Father’s Day?

by
posted on June 13, 2013
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Your father was probably the one who got you started in shooting, yet you’re trolling the bargain bins in discount stores this week, hoping to find something inexpensive that will satisfy his insatiable appetite for dust-collecting knickknacks. My father’s attic was home to two-dozen Chia pets, an uneaten five-pound gummy bear and a pet rock collection currently the subject of a U.S. Geological Survey all-points-bulletin. All were misguided gifts for the avid outdoorsman and shooter.

Help break this tragic trend by giving dad something firearm related—even if it is a little tongue in cheek—this Father’s Day. There’s still hope, and with expedited shipping we have the time to stop this vicious cycle.

I’d tell you to score some ammo, but right now that’s not even funny. Plus Dad probably has some pet loads, so let’s take a look at what’ll really make him smile on Sunday.

Does he have a handgun with an accessory rail? With this year’s cicada invasion, there’s no telling how many of the noisy buggers will bunker up for 17 more years in the petunias. There’s only one solution and it’s the cicada’s worst nightmare—LaserLyte’s Pistol Bayonet.

Do you remember the family vacation when dad had chili dogs with extra onions for lunch at Truth or Consequences, N.M., and it seemed like a scene from the 24 hours of Le Mans before you reached the Springfield, Mo., hotel? Hang a Hoppe’s Air Freshener in the old family wagon, and heal the decades-old scars.

Maybe dad has been looking a little fatigued lately. If that’s the case, pick up some Thor Global Defense Group Tactical Energy drink.

After a long day at the range, there’s no reason he should struggle when opening bottles of his favorite beverage. Get him a LaRue Tactical Beverage Entry Tool Dillo. I have three strategically staged throughout the house for emergency response and they stand upright, at attention, as if eager for their next perilous mission.

Heck, score him some zombie targets. Post your own selections in the comments section and we might just stop the vicious cycle of abandonment that has seen this celebration become a financial boon for tie, chia, shoe and rock salesmen.

Don’t misconstrue this blog post as yet another feeble attempt at humor. It’s not meant to be funny. It’s a reminder that every year, in a misguided effort to please dad, we blindly hand our hard-earned cash over to companies that may actually oppose firearm ownership, when there’s dozens of small and inexpensive items from gun companies he would love to receive on Sunday. They probably won’t produce any chuckles, but you can’t go wrong with gun oil, cleaning solution, bore brushes, mops, rods, patches and just about everything related to cleaning and maintenance. Ammo would be good, but the last time I checked the Holy Grail was still missing, too.

Whatever you do, get him something related to what he enjoys. Don’t be lazy and buy your father a dust-collecting gizmo recommended by a self-proclaimed Internet expert. Oh, wait a minute.

Happy Father’s Day! Get out there and make it a great one.

Latest

CZ 75 Legend 01
CZ 75 Legend 01

The CZ 75 Legend: Rebirth of an Icon

If you make a short list of the most influential handgun designs of the 20th century, the CZ 75 would make the cut. A half century since its introduction, CZ is honoring that legendary status with the CZ 75 Legend.

39 New Rifles for 2026

Today's new rifles run the gamut from the latest and greatest packed with the most up-to-date features money can buy to retro-inspired models that give us a glimpse of the way things used to be if you wanted to send a bullet "over there somewhere."

The Armed Citizen® June 1, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Tactical Belts For The Rest Of Us

Most shooters don’t need a "war belt." While enthusiasts like the idea of preparing for every contingency, the vast majority of us need a reliable platform for a range session, a training class or a local club match.

Review: Trijicon Credo 1-10x28 mm Riflescope

With a 10X magnification range, the Trijicon Credo 1-10x28 mm riflescope is ideal for close-range targets, long-range pursuits and everything in between.

Study Shows Widespread Public Approval for Self-Defense, Recreational Shooting

Research conducted by Responsive Management annually for the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS) found that, in 2025, 78 percent of adult residents in the United States believe learning self-defense skills with a firearm is completely acceptable.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.