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JULIE GOLOB JOINS SPRINGFIELD ARMORY AS PROFESSIONAL SHOOTER AND BRAND AMBASSADOR
Springfield Armory has announced that world champion shooter, author and military veteran Julie Golob has joined the company as a brand ambassador and professional shooter.
Golob, a veteran of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, has achieved top honors in competitions including the Bianchi Cup, Steel Challenge, USPSA, IDPA and IPSC. She was also named U.S. Army Female Athlete of the Year. Over her career, she has earned more than 170 championship titles across seven shooting disciplines and remains the first and only seven-division USPSA Ladies National Champion.
Beyond competition, Golob is a published author and firearms safety advocate. She has written both instructional and children’s books, as well as contributing articles to industry publications. She will also contribute to The Armory Life, Springfield Armory’s digital platform, while supporting the company’s product development.
“We couldn’t be more proud to have Julie join the Springfield Armory team,” said Steve Kramer, vice president of marketing for Springfield Armory. “With her wealth of knowledge, voluminous skill and extensive experience in the shooting industry, she will bring an invaluable and unique perspective to the company’s efforts to continuously innovate and grow.”
Golob commented: “I’ve long admired the company’s values, vision, innovation and leadership. I’m honored to be a part of that heritage and excited to shoot Springfield Armory’s exceptional firearms.”
NEW YORK MOVES TO MODERNIZE HUNTING LAWS
New York State has modernized its hunting regulations with the passage of Senate Bill S6360A, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul on 26 August 2025. The legislation expands the use of crossbows during any big-game season and in all areas where longbows are permitted, bringing crossbow use in line with other archery equipment.
Hunters must now complete a Bowhunter Education Course and hold an archery hunting privilege to use crossbows, aligning training requirements with longbow use. Obsolete standards—such as minimum limb width and maximum draw weight—have been removed, allowing modern crossbow designs to be used legally. A 500-foot discharge setback has also been introduced in three densely populated counties to enhance safety.
The bill passed with strong bipartisan support and took immediate effect. For the trade, the measure could open significant opportunities, particularly among older hunters or those with physical limitations who may find crossbows more accessible. Retailers are expected to benefit from increased sales, while greater licence uptake will support conservation funding.
“This expansion for crossbows in New York is a game-changer,” said Phil Dixon, national sales director at Kinsey’s Inc. “We’re fired up about the opportunity it brings to hunters, and equally excited about the boost it will deliver to our dealers.”
SAAMI WELCOMES SATERN AND TRUE BALLISTICS
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) has announced two new Supporting Members: Liberty Barrels, Inc. (DBA SATERN) and True Ballistics LLC.
SATERN, based in Iowa, manufactures firearm components and ammunition test barrels, while Texas-based True Ballistics produces ammunition.
“We are very pleased to have both SATERN and True Ballistics join the SAAMI family,” said Joe Bartozzi, SAAMI president and CEO. “They are joining a long list of leading manufacturers who are at the forefront of promoting firearm safety by the creation of standards that ensure the safety, reliability, and interchangeability of firearms, ammunition, suppressors, and their components.”
Membership will give the companies access to SAAMI’s technical standards and reference ammunition assessments, while also signalling to customers a commitment to industry safety and reliability benchmarks.
Founded in 1926, SAAMI continues to develop global standards for firearms, ammunition, suppressors and components, promoting safe manufacture, storage, transport and use.
DOWN UNDER
NIOA APPOINTS MARK OSBORN OAM TO LEAD UK EXPANSION
The NIOA Group has named senior munitions executive Mark Osborn OAM as general manager of its UK operations. Based in Bristol, Osborn will oversee the company’s expansion in the UK and European defence markets, following NIOA’s decision to establish a permanent presence at the Ministry of Defence’s Abbey Wood complex.
Rob Nioa, NIOA Group CEO, said: “Expanding our footprint in the UK and Europe is a major strategic milestone for the company as we look to support allied industrial capability. Mark brings extensive leadership experience and a proven ability to deliver results having served as NIOA Australia’s director of munitions for the past five years.”
Osborn, who joined NIOA in 2016 after a distinguished career in the Royal Australian Air Force, said: “The UK presents enormous opportunities for NIOA and I’m looking forward to building our team to deliver for our current and new clients.”
His service to the RAAF was recognised in 2003 when he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for meritorious service in explosive ordnance engineering.
SURVEY SHOWS NSW LEADS IN FIREARMS REGULATION
The Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia (SIFA) has released its 2025 Regulator Performance Survey, which benchmarks state and territory firearms regulators against measures such as processing times, customer service and communication.
Results highlighted New South Wales as the standout performer, recording its third consecutive year as the top-rated regulator. In 2025, 74 percent of respondents were satisfied with customer service, while dissatisfaction with processing times fell to zero, down from 19 percent the previous year. SIFA attributed the improvement to investment in digital platforms such as “Gunsafe” and active industry consultation.
Other states fared less well. Queensland saw dissatisfaction with processing times rise to 69 percent, while 78 percent were dissatisfied overall. In Victoria, only 11 percent of respondents were satisfied with processing times, and Western Australia recorded the lowest scores nationally, with 100 percent dissatisfied with communication. South Australia, included for the first time, also scored poorly, with 91 percent of businesses dissatisfied with processing times.
Nationally, SIFA noted a downward trend, warning that regulators remain under-resourced and ill-prepared for the introduction of a National Firearms Register.
SIFA concluded that the performance of NSW demonstrates how investment in technology, streamlined processes and proactive consultation can deliver measurable improvements without compromising public safety.