Viridian Weapon Technologies is cranking up the fun factor at SHOT Show 2026 with their limited-edition Gummy Guns—playful gummy candies shaped like pint-sized firearms, handed out free (one pack per attendee) at Booth #10167 while supplies last. This isn’t just a sugar rush; it’s a masterstroke of marketing genius from President and CEO Brian Hedeen, who knows that in a sea of tactical black and olive drab, a cheeky handful of fruit-flavored replicas can cut through the noise and spark conversations. Pair it with demos of their next-gen green dot optics, ultra-compact weapon lights, and innovative firearm builds, and you’ve got a booth that’s equal parts playground and proving ground.

For the 2A community, this move is a sly reminder that gun culture thrives on creativity and approachability, not just somber seriousness. In an era where anti-gunners demonize firearms as toys of death, Viridian flips the script with edible guns that humanize the passion—think of it as reclaiming the narrative from pearl-clutching critics who once clutched their pearls over cap guns. It’s clever psyops: attendees munching on gummy Glocks or ARs are primed to engage positively with Viridian’s real tech, like those green dots that dominate in low-light CQB scenarios. Historically, SHOT Show booths that blend whimsy with innovation (remember the early laser sight giveaways?) build lasting brand loyalty, and this could boost Viridian’s optics sales amid rising concealed carry permits—now over 22 million nationwide per the latest Crime Prevention Research Center data.

The implications ripple wider: as Big Candy shies away from anything remotely weaponized, Viridian’s stunt underscores how 2A companies are outpacing cultural gatekeepers in fun and relevance. Swing by Booth #10167 if you’re at SHOT—grab your free pack, geek out on the gear, and let’s hope this sparks a trend of more edible activism to chew on the industry’s future.