Even with political allies currently holding the majority in Washington, D.C., and recent favorable rulings from various courts, local Second Amendment advocates know there is an outspoken segment of the American population relentless in its zeal to disarm citizens, and that is why the 26th annual SEMO Friends of NRA banquet is expected to be as big as ever.
"There's no time to get complacent, and we have to fight just as hard now as when gun control is forefront in the national media," said Banquet Chairman Andrew Heuiser. "We're expecting between 450 and 500 people."
This year's banquet is set for Aug. 18 at the Black River Coliseum in Poplar Bluff.
The doors are scheduled to open at 5 p.m., and the giveaways will start immediately.
"You need to be there waiting," said Heuiser. "We'll have stuff right out of the gate you don't want to miss."
During the social hour, several games, raffles and a silent auction will give visitors the chance to win items such as hunting gear, home decor, knives and NRA merchandise.
"We also have several special homemade items that have been donated," Heuiser noted.
A steak dinner, prepared by Karon Campbell's Tasteful Creations, will be served around 7 p.m., followed by a live auction, conducted by volunteer auctioneers Trent Stillwell, Speedy Ketcherside and Felix Baker .
"We'll have a couple of hunts available, plus some other things," Heuiser said, "but those will be a surprise."
One unique item this year will be an electric guitar in the shape of an AR-15 rifle, autographed by Ted Nugent.
During this year's banquet, Heuiser expects "around 75 to 80 guns" to go home with new owners, including a Diamondback .308 rifle, a Henry lever-action .410 shotgun, a Cricket Precision .22 rifle, Colt Cobra .38 Special revolver, Weatherby Vanguard 7mm-08 rifle and more.
The Friends of NRA Gun of the Year, a two-tone Kimber Custom II pistol in .45acp caliber, is expected to be very popular.
"It actually is part of a set this year and comes with a silver stag knife and display case," Heuiser said.
Tickets to the event cost $40 per person and must be purchased in advance.
A Silver Table sponsorship, at $450, gets the buyer four entries and meals, plus a national sponsorship gift, while a Gold Table sponsorship, at $850, gets eight entries and meals, choice of a Heritage .22 revolver, Kel-Tec CMR-30, Ruger Security-9 pistol or Savage Axis rifle in .22-250 caliber, a raffle ticket package and a national sponsorship gift.
Those purchasing a Platinum Table sponsorship, at $1,500, get eight entries and meals, a raffle ticket package, national sponsorship gift and their choice of a Kimber 84M rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor caliber, a Ruger AR-556 rifle, a Kimber Ultra-Carry .45 pistol or a Kimber Custom II .45 pistol.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.friendsofnra.org/mo or by calling Albert Boeving at 573-718-9994, Heuiser at 573-429-2423, Kevin Shackleford at 573-429-7530 or Alan Shackleford at 573-686-7288. You also can pick them up at Shooters Shack in Poplar Bluff.
"It's going to be a great night to get together with the community and support our Second Amendment rights," said Heuiser.