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The April, 2026 National Instant background Check System (NICS) numbers are in. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) adjusted background check numbers show firearm sales are slightly higher than April of 2025. Firearm sales are holding steady. Contrary to firearm sales as measured by the adjusted numbers, the numbers of background checks themselves is almost 12% lower than the number in April, 2025. From NSSF:
The April 2026 NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) figure of 1,193,428 is an increase of 1.6 percent compared to the April 2025 NSSF-adjusted NICS figure of 1,174,294. For comparison, the unadjusted April 2026 FBI NICS figure of 1,933,972 reflects an 11.9 percent decrease from the unadjusted FBI NICS figure of 2,194,006 in April 2025.
April has been a busy month. The conflict with Iran continued through the end of the month. National Firearms Act (NFA) applications NICs checks are up 130% over April of 2025. The massive increase in applications for NFA firearms is a measure of how much the insane, $200 excise taxes were infringing on the rights of Americans to own silencers, short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns and any other weapons under the NFA. The removal of the tax infringements has unleashed a significant demand for these types of arms. From the NSSF:
• The April 2026 NFA figure of 190,086 is an increase of 130.3 percent compared to the April 2025 figure of 82,519.
To be sure, these are NFA application background checks. Not all NFA application background checks result in an authorization to purchase an NFA regulated arm. Some are duplicates; some are rejected, some are told a mistake was made and they need to re-apply. It is not clear the precise number which are approved. The 103k increase in NFA checks continues a massive increase in NFA applications in 2026. You can see in the NSSF graphic below, April 2026 is fairly close to a "new normal" for firearm sales, as measured by the adjusted background checks. Average the "Trump slump" years with the "Biden Jump" years, and you see a fairly steady amount in April.
Analysis:
The intense conflict in and around Iran, a response to an effective 47 year war with the United States, has dampened down as of this writing in early May. This correspondent predicted stability would return to world markets after April, firearm sales would continue to be up slightly in April, then decrease in May and June. The prediction still looks good for an uncertain future. The Trump administration's more aggressive stance on supporting the Second Amendment with the Civil Right Division of the Department of Justice is not likely to increase sales. A role back of illicit laws and infringement bodes well. Such a roll back assures prospective purchasers the Constitutional Republic is being restored, in spite of the deranged rhetoric on the Left. Firearm sales thrive on domestic and foreign instability. In the long term, a new "golden age" could increase firearm sales with increased wealth and recreational opportunities.
©2026 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
Gun Watch
Investigators said a female tenant was awakened by her dogs barking and believed someone was trying to break into her home.
She initially thought it could be her husband attempting to get inside.
However, investigators said after unlocking and opening the door, an unknown man entered the townhouse and a struggle began. The woman, who was armed, fired her weapon.
On May 19, 1828 U.S. President John Quincy Adams signed the Tariff of 1828 into law to protect industry in the North. The bill was vehemently denounced in the South and escalated to a threat of civil war in the nullification crisis of 1832–33. The tariff was replaced in 1833, and the crisis ended. The Tariff of 1828 was called the “Tariff of Abominations” by most Southerners because of its drag on the Southern economy. It set a 38% tax on some imported goods and a 45% tax on certain imported raw materials. The South was also harmed indirectly because …
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Opening caveat: A lot of what I describe below is highly illegal in normal times. It might even be frowned upon during semi-normal times. Only you, as a logical and thinking adult, can make a decision to take actions that could result in potential prison time. But this article is for those bad times, a true WWOTROL (World Without The Rule Of Law) scenario. Like many here, I’m an older gentleman, having retired almost 20 years ago after a 25 year law enforcement career. I’ve also been a faithful Survival Blog reader from almost the beginning. And like many here, …
The post Staying Home For TEOTWAWKI, by Jason H. appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
This weekly column features media from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. Redoubt News Links Four crew members eject safely after two Navy jets collide during air show in Idaho. JWR’s Comments: Thankfully, the two pilots and the two GIBs (“Guys in Back”) from VAQ-129 punched out and parachuted to the ground safely. The EA-18G Growler is a particularly expensive F/A-18 variant, and difficult to replace. Figure a replacement cost of about $130 million per plane, with a multi-year lead …
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“If you believe in equal rights, then what do “women’s rights,” “gay rights,” etc., mean? Either they are redundant or they are violations of the principle of equal rights for all.” – Thomas Sowell
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First seen way back in RECOIL Issue #4, the Desert Tech SRS Bullpup Bolt-Action Rifle! Does it still hold up? Did it stand the test of time?I am looking for a cargo carrier that has edge holes for padlocks. I am told the Thules all use the same key, so they are not secure. Why you would do that eludes me. There is nowhere to look at them, and the Amazon pages are useless for this. JEGS says none of theirs will accept padlocks.
Wolfgang would welcome the outcome, but would want to bite the old owners.
The breeder lost his license but likely won't go to jail.
Animal rescues in Minnesota are welcoming dozens of beagles into their care this week from a biomedical research breeding facility in Wisconsin.
Late last month, Big Dog Ranch Rescue and The Center for a Humane Economy announced they bought the beagles for an undisclosed sum from Ridglan Farms near Madison.
The purchase followed a settlement with Wisconsin state regulators where Ridglan agreed to give up its breeder’s license in exchange for avoiding criminal charges.
"Researchers" - we all know what that means, don't we Dr. Fauci? Odd isn't it that cruelty to animals often precedes cruelty to humans ...
And this part is infuriating:
But [Special ProsecutorGruenke did find that Ridglan allowed non-veterinarians to perform eye operations on some animals without general anesthesia in violation of Wisconsin’s animal mistreatment law.
Wolfgang would definitely want to bite that SOB.
Interestingly, this is the first post tagged Blinded By Science where actual blinding by scientists was involved.
The post H&R T223: In Vietnam Before the HK33 first appeared on Forgotten Weapons.
Shooting: #DetroitPolice 8th Precinct is investigating a non fatal shooting in the 19700 block of Burt. The shooting occurred around 2:13PM. The victim was struck at least once while inside a vehicle. The suspect was described as a B/M in his 20s, 20-25 wearing all black. The victim also stated he returned fire, unknown if the suspect was struck.
- Juanma has a really neat, lavishly illustrated, in-depth look at a car show in the Netherlands.
- Forget the "Great Man Theory of History" and instead consider the "Mediocre Man Theory of History".
- Funky vehicles in the presidential motorcade in China. Anti-drone vehicles? Some sort of SIGINT thing?
On My 18, 1804, Napoléon Bonaparte was proclaimed Emperor of France by the French Senate. — May 18th, 1825 was the birthday of Daniel Baird Wesson (of Smith and Wesson fame). — On May 18th, 1980, Mount St. Helens in Washington erupted, causing a massive avalanche and killing 57 people. Ash from the volcanic eruption fell as far away as Minnesota. — Take note that we will be switching to weekly postings, on June 2nd. Thenceforth, you can look for SurvivalBlog “Fresh Every Tuesday.” — The last day! We have been running a two-week-long sale in all of our percussion …
The post Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 18, 2026 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
The Saiga 223 is a sporterized AK pattern rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO. The advantage of an AK pattern rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO is that it combines the rugged reliability of the AK platform with the wide availability and selection of ammunition in 5.56mm NATO. It was called the Saiga 223 rather than the Saiga 556 in order to try to help it slip past the 1994 “Assault Weapons” ban. Although it was chambered in 5.56 NATO, it was thought that an association with the civilian .223 Remington rather than military 5.56 NATO chambering would make it sound more …
The post Saiga 223, by Thomas Christianson appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
Today’s graphic is a map that shows the white population distribution by percentage throughout the American states and Canadian provinces. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.) The lower detail map shows the small northeastern states. The thumbnail images below are click-expandable. — Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.
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The following recipe for Bakeless Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies is from SurvivalBlog reader E.J.. This recipe requires no baking — just heating a mixture in saucepan. Ingredients 3 TBSP cocoa powder (unsweetened) 1/2 c milk 2 c sugar 1/2 c butter 3 cups of dry rolled oats 1/2 c peanut butter 1 tsp vanilla extract Directions Melt the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly and bring this mixture to a rolling boil and let it cook for just over one minute. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and peanut butter. Stir …
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“Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve-racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs an unceasing vigilance and a rare detachment of spirit. It cannot, like adultery or gluttony, be practised at spare moments; it is a whole-time job.” – W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965), from ‘Cakes and Ale’ (1930)
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Bill Cassidy is the senior US Senator from Louisiana. First elected in 2014, he claimed to be a staunch conservative. In 2020, he rode Trump's coattails into a second ern, them promptly sided with the liberals to try and impeach President Trump.
Louisiana has "Jungle primaries", which tend to elect liberal RINOs. We changed that law for some offices and yesterday had party primaries for Cassidy's Us senate seat. He lost, big time.
When conservatives vote, RINOs get their marching papers. All that is left for Cassidy to do is clean out his desk. He's done in Louisiana politics, and this is the best possible answer to those who say that jungle primaries are better than party primaries.
Officers responded to Fuller’s Superette at 900 Hamilton Road around 10 a.m., according to investigators. A store clerk reported that a man entered the business and handed over a note that read, “Put all the money in a bag.”
The robbery was cut short, authorities said, when the clerk pulled a firearm from beneath the counter and pointed it at the suspect. Police say the man quickly grabbed his note and left the building.
On May 17, 1792, twenty-four merchants formed the New York Stock Exchange at 70 Wall Street. — May 17, 1877: Edwin T. Holmes installed the first telephone switchboard burglar alarm. — And on May 17, 1920: First flight by Dutch airline KLM (Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij), a joint venture with British Aerial Transport. A de Havilland double-decker plane from London landed at Schiphol in Amsterdam. — Just one day left! We are running a two-week-long sale in all of our percussion revolvers at Elk Creek Company, with deep discounts. This sale will end at midnight on Monday, May 18th, 2026. Please …
The post Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 17, 2026 appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
Author’s Introductory Disclaimer: While I am a long-time reloading enthusiast, my advice and insights are not substitutes for the information found in reloading manuals. So do confirm any information herein and draw your own conclusions. Introduction I have discovered over the years that many shooters are planning to use incorrect ammunition in their military rifles that with repeated use over time would ruin the rifle’s mechanism, or if the rifle should be used in battlefield conditions, the rifle for many reasons could fail them just when they needed to defend themselves. Few are acquainted with using their rifles in actual …
The post Using Commercial Ammunition in Military Rifles, by Tunnel Rabbit appeared first on SurvivalBlog.com.
The latest meme created by JWR. (This was based on an idea suggested by my brother, Bruce. He is the inveterate punster of our family.) Meme Text: To Simplify Things, I’ve Changed All of My Account Passwords to “Kenny” So All of My Logins Are Now Kenny Logins Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it is posted then I’ll give you credit. Thanks! Permission to repost memes that I’ve created is granted, provided that credit to SurvivalBlog.com is included.
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“If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed …
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This morning, Insty highlights a problem that we have talked about before. Homelessness.
Homelessness is a problem that is as old as the United States. Those of us who grew up in the last century are familiar with a demographic that we described as "hobos". Those traveling folks without an address who went from place to place, looking fr handouts or work. The problem was the same. Folks on the low end of the income scale, who from one reason or another had no place to call home. Some were adventurers, some were down on their luck, others had addiction or mental health problems. During those simpler times, the agencies responsible for dealing with hobos were the police. Keep them moving, arrest those who could not take a subtle hint.
Come this century, and our nobler and more empathetic society wants to "solve" the problem. throw money at it. Hire social workers to manage it. Then the homeless people case to be the problem, per se, as much as the money spent and the careers launched to manage a problem. Social workers wan continued employment and if the problem is solved, there is no reason to keep paying the social workers to manage a problem that has been solved.
Therein lies the problem.
The post North Korean Type 68-1 Export “Asian Contract” Underfolder (Semiauto Build) first appeared on Forgotten Weapons.