American Shooting Journal – March 2026 – American Shooting Journal

What if I told you there is a device out there that is a foregrip-like attachment that contains a nonlethal option? Enter Sublethal Defense. Sublethal Defense (Last Chance) is a Picatinny-rail-mounted device that provides fast, reliable, nonlethal defense with a compact, durable design and easy deployment. The unit affixes quickly and easily to your Picatinny rail – an M-Lok variant is in the works – and is very durable.

It feels natural and the position of your thumb on the pepper spray can is automatic. Anyone who has played “thumb war” as a kid will quickly adapt to the grip. Having the ability to use a less- than-lethal option without moving your hands off your rifle is essential when making split-second decisions. I was able to deploy pepper spray on my shooting dummy with ease, even having to use a little Kentucky windage since the wind was blowing that day.

The foregrip-like attachment affixes quickly and easily to a Picatinny rail – an M-Lok variant is in the works – and is very durable. The can of pepper spray fits perfectly within the foregrip cavity. The unit is available in bright orange. (SUBLETHAL DEFENSE) Author Jason Brooks puts the pepper spray attachment to the test. You can see how he adapts the positioning of his front hand to be able to apply a thumb to the spray can trigger.

40 American Shooting Journal // March 2026 Sublethal Defense is the brainchild of JD McElroy. With 20 years of experience in corrections and a dedicated career in law enforcement, McElroy is a seasoned professional passionate about ensuring safety and providing responsible options in critical situations. As a former SWAT team member for eight years, he has honed his skills in high-pressure environments, developing a profound understanding of the importance of making informed decisions in the face of danger.

Currently serving as an armed security officer, McElroy continues to apply his extensive knowledge and skills to protect and serve his community. He believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to make choices that can prevent life-altering consequences. ★ Editor’s note: For more info about the Sublethal Defense (Last Chance) product, or to learn more about JD McElroy, visit sublethaldefense.com. JD McElroy. (SUBLETHAL DEFENSE) 42 American Shooting Journal // February 2026 Black Hills Ammunition offers a very consistent product lineup, held to tight tolerances.

he weather had definitely taken a turn for the worse, with the steady rain flooding the creeks and making foot travel all but impossible.

Jason Brooks, Scott Haugen, Phil Massaro, Mike Nesbitt, Linda Pawela, Paul Pawela, Nick Perna, Trampas Swanson SALES MANAGER Paul Yarnold ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Janene Mukai DESIGNER Kha Miner PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Emily Baker WEBMASTER / INBOUND MARKETING Jon Hines INFORMATION SERVICES MANAGER Lois Sanborn ADVERTISING INQUIRIES [email protected] SHOOTING J O U R N A L AMERICAN MEDIA INDEX PUBLISHING GROUP 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057 (206) 382-9220 • (800) 332-1736 • Fax (206) 382-9437 [email protected] • www.media-inc.com Website: AmericanShootingJournal.com Facebook: Facebook.com/AmericanShootingJournal X: @AmShootingJourn Reddit: r/AMSJ/ Volume 15 // Issue 7 // March 2026 ON THE COVER As everything from a mixed martial arts champion to country singer, actor to private contractor, Shannon “The Cannon” Ritch meets danger – and opportunity – head-on, the secret that is his successful mindset.

(RHONDA COSTA) americanshootingjournal.com 7 MINDSET OF ‘THE CANNON’ 14 CONTENTS AMERICAN SHOOTING JOURNAL is published monthly by Media Index Publishing Group, 941 Powell Ave SW, Suite 120, Renton, WA 98057. Display Advertising. Call Media Index Publishing Group for a current rate card. Discounts for frequency advertising. All submitted materials become the property of Media Index Publishing Group and will not be returned. Copyright © 2026 Media Index Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be copied by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher. Printed in U.S.A. VOLUME 15 • ISSUE 7 FEATURES COVER STORY (DIANNA MULLER) 23 LAW ENFORCEMENT SPOTLIGHT: THE RISE AND FALL OF A SOUTHERN SHERIFF For much of his life and well afterwards, Buford Pusser walked tall as a law-and-order Tennessee cop who cheated assassination attempts and whose life inspired movies and songs.

That tune has changed as he’s posthumously fallen under suspicion of murder. Nick Perna chronicles Pusser’s life and times. 42 BULLET BULLETIN: THERE’S GOLD AND MORE IN THEM THAR HILLS Phil Massaro wasn’t too far away from the Black Hills Ammunition factory when he first used one of their loads to down a South Dakota mule deer. He details the “incredibly diverse lineup of projectile choices” on offer and which he wouldn’t blink taking with him on a North American big game hunt.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

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• Language: English (en)

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