going to be yet another BIG THING.
Until next time,
Kenyon Gleason
NASGW Presiden