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FIRST NEWSLETTER FROM ARIZONA
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This is my first newsletter from Arizona. I've been incredibly busy with packing and moving for the past few weeks, and I still have a lot of unpacking to do, but I wanted to take time to give everyone an update and comment on some recent news.
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SIG WOES
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The July 2025 death of Airman Brayden Lovan at F.E. Warren Air Force Base prompted the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command to suspend use of the M18 (military variant of the SIG P320). Multiple incidents have been reported where the P320 allegedly fired without the trigger being pulled, including while holstered. Officers from various departments have reported being injured by their own holstered P320s, often in the leg or foot.
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A recent lawsuit claims over 22 victims in 16 states from unintentional discharges of Sig pistols. Consequently, several instructors, ranges, and agencies have banned the Sig 320 at their events or ranges until further notice. It seems all the rage these days for instructors and ranges to post on social media banning the Sig. While I applaud action in the name of safety, I also am quite sensitive to hypocrisy. Many of the instructors and ranges banning the Sig still permit the use of Serpa Holsters, which have also resulted in several injuries due to a design flaw I don't believe in safety theater, we either mean business or we don't. Banning the Sig P320 but allowing the Serpa holster is, in my opinion, a wee bit on the hypocritical side. If you want more information on why I am hard on the Serpa holster, check out this link: The Serpa Compendium.
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SUPPRESSOR NEWS
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As part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law on July 4, 2025, the longstanding $200 federal tax stamp for suppressors, SBRs, short-barreled shotguns (SBSs), and AOWs (any other weapons) will be eliminated starting January 1, 2026.
You’ll still need to complete the ATF Form 4 and go through the background check — but the payment is gone.
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The removal of the tax has triggered lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act (NFA) itself, since the tax was the legal foundation for its enforcement. Gun Owners of America and other groups argue that with no revenue being collected, the NFA’s restrictions may no longer be legally valid.
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It is important to attack the NFA itself, and not just the fee, because opening the door to changing the fee means an anti-gun administration could increase it. In fact, that is just what was recently proposed by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT). A newly submitted amendment from Senator Murphy (Senate Amendment 2973) proposes to raise the tax on NFA-regulated firearms such as suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns to $4,709 per item. The constitutionality of the NFA needs to be challenged - which is what several pro-gun organizations are attempting to do. Please continue to lend your support to the American Suppressor Association, Gun Owners of America, and the Second Amendment Foundation.
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TRAINING
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With my recent move to Arizona, training will be interrupted for a little while - but we've done this before and we always come out of it stronger. Keep an eye on the website and newsletter for class announcements when I find local ranges here. Also, if you would like to bring me to a range back in New Mexico or Idaho, all it takes is a range member willing to sponsor a class there.
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In two weeks, I will be teaching an AR Armorer class at Badlands in Grandfield, Oklahoma. If you want to sharpen you armorer skills, give them a call and see if they have any room left in the class.
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CURRENT EVENTS
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Racially-motivated attacks in cities like Cincinnati highlight the dangers of the world we live in. If you view the videos of these attacks, they are all ambush-from-behind slug-downs. Situational awareness was a missing component in these situations. No one can stay switched "on" 100% of the time, but when you are walking in transitional areas, you should be in that heightened level of awareness to your surroundings.
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FINAL THOUGHTS
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ADC lives on! With students in at least 7 states now, we are continuing to expand our influence. It will take a little bit for me to get settled in my new location, but classes will resume shortly.
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