ICYMI: Industry News
From May 19–23, 2025

Streamlight Marks 26 Years Supporting C.O.P.S.

Streamlight Inc. renewed its sponsorship of Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) for the 26th year in a row in conjunction with recent National Police Week observances. The company’s 2025 contribution as a Guardian Sponsor totaled $142,400, including proceeds from recent sales of its “blue” C.O.P.S. logoed products. The organization’s mission is to rebuild the shattered lives of surviving family members and co-workers affected by a line-of-duty death.

The company is also highlighting its support for C.O.P.S. with the recent introduction of two special edition flashlights as part of its Lights for a Cause program. Streamlight will donate $1 from the purchase of the Blue Nano Light II and $3 from the purchase of the Blue Wedge XT, both marked with the C.O.P.S. logo.

Streamlight supports C.O.P.S. by sponsoring multiple programs and events throughout the year, culminating in National Police Week (May 11–17) activities in Washington, D.C., which bring together law enforcement officers and families from across the country to honor fallen heroes. Streamlight served as a Presenting Sponsor at the Blue Honor Gala on May 14. The company also sponsors Law Enforcement United (L.E.U.), which helps to raise money for C.O.P.S. through programs like its annual “The Road to Hope” memorial bicycle ride.

“As a long-time corporate supporter of C.O.P.S., we are honored to continue standing alongside the law enforcement community during National Police Week and beyond,” said Michael F. Dineen, Streamlight president.

For more info: streamlight.com, concernsofpolicesurvivors.org

Houston "Don't Lie" Campaign Targets Illegal Gun Purchases

NSSF, together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), announced a month-long public education campaign reminding the Houston, Texas, area public about stiff penalties facing individuals convicted of unlawful firearm purchases. The “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” campaign is in its 25th year and drives home the message that anyone making an illegal firearm purchase is committing a federal felony and faces a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The program is funded in full by members of the firearm industry and is now also complemented by federal funding allocated to the ATF by Congress. Houston was chosen for this specific campaign by the ATF.

“The firearm industry has always been fully committed to keeping firearms out of the hands of those who should not possess them. In its 25th year, we are especially proud to launch this ‘Don’t Lie for the Other Guy’ public awareness campaign in Houston as part of our cooperative relationship with ATF, DOJ and the entire law enforcement community to assist them in their efforts to reduce criminal acquisition of firearms and to keep communities safe,” said NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi.

The Houston-area “Don’t Lie” campaign will total more than 45.8 million media impressions. This includes an outdoor campaign running on 45 high-impact billboards and posters throughout the Houston region with the message: “Buy a gun for someone who can’t and buy yourself 15 years in jail. Don’t Lie for the Other Guy.” The campaign will also include more than 400 radio spots on two of the top FM stations in the market, as well as 3.75 million targeted impressions across Facebook, Instagram and mobile display.

To legally purchase a firearm from a licensed retailer, a person must pass an FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System verification, or NICS background check, and fully comply with all state and local laws. When a criminal is illegally trafficking in firearms or knows they cannot pass this check, they may try to induce a friend or acquaintance to make the purchase for them. This is a straw purchase and is a felony.

The “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” program also involves educating firearm retailers to better detect and prevent straw purchases by providing free “Don’t Lie for the Other Guy” retailer kits containing a training video and information for storeowners and staff, as well as point-of-purchase displays aimed to deter illegal straw purchasers.

For more info: dontlie.org

FN Issues Service Bulletin For Reflex MRD Pistol Optics

FN America recently discovered a condition on the FN Reflex MRD pistol that, in very limited circumstances when using the incorrect set of screws to mount specific optics, the pistol could experience binding, cycling issues, or interference with the firing pin safety block. The condition was first identified on a Reflex MRD with a Viridian RFX11 optic installed using the incorrect FN-provided screws labeled “604” which were too long. In this case, the screws labeled “603” should have been used.

When mounting any optic to the Reflex MRD, it is imperative to use the correct FN-supplied screw and only the correct FN-supplied screw. Do not use the screws provided by the optics manufacturer because those screws were not designed to interface specifically with the Reflex MRD and could cause damage to the slide.

The chart in the Reflex Owner’s Manual explains which size screw to use. It has been updated to include the Viridian RFX11 Optic. When installing the Viridian RFX11 optic, make sure to use only the FN-provided “603” screws to ensure proper function of the pistol. Before installing all other optics, refer to the chart in the owner’s manual for the correct-sized screws. If a specific optic is not listed, contact the FN Customer Service at (800) 635-1321, or by email at customerservice@fnamerica.com.

For more info: fnamerica.com

MidwayUSA Foundation Generates Over $1.2 Million For Youth Shooting Teams

MidwayUSA Foundation hosted a donation drive throughout the month of April and raised $643,237 for youth shooting teams. Thanks to the Foundation’s matching program, funded by Larry and Brenda Potterfield, every dollar is matched, providing a total impact of $1.2 million. These funds are crucial for youth shooting teams to cover essential expenses such as ammunition, targets, entry fees and safety equipment, ensuring the continued growth and development of young athletes in shooting sports.

The Foundation also provided an additional $80,000 in endowment awards. West Virginia University’s Rifle Team (WVU) raised over $120,000 to earn the top prize of $15,000.

Head Coach Jon Hammond said, “The Foundation provides an amazing resource to junior and youth shooting programs, and this will be the first year we can take a meaningful draw (grant) that will really contribute to the success of our program.”

The teams that rounded out the top five include:

2nd Place: Kanabec County Clay Busters (Minn.) — winning an additional $12,500

3rd Place:  Prescott Bird Busters (Ariz.) — winning an additional $10,000

4th Place:  Battle Ground Academy (Tenn.) — winning an additional $7,500

5th Place:  Pillager Clay Target Team (Minn.) — winning an additional $5,000

Thirty random participating teams that received a qualifying donation in April were each awarded an extra $1,000.

MidwayUSA Foundation Southeast Program Manager Jeff McClure shared, “In the more than a decade I’ve been with the Foundation, so many things have given me satisfaction. Helping teams and organizations grow their accounts through participation in our incentive programs is top of the list. Where else can teams open an account, be provided multiple ways to grow that account, and have all donations matched? It’s not too good to be true. It’s just really, really, good!”

The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity working to sustain and grow youth shooting sports by providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation is tax-deductible and allows the Foundation to assist in expanding and enhancing the leadership skills, confidence, and discipline of today’s youth through shooting sports activities.

For more info: midwayusafoundation.org

High Speed Gear Celebrates 25th Anniversary

High Speed Gear (HSG) is celebrating 25 years of delivering innovative, American-made tactical solutions to the world’s most demanding professionals. Since the company’s founding in 1999, HSG has remained steadfast in its mission: To provide gear that performs when it matters most — because those who serve and protect deserve nothing less.

From the iconic TACO pouches to a full line of battle-proven gear, every product in the High Speed Gear Products Group is built with precision, pride and purpose. With manufacturing operations based in North Carolina and Georgia, HSG’s commitment to quality craftsmanship, rapid innovation and American jobs remains stronger than ever.

“For a quarter of a century, our gear has earned the trust of U.S. Marines, soldiers, SWAT teams, patrol officers and competitive shooters alike,” said Allison Mitchum, HSG VP of sales and marketing. “That trust is rooted in the fact that our products are built to last for professionals who rely on performance, not promises.”

The High Speed Gear Products Group includes four respected brands: High Speed Gear, Comp-Tac, BlackPoint Tactical and Crucial Concealment.

For more info: highspeedgear.com

CMP Unveils Updated Logo Design

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) announced a rebranding of its logo — moving from the classic eagle seal to a new, simpler style.

“We believe it is time for a new logo that represents the more modern current state of the CMP — something that, like the revision of our programs, is more contemporary,” said CMP Board Chair and CEO, Jerry O’Keefe. “We couldn’t be more proud of CMP’s deep history and legacy, which stretches back over 120 years, and the classic eagle seal will always represent and be part of that. CMP’s brand in the firearms and marksmanship competition space is growing, so it is the right time for our logo and the brand it represents to evolve as well.”

The Civilian Marksmanship Program’s lineage began in 1903 as the National Board for the Promotion of Rifle Practice under President Theodore Roosevelt and the Department of War. The program oversaw the administration of marksmanship for citizens in the United States until 1996, when it transformed into the CMP as it is known today — a private organization with the mission to provide firearms safety, education and training for all, especially the youth community.

The new CMP logo takes on a more forward-looking and minimalistic design to echo modern trends, mark the company’s singular identity, all while acknowledging CMP’s strong brand awareness. The bolded three-letter emblem embodies the CMP name and is in lockstep with its ideologies: Strong, Bold, Proud, Stable, Timeless. A reticle traced within the “C” of the logo, a crosshair pattern often seen within firearm sights, directly associates the logo with CMP’s continuing mission — etching a clear focus on marksmanship.

The revised logo will now be the standard symbol on all CMP merchandise, correspondences and publications, while the classic eagle seal will be reserved only for official CMP letterhead and other special projects.

For more info: thecmp.org

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