SHOT Show Again

Frank Borelli Editor-in-Chief Officer.com 24 miles and four days later, I can brag about enjoying the company of 59,000 of my closest friends.  Typically that would constitute having attended a BIG party.  In this case it was just SHOT Show.  Setting new records (according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation - the folks who own the show), the 2008 SHOT Show boasted more than 715,000 square feet of floor space; 1,950 exhibitors and almost 59,000 attendees. As previously mentioned, SHOT Show in Vegas has more energy (for whatever reason) than when it's in Orlando.  That said, I'm very much looking forward to it being in Orlando in '09.  Before SHOT '08 had closed, more than 700,000 feet of floor space had already been booked for SHOT '09.  It is shaping up - a year in advance - to be an overwhelming show. On my flight out I enjoyed the company of a Special Operations Group Veterinarian and Surgeon.  While I was at SHOT Show I enjoyed the company of some contemporary warriors and talked to more vendors than I'll ever remember (thank goodness for business cards).  I got to shake hands and exchange a few words with Chris Cox (NRA-ILA Executive Director) and Wayne LaPierre (Executive Vice President) of the National Rifle Association. They were moving FAST.  Busy guys at SHOT. This coming Friday's equipment review will focus on SHOT Show and some of the new products that were on display.  As always at SHOT there were plenty of new guns (or variations on old designs), new knives, boots, uniforms, electronics, etc.  When I think about the SHOT Show floor and consider an unlimted shopping budget it's almost dizzying to think abou the way police officers can be equipped today.  From the average patrol cop to the most high-speed low-drag SWAT cop... there's plenty out there. Was anyone else at SHOT?  I know I met a few people related to, or readers of, Officer.com.  Pipe up.  Share your thoughts and experiences from the show. Stay safe.