May 14, 2026

NSSF Spotlights New Research, Evolving Consumer Trends at National R3 Symposium

At the recent National R3 Symposium, hosted by the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports in Des Moines, Iowa, more than 200 representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), industry associations and state wildlife agencies gathered to discuss strategies for recruitment, retention and reactivation in hunting and the shooting sports. NSSF^®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, was the event’s Gold Sponsor. During the Symposium, NSSF representatives spotlighted new research connecting firearms and shooting sports participation to conservation funding nationwide.

During a featured presentation, NSSF CEO and President Joe Bartozzi shared data on firearms, ammunition and shooting sports equipment purchasing trends — highlighting continued consumer demand across multiple categories.

Bartozzi pointed specifically to the rapid growth in suppressor purchases as one of the most significant trends in the marketplace. He noted suppressors have become increasingly popular among recreational shooters and hunters alike because of their safety and hearing protection benefits and the recent elimination of the $200 federal tax, making the equipment less expensive to acquire.

Additionally, Bartozzi explained how purchases of firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and related products generate Pittman-Robertson excise tax revenue, which provides critical funding for state fish and wildlife agencies across the country.

“Every purchase made by hunters and recreational shooters helps fund conservation, public access, hunter education and shooting range development,” Bartozzi said. “As participation in recreational shooting grows, so does the opportunity to strengthen conservation funding nationwide.”

Bartozzi also encouraged state agencies to think more broadly about engaging the modern shooting sports consumer. In addition to traditional hunter education programs, he suggested agencies consider expanding recreational shooting opportunities and integrating more shooting sports activities into public outreach efforts.

The presentation emphasized many first-time firearm owners and recreational target shooters may not initially enter the outdoors through hunting but still contribute substantially to conservation funding through excise taxes.

Adapting to Evolving Consumer Behavior

John McNamara, NSSF Vice President, Member Services, reinforced the importance of adapting recruitment and retention strategies to evolving consumer behavior. McNamara also highlighted a multi-state conservation grant project that developed state-specific Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping tools designed to help agencies identify where new public shooting ranges would best align with community demand, population trends and recreational access needs.

“Today’s shooting sports participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests,” McNamara said. “State agencies that embrace recreational shooting alongside traditional hunter education and use data-driven tools to better serve their communities, will be better positioned to grow participation and sustain long-term conservation funding.”

The Council’s Executive Director Chuck Sykes was encouraged by the value of these sessions.

“NSSF’s presentations underscored a central message of the symposium, that all three ‘R’s’ [Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation] are necessary to expand participation in hunting and recreational shooting.”

Sykes continued, “These programs and business practices are essential to preserving America’s outdoor traditions and maintaining the user-funded North American model of Conservation”.

To learn more about the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports and the annual hallmark National R3 Symposium event, please visit cahss.org.