TAG: Talking About Guns

A recipient of the Presidential Citizens Medal for her “exemplary public service to advance free and fair elections,” Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joins us for the latest episode of TAG. From armed protestors outside her home in the middle of the night contesting the 2020 election results and learning of a plot published on Facebook to shoot her in her backyard to her efforts to institute a ban on guns within 100 feet of polling places, Secretary Benson shares first-hand how gun safety interfaces with elections. We also discuss the impact of the Michigan State University and Oxford High School shootings on legislation and Gen Z. 

In the latest edition of Siegel’s Scope, Dr. Siegel unpacks the post-Bruen federal district court decision from Oregon – which upheld the state’s ban on large capacity ammunition magazines – and its potential ramifications on the upcoming Supreme Court case regarding gun restrictions for the subjects of domestic violence restraining orders.

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Jocelyn Benson
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane

She was given a death sentence. Years later, she asked herself, “What am I doing with this extra life I’ve been given?” On the latest episode of TAG, we chat with Leigh McGowan about her Webby-award winning @IAmPoliticsGirl “Breakfast Rants” and podcast that have attracted nearly 2 million followers and earned her praise for her breakdown of complex issues into no-nonsense, everyday speak. We delve into what the Right and Left get wrong on gun safety; we discuss the need to prioritize responsible gun ownership and regulation vs. banning; and she leaves us with a piece of advice: “Vote for leaders who aren’t afraid of change and who acknowledge solutions.” 

In the latest edition of Siegel’s Scope, Dr. Michael Siegel dives into concealed carry: the history behind it, recent trends, the difference between shall issue vs. may issue, and how 97Percent’s roadmap addresses it.

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Leigh McGowan
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane

The first Gen Z member of congress joins us on the latest episode of Talking About Guns. 26-year-old Representative Maxwell Frost recounts the “emotional whiplash” of attending the Newtown vigil in DC at age 15 and how it “made me uncomfortable to a point where I’ve devoted my life to fighting for a world where people don’t have to feel that kind of pain.” The former national organizing director of March for Our Lives explains why the first bill he introduced on the Hill was to create a national gun violence prevention office. He unpacks the frustrations of his colleagues telling him off the record that they want to act but fear breaking from their party. We also chat about the importance and pressures of representing what it means to be a young person today.

On the latest edition of Siegel’s Scope and in the wake of multiple shootings that have brought Stand Your Ground laws to the forefront, Dr. Michael Siegel breaks down the difference between the Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground laws, explains how the latter came to be, what his research shows about their impact on homicide rates, and why he argues they should be repealed.

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Congressman Maxwell Frost
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane

In the wake of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, we’re joined by Second Amendment activist and gun rights attorney Kostas Moros on the latest episode of TAG. “The idea that we don’t care is absurd and offensive,” Kostas tells us regarding the perception of gun owners and their feelings about school shootings. We discuss the number one area of common ground between gun owners and non-gun owners; we delve into the pros and cons of gun permitting and red flag laws; and he tell us why he engages with 97Percent so much on Twitter. 

And on the latest edition of Siegel’s Scope, Dr. Michael Siegel does a deep dive on red flag laws: the evidence of their effectiveness, specific provisions needed to protect the rights of gun owners, and the importance of enabling family members to petition the court – particularly in light of the Nashville shooting.

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Kostas Moros
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane

In the latest episode of TAG, we’re joined by UCLA’s Adam Winkler – one of the most cited law professors in judicial opinions today – to discuss what he deems “a revolution in American gun policy” since the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision came down in June. The “Gun Fight'' author and Second Amendment expert breaks down the new Bruen constitutionality test and its consequences. He reveals how the “centerpieces of modern gun policy just don’t have any history in the 17 and 1800s,” so they are “on thin ice.” He explains how gun rights organizations have been empowered to challenge every regulation, the possible path to the 5th Circuit decision on domestic abusers being overturned, and what he thinks the gun safety movement should prioritize when the courts are a “minefield.” 

And on the latest edition of Siegel's Scope, Dr. Siegel explores the lessons learned from public health’s approach to tobacco and how they might be applied to gun violence.

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Professor Adam Winkler
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane

On the latest episode of TAG, we’re joined by Wake Forest Professor David Yamane, who shares with us what prompted a liberal academic to become an armed American, acclaimed for his expertise in Gun Culture 2.0: the shift toward self-defense. He tells us about his Sociology of Guns course and what surprises his students most – including the cognitive dissonance they feel when going to the gun range on Day 1. Most importantly, he imparts some poignant advice for how to have more productive conversations about gun safety, including: to have them face-to-face with “people not already committed on this issue,” to begin with commonalities, to “relentlessly focus” on who shouldn’t have guns, and to not invoke Australia or England. 

And on the latest edition of Siegel’s Scope, Dr. Michael Siegel analyzes the “devastating implications for public health” of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision to strike down a law barring those subject to domestic violence restraining orders from possessing a gun. 

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Professor David Yamane
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane

On the latest episode of TAG, 97Percent Board Member and Former Homeland Security Advisor to VP Mike Pence, Olivia Troye, shares the incredible story of how her aunt was at the El Paso Walmart shooting -- and after being dragged to safety by a stranger, provided intel on the shooter. Olivia walks us through her responsibilities in the aftermath of a crisis. We analyze whether mass shootings should be considered domestic terrorism. And the “recovering Republican” shares what’s missing from her party on gun safety and why she thinks members of the GOP are “required to make a difference.” 

And, on the latest edition of Siegel’s Scope, Dr. Michael Siegel discusses the merits of laws that reduce incentive to steal guns, laws that require reporting lost or stolen guns, age requirements for purchasing guns, high capacity magazine bans, and child access prevention laws.

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Olivia Troye
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane

On the latest episode of TAG, we’re joined by former Illinois Republican Congressman and 2020 GOP Presidential Candidate Joe Walsh: a self-proclaimed “gun nut” who tells us what propelled his evolution from Tea Party member with an A rating from the NRA to outspoken gun safety advocate. 97Percent’s newest board member explains why “it’s going to take someone like me helping to lead the way to get change”; “it can’t be the Dems out in front.” He shares the feedback he’s received from gun owners and how “they’re looking for a vehicle to jump on to.” 

Also, in the latest edition of Siegel’s Scope, Dr. Michael Siegel examines the effect of state gun laws on the incidence and severity of mass shootings.

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Congressman Joe Walsh
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane

On the latest episode of TAG, we’re joined by The History Channel’s “Top Shot Season 4” Champion Chris Cheng: an openly gay, Asian American, civil rights advocate who left his career at Google to become a professional sports shooter – breaking every stereotype about the gun community in the process. We chat about his experience in the competition as a self-taught amateur not taken seriously. We delve into how the gun industry 10 years ago was not talking about suicide and treated it as inevitable, but has since shifted. We talk about the need for respectful, good faith conversations about gun safety, and Chris emphasizes how irresponsible it is not to get trained on how to use your firearm. 

Later in the episode, in another special edition of Siegel’s Scope, Tufts University’s Dr. Michael Siegel answers questions about the first-of-its-kind research and policy roadmap he and 97Percent just released via an excerpt from our 97Percent conference.

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Chris Cheng
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane

On the latest episode of Talking About Guns, we chat with former 8-term NY Congressman Steve Israel about the conversation with a Republican colleague in a members-only elevator that inspired his novel, a political satire imagining a world where it’s mandated for all Americans to carry a gun. We break down the power of voter intensity (“an obligation to support extremes”) vs. NRA funding (“not as influential as people think”). And Israel shares his thoughts on the chances of future legislation. 

On another special edition of Siegel’s Scope, we dive into Part 2 of the research 97Percent and Dr. Siegel just released – which identifies four policies to keep guns out of the hands of violent people that are supported by gun owners and estimated to reduce gun homicides by 28%.

Host: Mathew Littman
Guest: Congressman Steve Israel
Producer: Ernesto Chavezvaldivia
Executive Producer: Adria Márquez
Editor: Stephanie Genuardi Cunnane