In observance of the federal holiday, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, February 16. We'll be back in your email on Tuesday, February 17.
Ameristep won a Gold Award in the Ground Blind category from Bowhunting World magazine readers for the second consecutive year in 2026. The company introduced the Frontline Wide-Bottom Extreme, a hub-style blind accommodating up to three hunters with six silent sliding windows and a 180° bowhunter view.
The NRA Competitive Shooting Division announces the 2026 NRA America's Rifle Challenge Match Director Summit, a three-day training program held May 6-10, 2026, at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. The summit provides comprehensive instruction for current and aspiring Match Directors and Range Officers, with lodging and meals provided for 36 selected participants at a $50 registration fee.
Hornady will exhibit at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo February 12-15, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hosted by the Mule Deer Foundation, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, and Utah Office of Tourism, the event attracts over 55,000 attendees and hundreds of exhibitors raising millions for conservation.
Wiley X announced the appointment of Cory Uehlein as Vice President of Marketing & Digital. In this role, Uehlein will lead the company's comprehensive marketing and digital strategy, driving brand growth and customer experience across all channels.
NSSF praised South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden for signing Senate Bill 2, which deregulates suppressors in the state. The law was signed at Silencer Central with NSSF Board member Brandon Maddox and NSSF's Moriah Day present, removing suppressors from the state's controlled weapon definition.
South Dakota Governor Rhoden signed SD 2 into law at Silencer Central's headquarters, removing suppressors from the state's controlled weapons definition. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Casey Crabtree and Representative Drew Peterson, was supported by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and provides a template for other states seeking suppressor deregulation.
RETAY, based in Easton, Maryland, announces the debut of the Gordion Gamekeeper shotgun at the 2026 National Wild Turkey Federation Convention in Nashville. The specialized turkey hunting shotgun features Mossy Oak Original Bottomlands camo, RETAY's Inertia Plus™ bolt system, and Deep Bore Barrel™ technology for reliable performance.
Vortex Optics introduces the Viper Shotgun Enclosed Micro Green Dot, a purpose-built optic for turkey hunting and wingshooting. The green reticle option complements the existing red dot line with seven multi-reticle choices, enclosed aluminum housing, and compatibility with 46+ shotgun platforms.
Kinetic Development Group's Optics Hub is a modular spotting scope accessory platform machined from aircraft-grade aluminum with Cerakote coating. The platform features M-LOK slots and ¼-20 mounting points for accessories like laser rangefinders and cameras, designed for precision shooters, hunters, and professionals demanding adaptable equipment.
CCW Safe and Gun Talk Media launched a new video series featuring eight media professionals in real-life self-defense scenarios at Gun Talk's Range Ready training facility. The series, with the third episode debuting February 17, highlights the importance of legal protection for concealed carriers and is available on CCW Safe's YouTube channel.
Michael Waddell hosted a first-of-its-kind roundtable at SHOT Show featuring outdoor television stars Mike Robinson, Melissa Bachman, Brian "Pigman" Quaca, and Lee & Tiffany Lakosky. The episode, presented by Spandau Arms in partnership with Folds of Honor and Cigars International, aired on The Michael Waddell Podcast and covers hunting careers, game meat management, and community unity.
Colion Noir, an influential social media personality and gun rights activist, named the Springfield Armory Kuna 9mm as a top gun choice for 2025. Developed with HS Produkt, the roller-delayed PDW features a monolithic aluminum upper, 6" barrel, and ambidextrous controls, priced from $1,179 to $1,330.
MDT released the TIMBR Core Laminate Rifle Stock, combining ultra-rigid laminated wood construction with aluminum micro-chassis and V-block bedding for hunters seeking precision and classic aesthetics. Available in Charcoal and Green Mountain Camo for multiple rifle inlets including Ruger American, Savage 110, Tikka T3/T3x, and Remington 700 short actions.
Henry Repeating Arms announced two new revolver variants: the H16 Golden Boy Deadeye Revolver and H17 Big Boy Deadeye Revolver, featuring upgraded adjustable rear sights and fiber-optic front sights. Built on proven foundations and developed from customer feedback, both models are Made in America and backed by Henry's Lifetime Warranty.
Bass Pro Shops announced plans for a new 70,000-square-foot destination retail location in Paducah, Kentucky, adjacent to Kentucky Oaks Mall, expected to open late 2026 or early 2027. Founded by Johnny Morris, the store will feature localized design celebrating Kentucky's sporting heritage and is expected to employ over 115 Outfitters.
Viridian Weapon Technologies will exhibit its 2026 product lineup at the NBS Spring Semi-Annual Market, February 10–13 in Oklahoma City. The showcase will feature new optics, tactical lights, lasers, and emerging technologies including the FACT DUTY Weapon-Mounted Camera and 4LUX Foregrip Light at Booth #1948.
Sarsilmaz will exhibit at the Nation's Best Sports 2026 Spring Semi-Annual Market in Oklahoma City, February 10-13, showcasing its 7/24 and SAR9 Series pistols. The company, with over 140 years of firearms manufacturing experience, will demonstrate duty-ready platforms for commercial, law enforcement, and professional users at booth #1705.
European American Armory Corporation will exhibit at the Nation's Best Sports Semi-Annual Market February 10–13, 2026, in Oklahoma City. EAA Corp will showcase its 2026 handgun and long-gun lineup including new 1911 double stack models, CMX 9mm, CMXX 10mm, and Balikli firearms shotguns and rifles at Booth #1104.
Gearfire will showcase its AXIS Retail Management System at the NBS 2026 Spring Semi-Annual Market in Oklahoma City, February 10-13. AXIS unifies point-of-sale, ATF compliance, inventory management, and range operations for outdoor sports retailers.
Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2026 National Wild Turkey Federation Convention in Nashville, February 12–14, showcasing the RXD910Ti and Nomad Ti OTB suppressors at Booth #1861 in the Ryman Exhibit Hall.
Chiappa USA and Charles Daly Shotguns will exhibit at the 50th Anniversary National Wild Turkey Federation Convention & Sport Show, February 11-15, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. The brands will showcase field-proven firearms including the Charles Daly Triple, Charles Daly 301 Series, and Chiappa Honcho, along with new 2026 product releases.
Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2026 Western Hunting Expo in Salt Lake City, February 12–15, showcasing their premium hunting suppressor lineup including the new Nomad Ti OTB, designed for precision rifle hunters pursuing western big game.
Patriot Ordnance Factory Inc. (POF-USA) will exhibit at the Sports Inc. 2026 February Outdoor Show, February 18-20 at the Phoenix Convention Center. The company will showcase its full firearms lineup and accessories, including the newly launched PST-7 suppressor, at booth No. 1242.
The Montana State Shooting Facilities and Improvements Development and Oversight Task Force communications subcommittee will meet Thursday, Feb. 12, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. via Zoom to discuss methods for sharing task force information with the public.
Outdoor Channel launches Premiere Week on February 16, featuring 16 all-new episodes and 10 brand new series including Our Way of Life, Part 2 showcasing Alaska's Tlingit Nation, Dropped: Arctic Drift with the Keefer Brothers, and Wardens following Michigan DNR conservation officers.
Law-abiding citizens in the Commonwealth of Virginia are facing an onslaught of strict gun control proposals now that antigun politicians control the governor’s mansion and both chambers of the Assembly. One of those proposals, led by Democrat House of Delegates Rep. Dan Helmer, would ban the manufacture, sale and possession of modern sporting rifles — or the AR-15-style semiautomatic rifles that have become ubiquitous among law-abiding gun owners.
WHSV3 News reported on the bill. “If passed, the proposal would prohibit the manufacture, sale, import, purchase and transfer of many semi-automatic rifles, pistols and shotguns that meet its newly expanded definition of ‘assault firearms.’ This definition is based on features such as pistol grips, threaded barrels, adjustable stocks and detachable magazines,” the news channel reported.
Virginia’s not alone. Other antigun state legislatures are proposing bans on so-called “assault weapons” too, but as media continues to cover these bills, are they purposefully low-balling just how extremely popular, and commonly owned, they’ve become? Simple internet searches seem to show the answer is “yes.”
Behind The Times
If you ran a simple Google search of “how many Americans own AR-15s?”, the results would be woefully lacking. The Google AI tool gives an immediate answer of “approximately 16 million to 24.6 million” Americans who own an AR-15 or similarly styled semiautomatic rifle. Google’s high-end estimate is more than 20 percent off from the most current industry estimates.
The top articles referenced and provided as citation are all far out-of-date. The top article provided, from Georgetown University, is a republish of The Washington Examiner’s Paul Bedard writing about AR-15 popularity — from 2022 — also pegged at 24 million.
The second-highest-placed article — from Stephen Gutowski’s The Reload — is also from 2022 and puts MSR ownership at 24.4 million.
Next is a Washington Post article from 2023, suggesting there are only “20 million AR-15s in circulation.”
NBC News included the figure 24.4 million as well in 2020 in an article titled, “What makes the AR-15 so beloved and so reviled.”
All these publications could use a refresh on their research if they’re going to cover the popularity of the MSR and state legislation being proposed to ban their possession, use and sale.
A New High Mark
NSSF recently released its “2025 Firearm Production in the United States” report that includes firearm import and export data as well. The report includes the most recent figures gathered from industry manufacturers that is up-to-date as of 2023 production. The report compiles the most current and accurate information available based on data sourced from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Export Reports.
So what’s the current as of 2023 total number on MSRs? It’s a big number – significantly higher than what mainstream media continues to report.
All told, industry data reveals that 32,091,000 modern sporting rifles are in circulation since 1990. While MSR production slowed down slightly between 2022 to 2023, coming off scorching hot sales during COVID and the early Biden administration, the estimated total amount of MSRs produced since 1990 increased by 4.5 percent, bringing the total to 32 million from 30.7 million.
Media outlets covering firearm related legislative proposals in Virginia, New Mexico and elsewhere need to include the most current figures to give readers a clearer understanding that these lawful rifles are commonly owned and popular for use for a variety of lawful reasons, including recreational target shooting, hunting, varmint control and home defense.
Mark the Highest Court’s Words
When the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its Heller decision in 2008, the Court stated that that entire classes of commonly owned firearms can’t be banned from legal sale and possession by law-abiding citizens. In the 5-4 decision, the Court held, “Private citizens have the right under the Second Amendment to possess an ordinary type of weapon and use it for lawful, historically established situations such as self-defense in a home, even when there is no relationship to a local militia.”
“Commonly owned,” “typically possessed” and “ordinary” are key words here.
MSRs are the most popular selling centerfire rifle in America and solidly more common than Ford F-150s on the road today (the most popular selling pickup truck in America).
As Virginians listen to Delegate Helmer and his gun control allies attempt to use scare tactics to force through an AR-15 ban to be signed by Virginia’s Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger, they should also remember the words of U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who in a 2024 congressional hearing described MSRs as “one of the most popular semiautomatic weapons in the United States,” and even Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who in her 2024 Cargill dissent described AR-15-style semiautomatic rifles as “commonly available, semiautomatic rifles.”
“What is more, the Supreme Court’s ruling likewise handed the industry another subtle win in relation to challenges to hardware bans,” Smith wrote. “The Smith & Wesson decision shows that all nine justices agree with the statement that AR-15s are ‘widely legal and bought by many ordinary citizens’ and are ‘the most popular rifle in the country.’”
Thirty-two million is a big number. Journalists reporting on gun control proposals in the states or in Washington, D.C., should recognize just how commonly owned these firearms are and that precedent demonstrates entire classes of commonly owned firearms cannot be banned. Truthfully reporting to readers and audiences just how popular they are is critical to ensure Second Amendment rights are not infringed by gun control activists using scare tactics and lies.
