Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. L.E. and military personnel converge on the SHOT Show’s Law Enforcement & Tactical Gear sections. 2009 By Suzi Huntington How To Best Serve Your L.E. Customers E ven police agencies are not immune to the current economic crisis. Ammunition contracts are being cancelled, new gun purchases are being put on hold, training budgets are being curtailed — and, of course, general belt-tightening also applies. Despite this, cops from around the country attended the 2009 SHOT Show in droves. They were there to check out new products, but were also drawn by the National Shooting Sport Foundation’s (NSSF) law enforcement-specific training seminars. “The SHOT Show is now the second largest law-enforcement event in the nation,” said Chris Dolnack, NSSF senior vice president. “In order to draw more officers to the show, we made a real effort to MAY 2009 reach out to the law-enforcement market with seminars geared toward instructors and tactical officers.” The result: There are a lot of savvy L.E. customers who will be coming into your store looking for things they already know about. Smart dealers can profit from this dynamic. Here’s how. First, stick to the basics. Now is not the time to try to sell exotic, high-ticket items, unless you’re responding to a specific request. Got a yearning to see that $20,000 infrared, night-ops, laser-sighted scope in your display case? Be strong and just say “no.” However, if you have an opportunity at a good deal on a pallet of 9mm ball ammo from ATK, grab it. Ditto for just about anything in the “must-have-it” category of standard police-duty accessories, including flashlights, uniforms and accessories, duty-belt gear and affordable binoculars, knives and tools appropriate for police use. Also, nearly everything AR rifle-related, including stocks, sights, uppers, triggers and good-quality, 20-round magazines, is a good investment. Additionally, don’t neglect high-tech goodies. TASER has expanded its product lines with consumer-related models that also work for off-duty carry. Consider Kimber’s Pepper Blaster for both duty and civilian sales. Smith & Wesson continues to beefup its M&P line. In pistols, compact and full-size M&P pistols, in all calibers, are now available with an optional framemounted ambidextrous thumb safety. 24 Read SI DIGITAL www.shootingindustry.com NSSF