Kara Sears
The annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is the gun industry's biggest event of the year. It is held in Las Vegas and hosted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). The event is closed-door and only open to exhibitors, potential customers who buy in bulk, and media outlets that regularly cover firearms. The SHOT Show includes exhibits, education and training sessions, and networking opportunities. Nearly one-third of the exhibits are dedicated to protection equipment and tactical accessories needed by law enforcement, SWAT teams, private security, and the armed forces. While the SHOT Show is an important event for law enforcement to learn about the latest in tactical technology and law enforcement equipment, it has also been criticized for promoting innovations that make weapons more deadly and circumventing federal law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 20-23 January 2026 |
| Location | Las Vegas |
| Venue | Venetian Expo |
| Attendees | Exhibitors, potential customers who buy in bulk (including gun wholesalers, retailers, and military and law enforcement personnel), and media outlets that regularly cover firearms |
| Features | 2,500+ exhibits, education and training sessions, and networking opportunities; Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) |
| Exhibits | Firearms, tactical gear, and law enforcement technology |
| Social Media | #SHOTShow2025, #SHOTShow |
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What You'll Learn
Law enforcement and armed forces at SHOT Show
The annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is the gun industry's biggest event of the year. Held in Las Vegas and hosted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), this closed-door event is open only to exhibitors, potential customers who buy in bulk (including gun wholesalers, retailers, and military and law enforcement personnel), and media outlets that regularly cover firearms.
The SHOT Show offers 2,500+ exhibits, education and training sessions, and networking opportunities. The exhibit hall is the centerpiece of the show, with attendees eager to explore the latest firearms, tactical gear, and law enforcement technology. Hours can be spent browsing booths, speaking with exhibitor representatives, and gathering information to guide future purchases. Nearly one-third of the exhibit halls are dedicated to protection equipment and tactical accessories needed by law enforcement, SWAT teams, private security, and the armed forces.
The show also includes Range Day, where attendees can test hundreds of new guns at a massive shooting range, and the LEEP (Law Enforcement Education Program) Forward Event, which focuses on protection measures and practical execution specifically for law enforcement agencies. LEEP participants learn from leading industry training organizations and industry product authorities and receive a Certificate of Attendance that can be used to document training.
While the SHOT Show provides a platform for meaningful discussions about the future of law enforcement and the latest innovations in tactical technology and law enforcement equipment, it has also been criticized for promoting weapons that make them more deadly or circumvent federal law. Several high-profile mass shootings have been carried out with assault weapons made by NSSF members and SHOT show exhibitors. Despite these concerns, the gun industry has been reluctant to address the issue of gun violence, citing protections such as broad immunity from lawsuits and the difficulty of obtaining information about the sellers of crime guns.
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SHOT Show's exhibits, education and training sessions
The SHOT Show, or the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, offers a wide range of exhibits, education and training sessions for attendees. The exhibit hall is the centerpiece of the show, where attendees can explore the latest firearms, tactical gear, and law enforcement technology. With over 800,000 net square feet of space, the show floor spans from the Venetian Expo to Caesars Forum. Attendees can spend hours browsing booths and speaking with exhibitor representatives from over 52,000 industry professionals and 2,200 media representatives.
The SHOT Show also features live-fire demonstrations, educational sessions, and discussions about the future of law enforcement. The Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) offers valuable insights and training methods for real-world, on-scene applications of technology. The LEEP Forward Event, hosted by Police1, focuses on key topics such as leadership, innovation, and officer wellness. SHOT University provides training courses for retailers to improve their management skills, attract new shooters, and maximise margins and employee performance.
For those who cannot attend in person, Police1 provides comprehensive follow-up coverage, including highlights, key takeaways, and insights from speakers. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are also used to share updates, images, and videos from the show.
The SHOT Show offers hundreds of sponsorship opportunities and exclusive hotel discounts for exhibitors and attendees. The show is owned and operated by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which advocates for the industry, promotes recreational shooting and hunting, and helps educate people about lawful products.
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SHOT Show's Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP)
The SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show) is an annual trade show for the shooting, hunting, and firearms industry. It is owned and sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and is usually held in Las Vegas, with some events held in Orlando and New Orleans. The show consistently ranks among the top 25 trade shows in the nation, attracting over 65,000 police officers, shooting instructors, hunters, and firearms enthusiasts and collectors.
The Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) at SHOT Show offers specialized police training classes and various training sessions that run throughout the week. Each session provides valuable insights for real-world, on-scene applications of technology and training methods. The program focuses on protection measures and the practical execution of these measures specifically for law enforcement agencies. Participants can learn from leading industry training organizations and industry product authorities. Upon completion, attendees receive a Certificate of Attendance that can be used to document their training.
Some of the past LEEP sessions include an examination of decision-making for police officers, with an emphasis on making the right choices under pressure. R.K. Miller, president of National Training Concepts and an instructor at the National Tactical Officers Association, advises that officers should prepare for difficult decisions beforehand. Commander Thor Eells of the Colorado Springs Police Department highlights the legal complexities that officers and agencies have to navigate when involved in emotionally-charged situations.
LEEP Forward Event is another in-person gathering hosted by Police1 that focuses on key topics such as leadership, innovation, and officer wellness. This event provides an opportunity for meaningful discussions about the future of law enforcement.
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SHOT Show's focus on the future of law enforcement
SHOT Show, the world's largest event of its kind, is a must-attend event for law enforcement professionals, firearms enthusiasts, and tactical gear specialists. It provides an opportunity to connect with a diverse group of professionals and agencies in the law enforcement and defense industries, including armed services, law enforcement, and hi-tech private security organizations. Nearly one-third of the exhibit halls are dedicated to showcasing the latest protection equipment and tactical accessories required by law enforcement, SWAT teams, private security, and the armed forces.
The SHOT Show isn't just about the exhibits; it also facilitates meaningful discussions about the future of law enforcement. The LEEP (Law Enforcement Education Program) Forward Event, hosted by Police1, is a key component of this. The LEEP Forward Event focuses on critical topics such as leadership, innovation, and officer wellness. It offers a platform for top law enforcement, military, and elite performance experts to share game-changing strategies and insights.
Industry Day at the Range is another highly anticipated event at the SHOT Show. It provides hands-on access to the latest firearms and tactical gear. Manufacturers introduce their newest products, ranging from firearms to protective gear and tactical innovations. For those unable to attend in person, Police1 offers comprehensive coverage, including in-depth reviews and video highlights, providing an inside look at product demonstrations and insights from industry leaders.
The SHOT Show also addresses the evolving needs of law enforcement. For instance, PepperBall introduced new non-lethal tools like the TAC-SA PRO PLUS, Sentry 68, and PepperBall BURST, which are designed to assist officers in de-escalating and controlling situations effectively. Additionally, InVeris launched fats® LIVE, a hybrid training system that combines virtual training with live fire shooting, marking a new era in advanced human performance training.
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SHOT Show's 2026 event
The SHOT Show is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for professionals involved in the shooting sports, hunting, and law enforcement industries. The 47th annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) will take place from January 20 to January 23, 2026, at the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, USA.
The SHOT Show is not open to the general public. It is a trade-only event for relevant exhibitors and qualified buyers. All potential attendees must provide appropriate documentation to qualify for attendance. The show is expected to attract buyers from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
The SHOT Show is a great opportunity for networking and connecting with manufacturers, leaders, industry specialists, and innovators in the shooting sports, hunting, and outdoor activities industries. It is also a platform for meaningful discussions about the future of law enforcement, with sessions focusing on key topics such as leadership, innovation, and officer wellness.
Nearly one-third of the SHOT Show's exhibit halls are dedicated to protection equipment and tactical accessories needed by law enforcement, SWAT teams, private security, and the armed forces. The exhibit hall is the centerpiece of the show, where attendees can spend hours browsing booths, speaking with exhibitor representatives, and gathering information to guide future purchases.
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Frequently asked questions
SHOT Show is a closed-door event open only to exhibitors, potential customers who buy in bulk (including gun wholesalers, retailers, and military and law enforcement personnel), and media outlets that regularly cover firearms. Therefore, family members who do not fall under these categories cannot attend the show.
SHOT stands for Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade. It is the gun industry's biggest event of the year, held annually in Las Vegas and hosted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). The event features over 2500 exhibits, education and training sessions, and networking opportunities.
SHOT Show features exhibits showcasing the latest firearms, tactical gear, and law enforcement technology. There are also meaningful discussions about the future of law enforcement, with topics such as leadership, innovation, and officer wellness.
