This episode of We Like Shooting is brought to you by:

• C&G Holsters (Code: WLSISLIFE)
• Midwest Industries (Code: WLSISLIFE)
• Gideon Optics (Code: WLSISLIFE)
• Rost Martin (Code: WLSISLIFE)
• Otis Technology (Code: WELIKESHOOTING15)
• Second Call Defense

GEAR CHAT

• Note Rost Martin Full size
• Note Ruger RXM review almost done.
• Note Nick got me back into 6mm ARC
• [Gideon Optics] Rock Red Dot Sight The Gideon Optics Rock Pistol Red Dot Sight features a compact 15.5mm x 22mm lens with unlimited eye relief and parallax-free operation at 33 yards for fast target acquisition. It offers red or green illumination with a 45MOA circle/3MOA dot or single 3MOA dot reticle, 1 MOA per click adjustments over 45 clicks, shake-to-wake activation, and up to 50,000 hours battery life from a CR-1632. Constructed from 7075-T6 aluminum with IPX7 waterproof/shockproof rating, it uses RMR footprint or includes a low-profile 1913 Picatinny mount.
• [Midwest Industries] MK2 QD 34MM Scope Mount The Midwest Industries MK2 QD 34MM Scope Mount features a patented QD lever by Elite Defense and is constructed from hard coat anodized 6061 aluminum for lifetime service. It offers a fully adjustable QD lever requiring no tools, superior clamping that avoids rail damage, and precision machining for optimal return to zero performance. Available in standard (MI-MK2-QD34SM) and high (MI-MK2-QD34SMH) variants, it supports scopes up to 56mm objective and includes the Optic Mount Tool.
• [AmmunitionToGo] Rifle Zero Calculator The Rifle Zero Calculator is a digital online tool provided by AmmunitionToGo for determining optimal rifle zeroing distances based on user-input parameters such as cartridge, bullet weight, and muzzle velocity. It assists shooters in calculating ballistic trajectories for precise zeroing. No physical product details are available.

BULLET POINTS

GUN FIGHTS

• No one stepped into the arena this week.

THE AGENCY BRIEF

• Agency Update THE HOOK (COLD OPEN)

  “If you’ve ever wondered when the federal government decided your constitutional rights needed a permission slip and a background check, welcome to the Gun Control Act of 1968.”

  THE INTEL (THE STORY) Why?: The 1960s were a mess of race riots, civil unrest, and high-profile assassinations (JFK, MLK, RFK). The political elite used the national panic to ram through a wishlist of federal gun control they had wanted for decades, convincing the public that the legal supply chain was the enemy, rather than the radicals pulling the triggers.

  The Play-by-Play:

  What it did:

  Backroom Deals: Domestic gun manufacturers essentially sold out the people. They backed the bill because it banned the import of cheap, foreign-made handguns—effectively wiping out their competition.
  The Media Lie: The press sold the GCA as a “targeted” bill to stop assassins. They completely ignored that it effectively criminalized the interstate market, invented the “prohibited persons” list, and choked off the legal supply chain for everyday citizens.

  The Reality Check (Hidden Incentives):

  Rumors:

  Rumor (Highly Credible): Senator Thomas Dodd explicitly modeled the 1968 GCA after Nazi Germany’s 1938 Weapons Law. Dodd was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials and public records confirm he had the Library of Congress translate the Nazi law. The structural parallels involving dealer licensing, tracking, and “sporting” clauses are nearly identical.

  Rumor: LBJ’s push for the law was heavily influenced by elite, backroom fears of armed Black Panther patrols in California, rather than just the high-profile assassinations. Gun control is in fact rooted in racism.

  THE 2A ANGLE (LEGAL & IMPACT) The Threat: The GCA is the mother-ship of modern federal gun control. It created the Federal Firearms License (FFL) system, age restrictions, and the “prohibited persons” list. The ATF’s current “zero tolerance” strategy of revoking licenses for misspelled words is entirely dependent on the FFL chokepoint created right here in ’68.

  Bruen Test:

  Regulatory Creep:

  Pattern 1: Regulate the seller instead of banning the buyer (creating the FFL dependency).
  Pattern 2: Exploit intentionally vague language (like “engaged in the business”) so unelected bureaucrats can expand the law later without a Congressional vote.
  Pattern 3: Frame rights restrictions as “regulating interstate commerce” to bypass the Constitution.
  Pattern 4: Build the architecture of a registry quietly through compliance paperwork (Form 4473).

  THE TALKING POINTS (ON-AIR READY)

WLS IS LIFESTYLE

• GFEN’s Gun Maker’s Match GMM is an annual DIY gun competition event that is the first official shooting competition exclusively for individuals who make their own guns. Multiple stage events are conducted for both Kit Built and 3D Printed guns in Pistol, PCC, and Rifle Divisions, with a special side match for .22lr 3D Printed Firearms. Guns For Everyone National has created the first Competition Series for 3D Printed & Kit Built Firearms.0

THE ALLEY

• AuxArc 3D Printable Firearms Holsters and Gear @AuxArc is a MakerWorld profile specializing in 3D printable models for firearms accessories, including holsters compatible with Glock 17/19 and Ruger RXM, as well as storage solutions for ammo and batteries. Pinned models feature OWB and IWB holsters with options for lights like Streamlight TLR-1/TLR-7 and optic cuts. These are designed for 3D printing with some watertight and parametric features, but no detailed mechanical specs beyond compatibility are provided.

GOING BALLISTIC

• National Rifle Association v. NRA Foundation Lawsuit (Washington, D.C.) The NRA Foundation faces ongoing transparency issues in a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association alleging illegal trademark use and failure to distribute funds. The Washington, D.C. Attorney General’s office mediated the dispute but efforts failed, leading to a FOIA request (R005465-030626) for leadership details. The Foundation provided its 2024 Form 990 but refuses to disclose current trustees, officers, or salaries until the 2025 filing on November 15, 2026.
• New York Proposed Bills Reclassify BB Guns and Air Guns as Imitation Firearms (Savage) New York lawmakers have introduced bills in both the Assembly and Senate to reclassify airguns, BB rifles, and pellet guns as imitation firearms, requiring barrel plugs and toy-like coloration that would render them non-functional for firing projectiles. This aims to prevent police shootings involving realistic-looking airguns mistaken for real firearms. Paintball guns are exempted but face a raised purchase age from 16 to 18, while manufacturers would be deemed firearms industry members subject to public nuisance lawsuits.
• Colorado SB 26-043: Firearm Barrel Background Checks (Savage) Colorado Senate Bill 26-043 requires background checks, dealer transfers, and five-year recordkeeping for sales or transfers of firearm barrels, treating them like complete firearms. Non-serialized barrels must be serialized, with penalties including up to 30 days in jail and $500 fine for first-offense violations. The bill targets ghost guns but imposes compliance on all law-abiding gun owners in Colorado.
• Virginia HB40: Spanberger Signs Ghost Gun Ban (Savage) Virginia Governor Spanberger signed HB40, banning the manufacture, transfer, sale, importation, and eventual possession of unserialized firearms and unfinished frames or receivers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The law establishes a serialization process for federal firearms licensees but includes no grandfather clause. Most provisions take effect January 1, 2027, with the possession ban effective July 1, 2027.0
• OCC and FDIC Final Rule Prohibiting Discrimination Against Firearm Companies (Savage) The OCC and FDIC have issued a new Final Rule that prohibits banking regulators from using ‘reputational risk’ as a basis for supervisory actions against institutions serving the firearm and ammunition industry. This rule ends the practice of debanking lawful gun businesses by barring adverse actions based on political, social, or constitutionally protected activities. The National Shooting Sports Foundation praised it as a significant victory under the Trump administration.
• FPC Statement on Trump Administration’s Decision to Support Biden ATF ‘Frame or Receiver’ Rule (Savage) Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) issued a statement criticizing the Trump Administration for maintaining the Biden-era ATF ‘Frame or Receiver’ rule after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it in March 2025. Despite FPC providing a proposed alternative rule in May 2025 and numerous other recommendations, the Administration informed FPC it would preserve the existing definition of firearm ‘frame’ and ‘receiver’. FPC accuses the Administration of actively working against Second Amendment rights rather than protecting them.
• OCC and FDIC Final Rule Prohibiting Reputational Risk-Based Debanking of Firearm Industry The OCC and FDIC issued a final rule that eliminates ‘reputational risk’ as a basis for supervisory actions against banks, directly addressing debanking of lawful firearm and ammunition businesses. This change prohibits regulators from encouraging account closures based on political or social views, promoting objective banking supervision. The rule responds to prior findings of inappropriate distinctions against gun-related companies by FDIC-insured institutions.
• Virginia Proposed Assault Weapons Ban: Gun Store Sales Surge in Henrico County Gun sales in Virginia have surged dramatically as residents rush to purchase firearms ahead of a proposed state ‘assault weapons’ ban set to prohibit AR-15 possession after July 1, 2026, unless owned prior. Background checks rose from 47,069 in March 2025 to 79,846 in March 2026, with stores reporting 4-10 times normal volume. Store owners attribute the boom to Democratic-led gun legislation prompting preemptive buys.0

REVIEWS

• Review: Jaqin Ta’Sox from Connecticut From: Jaqin Ta’Sox: Dear WLS
  It’s currently March. So, presume this will be read by July. But, the show is great and the shirt I won is just as good. The only comment is, I think the sweat shop is using metric standards. The 2XL shirt I received fits a little more like a large. Otherwise great quality. 5 squares.
• Review: Bill T. from Texas Bill T. Texas
  Love the show. I work 3 hours from my house and drive back and forth on Monday’s and Thursdays. I have listened to all the shows on Spotify in the last 2 years. One of the best. Tanks
• Review: Rob K from Connecticut Rob K From Connecticut

  WLS Review!
  5 squares! Been listening for 7 years and can’t wait to listen to new episodes every week. I’m on the road a lot and it’s great to listen to all these guys talk about what’s new and happing in the gun world. People must think I’m nuts when they see me laughing to myself riding around town. If you like anything related to guns and dudes shooting the shit this is the podcast for you!!!! Keep up the great work and hope you keep doing this for at least another 30 years!!!!

  PS new show segment idea Jeremy shares a cool and or interesting firearm that comes into his store. I’m sure everyone would be very interested in what comes through his door on a weekly basis!!!

  #WLS is Life