Welcome back to another episode of Gun Industry Insider—today is March 25, 2025. I’m your host, Ray Toofan. Today’s episode is packed with info for shop owners, reps, and gunsmiths. We’ll go over the latest legislative updates, including the ATF’s new Chief Counsel, the PARTS Act, and the ATF Transparency Act. Then, we’ll dive into Oregon’s Measure 114 and what it means for retailers—especially if you’re selling online. After that, we’ll explore the world of 3D printed firearms and how recent developments could shake things up for shops and manufacturers. We’ll also touch on some moves from Olin and Henry, and wrap up with a quick reminder for those in the Glock Stocking Dealer Program. Let’s get started.

Let’s quickly go over some legislation-related news. The ATF just tapped Robert Leider as their new Chief Counsel. This guy’s a Second Amendment scholar from George Mason University with a track record of pushing for broader gun rights. Leider has written extensively, arguing that the Second Amendment covers more than just basic firearms. He’s talked up everything from military-grade weapons to suppressors, saying they deserve constitutional protection. His appointment signals a shift, especially under the Trump administration’s pro-gun stance. For the industry, this will likely mean a more lenient ATF—fewer headaches over NFA compliance or other burdensome regulation. If you’ve been embroiled in regulatory red tape, Leider’s influence might help that. It’s not a done deal yet, but it’s worth watching.

Next up is the PARTS Act—S. 1039, introduced by Senator Tim Sheehy from Montana. This bill aims to bring suppressor regulations into this century. Right now, the rules are vague enough that random parts could land individuals, and potentially retailers, in trouble with the ATF. The PARTS Act cuts through that, defining a suppressor as either the full unit or one core component, not a scatter of pieces. That clarity will be a game-changer for manufacturers and retailers. Less legal ambiguity means less risk of surprise audits over some random tube or baffle. The NSSF supports it, and there’s a House version—H.R. 631—pushed by Representative August Pfluger from Texas. If this passes, selling suppressors could get smoother, with fewer compliance traps. For shop owners, that might mean confidently stocking different style suppressors. 

Then there’s the ATF Transparency Act—S. 884, from Senator Jim Risch of Idaho. This one tackles the backlog of background checks and NFA applications. Although it’s gotten better lately, NFA paperwork delays still stretch out for a bit, customers get frustrated, and sales dry up. This also applies to 4473 background checks for some individuals. This bill gives the ATF three days to process—or it’s an automatic approval. It also sets up a solid appeals process for denied background checks. Backed by senators like Cindy Hyde-Smith and Steve Daines, it hits pain points—like the NFA waits that can stretch months. If it goes through, you could see faster turnarounds and less paperwork. Shop owners might close sales quicker, keeping customers happy. Reps could pitch NFA items more confidently, knowing the process won’t stall out.

Lastly, something we covered in a previous episode, Oregon’s Measure 114, passed in 2022, bans magazines holding over 10 rounds and mandates permits for firearm purchases—requiring background checks, safety training, and fingerprints. Court challenges paused it, but on March 12, 2025, the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld it as constitutional. Opponents have until April 12 to appeal to the state supreme court, keeping the law on hold. If the appeal fails, it could start mid-April 2025. This means Buying, selling, or transferring magazines over 10 rounds becomes illegal. Also, there’s a new permitting system that will go in place to purchase firearms, but unsurprisingly, the state isn’t ready to implement the system, leaving purchases in limbo. I personally had a conversation with a customer from Oregon talking about how he’s trying to get a hold of all the firearms he’s had on his wish list before they become illegal to own. If you sell firearms online, you may already be seeing an uptick in customers from Oregon, if not, expect it to happen soon.

Now let’s talk about 3D printed firearms—it’s advancing quickly, and recent developments could shift how shops and manufacturers operate. On March 18, the ATF approved a 3D-printed polymer AR-15 lower receiver from Forerunner 3D Printing. This is new territory for the ATF: these lowers can now be serialized and sold legally, just like traditionally manufactured components. For gun shops, that could mean a fresh product option—lightweight, fully customizable parts that could draw in buyers who like cutting-edge tech. Manufacturers have room to experiment too—think designs unique to the customer or small production runs without the usual setup costs. It's conceviable that something like a printed AR lower wholesales at $15 to $20.

The technology has improved significantly. Take the FGC-9: it’s firing hundreds of rounds without breaking down, and some tested builds have hit 8,000 rounds. Better materials, advanced machinery, and engineered designs have boosted reliability. Shops could stock these parts with less worry about customers complaining about their durability. Manufacturers, you may want to consider teaming up with a 3D printing outfit, or get into the game yourselves. You can produce distinctive lowers to differentiate yourself in a packed market. Even those of you that hold a type 7 could start looking into making your own since an open source design probably isn't far off.

For the consumer trying to print these, legal risks aren’t small. Last week, a man in Charleston got nearly 10 years for illegal “ghost guns” and 3D-printed parts. The ATF doesn’t mess around, although the whole ghost gun issue is still up for debate. For shops and manufacturers, serialization is mandatory—not optional. Don't skip it, and also don't forget, if you get into the manufacturing game, you also need to pay excise taxes if you put 50 or more units into commerce. And if you're already a manufacturer, weigh your brand: push forward with innovation, but don’t go cheap and lose your core audience. 

Right now public opinion is split on printed parts. People have strong views both for and against. Shops, understand your customers—if you offer these parts, be sure they know what they're buying. Buyers value straight answers. You can start small—bring in some ATF-approved printed lowers and see how they sell. Check their durability; weak parts could result in negative reviews for your business. And if you sell online, be sure there aren't any legal issues shipping these to the reciving FFL. Some states may have laws on printed parts, similar to the Saturday Night Special laws.  

Finally, some news from larger industry players. Olin Corporation, known for its Winchester Ammunition brand, has acquired AMMO Inc.'s small-caliber ammunition manufacturing assets for $75 million. This deal includes a modern production facility located in Wisconsin, with the transaction expected to finalize in the second quarter of 2025. Notably, AMMO Inc., which owns GunBroker—the well-known online firearms auction platform—is not including that business in this acquisition. For shop owners, this move likely won’t alter your daily operations right away. That said, it could have a broader impact on the ammunition market over time. By expanding their manufacturing capacity, Olin is positioning Winchester to potentially boost ammo supply and introduce new products. This might translate to more competitive pricing or greater availability down the line. While not an immediate shift, it’s worth keeping an eye on as you manage your inventory and pricing plans moving forward.

Also, we spoke about Henry in the last episode, specifically about their new Special Products Division. In addition to the new division, Henry announced that they would be consolidating all their manufacturing operations in Wisconsin. They currently have a manufacturing facility in Bayonne, New Jersey, which will be closing down as part of the consolidation move. This should help Henry streamline their production and cut down on unnecessary overhead costs. 

One other thing note, if you're part of the Glock Stocking Dealer Program, remember that the deadline to submit your form is at the end of the month. If you want to continue to be a part of the program, and also qualify for the fall bonus buy, be sure to submit your form in time.

We’ve covered quite a bit today—from legislative shifts like the ATF’s new leadership and potential game-changing bills, to Oregon’s Measure 114 and the rush it’s sparking amongst buyers. We also dug into the rise of 3D printed firearms and what that means for your business, plus industry moves by Olin and Henry. And, of course, a quick heads-up for Glock dealers about that upcoming deadline. Got thoughts or ideas for future episodes? Email us at insider@gunindustryinsider.com or hit us up on X at @GunInsider. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll be diving into fresh developments that could impact your shop or sales calls. Thanks for listening. Until next time!