Law Enforcement 2026

The 2026 Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show was an eye-opener for many. Rapidly evolving technology is changing how LE officers on the streets and military personnel around the globe do their jobs. At the same time, manufacturers also are rethinking existing products to make them a better fit to their end users.

Crowd Control

Arriving on a scene and being protected (a.k.a. surviving) while completing the task of dealing with violent crowds has become the new not-so-normal norm. There are several ways to arrive on the scene and be in charge.

BEC Defense provides the Renegade, a B6 ballistic-armored vehicle that provides nearly two feet of ground clearance via a beefed-up Ford F-600 chassis with off-road traction and run-flat tires. This protective vehicle is powered with a High Desert diesel engine and features nine return-fire gun ports (six above the bench seats on each side, two at the side doors and one in the rear-entry door) as well as battle-locking doors to prevent unwanted entry. The 360-degree certified-armor shell protects against common pistol and rifle rounds. Accessories range from battering rams on the front to heavy winches to pull obstacle cars out of the way. An optional roof hatch with turret is available. 

MIRA Safety offers the Grizzly, a high-end, 22-ton tactical vehicle with off-road suspension, exterior armor plating that can withstand .50 BMG rounds, and a protective turret on top. Various on-board cameras with IR and night-vision capabilities are displayed on a monitor inside so the driver and operators can view and assess the surrounding environments outside without exiting the vehicle. An assortment of attachments include a  winch, tear gas dispenser, lights and sirens, and a heavy-duty ram. A number of inner and exterior storage compartments ensure arriving on the scene with necessary gear while a single drop-down rear door permits entry. The company also offers a wide range of gas masks. 

While K-9 dogs and handlers have a place in LE and military units, technology is offering an option—the quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle robot that looks like a futuristic dog with four legs. There is no tail, but a head and neck are available. It can withstand extreme temperature ranges, comes equipped with five cameras (more can be added), and can be equipped with a wide range of accessories, including gas dispersal, shot-discharge tracking sensors, assorted functional necks and heads, and more. The robot weighs approximately 110 pounds (standard model), can move up to two mph, and has a dog house for lay-down recharging. The legs provide three degrees of movement and permit walking up steps and over rough terrain while on-board radios provide two-way communication plus on-site feedback to the operator. Various body panels and accessories permit customization to mission requirements, including a neck and head that can grasp, turn, and open a standard-turn door knob. 

Another robot worth noting is the Throwbot, a small two-wheeled robot about the size of a football that can be tossed into buildings or driven into spaces for a better view and to provide valuable “know-before-you-go” information. The robot is easily operated with a hand-held controller, and the user can hear noises around the Throwbot with a set of headphones. A unique roll-blade ensures the robot stays upright as it gathers and delivers live data and relays intel to a screen on the control unit. 

Reconk9 provides a well-designed dog vest that also accepts ballistic panels. The DT Alpha Tactical K-9 vest permits attachment of cameras, IR beacons or strobes, and it will accept heated panels for cold weather and water situations for the deployed canine. The vest meets Berry Amendment standards and is jump approved. 

Adding to K-9 protection is Survival Armor with a wide range of vest sizes to fit small to large dogs. The K-9 vests are fully adjustable, provide enhanced chest protection, and are offered in six colors. All vests have a rugged carry handle on top to aid with K-9 pick-up when situations warrant. 

Firearms

Once LE and military personnel are on the ground, more control is often needed. A wide range of new firearms help with staying safe and in control.

FN America, LLC has released the next generation of the legendary SCAR rifle along with several purpose-built rifle suppressors. The improved SCAR 20S includes more than two dozen upgrades yet retains its iconic silhouette and continues as a gas-operated, semi-auto modular rifle. Other features are a lighter two-piece bolt carrier, a two-stage trigger, an ambidextrous, double-sided and oversized bolt catch and release, and adjustable cheekpiece and length of pull. The company is also releasing the FN QD Series of rifle suppressors in 5.56x45mm and 7.62x51mm calibers with forward venting. 

Mossberg’s new 990 SPX Magpul shotgun is a 12-gauge chambered for 3-inch shells. It’s a semi-auto gas-operated tactical Class-3 firearm that provides advanced ergonomics and is offered with 14.75-inch (NFA) or 18.5-inch barrels complete with Accu-Chokes. Most internal components—including the gas piston, magazine tube, hammer, and sear—are treated with nickel-boron coatings and specialized finishes to increase corrosion resistance and durability. The shotgun’s oversized top-mounted safety is easily accessible for both right- and left-handed shooters. The 990 SPX handguard provides a heat-resistant platform with integrated QD cups and M-LOK slots for mounting lights, grips, and other accessories. This tactical shotgun is also equipped with an optic-ready receiver cut for direct mounting of micro red dots. A winged front fiber-optic sight completes the sighting system. This matte-finished shotgun has a Magpul SGA stock with adjustable interface designed to fit a wide range of shooters while providing recoil management. It includes sling-mounting options. 

Savage Arms has released the Model 110 AccuFit V2 rifle with a stock that permits adjustments in length of pull and comb height, thanks to a knob in the stock’s lower side. This adjustment system helps ensure a fitting firearm when wearing a bulletproof vest or winter coat. The magazine-fed rifle also has interchangeable grip modules, M-LOK panels, and a LimbSaver recoil pad that can reduce felt recoil by up to 50 percent. The actions are Cerakoted, the bolt handle can be changed, and the barrel is threaded to accept suppressors. Left-hand models are available. Optics can be easily mounted on the one-piece 20 MOA top rail. Available calibers (more than a dozen) range from 5.56 NATO to .308 Win and .338 Lapua. 

Built on Beretta’s time-tested A300 platform, the Ultima Patrol 20-gauge shotgun is designed to be ultra-reliable and easy to manipulate. It features a new stock offering a shorter length of pull and integrated QD sling attachments, enlarged controls, an enhanced loading port, a slimmed-down forend with aggressive texturing, multiple M-LOK mounting points, and a 7+1 extended magazine tube. 

Kimber’s new 1911 Warrior pistol is offered in four models and chambered in 9mm and 10mm with an extended 18-round magazine and enhanced grips. The DS Warrior LS, for example, has an improved KimPro black finish, is optics ready, and has lightweight carbon-infused grips. Other features are a front night sight and a barrel and slide crafted from stainless steel. 

Springfield Armory’s modular Echelon patrol pistol utilizes a short barrel while providing a full-sized grip for better control. This striker-fired pistol operates on a durable stainless-steel chassis and is available in three sizes, including the compact 4.0C with a compact grip and Echelon 4.5F with a full-sized grip. Echelon pistols use the company’s new Central Operating Group, a self-contained and serialized trigger and chassis that can be transferred to other grip modules. The Echelon pistols are optics ready, and a unique plate permits installation (via a locking pin system) of more than 30 optics without adapter plates. Each Echelon ships with three backstraps to aid with user grip preferences. 

Let There be Light

Streamlight is celebrating 20 years of the popular TLR light series by introducing the TLR-7X USB compact weapon light with multi-fuel capability. It operates with a USB charge or disposable batteries while delivering 500 lumens for brightness in tactical situations. This lightweight light is designed to fit full-size and compact handguns with rails and offers customizable rear paddle switches with a low- or high-position to match a user’s shooting style. The TLR-7X USB rechargeable light ships with the cost-saving SL-B9 USB-C rechargeable battery pack that charges via a USB-C port in the battery, but it can use a 3-volt CR123A lithium battery. The white LED offers two lighting modes: LED-only or strobe. 

NEXTORCH’s compact TA30D tactical flashlight delivers up to 2,200 lumens and can cast its beam of light nearly 500 yards. The TA30D uses NEXTORCH’s advanced Ultra Thermal Buffer (U.T.B.) system to manage and keep the grip comfortable during extended use. This light also uses a One-Step-Strobe system, enabling instant defensive strobe activation. A quick half-press activates momentary illumination. The TA30D is constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum, and a strike bezel aids with glass breaking for rescues. 

Tactical Optics

Tactical optics is a product category that seems to be evolving at an exponential pace. EOTech’s 7.1-inch super-short Vudu 4-12x36mm riflescope is a first focal plane optic that’s ideal for tactical carbines and is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum and features a wide power band on the eyepiece for rapid magnification changes. This riflescope has 0.1 MRAD turret adjustments with 10 illumination brightness settings and runs on CR2032 batteries for approximately 300 hours. 

Trijicon’s RCR red dot sight has an enclosed emitter and arrives with a wrench and various hardware for secure mounting. Other features are a top-load CR2032 battery, easy adjustments, and upgraded operation buttons and features. 

Nocpix expands its RICO series of night-vision gear with the RICO 2 H75R thermal imaging scope featuring a 640x512 thermal sensor, 75mm objective lens, and 2560x2560 AMOLED display. Other features are 4X magnification and an integrated 1,200-yard laser rangefinder. 

MeproLight’s MPO-F open-emitter pistol sight has an RMR footprint and features a shake-awake battery-saving mode. A user-selectable, three-segment reticle along with an automatic as-needed and manual brightness control are other features. Run time is approximately 20,000 hours on single battery. 

Riton Optics’ new 3 Tactix MPRD XL (micro pistol dot, extra-large) provides a greater view ahead with a larger window while providing three levels of green reticle illumination. The 3 Tactix MPRD XL offers three reticles: dot, circle, and dot within circle. It awakens when moved and is compatible with night vision. 

PARD’s Pantera eX 640 thermal scope with a side-focus design and a 50mm objective lens can deliver jpg images and record MP4 videos. This scope has a WiFi connection and provides digital zoom; it also offers three scene color modes, five image modes, and four reticle colors. 

Step Forward

When it’s time for boots on the ground, LE and military personnel will find that Lowa’s new Z8S-MK2 GTX PR professional-grade tactical boot provides safety, stability, and long-term service. The Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable membrane-lined boot also features heat and cold insulators along with a more aggressive sole pattern that’s anti-static (ESD compliant) and slip resistant. This puncture-resistant boot’s angled top provides more room for cuffs, and a larger heel loop aids with removal and pull-ons. The newly designed clean toe has no stitching. 

Worth Noting

Safariland used the SHOT Show to launch SafariMesh, a next-generation communication device that enables dependable team communication in challenging operational conditions. SafariMesh provides secure, flexible communication without the need for towers, repeaters, or centralized networks. Built on a self-forming, self-healing mesh network that automatically adapts as users move, the device allows teams to maintain reliable voice and data connections across complex terrain, buildings, and large facilities.

Designed for global use, SafariMesh supports flexible deployment and integrates seamlessly with Safariland’s Liberator headset series and other communications headsets. Its compact, rugged design allows for hands-free operation and intuitive one-button control, making it well suited for high-tempo and mission-critical operations. The voice-activated system uses military-grade AES-256 encryption and can accommodate up to 50 users and four simultaneous talkers.

Safariland also released the Holle Belt, an extra-thick-leather duty belt that permits direct mount and has a layer of Velcro inside or included bolts for securing items. 

Magna Lens, an eye-and-ear-protection manufacturer, introduced its patented magnetic connection that seamlessly integrates protective eyewear with earmuffs. By directly attaching eye protection to earmuffs, Magna Lens ensures secure-fitting impact-resistant eyewear with a 2.9mm thick polycarbonate lens and a frame equipped with neodymium magnets. 

Marathon Targets offers a wide range of autonomous robots for realistic live-fire training purposes. The wheeled, heavy-duty motorized targets look and move like humans. These are in use by numerous military units, and rentals along with scenario services are available. 

Iosso Products unveiled a cleaning kit for 37mm and 40mm non-lethal launchers with a one-piece wire handle launcher brush and 6-inch non-shedding cotton patches. The kit’s Triple Action Oil is a bio-based penetrating oil designed to cut fouling plastic residue. 

Apex Armor Solutions offers the TITAN III, a lightweight Level III+ protective shield made from ultra-light UHMWPE with a slim and easy-to-maneuver profile. This product has been independently tested by an NVLAP-accredited NIJ-approved laboratory to meet or exceed ballistic resistance as specified under NIJ Standard 0108.01. A ballistic viewport and LED light system is available. The shield comes standard with an ambidextrous grip, quick-release neck strap, and carrying bag.  

Magpul now offers BRESLAU knives with reinforced polymer handles available in black, OD green, and glacier blue. The Wharncliffe blades and stainless metal components are cryo-treated. The knife can be quickly disassembled to permit cleaning and care and the knife features grit clearance pads, an ambidextrous steel lock and a reversible pocket clip. 

IronClad offers the Tactical Pro gloves for men and women with a synthetic suede palm for wear resistance. The glove’s back is breathable with a neoprene knuckle-protection panel; thumb and index fingers are touchscreen compatible. Also available are K9 handler’s gloves. 

North American Rescue Individual Patrol Officer trauma kits come with a self-applied tourniquet that’s quickly accessible via a small Roo pocket on the front of the kit. Other included items are a QuikClot packet, various gauzes, and responder gloves. 

As more and more military and LE units deploy drones, Montana-based Mystery Ranch has created the PDW C100 drone pack. This large backpack has an adjustable harness to aid with carrying loads and to comfortably and securely fit various wearer sizes. The pack has numerous accessory attachment points and a built-in drone launch pad.