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04 // News & Updates

#04

News & Updates

Firearms news and industry updates

The Pretti Shooting: A Test for Gun Rights

Alex Pretti was a licensed CCW holder shot by federal agents after being disarmed. The video exists. Here's why every gun owner should care.

4m

New York Blocks ATF Online Sales Reform

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is moving to require in-person firearm sales by statute, blocking a proposed ATF rule that would allow online purchases. The ATF proposal still mandates background checks—gun control groups opposing it haven't explained how it enables prohibited buyers to obtain firearms.

2m

Chicago Mayor Targets Gun Vendors

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order restricting which firearm and ammunition vendors can do business with the city, modeled on anti-gun procurement frameworks from Brady United. Critics note the requirements largely duplicate existing federal law, while the city's early-release policies return violent offenders to the street.

2m

Ghost Gun Law Failed Seattle

A 15-year-old arrested after a Seattle food festival shootout carried a Polymer80 ghost gun — the exact type Washington state law prohibits. The gun was illegal. His possession of any handgun was illegal. The shooting happened anyway, raising direct questions about what the state's extensive gun control laws are actually accomplishing.

2m

B&T USA Scales Utah Suppressor Plant

B&T USA expanded its Herriman, Utah facility from a three-person operation to a 55-employee suppressor manufacturing hub in under a year. The plant can now produce up to 7,000 suppressors per month with the entire production process handled in-house.

2m

ATF Form 4 Times Plummet

ATF Director Robert Cekada announced Form 4 processing times have dropped from 150 days to roughly 18 since FY2021, even as filing volume nearly quadrupled. Pro-2A groups are praising the progress while noting the fight over NFA registration itself isn't finished.

2m

Colorado Semiauto Law Takes Effect Saturday

Colorado's Senate Bill 25-003 takes effect August 1, requiring an eligibility card from the county sheriff and proof of in-person firearms training for purchases of common semiautomatic firearms. Gun store staff are already seeing pre-deadline rushes, and the state's new application portal is drawing criticism for being difficult to navigate. Buyers should start the process well before heading to the counter.

2m

P320 Misfire Lawsuit Goes to Jury

A Maine sheriff's deputy is suing Sig Sauer after his holstered P320 fired without him touching the trigger, injuring his leg in 2022. Trial opened Monday in federal court. Sig's defense blames the holster, the jacket zipper, and insufficient departmental training — not the gun.

3m

Colorado AR Ban Challenged Federally

The Firearm Policy Coalition has filed a federal Second Amendment challenge against Denver's assault weapon ban and both Denver's and Colorado's magazine restrictions. The case, Elliott v. Denver, argues both laws fail the historical tradition test established in Bruen. A favorable ruling could have broad implications for similar bans across the Mountain West.

2m

ATF Blocks FRT Redistribution in Illinois

The ATF agreed not to redistribute seized forced reset triggers in Illinois after a deal with the state's attorney general. The move is state-specific and doesn't change the federal classification of FRTs as machine guns — but ongoing federal court challenges could still upend that classification entirely.

2m

FPC Challenges Maryland's Glock Ban

Firearms Policy Coalition filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Bathras v. Moore, challenging Maryland's effective ban on Glocks and similar handguns. The law bars semiautomatic pistols with cruciform trigger bars from the state's approved roster. FPC argues no founding-era historical tradition supports banning one of America's most common defensive handguns on those grounds.

2m

Virginia Assault Weapons Ban Blocked

A Virginia circuit court has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the state's assault firearms and magazine ban — the second court to do so. The law remains on the books but unenforceable for now, as challengers argue it can't survive post-Bruen constitutional scrutiny.

2m

Lincoln Park Gun Ban Challenged

Four Nebraska gun owners are challenging Lincoln's ban on firearms in city parks, arguing it's preempted by the state's 2023 constitutional carry law. A district judge heard arguments Thursday. A related case is already before the Nebraska Supreme Court.

2m

NRA Pushes Probe of Capital One

The NRA is urging the Trump administration to investigate Capital One after the bank refused to provide services to a Maryland gun shop due to its industry. It's the latest front in an ongoing battle between financial institutions and lawful firearms businesses. Federal regulators now face pressure to weigh in.

2m

USVI Second Amendment Fight Deepens

Gun Owners of America is suing the U.S. Virgin Islands over its carry licensing system in what is now the second active federal Second Amendment lawsuit against the territory. A Florida resident seeking a license is the named plaintiff. The case turns on whether any U.S. territory can legally operate a system that treats bearing arms as a revocable privilege.

2m

Colorado Bill Targets Semiauto Rifles

Colorado Senate Bill 3 would ban the sale of most detachable-magazine semiautomatic rifles, shotguns, and gas-operated pistols in the state. The bill allows a fixed-magazine exemption, but manufacturers don't currently make compliant versions of the targeted guns. Existing lawfully owned firearms are not subject to confiscation.

3m

GOA Sues USVI Over Nonresident Carry Ban

Gun Owners of America has sued the U.S. Virgin Islands over its blanket ban on nonresidents applying for carry permits. The territory repealed its reciprocity law after Bruen, leaving traveling gun owners with zero legal options. GOA has won this fight before in California and New York.

2m

Pennsylvania Deer Season Dates Set

Pennsylvania's Board of Game Commissioners approved the state's full hunting and trapping season calendar Saturday. Deer season will continue to open the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and seasons previously ending on Saturdays will now run through the following Sunday.

1m

Lawsuit Targets NFA Itself

FPC-backed federal lawsuit Jensen v. ATF challenges the National Firearms Act's tax-and-register scheme as unconstitutional under the Bruen historical tradition standard. Plaintiffs include individual gun owners, a Texas firearms dealer, and the Texas State Rifle Association. A win wouldn't just trim the NFA — it would gut it.

2m

Florida Open Carry Now Legal

Florida's open carry ban was struck down by an appeals court and took effect September 25. Gun owners now have the right to carry openly in permitted locations — but private property rules and the existing banned-locations list create serious legal exposure for those who don't know the limits.

2m

Canada Blinks on Gun Confiscation

Canada's Carney government has extended its gun ban amnesty for the fourth time, suspending criminal liability for owners of 2,500+ banned firearm types until at least 90 days after the Supreme Court rules on whether the 2020 ban was lawful. The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, backed by three provincial governments, argues Ottawa overstepped its authority with a cabinet-only decree. The voluntary buyback is still proceeding, but compliance numbers are well below initial projections.

3m

Seventh Circuit Upholds Illinois AR-15 Ban

The Seventh Circuit upheld Illinois' AR-15 ban on July 9 — nine days after the Supreme Court agreed to hear a nearly identical challenge. The ruling, which reversed a district court's post-trial finding in favor of gun owners, drew a sharp dissent from Chief Judge Brennan and is likely moot once SCOTUS decides Viramontes.

3m

Phoenix Store Armed Mexican Cartels

Federal and state authorities raided a Phoenix gun store Tuesday, arresting the owner and two cartel-connected brothers after a year-long investigation traced at least 650 firearms to violent Mexican drug cartels. George Iknadosian allegedly sold weapons to straw buyers knowing where they were headed — including through sales to undercover ATF agents. 1,300 guns were seized total.

2m

3rd Circuit Kills NJ Rifle Ban

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down New Jersey's ban on semiautomatic rifles and magazines holding more than 10 rounds Friday, ruling the 1990 law unconstitutional under the Second Amendment's historical tradition test established in Bruen. The NRA, which has litigated the case since 2018, called it a historic victory. A circuit split now looms, potentially putting the issue before the Supreme Court.

2m

Court Keeps Virginia Gun Lawsuit Alive

A three-judge panel denied Virginia's attempt to consolidate GOA's gun ban challenge into a single proceeding, letting Crump v. Katz continue in Lancaster County. A preliminary injunction already blocks the Virginia State Police from enforcing the state's assault firearm and magazine bans. Attorney General Jay Jones is pushing the Virginia Supreme Court to narrow that injunction.

2m

Colorado Assault Weapon Ban Challenged

The Firearms Policy Coalition sued Denver over its assault weapon ban in federal court, the same week the Supreme Court agreed to take up a similar challenge. The case argues Denver cannot produce the historical tradition *Bruen* requires to justify banning common semi-automatic firearms. Both fronts — district court and SCOTUS — are now moving simultaneously.

2m

Sutter Youth Shotgun Sweeps US Open

Sutter Union High School's shotgun program claimed its first High Overall National Championship at the US Open Youth Clay Shooting Championship in Las Vegas on July 11, sweeping skeet, sporting clays, and the combined HOA title. JV and junior squads also podiumed across multiple disciplines, making it a top-to-bottom team performance.

2m

Wyoming Sisters Shine at Nationals

Sisters Esther and Ellie Feathers of Powell, Wyoming competed at the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship in Grand Island, Nebraska, placing as high as 4th and 6th in individual events despite competing in disciplines their home state doesn't train. Ellie placed 12th overall individually. It was Esther's final national 4-H competition after nine years in the sport.

2m

4-H Teens Shoot Nationals in Nebraska

Three Ashe County, NC teenagers competed at the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska, joining 731 shooters from 42 states across muzzleloader, pistol, and air pistol disciplines. The club has produced national champions before — and coach Charles Young says the fundamentals are always the same, no matter the firearm.

2m

Post Office Gun Ban Dead

The DOJ filed a 41-word motion to drop its appeal of the federal post office carry ban on July 16, leaving a permanent injunction intact for SAF and FPC members. The government offered no explanation, but the Supreme Court's recent Wolford decision likely made further defense untenable. The injunction covers ordinary post offices but does not apply to all Americans or all postal facilities.

3m

Wisconsin Teens Win National Trap Title

Fall River High School's trap team claimed the 2026 USA High School Clay Target League national title with a score of 485/500, edging four schools by a single target. Nearly 3,000 student-athletes from 469 schools competed at the Mason, Michigan championship. It was the slimmest possible margin in one of scholastic shooting's biggest tournaments.

2m

House Votes to Kill Gun Tracking

The House passed H.R. 1181 on July 14, voting 221–201 to ban banks and payment networks from assigning gun stores a special financial tracking code. The bill now moves to the Senate, where companion legislation S. 1715 awaits committee action. Without a private right of action or civil fines, enforcement teeth depend heavily on DOJ.

2m

Ammo Maker Fights Back Against Debanking

West Virginia-based Kent Cartridge Company was denied services by Bill.com and Ramp over its ammunition products. State AG JB McCuskey is investigating both companies under the state's FIND Act. Bill.com has already reversed course; Ramp has not responded.

2m

AI Cameras Now Hunting Guns

AI gun-detection software is already running on cameras in schools and cities across the country, and gun rights advocates say the legal exposure for lawful carriers is real. The technology can't establish whether carrying is lawful — but it can call the cops anyway. Here's where the debate stands.

3m

Magazine Limit Nearly Killed a Hero

A former Marine stopped a Cambridge highway shooter and ran out of ammunition — capped at eight rounds by Massachusetts's magazine ban. The state trooper who finished the job carried 17. That gap is policy, not accident.

2m

Florida AG Targets Park Gun Ban

Florida AG James Uthmeier has given Winter Garden 30 days to remove 'no firearms' signs at a city park, citing the state's preemption law. Non-compliance means a civil lawsuit. It's the latest in a string of enforcement actions from an AG who's been systematically dismantling illegal local gun restrictions across the state.

2m

North Carolina Defends Felon Gun Ban

North Carolina's AG and sheriffs are in court defending the state's ban on firearm possession by convicted felons. The case was brought by a man with domestic violence and fleeing convictions who was later found with a gun. The NC Supreme Court will have the final word.

2m

Kentucky Expands Concealed Carry to 18-Year-Olds

Kentucky's House Bill 312 opens a provisional concealed carry pathway for 18–20-year-olds, with mandatory training and background checks. Instructors are welcoming the change while flagging a critical catch: neighboring states like Ohio don't honor the permit for anyone under 21. The training requirement, they say, is the whole point.

2m

Suppressor Sales Hit Record Pace

Congress eliminated the $200 suppressor tax stamp, and ATF approvals are now averaging 8 days for individuals. The result: 845,000+ applications filed in just five months, with 6.3 million suppressors now registered nationally.

2m

Supreme Court Boosts NFA Suppressor Cases

The Second Amendment Foundation says three Supreme Court decisions handed down this summer give its anti-NFA lawsuits new ammunition. With Congress having already repealed the $200 suppressor tax, SAF is now arguing the constitutional basis for NFA registration requirements is gone too. Three federal cases are already in motion.

3m

Young Shooters Compete at Nationals

The national BB gun championships wrapped up in Rogers, Arkansas, with young competitors from across the country shooting targets and passing a 50-question firearm safety exam. Oregon state champion Hannah MacDonald summed up the program's real mission: safety and character before score. Junior shooting programs like this are building the next generation of responsible gun owners from the ground up.

2m

SCOTUS Reshapes Second Amendment Boundaries

The Supreme Court issued three significant Second Amendment rulings in 12 days: upholding gun rights for cannabis users, striking Hawaii's business carry ban, and agreeing to rule on assault weapon bans. The decisions signal the Court is actively drawing constitutional limits on gun control laws long assumed to be safe from challenge.

3m

Iowa Youth Compete at 4-H Nationals

Twenty Iowa 4-H delegates competed at the 2026 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska, joining nearly 700 competitors from 42 states. The weeklong event covered nine disciplines from air rifle to muzzleloading. Iowa fielded full teams in five disciplines plus individual competitors in recurve archery and hunting skills.

2m

140 Guns, One Cartel Pipeline

ATF agents seized roughly 140 firearms from a Lincoln County, N.C., home tied to a Mexican cartel trafficking operation, including two .50-caliber rifles and a machine gun. Multiple weapons are believed stolen and are being traced through NIBIN. No arrests have been announced yet as the investigation continues.

2m

P&G Exec Buys Cincinnati Range

Maurice Coffey retired from Procter & Gamble after 29 years and immediately bought a suburban Cincinnati gun range—not for the guns, but for the business problem. Target World Academy opened its doors fully on June 28, positioning itself around firearms training over walk-up lane rentals.

2m

Kelvie Shoots Perfect 200 Minnesota

Mitchell Kelvie of Lakeville, MN shot a perfect 200/200 to co-win the Minnesota state trap championship. Behind the scorecard: a father-son coaching partnership built on a single principle — one target at a time.

2m

Texas Senate Candidate Wants Gun Licensing Tiers

A 2020 webinar recording shows Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico supporting a tiered gun licensing scheme, bans on semiautomatic firearms and standard-capacity magazines, and government-mandated handgun design standards. His campaign website describes him as a Second Amendment protector. The recording tells a different story.

3m

Virginia Sets Background Check Record

Virginia gun buyers set an all-time state record in June 2026, with the FBI logging 124,319 background checks as residents rushed to purchase rifles before the state's assault weapons ban took effect. The surge nearly doubled May's already-record numbers. Legal challenges to the ban are active and ongoing.

2m

DOJ Sues California Over Glock Ban

The Trump administration sued California on July 1 to block AB 1127, a new law banning licensed dealers from selling Glock-style handguns compatible with illegal conversion devices. The DOJ is also challenging California's handgun roster. The NRA and Firearms Policy Coalition have filed separate challenges. The case is expected to become a major post-Bruen test of how far states can go in restricting commonly owned firearms.

3m

Virginia Sheriff Refuses New Gun Laws

Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith declared he will not enforce Virginia's new gun laws — including universal background checks and ghost gun rules — that took effect July 1. Smith, invoking Second Amendment sanctuary status, is framing himself as a constitutional arbiter. He's not — and the laws are still enforceable by state police regardless.

2m

Utah Bans Range Shooting at WMAs

Utah has temporarily banned firearm target shooting at wildlife management areas in 17 counties due to extreme wildfire danger. Hunting and legal carry are unaffected. The order is reviewed every two weeks, with violations carrying fines up to $1,000.

2m

Supreme Court Takes AR-15 Bans

The Supreme Court agreed July 1 to hear its first-ever challenge to assault weapons bans, taking up cases from Connecticut and Cook County, Illinois. The ruling could invalidate gun restrictions in 14 states and D.C. Oral arguments begin in October.

3m

Virginia Officials Refuse Gun Ban Enforcement

Sixteen Virginia prosecutors and a sheriff are publicly refusing to enforce the state's new assault weapons ban and public carry restrictions ahead of the July 1 effective date. A circuit court judge has already issued a preliminary injunction against the assault weapons ban, finding it likely unconstitutional under Virginia's own state constitution. The standoff puts Virginia's Democratic governor in the awkward position of demanding local enforcement compliance while simultaneously defying federal immigration enforcement.

3m

Tennessee Fights Its Own Gun Law

Tennessee's Republican attorney general is appealing a pro-gun ruling that struck down two 19th-century statutes criminalizing carry. The case exposes a nationwide problem: legacy gun laws that quietly undermine newer permitless carry reforms.

3m

NRA Charity Countersues Parent Organization

The NRA Foundation has countersued the NRA in Virginia federal court, accusing the gun-rights organization of siphoning its charitable funds. The foundation — a separate 501(c)(3) entity — alleges the NRA used it as a "piggy bank." The suit escalates an already active legal dispute between the two organizations.

2m

SCOTUS Kills Hawaii's Anti-Carry Default

The Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's law requiring carry permit holders to get explicit owner permission before entering any private business open to the public. In Wolford v. Lopez, a 6-3 majority ruled the scheme unconstitutionally burdens the right to bear arms. The decision directly targets a post-Bruen strategy used by several states to make carry permits functionally useless.

3m

Oklahoma Tightens Nonresident Deer Rules

Oklahoma's Wildlife Conservation Commission approved emergency hunting rules June 22, including a two-day waiting period for nonresident deer licenses purchased during open season. New guide licensing requirements and CWD program regulations also took effect immediately. The Commission also set 2026-27 season dates and approved an $88.6 million budget.

2m

Pennsylvania Rethinks Hunting License Structure

Pennsylvania's House Game and Fisheries Committee advanced two bills — one to let the Game Commission set its own license fees, another to create a $30 five-day deer season license for former state residents. Both now head to the full House.

2m

Court: No Drug Exception, Second Amendment

The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the federal ban on gun possession by marijuana users violates the Second Amendment. The decision in United States v. Hemani guts 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3) as applied to cannabis consumers and rejects the government's historical analogy to 'habitual drunkard' laws. Every justice agreed the government's case failed the Bruen test.

3m

Maryland Court Kills Gun Stop-and-Frisk

Maryland's Appellate Court ruled that police violated a licensed carrier's Fourth Amendment rights by stopping and frisking him based solely on visible firearm printing. The decision, grounded in Bruen's presumption of lawful carry, could reshape stop-and-frisk practices across the state. Baltimore is already retraining officers.

3m

Canada's Gun Ban Stalls Again

Canada's Liberal government has extended its amnesty for owners of roughly 2,500 banned firearm models, citing a pending Supreme Court challenge. The move delays any criminal enforcement indefinitely—and papers over a gun collection program that has failed to hit even half its targets since 2020.

2m

Virginia Gun Ban Hearing Canceled

A Lancaster County judge canceled Friday's injunction hearing on Virginia's looming AR-15 and magazine ban, citing a pending consolidation review. With July 1 approaching and no panel timeline in sight, a Washington County hearing on June 25 may be the last chance to block the ban before it takes effect.

3m

SCOTUS Questions Federal Gun-Weed Ban

The Supreme Court heard oral argument Monday in a case challenging the federal law banning gun possession by cannabis users. Most justices appeared skeptical that occasional marijuana use makes someone comparable to a 'habitual drunkard' — the historical standard *Bruen* requires. A ruling is expected by late June.

3m

Pennsylvania Constitutional Carry Advances

Pennsylvania's SB 357 constitutional carry bill passed committee on a 9-5 vote and now awaits a Senate floor vote expected in early June. A companion preemption bill, SB 822, is stalled in the House Judiciary Committee alongside two retaliatory anti-gun bills introduced by Rep. Dan Frankel. The next few weeks decide all four.

2m

GOA Endorses Uthmeier for Florida AG

Gun Owners of America and Fuerza 2A have endorsed Florida AG James Uthmeier for reelection, citing his decisions to issue open-carry guidance and stop defending Florida's unconstitutional open-carry ban in active litigation. The endorsement is grounded in actions already taken, not promises made.

2m

Texas Retailer Relaunches Website

Houston's Xtreme Guns and Ammo relaunched its website with a rebuilt platform focused on speed and inventory browsing. The move reflects a broader shift in how firearms retailers are adapting to customers who research online before ever walking in the door.

2m

Virginia Gun Ban Hits Court

Gun Owners of America and allies face a Virginia court Friday in Crump v. Katz, challenging SB749 and SB727 — sweeping bans on semi-automatic firearms and standard-capacity magazines. The lawsuit argues both laws violate the Virginia Constitution, and exposes a logical flaw in the magazine ban so glaring the plaintiffs named it after Schrödinger's cat.

2m

NRA, NORML Back Same Brief

The NRA and NORML filed on the same side in United States v. Hemani, asking the Supreme Court to strike down the federal law banning gun possession by marijuana users. Oral argument is set for March 2. The core argument: no historical tradition supports a categorical, no-process disarmament of sober drug users.

3m

ACLU Backs Gun Rights at SCOTUS

The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in United States v. Hemani, a case testing whether federal law can strip gun rights from cannabis users. The ACLU filed on behalf of the defendant's Second Amendment rights — a first for the organization — joining the NRA and a broad coalition of gun rights groups. The statute at issue, 18 USC 922(g)(3), could implicate as many as 20 million Americans.

3m

Virginia Bans AR-15s, Legal Fight Begins

Virginia's Senate Bill 749 bans the sale and purchase of AR-15s and similar rifles, awaiting Gov. Spanberger's expected signature. The Virginia Citizens Defense League already has attorneys lined up, and three Supreme Court justices have signaled these bans are constitutionally questionable. Legal fight incoming—but the law takes effect July 1.

3m

Virginia Gun Bans Split Prosecutors

Virginia's AG is moving to consolidate lawsuits challenging the state's new gun and magazine bans — and two Republican prosecutors are helping him do it. Eight other Commonwealth's Attorneys have publicly refused to enforce the laws. GOA and VCDL are pushing every remaining prosecutor to take a public stand.

2m

Iraqi National Sentenced: Gun Export Conviction

Hassan Al Gharawi, a 54-year-old Iraqi national, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison after a jury convicted him of conspiring to smuggle 77 firearms to Iraq hidden inside vehicle parts. The case highlights gaps in illegal export enforcement that go well beyond the typical gun control debate.

2m

DOJ Investigates Philadelphia Carry Permits

The DOJ has opened a civil rights investigation into Philadelphia over whether the city has been revoking carry permits using vague 'good cause' standards rather than clear constitutional criteria. The investigation is being handled by DOJ's Second Amendment Section and is the latest in a string of federal actions targeting local firearms permit abuses nationwide.

2m

Florida Waiting Period Declared Unconstitutional

Florida's mandatory three-day gun waiting period is over. A federal court settlement in Dunn v. Glass permanently enjoins enforcement beyond the time needed to complete a background check — and signals legal vulnerability for similar laws in other states.

2m

New Jersey Subpoenas Glock Buyer Records

New Jersey's attorney general is subpoenaing a decade of Glock sales records from firearms dealers across the state. The NRA says the real objective isn't the lawsuit — it's making gun owners' names public record. A New Jersey dealer and a California attorney both say the state already has this data, which means only one thing explains the move.

3m

DOJ Targets D.C. Suppressor Ban

The DOJ joined a constitutional challenge to D.C.'s suppressor ban in May — a significant shift from the federal government. That development landed alongside a major NFA court date, proposed ATF reforms, and a possible suppressor sales tax holiday in Florida.

2m

New York Tightens Deer Hunting Rules

New York has finalized its 2026-27 deer hunting regulations, pushing for higher harvests in overpopulated zones while adding fraud-prevention measures targeting tag misreporting. The changes take effect this fall statewide.

2m

Eight Virginia Prosecutors Refuse Gun Ban

Eight Virginia prosecutors have publicly refused to enforce the state's newly signed assault weapons ban, calling it unconstitutional. The defiance spans multiple counties and has drawn direct threats of legislative reprisal from Democratic lawmakers. Legal challenges are already in motion ahead of the July 1 effective date.

2m

NRA Sues Maryland Over Glock Ban

Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed a law banning 'machine-gun-convertible pistols' — effectively outlawing Glock sales — and the NRA filed a federal Second Amendment challenge the same day. The case turns on whether a firearm can be banned because an illegal device can be attached to it.

2m

Maryland Bans Glocks, Lawsuits Follow

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill Tuesday that effectively bans Glock pistol sales in the state. The NRA, Second Amendment Foundation, and Firearms Policy Coalition all announced legal challenges the same day, arguing the law punishes lawful gun owners for criminal misuse of already-illegal modification devices.

2m

Bullpup Bolt Gun Still Delivers

Desert Tech's SRS bullpup bolt rifle is nearly a foot shorter than a standard-config rifle at the same barrel length — without the mushy trigger that kills most bullpups. Law enforcement agencies adopted it. The multi-caliber system still sets it apart.

3m

3D-Printed Guns: Regulators Already Behind

A Florida gun hobbyist walked a reporter through building two functional firearms in one afternoon using a 3D printer and parts ordered online. The Supreme Court shut down the kit-gun market in 2025, but printed builds remain largely legal—and the community is growing faster than regulators can adapt.

3m

Court Takes Up Marijuana Gun Ban

The Supreme Court will decide whether the federal ban on gun ownership for marijuana users survives constitutional scrutiny under the Bruen historical tradition test. The NRA and FPC filed an amicus brief arguing the Founders regulated intoxicated conduct—not sober status. A ruling could restore gun rights to millions of legal cannabis users.

3m

9th Circuit: Domestic Abusers Banned Permanently

The 9th Circuit ruled unanimously Wednesday that anyone convicted of domestic violence faces a permanent federal ban on gun and ammunition possession. The court relied on the Supreme Court's 2024 Rahimi decision and found deep historical support for disarming abusers. Nothing changes for law-abiding Idaho gun owners.

2m

Virginia Bans Semi-Auto Sales July 1

Virginia's new law bans future sales of semi-automatic firearms and magazines over 15 rounds starting July 1. Current owners keep their guns, but dealers stop selling covered platforms. The NRA filed suit within hours of signing.

2m

ATF Registry Rule: Comment Now

ATF's proposed rule would keep your Form 4473 purchase records on file for up to 60 years — 30 with the dealer, 30 more with ATF after it closes. The comment window is open now, and GOA has a model comment ready to submit.

2m

GOA Pushes ATF on 34 New Rules

Gun Owners of America was present at the DOJ when ATF signed 34 new rules — the product of months of direct lobbying. Full details are still pending Federal Register publication. GOA is simultaneously pushing Congress to defund the agency entirely.

2m

Trump DOJ: Ally With Asterisks

The Trump DOJ is suing Colorado over magazine limits and assault weapon bans using solid Second Amendment arguments. It's also defending federal laws that disarm cannabis users and nonviolent felons—cases where the gun rights movement says the administration has it exactly backwards.

3m

ACLU Joins Second Amendment Fight

The ACLU filed its first-ever Supreme Court brief defending an individual's Second Amendment rights, joining a case challenging the federal law that disarms marijuana users. The organization spent decades arguing the Second Amendment doesn't protect individuals. Now it's asking SCOTUS to enforce that right for a Texas cannabis consumer facing 15 years for owning a Glock.

3m

SCOTUS Gun Cases Coming Soon

The Supreme Court will decide two major Second Amendment cases before end of June. Wolford v. Lopez challenges Hawaii's opt-in permission requirement for carrying on private property open to the public. United States v. Hemani tests whether the federal ban on gun possession by illegal drug users survives post-Bruen scrutiny.

2m

DOJ Sues Denver, Colorado Over Gun Bans

The DOJ filed two Second Amendment lawsuits this week — one against Denver's 'assault weapon' ban, one against Colorado's 15-round magazine limit. Both invoke the Bruen historical tradition test and seek permanent injunctions. The real target may be the Supreme Court's docket.

3m

Cruikshank: The Case That Broke Rights

United States v. Cruikshank (1876) emerged from a massacre and ended up gutting the Bill of Rights for over a century. The Second Amendment wasn't fully repaired until McDonald v. Chicago in 2010 — and the road there ran straight through a Heller footnote that served as a deliberate legal invitation.

3m

3D-Printed Guns: Regulation's Losing Race

A federal court win for regulators in 2025 killed the ghost gun kit market. It left the 3D-printed frame market mostly untouched—and that market is growing fast. Here's what the legal landscape looks like now and what Idaho owners need to know.

3m

Court to Rule: Marijuana Users' Gun Rights

The Supreme Court will decide whether the federal government can permanently disarm marijuana users who aren't intoxicated. The NRA, FPC, and Independence Institute filed a joint amicus brief arguing the historical tradition of firearms regulation only ever targeted intoxicated conduct — not sober gun owners. The outcome could reshape who qualifies as a "prohibited person" under federal law.

3m

Griswold's Hidden Second Amendment Thread

The Black-Harlan rivalry at SCOTUS produced a contraception ruling that seems distant from gun rights—but the constitutional logic underneath it is the same logic courts apply to Second Amendment cases today. One man believed only written rights count. The other believed tradition fills the gaps. Both frameworks are still actively shaping firearms law.

3m

Thomas: Founders Outran Modern Cowards

Justice Clarence Thomas told a judicial conference Thursday that Washington's political class lacks the courage the Founders demonstrated. He also pushed back on legal jargon, arguing Americans already grasp their rights without needing to understand originalism.

2m

Courts Still Fumbling Second Amendment Facts

A Roundup cancer case at the Supreme Court is exposing a foundational gap in Second Amendment law: nobody has clear rules for who decides the factual claims that justify gun restrictions. Two cases this term may force an answer — or duck it entirely.

3m

Tariff Refunds Hit $35.5 Billion

The Supreme Court found Trump's global tariffs unlawful, and the government is now processing $35.5 billion in refunds to importers—with up to $166 billion potentially on the table. A federal appeals court has temporarily paused a lower court ruling on the 10% global tariff while it considers a full stay. Imported firearms and components could eventually see pricing effects.

2m

Arkansas Legislators Demand ATF Raid Answers

Thirty Arkansas legislators—Republican and Democrat—sent a formal letter to President Trump and the DOJ demanding an independent investigation into the March 2024 ATF raid that killed Little Rock airport director Bryan Malinowski. Lawmakers cited conflicting narratives, body camera concerns, and questions about whether the raid's timing was tied to a pending ATF rule redefinition. Malinowski's widow has an active federal wrongful death suit against the agency.

2m

ATF Rule Targets Trans Gun Buyers

The Trump ATF is proposing identity-matching rules for firearm purchases that would put transgender buyers in an unresolvable documentation conflict — effectively creating a federal registry of trans gun owners. Critics across the political spectrum are calling it a bureaucratic intimidation play. Second Amendment challenges are expected.

2m

Republicans Push Army Corps Gun Ban

House Republicans are formally pressing the Army Corps of Engineers to lift its ban on lawful firearm carry across its 12 million acres of public land. Lawmakers argue the restriction is outdated and fails to prevent unsafe behavior while penalizing law-abiding gun owners. The push comes amid renewed scrutiny of agency carry policies following the *Bruen* decision.

2m

Ohio Lets Gun Owners Bill Back

The Ohio Senate passed a bill letting residents recover legal fees when they successfully challenge local gun ordinances as unconstitutional or preempted by state law. It's a fee-shifting mechanism aimed at closing the enforcement gap in Ohio's existing preemption law. Idaho has preemption too — but no equivalent accountability tool.

2m

Army Corps Firearms Ban Targeted

Two dozen House Republicans are demanding the Army Corps of Engineers finalize a long-stalled rule change that would allow lawful firearms carry on nearly 12 million acres of federal land. The Corps is currently the only major federal land agency that still bans it. The rule was drafted during Trump's first term but never completed.

2m

SAF Sues ATF Over Ghost Gun Rule

SAF and Defense Distributed filed for summary judgment against the ATF's 2022 rule that redefined 'firearm' to include unfinished parts and precursor components. The case argues the rule violates the Gun Control Act of 1968 and effectively bans a legal tradition of private firearm manufacture. The motion is before the Northern District of Texas.

2m

ATF Private Sale Rule Blocked

The ATF's Biden-era rule expanding dealer licensing requirements for private firearm sales remains blocked after the Trump administration dropped its appeal. Texas AG Ken Paxton led the multistate challenge that secured the injunction. The case returns to district court, where a permanent block is the probable outcome.

2m

Switchblade Ban Struggles in Court

A federal judge spent most of Friday's hearing dismantling Minnesota's arguments for its switchblade ban, calling the state's 'offensive vs. defensive weapon' distinction incoherent. Knife Rights is seeking summary judgment that could end the 66-year-old ban without a trial. The outcome will ripple into a parallel challenge against the Federal Switchblade Act.

3m

Ohio Lets Owners Sue Rogue Cities

The Ohio Senate passed SB 278 24-9, allowing gun owners to sue municipalities that pass local gun ordinances — already banned under state law — and collect punitive damages. Sponsor Sen. Terry Johnson says cities like Columbus have been ignoring the existing prohibition without consequence. The bill now moves to the Ohio House.

2m

Colorado Ghost Gun Law Gets Partial Trim

The 10th Circuit ruled Thursday that Colorado's ghost gun law doesn't ban building firearms from parts kits — only 3D-printed frames. The ruling revives part of a lawsuit challenging the law and keeps private-sale acquisition claims alive, sending the case back to a federal district court.

3m

Canada's Gun Buyback Lands With Thud

Canada's federal gun buyback program closed its declaration window with fewer than half the expected firearms turned in nationwide. The Northwest Territories declared just 81 guns — and nobody can clearly say who enforces the October 30 hard deadline in the territory. A political science professor who studies Canadian gun culture thinks Ottawa mostly wants this over with.

2m

Virginia Bans AR-15s, DOJ Threatens Suit

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a gun-control package Tuesday and sent an assault-firearms ban back to lawmakers with amendments that Republicans say could cover nearly every common semi-automatic in the state. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division has already threatened to sue if any version of the ban takes effect, citing Second Amendment protections for commonly owned firearms. The amended bill now returns to the General Assembly for a final vote.

3m

NFA Registration Fight Heats Up

SAF filed a supplemental brief in *Brown v. ATF* targeting the NFA's registration requirement for suppressors and short-barreled rifles. The $200 tax is already dead — now they're going after the registry itself. Three simultaneous SAF challenges are moving through the courts.

2m

Ohio Punishes Cities Restricting Guns

Ohio's Senate voted 24-9 to advance legislation letting residents sue cities that restrict guns in violation of state preemption law—and collect punitive damages when they win. The bill still needs House approval, but the deterrent logic is already sound: make bad ordinances expensive, and fewer get passed. Idaho gun owners should watch how the House handles the punitive damages clause.

2m

Canada's Gun Grab: First Numbers

Canada's Assault-Style Firearms Compensation Program completed its first phase with 67,000 firearms declared by over 37,000 gun owners, including 1,702 in Nova Scotia. The program is voluntary, but the October 2026 deadline carries real legal consequences. Opposition is organized and holding rallies nationwide.

2m

Benitez Retires, 2A Docket Reshuffles

U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez, the San Diego jurist behind California's biggest Second Amendment rulings, retired April 2 at age 75. His exit reshuffles which judges hear future gun cases in the region, but the appeals he generated are already in the Ninth Circuit pipeline. A 2023 rule change limiting forum shopping may matter more to future litigation than his departure.

2m

Campus Carry Bills Advancing Nationwide

Florida and Utah signed campus carry expansions into law this year. New Hampshire is next up, with a Senate hearing scheduled on HB1793. Louisiana withdrew its bill when student sponsors couldn't testify — but the sponsor says it's coming back. The trend line is clear.

3m

Bruen Unlocks New Jersey Carry

Three years after Bruen, New Jersey has issued 88,000 concealed carry permits — nearly ten times its previous total. The state still trails the national average by a wide margin, but the shift shows how a single Supreme Court decision reshapes rights on the ground. The same legal framework is driving challenges to gun laws nationwide.

3m

NJ Carry Permits Explode Post-Bruen

New Jersey issued more than 88,000 concealed carry permits in the three years following the Supreme Court's Bruen decision—up from fewer than 700 in the three years prior. The numbers show what was always true: the bottleneck was never demand, it was bureaucratic gatekeeping. The legal fight over where those permits are valid is still live.

2m

ATF Watches Ghost Guns, Glock Switches

ATF's Middle Tennessee office says ghost gun cases are declining after enforcement pressure on kit sales, but Glock switches—3D-printable auto-conversion devices—are now the bigger concern. Agents are using shell-casing databases to trace both threats even without serial numbers.

2m

Supreme Court Lets Illinois Transit Ban Stand

SCOTUS declined to hear a challenge to Illinois' ban on concealed carry in public transit, leaving the Seventh Circuit's ruling intact. Four permit holders had argued the ban violated their Second Amendment rights under the Bruen standard. The decision doesn't resolve the broader 'sensitive places' legal debate — it just postpones it.

2m

Illinois Transit Carry Ban Stands

The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Illinois' ban on concealed carry aboard mass transit, closing out the ISRA's legal options on that specific case. Meanwhile, Illinois gun owners are rallying in Springfield on April 15 against potential new legislation, including a proposed ban on handguns that can be converted to full auto.

2m

Minnesota Moves to Ban Ghost Guns

Minnesota's attorney general and two state legislators introduced a bill to ban ghost guns statewide — covering possession, manufacture, sale, and even distributing 3D-print design files. The 237% rise in traced unserialized firearms is driving the push. The bill's file-distribution prohibition is the sharpest legal edge to watch.

2m

New York Drops Social Media Gun Check

New York agreed to permanently stop enforcing the provision of its Concealed Carry Improvement Act that required gun permit applicants to submit three years of social media account history. Gun Owners of America and Gun Owners Foundation secured the injunction through federal court in the ongoing Antonyuk v. James litigation. The broader challenge to New York's carry restrictions continues.

2m

Connecticut Moves to Ban Convertible Pistols

Connecticut's Judiciary Committee voted 24-12 along party lines to advance a ban on pistols easily converted to automatic fire. Republicans called it a Second Amendment violation. The bill heads to the full legislature, and legal challenges are likely if it passes.

2m

FPC Sues Over NY Armor Ban

The Firearms Policy Coalition filed a motion for summary judgment on March 27 challenging New York's ban on civilian body armor purchases. The FPC argues the law cannot survive the Supreme Court's Bruen historical-tradition test. A ruling could have implications well beyond New York.

2m

Hegseth Ends Base Carry Ban

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reversed a George H.W. Bush-era policy prohibiting service members from carrying personal firearms on military bases. Base commanders must now presume approval for carry requests and provide written justification for any denial. Critics warn of increased suicide risk; supporters call it a straightforward Second Amendment correction.

2m

SAF Asks SCOTUS: Kill Suppressor Tax

The Second Amendment Foundation filed an amicus brief April 2 asking the Supreme Court to hear a case that could eliminate the NFA's $200 tax stamp and registration requirements for suppressors. The NRA and American Suppressor Association joined the filing. No ruling yet — the Court hasn't agreed to hear the case.

2m

Kentucky Vetoes Concealed Carry Age Bill

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear vetoed House Bill 312, which would have lowered the state's concealed carry license age from 21 to 18. The legislature can still override the veto. Beshear announced the decision at an event honoring victims of the 2023 Old National Bank shooting.

2m

USPS Proposes Mailing Handguns Rule

The U.S. Postal Service has proposed allowing handguns to be mailed for the first time since 1927, following a DOJ memo calling the century-old ban unconstitutional. The proposed rule would let unlicensed individuals mail handguns to other private parties with no background check required on the recipient — eliminating the FFL chokepoint that makes the current system function. The rule is not final and is currently in a public comment period.

3m

Maine Waiting Period Survives Appeal

A federal appeals court ruled April 3 that Maine's 72-hour gun purchase waiting period is likely constitutional, reversing a lower court injunction that had blocked the law. The First Circuit called the delay a 'burden' on Second Amendment rights but not a violation — a legal distinction that could influence waiting period challenges in other states. The case now returns to district court for a full hearing.

2m

Lawsuit Targets National Park Gun Ban

The Second Amendment Foundation has filed suit challenging the 35-year-old federal law banning firearms inside National Park Service buildings — visitor centers, ranger stations, the whole works. The case rests on Bruen and the argument that forcing campers to disarm before picking up a permit is exactly the kind of unconstitutional burden the Supreme Court already rejected. It's a developing case with no quick resolution, but the legal theory is solid enough to watch closely.

2m

Virginia Bans 'Assault Firearms' on Vibes

Virginia Democrats passed an 'assault firearms' ban that treats a folding stock and a grenade launcher as legally equivalent. The bill heads to Gov. Spanberger's desk, but a Supreme Court challenge is already taking shape.

2m

Colorado Bans 3D-Printed Guns

Colorado's HB-1144 bans 3D-printed firearms and components, but Gov. Polis forced sponsors to drop the provision targeting digital printing files before he'd sign it. Sponsors say they'll be back with a new governor in 2027.

2m

SAF Takes Gun Liability Fight to SCOTUS

The Second Amendment Foundation filed an amicus brief asking SCOTUS to review a New York public nuisance law that critics say bypasses federal protections for gun makers. If the Second Circuit ruling stands, it hands every state a roadmap for using litigation — not legislation — to pressure the firearms industry out of existence.

2m

Suppressors Hit Supreme Court

The Second Amendment Foundation, NRA, and American Suppressor Association have asked the Supreme Court to take up a constitutional challenge to the NFA's suppressor registration requirements. The case — Peterson v. United States — was slated for the Court's April 17 conference. Congress already zeroed the tax stamp, but the registration and approval structure remains fully in force and is the real target.

3m

Drug Dealing Conviction Survives Second Amendment Challenge

The Seventh Circuit upheld a lifetime gun ban for a Wisconsin man convicted of drug dealing and caught with multiple firearms after a 2022 shooting incident. The court found his disarmament consistent with founding-era legal traditions under the Bruen historical-tradition test. Critically, the ruling explicitly leaves open whether non-violent felons face the same permanent ban.

2m

SCOTUS Shields Cop, Skips Rifles

The Supreme Court reversed the 2nd Circuit on qualified immunity Monday, protecting a Vermont detective from a civil lawsuit. More quietly, it passed again on challenges to state assault weapons bans — with no explanation. The gun cases aren't dead, just waiting.

3m

Team USA Set for Worlds

The Team USA roster for the 2026 IPRF Centerfire World Championship is set after an 18-month qualification process spanning regional matches across the country. The six-shooter Open Division is headlined by two-time world champion Austin Buschman and 2019 PRS champ Clay Blackketter. The championship runs September 24–27 near Lipan, Texas.

3m

Three AGs Fight USPS Gun Shipping

The attorneys general of New York, New Jersey, and Delaware want to intervene in a Pennsylvania case challenging the federal ban on shipping firearms through the USPS — a ban the DOJ just stopped defending. The 1927 law left gun owners with zero legal shipping options. Three state AGs want to keep it that way.

3m

NJ Permit Transparency Bill Reintroduced

New Jersey's permit-to-carry transparency dashboard stopped updating when a new governor took office in January. Assembly Bill 222, reintroduced in the legislature, would codify reporting requirements into law rather than leaving them subject to executive discretion. NRA-ILA is urging residents to push the bill forward.

2m

Warren Bill Targets Military Ammo Sales

Sen. Elizabeth Warren reintroduced legislation that would ban DoD contractors and military plants from selling firearms and ammo to civilians. The bill's primary target is Lake City Army Ammunition Plant — and critics say cutting off commercial sales would undermine the facility's ability to supply the military during wartime.

2m

DC Magazine Ban Ruling Survives—For Now

A DC appellate panel ruled the District's 10-round magazine ban unconstitutional last week, finding standard-capacity magazines are protected arms under the Second Amendment. DC is now asking the full court to reverse the decision, calling the ruling destabilizing. An en banc decision could come by end of next week.

3m

Illinois Bill Serializes Every Round

Illinois HB 4414 would serialize all handgun ammunition and feed transaction data into a state police registry starting in 2027. The bill relies on microstamping technology that experts say fails in real-world conditions — and critics argue the real target is lawful gun ownership, not crime.

2m

SCOTUS Passes on Second Amendment

SCOTUS declined to act on several Second Amendment petitions in Monday's order list, adding only an environmental law dispute to next term's docket. For gun owners, a cert denial isn't neutral—it lets unfavorable lower court rulings stand. Here's what the court's silence actually means.

2m

Gun Sales Up 3.5% in February

Gun sales rose 3.5% in February 2026 per NSSF-adjusted NICS data, even as the raw FBI background check number fell 13.5%. The gap comes down to permit rechecks—not fewer guns being sold. Constitutional Carry expansion in 29 states is the likely culprit behind the headline drop.

2m

LCP Max Hits California Roster

Ruger's LCP Max has cleared California's handgun roster with most of its upgrades intact. At $300–$350 with real sights, a 10-round magazine, and a tritium front dot, it's the best micro-.380 option Golden State buyers have had in a while.

2m

Veterans' Gun Rights Restored

The VA has ended its 30-year practice of reporting veterans to NICS simply for having a financial fiduciary. Over 270,000 veterans who lost gun rights without any court hearing or due process are getting them restored.

3m

Machine Gun Bill Dies in West Virginia

West Virginia Senate President Randy Smith killed SB 1071, the state's machine gun bill, before it reached a floor vote. Citing poor drafting and legal concerns, Smith blocked the measure despite strong committee support. A revised version may return next session.

3m

Carrying Legal: When Rights Become Suspicion

Alex Pretti had a carry permit and never drew his weapon. Federal officials used his holstered gun to justify the shooting anyway. Gun rights groups that usually back Trump are calling it out—and it's not the only place the alliance is cracking.

3m

Constitutional Carry Bill Goes Federal

Sen. Mike Lee introduced federal legislation that would eliminate concealed carry permit requirements nationwide and protect Americans from felony charges when carrying legally across state lines. The bill builds on the 29 states that already have constitutional carry and the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen decision. Political hurdles remain significant, but gun rights groups are treating this as the most serious federal push yet.

2m

Permitless Carry: National Bill Introduced

Senator Mike Lee introduced the National Constitutional Carry Act on March 5, a bill that would establish nationwide permitless carry and override state permitting schemes. Backed by GOA and NAGR, it would reshape carry law in restrictive states like New York and California. It faces an uphill battle in Congress, but it's forcing a national conversation.

2m

Marijuana Users: Second Amendment Rights

The Supreme Court hears United States v. Hemani on March 2—a case that could determine whether 43–62 million marijuana users remain prohibited persons under federal gun law. The Liberty Justice Center argues the blanket disarmament has no historical or constitutional basis. The Trump administration wants the disqualification upheld, even for sober users in legal states.

3m

Second Amendment: Government's Best Argument

Arizona's AG warned this week that ICE's unidentified plainclothes tactics put agents on a collision course with state self-defense law. She meant it as a caution. It reads as a textbook argument for why the Second Amendment exists in the first place.

3m

Gun History Law at SCOTUS

The Supreme Court heard argument in United States v. Hemani, a case that asks how closely a modern gun law must mirror historical precedent to survive constitutional challenge. The ruling will sharpen—or loosen—the Bruen standard every lower court is currently applying. This one matters.

2m

SCOTUS Punts on Assault Rifle Cases

The Supreme Court declined to act on several Second Amendment challenges at its March 9 conference, including assault rifle and magazine ban cases. The Court is likely waiting to see how two pending gun-rights cases resolve before touching those petitions. Expect movement no earlier than late June.

2m

ATF Rules Face Federal Court Battles

Federal courts are weighing multiple ATF rule challenges in 2026, covering NFA regulations, private sale licensing, and marijuana user gun rights. Outcomes could affect suppressors, SBRs, and background check rules nationwide.

4m

Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill Advances in House

H.R. 38 cleared committee March 25 with 189 cosponsors and a 37% shot at becoming law. If it passes, your Idaho permit works in California, New York, and D.C.

3m

Sig P320 Recall History Resurfaces

The Sig P320's history of unintentional discharge complaints is back in focus after the Minneapolis shooting. Here's what P320 owners need to know about the recall history and voluntary upgrade program.

4m

Florida Constitutional Carry: What's Next

Florida's House passed HB 133 to drop the long gun purchase age back to 18—but the Senate hasn't filed a companion bill, same as the last three sessions.

3m

SHOT Show 2026: What's New

SHOT Show 2026 delivered Gen6 Glocks, a $549 FN pistol, an updated SCAR lineup, and suppressor-ready ammo from Remington and Federal. Here's what actually matters.

4m

PRS 2026 Memberships Now Open

PRS 2026 memberships are open for Rimfire, Regional, and PRO series. You need one before your first match if you want your scores to count in the standings.

3m

SCOTUS, Shooting Crack Second Amendment

SCOTUS looks ready to expand carry rights in Wolford v. Lopez — same week Trump officials argued a lawfully armed Minneapolis man deserved to be shot. Gun rights groups called out their own allies.

4m

Ammo Prices Rising as Costs Squeeze Manufacturers

Winchester's Q4 2025 earnings collapsed 98% as raw material costs and promotional pricing wiped out margins. Commercial ammo price hikes are already announced for Q1 2026.

3m

CZ Group Buys Its Own Powder Supply

Colt CZ Group closed a $1.05B deal for 51% of Synthesia Nitrocellulose, locking in majority control of a key European propellant supplier. The move pushes the Colt/CZ parent deeper into vertical ammo production.

3m

Ohio Moves to Crush Local Gun Ordinances

Ohio is moving to preempt local gun ordinances and establish a single statewide standard. For gun owners, it means no more legal minefield when crossing county lines.

2m

Thermal Optics Hit 1280x1024

Thermal sensor resolution quadrupled at SHOT Show 2026. High-end thermals are now complete fire control systems with integrated LRF and ballistics.

2m

Savage REVEL: Lever-Action Rimfire Returns

Savage's new REVEL series brings takedown lever-action rimfires in .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR. Nostalgia meets modern utility.

2m

Computational Optics Finally Arrive

Scopes from Maztech, Revic, and Burris now calculate firing solutions in real time using environmental sensors. What was $20k military tech is now $2,500.

3m

Army Creates Ammo Office

The Army created a new office to speed ammunition procurement, consolidating functions across multiple agencies. Winchester's profits collapsed 98% in Q4 as the industry faces rising costs and supply chain pressure.

3m

Colt CZ Buys Nitrocellulose Maker

Colt CZ Group will acquire Czech nitrocellulose producer Synthesia for $1.05 billion, securing control of critical gunpowder ingredients as ammunition demand surges across NATO countries.

3m

Court Reverses Red Flag Order Against Grieving Mother

New Jersey appellate court reversed red flag order against grieving mother who made no threats after learning of son's death. Ruling highlights due process concerns as 21 states expand extreme risk protection laws.

3m

GOA Condemns Trump Official's Shooting Claims

Gun Owners of America broke with the Trump administration over a federal shooting, defending a concealed carry holder's rights after a U.S. Attorney claimed agents were "legally justified" in the killing.

3m

Ohio Bill Targets Local Gun Bans

Ohio Senate Bill 278 would let citizens sue municipalities that pass illegal gun restrictions, creating financial consequences for cities that violate state preemption law.

3m

Reciprocity Bill Advances Amid Administration Backlash

House committee advanced concealed carry reciprocity legislation as Trump officials face backlash for threatening legal gun owners. The controversy may strengthen support for national reciprocity standards.

3m

SIG Releases P211-GT4, GT5 Pistols

SIG SAUER debuts P211-GT4 and GT5 double-stack 1911 pistols at SHOT Show 2026. Both models use P320-compatible magazines and target competition and duty markets with hammer-fired reliability.

2m

PSA AXR Series: One Gun To Rule Them All

Palmetto State Armory's modular fire control system lets one serialized unit transfer between handguns, PDWs, rifles, and shotguns. One 4473 covers all.

2m

Supreme Court Upholds Ghost Gun Rule

Supreme Court upholds ATF's ghost gun rule 7-2, requiring background checks and serial numbers for weapon kits and unfinished receivers. Gorsuch wrote majority opinion using "Buy Build Shoot" kit as example.

3m

ATF Brace Rule Faces Legal Battles

ATF's pistol brace rule faces ongoing court challenges, leaving millions of gun owners uncertain about compliance requirements as federal circuits issue conflicting rulings on the regulation's validity.

3m

Texas GOP Proposes Constitutional Carry Expansion

GOA Texas proposes platform planks to expand constitutional carry to 18-year-olds and strengthen self-defense immunity. The resolutions target age restrictions courts have ruled unconstitutional.

3m

ATF Drops Drug User Gun Ban

ATF's new rule drops the blanket ban on gun purchases by anyone who's used drugs, focusing instead on current "compulsive" users. Medical marijuana patients and past users can now legally buy firearms starting June 30.

3m

California Open-Carry Ban Struck Down

The Ninth Circuit struck down California's open-carry ban in counties over 200,000 residents, affecting 95% of the state's population. The 2-1 ruling creates a circuit split and could force California to allow open-carry permits statewide.

2m

Glock Gen6 Fixes Ergonomics Finally

Glock's Gen6 pistols finally address decades of ergonomic complaints with palm swells, improved grip texture, and better trigger design while maintaining legendary reliability. Early reviews from law enforcement instructors are overwhelmingly positive.

2m

Gun Defects Hit 40% Rate

The gun industry's own trade group admits 40% of new firearms contain defects—a failure rate that would kill any other consumer product industry. With no federal safety oversight, dangerous guns stay in circulation until lawsuits force fixes.

3m

Lane Dominates USPSA Limited Division Crown

Mason Lane dominated USPSA Limited division at Race Gun Nationals, winning by 39 points in record 616-shooter field. Team SIG member's commanding performance validates elite sponsorship deal.

3m

Ninth Circuit Strikes California Open-Carry Ban

The Ninth Circuit struck down California's ban on open-carry permits in counties over 200,000 people, covering 95% of the state. The ruling creates a circuit split and challenges the "ban one mode, allow another" approach to carry laws.

3m

Pistol Brace Rule Vacated by Courts

Federal courts struck down the ATF's pistol brace rule in 2024, making stabilizing braces legal again after threatening millions of gun owners with felony charges for possessing unregistered short-barreled rifles.

3m

SHOT Show 2026 Roundup Highlights

SHOT Show 2026 featured Glock's most significant design update in years with the ergonomic Gen6 pistols, expanded suppressor options following NFA tax removal, and practical gear improvements that address real shooter problems.

3m

03 // How-To Guides

#03

How-To Guides

Training, maintenance, buying guides

Sig 365x Macro Comp EDC

2m

Home Defense Firearms: Shotgun vs Pistol vs AR-15

Somebody breaks your front door at 2 a.m. You've got maybe seconds to get to your firearm, get your family clear, and be ready.

12m

Concealed Carry Holster Types Explained

You bought the gun. You took the class. Now you're standing in a gun store or scrolling through Amazon at midnight, staring at roughly four hundred holster options and wondering how any of this is ...

14m

Beginner's Guide to Shotgun Sports: Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays

You show up at a clay range for the first time and someone hands you a shotgun, points at an orange disc screaming across the sky, and says "just follow it." You shoot. You miss. You shoot again.

10m

Getting Started with Long-Range Shooting

You pull the trigger. Three seconds pass. Then you hear it -- that distant, unmistakable *clang* of steel at 1,000 yards. If you've never experienced that, it's hard to explain.

11m

How to Choose a Rifle Scope: Optics Buying Guide

You just dropped $800 on a new hunting rifle and now you're standing in a gun store staring at a wall of scopes priced anywhere from $89 to $3,000.

10m

Reloading vs. Buying Ammo: Complete Cost Breakdown

You're standing at the gun counter, watching the price tags on factory ammo creep up again. Your buddy at the range keeps telling you to just start reloading -- says he's saving a fortune.

8m

Magazine Capacity Laws by State: What You Need to Know Before You Travel

You're driving from Idaho to visit family in New Jersey. You've got your EDC on your hip and a couple of standard-capacity magazines in your bag.

12m

Buying Firearms Online: How FFL Transfers Work

You found the exact rifle you've been looking for -- right color, right configuration, $80 cheaper than anywhere local.

10m

How to Compare Ammo Prices: A CPR Guide

You're standing in a gun store, staring at two boxes of 9mm. One's $18.99 for 50 rounds, the other's $34.99 for 100 rounds with a shipping sticker still on the flap.

9m

How BGC Business Grades Work

Every listing in the BGC directory gets a letter grade from A+ to F. This is our way of telling you how complete and trustworthy a listing is -- before you drive across town to find out the hard way.

8m

The Idaho Shooter's Almanac: 2026-2027 Guide

Complete guide to Idaho shooting competitions, ranges, and events for 2026-2027. Find matches, plan your shooting calendar, and discover opportunities across the state.

12m

Understanding Shotgun Chokes: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Learn shotgun chokes from basics to practical application. Understand the five main types, when to use each, and how to choose the right choke for hunting and clay sports.

6m

Concealed Carry Basics: Your Complete Getting Started Guide

Complete beginner's guide to concealed carry basics: choosing positions, holsters, drawing safely, dressing around your gun, and building good habits.

8m

First-Time Gun Buyer's Guide

First-time gun buyer? Here's what you actually need to know -- legal requirements, which gun to start with, what to budget, and how to stay safe.

12m

How to Choose Your First Shotgun: A Beginner's Complete Guide

Complete beginner's guide to choosing your first shotgun. Learn about gauges, actions, and get specific recommendations for new gun owners. Safety-focused advice.

6m

3-Gun Competition

Complete guide to 3-Gun Competition in Idaho. Learn equipment requirements, costs, divisions, and how to get started in this multi-platform shooting sport.

7m

Airgun Competition

Complete guide to airgun competition: 10m precision, field target, equipment, costs, rules. From beginner basics to competitive shooting with air rifles and pistols.

7m

Archery

Complete guide to archery in Idaho: equipment, costs, rules, and where to shoot. From traditional bows to Olympic recurve and compounds - everything you need to start.

7m

Benchrest Shooting

Complete guide to benchrest shooting - the ultimate precision rifle sport. Equipment requirements, costs, rules, and getting started in NBRSA/IBS competition.

8m

Black Powder/Muzzleloader

Complete guide to black powder muzzleloader shooting: equipment, costs, rules, and how to get started in traditional firearms competition.

8m

Bullseye/Precision Pistol

Complete guide to Bullseye/Precision Pistol: rules, equipment, costs, and how to get started in this classic marksmanship discipline. From beginner basics to competitive gear.

8m

Cowboy Action Shooting

Complete guide to Cowboy Action Shooting in Idaho: equipment, costs, rules, and getting started in this Old West-themed multi-gun competition sport.

7m

F-Class Long Range

F-Class Long Range shooting: prone precision rifle competition at 300-1200 yards using scoped rifles, bipods, and front rests. Complete guide to getting started.

7m

Five Stand

Five Stand combines the variety of sporting clays with the convenience of fixed stations. Learn rules, equipment, costs, and what to expect at your first match.

7m

Gun Shows: A Practical Guide

Complete guide to gun shows: what to expect, buying and selling tips, FFL transfer rules, pricing strategies, and practical advice for Idaho gun show attendees.

6m

High Power Rifle

High Power Rifle competition combines traditional marksmanship positions with precision shooting at 200-600 yards. Complete guide to equipment, rules, costs, and getting started.

9m

Airsoft

Complete guide to airsoft: combat simulation sport using replica firearms and plastic BBs. Equipment recommendations, game types, costs, and getting started tips.

7m

Hunter Education

Complete guide to Idaho hunter education requirements, course options, field day expectations, and certification process. Everything you need to know to get started hunting legally in Idaho.

10m

Metallic Silhouette

Complete guide to metallic silhouette shooting: rules, equipment, costs, and getting started in this precision rifle sport where you knock down steel animals at long range.

8m

Sporting Clays

Complete guide to sporting clays: equipment, rules, costs, and getting started in America's fastest-growing shotgun sport. From beginner basics to competition prep.

10m

NRL22 Rimfire Precision

Complete guide to NRL22 rimfire precision shooting: equipment, costs, rules, and getting started in this accessible precision rifle sport using .22 LR ammunition.

8m

Steel Challenge

Complete guide to Steel Challenge: the fastest, most accessible competitive shooting sport. Equipment, rules, costs, and how to get started in SCSA competition.

7m

Paintball

Complete guide to paintball: equipment, rules, costs, and getting started. From recreational weekend games to competitive tournament play, everything you need to know.

6m

Skeet Shooting

Complete guide to skeet shooting: rules, equipment, costs, and getting started. Learn the difference between American and International skeet, equipment recommendations, and what to expect.

8m

IDPA/USPSA Practical Shooting

Complete guide to IDPA/USPSA practical shooting - rules, equipment, costs, getting started. Dynamic pistol competition combining speed, accuracy, and movement.

7m

Trap Shooting

Learn trap shooting basics: equipment, rules, costs, and skills. From your first round to competitive shooting, this guide covers American trap fundamentals.

8m

Precision Rifle Series (PRS)

Complete guide to Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competition in Idaho: equipment, costs, rules, and how to get started in tactical precision shooting.

7m

Spring Firearm Maintenance

Time to deep clean and inspect your firearms after winter storage. Complete maintenance checklist for spring readiness.

12m

Winter Shooting Tips

Keep your gear functioning and stay safe at the range during Idaho winters. Lubricant choices, battery tips, layering strategies, and cold-weather shooting safety.

9m

When to See a Gunsmith

Most firearms don't need constant gunsmith attention—regular cleaning and basic maintenance handle 90% of what a gun needs. But some problems require professional intervention. Here's when to seek help.

7m

Long-Term Firearm Storage

Long-term storage requires more than tossing a gun in the closet. Humidity, temperature swings, and improper preparation can damage firearms. Here's how to store guns for months or years without issues.

7m

Safe Firearm Storage Options

Responsible firearm ownership includes securing your firearms from unauthorized access—children, theft, and prohibited persons. Here's how to store firearms safely while maintaining access when you need them.

7m

Dry Fire Practice Fundamentals

Dry fire is the single most effective way to improve your shooting without spending money on ammunition. Done correctly, it builds muscle memory and technique faster than live fire alone.

7m

Clearing Malfunctions: Tap-Rack-Bang and Beyond

Malfunctions happen. Semi-automatic firearms occasionally fail to feed, fire, or eject properly. Knowing how to clear them quickly and safely is a fundamental skill every shooter needs.

7m

Essential Gear for Range Days

Showing up to the range prepared makes everything smoother—for you and everyone around you. Here's the essential gear you need, organized from mandatory to nice-to-have.

8m

Choosing Your First Rifle

The rifle market can overwhelm new buyers. Bolt actions, semi-autos, lever guns—each has distinct purposes, and the right choice depends on what you actually plan to do with it. Here's how to decide.

10m

Choosing Your First Handgun

Your first handgun purchase is a significant decision. The gun store wall has dozens of options. The internet has millions of opinions. Here's how to cut through the noise and find what actually works for you.

8m

Understanding Ammunition Basics

Understanding ammunition is fundamental to responsible firearm ownership. This guide covers cartridge components, caliber selection, and how to choose the right ammo for your purposes.

9m

Basic Firearm Cleaning

A clean firearm functions reliably. A neglected one doesn't. Cleaning isn't complicated, but it does require consistency and attention to detail. This guide covers the fundamentals that apply to most handguns and rifles.

9m

Range Etiquette Basics

Shooting ranges have protocols. Some are formal rules enforced by range officers. Others are unspoken expectations that experienced shooters follow. Violating either marks you as inexperienced at best, dangerous at worst.

7m

The Four Rules of Firearm Safety

Every negligent discharge, every firearms accident traces back to violating one of these four rules. They're simple. They're absolute. They're the foundation everything else builds on.

8m
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