Event Overview

At GunCon 2026, host Johnny B assembled a panel of well-known firearms creators for a lighthearted game-show-style discussion. The group, featuring Mike from Tactical Considerations, Mr. Guns and Gear, Shawn from We Like Shooting, Jared of Guns and Gadgets, and John Patton of The Gun Collective, traded stories about awkward fan encounters, questionable firearms, and industry missteps. The session was framed as a break from serious ballistics and politics talk, with an emphasis on family-friendly, humorous questions.

Pros

• Panelists were candid and self-deprecating, sharing personal anecdotes that humanized the creators.
• Interactive format with sound-effect props kept the energy high and the audience engaged.
• Topics ranged from embarrassing on-air moments to the “dumbest” products and companies in the firearms space, offering rare behind-the-scenes insight.

Cons

• Some stories referenced sensitive or adult themes, occasionally pushing the “family-friendly” guideline set at the start.
• Audio quality of the novelty sound makers was described as poor, leading to repeated technical interruptions.
• The open-ended format occasionally drifted, requiring the host to steer the conversation back on track.

Key Quotes

“99.99% of all interactions with the public… is wonderful. However, there are some that are off the chart,” said host Johnny B, setting the tone for the panel’s focus on the rare but memorable negative experiences.

John Patton summed up the panel’s philosophy: “We’re dumb gun owners, too. Responsible though we are, but we like dumb stuff, too.”