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 I
want to end this year with a positive editorial; one that talks
about the success of our sport, even in a year of adverse
conditions. The
activities of September 11th
have left their mark on our everyday lives.
In many cases, this has been in an indirect form, while
others have been more direct.
The economy has not done well over the last year.
Stock investments and returns are down, many shooters are
skeptical of flying due to possible delays from security, many
have lost their jobs, and in some cases, their retirement
savings, but most importantly, many families have lost loved
ones. Even though we have all felt the aftermath of terrorism, the
country has persevered and united in so many ways. Fortunately, the impact on the economy was not nearly as bad
as it could have been.
Today, our sport thrives like never before.
New faces, young and old, are appearing as participants,
and we are even getting more spectators and media recognition.
Although gun sales were down this summer (they usually
are during the summer), with some gun manufacturers not
achieving their sales objectives and manufacturers of various
related products not having the sales they wished for, many are
still doing quite well. There
are a number of gun leather manufacturers that can't fill
their orders fast enough, some clothiers are having difficulty
keeping up with all of their orders, and SASS membership
continues to increase. What
this may be telling us is that there has been some conservatism
regarding overall spending on firearms and related equipment due
to the economy, but that the interest in our sport is at an
all-time high. I
expect that in 2003 we will continue to see the same or an even
higher increase in participation in Western-action shooting,
with a corresponding increase in gun sales and related products.
This is a time to be thankful for what we have and to all
those involved in our sport.
We need to remember that it is the average shooter and
family that is the life-blood of this sport we all love, and
that the kids today will be the ones that carry on this
tradition.
Editorial
Continued
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