The Weekly Reload Podcast Stephen Gutowski

This week, we're discussing the new restrictions YouTube has put on gun content.


That's why we've got the head of one of the largest gun channels on the platform. John Correia runs Active Self Protection, which has generated over 1.8 billion views on videos analyzing real-world self-defense encounters. He's also spent nearly a decade dealing with YouTube's varied and often vague moderation guidelines.


The new rules primarily target creates who build their own firearms or use automatic fire in video. But they also affect anyone who uses "high capacity" magazines in their videos, without explaining what meets that standard.


Correia said he's not sure how much of an impact the new rules will have on his channel, which already sees its content age-gated on a regular basis. But he argued they would probably have a significant effect on some of the largest gun channels on the platform. He also argued YouTube has a right to police its website as it pleases, but the company bowing to pressure from gun-control groups and politicians made the move more concerning.


He explains how Active Self Protection deals with the constant problem of social media moderation, given its incredible impact on the business. Correia said the company has spent more time and effort building out its own operations to supplement the revenue it brings in from YouTube. He argued that was the only practical way forward for many creators who focus on topics social media companies tend to be squeamish about.
Special Guest: John Correia.

This week, we saw the first felony conviction of a former president.


Obviously, the verdict will have all sorts of complications and consequences for Donald Trump. One of them is the fact he'll now be a prohibited person. He won't be allowed to buy or even possess guns.


To discuss the details of what that will look like, we have federal litigator and legal commentator Gabriel Malor on the show. He walks through how Trump's New York convictions trigger the federal felon-in-possession ban and the same ban in his home state of Florida. He also talks about how Trump can legally transfer his guns to friends or family, but also can't be in a position where he even just has access to them.


That might cause issues with his armed Secret Service detail, but Malor said that's unlikely.


He also gave an overview of how Trump might get his gun rights back. The most likely course is to win on appeal, but he could also try to have his record expunged after serving his sentence. Or, one of the Second Amendment challenges brought by a similarly situated non-violent felon could undo the federal ban altogether.
Special Guest: Gabriel Malor.

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss Donald Trump’s 34 felony convictions and what they mean for his position as the gun rights candidate in the 2024 Presidential election race. We also talk about the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in favor of the NRA’s free speech claims against New York officials. Plus, we cover the narrow loss of a prominent guntuber who tried to unseat an incumbent Republican over a gun control vote in a Texas congressional primary.

This week, we're talking to one of the men who led the effort to reform the NRA from within.


Phillip Journey has been an outspoken critic of the corruption that unfolded at the gun group during Wayne LaPierre's tenure, and he's been trying to fix the problems from within for nearly half a decade now. That work appears to be coming to fruition now. He and other reformers propelled alternative candidates to three of the NRA's top four leadership positions last Monday, including LaPierre's old position.


Journey expressed optimism about the outcome of the leadership elections. He believes the NRA has a real chance to turn itself around and avoid a government-appointed monitor in the second half of its New York corruption trial. Although, he also admitted he doesn't have direct say over how exactly the group will move forward in a number of areas.


He also cautioned that the NRA doesn't have a ton of time to work with. The group's financials are worsening, and those woes even forced it to sell off $44 million in assets at the beginning of the year. Journey urged people to help the organization through the downturn so reformers could have a chance to enact their planned changes.
Special Guest: Phillip Journey.

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss my time in Dallas covering the 2024 NRA Annual Meeting, where reformers had major success in getting their preferred candidates into top leadership positions. We also discuss what the leadership turnover says about the group's ability to reform itself moving forward, especially in light of its latest financial reports showing continued budget and fundraising woes. Plus, we cover the Supreme Court's decision not to take up a case on Maryland's assault weapon ban and why there's a good shot a conservative justice will issue the majority opinion on bump stocks.

This week, we have one of the most successful Second Amendment litigators on the show to talk about the surprising outcome of his latest case.


Hawaii legalized the possession and open carry of most bladed weapons a few days ago. That came as a bit of a shock to Second Amendment activists in the state, including our guest Alan Beck. While he had already won a ruling against the state's butterfly knife ban and he expected lawmakers might try to undercut that case, nobody really expected a blanket reversal on how Hawaii treats bladed weapons.


Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean his case is over. Beck argued it's not really possible to open carry butterfly knives. So, that leaves a potential path forward in the suit that Beck plans to pursue.


Still, Beck said the repeal of the bladed weapons bans represents real progress. He's more optimistic than ever that Hawaiians will eventually have gun laws that are closer to the rest of the nation. However, he said it would take a lot more effort to get there.
Special Guest: Alan Beck.