4 mins
INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Gun Trade Insider of fers a detailed examination of the latest developments across various international markets.
IN ASSOCIATION WITH IWA OUTDOORCLASSICS
ACROSS THE POND
SHOT SHOW 2025 EXPANDS INDUSTRY REACH
With SHOT Show 2025 serving as a launchpad for new products and industry developments, exhibitors shared insights into an increasingly competitive marketplace. From expanding product lines to strengthening international collaboration, companies used the event to showcase innovation and solidify global trade relationships.
The 47th annual SHOT Show, organised by the NSSF – The Firearm Industry Trade Association, welcomed over 54,000 attendees to Las Vegas from January 21to 24, 2025. Spanning a record-breaking exhibition space at The Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum, the show hosted more than 2,850 exhibitors across 14 miles of show floor.
Chris Dolnack, NSSF Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, described SHOT Show 2025 as a “game-changer”, bringing together the latest product innovations and industry networking opportunities. The event facilitated new product launches and training sessions across the hunting, shooting, tactical, and law enforcement sectors.
FIREARMS INDUSTRY WELCOMES SPORTING FIREARMS ACCESS ACT
The firearms industry has expressed strong support for the Sporting Firearms Access Act (S. 89), introduced by Republican U.S. Senator Jim Risch of Idaho). The bill aims to eliminate barriers to importing sporting firearms and ammunition, expanding market opportunities for manufacturers and increasing consumer choice. It seeks to reform the ATF’s “sporting purposes” test, which has historically restricted the importation of firearms unless deemed suitable for sporting use.
“The Sporting Firearms Access Act will bring some much-needed clarity to the 1968 Gun Control Act and ensure the ATF cannot arbitrarily deny Americans the ability to legally obtain imported firearms and ammunition,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
For international manufacturers, the bill offers significant advantages, including:
• Expanded market access – preventing arbitrary import rejections of firearms already widely used for sporting purposes.
• Regulatory certainty – requiring ATF collaboration with the firearms industry to define sporting criteria.
• Judicial oversight – allowing manufacturers to appeal wrongful denials, ensuring fairness and transparency.
By reinforcing free trade principles, the bill simplifies the process for foreign manufacturers to introduce sporting firearms and ammunition into the U.S. market.
DOWN UNDER
TSA APPOINTED AS NEW LITHGOW ARMS DISTRIBUTOR
Lithgow Arms has partnered with TSA Outdoors as its new Australian distributor, ensuring wider availability of Lithgow rifles across the country. TSA Outdoors, a firearms distribution leader with over 50 years in the industry, has already made Lithgow’s full product line available to dealers.
The transition follows the conclusion of Lithgow’s previous distribution agreement with Spika. TSA has invested in a new strongroom at its Sydney warehouse to improve stockholding and accelerate deliveries to retailers.
This collaboration is seen as a natural fit, given the existing synergy between Lithgow Arms and TSA, particularly in integrating ZeroTech optics with Lithgow rifles.
TSA’s experience in firearms distribution and its strong dealer network are expected to address previous brand visibility challenges. The partnership will focus on clearing a backlog of Lithgow LA102 centrefire and LA101 rimfire rifleswhile working on introducing new models to the Australian market.
This strategic move provides both companies with opportunities for growth while enhancing the availability of Australian-made firearms.
MAINLAND EUROPE
EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDED AT EOS – EUROPEAN OUTDOOR SHOW 2025
The third day of EOS – European Outdoor Show 2025 saw a record-breaking 40,269 tickets issued, setting a new benchmark for the Italian hunting and outdoor sector.
“These have been intense days, full of great satisfaction and participation,” said Patrizio Carotta, President of EOS Show. “I thank everyone who visited us and contributed to this record-breaking achievement. I look forward to welcoming attendees back to EOS Show 2026, which will move forward to from 14 to 16 March at Veronafiere.”
The show highlighted the evolution of hunting and conservation, with discussions led by Fondazione UNA on the role of the modern hunter. Biologist Antonella Labate, a specialist in wildlife management, emphasised the importance of fostering a balanced perspective on hunting as a key component of biodiversity conservation.
Sport shooting also played a major role, with the UITS (Italian Target Shooting Union) Olympic and Paralympic medalists from Paris 2024 – Federico Nilo Maldini, Paolo Monna, and Davide Franceschetti – interacting with fans. The EOS Trophy and the 10-metre Air Pistol Italian Journalists’ Championship added to the event’s excitement.
CSG LAUNCHES MSM GROUP NORTH AMERICA INC.
Czechoslovak Group (CSG) has expanded its global footprint with the launch of MSM Group North America Inc., appointing Jason W. Gaines as CEO. Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, the subsidiary will focus on medium- and large - calibre ammunition production for the U.S. defence sector.
Gaines, an industry veteran with expertise in munitions manufacturing and logistics, aims to establish MSM Group North America as a key contributor to the U.S. Munitions Industrial Base (MIB).
“This expansion reinforces CSG’s commitment to the U.S. defence industry,” said Michal Strnad, Chairman of CSG. “Following our acquisition of The Kinetic Group, we are doubling down on our investment in American national security.”
Kinsey ’s announces distribution partnership with Colt and CZ
Kinsey ’s Inc. has announced a new distribution partnership with Colt and CZ, marking a milestone for the company. This collaboration brings Kinsey ’s full circle, as one of its earliest vendor partnerships in the 1950s involved fletching arrows for Colt.
Justin Gorman, CEO of Kinsey ’s Inc., stated: “Reuniting with Colt, from our early days of fletching their arrows to now distributing their firearms, is an incredible journey. I look forward to strengthening this partnership for future generations.”