First day of the NRA Annual Meeting brings out the best in firearms and more

Houston, Texas - Day One is always filled with promise. Around the corner is the promise of something new. Something new to see, to do, to experience.

At the NRA's Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, the new finds a home in the midst of pistols, rifles, knives, targets and more. What could be better than more. And there is always more.

More images from the first day of NRA's Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas ...

Former Alaskan Governor Palin storms into Houston for the 2013 NRA Annual Meeting

Houston, Texas - Sarah Palin, the Mama Grizzly, was one of the many speakers at this afternoon's NRA-ILA Leadership Forum during the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston.

Taking to the stage with a "Women Hunt" Under Armour shirt (in an deer antler inspired Under Armour logo), the former Alaskan Governor was welcomed with a standing ovation by the thousands of NRA members in attendance.

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Colonel North meets with fans during a Book Signing in Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas - The floor of the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston is all a buzz. NRA members make their way from one exhibit space to the next in search of a better rifle, a better tree stand or a better bullet. But for those who ventured up on to the second floor were treated to a special event ... the chance to go face to face with Lt. Colonel Oliver North.

Offering autographs for his latest book, Heroes Proved, North stood at attention while hundreds of fans lined the second floor corridors. As they zigzagged their way through the ropes, it took on the scope of a mission for some.

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Texas leaders join NRA Officials in ribbon cutting ceremony for the 2013 Convention in Houston

Houston, Texas - Opening Ceremonies for the 2013 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits kicked off this morning at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Expected to be the largest convention on record, officials are estimating numbers to reach the 100,000 mark. A belief shared by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbot.

"We are honored to have the NRA here in Houston, Texas for what will be the largest NRA Convention in the history, fittingly, in the state of Texas. Known for doing things big."

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Top activities to hit on the NRA convention's first day

Houston, Texas - Once you've made your way through downtown Houston and into the George R. Brown Convention Center, you might feel overwhelmed with all there is to do.

We've packed this year's NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits with a ton of events and activities. Where should you go first? What should you make sure to see today?

7 things to do today at the NRA convention...

Pirate Pistols, Revolutionary Shotguns and Buffalo Rifles at NRA Convention

Houston, Texas - With great old guns comes great responsibilities. Okay, so that's a touch to close to Spiderman, but the principal is pretty much the same. But let's go a step further. That's accept the face that with great old guns come great old stories. And there there plenty of great stories to be had yesterday at the NRA Antique Guns and Gold Showcase.

Manned by experts throughout the firearm industry, including Guns & Ammo writers and Blue Book of Gun Values publishers (along with a few cats from the National Firearms Museum), the Antique Guns and Gold Showcase was an opportunity for people to bring in that rifle, pistol or shotgun that's be sitting in the closet for ages and find out what it's worth. Better yet, some even had a story to go along with the guns.

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Building the NRA Annual Meeting's exhibit hall in Houston

Houston, Texas - Before more than 70,000 NRA members arrive at Houston's George R. Brown Convention Center tomorrow for the 2013 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, a lot needs to be set up.

More than 550 exhibitors spent the entire day assembling their booths and tidying everything up to show off their latest wares. You're in for a treat when you step onto the exhibit hall floor this weekend. With more than 30 additional exhibitors and 100,000 more square feet of space, you could probably spend the entire weekend wandering up and down the aisles.

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NRA Foundation Banquet auction item on display in NRA Annual Meeting exhibit hall

Houston, Texas - The exhibit hall at this year's NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits opened bright and early today in downtown Houston, but not for attendees. More than 550 exhibitors are frantically building their booths in anticipation of this weekend's record crowds.

Aisles that will be packed shoulder-to-shoulder with NRA fans over the next couple days are currently strewn with giant wooden shipping boxes and beeping forklifts. But while the whole thing won't come together until later in the afternoon, some things are all set up and look great.

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NRA Exhibits are the first to open at the Annual Meetings & Exhibits

Houston, Texas - If you're exhibiting at a convention, there's a great deal of pressure when it comes to setting up your booth. You have to get your products cleared, find power, find permits and make sure you're up and running before the lights come on for opening day. There's a little more pressure for those exhibiting for the NRA. Why is that? Because their exhibits are opening a day early.

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