California Put a Microphone at the Gun Counter — and Won

A Ninth Circuit panel affirmed California's 24/7 audio and video recording mandate for FFLs in August, and the en banc petition landed October 13. What Penal Code 26806 requires, why home-based dealers carry the burden, and how customers actually find you.

By Fred Thompson •

Texas Suppressor Ruling: What Happens Next for Buyers

As of October 20, 2026 Both of the open questions hanging over suppressor buyers this fall are now closed. The Justice Department will not appeal, and ATF has published its guidance. On October 1, Solicitor General D. John Sauer notified Congress in writing that the Department had determined not ...

By James Chen •

DOJ Opposes Broader NFA Court Protection After ATF’s Guidance

DOJ says ATF’s nationwide NFA nonenforcement makes further clarification unnecessary, while opposing court protection for everyone within the plaintiff states. The filing underscores why lasting protection and repeal remain unfinished work.

By Duncan Johnson Editor in Chief •

Gun Trace Data Turns Lawful Dealers Into Gun-Control Targets

A Firearms Research Center analysis exposes how gun-recovery statistics are used to cast suspicion on lawful firearm dealers. The implications reach every FFL: a gun’s later recovery does not establish that the dealer who handled it did anything wrong.

By Duncan Johnson Editor in Chief •

Maintaining The AK Series Of Rifles: From The User To The Maintainer

First, before buying and using the weapon, visually inspect the rifle for damage to better assess its condition. Begin with an overall examination of the rifle. Inspect for obvious damage, corrosion, contamination, missing components, and other visible deficiencies. During this inspection, you al...

By Lynndon Schooler •

Congress Must Rein In ATF’s Billion-Record Gun Archive After Qilin Breach

Qilin breached a separate ATF system, but the bureau’s massive archive of lawful gun purchases remains a threat to gun-owner privacy. Congress should force a full accounting, end informal record collection, limit retention, and change the law that feeds the archive—before a future administrat...

By John Crump •

Q4 2026 FFL Market Forecast: What the Data Says Now

August splits the market in two: adjusted firearms checks up 2.2 percent, NFA checks up 201.6 percent. Here is what the data says about FFL inventory, transfer revenue and the next 90 days.

By Mark Edwards •

ATF Says Suppressor and SBR Guidance Could Arrive Within Weeks

ATF Director Robert Cekada says long-awaited guidance covering suppressors, short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns could arrive within weeks. The agency also says FFLs will not be cited for lawful suppressor transfers completed on Form 4473 under the federal injunction.

By John Crump •

Oct. 1 Pistol Ban, Virginia Enforcement, and a Bruen Split

Connecticut's convertible-pistol ban takes effect October 1 with felony penalties and two federal challenges pending. Virginia's attorney general has switched on civil enforcement, and the appeals courts now disagree about whether buying a gun is protected conduct.

By Fred Thompson •
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