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SHELTON, Conn. — NSSF®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, is pleased to announce the addition of a new First Shots® introductory course on suppressors. The suppressor segment has surged in recent years and is primed for additional growth with the impending removal of the $200 tax stamp Jan. 1, 2026 — making it a valuable time to come on board as a First Shots host and help customers advance their shooting sports journey.
This new offering is ideal for ranges and retailers looking to enhance their educational offerings and further engage customers, while attracting new ones eager to participate in this category.
“Rising interest in suppressor ownership, coupled with the imminent removal of the $200 tax stamp, present a timely opportunity for First Shots partners to begin hosting these experiences in their communities,” said Zach Snow, NSSF Director, Member Development. “We developed this First Shots model to give ranges and retailers another tool to help increase customer engagement through a new educational offering.”
Through this First Shots experience, range and retail hosts will be equipped to discuss the history of suppressors, highlight their benefits, dispel myths and walk participants through the steps to ownership in the 42 U.S. states where legal. Students will gain knowledge through classroom instruction, followed by hands-on experience with live demonstrations.
Businesses interested in hosting these events will provide qualified instructors and staff with thorough suppressor knowledge, classroom access and range access for practical demonstrations. Hosts who elect to offer enhanced shooting range experiences for their students will supply the necessary equipment such as firearms, suppressors and additional ammunition.
To support First Shots hosts, NSSF will provide eye and ear protection, targets, ammunition packages for the range demo component and monetary support of $15 per participant, paid quarterly. Further, hosts will receive support through the First Shots Digital Resource Portal, which includes the presentation deck, email templates, promotional flyers and more. Scheduled events will also be promoted on LetsGoShooting.org and additional advertising support will be available.
“At the end of the day, we want this new course to help increase participation while guiding people down the path to suppressor ownership — giving them a general knowledge base to determine what type of suppressor suits their needs, how to use them safely, their benefits and how they can enhance the overall target shooting experience,” Snow said.
To learn more or to sign up as a host, contact Ann Gamauf at agamauf@nssf.org or Zach Snow at zsnow@nssf.org. For more information on this new First Shots offering, visit the Intro to Suppressors page on the NSSF website.
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