The NSSF-adjusted NICS figure for July 2026 reached 1,061,883, an 8.5 percent increase from July 2025's 978,731. NFA checks surged 108.8 percent to 130,013, with Texas, Florida, and Virginia leading in NFA activity. Texas topped adjusted NICS checks among all states.
Traditions Performance Firearms appointed Jason Evans as Vice President of Sales. Evans brings extensive leadership experience from executive positions at Benelli, Weatherby, and Blaser, and will oversee all sales operations and manage the company's nationwide network of independent sales representatives.
NSSF, ATF, and DOJ launched the 26th annual "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" campaign in Indianapolis through early September to educate the public about federal penalties for illegal firearm purchases, including up to 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The campaign includes 18 billboards, 140+ transit displays, 1,300+ radio spots, and targeted digital impressions across the region.
Midwest Gun Works expanded its Full Auto Fulfillment program to all firearms industry businesses, offering e-commerce site design, order fulfillment, and customer support. The program leverages MGW's nearly 30-year expertise in navigating firearms regulations to help brands streamline operations and focus on growth.
The Briefing: FFL Compliance Summit early-bird pricing ends July 31, offering FFLs direct access to ATF and FBI officials including Director Rob Cekada and Assistant Director Robert Leider. The September 23-25 summit at W Hotel Dallas covers regulatory updates, Form 4473 changes, and enforcement priorities.
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) reminds industry members that registration deadlines are approaching for its 2026 Ballistics Conference, scheduled for September 15-17 in Baltimore at the Royal Sonesta Harbor Court. The event will feature technical seminars, product demonstrations, and a facility tour of Element U.S. Space & Defense's testing laboratories.
Armageddon Gear selected Guidefitter as its exclusive pro program partner, providing access to over 200,000 verified outdoor professionals. Founded by Army veteran Tom Fuller, Armageddon Gear manufactures precision shooting and hunting equipment domestically in Georgia, with products like the Game Changer shooting bag widely used in competitive precision rifle shooting.
B&T USA expanded its Herriman, Utah facility from three employees to over 55 staff members in under a year, adding nine 3-D printers and seven CNC machines. The facility now handles design, machining, Cerakoting, engraving and shipping in-house, enabling production of up to 7,000 suppressors monthly with enhanced quality control and customer service.
NSSF—The Firearm Industry Trade Association is raising funds for the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program, which provides emergency communication, financial assistance, and support to military members, veterans, and their families worldwide.
Traditions Firearms announced Keith Heinlein as Product Manager, bringing nearly two decades of shooting sports industry experience. Heinlein, an avid hunter and fisherman, will lead product development initiatives and help expand Traditions' firearms and accessories portfolio.
Fusion Thermal, LLC, owner of the WAVE Infrared brand, appointed Professional Marketing Inc. (PMI) as its manufacturers' representative agency for a 10-state Southeastern territory. PMI will represent WAVE Infrared thermal imaging optics to firearm retailers, sporting goods dealers, and distributors across Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, West Virginia, Virginia, and Florida.
NSSF praises the Trump administration's new rules transferring firearm suppressor export licensing from the State Department to the Commerce Department. Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel, stated the reforms will enable American suppressor manufacturers to compete more effectively in overseas markets without burdensome regulatory requirements.
RetailBI, powered by Gearfire, released its Q2 2026 Shooting Sports Retail Sales and Inventory Report showing firearm unit sales declined modestly while retail revenue increased as consumers shifted toward higher-priced products. The report reveals suppressors delivered the strongest growth, premium products outperformed entry-level offerings, and dealers reduced inventory across firearms, ammunition, optics, and suppressor markets.
Capstone Precision Group, manufacturer of Berger Bullets and Ammunition, has been selected to produce M1200 6.5 Creedmoor Special Ball Long-Range Ammunition for United States Special Operations Command. CPG will manufacture several million rounds at their Mesa, Arizona facility, with deliveries beginning in Spring 2027.
Orchid announced a new integration between Orchid POS and Chattanooga Shooting Supplies' live inventory of over 45,000 shooting and hunting SKUs, featuring real-time stock levels and pricing. The integration will be showcased at the Annual Chattanooga Shooting Supplies Dealer Show on July 27–28, 2026, at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Q, the New Hampshire firearms and suppressor manufacturer founded by Kevin Brittingham, has selected Guidefitter as its exclusive pro program partner. Guidefitter's platform will connect Q with guides, outfitters, military service members, and first responders, leveraging its network of over 200,000 verified professionals.
GrabAGun Digital Holdings Inc. announced a strategic collaboration with Backwoods Suppressors, marking the third manufacturer to join its PEW Logistics direct-to-consumer platform. The expansion into suppressors comes as the U.S. suppressor market experienced 265 percent growth between 2020 and 2024, with over 845,000 applications submitted in the first five months of 2026 following the elimination of the federal transfer tax.
Silencer Central announced a partnership with Sezzle to provide flexible "Buy Now, Pay Later" payment options for suppressor purchases. Founder and CEO Brandon Maddox stated the new payment option complements faster ATF approval times while allowing customers to break up costs over time. The service launches July 15, 2026, on Silencer Central's website.
Walther Arms and Umarex USA announced Don Angle's appointment as General Manager for Law Enforcement, Military, and Government markets. Angle brings extensive experience from his tenure at Trijicon and over two decades of U.S. Army and defense industry service, leading the newly integrated professional user team.
Orchid announced an integration between its Orchid POS platform and Gun Made, automatically syndicating live inventory from Orchid POS dealers into Gun Made's search results across 4,000+ dealers and 500 million products. The integration drives traffic and sales to dealer storefronts with no commissions or manual uploads required.