The Second Amendment Foundation, joined by the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and two private plaintiffs, filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday challenging Virginia’s newly enacted ban on semiautomatic rifles classified as “assault firearms” and on magazines holding more than 15 rounds. The suit, McDonald v. Katz, was filed in U.S. District Court following Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s signing of the legislation earlier this month into law. The bans take effect July 1, 2026. What the Virginia law does Under House Bill 217 and Senate Bill 749, signed by Spanberger as part of a broader gun legislation package, importing, selling, manufacturing,…
Nothing ruins a hot hike or a freezing morning faster than a lukewarm drink. The best insulated water bottles reliably keep ice water frigid, coffee steaming, and hydration effortless. Lead tester Meg Carney and GearJunkie Editor Chris Kassar put six of our top insulated water bottles through a rigorous 9-month testing cycle. To directly compare temperature retention, lid usability, and leak resistance, we logged over 150 hours on the trail, 3,000 multi-state road trip miles, and hundreds of daily office hours. These bottles weathered continuous, real-world use across scorching Colorado foothill hikes, hot-weather gravel rides, and the daily commute. This…
The best first-aid kits keep essential medical supplies organized, accessible, and ready when minor injuries or backcountry mishaps happen. Lead tester Meg Carney and GearJunkie Editor Chris Kassar long-term tested seven kits over the past 12 months. Carney is a guide and climbing instructor who has responded to numerous field emergencies, while Kassar is a longtime Wilderness First Responder. We brought these first-aid kits on high-alpine hikes up Colorado fourteeners, kayaking trips off the Washington coast, and casual car-camping adventures. Across those outings, we logged more than 30 field days and 150 backcountry miles while assessing internal organization, durability, and…
The Trace tried to make Turner’s Outdoorsman the bad guy in the latest attempt on President Donald Trump’s life. There’s no evidence they did anything wrong, and ample evidence that they’re very careful in following the law, but the would-be assassin’s purchase, coupled with the fact that as the major retailer in the state selling guns, many of them end up in criminal hands, was enough for them to become a target. I called it stupid at the time, and the only reason I haven’t called it worse is that there are certain words I’m…
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. and Nigerian forces killed a leader of the Islamic State group in Nigeria in a mission carried out Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump said. Trump announced the joint operation in Africa’s most populous country in a late-night social media post that offered few details. He said Abu Bakr al-Mainuki was second-in-command of the Islamic State group globally and “thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.” Al-Mainuki was viewed as the key figure in IS organizing and finance, and had been…
It started as a dream and a vision in 1999 to memorialize the spirit of Marines and Sailors serving in the Carolinas for future generations. On June 8, that dream officially becomes a reality. Starting as an idea floated at the tail end of the 20th century by a trio of Marines—Maj. Gen. Ray Smith, Col. Bruce Gombar and Sgt. Maj. Joe Houle—the Carolina Museum of the Marine will officially open its doors to the public on June 8. The 25,000-square-foot building located in Jacksonville, N.C., broke ground on May 17, 2024, and cost more than $30 million to construct.…
As a member of the Army’s 506th Infantry unit, Paul Kim had a front-row seat to some of the most intense fighting of the Iraq War. The experience changed Kim and his fellow troops forever, leading to the groundbreaking 2010 PBS documentary “The Wounded Platoon,” showing a group of young men torn apart by crime, depression and suicide relating to mental health struggles from their time in Iraq. Kim fought his own battles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but grew frustrated with finding quality access to mental health services. Through frustration came an idea – what if there was a…
Watch full video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
Pocket knives are flat-out handy. And they’re a ton of fun. Whether you’re a general outdoorsman, blue-collar worker, or someone who’s looking for an everyday practical tool, they can quickly turn into an obsession. Since its founding, GearJunkie has tested, reviewed, and reported on more than 800 knives. For this buying guide, contributor Nick Lefort and editor-in-chief Sean McCoy have tested about 100 pocket knives since 2021. Here’s the brass tacks of hundreds of hours of testing: The best all-around pocket knife you can buy today is the Benchmade Bugout (the Vapyr edition is the best of the best, but…
Runners won’t want to miss this week’s batch of gear, especially as we prepare ourselves for summer heat. From graphene running apparel and special-edition smartwatches to vests, shoes, and hydration powder, brands clearly know that plenty of people are about to hit the roads and trails now that the sun has arrived in plenitude. But there’s some other fun stuff here, too. Anglers and water-sports lovers have two new pairs of boots to ogle, outdoor chefs will salivate over some fancy hibachi grills, and anyone who loves Smokey Bear (trick question: everybody loves Smokey) has some pretty awesome camping chairs from…
While many in the gun-rights community are hailing the proposed federal rule that would permit gun buyers to do much of the purchasing process remotely and even have guns shipped to their homes, one pro-liberty group is cautioning that the move is just a step in the right direction — not a complete solution to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ many problems. The pro-gun organization Texas Gun Rights (TXGR) is warning its members not to get too excited about the proposed rule change. “Compared to the nonstop gun confiscation agenda pushed by the Biden Administration, this proposal…
Merino wool is a pretty magical fabric. It wicks away moisture, resists odors, and helps thermoregulate (that is, it’s breathable). We’ve worn hundreds of garments made from this wonder fiber, and listed 13 best-of-the-best merino wool shirts out there today. In the last year of testing alone, guide manager Nick Belcaster has taken out 10+ layers across the Pacific Northwest on more than eight months of continuous field use. Some merino shirts are technical thoroughbreds that thrive in high-output backcountry use, while others, like our top pick, the Ibex Naturalist, are downright versatile for year-round wear. We’ve also found having…
Whether striding over a local dayhike or postholing a section of an iconic, multiday backpacking trip, there’s a hiking boot meant just for you. This guide will help you find the best hiking boot for your needs among the rainbow of footwear on the market. Hiking boots range from heavy, supportive leather boots to ultralight boots with trail-running DNA. For this guide, a range of options will help you find the right boot for terrain, weather, and personal preference. Some hikers prefer the lightweight benefits of trail running shoes or dedicated hiking shoes. If you have strong ankles and carry…
This article was originally published by Michael Snyder at The End of the American Dream. A really big space rock is going to have a very close encounter with our planet on Monday. Based on current calculations, we are being told that we don’t have anything to be concerned about, but if this really big space rock actually hit a major city, it would cause a catastrophic amount of damage. So let’s hope that what the astronomers are telling us is correct. Of course, this is not the only asteroid that has come uncomfortably close to Earth in 2026. So…
Just in time for warm-weather hikes and the backpacking trips you dreamed about all winter comes the REI Anniversary Sale. Now is a great time to complete your gear wish list at a discount. During the sale, now through May 25 (Memorial Day), you can save big on all hiking and backpacking staples like boots, tents, sleeping bags, and more from brands you trust. We combed through the sale to find the standout deals below. Take note, many highlighted products represent an entire gear category marked down by that brand. Shop the REI Anniversary Sale 2026 (Photo/REI) REI Co-op Member…
A new lawsuit filed on behalf of military veterans challenges the abortion ban put in place last year by the Trump administration, which resulted in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) eliminating abortion-related care and counseling. The lawsuit was filed Friday in federal court by Minority Veterans of America (MVA), represented by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and Democracy Forward, claiming the ban not only negatively impacts female service members but also contradicts President Donald Trump’s previous promises to leave abortion laws to states. Instead, the VA has minimized abortion care access after expanding it in 2022 under the…
The U.S.–Mexico border spans nearly 2,000 miles, but in the last few months, a 118-mile portion in Texas has been the most talked-about part of the border. DHS has sought to increase border security in the Big Bend region, including areas near Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande. There has been a substantial amount of back and forth over what kind of structures and barriers DHS would build in the park, and the agency recently announced further plans. On May 15, DHS waived dozens of federal environmental, public lands, historic preservation, and administrative laws to expedite construction of…
