Free Republic

At the Governors’ Forum during the 2026 SHOT Show, the eight governors present answered questions about how they could counter attacks against rights protected by the Second Amendment and against the firearms and associated industry. After the introduction by NSSF Larry Keane and remarks by White House Counsel David Warrington, the moderator, Shermichael Singleton, directed questions to the governors. Nevada Governor Lombardo was asked about the Cyberattack that paralysed Nevada gun store sales for more than two weeks. Governor Lombardo gave a detailed explanation. It was the internal state systems that were hacked. No ransom was paid. The lesson learned...

David Warrington, White House Counsel to President Trump At SHOT Show, on January 21, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, David Warrington, the White House Counsel, gave remarks prior to the Governors Forum. Larry Keane, the Senior Vice President & General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), introduced David Warrington before the start of the Governors Forum.David Warrington, White House Counsel for President Trump, gave his remarks before the Governors’ Forum began. They were concise and precise. Warrington has been with President Trump for some time. He was appointed as White House Counsel on January 20, 2025, at the...

Attorneys General Forum held at the 2026 SHOT Show The Attorneys General Forum was held at the 2026 SHOT Show on January 21, 2026. Eight Attorneys General were present. From left to right, they were: Montana AG Austin Knudsen (wearing cowboy hat); Missouri AG Catherine L. Hanaway; Iowa AG Brenna Bird; West Virginia AG John B. McCuskey; Kansas AG Kris Kobach; Louisiana AG Liz Murrill; Arkansas AG Tim Griffin; and Florida AG James Uthmeier.The discussion started with a question about the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, the PLCAA.Montana’s AG, Austin Knudsen, answered: Yes, the Supreme Court had made...

U.S.A. – At the long-range section of Industry Day at the Range near Boulder City, Nevada, a range officer told this correspondent all the rifles were fitted with suppressors but one or maybe two. Besides the long-range section, silencers/suppressors were common throughout the booths.At the Industry Day at the Range for SHOT Show 2026, the weather was wonderful for the first time in four years. There was no wind in the morning, a clear sky, and the temperature was about 50 degrees to start. Last year was windy, dusty, and cold.The noise at the show seemed lower than usual. Silencers/suppressors...

Yesterday, January 18, this correspondent was driving on the way to Las Vegas for the Shot Show, 2026. In Nevada, on highway 95, contrails showed a remarkable cross or X in the sky. The cross was very close to the section of Highway 95 dedicated to US veterans from WWII on up. This correspondent served in the Cold War, so it was nice to see the sign. I will be at the Shot Show this week, so blog articles may be a little spotty. Today will be Industry Day at the Range. It appears the weather will be cool, with...

At the 2025 Shot Show, the Franklin Armory booth was displaying new products. The 22-EZ binary trigger group for Ruger 10/22 type rifles, pistols, and the Franklin Armory 10/22 type pistol and rifle, with the trigger group installed, caught my attention. Binary triggers offer an interesting choice for a fire control system. They offer the selection of a controlled rate of fire above the ordinary pull or release trigger while retaining the usual mode. Franklin Armory patented the binary trigger. The reasoning was simple: triggers which functioned by pulling the trigger for a single shot were clearly legal. Triggers which...

The KelTec PR57 is one of the more innovative pistols seen at the 2025 Shot Show. As indicated by the name, the pistol is chambered in 5.7×28. The pistol is top-loaded with a 20-round magazine. The magazine is integral, like a Steyr 1912 or a C96 broom handle Mauser. This allows for a smaller grip, fewer parts, and a very thin and light pistol. As expected, there is a significant muzzle flash and blast when the pistol is fired. Recoil is more than most .22 rimfire pistols but less than most 9mm pistols. The capacity is listed as 20+1. How...

Underground Parking at the Palazzo At the 2024 SHOT Show, there was a significant change which was not widely announced. No more free self parking at the Venetian and Palazzo hotels, part of the Convention Center. For years, perhaps decades, the parking at the Venetian and Pallazzo was free. Parking is always something to be considered in busy downtown Las Vegas. When this correspondent first learned of the free parking, it was a tremendous improvement in covering the SHOT Show. From the free parking in the underground of the Palazzo, it wasn't far to an elevator which delivered you to...

Some new shot cartridges caught this correspondent’s eye at the CCI part of the Vista Outdoors exhibit at the SHOT Show. There were three displayed: a 10mm offering using 109 grains of #9 lead shot, a 9mm using 43 grains of Hevi Bismuth, non-lead shot, and a .38 Special using 80 grains of Hevi Bismuth, non-lead shot.The 10mm is to satisfy those with 10mm handguns who find a shot cartridge useful for their needs. The Hevi Bismuth loads are to satisfy customers who want to be certain about their status on the law, where lead shot is prohibited. A CCI...

At the SHOT Show, Browning ammunition has introduced a subsonic, 45 grain, suppressor optimized .22 Long Rifle load for pistols. It uses the heavy, 45 grain bullet to increase energy from a pistol at subsonic velocities. It is loaded to reliably stay subsonic from pistols. If fired in rifle length barrels, it may reach supersonic velocities, with the resultant sonic barrier snap produced by bullets exceeding the speed of sound. A rough estimate of the price is about 10 cents a cartridge. The market for ammunition is fluid, so prices are difficult to forecast. Browning ammunition is produced by Winchester,...

On Monday, January 16, 2023, Industry day at the range started with cool temperatures, gusty wind, and rain showers. It was the worst condition at the range day since 2019. The day gives media and industry insiders a chance to look at new products at the range, shoot new guns, ammunition, and accessories, and talk with industry representatives as they showcase their products.Pre checking the weather forecast, this correspondent was prepared with warm, weather-resistant clothes, high-tech hunting pants, work boots, and layered wind and water-resistant jacket with a fleece underneath.Some new products caught the eye, out of dozens of booths....

Dark SUV (Mazda CX-9) stopped at stop light in Quartzsite, AZ, January 15, 2023I had a close brush with death on the way to the Shot Show on Sunday. It was a dull day, overcast with a chance of pending rain, further north.This correspondent was on his way to Las Vegas, Nevada, to cover the Shot Show on Sunday, January 15, 2023. I had gone to early service at my church, and was traveling North on state Highway 95, a mostly two lane road. There are several passing lanes on the route between Yuma and Quartzsite, AZ. That leg of...

from James reeves and his 2nd A CHANNEL on youtube. Major points: 1) This was the day before SHOT SHOW (the biggest gun show on earth where a majority of the guests are armed) 2) He has a CCW which is valid in NV, and 40 states 3) Happened at the Venetian. (don't bring guns to the Ven! s/) 4) 01:40 drops off bags with bell hop--with his 2 Glocks inside (what a genius) 5) again, this is a day before SHOT SHOW and you'll see the booths being prepped at 9:00 (no one around) 6) security at the Venetian...

Governor Kristi Noem (R-SD) was in her element at the 44th annual Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) in Las Vegas, Nevada. “For us, it's an opportunity to talk about our state—recruit businesses to our state—but also, you know, see what we can do to get some investment into some of the businesses that are already there,” remarked the first-time attendee. Noem also addressed the inaugural Governors Forum that featured six Republican governors representing gun-friendly states.She proudly stated, “We [South Dakota] are the No. 1 economy in the country right now, and we’re also the No. 1 state...

Kel-Tec P15 (aluminum frame) in Authors hand at SHOT Show 2022. U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)-– At SHOT Show I spoke with Kel-Tec engineer Ryan Williams. One of the primary interests was getting a first look at the new Kel-Tec P15 subcompact 9mm pistol. It is said to be an updated version of the P11, which pioneered sub-compact polymer 9mm pistols. The P11 held ten rounds in the magazine, as I recall. I had a P11 for a while, not long after they first came out. For whatever reason, I sold it. A light pistol has more recoil impulse. I opt to carry...

Hall at SHOT Show 2022 Day Two U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)-– On day two of SHOT Show 2022, the subjective experience of this correspondence is: attendance increased over yesterday. There were clearly more media in the Press Room. Some of them reported delays in flights and difficulty in getting flights at all, which explained much. The number of media registered for the show is similar to 2020, approaching 2,000. The media has to pre-register, so transportation delays are inside of those numbers.Another consideration is the expansion of the floor space at the show. This has the positive effect of reducing crowding, making...

Hallway at 2022 SHOT Show. It would normally be full of people. U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)-–As someone who has attended most of the shot shows in the last decade, the most obvious difference in 2022 is the ability to move through the halls and aisles at the show without the crowed press of people seen at previous shows. Attendance is down by a significant amount. The exhibitors who are present seem to be attracting good interest, such as with this Aimpoint exhibit:Aimpoint at SHOT Show 2022 Some major players have a limited presence at the 2022 SHOT Show. This Colt location would...

U.S. Navy SEAL and author of Lone Survivor was challenged to a shoot off by a civilian during SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas while promoting Team Never Quit ammo and products. Judging from the video title we were expecting an embarrassment but to our surprise, the civilian won. They both had a practice shot with an Axelson Tactical 5.56 SPR Combat Series rifle before the qualifying shot and Luttrell’s shot was the furthest from the target. Luttrell took his defeat like a champ and they guy walked away with a fond memory. Now let’s try that under enemy fire, guy.

SHOT 2020 is over and our numbers are improving, this time only 4/5ths of the team are sick! Between playing Frogger with people and their carts and being offered stickers and patches like they were going out of style, we found some awesome new products for 2020. It’s safe to say that SHOT 2020 had a lot more new stuff than in 2019 and while we each had a list of things we’re looking forward to, these are what made the top of the list! Oh…and some cringey stuff.

Stephan Hunter Receives Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award from Tom Gresham at 2020 Shot Show. Image courtesy Dean Weingarten On 22 January, 2020, the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) awarded novelist Stephen Hunter with the Grits Gresham Shooting Sports Communicator Award.From POMA: The award recognizes extraordinary achievements in communications and in support of our hunting heritage and firearm freedoms. Hunter is 40-year veteran author of more than a dozen novels and is known for exacting technical details about firearms and shooting. His 1993 novel “Point of Impact” was made into the movie...