The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is challenging California’s firearm industry liability law, AB 1594, passed in 2022 and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The law, which goes into effect on July 23, 2023, encourages civil suits against the firearm industry for the illegal actions of criminals with guns. This law is an affront to the U.S. Constitution and is an attempt to circumvent the will of the U.S. Congress when it passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).
The litigation, NSSF v. Bonta, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The NSSF now seeks a preliminary injunction to halt enforcement of AB 1594 as challenges to the unconstitutional law progress through the courts.
NSSF Files Motion to Enjoin Unconstitutional California Firearm Industry Liability Law
The NSSF filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in its legal challenge, NSSF v. Bonta, seeking to enjoin California’s firearm industry liability law, AB 1594. The unconstitutional law permits and encourages civil suits against members of the firearm industry for the damages/injuries caused by the actions of criminals. The law goes into effect next month on 7/23/23.
NSSF’s motion argues that California’s firearm industry liability law is preempted by the Federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) which was passed with bipartisan support in Congress and subsequently signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2005. The PLCAA was specifically enacted to stamp out frivolous lawsuits sought by activist politicians, gun control lawyers and greedy trial lawyers seeking to bankrupt the lawful firearm industry by blaming them and their lawfully-sold and non-defective products for the violence and harm caused by criminals who misuse firearms to commit their crimes.
“It’s no surprise California’s rabidly antigun General Assembly would pass and Governor Gavin Newsom would sign into law a blatantly unconstitutional attack on the lawful firearm industry instead of looking in the mirror to see how their own policies are leading to historic levels of criminal violence and endangering law-abiding and innocent Californians every day,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. “NSSF will not stand by and allow the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans … to be trampled upon while criminals committing acts of violence are handled with kid gloves by soft-on-crime prosecutors. California’s industry liability law is in blatant defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Bruen and is preempted by the PLCAA.”
In addition to the firearm industry liability provision, California’s AB 1594 bans the manufacture, sale, and marketing of firearms the state deems “abnormally dangerous” regardless of if they are commonly-owned. It allows civil lawsuits against a firearm industry member to be filed by a person who has suffered harm in California, the Attorney General, or even city or county attorneys for the harm caused by the criminal misuse of a firearm by a remote third party. The law unconstitutionally invades the sovereignty of sister states by directly regulating lawful commerce occurring entirely and wholly outside the state of California in violation of the Commerce Clause and the United States system of federalism.
NSSF’s challenge explains that AB 1594 is a law that was drafted prior to the Bruen decision and signed just weeks AFTER the Supreme Court published the landmark ruling. Rather than re-examining the legislation to ensure AB 1594 complied with Supreme Court precedent, California legislators ignored the Supreme Court’s decision and pushed AB 1594 through defiantly.
The NSSF argues that AB 1594 not only infringes on Second Amendment rights but chills First Amendment rights by restricting advertising of Constitutionally-protected products that are lawfully made and sold — even when that advertising takes place outside of California’s borders.
In recognition of June as National Safety Month, the NSSF reminds guns owners that their most important responsibility is to store their firearms securely when not in use. New and long-time gun owners sometimes underestimate the danger of leaving firearms unsecured, which can potentially lead to such risks as: A child getting into a bedside table or closet and finding a loaded gun; A criminal stealing an unsecured firearm from one’s home or vehicle; or a teen at risk for suicide obtaining an adult’s firearm.
With schools closing soon for the summer and kids spending more time at home, firearms safety is more important than ever. Given that fact, the NSSF reminds gun owners to keep their guns locked up so they cannot be accessed by children. The NSSF urges gun owners to keep firearms safety a top priority. All gun owners must remember that it is vital to use gun locks and secure storage at all times.
We also know that stolen firearms contribute to violent crime in the U.S. Gun thefts from cars, in particular, are a persistent source of stolen guns. This means that gun owners—if they fail to secure their firearms in their vehicles—could have their gun stolen and potentially used in a crime—and no one wants their gun used by a criminal.
That’s why it’s so important, as a responsible gun owner, to make sure you’re practicing secure firearm storage and to encourage fellow gun owners to do the same. You have many choices of safety devices to fit your needs and lifestyle — from free Project ChildSafe® cable gun locks available at local law enforcement agencies to lockable gun cases, lock boxes, and full-size safes.
Firearms Security and Safety in Vehicles
“More parents are assuming the role of educators in their homes, so it’s a good to time have a talk with your kids about gun safety, even if you don’t own a gun”, states Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. “If you do own a firearm, be sure your family understands the safety rules regarding firearms in your home, and always store guns responsibly when not in use.”
Shooting USA TV has a very good show released today. Shooting USA’s Wednesday Night episode features an interesting tactical-style airgun competition, and then there’s a sequence from Julie Golob on how to use video recordings to improve your pistol handling and marksmanship. For fans of military firearms, this week’s episode also features a notable WWII German rifle — the Gewehr 43.
Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.
The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge
The 2022 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge in Provo, Utah attracted top shooters with over $100,000 worth of prizes. The stages look like what you’d see at PRS/NRL events, but the targets are smaller, the range is shorter, and the power behind each shot is air. Practical Air-Gun competition has a well-established community that spans the globe, and recently competitors from other shooting disciplines, the powder burners, beginning to take notice. Air-Gun practical competition is fun and inexpensive — you are paying pennies a round vs. a $1.25 or more for premium centerfire ammo. The Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge is leading the way in this interesting air-powered shooting discipline. This multi-day event featured a variety of events on multiple stages.
Germany’s Answer to the M1 Garand — the Gewehr 43
The Gewehr 43 is featured this week on Shooting USA. This semi-auto battle rifle was developed in response to the legendary M1 Garand — the US standard issue rifle in WWII. The effectiveness of the self-loading Garand was not lost on the German military, armed with bolt-action Mausers that dated back to the first world war. For Nazi Germany the pressure was on to develop a semi-automatic battle rifle that could match the repeating firepower of the M1. The result was the Gewehr 43.
Using Video to Improve Your Shooting — S&W Pro Tip
The talented Julie Golob has another Smith & Wesson Pro Tip on using video to improve your shooting. Julie states: “Did you know that one of the best tools for self-diagnosing technique is your smart phone? You can set up your smartphone to record your shooting and coach yourself through valuable skills. In this Pro Tip I am going to walk you through three different ways to use your [smartphone’s video camera] to become a better shot. READ FULL STORY with More TIPs and 14 Photos.
When most shooters think of biathlon, they imagine the winter sport which combines cross-country skiing with rimfire rifle shooting. Now there’s a new type of biathlon, a true “run and gun” competition with rifles and pistols. The Gun Run competitors move on foot over natural terrain, with 5-8 shooting stages over the course, typically 5 km (about 3 miles).
The Gun Run is a two-gun, centerfire biathlon. It is designed to test your physical fitness, marksmanship, and equipment. Competitors will carry their rifle, pistol, ammunition, mags and anything they believe they need to complete the course. They will travel over various distances depending on the match — but most often a 5 kilometer marked course consisting of natural terrain, roads, and trails. There will be anywhere from 5 to 8 shooting stages. There are night events, two-person team events, and even a land navigation event where you must use map and compass to complete the course.
The Gun Run is not a CrossFit competition and it’s not USPSA. This is a challenging event that test personal fitness and marksmanship with both rifle and pistol.
How to Participate in The Gun Run Events
Click below for the list of The Gun Run 2023 Events with links to sign-up pages. The next competition is slated for June 24, 2023 at The Sawmill Tactical Training Complex in Laurens, South Carolina.
Origins of The Gun Run
This isn’t a new concept … matches like this originated in Texas 20 years ago and have spread all over the country. Prior to that, Colonial Era Americans would gather on the village green sometimes multiple times a week and conduct close order drill with rifle marksmanship competitions. Shooting is as old a past time for this country as this country is old.
Fitness Challenge
Carrying all your gear in 90 degree weather up and down hills is not easy. Having the best gear and being a good marksman can help but having a level of fitness where you can maneuver with gear on is extremely important. The end result of all of this is improving your training plan. Whether it be physical or on the range, every event you compete in should give you areas to work on. Sometimes new kit needs to be bought but most often it is our fitness that needs the most improvement.
Sponsorship — American Defense Manufacturing (ADM) is a sponsor of The Gun Run. ADM produces patented, fully ambidextrous AR15 and AR10 platform rifles, as well as QD Mounting Solutions for optics and accessories for all firearm platforms.
Do you know someone who recently purchased his/her first handgun and is getting started in the shooting sports? Or do you need to brush up your own pistol skills? Then check out a new FREE video training series from the SIG Sauer Academy: Shooter’s Edge — Learning to Shoot.
Here is the Second Video from the Shooter’ Edge series, covering Basic Rules of Firearms Safety:
This video series features foundational handgun classes at the SIG Sauer Academy in New Hampshire. The ten-episode series takes viewers into the classroom and onto the range as the instructors walk through the fundamentals of handgun safety, shooting techniques, practice and training exercises, along with instruction in equipment options and handgun selection. The series was shot on location during several of the Academy’s introductory classes.
Click Below to Access Full Video Series on SigSauer.com:
The Shooter’ Edge Series includes the following episodes: Learn to Shoot at SIG Sauer Academy; Basic Rules of Safety; Types of Handguns and Ammunition; Foundational Shooting Techniques; How to Practice and Train Effectively; Choosing the Right Gun; Equipment and Its Purpose; Holsters — Presentation and Recovery; Magazines — Loading and Unloading; and What Happens After Learning to Shoot.
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.
1. Sportsman’s Warehouse — Father’s Day Sale
⏺ Sale through June 18 — deal on guns, optics, gear
Save on all your hunting and target shooting needs over at Sportsman’s Warehouse during their Father’s Day sale. With big discounts on optics, rifles, pistols, ammo, gun safes, and shooting gear, you’ll find plenty of bargains for both yourself and your father.
2. EuroOptic — Trijicon Tenmile Scope SALE with Huge Savings
⏺ Precise powder scale/dispenser with advanced features
Trijicon makes some great scopes for a variety of applications. Grab a high-quality Trijicon Tenmile scope with a massive discount (up to 51%) during the Trijicon Riflescope Closeout SALE at EuroOptic.com. Choose from Tenmile scopes with 6X magnification ranges 3-18X, 4-24X, or 4.5-30X — all well suited for both varmint work and competition. Don’t delay, with these prices, these Trijicon Tenmile 6x zoom range optics should sell out quickly.
3. CDNN Sports — HK VP9 Father’s Day $200 Gear Credit Promo
⏺ Get $200 credit for mags and accessories with HKVP9 Special
Heckler & Koch (HK) makes outstanding defensive pistols. This Editor has owned four HK pistols in three calibers and they were all exceptionally accurate and ultra-reliable. Right now you’ll earn a $200 gear credit with the purchase of an HK VP9 pistol from CDNN Sports. Various color and sight options are available. With this Father’s Day Loadout Special you’ll get a $200 credit for the HK webshop. That $200 credit can be used for magazines and a variety of accessories.
⏺ Precise powder scale/dispenser with advanced features
This combo kit features four top-tier reloading tools. The Powder Measuring Pro-Combo Special includes the superb Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 Precision Scale, TRX-925 Scale Caddy, Redding Competition Model BR-30 Powder Measure, and Redding Model No. 5 Powder Trickler. The TRX-925 is a class-leading precision scale that reads in grains. To do better you’d have to spent more than twice as much for a Force Restoration scale. And right now you SAVE $200 with this Creedmoor Sports Pro-Combo Special.
5. Palmetto SA — Norma ECO Speed .22 LR Ammo, $3.49/50rd
⏺ Unique, ultra-fast .22 LR ammo with lead-free bullets
Here’s unique, extremely fast .22 LR ammo for varminting and target shooing. This Norma ECO Speed ammo features a lead-free 25gr bullet running at a blistering 1706 FPS. That rivals the 17 Mach 2, but you can shoot this from any .22 LR rifle. This high-velocity Norma ECO Speed .22 LR ammo, is now just $3.49 on sale (50rd Box). Norma’s lead-free ECO Speed ammo boast a muzzle velocity exceeding all other .22 LR on the market. The cartridge is 100% lead-free, including the primer, making it quite unique. NOTE: This ammo works best in bolt-action rifles.
6. Amazon — Frankford Arsenal Precision Case Trimmer, $79.99
⏺ Versatile kit allows you to trim nearly any neck diameter shouldered brass
The Frankford Arsenal Universal Precision Trimmer is a versatile tool that can work with most popular cartridge types. This case-trimming system indexes on case shoulders for precise trimming. The adjustable collet system works with shouldered cases from .17 Remington to .460 Weatherby and fits most power drills. The built-in depth micrometer allows for micro-adjustments and the brass shaving ejection port ensures a clean trim. NOTE, this tool is NOT compatible with straight-wall cartridges.
7. Midsouth — Winchester 9mm Luger Ammo, 500rds $144.99
⏺ Very low price on quality USA-made 9mm ammo plus free shipping
Here’s a great deal on quality USA-made 9x19mm (9mm Luger) ammo. Midsouth is offering a 500-round case of Winchester Service Grade 9mm 115gr ammo for just $144.99 with FREE SHIPPING. This FMJ ammunition is new production, non-corrosive, in reloadable brass. Winchester Service Grade is an excellent choice for competitive and recreational shooting applications.
8. Amazon — PROHEAR Earmuffs 2-Pack, $33.95
⏺ Muffs Duo with very good 26dB Noise Reduction Rating
All shooters should use quality hearing protection whenever at the range. This 2-Pack of PROHEAR earmuffs, provides excellent 26 dB NRR (SNR 31dB) protection for yourself and a shooting buddy. These PROHEAR muffs, just $33.95 for the pair, offer quality foam combined with a sound-dampening composite housing. That provides a very good 26 dB Noise Reduction Rating, better than most muffs in this price range.
Available in black or olive green colors, these PROHEAR muffs have a reduced width at the bottom to provide less interference when shouldering a rifle or shotgun. The 2-packs are offered in Black & Green (see above), Black & Brown, Black & Black, Brown & Green, or Black and Hi-Viz Pink — a cool set for a guy and his wife.
9. Midsouth — Varmint X-Treme .22 Cal 55gr, $39.99/250
⏺ Amazing deal on varmint bullets — just $0.16 each in 250 pack
Planning a varmint safari this summer? If you shoot a .22-caliber rifle, check out this hot deal on Varmint Nightmare X-Treme FBHP bullets. Get 250 bullets for $39.99 — just $16 per hundred! Crafted by a major bullet-maker, these .22 Caliber, 55 grain projectiles feature a quality jacket, and a 0.218 BC. With their hollow point design, these Varmint Nightmare bullets have an explosive effect on P-dogs and Groundhogs.
10. Amazon — Reloading Data Book, $5.99
⏺ Handy low cost 120-page book keep vital reloading data at hand
All handloaders should keep detailed reloading notes with all essential load data. The Reloading Data Book provides a handy hard copy of your load data in an organized format. This 8.5″ x 11″ book Data Book has 120 log pages with printed entry boxes for date, cartridge, powder, grains, bullet type, bullet weight, and many more variables. At just $5.99, this a great resource to keep in your loading room.
Team Vihtavuori member Bruce Piatt shot a superb match to win the 2023 CMP Bianchi Cup Pistol Championship. Piatt recorded a remarkable 1920 – 178X score to secure his seventh Bianchi Cup championship title. To shoot 1920-178X, Bruce had to hit every target in the match — a very impressive accomplishment.
The 2023 CMP Bianchi Cup was hosted by Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri on May 23-26, 2023. The Bianchi Cup, the second longest-running action pistol championship, has a 40+ years history and attracts top pistol shooters from around the world. Shooters compete in multiple events including the Barricade, Falling Plate, Practical, and Moving Target.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) now oversees the Bianchi Cup competition, previously run by the National Rifle Association.
The talented Piatt, who competes with the .38 Super cartridge powered by Vihtavuori N320 powder, also brought home the Law Enforcement Championship title. With near perfect shooting conditions, Piatt was in a tight race with Australian Shooter Mark Blake who placed second. Fellow Team Vihtavuori member Doug Koenig finished third overall.
Editor’s Note: Vihtavuori N320 is our favorite powder for .45 ACP target loads. It is very accurate and burns cleaner, with fewer sparks, than any other brand of powder we have tried for the .45 ACP. We highly recommend N320 and the slightly faster N310.
Here are Bruce Piatt’s Scores for Each Event Round:
About Vihtavuori
Vihtavuori is renowned its clean burning and temperature stable smokeless powders that have great lot-to-lot consistency. Vihtavuori is imported by Capstone Precision Group, exclusive U.S. distributor for Berger, Lapua, Vihtavuori and SK-Rimfire products. For more information, visit Vihtavuori.com.
To help serve America’s many millions of new gun owners, Winchester offers an online information site for first-time ammunition and firearms buyers as well as those just getting started in the shooting sports and hunting. Winchester’s New Shooters Site has many helpful articles plus a series of informative videos.
Winchester’s New Shooters Site also incorporates the NSSF’s WHERE-To-SHOOT Resource, the internet’s most comprehensive listing of gun ranges. The Where-to-Shoot section makes finding a local range easy. Simply input your location and max desired distance, and the site will generate a list of nearby indoor and outdoor ranges with a Google map.
A California company, CaseCruzer, makes the nicest multi-pistol hard cases we’ve ever seen. With capacities from 2 pistols to 6 pistols, these lockable range cases hold handguns securely in angled “quick-draw” slots. In addition to the molded pistol carriers, there are slots for magazines together with a separate compartment for muffs, ammo, and other accessories. The base Quick Drawer 3-Pack and 4-Pack cases are quite expensive at $416.22, but they offer outstanding protection with great usability. We have never seen better handgun transport systems with nice vertical compartments for magazines. Water-tight and dust-proof, CaseCruzer cases are airline approved (ATA 300).
4-Gun Case
The smart design of the “Quick Draw” CaseCruzer cases lets you keep your pistol locks in place during transport. There is enough clearance to stow the pistols securely even with bulky trigger-guard locks.
5-Gun Case
Wheelgunners will like the CaseCruzer Revolver 6-Pack. CaseCruzer also offers a Quick Draw case that holds six semi-auto pistols with magazines. The semi-auto 6-Pack is offered with optional wheels.
Looking for a superb illustrated coffee table book about guns? Yes there is such a thing, a great book we highly recommend — The Illustrated History of Fireams (2nd Edition). This full-color 320-page hardcover book features more than 1,700 photos compiled by NRA Museums curators Jim Supica, Doug Wicklund, and Philip Schreier. This Second Edition includes 300 photos more than the original, plus dozens of new profiles of important persons who influenced firearms development.
This follow-up to the best-selling original NRA Museums book is loaded with great images, historical profiles, and technical data on old, new, and currently-manufactured firearms that have changed history. Covering the earliest matchlocks to modern match-grade superguns and everything in between, The Illustrated History of Firearms provides a fascinating education on how guns evolved, where they originated and how they worked.
The Illustrated History of Firearms, 2nd Edition
– Authored by the experts at the NRA Firearms Museums
– Published by Gun Digest Books
– 9 ½ x 11 1/2 inches, hardcover with dust jacket
– 1,700 full-color photos
– 320 Pages, Hardcover
– Price: $39.99 (MSRP); $33.79 on Amazon
The Illustrated History of Firearms, 2nd Edition is available from Amazon direct for $33.79 delivered. Amazon also lists the book starting at $28.54 from a variety of other book vendors. You’ll also find the book at major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, but it’s probably easier to purchase online.
Historic American Arms — Teddy Roosevelt’s Lever Guns
These two lever action rifles, owned by President Theodore Roosevelt, are part of the NRA Museum collection. First is a Winchester 1886 rifle known as the tennis match gun because Roosevelt used winnings from a tennis match to buy it. Below that is a suppressed Winchester model 1894 rifle. Roosevelt liked to shoot varmints around Oyster Bay (Long Island, NY) with this gun so he wouldn’t disturb his neighbors — the Tiffany and Du Pont families.
About the NRA Museums
The NRA opened the original National Firearms Museum at its Washington DC Headquarters in 1935. In 2008 the Francis Brownell Museum of the South West opened at the NRA’s Whittington Center in Raton, NM. Then, in 2013, the National Sporting Arms Museum opened at the Bass Pro Shops store in Springfield, MO. Every year, at these three museum facilities, over 350,000 persons visit to see the impressive exhibits and many of America’s most famous firearms. For more information, visit www.NRAMuseum.org.
In recognition of June as National Safety Month, the NSSF reminds guns owners that their most important responsibility is to store their firearms securely when not in use. New and long-time gun owners sometimes underestimate the danger of leaving firearms unsecured, which can potentially lead to such risks as: A child getting into a bedside table or closet and finding a loaded gun; A criminal stealing an unsecured firearm from one’s home or vehicle; or a teen at risk for suicide obtaining an adult’s firearm.
Team Vihtavuori member Bruce Piatt shot a superb match to win the 2023 CMP Bianchi Cup Pistol Championship. Piatt recorded a remarkable 1920 – 178X score to secure his seventh Bianchi Cup championship title. To shoot 1920-178X, Bruce had to hit every target in the match — a very impressive accomplishment.
Editor’s Note: Vihtavuori N320 is our favorite powder for 
