.223-.556 Ammo Information
Gregory Kielma • October 21, 2023
223 Remington/5.56 x 45mm NATO Cartridge
223 Remington/5.56 x 45mm NATO Cartridge
Hey Gregory,
Today's workbench is written by guest contributor and AGI Certified Gunsmith and GCA Moderator Robert Dunn:
There isn’t a day of my life that goes by that I don’t work with, reload, think or write about the .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO cartridges. Those cartridges are what a couple of my favorite and most used rifles are chambered for.
When I worked in an ammunition factory, I would sometimes get paid in .223 ammunition. When I was growing up in the early 1970s I became familiar with the .223 Remington cartridge, as it was the new round being used by our Armed Forces.
Warfighters throughout the world had realized the advantage of automatic firepower, but finding the perfect firearm and cartridge design is a huge challenge. In the case of the .223 Remington, many sources helped bring this cartridge into use by both civilians and the military.
Eugene Stoner of ArmaLite (then a division of Fairchild Industries) had gained the attention of the Military with his 7.62 x 51mm chambered AR-10 rifle. Like many high powered rifles, the AR-10 was hard to control during automatic fire.
Consequently, Fairchild Industries and Stoner were asked to scale down the AR-10 to fire a smaller caliber cartridge. Stoner came up with a prototype AR-15 and after a demonstration for the army, he was asked to produce more rifles for testing in 1957.
Select engineers and other companies like Remington Arms, Winchester as well as ArmaLite were asked to take part in developing this project. Springfield Armory’s Earle Harvey lengthened the .222 Remington case to the required specifications and it became the .224 Springfield, which was commercially known as the .222 Remington Magnum.
Frank Snow (of Sierra Bullets) and Eugene Stoner calculated the ballistics data for the .222 Remington to find the best bullet for the project, which ended up being a 55 grain bullet. Meanwhile, the Technical Editor for Gun and Ammo magazine, Robert Hutton, worked up a propellant recipe that could attain a velocity of 3,300 fps. Ultimately, Remington came up with the .222 Special cartridge, which was later renamed the .223 Remington because there were so many .222 designations.
Just a few of the military requirements for the firearm and cartridges were that they needed to be able to penetrate one side of a US Steel helmet at 500 yards, had to be able to exceed supersonic speed at 500 yards, had to be .22 caliber and select fire. From years of research and development of the AR-10 and AR-15, ArmaLite was facing financial difficulties and sold the rights for the rifles to Colt in 1959.
The AR-15 and the T44E4 rifle that would later be known as the M14 were being testing at the same time. To make a long story short, it was found that the AR-15 had far less failures per 1,000 rounds fired and that riflemen had a higher hit probability when firing Stoner’s rifle.
After Air Force General Curtis Le May test fired the AR-15, he ordered a batch of AR-15s to replace some of the M2 carbines that the Air Force was using. As the trials and testing continued, it was found that during marksmanship testing that many more men were achieving Expert shooting status with the AR-15 than they were with the M14. With these findings and the failure rate of the AR-15 going down even further, General Le May placed an order for 80,000 rifles in 1961.
In 1962, Remington filed the specs for the .223 Remington cartridge with SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute) and the cartridge was later marketed commercially as a chambering for the Remington 760 rifle in 1963.
At this point in time, the United States was embroiled in the conflicts arising in Southeast Asia. It was politically decided that contracts for rifle manufacturing could be bid on by the private sector and Colt was awarded the contract to provide AR-15 rifles to fill orders for the Vietnam War.
The AR-15 rifle and the .223 Remington cartridge were formally adopted in 1964 and designated the XM16E1 rifle, commonly referred to as the M16, and the 5.56 Ball M193 cartridge. It was decided that the South Vietnamese troops would be supplied with the M16 rifle. Eventually, the Air Force, the US Army, Special Forces, the Coast Guard, the US Navy, the Marines as well as the SEAL teams had orders in for M16 rifles and cartridges. In 1965, Colt received orders for 800,000 M16E1 rifle and over 28,000 M16 rifles.
The M16 and the 5.56 Ball ammo would go through some major growing pains as the rifles and cartridges were issued to troops in Vietnam. Besides not being trained on how to properly clean the gun, the rifle suffered from many types of jams and failures.
Broken extractors and extractor springs accounted for many ejection failures and through more research, it was found that the propellant being used in the cartridges was creating horrific fouling of the gas and bolt system. The ball powder that was being used also created a longer pressure spike, which caused the case to expand in the chamber but it would not contract enough to be extracted.
The extractor would simply tear through the case rim, leaving the stuck case in the chamber. By using a different propellant, chrome plating the barrels and replacing the buffer with a new design that slowed down the cyclic rate, along with some other design changes, the problems were gradually sorted out. Unfortunately many American lives were lost because of these errors.
The process of selecting a smaller cartridge for use by NATO forces began in 1960. The cartridge design was based on the .223 Remington cartridge and its development was placed in the hands of FN Herstal. The rimless bottlenecked cartridge was named the 5.56 x 54mm NATO cartridge.
In 1980, the 5.56 NATO cartridge became the standard NATO rifle cartridge (known as the SS109 for NATO and the M855 for the United States). The 5.56mm cartridges allowed the soldier to be able to carry more ammunition, which equated to more firepower and logistically many more rounds could be transported to hot spots around the world by weight than the larger 7.62 NATO cartridges. On a global scale this can equal a savings of millions of dollars.
The number of firearms that are chambered for the 5.56 NATO cartridge is too numerous to list here. Just think about all of the different squad automatic weapons, rifles, carbines and machine guns that each NATO country uses…that is a lot of different weapons!
The Frankford Arsenal, Remington and Winchester produced the first lots of .223 ammunition for the United States Armed Forces. During the trials and testing of the AR-15, 19 Million .223 cartridges were purchased. When a cartridge does well for the military, the Law Enforcement and civilian communities usually follows their lead. If you have ever read the 27 page document for the military specifications for the M855 cartridge (5.56 x 54mm), you can see that heavy scrutiny has already been applied to the 5.56mm round!
The .223 Remington cartridge has become one of the most used cartridges in the United States. It is a great varmint and predator cartridge and could be used for larger game if need be by loading a heavier bullet like a Hornady GMX or Barnes TSX 70-grain projectiles. These slower moving heavier bullets seem to do quite well in windy conditions. The above attributes make the 5.56mm round a flexible survival cartridge too.
You may have noticed or even been annoyed by the interchanging .223/5.56 terminology, here are of the important similarities and difference between the two cartridges. The case dimensions are exactly the same, though case thickness/propellant capacity can vary significantly between manufacturers which will have an effect on the resulting pressures.
The 5.56 x 45mm NATO or other military 5.56 ammo tends to be loaded hotter, so chamber pressures will be greater than the typical .223 Remington load. For this reason, .223 Remington rounds can be safely fired in a 5.56 chambered gun but 5.56mm ammo should not be fired in a .223 Rem chambered gun.
The reason for this really comes down to the differences in the chamber dimensions between .223 and 5.56 barrels. The throat/free bore and leade of a 5.56mm chamber is longer. The throat of the chamber is the unrifled section of the chamber just forward of the neck and gives the bullet a place to sit. Leade or lead is the section of the bore of a rifled barrel located just ahead of the throat of the chamber. It is a conical shaped transition from end of the throat to the fully rifled part of the barrel.
In an effort to gain more accuracy from the 5.56mm NATO cartridge, Bill Wylde created the .223 Wylde, which is a chamber design that utilizes the same external dimensions and lead angle of a 5.56 NATO cartridge and the freebore diameter of the .223 Remington cartridge. Another company that uses a proprietary chamber design to achieve better accuracy from the 5.56mm NATO cartridge is Noveske. A Noveske barrel is not cheap but they are known for their precision and high quality products.
SAAMI specs are followed by manufacturers in the U.S. loading .223 Remington ammo but those same manufacturers who also load 5.56 ammo do not follow SAAMI specs because the 5.56 rounds are loaded to military specifications and thus not held to SAAMI specs. In Europe, the international organization C.I.P. tests and sets the safety standards for firearms and ammunition. In countries that are regulated by the C.I.P., .223 Remington ammunition is proof tested at the same maximum service pressure as the 5.56 x 54mm NATO cartridges.
There have been a lot of challenges that had to be met throughout the history of the AR-15 and the 5.56 x 54mm cartridge. The twist rate of a barrel and the chamber dimensions greatly effect performance and accuracy. The shorter barreled M4 carbines and the requests for even shorter barrel lengths coming from the Special Forces communities have kept firearms and ammunition engineers busy. At this point in time, the AR-15 style rifles and the .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO cartridges offer a very reliable and accurate shooting platform.
The AR-15 rifle and .223/5.56 cartridge combination have gone through many changes together. They are still being used by our Military/Law Enforcement and civilian populations to good affect every day. This combo is a must for 3-gun competition. The .223 Remington cartridge is not overly expensive and there is always a wide variety of ammunition to choose from. There is a lot of surplus ammo to select from as well. Many other firearms are chambered in .223 Rem besides the AR-15 type guns.
The 5.56mm round is a good cartridge to reload for, as there is a huge variety of quality components to choose from as well. In 1964, the year I was born, these cartridges were the new warfighting cartridge and the US Armed Forces began using them. It’s easy for me to remember how many years these cartridges have been in use!
Become an American Gunsmith and continue to preserve our Firearm’s Heritage!
Robert Dunn,
Gunsmith & Community Moderator
American Gunsmithing Institute
Gunsmithing Club of America
A Bold First Step in Dismantling the National Firearms Act John Commerford The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com. President Trump and GOP lawmakers have every reason to celebrate a bold and historic moment for the Trump administration with the recent passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” – a new law that, among other things, reduces taxes for law-abiding gun owners. In the original version of President Trump’s bill, GOP lawmakers and the White House strategically focused on the National Firearms Act (NFA), with the goal of eliminating many of the NFA’s burdensome requirements. That language would have removed an onerous $200 federal excise tax, and the needless registry and paperwork currently imposed on short-barreled rifles (SBRs), short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), firearm suppressors, and “any other weapons” (AOWs) defined within the NFA. Yet this original language, which we actively supported, was stricken by a Harry Reid-appointed Senate parliamentarian who allegedly applied what’s known as the “Byrd Rule” in evaluating the NFA-related language in the Senate reconciliation package. The “Byrd test” is based upon factors including whether the provision would increase or decrease revenues, and whether the change in revenue would be “merely incidental” to the other alterations that the provision would make to public law. Considering the NFA was passed as a taxation scheme by Congress and upheld as such by the U.S. Supreme Court, the parliamentarian’s ruling had the hallmarks of political activism designed to thwart the president’s and GOP’s efforts to restore gun rights. While we strongly disagreed with the ruling of the parliamentarian, we were not going to allow an unaccountable bureaucrat to have the last word. NRA therefore worked with House and Senate Leadership to revise language in the legislation that, while less comprehensive than what was originally envisioned, curtailed any opportunities for political gamesmanship under the Byrd test. The end result was legislation that eliminated the unconstitutional, highly punitive $200 tax on short-barreled firearms, suppressors, and other items. That provision is certainly not perfect, in that it leaves intact the burdensome and intrusive administrative and registration requirements. But, it represents the biggest blow to the National Firearms Act since its creation nearly a century ago and takes a bold step to reduce unconstitutional financial hardships imposed on lawful gun owners. More importantly, this new law sets the stage for a robust fight in the courts to permanently eliminate the NFA. Since the law zeros out taxes on the sale/transfer of short-barreled firearms, suppressors, and other items, the door is now open to wage a significant legal challenge to the continued existence of the NFA. Precedent supports a challenge arguing that, because the NFA no longer imposes a tax on certain regulated firearms, its constitutional justification as an exercise of Congress’s taxing power has been invalidated. And if it is determined in court that the reason the NFA exists as a taxing authority is now dissolved, then its days are numbered. This is why the NRA has joined with several other organizations, including the American Suppressor Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation, to support a legal challenge that could finally put an end to the NFA and its infringement on your Second Amendment rights. Other organizations are filing similar lawsuits. Our focus now shifts to continuing the fight to fully eliminate the NFA and remove other unconstitutional gun laws. The NRA remains dedicated to preserving and expanding the rights of law-abiding gun owners as we utilize every tool at our disposal to do so on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures, and in courthouses across the nation.
5 Reasons the Second Amendment Should Not Be Political Susanne Edward Support NRA America's 1st Freedom DONATE ** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. ** The right to keep and bear arms is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. It is not a tool of one political party but rather is a right for all Americans, regardless of their background, income or voting history. Here are five reasons why the Second Amendment shouldn’t be a political battleground—and instead, a shared principle rooted in equality, protection and empowerment. 1. The Second Amendment Is a Great Equalizer At its core, the Second Amendment is about self-preservation and the ability of individuals to defend themselves, especially when institutions fail to do so. According to FBI data, over 1 million violent crimes were reported in 2021, including more than 600,000 aggravated assaults. Police response times vary widely—averaging 10 to 15 minutes in many areas and significantly longer in rural counties. In 2020, nearly 40% of all first-time gun buyers were women, and purchases by black Americans rose by 58%, according to data from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). These trends continued into 2023, driven by concerns about personal safety and civil unrest. Empowerment is not partisan. The ability to protect oneself is a fundamental right. 2. The Second Amendment Protects Everyone—Equally The Constitution doesn’t make exceptions: “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.” Historically, gun control has been used to disarm and suppress certain groups of people. After the Civil War, “Black Codes” in Southern states explicitly restricted black Americans from owning firearms. In 1967, the Mulford Act was passed in California primarily in response to the Black Panther Party’s armed patrols. Today, the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA) has grown to over 45,000 members and the gun-rights group Pink Pistols advocates for armed self-defense amid rising hate crimes. The Second Amendment is a civil-rights issue. It transcends party lines. 3. Democrats Own Guns, Too Despite political stereotypes, millions of Democrats own firearms. According to a 2023 Pew Research survey, 32% of Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents either personally own a gun or live in a household with one. Among independents, gun ownership is nearly identical to that of Republicans. How many of these voters appreciate that the Second Amendment is an individual right and don’t blame lawful gun owners for the actions of criminals, as Democratic Party leadership so often does, is unclear, but it is likely a big enough slice of the party to make them lose elections when their freedom is directly threatened. 4. “Gun-Free Zones” Often Attract, Not Deter, Violence We are told that so-called “gun-free zones” are intended to promote safety and security, but, in practice, they often do the opposite. A 2023 report by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) found that 94% of mass public shootings between 1950 and 2019 occurred in areas where civilians were banned from carrying firearms. These areas are soft targets for attackers who know law-abiding citizens are defenseless. Real safety comes from preparedness and deterrence—not signs and bans on this fundamental right. 5.) Recreational Shooting Is Empowering, Popular and Nonpartisan Gun ownership isn’t just about protection; it’s also a recreational and cultural tradition for millions of Americans. Shooting sports participation has surged. According to the NSSF, more than 5.4 million Americans purchased firearms for the first time in 2021, building on the historic surge of 2020. Many ranges and clubs report an increase in attendance from women, youth and minority communities. Shooting fosters responsibility, confidence and focus. From hunting to competitive target shooting, it unites generations and communities—regardless of political identity. It’s not “gun culture.” It’s American culture. The Second Amendment should not be a red-versus-blue issue. It is a constitutional guarantee intended to empower and protect all Americans. Politicizing the right to bear arms undermines its purpose and weakens our ability to have constructive conversations. Just as we don’t treat freedom of speech or the right to vote as privileges, we shouldn’t do it with self-defense. This right belongs to everyone—from urban liberals to rural conservatives, from legal immigrants to those who identify as LGBTQ. If more voters let even anti-gun politicians know this, then this issue will become much less political. That would help all of us preserve this basic human right.
The Start of Something GOOD. My Range, The Beginning. Tactical K Training and Firearms July 26th 2025 Range Day Gregg Kielma Thank you for everyone who came out today and braved the HEAT for Tactical K Training and Firearms Range Day. It was hot! Air temperature 98 F heat index 107 F. Everyone did great. I do know this, never again with this extreme heat. For me, I'm sick from the heat. It was too much for me. Next year July 2026 and possibly August 2026 will be moved indoors. It's hard on someone like me who works in A/C all day and BAM to 98 F temperature for 7 hours. Come on October 2025 through May 2026 when the weather id perfect here!
Tactical K Training and Firearms Range Day Gregg Kielma Have a PLAN....STOP doing this! So many times, I go to the range, and I see people just blasting rounds down range with ZERO purpose. Continues Kielma, “what do I mean by this...let me explain”. This past Sunday I witnessed a young man hit the range and I saw that all he wanted to do was take his new guns and put rounds down range. After I saw him go through a WHOLE mag on his Socom that his grandfather just gave him, I asked him what he was training. He just looked at me with a blank stare. I told him every round that came out of that rifle, it should have a purpose. Are you zeroing the weapon? Are you shooting for accuracy? Are you working on positions? Are you working on acquiring your sights faster? Or are you just wasting ammo? I then went on to explain the course of fire I did with people all has a purpose. We started on working the fundamentals by getting all shots inside a small circle on the target from the 5, then the 7 and then the 10 yard line. Once we had that down, we progressed to speed drills. We worked on single shots from the holster with a shot timer. Then we progressed to accelerated pairs and then ended with 4 to 6 rapid shots to make sure we weren't just training 2 shots at a time, because the objective in a gun fight is to continue to fire until the threat is down. My point to this is that you need to have a plan before you hit the range. Write out exactly what you are going to drill before you get there. Ammo is expensive and you should not waste quality training time just sending rounds down range without a purpose. If you need help with coming up with drills, please give me a call me 941 737-6956 or Email me at kielmagregory@gmail.com Stay Safe and Situationally Aware Gregg Kielma ERT Captain Tactical K Training and Firearms President and Chief Instructor
Storm Safety Reminders Gregg Kielma Says Gregg Kielma as a ERT Member a quick reminder to all our friends. Here's what to do when severe weather hits: Plan ahead. Monitor all severe weather before it’s too late. • Stay Weather Ready: Continue to listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay updated about severe thunderstorm watches and warnings. • At Your House: Go to your secure location if you hear a severe thunderstorm warning. Stay away from windows. Damaging wind or large hail may be approaching. Take your pets with you! • At Your Workplace or School: Stay away from windows if you are in a severe thunderstorm warning and damaging wind or large hail is approaching. Do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums. • Outside: Go inside a sturdy building immediately if severe thunderstorms are approaching. Sheds and storage facilities are not safe. Taking shelter under a tree can be deadly. The tree may fall on you. Standing under a tree also put you at a greater risk of getting struck by lightning. • In a Vehicle: Being in a vehicle during severe thunderstorms is safer than being outside; however, drive to closest secure shelter if there is sufficient time. Stay safe and stay situationally aware. Gregg Kielma
How to Build Your Own Backyard Gun Range (Even if It’s Temporary) By Jacob Paulsen You don’t need 100 acres, bulldozers, or a bunker to set up a safe and functional shooting range. Whether you’re hosting a training event, running youth shooters through basic drills, or just want a private place to run your own reps, you can build a reliable range almost anywhere with the right gear and a little planning. I recently built a pop-up range in a National Forest for a church youth group activity. Everything had to fit in the back of my 5ft Tacoma bed, and it needed to be fast to set up and tear down. This article covers the gear and tools that made it work, and what I recommend if you're looking to do something similar. My pop-up gun range. Set up in a National Forest as part of a 3-day church youth camp. Check the Law First Before you pound in your first stake, check your local and state laws, zoning ordinances, and firearm discharge regulations. While recreational shooting is generally legal on BLM land or in National Forests, it's always smart to confirm with local BLM offices or Forest Rangers to avoid surprises. Better safe than shut down. And always build with a safe backstop in mind — berm, hillside, or natural barrier. You should consider if there will be traffic on a road, or on a trail beyond your backstop. Sometimes errant shots can go over the berm, and understanding your backdrop is important to safety. As a rule of thumb, I'm looking for a backstop / berm that is at least 20 feet high, free of large rocks, and won't see human traffic beyond or nearby for several hundred feet. Of course, you might change your parameters based on the specific firearm(s) being used. Start With Safety No matter where you shoot, safety is non-negotiable. Here’s what I recommend every temporary range have on hand: • Proper signage indicating that live fire is taking place. • A clearly marked firing line • Range boundaries that define where eye and ear protection becomes mandatory and where people cannot walk or go to avoid being downrange of the firing line. This rope is really helpful. • A dedicated trauma kit designed specifically for range injuries. • A completed Medical Response Plan — Mountain Man Medical provides a free downloadable template inside their Range Medicine Course. Essential Range-Building Gear Proper Targets: Top Pick for Pop-Up Ranges When weight, safety, and portability matter, Throom Targets are our top recommendation. I used their Knockdown Targets at our event — they made scoring simple (target falls = hit) and the animal shapes were a hit with youth shooters. • No ricochet risk • Lightweight and easier to transport than steel • Durable — they last a long time • Fun & reactive — great for both training and entertainment When this picture was taken these targets had been shot about 200 times each. These targets last a LONG time Pro Tip: Some setups (like their plate rack) require a drill or driver to assemble, and if you're building a custom lumber base, you'll need a saw unless you cut it in advance.. HatPoint Target Stands: Lightweight, Flexible, Packable We love the HatPoint Target Stands because they solve multiple problems at once: • Lightweight & easy to carry • Adjustable width — works with paper, cardboard, USPSA targets, etc. • Stakable for wind (stakes sold separately) • Stackable and portable — ideal for truck beds Pair them with 1×2 sticks (available at any hardware store) and you're ready to go. DIY Tactical Port Wall with HatPoint Stands Want to simulate a VTAC wall but don’t have room to haul one? Here’s what I did: • Used 2 HatPoint stands with cardboard backers mounted sideways • Cut shooting ports with a box cutter at various heights Some used target backers found new life in this makeshift “wall” Cardboard Target Backers • Best value: Call American Target Company for bulk pricing. • Fast option: Buy on Amazon Also bring a good stapler and extra staples. Paper Targets Use whatever paper target fits your mission. For advanced pistol work, check out the CCI PIQ Target — great for diagnostic training and timing drills. Range Setup Extras • Rope — to mark off the firing line and PPE boundary • Popup tent — for shade and rain cover • Tables — staging gear, makeshift shooting bench, etc. • Mallet or hammer — drive in stakes • Drill or driver — for Throom targets or wall builds • Saw — if cutting lumber yourself What This Article Doesn’t Cover This guide is focused on building the range — not what you bring to shoot on it. You’ll still need: • Eye and ear protection • Ammo, mags, firearms • Shot timer • Lube, cleaning tools, mag loaders, gloves, etc. Final Checklist: Build-Your-Own Range Essentials • Confirm legality with local authorities • Safe backstop • Signage and safety briefing • Marked firing line and PPE boundary • Wind River Trauma Kit • Medical Response Plan (free template) • Throom Targets • HatPoint Stands + 1×2 sticks • Cardboard target backers + stapler • Popup tent • Tables • Rope • Garment bags (rain protection) • Drill or driver • Saw (optional) • Mallet or hammer What Did I Miss? This isn’t a complete list for every type of range, but it’s the gear that made our temporary National Forest range a success. If you’ve built a range of your own — or have tips I didn’t mention — I’d love to hear them.
They’re Coming for Your Car: The Alarming Rise in Gun Thefts from Vehicles By Jacob Paulsen There’s a new front in the fight to protect your firearms—and it’s parked in your driveway. According to a major new study from the Council on Criminal Justice, criminals are shifting their focus from breaking into homes to breaking into vehicles to steal guns. From 2018 to 2022, gun thefts from cars rose 31%, while residential gun thefts actually declined. This isn’t just a trend. It’s a warning—and a call to action for responsible gun owners. Gun-Free Zones: The Real Public Safety Threat We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating gun-free zones make people less safe. And now, we’re seeing another layer to that danger. When you’re forced by law to disarm before entering a post office, courthouse, school, or private business, what happens to your gun? For millions of law-abiding Americans, the answer is: it gets left in the car. But the moment that gun is out of your immediate control, it becomes a target—and criminals know it. From Homes to Automobiles: What the Data Shows • Between 2018 and 2022, gun thefts from parking lots and garages climbed from 8.4 to 14.2 per 100,000 people. • Gun thefts from roads and alleys increased from 5.6 to 8.0 per 100,000. • Residential thefts fell from 54.6 to 46.2 per 100,000 over the same period. Estimates for 2019–2021 were interpolated since CCJ only gave 2018 and 2022 exact values Perhaps most shocking: in 2022, nearly 1 in 11 vehicle break-ins involved a gun. That’s up from just 1 in 20 in 2018. If this trend has continued beyond the study period to today, we’re likely seeing 10–11% of all vehicle break-ins now resulting in stolen firearms. Bad guys are smart. They know that a car in the parking lot of a government building or stadium might just have a gun in the glove box. And that’s exactly where they’re looking. Hard Truth: You Can't Stop All Theft—But You Can Stop Making It Easy Let’s be blunt. If your firearm ends up in the hands of a criminal because you left it loose in the console or tossed under the seat, that’s on you. We don’t support laws that mandate how you store a firearm in your private vehicle. But we do believe in something far more powerful than mandates: moral responsibility. We can’t stop all gun theft, but we don’t have to make it easy. We don’t have to make it abundantly available. And we don’t have to live with the guilt of knowing our firearm was used in a crime because we failed to do the right thing. Best Practices for Securing a Gun in a Vehicle Here’s what responsible gun owners do: Use a Dedicated Vehicle Safe The glove box is not secure. A high-quality console vault or vehicle-specific gun safe is the gold standard. Bolt or Cable Lock It to the Frame If your safe isn’t bolted down or tethered, it’s a smash-and-grab away from being gone in seconds. Hide It Avoid placing the safe in plain view or under a window. Out of sight = less of a target. Never Leave a Gun in a Car Overnight Every hour it’s left in the vehicle increases the chance of theft. Make retrieval a part of your routine. Park Wisely Look for well-lit, high-visibility spots. Avoid secluded areas, alleys, and low-traffic garages. Ditch the Gun Stickers We love our Second Amendment—but a “Molon Labe” bumper sticker or gun brand decal makes your car a glowing target for thieves. Final Word: Protect Yourself. Protect the 2A. Every gun stolen from a vehicle has the potential to be used in a robbery, a carjacking, or a murder. And while criminals bear the ultimate responsibility for their actions, we bear the responsibility for how we store our tools of liberty. Don’t make it easy for them. Take stock of your vehicle security plan. Tighten it up.
GOA Lawsuit Aims to Strike Down 1927 Law Banning Handgun Shipments via USPS By Jacob Paulsen As an FFL, Kielma says, I would like to go on record. I believe a firearm shipped to anyone, and I mean anyone, needs to go through the proper channels. That means a licensed FFL with proper record keeping. Period. I believe this is wrong for so many reasons. Please see what Guns of America is proposing below. On July 14, 2025, Gun Owners of America (GOA), Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), and Pennsylvania resident Bonita Shreve filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania challenging the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 1715—a Prohibition-era law that bans mailing handguns through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The lawsuit argues that this 1927 statute violates the Second Amendment by prohibiting ordinary Americans from mailing the very type of firearm the Supreme Court has called “the quintessential self-defense weapon”—the handgun. What the Lawsuit Claims • Historical inconsistency: The law was passed during the Prohibition era, long after the Founding, when no other federal gun laws existed. GOA argues that it's completely out of step with the original public understanding of the Second Amendment. • Modern legal standard: Under Bruen, any firearm restriction must be historically justified. GOA asserts that no such historical precedent exists for banning the shipment of handguns. • Protected conduct: GOA maintains that the right to keep and bear arms must include the right to transfer, ship, and receive them—especially when long guns are already mailable and private ownership is legal. The Plaintiff’s Story: When a Gift Becomes a Felony Bonita Shreve wants to mail her father a Bersa Thunder handgun as a gift—perfectly lawful under both state and federal law. But because she isn’t a licensed dealer, she can’t legally use USPS. And with UPS and FedEx policies barring non-FFLs from shipping handguns, she’s stuck. She would’ve sent it already if not for the threat of felony prosecution under USPS rules. Why It Shouldn’t Be This Hard Let’s be honest—this shouldn’t be a legal minefield. Mailing a lawful firearm to a family member shouldn’t require a law degree, a federal license, and a three-hour road trip. We’re talking about sending an item that both sender and recipient can legally possess, with no commercial sale involved. And here’s the kicker: the USPS is a government agency. It operates under federal authority and is bound by the Constitution just like every other arm of government. If the Constitution protects our right to keep and bear arms, that protection should apply when using a government-run mail service. Now contrast that with FedEx and UPS—they’re private businesses. They can implement whatever policies they want, even dumb ones. But the USPS doesn’t have that excuse. If they’re going to fly the flag and operate on taxpayer dollars, they have to respect our rights. What the Law Actually Says 18 U.S.C. § 1715 declares: “Pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being concealed on the person are nonmailable and shall not be deposited in or carried by the mails.” Violation is a Class E felony, punishable by up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. USPS regulations (Publication 52) mirror the law, making handguns nonmailable except for a privileged class: FFLs and government agents. Meanwhile, regular folks can still mail long guns. GOA’s Constitutional Argument The lawsuit builds its case on Heller, McDonald, Bruen, and Rahimi—all Supreme Court decisions reinforcing that: • The Second Amendment protects individuals. • Handguns are the most common self-defense firearm. • Any restriction must be justified by a longstanding historical tradition. But no such tradition exists for banning the shipment of handguns—not in the Founding Era, not even during Reconstruction. The USPS existed in 1791, and yet the government never criminalized shipping pistols until 1927. What This Means for Gun Owners If the court strikes down this law: • Law-abiding Americans could once again mail handguns legally—just like they do with rifles. • Rural and less mobile citizens wouldn’t be penalized simply because they don’t live near an FFL. • The USPS would finally have to honor the constitutional rights of the people it serves. Bottom line: It’s time for the federal government to stop pretending that access to handguns ends at the post office door. This lawsuit might be the first real crack in the wall that’s kept American gun owners from fully exercising their rights.
Struggling Firearms Company’s and Ammo Manufacture Closes Down Business The U.S. firearms industry has faced some financial distress in 2025 as gun manufacturers and ammo producers filed for bankruptcy protection. Some gun makers have also shut down operations for economic issues without filing for bankruptcy. Fledgling gun manufacturer Watchtower Firearms LLC , which was established in 2022, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Feb. 27, facing financial problems, including operational challenges, tax obligations, and significant vendor and service provider debt that led to its financial distress. The company likely faced rising inflation, increased interest rates, and consumers' changing attitudes toward spending that impacted the company's financial situation. The Frisco, Texas, firearms maker recently released its special edition Demolitia handgun and its Raider Series rifles. It is also developing its Commander pistol that is coming soon, according to its website. Watchtower Firearms currently offers its Apache 9mm pistol, its Bridger 7mm bolt-action rifle, and other custom and special edition rifles. Firearms ammo maker files for bankruptcy Also, firearms ammunition manufacturer and dealer Specialty Cartridge Inc., which operates as Atlanta Arms, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 7 to reorganize its business. The company manufactures and sells ammunition for handguns and rifles and offers hats and t-shirts for sale. It has various targets and target pasters for purchase as well. The Covington, Ga., ammunition maker and dealer, listed $10 million to $50 million in assets and $1 million to $10 million in liabilities in its petition. Its largest creditors include Fiocchi of America, owed over $421,000; Grandeur Fasteners, also owed over $421,000; Amerway, owed over $331,000, and Wieland Metal Services, owed over $306,000. SCCY Firearms has reportedly shut down its business. SCCY Firearms shuts down its factory And now, popular Daytona Beach, Fla., firearms manufacturer and dealer SCCY Firearms has closed its operations and is out of business, NRA Shooting Illustrated reported. The company has not filed for bankruptcy protection at last check. SCCY was not immediately available for comment. The company did not answer its phone lines listed on its website, and it did not return voicemail phone messages. It also did not respond to an email request for comment. The company's assets, including gun computer numerical control machines and centers, injecting molding machines, lathes, office equipment, 3D printers, and other items, are reportedly scheduled to be sold to the highest bidders in an auction conducted by Prestige Auction on June 24-26. SCCY Firearms' assets were seized by the Volusia County Tax Office of Florida at its Daytona factory on March 11, 2025, for non-payment of tax debts totaling over $249,000. The tax office posted a Notice of Pending Levy and Seizure on the factory's exterior stating: "All equipment, furniture, and fixtures located inside this location regardless of status (owned, leased, loaned, or borrowed,) are subjected to taxation and are now under pending levy and seizure for unpaid tangible personal property taxes. "Disposal of assessed property prior to satisfaction of the tax lien is a violation of a Florida statute Chapter 818 and is punishable by one year imprisonment and/or $1,000 fine," the notice stated. The amount due on March 11 was $249,932.38. The notice advised "Contact revenue recovery before proceeding," with a phone number and email listed. If the company makes a tax payment to the county, the seizure and auction process can be halted. The county has also been talking with the company's landlord and the lender who loaned SCCY the money to purchase the equipment to arrange a payment to release the equipment to the lender, The Outdoor Wire reported. Joe Roebuck, a mechanical engineer and tool-and-die-maker, founded SCCY in 2003. SCCY's first manufactured gun, the CPX-1 pistol, was first sold in 2005. The company was listed in the Top 10 among domestic pistol manufacturers in volume in 2022, according to Shooting Illustrated.
Struggling firearms retail chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Story by Kirk O’Neil The U.S. firearms industry faced economic hardship in 2025 as gun manufacturers, ammunition producers, firearms retailers, and shooting ranges filed for bankruptcy protection to reorganize or sometimes shut down their businesses. The industry over the last two years faced many of the same economic challenges that other industries have endured, including inflation, high interest rates, and reduced consumer spending. Bare Arms suffered a significant financial loss following a fire on June 19, 2022, at its Huntington, W.V., indoor range caused by a customer who used prohibited incendiary projectiles as rounds for his firearm, according to court papers from the debtor's first bankruptcy filing reported by Pacer Monitor. The fire caused about $1.3 million in damages, but the debtor was underinsured, as the range and store were not insured for loss of income, according to court papers. The debtor's petition did not state a specific reason for the bankruptcy filing, but it's likely that events leading up to Bare Arms' first Chapter 11 filing on May 15, 2023, played a role in its second bankruptcy filing. By May 14, 2023, the debtor was only able to open a portion of the range, and it filed for Chapter 11 protection for the first time on May 15, 2023, to reorganize its debts. The Ashland, Ky. based debtor filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky on July 21, 2025, listing $1 million to $10 million in assets and liabilities, including $2.5 million owed to Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust, $500,000 owed to the U.S. Small Business Administration, and claims owed to various mall operators and retail landlords. Bare Arms expanded to 14 locations in 7 states The company expanded between 2018 and 2023, opening 14 Bare Arms Trading Company retail outlets, selling firearms, gear, and apparel, in seven states, including Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Texas, Alabama, South Carolina, and Georgia. The company had 11 retail stores when it filed for bankruptcy in May 2023. The company currently operates eight locations in five states, including Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia. It operates indoor shooting ranges in Ashland and Huntington. Gun and ammo dealers filed for bankruptcy Fledgling gun manufacturer Watchtower Firearms LLC on Feb. 27, 2025, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, facing operational challenges, tax obligations, and significant vendor and service provider debt that led to its financial distress. The Frisco, Texas, company was established in 2022 and offers its Apache 9mm pistol, its Bridger 7mm bolt-action rifle, and other custom and special edition rifles. Firearms ammunition manufacturer and dealer Specialty Cartridge Inc., which operates as Atlanta Arms, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business on May 7, 2025. The company manufactures and sells ammunition for handguns and rifles and offers hats and t-shirts for sale. It has various targets and target pasters for purchase as well.
