“The firearm industry will be pushed to new levels — meaning, the Biden Administration will put a heavy strain on how we do business. We’ll either have to fight back or find new ways of doing things,” she said. “It will be very important for everyone in the gun industry — as well as the gun enthusiast — to make sure they’re informed on federal and state legislation, active (by voting and/or contacting representatives if needed) and support each other.”
Likewise, Alex Hague, co-owner of VRA in Vandalia, Ohio and New Castle, Ind., stressed the need to have a plan in case restrictions become reality.
“We hope we don’t face too many challenges on this side, but since it’s out of our control it’s best to have a plan in place. We’ve already taken a look at our current operation to distinguish what could affect our ability to do business — so we created a backup plan, and discussed it with our staff,” he shared. “Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, things can change quickly, and your business will be forced to adjust in order to stay operational.”
Preparing for the worst and hoping for the best — and reacting to what falls in between — will look different for each business, but it’s a worthy endeavor. Look to Shooting Industry for additional insights into how the industry is adapting to this latest iteration of the “new normal.”
Sales Under Biden:
Prep For Ups & Downs
“Well, this is better than the alternative.” It’s a refrain I’ve heard in conversations with dozens of dealers, distributors and manufacturers alike over the past year, encapsulating the prevailing view held by many: While the past 12 months have been both chaotic and exhausting, this sustained period of record buying has had several benefits — clearing stale inventory, generating cash flow and igniting fresh interest in firearms ownership.
The welcome boost to the bottom line aside, this period has also been marked by increasing frustration on all sides of the retail channel. For dealers, the ability to get inventory represents a significant obstacle.
Jacquelyn Clark, co-owner of Bristlecone Shooting, Training & Retail Center in Lakewood, Colo., didn’t mince words when she forecasted 2021 in this column two months ago: “The supply chain is hanging on by a thread. If we see any more increased demand — which could easily be created by a Biden gun-control agenda or social unrest — it could potentially break altogether. If retailers aren’t able to replenish their supply, they’ll go out of business.”
A Rapid Escalation
It only took six days into 2021 for Clark’s words to bear immediate fruition. Following the U.S. Capitol being overrun and President Biden’s inauguration, concerned consumers continued a trend that began in March 2020: They visited their local gun stores and purchased firearms in tremendous numbers.
January 2021 NICS background checks represented a new top monthly mark for the 10th time in 11 months with 2,052,130 (NSSF-adjusted) checks. (Of note: Every month since March 2020, outside of December, has been a record in the NICS system’s 22-year history. Incredible.)
Also noteworthy — especially considering how many records were set in 2020 — Jan. 2021 recorded three of the busiest weeks ever and the ninth-highest single-day total (on Jan. 15) in the NICS system’s history. These figures contributed to a year-over-year increase of 75.2% over Jan. 2020 (1,171,478 [NSSF-adjusted] checks). Though not a direct reflection of firearm sales, these figures do provide a telling measure of the marketplace — and it’s booming (pardon the pun).
Staying Nimble & Informed
All signs point to elevated demand in the near term, especially with widespread uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, social unrest and whether or not President Biden is successful in his efforts to restrict gun rights.
The threat of action alone will be enough to keep customers coming in.
“We can expect to see lots of ups and downs over the next four years — it’s going to be a roller-coaster ride,” said Heather Carpenter, owner of Generational Guns in Bondurant, Iowa. “We’ll continue to see a low supply and high demand, especially for the next year; possibly seeing the supply start to come back around in a couple of years.”
Carpenter is preparing to stay nimble and informed, so her store can accommodate any new rulings.
“We can expect to see lots of ups and downs over the next four years — it’s going to be a roller-coaster ride.”
Heather Carpenter, Owner Generational Guns in Bondurant, Iowa.
GLOCK, KelTec Celebrate Anniversaries In Style
GLOCK and KelTec are celebrating landmark anniversaries this year.
Founded in 1963, GLOCK opened its U.S. headquarters in Smyrna, Ga., Nov. 1986 — marking 35 years of U.S. operation in 2021. To celebrate, GLOCK will be running a yearlong campaign consisting of monthly live videos that will cover various topics relating to the company’s industry involvement over the past 35 years.
In conjunction, the company is running a monthly giveaway — participants will earn entries for each month they register to watch the live broadcasts.
Founded in 1991, KelTec is ringing in its 30th anniversary with a major new product launch: the P50. This semi-auto pistol features a top-mounted, double-stack magazine that allows 50+1 capacity in 5.7x28mm. It also features an ambidextrous safety, and a Picatinny-style rail for mounting sights, an optic or the user’s choice of accessories.
“It’s only fitting,” said Derek Kellgren, KelTec director of sales, “we kick off our 30th anniversary with the introduction of a firearm that may well be our most innovative yet.”
The operation of the P50 is a straight blowback system with a 5-lb. trigger pull. Overall length is 15″ with a barrel length of 9.6″. The rifling has a 1:14″ twist. Width is 2″ and height 6.7″. / glock35th.us / keltecweapons.com
GTM Original CZY 98
GTM Original Models Standout Customer Service
Seeking to overcome business shutdowns and shipping delays caused by 2020’s events, GTM Original (Gun Tote’n Mamas) used its dealer relationships to create two new programs for customers and partners.
Its “Find-A-Bag” program was developed to help customers find their preferred GTM purse, should it be out of stock. Central to this effort, GTM’s team would reach out to dealers and guide a consumer to a retail store/website with product in stock, or make calls directly to a dealer to find the product.
GTM even connected dealers to procure product, according to Claudia Chisholm, president and co-founder of Kingport Industries, GTM’s parent company.
“If one of our dealers was out of stock for a drop ship and we didn’t have it, we called another dealer who shipped it — of which we paid them their full retail. The dealer in need paid us cost as usual,” she said. “The loss was worth keeping the consumer and dealer happy to ensure future growth and brand loyalty. We had their backs.”
The “Ensure-The-Fit” initiative is another hands-on effort. The GTM team reaches out to consumers to discuss their purse or bag purchases — and to ensure the gun they intend to use it with fits. Chisholm shared this effort was launched due to the significant increase in first-time gun owners.
“Many of those using these programs were and are the brand-new shooters realizing, through our calls, they can be empowered through education of their protection,” she stated. “Frankly, all were stunned a company today took the time to talk one-on-one, calming their fears and changing their attitudes toward an industry they feared.” Our salutes to the GTM team. / gtmoriginal.com
