“Responsible gun ownership, community engagement, and responsible leadership build stronger, safer communities.”Episode Summary

In this episode of The Gun Experiment, we, sit down with our local town councilman and longtime friend, Paul Ruggerio. We kick things off with an open conversation about local politics, community development, and the impact of gun legislation in New York.

Paul pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like running for office during an election cycle, the nitty-gritty of zoning laws, the challenges of keeping small-town Main Street USA alive, and how warehouses affect property taxes and local economics. We discuss community participation in government, how to address local issues, and the role of responsible firearm ownership in our town.

The discussion takes a candid turn into the Second Amendment, where Paul shares both his personal history as a gun owner and his stance on New York’s evolving firearms laws. We also touch on the latest gun news, like open carry legislation in Florida, the surprising move by Everytown to teach gun safety, and recent victories for gun rights in Texas post offices.

As always, we sprinkle in some light-hearted moments, talk about technology and aftermarket car mods, and round out the show with hot takes on current political debates, government budgets, and the wild world of military drones.

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Show Sponsors

• Onsite Firearms Training (OFT): For skill-building classes that boost your confidence, head to OFTLLC.us
• Ammo Squared: The hassle-free way to consistently build your ammo supply—sign up at ammosquared.com and mention The Gun Experiment for bonus rounds!

Key Takeaways

• Community Engagement Matters: Local government is about serving citizens—reach out directly to your council members to get things done in your town.
• Zoning Laws Shape Your Town: Decisions made years ago impact what kinds of businesses (or warehouses) can operate locally; changing that takes time and citizen involvement.
• Responsible Gun Ownership: Training and education are universal values—good training boosts confidence for all gun owners.
• Second Amendment Rights: Even local politicians face challenges in changing state laws, but supporting candidates who respect your rights is crucial.
• Economic Development: Bringing Main Street USA energy back requires vision, creativity, and sometimes redefining what downtown means for your community.
• Gun Rights News: Wins like the Texas post office gun-carry case and the open carry bill in Florida show positive momentum.
• Staying Informed: Whether it’s politics, tech, or local events, staying engaged and informed helps you advocate for what matters most to you.

Guest Information

Paul Ruggerio

• Town Councilman, Town of Newburgh, NY
• Local business owner for 35 years
• Fiscally responsible leader with a proven track record
• Dedicated to serving the community, improving town infrastructure, and protecting residents’ interests

Keywords

gun rights, Second Amendment, Paul Ruggierio, Newburgh politics, local government, firearm training, community development, New York gun laws, open carry, warehouse zoning, property taxes, Ammo Squared, Onsite Firearms Training, Second Amendment Foundation, Main Street USA, town council, concealed carry, gun news, Everytown, post office gun case, New York infrastructure, responsible gun ownership, small town economics

Let us know what you think of this episode and who you want to hear next!