GNB: Dawn of 2013

It seems like 2013 will be an interesting year for firearm industry. There are calls for more regulation (if not confiscation) of guns which will probably affect the industry as well as the shooting sport and accessory industry itself. We already see panic buying across the nation. It will take a big effort to stop the new Assault Weapon Ban. While 1994 showed that it is not possible with compromise, we also know the dire consequence of that 10 year ban had on firearms.

Here are some of other topics of interest.

SHOT Show 2013
GNB will be heading out to SHOT Show 2013 again. It seems like there will be some interesting guns on the floor, as well as some announcement from a famous tactical light company. GNB will try to bring the news as soon as possible.

Equipments
There has been decline in tactical apparel and equipment industry since sometime last year. The decline doesn't seem to be stopping at this point. The decline may have slowed down, but I doubt we will see enormous growth we've seen in last few years for a long time.

Training
With the involvement in Afghanistan winding down, there has been some shift in training industry. There seems to be more pistol classes than carbine classes next year. CCW related classes are popping up more in part due to increase in demand as well as supply of instructors.

It is difficult to foresee how this would affect the industry. The two wars served as a platform for tests and trials of shooting techniques, and it produced a large number of instructors who are well versed in use and training of firearms. Traditionally, pistol classes were taught by instructors with LEO backgrounds before the 9/11, but as the two wars went on for years, those who were in Special Forces saw a lot of pistol use and they have been entering training industry after retirement.


There are more things to cover in the industry, and no one can predict what will happen. I thought 2013 was going to be a drag a few months ago, but I am proven wrong already.