The October 2024 Edition of Shooting Industry magazine (SI) has a good article explaining the importance of the upcoming election for gun owners. In that article NSSF VP/Gen. Counsel Larry Keane notes that “People need to wake up, get registered and vote”. Keane discusses the potential ramifications of a Harris-Walz administration with SI Editor Jade Moldae, who notes: “If Vice President Kamala Harris is elected president, along with a Democrat sweep of Congress, it’s not a hyperbole to say this would be worst-case scenario for the longevity of our industry.” CLICK HERE for October 2024 Shooting Industry digital edition.

Keane predicts what could happen with a Harris presidency and Democrat-controlled Congress: “If Harris is elected president, what we see from ATF now will only get worse. Zero tolerance for gun dealers will become ‘subzero’ tolerance. [Harris] will appoint anti-gun justices to the Supreme Court — opening up the opportunity to revisit Heller, Bruen, and McDonald decisions. She’ll blow up the filibuster in the Senate … Congress will pass firearm bans, magazine bans and universal background checks. It’ll be ‘Katy bar the door’ — and too late for us to do anything about it.”

Keane pointed out that even if Democrats are unsuccessful in controlling Congress, Harris could act unilaterally — as shutting down firearms imports or exports doesn’t require an act of Congress.

Though Kamala Harris has stated she is a gun owner (claiming to have a Glock pistol), she has frequently supported gun confiscation through mandatory buy-backs. And she says she would like to ban AR15s and other popular, semi-auto rifles. Accordingly, we face a very important 2024 election. Keane states: “This truly is the most important election for the Second Amendment in our lifetime. In the past, Harris called for mandatory confiscation. She now says she isn’t. So, was she lying then? Is she lying now? Or does she just lie now and then? People need to wake up, get registered and vote.”

The article stresses the importance of voting this November: “If we don’t do our part and vote we leave the future of our industry, sport and tradition — and constitutionally protected right — to chance. [T]here’s too much at stake to stand by and do nothing [so] don’t risk your rights, vote!”

State Elections Are Also Key to Protecting Gun Owners’ Rights

In a related Shooting Industry article, Colorado shooting instructor Ava Flanell notes that STATE elections are very important, as most anti-gun statutes come from state legislation. Yes, the 2024 Presidential election is very important, but state elections are also key to protecting gun rights.

Ava notes: “When egregious gun laws are passed, many people blame their governor, but these laws wouldn’t even be put on the governor’s desk if we stopped them in the state legislature.” Ava explains that it is vital that “We elect pro-gun individuals at the state house and state senate level. It means we must vote and encourage others to vote. Apathetic voters, especially the millions of gun owners and hunters who aren’t even voting, must be encouraged to step up and vote for our rights.”

Ava observes that “Bloomberg, Soros and other radical left-wing billionaires have spent a fortune in nearly every state to get politicians elected to local and state governments that support their radical agendas. These states have passed the bulk of anti-gun legislation in the last few years.” Ava stresses the importance of voting for pro-Second Amendment state and local leaders: “These local elections are where we, the voter, can have just as big of an impact. We must be willing to do our part and get involved.”

Ava Flanell is firearms instructor who operates elitefirearmsandtraining.com in Colorado. In the video above, Ava explains key issues on the ballot in Colorado this November.

NSSF urges all gun owners, hunters, recreational target shooters and supporters of the Second Amendment to register to vote and then vote in the upcoming election. On Election Day, November 5th, be sure to vote or, alternatively, vote by mail in advance where that is an option. If you have not yet registered, you can get information on registering by visiting GunVote.org.

With just 46 days left until Election Day, several states are starting to send out vote-by-mail ballots and offering advanced in-person voting. NSSF’s #GUNVOTE voter education campaign seeks to ensure all gun owners and hunters are registered to vote and educated about where the candidates stand on the Second Amendment and gun rights.

The GunVote.org website conveniently lists all U.S. states with links to state websites where more details about registering to vote, early voting protocols and the entire process can be found. Gunvote.org also has information on polling places so that exercising the right to vote is as easy as possible.

“For millions of Americans who cherish their Second Amendment rights, this truly is the most critical election in history. Vice President Kamala Harris has clearly laid out her anti-gun agenda [which includes mandatory confiscation of AR15s]. It is abundantly clear she will continue the Biden-Harris attack on the Second Amendment and will restrict the rights of law-abiding Americans even more than she has over the past three and a half years,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior V.P. and General Counsel.

A Few Thousand Votes Can Make a Difference in Swing States
In 2020, the presidential election swung in just a few key states by margins of a few thousand votes. Reporting shows there are more than 10 million hunters and Second Amendment supporters who remain unregistered to vote ahead of the 2024 election. Make sure you’re registered. Check that your hunting and range buddies are registered too. Visit www.GunVote.org for all the information you need to get registered and to find your polling place to make sure you Don’t Risk Your Rights® on November 5th.”

Reports have show millions of American firearm owners still have yet to register to vote. That includes more than 515,277 in Pennsylvania and 370,000 each in Michigan and North Carolina. In addition, Georgia, Wisconsin, Missouri and Virginia all have more than half a million hunters and gun owners that remain unregistered and in Arizona – another state that could swing the election – that number totals approximately 133,000.

As we draw closer to the 2020 Presidential election, we are starting to see an upturn in U.S. firearms sales, which had slowed somewhat after President Trump’s 2016 election victory. Combined firearms sales are up 17.3% compared to February last year. We are guessing that folks are getting a bit nervous about restrictions on firearms in the event President Trump doesn’t win a second term.

Small Arms Analytics & Forecasting (SAAF) estimates February 2020 U.S. firearms unit sales at 1,357,643 units, a year-over-year increase of 17.3% from February 2019. Handgun sales (793,301) increased year-over-year by 19.5% whereas single long-gun sales (441,516) increased year-over-year by 12.4%. All other likely background check-related sales (122,826) increased year-over-year by 22.1%. This includes so-called “multiple” sales where the allocation between handguns and long-guns cannot be determined from the data record.

SAAF Chief Economist Jurgen Brauer comments that “it appears as if firearms owners are casting early votes in the upcoming presidential election this year: Unit sales in both, January and February 2020 have been at their highest levels since 2016.”

SAAF’s firearms unit sales estimates are based on raw data taken from the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), adjusted for checks unlikely to be related to end-user firearms sales. For example, the FBI’s raw numbers (for February, some 2,776,380) cannot be taken at face value as very large numbers of background checks are unrelated to end-user sales. As a case in point, in February the state of Kentucky conducted about 368,000 so-called permit checks and rechecks alone whereas end-user checks at firearms retailers likely amounted to about 30,000 checks. SAAF makes certain other adjustments to the data based on retailer reports and other information; nonetheless, the estimates still likely understate the “true” number of unit sales.

It’s Friday, April 26, 2019 so the 148th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits opens today at 9:00 am! The event runs through Sunday, April 28th. The NRA Convention features over 800 exhibitors, along with seminars, workshops, special events, and an appearance by President Trump. The NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits takes place at the Indianapolis Convention Center, with some major events nearby at the Lucas Oil Stadium and J.W. Marriott Grand Ballroom.

Seminars, Workshops, and Special Presentations

This is a partial list.
10:00am – 12:00pm, Room 234 – NRA Clubs and Associations Workshop
10:30am, Room 232 – Refuse to be a Victim: Crime Prevention Strategies
11:00am, Rooms 140-142 – Current and Emerging Threats: How it Affects You!
11:00am, Room 233 – What You Need to Know About NRA’s Collegiate Program
11:30am, Rooms 132-133 – You’re the First Responder: Whether You Know It or Not!
11:30am – 1:30pm, Room 131 – Hornady Reloading for Accuracy
12:30pm – 1:30pm, Room 231 – Concealed Carry Facts
1:30pm, 237-239 – 15 Factors Impacting your Shooting Performance under Duress
1:30pm – 3:00pm, Rooms 235-236 – Mental Dynamics of Target Shooting
2:00pm, Room 232 – Refuse to be a Victim: Crime Prevention Strategies
2:00pm, Rooms 140-142 – The Guns of Omaha: D-Day Plus 75 Years
2:30pm – 3:30pm, Rooms 134-135 – Medical Mindset: Are you Prepared?
2:30pm – 4:30pm, Room 131 – Hornady Ballistics
3:30pm, Room 233 – Friends of NRA Workshop

Click here for a complete list of seminars, workshops, and special presentations.

Major Special Events Friday, April 26

NOTE: Tickets are required for ALL these events. For more information visit NRAam.org.

22nd Annual National Firearms Law Seminar
Hyatt Regency, Cosmopolitan Ballroom > Event starts at 8:00 am

Women’s Leadership Forum Luncheon & Auction
J.W. Marriott, White River Ballroom > Event starts at 9:30 am

NRA-ILA Leadership Forum
Lucas Oil Stadium > Event starts at 11:00 am
President Donald J. Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and other notable spearkers will address NRA members at the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) Leadership Forum on Friday, April 26, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana

NRA-ILA Dinner and Auction
J.W. Marriott, Grand Ballroom > Event starts at 6:00 pm

NRA Country Jam featuring Jacob Bryant and Payton Taylor
8 Seconds Saloon > Event starts at 8:00 pm; Door Open at 6:00 pm

Celebrity Appearances

CLICK HERE for a complete list of celebrity appearances. Top names include: Jerry Miculek, Doug Koenig, Max Michel, Jessie Harrison, Sheriff Jim Wilson, Tom Gresham, Lanny Barnes, Colion Noir, and Eva Shockey.

The world’s best female Action Pistol shooter, Jessie Harrison.

Major Everyday Events (Fri, Sat, Sun)

Wall of Guns, Crossroads Hallway at Hoosier Hallway
Pyramid Air® Air Gun Range, Rooms 143-144
NRA Booth, Booth #3639
NRA Store, Rooms 136-139
Eddie Eagle, Crossroads Hallway – Booth #15
NRA Hunter Education – Booth #3838
NRA Country Sound Stage, Wabash West Lobby

Map for Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN

The Indiana Convention center is in the heart of Indianapolis, so it’s easy to find. However, events are spread out over multiple facilities, so you’ll want to study this map when you get to your hotel.

Friday was a notable day for the NRA, with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, addressing the faithful at the NRA-ILA Forum. Trump gave a stirring speech in Dallas, renewing his administration’s commitment to the Second Amendment and the rights of law-abiding citizens to own firearms.

This morning the major event of the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits (NRAAM) takes place — the Annual Meeting of Members at 10:00 am Central Time in Ballroom A of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. After that, there is a very full schedule of events, seminars, and celebrity appearances all day. This evening there is a big concert, featuring Travis Tritt and the Gatlin Brothers. For the full schedule of events, visit www.NRAAM.org.

NRAAM LOCATION in DALLAS

Exhibitor List and Booth Locations (CLICK)

Seminars/Workshops/Special Presentations

11:00am – 1:00pm, Room D170 – Refuse To Be A Victim: Teaching Crime Prevention
11:00am – 1:00pm, Room D162 – Introduction to Reloading presented by Hornady
11:00am – 1:00pm, Room D167 & 174 – The Long Shadow of John Garand
11:00am – 12:00pm, Room D171 & 173 – National School Shield: More Secure Schools
11:30am – 12:30pm, Room C140 & 142 – Concealed Carry Fundamentals
11:30am – 12:45pm, Room C141, 143 & 149 – 14 Factors Impacting Shooting Performance
12:00pm – 1:00pm, Room D163 & 165 – Armed Citizen: How to Interact with Law Enforcement
1:00pm – 2:30pm, Ballroom C1 – NRA Trainers Update
1:30pm – 3:30pm, Room C140 & 142 – Sniping in World War II
2:00pm – 3:15pm, Room C141, 143, & 149 – Survival Mindset: Are You Prepared?
2:00pm – 3:30pm, Room D163 & 165 – Women and the Gun Buying Experience
2:00pm – 4:00pm, Room D162 – Reloading for Accuracy presented by Hornady
2:00pm – 4:00pm, Room D171 & 173 – NRA-ILA Grassroots Leadership Conference
2:00pm – 4:00pm, Room D170 – Refuse To Be A Victim: Crime Prevention Strategies
2:00pm – 6:00pm, Room D167 & 174 – Sheepdogs! The Bulletproof Mind for the Armed Citizen
2:30pm – 4:00pm, Room D172 – Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA/H.R. 218)
3:00pm – 4:30pm, Room C144 – Friends of NRA Workshop: Volunteer to Make a Difference

CLICK HERE for a complete list of seminars, workshops, and special presentations!.

Celebrity Appearances
Lena Miculek – Booth #6220 – 11:30 am-12:00 pm, 2:30 pm-3:00 pm, 5:00 pm-5:30 pm
Max Michel – Booth #6220 – 10:30 am-11:00 am, 1:30 pm-2:00 pm, 4:00 pm-4:30 pm
Sergeant Sammy L. Davis – Booth #10150 – 10:00 am-6:00 pm
Mykel Hawke – Booth #10150 – 12:00 pm-6:00 pm
Doug Koenig – Hornady Booth #8533, 11:30 am
Jessie Harrison and Jerry Miculek – Hornady Booth #8533, 3:00 pm
Jerry Miculek – Booth #12158 – 4:00 pm
Mandy Bachman – Booth #12158 – 2:00 pm
Lou Ferrigno – Booth #8627 – 9:30 pm-11:00 pm
John “Tig” Tiegen – Booth #8627 – 1:30 pm-3:00 pm
Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko – Booth #8627 – 3:15 pm-4:45 pm
John Correia – Booth #8623 – 10:00 am-11:00 am
Jerry Miculek – Booth #8555 – 11:00 am-12:00 pm, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Jim & John Scoutten – Booth #8555 – 10:00 am-11:00 am
Adam Vinatieri – Booth #7733 – 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Katie Pavlich – Booth #2520 – 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Cheyenne Dalton – Booth #9556 – 10:00 am-11:00 am
Jerry Miculek – Booth #9556 – 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
The Gould Brothers – Booth #9556 – 2:00 pm-3:00 pm

CLICK HERE for a complete list of celebrity appearances.

On December 15, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke (R-Montana) to become Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Congressman Zinke is a patriot and an outdoorsman. He served as a Navy SEAL from 1986 until 2008, retiring with the rank of Commander.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) praised President-Elect Donald Trump’s selection of Commander Zinke to be the next Secretary of the Interior. “In Congressman Zinke we have a true friend of American sportsmen who believes in the inestimable value of our public lands. We are confident Congressman Zinke will work to preserve and promote our hunting and related outdoor traditions. He is an American hero, a lifelong hunter and angler, and a true conservationist in the tradition of Teddy Roosevelt,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior VP and General Counsel. “The Secretary of the Interior is arguably the nation’s single most important position with regard to the management of federal lands, wildlife habitat, and natural resources. Competing interests must be balanced with what will be in the best long-term interest of the nation. We look forward to enthusiastically supporting his nomination in Congress and then working with Secretary Zinke to help him achieve that mission.”

“I can still remember the first time dad took me out hunting. I think every kid should have that experience, which is why I oppose shutting down the forest to target shooting. Hunting and recreational shooting are two very important outdoor activities shared and enjoyed by residents and tourists alike,” — Rep. Ryan Zinke

A friend of the shooting sports and lifelong hunter, Keane has worked to maintain wilderness access for marksmen and hunters:

Rep. Ryan Zinke Biography
Zinke served as a U.S. Navy SEAL from 1985 to 2008, retiring at the rank of Commander. During his career as a SEAL, he served as a member of the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group from 1990 to 1993 and again from 1996 to 1999. In 2004, Zinke was named the deputy and acting commander of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Arabian Peninsula. In this capacity, Zinke led a force of more than 3,500 Special Operations personnel in Iraq. Zinke was awarded two Bronze Stars and four Meritorious Service Medals. Following his tours in Iraq, Zinke was selected to establish the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command, where he served as “Dean” of the Naval Special Warfare graduate school until his retirement from active duty in 2008.

Zinke attended the University of Oregon, where he was an All Pac-10 lineman for the Oregon Ducks. A student-athlete, Zinke earned a B.S. in geology. Zinke also earned an MBA from National University and an MS from the University of San Diego.