To streamline the process for individuals to appeal firearm purchase denials from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), the FBI recently partnered with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to assist individuals who have registered with the Identity History Summary Check (IdHSC) program. Registrants can register with a participating post office for digital fingerprinting services. For a $50 fee, the post office will submit the registered customer’s fingerprints to the FBI.

Pursuant to Public Law 92-544, registrants can obtain an IdHSC (also known as a “rap sheet”) for different kinds of NICS appeals:

• Individuals may challenge their IdHSC record. Examples of challenges could be if the individual thinks a record entry is incorrect, or if an entry for a record is incomplete.

• Individuals may challenge firearm purchase denials. Possible reasons for incorrect denials could be cases of mistaken identity or incorrect entries in IdHSC records.

• Individuals may wish to participate in the Voluntary Appeal File. This file contains clarifying information to help reduce unnecessary delays or incorrect denials for firearm purchasers who have been denied more than once or frequently experience delays. Reasons for purchasers to have extra difficulty can include instances of identity theft or mistaken identity

Readers can find more information about the IdHSC program here.

Providing More Opportunities for Enjoyable Shooting Adventures

FORT SMITH, Ark. – Walther Arms, Inc. announces the new Walther Magnum Pistol (WMP) SD, which now comes with a threaded barrel (1/2×28) for suppressor use. Crafted to the high-quality Walther standards, the WMP SD offers unmatched adaptability for every type of shooter and adventure.

“With the popularity of suppressors and a continuous focus on safe, enjoyable shooting experiences, we knew having a threaded barrel option on the new WMP SD was the next enhancement needed,” said Jens Krogh, vice president of marketing and product development for Walther Arms, Inc. “Its versatility gives everyone what they’re looking for: a customizable firearm or one that’s ready right out of the box. Either way, the WMP SD can confidently handle any situation or adventure thrown your way.”

The WMP SD gives shooters confidence to effectively acquire and advance on a target, never having to question functionality or precision.

Features: Read more

NSSF tracks and reports monthly U.S. export units for several sporting arms, ammunition, and optics categories from the US International Trade Commission. Below are the results for April 2024 compared to April 2023.

• April Handgun exports decreased 35.2 percent from 27,767 to 17,980 units. Within the handgun category, Pistol export units decreased 36.3 percent from 26,910 to 17,134 units while exported Revolver units dropped 1.3 percent from 857 to 846 units.
• April Rifle exports were down 47.2 percent from 31,320 to 16,522 units.
• April Shotgun category posted a 28.9 percent decrease in exported units from 6,231 to 4,432.
• April Muzzleloader category increased 29.0 percent from 331 to 427 units exported.
• April Other Cartridges (excluding Shotgun cartridges) category increased 20.6 percent from 60.0 million in 2023 to 72.3 million units exported in 2024.
• April Shotgun Cartridges category decreased by 31.0 percent dropping to 3.1 million as compared to last year’s 4.4 million.
• Telescopic Sights: Read more

NSSF® tracks and reports monthly U.S. import units for several sporting arms, ammunition, and optics categories from the US International Trade Commission. Below are the results for April 2024 compared to April 2023.

• April Handgun imports decreased 8.9 percent from 353,883 to 322,266 units. Within the handgun category, Pistol import units dropped 12.5 percent from 318,589 to 278,655 units while imported Revolver units increased 23.6 percent from 35,294 to 43,611 units.
• April Rifle imports were down 5.9 percent from 88,487 to 83,252 units. This category has been adjusted to exclude HTS codes 9303.30.4010 & 9303.30.8005 (Telescopic Sights Imported with Rifles).
• April Shotgun category posted a 21.2 percent increase in imported units from 79,137 to 95,938.
• April Muzzleloader category increased 116.8 percent from 9,807 to 21,262 units.
• April Other Cartridges (excluding Shotgun cartridges) category increased 44.4 percent from 215.2 million to 310.8 million units.
• April Shotgun Cartridges category increased by 6.1 percent rising to 44.6 million units as compared to last year’s 42.0 million.
• First quarter handgun imports dropped 28.3 percent from 920,047 to 659,434 units.
• Telescopic Sights: Read more

“Gun is only one letter away from fun,” GUNS Editor Brent T. Wheat is known to say at times. To illustrate this concept, FMG Special Projects Editor Roy Huntington showcases an “arguably over the top” Springfield Armory Range Officer Target Model enhanced by master craftsman Ken Kelly of Mag-na-port in the August issue of GUNS.

With a laser focus on cosmetics, the SA 1911 got Mag-na-port’s famous porting, EDM lightening cuts and bronze Cerakote finish. Kelly applied careful engine turning (jeweling) to the slide sides, safety, slide release, hammer, trigger sides and magazine base plate. As Huntington heartily advises, “It’s truthfully a good idea to splurge at least once and end up with a fun-gun that breaks the conventional mold for you.” Read more

Now available to members at discounted factory-direct pricing

Henry Repeating Arms, the world’s leading lever-action firearm manufacturer, is pleased to announce a new collection of tribute edition rifles to support The American Legion, its members, and their mission to enhance the well-being of America’s veterans, their families, America’s military, and communities through mutual helpfulness. The rifles are now available to American Legion members at discounted factory-direct pricing. Henry Repeating Arms donates a portion of every sale back to The American Legion.

To further support the partnership, Henry Repeating Arms is auctioning a collector’s set containing serial number one of each rifle in the series and donating all proceeds to The American Legion. The auction concludes on July 24 at 9 p.m. Eastern. Read more

(Atlanta, Georgia) GunTag, a newly launched company dedicated to protecting firearms from theft, is proud to present their innovative product line aimed at empowering gun owners to keep tabs on their firearms at all times. GunTag offers premium precision sighting and illumination tools, providing a comprehensive solution for responsible gun ownership in an era where gun theft occurs at an unprecedented rate.

At GunTag, their mission is to equip gun owners with the ability to safeguard their firearms. GunTag is the first to market and their products are in a category of their own. With gun theft on the rise due to home robberies and car break-ins, it is imperative to take proactive measures. Stolen firearms often end up in the hands of criminals, leading to violent crimes. Only 2% of firearms used in violent crimes were obtained through a legal source. GunTag’s location tracking and theft recovery product line can make all the difference.

Troy Deus, CEO and Founder of GunTag tells us, “The idea was born when we had 30 car break-ins in our neighborhood in one night. A number of firearms were stolen. That next morning, we received a four pack of AirTags to use for various items including our bike in case of theft. It got us thinking. If we can use an AirTag or Tile for loss and anti-theft for a bike, why not a firearm?”

GunTag empowers gun owners the ability to know the location of their firearms at all times using popular Bluetooth devices such as Apple AirTags and Tile Stickers. Discrete compartments for personal Bluetooth devices paired with tactical rugged laser sights and LED lights make for a powerful accessory with peace of mind.

The GT-9® Tactical Weapon Light with Laser Sight and Hidden Bluetooth Tracking Case features: Read more

ARYVILLE, TN. – Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.

(NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, announces today the release of the Performance Center® M&P9 Carry Comp Series pistols.

Whether you’re looking for a new everyday carry, home defense, or training pistol, this new series has you covered. Built across full-size, compact, and micro-compact frames, Carry Comp Series pistols are chambered in 9mm and come in a variety of capacities. The Shield Plus 4-inch barrel model ships with 10-round, 13-round, and 15-round magazines that allow the user to choose their preferred combination of size and capacity, making it a versatile personal defense carry option. The M&P 2.0 4.22-inch barrel models are offered in metal and polymer frame configurations, come in a 15-round or 17-round capacity depending on your frame-size of choice, and are trusted platforms for any training or personal defense application.

The M&P9 Carry Comp Series was developed with key features to improve the overall shooting experience of the user. The strategically designed Power Port™, located at the end of the barrel at the twelve o’clock position, diverts gas upwards, reducing felt recoil, which improves overall control. With optics-ready slides, if a user chooses to utilize a red dot, the new ClearSight™ Cut is designed to divert gasses away from the optic allowing the user to maintain an unobstructed view. If iron sights are preferred, these models also include a tritium front night sight and blacked-out serrated rear sight out of the box for an enhanced sight picture. Boasting a new aesthetic, M&P9 Carry Comp slides were developed with aggressively angled front and rear serrations to increase reliability and improve manipulation against tougher elements. All new Carry Comp models include flat-face trigger designs, grey Armornite© finished slides, and ship with a Performance Center Cleaning Kit. Read more