It's February, which means the beginning of trade show season. One of the first, and certainly the most important of these, is the SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades). With over 1500 exhibitors spread over 517,000 square feet presenting their wares to an audience approaching 20,000 people, it is easily the largest of its type in the world.

     NAA will be introducing a couple of new models, including the recently described 25NAA Guardian. Built on the small 32ACP frame, this Cor-Bon manufactured bottleneck cartridge sends a 35 gr. Hornady XTP bullet downrange at 1275 f.p.s and delivers over 125 ft.lbs. of energy. (click to read Ed Sanow's report) We invite you to draw comparisons with any other similarly sized pocket pistol for ballistic performance.

     Additionally, "word on the street" has it that a major ammunition manufacturing company will introduce another new cartridge which is particularly well suited to the NAA family of firearms, and which we are already prepared to produce. My commitment to confidentiality precludes me from any more descriptive teasing, but we expect their announcement and this cartridge will draw a lot of attention.

     We continue to consider the design of a firearm substantially different from those mentioned above. As our engineering and capital resources are limited, this has been (unapologetically) a very deliberative process. It's important that you recognize the value we place in the comments which you offer us, most of which we consider very seriously. As a generally well-informed group, those of you who visit this site have a lot to offer and we respect your input (notwithstanding the slew of suggestions for a light recoiling 7-round semi-automatic 454 Casull weapon built on a no-obtanium alloy frame the size of our 32ACP Guardian - don't those idiots know the 454 Casull is a revolver cartridge? Sheesh!). You get my point.

     On the public policy front, S659 (Lawful Commerce in Firearms Act) is scheduled to be reintroduced this spring. You may recall that this bill protects gun manufacturers from liability from suits brought for the criminal misuse of their products (much akin to suing GM for a drunk in a Corvette running down a pedestrian). NAA was named in eight of the approx. 30 state/municipal suits filed over the past several years, including the infamous NAACP vs. everybody , the out-of-pocket cost of which has exceeded $500,000 for us alone (the cost to our underwriters was about twice that; think that had any effect on our premiums?). How much product innovation might that have cost us (see "Limited Resources", above)? While justice may ultimately prevail, it comes at a ruinous price. Of course, this doesn't address those idiots who can't properly/safely handle a firearm, injure themselves and then figure we're an easy touch. Please let your voices be heard during this particularly important election cycle.

     On the other hand, you should be as lucky as I am, to have found a beautiful, supportive life's partner. At George's goading and notwithstanding her/our interest in privacy, I'm happy to offer the photos below. I'm flattered by your interest and continually grateful for your support.