National Firearms Museum goes West with plans for opening

Fairfax, Virginia - Do anything fun last week?

How does a couple of days at Bass Pro Shops headquarters followed by a weekend at the Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show sound? Yea, my week wasn't that good either ... but Jim Supica's was.

As Director of NRA's National Firearms Museum, Supica is often called out of state for a variety of functions. Last week's workload required a journey from DC to Missouri to Oklahoma and back again. All in the service of gun collecting brothers.

More on the NRA Museum Director's trip to Missouri and Oklahoma ...

NRA Museum bringing Buffalo Bill & Jessie James guns to Tulsa

Fairfax, Virginia - Earlier today, National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica said he'd see me next week. Next week? Why next week? What, are you going somewhere?

To the Tulsa Arms Show. Well, officially, it's the Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show.

And what will you be doing there in Tulsa?

"Wouldn't you like to know," he said with a laugh.

Eventually he relented. Turns out he'll be doing plenty.

First and foremost he's bringing out a collection of guns. Fitting for a show out in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the collection will consist of a few select pieces from the NRA Museum's "American West" exhibit. A plethora of pistolas if you will.

More on the NRA Museum's efforts at the Tulsa Gun Show ...

NRA Life of Duty focuses specifically on those who spend their days protecting, defending and fighting for the safety of the American people. From first responders to military personnel, Smoke Jumpers to SWAT teams, there are thousands of men and women out there who perform their roles without much recognition by the general public.

Some of those people get their start at the Oklahoma State University's Fire Protection and Safety Technology Department (FPST) ... the only one of its kind the United States. Students in the program do more then learn about fire.

More on NRA Life of Duty's Trail by Fire ...

Attention all huntresses! The wildly popular Women On Target® Hunt Program has added two more hunts to the 2012 fall line-up of excursions. Whether you're a seasoned huntress or looking to head out into the field for the first time, the Women On Target® Hunts Program has exciting hunts for women of all skill levels and interests, and the newest additions are sure to please!

For ladies with a love of waterfowl hunting, a new Duck Hunt in Sumner, Missouri is scheduled for November 7-9. This excursion will take place at the beautiful Habitat Flats Hunting Lodge, voted one of the Top 5 Hunting Lodges in North America by Field & Stream Magazine. The prime location of this hunt is known as the "Golden Triangle" by waterfowl enthusiasts. The Fountain Grove Conservation Area, Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Grand Pass Conservation Area, the Dalton Cutoff, and the Missouri River surround these hunting grounds and are home to staggering number of birds.

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This week in 2011, NRAblog received a report from Phil Schreir. Somehow Phil, Senior Curator for the National Firearms Museum, found himself on the tour bus of Hank Williams, Jr ... here's the story:

Country legend Hank Williams, Jr. talks guns with the NRA

Tulsa, Oklahoma - I've been traveling to gun shows for the NRA’s National Firearms Museum for the past 22 years. And from the very first show I attended, it was rumored that Hank Williams Jr, just might be in attendance. Now at one time, it wasn’t unusual to have seen the likes of Buddy Hackett, Mel Torme, Tom Selleck and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the Vegas Antique show. But I wanted to meet Bocephus. Heck, I had Hank Sr & Jr records long before I ever even owned a firearm. Alas, that dream went unrealized until this past weekend while we were filming the new Guns & Gold TV series for the Sportsman’s Channel at Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show.

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Tulsa, Oklahoma - If it's Spring or Fall in Tulsa, Oklahoma then it's time for the bi-annual event called Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show. Known around the nation as the World's largest gun show, Wanemacher's is home to almost six miles worth of antique, collector and modern firearms.

Returning for a second run is the production crew from NRA's Guns and Gold. Airing on the Sportsman Channel, Guns & Gold takes a look at your firearms, provides a little history and tells you what they're worth. Eleven acres of air conditioning, miles of tables of guns and the chance to find out what grandpa's shotgun is worth — how's that for a stellar weekend?

What does that mean for you? It means that you should unload your favorite firearm, secure it in a case and bring it down the Quiktrip Center on East 21st Street. That's where you'll find National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica and Senior Curator Phil Schreier ready and willing to tell you everything they can about your guns.

And if it's something really special, then you'll probably see yourself on the Sportsman Channel later this year.

Country legend Hank Williams, Jr. talks guns with the NRA

Phil Schreier, Senior Curator for the National Firearms Museum, spent the weekend in Tulsa, saw a lot of great guns, and made a new friend ... here's his story:

Tulsa, Oklahoma - I've been traveling to gun shows for the NRA’s National Firearms Museum for the past 22 years. And from the very first show I attended, it was rumored that Hank Williams Jr, just might be in attendance. Now at one time, it wasn’t unusual to have seen the likes of Buddy Hackett, Mel Torme, Tom Selleck and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the Vegas Antique show. But I wanted to meet Bocephus. Heck, I had Hank Sr & Jr records long before I ever even owned a firearm. Alas, that dream went unrealized until this past weekend while we were filming the new Guns & Gold TV series for the Sportsman’s Channel at Wanenmacher's Tulsa Arms Show.

Two great friends of the museum, Ethel & Ray Saign of Minneapolis, were set up near our TV studio on the balcony overlooking the world’s largest gun show. Ethel told me that she was good friends with Hank Jr, that he was at the show, and he might be willing to film a segment for us.

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Wendy Cunningham of the National Firearms Museum sends NRAblog a wrap up of the Tulsa Arms Show:

Tulsa, Oklahoma - The sun sets on Tulsa, Oklahoma as Wanenmacher’s Tulsa Arms Show comes to a close. Starting back in 1968 with a mere hundred tables, Wanenmacher’s now hosts more than 35,000 people who return biannually to walk the world famous six miles of firearm aisles. With over 4,100 exhibits to survey, many come to visit none other than the National Firearms Museum’s own, Director Jim Supica, and Senior Curator Phil Schreier.

Arriving on Friday with a display that holds the Beretta 9mm used in both Lethal Weapon and Die Hard, the legendary Dirty Harry Smith & Wesson model 29, and the eye-catching silenced Remington 12 gauge shotgun from No Country for Old Men, Supica and Schreier were eager to set up shop. “This is the must attend show for serious collectors and dealers,” confesses Supica.

Serious they are; firearms enthusiasts from around the country not only came to view the famous Hollywood firearms, and pick the curators’ brains, but also gathered to watch filming of Curator’s Corner with Supica and Schreier. I pleaded for a sneak-peak, but with a sly smile they promptly declined to comment. Supica says, “I can tell you we have a great two-part series concerning the impact our current economy has on the value of firearms featuring S. P. Fjestad, publisher of the Blue Book of Gun Values.” Schreier also adds that Mr. Joe Wanenmacher himself will be featured on an exciting upcoming episode, “you’ll have to tune in to find out more.”

If you missed out on the eleven acre showroom, be sure to visit the Tulsa Fairgounds April 2nd and 3rd of 2011 when folks from coast to coast gather once again for the “World’s Largest Arms Show”. With fine antique and modern firearms for as far as the eye can see, Supica stands by his claim, “If you can’t find something you like, you’re just too damn picky.”