Join The ASA And Gain 1,000 HAM Airgun Points!

What? Me? Join the ASA? Why would I do that?

That was my opinion of the ASA – the Airgun Sporting Association – until very recently. But now I have changed my mind and joined.

Here’s why I think you should join and how you can gain 1,000 HAM Airguns Points when you do.

At $25.00, an annual membership costs only about the same as one tin of quality pellets! Plus – although HAM Airgun Points have no monetary value – they can be redeemed to obtain a discount when purchasing airgun products from participating HAM Community sponsors. That discount easily could save you more than the cost of the ASA membership itself!!!

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First, Why Did I Not Join The ASA Before?​

Well, there was a number of reasons and I’ll state them openly.

Firstly, it seems to me to be a trade association for the “big boys” of the industry only, with no place for smaller players like me. Also I could see no interest from the ASA in having the “average Joe Airgunner” become part of it.

Secondly, the ASA’s overwhelming focus on big bore hunting was – to me – far too restrictive. Although not a hunter myself, I have no issues with hunting, nor with using big bore airguns to achieve it.

But realistically, the percentage of air gunners who are big bore hunters is a pretty small proportion of the total airgun community. Yet the ASA Home Page was chock-full of this stuff in its rotating Home Page banners.

To me this was a HUGE turn-off! I would like to see an ASA that supports ALL air gunners, not just a specific sub-set (in this case, big bore airgun hunters).

So, overall, I could see no reason to join the ASA for what it seemed to offer me. Nor – in all honesty – could I encourage others to join either. At least not until three things changed.

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So What Changed? 1. Ed Schultz​

Firstly, the appointment of Ed Schultz as the President of the ASA.

Ed is a lifelong airgun shooting enthusiast who has worked for almost 30 years in airgun product development at Crosman and SIG. With Ed’s lifetime of interest and passion for airguns, he brings a wealth of true airgun knowledge to the ASA.

You see, Ed is a real shooter who really loves airguns. He’s “one of us” who has been fortunate enough to have made a career in the industry. He understand the “average Joe Airgunner” because he is one himself. That is really important.

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So What Changed? 2. Airgunners Are All Welcome​

Last year, the ASA extended its membership to “average Joe Airgunners”. Now we can all join the ASA!

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So What Changed? 3. Attacks On Airgun Ownership​

The third is the sudden – and obviously coordinated – attacks on the sale of airguns in the State legislatures of New York, Illinois and Washington.

Such proposed anti-airgun legislation makes it clear that we – airgun owners and shooters – are suddenly directly in the sights of a minority of politically-motivated, anti-gun zealots across the country.

So how can air gunners defend ourselves? The Airgun Shooting Association is the best – and maybe only – means of defense we have.

In the past few months, I have worked with Ed Schultz on this issue. By doing so, I have come to see how the ASA has been defending the interests of all airgunners through a “behind the scenes” campaign to counteract the proposed legislation through education and logical argument.

This work has involved communicating with State senators, marshaling legal teams and commissioning lobbyists to support our position. It also includes IT work, setting-up the “Save Airguns In New York” webpage and the automated links associated with it. And more…

Ed has been tireless working on this issue and deserves profound thanks form every one of us!

This benefits all airgunners – not just in New York, but across the country. Fortunately the recent, proposed anti-airgun legislation did not move out of the Committee stage in NY. But don’t relax, it may be back in New York and possibly in other states in future. (You can guess which ones as well as me, and there’s plenty of them).

But this work to benefit all airgunners takes effort – that means money. That’s why we need to join the ASA!

The annual membership cost of ASA membership at the “Airgun Enthusiast” level is just $25.00. That’s about the price of just one tin of quality airgun pellets. So it’s a very small amount, but – if we all do it – it would make a big difference.

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Join The ASA And Receive 1,000 HAM Airgun Points​

To encourage HAM Community members to join the ASA, Hard Air Magazine will credit 1,000 HAM Airgun Points to every Community member who does so before September 5, 2026. WOW, this is our first ever HAM Airgun Points “Flash Offer”!

There’s only one limitation: you need to use the same email address for both your ASA and HAM Community memberships, otherwise I won’t know who you are.

Once a week during the promotional period, the ASA will send HAM a list of emails and joining dates for new members who completed these fields when joining the ASA. There will be no other information, no details of your name, address or payment. I will then credit the Points to your HAM Community account.

HAM Airgun Points have no monetary value, however, they can be redeemed to obtain a discount when purchasing airgun products. That discount easily could save you more than the cost of the ASA membership itself!!!

HAM Airgun points are accepted by the following outstanding companies:
– Airguns of Arizona (1,000 HAM Points redeem for a 10% discount)
– Hawke Optics (1,000 HAM Points redeem for a 20% discount)
– Pinty (1,000 HAM Points redeem for a 20% discount)
– Umarex USA (1,000 HAM Points redeem for a 20% discount)

You can see full details here.

So what are you waiting for? Join the ASA before September 5, 2026. Help protect airguns from attack across the country and save money on airgun stuff!

Again, the only restriction here is that you must use the same email address for both your HAM Community and ASA registrations (otherwise we don’t know who you are).

Thanks in advance and welcome to the Airgun Sporting Association…


The post Join The ASA And Gain 1,000 HAM Airgun Points! appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[wolfmangreg]

Done & done. Thanks Steve!

 

[hameditor]

Done & done. Thanks Steve!

Greg, THANK YOU!!!

 

[Billm]

I’ve ASKED ASA/Ed Schultz several times here on HAM to answer a few basic questions about ASA. There has been no response. I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding, my views aren’t a personal attack on Ed. I don’t know him personally and believe he works hard for ASA.

I just see a lot of issues about ASA that either concern me or I’d at least like some clarity on their actions. But there’s been no response. There is absolutely no transparency. A lot of the reasons that Stephen states for not originally joining ASA, are some of the same reasons that prevent me from joining now.

But, there’s two other blaring issues that concern me:
1. The fact that the only members that can sit on a board, committee, be a director or even vote are the “Importer/Manufacturers Members”. That means they run the organization, control it and determine how it’s run and what its goals are. There are eight (8) levels of membership and only the top membership level can be on the board or vote. The other seven (7) membership levels including the Airgun Enthusiast level ( you and I) has this clause “will be granted without the right to vote as members or to serve on the Board of Directors or the Corporation’s Board Committees. ”. That implies to me that they want my money and the political power of a large membership, without any power to change or guide the organization such as voting or board/committee participation. Personally I’ve been a member of a lot of organizations including the NRA and they all have voting memberships.

2. Their website has one news item in the last seven years and that post is also 9 months old. The others are from 2019. Sorry, but that reflects poorly on an organization in two ways. Anyone in business in the last twenty years knows the importance of a solid professional online presence. It also implies that the organization isn’t taking care of basic everyday caretaking concerns such as communications. This point ties into the point about voting. If ASA doesn’t respond in a forum thread that they started and doesn’t maintain an up to date website, how exactly does the non-voting member communicate with them?

If I’m wrong, I’m definitely open to being corrected. I was going to join, but right now I just don’t feel there is enough transparency. I’m all for promoting airguns and their use and through my own research I am even coming around to the idea of supporting the FET (10% tax) on some airguns.
Again this not a frivolous attack, it’s an attempt at constructive criticism, with no malice intended.

 

[hameditor]

I’ve ASKED ASA/Ed Schultz several times here on HAM to answer a few basic questions about ASA. There has been no response. I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding, my views aren’t a personal attack on Ed. I don’t know him personally and believe he works hard for ASA.

I just see a lot of issues about ASA that either concern me or I’d at least like some clarity on their actions. But there’s been no response. There is absolutely no transparency. A lot of the reasons that Stephen states for not originally joining ASA, are some of the same reasons that prevent me from joining now.

But, there’s two other blaring issues that concern me:
1. The fact that the only members that can sit on a board, committee, be a director or even vote are the “Importer/Manufacturers Members”. That means they run the organization, control it and determine how it’s run and what its goals are. There are eight (8) levels of membership and only the top membership level can be on the board or vote. The other seven (7) membership levels including the Airgun Enthusiast level ( you and I) has this clause “will be granted without the right to vote as members or to serve on the Board of Directors or the Corporation’s Board Committees. ”. That implies to me that they want my money and the political power of a large membership, without any power to change or guide the organization such as voting or board/committee participation. Personally I’ve been a member of a lot of organizations including the NRA and they all have voting memberships.

2. Their website has one news item in the last seven years and that post is also 9 months old. The others are from 2019. Sorry, but that reflects poorly on an organization in two ways. Anyone in business in the last twenty years knows the importance of a solid professional online presence. It also implies that the organization isn’t taking care of basic everyday caretaking concerns such as communications. This point ties into the point about voting. If ASA doesn’t respond in a forum thread that they started and doesn’t maintain an up to date website, how exactly does the non-voting member communicate with them?

If I’m wrong, I’m definitely open to being corrected. I was going to join, but right now I just don’t feel there is enough transparency. I’m all for promoting airguns and their use and through my own research I am even coming around to the idea of supporting the FET (10% tax) on some airguns.
Again this not a frivolous attack, it’s an attempt at constructive criticism, with no malice intended.

@Billm Thanks for your excellent message. You make some great points.

While I can't speak for the ASA, maybe I can give a little personal background..

1. I know that there's a lot of effort under way to resurrect the ASA website and actually start some current activity there. You are correct, the website has been un-maintained - to say the least - for many years. But that's changing and I'm trying to help with that effort, behind the scenes.

2. As for voting rights. I agree that all paying members should have a vote. I have no counter to your points here.

3. But - in spite of everything - the ASA is the best thing we have right now. The ASA's efforts - led by Ed - were instrumental in pushing-back against the recent attacks against airguns in NY state. He was tireless in educating and explaining to lawmakers the illogicality of their proposals. It was a huge effort for him and he prioritized that over everything else. It was the right call. Without Ed, airguns in NY state would be history and - with that example - soon in a number of other states too. I saw this myself at very close range!

What is without doubt in my mind is that airguns are in the cross-hairs of a number of people who want to stop anything associated with the letters "G" "U" "N". They obviously see airguns as a "soft target" and are acting appropriately. That's why we need top-level cover to protect our interest.

Again, the ASA may not be perfect, but it's the best we have and we need to support it. If not, I fear for the future of airguns in the USA. In my mind it's as simple as that.

I'm sure that Ed will also comment...

 

[Billm]

@Billm Thanks for your excellent message. You make some great points.

While I can't speak for the ASA, maybe I can give a little personal background..

1. I know that there's a lot of effort under way to resurrect the ASA website and actually start some current activity there. You are correct, the website has been un-maintained - to say the least - for many years. But that's changing and I'm trying to help with that effort, behind the scenes.

2. As for voting rights. I agree that all paying members should have a vote. I have no counter to your points here.

3. But - in spite of everything - the ASA is the best thing we have right now. The ASA's efforts - led by Ed - were instrumental in pushing-back against the recent attacks against airguns in NY state. He was tireless in educating and explaining to lawmakers the illogicality of their proposals. It was a huge effort for him and he prioritized that over everything else. It was the right call. Without Ed, airguns in NY state would be history and - with that example - soon in a number of other states too. I saw this myself at very close range!

What is without doubt in my mind is that airguns are in the cross-hairs of a number of people who want to stop anything associated with the letters "G" "U" "N". They obviously see airguns as a "soft target" and are acting appropriately. That's why we need top-level cover to protect our interest.

Again, the ASA may not be perfect, but it's the best we have and we need to support it. If not, I fear for the future of airguns in the USA. In my mind it's as simple as that.

I'm sure that Ed will also comment...

I’m glad you replied. I’m sure some are hesitant to touch my post.
You’re right about the use of that three letter word, hence the paintball community using the nomenclature “paintball marker” which is accurate in the fact that its original purpose was to “mark” livestock, but cowardly in its current context. But that’s another story.
I have no stake in NY, the last time I was in upstate NY, was to visit my grandmother in Xmas 67. But, I’m not naive enough to believe what happens there, can’t happen here. Not to mention the detrimental effect it would have on the many NY friends that I have made on HAM. In that aspect I can fully see supporting ASA.
I still have my reservations about the voting aspect and lack of communication. I’m also a little concerned by the fact industry support seems divided. Maybe I’ll put my reservations aside and consider a one year subscription a donation if nothing else.
Although I believe my post is pertinent to the subject, I’ll be more than glad to move it to a thread of its own. It’s not intended to discourage readers from joining ASA.

 

[hameditor]

I’m glad you replied. I’m sure some are hesitant to touch my post.
You’re right about the use of that three letter word, hence the paintball community using the nomenclature “paintball marker” which is accurate in the fact that its original purpose was to “mark” livestock, but cowardly in its current context. But that’s another story.
I have no stake in NY, the last time I was in upstate NY, was to visit my grandmother in Xmas 67. But, I’m not naive enough to believe what happens there, can’t happen here. Not to mention the detrimental effect it would have on the many NY friends that I have made on HAM. In that aspect I can fully see supporting ASA.
I still have my reservations about the voting aspect and lack of communication. I’m also a little concerned by the fact industry support seems divided. Maybe I’ll put my reservations aside and consider a one year subscription a donation if nothing else.
Although I believe my post is pertinent to the subject, I’ll be more than glad to move it to a thread of its own. It’s not intended to discourage readers from joining ASA.

@Billm Thanks for bouncing back! I appreciate your logical approach, structured comments and reasoned argument

I would like to leave this discussion where it is. The simple reason is that my aim is for the Hard Air Community to be as open and uncensored as possible. I am very tolerant of different opinions, well expressed and strongly based, as I feel this is the essence of a "real" forum.

People should be able to read multiple sides of a story and form their own opinions!

BTW. I also agree with you (again!) that the whole airgun industry should overcome any internal differences and present an united front to those who want to disrupt us.

In summary, I feel that we need to support the ASA (as already described). Agreed, there's progress to be made and I'm doing my best to help wherever I can, rather than wait until it's maybe too late...

 

[Billm]

Joined. Now, as a member I hope to hear some answers

 

[hameditor]

Joined. Now, as a member I hope to hear some answers

Good man

 

[BenjeneerJohn]

Joined. Now, as a member I hope to hear some answers

Bill,
Glad you joined up!
If you are at Pyramyd you can meet and speak with Ed directly. He is coming as part of the Iconic Outdoor shooting team. He will have his ASA shooting jersey on some days and his Iconic jersey on other days.

John

 

[Chief_Pellet_Officer]

Billm, thanks for joining, and for pushing me on this. You deserve real answers.


First, kudos to Steve for everything he's done behind the scenes on the website rebuild, and for hosting ASA here on HAM. This community is exactly where enthusiasts like you should have a voice, and Steve's given us that.


On voting: it's a valid concern, and I'm not going to wave it off. ASA isn't set up as a membership-run organization, and it never has been. It's structured as an industry trade association, the airgun world's version of NSSF, funded and run historically by the Importer/Manufacturer tier. Organizations like the NRA or the National Trappers Association are built the other way, one member one vote, because that's what they are: mass-membership organizations. ASA isn't that.


One thing worth adding: an actual formal vote on the board is rare. Most of what the board does gets settled by consensus, not by anyone exercising a voting right written into the bylaws. That doesn't answer your underlying point about who'd hold the power if a vote were ever forced, but in practice, day to day, it isn't one tier outvoting everyone else, it's people agreeing on what to do next.


What makes this harder is that ASA is trying to do the job of three separate organizations at once. In the firearms world, that work is split three ways. NSSF handles trade and industry standards. The NRA handles political advocacy. Groups like IHMSA and USMSA handle competition rules. Airguns don't have three organizations doing that, they have one, and it's me part time plus a small board, covering all three jobs on a fraction of the budget any one of those has on its own.


That's context, not an excuse. The website and the silence in this thread were real failures and mine to fix. But it explains why governance here looks different than in the organizations you're used to. ASA was built to be the industry's seat at the table, not a membership democracy, and it's stretched thin trying to also carry advocacy and standards work that elsewhere gets split across multiple, better-funded organizations.


Thanks again for joining, and for holding us to this.


Ed Schultz

 

[Billm]

Billm, thanks for joining, and for pushing me on this. You deserve real answers.


First, kudos to Steve for everything he's done behind the scenes on the website rebuild, and for hosting ASA here on HAM. This community is exactly where enthusiasts like you should have a voice, and Steve's given us that.


On voting: it's a valid concern, and I'm not going to wave it off. ASA isn't set up as a membership-run organization, and it never has been. It's structured as an industry trade association, the airgun world's version of NSSF, funded and run historically by the Importer/Manufacturer tier. Organizations like the NRA or the National Trappers Association are built the other way, one member one vote, because that's what they are: mass-membership organizations. ASA isn't that.


One thing worth adding: an actual formal vote on the board is rare. Most of what the board does gets settled by consensus, not by anyone exercising a voting right written into the bylaws. That doesn't answer your underlying point about who'd hold the power if a vote were ever forced, but in practice, day to day, it isn't one tier outvoting everyone else, it's people agreeing on what to do next.


What makes this harder is that ASA is trying to do the job of three separate organizations at once. In the firearms world, that work is split three ways. NSSF handles trade and industry standards. The NRA handles political advocacy. Groups like IHMSA and USMSA handle competition rules. Airguns don't have three organizations doing that, they have one, and it's me part time plus a small board, covering all three jobs on a fraction of the budget any one of those has on its own.


That's context, not an excuse. The website and the silence in this thread were real failures and mine to fix. But it explains why governance here looks different than in the organizations you're used to. ASA was built to be the industry's seat at the table, not a membership democracy, and it's stretched thin trying to also carry advocacy and standards work that elsewhere gets split across multiple, better-funded organizations.


Thanks again for joining, and for holding us to this.


Ed Schultz

I appreciate your answer. I don’t necessarily agree with all of it, but I definitely appreciate it. I don’t think it needs to be one member one vote on everything. It just needs to have the byelaws changed to allow a single board representative that represents the non-voting body and a mechanism for the general membership to select/elect them. The ASA is locked in the dilemma of chasing its tail. It needs a larger membership to be more effective, but it takes money and people to generate that membership. Unfortunately a lot of people won’t get involved without an incentive. It’s just human nature. An obvious step is volunteers. But, first they need something to volunteer for. Hopefully that will come. There are definitely divisions within in the industry. That’s common and I experienced it in the hobby industry. If ASA can unite the industry in a couple of areas of mutual interest such as hunting and competition that would be a huge step.

 

[Pumacarl]

This is the only game in town, so I'm playing. I want to keep playing with my airguns, and everyone knows that you've got to pay to play. I'm a lifetime endowment member of the NRA for the same reason. They need numbers to show the press to shut them up. +1

Ed, I joined at the professional level to get the ball rolling, want to really get it snowballing? Start a lifetime membership level, with a future provision for voting rights if it ever comes to pass. I want an organization big enough to suppress the anti's in their tracks. Say what you want about the recent shenanigans over at the NRA, but they were effective.

 

[Chief_Pellet_Officer]

This is the only game in town, so I'm playing. I want to keep playing with my airguns, and everyone knows that you've got to pay to play. I'm a lifetime endowment member of the NRA for the same reason. They need numbers to show the press to shut them up. +1

Ed, I joined at the professional level to get the ball rolling, want to really get it snowballing? Start a lifetime membership level, with a future provision for voting rights if it ever comes to pass. I want an organization big enough to suppress the anti's in their tracks. Say what you want about the recent shenanigans over at the NRA, but they were effective.

Pumacarl, thanks for joining, and for the idea.
A lifetime membership tier is a good one, I'll look into it.

As the membership grows, the structure of the organization will naturally evolve. What we need right now is grassroots action and membership in every state, that's how we fight some of these crazy laws being proposed.
What area of the country are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Chief_Pellet_Officer]

I appreciate your answer. I don’t necessarily agree with all of it, but I definitely appreciate it. I don’t think it needs to be one member one vote on everything. It just needs to have the byelaws changed to allow a single board representative that represents the non-voting body and a mechanism for the general membership to select/elect them. The ASA is locked in the dilemma of chasing its tail. It needs a larger membership to be more effective, but it takes money and people to generate that membership. Unfortunately a lot of people won’t get involved without an incentive. It’s just human nature. An obvious step is volunteers. But, first they need something to volunteer for. Hopefully that will come. There are definitely divisions within in the industry. That’s common and I experienced it in the hobby industry. If ASA can unite the industry in a couple of areas of mutual interest such as hunting and competition that would be a huge step.

Billm, that line stood out to me: "if ASA can unite the industry in a couple of areas of mutual interest such as hunting and competition, that would be a huge step." That's exactly my priority right now.

I'll be at PAC next, and the focus there is a 100-yard benchrest rule update, along with presenting a new discipline based on demos and conversations I had at RMAC. Given your involvement in the Southeast benchrest scene, I would like to get you input.

I'll have more to report after the event.

 

[Billm]

Billm, that line stood out to me: "if ASA can unite the industry in a couple of areas of mutual interest such as hunting and competition, that would be a huge step." That's exactly my priority right now.

I'll be at PAC next, and the focus there is a 100-yard benchrest rule update, along with presenting a new discipline based on demos and conversations I had at RMAC. Given your involvement in the Southeast benchrest scene, I would like to get you input.

I'll have more to report after the event.

That sounds great. But, full disclosure: I’m not involved in any benchrest competition. I just would like to be.

 

[Pumacarl]

Pumacarl, thanks for joining, and for the idea.
A lifetime membership tier is a good one, I'll look into it.

As the membership grows, the structure of the organization will naturally evolve. What we need right now is grassroots action and membership in every state, that's how we fight some of these crazy laws being proposed.
What area of the country are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm in NH, which is currently ranked as the most gun friendly state in the nation. All the lefties in my state put up signs saying that "this isn't your free state" because they are afraid (good) and know (good) that there is a strong free state sentiment here. We are the last and only moderately conservative state left in the NorthEast and it really bugs the hell out of them too(good). I hate politics and grassroots anything, I honestly could not even imagine the lifestyle of it; but I am happy to support anyone that wants to do it, and am happy that some people are willing to do it. Good luck to you, and to all of us.

 

[Chief55]

I'm all in. Thanks Chief.

 

[hameditor]

Big thanks to those HAM Community members who joined the ASA this week! You have all gained an additional 1,000 HAM Airgun Points in your accounts.

Have fun spending them

 

[007]

I'm in.

I really appreciate ASA's advocacy work saving airguns in New York.

Thank you guys for all you do!