Saint Paul, Minnesota  –  Gander Mountain, the nation's largest retail network of stores for all things outdoors, will begin selling firearms this July in a surprising new hue - blue. The new blue laminate shotgun and rifle - exclusively available at Gander Mountain - is coming to the sales floor after overwhelming interest from parents and youth across the country. The blue addition complements Gander Mountain's highly successful pink firearms launch in the fall of 2007.

"Our pink firearms designed for girls and women are so popular, we've had a hard time keeping them in stock," said Gary Buescher, Vice President for Hunting and Firearms. "After the pink shotguns came out, we heard from parents and their sons requesting a unique firearm made just for boys."

While boys have traditionally had an interest in the shooting sports, Buescher notes they are seeing more and more boys, in addition to girls, attending Gander Mountain's hunter safety courses with their parents.

"Boys and girls are actively participating in family hunting traditions, but they want their own firearm that is distinct from their parents," said Buescher. The Remington 870 Express Junior shotgun offered exclusively at Gander Mountain is made specifically for the young beginner.

Building on the success of pink firearms for women, Gander Mountain is also enhancing their pink firearm line offerings with a full size stock Remington 870 pump shotgun and a full size Remington 11-87 semi-automatic shotgun, currently available in stores. Both of these shotguns are available exclusively at Gander Mountain.

"Remington has worked closely with us to design the firearms in the colors our customers want. We appreciate their support for our initiative," said Buescher.

With 115 stores in 23 states, Gander Mountain is the number one retailer providing firearm safety courses and the leader in educating youth in hunter safety. To find out more about classes offered at your local store, see www.gandermountain.com

For those looking for their own new blue firearm, Gander Mountain exclusively offers:

Remington Model 870 Jr. 20Ga Pump Shotgun

Remington Model 597 22LR Semi-Auto Rifle

The new blue firearms will be available in all Gander Mountain stores in July.