Hornady shooter Bennie Cooley won the Factory Division and Top Senior honors at the NRL Hunter Grand Slam near Clovis, New Mexico, using Hornady 6mm 110 gr A-Tip bullets in his 6mm Creedmoor paired with a Leupold BX-6 binoculars' 4DOF solver.
Lauryl Akenhead of Team Ruger won High Lady honors at the 2026 Peterson Cartridge Challenge in Kennerdell, Pennsylvania, competing with her Ruger American Gen II rifle. Her consistent performance demonstrated the rifle's capability in practical precision rifle competition across varying shooting positions and conditions.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) achieved a major victory in Jensen v. ATF when the government failed to appeal a ruling declaring the NFA registration scheme unconstitutional. The injunction is now in effect after President Trump eliminated the $200 tax on short-barreled rifles, suppressors, and other weapons.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), alongside the National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation, filed a federal lawsuit challenging New York's Senate Bill S9005C, which bans semiautomatic handguns with cruciform trigger bars. FPC seeks a declaration holding the law unconstitutional and an injunction against enforcement, continuing its nationwide campaign against similar Glock bans in California and Maryland.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon is confirmed as a speaker for the 41st annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) 2026, scheduled for September 25-27 in Dallas. The event, co-hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, features numerous Second Amendment advocates, legal experts, and media personalities.
Bond Arms congratulates Robert of Pecos, Texas, as the first owner of the revolutionary Bond Arms LVRB lever-action rifle. CEO Gordon Bond personally delivered the rifle and demonstrated its capabilities at the range. Additional LVRB winners will be selected monthly through January 2027.
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) is urging industry professionals to register for the 2026 SAAMI Ballistics Conference scheduled for September 15-17 in Baltimore. Critical registration deadlines include August 24 for international attendees, August 25 for hotel reservations, and August 28 for online registration.
CCW Safe announced Steve Blackford as Vice President of Marketing and Ecommerce. Blackford brings 13 years of experience from LifeLock, where he helped build identity theft protection into a household name. He will lead brand strategy, demand generation, and member acquisition for the self-defense legal services company.
CCW Safe, founded by retired Oklahoma City police officers Mike Darter and Stan Campbell and attorney Kyle Sweet, marks its 15th anniversary as a national leader in self-defense legal protection. The company recently acquired the Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network and launched the Certified Partner Program at SHOT Show 2025, expanding coverage to 47 states with partnerships including the California Rifle & Pistol Association.
Southwick Associates released its third-quarter 2026 Hunting & Shooting Market Pulse, a quarterly subscription newsletter providing market intelligence to industry leaders. The report highlights economic pressures affecting hunters and shooters, NICS trends, and retail shifts, with NSSF members receiving a 15% discount on subscriptions.
A federal court injunction in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF took effect August 13, 2026, barring the ATF from enforcing NFA registration requirements for suppressors against B&T USA customers. The ruling eliminates Form 4 requirements for covered purchases while maintaining state law, background checks, and dealer requirements.
Following a federal court ruling in Silencer Shop v. ATF that portions of the National Firearms Act are unconstitutional, NSSF provides guidance on NFA transfers for silencers, short-barrel rifles, and short-barrel shotguns. The injunction applies only to named plaintiffs and members of specific organizations, with significant limitations regarding interstate commerce and state law compliance.
Sako and Beretta USA concluded three sessions of their Zeroed-In dealer training program at K&M Shooting Complex in Tennessee, featuring hands-on instruction with Tikka, Sako, and Beretta rifle platforms, Sako Ammunition, and optics from Burris and Steiner to enhance retailer product knowledge.
Real Avid announces support for National Shooting Sports Month through its Range Ready educational platform featuring world champion shooter Doug Koenig. The initiative provides instructional content to help shooters develop safe practices and build confidence for the upcoming hunting season.
Guns & Ammo launches a new 6-part Personal Defense video series hosted by Gun Tech Editor Richard Nance and Managing Editor Jack Oller, in partnership with SureFire, Holosun, Smith & Wesson, and WeKnife. The series covers handgun use for personal protection, including parking lot threats, low-light defense, and everyday carry techniques, available at gapersonaldefense.com.
EOTECH and Unity Tactical have partnered to introduce the EOTECH HHS UNITY I, combining the EXPS3-0 sight and G33 magnifier with Unity's FAST mounting systems. The system features a 2.26-inch optical centerline height and an FTC OMNI mount that stows the magnifier below the sightline for rapid CQB-to-distance transitions, available in Black or Tan at $1,599 MSRP.
Vortex introduces the VMR-5 reticle option for the Razor HD Gen III 6-36x56 FFP riflescope, designed for PRS shooters to quickly see impact and adjust. The scope features 6-36x magnification, L-TEC+ zero system, and class-leading HD optics, available at MAP $2,999.99.
German Precision Optics (GPO USA) announced the GPO Setback™ Cantilever 3" extension mount designed for compact tactical 30mm riflescopes, allowing up to 3" forward or rearward positioning for optimal eye relief. The precision-machined aircraft-grade aluminum mount retails for $89.99 and is available through authorized dealers and gpo-usa.com.
The National Rifle Association issued a statement supporting the Department of Justice's Rule on Second Amendment Rights Restoration, calling it an important step toward restoring rights for individuals who have paid their debts to society and pose no public safety threat.
ShotPay, a 2A-friendly payments ecosystem, has partnered with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) to donate a portion of transaction proceeds to support the organization's legal and educational efforts. ShotPay CEO Joe Fox and SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut announced the partnership, which aims to redirect firearms industry commerce away from institutions opposing Second Amendment rights.
HeadHunters NW Podcast Episode 65 features Trent Marsh of Riton Optics discussing FBI NICS data showing unprecedented multi-year firearm sales decline and exploring millennial leadership, marketing strategies, and AI's role in the firearms industry with host Shaylene Keiner.
WE Knife Co. announced the global release of the WEKNIFE Elementum Flipper Knife WE18062XA Series on August 24th, featuring the company's first CPM MagnaCut steel blade paired with 6AL4V titanium handles machined with a three-dimensional topographic pattern. Available in black and gray finishes with an MSRP of $217.60.
Benelli unveiled the M2-G1 Tactical, a semi-automatic shotgun featuring an innovative Rear Piston Operated gas system designed for defensive professionals and law enforcement. The platform earned a 4.54/5 "Gold Standard" rating from the National Tactical Officers Association and offers multiple configurations with MSRPs ranging from $1,829 to $2,149.
CIVIVI announced the global release of the Elementum Maze, a reimagined folding knife featuring a CNC-machined maze pattern with a ceramic ball in the handle. The knife upgrades the standard Elementum with Nitro-V blade steel, a Rock-Grind pattern finish, and lightweight Lexan and Ultem handle options.
Liberty Safe announced the introduction of Pro Flex interiors across its Colonial, Franklin, Lincoln, and Presidential safe families, offering customers flexible storage configurations and personalization options. The new system includes compatible accessories like jewelry doors, watch winders, and file drawers, allowing safes to adapt to changing storage needs over decades of ownership.
KDG is shipping new 3.25-inch and 6-inch rails for Grand Power Stribog 10mm and .45 ACP platforms beginning mid-September 2026. The Seymour, Connecticut manufacturer continues its aggressive product rollout following the recent Kinect ARCA Rail launch, with additional products planned over the next three months.
RCBS has launched its new 7mm Backcountry Die Set, a three-die system designed for the high-performance 7mm BC cartridge. Developed alongside Hodgdon Powder Company's Accurate High Country powder, the die set delivers enhanced control and consistency for handloaders seeking precision ammunition reloading.
MDT is launching three limited edition custom colorways for its CRBN rifle stock: Kryptek Obscura Nox, Veil Summit, and Veil Flagship. Available in multiple configurations for Remington 700 and Tikka T3X platforms, these stocks feature carbon fiber construction and integrated ARCA rails, launching August 14, 2026.
Galco unveils the Combat Master 2.0, a professional-grade belt holster hand-molded for Springfield Armory Echelon pistols with or without carry optics. The updated design features modern EDC preferences, premium steerhide construction, and a high-riding pancake-style design for concealment and faster draws.
The Second Amendment Foundation, National Rifle Association, and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a lawsuit challenging New York's law banning Glock and Glock-style handguns. The law makes selling or transferring these firearms a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, claiming the cruciform trigger bar makes them convertible to machineguns.
WOOX, an Italian-American gunstock manufacturer, announced the Vigilante Beavertail Grip, a premium AR-compatible grip handcrafted from Claro walnut in Italy. CEO Ben Fleming highlighted that WOOX is the first company to offer a Claro walnut AR grip with an engineered-polymer beavertail, featuring laser checkering and ambidextrous design at $99.00 MSRP.
Hodgdon Powder Company introduced Accurate High Country, a spherical rifle propellant engineered for Federal's new 7mm Backcountry cartridge and other modern magnums. The progressive-burning propellant delivers exceptional ballistic performance while providing handloaders with versatility across a broad range of rifle cartridges from .243 Winchester through 7mm Backcountry.
Defend Pepper Sprays, available exclusively on Amazon, provide college students with compact personal protection for back-to-school season. According to Teri Quinn, Director of Marketing at Defend, the product helps students carry confidence while focusing on their new experiences. Defend is owned by Arcus Hunting, which also operates Tink's and Dead Down Wind brands.
FALCO Holsters introduced the D910 L Light-Bearing Kydex Chest Holster, compatible with over 2,600 handguns and 180 lights. Designed for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, the custom-molded chest holster features an adjustable harness, quick-release buckle, and optional optics-ready configuration, with an MSRP of $189.95.
KDG announced pre-order notifications for its new Kinect™ Arca Rail, a 6-inch Arca rail that attaches to M-LOK equipped rifles using tool-free mounting technology. The product launches in September 2026 and is designed for precision shooters, hunters, and competitors seeking flexible Arca interface solutions.
CIVIVI introduces the Vyrent folding knife featuring the debut of Nitro-X7 steel in their lineup. The 3.48-inch blade offers enhanced toughness, edge stability, and corrosion resistance with ergonomic design and ambidextrous carry options available in multiple scale materials starting at $82.30.
Remington Ammunition launched four rebate promotions offering big-game hunters up to 20% cash back on qualifying ammunition through November 30, 2026. The promotions cover handgun, centerfire rifle, premier rifle, and shotgun slug ammunition with a maximum rebate of $60 per person or household.
Federal Ammunition launched six rebate programs for big-game hunters this fall, offering 20 percent rebates on qualifying ammunition purchases of at least two boxes. Programs include Big Game Bigger Bucks, Big Game Bounty, Full-On Fusion Deals, Power-Shok Pays, Safari of Savings, and Slug Savings, with a maximum rebate of $60 per person through December 31, 2026.
Blue Force Gear will exhibit at the 2026 Indo-Pacific Irregular Warfare Symposium in Honolulu, Hawaii, showcasing innovative tactical equipment including the Integrated Stealth Harness (ISH™), MARCO® HR marking light dispenser, and DRYOUT® moisture-removal technology designed for operational effectiveness.
Umarex USA will exhibit at Nation's Best Sports 2026 Fall Market August 24-27 in Oklahoma City, showcasing 2026 product releases and brands including Umarex Airguns, T4E, Prepared2Protect, and Elite Force Airsoft. Attending dealers can access hands-on product demonstrations and speak with sales representatives about dealer incentives and stocking programs.
Are you in a state where a law enforcement training commission doesn’t mandate a course of fire – or has certain guidelines, but happily leaves liability to the individual agency?
Or do you want your outfit to exceed state mandated minimums and deliver a higher level of service to your community? Perhaps you just want periodic range training and you (mistakenly) believe that shooting a qual course is the same thing is training.
Fear nothing; I’m here to help you figure out how to compose a qualification course.
The issue arose when I was researching scoring dimensions on an NRA qualification target and I found this comment – which I’ll paraphrase –
His general rule was using a “15/70/15” distribution to determine if the qual was “right” for his group. 15% should complain it’s too easy, 70% should think it’s fine and 15% should complain about the difficulty.
He figured that about 85% should pass on their first attempt. If the failure rate exceeds 15%, perhaps it is too hard. Conversely, if less than 15 % fail, it’s too easy.
The commenter goes on to explain that it doesn’t end there; as shooters improve, he makes adjustments to keep the normal distribution in play.
It must be nice.
It’s also noted that “… the 15% that think your course is too hard will always think that. Nothing you do will make it easy enough for them.”
The writer notes that he doesn’t give up on them, but continues to work to ensure their skills – along with the rising tide – keeps pace.
Sounds like a potential candidate for sainthood.
Gunfight training isn’t shooting a target course; we do the ‘accuracy test’ as a single component of a complex use of force structure. It’s essential; if you can’t safely work with firearms and hit a mark at distance, none of the rest is worth doing. I question whether line drills are the way to record that competency.
Once this basic level is achieved – and sustained – I’d recommend actual training, as long as you sustain the marksmanship/gun handling side of it. Using the IALEFI Safety Check that organization uses for ensuring conference participants are okay for live fire classes – and documenting individual performance on the safety check goes a long way to making sure your people are safe on the range and on the street.
The qual we used in the transition course was a simple accuracy test. The critical bit was the Standards, performed and document individually, which included the following:
Load – includes placing the gun in the holster safely and securing it.
Draw to a single hit.
Stoppage – fail to eject (clear and fire two hits).
Stoppage – fail to extract (clear and fire two hits).
Turns – Right
Turns – Left
Turns – from up-range (each includes a draw to a hit).
Movement with gun in hand.
Six hits from low ready (muzzle averted into the ground ahead of the target).
Unload – includes visual, physical checks for condition.
You can determine your own standards.
That’s not the qualification; it came after and was a simple accuracy test. You do what you think is right.
And while someone can miss a target in training, during the qual a miss should be a BOLO. The qualification is a test, not practice. If you throw one off the silhouette, that run was practice, not a qual. The qual is when no round leaves the silhouette.
What should be a standard of performance be for the cops on our streets? I saw a social media post recently where an agency, in recruiting, carefully noting that gun experts were not required; no champion class gun handlers do they recruit, just someone who fills a uniform.
I’m not sure your citizens would agree, as they, along with their children, relatives, neighbors, home and property comprise the backstop for “missed shots.” Perhaps they’d like something a little more comforting when the lights go out.
Still feeling lost? There are standards and qual courses all over the internet map; you could seek help in the text by Karl Rehn and John Daub, found here. State courses abound and you can see various “gun-tube” types shooting some of them. Take what fits, excise the rest.
