The Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers (AFAD) stages its second and final part of the 30th Defense and Sports Arms Show slated Nov. 20-24 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
The group is pulling all the stops to showcase the latest sporting firearms and shooting products in the five-day show aimed at doubling its sales to cushion the impact of the election gun ban that will be implemented by the government for next year’s mid-term national election.
Gun ban is likely to begin when the campaign period starts on Jan. 12, 2025, and will most likely hurt their sales, reason why they are in close coordination with various government agencies to adopt steps so production during the period would not stop.
“There’s the uncertainty on our part, the dealers, manufacturers, importers, the workers, and the community of responsible gun owners for the duration of the election gun ban,” said AFAD spokesman Alaric ‘Aric’ Topacio. “With no production and importation for six months, the industry is expected to lose 90% of its revenue. And with no labor needed, there’s no tax income for the government.”
‘We are requesting more leeway to work with our lawmakers and the PNP so we can still be productive even on election season,” added Topacio.
Topacio said the group is bracing for that eventuality but they are doing everything to make this year’s final show unique, far different from the previous show last August, and the Davao City edition last month.
“We take this election gun ban as a challenge to overcome,” added Topacio.
“Some people may think the gun ban (because of the special holidays and the coming elections) is something that could hurt us. On the contrary, AFAD wholeheartedly welcomes gun ban due to special circumstances, and this is part of our mission in AFAD for responsible gun ownership.”
Members and exhibitors are Trust Trade, PB Dionisio & Co., Inc., Squires Bingham International Inc., Tactical Corner, Inc., Nashe Enterprises, Hahn Manila Enterprises, Shooters Guns and Ammo Corp., Metro Arms Corporation, R. Espineli Trading, Imperial Guns, Ammo & Accessories, Jethro International, Inc.; Stronghand Incorporated, Final Option Trading Corporation, Force Site Inc, Lynx Firearms and Ammunition; Tactical Precision Trading, Armscor Shooting Center,
Topspot Guns and Ammo, Lordman Leathercraft Guns and Ammo, Defensive Armament Resource Corp. True Weight, Tactics SOG Industries Inc., Lock and Load Firearms and Sporting Goods, Pascual Enterprises, Santiago Fiberforce, Jordan Leather & Gen. Mdse., Speededge, Magnus Sports Shop, Greyman Elite Inc., Bonanza Enterprise, Frontier Guns & Ammo, Jordan Guns & Ammo Trading, Tacops-Tactical Option, Inc., Raj’s, Asia Defense and Armament Corporation and Secure Arms.
