SHOT Show 2013, held annually in Las Vegas, is the premier outdoors and shooting sports trade show in the world. Last year, SHOT Show contributed $60 million to the depressed Las Vegas economy, and there are signs that 2013’s event will do even more.

SHOT is attended by manufacturers, suppliers and retailers ranging from Wal-Mart to small businesses; they share one thing in common, much of their firearm revenue stream is closely linked to the sale, service and support of modern semi-automatic rifles and accessories. I met with a number of manufacturers who are beginning to think twice about risking capital to improve their plant capacity and hiring, in the face of the current administration’s promise to implement weapon bans. They, as I, are convinced there is little interest in protecting Second Amendment rights at the White House and Democratically controlled Senate.

Many of these entrepreneurs are Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who’s entire lives are invested in their businesses. These men and women returned to an economy ravished by the excesses of Bank of America, Bear Stern, Lehman Brothers, Merril Lynch, AIG and others to build businesses that became industry leaders, with a global presence. They’ve faced credit crunches, oppressive ITAR regulations that keep them from competing globally, and are now faced with a hostile Executive Branch and Senate bent on slaying imaginary dragons.

In spite of recent events, the industry and Second Amendment supporters are drawing a line in the sand. In their minds there are no illusions. The fight is on!