Why the Gundies?
The Gundie Awards were created with one mission: to celebrate and elevate the voices of the firearms and Second Amendment (2A) community. In a world where the values of the shooting sports and outdoor community are often misunderstood or misrepresented, the Gundies Awards provide a platform to honor creators, advocates, and brands who make a positive impact within this space. This is truly for the community, by the community, and Forge Relations is proud to bring this event to life.
Celebrating the Firearms and 2A Community
The Gundies aren’t just about awards—they’re about recognition for the 2A advocates, firearms content creators, and outdoor brands who are dedicated to using their voices responsibly within the firearms community. Whether through engaging content, education, or advocacy, our nominees are the heartbeat of this space. Each category in the Gundies is carefully selected to spotlight the individuals and organizations making a difference, from firearms instructors to industry-leading brands and from long-time advocates to emerging creators.
For the Community, By the Community
The Gundies were born from a simple idea: the 2A and outdoor communities deserve a space to celebrate and honor their champions. Forge Relations may organize the event, but it’s the voices within the community that truly drive the Gundies Awards. Every year, new ideas for categories, nominees, and improvements to the voting process come directly from our community members and leaders. Your feedback has shaped the Gundies into what they are today, and it will continue to guide the awards as they evolve.
Commitment to Privacy and Trust
One of the most critical elements of the Gundies is our unwavering commitment to voter privacy and community trust. Since the beginning, we’ve held ourselves to high standards for protecting our voters’ information. We want our community to know that:
- We will never sell the Gundies voter list to any company or sponsor.
- Your data is safe with us—we protect all voter information, including emails, phone numbers, names, and locations.
We see this as our responsibility to the 2A and firearms community. Protecting voter privacy is fundamental to who we are, and it’s a principle we will always uphold.
Maintaining Integrity and Independence
Over the years, we’ve received generous offers from companies interested in buying the Gundies. While we’re grateful for the recognition of the Gundies’ value, we are committed to keeping the Gundies Awards independent. We don’t want the Gundies to become just another advertising asset for a brand. Instead, we’re dedicated to preserving its integrity as a community project. For us, the Gundies are more than an event—they are a celebration that belongs to everyone in the 2A and firearms community.
How We Sustain the Gundies
Organizing an event on this scale isn’t easy, and we couldn’t do it without the help of trusted firearms brands as sponsors. Each sponsor we work with shares our values and believes in the importance of supporting the Second Amendment community. These are brands we believe in, and we know they believe in you. We’re selective with our sponsorships, ensuring that the brands associated with the Gundies are ones our community can trust and support.
How You Can Support the Gundies
The Gundies Awards thrive because of your support. Whether you’re voting, nominating, or simply spreading the word, you’re helping us grow and sustain this platform for 2A advocates and outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some ways you can help keep the Gundies strong:
- Share the Gundies Awards on social media to introduce more people to our mission.
- Suggest new categories or provide feedback—we’re always looking for ways to improve.
- Show your support for the trusted brands that make the Gundies possible; their backing is crucial for the event’s success.
A Look Ahead
As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue expanding and refining the Gundies Awards. Every year brings new ideas, new categories, and new ways to celebrate our firearms community. Our commitment to community-driven growth means that your voices will always be at the forefront of the Gundies. We’ll keep listening, adapting, and evolving—together.
Thank you for being part of this journey. The Gundies exist because of you, and with your continued support, we’re confident they will only grow stronger.
