USCCA Firearms & Self-Defense Blog

The old adage of “buy once, cry once” is everywhere in gun media. The idea is simple: You pour every penny into a gun one time, then you’re set for life. Conversely, if you go cheap, you’re clearly…

Just because you live an active lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to forgo bringing along your carry gun. While the holster option you typically rely on daily may not be suitable for the activity you…

Modern shooters searching for a self-defense handgun that is not too big or too small but is just right have a far wider variety than when I became a reserve deputy in Ohio in 1980. Finding a pistol with manageable recoil but adequate capacity back then often meant making compromises.

With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, it’s become easier than ever for shooters to enter the suppressor world. While the purchase process has become far more accessible, choosing the…

Protecting your family now requires more than securing your home and remaining aware of your physical surroundings. Smartphones, social media, online shopping, connected devices and public Wi-Fi can…

A defensive pistol should be as close to flawlessly reliable as possible, easy to operate and comfortable to shoot. You can purchase the most reliable pistol on the market, but if that pistol doesn’t…

I’ve been using laser sights on my defensive handguns and AR-15s since 1995. I think guns mounted with laser sights are the best option in low light because they do not obstruct the user’s view. I’ve…

The short answer is yes … in some states. Whether you can legally carry a firearm without a permit depends on the laws where you are carrying. Today, many states have adopted constitutional carry,…

Two hands on the gun will usually give you more control, better recoil management and greater stability. That is why most defensive handgun training starts with a two-handed grip. But real-life…

One of the things that keeps me going as a firearms industry writer is that many companies in our industry are never content to rest on their laurels. The second is their willingness to resurrect and…

There is probably no legislation that evokes as much emotion as “stand your ground” laws. While they may vary in details from state to state, these self-defense laws generally remove the requirement…

A popular misnomer among gun-control activists about the AR-15 rifle is that the AR stands for “assault rifle.” Never mind the lack of definition that constitutes what an “assault rifle” is, AR is short for ArmaLite rifle, a name referring to the manufacturer of the firearm in the 1950s.

The world of carry optics has grown a great deal in the past few years. What began as an innovation for winning pistol competitions has become standard equipment among service members and civilian…

Should I shoot a warning shot is a common self-defense question. It may seem like a reasonable middle ground. You avoid shooting another person while still convincing an attacker to back down. But…

I’ve been evaluating Streamlight products ever since the all-metal Scorpion saved me during a late-night traffic stop 17 years ago when my full-sized duty flashlight went out. In all my years of working with tactical flashlights, Streamlight has continued to produce high-quality lighting products, always tweaking, adjusting or improving.

There’s nothing Americans love more than freedom, but someone has to say it: with freedom comes responsibility. Not to worry, though. Responsibility isn’t all homework and early bedtimes.…

Originally published 2024, Updated June 2026 The world of micro-compact semi-auto pistols never ceases to impress. A few years ago, I reviewed the original SIG Sauer P365 — a pistol that truly set…

Key Takeaway: The Supreme Court held that the federal government cannot automatically disarm every unlawful drug user based solely on status. But Hemani did not erase 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), and…

When I was a kid and the Vietnam War was rapidly expanding, the evening news stories frequently covered the new M16 military rifle. The stories revealing how the tiny 5.56mm bullets were helping to…

Firearms-related headlines continue to shape public conversation and policy discussions across the country. Each month, we’ll gather the notable stories involving firearms, self-defense and the…