Firearms Industry Conference Auction to Benefit UW Firearms Research Center

Federal firearm regulators, trade association representatives, arms manufacturers, attorneys and compliance professionals will gather in Atlanta May 1-3 for the ninth annual Firearms Industry Conference. During the conference, Orchid LLC, one of the conference organizers, will sponsor a silent auction on behalf of the newly launched Firearms Research Center (FRC) at the University of Wyoming.

All proceeds raised during the auction will be donated to FRC to support its mission.

The Firearms Industry Conference will include keynote lectures, breakout information sessions and networking events to discuss technology, compliance, laws and finance issues within the firearms industry.

“Now in its ninth year, we’re thrilled to continue to add value to the Firearms Industry Conference (FIC) with the debut of the FIC silent auction,” says Orchid Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer Leland Nichols. “For the first time, FIC attendees will have the chance to not only leave the event with new insights and business connections, but also some incredible prizes. We’re glad to have great industry support to be able to organize such an auction and to donate proceeds to a worthy cause in the Firearms Research Center.”

“We are so grateful to Orchid for its early support of the center,” says FRC co-founder and Senior Fellow Ashley Hlebinsky. “Just like the Firearms Industry Conference brings together academics, historians, subject matter experts, regulators and manufacturers to listen and learn, the Firearms Research Center will use the resources raised from the silent auction to bring more voices, more scholarship and more data to the conversation around firearms.

“Thank you in advance to all of the silent auction participants for helping to advance our mission. Together, we will foster a broad discourse and produce meaningful change in how firearms are discussed and understood.”

FIC 2023 silent auction items include:

-- Barrett REC7 DI rifle.

-- Black Rifle Coffee Co. bagged coffee and mugs.

-- CGS SCI-SIX suppressors (via Silencer Shop).

-- Gunsite Academy 250 pistol and 223 carbine classes.

-- Joe Wall Designs assorted jewelry.

-- Liberty Overwatch 10mm ammunition.

-- Marlin Model 1895 SBL rifle.

-- Orchid Zero Tolerance Rapid Assessment.

-- Primary Arms GLx 1-6x24 FFP rifle scopes with mounts.

-- Primary Weapon Systems MK116 PRO rifle.

-- QuietKat Ranger e-bike.

-- Samson Ruger Mini-14 stocks and accessories.

-- Shadow Systems DR920 Elite FDE pistol.

-- Timney Triggers gift certificates.

-- Trijicon Tenmile 4-24x50 rifle scope.

-- Weatherby Element Turkey shotgun.

Participants and guests will be able to bid in person or online at 7 a.m. EDT Tuesday, May 2. The auction will close Wednesday, May 3, at noon. 

About the Firearms Industry Conference

The 2023 FIC is a multiday event that features industry and regulatory agency executives participating in more than 40 subject matter learning sessions on tactical operational topics intended for licensed firearm and ammunition businesses and industry professionals. FIC is organized by Williams Mullen’s Firearms Industry Group and Orchid LLC. FIC 2023 will take place in person May 1-3 at The Westin Buckhead in Atlanta and virtually April 27-28. This is the ninth annual FIC. For more information, visit www.orchidadvisors.com/FIC.

About the University of Wyoming Firearms Research Center

FRC, which is housed in the UW College of Law, was founded in 2023 by legal scholar George Mocsary and firearms historian Ashley Hlebinsky to establish more voices in the firearms discussion; create a pipeline of graduates prepared to serve as firearms lawyers; and act as a reliable, nonpartisan resource for firearms-related information. By bringing together scholars from a wide range of academic disciplines and experts without traditional academic backgrounds, FRC’s aim is to foster a broad discourse and produce meaningful change in how firearms are discussed and understood. FRC will serve as a resource for academics, practitioners, lawmakers, members of the media and the public on the uses and roles of firearms in society -- both past and present. For more information, visit www.firearmsresearchcenter.org.