You remember the high-stakes world of Red Jacket Firearms. It was the centerpiece of Discovery Channel’s Sons of Guns, a show that turned grease-covered gunsmiths into household names almost overnight. At the heart of it all was Stephanie Hayden, the daughter of the shop’s founder, who quickly became the "brains" of the operation. She wasn't just there for the cameras; she was the one wrestling with the mountain of ATF paperwork and keeping the chaotic Baton Rouge shop from imploding.
But then, the world stopped watching for the cool gun builds and started watching the news. The 2014 cancellation of the show wasn't a ratings issue. It was a total, horrific collapse caused by the criminal actions of her father, Will Hayden. Since then, Stephanie’s life has been a whirlwind of legal battles, personal trauma, and a slow, painful distance from the spotlight that once defined her. Honestly, if you’re looking for a simple "where are they now" story, this isn't it. It’s heavy.
The Shocking End of Red Jacket Firearms
The downfall was fast. In August 2014, Will Hayden was arrested on devastating charges involving the sexual abuse of minors. Discovery Channel didn't hesitate; they pulled the plug on Sons of Guns immediately. For Stephanie Hayden, this wasn't just a career ending. It was a family betrayal on a level most of us can't fathom.
While the show focused on flamethrowers and custom AK-47s, a darker reality was hiding behind the scenes. Initially, Stephanie tried to defend her father, likely out of shock or misplaced loyalty. But that didn't last. She eventually went on Dr. Phil and revealed that she, too, had been a victim of his abuse when she was just 12 years old. It was a gut-wrenching moment that flipped the narrative of the "happy gun-building family" on its head.
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The fallout hit the business hard. Red Jacket Firearms tried to distance itself from Will, but the brand was poisoned. Stephanie and her husband, Kris Ford, eventually left the company. There was a legal settlement where they surrendered their gun-making licenses. It was basically the end of the Red Jacket era as we knew it.
Stephanie Hayden and the Legal Drama
Life didn't exactly get quiet after the cameras stopped rolling. In October 2014, just months after the show’s cancellation, both Stephanie Hayden and Kris Ford were arrested. The charges? Cruelty to a juvenile. The allegations involved Kris hitting Stephanie’s son from a previous relationship with a belt, allegedly leaving bruises. Stephanie was charged as a principal to the abuse.
It was a messy situation that felt like a secondary explosion after the initial blast of her father’s arrest. Eventually, Will Hayden was sentenced to multiple life terms plus 40 years. He’s currently sitting in the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, and he’s never coming out.
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Since those dark years, Stephanie has largely retreated. You won't find her on a new reality show or making regular TV appearances. She’s become a bit of a ghost in the industry she once helped run.
What is she doing in 2026?
Kinda surprisingly, Stephanie has pivoted away from the firearms industry almost entirely. While there are still booking agencies that list her as a speaker, she hasn't been active in that circuit for a while. Her social media has been sparse, and she seems focused on a much quieter life.
- Personal Life: She and Kris Ford remained together for a significant time following the show, though they have kept their current marital status and private life very shielded from the public eye.
- Business: The days of Red Jacket are long gone. She has explored photography and writing, hobbies she mentioned back in the Discovery days, but hasn't launched any major public-facing brands.
- Advocacy: After her experience with her father, she has occasionally lent her voice to causes supporting survivors of abuse, though she isn't a "professional" activist by any means.
The Legacy of Sons of Guns
People still talk about the show. It’s one of those "car wreck" moments in TV history. You can still find clips on YouTube of Stephanie handling a suppressed shotgun or managing a chaotic build, but it feels like a different lifetime. The show’s legacy is forever tied to the crimes of its patriarch, which is a shame for the talented gunsmiths like Joe Meaux and Vince Buckles who were just trying to do their jobs.
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If you’re wondering if a reboot is coming—don't hold your breath. The name Sons of Guns is effectively radioactive. Discovery has moved on, and the cast has scattered. Some, like Joe Meaux, have continued in the firearms world with their own ventures, but the Red Jacket "family" is no more.
Why the Stephanie Hayden story matters
It’s easy to judge reality stars, but Stephanie’s story is a reminder of how quickly "fame" can turn into a nightmare. She grew up in a shop, became the face of a hit show, and then had to confront the fact that her father was a monster—all while being scrutinized by millions.
Most people get it wrong when they think she just "disappeared" because the show was canceled. She stepped away because the cost of being in that world became too high. Honestly, can you blame her?
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers:
- Watch for Misinformation: A lot of "where are they now" articles use old data. As of 2026, Stephanie remains largely private. Be wary of any site claiming she has a new show or business without a direct link to her verified socials.
- Red Jacket is Done: If you see "Red Jacket" products today, they are likely from the reorganized entity that has no involvement with the original Hayden family.
- Support Survivors: If the Sons of Guns story has impacted you, consider looking into organizations like RAINN that support victims of the types of crimes Will Hayden committed.
The story of Stephanie Hayden and Sons of Guns is a cautionary tale about the reality behind "reality" TV. It started with a girl who loved guns and her dad, and it ended in a courtroom. Today, she’s just a person trying to move on from a very public tragedy.