Photos & Story
by Marty Liggins

Why do the manufacturers come to the National Rifle Association (NRA) show? The new products were shown to the public at the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show earlier in the year. Most of these companies are not consumer-direct in their sales approaches. This is not a Game Fair where they can allow the people to use the products in a live setting. So what's the attraction?

First, some of the companies are here for consumer feedback. Diamondback Chemical (formerly IMR) sent folk to the show to survey blackpowder users. Other companies want to see the actual responses of real consumers to their latest product release. Often consumer response is significantly different from that of magazine writers and other industry people, including retailers.

Second, there are companies that are at the show simply to wave the pro-gun flag and proclaim support for the Second Amendment and the NRA.

Third, some non-firearm companies are actually at the show (now that the rules have changed) to generate sales. This year was a decent year to try to do that since the pre-registration was claimed to be about 50,000 people, and later NRA estimates claimed as high as 61,000.

Whatever the reason, some of the exhibitors at the show enjoy the rock-star mentality attributed to them by the attendees. As one wandered around the show it was hard to miss the posted signs. Some person would be at a given booth at a certain time for autographs. Another one would be at some other booth for a live demonstration. Signs listing the personalities and the times were abundant.

Bob Hayden, of Sierra Bullets, brings most of Sierra's technical staff to the NRA show each year. This allows them some face-to-face time with the people they've talked to on the phone. Hayden commented that some of the attendees were overwhelmed by the opportunity to meet "the real person." He described it as someone meeting a long-lost grandmother. It's possible to see variations of that reaction across the show floor.

From some of the skilled shooters, people want autographs. Or maybe to have their picture taken with their shooting "star." Robbie Leatham, Tommy Campbell, Todd Jarrett, Tom Knapp and David Tubb were among the number of skilled shooters who were scheduled for "fan fairs" at this year's convention. Each of these shooters has a large following that has kept track of their shooting careers, and it's a special treat for them to be able to stand in line to do a meet-and-greet with their heroes. It's something they'll talk about for years.

It's a rock-star mentality. The shooters, gun writers, and company people that the attendees have read about through the years take on special meaning. They place their favorites on a pedestal and consider it an honor to be able to meet them in person to shake hands and exchange a few words with them. Of course, for many of them, by the time they get home it was a long one-on-one personal "hangin' wit' mah homie" visit in some secluded spot away from the show floor, rather than a grip-and-grin moment. But that's all part of it.

When these are going on you hear lots of, "I remember when you did such-and-so," or "Do you remember being at (fill in location here)? I was in the stands in the third row. Do you remember me?"

The guys and gals who are placed on the pedestals are usually rather tired by the end of the event. But there's often a trade-off of feeling good to be admired to offset the tiredness. Being a rock star for a while can do that to you. Some of them, such as Robbie Leatham and Tommy Campbell, do it well. They take everything in stride and always seem to be able to smile through it all. That tends to generate even more respect.

Even the NRA gets into the act. On at least one afternoon, Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the NRA, stood at the Association's booth at the main entrance and did his time as an idol. Lots of handshakes, pictures, and autographs.

But for all the shooting sports rock stars there may be, occasionally a real rock star slips in. This year it was Ted Nugent. Nugent was at his booth at least a couple of times each day. The lines were significantly longer than any of those generated by the "local" stars. He had kind words, and an autograph and handshake for all of them. In addition he was a featured speaker on Sunday afternoon. The NRA assigned him a portion of one of the ballrooms for his presentation on "God, Guns and Rock & Roll." It didn't take long to figure out that the room was far too small for the crowd and the convention center had to remove a partitioning wall to reduce the crowding.

His presentation was exactly what the faithful wanted to hear. He lambasted those that refused to acknowledge the validity of the Second Amendment. He encouraged the audience to be pro-active for the cause. In essence, he was a rock star for the Second Amendment and the NRA and the audience loved it. Imagine that: a real rock star standing up and cheering for our side.

You may not like his music, you might not care for some of his lifestyle, but you have to admire him for speaking out on his convictions with respect to a cause that has many celebrities in denial. He's not an elitist as some celebs seem to be, and not a gun-hater as many of the others are. He's a staunch pro-gun supporter and has even demonstrated that on stage with his "real" job.

We need more like him. We also need more of the shooting sports "rock stars." All of them serve to attract people to the shooting sports; they serve as role models for many others.