The last time Donald Trump was president, gun sales faltered. So, this time around, that’s what many people expect to happen. After his first full month in office, that expectation seems to be coming true. Gun sales fell significantly in February, landing at a point below pre-pandemic levels. As I explain in a member piece, that’s another sign the gun industry is headed into uncertain waters. Speaking of Donald Trump, he gave the first big speech of his new term this week. You may be surprised at how much of his record-long monologue was dedicated to gun policy. The Supreme Court also heard a major gun case this week, holding oral arguments in Smith & Wesson v. Mexico that saw one side come away the clear favorite. And I take a look at why the NRA’s upcoming election could solidify reformers’ control over the group. Plus, Reason Magazine’s J.D. Tuccille joins the podcast to give his view on Kash Patel taking over the ATF. And we have a bunch of stories down in the links, including how one Trump appointee plans to pursue gun cases and Honolulu’s invisible “ghost gun” prosecutions. Gun Sales Plunge Nine Percent in February By Stephen Gutowski Year-over-year background checks on gun sales declined sharply in the first full month of Donald Trump’s second term. An industry analysis of numbers from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) found Americans bought about 120,000 fewer guns in February 2025 than they did in February 2024. The drop from 1,343,478 checks to 1,222,980 represents about a nine-point decline, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). That makes last month the second-worst performing February over the last 13 years, with only 2018 seeing fewer gun-sales-related checks. Click here to read the rest. Analysis: The Gun Industry Enters Uncertain Territory [Member Exclusive] By Stephen Gutowski Gun sales are declining, and there’s reason to think the trend could get worse. This week, an industry analysis showed gun sales were down nine percent year-over-year in February. That made it one of the worst Februarys in a decade. It follows a 2024 where sales declined to pre-pandemic levels. If the next four years are anything like the previous four when Donald Trump was president, the slide may just be starting. If you’re a Reload Member, you can click here to read more. If not, buy a membership today for exclusive access! AD: The Dispatch is For The Silent Majority of Self-Directed Thinkers Tired of partisan media cheerleading for one team? Get the news without the drama when you join The Dispatch. Jonah Goldberg and Steve Hayes launched The Dispatch in 2019 to build an enduring presence on the center-right for original reporting and thoughtful analysis. No insulting clickbait, no false outrage, no annoying auto-play videos—just reliable journalism that prioritizes context, depth, and understanding. Join half a million loyal readers and start reading The Dispatch today. Reload readers: Claim your exclusive 30-day, all-access FREE trial today. Supreme Court Appears Skeptical of Mexico’s