USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series: Class 13 – Firearms, Ammunition, and Explosives
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Welcome back to our USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series, where we help businesses navigate trademark classifications to ensure their brand is protected in the right category.
In this installment, we’re covering Trademark Class 13, which includes firearms, ammunition, explosives, and related military and law enforcement equipment. If your business manufactures, sells, or distributes weapons, munitions, or pyrotechnics, this class may be the right fit for your trademark.
If you’ve ever asked, “Can I trademark my firearm brand?” or “Does my product fall under Class 13?”, this guide will help clarify whether this classification is the best option for your brand.
What is Trademark Class 13?
Trademark Class 13 covers firearms, ammunition, explosives, and related safety and defense products. These products are used in law enforcement, military, hunting, self-defense, and security applications.
Some examples of goods that might fall under Trademark Class 13 include:
Firearms: Pistols, rifles, shotguns, automatic and semi-automatic weapons
Ammunition and Projectiles: Bullets, cartridges, shells, and missile warheads
Explosives: Gunpowder, dynamite, and controlled explosive devices
Firearm Accessories: Rifle scopes, gun holsters, silencers, and firearm sights
Self-Defense Weapons: Pepper spray, stun guns, and tasers
Military and Law Enforcement Equipment: Mortars, grenades, and tactical weapons
Pyrotechnics and Fireworks: Flares, signal flares, and fireworks
If your product is designed for use in weaponry, self-defense, or explosive applications, Trademark Class 13 is likely the correct classification.
Why Trademark Class 13 Matters for Your Business
Registering a trademark under Class 13 helps protect your brand within the firearms, defense, and security industries. Here’s why filing in this class might be important:
Exclusive Brand Rights
The firearms and ammunition industry is highly regulated, and a trademark ensures that competitors cannot use a similar name or logo in the same space.
Strengthens Brand Recognition
Gun manufacturers, ammunition brands, and pyrotechnics companies rely on their reputation for trust and safety. A trademark helps distinguish your products from competitors.
Prevents Unauthorized Use and Counterfeiting
Many firearm accessories and ammunition brands face counterfeiting and imitation. A registered trademark enables legal enforcement against infringers.
Facilitates Business Growth and Expansion
If you plan to expand your brand into other defense or self-protection categories, securing a trademark in Class 13 provides legal protection across multiple product lines.
Examples of Trademarks in Class 13
Many well-known firearm and ammunition manufacturers have trademarks registered under Class 13. Here are a few examples:
Smith & Wesson® – Protects its brand for firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories.
Glock® – Trademarks its pistols, firearm parts, and shooting equipment.
Winchester® – Covers rifles, shotguns, and hunting ammunition.
These companies rely on trademark protection to maintain their brand identity in the heavily regulated firearms industry.
Do You Need a Trademark Search Before Filing in Class 13?
A comprehensive trademark search is highly recommended before applying in Class 13. Firearms and ammunition brands often have similar names, making conflicts common in this category.
At Brand Diplomacy, we conduct in-depth trademark searches to ensure your brand has the best chance of approval. Here’s how we help:
USPTO Database Search – Identifying existing trademarks that could cause conflicts.
Approval Risk Assessment – Evaluating potential obstacles and improving your application’s success rate.
Trademark Strategy Development – Refining your application to reduce the risk of disputes.
How to Determine if Class 13 is Right for Your Trademark
If you’re unsure whether Trademark Class 13 is the correct category for your product, consider the following:
Is Your Product a Firearm or Ammunition?
If it’s a pistol, rifle, shotgun, or ammunition, Class 13 is likely appropriate.
Does Your Product Involve Explosives or Pyrotechnics?
Gunpowder, fireworks, and controlled explosive devices belong in Class 13.
Does Your Product Overlap with Other Classes?
Some weapon-related products may require multiple classifications. Examples include:
Hunting apparel or tactical gear might require Class 25 (Clothing & Apparel).
Gun safes and storage cases could belong in Class 20 (Furniture & Security Storage).
Shooting range services and training programs may need Class 41 (Education & Training Services).
If your product crosses multiple categories, filing in more than one class might be necessary for full brand protection.
How Brand Diplomacy Can Help
At Brand Diplomacy, we simplify the trademark process for firearms, ammunition, and security brands. Whether you’re launching a new firearm line, protecting your ammunition brand, or securing your mark globally, we provide expert guidance every step of the way.
Here’s how we assist with Class 13 trademark registrations:
Trademark Search & Clearance – Ensuring your brand name is available before filing.
Class Selection Guidance – Helping determine if Class 13 is the right choice or if additional classes should be included.
Application Filing & Management – Handling the USPTO process to maximize approval success.
Trademark Monitoring & Enforcement – Protecting your trademark from unauthorized use and counterfeits.
If you’re ready to secure your brand in Class 13, contact us today to get started.
What’s Next in Our Trademark Class Series?
Thank you for exploring Trademark Class 13: Firearms, Ammunition, and Explosives with us! Up next, we’ll cover Trademark Class 14: Jewelry and Precious Metals, where we’ll discuss trademarks for watches, fine jewelry, gemstones, and metal goods.
Stay tuned as we continue guiding you through the USPTO trademark classes, helping you make informed decisions for your brand!
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