The Weekly Reload Podcast

This week, we're talking about a major moderation issue on YouTube. It's not the first time we've discussed this. It probably won't be the last, either. But this time the platform is deleting videos and, potentially, whole channels focused on gun content after a new policy update that's only partially written out. I talked with YouTube spokespeople about the changes and got more details this week. But things are still a bit vague. Purposefully so. That's why we've got Jon Patton of The Gun Collective on the show to share what he's been told and to discuss how serious the impact of the changes could be. Patton argued the fallout of the new policy against directing viewers to lawful gun or ammo dealers could be huge. He said it makes it harder for gun channels to survive on the platform and for gun companies to advertise their products. He also worried about the often chaotic nature of YouTube enforcement and how it has the potential to lead to instant bans for people who rely on the platform to make a living--without warning or explanation.Special Guest: Jon Patton.

Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman is on vacation this week. So, Reload Founder Stephen Gutowski hosts the news update. He gives a recap of how the Democratic National Convention approached guns. From the platform, to the keynote speeches, to an entire programing block in primetime on the final day the DNC highlighted gun control. Kamala Harris also called for a "red flag" law, universal background checks, and an "assault weapons" ban. That all contrasts with how Donald Trump and the RNC handled guns, which is to say they didn't really at all. I also go over the latest gun polling and a new ruling against one of California's gun restrictions.

The pistol brace ban just racked up another legal loss. A panel on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the ban. That puts it in legal peril in a whole new federal circuit. And this case is the one led by the company that pioneered the accessory, SB Tactical. That's why we have SB Tactical Founder Alex Bosco on the show to give his reaction to the ruling. He explains why he thinks the new decision is vital for his company and industry even though another court already vacated the brace ban rule. Then, he lays out where SB Tactical and the industry plan to head from here, both in court and in the marketplace. We also have a Member Segment where we hear from one of the people who make The Reload possible. He describes his journey from military kid to military man to gun collector and beyond. It's always great getting to know our members!Special Guest: Alex Bosco.

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover new polling data showing that the Supreme Court's recognition of public gun carry rights is more popular than ever. We also analyze the likelihood of the Supreme Court agreeing to hear an assault weapon case later this year, as well as a new Fox News poll showing voters trust Donald Trump over Kamala Harris on gun policy. We wrap up by discussing a new Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against President Biden's pistol brace ban, New York officials opting to create gun carry permits for non-residents, and the latest instance of parents of school shooters being taken to court.

This week saw a lot of developments surrounding guns in the 2024 presidential election. After walking back her support for a mandatory buyback of AR-15s and the like, Kamala Harris doubled down on her support for a slew of other gun restrictions by selecting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her VP. Then Donald Trump broke his recent silence on guns by attacking Harris and doubling down on support for gun ownership. So, we've got New York Times columnist David French back on the show to go over all of the developments. He said Harris is attempting to run away from what he called the "great awokening" of the 2020 Democratic primary, and he said Walz misled the public about having carried the guns he now wants to ban "in war." But he also noted the gun policies she and Walz have now centered their campaign on are fairly mainstream for the most part, both within the Democratic party and even among general election voters. He admitted that Donald Trump and Republicans are better on gun rights. However, he argued that didn't justify voting for Trump over Harris because the latter is unlikely to be able to institute her gun policies given the most likely outcomes of the 2024 election. Similarly, he argued Harris was unlikely to be able to change the makeup of the Supreme Court during her first term since conservative justices probably won't retire. He said he was more concerned about what Trump could do with the presidency's power over national security than what Harris might be able to accomplish through legislative efforts. Click this link for your free trial from our sponsor The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com/join-offer-reload/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reload0624Special Guest: David French.

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover Kamala Harris' VP pick and what it says about the ticket's gun policy strategy. We then turn to Donald Trump's latest attack on Harris for her gun control stances and why it stands out after months of silence on the issue. We also explain why the Fourth Circuit's latest "assault weapon" ban ruling is the strongest candidate yet for Supreme Court review. Finally, we wrap up with a quick discussion of appeals courts continuing to struggle with the question of gun rights for felons, Mexico's latest legal headwinds in its quest to sue US gun companies, and even break a little news about an upcoming NRA meeting. Click this link for your free trial from our sponsor The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com/join-offer-reload/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reload0624

This week, we're answering Reload Members' questions on the podcast. So much has happened in the last few weeks. The NRA's corruption just reached its end stage. Although, there are still some potentially decisive decisions for the judge to make. The Democrats just swapped out Joe Biden for Kamala Harris. Then Harris's campaign walked back her most aggressive gun policy position. Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I got several questions on those fronts. Plus, a few on my time as a CNN contributor. We did our best to answer as many as we could. Click this link for your free trial from our sponsor The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com/join-offer-reload/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reload0624

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss the legal consequences the NRA could face now that the remedies phase of its trial has all but concluded. We also cover Kamala Harris' latest flip flop on AR-15 confiscation as well as a federal judge's recent decision to strike down New Jersey's ban on the very same weapons. Finally, we discuss big new election spending pledges from the nation's largest gun control groups. Click this link for your free trial from our sponsor The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com/join-offer-reload/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reload0624

Another week, another wild series of events in the 2024 presidential race. This time, the Democratic ticket was entirely upended, and Kamala Harris all but wrapped up her position at the top.  To discuss how this affects gun politics, we've got National Review's Charles Cooke back on the show for the first time in a while. Cooke said that Harris has been to the left of her predecessor, Joe Biden, on firearms restrictions. He noted she supported a more assertive approach to using executive power, and she backed a mandatory buyback of AR-15s. However, Cooke argued Harris probably wouldn't track further left on guns during the campaign. He said the incentive is to either stick with the already aggressive platform, centered on an "assault weapons" ban, or try to moderate. He said Harris is likely going to have to combat her image as a very liberal California politician if she wants to beat Donald Trump. He said he was less concerned about Trump backing away from gun policy in recent weeks. He argued Democrats are highlighting the issue to try and excite voters they're concerned won't show up to the polls whereas Republicans don't have to worry as much about that because they've already accomplished a lot of pro-gun priorities in recent years. Oh, and we talked a little bit about rollercoasters at the end for those interested lol.Special Guest: Charles Cooke.

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about Kamala Harris' new role at the top of the Democratic ticket for November and what it signals for the party's stance on guns. We also cover the latest reported fundraising totals of the major gun advocacy groups and what they say about the relative stature of gun rights vs. gun control organizations. Finally, we wrap up with a rundown of the latest public remarks from the NRA's new executive vice president, a federal judge's decision to block the ATF's ban on Forced Reset Triggers, and a novel AI-based gun detection technology set to make its debut in the New York subway system. Click this link for your free trial from our sponsor The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com/join-offer-reload/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=reload0624