The Weekly Reload Podcast

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss David Hogg's election for a Democratic Party leadership position and what it says about the party's approach to gun politics. We also talk about Trump's attorney general nominee Pam Bondi getting confirmed despite concerns raised by gun rights groups and unpack one of her first actions with regard to the ATF. Finally, we break down a recent ruling from a district judge who struck down the federal machine gun ban for violating the Second Amendment.

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This week, we've got one of the most prominent and longest-running Guntubers on the show. 

InRangeTV's Karl Kasarda joins the podcast to discuss his view of the Second Amendment and the backlash his advocacy has generates from other sections of the gun owning community. He argues gun rights belong to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Not everyone agrees with that list.

Kasarda said those pushing for a more limited view of who the Second Amendment protects are doing a disservice to the gun-rights cause. Some, he said, are downright hateful and harassing. But he argued even those that aren't are shrinking the number of people who could be on their side.

He also gives some insight into what it's like to run a popular gun channel on YouTube and why he's proactively demonitized his videos to minimize how much power the platform has over his ability to make videos. Thi week, we've got one of the most prominent and longest-running Gun tubers on the show. 

InRangeTV's Karl Kasarda joins the podcast to discuss his view of the Second Amendment and the backlash his advocacy has generates from other sections of the gun owning community. He argues gun rights belong to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Not everyone agrees with that list.

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Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss new claims from the gun industry about the ATF continuing to enforce its controversial "zero tolerance" policy despite Trump's promises to reverse it. We talk about Trump's lack of gun policy action so far and why some gun-rights groups are starting to speak out. We also cover a significant new ruling out of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals where a three judge panel just struck down the federal handgun sales ban for young adults.

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We are about one week into President Donald Trump's new term. So, we've got Kevin Williamson from The Dispatch back on the show to go over what happened.

Or, perhaps more accurately, what didn't happen. Williamson said Trump's first week was relatively light on gun action, especially compared to other issues. He said that may not tell us where Trump, who he described as transactional on most issues, on gun policy. But it did give insight into how his administration prioritizes gun rights initiatives.

Williamson also gave an overview of his new series on the ATF. He described the agency's origins, overarching purpose, and ways it could be reformed or improved. He argued that the most substantive changes would require congressional action, but he said Trump could make improvements if he chooses the right director.

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Special Guest: Kevin Williamson.

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I recap the Trump administration's first week back in power, including how gun policy was left out of his flurry of new executive actions. We also cover his pardoning of the January 6 rioters, many of whom will once again have access to firearms despite being convicted of violent offenses. Finally, we break down a few new developments at the ATF and provide a brief update on the latest news out of the Supreme Court in its consideration of an "assault weapons" ban case.

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This week, we're looking ahead at what Republicans want to do on gun policy headed into their new trifecta.

To do that, we have the man who has been at the center of their legislative efforts for years now. Representative Richard Hudson from North Carolina's Ninth District joins the show. He has sponsored most of the top-priority gun bills in recent years and just introduced a new version of national gun-carry reciprocity this year.

Rep. Hudson answers a series of questions on the details of the new bill and why he and his GOP colleagues decided to incorporate them. He also explains how he thinks it could get to President Donald Trump's desk, even though he admits that's a tall task. Then, he discusses other changes beyond the top-ticket items he and his colleagues plan to pursue.

Hudson also said he would not back new gun restrictions regardless of who pressures him, including the biggest players in his own party.

Special Guest: Richard Hudson.

Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I recap the first confirmation hearing for Donald Trump's Attorney General nominee, Pam Bondi. We talk about why it could spell trouble for the political influence of gun-rights advocates. We also cover the Supreme Court's latest rejection of multiple Second Amendment appeals and where things stand with a closely-watched pending 'assault weapon' ban case. Finally, we wrap up with discussions around the Third Circuit's re-vindication of the carry rights of young adults in Pennsylvania, a guest post on the questionable state of firearms forensics, and a collection of key gun stories from outside The Reload.

The National Rifle Association appears to be at the end of a six-year ordeal. Last month, the final order in its New York civil corruption case was handed down, and the outside law firm responsible for handling it has left.

To talk about the latest developments, we have NRA board member Rocky Marshall on the show this week. He joined us from the group's latest board meeting in Texas and said the group is focused on the future.

Marshall, who has been a staunch critic of former leader Wayne LaPierre and the Brewer law firm, said the board is now united in its focus. He broke the news that LaPierre has now paid back the millions of dollars the New York jury said he owed the NRA. He also said the group's new leadership, including CEO Doug Hamlin and top lobbyist John Commerford, is secure in their positions.

Marshall outlined his view of what the NRA needs to do in the coming months and years to regain the trust of the millions of members who've fled the group over the corruption. And he announced a new, much larger campaign for the reformer block in this year's NRA election.

Special Guest: Rocky Marshall.

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover what the latest NICS data show about how much gun sales dropped in 2024. We also discuss another federal appeals court delivering an unchanged verdict on a case remanded by the Supreme Court, this time dealing with the gun rights of a non-violent marijuana user. Plus, we cover House Republicans re-introducing national concealed carry reciprocity in Congress, a new semi-automatic firearm ban proposal in Colorado, and how the major gun-control groups say they're feeling as the new administration gets set to take office.

This week, we're talking to the director of a promising new program designed to prevent acts of mass violence.

Jordan Estrada is the founder and director of Let's Talk to Them. His group takes the latest research on mass shooters, much of which we've talked about on the show before, and tries to put its lessons into practice. The innovative project, which just received its IRS non-profit status, attempts to find people who are considering committing a mass shooting or other act of violence and pull them out of their downward spiral.

Estrada said he and his team consulted with numerous experts before launching their program. They concluded most mass shooters are not predetermined to commit violence. Instead, they are more like people who are experiencing suicidal ideation and can be dissuaded from going through with their attacks.

He pointed to a passage in the Buffalo shooter's writings that indicated he had doubts about carrying out his killing spree but was egged on by visiting 4chan. Estrada said Let's Talk to Them has built a program designed to do the opposite. He said the goal is to talk them down off the ledge, saving their lives and the lives of potential victims.

Special Guest: Jordan Estrada.