Michael is the editor and lead writer at Guns & Gear HQ, covering the firearms industry: federal and state legislation, court rulings, ATF regulatory action, manufacturer M&A, earnings, and new product launches. He writes for an audience of enthusiasts, industry professionals, and gun owners who care about accurate, fact-based reporting on the Second Amendment beat. Tip line: gear@gunsgearhq.com.
ATF posted 21 proposed and final rules to the Federal Register on May 6, including formal repeals of the pistol brace rule and the Biden-era 'engaged in the business' dealer definition expansion.
Ruger's factory LCP MAX Magpul EHG Edition bumps capacity to 13+1 and overhauls the ergonomics at $449 MSRP, with the standalone grip module hitting dealers in May.
South Dakota, Arizona, Missouri, and Ohio are revising statutes that tied suppressor legality to the now-eliminated $200 NFA transfer tax to protect compliant owners.
SF 4067 cleared the Minnesota Senate 34-33 on party lines, banning future semi-auto sales and requiring existing owners to register with the BCA. House GOP calls it dead on arrival.
Virginia's Democratic senators introduced a 53-page federal bill that would ban semi-automatic firearms and standard-capacity magazines across all 50 states.
Maryland's high court ruled the Montgomery County carry ordinance is preempted by state law, a complete win for Maryland Shall Issue and Engage Armament that restores full carry rights for permit holders countywide.
The House Appropriations Committee's FY27 DOJ bill cuts ATF's budget $285M below Trump's request and includes riders to remove suppressors and short-barreled firearms from NFA registration.
Senate confirms Robert Cekada 59-39 as ATF director while DOJ announces 34 rules repealing the pistol brace rule, revising engaged-in-business regs, and modernizing FFL and NFA paperwork.
SAF and Defense Distributed filed a summary judgment motion April 27, asking a Texas federal court to invalidate the remaining portions of the ATF's 2022 Frame and Receiver Rule.
Taurus is now shipping a 3.1-inch threaded barrel variant of the 22TUC tip-up micro at $449.99, adding suppressor-ready carry to the 10-ounce .22 LR pistol.
Beretta's 80X Cheetah Tactical Launch Edition debuts at NRAAM with a 4.4-inch threaded barrel, removable factory comp, and optics-ready slide at $1,049 MSRP.
Acting AG Blanche shut down calls for new gun restrictions after a California man was charged with attempting to assassinate the President at the WHCD on April 25.