THE GREAT BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW 2026: A RECORD BREAKING STATEMENT OF INTENT
A record 20% attendance increase, global product launches and landmark brand celebrations confirmed the Great British Shooting Show’s growing influence.

THE RISK THAT BARELY EXISTS
There are occasions when the mood of an

GUN TRADE INSIDER
THE TEAM Group trade editor: Rob Smith •

THE NEWS IN NUMBERS
0.00006 Proportion of all recorded criminal offences involving

SPORTSMAN GUN CENTRE NAMED RETAILER OF THE YEAR AT GREAT BRITISH SHOOTING AWARDS
Sportsman Gun Centre has been named retailer of

BASC AND GTA CHALLENGE HOME OFFICE KNIFE SELLER LICENSING PROPOSALS
The Home Office is considering proposals to introduce licensing requirements for sellers and importers of knives and bladed articles. The following is the joint consultation response submitted by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the Gun Trade Association (GTA) outlining the trade’s position.

GWCT APPOINTS CHELSEA KING AS AMBASSADOR
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has

BASC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER GRAFFIUS PASSES AWAY
Gun Trade Insider extends its sincere condolences to

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT MAKES PARTIAL U-TURN ON SPORTING RATES RELIEF
The Scottish Government has partially reversed its decision

SCOTTISH NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BILL RAISES NEW COMPLIANCE QUESTIONS FOR DEER MANAGEMENT AND RURAL TRADE
The Scottish Parliament has passed the Natural Environment

LYALVALE EXPRESS APPOINTS RICHARD FAULDS AS UK GROUP DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT FOR SHOT SHELLS
Lyalvale Express has appointed Richard Faulds as UK

ISGW AND LEUPOLD ANNOUNCE GLOBAL COLLABORATION WITH UK DISTRIBUTION LINK
The International Sporting Goods Wholesalers (ISGW) alliance and

MOORLAND ASSOCIATION TO APPEAL HIGH COURT DEFRA DECISION ON HEATHER BURNING
The Moorland Association is seeking permission to appeal

SHOT SHOW 2026 REINFORCES INDUSTRY MOMENTUM
SHOT Show 2026 brought together manufacturers, distributors and

GUN TRADE JOBS
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0.00006 PER CENT
Numbers often tell the story more clearly than commentary ever could. When the proportion of gun crime committed by licensed firearms holders amounts to just 0.00006 per cent of all recorded criminal offences, it raises a fundamental question: what problem are policymakers attempting to solve ?

ALIGNMENT ISN’T REFORM — IN REALITY, IT IS AVOIDING THE REAL WORK
With decades of frontline policing experience, Chris Downs, creator and principal advisor at firearmslicensing.net , questions whether proposals to align firearms licensing will deliver meaningful reform, arguing that without addressing long-standing structural weaknesses, the changes risk compounding existing pressures rather than strengthening public safety.

PROJECTILE SHAPE
In this article I thought I would go right back to basics and talk about projectile shape, a subject that most people assume they know about but have rarely actually given much thought to or properly understood. By Paul Bradley.

BE CAREFUL AT THE AIRPORT
Carrying items which are otherwise lawful for you to possess can lead to problems at the airport for dealers and certificate holders, writes barrister Nick Doherty, highlighting key legal risks when travelling internationally.

BERETTA AT 500: FIVE CENTURIES OF INNOVATION, CRAFTSMANSHIP AND VISION
In 2026, Beretta will mark an extraordinary milestone:

WATTS THE STORY?
Mark Watts, co-owner of Just Airguns, shares his business journey, his company’s plans for 2026 and advice for anyone in the trade who is struggling

RICHARD HEFFORD-HOBBS FREng OUTLINES VISION AS PROOF HOUSE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN GUN TRADE INSIDER
Nearly four centuries after the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers was first tasked with proving firearms for public safety, the organisation continues to evolve in step with a modern shooting industry. Now, with Richard Hefford-Hobbs appointed chairman of the Proof House Committee, the focus is firmly on combining heritage with technical progress and leadership.

BIG LAUNCHES, BOLD DESIGNS: BRITISH SHOOTING SHOW ROUND-UP FROM THE SGC STAND
As the dust settles on the shooting industry’s biggest annual gathering, we take a closer look at some of the most exciting new product launches. At the heart of the show, the SGC Group — home to many of the industry’s favourite brands — unveiled five world-first exclusives alongside a host of new releases set to make a major impact in 2026.

IN THE CROSSHAIRS
The Mamba Lite series of scopes from MTC Optics flies under the radar compared to the company’s other offerings. They’re attractively priced yet lack none of the essential elements that shooters need in a telescopic sight. Nigel Allen put the 4-16x42 model through its paces

A JUNIOR AIRGUN DONE PROPERLY
Mark Camoccio explores why scaled-down, manageable airguns are the perfect way to introduce youngsters to shooting

INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
ACROSS THE POND BERSA USA APPOINTS TIM DILLON