Scott Conditt

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Conditt was selected for his coverage of cutting-edge technology in the firearms and outdoor community — a beat he has made his own.

Over the year, that meant reviews of thermal reflex optics, solar-driven off-grid power sources, and a deep look at mastering the Echelon's Variable Interface System, among other pieces. The editors singled out not just his expertise but the ease with which he conveys it: his enthusiasm for guns and technology comes through plainly in the writing.

Going Gonzo

When The Armory Life invited him to headquarters to receive the award, Conditt said yes immediately — partly because of the photo shoot the team had planned. Brainstorming concepts, someone mentioned Hunter S. Thompson and gonzo journalism offhand, and the idea stuck instantly.

Thompson, Conditt explained, has been one of his favorite authors since he was a teenager, and he named his firstborn son after him. He described Thompson as brilliant at capturing the American story with vivid, surreal imagery — an enigma whose unfiltered, intense writing still rang deeply true. That settled the direction for the shoot.

Conditt said he admires The Armory Life for its strong editorial voice and talented contributor base, and that being placed alongside that group was “a real honor.” On winning the 2025 Cantius Award

The award also carried some history for both men. Editor-in-chief Mike Humphries, who presented it, has known Conditt for more than 15 years and was the first person in the firearms industry to give him a shot at writing and photography — an opportunity Conditt credits with shaping his career.

What He Received

• A Kuna 9mm pistol.
• A signed Cantius Award certificate.
• The Cantius Award jacket in The Armory Life's crimson, with an embroidered gold “A.”