Special to IFN
Davidson Outfitters, a locally owned gun store, has opened its doors in Statesville, offering residents familiar faces, decades of combined experience, and a customer-service approach to doing business.
The store is owned by Angela and Tony Davidson, lifelong Statesville residents who have years of firearms-industry experience and deep local ties to the business. Tony Davidson previously worked alongside John Marshall, a longtime local business owner widely known for his commitment to customer service.
“John set the example for how people should be treated when they walk into a business,” Tony Davidson said. “That stayed with us. We wanted to open a store in an industry we know well and enjoy, and to do it in a way that people here would actually look forward to coming back.”
That focus, the Davidsons said, centers on fairness, honesty, and experience. Customers can expect straightforward pricing, an experienced staff, and an environment where questions are welcomed rather than rushed.
The decision to open the store in Statesville was never in question. Both Angela and Tony Davidson were born and raised in the area.
“This has always been home,” Tony Davidson said. “We’ve traveled and seen a lot, but Statesville is where our roots are. If people want to buy local and keep business local, it doesn’t get much more local than this.”
Multiple generations of their family have lived in the area, reinforcing their long-term commitment to the community and its success.
One of the store’s primary goals, the Davidsons said, is to remove the intimidation many people feel when walking into a gun store for the first time. That experience — particularly for new firearm owners — often keeps people from asking questions or taking the time they need to make informed decisions.
“That’s not going to happen here,” Tony Davidson said. “Whether you’ve never stepped foot in a gun store before or you’ve been around firearms your entire life, you’ll be welcomed. There’s no pressure to buy. People can come in, look around, sit down, and talk.”
The store is also part of the Family Defender Institute (FDI) of NC Network, a designation held by only a small number of gun stores in Iredell County. Davidson Outfitters is currently the only FDI-affiliated store located within the Statesville city limits. Membership in the network requires meeting strict standards related to staff knowledge, customer service, and pricing.
“Those standards weren’t something we had to grow into,” Davidson said. “We already met them. Being part of the network just confirmed that we were doing things the right way.”
The affiliation also provides access to a broader professional network, including gunsmithing resources and nationally recognized firearms instructors. Through FDI partnerships, customers can participate in training programs such as pistol workshops that allow individuals to try firearms before purchasing, helping ensure proper selection, safe handling, and confident use.
While the store aims to serve all types of customers — from new owners to experienced shooters — the Davidsons said they do not view the business as catering to a single demographic.
“We want to be the gun store for Statesville,” Tony Davidson said. “Our staff does this full time. We’re not guessing, and we’re not selling something one minute and working a different department the next. If we don’t know an answer, we’ll say so — and then we’ll find it.”
Safety, he emphasized, is a non-negotiable priority.
“Nothing comes before safety,” Davidson said. “Customers will see that immediately in how the store operates and how the staff conducts themselves.”
Davidson Outfitters is now open and serving the community. While no specific date has yet been announced, the owners said they are planning a grand opening celebration soon and look forward to formally welcoming the public.
Looking ahead, success in the first year will not be measured solely in sales, the Davidsons said, but in trust and repeat customers.
“Opening a new business is hard,” Tony Davidson said. “Getting through that first year is always a challenge. We’ve planned for this for a long time, we have an incredible staff, and strong partnerships. If customers leave happy and choose to come back again, that’s success.”
Davidson Outfitters is located at 847 N. Center Street in Statesville. For more information, call 704-380-3070.