Attention Exhibitors: 2026 Booth Pick Scheduled for Next Week

It’s that time of year again—Booth Picks for the 2026 NASGW Expo are just around the corner! Exhibitors will soon have the opportunity to reserve their booth space for next year’s event, which will take place October 13–15, 2026, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ. Booth pick appointments will be conducted via phone November 11th–13th, and each participating company will receive a scheduled time for their call.

To make the most of your appointment, exhibitors are encouraged to review the live 2026 Expo Event Map in advance to see which booths are available, double-check contact and payment information, and have a credit card ready for the 20% booth deposit. Please be sure to watch your email for your exact appointment details and additional instructions from NASGW’s team. We look forward to helping you secure your spot for what’s sure to be another great year in Phoenix!

We Want Your Feedback! NASGW Expo Surveys Coming This Week

As we wrap up another successful NASGW Expo in Grapevine, TX, we want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all the exhibitors, attendees, and partners who made this year’s event such a success. Your participation and engagement help make the Expo one of the most valuable gatherings in the shooting sports industry each year.

To continue improving the experience for everyone, Expo surveys will be sent out later this week. These short surveys are your opportunity to share what worked well, what could be better, and what you’d like to see in the future. Whether it’s feedback on the venue, event logistics, or networking opportunities, your insights are essential to helping NASGW shape an even better event in 2026.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey when it arrives in your inbox. Your feedback directly guides our planning and ensures that the NASGW Expo continues to meet the needs of our members and the broader shooting sports community. Thank you for helping us make each year’s Expo even stronger than the last!

SCOPE Q3 Report Now Available

The SCOPE Q3 Report has officially been released, providing valuable insights into the latest trends shaping the shooting sports distribution and retail landscape. As always, this quarterly update delivers critical data from across the industry to help NASGW members make informed business decisions as we head into the final stretch of the year.

Two versions of the report are available to meet the needs of our members:

• Overview Report: Available to all NASGW members, this report provides a high-level look at key market trends, including shipment performance, category growth, and retail demand patterns.

• Detail Report: Exclusive to SCOPE subscribers, this expanded version dives deeper into the data, offering granular analysis by product category, region, and channel, along with advanced dashboards for deeper insight and planning.

Second Amendment Foundation October Updates

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has had a busy few months, filing and advancing several significant legal challenges aimed at defending the rights of lawful gun owners across the nation. From contesting new state-level restrictions in California to questioning the constitutionality of long-standing federal regulations, SAF continues to play a leading role in shaping the national conversation around firearm policy and individual rights. In addition to its courtroom efforts, SAF also recognized one of the industry’s most influential advocates at this year’s Gun Rights Policy Conference. Below is a summary of the organization’s most recent legal actions and updates.

SAF Files Lawsuit Challenging California Glock Ban

In response to California Gov. Gavin Newsom signing new gun control bills into law, the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed a new lawsuit challenging the ban on the commercial sale of all Glock and Glock platform handguns in California.

NAW Calls for "Clean Continuing Resolution" to End Shutdown

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) recently joined five other industry organizations in signing a joint letter to members of the U.S. Senate. The letter urges lawmakers to help restore stability by passing a clean continuing resolution, allowing Congress to continue negotiations on federal spending measures—particularly those tied to COVID-era tax credits set to expire at the end of the year.

ATF Proposes Beneficial Changes to Form 1 for NFA Firearms

After the nasty tricks of the Biden-Harris administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) continues to hand out treats under President Trump. Gun owners got the equivalent of a full-sized candy bar heading into the Halloween weekend as the agency published proposed changes to what is colloquially known as ATF Form 1, the application to make or register a firearm regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA). The amendments would streamline and modernize the NFA acquisition process.

Thursday’s publication was a follow-on to changes first proposed in August and allows additional time for stakeholders to offer comments.

New Jersey AG's Lawfare Against Firearms Industry Enters New Territory

New Jersey’s Attorney General Matthew Platkin is taking his campaign of lawfare into new territory with a worn-out playbook. In short, AG Platkin is attempting to use the U.S. judicial system to export New Jersey-style gun control to the rest of the country.

AG Platkin faces significant hurdles in convincing courts that New Jersey has the authority to dictate commerce in firearms in other states. Indeed, AG Platkin already backtracked on his promise to the courts that he wouldn’t use ill-defined and nebulous definitions in the law to wage a lawfare campaign against firearm industry members for engaging in lawful commerce. Yet, that’s exactly what he’s doing.

With legislation like the State Assault Weapons Ban Act (S. 359) currently under consideration, it’s more important than ever for shooting sports businesses to stay ahead of policy developments. The NASGW Bill Tracker is your go-to resource for monitoring Federal and State legislation that could impact our industry. From proposed restrictions to regulatory changes, NASGW members can quickly access and sort relevant bills to understand where things stand—and what may be coming next. Stay informed, stay prepared.