Changes In Store for NASGW in 2026

As we head into the new year, NASGW is preparing for an important transition that reflects the growth of our organization and the expanding ways we serve the shooting sports industry. Our home office will be moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which will include a new primary phone number, a new mailing address, and some adjustments to our staffing structure. While the impact to our members should be very minimal, we want to ensure everyone is aware of the changes ahead.

This move brings more of our day to day operations in-house and positions NASGW to operate with greater efficiency and responsiveness as our responsibilities continue to grow. It has been an exceptionally busy period since the NASGW Expo in Grapevine, with our team working behind the scenes to prepare for this transition and ensure a smooth shift into the new year. We will share additional details very soon, including updated contact information and next steps for members.

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.

What You Need to Know on California's AB-1263

California’s newly signed AB-1263 introduces sweeping adjustments to how firearm components, manufacturing processes, and digital files are defined and regulated. Because these changes extend beyond California’s borders and affect any FFL doing business with California customers, it is important that all FFLs have access to timely information to navigate the law before it takes effect on January 1, 2026.

CA AB-1263 was signed into law on October 11, 2025. Here's what it does:

• Significantly broadens the definition of unlawful firearm manufacturing
• Imposes new rules for barrels, accessories, and manufacturing machines
• Increases liability for digital firearm manufacturing code
• Creates new 10-year prohibitions for certain misdemeanors

The law affects not only California FFLs, but also out-of-state businesses selling into California or interacting with California residents. To learn more click below to access Orchid's educational resources.

No 'Trump Slump' this Black Friday

American consumers continue to complain about high prices, with inflation remaining a significant concern for many households. Yet, that didn’t stop sales on Black Friday, as Americans were truly in the holiday mood, spending a record $11.8 billion online, an increase of 9.1% from 2024. Electronics and home goods remained strong categories. However, retailers noted that in-store traffic was slightly down from previous years.

In the firearms industry, Black Friday has remained an important day for retailers, but it also marks the end of the fall hunting season. That point was noted by Joshua D’Agnese, owner and president of Village Gun Store in Whitefield, New Hampshire, who told Shooting Industry that this year’s Black Friday was far better than what he had seen in the last three to four years.

Gun Control Advocates Hope to Create Patchwork of Peril to Suppress Civil Rights

Preemption laws offer legal protection for gun owners, but only when they are enforced. The work to advance any pro-gun legislation is arduous, more so in Minnesota than most states. But passing a law is only half the battle. This is also especially true in Minnesota, where local officials are concocting yet another illegal scheme to defy the state’s firearm preemption statute.

This has sadly become the norm, as defying preemption is a recognized way for municipal politicians to signal to their anti-gun supporters and donors that if the Second Amendment is no impediment to their plans, neither is a state statute. This contempt is now playing out in Minnesota, where mass noncompliance and legal fairytales are the order of the day.

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.