USCCA Firearms & Self-Defense Blog

An AR-15 tends to be the go-to choice for many gun owners when it comes to home defense. It also sees use as a truck gun, and don’t even get me started on how many people use an AR-15 for hunting.…

Not long ago, my husband and I were packed into a high school auditorium for a combined choir and band concert. The room was full of proud parents, anxious students, and all the typical organized…

I’ve reviewed a good number of Colt’s revolvers and semi-automatic pistols over the past few years, and every one has impressed me. Even a good friend who collects classic Colts could not find fault…

Key Takeaways A justified self-defense shooting or favorable criminal outcome does not necessarily prevent a later civil lawsuit. Criminal and civil cases use different standards, and the burden of…

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.

Getting started with concealed carry involves more than choosing a handgun. New gun owners should understand firearm safety, seek out quality training and learn applicable concealed carry laws along…

Anyone who tells you that shooting is always fun and that he or she has never had a bad day on the range either has low expectations or doesn’t shoot enough. Those who train — and train well —…

Concealed carry insurance, also called CCW insurance or self-defense liability insurance, is designed to help with certain legal expenses following a covered self-defense incident. Key Takeaways: …

Anyone who carries a gun for defensive purposes can typically agree that training with it is very important. Yet the question lingers: How often should you train with your carry gun? There is no…

One of the most intriguing things about being a gun writer, especially one who has been writing for a long time now, is observing the various trends in the ever-changing world of firearms. Sometimes…

Women are steadily reshaping the landscape of gun ownership in America. Female firearms owners and concealed carry permit holders are among the fastest-growing segments of the armed population in the…

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…

I have enjoyed good results with Rost Martin pistols. The RM1C has proven reliable, and the ported RM1S is an especially good shooter. The newest Rost Martin, the RM1F, is a departure from those…

A loud, clear command given at the beginning of a self-defense incident can deter aggressors and alert bystanders to your need for help. That’s why verbal warnings are an important part of any…

The Second Amendment community is excited that the Supreme Court will soon decide whether so-called “assault weapon” bans are constitutional, taking up an issue that could affect gun laws well beyond…

Back-to-school season always seems to come with a list: lunchbox, water bottle, pencils, folders, new shoes. Maybe a calculator. Definitely more glue sticks than any household should reasonably need.…

The new Taurus RPC is getting quite a bit of attention. The pistol has been sold out at many outlets but was becoming more available as of July 2026. As with many new designs that use a proprietary…

When you have kids, your approach to self-defense and home defense changes. After all, there’s no choice but to rethink your methods to account for small humans who may or may not do as they’re told or who may be too young to follow — or even remember — directions.

If you’re considering carrying a firearm for personal protection, one of the first questions you may have is whether you need a concealed carry permit. The answer depends largely on where you live.…

Some time back, I had the chance to shoot my friend Bret’s Staccato C2 2011 9mm Combat Pistol. Bret was the first one I knew to own one. I came away with a great deal of respect for the pistol. It…