February 1999 was the last time Atlanta played host to the National Shooting Sports Foundation's (NSSF) SHOT Show, the largest annual convention and trade fair of the $21 billion a year shooting sports industry.

Prior to the lawsuit, which has subsequently been withdrawn, Atlanta had hosted the event on 2 previous occasions.

Since then, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Orlando have hosted the annual event that now encompasses more than 500,000 sq. ft. in exhibit space.

The 1999 SHOT Show brought more than 35,000 people from over 60 countries to the World Congress Center. In July 2005, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin awarded the Phoenix Award to Project ChildSafe (administered by the NSSF) in recognition of the program's "significant contributions to the citizens of Atlanta."

"Your commitment to promoting safe and responsible firearm ownership is an investment in the safety of our future. Your invaluable efforts are essential in the quest to protect our youth. The City of Atlanta salutes you for all that you do."

The Phoenix Award is the highest honor given by the City for public service.

Working in conjunction with 15,000 law enforcement jurisdictions, Project ChildSafe has distributed more than 30 million firearms safety and gun lock kits, free, to gun owners throughout the United States.

According to Bill Brassard, NSSF managing director of communications, safety and education, "although the NSSF and the industry have promoted firearms safety for decades, generally the non-shooting public was not aware of it before Project ChildSafe.

"The program helps keep the safety issue a priority in people's minds. Project ChildSafe will continue to remind gun owners to safely store firearms and ammunition."

Project ChildSafe has received $35 million in Department of Justice grants and plans to ultimately distribute 65 million gun locks and safety kits. Source: NSSF Report