NRA's Real Draw: 'Guns and Gear and Gadgets'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, which is meeting here, knows his audience. He didn't dawdle when he and a thick ceremonial ribbon were the only things separating the waiting crowd and 280,000-square-feet of exhibition space. LaPierre said a few words, of course, about how the NRA "reflects where the American public stands on the Second Amendment." But as he officially opened the organization's 139^th annual meeting on Friday morning, he quickly cleared the path to, as he put it, the "guns and gear and gadgets."

The star-studded lineup of speakers – topped by Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck – was not the draw for Curt Hiller of Lenoir, N.C. He's interested in "accessories, you know, wardrobe things, sights on weapons, laser lights, holsters." Hiller, 59, a former military man who owns handguns and shotguns, has participated in citizen law enforcement academies with his county and city sheriff's departments, where he has done ride-alongs and practiced on the firing range. With the economy in trouble and home break-ins increasing, he said, self-defense is his motivation. "I only have a small dog." Hiller, a respiratory therapist, told me he sees victims of gunshot wounds all the time before reminding me that I should also look at the knives, Tasers and pepper spray on display. To him, it's "not one party vs. another party. It's government against the people."

NRA exhibits also showcase everything gun-related: ammunition, storage vaults, camouflage clothing, holsters, and reloading mechanisms. My favorite advertising slogan: "Hey Ladies! Tired of the mess and smell of cleaning your gun? Then try Enviroclean FA! Don't let the bad guys smell you coming." Catchiest exhibit come-on, courtesy of representative Tim White (advertising the SCAR rifle from FNH USA, average price $2,995): "We think everybody should have one -- maybe two -- one for each hand."

In Charlotte this week, a third-grade student brought .22-caliber handgun to school. No one was hurt when it went off. Eddie Eagle would not have approved. Eric Lapp, manager of this NRA gun safety program, would not comment on that particular case, but he did talk about Eddie's warnings to children who find a gun: "Stop! Don't touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult." The program, designed for children pre-K through third grade, doesn't use any firearms in its presentations to schools, civic groups, and local law enforcement agencies. The kids get coloring and work books and a visit from Eddie. "We don't teach that firearms are good or bad," Lapp said. Why an eagle? Said Lapp: "It's a strong symbol of authority."

For lovers of that 1983 holiday movie classic, "A Christmas Story," you know that all Ralphie wanted under the tree was a Red Ryder BB Gun. Daisy is offering a 70^th anniversary edition: "With its solid wood stock and forearm and lariat ring with a leather thong, 70 years later," the catalogue says, it's "the spittin' image of the one you cherished growing up with."

The NASCAR Hall of Fame officially opened on Tuesday, with fireworks, confetti, and Junior Johnson and Richard Petty driving onto the plaza. When Tim Newman, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, welcomed NRA members on Friday morning at the Charlotte Convention Center, he mentioned the cultural campus of museums a block away and the shops up the street. But the new tribute to all things NASCAR, with its futuristic metallic swoop that mimics the bank of a stock car race track, got a special mention. Newman recognizes a certain synergy between NRA members and NASCAR fans; the hall is the site of a special NRA event Friday night. Newman -- who wore a flag pin and a tie that tags him as a proud NRA member -- is anticipating a big week for Charlotte, with "$20 million, at least" coming into the city.

At the American Tactical Imports booth, Morgan wore a black and white "suit" of bustier and pants, black fishnet stockings held up with garter belts, and a cute fedora as she passed out material. Why was she dressed that way? "Because they told me to," the model from Rochester, N.Y., told me. "I'm actually a very conservative person," she said. "As long as nobody touches me, I don't mind."

I admit to a certain whiplash this week, as I rush to host a program at North Carolina Dance Theatre, a ballet company whose final program in its Charlotte season coincides with the NRA convention. In a TV appearance on Wednesday, I spoke about a possible culture clash in my two assignments -- though I believe you can appreciate both Balanchine and the Second Amendment. Someone who heard sent me this message: "All I can picture is an old western saloon with a bunch of people in tutus on one side of the room and a bunch of people in cowboy hats on the other side shouting 'Dance!' while firing pistols at point-toed feet. But that's just me."