By — Jim Shepherd

When the NSSF’s Adjusted FBI National Criminal Background System report hit yesterday, it didn’t take long to separate pessimists from optimists. If you are positively inclined, you noticed that there was a drop, but even with that, January 2022 represented the thirtieth consecutive month of more than one million NICS checks.

If you’re not so positively inclined (looking at you Wall Street), you only saw the 42 percent decrease compared to January 2021 (1,190,856 versus 2,052,130, respectively).

Without perspective, those numbers look like there might be an impending, cataclysmic drop in sales.

However, as the old song by the Gershwin brothers goes, “it ain’t necessarily so…” (only music newbies think Bronski Beat originated the song). Last January was a very high bar to meet, much less top.

January 2021’s numbers included three of the top-10 weeks and one top-10 single day for the highest number of NICS checks on record.

So you’d be splitting pretty fine hairs to say that the industry’s hit a slump. A slowing, maybe, but not a slowdown. If you believe demand’s not there, you need to visit a retailer and check out both the gun cabinets and ammo shelves. We’re not out of the supply-and-demand woods by a long shot.

Of course, you need to recognize that the NICS numbers represent only the number of background checks, not the actual number of guns sold, nor any corollary between new/used units or sales dollars. There are also a number of states that have at least one qualified alternative permit that allows a permit holder to purchase from licensed dealers without a separate background check.

The NSSF’s Mark Oliva has a solid perspective on the numerology -and the inferences that can be drawn from them. “The NSSF Adjusted FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System report of 1,190,856 shows us that there is a continued interest in firearm ownership in America,” he says, “Everyone is looking for what the “new” normal will be coming off those outsized years of background checks for the purchase of a gun, January’s figure of nearly 1.2 million shows that America’s demand for lawful gun ownership continues at a healthy and sustainable pace. “

“Healthy and sustainable” – not a bad projection for any business. Now if the ammo could catch up…..

NEWINGTON, N.H. – SIG SAUER is pleased to announce the expansion of the SIG Custom Works SPECTRE Series of pistols with the introduction of the P365XL SPECTRE Comp. This latest release from SIG Custom Works combines superior craftsmanship and the rich SPECTRE feature-set with cutting edge technology, resulting in less recoil and an enhanced shooting experience to America’s #1 selling micro-compact pistol.

“The SPECTRE family of pistols is SIG Custom Works feature-rich polymer pistol line that is fine-tuned for performance. The custom-designed slide and gold features of the P365XL SPECTRE Comp make this latest addition to the SPECTRE series noticeably distinct,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “However, the true standout feature of the P365XL SPECTRE Comp is the uniquely integrated compensator that reduces muzzle flip and felt recoil by up to 30%, and because of the design will never come loose or cause function issues. The P365XL SPECTRE Comp offers all the benefits of a compensated pistol in a reliable, concealable, everyday carry package.”

The SIG Custom Works P365XL SPECTRE Comp is a 9mm polymer frame pistol that features the laser stippled XSERIES (LXG) grip module, an optics-ready slide with custom serrations featuring an optic plate and rear dovetail sight, integrated compensator, a titanium nitride gold barrel and XSERIES gold flat trigger, and X-RAY 3 day/night sights. The SIG Custom Works P365XL SPECTRE Comp ships with (3) three steel magazines and comes with a Limited-Edition SIG Custom Works case, coin, and certificate of authenticity. Read more

Accokeek, MD (January 31, 2022) – Beretta is pleased to announce the launch of an updated version of one of our most popular sporting clays shotguns – the A400 Xcel Sporting. Built on the revolutionary A400 action, the newest iteration of the Beretta A400 Xcel Sporting features enlarged controls, the innovative Blink gas operating system for 36% faster follow-up shots, and Beretta’s Kick-Off recoil reduction system for enhanced stability, comfort, and control for faster target acquisition.

“Improving such a technologically advanced shotgun, already at the top of a very crowded product segment, seemed to be an impossible mission to undertake,” Carlo Ferlito, General Manager & C.O.O. of Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. and Member of the Board of Directors of Beretta USA, Corp., said. “However, we accomplished this feat and are proud to introduce the A400 Xcel Sporting – crafted by the Beretta engineering team with updates made based on customer input. The final result is here: the best sporting semi-auto ever built.”

Quickly becoming a favorite among serious competitive shooters, its sleek lines and superior ergonomics are designed with one goal in mind: naturally following your eye to the target.

The updated model showcases a new, aesthetically pleasing receiver design with an enhanced top and bottom profile and a proprietary, laser-engraved Aquatech Shield grey coating. With an enlarged loading port and extended bolt handle and release, the A400 Xcel ensures easy manipulation in all weather conditions.

The A400 Xcel features Beretta’s ultrafast BLINK gas operating system with a cross tube gas piston that allows for 36% faster cycling than its competition. Read more

(McLean, VA) FN America, LLC announces a safety bulletin for the FN 502 Tactical .22LR pistol. The company has become aware that a very limited number of FN 502 Tactical pistols in the field may have an improperly installed manual safety. In these cases, the external safety lever will not function as designed and may result in unintended firing. To ensure the pistol’s safe operation, FN is asking owners of the FN 502 Tactical to suspend use of their pistol and perform a function check to verify the manual safety is operating correctly, following the function check guide located here. Read more

Pompano Beach, Florida January 28, 2022- Kalashnikov-USA (KUSA), the premier manufacturer of AK-pattern firearms in the United States, introduced an expanded line of rifle caliber AKs during the 2022 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show held in Las Vegas January 18-21. The new models include a 7.62x39mm KR-104 short barreled rifle (SBR)* featuring a 12.25” hammer forged, chrome-lined barrel and a folding stock. A pistol version, the KP-104 is being introduced at the same time as the SBR. This reduced length version of the KR-103 weighs just over 7 pounds and is only 22.3” when folded (or in pistol form) thus offering users a very compact firearm. Using standard 124 grain FMJ ammunition, the KR-104 will produce muzzle velocities of approximately 2,200 feet per second (FPS) as compared to 2,350 FPS with the standard 16.3” barreled KR-103.

Kalashnikov-USA also introduced a 5.56mm NATO caliber rifle, based on the AK-101 platform, to be called the KR-101. The rifle features a side-folding stock, 16.5” barrel and uses the popular Bulgarian-style 5.56mm mags commonly found in the marketplace. KUSA will also produce their own steel reinforced magazine for the new firearm. A 12” barreled pistol version, dubbed the KP-102, is also being launched in the same time frame: late spring/early summer 2022. Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — FPC Law is investigating a purported internal ATF email alleging that businesses which manufacture, distribute, or sell ‘forced-reset triggers’—specifically referring to “Rare Breed and Wide-Open Triggers (FRT Trigger).”— will be subject to forfeitures if they do not surrender “documents and FRT’s” [sic].

While the publicly available copy of the email contains several typographical errors and FPC’s understanding is that it has not yet been verified or confirmed by the agency, out of an abundance of caution, FPC suggests that all individuals, entities, and businesses who are now or have been in possession of ‘forced-reset triggers’ consider the below measures through which you may be able to protect and preserve your rights should ATF contact you, visit you, and/or demand that you surrender any item in your possession.

FPC has and will continue to fight to defend and advance the People’s individual rights, liberty, and private property. Visit FPCLaw.org for more information about our litigation, including challenges to unconstitutional acts, policies, and regulations by federal agencies, state and local gun bans, and other matters.

1. NEVER TALK WITH ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER UNLESS ADVISED TO DO SO BY YOUR LAWYER! Read more

Legal Defense for Self Defense®

Houston, Texas – January 27, 2022 – U.S. LawShield®, industry leader and America’s largest provider of Legal Defense for Self Defense® coverage, delivers the critical information Colorado gun owners need to know about Senate Bill 21-078, which requires gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms within five days of becoming aware the gun was missing.

“When the bill became law on September 7, 2021, U.S. LawShield was on the ground in Colorado with our Independent Program Attorneys,” said P.J. Hermosa, CEO of U.S. LawShield.

“Through in-person seminars across the state, our lawyers informed Colorado gun owners on the risks they face if they fail to report the theft or loss of a firearm.” Read more