SAF President Massad Ayoob Named Top 2A Writer 2026 Gundies

The annual Gundie Awards in Las Vegas have come and gone. Who came out on top? Massad Ayoob was named “Top 2A Writer” for the second year in a row!

The seventh annual Gundie Awards happened on Jan. 19, 2026. The Gundies celebrate the top Second Amendment advocates, activists, podcasters, YouTubers, personalities, and writers. 2026 was the second year that the category of Top 2A Writer was in the mix. Second Amendment Foundation president, writer, and use of force/firearms trainer extraordinaire Massad Ayoob was named as the top scribe for the second year in a row.

Congratulations Massad!

Ayoob was listed as one of the top five finalists but bested the runners up. Other fellow top five finalists include: Beth Alcazar, Editor-at-large from “Concealed Carry Magazine”; a well-established writer and author, and extraordinary firearms instructor; Investigative journalist John Crump, from AmmoLand News; pro shooter Michelle Waldran, aka TacGirl Michelle; and somehow I managed to squeak onto the letterboard this year myself.

There’s no summarizing Ayoob’s contribution to the Second Amendment community. To say he’s had an impact would put it mildly. If you’re going to be bested at anything, being bested by a legend like Ayoob isn’t a bad way to gracefully fail.

In a video to her followers, Alcazar offered her congratulations to Ayoob not long after the awards ceremony ended.

“It looks like congratulations are in order, once again, for Massad Ayoob, who won 2A Writer of the Year for the 2026 Gundies,” Alcazar enthusiastically said. “But you know, I don’t think I could have asked for a better list of people to be associated with, and honestly, to be nominated and be recognized by you and for having you guys vote for me, that’s a pretty big honor.”

Alcazar continued by expressing her appreciation for the nod from the community and offered her congratulations to all the other top ranking Gundie champions.

Bearing Arms reached out to Ayoob to offer up our congratulations and to ask for a comment from him. Ayoob, always humble, professional, and thinking about putting the Second Amendment first, replied early in the morning to the overnight query.

“The Gundies Awards recognize that the gun owners’ civil rights movement has kept up with the times and is reaching as many generations’ lifestyles as possible,” Ayoob told Bearing Arms. “The pro-gun ranks include techies and Luddites, female and male, and every single stratum of the socio-political rainbow. Logic is on the side of the pro-gun movement, and the people who created and run the Gundies awards symbolize that.”

On a personal note, it’s very humbling to have shared the finalist podium with Mass, Beth, John and Michelle. Knowing Mass, Beth, and John professionally — and in instances personally — for years, it brings me warmth to be in their company. Prior to the 2026 Gundies,

I’ll also add, I’m grateful for all the support that my readers — and editors — have shown me by voting for me during the contest.

No doubt, Mass’ work is legendary and we’ll all be standing in his shadow for eternity. It’ll be hard to find a finer man to be eclipsed by.

With the 2026 Gundies in our rearview, it’s time to plug back in. Congratulations to all the winners in their categories! There was a lot of great competition this year with fine advocates/activists in the ranking. But, the party is over — so, let’s get back to the grind and do what we do best.

Editor’s Note: The mainstream media continues to lie about gun owners and the Second Amendment. 

Help us continue to expose their left-wing bias by reading news you can trust. Join Bearing Arms VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.