Shownotes
Goat Guns build scale model guns you assemble and display, and on this episode of State of the Second, hosts Kaylee and John talk with Anthony from Goat Guns about how a video game idea turned into a fast-growing brand. Anthony explains the origin story: founder Brad Lunt started the company in 2017 after noticing that gamers pay real money for weapon skins in first-person shooters, and figured people would pay for tangible miniature guns too. The company started slow with a couple of basic models like the AR15, then took off when COVID hit and people stuck at home found them while scrolling Facebook. The first big break came from Sig Sauer, who asked Goat Guns to make a miniature MCX Rattler. Now the other big gun companies come to them.
Anthony walks through how a model actually gets made. The team starts with the most popular, recognizable guns, gets 3D files from sources or manufacturers, then has engineers shrink the file and rework parts that become weak points at small scale. They 3D print and assemble handmade prototypes, test for weak points, send feedback, and only after the licensee approves do they move to packaging. The process takes about two years on average, sometimes three. He covers product decisions too: which parts ship pre-assembled so the models aren't intimidating to build, how the flashlight accessory went from a non-working prop to a real working light once the engineers solved it, and the limited edition runs numbered 1 to 600 that sell out in days and land on eBay for at least $200. The company is up to about 32 models with six or seven more in the works.
The back half turns to community and culture. Anthony says Goat Guns was one of the most popular booths at GOA's GOALS convention, with Navy SEALs, kids, and women all geeking out, and that the GOA crowd had a noticeably friendlier, more engaged feel than other shows. The hosts and Anthony land on the bigger point: the models bridge a gap. They give people who are intimidated by guns a safe, non-firing way to learn the mechanics, they work as a family activity, and teachers have reached out calling them an educational tool. Kaylee ties it to GOA's mission of building an on-ramp from gun-curious to gun owner. Anthony also talks about Facebook ad pushback and how the brand keeps content family-friendly to keep ads running, credits the roughly 7,000-member Goat Guns Addicts fan group for the brand's social reach, and points listeners to goatguns.com plus retailers like Bass Pro and Cabela's.
Questions this episode answers
How did Goat Guns get started, and what was the original idea behind it?
Founder Brad Lunt started Goat Guns in 2017 after noticing that gamers pay real money for weapon skins in first-person shooters and figured people would pay for tangible miniature guns too. The company began slowly with a few basic models like the AR15.
What role did COVID play in Goat Guns' growth?
The brand took off during COVID when people stuck at home found the models while scrolling Facebook, turning a slow start into fast growth.
How did the partnership with Sig Sauer come about?
Goat Guns' first big break came when Sig Sauer asked the company to make a miniature MCX Rattler. After that, other major gun companies began coming to Goat Guns directly.
What is the full process for turning a real gun into a scale model, and how long does it take?
The team starts with recognizable guns, gets 3D files, has engineers shrink and rework parts that become weak points at small scale, then 3D prints and tests handmade prototypes before the licensee approves and they package it. It takes about two years on average, sometimes three.
How does Goat Guns decide which guns and accessories to make next?
Goat Guns prioritizes the most popular, recognizable firearms, and decides which parts ship pre-assembled so the models aren't intimidating to build. Accessories evolve too, like the flashlight that went from a non-working prop to a real working light once the engineers solved it.
How do Goat Guns help bridge the gap for people who are intimidated by firearms?
The non-firing models give people a safe way to learn how guns work mechanically, function as a family activity, and have been embraced by teachers as an educational tool. Gun Owners of America ties this to its mission of building an on-ramp from gun-curious to gun owner.
What was the reception like at the Gun Owners Action Leadership Summit (GOALS) compared to other shows?
Anthony says Goat Guns was one of the most popular booths at GOALS, with Navy SEALs, kids, and women all geeking out, and the Gun Owners of America (GOA) crowd felt noticeably friendlier and more engaged than other shows.
How does Goat Guns handle ad pushback from social media platforms?
Goat Guns keeps its content family-friendly to keep ads running despite Facebook ad pushback, and credits the roughly 7,000-member Goat Guns Addicts fan group for much of the brand's social reach.
Chapters
- 00:00 — Welcome and introducing Anthony from Goat Guns
- 00:34 — Rapid fire questions
- 02:56 — The Goat Guns origin story
- 03:58 — COVID growth and the Sig Sauer break
- 04:53 — Favorite collaborations
- 05:43 — Picking which guns become models
- 08:44 — Inside the two-year build process
- 10:16 — Deciding what ships pre-assembled
- 11:57 — Model count, limited editions, and a show-and-tell
- 14:54 — When development runs long
- 16:30 — The working flashlight accessory
- 17:55 — Dream collaborations
- 19:16 — The GOALS convention and the GOA community
- 25:03 — Marketing, ad pushback, and the fan base
- 29:40 — From the Soapbox: acceptance and education
- 36:20 — Where to find Goat Guns and goodbyes
About the guest
Anthony is from Goat Guns, the company that makes scale model guns you build and display. He is the person who gets the prototypes for new models and tests them. He found Goat Guns himself through a Facebook ad during COVID. He also collects other models, including model fighter jets. Goat Guns was started in 2017 by Brad Lunt.
Key quotes
"if people are paying for skins, which isn't tangible, you know, what they would probably pay for little miniature guns." — Anthony
"we set the price of the goat guns but the fan base sets the value of them." — Anthony
"It's the safest way to play with guns actually." — Anthony
"there's nothing like seeing a grown man turn into a giddy little kid." — Anthony
"it typically takes around two, sometimes three years." — Anthony
"the mechanics of guns is pretty awesome." — Anthony
Transcripts
Welcome to Gun Owners of America State of the second podcast.
Speaker A:I'm Kaylee.
Speaker B:And I'm John.
Speaker B:And today we're joined by Anthony from Goat Guns.
Speaker B:And for those of you who don't know what go guns are, they're awesome model guns to scale and they are just so much fun to build and have on display.
Speaker B:So Anthony, thank you for joining us today.
Speaker B:Is there anything that I missed when I introduced you?
Speaker C:No, thanks for having me.
Speaker C:But yeah, you're right.
Speaker C:They are an awesome fun, I would say fidget toy, slash, diecast model to play with.
Speaker B:All right, so we're gonna get into our first segment which is rapid fire questions.
Speaker B:We're going to ask you five questions.
Speaker B:You go ahead and give us your answer.
Speaker B:What is your favorite goat gun?
Speaker C:Oh man, that's a hard one.
Speaker C:Holy crap.
Speaker C:My favorite go gun, I would have to say is the M16.
Speaker C:A1 with the grenadier handguard and the grenade launcher attached.
Speaker C:It's just the M16 in general is a beautiful gun, so.
Speaker C:And legendary.
Speaker C:Did a lot of good for us as a country.
Speaker C:So yeah, the M16, it's just beautiful gun.
Speaker A:Who is your most watched content creator?
Speaker C:You know most of the gun tubers, Coleon, Garanthum, Kaya from Classic Firearms.
Speaker C:I mean it's, it's.
Speaker C:Oh, that's a hard one to say.
Speaker B:What goat gun do you want to make that you don't already have in your lineup?
Speaker C:I want to make a lever action rifle and a, like a, like a Peacemaker revolver.
Speaker C:Western.
Speaker C:I want to see some western stuff.
Speaker A:What was your latest impulse buy?
Speaker C:My latest impulse buy, probably a suppressor.
Speaker B:What is the most overrated gun in real life?
Speaker C:People are probably gonna hate me for this, but I'm gonna say Glock.
Speaker C:I just want to say that's not the only pistol out there.
Speaker C:A lot of people think that they feel like that's the only pistol out there, but it's not.
Speaker C:There's a lot of other very, very good pistols.
Speaker C:So yeah.
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Speaker B:Tell us a little bit about the story of goat guns, how you guys got started, what keeps what.
Speaker B:What keeps you guys going?
Speaker B:All that stuff.
Speaker C:Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker C: So Go guns started in: Speaker C:And basically the idea came from he.
Speaker C:He loved to play video games.
Speaker C:And in video games, like the firstperson shooter games, you can buy skins for the guns in the game.
Speaker C:So he kind of figured, well, if people are paying for skins, which isn't tangible, you know, what they would probably pay for little miniature guns.
Speaker C:And I mean, basically pretty much nobody was out there doing it.
Speaker C:And he found, you know, he found.
Speaker C:Found the resources to.
Speaker C:To do it.
Speaker C:Started off with a couple of guns, aka AR15, the few of the basic guns and then, I mean the rest is history.
Speaker C:So we actually, it was a little slow going at first couple first years, but then Covid hit and freaking Go Guns skyrocketed.
Speaker C:Probably because people were stuck at home, needed something to do.
Speaker C:At that time we were marketing like crazy on Facebook and you know, everybody's at home just scrolling and go.
Speaker C:Gun's ad pops up.
Speaker C:That's actually how how me personally found Goat Guns.
Speaker C:But yeah, I mean, after that it's been on the up and up ever since.
Speaker C:And you know, know we got our first break with Sig Sour.
Speaker C:They came to us and wanted us to make a miniature version of the MCX Rattler.
Speaker C:And, and then, and now we have all of the other big gun companies coming, coming to us, asking us to make their model, which is great.
Speaker B:So as you, you mentioned Sig, what has been the.
Speaker B:Your favorite collaboration with.
Speaker B:I've seen you guys do, you know, M1 Garand with a couple people.
Speaker B:I've seen you do the Sig stuff.
Speaker B:You know which one has been your favorite so far?
Speaker C:We got, you know, I gotta say there's a couple of influencer collabs that we did that were really fun.
Speaker C:But as far as gun companies, I mean, I.
Speaker C:It.
Speaker C:It has to, it has to be Sig.
Speaker C:They've been so easygoing and again, they were totally into goat guns themselves.
Speaker C:So I mean really, it has to be six.
Speaker C:They gave us the first chance and you know, they're all about it.
Speaker C:We have.
Speaker C:They're excited about upcoming models and stuff like that too.
Speaker C:So yeah, it's super, super.
Speaker C:Yeah, they're super fun.
Speaker C:But don't get me wrong, there's.
Speaker C:There's a lot of other companies that have been super fun to work with too.
Speaker C:Some I can't even mention because they're upcoming.
Speaker C:Uh, but yeah, yeah, they've They've all been pretty fun.
Speaker C:But I would say my favorite is Sig so far.
Speaker B:So you probably get this a lot.
Speaker B:Somebody comes up to you and goes, hey, I really want a goat gun in this gun or that gun.
Speaker B:What is the process for you guys deciding what gun becomes a model next?
Speaker C:Okay, you're right.
Speaker C:We do get that question a lot.
Speaker C:I mean that's probably, it's, I would have to say, number one, most common question.
Speaker C:Number two is do they shoot?
Speaker C:But anyways, the process, the way the process goes is typically if it's a non licensed model, we're looking at the most popular gun models that the general public might know.
Speaker C:You know, for example, the basic AR15 or slash M4.
Speaker C:I mean that, that was a no brainer.
Speaker C:Everybody knows what it is and you know, that was top of the list.
Speaker C:But then when it comes to licensed guns, it really depends on what their most popular model is.
Speaker C:So we'll start there and then every so often they'll, they'll kind of reach out and, and ask us if we can do one of their models that, that they really want to promote or something new on their end.
Speaker C:But for the most part, we tried to talk them into, let's do the most popular ones first.
Speaker C:Like the, the OGs, the ones that everybody knows about.
Speaker C:For example, with Barrett we had to go with the, the M82A1 down.
Speaker C:I mean the, the 50 cal.
Speaker C:Everybody knows the 50 cal, so we had to go with that.
Speaker C:And then we went with the mark 22 which is, you know, the, a newer model for them.
Speaker C:But it helps that the military is currently using that model.
Speaker C:So.
Speaker C:And, and that's the other thing too.
Speaker C:It's, it's what the military is currently using too.
Speaker C:I mean, for example, the M17 with sig was one of our newest models.
Speaker C:Now, you know, timing was a little kind of not so great, but I mean it was at the, it, it takes about two years average to make.
Speaker C:So when we started making it, I mean it was, you know, there was no, nothing in, in the, in the news or anything like that about that model.
Speaker C:And I mean ultimately it is a cool gun, but yeah, so we start with the most popular and then what we'll do is we'll get 3D files.
Speaker C:We have sources where we'll get 3D files or manufacturers will help us with that.
Speaker C:And then our engineers will shrink the file down and then manipulate parts that could be weak points when they're shrunken down because it's not as easy as blasting it With a honey I shrunk the kids gun.
Speaker C:I mean it really.
Speaker C:There's parts in there that will be shrunken down, too small to work.
Speaker C:So engineers will manipulate that and then will 3 3D print the whole model, all the parts, put them together, make sure everything moves and works, and then we'll go into a prototype.
Speaker C:So what will happen is a couple of handmade prototypes will be made.
Speaker C:Prototypes will be sent to us for, you know, we, for, to find weak points and stuff.
Speaker C:And, and luckily I'm the guy that gets the prototypes and gets to play with them.
Speaker C:So we'll find weak points, we'll give feedback, they'll fix them, and then once we have a prototype that we're happy about, we'll send that over to the licensee and then they'll have to approve.
Speaker C:Once they approve, then we'll start making packaging and all that stuff.
Speaker C:So yeah, it's, it's a, it's a pretty long process, but like I said, it's, it typically takes around two, sometimes three years.
Speaker C:The M17 took us three years.
Speaker C:The M1 Garand took us three years, but on average two years.
Speaker B:So when you're laying out these, the models and everything like that, because these, you build the, the kits together, how do you decide, you know, okay, well, this part we're gonna build, you're gonna have to build.
Speaker B:And this part is already going to be pretty assembled.
Speaker B: So like the: Speaker B:You got to put the handguards on and all that stuff.
Speaker B:So how do you decide what needs to actually be assembled and what's already pre assembled when it leaves the factory?
Speaker C:So we don't want, we didn't want to make the, the, the model intimidating to put together.
Speaker C:So any parts that are kind of harder to assemble, we will tend to assemble that on our end.
Speaker C:And then the parts that we want the customers to put together, we want them to be kind of the more simpler stuff.
Speaker C:And then the hardcore fan will, you know, it's pretty obvious that it breaks down further than what we assemble.
Speaker C:So that leaves it open for the hardcore fan to be able to just disassemble all the way down.
Speaker C:But for the most part, yeah, we just didn't want, we don't want our customers to get intimidated by putting, putting our models together.
Speaker C:I kind of run into that.
Speaker C:I collect other models too.
Speaker C:Like, like, you know, model jet fighter jets and stuff.
Speaker C:Like that.
Speaker C:And sometimes if I see a model that just looks like it's too much, I, I might, I, I'll tend to avoid it just because it just looks like it's too much.
Speaker C:So we wanted to make it simple for the customers.
Speaker B:How many models are you up to now?
Speaker B:So I, I see a whole bunch behind you.
Speaker B:How many?
Speaker B:And for those listening to the podcast, he's got slew of models behind him.
Speaker B:How many models are you up to?
Speaker B:And color variations and all that.
Speaker C:As far as the company, we're up to 32 different models and that's in.
Speaker C:Oh man, I want to say that's including the color variations.
Speaker C:Man, I could be wrong.
Speaker C:We could have 32 different.
Speaker C:But yeah, so it's a, it's around 32 and more to come.
Speaker C:We have currently, ah geez, probably six or seven in the works and, and every time one comes out, we're adding another one onto the, onto the to do list or in progress list.
Speaker C:To do list.
Speaker C:You can only imagine how long that is.
Speaker C:It's, I mean ev.
Speaker C:There's an endless amount of guns that we can do.
Speaker C:Endless amount of popular guns we can do.
Speaker C:But yeah, we're up to about 32 different models with a few color variations.
Speaker C:And then we also do limited edition models every so often that are numbered from 1 to 600 and those tend to sell out within a few days.
Speaker C:And once they sell out, they end up on ebay for minimum of $200 instantly.
Speaker C:I can show you, let me show you a couple of models here.
Speaker C:So for example, we'll do something like this.
Speaker C:This is one, one of our limited edition models where, where we'll do like a crazy colorway.
Speaker C:This is a Miami Vice themed.
Speaker C:And then this is our newest model, skeletonized ar.
Speaker C:And these models, you can see the rounds in there.
Speaker C:And then they'll eject the shells.
Speaker C:And then this is one of our licensed models, the Scar.
Speaker C:And then check that out.
Speaker C:And then we do any, anywhere from new to old STG44, one of our newest models.
Speaker C:And then we do attachments, for example, the Master key attachment.
Speaker C:Super satisfying to play with.
Speaker C:But yeah, so I mean we try, we try to do everything.
Speaker C:We're, you know, we're trying to take over the world.
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Speaker B:You mentioned it takes two years to develop the product.
Speaker B:What goes into.
Speaker B:So you, when you go to develop the product, you know, the gun may be popular.
Speaker B:You mentioned the M17.
Speaker B:What happens if you go into two years of development and then the gun just didn't do as well as they thought it was going to do or, or something like that.
Speaker B:How do you combat, you know, that.
Speaker C:Two year wait time for a new model in development?
Speaker C:We typically, we'll just, we'll just wait until, until we get it right.
Speaker C:And some models, no model ever comes out according to scheduled.
Speaker C:It never, it never happens.
Speaker C:It's kind of like construction like it never, you're never done at, at the allotted time.
Speaker C:But yeah, we'll just, we'll just keep pushing, keep pushing, keep pushing until we get it right.
Speaker C:I mean we have a model right now that's just been taking forever because of all the intricate parts.
Speaker C:But everybody, the, the, the, the gun world is going to go nuts when this thing comes out though.
Speaker C:It's going to be definitely worth the wait.
Speaker C:But yeah, we just pretty much just wait and, and just keep pushing.
Speaker C:If it takes four years to make, we'll just keep working in the background to make sure it works out.
Speaker C:And then if it comes out and it, it, it doesn't necessarily sell that well.
Speaker C:That's when we'll start getting into color, limited edition colorways and stuff like that.
Speaker C:But we, we really haven't had that problem yet.
Speaker C:Our customer bases, I mean the 2A, the 2A world is they love all guns.
Speaker B:Those who are not watching on video, who are listening to this in audio.
Speaker B:We had.
Speaker B:He showed off some cool accessories on it.
Speaker B:The Scar had a flashlight.
Speaker B:Is that, is that flashlight new?
Speaker B:I don't remember seeing that before.
Speaker B:And, and what going to add on to that?
Speaker B:You know what goes into deciding what accessories you're going to model and add on to things?
Speaker C:That's a great question.
Speaker C:So the flashlight.
Speaker C:So we previously had a flashlight but it was just a prop non working model.
Speaker C:The reason was because our engineers were having a hard time getting a flashlight that small to work.
Speaker C:But, but then recently it.
Speaker C:So it is recent.
Speaker C:I want to say within the last couple of months the engineers got it right and so we pretty much re.
Speaker C:I almost want to say re released it but.
Speaker C:But not really.
Speaker C:The design is exactly the same.
Speaker C:It's just now a working flashlight.
Speaker C:So what we Ended up doing was cycling out all the old ones and then brought in the new ones and we really just replaced it with the new one.
Speaker C:So same sku.
Speaker C:Just when a customer ordered a flashlight, it just happened to work.
Speaker C:So.
Speaker C:Which is a great.
Speaker C:It's a pleasant surprise when you get it thinking it's just a prop.
Speaker A:So I know we've talked about the process of collaborations.
Speaker A:You've talked about some of the special editions, the color waves.
Speaker A:But looking to the future, what are one of the top collaborations that you want that would kind of, I don't know, just really blow everyone's mind that you guys were able to collaborate with like, what's the dream?
Speaker C:If we could collaborate with John, with Keanu Reeves to do like a John Wick type of like maybe series, that would be so awesome.
Speaker C:Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool, you know, like, like if we could collab with some of these celebrities that do these movies that are just hardcore gun type movies, it would be awesome if we.
Speaker C:Disney, if we could pick up Disney just because they own Star wars and do Stormtrooper blasters and Han Solo Blasters and stuff like that.
Speaker C:I mean, yeah, it would be the ultimate because then we can tap into the another world because, you know, there's some people that would buy a Han Solo blaster that might not necessarily be into guns.
Speaker C:So, yeah, we're trying to, we're trying to branch out a little bit, but yeah, that would be the ultimate.
Speaker B:So you guys came to Goals this year.
Speaker B:I would say you were probably the most popular booth at Goals.
Speaker B:Every time I walked by to say hi to you, there was about 12 or 14 people deep.
Speaker B:You know what, what was not only your experience at the show, but also your experience with the GOA community and with other gun enthusiasts coming up and going, hey, I really like your models and things like that.
Speaker B:So how has that been the reception from the.
Speaker B:Not only the GOA community, But from the 2A community?
Speaker C:Oh, absolutely.
Speaker C:Fantastic.
Speaker C:I mean, there's nothing like seeing a grown man turn into a giddy little kid.
Speaker C:I mean, it's just the, the, the best thing in the world, especially when it's like the hardcore personality, you know, Like, I mean, we've had Navy seals come up to the booth and just, they just literally they're turning into a little kid and just geeking out.
Speaker C:I mean, stuff like that.
Speaker C:And then the kids coming and also surprisingly.
Speaker C:And which we shouldn't be surprised, but surprisingly women and girls, I mean, they're coming by and loving these things too.
Speaker C:So I mean, it, it's it's been, it's been great.
Speaker C:The, the goals community, I mean the GOA community, I, I mean they're like, they're super friendly.
Speaker C:You know, we didn't.
Speaker C:At some shows that we go to, we'll get the, the gun owners that would walk by and, and kind of, kind of look at us and kind of ask us like, you know, why or.
Speaker C:No, I only, I only mess with real guns.
Speaker C:You know, like, like we'll get that type of personality.
Speaker C:But at goals we didn't.
Speaker C:I'm trying to think if we even got that at all.
Speaker C:I don't think we did.
Speaker C:I don't think we did.
Speaker C:I think everybody was super cool and, and very nice.
Speaker C:And I, I will tell you it is a different feel as far as Goals member GOA members and members of other groups.
Speaker C:The GOA members, it is a different feel and we talked about that after the show.
Speaker C:We were like, oh man, we like this crowd because everybody was so friendly and just, you know, engaged and you know, there wasn't a lot of yo fans or customers just walking by.
Speaker C:Not to mention at Goa we had the most existing Goat Guns fans show up to come to, to hang out with us.
Speaker C:So that was really, really cool too.
Speaker C:But yeah, I mean, absolutely love it.
Speaker C:Absolutely love it.
Speaker A:I always say that we have the best members in the world.
Speaker A:I, I firmly believe that.
Speaker A:And it's so awesome to hear, you know, your experience with our members.
Speaker A:This is the second year that we've had a convention and so I think everybody is, you know, excited to see what we've always known about our members.
Speaker A:And that is, it's, it's generational.
Speaker A:We have young families, we have grandparents, we have, you know, just college kids that are just now getting into the second amendment.
Speaker A:And it's really cool.
Speaker A:It's really cool to see.
Speaker A:And I think that, you know, there's a misnomer I guess is the best way to put it that you know, once your organization hits X years old that everybody is, is the age of the organization.
Speaker A:But we're turning 50 and judging by everybody that at goals, I mean I think that we.
Speaker A:The youngest person there was a couple months old and the oldest person there I think was like in their upper 80s.
Speaker A:So it really like GOA is everyone.
Speaker C:That's awesome.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:And you know, the older the organization gets, the more tight knit, you know, it starts to feel like a family because everybody knows each other.
Speaker C:So it's super cool.
Speaker C:I love it.
Speaker B:Well, I want to thank you.
Speaker B:You donated a goat gun for our kids area and if you didn't come to goals, there is a kids area.
Speaker B:We pride ourselves and being very family friendly.
Speaker B:But from the reports from the people over at the kids area, the kids were fighting to win the goat guns so much that they like, they're like, they're right over there.
Speaker B:Go talk to them.
Speaker B:They've got them for sale.
Speaker B:So it just makes me laugh, you know, Young and old.
Speaker B:Love the go guns.
Speaker B:They love the models.
Speaker B:I have three that are sitting there.
Speaker A:And you've got two behind you.
Speaker B:I've got two behind me right now.
Speaker B:Yeah, there's two behind us here.
Speaker B:Not as many as you have, but.
Speaker A:Gotta bump it up a little.
Speaker C:But.
Speaker B:It's just cool to see how you guys took something like a model and have brought in a new segment of the community.
Speaker B:It's something that, for, for those listening and for those watching, it's something you can do with your kids.
Speaker B:I highly encourage getting a handful of these models you can do with.
Speaker B:They will look great on your desk.
Speaker B:They do that, all that stuff.
Speaker B:Also just get a sarge bobblehead because it's just cool.
Speaker B:It's a goat.
Speaker B:He's got one sitting behind him.
Speaker B:I love my sarge bobblehead.
Speaker B:I was going somewhere with this.
Speaker B:I want to ask you, because you guys are gun adjacent.
Speaker B:You're not a regulated item.
Speaker B:I see that you're doing a ton of Facebook and social media marketing.
Speaker B:How is that working out for you?
Speaker B:Have you gotten any pushbacks from the big platforms?
Speaker B:I see like there's, so there's funny ads.
Speaker B:The, the one saw the other day was a guy getting fired and all he wanted to do was talk about the goat gun on the, on the desk.
Speaker B:So what, how do you guys go about your ads and, and how has, have you gotten any pushback from the, the major platforms?
Speaker C:We do.
Speaker C:So we do get.
Speaker C:Pushback is a challenge.
Speaker C:However, you know, we do most of the time if we appeal it, we win the appeals.
Speaker C:But yeah, we do get some pushback.
Speaker C:But we try to be careful with the, the, the nature of our content and the nature of our ads just to kind of make it a little more family friendly than we would like.
Speaker C:I mean we, we would like our media team.
Speaker C:They're so talented and we could make some hardcore goat gun content.
Speaker C:But you know, we have to kind of play the game.
Speaker C:And it seems like we're playing the game pretty well right now.
Speaker C:Hopefully it loosens up a little bit and hopefully their algorithms realize that our, our stuff are miniature non firing models.
Speaker C:But it is, it is a, a challenge sometimes, but for the most part, I mean it's, it's working.
Speaker C:But.
Speaker C:Yeah, yeah, and, but, and the cool thing too, I mean we have so much exposure because we have fans that are out there making videos with go guns and you know, tick tocks and stuff like that.
Speaker C:And we have to, we have to give thanks to our fans for that because you know, maybe we're hoping that it's overwhelming for these platforms.
Speaker C:There's too much exposure out there for them to, to catch everyone, which I mean, could be the case too.
Speaker C:But yeah, I mean speaking of fans, I got, I gotta say the most important part of our business is our fan base.
Speaker C:I mean the fan base, we, we set the price of the goat guns but the fan base sets the value of them.
Speaker C:So it's, it's, it's really, we really love them because I mean they are totally addicted which is how could you not be?
Speaker C:But I mean we have a Facebook group called goat guns addicts.
Speaker C:If you're not part of it, if you guys aren't part of it, you gotta join it.
Speaker C:It's called goat guns addicts.
Speaker C:It's a private group, but it's about 7, 000 strong.
Speaker C:And these, these fans are actual go guns addicts and they're literally 3D printing parts that we don't have for their go guns to mimic what they actually carry.
Speaker C:Um, but I mean to circle back, we love our fans and I think I, I, I'd be, I, I'm, I can confidently say the fans are the reason why our social media presence is outrageous.
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Speaker A:Today it is time for our segment from the soapbox.
Speaker A:The time that we get to take these spicier side of the conversations.
Speaker A:And I know that I love a good soapbox.
Speaker A:So let's kick it off to you.
Speaker A:What are your hot takes going on in the industry right now, in culture?
Speaker A:And what do you want to see?
Speaker A:Change.
Speaker C:I have to be careful.
Speaker C:I wish there was more acceptance.
Speaker C:I wish there was more education out there to, to.
Speaker C:To kind of help the, the, the.
Speaker C:The people that are intimidated by guns to help them realize that there's.
Speaker C:They're not intimidating.
Speaker C:And I wish, I mean the education part too.
Speaker C:I wish it was more publicized that lawful gun owners are actually the most disciplined, probably the most disciplined people out there.
Speaker C:But you know, the stuff like that, you know, I'm pretty excited about the, the tax stamp stuff up coming up which you know, leads to my impulse buy.
Speaker C:But, but you know, it.
Speaker C:I. I just wish there was more tolerance.
Speaker C:You know, I think with our product, some of the challenges we have, I think are based on the intimidating or so called intimidating look of them.
Speaker C:But I'm.
Speaker C:I mean even if you look at it from, let's just say a, a collector or a builder, someone who likes to build stuff.
Speaker C:I mean, even if you look at it from that standpoint, the mechanics of guns is pretty awesome.
Speaker C:If, if you take.
Speaker C:Take out the fact that they shoot, the mechanics are still cool.
Speaker C:So I wish there was more education about that out there and tolerance.
Speaker B:You know, you brought up the, the mechanics of the gun.
Speaker B:And if you studied engineer or not an engineer just looking, you have to remember guns, you're literally controlling an explosion in front of you and sending.
Speaker B:Making sure that the gun has to actually function and go back and, and the recoil spring and it's just.
Speaker B:You're absolutely right.
Speaker B:And I think what I want to do is applaud you guys because you are kind of helping bridge that gap with these models by, by educating, by showing the tolerance.
Speaker B:I mean they're fun looking, they're fun to build.
Speaker B:It's something you can do as a family.
Speaker B:Get a whole bunch of goat guns and build them as a family.
Speaker B:We built 50 of them as a crew before Kohl's, which was fun.
Speaker B:So it's one of those things where you guys are.
Speaker B:I applaud you for bridging the gap and we, and not to harp on this, but to go back to goals, watching the age demographic who were coming over there to buy the models, who kids dragging their parents over and were like I want one of these.
Speaker B:And, and that building a community around a model or building a family time around a model, which it doesn't always have to be, you know, going to the range, which I would applaud you to go to the range and please go to the range to go shoot your guns.
Speaker B:But doing something like that as a family, something like a winter activity for those who are in the colder states, or even a fun activity to do one, to build all the models, I think that speaks volumes for your company and how you've been able to bridge that gap 100%.
Speaker C:I mean I gotta, I gotta tell you, I can't even count how many testimonies we've gotten from customers, dads that say, oh this was, this is a great way for me to bond with my son or grandfather and, and grand grandkids and I mean we've even, even had teachers reach out and telling us, you know, that these are a great educational tool to, to, to get the, the kids to learn the mechanics of the guns.
Speaker C:And then later on when they get a real gun, if they're familiar with it, they're familiar with mechanics and all that, which is super, super cool too because you know, someone who's unfamiliar, I mean it's better to have someone familiar with the, the mechanics at their first gun range than someone who's really not familiar because then they're trying to learn as they go with something that creates an explosion on the inside.
Speaker C:So but if they, if they already kind of, kind of feel the model, I mean it, it's, it's amazing.
Speaker C:So I mean, thanks, thanks for the, the, the feedback on us bridging the gap.
Speaker C:I didn't really think of it that way and you know, we really should think of it that way because we are kind of in the middle and they're so accurate that it's, it's, it, it is a very non intimidating way to, to play with guns.
Speaker C:It's the safest way to play with guns actually.
Speaker A:Yeah.
Speaker A:And I think one of the coolest things is, you know, we spend a lot of time on this podcast and at GOA in general talking about how do we build an on ramp to the second amendment community, how do we get people from maybe anti gun to gun curious.
Speaker A:And I think a lot of that curiosity can be solved with just allowing them to interact with something that starts that educational process, but doesn't have the intimidation factor of maybe going to a range or.
Speaker A:Or figuring out who in their circle may be that secret gun owner.
Speaker A:Because depending upon your surroundings and where you live and who you interact with, they might not know that, you know, their best friend or their.
Speaker A:That someone in their community is pro gun.
Speaker A:You know, we.
Speaker A:We jokingly talk about how many people during COVID went to the person that they knew was the.
Speaker A:The gun owner in.
Speaker A:In their circle, but sometimes that person isn't identifiable.
Speaker A:And so goat guns kind of provide that.
Speaker A:That first interaction.
Speaker A:Can provide that first interaction that those first few pieces of training, especially in that gun curious phase, that would empower somebody to go seek education, go find that person in their community that's a gun owner and start them on the journey in a correct way.
Speaker C:100%.
Speaker B:Anthony, can you just tell people where they can find you, how they can join the Facebook group, how they can get go guns, all that stuff?
Speaker C:Yes.
Speaker C:Okay, so go to.
Speaker C:Okay, you can find us on Instagram.
Speaker C:Goat Guns.
Speaker C:YouTube is Goat Guns.
Speaker C:Facebook is Goat Guns.
Speaker C:To join the Facebook group.
Speaker C:Again, it's called Goat Guns Addicts.
Speaker C:Goat Guns Addicts.
Speaker C:It's a private group.
Speaker C:All you have to do is accept the rules and we'll let you in.
Speaker C:And you will.
Speaker C:If you're not already hooked, you will get hooked.
Speaker C:It's contagious.
Speaker C:You could also find us at Tick Tock, goat guns and goatguns.com that's where you can get go guns.
Speaker C:Oh, not only that, you can actually find us in stores too.
Speaker C:So we have a lot of dealers anywhere from small gun shops to hobby shops to the big, big stores like Shields, Sportsman's Warehouse.
Speaker C:Just picked up Bass Pro and Cabela's.
Speaker C:So keep a lookout for more.
Speaker B:But goguns.com yes, I highly recommend you get several go guns, not just one, because they're addicting and you need several.
Speaker B:Definitely go check them out.
Speaker B:Well worth it.
Speaker B:Anthony.
Speaker B:Again, I thank you for being on the show today.
Speaker B:As a thank you for being a guest, we have our gift for our guest from Palmetto State Armory and AAC Ammo.
Speaker B:So you'll be receiving that after the show.
Speaker B:Again, thank you, Palmetto State Armory and AC Emma for sponsoring our gift for our guests for the this season of Stated second.
Speaker C:This is awesome.
Speaker C:Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker C:You guys were great to talk to.
Speaker A:Well, it has been wonderful having you and thank you guys for watching this week's episode.
Speaker A: scribe and register for goals: Speaker A:You will not want to miss this event, and we will see you next week.
Speaker B:Also, if you comment below, maybe Anthony will do a 50th anniversary Goa go.
Speaker B:I'm just putting it out in the ether so Anthony can start working on that now.
Speaker B:But thank you guys and have a great rest of your day.
Speaker C:Hey.
