Forty years of working together answer for the efforts of an industrial guild, that of the gunmakers, which is being reorganised in order to meet the new challenges of the XXI century. Most of them united under the shelter of the ASOCIACION ARMERA, the manufacturers and importers/distributors of guns and accessories defend even more eagerly the sector interests from the threats that have to be faced nowadays. Threats such as the hardening of the application of the legislation which regulates the manufacturing, distribution and the use of all necessary elements for the practice of hunting and shooting sports, the transformation of the international markets and the diminishing of hunting species, amongst others.

Besides, in general terms, our job has been badly considered by the public opinion for years. This is due mainly to deficient information about the nature and characteristics of our daily activity.

For the connoisseurs, there is no need to insist on our legitimacy and the necessity of the institutional support to a commercial trade with a good turnover, regulated and regimented in Spain. For the great public, the lack of knowledge of many of these factors and the excessive attention given by the media to isolated dramatic events where a gun is involved, distort an objective and just perception of this sector development.

Firmly believing that the unity of our associates is the best option to face the general tendency of criticism and discredit of an honourable commercial activity, the ASOCIACION ARMERA is taking actions in three main directions so as to defend their sector.

• Firstly, pressure before the responsible Spanish institutions (Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism) and the European Institutions so that they can take into account the sector interests and opinion in the negotiations about possible legislative reforms.
  

• Secondly, the associates’ legal defence before the sanctions and vulnerabilities of their rights.
  

• And finally, the promotion of the commercial activity of this guild both in Spain and abroad, by encouraging the presence of these enterprises at fair exhibitions such as the national fair VENATORIA - ASOCIACION ARMERA, and in the International Fairs in the United States and Germany or at specific business deals in different countries.

However, neither the institutional support we have had to promote this business abroad nor the effort that involves this three-part program will be effective if our rights as a guild are not recognised in order to defend the positions of this sector in the economy and in the development of two sporting activities such as hunting and shooting.
 

Manuel Santos Alba

Chairman