Kovix, a premium titanium suppressor manufacturer, relocated its headquarters from Lake Norden, South Dakota to Kalispell, Montana. CEO Luke Hanson stated the move enhances team synergy and positions the company more centrally for operations while maintaining seamless customer service.
RetailBI released its January Firearm Sales Index showing a -6.2% decline compared to January 2025. Gearfire's RetailBI provides data-driven retail performance metrics using point-of-sale transactions from over 2,000 U.S. firearms retailers, offering manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accurate consumer demand insights.
HeadHunters NW President Shaylene Keiner will conduct face-to-face executive recruiting consultations in the Phoenix area from February 10 through March 5, 2026. Organizations can meet directly to discuss 2026 hiring needs, gain market intelligence on talent expectations, and develop customized talent strategies with no obligation required.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed an opening brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Elite Precision Customs v. ATF, challenging federal laws prohibiting licensed firearm dealers from selling handguns to out-of-state buyers. The case is represented by David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, William V. Bergstrom, Cody J. Wisniewski, and R. Brent Cooper.
The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in United States v. Hemani, challenging the federal ban on gun possession by marijuana users. Represented by Bradley Benbrook and Stephen Duvernay of Benbrook Law Group, PC, FPC argues Congress lacks Article I authority to enact the ban. Oral arguments are scheduled for March 2nd, 2026.
ATF Deputy Director Robert Cekada, President Trump's nominee to lead the agency, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and pledged to focus on violent crime while protecting Second Amendment rights. The NSSF expressed strong support for Cekada's confirmation, praising his three decades in law enforcement and commitment to not burdening lawful gun owners.
Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing announces Anne Mauro as director of special events and technical services specialist. Mauro, an NRA Certified Advanced Shotgun Coach Level 3 and 2025 NRA Golden Bullseye Award recipient, brings extensive experience from roles at Syren USA, Caesar Guerini USA, Fabarm USA, and Blaser Jagdwaffen GmbH.
The 2026 SHOT University, presented by NSSF, attracted over 3,100 retailers and industry professionals during SHOT Show. The event featured comprehensive sessions on compliance, marketing, and workforce development, plus a debut Suicide Prevention Town Hall led by mental health advocates. NSSF continues education year-round through SHOT University Online with on-demand compliance and business modules.
Todd Seyfert, President and CEO of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., has been elected to the NSSF Board of Governors at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Seyfert brings extensive industry experience from previous roles at FeraDyne Outdoors, Vista Outdoor, and other manufacturing enterprises.
Silencer Central announced that South Dakota's legislature unanimously voted to deregulate suppressors, with the bill now heading to Governor Rhoden for signature. Founder Brandon Maddox stated the company is working with the National Shooting Sports Foundation to pursue similar legislation in other states and achieve full federal deregulation.
FastBound has launched TraceDesk, a compliance tool designed to help Federal Firearms Licensees respond to ATF firearm trace requests through FFL Direct while maintaining audit trails and limiting data collection to legal requirements. The platform modernizes trace management by replacing phone, fax, and email workflows with a centralized system that integrates with FastBound's compliance platform or operates standalone.
The Second Amendment Foundation filed a reply brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Grant v. Rovella, challenging Connecticut's assault weapons ban. SAF argues that AR-15-style rifles are in common use and protected by the Second Amendment, joined by the Connecticut Citizens Defense League and three private citizens.
SAAMI has accepted two new rifle cartridges for standardization: the 8.6 BLACKOUT introduced by Q, LLC, and the 25 Weatherby Rebated Precision Magnum introduced by Weatherby. These standards ensure safety, reliability, and interchangeability of firearms and ammunition.
Seven governors including Jim Pillen, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Greg Gianforte, Joe Lombardo, Mark Gordon, Larry Rhoden, and Brad Little pitched their states' pro-Second Amendment policies at the 5th Annual NSSF Governors' Forum at SHOT Show 2026, with Montana's Gianforte highlighting recruitment of firearm manufacturers and South Dakota's Rhoden praising Silencer Central's Brandon Maddox.
The Second Amendment Foundation and partners including the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners' Action League, Commonwealth Second Amendment, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Gun Owners of America filed a reply brief in Escher v. Noble, challenging Massachusetts' ban on handgun purchase and possession for 18-20-year-olds.
The Second Amendment Foundation, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in United States v. Hemani, challenging the federal lifetime ban on firearm possession for marijuana users.
Silencer Central supports South Dakota legislature efforts to deregulate suppressors by removing them from the state's controlled weapons definition. The bill, which passed the South Dakota senate unopposed, would eliminate Federal Stamp requirements. Silencer Central and the National Shooting Sports Foundation are working across 17 states with similar suppressor regulations to advance comparable legislation.
Beretta USA kicked off its 500-year anniversary celebration at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, featuring an exclusive Range Day with over 200 media members, Team Beretta ambassadors, and partner brands including Sako, Tikka, Burris, and Garmin. The celebration unveiled a limited-edition Beretta x Garmin MARQ® Commander watch and a commemorative medallion designed by the Italian State Mint, with anniversary events continuing throughout 2026.
The federal government filed an amicus brief with the First Circuit Court of Appeals supporting Firearms Policy Coalition's Granata v. Campbell lawsuit challenging Massachusetts's ban on modern handguns. FPC is joined by individual members and The Gun Runner, LLC, represented by attorneys from Cooper & Kirk, PLLC and Chambers Law Office.
RetailBI, powered by Gearfire, released its 2025 Shooting Sports Executive Report showing same-store new firearm unit sales declined 13% year-over-year. The report, built on point-of-sale and eCommerce data from over 2,000 U.S. firearms retailers, reveals continued demand compression and ongoing inventory correction across the shooting sports industry.