When advocating for the Second Amendment, one of the biggest challenges is reaching beyond the “gun community.” Social media algorithms, friendship circles, and the dreaded “P” word( politics) often keeps gun owners and advocates in a proverbial echo chamber. It is easy to forget there’s an entire world of people that we could reach, even when there are other communities that a bridge could be built to connect. As such, Gun Owners of America (GOA) recognized this exact thing and created an event way outside the 2A box and created a unique and unprecedented two-day event which merges the firearm and overlanding communities: Gun Empowerment and Adventure Recreation (GEAR).
If you are not familiar with overlanding, the term originated in Australia by ranchers moving their herds across the vast stretches of uninhabited land. Over time, and with the invention of off-road capable vehicles like the Willys Jeep and Toyota Land Cruiser, the term has changed to stand for adventure travel across remote landscapes, typically in modified vehicles. During these expeditions, overlanders are self-reliant and generally carry everything in their vehicles to support the trip: food/water, clothing, shelter and often firearms.
Inspired by overlanders like GOA’s Curt Staubach and Monte Bowen, it became clear that there was shared commonality amongst two growing cultures.
Curt, who has been involved in overlanding since 2020, said “at GOA, we saw two communitiesheading in the same direction – overlanders and gun owners. Both are grounded in self-reliance, preparedness, and the drive to explore. But each group brings something the other wants. Overlanders are looking for better training around situational awareness and traveling with firearms, while gun owners are eager to learn offroad driving, recovery and how to map their own adventures.” GEAR was built to bring these groups together. A true exchange of knowledge, skills, and experience.
For its first year, GEAR will be held 24-26 April 2016, outside of Amarillo, Texas. With terrain like its Australian heritage, Merus Adventure Park is hosing attendees who will have the opportunity to experience everything from live-fire experiences, guided trail runs, and family fun across its 5,500 acres within the Palo Duro Canyon. Unlike most “gun industry” events, GEAR is not a trade show, but a hands-on training and recreation weekend that equips attendees with practical, real-world skills, lets them thoroughly evaluate their gear, and builds unforgettable memories with people who share their core values.According to GOA, GEAR had been “built for families and freedom-minded Americans who believe the best way to preserve responsibility, self-reliance, and community is to live it.”
The main goals of GEAR are relatively simple. According to GOA’s event webpage, this summit “focuses on the experiences that come from getting outside. The places explored, the people met, and the gear relied on when it matters. You’ll find stories and content centered around:
• Adventure & Travel: Overland routes, off-road trips, backcountry camps, and time spent off the beaten path.
• Gear in Real Use: Firearms, vehicles, and outdoor equipment used the way people actually use them.
• Community Spotlights: The people and families who live this lifestyle and the stories behind their adventures.
• Skills & Preparedness: Knowing how to prepare your gear, plan your trip, and stay aware so travel and camp time stay safe and fun.
• Events & Experiences: Coverage of the GEAR Summit and other hands-on gatherings that bring the community together.
In addition to having fun, this is where the gun community and overlanding communities converge. GOA is also using the event as an opportunity to bring awareness to both the importance on gun rights and the restrictions of Americans’ rights to access public lands. When I asked Monte Bowen, GOA’s Pacific Regional Director, outdoors enthusiast and co-creator about this unique event, he told me “GOA’s mission with the GEAR Summit is to make one thing clear: the same forces working to undermine our Second Amendment rights are the ones pushing to restrict access to our public lands. This isn’t two separate issues; it’s one fight for our freedoms.”
Along with the rugged outdoor experiences and 62 miles of off-road trails, GEAR hosts daily educational events. Topics include overviews of equipment, medical and first aid, hunting and field dressing as well as vehicle situational awareness and recovery. In GOA fashion, firearms classes to enhance the skillsets of seasoned shooters and “first timers” alike are being offered. Classes include introductory pistol, movement, and low light/no light events, as well as fundamental classes specifically designed for women and families.
So, you’re not sold on the event yet? Did I mention that since this summit is being held in April, the temperatures are expected to be in the 80’s and not the normal triple-digits that summer brings. As an added perk, given Merus Adventure Park’s location, lodging is available in the surrounding area for those who choose to not “rough it” outdoors, those new to overlanding who have not begun to build out their dream vehicle.
All in told, GEAR will be both educational and fun. As gun owners, it’s also an opportunity to share our passions of firearms and defending our rights and freedoms to a new audience who may not be gun owners or even aware of the challenges that we face daily from government infringement. Just as GEAR’s motto states, this will be a terrific opportunity to enjoy being outdoors with family and friends while enjoying the “Freedom, Self-Reliance, [and] Adventure” that being American provides US. For questions, to get tickets or to take advantage of discounted hotel rates, head over to GOA’s event page. I hope to see you there.
Editor’s Note: Second Amendment groups like GOA are doing all they can to combat the left’s radical gun control agenda aimed at stripping us of our Second Amendment rights.
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