On Day 2 of SHOT Show 2025 (Wednesday), six state governors attended a notable Forum. As you might expect, ALL the governors were Republicans from “Red” states. Topics included Second Amendment rights, the importance of the firearm industry, the legislative landscape, how and why special interests threatening the firearm and ammunition industry, and how states can help sustain Second Amendment rights. We commend these state leaders for attending SHOT Show and showing concern for the interests of shooters and hunters. We hope that more Governors, including Florida’s Re DeSantis, will attend next year. And perhaps even President Trump may even head to Las Vegas in 2026.

Present at the 2025 NSSF Governors’ Forum are (in alphabetical order of states):

➣ Idaho – Governor Brad Little (Republican)
➣ Montana – Governor Greg Gianforte (Republican)
➣ Nebraska – Governor Jim Pillen (Republican)
➣ Nevada – Governor Joe Lombardo (Republican)
➣ Oklahoma – Governor Kevin Stitt (Republican)
➣ Wyoming – Governor Mark Gordon (Republican)

Forum with State Attorneys General

Along with the Governors’ Forum there was also a moderated Forum with several Attorneys General of U.S. states. This 2nd Annual State Attorneys General Forum covered legal developments to protect Second Amendment rights and the firearm industry from antigun “lawfare” attacks. The forum focused on ongoing legal battles, legal questions, and the amicus briefs these attorneys general submitted opposing threats to the Second Amendment. Members also discussed dealing with the anti-gun policies pushed by the Biden administration, and the never-ending battle against politically-driven attacks on the firearm industry and Second Amendment rights.

Attorneys General Attending the Forum included (in alphabetical order of states):

“The firearm industry and gun owners have true courtroom champions in these attorneys general. They are the vanguard [who fought] four years of attacks by the Biden-Harris administration against our industry and our Second Amendment rights”, said Lawrence Keane, NSSF Sr. VP & General Counsel. These attorneys general, the leading law enforcement officials in their states, fight back against the wave of “lawfare” brought by gun control groups that weaponize courts against American civil liberties.

Starting at 1:00 pm PST, SHOT Show will host two very important meetings that are key to the defense of Americans’ Second Amendment Rights in this country. First, the Governor’s Forum will be held. Many governors (mostly from “red” states) are expected to attend. This will be followed at 4:00 pm PST with the NSSF State Attorneys General Forum.

NSSF Governors Forum
NSSF will host several governors to speak about the importance of the firearm industry to their state, efforts to attract firearm- and ammunition-related businesses and the benefits of those businesses to their state economies today. The Governors’ Forum will be held today from 1-2 PM at The Venetian Expo, Palazzo M (5th Floor).

NSSF Attorneys General Forum
Several state attorneys general will gather for a first-ever event involving the top law enforcement agents in several states. “Boots & Badges” will be a laid back and interactive discussion with several state attorneys general fighting the legal battle against the Biden administration and other politically-driven attacks against the firearm and ammunition industry and Second Amendment rights. The event will be held today from 4-5 PM on the Great Outdoors Plaza, right outside Caesars Forum.

Here is a recording from last year’s 2023 Governors Forum:

NSSF — the National Shooting Sports Foundation — will host the 3rd Annual Governors’ Forum at SHOT Show 2024 in Las Vegas. At least six state governors will attend the Governors’ Forum this year. Key subjects will include: the importance of the firearm industry to their states, Second Amendment rights of their citizens, and challenges for gun rights in the United States.

Confirmed for the Governors’ Forum, in alphabetical order of states, are:

Idaho – Governor Brad Little

Wyoming – Governor Mark Gordon

SHOT Show in Las Vegas runs January 23-26, 2024. The Governors’ Forum, moderated by Keane, will be on Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 1-2 p.m. (local time) Las Vegas time at the Venetian EXPO, Palazzo M (5th Floor). NSSF is hosting governors to discuss the importance of the industry to their state, the legislative landscape and what can and should be done to protect the industry from gun control special interests threatening the firearm and ammunition industry and Second Amendment rights.

“The governors invited to speak at this year’s forum are the leading voices for protecting Second Amendment rights and the firearm and ammunition industry that provides the means for Americans to lawfully exercise those rights,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior VP and General Counsel.

“NSSF’s Governors’ Forum provides a unique opportunity for SHOT Show attendees and industry media to hear directly from those governors, especially as we head into an election year when the Biden administration has squarely taken aim at our industry in an effort to decimate it. [T]his is a truly special chance to gather with these governors in one space to speak about the importance of the firearm industry and Second Amendment freedoms to their states.”

More governors may attend the Forum as schedules permit. The Governors’ Forum is open to all SHOT Show attendees and media. Those interested in attending should register in advance. CLICK HERE to REGISTER.