Today marked a deeply personal and cathartic visit for me—one that bridged more than 35 years of memories, gratitude and admiration. I returned to Midway Arms, now MidwayUSA, a place I first visited decades ago in the early 1990s as publisher of Guns & Ammo magazine alongside the late, great Robert E. Petersen. What I found this time was not just a thriving business, but a testament to vision, passion and an unwavering commitment to America’s shooting sports heritage.
Larry and Brenda Potterfield have truly set the recreational shooting world on fire. Under their leadership, MidwayUSA has earned three Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Awards—a rare honor that speaks volumes about their excellence in business and operations. As hands-on enthusiasts themselves, they’ve hunted across the globe, but their real impact has been here at home: building a company that empowers everyday Americans to enjoy firearms safely and responsibly.
I was especially grateful for the opportunity to visit with their daughter Sara, who is actively involved in all facets of the family business. It was clear that the future is in very good hands with Sara’s dedication and involvement.
Larry is a great patriot and a U.S. Air Force veteran who served as an officer. His commitment to our country and its freedoms shines through in everything the Potterfields have built.
My heartfelt thanks go out to Larry and Brenda for their incredible generosity and steadfast support of Second Amendment rights and freedoms. Their “Round Up” program has generated more than $22 million for the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. Even more impressively, the Friends of NRA program they helped found has raised over $1.2 billion for critical initiatives including hunter safety, firearm safety training, law enforcement programs, women’s shooting programs, youth education, and local and state NRA efforts.
The MidwayUSA Foundation, with more than $500 million currently dedicated to the cause, is channeling much of that support into range development—so more people can get outdoors, learn the shooting sports, and experience the freedom and responsibility that come with them.
Last year, MidwayUSA served as title sponsor of the NRA Annual Meetings in Houston, where we welcomed more than 73,000 attendees. Events like that remind us how powerful these partnerships are, and I look forward to many more years of strong collaboration with Larry, Brenda, Sara, MidwayUSA, and the MidwayUSA Foundation.
These are great Americans we can all admire and look up to. On the occasion of MidwayUSA's 49th anniversary, I want to offer my sincere congratulations and deepest appreciation. Thank you, Larry and Brenda, for everything you’ve built, everything you’ve given, and the legacy you continue to create.
If you haven’t had the chance to visit MidwayUSA or learn more about their work, I highly recommend it. Places like this don’t just sell products—they strengthen traditions, support communities, and defend the freedoms that make our country special.
Here’s to another 49 years of excellence! To see everything the company has to offer, visit the Midway USA website at midwayusa.com.
