Washington Examiner, February 22, 2024
by Kaelan Deese

The pro-Second Amendment group Gun Owners of America announced Thursday their first-ever summit to be held in August in Knoxville, Tennessee, saying it aims to draw tens of thousands of attendees with the goal of being the “premiere event” for firearms enthusiasts.

The event, titled the Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit, will be held just months before the pivotal 2024 presidential election, which GOA’s senior vice president, Erich Pratt, says is going to be “the most critical in history for Second Amendment rights,” according to a press release.

“With that in mind, our goal is to make this the premiere event bringing together Second Amendment enthusiasts and advocates as we prepare for the political fight of our lives this November. I can’t wait to reveal more details as we lock in speakers and other guests of honor,” Pratt added.

Read more at Washington Examiner

The Washington Times, February 23, 2024
by Mallory Wilson

Gun Owners of America will host its inaugural advocacy and leadership summit in Knoxville, Tennessee, this summer and said every attendee will be allowed to carry their personal firearm.

The no-compromise gun rights group will have its event beginning Aug. 16 and expects more than 25,000 people to attend speeches from gun rights leaders, educational panels and an industry expo, all while being able to carry their own guns…

“With gun owners, manufacturers, and dealers facing ever-growing pressure and outright hostility from so many anti-gun forces today, this election is without a doubt going to be the most critical in history for Second Amendment rights,” Erich Pratt, GOA’s senior vice president, said in a statement.

“With that in mind, our goal is to make this the premiere event bringing together Second Amendment enthusiasts and advocates as we prepare for the political fight of our lives this November,” he said.

Read more at The Washington Times

Breitbart, February 22, 2024
by AWR Hawkins

Gun Owners of America indicated that G.O.A.L.S. “will feature speeches from leaders in the gun rights movement, educational panels, meet and greet sessions, and musical performances from major artists,” according to an emailed statement.

Gun Owners of America Executive Director Erich Pratt commented on the summit, noting that the November elections loom heavily in the minds of the pro-Second Amendment community:

With gun owners, manufacturers, and dealers facing ever-growing pressure and outright hostility from so many anti-gun forces today, this election is, without a doubt, going to be the most critical in history for Second Amendment rights. With that in mind, our goal is to make this the premiere event, bringing together Second Amendment enthusiasts and advocates as we prepare for the political fight of our lives this November. I can’t wait to reveal more details as we lock in speakers and other guests of honor.

“Our greater GOA community is battle-tested and laser-focused on our no-compromise mission, and attendees can expect to leave G.O.A.L.S. energized and ready to make an impact on the serious challenges facing our Second Amendment,” Gun Owners of America’s Kailey Nieman added. “This conference will be a major springboard for our organization and the greater community as we head into November.”

Read more at Breitbart