Whitewater Fishing expands its Beacon Technical Hoodie lineup with Vintage Duck Camo and Mossy Oak® Bottomland® patterns, merging heritage aesthetics with advanced mariner-grade fabrics engineered for water-based performance and mobility.

TrueTimber has partnered with 10Stone, a new lifestyle brand inspired by country music artist Jason Aldean, to debut an exclusive apparel line at select Walmart locations in Athens, Georgia ahead of Aldean's April 25 concert at Sanford Stadium. The full 10Stone lineup will launch nationwide at Walmart stores in Fall 2026.

Victory Archery manufactures carbon arrows using proprietary MaxxKe™ Technology and ICE™ Nano Ceramic Coating to exceed industry standards. As part of Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Victory controls every production stage from fiber development to finished shaft, ensuring weight-matched consistency and superior accuracy.

Hornady's 338 ARC ammunition has been named the 2026 American Rifleman Ammunition Product of the Year by the NRA Media Golden Bullseye Awards. The cartridge delivers 1.5 times more energy than the 300 Blackout Subsonic and is available in five product lines for AR-15 and micro-bolt action rifles.

Amanda Suffecool, Women for Gun Rights Advisory Board Member and NRA Board member, received the Sybil Ludington Women's Freedom Award at an NRA event in Houston, Texas. The award honors women's leadership and advocacy for the Second Amendment. Suffecool hosts the nationally syndicated radio show Eye on the Target and is active with A Girl & A Gun®.

Team Krieghoff earned multiple podium finishes at the 2026 Texas State Championship and 2026 Florida State Sporting Clays Championship. Notable achievements include Brandon Powell's High Overall in Texas, Mike Luongo's multiple Runner-up finishes in Florida, and Brian Du Quesnay's induction into the Florida Sporting Clays Association Hall of Fame.

Cory Kruse of Federal Ammunition won his 10th Texas resident sporting clay title at the Texas State Championships, breaking Bobby Fowler's previous record of nine titles. Kruse finished third in the Main Event Open High Over All, while teammates Cameron Hicks won the FITASC High Over All and Jonathan Prince won the B&P Adios Cup.

Conservation Visions published a peer-reviewed article in People and Nature through the Wild Harvest Initiative® showing that big game hunting in the United States generates 235.76 kilotonnes of wild meat annually, equivalent to 1.39 billion meals with a $3.21 billion USD replacement value.

The Maine Warden Service and Maine Air National Guard rescued Anna Troxell, a severely hypothermic hiker on Bigelow Mountain's Appalachian Trail, in a multi-agency operation. After ground rescue teams reached Troxell and her hiking partner David Piccioni, an Air National Guard Black Hawk helicopter hoisted both from the snow-covered summit at approximately 6:45 a.m. on April 21st.

Jerry "Trey" Truitt III of Tennessee received a lifetime loss of hunting and fishing privileges after pleading no contest to five poaching counts in Ravalli County, Montana. Truitt was convicted of unlawful possession of wildlife, hunting without a license, criminal trespass, and hunting during closed season. Game Wardens Taylor Gagnon, Shane Yaskus, Lou Royce, and Jake Pickens led investigations resulting in multiple convictions across Ravalli and Lake Counties.

Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioners unanimously voted to increase non-resident preference point prices effective January 1, 2027, raising elk, deer, and antelope points to the maximum allowed by state statute. The increases are expected to generate approximately $14.65 million in annual revenue to cover rising wildlife management costs, marking the first increase since 2018.

Hornady Manufacturing Company launched a limited-edition "Nebraska Strong" t-shirt fundraiser, with 100% of profits benefiting the Nebraska Cattlemen's Disaster Relief Fund. The initiative supports ranchers affected by wildfires that burned nearly 1 million acres across Nebraska's Sandhills region.

The NSSF commends Indiana Gov. Mike Braun for signing Senate Enrolled Act 176, which prohibits local governments from using zoning regulations to prevent firearm retailers and shooting ranges from operating in commercially-zoned areas. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Faxon Firearms is hiring a full-time CNC Lathe Operator for the second shift at their Fairfield, Ohio facility. The position requires 6 months of similar experience, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to read blueprints. U.S. person status is required due to ITAR regulations.

Faxon Firearms is hiring a CNC Programmer to create CNC programs and machining instructions. The role requires 5 years of manufacturing/engineering and CAD/CAM experience, with expertise in GibbCAM software and precision machining. U.S. person status is required due to ITAR regulations.

Faxon Firearms is hiring a full-time CNC Mill Operator for second shift at their Fairfield, Ohio facility. The position requires 6 months of similar experience, mechanical aptitude, and blueprint reading skills. U.S. person status is required due to ITAR regulations.

Walther Arms, Inc. announced the creation of a dedicated Sales Manager position for dealer and buying group channels. The role, reporting to Vice President of Sales Tyler Weigel, will focus on revenue growth, market expansion, and strengthening the Walther Premium Dealer Program across the U.S. shooting sports market.

TrueTimber and Palmetto State Armory partnered with the South Carolina Waterfowl Association to expand Camp Woodie camperships through an in-store campaign from December to March. The initiative provided deserving youth access to SCWA's flagship summer camp program, which serves over 1,500 campers annually with outdoor education in firearm safety, wildlife conservation, and natural resource stewardship.

TAG Precision announced a collaboration with Kimber America, supplying advanced sight and optics solutions including patented FiberLok™ sights and optic adapter plates for Kimber's 2K11 and CDS9 models. Michael Neff, President at TAG Precision, and Everett Deger, Director of Marketing at Kimber America, emphasized their shared commitment to precision and quality.

Breek Arms has launched the Trash Shield, a HUB-compatible blast-forwarding device designed to redirect concussion, noise, and muzzle blast downrange. Constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum, the accessory integrates with industry-standard suppressor mounting systems and is especially effective in confined environments like indoor ranges and team-based training scenarios.

Beretta will exhibit at the 2026 GEAR Summit in Amarillo, Texas, featuring the M9A4 Overlanding Series in Lunar, Clay, and Nomad Bronze finishes, along with the PX4 G-SD, APX A1 Tactical, and 92XI Squalo pistols. The company will also participate in a nighttime glow clay shoot, showcasing its commitment to the Second Amendment community.

REDARC launches its new RS3 Inverter series featuring pure sine wave technology and integrated Automatic Transfer Switch for RVs and van conversions. Available in 1200W, 2000W, and 3000W models, the RS3 offers compact design, simplified installation, and full output power in high-temperature environments.

Engaged Industries launched its 2026 suppressor lineup featuring the Delta 5.56 and Recon XL in multiple calibers, incorporating proprietary Vacuum Expansion Technology and the upgraded VLB26 baffle system. The 3D printed titanium suppressors deliver enhanced sound mitigation and reduced gas blowback while maintaining compact size and minimal weight.

Thompson/Center Arms announced the ENCORE PROHUNTER FIRESTICK .50 Caliber Muzzleloader, combining the proven ENCORE break-open platform with Federal FireStick ignition technology. The system features encapsulated powder charges for consistent performance, faster reloads, and easier cleaning, with an MSRP of $1,150.

DeSantis Gunhide introduced the Infiltrator® Air holster for Springfield Echelon firearms, featuring red dot sight compatibility, adjustable cant, and breathable synthetic backing. Designed for everyday carry with precision-molded Kydex® construction, the holster retails for $113.99.

Millennium Marine is offering a 2026 "Reel in the Savings" Rebate Program providing $25 cash back on select products including monitor mounts and the TP-100 Transducer pole through qualified retailers until December 31st, 2026.

Millennium Treestands is offering a 2026 "Bucks Back" Rebate Program providing $100 cash back on select Buck Hut Shooting Houses including the Q-180, Q-200, Q-230, Q-250, and Q-606 models through December 31st, 2026.

Target Sports USA's AMMO+ Day 2 savings event is live, offering exclusive deals on ammunition and primers for AMMO+ members. The event began April 23, 2026, at 9 AM EST, with membership available for immediate enrollment to access exclusive pricing and free shipping.

Liberty Ammunition will exhibit at the Texas Tactical Police Officers event in Round Rock, Texas, showcasing their new Law Enforcement and Military ammunition. CEO Gary Ramey highlighted the "Pro Series" ammunition's superior stopping power and reduced over-penetration compared to traditional lead bullets. Free product samples and ballistic range days will be available to departments.

Rambo Bikes, the #1 hunting e-bike manufacturer based in Centerville, Iowa, continues its partnership with Whitetails Unlimited as a national sponsor. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised Rambo Bikes for their innovative e-bikes that help hunters access hunting locations more quietly and efficiently.

Pyramyd AIR announced that Hatsan Airguns has become the Platinum Sponsor for the 2026 Pyramyd Cup, taking place August 5th-8th at Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. The partnership supports the premier airgun competition featuring 100-Yard Benchrest, Field Target, and Gunslynger disciplines. Registration opens April 23rd at noon eastern.

23XI Racing announced a partnership with Field & Stream as an Official Partner for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, kicking off with a Nashville race weekend takeover at Chief's on Broadway. Driver Corey Heim's No. 67 Toyota Camry will feature Chief's and Field & Stream branding, with Field & Stream serving as primary partner at Indianapolis and Charlotte Motor Speedway later in the season.

I’ll admit it plainly: I was among the early and unflinching critics when the National Rifle Association’s internal failures came into public view. I wrote about it, spoke about it, and—like many longtime members—wondered how an institution with such a storied history could allow so much to go unchecked. Where was the board? Where was the oversight? How did an organization built on discipline and responsibility drift so far from both?

Those questions weren’t rhetorical at the time. They were rooted in genuine disappointment. For many of us who had supported the NRA for decades, the revelations weren’t just embarrassing—they were disorienting. Trust, once lost, is not easily regained. So like a lot of members, I stepped back. I withheld support. I questioned whether the organization could still be trusted as a steward of its mission or of the resources entrusted to it.

And yet, time has a way of forcing clarity. Institutions either collapse under the weight of their failures, or they confront them, correct course, and emerge stronger. The NRA, after several bruising years, has chosen the latter path.

It had been a long time since I attended the NRA’s annual meeting. This year, with the convention in Houston, I decided it was time to see for myself what remained—and what had changed. What I found was not an organization clinging to its past, but one actively working to redefine its future.

The scale alone was striking. Thousands of attendees filled the convention halls, but more notable than the numbers was the tone. The mood wasn’t defensive or apologetic. It was forward-looking. The controversies that once dominated headlines were not ignored, but neither were they the focal point. The energy had shifted toward rebuilding, re-engaging, and recommitting to purpose.

During the NRA’s darkest stretch, there was no shortage of speculation that another organization might rise to replace it. After all, in today’s fragmented landscape, new groups emerge constantly, each vying to capture attention and allegiance. But that prediction missed a fundamental truth: institutions like the NRA are not easily replicated.

For more than a century and a half, the organization has occupied a unique space at the intersection of culture, politics, and constitutional rights. Its influence is not just a function of lobbying power, but of the millions of Americans who see it as a reflection of their values. That kind of institutional gravity cannot be duplicated overnight—if at all.

Walking the convention floor made that reality tangible. The industry presence was back in full force—large and beautiful exhibits, ambitious product launches, and a sense that innovation had not skipped a beat. Attendees moved through the space with the enthusiasm of people rediscovering something familiar but newly energized. It felt less like a reunion and more like a reset.

Equally notable was the organization’s embrace of change. Leadership is clearly investing in new technologies and modern strategies to communicate, organize, and advocate more effectively. That may sound like a given in 2026, but for a legacy institution, it represents a meaningful shift. Relevance today requires more than tradition; it demands adaptation and innovation.

Just as important, many longtime supporters who had distanced themselves are returning. Not out of blind loyalty, but out of recognition that the stakes remain high. They understand that whatever frustrations they may have had, the broader mission still matters—and that a weakened NRA leaves a vacuum that no other group has proven capable of filling.

The diversity of the crowd underscored another often-overlooked reality. The NRA is not a monolith. It is made up of Americans from every walk of life—young and old, urban and rural, across racial and cultural lines. That breadth was visible on the convention floor and in the conversations happening throughout the event. It’s a reminder that the Second Amendment debate is far more nuanced than it’s often portrayed.

Perhaps the most important shift, however, is within the organization’s leadership. After spending significant time with several board members and the organization’s CEO, Doug Hamlin, I came away with a different impression than I had in years past. There is a seriousness now—a recognition that the credibility of the institution depends on their stewardship. The reforms that once seemed overdue are now actively being implemented, and there is a clear understanding that members are watching closely.

No organization that has endured for 150 years escapes imperfection. From government to business to nonprofits, history is filled with examples of institutions brought low by human failings. The NRA is no exception. But it is also not unique in its capacity for course correction.

What matters now is not the missteps of the past, but the discipline of the present. There is a sense that the organization understands this—that it is choosing to focus not on relitigating what went wrong, but on ensuring it does not happen again.

The NRA today feels like an institution emerging from hibernation. Leaner, more self-aware, and perhaps a bit more cautious—but also hungry. Hungry to reassert its role, to rebuild trust, and to remind both its supporters and its critics why it has endured as long as it has.

There is little question that the organization has played a defining role in shaping the national conversation around rights and responsibility—to say nothing of its influence across the entire political landscape. There is no substitute for the organization, and for that reason alone, millions never left because they knew the NRA not only must survive…it has to thrive.

And for the first time in a while, that no longer feels like an open question.

– Chris Dorsey

Chris Dorsey is an award-winning media pioneer, author, strategist and philanthropist who is the founding partner of Dorsey Pictures, a Global-100 television production company with offices in Los Angeles, Denver and Detroit. He’s executive produced more than 110 television series on 20 cable and broadcast networks spanning his 30-year media career. Most recently, he founded Mission Partners Entertainment Group, a company redefining the world of giant screen/IMAX natural history content and education.