ATN Releases Their Best Thermal Rifle Scope Lineup Ever — Premium Performance at Every Price

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Doral, FL — ATN Corp, the global leader in smart thermal and night vision optics, today announced the launch of its Generation 6 thermal riflescope lineup — the best thermal rifle scope family the company has ever produced. Anchored by the ATN ThOR 6 Elite, ATN ThOR 6 Mini, and ATN TICO 6, the new Gen 6 platform delivers a generational leap in image quality, thermal sensitivity, reliability, and field performance for hunters, coyote hunters, hog hunters, ranchers, and AR-15 shooters.

Built on a next-generation 12-micron sensor with sub-15mK NETD sensitivity and the new SharpIR AI image enhancement engine, the Gen 6 lineup is engineered to be the best thermal scope for hunting in 2026 — whether shooters are looking for the best budget thermal scope under $1,000, a flagship 640 thermal scope for long-range work, or the best clip-on thermal scope to convert a daytime optic into a thermal-capable rifle in seconds.

“Generation 6 is the single biggest leap forward ATN has ever made in thermal technology,” said James Munn, CEO of ATN Corp. “With the ThOR 6 Elite, ThOR 6 Mini, and TICO 6, we set out to build the best thermal riflescope lineup in ATN history — better image quality, better reliability, and better performance, from first-time thermal buyers to serious professional hunters. After more than 30 years of optics innovation, this is the best thermal scope family we’ve ever produced.”

The Generation 6 lineup was engineered for the realities of modern hunting: aggressive hog populations, fast-moving coyotes and predators, long range thermal scope demands, and the rugged conditions that AR-15 and bolt-action shooters face after dark. Every Gen 6 scope features a refined 12-micron sensor, faster image processing, smoother scanning, and improved battery performance — making each model a serious contender for best thermal scope 2026 in its category. Read more

Optics

European American Armory Corp. Begins Shipping New Witness2311® CMXX in .45 ACP

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EAA Corp. has officially begun shipping the new Girsan Witness2311 CMXX chambered in .45 ACP (SKU: 395068) to distributors nationwide, with dealer availability expected shortly after.

Introduced earlier this year as the compensated carry model in the Witness2311 lineup, the CMXX has an 11+1 round capacity and incorporates an Auto Firing Pin-Block safety, replacing the traditional grip safety commonly found on double stack 1911s.

“We know a lot of shooters have been asking when additional caliber options for the Witness2311 CMXX would arrive, and we’re excited to officially bring .45 ACP into the lineup,” said Chase Duffey. “While 9mm remains incredibly popular, many shooters still prefer the proven stopping power of .45 ACP, and this is just the beginning. Expect to see a 10mm model next.”

Key Features Include:

    • Compact grip module with aggressive texturing
    • Optic-ready slide with RMSc footprint and removable rear sight plate
    • Factory-tuned 4.5 lb trigger
    • Bull Barrel with integral compensator design
    • Bright orange fiber optic front sight

Read more

Firearms

100 Days of Silence: Biggest Prize to Date

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Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Silencer Central is excited to announce that today, May 18, 2026, the 100 Days of Silencer promotion will feature the largest prize package to date with more than $4,000 in guns, gear, knives, and, of course, a suppressor. Act fast, there is only a 12-hour window to register, and one lucky winner will take home an amazing package.

The prize includes:

  • Heckler & Koch – VP9A1 X Tactical 9mm pistol with a factory-mounted Vortex VTX Red Dot, and two magazines
  • BANISH Suppressors – BANISH 9 9mm Suppressor
  • Shooting Targets USA – Triple Threat Torso tactical target and stand
  • Crossbreed Holsters – $500 gift card
  • WeKnife – Corwyn WE24088-3 Folding Knife
  • CIVIVI – Mini Shakan C20052F-1 EDC Knife
  • Silencer Central – NFA Processing and delivery

This giveaway is part of the 100 Days of Silence promotion, the largest giveaway of firearms and suppressors ever attempted. Each day a new prize package is up for grabs but remember – you must register for the giveaway every day. This giveaway runs from 10AM to 10 PM CST. Read more

Firearms, Promotions

FPC Files Federal Lawsuit Challenging Virginia Gun Ban

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Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a new federal lawsuit, McDonald v. Katz, after Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed legislation to ban so-called “assault firearms” and “large capacity” magazines. FPC is seeking a permanent injunction against the enforcement of the Virginia bans as well as other relief.

The plaintiffs challenging the ban include two individual FPC members, the National Rifle Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. The plaintiffs are represented by David Thompson, Peter Patterson, and William Bergstrom of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, along with P. Thomas DiStanislao and Michael Brady of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP.

The complaint was filed on May 14, 2026. Likely next steps include an answer from the defendant and a briefing schedule from the District Court.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Read more

Gun Control

SAF Files Lawsuit Challenging Newly Passed Assault Weapons Ban in Virginia

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Following closely on the heels of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signing new gun control legislation into law, the Second Amendment Foundation and its partners have filed a lawsuit challenging the commonwealth’s new bans on “assault firearms” and large-capacity magazines.

Gov. Spanberger signed into law a ban on so-called “assault firearms” declaring that “…any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.” The law further defines an “assault firearm” as a semiautomatic rifle chambered in any caliber besides .22 rimfire or one that contains a litany of common features such as a collapsing stock, pistol grip, threaded barrel or more. The law also bans magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition. The new laws go into effect on July 1.

“It’s wild that lawmakers who each take an oath to uphold the Constitution insist on passing bills purposefully designed to gut it,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “The firearms and magazines banned in this law aren’t bizarre and unusual outliers, they’re among the most commonly owned guns and magazines in the country. They’re owned in the tens of millions by peaceable Americans who use them overwhelmingly lawfully. Virginia has now joined the minority of radical states to ban these constitutionally protected firearms, and in so doing, joined the club of states we’re suing over it.”

As noted in the complaint, “The firearms that Virginia bans as ‘assault firearms’ are, in all respects, ordinary semiautomatic firearms. To the extent they are different from other semiautomatic firearms, their distinguishing features make them safer and easier to use. Regardless of any new category of arms created by state lawmakers, they cannot be banned because they are not dangerous and unusual.” SAF is joined in McDonald v. Katz by the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition and two private citizens.

“Virginia lawmakers lied to their constituents and to themselves when they said these laws weren’t bans,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “A new sales and transfer ban is a ban that’s just one generation removed. On July 1, anyone turning 18 in Virginia will find out that the rights enjoyed by their predecessors don’t apply to them. These bans are an afront to the Constitution and an insult to the intelligence of Virginians who were fed lies and misrepresentations by their elected officials. We’re excited to fast track this case to the Supreme Court.”

For more information visit SAF.org. Read more

Gun Control

GOA and GOF File Lawsuit in Direct Response to Virginia Ban on “Assault Weapons” and Public Carry

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Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), alongside Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) and 2A journalist John Crump, have filed a lawsuit today in direct response to Virginia’s enactment of SB749 and SB727, the “assault weapons” ban and public carry ban. These two bills represent the most immediate threat to the rights of every law-abiding gun owner in Virginia.

By criminalizing the purchase and transfer of the most popular firearms in America and effectively banning self-defense in public spaces, these laws are a direct assault on the Second Amendment and stand in open defiance of Virginia’s own constitution and necessitate an immediate strike in court.

Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution guarantees that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Read more

Gun Control

Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission approves deer regulation changes for 2026 and 2027

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May 15, 2026
Contact: Chad Stewart, 517-282-4810, or Brent Rudolph, 517-730-8802

a white-tailed doe and buck with 8-10 antler points stand chest-deep in the sparse, golden grass of a sunlit fieldFollowing extensive public input, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Wednesday approved several deer regulation changes for the 2026 and 2027 hunting seasons.

The seven-member citizen commission, appointed by the governor, acted on and amended recommendations developed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to support healthy deer populations while balancing hunter opportunity and public feedback.

The department presented its recommendations to the commission in April. Under Michigan law, the NRC has the authority to issue wildlife orders and establish hunting regulations.

Changes for the 2026 deer seasons

The NRC’s approved changes include:

  • Elimination of the antlerless access drawing in the Upper Peninsula. Deer Management Units 351 and 352 have been rescinded. Hunters in the U.P. will only be able to use universal antlerless licenses in DMUs 022, 122, 155, 255, 121 and 055 during the 2026 season.
  • Reduction of the Statewide Muzzleloader Season from 10 days to three days. The shortened season will begin on the first Friday in December. In the Lower Peninsula, any legal firearm may be used during this season, which will now be called the December Firearm Deer Season.
  • Opening the Late Antlerless Season earlier, beginning on the Monday following the December Firearm Deer Season and continuing through Jan. 1. The season will be open across the Lower Peninsula except in Deer Management Units 245 (South Fox Island) and 145 (North Manitou Island). DMU 115 (Beaver and Garden islands) is now open for both early and late antlerless seasons.
  • Elimination of the Limited Firearms Deer Zone in the Lower Peninsula, allowing the use of all legal firearms, including bottleneck cartridges, throughout the Lower Peninsula. Firearms larger than .22 rimfire are now permitted statewide.
  • Authorization for residents with a valid senior deer license, senior deer combo license or senior antlerless deer license to use a crossbow during the Late Archery Deer Season in the U.P.
  • Elimination of the Extended Late Antlerless and January Archery Seasons, concluding all deer hunting seasons after Jan. 1.
  • Scheduling the Early Antlerless Firearm Deer Season to run concurrently with the Liberty Hunt during the second weekend in September. The Liberty and Early Antlerless seasons will be Sept. 12-13 this year.
  • Authorization for the department to establish universal antlerless deer license use limits in consultation with the commission. The limits will be reviewed and published annually. This change applies limits on the number of universal antlerless licenses that hunters may use within individual DMUs or counties.

In addition, the commission approved several administrative changes for 2026, including:

  • Allowing case-by-case exceptions to authorize wildlife rehabilitators to possess fawns for rehabilitation.
  • Resolving a gap between DMUs 027 and 036. This gap existed in the Wildlife Conservation Order only.

Changes for 2027 deer seasons in the Lower Peninsula

A group of Michigan white-tailed deer are shown in wintertime.The commission also approved several changes for the 2027 deer seasons in the Lower Peninsula only. Upper Peninsula deer regulations will remain unchanged in 2027.

Under the new regulations in the Lower Peninsula, starting with the 2027 deer hunting seasons:

  • Buck harvest is limited to one buck per hunter.
  • A single deer license will be valid for one deer with at least three antler points on one side or for one antlerless deer.
  • A combo license will allow hunters to take one antlered deer and one antlerless deer, or two antlerless deer.
  • Existing DMU-specific antler point restrictions will remain in place.

The commission also approved a pilot “earn a second buck” program in the southern Lower Peninsula (Zone 3) starting in 2027. Under the pilot program, hunters must first harvest an antlerless deer before becoming eligible to harvest a second buck with a four-point antler point restriction. The DNR will determine participating counties at a later date and will bring forward an order in July outlining the program parameters.

In addition, the commission expanded exceptions authorizing deer management assistance permits for the take of antlered deer causing horticultural damage because of the new one-buck limit in the Lower Peninsula. These exceptions will require approval from wildlife and law enforcement supervisors.

The DNR is preparing the 2026 deer hunting regulations summary, which will include complete season regulations and hunting information. Digital versions will be available first through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app and at Michigan.gov/Deer, followed by printed copies distributed to license retailers and DNR offices statewide.
Hunting

With water levels below emergency stage, demobilization efforts begin at Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex

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May 15, 2026
Contact: Laurie Abel, 517-599-6703

Conditions have improved at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has demobilized pumps and other emergency equipment used to channel water around the dam.

To allow for the spillway gates to be reinstalled, pumps that were used during emergency operations had to first be shut down and removed.

Spillway gates are scheduled to be reinstalled early next week. Officials report that water levels at the dam have dropped out of the emergency stage, and the spillway is currently managing water flow effectively.

Officials emphasized that when the gates are reinstalled, they will remain fully open, and the volume of water passing through the spillway will not change from its current rate of flow.

Once the spillway gates are back in place, crews will reinstall the safety cable, which helps keep small watercraft from getting too close to the spillway gates.

The DNR reminds everyone that the Lincoln Street and Forks boating access sites remain closed for emergency operations. Other DNR access sites also are closed due to high water and dangerous conditions. Recreationists are encouraged to check the DNR website for closures at Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.

Fishing

DNR staff successfully complete steelhead egg collection after lightning strike damage

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May 14, 2026
Contact: Olen Gannon, 231-389-2551 or Joe Mickevich, 231-878-5234

Steelhead fryAfter a lightning strike at the Little Manistee River Weir (Manistee County) threatened to derail steelhead egg collection for this season, the Department of Natural Resources rallied to collect approximately 4.2 million steelhead eggs for Michigan’s state fish hatcheries. Staff were able to proceed with collection at the Little Manistee Weir, as well as deploy the Lower Platte River Weir (Benzie County) as a backup egg source for the first time, both of which contributed to the successful collection of steelhead eggs for future stocking throughout the state.

During severe weather the night of April 13, the Little Manistee River Weir facility was struck by lightning, which took out the main power, backup power source and emergency alarm notification system at the facility. This resulted in a loss of some of the fish being held in maturation ponds, as the systems that sustained the fish were offline — egg collection was scheduled to begin the following morning.

Once the damage was discovered, staff worked swiftly to restore power to the facility and collect eggs from the live fish on-site. Egg collection proceeded at this location in the following weeks, with the final collection there occurring April 29. Read more

Fishing

Ruger Introduces Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

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Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is proud to announce the Marlin® Mad Pig Customs Model 1894™, a premium rifle developed in collaboration with Mad Pig Customs. Built on the proven performance of Marlin’s iconic lever?action rifles, this model delivers modern, factory?installed features previously found only on custom builds.

The Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894 is chambered in 357 Magnum and features a Cerakote?finished barreled action along with select upgraded components from Mad Pig Customs and Midwest Industries, enhancing durability, ergonomics and overall performance straight from the factory. The Mad Pig Customs Model 1894 represents Ruger’s continued commitment to offering shooters distinctive, high?end Marlin firearms that feature custom?grade, modern enhancements to suit every shooter.

To stay up to date on future Marlin announcements and learn more about the Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894, visit MarlinFirearms.com, Facebook.com/MarlinFirearms or Instagram.com/MarlinFirearmsOfficial. Read more

Firearms
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