The gun and firearms industry is supported by multiple trade groups associations.\u00a0 These organizations represent the various segments of the entire industry, as well as specific sectors within. This GunBiz point of sale blog post summarizes some of the top trade groups for the shooting sports industry.<\/p>\n
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National Shooting Sports Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n The most influential trade group in the gun and firearm industry is The National Shooting Sports Foundation<\/a> (NSSF).\u00a0 The NSSF was formed in 1961 and is the top firearms industry trade association for all firearm manufacturers, distributors, retailers and shooting ranges.\u00a0 \u00a0The mission of the NSSF is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. To achieve its mission, the NSSF conducts industry research – educating FFLs and gun owners about business strategies, relevant regulations and firearm safety.\u00a0 \u00a0It sponsors the biggest trade show in the industry, the annual SHOT Show, which draws industry participants from all around the world.\u00a0 It also sponsors National Shooting Sports Month.<\/p>\n The NSSF lobbies on behalf of its members, engaging all levels of government in support of Second Amendment rights.\u00a0 It also helps shape media coverage of the industry by the firearm industry and general media.\u00a0 Additionally, its engages with top executives from throughout the firearms industry.\u00a0 Given its wide scope, the NSSF basically represents the entire firearms industry.<\/p>\n To learn more about the NSSF, see nssf.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers<\/strong><\/p>\n The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) represents shooting sports wholesalers and distributors, manufacturers and sales professionals.\u00a0 The goal of NASGW is to help connect gun industry buyers and sellers.<\/p>\n The NASGW was founded in 1953.\u00a0 It promotes the collective interests of the wholesalers and distributors, manufacturers and sales professionals in the sporting goods industry through education, marketing and communications.\u00a0 It also organizes the popular NASGW Expo & Annual Meeting as well as analyzes business trends and developments\u00a0 through its NASGW SCOPE program.<\/p>\n To learn more about the NASGW, see nasgw.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sporting Arms & Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute<\/strong><\/p>\n The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute<\/a> (SAAMI) was founded in 1926.\u00a0 It was formed at the request of the federal government to create a set of industry standards and a mechanism for firearm, ammunition and component manufacturers to exchange of technical information.<\/p>\n The mission of the SAAMI is to create and publish technical, performance, interchangeability, and safety standards for firearms, ammunition, and components; and to be the top resource for the safe and responsible manufacturing, transportation, storage, and use of these products.<\/p>\n The SAAMI does this by create and maintain technical standards for terminology, performance, interchangeability, and safety regarding firearms, ammunition, and their components. It also shares its expertise with foreign and domestic policy makers and strategic partners related to technical performance and safety regarding firearm and ammunition manufacturers’ issues.<\/p>\n To learn more about the SAAMI, see saami.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Firearms & Ammunition Import\/Export Roundtable<\/strong><\/p>\n The Firearms & Ammunition Import\/Export Roundtable<\/a> (F.A.I.R.) is a nonprofit lobbying trade association founded in 1994.\u00a0 The F.A.I.R. \u00a0protects the interests of the firearms and ammunition import\/export community.\u00a0 F.A.I.R. lobbies U.S. Department of Justice, State and Commerce agencies on behalf of its members,<\/p>\n F.A.I.R. has advocated for U.S. importer interests before the United Nations in connection with the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (POA).\u00a0 It has successfully petitioned ATF to extend the Form 6 import permit validity period to 2 years and represented U.S. importers before the Obama-Biden 2013 task force on gun violence.\u00a0 It also successfully petitioned ATF to extend the term of validity for law enforcement demonstration letters required under the NFA regulations from six months to one year.<\/p>\n F.A.I.R. co-sponsors the annual Firearms and Ammunition Import\/Export Conference with the Society of International Affairs.<\/p>\n To learn more about F.A.I.R., see fairtradegroup.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n American Suppressor Association<\/strong><\/p>\n Formed in 2011, the American Suppressor Association (ASA) was founded with the purpose to insure that gun owners should have the right to use suppressors to help protect their hearing.<\/p>\n Since 2011, ASA has actively lobbied in 35 US states and territories, fought to ease the complex and antiquated restrictions on suppressors mant states, testified in front of dozens of legislative bodies, hosted suppressor events for legislators, policymakers, media, and the public, and funded research proving the efficacy of suppressors. \u00a0As a result of the efforts of the SASA, nearly two dozen states to date have changed their regulations for suppressor use and ownership.<\/p>\n To learn more about the ASS, see americansuppressorassociation.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n National Rifle Association<\/strong><\/p>\n While not a firearm manufactuter or distributor trade group, the National Rifle Association<\/a> (NRA) is America’s longest-standing civil rights organization.<\/p>\n The NRA was founded in 1871 to advance rifle marksmanship.\u00a0 Over time, the NRA evolved into a prominent gun rights lobbying organization while continuing to teach firearm safety and competency. The organization also publishes several magazines and sponsors competitive marksmanship events. According to the NRA, it had nearly 5 million members, making it very influential in the firearms industry and a proud defender the Second Amendment.<\/p>\n