Summer is almost here (Summer Solstice is June 20, 2025). That means many of our readers will be on the road traveling to matches or holiday destinations. LawShield, America’s largest provider of Legal Defense for Self Defense® coverage, offers a National Travel Guide for Gun Owners and state-specific Travel Guides for Gun Owners. These guides feature practical information for people traveling through nearly every state in the USA.
State-Specific Travel Guides — Access for FREE
State-specific Travel Guides and a National Travel Guide for Gun Owners can be accessed for FREE on the the U.S. LawShield website. For planning future travel, bookmark Resources.uslawshield.com/travel-guide.
According to Kirk Evans, President of U.S. LawShield, “Because there are so many details for people to understand before they leave home, we developed state-specific guides to help folks stay on the right side of the law. Take the time to learn the laws before hitting the road because they are not the same everywhere. Don’t wait until after the fact to plan for your guns when preparing for your trip.”
Travel Guide for Gun Owners Topics:
Permits/licenses recognized by specific states
State laws you should know, including vehicle carry, duty to notify law enforcement, and open and concealed carry laws
Where you can legally carry your gun
Federal laws you should know
Carrying in National Parks
Transfer of firearms
Traveling from state to state and the Safe Passage provision
Flying with a firearm, including TSA requirement warnings and how to pack ammunition
Driving with a firearm
Two Knowledgeable Attorneys Explain State Law Issues When Traveling
In this video U.S. LawShield Independent Program Attorneys Richard Hayes and Emily Taylor provide essential information for traveling with firearms. Discussion includes essential information needed to stay safe and responsible while traveling with firearms.
Know the Laws of Every State You Travel Through
“There is no standardization of gun laws within the 50 individual states, so even if a state recognizes your handgun license or permit, they may have additional restrictions on certain types of firearms, magazines, or ammunition,” said Evans. “In some states, it’s illegal for a non-resident to possess a firearm in the passenger compartment of their vehicle. And, because you are subject to a state’s laws when you are in that state, if you break their laws, you could be committing a crime — whether you think you intentionally broke the law or not,” he added.
“Remember, not knowing the law is not a valid defense,” stated Evans. “Use our Travel Guide for Gun Owners for whatever state you’re traveling through, and learn which states honor your carry license or permit before you go.”
State and regional fish and wildlife representatives from across the country recently visited SIG SAUER, Inc. headquarters and the SIG SAUER Academy in New Hampshire. These groups came to see the firearm manufacturing process. This would help them understand how guns and ammo excise taxes fund a sizable portion of modern conservation agency jobs, research, habitat projects, equipment, and technology.
Gun Industry Funds Wildlife Conservation
One of the most significant funding sources for conservation derives from firearm, ammunition, fishing and archery equipment manufacturers through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program. Nearly $1.1 billion in funding is generated annually.
Participants toured the manufacturing facility, seeing every step of the manufacturing process – they even tested the firearms at SIG SAUER Academy. This collaborative event was made possible through the Partner With A Payer Initiative, which connects state and federal agency staff to the manufacturers whose products generate excise taxes, enabling vital conservation work throughout the USA.
Major partners of this tour include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), NSSF — The Firearm Industry Trade Association, and Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS). The event was featured as part of the annual National R3 Symposium that focuses on the the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of target shooters and hunters. That in turn helps the represented agencies increase conservation funding via excise taxes.
Gun Storage Check Week is the time to ensure your firearms are stored safely and securely. NSSF, the Firearm Industry Trade Association, is promoting Gun Storage Check Week, June 1-7, 2025, to remind gun owners to review their storage practices to prevent accidents, suicides and thefts. During this week, check your gun safe(s), and ensure your firearms are stored correctly and locked down properly. Also use secure gun cases when transporting firearms to the range. When traveling by air, use proper TSA-approved gun cases and comply with transport rules.
“Securely storing guns when they’re not in use can save lives. It’s really that simple,” said Joe Bartozzi, President and CEO of NSSF. “No one wants their gun in the hands of an unsupervised child, a person in crisis, someone who does not understand how to safely operate firearms, or a thief. If something bad happens because your gun isn’t stored securely, you’ll regret it, probably forever.”
This video covers gun safety rules and secure storage of firearms.
Gun Storage Check Week’s safety resources highlight many options to store firearms securely so that guns are off limits to unauthorized persons. Secure gun storage devices include:
Cable Locks — Available free of charge through NSSF’s Project ChildSafe® program Lock Boxes — Secure storage solution for guns kept for home security and in vehicles Lockable Gun Cases — for security, portability, and travel Full-size Gun Safes — For owners with multiple firearms to protect against fire and theft.
Enter to Win Product Prizes in June
Each week in June 2025, you can enter to win firearm storage units and other safety equipment thanks to Regal Products, Vault Pro, and ShotLock. Storage equipment prize packages are valued up to $499 and change weekly. Shown below is the first set of prizes. Go to GunStorageCheck.org to register. One winner per week will be chosen. The contest restarts each week, so you can enter up to four times in June.
NRA America’s Rifle Challenge
The National Rifle Association, as part of NRA 2.0 in 2025, is launching an AR-based competition called the America’s Rifle Challenge (ARC). This is a competitive shooting program designed to encourage the “every day responsible rifle owner” to do more than just target practice at the range. ARC can provide a fun, exhilarating introduction to action shooting sports for AR owners.
Shooting Sports USA features the new ARC program in the March 2025 issue, available for FREE online: READ Full Article HERE.
ARC Competition Levels
The NRA America’s Rifle Challenge (ARC) is a unique AR-based competition shooting program designed as a way for “everyday responsible rifle owners” to go beyond typical target practice. Millions of gun owners have purchased ARs over the past few years, and this program will help them sharpen their skills. Featuring two levels of competition, NRA America’s Rifle Challenge can accommodate everyone from AR novices to seasoned competitors. And there will be an optional Two-Gun component in the NRA America’s Rifle Challenge program that adds handgun shooting to the courses of fire. Not only that, pistol-caliber carbines chambered in 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP are permitted in all NRA ARC Level 1 matches and special Level 2 and Two-Gun events.
NOTE: The NRA plans to release the full NRA America’s Rifle Challenge rulebook as well as NRA ARC requirements for clubs/ranges no later than August 1, 2025. You will be able to download the rulebook at: Arc.nra.org/nra-arc-rulebook.
America’s Rifle Challenge Event Levels:
Level 1: The Level 1 course of fire is conducted from 10 out to 100 yards with competitors firing from different positions under time constraints. Level 1 is intended for AR owners new to competitive shooting. This event focuses on building skills to improve accuracy, speed, and mechanics. L1 matches are conducted from 100 yards and inward, with a balance of both time and accuracy being measured in every event. There are currently five total stages of fire in this match, with more in development. NOTE: Level 1 is limited to the first 32 competitors (4 squads). Space in level 1 is limited, so sign up quickly.
Level 2: The Level 2 course of fire covers the full spectrum of what is possible with an AR. L2 matches are conducted from 500 yards inward. Competitors will face a variety of stages designed to test skills — shooting and moving, positional shooting skills, long-range precision, speed, stage planning, and use of barricades, as well as close-quarters exercises. Level 2 offers a higher round count and more dynamics to the stages. NOTE: Level 2 is limited to the first 60 competitors (6 squads).
The NRA has released the dates of major competition shooting events this summer and fall. Here is the schedule for NRA national championships in 2025. For each event you’ll find a link for event registration. Spanning multiple disciplines — from High Power and Smallbore Rifle to Precision Pistol and Silhouette — this year’s championships will draw elite shooters from around the country. From the NRA National High Power Rifle Championship to the F-Class Fullbore Long-Range Championship, here’s the full schedule for NRA’s national competitions in 2025.
Register now for your favorite national events. Whatever your discipline — whether you shoot High Power, Smallbore, Precision Pistol, F-Class or Silhouette — there’s a competition for you. F-Class Shooters take note — this year’s Mid-Range Nationals and Long-Range Nationals will be held in different locations:
Mid-Range F-Class at Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club, Palm Bay, Florida
Long-Range F-Class at Bridgeville Rifle and Pistol Club, Bridgeville, Delaware
Photo by Mel Dixon from 2024 NRA National High Power Rifle Long-Range Championships.
NRA National High Power XTC Championship June 1-7, 2025 Winnequah Gun Club Lodi, Wisconsin competitions.nra.org
NRA National High Power Mid-Range Championship June 4-8, 2025 Oklahoma City Gun Club Arcadia, Oklahoma okcgunclub.org
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association National Spring Shoot and NRA Muzzleloading Nationals June 14-22, 2025 Walter Cline Range Friendship, Indiana nmlra.org
NRA National High Power Long-Range Championship July 2-6, 2025 Alliance Rifle Club Malvern, Ohio targetscore.com
The 2025 High Power Long-Range Nationals will be held July 2-6, 2025 at the Alliance Rifle Club in Malvern, Ohio.
NRA National Precision Pistol Championships July 6-10, 2025 Cardinal Shooting Center Marengo, Ohio redfeatheroutfitters.com
NRA National Smallbore and High Power Rifle Silhouette Championships July 20-26, 2025 NRA Whittington Center Raton, New Mexico silhouettenationals.com
NRA National Conventional Smallbore Championships July 20-29, 2025 Cardinal Shooting Center Marengo, Ohio redfeatheroutfitters.com
NRA National F-Class Championship August 2-9, 2025 Winnequah Gun Club Lodi, Wisconsin winnequahgunclub.org
NRA National Lever-Action Silhouette Championship August 6-9, 2025 Ridgway Rifle Club Ridgway, Pennsylvania competitions.nra.org
National Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Championship August 15-22, 2025 Walter Cline Range Friendship, Indiana nmlra.org
Spirit of America National Fullbore Rifle Championship September 5-12, 2025 Bald Eagles Rifle Club, NRA Whittington Center Raton, New Mexico baldeaglesrc.org
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association National Championship Shoot September 13-22, 2025 Walter Cline Range Friendship, Indiana nmlra.org
NRA World Shooting Championship September 30 to October 4, 2025 Camp Atterbury, Indiana wsc.nra.org
NRA National F-Class Fullbore Mid-Range Championship October 8-12, 2025 Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club Palm Bay, Florida competitions.nra.org
NRA National F-Class Fullbore Long-Range Championship October 22-26, 2025 Bridgeville Rifle and Pistol Club Bridgeville, Delaware competitions.nra.org
Visit the NRA Competitive Shooting Division website to learn more about this year’s slate of NRA National Championships.
2025 NRA National Matches Calendar
Here is the 2025 NRA National Matches Calendar showing major championship events and dates. Different events are indicated by various colors: Red for High Power Across the Course, Yellow for High Power Mid-Range, Green for High Power Long-Range, Dark Red for Smallbore and Blue for Pistol. Click the Calendar to ZOOM for easier reading.
Each year, on the last Monday in May, Americans honor the sacrifices of military men and women who paid the ultimate price in their service to our nation. More than 1.35 million American men and women have died in military service during wartime, including more than 666,400+ combat deaths. On May 26, 2025, we again pay tribute to these men and women and remember their service to their country.
This is what Memorial Day symbolizes — a time Americans take a clear look at both our past and our future. One day each year, when we acknowledge the debt we owe to those men and women who — because they so cherished peace — chose to live as warriors.
Could anything be more contradictory than the lives of our soldiers? They love America, so they spend long years in foreign lands far from her shores. They revere freedom, so they sacrifice their own that we may be free. They defend our right to live as individuals, yet yield their individuality in that cause. Perhaps most paradoxically of all, they value life, and so bravely ready themselves to die in the service of our country. — Deborah Y. Parker
Moment of Remembrance
Memorial Day Observances will range from parades to memorial ceremonies and organized moments of silence. The Memorial Day National Moment of Remembrance honors America’s fallen warrriors. Established by Congress in 2000, the “Moment” asks Americans, wherever they are at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, to pause for one minute, in an act of national unity and respect for the fallen.
What Is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is celebrated every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.
On Memorial Day, the United States flag is traditionally raised to the top of the staff, then solemnly lowered to half-staff position until noon, when it is raised again to full-staff for the rest of the day. The half-staff position is to remember the more than one million men and women who have given their lives for this country.
Flags placed in Arlington National Cemetery by members of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, the “Old Guard”.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.
Monday, May 26, 2025 is Memorial Day. Many leading shooting sports/outdoor vendors are now running Memorial Day Sales over the next few days. You’ll find savings on guns, ammo, reloading supplies, brass, optics, hunting gear and more.
Brownells Memorial Day Sale — Save 15% with Code MD15
Brownells has kicked off a major Memorial Day Sale. Use Code MD15 to get 15% Off $250+ orders. This discount applies to vast range of products, and there are other featured deals with specific discounts. You’ll find great deals on Howa products, optics, AR components and more.
Powder Valley — Big Memorial Day Weekend Ammo SALE
Need ammo? Now’s a great time to buy from Powder Valley, which is running big discounts on factory ammo from many leading sources. Save on rifle, pistol, rimfire, and shotgun ammo from Federal, CCI, Barnes, Hornady, Remington, Frontier, and other leading brands. Savings typically range from 10% to 22% on loaded ammunition during this big Memorial Day Sale.
Precision Reloading Memorial Day Sale
Leading vendor Precision Reloading is offering site-wide discounts this Memorial Day Weekend. With all orders over $99.00 you can get 10% Off your total costs (not including shipping). To take advantage of this 10% Off deal, use Code SAVE at checkout. This sale ends Tuesday, May 27th at 11:59 pm Mountain time.
Palmetto State Armory (PSA) Memorial Day Sale
Palmetto State Armory has a major Memorial Day Weekend Sale underway now. Save on guns, optics, triggers, ammunition and more. A wide variety of AR-platform parts are discounted and there are some great deals on handguns. For example, the Taurus TX22 pistol is now just $229.99, a $170.00 savings off the regular $399.99 price. There are also major savings on optics, with big discounts on Vortex, SIG Sauer, Holosun, and Pulsar Optics. For example, SIG Sauer Buckmaster 10X Binoculars are now just $119.99, a whopping 29% off the regular $169.99 price.
Primary Arms Memorial Day Sale
Primary Arms is running a huge Memorial Day Weekend Sale. Many popular product types are on sale with savings up to $200. You’ll find big discounts on Geissele triggers, FN AR lowers, Magpul Mags, Eotech and Trijicon optics. Plus Benchmark, Kershaw, and Spyderco knives are on sale. NOTE: This is a multi-part sale so discounted items may vary from day to day and new items are added daily.
The 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship will take place at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, September 30 through October 4, 2025. This eighth NRA World Shooting Championship will have both professional and amateur divisions. Approximately $250,000 in cash and prizes are available to the field of competitors, with $25,000 awarded to the “World Shooting Champion” and $1,000 going to the winner of each stage of competition. This unique competition features multiple disciplines shot with firearms supplied by sponsors. All of the guns are provided and stage firearms become prizes. There are also cash prize awards for the top Pro Class competitors. SEE NRA World Championship Program.
Registration for the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship is now open. Register via the NRA Shooters Portal: Competitor.nra.org. Competitors are encouraged to register soon to secure their spot, as this match has filled up quickly in past years. Learn more about the NRA World Shooting Championship at wsc.nra.org.
The NRA World Shooting Championship runs 9/30/25 through 10/4/2025. Presented by Walther Arms, this challenging event involves rifle, pistol, and shotgun shooting with a dozen disciplines — from short-range action pistol to long-range rifle.
The NRA World Shooting Championship
This championship is designed to test individuals through multiple different challenging disciplines over four days of shooting (Team Shoot Day 4). Competitors compete in Professional and Amateur categories for cash and prizes of over $250,000. Walther and other sponsors will supply ALL firearms equipment and ammunition required for the 12 stages of competition.
To do well, competitors must be highly proficient in all shooting skills — rifle, pistol, shotgun, both rapid fire and precision. The 2025 stages are: Precision Standing Air Gun, Sporting Clays, NRA Precision Pistol, NRA America’s Rifle Challenge LVL2, FITASC, NRA ARC 2-Gun, PRS Rimfire, Biathlon, IDPA, SASS (Cowboy Action), PRS, and USPSA.
Six Side Matches
There are also six (6) side matches with different disciplines including falling plates. The event also has a Team Shoot.
MidwayUSA Foundation hosted a donation drive throughout the month of April and raised an astounding $643,237 for youth shooting teams. Thanks to the Foundation’s matching program, funded by Larry and Brenda Potterfield, every dollar is matched, providing a total impact of $1.28 million. These funds help youth shooting teams cover essential expenses such as ammunition, targets, entry fees, and safety equipment, ensuring the participation of young athletes in shooting sports.
The Foundation also provided an additional $80,000 in endowment awards. West Virginia University’s Rifle Team (WVU) raised over $120,000 to earn the top prize of $15,000. “We are delighted to be the winners of the April Donation Drive, and we have to thank our donors for making that happen,” said Head Coach Jon Hammond. “The Foundation provides an amazing resource to junior and youth shooting programs[.]”
The teams that rounded out the top five include:
2nd Place: Kanabec County Clay Busters [MN] – winning an additional $12,500
3rd Place: Prescott Bird Busters [AZ] – winning an additional $10,000
4th Place: Battle Ground Academy [TN] – winning an additional $7,500
5th Place: Pillager Clay Target Team [MN] – winning an additional $5,000
The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain and grow youth shooting sports by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation is tax-deductible. The Foundation supports all shooting disciplines. To learn more about the MidwayUSA Foundation visit MidwayUSAFoundation.org.
MidwayUSA Foundation S.E. Program Manager Jeff McClure stated: “Helping teams and organizations grow their accounts through participation in our incentive programs is top of the list. Where else can teams open an account, be provided multiple ways to grow that account, and have all donations matched?” WVU’s Head Coach added: “The generosity of the Potterfield family is incredible, as well as the vision … to help all these junior shooting programs across the USA. We highly recommend all programs have a MidwayUSA Foundation account and work hard to build it year over year.”
Springfield Armory has introduced a new chassis rifle that could become popular with PRS/NRL shooters. The new Model 2020 Heatseeker is a chassis-based rifle that offers “bolt-action precision and AR-style modularity in one platform”. This employs a nice Model 2020 action with dual locking lugs, a fluted bolt, and EDM raceways. This new rifle features a modern Sharps Bros. Heatseeker high-strength 6061-T6 aluminum chassis with a B5 Systems Collapsible Precision Stock and P-23 pistol grip.
Finished in rugged Coyote Brown Cerakote and equipped with a Triggertech Field Trigger, the Heatseeker will be initially offered in 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 Winchester chamberings. That makes it suitable for hunting as well as tactical competitions.
The Model 2020 Heatseeker uses Springfield’s quality Model 2020 stainless steel action with tan finish and black bolt. This action features dual locking lugs, fluted bolt, and EDM raceways. Mated to that action is a free-floated 16″ BSF barrel jacketed in a roll-wrapped carbon fiber sleeve and loaded under tension. The muzzle is threaded 5/8×24 to accept the suppressor or muzzle device of your choice, and features a thread-protector muzzle cap.
A TriggerTech Field Trigger, adjustable for a pull weight from 2.5-5 lbs., and a metal five-round AICS-pattern magazine round out the package.
3/4-MOA Accuracy Guarantee
Springfield Armory offers a 0.75 MOA accuracy guarantee for the new Model 2020 Heatseeker. This 0.75 MOA guarantee is “for a three-shot group at 100 yards with quality match-grade factory ammunition, in the hands of a skilled shooter.”
According to Kirk Evans, President of U.S. LawShield, “Because there are so many details for people to understand before they leave home, we developed state-specific guides to help folks stay on the right side of the law. Take the time to learn the laws before hitting the road because they are not the same everywhere. Don’t wait until after the fact to plan for your guns when preparing for your trip.”
The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain and grow youth shooting sports by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation is tax-deductible. The Foundation supports all shooting disciplines. To learn more about the MidwayUSA Foundation visit 
