CEO Provides Financial Aid for Camping World Employees

by
posted on April 14, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gander-outdoors.jpg
Marcus Lemonis, company chairman and CEO of Camping World Holdings—which acquired firearm retailer Gander Mountain in 2017—has announced plans to provide financial assistance to staff experiencing financial difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the sales of 500,000 shares of class A common stock that he beneficially owns at a future date, applicable with security laws, he will contribute the proceeds to a fund dedicated to employee relief.

“Camping World is the most important part of my life and the Camping World team, many of which have been with the company for years are the reason why,” said Lemonis, who has not taken any form of compensation in his role as Chairman and CEO since 2016. “The associates are what make this company what it is and while they are not asking for a handout, I will do everything I can to protect their personal and financial well-being. They have always taken care of the customer, taken care of each other and taken care of me. We are in unprecedented times and we are all making sacrifices, but it is important for us all to do more and I’m reaching into my pocket to protect the team.”

When Camping World Holding originally acquired Gander Mountain’s inventory and outlets, it identified those stores in potentially viable areas and kept them open. Today they’ve been rebranded as Gander RV & Outdoors. While some other big-box stores have discontinued firearms, ammunition and gun supplies, they are available at the company’s more than 50 outlets and on its website. Each location offers a wide variety of equipment for other outdoor pursuits as well.

Camping World Holdings was established in 1996 and is headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, and operates the world’s largest chain of RV/trailer outlets. It’s also the parent company of the Good Sam Club, which has iconic status in the industry.

Latest

target with holes
target with holes

Resisting the Temptation of "Good Enough" for Firearm Performance

No matter what firearm you're using for whatever purpose, even if it's simply a trip to the range, always resist the temptation to accept “good enough” if there is the possibility of better performance.

Armed Citizens Stop a Lot More Criminals Than Most in the Media Will Admit

Since January 2025, the Crime Prevention Research Center has documented 16 defensive gun uses in which police say armed citizens stopped mass public killings.

Federal & Mossberg Collaborate on Autonomous Airborne Drone Defense

Federal and Mossberg are working with Palladyne AI in the creation of SwarmShot, a kinetic defense system that employs swarms of armed drones to shield troops from unmanned aircraft system threats.

Cold Performance: How to Prepare for the Uncertainty of Self-Defense

Defensive gun use is defined by uncertainty. You don’t know when it will happen, how far away the threat will be, how many threats you will face or what position you will be in when it begins.

Derya Goes Silent: The OBone Suppressor

In 2025, Turkish manufacturer Derya Arms opened a new facility in Florida, enabling the company to produce a number of new products domestically, such as its new OBone suppressor.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 26, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.