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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Silent Steel USA announced Kim Jensen's appointment as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. Jensen brings over 30 years of outdoor industry experience, including 20+ years at Robinson Outdoor Products and recent leadership at X-Vision Optics, to drive brand awareness and channel partnerships for the premium suppressor manufacturer.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Staccato 2011 announced three executive appointments: Jeremy Morton as Vice President of Business Development for Government Programs, Jay Helmick as Executive Vice President of Sales, and Willem Driessen as Chief Marketing Officer. The hires bring extensive experience from military, premium sporting goods, and tactical industries to strengthen the precision firearms company's leadership.
SLG2, Inc. released its 2025 Fourth Quarter Report highlighting record attendance of 1,013 guests across Shoot Like A Girl and Safe LivinG experiences. The company, which operates three experiential marketing brands focused on firearms safety and education, added Matt Rice as director of business development and partnered with Bass Pro Shops and Beretta for Q4 events.
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.
GunBroker.com and Master FFL announced a collaboration to improve firearm transfer processes. FFL licensees are encouraged to claim dealer profiles through Master FFL to ensure accurate information, reduce manual steps, and support more efficient transfer workflows for online transactions.
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.
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.
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.
VKTR Industries, an AR-15 rifle and Double Stack 1911 handgun manufacturer, is expanding operations in House Springs, Missouri. The company launched its Vanguard line of Double Stack 1911 handguns and will showcase the VKP Ported model at SHOT Show 2026. VKTR also relaunched White Label Armory to supply AR parts to retailers.
Orchid announced Orchid POS Spark, a cloud-based point-of-sale and eCommerce platform for Federal Firearms Licensees at $99 per month. The solution includes integrated POS, eCommerce, ATF compliance tools, FFL bound book, and electronic Form 4473 storage without third-party plugins.