before the first Bianchi Cup, he asked for our support in this area. We closed the retail store in 1984 and at that time passed the process over to another local gun shop. The Bianchi Cup still came to town every
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The Bianchi Cup is simply the foremost handgun tournament in the world...
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year, but we were no longer involved. A few years ago, John Bianchi, Tom Hughes, and I got to talking about how things were going with the Cup, what we could do better and what kind of funding it would take. That is were MidwayUSA stepped back in, after quite a long absence, but at an entirely different level – the Title Sponsor. The Bianchi Cup is simply the foremost handgun tournament in the world, so it is logical that a company like MidwayUSA, with a vision “to be the best-run business in America” would be its major supporter. Q: What is your favorite aspect of supporting so many critical NRA Programs? LP: I’ve been a life member of the NRA since the early 1970s, but never really got to know the organization until 1992 when we started NRA “Round-Up”, and created Friends of NRA. Brenda and I have been fortunate to help the NRA with many other programs through the years. All of the NRA folks I have come to know have been dedicated to their vision of being “the foremost guardian of the right to keep and bear arms.” MidwayUSA would be a different company today, if we even existed, had not the NRA provided such great support for the 2nd
Amendment during the all the years we have been in business. Everywhere I go, people thank me for supporting the National Rifle Association, so I get a sense of gratitude from fellow citizens, plus I genuinely understand the importance of NRA’s mission and the value of our support. Q: How have you seen the sport shooting landscape change in the last decade? LP: The interest in guns and shooting is more intense now than it was a few years back. Certainly this is due, in no small part, to events like the Bianchi Cup. Guns have changed, wow! 1911s are more popular than ever, but we now have polymer-frame technology; we have AR-15 platforms and 10/22 platforms -- and Sporting Clays has played a major role in changing the shotgun sports. We have more competitions and more new competitive shooting games than anyone could have ever imagined. It is a good time for the shooting sports industry.
Potterfield with NRA National Pistol Manager Tom Hughes.
We thank Mr. Potterfield for taking the time to answer these questions. Visit MidwayUSA’s website at: www.midwayusa.com www.midwayusa.com
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