The Forge of Freedom

Show Notes:   Episode 84. Pew Jitsu: Practical Firearms Training with Gabe New Summary In this episode, host Alex Ooley interviews Gabe New, a respected authority in the firearms industry and the creator of the Pew Jitsu YouTube channel. The conversation covers a range of topics, including the importance of finding good instructors, the role of stress inoculation in training, and the impact of Jiu...

Show Notes:   Episode 83. Crossing Borders: Reflections on Our Trip to China   In this episode, Alex Ooley reflects on his recent trip to China for a friend's wedding. He discusses his observations and experiences, highlighting the disparity in wealth, the massive population, and the authoritarian nature of the government. Despite the government's control and censorship, the host emphasize...

Show Notes:   Episode 82. When Deadly Force is Justified: Exploring the Role of Ability, Opportunity, and Jeopardy (AOJ) In this episode, attorneys and firearms instructors, Alex Ooley and Mike Ooley, discuss the concept of A-O-J (Ability, Opportunity, and Jeopardy) in the context of self-defense with a firearm. They emphasize the importance of understanding the legal principles and standards surr...

Show Notes:   Episode 81. Drug Decriminalization and Oregon Measure 110   In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses some common critiques of drug decriminalization and legalization as well as some recent news on Oregon Measure 110, which decriminalized drugs. Summary The conversation discusses the criticism and defense of drug decriminalization in Oregon. It highlights the misleading claims and propag...

Show Notes: Episode 80. Gratitude   In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses the importance of gratitude even in difficult circumstances.   Resources: The Gifts of Gratitude - Intellectual Takeout https://intellectualtakeout.org/2018/11/the-gifts-of-gratitude/   G.K. Chesterton tells us “gratitude is... - Intellectual Takeout | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/100064866065318/posts/743127344526128/?...

Show Notes:   Episode 79. Paul Lathrop - The Man Behind the Polite Society Podcast   In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by Paul Lathrop to discuss Paul’s podcast, The Polite Society Podcast.   Resources:   SDRN – Home of the Self Defense Radio Network https://www.sdrn.us/   Gun Talk: Guntalk 09–04-2016 Part C https://guntalk.libsyn.com/guntalk-0904-2016-part-c   Paul Lathrop, owner and co-exec...

Show Notes:   Episode 78. Adderall Shortages, Lessons from Gillian Lynne, and a Call for Personalized Education   In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses a story about two influential figures that broke free from the government school model and changed the world for the better.   Resources:   What the Back-to-School Adderall Shortage Really Tells Us - Foundation for Economic Education https://fee.or...

Show Notes: Episode 77. Essential Reading for Gun Owners In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by attorney and firearms instructor, Mike Ooley, to discuss some of their book recommendations for gun owners.    Resources:   The Law of Self Defense by Andrew F. Branca https://www.amazon.com/Law-Self-Defense-Indispensable-Citizen/dp/1943809143/ref=sr_1_1?crid=11F8DCAC1IJMT&keywords=law+of+self+def...

Show Notes:   Episode 76. Ten Natural Steps to Training the Family Dog with Matthew Duffy (Part 2)   In this episode, Alex Ooley continues his discussion with Matthew Duffy about Duffy’s book, Ten Natural Steps to Training the Family Dog: Building a Positive Relationship .   If you are an average dog owner looking for answers to your dog-training needs, then it’s time to take the Ten Natural Steps...

Show Notes:   Episode 75. Domestic Violence Restraining Orders and the Second Amendment (United States v. Rahimi)   In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by attorney and firearms instructor, Mike Ooley, to discuss United States v. Rahimi, a second amendment case before the United State Supreme Court involving the constitutionality of 18 USC 922(g)(8), prohibiting the possession of a firearm by som...

Show Notes:   Episode 74. Ten Natural Steps to Training the Family Dog with Matthew Duffy (Part 1)   In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by Matthew Duffy to discuss his book, Ten Natural Steps to Training the Family Dog: Building a Positive Relationship .   If you are an average dog owner looking for answers to your dog-training needs, then it’s time to take the Ten Natural Steps to Training the...

Show Notes:   Episode 73. Gun Control Myths   In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by attorney and firearms instructor, Mike Ooley, to discuss common gun control myths.   Resources:   Firearms Policy Coalition -- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy3wUf1qNZP/   Second Amendment Myths and Misinformation | The Heritage Foundation https://www.heritage.org/the-essential-second-amendment/second-am...

Show Notes:   Episode 72. Are We Good Enough for Liberty? by Lawrence Reed (rerun of Ep. 40)   Alex Ooley is joined by Lawrence (“Larry”) Reed to discuss Reed’s book, Are We Good Enough for Liberty? , and the importance of character to the preservation of liberty.   Lawrence Reed: https://www.lawrencewreed.com/   Are We Good Enough for Liberty? : https://fee.org/resources/are-we-good-enough-for-li...

Show Notes:   Episode 71. Firearms Trainers You Should Know   In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by attorney and firearms instructor, Mike Ooley, to discuss how to find quality firearms instructors and some that Mike and Alex know are quality trainers.   Resources:   Ken Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Gunsite Academy - Gunsite Academy https://www.gunsite.com/gunsite-instructors/sheriff-ken-...

Show Notes:   Episode 70. What is the 9th Amendment?   In this episode, Alex Ooley shares an article from the Tenth Amendment Center by Mike Maharrey called, “Constitution 101: The Ninth Amendment.” The Ninth Amendment is often overlooked and ignored, but it serves a crucial purpose by affirming the limited nature of the government that was intended to be formed.   Resources:   Constitution 101: T...

Show Notes: Episode 69. Four Questions to Ask in Your Next Gun Control Debate   In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by attorney and firearms instructor, Mike Ooley, to discuss some suggestions about how to approach your interactions and conversations with gun control advocates.    Resources:   Four Questions to Ask in Your Next Gun Control Debate https://www.ammoland.com/2023/09/four-questions-t...

Show Notes: Episode 68. Poetry to Carry with You Through Hard Times   In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses three poems that continue to inspire him and that he hopes will inspire others to persevere through adversity and live the good life. Resources:   Meeting Triumph and Disaster With the Ideal Man - Intellectual Takeout https://intellectualtakeout.org/2022/10/meeting-triumph-and-disaster-with-...

Show Notes: Episode 67. Flying with Firearms In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by attorney and firearms instructor, Mike Ooley, to discuss how to fly with a firearm. The process can seem daunting at first, but it is not difficult if you know a few basic guidelines. Resources: The Definitive Guide To Flying With Guns | Active Response Training https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/flying-with-...

Show Notes: Episode 66. War is a Racket   In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses the book by Smedley Butler called War is a Racket .   Originally printed in 1935, War Is a Racket is General Smedley Butler’s frank speech describing his role as a soldier as nothing more than serving as a puppet for big-business interests. Widely appreciated and referenced by left- and right-wingers alike, this is an...

Show Notes:   Episode 65. Structure of the Federal Courts and Duncan v. Bonta “High-Capacity” Magazine Case   In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by his father, Mike Ooley, to discuss the structure of the federal courts and the status of the Duncan v. Bonta challenge to California’s “high capacity” magazine ban. Resources:   Duncan v. Becerra - Michel & Associates, P.C. https://michellawyers...

Notes: Episode 64. Jeff Knox: Fighting to Save the NRA Alex Ooley is joined by Jeff Knox, Director of The Firearms Coalition, an independent rights advocacy organization comprised of gun clubs, grassroots organizations, and individual activists. Founded in 1984 by gun rights legend, Neal Knox, The Coalition has been actively working to educate, inform, and influence the public and our servants for...

Show Notes:   Episode 63. Hunter Biden Indictment   Alex Ooley is joined by attorney and firearms instructor, Mike Ooley, to discuss the indictment of Hunter Biden and the charges he is facing in federal court.   Resources:   Hunter Biden Indictment: https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2023/09/hunter-biden-indictment-1.pdf   18 USC 922: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922   For...

Show Notes:   Episode 62. Striking Autoworkers Will Only Harm Their Own Livelihoods   In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses the United Auto Worker’s (UAW) strike and why the workers are focused on the wrong problem. Resources:   Striking Autoworkers Will Only Harm Their Own Livelihoods | Mises Wire https://mises.org/wire/striking-autoworkers-will-only-harm-their-own-livelihoods   Connor O'Keef...

Show Notes:   Episode 61. What Should You Know as a New Gun Owner? (rerun of Episode 19)   In this episode, Alex Ooley is joined by his father, Mike Ooley, to discuss what a new gun owner needs to know.   Resources:   Massad Ayoob Group – MAG40: https://massadayoobgroup.com/mag-40/   In the Gravest Extreme by Massad Ayoob: https://www.amazon.com/Gravest-Extreme-Firearm-Personal-Protection/dp/09362...

Show Notes:   Episode 60. The Tyranny of Gun Control with Jacob G. Hornberger   Alex Ooley is joined by Jacob Hornberger to discuss his book, The Tyranny of Gun Control .   The right to own firearms is one of the most fundamental, inherent rights of man. Not only do individuals have the natural, God-given right to own property, they also have the basic right to defend themselves from murderers, ra...