CBS News reports: “Gov. Jared Polis on [4/10/25] signed into law what may be the toughest gun control regulations in state history. Under the new law, it is [now] illegal to buy, sell, and make most semi-automatic firearms [rifle, shotguns, and pistols] without background checks and training.”
The law imposes tough new requirements: “Individuals would need to pass a background check and receive an eligibility card from their county sheriff, who could deny it if he or she believed the person was a danger. Those eligible for training would need to pass a 12-hour safety course certified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife unless they have completed hunters’ training, and then it would be 4 hours. Their names would then go into a state database[.]” (CBS News)
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) condemns the signing of SB 25-003 into law by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Under Colorado’s SB 25-003, sales of semiautomatic firearms capable of accepting a detachable magazine are banned unless those purchasing the firearms are vetted by a local sheriff and complete a firearm certification course. Sheriff approval to apply for a permit-to-purchase is based on subjective criteria. This type of regulation was expressly rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2022 Bruen decision that struck down New York’s unconstitutional concealed-carry permitting law.
“This law is unconstitutional on its face. It is a gun control group-spurred attack on the Second Amendment rights of those who follow the law”, said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF’s Senior V.P. and General Counsel. Colorado’s SB 25-003 makes Second Amendment rights in Colorado only permissible with a state-approved permission slip. Along with banning ARs and other semi-auto rifles, SB 25-003 also bans the sale of semiautomatic shotguns and pistols that can accept detachable magazines, unless lawful purchasers obtain similar approval from county sheriffs and obtain a permit-to-purchase.
County sheriffs can deny an application if they have a “reasonable belief that documented previous behavior by the application makes it likely the applicant will present a danger to themself or others.” Sheriffs could also revoke purchasing permissions under the same standard. The criteria for the required training course is yet to be established.
Notably, SB 25-003 is unnecessarily burdensome, because Colorado gun buyers must already be checked and approved for a purchase through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
We’ve found ten great discount/rebate programs. These specials can save you big bucks on pistols, shotguns, ammo, or bullets. Some of these rebates are worth big bucks. For example you can Save 10% on a new Browning rifle, save $50 on a new Stoeger pistol, save $75 on a new Beretta pistol, or save $300 on a new Beretta shotgun. And with the Smith & Wesson and Springfield Armory promotions you get a free reflex optic with a pistol purchase. Note: most of these promos are good through the end of April or May, but some expire on April 15th — so check the dates.
This month USA Shooting celebrates 30 years as the American Governing Body for shooting sports within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. USA Shooting will commemorate its anniversary throughout 2025 with special events, social media giveaways, and initiatives designed to further expand participation in competitive shooting sports. To learn more about USA Shooting’s 30th Anniversary programs, visit USAShooting.org and follow @USAShooting on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
“These three decades represent not just organizational longevity, but a remarkable journey of athletic excellence… and competitive innovation,” said Kelly Reisdorf, CEO of USA Shooting. Since its founding in 1995, USA Shooting has guided American marksmen and markswomen to 36 Olympic and Paralympic medals, developing world-class talent across all shooting disciplines.
“The trajectory of American competitive shooting has been defined by both winning at the highest levels and developing tomorrow’s champions,” said Tim Rupli, Chairman of USA Shooting. “We’ve cultivated American talent while championing the values of precision, discipline, and patriotic excellence[.]”
A Legacy of Champions
For three decades USA Shooting has produced shooting sports legends, including Kimberly Rhode, a 6-time Olympic medalist, and Vincent Hancock, the first shooter to win four gold medals in the same event. Most recently, USA Shooting athletes excelled at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, securing six medals — including gold for Hancock in Men’s Skeet, silver medals for Sagen Maddalena in Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions, Conner Prince in Men’s Skeet, Austen Smith and Hancock in Mixed Skeet Team.
The legacy extends to stellar coaches like Lloyd Woodhouse, whose 23-year leadership of the U.S. shotgun team produced 10 Olympic medals across four Games and earned him recognition as the 2003 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Coach of the Year.
From Amateur Act to Global Force
USA Shooting traces back to the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, which established the National Rifle Association of America as the governing body for shooting sports. The mid-1980s saw the establishment of the U.S. Olympic Shooting Center and Olympic Shooting Park in Colorado Springs, creating a permanent home for the U.S. Shooting Team.
Looking Ahead: The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles
As the organization celebrates its past, USA Shooting remains focused on the future — particularly the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will mark the first Summer Olympics on American soil in over three decades. “Having the summer Games return to the United States presents an unprecedented opportunity to showcase our sport and athletes to a home audience,” Reisdorf added. “We’re positioning USA Shooting for its most successful Olympic cycle in our history.”
Want to go to some fun rifle matches in the months ahead? You can access coming events near your location with the interactive NRA SSUSA.org Shooting Sports Coming Events Calendar webpage. You can filter results by shooting discipline (pistol, smallbore rifle, high power rifle etc.) as well as location. You can also view the match locations on a map by clicking on the “View on Map” link on the right side of the page. This alternates with “View as List”.
To see ALL upcoming matches in your area, click on the “Edit Search” button then click the box for the lead category, “All Competition Types”. Or click one or more of these categories:
Action Pistol
Air Rifle
BB Gun
Black Powder Target Rifle
Collegiate Rifle/Pistol
High Power Rifle
International Pistol
Precision Pistol
For example, here are the results of a search for matches within 200 miles of Seattle Washington. First is the list view, then below that is the map view. For any search, you can alternate views by clicking “View on Map” or “View as List” in the right column.
For Summer Travelers, Find Matches Outside Your Home State
If you are planning an out-of-state vacation this summer and you want to combine your travels with a shooting match, simply click the blue “Edit Search” button. Then you can select a different location. Just type in the city and state, or the Zip Code. For example, here are the search results for shooting matches within 75 miles of Las Vegas, Nevada:
Enjoy the Shooting Sports USA Archives
As we head into spring, many Americans will be spending more time at the range. And competitors will be shooting in rimfire and centerfire rifle matches throughout the country. Here’s an opportunity to learn competition skills, gun tuning methods, and reloading techniques from leading experts. A vast resource of great gun-related content available online for FREE. Check out the Shooting Sports USA Articles Archive. SSUSA maintains a vast digital library with hundreds of articles going back to June 2009.
It’s easy to find back issues of Shooting Sports USA magazine. Here’s how: First, navigate to the latest SSUSA Online Issue (April 2025). Then click on the “ARCHIVES” icon in the upper right area (indicated with red arrow). When you click on “ARCHIVES”, a window will open with a selection of Shooting Sports USA magazine covers/dates in a vertical column. The most recent issue (April 2025) will appear at the top left. You can then scroll down — use the vertical scroll bar to go from April 2025 all the way back to June 2009. Click any issue cover to read.
How to Find and Save Articles
To search back issues, select “MORE OPTIONS” from the toolbar (top left). Then click the “SEARCH” button. When that opens, select either “Search Archives” for ALL back issues or “Search Only this Issue”. When you’ve made your choice, enter your search term(s). For example, you can search for “Camp Perry” or “Palma” or “F-Class Championship”. You can also save any archived issue as a PDF for viewing offline. Just click “SAVE” to download the article you’re currently viewing/reading.
Read Sample Articles
Here are a three of our favorite SSUSA feature stories from recent years. There are hundreds of other informative articles worth reading.
F-Class fans will enjoy the coverage of the 2023 F-Class World Championships in the June 2023 issue of Shooting Sports USA. On the cover is our friend and Forum member Erik Cortina.
Through the passage of Proposition KK last November, Colorado adopted a 6.5% state excise tax on the sale of firearms, ammunition, and certain firearm parts to Colorado consumers. Colorado’s new 6.5% guns/ammo tax took effect on April 1, 2025. The tax, codified by Colo. Rev. Stat. § 39-37-101, is levied on vendors (see below), but the amount is passed through to law-abiding Coloradans every time they purchase guns and ammo. The law also imposes burdensome registration and recordkeeping requirements on vendors and subjects them to harsh punishments for violations.
Legal experts believe this new law is unconstitutional and otherwise legally improper. Thankfully, this new Colorado gun tax is being challenged in the courts. The Second Amendment Foundation (2AF) has filed a lawsuit, Langston v. Humphreys, in Denver County District Court challenging Colorado’s Proposition KK as an unconstitutional tax on the exercise of a fundamental constitutional right. Joining SAF in Langston v. Humphreys are the National Rifle Association (NRA), Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), Magnum Shooting Center, the Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA), and a private citizen, Zachary Langston. Named as defendants are Heidi Humphreys, executive director of the Colorado Dept. of Revenue and Michael J. Allen, district attorney of El Paso County.
The complaint argues that Colorado’s new excise tax on guns and ammo violates the Second Amendment. Plaintifs seek a declaratory judgment that the tax is unconstitutional and plaintiffs further seek a permanent injunction forbidding the enforcement of the gun excise tax.
“Colorado’s firearms excise tax is an overt assault on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Coloradans and a deliberate attempt to discourage the exercise of constitutionally protected freedoms”, said John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “Recently, anti-gun activists in Colorado have been adopting California’s radical gun control agenda to systematically erode gun rights in the state. We are pleased to join with other Second Amendment advocates in this lawsuit to protect and defend the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.”
The SAF, NRA and other plaintiffs contend that the state’s 6.5% excise tax on the retail sale of any firearm, firearm precursor part, or ammunition is unconstitutional in that it impermissibly singles out the exercise of a constitutional right for special taxation. There have been several rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court prohibiting such a tax scheme.
“Colorado’s new law impermissibly taxes an enumerated constitutional right”, said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “Not only does the tax lack any basis in our nation’s history and tradition of firearms regulation, it violates Supreme Court precedent that states the exercise of constitutional rights cannot be targeted through taxation.”
“You simply cannot tax the exercise of a constitutionally-protected fundamental right” noted SAF founder and Executive V.P. Alan M. Gottlieb, who added that: “Federal legislation to prevent this sort of tax was introduced just days ago in both the House and Senate.”
New Requirements for Firearms Manufacturers, Gun Dealers, and Ammo Sellers
For the new guns/ammo tax Colorado defines a “Vendor” as a person or company doing business as an ammunition seller, firearms dealer, or firearms manufacturer. All Colorado Vendors must register with the Colorado Department of Revenue by April 1, 2025, and file annual registration renewals. After registration, Vendors are required to file monthly excise tax returns based on taxable products and submit excise tax payments to the state.
So, are you feeling lucky? Then you may want to sign up for the ShootOn.com Giveaway contest. The “Ready to Carry” Shoot ON contest prize pack includes an FN Reflex 9mm pistol, a Burris FastFire Red Dot Optic, a Crossbreed SuperTuck Holsert, and 5 boxes of Fiocchi CovertX defensive ammo. The total retail value of the “Ready to Carry” Giveaway prize package is $1,331.90.
CLICK HERE to visit the contest entry page. NOTE: No purchase is required to enter the “Ready to Carry” Giveaway. Simply go to the Shoot ON “Ready to Carry” Giveaway page and enter. You can also boost your odds of winning through the Daily Bonus Entry option. The Shoot ON “Ready to Carry” Giveaway ends April 17, 2025, so enter today!
Giveaway Items — Total Value $1331.90
Handgun: FN’s new Reflex XL MRD micro-compact 9mm is a rugged, accurate optics-ready pistol with good ergonomics and up to 18-round capacity even with a compact format. FN claims the Reflex EL series pistols off “best-in-class triggers” for optimal performance.
Holster: The Crossbreed SuperTuck is an IWB holster developed for deep concealment. This combine a Kydex pocket with a combat-cut premium leather backer for security and comfort. The SuperTuck also has powder-coated steel belt clips adjustable for height and cant (angle).
Red Dot Optic: The Burris FastFire E is an enclosed red dot optic with a large 22×17 mm sight window for the 3.5 MOA dot. The FastFire E offers 100 MOA of elevation and windage adjustment range so it works with handguns, shotguns and rifles. A tough housing protects the unit which is waterproof, shockproof and fogproof. The FastFire E offers an “always on” function.
Ammunition: The contest package includes five, 20-round boxes of Fiocchi’s new CovertX personal defense ammunition. This CovertX ammo features a new jacketed HP projectile specifically engineered for controlled expansion when fired from short-barrel handguns.
In recent years, the California Legislature has passed a series of laws restricting the rights of California gun owners. The latest example of anti-gun legislation will hit gun owners in their pocketbooks….
If you want to practice your marksmanship in California from now on, get ready to open your wallet and pay the taxman. With the passage of AB 211, recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, California shooters who use paper targets at indoor ranges will have to pay a fee for every hole they put in paper — literally. This new law, codified in the California Penal Code, states that commercial gun ranges must collect a charge of $0.38 per shot, as established by holes made in approved paper targets. This fee, the “Target Tax”, can be raised in the future at the discretion of the California Dept. of Justice. Newsom has justified this new tax, stating that it will be used to fund vital relief programs in the wake of the recent massive Southern California wildfires.
Here’s how it will work, starting June 1, 2025, when the new Target Tax law goes into effect at California ranges. First, all shooters must purchase California DOJ-approved paper targets (you may no longer bring your own). When you purchase a certified target at an indoor range, your name and the number of targets you have purchased will be recorded in a state database. Then, after your shooting session, the targets must be scanned, with the number of shot holes recorded. A charge of $0.38 per scanned hole will be added as a line item for your range session, along with the DOJ target-processing fee of $5.00 per target.
How the Tax Works — Count the holes: With 30 holes, the California target tax on this left target would be 30 x $0.38 or $11.40. By contrast, the tax on the target on the right would be just 38 cents, because there is only one hole, though five shots went through the same hole. Obviously, exceptional marksmanship skills can help reduce your target tax liabilities. But even with just one hole, there is still the DOJ processing fee of $5.00 per target, which applies to every target.
California Targets Must Be Culturally Tolerant and Non-Discriminatory
AB 211 also includes a series of provisions which specify the types of targets which may be purchased. First, as you might expect, all targets must be printed on recycled paper. Second, no target may contain any “hate speech” or “micro-aggressions”. Third, while targets may still show human silhouette-style outlines, any targets which depict a protected minority type or non-binary gender type are forbidden. Likewise, any target that shows discernable culture, religion, or national origin are forbidden. So, a target showing a bearded male wearing a turban would be forbidden. If you had such a target, the range owner would be required, under AB 211, to confiscate it. Shown below are two types of targets that would be illegal in California under AB 211. NOTE: It is unclear whether a zombie target would be allowed, if the Zombie is unknown gender, ethnicity, or culture.
The 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) on April 24-27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Exhibit Hall is open all three days and will showcase over 14 acres of guns and gear. There will also be numerous special events, plus entertainment. If you would like to attend, register for the event and book your hotel soon. The GWCC is the fourth-largest convention center in the United States.
The 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits has events on the 24th and the convention hall will officially open at 9:00 AM on April 25. NRA members and immediate family receive free entry. Non-members can join online or at the door for immediate access. Visit NRAam.org for more information and to purchase tickets for special events.
The 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center (see map below). Thousands of NRA members and their families will gather for a celebration of freedom and American values. The 14-acre exhibit hall will feature the latest guns and gear from firearm industry companies. The schedule of events also includes educational seminars, product demonstrations, and fundraising banquets to supprt Second Amendment rights.
Event Registration
CLICK HERE to REGISTER for the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits. NOTE: NRA Members and their immediate family get FREE ENTRY.
CLICK HERE for EVENT Schedule. There will be a powerhouse line-up of political speakers this year. In addition there will be major fundraising events featuring top brand giveaways.
MidwayUSA is Official Sponsor of 2025 NRA Event
The National Rifle Association of America is pleased to announce MidwayUSA as the official sponsor of the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 25-27. MidwayUSA has been a longtime sponsor of NRA’s annual flagship event.
“We’re pleased to continue our support of the NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits and look forward to joining our customers in Atlanta,” said Adam Augustine, MidwayUSA VP of eCommerce.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed two dozen anti-gun bills passed by the Democrat-controlled Virginia General Assembly. These bills would have curtailed individual gun rights and attacked gun dealers/manufacturers throughout the Commonwealth. The NRA and NSSF (National Shooting Sports Foundation) praised Governor Youngkin for standing up to those who want to destroy gun rights in Virginia.
The NRA praised Gov. Youngkin for his actions to preserve Second Amendment rights: “[We] thank Governor Youngkin for standing strong in his support for the Second Amendment by vetoing the litany of gun control bills pushed through the General Assembly this year,” said John Commerford, Exec. Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “For the second year in a row, [Virginia] gun control activists tried to enact dozens of radical, California-style laws that would have severely restricted the Second Amendment rights of gun owners in the Commonwealth. The NRA applauds Governor Youngkin for upholding his promise to protect our Constitutional freedoms.”
The bills vetoed by Governor Youngkin came from the long wish list of radical gun control activists. This included attempts to restrict the Constitutional rights of 18- to 20-year-old adults, dramatically expand gun-free zones that would have left law-abiding Virginians defenseless and enact a mandatory waiting period to take possession of a legally-purchased firearm. In addition, the vetoed legislation would have banned a wide range of common firearms used for hunting, competition, and self-defense
Notable anti-gun bills vetoed by Gov. Youngkin this year include:
SB 848 — Remove the right of anybody under 21 years of age to purchase certain semiautomatic rifles mislabeled as “assault weapons.”
SB 891 — Mandates 5-day waiting period of five days for the purchase and transfer of firearms.
SB 1181 and HB 1607 — Bans the sale of many semiautomatic firearms and bans magazines having a capacity of more than 10 rounds.
SB 1329 — Imposes restrictions on concealed carry and storage in vehicles.
SB 1450 and HB 1608 — Creates new civil liabilities for companies engaged in the sale, manufacturing, distribution, or marketing of firearm-related products.
CLICK HERE for the official list of Virginia legislation vetoed by Gov. Youngkin so far this year. This includes the two dozen anti-Second Amendment bills he recently vetoed.
The NSSF notes that the defense of Second Amendment rights by Governor Youngkin proves that Elections DO matter. All gun owners should register and VOTE to ensure that your rights are preserved. Take time to research candidates and support those who will protect your Second Amendment rights.
