Beretta USA launches its Multifield Performance Collection, a versatile apparel line featuring technical layers and outerwear designed to transition seamlessly from field and range to everyday wear. The collection includes pieces like the Cadet Flannel, Abisko Full Zip Fleece, Highland Heritage Windblock Sweater, and Halifax Sherpa Jacket, available through Beretta authorized dealers and online.

Dead Air Silencers' Nomad Ti OTB suppressor won the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Award for Best New Suppressor at the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo in Phoenix. The over-the-barrel design, manufactured from 3D-printed Grade 9 titanium, weighs 10.5 ounces and is rated for cartridges up to .300 RUM.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) presented its 2026 Appreciation Awards recognizing top manufacturers including Smith & Wesson, Holosun Technologies, and Hornady. NASGW partnered with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) to present Caliber Awards for product innovation, with Canik USA's Prime Radian winning Best New Overall Product.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) presented Jeff Crane of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation with the 2026 Chairman's Award for his significant impact on the shooting sports industry. Crane brings over 40 years of experience in natural resource management and has fostered bipartisan relationships among policymakers and the sportsmen's community.

PROOF Research's Elevation MTR FDX rifle earned Outdoor Life's Editor's Choice award for Best Hunting Rifle of 2026. Shooting Editor John B. Snow praised the rifle's build quality and performance, highlighting the innovative PXT barrel technology that achieved a 0.58-inch 20-shot group average during testing.

Federal Ammunition's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge won the Caliber Award in the Best Ammunition New Product category from NASGW and POMA at the 2026 NASGW Expo. The high-pressure cartridge uses Peak Alloy cases and delivers 300 fps faster velocities while maintaining similar recoil in existing 6.5 Creedmoor rifles.

Sturm, Ruger & Company's Ruger Red Label III shotgun has been awarded Best New Shotgun at the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards. Built by Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company, the over/under shotgun features classic styling and premium materials, offered in 20 gauge with 28" or 30" barrels.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed that the federal government cannot impose a lifetime gun ban on Edward Williams based on his decades-old nonviolent DUI conviction. Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) supported the case, with the court ruling that America's historical tradition permits disarming dangerous people, not permanently disarming peaceable citizens for nonviolent offenses.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed an opposition to New York Attorney General Letitia James's motion to dismiss in Goldberger v. James, challenging the State's ban on firearm carry in Times Square. FPC argues James should remain in the case and that the organization has standing to sue on behalf of its members.

B&T USA, a named plaintiff in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, exhibits at the 2026 NASGW Expo in Phoenix as the ATF extends nationwide relief eliminating NFA registration and tax-stamp requirements for suppressors. The company has scaled production to 7,000 suppressors monthly at its Herriman facility.

SLG2, Inc. is bringing its Shoot Like A Girl experience to Bass Pro Shops in Concord, North Carolina on October 17-18. The Grand Safety Tour features a mobile range with firearm safety training using FATS simulators, archery instruction, and demonstrations from brands including GTM Original and Black Rifle Coffee.

CCW Safe, a national leader in self-defense legal services, will participate as a featured panel speaker at The Great 2A Insurance Town Hall on October 17, 2026, in Petaluma, California. Director of Field Sales Jerome Vinet will represent CCW Safe alongside other firearm legal protection organizations to discuss coverage, legal preparedness, and responsible firearm ownership.

Following an October 9 ATF announcement, the agency will no longer enforce NFA requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and related items. SilencerCo explains the implications for suppressor ownership, including federal non-enforcement of registration and interstate transport restrictions, while emphasizing state laws remain applicable.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is hiring an Eastern Regional Development Director to support strategic fundraising efforts, manage major donor portfolios, and identify planned gift opportunities. The remote position requires a bachelor's degree, five years of development experience, and frequent travel throughout the Eastern United States.

The Second Amendment Foundation released a fact sheet refuting 85 predictions from anti-gun groups including Brady, Everytown, Giffords, and March For Our Lives that claimed pro-Second Amendment court rulings would increase violence. FBI data shows three consecutive years of declining murder rates and the largest one-year drop in violent crime on record in 2025.

The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action announced the National Shooting Sports Foundation as an official partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour, sponsored through NSSF's Protect Liberty PAC. The tour will visit 13 states with over 60 planned stops through Election Day, November 3, 2026.

The National Rifle Association released a 30-second ad targeting Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico's support for banning assault weapons and standard-capacity magazines. The ad is part of the NRA's multi-million dollar investment to retain pro-gun majorities in Congress, supported by the Gun Bus tour and grassroots get-out-the-vote efforts across Texas.

ZEISS Outdoor expanded the ZEISS Conquest Apia spotting scope lineup with new 65S straight and 85A/85S models offering increased magnification up to 24-60x and enhanced eyepiece configurations. The compact, durable scopes deliver premium ZEISS optics performance for hunters and shooters with availability beginning in November 2026.

ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Trace X 5-25x56 FFP – RMG-H MOA Illuminated riflescope, featuring 116 MOA of elevation travel, 58 MOA of windage, quarter-MOA clicks, and an illuminated first focal plane reticle with mechanical zero stop for precision shooters.

CCI Ammunition is expanding its Blazer Brass handgun lineup with new 357 Magnum 158-grain and 44 Remington Magnum 240-grain loads featuring FMJ bullets and reloadable brass cases. These new products are now shipping to retailers nationwide with MSRPs of $49.99 and $79.99 respectively.

Trijicon announces the new Credo 1-10x28 and RCR Combo, combining two proven optics with Q-LOC mounting technology for close-range speed and extended-distance precision. The system features a first focal plane dual red/green illuminated reticle and ruggedized closed-emitter red dot for extreme durability.

Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, announced the CZ DUTY 4.0F 9mm pistol is now in stock and ready to ship. The full-size handgun features a 4-inch barrel, black finish, manual safety, and comes with 17-round and 19-round magazine options.

Steiner Optics has added the MPS 2.0 pistol sight to its Steiner Overwatch Program, offering special pricing on precision optics to qualified military, law enforcement, first responders, and judicial personnel. The MPS 2.0 features an enclosed emitter micro red dot with extended runtime up to 90,000 hours and waterproof design for extreme conditions.

Lipsey's, a major firearms distributor, is adding the Alpha Foxtrot Romulus to its catalog. Manufactured by Dasan USA in Duluth, Georgia, this American-made double-stack 1911 offers five barrel options, multiple calibers, and optic mounting configurations for recreational, competitive, and defensive use.

Taurus Holdings, Inc. announced the Brace-Ready TX22, the newest addition to its TX22 family, featuring the Strike Industries FSA Lite folding brace for enhanced stability and control. The optics-ready platform includes a threaded barrel, comes with two magazines, and pairs well with Taurus USA's new TTX22 titanium suppressor.

FastBound announced the ATF Compliance Connector for Oracle NetSuite, the only firearms compliance app on SuiteApp.com. The connector automatically records acquisition and disposition entries in FastBound as NetSuite transactions save, with no middleware or serial number re-keying required.

ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Trace X 5-25x56 FFP – RMG 3 Illuminated riflescope, featuring an illuminated MIL grid reticle with a 30-mil vertical holdover scale, 34 MRAD elevation travel, and first focal plane design for competition, long-range shooting, and hunting applications.

Diamondback Firearms and TALO Distributors unveiled an exclusive DB15 rifle featuring a custom Desert Sage and Gun Metal Gray Cerakote finish, Magpul Stealth Gray furniture, and a Viridian VENTA green dot. The 5.56 NATO rifle is available now through TALO distributors with an MSRP of $928.00.

Trijicon, Inc. announces six night sight configurations for the Springfield Armory Echelon pistol, including HD, HD XR, and suppressor-height options. These self-luminous sights feature photoluminescent paint and tritium technology, providing enhanced visibility and durability for optics-ready platforms.

C&H Precision introduced the COMP red dot sight featuring an RMR footprint, 50,000-hour battery life, IPX7 waterproofing, and +P/+P+ ammunition rating. Priced at $299.99, the optic offers 10 brightness levels, Motion Control Technology, and compatibility across optics-ready pistols.

Trijicon announces new MRAD reticle offerings for its ACOG line in 4x32 and 3.5x35 configurations, developed through customer feedback. The flexible aiming solution allows users to establish precise elevation and wind holds across different firearm platforms, calibers, and ammunition types.

Hornady announced its 2027 product lineup including new SBR Suppressed ammunition, expanded Subsonic and Frontier Cartridge lines, reloading equipment like the Lock-N-Load Classic Pro Accuracy Kit, and Hornady Security items including a 2-in-1 Dehumidifier Light and Square-Lok AR Upper Mount.

Derya Arms unveiled the OBone, its first suppressor manufactured in Jacksonville, Florida. The .22 LR silencer is rated for full-automatic fire and priced at $199 MSRP, featuring user-serviceable aluminum baffles and a steel mount with no minimum barrel length requirement.

Ballistic's Best Hunting Edition 2026 evaluated seven leading waterfowl shotguns including Winchester SX4, Browning A5, Mossberg 940 Pro, Beretta AX800 Suprema, Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, Franchi Affinity 3, and Stoeger M3500. Three shooters tested handling, fit, recoil, and performance, finding tight competition across modern duck guns with no single feature guaranteeing success.

Athlon Untamed's Ballistic's Best Hunting Edition 2026 evaluated three big-bore hunting revolvers: Taurus Raging Hunter in .460 Mag, Smith & Wesson Performance Center 460 XVR in .460 Mag, and Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. Five experienced handgun hunters scored each revolver across nine categories to determine the best option for serious game hunting.

Paul G. Markel's new workbook "Airsoft and Airguns for Tactical Training" offers practical solutions for practicing tactical skills when live-fire ranges are unavailable. The book covers training versus practice, airsoft history, gear selection, practice drills, and force-on-force considerations, available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats.

Sarsilmaz will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, October 13-15, showcasing its 7/24 Series, K-12 Sport, and SAR9 family handguns. Chief Revenue Officer Miranda Cook highlighted the company's diverse lineup for concealed carry, personal defense, and competition.

Dead Air Silencers will serve as headline sponsor and exhibitor at CANCON West, October 22-24, 2026, at Boulder Rifle & Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada. The company will showcase its complete suppressor lineup including the CT5P, Lazarus 6, Mojave 45, and Nomad Ti OTB models.

Beretta will return to the 2026 National Sporting Clays Championship in San Antonio, Texas, October 17-25, featuring demo shotguns, retail services, and sponsorship of the Super Sporting competition. Team Beretta members including Desirae Edmunds, Zachary Kienbaum, and Anthony Matarese, Jr. will compete, while attendees can preview new unreleased shotguns and limited-edition 500-year anniversary products.

A dynamic active killer situation in an apartment building in Minneapolis in early September became a topic of discussion as badge cam video was released showing the events. As always, seeing live engagements take place on video is compelling. It allows us to engage in “meaningful dialogue;” hopefully, less “blame-game” and more “how do we do this better?”

A resident had been assessed for eviction by the building’s owners. He’d threatened his neighbors, warned he was planning to shoot people – this, in the news story from AP, was attested to by neighbors, in court filings and by the cops. He’d been arrested in June for “display of a weapon,” but the county attorney declined to prosecute. 

I bet they’re happy with that decision now.

He’d done some shooting in the lobby, 911 calls were initiated and he’d gone to the 9^th floor. He’d already injured people on the first floor and apparently killed two residents upstairs. 

Seeing the video, the officers seem to be doing some kind of active shooter response, using the stair well. The images we see are from the second officer’s badge cam. The point moves into the hall and heads toward an intersecting call. He seems very close to the corner. You can see that the second officer is oriented down the hall, not following the gaze of the point. 

At the end of the hall, to the left, we see the homicidal nut enter the hall with a handgun muzzle down. He’s moving deliberately, raising the gun and the second officer’s rifle comes into view.

Right behind the point man. As MSG Paul Howe noted in an instructional video presentation, the point could have backed into the shot, but he was certainly disoriented by the blast inches from his head. The offender shot that leading officer. 

As the second officer fired in seemingly an uncontrolled fashion, he backed out of the hallway – as, possibly, did the offender. 

I understand that. It’s not in the book for active shooter response nor for SWAT, but I can understand reluctance to get shot like your point man did. The remainder of his group is on the stairwell behind the crime scene. It appears he wasn’t followed at all. It appears one was concerned with something happening on the flight above – but this is all conjecture.

We can war game this until hell won’t have it, but we need to get a few things in order first. 

1. You don’t have to plant in place when doing a high-risk service. Movement is the name of the game. It’s harder to hit you when you’re moving.
2. Mind the damned muzzle! As Howe demonstrates in his videos here and here, you can move into position next to or forward of the point to provide cover, blocking his movement into the line of fire and getting the muzzle past his melon.
3. Giving up what you’ve taken is not likely a good idea in a dynamic event; use that entry way your wounded partner fell into  -- or close with the enemy. In this case, we added at least one casualty that we didn’t need.
4. Finally, the uncontrolled panic fire – with excellent split times, but effectively putting rounds into potentially inhabited units behind the offender – does nothing but provide greater risks to the innocent. 

The most practical parts of the CSAT videos by Paul Howe show how to train to cover the problems in this particular event. It won’t happen exactly this way again, but the training forces rehearsals that account for variables. 

The training starts with discussion, moves to dry practice, then to the flat range for live fire. The shoot house, with targets, and some interactive simulations with marking cartridges forms the process. 

Shooting on a range, going fast and hitting a large target with no concern for misses, serves no legitimate personal protection or police mission. Making effective hits without indiscriminately putting rounds all around the environment is critical.

• Rich Grassi