Small businesses power New Mexico’s economy, but owners continue to navigate challenges that demand determination and creativity. Walter Bracken, owner of BMC Tactical, says the success of his business is due to family heritage, hands-on experience, and standing up for his industry.
Born and raised in Albuquerque’s South Valley, Bracken comes from a family of entrepreneurs. His grandparents opened Bracken Motor Company in 1965, a business he still operates alongside his tactical retail operation. Carrying the family name, he began with knives in 1999, then expanded into flashlights and firearm accessories, and eventually firearms sales in 2008. After working at an Army-Navy store, Bracken ventured out on his own with just $500 and began his operation out of a car. “That’s where I started—with the trunk of my car,” he says.
Today, BMC Tactical serves tactical professionals, collectors, hunters, and law enforcement agencies. “We like nice stuff, so nice stuff is what I love and enjoy selling,” Bracken says. His company works with 12 to 13 agencies, providing firearms, ammunition, optics, armor, and other equipment, often through open bids. BMC now has two locations, one of which opened in April 2022 despite “a lot of unknowns” at the time.
Bracken says he takes an “old-school” approach when hiring employees. Applicants are expected to follow instructions and show up in person. “If you put ‘how do I apply’ in our post that says exactly how to apply, you’re probably not our guy,” he says. According to him, attention to detail in personal life reflects how a person will approach business responsibilities.
He believes running a small business in New Mexico requires adaptability and multiple revenue streams. Alongside vehicle reconditioning and tactical sales, he operates a third-party logistics service and a sister company producing first aid kits. “If you can make it in New Mexico as a small business, you can make it anywhere,” he says.
According to Bracken, challenges for the firearms industry include citing regulation, lawsuits, and media portrayals. “We’re definitely a thing-control, not a self-control society,” he says. His solution is public education, encouraging people to understand how laws are made and to seek accurate information. His employees know their legislators, track bills, and share updates with customers before judging. For example, he says, when misinformation spread online about a proposed trigger ban, BMC Tactical fielded calls and directed people to verify facts for themselves.
The biggest business challenge according to Bracken is the state’s economic stagnation despite its resources. “What keeps us down so much when we have such a rich state?” he asks. He believes fostering ambition, especially among young people, is key. “It starts with our youth. We need those good, hardworking people to stay here.” Creating a “brighter economic future where they can make a living and not get taxed to death,” he says, would help retain them.
Bracken is committed to staying in New Mexico despite the obstacles. “This is home and I’m not a quitter,” he says.
He wants to change the negative stigma around firearms and suggests those wary visit his store. “Come in. The people that are afraid find it totally different than what they were probably told or whatever preconceived notion they had,” he says. He encourages women to speak with his wife, saying they will leave with a better understanding.
“We want to protect life, help people do the right thing, help keep us free,” Bracken says. “That’s pretty simple.”
