Shooting plates is fun. You get immediate feedback — “instant gratification” when you make a hit. When shooting steel inside 100 yards, we like to use .22 LR rimfire guns. The ammo is inexpensive, noise levels are lower (though you still need ear protection), and at close ranges there are fewer issue with ricochets and bullet splash-back. Additionally, for busy folks who don’t have time to reload, you can pick up a .22 LR rifle or pistol, grab a couple $5 boxes of ammo, and get to the range in a few minutes. The convenience means it is easier to shoot every week if you like.

In the video below, SFC Joel Turner from the USAMU’s Action Shooting Team offers a few pointers on how to shoot plates quickly and accurately. He’s using a centerfire pistol, but the same principles apply for rimfire handguns. Click speaker icon to activate audio.

High-Capacity KelTec .22 LR CP33 Pistol is Great for Plates
If you like shooting plates with rimfire guns, one of the better new pistols for the job is Kel-Tec’s CP33. We tested this interesting handgun at the 2019 SHOT Show Media Day at the Range, and were impressed. The pistol is big, but balances well. The sights are easy to see, and the full-length rail lets you easily mount a variety of optics. The trigger is surprisingly good — better than 90% of rimfire handguns out there. For the plates game, this “quad-stack” gun can handle long stages without mag changes. The standard clear-sided CP33 magazine holds 33 rounds of .22 LR ammo.

If you are interested in an affordable, but very accurate, high-capacity semi-auto rimfire pistol you should consider Kel-Tec’s new CP33. Shooting Sports USA (SSUSA) notes: “The rapid growth of rimfire competition in Steel Challenge has prompted some gun makers to enter the fray. Kel-Tec is one, and their new CP33 .22 LR pistol has a lot of potential.”

Overall SSUSA’s tester, Chris Christian, was impressed with the gun, saying it balanced well and the sights aligned naturally: “…the neutral-balance-point grip produced an almost instinctive sight alignment.”

Will you be traveling out of state this spring? Or do you have questions about your own state’s firearms laws? Then you’ll want to have quick access to summaries of gun laws in America’s 50 states. Here’s a very valuable online resource you may want to bookmark.

The NRA-ILA (Institute for Legislative Action) has a great feature on the NRA-ILA’s homepage. From the NRA home page, NRA-ILA.org, you can instantly access a host of information for all 50 states. There is a menu box that includes all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, New York City, and Guam. Look for the box that appears below the “NRA-ILA Top Stories Banner”:

Alternatively, look at the UPPER LEFT for three horizontal lines. Click that to open a drop-down menu. Then select the third line Gun Laws > State Gun Laws. That will open a page with all the 50 states listed in order A to Z. Or bookmark the NRA-ILA State Gun Laws Page.

Shown below is part of the NRA-ILA’s coverage for Texas. There is a summary of the most important Texas gun laws. Below that is a map showing the states that recognize Texas carry permits.

The 41st Annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) kicks off today (9/25/26) in Dallas, Texas. The event will continue through Sunday, September 27, 2026.

» CLICK HERE for full GRPC Agenda

Co-hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA), this is one of the most important gatherings of Second Amendment legal experts and Federal ATF and DOJ administrators. To view the full list of GRPC 2026 speakers and the final agenda visit SAF.org/GRPC.

LIVEstream GRPC Events Saturday and Sunday
For those who can’t make the event, the Saturday and Sunday GRPC 2026 sessions will be livestreamed on SAF’s YouTube channel beginning at 8 a.m. (CST) on Saturday and 9 a.m. (CST) on Sunday. You can also view via the SAF Livestream links below, or click on the Video starting Saturday morning.

Saturday SAF Livestream Link | Sunday SAF Livestream Link

The 2026 GRPC event runs at the Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport hotel. The $25 Registration Fee includes access to all Gun Rights Policy Conference events, including Friday and Saturday evening receptions.

This year’s keynote address will be given by the Honorable Roger T. Benitez (Ret.), a highly respect Federal Judge who authored many landmark decisions while serving as a Federal District Judge in California. Judge Benitez authored multiple key decisions which have helped to restore and safeguard gun rights in California. Judge Benitez is considered to be one of the most important judicial defenders of the Second Amendment in the post-Heller era. Other notable speakers are ATF Director Rober Cekada, and William Kirk, Second Amendment attorney, and host of the Washington Gun Law YouTube channel.

Additional Notable Speakers Will Include:
Robert Leider, ATF Chief Counsel
Barry Arrington, Acting Chief of Civil Rights Division (2d Amend. section), U.S. Department of Justice
Joseph Greenlee, NRA Institute for Legislative Action Litigation Counsel Office
Alan M. Gottlieb, Founder and Executive V.P., Second Amendment Foundation
Adam Kraut, Executive Director, Second Amendment Foundation
Chris Boeck, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer at Silencer Shop
Mark Smith, Constitutional lawyer and host of The Four Boxes Diner YouTube Channel
Cam Edwards, Editor of BearingArms.com and the host of the Cam & Company podcast
Brandon Herrera, Second Amendment advocate and Congressional candidate

Pre-Conference AMM-Con Event
In addition to attending GRPC, registrants can also participate in the AMM-Con pre-conference event on Friday, September 25. This is a gathering of leading Second Amendment media personnel.

2026 GRPC Official Sponsors
GRPC 2026 is sponsored by NSSF, USCCA, U.S. Law Shield, Silencer Shop, Colt, Vortex, Magpul, Credova, Volquartsen, Trijicon, GrabAGun, RAYVN Group, AZFirearms Auctions, and Taurus.

AccurateShooter.com is more about rifles than pistols. But we know that the majority of our regular readers own handguns, and many also have concealed carry (CCW) permits. And with the prospect of social unrest following the election, we expect more reader than ever will be “packing” a sidearm. Accordingly, we’ve found a great resource for CCW holders that can help you select a holster. On the Shooting Illustrated website you’ll find a detailed review of 30 different holster types. Each holster is illustrated, with pros and cons explained. These are all EDC holsters, meaning those designed for “Every Day Carry”.

SEE Full HolsterPallooza Story with 30 Holster Reviews »

Shooting Illustrated calls this article “HolsterPallooza” and it really does provide a ton of helpful information. Most other holster reviews on the web may feature a half-dozen holsters at the most. In this Holsterpallooza article you can see 30 holsters, with a wide variety of materials, designs, and applications. There are small molded IWB holsters for CCW, conventional on the belt holsters, leather shoulder holster rigs, and even ankle holsters. This is a great place to start if you are in the market for a holster.

Here’s sample of the many holster options reviewed, an innovative hybrid IWB holster constructed with leather over Kydex. That gives you the “best of both worlds” — the secure fit/retention of a molded Kydex shell, with an attractive leather exterior.

Shooting Illustrated explains: “As the interface between your gun and your body, the holster is a vital component of your carry rig. In many cases, the circumstances of your daily life will determine the method of carry you choose. This, in turn, will determine what type of holster you need, which may end up determining the handgun you carry. Therefore, choosing the method and type of holster may be as, or even more important than, choosing a firearm.”

MORE Reviews — Hickok 45 Reviews 15 CCW Holsters:

If you want to see even MORE holsters for “Every Day Carry” (EDC), check out this video from Hickok 45. This popular YouTube host looks at 15 different IWB holsters from a number of manufacturers. Hickok 45 examines many hybrid holsters that combine Kydex or plastic with leather for increased comfort. He has his favorites… and they might not be what you’d expect. NOTE: As this video has been watched over 900,000 times, you may also want to read the viewer comments. There are many helpful suggestions from CCW holders who carry daily.

NRA publication Shooting Sports USA (SSUSA) has thousands of articles online, all free for the reading. Many of these stories have been written by top competitors, including National and Olympic Champions. You will find SSUSA articles spotlighted every week on the NRA Competitive Shooting Facebook page. We recommend you bookmark that page as a valuable resource. Here are four notable SSUSA articles that have been featured on Facebook this month. Go to SSUSA.org to see even more current articles, with new content every day.

CLICK Above Image to READ Mirage Article

Here is an insightful, fairly lengthy 1850-word article about the phenomenon we call mirage. The article explains how and why mirage appears, how it can best be monitored, and how mirage can indicate both wind velocity and direction. Top competitors follow the adage “Mirage is your friend”, because mirage can often be the most important indicator of wind variables — sometimes even more important than wind flags. “The mirage is more sensitive than the flags since it has less inertia and momentum”, wrote Desmond T. Burke, in his book, Canadian Bisley Shooting, an Art and a Science.

Well worth reading, this SSUSA article talks about the properties of mirage. Here is a sample:

“Mirage — can make all the difference between a shot landing squarely in the X-ring or being victimized by an undetected downrange breeze. The true power of mirage is found in its ability to betray the subtlest of breezes downrange. Its fluid movement… can not only provide wind direction, but speed as well.

Typically, the ability to detect mirage is maximized on warm, sunny and sultry days. Expect mirage to be most pronounced in mid-morning or early afternoon, although it ignores these rules with regularity[.]

Mirage is extremely powerful at identifying winds of less than 12 mph, particularly those gentle breezes subtle enough to not even bother moving the flags.

When there is no wind, or a gentle head or tail wind, mirage will appear to be ‘bubbling’ directly up from the ground. Many call this ‘boiling’, and it is probably the easiest of all to detect.

As a general rule of thumb, when wind speed increases, overall height of the waves produced by the mirage is reduced. Large peaks and valleys in the waves mean that particular mirage is being driven by a very slight breeze. Conversely, crest size is reduced with wind speed, making it harder and harder to detect, until the mirage disappears entirely at somewhere around 12 miles per hour. In other words, the taller mirage’s waves appear, the slower the breeze.”

Diagram from SouthTexasShooting.org.

CLICK Above Image to READ Barrel Break-In Article

Authored by the late Glen Zediker, this article covers barrel break-in procedures. It is particularly useful for dealing with factory barrels. We CAUTION readers — with outstanding, hand-lapped custom barrels from top barrel-makers, you may want to do very little break-in — clean sparingly and keep barrel heat low. Do NOT use abrasives aggressively. On our Krieger and Brux barrels, we simply wet-patched every 2-3 rounds for 20 rounds and the barrels shot superbly from the start with minimal fouling. But for factory barrels, a moderate break-in process may prove beneficial.

Zediker explains: “Lesser, lower-cost barrels are going to have more pronounced … imperfections within the bore[.] These imperfections are largely tool marks resulting from the drilling and rifling processes. And if it’s a semi-automatic, like an AR-15, there might be a burr where the gas port was drilled. The goal of break-in is to knock down these imperfections, thereby smoothing the interior surface.”

CLICK Above Image to READ Case Failure Article

As one who has experienced a cartridge case-head blow-out with a 9mm pistol, this Editor is very conscious of the risks involved and the damage a blow-out can do to the pistol, to the magazine, and (worst of all) to the shooter. Even with new brass, the possibility of a case failure is always present. And even if the case remains intact, we’ve seen primer failures that create a dangerous jet back towards the pistol shooter. That’s why shooters should always employ protective eyewear whenever they shoot.

CLICK Above Image to READ Revolver Forcing Cone Article

We love our wheelguns, but there’s no doubt that forcing cone damage can occur, particularly with hot loads and if your cylinder-to-barrel gap is excessive. This article explains how to inspect your revolvers, and how to mitigate the likelihood of forcing cone damage. The article also explains how to clean your revolvers properly. This is very important to avoid build-up of lead and powder residues.

Do you often carry a concealed handgun? Then you can benefit from Beretta’s FREE 15-page e-book, Ten Essential Tips for CCW Holders. This eBook, in handy PDF format, helps gun owners select an appropriate handgun (and holster), understand legal obligations and responsibilities, and train effectively with the firearm. This short PDF eBook offers many useful tips to consider, in particular for gun owners who are contemplating the pros and cons of everyday carry for themselves.

CLICK HERE for 10 Essential Tips for CCW Holders »

As the Beretta CCW booklet says, “Carrying a concealed handgun requires a certain amount of confidence. You need to be confident in your knowledge of laws and regulations. You have to have confidence in your accuracy, and you need to trust that you can carry a gun effectively, securely and comfortably. If a gun is a burden for you to carry, you probably won’t.”

Surprising Facts About Actual Defensive Handgun Use
You may be surprised to learn when and how handguns are actually used for self-defense. Most defensive uses are at very short range and the incident only lasts a matter of seconds. You need to be prepared, and train to be proficient drawing and aiming your weapon. And remember, shooting is a last resort, when a safe retreat is not available.

55% of gunfights take place in 0-5 feet.
20% of gunfights take place in 5-10 feet.
20% of gunfights take place in 10-21 feet.
95% of gunfights take place in 0-21 feet. (Source: FBI)
The average man can cover 21 feet of ground in 1.5 seconds.
The average gunfight is over in 3-5 seconds.
3 to 4 shots are usually fired.
Most gunfights take place in low-light conditions.
On average, one shot in four strikes someone.

Here are two (2) sample pages from Beretta’s CCW eBook.

Starline Brass offers a series of videos with helpful reloading tips. Focused primarily on pistol cartridges, these short videos can help anyone get started with metallic cartridge reloading. If you load pistol rounds on a progressive, this video series is particularly helpful. The on-camera host is Hunter Pilant, son of Carroll Pilant of Sierra Bullets.

Preventing Double Charges
Tip: Use a bulky powder that fills your case more than half way with a correct charge. This will overfill the case if it is double-charged, making it very difficult to seat a bullet.

Tumble New Brass Before Loading the First Time
Tip: Tumble new pistol cartridge brass in used media for 30 minutes before loading for the first time. This will add enough graphite (carbon residue) to smooth case entry into dies. You can also lube the case mouths with graphite, or use spray lube.

Powder Through Expander — How to Eliminate Hang-ups
Tip: When loading pistol brass with a progressive press, sometime the powder-through expander is hard to remove, especially with short cases. There are two fixes — first, try deburring the inside of the case mouth on your cases. Second, the radius of the powder through expander plug can be modified to smooth entry and exit (see photo). Starline will do this modification for free.

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

NOTE: All listed products are for sale to persons 18 years of age or older. No products are intended for use by minors.

Sportsman’s Warehouse — Big September Sale

⏺️ » Big savings on hunting rifles, optics, packs and more

If you need gear for your fall hunt, definitely check out the major Outdoor Shooting Gear Sale running now at Sportsman’s Warehouse. There are big discounts up to 30% on hunting rifles, optics, rangefinders, hunting gear, carry packs and more. Save on products from leading brands including Smith & Wesson, Savage, Vortex, Leupold, and SIG Sauer.

MidwayUSA — Fall Bonanza Sale Plus FREE Shipping on $100+

⏺️ » Major savings on optics/hunting gear, FREE Shipping with $100+ orders

Right now MidwayUSA has a vast selection of gear on sale — everything a hunter might need for the fall hunting season. In addition to great deals on hunting rifles, you can save up to 64% on scopes, binoculars, trail cams, carry packs, gun cases, boots and more. Along with the big discounts, MidwayUSA is also offering FREE Shipping on $100+ orders.

As an Amazon affiliate, this site can earn revenues through sales commissions.

The Smith & Wesson Model 41 is a classic American rimfire target pistol. Beautifully crafted, the Model 41 boasts a superb trigger, comfortable grip, and excellent accuracy. New or used, a Model 41 is a fine addition to any firearms collection. We’ve shot a few Model 41s, and they will spoil you if you go back to a lesser rimfire pistol. First released commercially in 1957, a special 50th Anniversary Model (shown above top) came out in 2007 (hitting the market in 2008). Perhaps it should have been named the 60th Anniversary edition, as the first prototypes of the Model 41 were crafted way back in 1947. READ American Rifleman article about Model 41.

The Model 41 is one of those classic American designs that has stood the test of time. Many feel the Model 41 represents the apex of American .22 LR pistol design, much like the Colt Python is the “crown jewel” of double-action revolvers. One YouTube poster noted: “After [65] years the Model 41 is still near the top of the game in precision .22s. Very few if any of the current day pistols can match the workmanship, fit, and balance that makes having a Model 41 so enjoyable to own. S&W blew the center out of the 10 Ring with this one when they introduced it and continue to do so today.”

The Stunning 50th Anniversary Edition Model 41

Probably the most sought-after Model 41 is the handsome, machine-engraved 50th Anniversary Model, released in 2007. This was offered in a hardwood, glass-covered case. This would be a prized addition to any gun collection:

The 50th Anniversary Model was machine-engraved with Class A+ coverage, 24 carat gold striping, and special serial number range FYA0001 – FYA0500.

Of course, if you want a superb trigger in a .22 LR semi-auto pistol, look no further than the S&W Model 41. For $2000.00 to $3700.00 you can find the fully engraved, 50th Anniversary Model 41 in presentation case on various auction sights. First released in 2007, the engraved model 41 combines superior accuracy with stunning appearance.

Smith & Wesson Model 41 — An American Classic Rimfire Pistol

The Smith & Wesson Model 41 is an American classic — one of the great, iconic .22 LR target pistols. Accurate, well-balanced and built-to-last, model 41s have been in production for over 50 years. The Model 41 remains one of the most accurate pistols ever produced by Smith & Wesson.

Model 41 photo by Mightymoo01, creative commons released CC BY-SA 3.0.

Beautifully crafted, the Model 41 boasts a superb trigger, comfortable grip, and excellent accuracy. Whether an older classic or a newer model, the S&W Model 41 is something every gun owner would prize for target shooting. And “like new” high-grade models are now appreciating in value!

Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks recounts the development of the Model 41: “It was a difficult task to develop a competitive pistol that would meet the various needs of the top shooters. The final design was decided upon in 1956 and the new .22 target pistol was announced in Smith & Wesson’s 1957 Annual Report, stating: ‘Its design includes many advanced features, such as stocks equally suitable for right or left-hand shooters- a clean, crisp, trigger pull that is adjustable to individual preferences. The distribution of weight, together with the angle of the stocks, permits extremely steady off-hand holding. The precise micrometer sights are rigidly mounted on a one piece forged barrel to avoid any possible misalignment even after long usage.’ The handgun featured a 7 3/8-inch barrel equipped with a muzzle brake to help control recoil. The underside of the barrel was grooved to allow the addition of adjustable Olympic Style Barrel Weights. The trigger pull could be adjusted to allow for a 2-pound pull to meet the NRA Gallery Course requirement or increased to 3 pounds to meet the needs of the ISU International rules.

Smith & Wesson Model 41 with two extra slide/barrel assemblies, plus custom holster and mag holders. This sold on Cowan’s Auctions for $2640.00 in 2019.

Sales began in December of 1957 and the Model 41 was first cataloged in 1958. The factory was soon heavily back-ordered and [the Model 41] became the most popular auto-loading pistol offered by the company. In May of 1959 Smith & Wesson introduced a 5-inch lightweight barrel for the handgun to meet the demand of hunters[.] The line of Model 41s was further expanded in September of 1960 with the introduction of the Model 41-1 which fired .22 shorts for the International Rapid Fire Shooters. [I]n August of 1963 the company introduced the 5.5 inch heavy barrel. The last of the major barrel changes occurred in 1965 when the company produced the 5.5-inch heavy barrel with an extendable front sight to provide the shooter a longer sight radius. During the last 50 years the Model 41 has … established many records around the world. Today it is one of the classic target handguns[.]” READ MORE Model 41 History.

Field Test of Current Generation S&W Model 41

So how do modern production Model 41s shoot? Very well indeed, based on the results from popular gun Vlogger 22Plinkster. He took a new Model 41 to his test range and tested it for handling and accuracy. Watch the 22plinkster video below:

22plinkster runs of the most popular gun-centric YouTube channels. His videos have been watched by hundreds of thousands of firearms fans. Some of 22plinkster’s videos involve trick shots, but he’s actually a very competent marksman who has shot a vast collection of .22 LR/22 WMR pistols and rifles, making him a qualified rimfire expert.

Hickok45’s 30-Year-Old Model 41

Hickok45, a popular YouTube host, has been a fan of the S&W Model 41 since it was first released. In fact, back in 2020, Hickok45 celebrated his 30th year of ownership of this classic American rimfire. In this “Celebrating 30 Years” video, Hickok 45 demonstrates the qualities that have made the Model 41 so popular. He notes that it balances well, has an excellent trigger, and delivers superb accuracy. He observed: “What a great .22 LR pistol!”

Performance Center “Optics-Ready” Model 41

Do you prefer shooting pistols with a modern optic? Well check out the fully “Optics-Ready” S&W Performance Center Model 41. This modernized Model 41 PC has an integral Picatinny Rail mount for optics, plus adjustable target sights with a special skeletonized and removable front blade sight.

The Performance Center Model 41 sports an integral Picatinny-style equipment rail for easy installation of optics. Other standard features include an external thumb safety on the left side of the frame, custom wood target grips, and a blued finish. This full-size, 10-shot .22 LR pistol features a carbon steel frame and slide along with a 5.5-inch barrel. Measuring 10.5 inches in overall length, the Model 41 PC has an unloaded weight of 41 ounces. MSRP is $1763.00.

The S&W Model 41 History from Wikipedia

From Wikipedia: The Smith & Wesson Model 41 is a semi-automatic pistol developed by Smith & Wesson after World War II as a competitive target pistol. It was designed with a 105-degree grip angle, the same as the Colt M1911 pistol, to maintain a consistent grip angle.

Prototype and Production Models
In July 1947, two prototypes, numbered X-41 and X-42, were produced, tested, and improved for the next 10 years. In 1957, the Model 41 was made available to the public for sale when Smith & Wesson produced 679 units. At the end of 1958, they had built 9,875 Model 41 pistols. A lighter 5-inch (130 mm) barrel was offered in 1958 for field use. The Model 41-1 was introduced in 1960 and was chambered in .22 Short for International Rapid Fire competition. Only 1000 were made using light aluminum slides necessary for function with the lower powered .22 Short.

In August 1963, the 5-inch heavy barrel version came into the market. Stoeger’s Shooter’s Bible of 1964 shows a 7 3⁄8″ (190 mm) barrel grooved for Olympic center weights. The cocking indicator and 7 3⁄8″ barrel were dropped in 1978. The 7-inch (180 mm) barrel was introduced in 1978 with no provision for a muzzle brake. A 6-inch (150 mm) barrel was offered for a few months in 1991. In 1992, the Model 41 was dropped from production. In 1994, Smith & Wesson returned it to production as the Model 41 “New Model”.

The Model 41 Military Variant — S&W Model 46
In 1957, Smith & Wesson offered a “no frills” version of the Model 41, designated the Model 46. In 1959, it was selected by the U.S. Air Force for basic marksmanship training. About 4000 units were made in total: 2500 with a 7-inch barrel, 1000 with 5-inch barrels, and 500 with 5.5″ barrels. The pistol lacked the checkering, polished blue finish, and other refinements of the Model 41. It proved to be a commercial failure with consumers who preferred the more costly Model 41, and production ceased in 1966.

Smith & Wesson Model 41 RESOURCES:

NRA American Rifleman Model 41 history article

Smith & Wesson Model 41 History and brochure PDF

Rockislandauction.com Model 41 50th Anniversary Auction

GunsInternational.com Model 41 with 7 3⁄8″ barrel

Invaluable.com current Auction with long-barrel Model 41

Federal Court Holds that New Mexico Gun Waiting Period Law Is Unconstitutional
The U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico has granted summary judgment and entered final judgment holding New Mexico’s seven-day firearm waiting period unconstitutional in Ortega v. Grisham. The case was brought by the National Rifle Association and Mountain States Legal Foundation (MSLF), in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

Enacted in 2024, the New Mexico law requires purchasers to wait seven (7) days before taking possession of a newly purchased firearm — even after immediately passing a federal background check confirming they were not prohibited from owning firearms. The NRA and MSLF filed suit the day the law took effect, filing on behalf of plaintiffs Samuel Ortega and Rebecca Scott. See: USACarry.com Report.

History of Legal Challenge to New Mexico Waiting Period Law
On August 19, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit held that New Mexico’s gun waiting period violates the Second Amendment. The court ruled that the right to keep and bear arms includes the lawful acquisition of arms and that “cooling-off” periods are a modern invention unsupported by the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation. On December 22, 2025, the Tenth Circuit denied the State’s petition for rehearing en banc.

After the case returned to the District Court, New Mexico’s lawyers argued that the Court was not bound by the Tenth Circuit’s decision and the NM waiting period law should be allowed to stand. However, District Judge James O. Browning concluded that the court was bound by the Appellate ruling and granted judgment to the plaintiffs on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director, praised the outcome in this case: “The NRA’s legal team has secured another historic victory by striking down New Mexico’s unconstitutional waiting-period law. A right delayed is a right denied, and the court correctly held that forcing law-abiding citizens to wait after passing a background check cannot be squared with the Second Amendment. Under New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the NRA’s landmark 2022 case, waiting period laws like this fail because they have no analog in the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.”

This video covers the December 2025 Ortega v. Grisham decision by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which held New Mexico’s gun waiting period laws to be unconstitutional. After seeing the law struck down by a 3-judge panel of the 10th Circuit, the State of New Mexico appealed to the full en banc panel. But 10 of the 12 judges in that Court have denied that request. The case was then send back to the District Court, which issued its Summary Judgment and Final Judgment last week.

Read the full court opinion (PDF)