Month: July 2026
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High Concentration, Deep Divide: What the Latest Crime Data Reveals About Texas Counties
in DemographicsWhen headlines talk about national crime trends, it is easy to assume that safety—or the lack thereof—is spread evenly across the map. But a study by Dr. John R. Lott Jr. at the Crime Prevention Research Center demonstrates that violent crime in America remains hyper-concentrated. According to the report, murders in the U.S. remained heavily…
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A Historic Defeat for Gun Control: Third Circuit Strikes Down New Jersey’s Semiauto Rifle and Magazine Bans
in LegalOn July 17, 2026, the Second Amendment landscape shifted dramatically. In a stunning 10–5 en banc decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down New Jersey’s long-standing bans on semiautomatic rifles and magazines holding more than 10 rounds. This ruling in Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs (ANJRPC) v.…
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Closing the Loophole: How the “Federal Lands Lawful Carry Act” Protects Responsible Gun Owners
in LegalPicture this: You are enjoying a hike through a beautiful National Park, legally carrying your firearm in compliance with state laws. But the moment you step into a visitor center to look at a map, or even use a public restroom, you have technically committed a federal crime. For years, law-abiding gun owners have had…
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Where Does Your State Rank in Gun Ownership?
AMMO.COM published their analysis of various reported to generate Gun Ownership by State. Some of the results are unsurprising (Montana, Wyoming, Alaska at the top, New York, Hawaii, New Jersey at the bottom). I’m disappointed in Texas sitting at #27 with only 45% of adults owning firearms. At least we top the NFA list with…
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Eyes Up, Phones Down: Master Your Awareness with “Condition Yellow”
in TrainingWe have all seen it—or been guilty of it. You walk down a busy city sidewalk, completely glued to your smartphone, earbuds firmly plugged in, totally oblivious to the world around you. In the tactical community, this state of existence has a name, and it isn’t a compliment. True safety doesn’t start with a self-defense…
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Fundamental Firearms Safety Rules
Modern firearms are mechanically safe, but extremely dangerous is handled negligently or carelessly. The industry agrees that there are fundamental gun safety rules, but the number and exact wording varies by organization. At Iron Star Tactical TX, we say the fundamental gun safety rules are: What follows are a number of variations by different industry…
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The Ghost in the Legal Machine: How a Bogus 1792 “Law” Is Shaping Modern Gun Control
in LegalWhen the Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass’n v. Bruen, it radically shifted how courts must evaluate gun control laws. Under the Bruen framework, if a state wants to restrict carrying firearms, it can no longer just argue that the restriction is “good policy.” Naturally, this…
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Left of Bang: The Concealed Carrier’s Guide to Anticipating Threats
in BooksMost self-defense training focuses entirely on what happens during a fight. We spend hours at the range practicing draw strokes, managing recoil, and clearing malfunctions. But if you are forced to draw your firearm, it means you are already in a reactionary gap. You are playing catch-up against an adversary who chose the time, place,…
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Legal Tidal Wave: Advances for Second Amendment in 2026
For over a decade, gun rights advocates have been waiting for the other shoe to drop. While the Supreme Court’s landmark Bruen decision in 2022 fundamentally rewired how lower courts must evaluate gun laws, a stubborn handful of federal appellate courts have spent the last few years performing Olympic-level mental gymnastics to keep sweeping state…
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Combatting Home Threats: Awareness and Security Tips
in TrainingYour home is your castle—but is it actually safe? Data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) reveals that roughly 35% to 40% of violent encounters happen in or around the home. That figure skyrockets to 77% when the offender is a family member or acquaintance. When you compound that with the fact that police…