If you spent any time at the NRA Annual Meetings in Charlotte this year, chances are you saw a few of the bright yellow bags pictured at right. 

NRA Media Relations, the division responsible for NRAblog, partnered with Aimpoint to bring these handy totes to the members of the NRA.  

A sponsor of many of the NRA's Competitive Shooting events, Aimpoint is known as the originator of red dot sighting technology.

Aimpoint executives dropped by the NRAblog booth for a quick photo during the Annual Meeting. Pictured from right to left: Brian Lisankie, Vice President of Marketing & Sales; Kristi Hinton, Marketing Director; Steven Giordano, Vice President of Commercial Sales; and Lennart Ljungfelt, President.

"The NRA is proud to have Aimpoint as a partner," Deputy Executive Director of General Operations Andrea Cerwinske told NRAblog. "They're great supporters of the Second Amendment."

Mr. Jonathan Isaacs, an NRA member and Second Amendment advocate from Colorado, is pictured above (right) with NRA National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Phil Schreier at the 2010 Annual Meetings.

"Jonathan Isaacs is a very active supporter of numerous NRA programs and at the NRA Annual Meetings in Charlotte he generously contributed $2,500 to the National Firearms Museum endowment to promote museum activities and outreach programs that impact today’s youth," Schreier told NRAblog. "He strongly believes that instilling a sense of heritage and history about our shared past will go a long way in making sure that the freedoms that were won yesterday will be protected long into the future."

An NRA member for thirty-plus years, Maryland resident Bob Culver recently sent NRAblog a few pictures of his trip to the Annual Meeting in Charlotte. We were able to catch up with Culver to learn a bit more about his impression of Charlotte.

But first, a little about Bob.

A long-time gun enthusiast, Culver was a member of his high school rifle team. He said he originally joined the NRA because the organization “supports my personal interests and ideas.” Family and friends share his interest in firearms, and Culver loves attending NRA Annual Meetings, gun shows, and local community fairs whenever possible.

Culver thinks it’s important to promote “gun involvement in a friendly way,” and he enjoys encouraging people in his Montgomery County, Maryland, community to become more involved in safety training programs and to “promote the American heritage of firearms.”

Culver’s wife, Cathy Nutter Culver, shares his strong interest in firearms and NRA programs; in addition to being an NRA member, Cathy volunteers as coordinator of Women on Target shooting clinics in her community.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Culver enjoy organizing and participating in events with the Monumental Rifle Pistol Club, which will be holding a shotgun event this Saturday.

When we asked Culver what he thought of this year’s Annual Meeting in Charlotte, Culver said he and his wife had a great time attending various seminars and the Friends of NRA National Foundation banquet.

The couple particularly enjoyed hearing Ted Nugent speak, since, as Culver said, “The Nuge is always good.”

The Culvers also enjoyed the hospitality of local Charlotte businesses. Culver said people in Charlotte “were extremely friendly and glad to see us, glad for the business,” which made the trip particularly pleasant.

"That sign sums it up," he said, referencing the photo at right. He snapped a quick picture of Cathy next to an advertisement for Matt's Chicago Dogs.

If you've been following the NRAblog coverage of the 2010 Annual Meeting in Charlotte, you know this year was a BIG year for every division of the NRA. The NRA Foundation's events – a banquet Thursday night and brunch Friday – broke records on all fronts. Thanks to Sarah Young in NRA's Field Operations Division for sharing the following story with NRAblog:

Auctions Aim High

The commotion of the crowds playing games, bidding on silent auction items, and playing the raffle tables brought the newly christened ballroom to life. From the youngest child to the most senior attendee, the evening boasted something for everyone. Games kept attendees engaged with unique take-away items like the custom NRA toy truck, the Sack-Up gun sleeve, long-stem red roses, Friends of NRA shot glasses, silver bullets and shotshells...

Renowned auctioneer Bill Elrod captivated the crowd’s attention with his spectacular abilities and some outstanding merchandise. Many items were a fierce battle to the final bid, and the amounts raised exceeded expectations. An exclusive Kimber Centennial Edition 45 ACP customized with the NRA seal caught the eye of a telephone bidder in March who secured a closed bid of $10,100 before the doors opened making him the highest bidder on a firearm that night. The much-awaited "Second Amendment" 1950 Chevrolet Pick-up truck, pictured at right, was auctioned off to the highest bidder of the night at $35,000.

Sportsmen’s Auction – Sponsored by Leupold

For the sixth year, The NRA Foundation hosted the Sportsmen’s Auction, an event specifically catered to hunters, fishermen, and outdoorsmen. When the attendees walked in on May 14, they knew this brunch was the start to an action-filled day at NRA Annual Meetings, and the Foundation made sure to start the day off well.

With a record 21 hunts offered during the live and silent auction, there was no shortage of opportunities for the avid hunter or the novice fisherman to live their dream. In addition to the wide array of hunts, attendees had their pick of firearms and outdoor merchandise to compliment their next trip.

The highlight of the auction was a Buck Commander Bow signed by veteran Braves’ player and Buck Commander star, Chipper Jones...  Attendees left the brunch energized for the day and equipped with new gear for their next adventure. Each and every attendee helped make a difference in the future of the shooting sports in America, and The NRA Foundation is thankful and proud that the Sixth Annual Sportsmen’s Auction was another memorable event for all.

Read more here.

If you were able to attend the NRA’s 2010 Annual Meeting in Charlotte, you might have had the chance to stop by the Competitive Shooting booth. Staffed with a knowledgeable crew, there were many opportunities for new and veteran shooters to learn about competing in NRA events. Woody Arenas, Marketing Coordinator for the Competitive Shooting Division, said the event “was a huge success for us. We had a great location in the lobby, and we were swamped with people’s questions.”

Thanks to generous donations from several companies, Competitive Shooting was able to hold two different door prize drawings per day! Because the booth was so popular, they were also able to add at least 1,000 people to their contact list – a way to notify those who stopped by about future competitive shooting events.

As part of the booth, program managers were on site to answer any and all questions about competitive shooting events, which include; disabled shooting services, collegiate and school competitions, and the NRA National Championships at Camp Perry, Ohio. Although there are great opportunities for skilled shooters to compete at the highest level, Arenas enjoys his work within the Division because “anybody at any skill level can participate.”

While the Annual Meeting was a huge overall success for the booth, perhaps the highlight of the event was the auctioning of a Custom Springfield Armory MIA Rifle, which was generously donated by Springfield Armory. Mr. John Mason of Ft. Collins, Colorado, won the rifle at a price of just over $3,000. All proceeds, of course, will go to support the NRA Volunteer Program! Volunteers are a huge part of the NRA’s ability to provide quality programs, and the auction proceeds go to support the many people who work hard promoting the NRA.

We’re glad to hear that the Competitive Shooting Division did so well at the Annual Meeting, and we can’t wait to see what they will come up with for next year!

With more than 70,000 NRA members in attendance at the 2010 Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Charlotte, NC, in May, the Brownells Inc booth saw quite a bit of traffic.

"We've stayed busy, that's for sure," company President Pete Brownell told NRAblog on Friday afternoon.

Pictured at right, Pete and Frank Brownell took a moment to enjoy cupcakes and conversation with the NRA Youth Ambassadors. The Brownells sponsor this program as a way of insuring the next generation's involvement in the shooting sports.

"Without the generosity of the Brownells, the NRA Youth Ambassadors wouldn't have had the chance to be here in Charlotte, making all these important connections," Claudia Olsen told NRAblog. Olsen coordinates the Ambassador program and other youth cooperative organizations under the NRA's Education and Training Division.

Stay tuned on more from the Brownells/NRA Youth Ambassadors!

Everyone knows it's the people that make the party. The NRA's Annual Meetings and Exhibits are no different. Below, a sampling of the audience from this year's Annual Meeting, held May 14-16 in Charlotte, NC: 

The 2010 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits drew 72,000 NRA members from across this great nation -- and across the spectrum of ages and interests, too. One of the more popular stops for families is the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program booth, where Eddie Eagle himself poses for photos with interested kids, as pictured at left.

"We handed out a lot of materials, and met with a lot of potential volunteers," Program Manager Eric Lipp told NRAblog. "This is one of our opportunities to meet and mix with people who are benefitting from the program, volunteers who are promoting the program, and NRA members yet to learn Eddie's life saving message."

Another popular booth centered on the NRA's Gunsmithing school program. NRAblog has reported on Gunsmithing Instructor Speedy Gonzalez's quest to create master gunsmiths at Trinidad State Junior College. Gonzalez was joined by other programs.

Pictured at right, several colleges line up on the Exhibit Hall floor to provide information about their respective gunsmithing programs. To find out about a gunsmithing program near you, check out their website at www.nragunsmithing.com.

Earlier in the meeting, NRAblog met some dedicated students from the North Carolina-based Montgomery Community College program at Thursday's National Foundation banquet. The night, filled with promise, prizes, and patriotism, featured a custom made rifle they donated to the NRA Foundation.

Board Member (and esteemed Sheriff) Jay Printz has been to the NRA Annual Meeting each year since 1998 with the exception of 2004 when he was working in Iraq. Printz caught up with NRAblog to talk about this year's event. “Everyone at NRA who works to put on this event deserves a hearty thank you,” Printz told us. “I can't see how they can top this next year … but they probably will.”

“Each meeting has its individual flavor and all are exceptional,” Printz continued. He sent this picture from Charlotte. Pictured in front of the Beretta booth, from left to right: Kenny Mullins, NRA member and retired NYPD; NRA’s Kayne Robinson; and Printz.

“Last year's meeting was especially memorable as I was able to bring my brother Ken Printz for his 60th birthday present,” Printz said. “Ken was just floored at everything he saw and everybody he met.”

As Wayne LaPierre said in his introduction, gun owners couldn't have a better friend in the media than Glenn Beck. And you could tell from the roar of the crowd that everyone there at the Time Warner Cable Arena felt exactly the same way. Glenn took the stage to a standing ovation with an opening cry of “Hello, gun nuts!”

Star of radio, television, and books, Beck decided to ditch the teleprompter and deliver his speech from the hip. “Trouble is what we have, and I’m tired quite honestly of people not getting it,” he said. “We’re Americans. We can handle the truth, we demand the truth and we can understand the truth.”

Beck then went on to detail some of the troubles facing America today. No prisoners were taken as he went after the national debt, healthcare, the IMF, the size of government, and more. “What are we doing? We can see the problem!”

A two-time New York Times best seller, Beck has never been shy about sharing his opinions with the masses. In fact, he’ll be hitting the road with Bill O’Reilly to do just that with the Bold & Fresh Tour as well as a solo effort titled American Revival.

After describing what is wrong, he started explaining what is right. Specifically, he said, there are three things that we can believe in. “One, each other. Two, our troops. Three, our cops.”

No matter what the trouble, Beck believes there is always one way to survive. “You stand up, get your friends to stand up, and you teach your kids to stand up.”

And as the night drew to a close, that’s exactly how the audience left him. Applauding madly, hooting and hollering, standing up.

Everyone knows it's the people that make the party. The NRA's Annual Meetings and Exhibits are no different. Below, a sampling of the audience from our time in Charlotte:

“We have more than 100 years of combined U.S. Marine Corps experience in our family,” said NRA member George Hitchcock, Sr. pictured at right with George Jr. (center) and his brother (right). “My son just got out. Show them your tattoo."

Sure enough, George Jr. lowered the collar of his shirt to show the Marine Corps emblem right on his neck.

"It's good to be here as a family," George Sr. told us when we asked how the Meeting was going. "My brother came with us, and it's been a real good time so far." 

 

       

The National Rifle and Pistol Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, were centerstage in Charlotte as the staff of the NRA's Competitive Shooting Division manned a booth promoting the shooting sports. The national matches are held each summer, and a dedicated group of volunteers are responsible for much of the event's success.

 At left, Dot Priestman, an NRA volunteer, got creative and used the NRAblog signature yellow tote to draw a name for Sunday's raffle. 

 "The response has been great," Marketing Coordinator Woody Arenas told NRAblog. "Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we drew people's names out of a raffle for prizes, which draws a crowd." Sponsors donated prizes, which Arenas and staff handed out to happy NRA members at the conclusion of each day.

If you'd like to share your favorite photo from the Annual Meetings with NRAblog, send it to GOblog@NRAhq.org.  

Public Relations is a tricky thing. What message, what image, what bright and shiny colors are going to make you and your product stand out to the crowd? For the he NRA's 139th Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, Colt decided a little star power from the NFL was the answer. And for that, they brought out former 49er cornerback Eric Wright and defensive guru Greg Blache.

Drafted in the the third round out of the University of Missouri, Wright was partnered along side NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott for a majority of San Francisco's dominate play during 1980s. With two pro bowls and four Super Bowl victories under his belt, Wright retired from the game in 1990.

Blanche's playing career was cut short after a leg injury at the University of Notre Dame. Not ready to give up the game, Blanche became a graduate assistant and then a coach for the Fighting Irish. With stints in Indianapolis, Chicago & Green Bay, he recently concluded a stay with the Washington Redskins where his defense finished 10th in the league.

With autograph seekers and frenzied NFL fans anxiously waiting for a glimpse this piece of football history, Colt seems to have found the answer to what brings people to the booth. Oh, and the guns were pretty popular too.

"It's my honor to welcome you," Wayne Anthony Ross told the crowded conference room at the Charlotte Convention Center on Sunday, May 16, 2010. Ross, the chairman of the Gun Collectors Committee, is a longtime NRA Board Member and true friend to the community. "We have 25 gun collector organizations represented here, and before I say anything more, I’d like to introduce NRA Vice President David Keene, a fellow Winsconsinite who has honored us with his presence."

"It’s a pleasure to get the chance to be here for a few minutes," Keene said from the podium at the front of the room. "I’m awed by how much effort and love goes into this."

"Collecting is one of the ways we enjoy our firearm rights," Keene said. "You're an important part of what we do and why we're here, and I want to thank you for all you do."

"The heritage of the NRA goes back," Keene continued. "Waaaay back, and you are preserving a vital part of the American heritage, in addition to having a heck of a good time while you do it."

The first year any collector group participates in the NRA National Gun Collecting Awards Competition, it receives a special plaque. After that, the group receives a special star ornament for each additional year of participation.

In 2010, one group debuted an exhibit: the Southeastern Antique Arms Collectors Association. All NRA affiliated gun collector clubs are eligible to enter, Senior Curator Phil Schreier told NRAblog.

"Each of these organizations is to be commended for their individual and collective efforts and the resulting success that has been enjoyed by thousands of visitors in the Exhibit Hall this weekend," Ross told the crowd before calling representatives to the front of the room to receive their stars. Below, we've listed each group that is celebrating 25 or more years of participation: 

Ohio Gun Collectors Assn.	57
Michigan Antique Arms Collectors	49
Ruger Collectors' Association	36
Minnesota Weapons Collectors Association	31
Smith & Wesson Collectors' Association	28
Miniature Arms Collectors/Makers Society	27
Winchester Arms Collectors Association	25

More...

Though a few stragglers still remain in Charlotte, North Carolina, most of us are back at NRA Headquarters here in Northern Virginia. In addition to catching up on emails and checking voicemail, there’s a great deal of unpacking left to do.

Truckloads of materials have been arriving throughout the day. Stacked and wrapped on pallets and in crates, dozens of employees are trucking out their goods on dollies or carts.

“It’s a vital part of the operation,” said one Annual Meeting attendee. “It’s not as if we can put booths, magazines, hats, membership forms, electronics, auction items, et cetera in our trunk and drive off to Charlotte. The Shipping Department makes it happen and they make it happen fast.”

Rumor has it that the last of the shipments will arrive before the week is out – which is a good thing. We're still looking for Phil Schreier. 

When you ask people if they know the name Theodore Van Kirk, "Dutch" to his friends, most will respond with a puzzled look. But when he was introduced by Wayne LaPierre at the Celebration of American Values Freedom Experience Event on Saturday night, the crowd responded with thunderous applause.

Dutch was the navigator and is the last surviving crew member of the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress that dropped the atomic bomb known as "Little Boy." Along with Commander Tibbets and the rest of the crew, Van Kirk trained in Utah for seven months before their flight on August 6, 1945.

At the Annual Meeting, Dutch autographed The 509th Remembered, spoke at the American Values Freedom Experience, shared stories from World War II, and provided a touch of insight at the "U.S. Pistol, Model of 1911: Trials & Combat" seminar, which also featured our own Phil Schreier.

When asked about his impression of Van Kirk, National Firearms Museum Senior Curator Doug Wicklund said:

“I briefly spoke with Dutch at the Nation's Gun Show in Chantilly. There he showed me a photograph taken from a private camera aboard the Enola Gay moments after the bomb was deployed. It was an elegant image from the dawn of the atomic age.”

NRAblog recently shared a few details about Ted Nugent’s “speaking presentation” at the Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here are a few more details and additional pictures from the event.

Ted Nugent’s seminar at the NRA Annual Meeting, titled We The People, was filled with everything the crowd could desire and more. Lines formed early and wrapped around hallways and stairs as everyone gathered for the Motor City Madman’s message for the members.

“The spirit of our blood brothers must be spread,” Ted cried from the stage. “It all starts with membership. If you’re not a member of the NRA then you are not a force to be reckoned with.” He called for more. If you’re a Member, become a Life Member. If you’re a Life Member, become a Endowment Life Member. And if you have a friend, a family member, or a neighbor who isn’t a member of the NRA, then it’s your job to sign them up.

The event came to a close as Ted grabbed his guitar and played a few tunes for the grateful crowd. They thanked him as they welcomed him – on their feet, with deafening applause.