It’s good to have friends in the fight.
The coronavirus pandemic is causing economic hardship and worry for millions of Americans. Fortunately, the firearm and ammunition industry has allies in Congress to protect Americans’ rights and support small businesses.
U.S. Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined NSSF’s Larry Keane for a virtual townhall hosted by NSSF PAC with dozens of members of the firearm industry trade association. Congressman Budd brings a unique perspective. Along with serving as a Member of Congress, the second-term U.S. Representative from North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District is a gun store and range owner.
He is in a rare position that offered participants updates on COVID-19 relief and current firearm and small business-related legislation being considered in the nation’s capital. The hour-long conversation covered several important topics impacting firearm and ammunition manufacturers, distributors, retailers and shooting range operators.
Keeping Doors Open and Lights On
Rep. Budd kicked off with a congressional update. A major concern at the top of minds of gun store owners and employees has been how to remain open for business during the pandemic.
Governors have issued “stay-at-home” orders and “non-essential” business declarations. Millions are out of work. However, Rep. Budd highlighted NSSF’s efforts and success to secure an “essential” business listing on the DHS critical infrastructure guidance.
Securing the “essential” listing was vital and governors mostly followed suit, allowing firearm and ammunition retailers to stay open. This not only means Americans can continue to exercise their Second Amendment right during a critically important time, but also that nearly 330,000 Americans can still go to work.
Keane highlighted the firearm industry had $60 billion in economic impact last year, an industry high-water mark.
Safer Communities and Well-Supplied Law Enforcement
Rep. Budd described his own background as a firearm business owner. He was encouraged to take the reins of an existing North Carolina gun store when the former owner called it quits. It was an opportunity to support law-abiding Americans’ ability to purchase firearms and offer customers and members of the law enforcement community a place to practice safe firearm handling.
Congressman Budd recalled advice he was given upon purchasing his retail and range facility, stating “Never underestimate the desire of the public to have a safe place to shoot.”
Politics in D.C. and the 2020 Campaign Ahead
Rep. Budd also provided participants Congressional insights and forecasted what the political landscape may look like in the months ahead. Congress passed the “Phase 3.5” economic relief package providing $484 billion for small businesses to weather the coronavirus-induced economic storm.
The bill included additional assistance provisions. Rep. Budd remains concerned about ballooning national debt, dependence on overseas supply chains and the United States’ dependence on Chinese manufacturing of goods ranging from construction equipment to pharmaceuticals.
Rep. Budd and Keane also discussed the importance of financing for small businesses in the firearm and ammunition industries. The conversation included credit card processing, financial discrimination by corporate virtue-signaling banks, the Freedom Financing Act, as well as technology discrimination such as Google search and social media platforms. Discriminatory practices damage the ability of lawful firearm businesses to stay afloat.
Regarding the 2020 campaign in the months ahead, Rep. Budd was optimistic that pro-firearm, pro-Second Amendment champions could win back the U.S House of Representatives, but cautioned it would take hard work by candidates.
On the presidential campaign trail, Rep. Budd noted presumed Democratic nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden’s gun-control history and proposals. The Congressman said President Donald Trump’s accomplishments put him in a strong position to win re-election in November.
Keane wrapped up the virtual townhall by stating millions of gun rights supporters and the thousands of firearm and ammunition-related businesses across the country are fortunate to have such strong allies in the halls of Congress as Rep. Budd, and encouraged everyone to be a #GUNVOTE supporter to keep the industry strong and lasting.
Matt Manda is Manager, Public Affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
He might own a gun store and range, but he’s still a politician.
Right! Let’s see some action. Repeal unconstitutional laws and then I can get on board with you. Or, at least, say you will and make some progress in that direction. And never give up!
Never give up. Exactly this.
…and why many of us conservative Californians choose to stay here and keep fighting. There are those (including here at TTAG) who utter “from my cold dead hands” from one side of their mouths, while grumbling “the battle is too hard in CA, so you’re stupid if you stay and fight”. We choose to stay and fight.
Domino Theory was right. Once one region falls to communism the surrounding areas become under threat. California communism, once contained to only LA and SF has spread to Vegas and took over Nevada, then into Colorado, and north causing Washington and Oregon to fall. This is also why it’s important to keep fighting for Florida. Florida has managed to stay mostly red but with a pretty rough leftist infection. If it ever does go fully blue, Georgia, the Carolina’s, and the rest of the south will be next.
Face it. Nothing but a complete and utter collapse (and maybe not even that) is going to change anything in California. Conservatives are too greatly outnumbered. That’s just reality.
On the other hand, if only half of California’s conservatives left the state, they could return sanity to Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and probably Arizona, too, all at once. It might even have a generational effect.
Stay if you want to; nothing wrong with that. Just don’t kid yourself about the result.
Yeah, where’s the Hughes repeal bill?
At least he’s co-sponsored HR5289, which is more than can be said for a lot of republics.
*Was* a gun store/ranger owner. Denver Defense has been out of business under all sorts of weird, shady doings for a few years now.
Ted owns ProShots
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know the music. He is “like us,” except he loves lobbying and he takes fat paychecks for pretending he cares. If for the next election cycle he needs Soros or Bloomberg to finance his campaign, he’ll suddenly have a revelation, guns kill people! Sorry for the skepticism folks but I trust hyenas more than politicians.
At least you know what a hyena is really up to.
Nah, but he is a Republican and totally trustworthy on gun rights. Ask anyone here, just never mind the FOPA and now bump stock ban. Ironically passed by Republicans and backed by the NRA. The Republican Party is loyal to maybe 2 things only: Money and Power.
That’s true of all political parties.
Used to keep venomous reptiles, and knew many who also did. I only trust the snake to be a snake. No differently than here, & it’s why I’ve never been envenomated, though more than a few have tried.
Matt Manda is Manager, Public Affairs for the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Of course he will say whatever if he is paid!
Follow the money it will always lead u straight….to the source….