Everyone has heard of SHOT Show; it’s the premier event in the industry. Many of you have also heard of NRAAM and the Great American Outdoor Show. But few have probably heard of GunCon. And I want to change that.
SHOT Show is great, but it is daunting. Both in scope and size, the event takes over the Vegas Strip every new year. It’s also invite-only; only dealers, manufacturers, and media members are welcome. However, the strictness of that has undoubtedly changed since COVID-19 engulfed our world. The event now functions more as a media event, rather than a place for companies to make deals with retailers.
The other mentioned shows are open to the public, to some extent, but are still large and not particularly intimate or personal in atmosphere. They usually have media guests, but those guests are typically kept at a distance or command long lines. That’s where GunCon changes the formula.
What is GunCon?
GunCon is based on three tentpoles. Creators, Manufacturers, and Fans. It’s a community event that brings the best of what the industry has to offer under one roof. Without one of those tentpoles, the event fails. But that’s what GunCon creator and The Gun Collective host Jon Patton strives to prevent every year. He wants to bring an event that is built by the community, for the community.
That’s even the case when you look at the vendors and manufacturers that set up shop. Yes, there are well-known names like H&K, Century Arms, and Yankee Hill Machine. But have you heard of 1791 Industries or Warden Studio? What about Extar Firearms or Romeo Hotel Engineering? My guess is probably not. But what GunCon does for companies that innovate and bring new ideas to market is to shine a light on them. No, there aren’t any multi-million-dollar booth layouts like you see at SHOT Show, but what you do get is an intimate experience with people who live and breathe what they do.
One Company Stood Out
Yes, every company that showed up was fantastic—both the people and the products. However, there was one outlier that needs to be brought up: 1st Phorm. That’s right, a fitness company was at a gun convention. This is where GunCon truly shines. The event breaks barriers and removes stigmas. The Second Amendment is for everyone (as said by my friend Tony Simon), and 1st Phorm recognizes that. They are a juggernaut in the fitness industry, with sponsored athletes and media members everywhere. But they chose to come to Cleveland, Ohio, to help make this event a reality.
At their booth, 1st Phorm handed out free protein bars, beef sticks, hydration packets, and energy drinks, and welcomed everyone who came by with sincerity. Not only that, but they also made GunCon Range Day a success by sponsoring the event and supplying the ammunition. What other non-industry company would do that?
The Drama
Unfortunately, the event wasn’t as successful as it could have been, and it pains me to say that, especially since I call Northeast Ohio home. The Twist Drill building, situated on the shores of Lake Erie, hosted the event, which had been organized months in advance. However, on the day of the event, and with little warning, the venue owner invoked a hidden clause in the rental agreement and barred two panelists and a special guest from the premises. This included Johnny B, Legally Armed America, and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. The likely reason for this is related to their opinions about the Trans movement. Ironically, Andrew Bailey’s fireside chat was about media censorship and First Amendment rights.
This was followed up by a Fire Marshal enforcing the fire code and limiting the number of people inside. Guests had to wait outside for over 40 minutes before being allowed entry. None of this rests on the shoulders of Jon Patton or the rest of the GunCon team. They handled a crap situation to the best of their ability, including offering refunds to those not wanting to wait in line. In truth, it shows that gun owners and 2A enthusiasts are constantly under attack. A respectful host would bring up concerns months in advance, not the day of a carefully planned event.
The Event
Regardless of the drama, the community showed out. From 10 am onward, every aisle and booth were packed. People filled seats, anxiously awaiting panels. Nearly every company gave away products and was more than willing to answer any questions. Creators mingled while 2A advocacy groups such as the Second Amendment Foundation, Gun Owners of America, NRA-ILA, and Youth Shooting Sports Foundation educated people on ongoing cases that directly affect gun owners. We even received up-to-the-minute updates on the Hearing Protection Act and SHORT Act during the 2A panel. It was tremendous.
Final Thoughts
Even with disappointing drama, the event was a blast. And it seemed that all who attended agreed. If you can attend GunCon, go. It’s worth it. Every year it gets bigger, which is why Jon moved the event from the Brownells HQ in Iowa to Cleveland, OH. Next year, I’m sure, will be at an even bigger and better place.
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