Podcast appearances and mentions of stephen gutowski

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a Fifth Circuit Court Of Appeals case that has the potential to redefine federal gun control laws as they exist. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a recent ruling out of the Third Circuit Court Of Appeals overturning New Jersey's ban on AR style rifles and high capacity magazines and how it might affect a case currently before the Supreme Court . Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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 influencing the Supreme Court's opinion in 2009's DC v. Heller. But, nearly 20 years later, he says the police and newspaper accounts about Jack Miller's life are now in dispute. Frye recounts the original narrative of the case, which reads like something out of a gangster movie. Miller was accused of being involved in multiple bank robberies, including a simultaneous heist at two Oklahoma banks. He then turned state's evidence and was later murdered by aggrieved gangsters. In between that time, he was arrested under the National Firearms Act (NFA) for transporting an unregistered sawed-off shotgun across state lines. An enterprising judge, who'd backed federal gun control as a congressman, then decided to use his prosecution as a test case for the NFA's constitutionality. In a truncated Supreme Court case that saw no oral arguments, that setup paid off with the High Court, in a fairly narrow ruling, determining that short-barreled shotguns aren't protected by the Second Amendment (or, at least, it didn't have evidence to say they are). It did, however, mention that the Second Amendment would protect guns that are in "common use." And that standard was something the 2009 Court grabbed onto in DC v. Heller, which is likely to play a substantial role in the 2026 Court's forthcoming AR-15 case. But the current understanding of Miller is deeply flawed, according to Frye. After his 2008 paper on the case garnered widespread attention, Frye said he heard from Jack Miller's surviving family members. And they had a very different version of what happened. Instead of being a committed career criminal, Miller's great-granddaughter said he was a persecuted minority living in the shadow of the infamous Tulsa Massacre, who was forced into at least some of the crimes he was involved with. He said he's currently working on a new paper that details the family's claims alongside other evidence, revealing a clearer picture of the story behind the Supreme Court case. Frye said that the local police singled out Miller for his Cherokee background and that they were involved in the bank robberies. He said corrupt police may even have been involved in his arrest for violating the NFA and in his eventual murder. He acknowledged that the family, like the police and papers from the period, has motivation to tell Miller's story a certain way. But he said he believed Miller's great-granddaughter is credible. Still, he noted they are still working on a final draft of the paper.Special Guest: Brian Frye.

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 Supreme Court's recent ruling in Hemani. Story links: -https://thereload.com/judge-denies-doj-request-to-immediately-block-californias-glock-ban/ -https://thereload.com/analysis-do-the-dojs-second-amendment-lawsuits-have-a-fatal-flaw-member-exclusive/ -https://thereload.com/appeals-court-upholds-weed-and-guns-conviction-despite-recent-supreme-court-ruling/ -https://thereload.com/house-passes-bill-barring-gun-retail-tracking-codes/ -https://www.aol.com/articles/feds-drop-fight-keep-gun-214255000.html -https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/ghost-gun-company-100m-death-teen/4050573/

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a recent 8th Circuit Court Of Appeals decision regarding a case similar to a recent SCOTUS case (U.S. v. Hemani) wherein the 8th circuit decided (unlike the Supreme Court) that an individual found to be a regular marijuana user could be stripped of their 2nd amendment rights. Both cases had backgrounds involving varying degrees of dangerousness of the defendants with Hemani alleged to have alleged terrorist ties and Baxter alleged gang ties that were considered by the lower courts but that is where the similarities ended. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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 Firearms Law Center, and he teaches a class on the Second Amendment. He's also been critical of the Court's Second Amendment standard and its application at times. He noted that every appellate court to decide an "assault weapons" or "high-capacity" magazine case has upheld restrictions on the devices. He said they've largely coalesced around similar reasoning. While the Supreme Court has gone out of its way to emphasize that step one of the Bruen test is meant to be a pretty simple filter, Willinger said most lower courts have actually upheld AR bans at step two. Willinger said they've identified things like 19th-century Bowie knife bans as the core historical analogue for modern AR bans. He said courts have padded those laws with much earlier and much later weapons restrictions, such as the National Firearms Act of the 1930s. He noted some courts have also used the similarity between AR-15s and military weapons, like the M-16, to uphold the modern bans. He rejected the idea that the consensus surrounding assault weapons bans in the lower courts is primarily a product of geography. Gun-rights activists have long claimed the fact that only a handful of deep blue states have these sorts of bans means only left-leaning circuits have the opportunity to review them. But Willinger argued that the judges involved in the decisions come from a fairly diverse background, with a number of them being Republican appointees. Still, Willinger said he doubts the Supreme Court will find the same way the lower courts have. He argued we already know that four of the Republican appointees would strike down the law based on their public statements. He said Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett are the only Republican appointees who haven't directly opined on the laws, but he also said he doesn't think they'll both split from the other conservatives.Special Guest: Andrew Willinger.

In This Hour:-- A federal circuit court just ruled that a ban on AR-15 rifles is constitutional, even though the U.S. Supreme Court will hear that very subject later this year. Stephen Gutowski of The Reload sets the stage for where this part of the Second Amendment battle sits, and explains that bans on America's most popular rifle are on life support.--  You can buy a pistol for $500 or for $5000.  Some say there's no need for expensive guns, but others line up to buy them.--  What goes into expensive guns that makes them cost so much?Gun Talk 07.12.26 Hour 1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/gun-talk--6185159/support.

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-ar-15-ban-to-be-blocked-statewide-dealers-begin-preparing-new-sales/ -https://thereload.com/texass-talarico-backed-ar-15-ammo-mag-ban-in-2020-meet-and-greet/ -https://thereload.com/seventh-circuit-questions-mental-health-gun-ban/ -https://chicago.suntimes.com/us-supreme-court/2026/07/09/assault-weapon-illinois-cook-county-supreme-court -https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/07/08/atf-director-pushes-back-on-maddows-attack-on-agency-n1233114

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss the news that the SCOTUS has agreed to take up an AR-15 ban case that has the potential to decide the issue of "assault weapons" bans for good. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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 into how it will likely rule in the AR case. Halbrook said the legal landscape was very different when he first started studying the issue. At that time, the idea that the Second Amendment protects much of anything was out of favor with the lower courts. Instead, he said, the collective-right formulation was the most widely accepted. He noted it was a fairly small cohort of lawyers and academics that changed the legal landscape on the Second Amendment. He said the individual-rights formulation caught on quickly and culminated in the 2008 DC v. Heller decision. From there, the Court incorporated the Second Amendment right to own guns to the states in McDonald v. Chicago and then recognized the right to carry outside the home in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. Halbrook said the Court added to its pro-gun precedents in the two cases it decided this year, and he expects it'll do the same again when it decides the AR-15 ban. He also provided some specific insight into why he believes the Court will go that direction and which justices are the ones to watch.Special Guest: Stephen Halbrook.

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://thereload.com/supreme-court-to-decide-constitutionality-of-ar-15-bans/ -https://thereload.com/experts-expect-supreme-court-to-strike-down-ar-15-bans/ -https://thereload.com/virginia-assault-firearms-ban-takes-effect-amid-murky-legal-situation-soaring-gun-sales/

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss the recent SCOTUS decision striking down the so-called Hawaii "vampire law" that would require businesses to positively post signage indicating that CCW holders could carry firearms in their businesses and then the boys discuss the Virginia court injunction delaying the "assault forearms" sales and transfer ban. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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 challenges. Beck said the majority sided with his view of Hawaii's requirement that anyone carrying a gun get explicit permission to enter publicly accessible private property, which he explained critics have dubbed the "Vampire Rule" because vampires also need permission to enter. He said the Court performed the Bruen test the way he asked and expected, by treating step one as a simple filter rather than an exhaustive historical review. Then they examined and rejected Hawaii's use of anti-poaching laws (and even a Black code) as historical analogues for its modern law. He rejected the contention from several justices and outside commentators that the majority significantly changed the Bruen test, especially at step one. He said the Court did the test in line with how it had previously done it. Although, he argued many lower courts had been misapplying that step, and the Court walking through step one in more detail than before could be in response to that. Beck said, even without the Court changing its test, further clarifying how to do step one could upend several recent lower-court cases. He noted how new the Court's Second Amendment jurisprudence is, and said people shouldn't expect every new case to make massive new updates to its test. Instead, he said it will likely take decades for the Court to fully flesh out the Second Amendment, just as it did with the First. He also revealed what direction and new cases he plans to pursue in the wake of the Court's latest Second Amendment holdings. Beck said he's already started working on getting Hawaii to change some of its other gun restrictions.Special Guest: Alan Beck.

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.com/supreme-court-strikes-down-hawaii-vampire-rule/ -https://thereload.com/state-judge-blocks-virginia-assault-firearm-sales-ban/ -https://thereload.com/doj-sets-sights-on-california-glock-ban-handgun-roster/ -https://thereload.com/federal-judge-allows-nra-to-continue-trademark-suit-against-its-foundation/

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss the recent SCOTUS ruling in which the court held 9-0 that simple regular marijuana use in and of itself should not equal disqualification for individuals to possess firearms. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

The Reload's Stephen Gutowski joins Cam to discuss the holding pattern five hardware cases are in at the Supreme Court, with justices once again taking no action on two magazine bans and three challenges to "assault weapon" bans.

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 just how much of a threat to the group's financial stability. Mittendorf said the battle between the foundation and the NRA membership organization, which recently escalated when the foundation's leadership dropped the NRA moniker from the group's name, could be catastrophic for both. The NRA houses most of the actual operations people associate with the group, but the foundation has long served as a key financial backstop. He argued that without it, the NRA could be back on the path to devastation, and without the NRA name, the foundation could struggle to raise new funds. He explained the complex, though not uncommon, financial setup behind the consolidated NRA, which actually involves seven different legal entities. Mittendorf said the foundation's large endowment and low expense structure have long been able to paper over some of the financial struggles of the membership organization. The NRA's latest report indicates the foundation houses nearly 70 percent of the combined organization's net assets and cash. Mittendorf noted that the NRA is still much larger than all of the other gun-rights groups combined, despite losing huge sums of members and revenue over the past half-decade. He said the group's latest annual report shows the NRA has also managed to staunch some of the bleeding and put itself on a more sustainable path. But, ultimately, he said the foundation fight threatens to undo any progress the group has made.Special Guest: Brian Mittendorf.

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://thereload.com/supreme-court-unanimously-rules-in-favor-of-pot-smoking-gun-owner/ -https://thereload.com/scotus-declines-two-second-amendment-challenges-against-new-york-relists-25-other-gun-case/

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a recent ruling in the Washington State Supreme Court regarding the removal of gun rights from people with multiple convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol and then we talk about the Florida Attorney General's approach to defending their arm guns laws. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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 can range up to five days in parts of the state and apply to all kinds of gun sales, are unconstitutional. He argued there is nothing in the historical record that looks like modern waiting periods, as required by the Supreme Court's Bruen standard. He also said the state can no longer justify them on the idea that they give law enforcement space to complete a background check. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R.) apparently agrees. Instead of defending the law, Uthmeier offered to agree to a judgment blocking its enforcement. He doesn't think there's a viable path to defend the law's constitutionality. That's been a bit of a trend for Uthmeier recently, as he also recently declined to appeal a ruling against the state's open-carry ban. Larosiere agreed the moves are symbolic of Florida's odd gun politics. After all, the state still has a number of gun restrictions rare in red states despite Republicans controlling the government for years and years.Special Guest: Matt Larosiere.

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. Stories -https://thereload.com/analysis-how-virginia-is-defending-its-new-ar-15-ban-in-court-member-exclusive/ -https://thereload.com/doj-opens-second-amendment-investigation-into-philadelphia-police/ -https://thereload.com/supreme-court-turns-down-doj-appeal-in-non-violent-felon-gun-case/ -https://thereload.com/texas-senate-candidate-talarico-says-hed-break-with-democrats-on-guns-offers-no-specifics/

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a rather complicated series of events involving the NRA and it's various component parts and how those parts might be splitting up and what that might mean moving forward.Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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. He said the results are remarkable. The murder rate is plummeting. It's back to pre-pandemic levels and shows no sign of leveling off. Gramlich said the decline is incredible and rare. He also described how the role of guns in murder has changed over time as well. The post-pandemic data shows that the portion of guns used in murders has shifted significantly. The same is true for the portion of gun deaths that are due to suicides rather than murders. Largely, Gramlich noted, because murders have fallen substantially while suicides have gone up a bit. Even though the gun suicide rate didn't climb dramatically, as the gun murder rate did in 2020, it has slowly climbed to near-record rates. Meanwhile, Gramlich said crime data from sources beyond the FBI and CDC indicate the gun murder rate is nearing record lows. Here's a link to John's piece: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/04/28/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/Special Guest: John Gramlich.

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 preventing its enforcement for now. Stories: -https://thereload.com/gun-rights-groups-warn-virginia-police-against-enforcing-enjoined-background-check-law/ -https://thereload.com/analysis-how-a-scotus-footnote-keeps-dooming-silencer-challenges-member-exclusive/

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss the slow, halting progress of the DOJ's promised gun rights restoration plan and then the guys talk football for way too long. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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 trespassing misdemeanor that shouldn't have disqualified him. It wasn't until later that he found he wasn't alone in having trouble getting a license. One Ismail began talking to other minority gun owners in New Jersey he found out many of them had issues with the system. Whether it was long delays or outright denials for improper reasons, he said it was a recurring problem. Then he talked to an activist tracking the disparity between applicants who found there was a ten-to-one denial rate for black New Jersians compared to white ones, and that was for applicants without disqualifying records. Ismail also discussed how he personally went from growing up afraid of guns in Newark to taking range trips with his brother to finally buying a Sig Sauer pistol. He talked about why he often feels uncomfortable and out of place in gun spaces as an arab muslim. But he aslo explained why he decided to buy a gun anyway, and where he thinks he'll go from here as a new gun owner.Special Guest: Aymann Ismail.

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.com/new-york-bans-digital-gun-files-aims-at-3d-printers-capable-of-using-them/ -https://thereload.com/eighth-circuit-dismisses-challenge-to-minnesota-gun-carry-reciprocity-restrictions/ -https://thereload.com/analysis-where-is-dojs-gun-rights-restoration-plan-member-exclusive/ -https://www.virginiascope.com/virginia-state-police-to-start-background-checks-on-private-gun-sales-again/

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss what role if any gun rights or gun politics might play in how people vote in this year's midterm elections. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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 Colorado and Denver's magazine and AR-15 bans to the Supreme Court's appetite for new Second Amendment cases to the future of the National Firearms Act. We also discuss the ATF rule changing record-keeping requirements for background checks.

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 enforce the state's "assault firearm" ban. Stories: -https://thereload.com/second-circuit-strikes-down-new-york-vampire-rule/ -https://thereload.com/analysis-voters-put-guns-way-down-the-totem-poll-headed-into-the-midterms-member-exclusive/ -https://thereload.com/atf-says-gender-id-rule-change-isnt-a-trans-gun-ban/ -https://thereload.com/some-virginia-prosecutors-refuse-to-enforce-new-gun-bans/ -https://www.thetrace.org/2026/05/philadelphia-black-lions-gun-permits/ -https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5810190/gun-rights-trump-rules-atf

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss the new restrictive gun laws that Virginia Governor Spanberger just signed into law and the many legal challenges that are sure to follow.Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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 to explain the bureau's thinking on the dozens of changes. He claims the ATF's goal was to streamline and, especially, modernize the gun buying process. Leider said the goal was both to remove burdens on gun owners and gun dealers, especially as a contrast to the previous administration's "zero-tolerance" approach to industry oversight. He said he looked to shrink the background check form down as small as possible while still complying with federal law. Leider also said he found ways to shrink the burden on gun businesses as well, primarily by allowing them to store records electronically and by reducing how long they need to keep them. He then responded to criticism that the time should be reduced even further than what the ATF has proposed. Additionally, Leider directly said the rule requiring anyone filling out any ATF form to use their birth gender is not a trans gun ban. He said even if the gender listed on somebody's state ID did not match what the ATF is telling them to put on the background check form, it wouldn't result in a gun sale denial. He also said the ATF plans to offer official guidance to gun stores on how to handle situations like that once the rule is finalized. Leider also defended the breadth of many of the rules. He said they were designed to survive legal scrutiny, which the larger swings the bureau took under the Biden Administration couldn't.Special Guest: Robert Leider.

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-sales-as-ar-15-ban-looms/ -https://thereload.com/nra-slashed-legal-costs-stalled-decline-despite-continued-member-dues-drop/ -https://thereload.com/ukrainians-debate-whether-they-should-liberalize-civilian-gun-ownership/ -https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/us/ak-47.html

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss some of the new rules laid out by the BATFand explain how they could actually streamline the gun buying process and fundamentally change the way people purchase firearms. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

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 changes are the most significant he's seen, and he outlined some of the rules he believes will have the greatest impact. He said that while the ATF consulted NSSF on some of the rules, the group was still reviewing the full text of the dozens of proposals. He argued it will help streamline recordkeeping and sales processing for the gun industry, as well as minimize potential paperwork violations. Keane said the change to the definition of what constitutes a willful violation will help prevent the sort of zero-tolerance policy the Biden Administration imposed. Keane also said the rollback of the pistol brace rule is promising but leaves some questions open. He said the industry doesn't think the gender ID change will prevent anyone from buying guns, but wants further clarity. Still, he said NSSF is very happy with the overall package.Special Guest: Larry Keane.

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-rollbacks/ -https://thereload.com/atf-moves-to-expand-protections-for-traveling-across-state-lines-with-guns/ -https://thereload.com/doj-sues-over-colorado-ar-15-ammo-magazine-bans/ -https://thereload.com/newsletter-atf-releases-full-text-of-regulation-reform-package/ -https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/federal-ban-on-noncitizen-gun-possession-ruled-constitutional -https://minnesotareformer.com/briefs/minnesota-senate-approves-gun-control-package-but-its-unlikely-to-pass-house/ -https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/senate-approves-bill-banning-glock-style-pistols-in-state-after-debating-overnight/3733181/

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss President trump's newly minted permanent BATF director and the recent batch of new rules released by the agency and why (this time at least) it's not bad news for gun rights folks. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

This week, the ATF dropped the largest package of new gun rules in its history. On Wednesday, the ATF got a new director and dozens of new gun rules to boot. The bureau announced 32 new rule proposals that directly implicate firearms in one way or another. Director Rob Cekada signed those rules in front of a collection of gun-rights groups--including our guest Kostas Moros's Second Amendment Foundation (SAF). But, as Moros explains, the gun groups didn't necessarily know the exact details of what was included in the package. Even now, we still don't have the full text of the rules. Still, Moros said the information the ATF has released looks promising to SAF. He acknowledged that none of the proposals are the kinds of big swings that the Biden Administration had taken, such as trying to reinterpret the Firearms Owners Protection Act to authorize nationwide concealed carry. But he argued that's a good thing because the rules that were proposed are more likely to stick--unlike the Biden rules, which struggled in court. He said gun-rights advocates who had proper expectations going into the ATF's announcement should be happy with what they're seeing. Moros walked through the rules he thought would make the biggest impact, including one that might open up gun sales that don't require face-to-face pickup. He also discussed some of the proposals SAF is keeping its eye on for the details, including one that may make it more difficult for trans or non-binary people to buy guns.Special Guest: Kostas Moros.

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about the Senate's confirmation of Robert Cekada to be the ATF's new permanent director and his early participation in the agency's announced package of 34 new rules largely related to loosening gun restrictions. We also discuss the ongoing confusion over the legal status of Virginia's universal background check regime. Stories: -https://thereload.com/trump-atf-director-signs-34-gun-rule-changes-moments-after-bipartisan-confirmation/ -https://thereload.com/virginia-state-police-say-they-take-no-position-on-background-check-law-despite-alert-to-gun-dealers/ -https://thereload.com/scotus-turns-away-weed-and-guns-case-despite-doj-request/ -https://thereload.com/newsletter-atf-gets-new-director-dozens-of-new-rules/ -https://thedispatch.com/article/epstein-potential-gun-crimes/ -https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/04/29/maryland-supreme-court-strikes-down-local-gun-control-laws-n1232368 -https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/04/28/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-us/

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and follow up on last week's discussion of Virginia's bill proposing expansive firearms restrictions and discuss the legislature rejecting some of the key changes that Governor Spanberger requested when she sent the bills back. Also Stephen and Mike talk about the DOJ's position on the reclassification of marijuana as it relates to gun ownership. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

This week, we're examining where the big push for new gun restrictions in Virginia has ended up. The legislature has finished its job. So, we have fellow-Virginian and gun commentator Cam Edwards from Bearing Arms on the show to go over where things stand. Lawmakers accepted seven of Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger's recommendations for changes to the gun bills they passed. However, she rejected two of her most significant changes, including one to the "assault firearms" ban. That means she will have to decide whether to sign or veto the original language she was sent. Cam said animosity between the governor and legislative leaders may be part of the reason the House and Senate rejected her changes. However, he said it's unlikely she vetoes either bill as a result.  He also agreed the overall package is among the most aggressive any state has passed in a decade or more. Cam argued that could drag down the governor and her party's numbers, leaving an opening for Republicans to outperform in next year's elections. But he also said there's a good chance the legislature could come back and double down on even more gun restrictions before then. Cam said the legal battle is where a lot of the short-term action in the fight over these bills is likely to happen. He noted there are real hurdles to victory for gun-rights activists, though, especially in federal court.Special Guest: Cam Edwards.

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss the Virginia legislature's rejection of Governor Abigail Spanberger's suggested amendments to increase the restrictiveness of passed "assault firearm" and magazine bans. We also discuss the Trump administration's official reclassification of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act and what it could mean for legal marijuana users who wish to own guns. Stories: -https://thereload.com/virginia-legislature-rejects-governor-spanbergers-requests-to-tighten-ammo-mag-restrictions-hospital-gun-ban/ -https://thereload.com/trump-administration-reschedules-marijuana-tells-scotus-no-impact-on-weed-and-guns-case/ -https://thereload.com/maryland-gun-dealer-to-pay-baltimore-2-million-in-ghost-gun-settlement/ -https://thereload.com/newsletter-virginia-gun-control-nears-final-form-as-legislature-rejects-governors-biggest-requested-change/

Virginia Democrats keep up the garbage as they push their unconstitutional edicts on VA resident ans the rest of the nation.

The Reload's Stephen Gutowski joins Cam as the two break down what happened in Richmond on Wednesday, with Democrats rejecting a couple of Gov. Abigail Spanberger's changes to gun control bills and approving several others.

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss the recent controversial anti-gun legislation in Virginia that Governor Spanberger sent back to the legislature with recommendations for further restrictions. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

In Episode 550 of District of Conservation, Gabriella welcomes back Stephen Gutowski - founder and publisher of The Reload. Stephen discusses the latest Virginia gun bills moving in Richmond and which bills Governor Abigail Spanberger is likely to sign into law. Tune in to learn more!SHOW NOTESFollow Stephen on XRead and subscribe to The ReloadVirginia Governor Sends ‘Assault Firearms' Ban Back to Legislature, Demands ExpansionVirginia House Bill 217 Gutowski Tweet on HB 217: Assault Firearms Ban & Update

The Reload's Stephen Gutowski joins Cam to discuss Gov. Abigail Spanberger's proposed amendments and the legislature's potential reaction to bills on "assault firearms" and "large capacity" magazines that could criminalize the carrying of handguns if they're equipped with a magazine that can hold more than 15 rounds.

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss what The Reload calls the schizophrenic nature of the DOJ's current stance on guns and the 2nd Amendment. Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss the recent dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi and what her replacement might mean for the Trump administration's gun policy moving forward. Then we discuss a recent brief filed by the North Carolina chapter of the ACLU on behalf of a criminal defendant in a prohibited possessor case.Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com

On this  installment of the Gutowski Files we sit down with investigative reporter Stephen Gutowski of thereload.com and discuss a recent ruling in Texas where a Trump-appointed judge upheld a law enacting gun free places and we delve into why the state didn't even send a representative to defend the law. Additionally, Stephen talks about his recent experience instructing journalism students on the function and proper handling of firearms.Active Self Protection exists to help good, sane, sober, moral, prudent people in all walks of life to more effectively protect themselves and their loved ones from criminal violence. On the ASP Podcast you will hear the true stories of life or death self defense encounters from the men and women that lived them. If you are interested in the Second Amendment, self defense and defensive firearms use, martial arts or the use of less lethal tools used in the real world to defend life and family, you will find this show riveting.  Join host and career federal agent Mike Willever as he talks to real life survivors and hear their stories in depth. You'll hear about these incidents and the self defenders from well before the encounter occurred on through the legal and emotional aftermath. Music: bensound.com