As the entire firearms industry prepares for the impact of gun bans in the national midterm elections, expect extravaganzas and grand displays of the latest sporting firearms and shooting products as the Association of Firearms and Ammunition Dealers (AFAD ) hosts the final. part of the 30th Defense and Sporting Arms scheduled for November 20-24, 2024 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

AFAD spokesperson Alaric Topacio said that since the heat of the electoral gun ban was expected to hit the firearms industry hard, they were making sure that this year’s final show would be quite different from the previous show last August and last month’s Davao City edition. .

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“We take this electoral gun ban as a challenge to overcome,” Topacio said.

“Some people might think that banning guns (because of special holidays and upcoming elections) is something that could hurt us. On the contrary, AFAD wholeheartedly welcomes the banning of weapons due to special circumstances, and this is part of our mission at AFAD for responsible gun ownership.”

Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla is invited to attend the opening ceremony at 10 am

Topacio said AFAD has remained in close coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) on the exceptions to the gun ban, especially in the case of sporting firearms, as members of the national team must undergo regular training and competitions.

“There is uncertainty on the part of us, the dealers, manufacturers, importers, workers and the community of responsible gun owners during the electoral gun ban. Without production and import for six months, the industry is expected to lose 90 percent of its revenue, and without the necessary labor, there is no tax revenue for the government,” Topacio said.

“We are asking for more freedom to work with our MPs and the PNP so that we can continue to be productive even in the election season,” he added.

With more than 100 brands of high-quality local and imported products from 40 confirmed exhibitors, Topacio said this show will be the best and grandest for gun enthusiasts and other shooting stakeholders.

With its primary mission to educate the public about responsible gun ownership, AFAD’s activities and programs throughout the four-day event include seminars on the safe handling of firearms, the legal process of purchasing a gun, and vital documents and government requirements.

Also, in close coordination with the PNP, AFAD has established a one-stop area for the application and renewal of licenses to possess and possess firearms available at the show.