FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2026   |   SUBSCRIBE    ARCHIVES

ARCHERY

Block Targets, a FeraDyne Outdoors subsidiary, unveiled the Block Backyard Range Target, a 34" x 34" dual-sided archery target designed for long-range practice, bow tuning, and backyard competition. Built with layered foam technology, it accommodates field points and broadheads while featuring built-in aiming T's and a dartboard game side for versatile shooting.

AWARDS & HONORS

Field & Stream selected the Wicked Ridge Commander 400 as the 2026 Best Value Crossbow, praising its accuracy, built-in ACUdraw cocking system, and American-made quality. The crossbow, manufactured by TenPoint Crossbow Technologies in Mogadore, Ohio, features Gordon Glass limbs and retails for under $600.

Otis Technology received the 2026 Northern New York–Fort Drum Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (NNY AUSA) Community Partner of the Year award. CEO Brad McIntyre accepted the honor, recognizing the company's commitment to supporting soldiers, military families, veterans, and the Fort Drum community through partnerships and charitable initiatives.

CONSUMER PROMOS

Silencer Central partnered with BANISH to launch the Ameri-CAN 250 Giveaway, featuring five custom-engraved suppressors honoring American historical figures and Mount Rushmore. The promotion runs through July 6, 2026, and includes a $150 rebate offer on select BANISH and Dead Air suppressors.

SHIELD Sights announced its 2026 consumer promotion offering up to 25% off its entire product line at participating dealers from June 1 through July 5, 2026. The UK-designed and manufactured micro red dot optics promotion aims to help shooters prepare for peak shooting season.

COURTS

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), an FPC member, and the California Gun Rights Foundation filed a federal lawsuit challenging handgun rationing laws in Los Angeles and Inglewood that limit purchases to one handgun per 30 days, arguing the laws are unconstitutional following a Ninth Circuit ruling against California's statewide law.

FISHING

Tink's, known for deer lures for over 50 years, has expanded into fishing with new spray lures designed to attract more strikes. The product is available in five varieties targeting different species and can be applied to soft plastics, hard bait, or live bait. Tink's fishing spray lures are available at retailers nationwide and tinks.com.

INDUSTRY UPDATE

New York Attorney General Letitia James secured a court victory when the Appellate Division upheld a $4.3 million judgment against Wayne LaPierre, former NRA Executive Vice President. LaPierre was ordered to repay the National Rifle Association and banned from serving as an NRA officer or director for 10 years following findings of illegal self-dealing and mismanagement of organizational funds.

Otis Technology has joined NASGW's VAULT platform as a participating manufacturer, providing standardized product data for its cleaning equipment and accessories. The initiative aims to eliminate redundant data entry and establish a single source of truth for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers across the shooting sports industry.

NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, is promoting Gun Storage Check Week June 1–7 with the message "Make Sure It's Secure" to encourage responsible firearm storage practices. The campaign aims to prevent accidents, thefts, suicides, and unauthorized access, offering resources through GunStorageCheck.org and a sweepstakes featuring a B.O.S. Lock Fusion biometric device.

Atrius Development Group announced a "Together We Win" initiative for June, donating a portion of sales proceeds to the Second Amendment Foundation. The veteran-owned company, known for its Atrius Forced Reset Selector for AR-15 platforms, aims to support SAF's legal, educational, and advocacy efforts.

The Second Amendment Foundation, joined by New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate, expanded the lawsuit Aliaj v. Fort Lee Police Department to include plaintiffs Martin Hroncich and Luis Rene De La Cruz Franco, challenging Bergen County's policy of revoking permits and confiscating firearms from residents based on association with prohibited persons.

Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shops are donating over 55,000 rods and reels to youth-focused nonprofit organizations across North America through the Gone Fishing program. The initiative includes free family fishing events at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's locations June 13-14 and June 20-21, featuring catch-and-release fishing, activities, and expert guidance to inspire kids to discover fishing.

Crow Wholesale's exclusively distributed Challenger and Clever ammunition brands earned top five positions in Scope DLX's 2026 shotshell market share analysis. The rankings highlight growing momentum among clay target shooters, hunters, and retailers seeking dependable performance and competitive value.

NSSF announces all 50 Range USA locations are participating in the first Gun Storage Check Week retailer pilot program to promote secure firearm storage practices. The campaign, observed June 1–7 and September 1–7, aims to prevent firearm accidents, suicides, and thefts through the "Make Sure It's Secure" message.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a reply brief supporting its motion for summary judgment in Heeter v. James, challenging New York's body armor ban as unconstitutional. FPC President Brandon Combs stated the ban criminalizes personal protective equipment and violates Second Amendment rights. The case is proceeding in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York with briefing continuing through June.

Celerant Technology and Action Target have integrated their range management systems to automate lane activation and improve shooter experience. The partnership connects Celerant's Range Management software with Action Target's SmartRange AXIS™ system, enabling automatic lane activation, personalized check-ins, and future in-lane ordering capabilities for dealers.

Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) issued a joint letter warning Virginia law enforcement and officials that the state's universal background check law remains subject to a permanent injunction in Wilson v. Hanley and cannot be enforced. GOA and allies will defend the injunction in court today before Judge Frank Patrick Yeatts as Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones seeks to dissolve it.

The NSSF-adjusted NICS figure for May 2026 reached 1,105,758, a 3.2 percent increase from May 2025's 1,071,685. The National Shooting Sports Foundation reported new monthly NFA checks data, with Texas, Virginia, and Florida leading in NFA checks, while the May 2026 NFA figure of 146,551 increased 100.4 percent year-over-year.

Rock River Arms, founded by brothers Mark and Chuck Larson in 1994, celebrates 30 years of American firearms manufacturing in 2026. The Illinois-based company evolved from custom 1911 components to producing AR-platform rifles and innovative systems like the LAR-9, LAR-8, and LAR-47, maintaining its commitment to precision and performance.

Derya Arms announced that Betul Polat has been promoted to Operations Director focused on Industrial Engineering, Process Improvement, and Lean Systems at the Jacksonville facility. With a Master's in Industrial & Systems Engineering and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, Polat will lead continuous improvement initiatives and oversee inventory systems and ATF compliance.

Derya Arms, a firearms manufacturer with operations in Jacksonville, Florida and Türkiye, announced the appointment of Keebler Rockwell as Business Development Director. Rockwell will drive OEM sales, lead military and law enforcement business development, and manage the authorized dealer program while reporting to President Abdullah Celer and Vice President Dustin Jones.

NSSF praises the bipartisan introduction of the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act (S. 4671) by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, which strengthens criminal penalties for firearm thefts from licensed retailers. The legislation builds on NSSF's Operation Secure Store initiative with the ATF, which has achieved a 60 percent drop in firearms stolen during burglaries and robberies at retail locations.

Dead Air Silencers has appointed Dunkin-Lewis, Inc. as its western sales representative agency covering 13 states. The partnership leverages Dunkin-Lewis's 60+ years of sporting goods industry experience to provide sales support and dealer service across the western United States.

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

Legacy1846 Outdoor Group, based in Aurora, Ohio, is hiring a Controller to oversee financial operations across its portfolio of businesses including sales and marketing services, digital marketing and commerce, and global sourcing operations. CEO Andrew Sibble seeks an experienced financial leader to support the company's growth initiatives.

Smith & Wesson is hiring a Law Enforcement Technical Services Advisor to support domestic law enforcement sales and provide technical expertise for armorer training programs, including Team One Network operations and new product development for global and international sales.

Orion Wholesale, a fast-growing hunting and shooting sports distributor based in Jeffersonville, Indiana, is hiring an experienced Sales Trainer to develop and implement comprehensive training programs for their expanding sales team. The position offers a salary of $65,000-$75,000 annually with relocation reimbursement available.

NEWSSTAND, RADIO & TV

Sportsman Channel's "Monday Night Hunts" lineup features seven hunting shows airing Mondays 8-11 p.m. ET, including Night Crew, Steve's Outdoor Adventures with Steve West, Art of Wild with Nick Ventura, Predator Pursuit with Jeff Thomason, MOJO TV with Terry Denmon, Jim Shockey's The Professionals, and back-to-back MeatEater episodes with Steven Rinella.

MyOutdoorTV now offers over 200 episodes of Buck Commander featuring Willie Robertson, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Tyler Farr, Adam LaRoche, Ryan Langerhans, Tombo Marin, and Ryan Busbice. Season 16 and four seasons of JUST SHOT are available on the premier global subscription streaming platform from Outdoor Sportsman Group.

Outdoor Sportsman Group's GAME & FISH TV achieved over 50 million minutes watched in April with 430 million monthly active users. The fastest-growing FAST channel features programming from Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, and MyOutdoorTV, including live Major League Fishing events and content celebrating the sporting lifestyle.

World Fishing Network launches "Reel Replay Saturdays" featuring premier bass-fishing programming including MLF Team Series, Ott DeFoe's The Hunt for Monster Bass, Mark Zona's Awesome Fishing Show, and Ultimate Match Fishing, starting at 6 p.m. ET.

MyOutdoorTV launches "AdventureStream," a limited edition live-streaming channel featuring 24/7 outdoor adventure content with no ads. The platform, managed by Sr. Vice President and General Manager Sean Luxton, offers hit shows including Jim Shockey's Uncharted, MeatEater's Cal In The Field, and Wardens, available across multiple devices.

PRODUCT NEWS

NEXTORCH, the primary U.S. distributor of NEXTORCH Industries, announced the new hiStar 2,300 Lumen Ultra Bright Headlamp featuring proprietary Claw Optics™ technology for hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, and tactical applications. The professional-grade headlamp offers dual white and red LEDs, stepless dimming, dual-power compatibility, and an MSRP of $109.99.

Benjamin's redesigned Marauder Gen 3 PCP Air Rifle offers enhanced power and precision in .22 and .25 calibers, with velocities up to 1,200 fps and 1,150 fps respectively. The rifle features a 32 percent lighter cocking effort, adjustable regulator, integrated sound suppression, and all-weather stock with adjustable cheek piece.

WATCHTOWER Defense announced a permanent price reduction on its APACHE Commander double-stack 1911 pistol to $3,299, passing $700 in manufacturing savings to customers. The veteran-founded company optimized operations at its new 24,000-square-foot Tomball, Texas facility while maintaining premium quality and match-grade specifications.

FALCO Holsters has expanded beyond firearm carry with a new collection of minimalist leather wallets, card holders, and an EDC tray. Handcrafted from premium full-grain Italian leather by the same craftsmen behind FALCO holsters, the collection includes four products ranging from $29.95 to $59.95, all backed by a lifetime warranty.

Liberty Ammunition showcased its new Pro Series ammunition at SOF Week in Tampa, Florida, demonstrating superiority over Federal, HST, Speer G2, and Hornady Critical Duty. Special Forces appreciated the ammunition's penetration depth options, lighter weight, stopping power, reduced recoil, and hydrostatic shock capabilities. CEO Gary Ramey noted strong reception and international interest from several countries.

Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has added Comstock Armory AR parts and accessories to its inventory. Comstock Armory, based in South Lyon, Michigan, manufactures American-made AR-platform components for shooters and competitive 3-gun enthusiasts.

Camfour, Inc. announced the SCT-365 concealed carry platform is now available in capacity-restricted states beyond California. Built on the Sig Sauer P365 platform by Shark Coast Tactical, the SCT-365 features premium enhancements including an optic-ready slide, XRAY3 tritium sights, and ships with two 10-round magazines.

Steiner Optics has launched the eDiscovery 10x42 binoculars, designed for birders to capture 12MP still images and 4K video while observing. The binoculars feature high-definition optics, IP67 waterproofing, and Wi-Fi connectivity through the Steiner Connect 2.0 app for seamless documentation and sharing of sightings.

ZeroTech announced the Green Dot Trace H.A.L.O Reflex Sight, featuring a 3 MOA green aiming point for enhanced visibility in bright conditions. The enclosed H.A.L.O design offers durability with 7075 aluminum construction, shake-awake technology, and up to 50,000 hours of battery life.

Bond Arms introduces the America 250th Special Edition Hand Cannon, a limited-edition firearm celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Chambered in .45 Colt and .410 Bore with stainless-steel construction, the Rough Series is priced at $499.00 and the Black Cerakote version at $699.00.

Sports South announces fast-moving products back in stock including the Ruger RXM 9mm pistol, EOTech EXPS3 red dot sight, and Dead Air RXD22Ti suppressor. Dealers can order through their sales representatives or TheShootingWarehouse.com while inventory lasts.

Sports South highlights Leupold, a brand with over 180 years in optics, known for clarity and durability. The spotlight features Leupold products including VX-Freedom, VX-3HD, Mark 5HD, Freedom RDS, and RX rangefinder, available through Sports South dealers and TheShootingWarehouse.com.

SAFETY NOTICES

Ruger has discovered that in some LCP MAX Manual Safety models, the recess that retains the safety lever detent spring may not be machined properly. When this condition is present, the safety lever detent spring can become dislodged under the recoil of firing. If this happens, the manual safety lever will have no resistance and will not remain in the "safe" position. Ruger is committed to safety and is warning consumers of the potential for this condition to occur.

SHOWS

SOG Knives will showcase its product lineup at the Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia, June 5-7, featuring special guests Jason Johnson and Luke Kukk. Attendees can explore new products, receive complimentary 40th anniversary playing cards, and enjoy exclusive savings on apparel and accessories.

EchoCore Suppressors will co-exhibit with Silencer Shop at the OTOA Tactical Operations and Public Safety Conference June 8–12, 2026, in Sandusky, Ohio. The company will showcase its premium suppressor lineup, including award-winning Sector 5.56 models, to law enforcement professionals and tactical teams across the Midwest.

General booth space selection for ATA Show Week 2027 opens June 9, following priority selection. The event takes place January 7-10, 2027, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, combining the ATA Trade Show, Archery & Bowhunting Supershow, and NFAA Rushmore Rumble.

Blue Force Gear will showcase its latest tactical equipment at the Ohio Tactical Officers Association Annual Training Conference June 8–12 in Sandusky, Ohio, featuring the new MARCO HR chemlight deployment system and other mission-proven gear designed for law enforcement and first responders.

Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2026 BLADE Show in Atlanta, Georgia, June 5-7, showcasing suppressors including the Sandman, Nomad, Wolfman, and new RXD910Ti. The company will offer 50 limited-edition Medford Knives Knuckle Knives exclusively at Booth #2517.

Sons of Liberty Gun Works will exhibit and conduct live-fire demonstrations at the 2026 Ohio Tactical Officers Association Tactical Operations and Public Safety Conference in Sandusky, Ohio, showcasing their MK1, L89, and EXO3 rifle platforms to law enforcement attendees.

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