Tactical
Plate Carriers, Chest Rigs and Battle Belts: Do Civilians Need Them?
Tactical load-bearing gear is everywhere. Here's what each piece is for, who actually benefits and how to avoid buying gear you'll never use.
The reference bench
Straight answers gun owners look up again and again, kept current and linked to the official source.
Gun laws by state
Carry, buying and reciprocity in plain English, with the date we last checked.
Caliber guide
What each round is good for, what fires it and what it costs to feed.
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Indoor and outdoor ranges, clubs and what each one offers.
Shows, matches & classes
Gun shows, competitions and training classes, soonest first.
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Hunting
Feeding Neighbors: How to Donate Venison in North Carolina
Hunters can turn a surplus deer into hundreds of meals for families in need. Here is how North Carolina's venison donation programs work.
Hunting
Hunting the Rut: How to Make the Most of November’s Best Days
The rut is when mature bucks let their guard down. Here is how to read the phases, where to hunt, and how to stay in the woods when it counts.
Hunting
Taking a New Hunter Out: Hunter Education, Gear and a Good First Hunt
Every hunter started somewhere. Here is how to get a son, daughter, friend or neighbor through hunter education and into the woods for a safe, positive first hunt.
Rifle
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Rifle
Rifle Scope Basics: Magnification, Reticles and Mounting Without the Jargon
Choosing a rifle scope gets confusing fast. Here is what the numbers mean, which features matter for hunting, and how to mount a scope so it holds zero.
Rifle
Choosing a Deer Cartridge: .243, 6.5 Creedmoor, .270, .308 or .30-06?
Most deer are killed at modest distances with a handful of classic cartridges. Here is how the popular choices compare, and why shot placement still matters most.
Rifle
How to Sight In a Deer Rifle the Right Way
A rifle that is not properly zeroed wastes your season. Here is a simple, step-by-step way to sight in a scoped deer rifle and confirm it before you hunt.
Shotgun
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Shotgun
Over-Under or Semi-Auto for Upland Birds and Clays?
Upland hunters and clays shooters love to argue over-under versus semi-auto. Both work. Here is how they differ in weight, recoil, cost and safety.
Shotgun
Does Your Shotgun Fit? Why It Matters and How to Check
A shotgun is pointed, not aimed, so a gun that doesn't fit your body sends shot where you aren't looking. Here is how to check fit and simple ways to fix it.
Shotgun
Steel, Bismuth or TSS? Choosing Nontoxic Shot for Waterfowl
Federal law requires nontoxic shot for ducks and geese. Steel is affordable, bismuth works in older guns, and tungsten loads hit hardest. Here is how they compare.
Shooting Sports & Competitions
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Shooting Sports & Competitions
Hunters and Competitors: Why the Range Makes You a Better Hunter
Competitive shooting builds the exact skills that put meat in the freezer: steady positions, fast target acquisition and shooting under pressure.
Shooting Sports & Competitions
Your First Shooting Match: What to Bring and How to Act
Your first match can feel intimidating. Show up prepared, follow the safety rules and you'll be welcomed. Here's a checklist and the etiquette that matters.
Shooting Sports & Competitions
NRL22 and Precision Rimfire: Long-Range Skills Without Long-Range Costs
Precision rifle competition is booming, and rimfire leagues like NRL22 make it affordable. Here's how it works and what you need to start.
Tactical
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Tactical
Buying a Suppressor in 2026: What Changed and What Didn’t
The federal tax on suppressors is $0 and ATF stopped enforcing NFA registration for them in October. Here's how buying a suppressor works now, and the state laws that still apply.
Tactical
FN’s Next-Generation SCAR: What Changed on the Famous Battle Rifle
FN America updated its SCAR rifle for 2026 with a hydraulically buffered bolt carrier, full M-LOK, user-changeable barrels and new chamberings including 6.5 Creedmoor.
Tactical
Body Armor for Civilians: What to Know Before You Buy
Interest in body armor is growing among civilians. Here's how protection levels work, what's practical and the legal limits that apply in some states.
Handgun
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Handgun
How to Choose Your First Concealed Carry Pistol
The best carry pistol is the one you will actually carry and shoot well. Here is a straightforward way to pick one, without getting lost in internet arguments.
Handgun
The New Handguns of 2026 Worth Your Attention
From a threaded Ruger RXM to a pair of lightweight Lipsey's revolvers, here are the 2026 handguns that stand out, and who each one is for.
Handgun
Beretta B22 Jaguar: A Rimfire Pistol Built to Start Young Shooters Right
Beretta's B22 Jaguar is a modular .22 LR pistol aimed at new shooters and Steel Challenge competitors, developed with the Scholastic Action Shooting Program.
Firearm Legal News
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Firearm Legal News
Supreme Court Sets December 2 Arguments in AR-15 Ban Cases
The Supreme Court will hear challenges to Cook County, Illinois, and Connecticut bans on AR-15-style rifles on December 2. A ruling could reach about a dozen states.
Firearm Legal News
Supreme Court Declines Felon-in-Possession Case, Leaves Fifth Circuit Ruling in Place
The Supreme Court turned away the Justice Department's appeal in United States v. Hembree on October 5, leaving in place a Fifth Circuit decision that a decades-old drug possession conviction could not strip a man's gun rights.
Firearm Legal News
North Carolina Permitless Carry Still Waits on a House Override Vote
The North Carolina Senate overrode the governor's veto of Senate Bill 50 in July 2025. More than a year later, the House still has not taken its vote, and the clock is running.
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New reviews, law changes worth knowing and events near you. One email every Friday, nothing else.