NRA AM '12 Day 2b

With the sad display that was the CSGV 'protest', the afternoon was mandatory for coolness:

Valinda and Mike Rowe of Illinois Carry. I ran into them waiting for the 'protest'

Jodie Newell interviewing Dick Heller.

One of my best friends (and USAF vet but we'll forgive him) meeting the Nuge.

The Gunny. R. Lee Ermey.

He signed my 'Glock' book and a picture.

I needed a new NRA hat so I picked up a 'Life Member' one.

I had it customized.









Spent some time talking to the Marlin folks.  After their move, they admitted there were some QC issues but they are busting their humps to 'put out the best firearms possible'.Their displayed product looked good and, as a Marlin fan, I look forward to seeing the company maintain a reputation for reliability.

Tomorrow will be the final day and I'll be heading home after a planned rendezvous w/ 45Superman.




 NRA AM Day 1A
 NRA AM '12 Day 1B 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2A 
 NRA AM '12: The @CSGV Protest That Wasn't 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2B
NRA AM Day 3: Finale
NRA AM '12: Final Thoughts

NRA AM '12: The @CSGV Protest That Wasn't

Well the much vaunted 'protest' came and went at the America Center in St. Louis.

 Here's the turnout.

 So I walked down Washington and 4th st all the way to the Arch at about 1:45pm just to say 'HI" to my good buddy Ladd.  Nothing.  It was like Where's Waldo but w/ a bald guy w/ anger management issues. Disappointing, however I did get some nice shots of the arch.

 Ah well. Back to the floor.

 Update:  CBS St Louis reported on the 'rally' w. a photo of one person w. a sign and some statements.

The building behind them is the (in)famous courthouse where the Dred Scott decision was made.  Appropriate for these individuals who want to strip us of our rights. It's also nearly a half-mile away from the convention center. Also no mention of the number of attendees (few) or how long it lasted (minutes).


 NRA AM Day 1A
 NRA AM '12 Day 1B 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2A 
 NRA AM '12: The @CSGV Protest That Wasn't 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2B
NRA AM Day 3: Finale
NRA AM '12: Final Thoughts

NRA AM '12 Day 2A

Morning started out rough. Pouring rain, parking was a cluster. Hoping to meet the Gunnie but the line is something like 2 1/2 hours long.

But:  

 I got my aerial shots thanks to the folks at  Lone Wolf Distributors.

 The NRA logo is apparently worth $20/item.  I sell these flags for $10.

 Remember the flap by the CSGV, Media Matters etc. over the CCW Hoodie that allegedly was marketed in response to the Martin/Zimmerman shooting a month before it happened?

Well I met the manufacturer.  They have nearly two months worth of backorders and are shipping out so many they didn't have enough left to bring any besides a sample to the convention.

Ladd Everitt, NRA hoodie salesman of the year.








Now I'm heading out to see if the protesters actually show up.  There are two buses out there but we don't know who they are yet.



 NRA AM Day 1A
 NRA AM '12 Day 1B 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2A 
 NRA AM '12: The @CSGV Protest That Wasn't 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2B
NRA AM Day 3: Finale
NRA AM '12: Final Thoughts

NRA AM '12 Day 1B

Just couldn't do it. I couldn't go and sit through Romney the Reed bending in our direction. The response by the audience was 'polite'. Santorum, Gingrich.  No. Just no.

This was funny though:

 So I went and got something to eat and walked the floor a bit more and was interviewed by NMGPolitics out of Australia. 

 Richard Pearson, ED of the ISRA at the ISRA booth.

The line to get into the 'Leadership' Forum.

Joe Waldron (SAF) and Massad Ayoob













And all the while the anti-gunners are race-baiting and calling NRA members 'UnAmerican' and 'disgusting'.

This is what they consider 'mainstream'. They might want to talk to Rick Ector who runs 'Legally Armed in Detroit'. I kept trying to tell him he didn't exist but he wouldn't believe me.

Some shots I took before I headed out for the day:

 Replica Stg 44 in .22lr from American Tactical.  Planned for a summer '12 release the MSRP is $600.

I want.This is seriously going on my list.  Practical?  No.  Amazingly cool. Yes.

Cam Edwards of NRA news.













 NRA AM Day 1A
 NRA AM '12 Day 1B 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2A 
 NRA AM '12: The @CSGV Protest That Wasn't 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2B
NRA AM Day 3: Finale
NRA AM '12: Final Thoughts
 

NRA AM '12 Day 1A

Arrived, checked in, and did a sweep of the floor. Getting parking was like the 'Line Ride'. I did find a space between two closely parked trucks. It's good to drive a small car.


9am- The floor has just opened and there's already a line out the door.

Stephanie Samford, NRA Media Liason.  She was warned about us.

The SAF folks including Alan Gottlieb.

Ashley Varner, NRA Rep for Indiana Missouri and Oklahoma.  She used to me the Media Liason and is one of the ones involved in getting bloggers credentialed.

TACTICAL BACON From CMMG. 

And thanks to Ashley, I also met the Lt. Gov and Senators from MO. Who also wanted some bacon. 

 John Overstreet showing me their new reversable AR system for lefty shooters.  They're planning on $500 uppers for .22 dedicated and $650 for .223 uppers.  Not guaranteed so don't go and tell them I said so.













                   
 

John Webb and Ron Corzine of the Illinois State Rifle Assoc.signing up new members.

Geeking out.  Oleg Volk, who, for some reason seems to think I'm more famous

I've spent the last hour or so talking guns and politics w/ Jodie Newell, newscaster from Australia.














I'm debating whether to go to the 'Leadership' speeches.


 NRA AM Day 1A
 NRA AM '12 Day 1B 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2A 
 NRA AM '12: The @CSGV Protest That Wasn't 
 NRA AM '12 Day 2B
NRA AM Day 3: Finale
NRA AM '12: Final Thoughts