By PAUL DAVIS
Outdoors Editor
Twenty-five years is a long time for most anything, but for local Second Amendment supporters, it's a testament to their passion.
"It's pretty special for all of us," said SEMO Friends of NRA committee chairman Andrew Heuiser when talking about the organization's 25th annual banquet, which is set for Aug. 19 at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff.
"We're still going strong," Heuiser said.
Gregg Pearre, the Friends of NRA's senior field representative in the region, agreed.
"The SEMO committee not only is one of the original committees of the state, but it has always been one of the best in terms of dollars raised and attendance," Pearre said. "Several of the past 25 years, they had the highest net and highest attendance in the state and have also been one of the top 25 banquets held nationwide."
This year's banquet will begin at 5 p.m., with games and raffles starting right away, Heuiser noted.
"We'll have games and raffles galore," he said.
The social hour also will feature a silent auction, with hunting gear, home decor, framed prints, 25th anniversary knives and other items up for grabs.
A steak dinner prepared by Karon Campbell's Tasteful Creations will be served around 7 p.m.
"She always does a great job for us," Heuiser said, "so there's no reason to change anything."
Dinner will be followed by a live auction, with plenty of big-ticket items on the block, like big-game hunts and exclusive firearms.
An autographed fiddle from outspoken Second Amendment supporter and musician Charlie Daniels also will be available at the banquet.
You would expect plenty of guns at a Friends of NRA event, and, Heuiser said, visitors won't be disappointed.
"We should have between 75 and 100 guns there," he said.
Examples of some firearms include a Colt 1911 pistol, a Henry Big Boy rifle, a Sig Sauer P320 pistol and lots of Diamondback AR-style rifles in .300 Blackout caliber.
"Our Gun of the Year will be a Daniel Defense M4 Carbine with the NRA logo," he said.
Tickets to the event cost $40 per person and must be purchased in advance at Shooters Shack in Poplar Bluff, by calling Heuiser at 573-429-2423 or Albert Boeving at 573-718-9994, or by going online to www.friendsofnra.org/mo.
The local Friends of NRA banquet sees about 50 sponsors each year, Heuiser noted, and they play a big part in the success of the banquet.
Sponsorship tickets at the Silver level are available for $450 and include four meals and raffle entry.
Gold sponsorships are available for $700 and include eight meals, gift and raffle entry, while the top level, Platinum, is available for $1,500. It includes eight meals, gift, raffle entry and the buyer's choice of a Diamondback AR rifle or Kimber pistol.
The local Friends of NRA banquet always is well attended, and Heuiser expects that trend to continue.
"We typically slow down when people are less worried after an election," he said, "but I'm still expecting around 500 people."
The success of any Friends of NRA committee and event, Pearre said, "can be summed up by two things: local support and the committee (members). Poplar Bluff has been blessed with some great supporters over the years, and the committee members have done a great job."