"Stay tolerant and encourage real discourse, even when the world seems divided."

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Gun Experiment, Big Keith and I are joined by Matt Riker, CEO of Kings River Custom, for a raw, wide-ranging discussion on unity, division, and the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk right before the anniversary of 9/11. We don’t shy away from the tough feelings, the media’s role in fueling division, and the hard questions about political extremism, violence, and what unites (and divides) America.

We also dive into other topics to bring levity and balance—touching on recent positive 2A news out of Florida, wild stories about electric cars, military tech like the Navy’s Phalanx system, and a couple of wild news headlines that’ll make you laugh. There’s never a dull moment when Matt joins us, and we hope you’ll join the conversation.

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Key Takeaways

• The episode is framed by national tragedy and reflection on unity the day after Charlie Kirk’s assassination and September 11th
• Matt Riker shares his perspective on Charlie Kirk’s respectful, impactful manner in the current political climate
• We debate how the media, social media, and political echo chambers shape division and misunderstanding in America
• The difference in public response to violence against public figures, and how partisan reactions differ
• The importance of personal responsibility, training, and education in the firearms community (including lockbox discussion)
• Positive news: Florida’s 2A tax holiday shows there’s good going on for gun rights, too
• Other lighter topics covered include: MMA in the workplace, the absurdity of electric car “loud exhaust” tickets, Navy battle tech upgrades, and crazy news stories about hiking mishaps and custom-made babies

Guest Information

Matt Riker – CEO, Kings River Custom

Matt brings expert knowledge on custom 1911s, powerful opinions on current events, and personal reflections on how influential figures change lives. He’s a regular guest and friend of the show, known for his down-to-earth wisdom and insights from both the firearms industry and real life.

Learn more at KingsRiverCustom.com

Keywords

The Gun Experiment, Matt Riker, Kings River Custom, custom 1911s, Charlie Kirk, assassination, September 11th, media bias, political violence, unity, division in America, gun rights, 2nd Amendment, Florida 2A tax holiday, positive gun news, MMA in the workplace, military technology, Navy Phalanx, electric cars, social media influence, firearms safety, American politics, Turning Point, personal responsibility, current events, stoicism, political discourse, gun podcast, conservative podcast

Thanks for chopping it up with us this week. If this episode sparked a thought, tell us your take—let’s keep this conversation going.