Firearms News Archive

Wyoming's governor signed two solid Second Amendment bills into law — lowering the concealed carry age to 18 and criminalizing Red Flag enforcement — while vetoing a third bill that would have added civil lawsuit provisions to the state's gun sanctuary law. GOA is pushing back on the veto's legal reasoning and signaling another run at the legislation.

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.

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.

The Los Angeles County Superior Court failed to report roughly 147,000 felony convictions to the California DOJ over several decades, keeping them out of the NICS background check database. The convictions are being transmitted now, but no agency has announced plans to check whether any prohibited persons purchased firearms during the gap. The failure covers records from the 1980s through as recently as 2023.

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.

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.

The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel has declared the federal ban on mailing handguns unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, directing USPS to rewrite its regulations. The opinion follows a lawsuit filed by Gun Owners of America and applies the Supreme Court's Bruen historical tradition standard. USPS regulations haven't changed yet, so practical impact is still developing.

FPC and co-plaintiffs including the NRA and SAF filed for summary judgment in Brown v. ATF, arguing Congress's 2025 repeal of NFA transfer taxes eliminated the only constitutional basis the law has ever had. The motion also challenges suppressor and SBR restrictions directly under the Second Amendment. A district court ruling is the next step, with appeals certain to follow.

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.

Virginia is poised to ban AR-15s and standard-capacity magazines under Senate Bill 749, with Gov. Spanberger expected to sign. The Virginia Citizens Defense League is already lawyered up and ready to challenge it. Given the Supreme Court's *Bruen* framework and a growing circuit split, this law is on a collision course with federal courts.

The Supreme Court has a clear framework for K-12 student speech — but nothing comparable for college campuses. That legal gap leaves student firearms groups at public universities operating without clear constitutional protection against administrator overreach.

A new legal analysis argues the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause was never meant to mirror English common law's feudal 'right of the soil'—and the Founders made that clear when they declared independence. The case before the Supreme Court over birthright citizenship may hinge on what 'subject to the jurisdiction thereof' actually meant in 1868.

The Supreme Court hears arguments April 1 on Trump's birthright citizenship order. DOJ's case rests on a definition of 'domicile' that doesn't appear in the 14th Amendment — and the legal citations aren't holding up under scrutiny. Gun owners have a stake: citizenship status directly determines federal firearms eligibility.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

SHOT Show 2026 featured PSA's modular AXR ecosystem, FN's resurrected SCAR series with suppressor threading, and Zev's folding 9mm pistol. Ammunition manufacturers focused on suppressor-optimized loads.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.