SHOT 2026: Attorneys General Forum Brought Together Some of Gun Rights’ Biggest Defenders

January 30, 2026
8:00 am

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At SHOT Show 2026, a powerhouse panel of Attorneys General convened to dissect the relentless legal onslaught against the firearm industry and Second Amendment rights, spotlighting lawfare as the weapon of choice for anti-gun activists. These top legal eagles—fierce defenders like those from Missouri, Texas, and beyond—laid bare how coordinated lawsuits, ATF overreach, and state-level AG crusades are designed not just to regulate, but to bankrupt and bully lawful gun makers, dealers, and owners into submission. It's no coincidence that this forum happened at the world's largest firearms trade show; it's a strategic rally cry, reminding the industry that the courtroom is the new battlefield where 2A hangs in the balance. Digging deeper, the discussion exposed the playbook: think Biden-era pushes for ghost gun rules morphing into broader assaults on pistol braces, suppressors, and even standard AR-15 components, all funneled through activist DAs and AGs who prioritize ideology over due process. These aren't isolated cases; they're a national template, from New York's endless Cuomo-era litigation to California's microstamping mandates that no manufacturer can meet. The AGs countered with wins like blocking Illinois' assault weapons ban and dismantling public nuisance suits against Smith & Wesson—victories that prove proactive defense works. For the 2A community, this is gold: it underscores the need for unified funding of legal war chests and electing more pro-gun AGs, turning the tide from defense to offense. The implications? Optimistic yet urgent. As election cycles heat up, this forum signals a blueprint for resilience—lobby for federal protections like the Hearing Protection Act while fortifying state-level bulwarks. Gun owners, manufacturers, and enthusiasts should take note: support these AG warriors through donations to groups like the Firearms Policy Coalition or state rifle associations. SHOT 2026 wasn't just talk; it was a manifesto for survival, proving that when the best legal minds align, lawfare can be flipped into a Second Amendment renaissance. Stay vigilant, armed, and engaged—the fight's just heating up.

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Digging deeper, the discussion exposed the playbook: think Biden-era pushes for ghost gun rules morphing into broader assaults on pistol braces, suppressors, and even standard AR-15 components, all funneled through activist DAs and AGs who prioritize ideology over due process. These aren’t isolated cases; they’re a national template, from New York’s endless Cuomo-era litigation to California’s microstamping mandates that no manufacturer can meet. The AGs countered with wins like blocking Illinois’ assault weapons ban and dismantling public nuisance suits against Smith & Wesson—victories that prove proactive defense works. For the 2A community, this is gold: it underscores the need for unified funding of legal war chests and electing more pro-gun AGs, turning the tide from defense to offense.

The implications? Optimistic yet urgent. As election cycles heat up, this forum signals a blueprint for resilience—lobby for federal protections like the Hearing Protection Act while fortifying state-level bulwarks. Gun owners, manufacturers, and enthusiasts should take note: support these AG warriors through donations to groups like the Firearms Policy Coalition or state rifle associations. SHOT 2026 wasn’t just talk; it was a manifesto for survival, proving that when the best legal minds align, lawfare can be flipped into a Second Amendment renaissance. Stay vigilant, armed, and engaged—the fight’s just heating up.

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