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Archive for the ‘Press Release’ Category

XS Sights to Display New Products at 2026 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits

Monday, April 13th, 2026

Fort Worth, Texas (April 10, 2026) – XS® Sights will be displaying its newest sights and accessories for personal defense, hunting, and target shooting at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Houston, Texas, April 17-19. All NRA members are encouraged to stop by booth # 1716 in the George R. Brown Convention Center to meet with the XS team and learn more about the numerous XS products engineered to deliver an improved shooting experience.

Among the new products are the soon-to-be released Glock Gen 6 ACRO Optic Plate, the HK VP9 Optic Plates (ACRO and RMR footprints) and Fiber Optic Sights for target and competition shooting, as well as 5+ magazine extensions for Walther PDP and S&W M&P pistols. XS will also have many other products on display including their legendary Big Dot night sights, the R3D 2.0 sights, and handguards for Henry and S&W lever action rifles.

“We are excited to have the NRA show back in our home state of Texas and welcome the many loyal NRA members and their families from throughout the country who are as enthusiastic about the shooting sports as we are here at XS Sights,” said Jeff King, Marketing Manager, XS Sights. “We’re especially excited to show off some of the new products and line extensions, such as the optic plate bundles and magazine extensions. Whether for law enforcement, EDC, target and competition shooting, or hunting, we’ve been hard at work to give you the best products possible. We look forward to spending time with NRA members and helping them find the best solutions to improve their individual shooting experiences.”

XS sights are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. The company also offers a 12-year illumination warranty on all tritium products. For more information, visit www.xssights.com.

Darley and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Launch Fifth Annual Fire Service Thought Leadership Essay Competition

Monday, April 13th, 2026

ITASCA, IL – April 13th, 2026 – Darley, a leading provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment, in collaboration with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), is proud to announce the launch of the fifth annual Fire Service Thought Leadership Essay Competition. Now in its fifth year, the competition has become one of the fire service’s premier platforms for original thinking, drawing over 90 entries annually from firefighters, company officers, and chief officers across the country.

This year’s prompt asks a question the fire service can no longer afford to sidestep: how can artificial intelligence be used to improve firefighter health, wellness, and safety over the next two years?

AI is already showing up in firehouses. Incident reporting, staffing models, wildfire prediction, roadway risk forecasting, and fire-based EMS operations are all areas where AI tools are beginning to take hold. Taking inspiration from the NFL’s “Digital Athlete” platform built with AWS, which uses data, AI simulations, and predictive models to identify injury risks and design smarter training for players, this year’s contest challenges fire and rescue personnel to think seriously about what that kind of capability could mean for the people who run into burning buildings for a living.

“The people best positioned to shape how AI gets used in the fire service are the ones on shift,” said Paul Darley, CEO & Chairman at Darley. “Sometimes the best ideas in the fire service don’t always make it past the apparatus bay. We built this competition because writing is an act of leadership, and we want you to use this platform to spotlight your ideas and create discussion amongst industry peers.”

Essays may explore AI-enabled training such as:

  • Virtual and augmented reality staff rides
  • Predictive analytics for wildland and all-hazard incidents
  • Decision-support tools for complex EMS, hazmat, and technical rescue operations
  • Fatigue and workload tracking for high-volume EMS crews
  • Exposure and injury trend analysis

Submissions are encouraged to connect ideas to real operational needs, draw from line-of-duty lessons, and align with the 12 NFFF Fire and Life Safety Initiatives.

“Artificial intelligence is not a replacement for firefighter judgment; it is a force multiplier for firefighter survivability,” said National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Director of Fire Programs Danny Kistner. “By combining AI with immersive staff rides, predictive modeling, and resilience-building programs, we can help departments see risk sooner, train with greater realism, and support their people long before and long after the call. This directly aligns with the NFFF mission—to honor our fallen by doing everything possible to reduce preventable deaths and injuries. We invite you to join this competition and submit your ideas for how AI can further this mission in the fire service.”

The competition follows a Tier 3 AI usage standard. Writers may use generative AI tools to brainstorm, organize thinking, and refine outlines, but all sentences in the final submission must be written by the author in their own words. Essays may be screened with AI-detection tools, and any AI use must be disclosed.

Since its launch, the competition has tackled recruitment and diversity, resistance to change in the fire service, and the mental health struggles firefighters carry long after the incident is over. Winners receive cash prizes, present at events including the Texas A&M Leadership Conference and FRI, and are published across major fire service media including Fire Engineering, Firehouse, CRACKYL, and FireRescue1.

The competition was conceived by Garry Briese and is sponsored by Darley in collaboration with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Submissions are now open. Visit darley.com/essay-competition to learn more and submit.

Colt Optics Launches VMR Series Riflescope

Monday, April 13th, 2026

Michigan (April 13, 2026) – Colt Electro Optics LLC(“Colt Optics”) hereby announces the release its first products, the VMR series riflescopes.

Colt Optics was founded in Michigan in 2024 by a group of optics industry veterans and the Colt CZ Group in order to design and build professional grade products. At Colt Optics, we believe the equipment you rely on should never be the weak link. Whether in the field, on the range, or in critical moments, shooters need optics they can trust without hesitation. That is why every Colt Optics system is developed by our Michigan-based team of optics industry professionals, bringing together decades of real-world shooting experience and proven engineering discipline.

We have built an engineering and product team with deep industry experience to produce high caliber optics that we will stand behind with our lifetime warranty and unwavering support for our customers,said Dennis Finnegan, COO of Colt Optics.    

From concept through validation, each optic is engineered with quality assurance in the United States, with a relentless focus on performance, durability, and consistency. Just as importantly, our products are shaped by the people who use them, refined through continuous feedback from professional and commercial shooters to ensure every detail delivers when it matters most.

The Colt Optics VMR series riflescopes are built to give shooters the confidence to perform in demanding environments. Whether engaging at distance or operating under pressure, the VMR series delivers the clarity, durability, and consistency required to stay focused on the shot, not the equipment.

With precision-engineered optics, rugged mechanical construction, and disciplined testing behind every system, each VMR scope is designed to hold zero, track accurately, and maintain performance when it matters most. The VMR series is available in 1-8x, 3-18x, and 4.5-27x configurations to support a wide range of mission and shooting applications.

We set out to build riflescopes that shooters can rely on without question, regardless of the environment or mission,said Jon Meyer, Vice President of Product Developmentfor Colt Optics. “The VMR series reflects that focus on performance, durability, and real-world usability.

VMR 1-8×28

The VMR 1-8×28 is built for shooters who need to move fast without sacrificing control. At 1x, it delivers a clear, intuitive sight picture that supports rapid target acquisition in close-quarters environments. As magnification increases, it provides the precision needed for more deliberate engagements without forcing the shooter to compromise.

Designed for real-world use, the optic emphasizes a forgiving eye box and consistent sight picture to reduce friction during transitions and maintain speed under pressure. Whether engaging at distance or working in confined spaces, it allows the shooter to stay focused on the target, not the optic.

Available in MRAD and MOA configurations, it features a 34mm one-piece 6061 aluminum tube, low-profile capped turrets, and an illuminated reticle with 11 brightness settings. Powered by a CR2032 battery rated for 575 hours at mid-setting, it is built for reliable, field-ready performance.

VMR 3-18×44

The VMR 3-18x is built for shooters who need one optic to perform across a wide range of conditions and distances without compromise. Whether engaging closer targets or stretching out for precision work, it provides the clarity and control needed to stay effective in any environment.

Designed for real-world use, it delivers a balanced combination of magnification, usability, and repeatable performance. The system is built to maintain a consistent sight picture, track accurately, and hold zero, giving shooters the confidence to make precise corrections and stay on target when it matters most.

With rugged mechanical construction, advanced optical performance, and disciplined testing behind every system, the VMR 3-18x is engineered to perform reliably under demanding conditions. It is built for professionals and serious shooters who rely on their equipment to deliver consistent results, not occasional performance.

The VMR 3-18x features the HXT-58 reticle, designed for precision shooting applications, with a refined center aiming point that minimizes target obstruction while maintaining exact point-of-aim control.

VMR 4.5-27×56

The VMR 4.5-27x is built for shooters who demand precise, repeatable performance at distance. When small errors matter and conditions are less than ideal, it delivers the clarity and consistency required to make confident, accountable shots.

Designed to support long-range engagements, the system emphasizes reliable tracking, consistent return to zero, and a stable sight picture across the full magnification range. Every adjustment is meant to be trusted, allowing shooters to make corrections with confidence and stay focused on execution.

A forgiving eye box and consistent eye relief support fast target acquisition from a variety of shooting positions, while precision-machined internals ensure exact lens alignment and dependable adjustments. Rugged mechanical and electronic systems are built to withstand harsh environments, maintain zero under recoil, and perform through repeated impacts.

The VMR 4.5-27x features the HXT-28 reticle, designed for precision-focused shooting, with a fine center aiming point that enables exact engagement of small or distant targets.

Our 1-8x and 3-18x VMR series riflescopes will be available to purchase from retailers in the next few weeks, with our 4.5-27x coming later this summer. Please visit www.coltoptics.com for more information.

Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Events Encourage Mobility for Formerly Paralyzed Veteran

Sunday, April 12th, 2026

SNOWMASS, Colo. –  The year was 2021, and U.S. Army Veteran Andrew Carpenter was brimming with contentment. He was building a career as a software account executive and embracing life in the ever-changing, yet illuminated daze of first-time parenthood.

Then without warning, everything changed. After 15 years of military service and overseeing countless tactical aircraft missions, Carpenter had grown accustomed to unpredictability. But there was nothing that could have prepared him for the abrupt reality of being paralyzed.

“It pretty much came on suddenly. I got numbness and tingling in my fingers and toes, and that turned into a weakness in my arms and muscles,” Carpenter shared. “Then I woke up one morning, and I couldn’t move anything.”

Carpenter was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that tricks the body’s immune system into attacking its own nerves.

Immediately following the onset of his paralysis, Carpenter was rushed to emergency surgery. He experienced a week-long coma to perform life-saving interventions, followed by two months as an inpatient at United Hospital in Minneapolis, and four months of inpatient care at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center.

“It was pretty scary. Once the paralysis let up in a certain area, every time I tried to move it was complete pain, because the protective coating around the nerves was all eaten away by this syndrome,” Carpenter shared.

Recovery was grueling. The former aviation operation specialist found himself relearning how to walk and talk, while also managing a traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and back and neck injuries from his time in service.  

“It felt like being imprisoned,” Carpenter shared. “My son was six months at the time, so it was very important for me to get home and be able to see his first birthday.”

His routine of total independence had been upended by intensive therapy and constant evaluations, but the former Resiliency Trainer was not easily deterred. Early in his recovery, he asked his physical therapist if there was more he could do. That’s when he discovered the Winter Sports Clinic.

“My physical therapist said as long as you got the attitude that you’re going to do it, then we’ll make sure you can get up and down the hill,” Carpenter said. “These [adaptive sports events] where you can really push your body have been just incredible.”

Five years later, Carpenter has regained most of his mobility. Now, during his fifth consecutive trip to “Miracle Mountain,” Carpenter pushed for more independence by training on a mono ski – which is a single, wide ski that allows the rider to position both feet side-by-side and face forward while maneuvering downhill.

“When I found out you can be on the mono ski and go down by yourself on the chairlift, that really got me excited,” Carpenter said.  

Carpenter’s positive disposition is both innate and earned, but he wants fellow Veterans to know that, regardless of their current outlook, there is something to be gained on the mountainside.

“Just push yourself and see what can happen,” Carpenter said. “[Recovering] has been a rough time, but [there are] other people who are here at the clinic and have gone through similar things. We all have our own story, and it’s been really great to connect with so many people.”

Gun Tote’n Mamas Announces Partnership with Charter Arms

Sunday, April 12th, 2026

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – April 8, 2026 – Award-winning Gun Tote’n Mamas® (GTM), the leading provider of women’s protection solutions, is excited to announce its partnership with Charter Arms Manufacturing, an American revolver manufacturing company. GTM will showcase its latest concealed carry handbags and everyday protection solutions designed by women, for women. 

GTM has been setting the industry standard for quality concealed carry handbags since 2009. This ultimately reflects its commitment to offering reasonably priced, high quality and multi-tasking concealed carry bags without compromising on design, construction and leather quality. GTM handbags are loved by firearm instructors, law enforcement and security personnel (men and women). GTM takes pride in the extensive testing conducted by instructors across the country to ensure the concealed carry leather bags meet the highest standards for ease of draw and functionality. Gun Tote’n Mamas rigorously tests each concealed carry leather handbag using leading firearms. 

“We couldn’t be more excited about our new partnership with Gun Tote’n Mamas,” said Nick Ecker, owner, president and CEO of Charter Arms. “Their high-quality firearm handbags, designed for women, are second to none.  We looked long and hard for the right partner for this and, based on their quality, style, price point, and the fact they are designed by women for women, we know they are the best fit.”   

GTM’s most popular designs and new arrivals are available to shop now with Charter Arms. Including the new Clutch Concealed Carry Purse Distressed Buffalo GTM-CZY/22, released in December of 2025. These styles reflect trending silhouettes paired with discreet concealed carry features built into premium leather handbags. The bags featured were specifically selected by industry professionals as they fit Charter Arms firearms. To shop this curated collection, visit Charter Arms’ Accessory Store. 

As a longtime champion of women’s protection, Gun Tote’n Mamas remains committed to creating functional, stylish solutions that support confidence and preparedness. Charter Arms provides an opportunity to highlight that mission while connecting with consumers and industry professionals from around the world. 

GTM remains committed to prioritizing women’s protection. For more information, visit gtmoriginal.com or call 847-446-0700 Ext. 105. 

IWI US Releases the ARAD 5 to the United States from their New Home: Battle-Proven Performance Meets Tennessee-Made Excellence

Saturday, April 11th, 2026

ANDERSONVILLE, TN – April 10, 2026 – IWI US, a leader in innovative firearms manufacturing, is proud to announce the official launch of the ARAD 5. Born from a direct request by Israel’s Tier 1 military and law enforcement teams, the ARAD 5 delivers unwavering reliability in extreme environments. Having already seen extensive service and success on the global stage, the ARAD 5 is now being brought to the forefront of the American market through IWI US’s expanded domestic operations in Andersonville, TN.

The IWI ARAD 5 is a hybrid blend of proven systems, seamlessly merged into a modern rifle. Built within a semi-monolithic upper receiver the patented IWI CamLok barrel lock-up mechanism secures the floated barrel assembly and two-position short stroke piston gas system. The ARAD 5 is purpose-built for both suppressed and unsuppressed use, adapting to the needs of the modern mission set. This upper mates to a familiar lower, fire controls will be right where any M4-style rifle user expects them.

“The IWI US ARAD 5 isn’t just another M4-style rifle—it is yet another example of our commitment to those who demand more from their gear,” said Jeremy Gresham, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at IWI US.

This introduction coincides with a transformative era for IWI US. Following a strategic relocation to Tennessee, the company has made massive investments in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and specialized personnel. The move, the investments, and this US launch are the next steps in our evolution. 

A Commitment to Excellence

The move to Tennessee represents more than just a change of address; it is a multimillion-dollar investment in the future of American firearm manufacturing, bringing high-quality jobs and advanced production capabilities to the region.

About IWI US

IWI US, Inc. is a subsidiary of Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Ltd., a world leader in the development and manufacturing of innovative firearms for over 80 years. Best known for iconic platforms like the TAVOR, UZI, and GALIL, IWI US is dedicated to providing high-quality, combat-proven solutions to the civilian, law enforcement, and military markets.

For more information, please visit www.iwi.us.

H&K Launches VP9CC

Friday, April 10th, 2026

New for 2026 is the VP9CC, a no-compromise, fully-featured micro-compact from our factory in Oberndorf, Germany. Every VP9CC comes standard with six interchangeable backstraps for a truly custom fit. Optics equipped models feature a mounted Vortex Defender CCW-Vortex’s newest, top-of-the-line, micro-sized closed-emitter pistol optic.

Optics ready models benefit from a new mounting system that allows all optics to be mounted lower than on standard plate systems. And of course, HK’s legendary reliability and durability come at no extra charge. The VP9CC meets or exceeds all NATO and HK standards for pistols of all sizes. You will find no pistol at any price in the marketplace that offers so much in such a small package.

hk-usa.com/vp9cc

Textron Aviation Receives First Military Order For Cessna Skycourier, Launching The Aircraft Into Global Defense Market

Thursday, April 9th, 2026

Belgium selects SkyCourier fleet to boost special operations airlift for troop transport, logistics, casevac and crisis response

A new ally in the air: An artist’s rendering shows a Cessna SkyCourier configured for military operations, including a special operations paint scheme and mission equipment. The aircraft was selected by Belgium Special Operations Forces.

WICHITA, Kan. (Apr. 7, 2026) –  Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced Belgium has selected the Cessna SkyCourier as its newest special mission aircraft, awarding an order for five multirole aircraft to support the nation’s Special Operations Forces. The selection launches the SkyCourier into the global defense market for the first time and strengthens Belgium’s airlift capability through a rugged, flexible platform built for demanding missions.

Belgium’s SkyCourier fleet will enable rapid movement of personnel and equipment while supporting logistics, medical evacuation and crisis response operations. Deliveries to the prime contractor Sabena Engineering are expected throughout 2027, followed by in?country military modifications prior to the final aircraft transfer to the Belgian Special Operations Forces.

“This first military selection signals strong armed service interest in the Cessna SkyCourier and underscores its readiness for high?consequence missions,” said Travis Tyler, president and CEO, Textron Aviation Defense. “The SkyCourier’s combination of rugged performance, low operating cost and the ability to operate from short and unimproved runways makes it a powerful solution for customers who need dependable lift in unpredictable environments.”

The SkyCourier’s debut into the global defense market builds on its momentum of expansion across new global regions. Designed for reliability and mission adaptability, the twin?engine, high?wing turboprop offers flexible cabin configurations, significant payload capacity and proven performance in austere settings.

Belgium’s decision reflects a rising government demand for affordable, multirole aircraft that can support rapidly evolving mission sets. The selection also expands the capabilities of local industry through Sabena’s modification design work in Belgium, reinforcing defense relationships throughout the region.

“Working closely with Textron Aviation, Sabena Engineering will perform all mission?specific integration and certification in Belgium, ensuring the SkyCourier delivers the flexible, responsive airlift capability our Special Operations Forces require while strengthening national industrial expertise and sovereignty,” added Stephane Burton, CEO, Sabena Engineering.