ICYMI: Industry News
From Sept. 15–19, 2025
USA Clay Target League Breaks Fall Participation Record
The fall season is underway for 16,841 student-athletes participating in USA Clay Target League (USACTL) programs. Those athletes are competing on 1,109 high school, college and homeschool teams nationwide — supported by over 11,200 coaches, team staff and other volunteers. This is the 31st consecutive season of record-breaking participation since the League was founded in 2008.
“The League provides schools with the opportunity to give their students a place to develop their confidence, sportsmanship, and teamwork without the high costs and limited playing opportunities of traditional sports,” said John Nelson, USACTL president. “Clay target shooting sports are accessible to everyone, and the opportunity to participate on their school’s team influences athletes’ lives for the better.”
This year, USACTL reports more than 13,000 new athletes have joined the League. For high school athletes, their six-week fall season concludes at the end of October. For college athletes, the League’s fall season culminates in the USA College Clay Target League National Championship this Halloween.
“More and more colleges and universities are capitalizing on the growth of the League to find and recruit students looking to further their education,” Nelson continued. “By providing clay target sports, they’re providing an appealing, well-rounded education experience to their prospective students.”
With over 55,000 participating athletes in 2025, the non-profit USA Clay Target League is America’s largest clay target shooting organization. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-Stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country.
For more info: usaclaytarget.com
NSSF, ATF Celebrate 25 Years Of “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” Campaign
NSSF and the ATF celebrated 25 years of collaboration with the “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” program to prevent the straw purchase of firearms. This milestone was commemorated with a press conference featuring ATF Deputy Director Rob Cekada and NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi.
When a criminal is illegally trafficking in firearms or knows they cannot pass an FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check, they may try to entice a friend or acquaintance to purchase a firearm for them. This is a straw purchase, and it is a felony. The “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” campaign drives home the message that anyone making an illegal firearm purchase faces a federal felony penalty of up to 15 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
Straw purchasing firearms poses a serious risk to public safety by allowing guns to get into the hands of those who are a danger to themselves or others. Felons, domestic abusers and people with certain mental health conditions or drug addiction are “prohibitive persons” — those not permitted to purchase firearms. Through straw purchasing, these people are able to obtain weapons that are often used in violent crimes like homicides, robberies and gang-related activities.
Recognizing the danger posed by straw purchasing, NSSF and ATF came together in 2000 to launch a groundbreaking public education campaign. The goals were simple but powerful: Train firearm retailers to identify and prevent illegal gun purchases, and educate the public that buying a gun for someone who cannot legally own one is a serious federal crime with life-changing consequences.
“Firearm industry members, the retailers in neighborhoods and communities across the country, are the first line of defense in the collaborative effort to stop illegal firearm purchases and keep firearms out of the hands of those who should not possess them. NSSF, as the firearm industry trade association, is proud of our 25-year partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the ‘Don’t Lie for the Other Guy’ public education and awareness initiative to reduce these illegal straw purchases,” NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi stated. “Retailers want nothing more than to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the ‘Don’t Lie’ initiative has proven to do just that. We look forward to 25 more years.”
“ATF agents are on the front lines every day — taking down traffickers, dismantling criminal networks and stopping violent offenders. This campaign helps support their work by cutting off the illegal supply of firearms at the source,” ATF Deputy Director Rob Cekada said.
Historically, “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” campaigns have been fully funded by the firearm industry. In 2022, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gave this campaign new strength by making straw purchasing and firearms trafficking standalone federal crimes with tougher penalties: up to 15 years in prison and fines of $250,000. The law also provided federal funding for ATF to complement the industry-funded program.
In this 25th year of the campaign, NSSF has delivered 107.4 million total gross media impressions in three major cities and ATF has delivered 85 million ad views for the campaign in five different cities to combat straw purchasing and the violence it breeds.
For more info: nssfrealsolutions.org, atf.gov/firearms/dont-lie-other-guy
Wiley X Secures Exclusive Global License Agreement With Buzzworks
Wiley X, a provider of premium protective eyewear and gear, has signed a multi-year exclusive global patent and trademark license agreement with Australian-based Buzzworks to bring the revolutionary Wraith design to market.
Buzzworks has earned global recognition for its innovation in protective systems. The agreement marks the beginning of a powerful collaboration between two veteran-founded, family-owned companies with shared values, a commitment to innovation, and a mission to protect those who protect us.
The Wraith is a next-generation facial protection system designed to save lives in the field and on duty, reduce facial injuries and safeguard the everyday lives of troops and first responders. While currently in the testing phase, the system represents a significant advancement in protective equipment and is poised to set a new standard in facial safety and performance.
“This partnership reflects our dedication to pushing the boundaries of protective technology,” said Dan Freeman, CEO of Wiley X. “Working alongside Buzzworks allows us to combine our decades of expertise in protective eyewear with their groundbreaking design to deliver solutions that help our military and first responders come home safe.”
For more info: wileyx.com
High Speed Gear Launches New Website & Dealer Portal
High Speed Gear announced the official launch of its newly redesigned website: www.highspeedgear.com, along with a brand-new B2B dealer portal. Together, these platforms reflect HSG’s commitment to delivering a best-in-class digital experience for both end-users and professional partners.
The High Speed Gear website is the first of the four brands under High Speed Gear Products Group to launch. Comp-Tac Holsters will follow soon, along with BlackPoint Tactical and Crucial Concealment.
Retail Website Enhancements (D2C) include an improved user experience with streamlined navigation, faster load times and intuitive mobile performance; smarter shopping tools featuring enhanced search, product filtering and educational resources to guide purchase decisions; showcase of premium gear providing easy access to the full line of HSG tactical products, including the iconic TACO pouches, belts, medical kits and accessories; and bolstered customer confidence by way of a fast, secure and user-friendly platform that ensures military, law enforcement and civilian buyers can find and purchase the gear they need.
Dealer Portal Benefits (B2B) include 24/7/365 streamlined ordering with a simplified purchasing process designed to save time and reduce manual administration of order placement, tracking and fulfillment. Dealer-specific pricing and programs offer quick access to current promotions and exclusive volume dealer pricing. Faster fulfillment and order tracking help dealers serve their customers more efficiently. Lastly, digital assets deliver guaranteed access to genuine HSG product imagery, videos, product specification sheets and more.
“We’re extremely excited to launch a more modern, technologically customer-focused and user-friendly website and a dealer portal that reflect the strength of our products and our brand, along with the ease of doing business with a trusted and valued manufacturer,” said Brandon Shirey, director of e-business at High Speed Gear Products Group. “Whether you’re a first-time retail buyer or a long-standing distribution partner, our goal was to create a seamless experience that makes it easier than ever to get the gear you need, when you need it, through enhanced systems and integrations.”
For more info: highspeedgear.com
CMP Announces Scholarship Winners
Since 2005, the CMP has annually offered $1,000, one-year scholarships to current high school seniors based on academic merit, humanitarian efforts, extracurricular activities and marksmanship participation. Continuing this tradition, the CMP presents four, $5,000 annual scholarships ($20,000 over four years) to the top four applicants, as determined by members of the CMP Scholarship Committee.
Each of the four recurring $20,000 scholarships are named in honor of past CMP Board members Harry Sieben, Carolyn Hines, Jon Bengston and former Chair Judith Legerski.
This year’s recipients included: Judith Legerski Scholarship — Elisa Boozer, Oklahoma City, OK; Jon Bengston Scholarship — Hanna Goin, Walla Walla, WA; Carolyn Hines Scholarship — Katlyn Sullivan, Statesboro, GA; and Harry Sieben Scholarship — Dominic DeBenedetto, Prairieville, LA.
The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation that places its highest priority on firearms safety and marksmanship activities, with a focus on youth. CMP’s programs encourage personal growth and build life skills, with such initiatives as its junior training and competition programs, Affiliated Club program and scholarships providing support to citizens of all backgrounds across the nation.
For more info: thecmp.org
