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Across the pond: United States and Canada
July NICS background checks rise 8.5%
NSSF-adjusted National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) checks rose 8.5% year on year in July, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
The adjusted figure reached 1,061,883, compared with 978,731 in July 2025. The unadjusted FBI NICS total was 2,057,967, up 6.3% from 1,936,621 a year earlier.
Virginia, Texas, Florida, California and Pennsylvania recorded the highest volumes of adjusted checks. Texas led FBI handgun checks, while Virginia recorded the most long-gun checks.
NSSF also reported 130,013 National Firearms Act checks covering Forms 1 and 4, a 108.8% increase on July 2025’s total of 62,271. Texas led NFA checks with 16,977, followed by Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia.
The association said the figures should not be treated as a direct measure of firearms sales, as a single check may cover different transaction types and may not correspond to one firearm sold. Its adjusted total removes permit checks and rechecks used by states for concealed-carry applications and permit databases.
Vesta Defense expands Canadian availability through Airgun Source
Vesta Defense has partnered with Airgun Source to expand the availability of its less-lethal products in Canada.
The agreement will see Airgun Source offer a selection of Vesta launchers, ammunition and accessories, providing the brand with a specialist retail channel as it continues to expand across North America.
Airgun Source will support customers with product knowledge and after-sales service. Vesta said the appointment reflected growing demand for reliable less-lethal products and its strategy of working with retailers that share its emphasis on quality, innovation and responsible ownership.
Mainland Europe
CZ to end production of three CZ 75 models
CZ will end production of the CZ 75 B, CZ 75 BD and CZ 75 Compact in 2026, bringing three long-running models in the CZ 75 family to a close.
The Czech manufacturer said the decision does not mark the end of the wider platform. The CZ 75 SP-01, CZ 75 SP-01 Tactical, CZ 75 P-01 and CZ 75 D PCR will remain in production.
“For generations, this platform has introduced shooters around the world to what CZ stands for: innovation, thoughtful engineering, and exceptional shooting characteristics,” said Chris Sprangers, director of marketing for CZ-USA.
The CZ 75 family has been central to the company’s identity for more than five decades. CZ said the three discontinued models had become established fixtures in its catalogue, valued for their balance, craftsmanship and proven design.
Down Under: Australia
SIFA condemns firearms buyback targeting licensed owners and dealers
The Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia (SIFA) has criticised the firearms buyback announced in New South Wales, arguing that it will affect licensed owners and dealers without addressing terrorism or the illegal firearms market.
The scheme applies to registered firearms affected by new ownership limits, reclassifications and citizenship requirements, as well as affected stock held by licensed dealers.
SIFA chief executive officer James Walsh said the government’s suggestion that the buyback would remove dangerous guns from the streets was misleading.
“These firearms aren’t on our streets. They are registered to licensed firearm owners, recorded by the NSW Firearms Registry and stored in locked safes,” Mr Walsh said.
Fixed payments range from $450 for an air rifle to $1,000 for a centrefire rifle or revolver. A separate process will apply to firearms valued above $3,000, but applicants will be required to pay a fee and compensation will be capped at $10,000.
Mr Walsh said the fixed payments failed to reflect the market value of many affected firearms.
“These fixed prices do not represent market value. Many affected firearms are worth substantially more than the amount being offered,” he said.
SIFA also criticised proposed support for dealers, which includes grants of up to $25,000 and $500 in licence-fee relief. Mr Walsh said businesses had purchased stock and invested in premises, employees and inventory under the rules applying at the time, and were now facing unsaleable stock, reduced turnover and falling business values.
“Across the NSW dealer network, businesses are already carrying millions of dollars in losses,” he said.
SIFA said it supported effective, evidence-based firearms regulation but maintained that the buyback would not improve public safety or address criminal access to illicit firearms.
Asia
Thailand suspends new gun permits after school shooting
Thailand has suspended the issue of new firearms permits following a school shooting in which a 14-year-old boy killed nine people before taking his own life.
The government said no new permits to buy or own guns would be issued until further notice. Existing purchase permits will not be renewed, although the effect on current firearm ownership permits remains unclear.
The measures follow the shooting at Debsirin Nonthaburi School, outside Bangkok. Authorities said the pupil first shot his grandparents with a handgun owned by his grandfather before opening fire on teachers and fellow students.
Thailand suspended permits to carry firearms in public in late 2023, requiring licensed owners to keep guns at home or use them only at shooting ranges.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the restrictions would remain while the government prepares tougher firearms legislation, including stronger controls and harsher penalties. Tighter ammunition controls, mental-health assessments and security screening at schools are also under consideration.
Thailand has one of South East Asia’s highest rates of civilian gun ownership, with an estimated 10.3 million firearms in private hands. The government is also considering measures to encourage owners of an estimated four million unlicensed guns to surrender them.
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