Media Contact: Georgia Seltzer, (202) 822-8200 x104, gseltzer@vpc.org
A big check to the manufacturer of the assault rifle reportedly used in the mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan last month, and, as always, marketing to kids
Gun Owners of America (GOA) held their second annual Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit (GOALS) on August 9th and 10th in Knoxville, Tennessee. VPC staff traveled to the meeting and attended panels featuring gun industry members and GOA staffers.
In a “it can’t be any clearer” moment of how entwined the gun industry is with pro-gun organizations, on the opening morning of the summit, GOA was presented with a check for $77,375 from Palmetto State Armory (PSA), a gun manufacturer and e-commerce site. PSA’s “core principle” is “Sell as many guns to as many law-abiding Americans as possible.”
Not all of PSA’s customers are “law abiding.” Less than two weeks earlier, Shane Tamura reportedly used a Palmetto State Armory PA-15 assault rifle when he allegedly opened fire in a Midtown Manhattan office building on July 28, 2025, killing four people in an attack that appeared to be targeting the headquarters of the National Football League.
Prior to the summit, GOA promoted a kid-friendly experience with a “Kids Zone” for “young patriots.” As a promotional email promised: “At GOALS families unite to celebrate the Second Amendment. That includes plenty of fun for kids. Whether you’re a lifelong gun owner or raising young patriots, GOALS offers an exciting and welcoming experience for all ages.” And “Kids 18 and under get in free.”
While the reality didn’t seem to live up to the direct-mail cartoon-figure hype, on the show floor children could take target practice with toy guns shooting Nerf-style foam balls.
Or target each other on a small course with obstacles providing cover.
Once finished, there was an exhibit hall of real guns waiting for them.
Look for Part II in our next update: Silencers! Silencers! Silencers!
The Campaign for Gun Industry Accountability is an ongoing project of the Violence Policy Center.