THE NEWS IN NUMBERS

MODERATOR REFORM MOVES FORWARD – BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN
The UK Government has confirmed its intention to remove sound moderators from the legal definition of a firearm, following overwhelming support from the shooting community in a recent public consultation.

ITALIAN BRAND F.A.I.R. SEEKS UK PARTNERS
Italian shotgun brand now seeks trusted UK distribution

THE ONLINE SAFETY ACT EXPLAINED
Nick Doherty explains what dealers need to know

A WELCOME DOSE OF OPTIMISM
It’s refreshing to be able to say this:

THE NEWS IN NUMBERS
Percentage increase in subscriptions for Airgun World

ASI APPOINTED EXCLUSIVE UK DISTRIBUTOR FOR THERMTEC PRODUCTS
ASI Ltd, the Suffolk-based wholesaler to the UK

AIRGUN WORLD REPORTS 14 PERCENT RISE IN SUBSCRIPTIONS FOLLOWING EDITORIAL OVERHAUL
Airgun World has recorded a 14 percent increase

SHOOTING STAR PREPARES TO LAUNCH UK-MADE CLAYS WITH ‘FLYING SAUCER’ INNOVATION
Shooting Star, a long-standing player in the UK shotgun cartridge market, is preparing to enter a new chapter in its 30year history by launching a domestic clay manufacturing operation. At a time when imported targets dominate and pricing concerns loom large, the company is aiming to reintroduce British-made clays to the market—with a technical twist.

SGC GROUP NAMED AS NEW DISTRIBUTION PARTNER FOR UMAREX IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Umarex GmbH & Co. KG has a new

WORLD GUNMAKERS’ EVENING 2025 DRAWS TRADE INTEREST AT THE SAVOY
The 2025 edition of the World Gunmakers’ Evening

Savage 110 KLYM launches in UK via Viking Arms
Viking Arms has announced the UK release of

Burris Eliminator 6 named Optic of the Year in major US awards
Burris Optics has secured two significant accolades in

ITALIAN SHOTGUN SPECIALIST F.A.I.R. SEEKS UK DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS
Italian shotgun manufacturer F.A.I.R. is actively seeking new distributor partnerships in the UK, offering trade professionals the opportunity to represent one of Europe’s most established and innovative sporting arms brands.

WHY THE GUN TRADE MUST BACK UNIVERSITY SHOOTING
Student shooting is growing – but without support, it may stall. In this exclusive interview, Cambridge University head coach Richard Wilson explains why now is the time for the gun trade to invest in the next generation.

GUN TRADE JOBS
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A MARRIAGE MADE IN LIÈGE
Paul Austin traverses the 135 years of FN innovation and 100 years of the Browning B25, a reminder of why deep engineering partnerships, purposeful innovation and timeless gunroom design still shape commercial opportunities today.

INSIDE THE GTA’S RFD TRAINING COURSE
For anyone considering entering the UK gun trade as a Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD), navigating the application process, legal obligations, and all of the regulatory expectations can be quite daunting. That’s why the Gun Trade Association’s RFD training course has become an increasingly important foundation for newcomers and a valuable refresher for established dealers alike.

ONLINE SAFETY ACT 2023 COMING TO A COMPUTER NEAR YOU ON 25TH JULY 2025
There has already been a lot of talk within the gun trade about the Online Safety Act 2023, but I thought it was worth attempting to give a short summary of the issues and potential problems as it will come into force this month.

MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE RANGE
The maximum effective range of a rifle has been a hotly debated topic for many years. Many of us will have seen such posts on internet forums. One person being mocked for their suggestion that their .308Win is only good for 800m. Another called out for being a liar because their claim of 2000m seems absurd! In truth they may both be right and it comes down to how we define “max range” and the context around it. Paul Bradley explains…

UNDERSTANDING DEACTIVATION
Gun Trade Insider spoke to David Miles, proof master at the London Proof House, to clarify the deactivation process, the regulatory backdrop and the implications for dealers, collectors and the general public.

HANDLING COMPLAINTS WITH CONFIDENCE
From de-escalating tense conversations to understanding legal responsibilities, this month’s Retailer Workshop offers practical advice for RFDs on managing difficult customers while protecting both reputation and bottom line.

WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOU WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN THE ROOM?
Your business already has a reputation – but is it helping or hurting you? Philip Montague explains how a simple feedback tool, the Net Promoter Score, can help gun trade retailers measure customer satisfaction, track improvements and turn casual visitors into loyal advocates.

HIGH-MARGIN, HIGH-PRECISION: Meet BRK’s Ghost SE
Gun Trade Insider visited the BRK and Daystate facility in Staffordshire for an exclusive first look at the new Ghost Special Edition. On the factory floor, Tony Belas and foreman Phil Eardley guided us through the latest evolution of the Ghost platform and explained why it matters to the UK trade.

BERETTA UNVEILS A400L: A REFINED SEMI-AUTO BUILT FOR COMPETITIVE CLAY SHOOTERS
Beretta has launched the A400L, a premium evolution of its iconic A400 Xcel Sporting platform, aimed squarely at the competitive clay market. With upgraded components, enhanced handling, and striking aesthetics, the A400L brings new life to one of the most trusted semi-automatic actions in the industry.

BENELLI’S ADVANCED IMPACT SYSTEM: A NEW ERA OF BALLISTIC PERFORMANCE
Possibly one of the best-kept secrets to emerge from Italy in recent years, Benelli’s Advanced Impact (A.I.) system represents a significant evolution in smoothbore firearm technology. For UK gunshops and the wider trade, this breakthrough barrel and choke pairing offers a timely opportunity to introduce customers to a new class of performance-focused shotguns.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO DAVE
Airgun World technical editor Dave Barham reflects on the current health of the trade

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Gun Trade Insider offers a detailed examination of the latest developments across various international markets.