Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot—The End of an Era

To say that we live in interesting times would be an understatement. Things do change and we all are faced with adapting to those changes.

Those lyrics (penned by The Buggles, if you are curious) were part of the very first music video that was broadcast by MTV on August 1, 1981. The words boldly stated what the music world already knew—things were changing. And boy, did they! Interestingly, it’s somewhat difficult to find a music video on MTV these days, but I digress.

By now you have heard the news that the Fall Shoot at Knob Creek (in Kentucky) will be the last shoot. The range is staying open, but the twice-yearly festival known as the Knob Creek Machine Gun Shoot is ending. After many decades of what many felt was a rite of passage, the end is in sight. To quote another band (The Talking Heads), “Well… how did [we] get here?”

It would be easy to say that we are all getting older, that the grind is getting too hard or that business is down. Sure, those are valid components. Knob Creek began as the destination for the so-called Class 3 world. Twice a year you could head to Kentucky … and overdose on all that is NFA. Lots of stuff to look at, lots of stuff to sell, to buy, to shoot. And the line was pretty much always a grand spectacle. You could see and be seen. You could start, augment or complete a collection. You could laugh with friends and get caught up. Whether it was hot or cold, raining or dry, snowing or muddy (sometimes all in one day)—you could get your machine gun on.

And then things started to change. Just like new modes and technology changed the vision of the radio star. The internet, forums and social media have changed the world of NFA. The old timers still value the up-close and personal way. But the old timers are not the majority of the community these days. If you want to shop for a transferable HK MP5, there are quite literally hundreds to choose from on the screen of your smart phone. If you want to learn how to take apart that MP5’s bolt assembly, head on over to YouTube for dozens of video lessons on how to do just that. Want to see all those wonderful machine guns going off? No need to brave the elements when there is an unlimited supply of entertainment that is just a few clicks away. For the Knob Creek vets, “pictures came and broke your heart.”

Is it a bad thing? Maybe not so much bad … rather, it is sad. Things change. Knob Creek changed. The world of NFA continues to change. The NFATCA is determined to ride the wave of that change and not get overwhelmed by it. We have a presence on Facebook, Instagram (the pictures!) and other venues. We still do shows, too. For almost 20 years we have aimed to represent the interests of the entire NFA community in ways that elevate everyone. To make more NFA opportunities available to more people, more often and more equitably. We have accomplished many great achievements. We know that there is more work to do, though. If you would like to assist us with the important work (that Robert Segel found so valuable), please consider joining or renewing today. nfatca.org | info@nfatca.org

This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V25N7 (August-September 2021)