We are excited to announce our launch of The Patriot, a 5-minute weekly digest of the firearm industry!
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In a decisive move to bolster school safety, the West Virginia Senate has unanimously passed a bill allowing military veterans and retired law enforcement officers to provide armed security in K-12 public schools.
This measure aims to deploy individuals “trained to run at a gun at an instant when it’s necessary to protect our children,” according to Republican Sen. Eric Tarr.
The Number:
15,848,055 guns sold in 2023
Last year’s firearm sales hit the fourth-highest record, with approximately 15.8 million guns sold, as estimated by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).
This figure is surpassed only by 2020, 2021, and 2022, with the highest being 2020 at 21 million.
Notably, December 2023 marked the 53rd consecutive month of over 1 million firearms sold, with a 4.6 percent increase in fourth-quarter sales compared to the same period in 2022.
Read More – Shooting Illustrated
In-Depth
Supreme Court to Decide on Gun Rights Cases Affecting Domestic Violence Laws
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on several significant gun rights cases, one of which could strike down a federal law and similar state laws in 46 states that prevent individuals with domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. The case in question involves Zackey Rahimi, whose federal conviction for gun possession under a restraining order was dismissed by the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Ohio’s Constitutional Carry Law Leads to Decrease in Gun Crimes
State Sen. Terry Johnson of Ohio highlighted a report that shows a reduction in gun crimes following the implementation of Senate Bill 215, the constitutional carry law. Data from six of Ohio’s eight largest cities indicate a drop in gun crimes compared to the previous year.
Read More – Portsmouth Daily Times
Pentagon Seeks to Enhance Arms Production with Incentives for Contractors
The Pentagon has released a strategy document calling for tax breaks, reduced regulations, and long-term contracts to incentivize defense contractors to ramp up weapons production. This National Defense Industrial Strategy aims to address the need for larger stockpiles and faster production rates, drawing lessons from conflicts such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Highlights
- Legal Whiplash in California: A federal appellate panel has temporarily halted California’s new law restricting firearms in places like parks and churches, amidst ongoing legal disputes and a scheduled April hearing.
- Florida Considers ‘Open Carry’: A Florida Republican has introduced a bill that would permit lawmakers to carry concealed firearms during legislative meetings and at the state Capitol.
- Firearm Ownership in the U.S.: New data reveals there are over 473 million firearms in civilian possession in the U.S., with a significant increase in domestic firearm production and Modern Sporting Rifles in circulation.
- Illinois Assault Weapons Ban Noncompliance: Despite Illinois’ new assault weapons ban, many residents are not registering their high-powered rifles as required, raising questions about enforcement.
- Oregon’s gun control law struck down: A state judge ruled the stringent measures including a ban on high-capacity magazines and mandatory permits as unconstitutional.
