Industry Generosity: Companies Give Back

by
posted on December 19, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gsagi2015_fs.jpg

It’s the holiday season, that time of year when the odds greatly increase that an anti-gun party crasher using a drink in each hand for balance will stagger you into a corner for a debate. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of being polite. This year I’m firing back, with some solid information on the charitable work done by the shooting industry during 2013.

Hornady just made a donation in excess of $38,000 to the GRACE Foundation, which is dedicated to helping cancer patients, their families and the survivors. If the drunk doesn’t care about health care, bring up public safety-including theirs. Lewis Machine & Tool Company donated $5,350 to the National Tactical Officers Association.

Then, of course, the industry always takes care of those in uniform. Earlier this year Glock gave $100,000 to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Pease Greeters, an organization that welcomes servicemen and women passing through Pease International Airport, received $25,000 from SIG Sauer. Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) received $50,000 from Smith & Wesson.

Yamaha Outdoors donated a fully rigged Rhino as a grand prize in a drawing that raised money for HAVA and Feed the Children. Rocky Brands donated more than $100,000 to Give Breast Cancer the Boot.

That’s a short list, one even dead voters in Chicago can appreciate. I deliberately left out all the firearm-related donations.

Then there are those small things that go on all the time, with little or absolutely no fanfare. It’s just the right thing to do.

I was contacted by someone in the Army (name withheld) to ascertain if I knew anyone in the industry who would donate hats and ammo to a special hunt for wounded SOCOM soldiers. No photos, no interviews and, as you may have noticed, no details could be released. I’m not releasing anything (because these guys could hunt me down and hurt me), except for the fact Federal Premium stepped up to the plate with the requested gear. That’s about all the publicity the company can expect, and it knew so before sending the gear. How awesome is that?

And, in the 10 years I worked at NRA headquarters there was always a Toys for Tots donation box in the lobby in December. I’m not at my desk this year, but the box was-as I’m certain similar, small and from-the-heart programs are in every single firearms-related company in the nation.

Latest

Kimber 1911 Ds Warrior Gotw 1
Kimber 1911 Ds Warrior Gotw 1

Gun of the Week: Kimber 1911 DS Warrior LW

In 2026, Kimber developed its 1911 DS Warrior, an American-made, double-stack design that is intended to be an affordable entry point into Kimber's double-stack handgun line.

The Armed Citizen® April 24, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Spin Difference: The Impact of Barrel Twist Rates on Terminal Performance

When most shooters think of rifling-twist rates, they mostly think of rifles with their high BC projectiles, but the rpm of a bullet also plays a part in terminal performance.

Beretta's 1301 Tactical vs. A300 Ultima Patrol Shotguns: Which Should You Choose?

Ever since Beretta launched the A300 Ultima Patrol shotgun in 2024 as a less-pricey alternative to the 1301 Tactical, shotgunners have debated whether the 1301 is worth the extra cost. Let's examine them both.

ZEV Technologies Escaping Washington State’s Hostile Political Climate

ZEV Technologies announced it is moving its headquarters and manufacturing operations out of Washington state to Utah’s Second Amendment-friendly business climate.

U.S. v. Hemani Arguments

On March 2, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in U.S. v. Hemani. The case involves a defendant who is fighting a federal indictment for possessing a firearm while being a marijuana user.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.