The Weekly Reload Podcast

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss a sweeping new ruling out of Connecticut, where a federal judge upheld the state's handgun restrictions for 18-20-year-olds shortly after the Supreme Court declined to address the issue. We also cover a new stay order in the state litigation against Virginia's AR-15 ban which will keep the ban blocked until the Supreme Court hands down its "assault w...

This week, AR-15s returned to the shelves of gun stores in the Old Dominion. Despite being removed about three weeks ago amid a murky legal situation, the popular rifles are back on sale after gun-rights activists secured a statewide injunction against the state's "assault firearms" ban. So, we have one of those activists on the show this week to update us on the legal situation. That is Virginia...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover a new ruling out of the First Circuit Court of Appeals upholding Massachusetts' ban on AR-15s and similar rifles. Meanwhile, we discuss the fact that the same weapons are now back on sale in Virginia after a state court injunction against the Commonwealth's similar ban took effect. Stories: - https://thereload.com/first-circuit-upholds-massachusetts-as...

This week, we're looking back at the Supreme Court case that established the "common use" standard likely to play a major role in its new AR-15 case. That case is 1939's US v. Miller , and we have a guest with brand-new information that unsettles the official story of its namesake. Tulane law professor Brian Frye wrote the definitive account of Miller back in 2008, which ended up heavily influenci...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss a federal judge's recent rejection of the Justice Department's request for a TRO against California's ban on Glocks and other handguns deemed too easily convertible into illegal machineguns. We also cover a recent Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upholding a criminal conviction for violating the federal gun ban for marijuana users despite the S...

This week, we're looking at how the lower courts have handled AR-15 ban challenges in light of the Supreme Court's latest Second Amendment case. To explain the consensus that's developed across the appellate courts and provide a different perspective, we have Georgia State University Law Professor Andrew Willinger on the show. Willinger is the former executive director of the Duke University Firea...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss the latest injunction issued by a state court judge against Virginia's "assault firearms" ban which would block its enforcement across the entire commonwealth. We also cover resurfaced video of Texas Senate candidate James Talarico (D.) voicing support for an "assault weapon" and "high capacity" magazine ban. Stories: - https://thereload.com/virginia...

The Supreme Court has taken up a Second Amendment challenge to a pair of AR-15 sales bans. It's one of the most consequential in the Court's history of gun cases. To discuss it, we have someone who has been around for that entire history and played a major role in shaping the Court's Second Amendment jurisprudence. Lawyer Stephen Halbrook joins the show to explain that history and provide insight...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss the US Supreme Court finally agreeing to review the constitutionality of bans on AR-15s and similar rifles next term. We also provide a status update on Virginia's new ban on those same weapons, which officially went into effect despite multiple court injunctions. Plus, we hear from a Reload Member with a fascinating background! Stories: - https://th...

This week, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) struck down Hawaii's broadest gun-carry restriction. To discuss the outcome of the case, we have the lawyer who won it on the show. Wolford v. Lopez was Alan Beck's first case at SCOTUS, and it turned into his first win. He said he was very happy with where the Court came down and sees it opening several new avenues for Second Amendment ch...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover the Supreme Court's new ruling in Wolford v. Lopez, where the Court held that Hawaii may not legally ban licensed gun carry on publicly accessible private property by default. We also discuss the new injunction issued by a Virginia judge against the state's AR-15 ban just days before it was set to take effect.  Stories: - https://thereload.co...

This week, we're taking a look at the state of the National Rifle Association (NRA) as it faces what may be its biggest challenge yet. The NRA has survived 150 years, a corruption lawsuit, and a bankruptcy filing. But it is now staring down a potential crackup with the group's foundation attempting to split off. Ohio State University accounting professor Brian Mittendorf joins the show to explain...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I break down the US Supreme Court's first major Second Amendment decision of the year in  US v. Hemani , where the justices unanimously upheld the gun rights of a regular marijuana user. We also discuss the Court's rejection of several additional gun cases and cover the latest litigation against Virginia's "assault firearm" ban. Stories: - https://therelo...

This week, we're talking about a new legal agreement that would end Florida's waiting periods on gun purchases. To discuss the ins and outs of the agreement, we have the gun-rights lawyer who negotiated it on the show. That's Matt Larosiere. He filed a Second Amendment suit against the law alongside Mountain States and the National Rifle Association. Larosiere said Florida's waiting periods, which...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss a new filing from Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones in defense of the state's new "assault firearm" ban, where he claimed the Virginia state constitution does not protect an individual right to bear arms. We also cover the DOJ's latest Second Amendment investigation into the city of Philadelphia's pattern of subjective gun-permit revocations. Stori...

This week, we're looking at a sorely undercovered national story: the murder rate is declining at an incredible rate. At the same time, the suicide rate is headed the other way.  To explore why that divergence has happened, we've got Pew Research Center's John Gramlich on the show to discuss the details. He wrote a piece looking at the most recent FBI and CDC data on gun murder and suicide. H...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover new data showing Virginia's monthly gun sales doubling year-over-year, landing it in the number 2 spot in the nation for long gun sales, as the state's new "assault firearm" ban is set to take effect. We also cover the legal fight over the state's universal background check law, where gun-rights groups successfully convinced a judge to continue prevent...

This week, we're looking into reporting on racism in New Jersey's gun permitting process. That's why we're talking to Aymann Ismail of Slate Magazine, who both experienced issues with his own gun application and interviewed many other minorities in the same situation. He said a Newark permitting official had withdrawn his first gun purchase permit application against his will over an old trespassi...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover a new analysis of violent crime data that appears to show a further record drop in murder. We also discuss New York Governor Kathy Hochul's signing of a novel restriction on 3D printers aimed at preventing them from being used to create gun parts. Stories: - https://thereload.com/report-america-on-track-for-lowest-murder-rate-ever/ - https://thereload....

This week, we're taking gun policy and politics questions from our members. It's been a while since we've done a Q&A, and quite a lot has happened. So, we're answering everything we can fit into an hour-long podcast. Turns out that's a lot! Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I tackle all sorts of topics. We cover everything from the latest on the Department of Justice lawsuits against Color...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover a recent ruling out of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals striking down New York's default ban on licensed carry in publicly accessible private property. We also discuss the absence of gun policy in public opinion polls, the ATF's assurances to trans gun owners regarding its proposed gender rule, and the rise in Virginia prosecutors pledging not to en...

This week, we're speaking directly to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The bureau just released dozens of new gun rule proposals. We've examined the details of them ourselves, we've discussed them with representatives of the gun industry, and now we're hearing directly from the man who spearheaded the effort. That's ATF Chief Counsel Robert Leider. He joins the show...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signing bans on so-called assault weapons and magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds into law. We also talk about the latest financial reports for the NRA, which reveal plenty of signs of improvement for the group but also some risks. Stories: - https://thereload.com/virginia-jumps-to-second-in-rifle-sal...

This week, we're looking at what makes up the bulk of the ATF's new gun rule package: industry regulations. To discuss how the rulemaking will impact gun makers, importers, and retailers, we have Larry Keane of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) on the show. NSSF is the gun industry's trade group, which represents most of the major gun brands in America. Keane said the ATF's proposed c...

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I break down the terms of the ATF's most significant rule proposals and discuss the likely impact for gun buyers. We also cover the DOJ's latest Second Amendment lawsuit filed against the City of Denver and the State of Colorado concerning their bans on AR-15s and ammunition magazines. Stories - https://thereload.com/atf-publishes-details-of-major-gun-rule-rol...