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February 2, 2026
2026 SHOT University Delivers Education & Impact | Opportunities Continue All Year Long
LAS VEGAS — The 2026 SHOT University™, a live event presented by NSSF®, was hailed as a tremendous success by attendees and organizers alike. Held during the SHOT Show® — which spanned Jan. 20–23 — this educational forum brought over 3,100 retailers, range owners and firearm industry professionals together for a comprehensive slate of informative sessions that empowered businesses while also opening important conversations on mental health and community safety.
A core component of SHOT Week®, SHOT University offered flexible à la carte sessions on a wide range of mission-critical topics, including customer communications, ATF/NICS compliance, marketing, operations, new shooter outreach and workforce development.
“SHOT University is tailored for the realities our members face every day,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Member Development. “From workforce challenges to evolving customer expectations, we build SHOT University based on direct input from the businesses we serve. That’s why this program resonates, these sessions reflect the actual needs of firearm retailers, ranges and industry leaders and equip them with the tools to adapt and thrive.”
Among the most powerful moments of the 2026 program was the debut of the Suicide Prevention Town Hall, a compelling and emotional discussion led by mental health advocates and industry experts. The panel delivered real-world strategies and life-saving awareness tools, reflecting NSSF’s leadership in addressing complex issues facing the firearm community.
“The response to our Suicide Prevention Town Hall was overwhelming and reinforced how deeply this topic resonates with our community. This is an issue I take very seriously, both personally and professionally,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “Suicide is preventable. Awareness, education and engagement can make a real difference and NSSF is committed to leading that effort.”
SHOT University could not have succeeded without the generous support of its sponsors, whose commitment fuels education throughout the industry:
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
“The value of SHOT University doesn’t stop when SHOT Show ends,” said John McNamara, NSSF Vice President, Member Services. “With SHOT University Online, members have access to webinars, information and critical training tools all year long, helping them stay ahead in an increasingly complex business environment.”
As SHOT University Live concludes, NSSF encourages members to continue their learning year-round through SHOT University Online, an exclusive education platform offering on-demand modules on OSHA and ATF compliance, inventory management, customer service strategies, social media and more. The latest free compliance webinar, taking place today, will outline the essential compliance insights and federal agency updates shared during SHOT Show 2026. These resources are free to NSSF members and accessible anytime.
For more information or to explore SHOT University Online, visit NSSF.org/education.
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About NSSF
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.
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NSSF Media contact:
Bill Brassard
203-426-1320 ext. 212
Categories: BP Item, Education, Featured, Industry News, Press Releases, Ranges, Retailers, Safety, Top Stories
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