How do the experts recommend visitors to the NRA National Firearms Museum explore the Hollywood Guns exhibit? Very, very carefully -- and with the support of the Hollywood Guns guidebook.

For those of you who haven’t seen it mentioned already on NRAblog, the Hollywood Guns exhibit is the National Firearms Museum’s newest display. More than 100 guns used in popular movies are on display in the Museum's Ruger gallery through next summer. If you have the chance to visit the Museum, hop into its gift store to purchase a copy of the exhibit's accompanying guidebook. It explains the significance of each piece in the display.

If you won’t be able to make it to the Museum within the next year, use the guidebook (and the Museum's fabulous website) to experience the exhibit from anywhere in the world. Full of glossy pictures and informative descriptions, the book guides the reader through Hollywood past and present, from The Big Trail, starring John Wayne, to 2010’s The Pacific. With an introduction by Stephen Hunter and expert gun descriptions by the National Firearms Museum’s senior curators, this is a not-to-miss collector’s item; best of all, it’s only $14.95!

Interested? Contact Van Scoyoc at bvanscoyoc@nrahq.org, or call the Store at 703-267-1614.

Here at NRA Headquarters, the National Firearms Museum draws visitors from all over the country who are interested in the history of firearms. However, although the Museum features a large variety of fascinating exhibits, the Museum Store is a destination in itself, housing a wide range of books and merchandise.

Here are a few particularly popular items:

Tactical Pen—According to Museum Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc, the tactical pen is “the best-selling item in the store right now.” Why are the pens so hard to keep on the shelves? Perhaps because at only $29.99, they’re an incredible deal—Van Scoyoc said that he’s seen similar items sold for up to $145 at other places.

The pen is fully functional as both a writing instrument and an “item of last resort,” and part of its popularity is due to the fact that it is still allowed on airplanes and other public places.

Describing the pen’s aesthetic appeal, Van Scoyoc explained, “It has the NRA logo on the top, and of course it’s a Smith and Wesson. It’s a hot item, and it’s going fast!” 

Hot and Cold Pack—Another great item currently on sale at the Museum Store is a dual hot and cold pack, which is useful for a variety of comfort needs.

Van Scoyoc has found the cold pack helpful for pulled or strained muscles: “I’ve used the cold one for a stiff neck, and to use it you just put it in the freezer.” For the hot pack, he explained, it works “like magic! The heat pack has a little metal piece that you click, and it heats it up like a battery. A chemical reaction happens to make it stiff and hot, so it’s perfect to use if you’re hunting or hiking in the cold.”

In addition, the hot pack stays warm for about ninety minutes, “and to reuse it you just drop it in boiling water for a minute and it returns to its regular state, and you can use it over and over.” As you can see in the photo, the product comes with a stylish NRA sleeve, which is optional -- but a great chance to show off your NRA pride!

Like what you see here? Contact Van Scoyoc at bvanscoyoc@nrahq.org, or call the Store at 703-267-1614.

For those of you interested in the historical aspect of firearms, and particularly muzzle loaders, Gary Yee’s Sharpshooters 1750-1900: The Men, Their Guns, Their Story is an invaluable resource. At over 800 pages, it functions as an excellent sharpshooting reference book, with chapters divided under many different headings for easy access to subjects.

Although Civil War buffs will love Yee’s meticulous attention to detail in covering everything from the Peninsula Campaign to the Siege of Mobile, the first few chapters delve into sharpshooting’s earlier roots in the French-Indian War, the American Revolution, and the Napoleonic Era.

NRAblog had the chance to ask Doug Wicklund, Senior Curator at the National Firearms Museum, why he enjoys Yee’s approach to firearms history:

"This is a reference work long-overdue for collectors and historians on the art of sharpshooting that truly captivates. Yee continues to bring man and machine together in a voluminous, well-written Civil War section that reveals the differences in arms and tactics of Confederate and Union marksmen. From riflemen armed with crude telescopic rifles, perched in trees overlooking the battlefield, to skirmishers armed with repeating Henry rifles, the evolution and deployment of armament in the conflict that divided America is carefully related. The lessons learned then, in battles ranging from Antietam to Appomattox, still provide insight for modern land warriors in foreign lands. If I had to choose one outstanding reference dealing with sharpshooting this year, Gary Yee’s book would be it."

As the book’s jacket cover says, sharpshooters have shaped history “like an unseen hand that plucked life from among the unwary.” If you’d like to learn more about this rich history and the amazingly skilled sharpshooters who determined the fate of the Civil War and many other historical events, then visit the National Firearms Museum store here at NRA headquarters or call Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc at 703-267-1608.

If you’ve ever had the chance to visit NRA’s National Firearms Museum, you know how impressive, educational, and fun it is. But you may not be aware that the Museum’s gift shop is also a great resource for firearms enthusiasts and collectors. Benjamin Van Scoyoc, Manager of the store, highly recommends the book Theodore Roosevelt: Hunter-Conservationist by R.L. Wilson.

The Museum store has the newly-updated 2009 version in stock, and this book is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in Theodore Roosevelt, firearms history, or the great outdoors in general. While Roosevelt is perhaps most well-known for his role as 26th President of the United States (from 1901 to 1909), he was a lifelong outdoorsman, gun collector, and hunter, and he fought bravely with his team of “rough riders” in the Spanish American War.

According to Wilson’s book, Roosevelt’s father inspired his love for shooting sports and adventure, and Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt held a lifelong regard for nature as a peaceful, uplifting refuge from the world’s hectic pace and responsibilities. Because of this, as President Teddy Roosevelt became the leader of America’s conservation movement at a time when industrial giants were threatening to destroy the natural environment, Roosevelt directed resources towards creating five National Parks and introducing stricter environmental standards for industrialists.

Noted for raising public interest in the conservation movement, Roosevelt said in a speech in 1912: “There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country. Just as we must conserve our men and women and children, so we must conserve the resources of the land on which they live.”

When asked about the book’s usefulness as an authority on Roosevelt’s passion for firearms and conservation, NRA’s own Phil Schreier, an expert on guns of all types and a scholar of Roosevelt, had this to say: “For those who want to know and understand the outdoorsman and conservationist who was Theodore Roosevelt, this book is not only the best title on this subject, but the only one.”

If you, too, find the story of our 26th President a fascinating one, then call Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc at 703-267-1608 to order a copy of the book!

Our very own Lars Dalseide will be making a guest NRA News appearance at 10:20 EST tonight. "Tune in to hear about the latest hot items at the NRA National Firearms Museum store," Dalseide said. "It's going to be an exciting night of briefcases, box cutters, and bears."

Pictured to the right are bullet and gun-shaped flash drives which are a popular novelty gift. "They're 4GB, and the keychain component is quite convenient," Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc told NRAblog.

Pictured below, the hand-painted Russian egg ornament is another popular purchase this time of year. Lars will be in studio with these items and more Christmas-styled stocking stuffers that can be found at the National Firearms Museum's new gift shop.

Listen in for prices, descriptions, and all the other details tonight on NRANews.com or on Sirius Patriot channel 144.

There's no excuse for not visiting the Museum's new website, either! Let us know what you think. 

Since the NRA National Firearms Museum has a lovely new gift shop right here at NRA Headquarters, NRAblog has decided to send our newest staff member, Nick Ivey, to the shop once a week to see what he finds. 

Whether given as a gift or purchased for oneself, one of the NRA Challenge Coins and Knife sets are a nice novelty item to show your support for the National Rifle Association. There are three different sets to choose from with two being similar but different in size.

Two sets offer a pocket knife option with the small version having a blade of 2 ¾ in and the large version having a blade of 3 ½ in. In each set the same Challenge Coin is included. The smaller knife sells at $34.95 and the larger knife sells at $39.95. Both knives include an inscription of the Second Amendment on the handle.

The third set offers another NRA challenge coin in addition to the unique coin-like design that holds three different tools to include both a blade and scissors. This set sells for $29.95. One Challenge Coin is included in all three sets, and all coins are minted in the U.S.A.

Remember, these items are unique to the Museum store. To purchase, visit the Museum or call Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc at 703-267-1608.

Since the NRA National Firearms Museum has a lovely new gift shop right here at NRA Headquarters, NRAblog has decided to send our newest staff member, Nick Ivey, to the shop once a week to see what he finds. 

NRA Laptop CaseOne of the top sellers at the NRA Store is the NRA laptop carrying case. The case is embroidered with the NRA logo on the front flap and contains various compartments and zippers to store your laptop and accessories. This item sells for $29.95. 

Remember, these items are unique to the Museum store. To purchase, visit the Museum or call Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc at 703-267-1608.

 

An English class from a local community college recently paid a visit to the NRA National Firearms Museum as part of a research assignment.

Students in the entry-level English course were assigned a seven-page paper on the topic of firearm rights and ownership.

Trenton Castleberry, a business student, remained undecided. “I can see pros and cons of firearm ownership,” he said. He shot firearms with his Boy Scout troop when he was younger and describes shooting as “enjoyable.”

The quick tour Senior Curator Doug Wicklund gave the group highlighted the Museum’s 18 galleries, including the Guns West! Exhibit, which was very popular among the students. “The Western guns, especially Clint Eastwood’s guns, were cool,” Castleberry said. The students were given an additional hour to enjoy self-guided tours and the Museum’s new store.

“I’m for the right to keep and bear arms, because Americans need to maintain the right to defend themselves,” one student said.

More...

Since the NRA National Firearms Museum has a lovely new gift shop right here at NRA Headquarters, NRAblog has decided to send our newest staff member, Nick Ivey, to the shop once a week to see what he finds. 

One of the newest and most exciting items available in the NRA National Firearms Museum's store is the new NRA Derringer Butane Lighter, pictured above.

The derringer has two settings, regular and wind-resistant for cigar lighting. The regular setting operates like any generic lighter and by a simple flick of the “safety,” the lighter will ignite the Butane flame. You can pick up your NRA derringer lighter for $9.95. 

Remember, these items are unique to the Museum store. To purchase, visit the Museum or call Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc at 703-267-1608.

The staff of the NRA National Firearms Museum will be at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia, this coming weekend. Check out their table – it's usually in the corner near the café – to see the a special Thanksgiving exhibit produced by Assistant Curator Matt Sharpe:

Stop by the Museum's booth for a chance to win a prize from the NRA Museum store! Guess which firearms represent popular dishes served during a Thanksgiving meal.

You get a head start knowing that on display will be two Turkish “Rat Tail” flintlock pistols, a muzzle-loading pistol from the Revolutionary War era, a German “potato masher” grenade, a Maynard tape roll primer rifle, a revolver owned by superstar trick shot and exhibition shooter Judge Roy Bean, and a 17th Century wheelock carbine which belonged to John Alden, an original settler of the Plymouth colony and signer of the Mayflower Compact. More...

Since the NRA National Firearms Museum has a lovely new gift shop right here at NRA Headquarters, NRAblog has decided to send our newest staff member, Nick Ivey, to the shop once a week to see what he finds. 

Include the NRA on your Christmas tree this year! Imported from Russia is a hand painted wooden “Russian Egg” that bears the logo of the National Rifle Association on one side and a depiction of its national headquarters here in Fairfax, Virginia, on the other.

Since these eggs are hand painted, no two are exactly alike. The symbolic history of the egg in Russia is a long and significant one, and the staff of the NRA National Firearms Museum is thankful to our friends in Russia for providing us with such a one of a kind item and for their support. You can purchase yours at the NRA Store for $14.95.

Remember, these items are unique to the Museum store. To purchase, visit the Museum or call Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc at 703-267-1608.

Since the NRA National Firearms Museum has a lovely new gift shop right here at NRA Headquarters, NRAblog has decided to send our newest staff member, Nick Ivey, to the shop once a week to see what he finds. 

The NRA National Firearms Museum’s Store has everything from clothing and houseware products to books and picture frames. However, the NRA store has a small niche that caters to young children that are being introduced to firearms and shooting sports. Some of these unique items are not easily found elsewhere, according to Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc.

“The top selling hottest children’s item in the store is the rubber band guns,” Van Scoyoc, told NRAblog. The rubber band guns are available in several models to include the Derringer, Colt 1911, Uzi-submachine gun, M-16, and the Thompson submachine gun. Prices range from $9.95 to $39.95 depending on the model type. Rubber bands are, of course, included with purchase.

Remember, these items are unique to the Museum store. To purchase, visit the Museum or call Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc at 703-267-1608.

If you find yourself in the greater Washington DC area this weekend, make your way to the Museum for a memorable event. The NRA Museum Store, which recently celebrated a grand reopening, will remain open throughout the extended event hours.

Drop by any time between 4 and 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, or 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Costumes are encouraged, or come to see your favorite firearms historians in costume. Senior Curator Phil Schreier, pictured at left, never disappoints. 

"This year promises to be a great event with free treats for kids and food and fun for all," Museum Director Jim Supica told NRAblog.

Supica, whose standard  costume is a cowboy of the Old West, is finishing his first year as Director of the Museum."It's been a great year, but the best is definitely yet to come," Supica said. 

Since the NRA National Firearms Museum has a lovely new gift shop right here at NRA Headquarters, NRAblog has decided to send our newest staff member, Nick Ivey, to the shop once a week to see what he finds.  

“One of the hottest novelty items we sell here in the NRA Store is definitely our gun and bullet shaped flash drives,” Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc told NRAblog. Four gigabyte flash drives can be purchased for $24.95 in the shape of an Uzi-submachine gun or in the shape of a couple different types of ammunition. In addition to the four gigabyte drives, there is also a one gigabyte flash drive available as well for $15.95.

These items are the perfect stocking stuffer for the upcoming holiday season.

Remember, these items are unique to the Museum store. To purchase, visit the Museum or call Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc at 703-267-1608.

Since the NRA National Firearms Museum has a lovely new gift shop right here at NRA Headquarters, NRAblog has decided to send our newest staff member, Nick Ivey, to the shop once a week to see what he finds.

The NRA has taken its appreciation of their NRA members one step farther with the newest item in the NRA National Firearms Museum’s store: the NRA dog bowl.

After a long hunt or even a short walk, allow your dog to drink with NRA pride in this blue and white ceramic dog bowl.

You look good sporting your NRA gear. Why shouldn’t your favorite pet?

The bowl is available at the NRA Store for $9.95.

Remember, these items are only available at the Museum store. To purchase, visit the Museum or call Store Manager Benjamin Van Scoyoc at 703-267-1608.