A huge turnout surprised a lot of exhibitors, who displayed high quality firearms, ammunition and equipment in the latest Association of Firearms and Ammunitions Dealers (AFAD) Inc. Defense and Sporting Arms Show that emphasized responsible gun ownership.
Red dot optical sights and pistol-caliber carbines (PCCs) drew a lot of interest from consumers when the four-day expo got going starting Thursday at the Megatrade Hall of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
“Yes (we were surprised). A lot of our clients really wanted to go. A lot (of the exhibitors) wanted to do it in their stores.
But after two and a half years, members were able to highlight their products (here),” said AFAD president and Southeast Asian Games silver medallist Hagen Topacio.
Sen. Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa and Philippine National Police Officer in Charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao graced the occasion on opening day.
De la Rosa emphasized the need to show responsibility through proper gun registration.
“The very act of registering a firearm is already a show of responsibility. Because I care about the use of my firearm, I will make sure it is duly registered,” said De la Rosa in his short message to exhibitors.
Another point of interest from the customers, who came were the PCCs, which are long guns chambered to fire ammunition, designed for handguns.
There were also pistols that shoot rifle ammunition, presented next to like traditional handguns.
Topacio said sports competitions in the PCCs are now coming up and some are organized by the Philippine Practical Shooting Association.
“The pistol caliber carbines are rifle platforms in the pistol calibre. There’s a couple of competitors, where a lot of shooters are going into,” said Topacio.
The event comes after more than two years after the exhibits were called off because of the pandemic.
Now on its 28th year, the exhibit drew 48 members and exhibitors, who gladly showed their offerings to the public.
Shotguns that are aluminum plated with quadrails, and some with folding stocks, were displayed with those using polymer materials, along with a locally group of locally-made semi-automatic models.
Also on display were the .45 caliber ACP pistols and chrome-plated subcompacts.
Personal defense weapons (PDWs) like the CBR-9 were also featured. Chambered in 9mm ammo, the CBR-9 is a polymer semi-auto pistol with a collapsible pistol brace.
Also offered was the RONI conversion kit — a rifle platform, where a pistol can be inserted. This kit is designed to give users a better grip and stability for attachments to be performed.