On the Governors’ Discussion board throughout the 2026 SHOT Present, the eight governors current answered questions on how they may counter assaults towards rights protected by the Second Modification and towards the firearms and related trade. After the introduction by NSSF Larry Keane and remarks by White Home Counsel David Warrington, the moderator, Shermichael Singleton, directed inquiries to the governors.
Nevada Governor Lombardo was requested in regards to the Cyberattack that paralysed Nevada gun retailer gross sales for greater than two weeks. Governor Lombardo gave an in depth clarification. It was the interior state techniques that had been hacked. No ransom was paid. The lesson realized was: Don’t silo all techniques right into a single area.
Governor Sanders of Arkansas praised the firearms and ammunition trade and talked about her sons love of looking and fishing vs watching screens. She acknowledged looking and fishing usually are not an important factor. Governor Sanders stated:
For those who don’t have the suitable to bear arms, then the entire rights you take pleasure in can simply be taken away.
Governor Rhoden of South Dakota talked about the passage of a invoice final yr to disallow the coding of firearms on bank card purchases and his assist for deregulation of silencers. Governor Rhoden stated:
Its the Left who, by any means potential, need to eradicate our Second Modification rights.
Governor Gianforte of Montana talked of his program to persuade firearms and ammunition producers to maneuver from Colorado to Montana. From the Governor:
So I personally chilly known as all the key producers in Colorado, and my message was easy: Do you need to transfer again to America?
Wyoming Governor Gordon spoke in regards to the objective of the commerce clause within the United State Structure is to stop particular person states from impeding commerce between the states. This could apply to the firearms trade. From Governor Gordon:
“That’s one of many only a few issues the federal authorities is meant to do is to guarantee that Arkansas can’t reduce off Wyoming.Not that you’d…” (chatting with Governor Sanders of Arkansas)
Governor Pillen of Nebraska was requested in regards to the unicameral legislative system in Nebraska. Governor Pillen spoke of how essential it was to do the suitable factor as an alternative of what was required to be re-elected. He spoke of the significance of lowering regulation:
“We’ve got to maintain getting authorities out of our hair.” “I’ve not met a Nebraskan but who needs to be advised what to do.”
Governor Little of Idaho talked about the necessity to educate a labor pressure for the leisure trade in rural Idaho.
“You don’t over tax them, you don’t over regulate them, should you give them the labor pressure they want, they are going to thrive.”
The moderator, Shermichael Singleton, did a superb job of controlling the discussion board. The governors had been all from Purple (Republican) states. The discussion board was restricted to an hour. The governors might have every taken up the entire hour, so distributing time amongst them was an essential job.
There was pleasant banter among the many governors about who had one of the best enterprise local weather, one of the best looking, one of the best events and one of the best bourbon. A serious theme of the discussion board was the need of limiting federal energy and utilizing state energy to counter the assault on rights protected by the Second Modification. As anticipated, there was little disagreement on the need of doing so.
Governor Gianforte of Montana reminded everybody to recollect there have been troublesome occasions within the United State earlier than, and we’ve got managed to maintain the Republic. He used the time period “chronological snobbery”. Sustaining the Republic has at all times been a troublesome activity. From the Governor:
The provision of social media and the insincerity of our fundamental stream media has amplified the divisions that exist between us. Personally I attempt to not exacerbate these variations and concentrate on these issues we’ve got in widespread.
Governor Rhoden of South Dakota stated they want to discover methods to roll again laws by the federal authorities, and the present administration affords a window of alternative to take action.
About Dean Weingarten:
Dean Weingarten has been a peace officer, a army officer, was on the College of Wisconsin Pistol Workforce for 4 years, and was first licensed to show firearms security in 1973. He taught the Arizona hid carry course for fifteen years till the aim of Constitutional Carry was attained. He has levels in meteorology and mining engineering, and retired from the Division of Protection after a 30 yr profession in Military Analysis, Improvement, Testing, and Analysis.
