Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. launched ruger.com/proxy2026, a dedicated website providing shareholders with materials for the 2026 Annual Meeting, including information on the refreshed Board with five new directors, capital stewardship, and shareholder returns.

Beretta Holding, which owns 9.95% of Sturm, Ruger & Company, has proposed an all-cash partial tender offer for up to 20.05% of Ruger's outstanding shares at $44.80 per share, representing approximately 20% premium to the 60-day average price. Beretta Holding seeks exemption from Ruger's shareholder rights plan to acquire up to 30% beneficial ownership, believing increased investment would establish a strategic partnership to improve operational and financial performance.

Sturm, Ruger & Company's Board of Directors received a letter from Beretta Holding S.A. proposing a partial tender offer for up to 20.05% of Ruger's outstanding shares, which would increase Beretta's ownership to approximately 30%. The proposed tender offer has not yet commenced, and shareholders need not take action at this time.

World champion Jessie Harrison, a Taurus Team Captain, won three national titles at the 2026 US Steel Nationals, with the all-new Taurus TX9 earning a national championship in its stock configuration. Harrison captured Ladies Carry Optics, Ladies Open, and Ladies Overall National Champion titles, validating the TX9 as a competition-capable platform.

Firearms Policy Coalition announced it will appeal Judge Pittman's ruling upholding Texas's carry ban at sporting events and other public spaces to the Fifth Circuit, arguing the decision contradicts the Constitution and Supreme Court precedent.

CCW Safe is hosting a live town hall on March 25 featuring "The Armed Defender's Dilemma" series with self-defense litigator Shawn Vincent, criminal defense attorney Don West, and firearms instructor Steve Moses. The interactive session will cover legal considerations, tactical decision-making, and psychological aspects of self-defense incidents for concealed carriers.

Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has added SHIELD Sights' innovative micro red dot optics to its product lineup. The partnership expands dealer access to SHIELD Sights' rugged, compact optics designed for concealed carry pistols, duty firearms, and competition platforms.

Faxon Firearms announced an exclusive ARAK-21 16" 5.56 NATO Complete Upper Receiver Group in Midnight Bronze Cerakote available exclusively through Sports South distributor. The patented long-stroke gas-piston upper features ambidextrous controls, user-reversible bolt, and adjustable gas valve with an MSRP of $999.00.

DeSantis Gunhide introduces the INTRUDER 2.0, a Red Dot Ready hybrid holster featuring precision-molded Kydex body and premium steerhide construction. Available for Glock, Springfield Hellcat, and Sig P365 models, the holster retails for $114.99 and offers configurable IWB/OWB carry options.

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. launches its 250th Anniversary Series of firearms commemorating the U.S. Semiquincentennial. The limited production models include the 10/22 rifle, LCP MAX pistol, Ruger American Gen II rifle, Mark IV 22/45 pistol, Super Wrangler revolver, and AR Lower, each marked "Made in the 250th Year of American Liberty."

MDT announced the addition of TrueTimber Viper color option to its CRBN chassis system, designed for precision hunters seeking lightweight builds with enhanced camouflage options. The carbon fiber chassis features adjustable ergonomics and accessory compatibility, available starting March 24 through MDT dealers and mdttac.com.

Galco unveiled the Combat Master 2.0 Belt Holster, an updated version of its classic pancake holster designed for modern EDC preferences. The professional-grade holster features optic cutouts, a raised sweat guard, premium steerhide construction, and twin belt slots for enhanced comfort and concealment.

Lyman's Turbo Sonic 2500 ultrasonic brass cleaner is now available for reloaders. The heated tank system processes up to 900 9mm cases in under 15 minutes, cleaning cases inside and out including primer pockets.

WOOX, an Italian-American gunstock manufacturer, is increasing production of its new "High Grade" line of stocks and chassis due to overwhelming demand. Each piece features hand-selected American Walnut with unique grain patterns and receives traditional oil finishing by WOOX artisans, available across multiple product lines including the new Elegante Series.

Davidson's partnered with Smith & Wesson to introduce the first threaded barrel Shield X pistols from Performance Center, featuring blue PVD finishes, redesigned slides with ClearSight technology, and Ameriglo night sights. Item 14801 includes a thread protector (MSRP $699), while item 14802 features a Strike Industries compensator (MSRP $749).

MDT announced the Mountain Hunter Giveaway offering a complete backcountry hunting setup featuring MDT's lightweight rifle platform and products from Leupold, Lone Peak, Aziak, EXO Mtn Gear, TriggerTech, and Muley Freak. The giveaway runs March 24 through April 6, open to U.S. residents only.

Outdoor Edge encourages dealers to stock hunting knives for turkey season, featuring new products including 2.5" and 3.0" Razor APX Hunting Knives, Vantex Boning and Drop Point Knives, and the ErgoMax Game Processing Set. Will Morgan, director of marketing at Outdoor Edge, highlights these lightweight, high-performance options designed for hunters and game processing.

I’m no expert on “Aerosol Subject Restraints” or oleoresin capsicum (OC) dispensers. I know people who are and I try to follow their recommendations.

As I’ve gotten older, having an additional layer of protection – something to help force a break in contact with the enemy, in the words of Claude Werner – has a lot of appeal; something between upraised voices and gunfire. 

Again, I follow advice of experts. Over the years, I’ve been through a few sets of OC dispensers. The most recent acquisition came at a time when I’d made a mistake. 

One of the spray dispensers I had suffered a minor household calamity – never mind what – and I took it out of service, replacing it with another of the same brand and type, the SABRE Fast Flip Top Pepper Spray with Snap-Clip Keychain. 

The flip-top dispenser is much preferred as the swivel-top units seem to be in for more than their share of unintended discharges. 

I didn’t throw the affected unit away, but decided to put it in a plastic bag, grab some nitrile gloves and take it along the next time I was in the country. I’d fully intended to do what the package insert advised: “Practice outside and test spray semi-annually with a quick burst into the ground.”

I did that, except I had a convenient hill side to use. Imagine my surprise when I directed the spray to a spot and saw that the stream went high. Since the unit had been compromised, I did more tests. I found that the spray hit 3-5” high at ten feet. 

Had I looked at the video at the maker’s website, I’d have seen that pretty quickly. 

So much for reading the directions. 

Having the first shot go into someone’s hairline or over the head into space isn’t a good plan. 

One could consider a practice unit, one with pressurized water instead of carrier with OC. The complaints I saw on line centered around the practice units not being refillable. 

The problem with any aerosol is that they’re “one and done.” Trying to make a readily carried pepper spray that could be refilled would be a dream for consumers and for makers of product. But it’s just a dream. 

Consider all the aerosol products you’ve used over your life. They seem to run out of gas, or the product stays in while the carrier is dispensed. It seems tough to manufacture.

It’s also possible that the practice unit doesn’t hit to the same “point of aim,” so to speak, as the real deal. 

Testing with a short burst seems the best option.

I was reminded again: test your gear. Just because it’s not a gun doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make yourself aware of issues. 

 For training in aerosol subject restraints, check with Agile Training & Consulting for the Oleoresin Capsicum Aerosol and OC Instructor training.

– Rich Grassi