What are the best books for a firearms enthusiast? From collecting and categorizing to long-range shooting and cleaning, there’s a book for basically every area of guns and their history. Below we’ve provided links to the most popular gun books – which cover the history of firearms, current technology, valuations, gunsmithing, and hunting. Blue Book… Continue reading The Best Gun Reference & History Books for Gun Enthusiasts
Author: Michael Crites
Michael Crites has served as executive editor of AmericanFirearms.org since 2016 and previously held positions as associate editor and range correspondent dating back to 2000. He discovered his passion for precision shooting at age 12 during his first visit to his grandfather's shooting range, eventually earning an Expert classification in three different shooting disciplines before age 18.
During his studies at University of Wyoming, he earned four varsity letters on the collegiate rifle and pistol teams, serving as team captain for three consecutive years. He became the first UW student to complete the NRA Range Safety Officer certification while maintaining full-time student status. He graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Communications.
His diverse career has included roles as Range Safety Coordinator for the National Rifle Championships in Camp Perry 2001; editor-in-chief, Precision Shooter Quarterly; series editor, Modern Firearms Handbook collection; managing editor, National Shooting Sports Foundation Newsletter; editor, Competitive Shooter Magazine; operations director for Western Arms & Ammunition Co.; senior editor for the Shooter's Reference Annual (Cheyenne); content director for The Firearms Report, published by the American Shooting Coalition in Billings, MT; firearms correspondent for Hunting & Shooting, produced by Outdoor Sports Media Group in Jackson, WY; and publisher for Wyoming Shooting Sports Journal in Casper. He has contributed as a regular columnist for American Rifleman (NRA Publications), technical editor for Precision, a publication of the National Bench Rest Shooters Association (Phoenix, AZ); and as firearms specialist for the Gun Owner's Annual.
As a digital content creator, he has written more than 400 articles on AmericanFirearms.org, developed shooting technique coverage for the Brownells Shooting Blog (Montezuma, IA) and Federal Premium "Range Notes" platform (Anoka, MN), and served as lead content strategist for International Defensive Pistol Association (Berryville, AR). Beyond Tactical Firearms, his current endeavors include content development for the Wyoming State Rifle Association (Cheyenne, WY) and technical manual production for High Plains Publishing of Laramie, WY.
He has contributed to the 12th, 13th, and 14th editions of Modern Sporting Rifles Guide and edited The Complete Guide to Tactical Shooting and Competitive Shooter's Reference Manual (Gun Digest Books).
Firearms Reports and Opinions
Reports and OpinionsSupreme Court decision on Heller v. D.C. 062608 “The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.” “The Amendment’s prefatory clause [‘A well regulated militia being necessary…’ A.L.] announces a… Continue reading Firearms Reports and Opinions
Firearm Statistics
Table of Contents NICS Background Checks The FBI’s National Instant Criminal Check System (NICS) is the system used by FFLs to process background checks for gun buyers, and the FBI does a fantastic job of reporting and breaking down NICS data. We’ve used that data to provide a high-level look into gun sales. Granted, the… Continue reading Firearm Statistics
A Firearms Glossary
Gun Basics References to firearm condition standards are those that have been established by the National Rifle Association regarding the physical status of antique weapons ACP: Abbreviation for automatic colt pistol. Action: A firearm’s working mechanism (typically the receiver or frame and breech bolt) that facilitates its firing and loading/unloading. There are a variety of… Continue reading A Firearms Glossary
Firearm Training Resources
Gun Basics
Firearm Safety Tips
Gun Basics If you decide to own a firearm, you must learn how to use it safely and store it in your home. Gun safety rules are important to learn to ensure that you and everyone around you are never in a position where you could be injured or killed by mistake. This can easily… Continue reading Firearm Safety Tips
Children & Gun Safety
Gun Basics Owning a gun is your right, but you have to exercise that right responsibly. A gun is a dangerous weapon that must be used and stored safely. Teaching kids about gun safety prepares them to be conscientious, responsible citizens and gun owners.
Learning Resources
Resources & Guides
2nd amendment quotes
Wei Boyang – First to Write About Gun Powder
Wei Boyang During the Han Dynasty, a man named Wei Boyang was the first to write anything about gunpowder. He wrote about a mixture of three powders that would “fly and dance” violently. read about the History of Firearms This is the heading Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit dolor Click Here Top… Continue reading Wei Boyang – First to Write About Gun Powder