Broadcast live from the NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Amanda Suffecool hosts with guest author Lizz Lazarus. Lazarus, a former engineer, discusses her thriller novels that blend Second Amendment education with entertainment. Her first book, Free of Malice, explores the line between self-defense and vigilantism, inspired by her own college attack. Her second, Plea for Justice, weaves in her concealed carry permit process, following a paralegal aiding a friend in prison. Her third, Shades of Silence (2021), set in Florida, involves a restaurant owner and a detective investigating a murder, incorporating Lazarus’ shotgun training. A forthcoming fourth book addresses stalking and elder abuse. Lazarus' books, available on Amazon and at LizzLazarus.com, combine factual firearms and legal details with twist-filled plots, resonating with groups like Armed Women of America.

Suffecool then interviews Dean Weingarten, a prolific AmmoLand writer with over 5,000 articles since 2013. Weingarten, also a co-host on The Russ Clark Show (KBLU 560, Yuma), shares his research debunking claims that pistols are ineffective against bears, citing 200 documented cases showing their efficacy due to accessibility. He recounts the 1953 story of Bella Twin, a Cree woman who killed a world-record grizzly in Alberta with a .22 single-shot rifle, highlighting her precision and the bear’s proximity. Weingarten’s upcoming book will compile bear defense stories.

Rob Campbell joins to discuss the NRA show, describing his role judging historical firearm collections and the challenge of ranking them. Suffecool shares her excitement over bidding on a commemorative shotgun at the Women’s Leadership auction, noting a $25,000 bidding war. They explore new firearms like Mossberg’s 990 and a CZ 50-caliber rifle with innovative recoil control. The episode emphasizes the vibrant NRA crowd as a sign of strong industry and Second Amendment support, promoting groups like the Realize Firearms Awareness Coalition.

Broadcast live from the NRA Annual Meeting, Amanda Suffecool hosts with guest Mike Ochsner, author of Red Dot Mastery, while Rob is judging collections. The episode focuses on firearms training and Second Amendment advocacy. Ochsner discusses his book, which outlines a method to transition from iron sights to red dot optics efficiently, emphasizing four key principles: mounting the dot low, maintaining a consistent grip, stabilizing eye dominance, and correcting natural pointing inaccuracies. He shares how he competed successfully with a red dot the day after installation, relying on these techniques.

The conversation explores the importance of diverse training, with Ochsner advocating for learning from multiple instructors and even other industries to enhance skills. He recounts a humbling experience in a basic carbine class that reshaped his perspective. Suffecool shares her own story of inadvertently joining a master-level USPSA class in New Mexico, learning to move and shoot despite being out of her depth.

Ochsner also addresses coaching struggling shooters, particularly for FBI qualification, tackling issues like gun fit and flinching. He introduces a drill to calm the amygdala, reducing flinch by tracking a finger side-to-side, and discusses eye dominance challenges in shotgun shooting, offering a practical pointing correction exercise. The episode highlights responsible gun ownership, promoting groups like the Realize Firearms Awareness Coalition, and mentions the Women’s Leadership auction, where Suffecool bids on a shotgun.

Amanda delves into criminal justice and Second Amendment issues, starting with a case in Indianapolis where a 19-year-old was arrested twice in 48 hours for possessing a machine gun and threatening others. The discussion critiques the judicial system’s leniency, noting the suspect’s quick release due to initial lack of evidence, highlighting a disconnect in holding criminals accountable. This segues into a contrast with the McCloskey case in St. Louis, where homeowners faced prosecution for defending their property against a mob, yet are still denied their firearms despite a gubernatorial pardon. The hosts argue this reflects inconsistent application of justice, penalizing law-abiding citizens while criminals face lighter consequences.

The conversation shifts to concealed carry advancements, with Amanda predicting national reciprocity as the next major milestone. California’s recent mandate to allow nonresidents to apply for concealed carry permits is cited as progress, though stringent requirements may persist. Challenges with local authorities’ misinterpretations of laws, as experienced in Ohio, underscore the need for clear, standardized regulations. The episode also explores restoring gun rights for nonviolent felons, noting Attorney General Pam Bondi’s move to reclaim this authority from the ATF, potentially streamlining the process.

A news story from Atlanta illustrates the value of responsible concealed carry, where permit holders stopped an active shooter at a fraternity event, saving lives. Suffecool critiques the use of weapon-mounted flashlights, arguing they compromise concealment and safety, advocating for selective adoption of training techniques that align with practical needs.

Amanda discusses significant developments in Second Amendment advocacy, focusing on the potential relaxation of regulations surrounding suppressors and short-barreled firearms. Recent legislative efforts, notably influenced by the NRA's involvement, have pushed for including these items in a House bill, though met with resistance. The conversation highlights the strategic importance of the NRA's direct engagement in negotiations, contrasting with other groups' less effective lobbying. This shift could expand the firearms industry, benefiting enthusiasts seeking items like suppressors for muzzleloaders or short-barreled rifles.

A key legal victory in the Fifth Circuit Court is examined, declaring restrictions on handgun sales to 18 to 20 year-olds unconstitutional in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. This ruling, unchallenged by the Department of Justice, signals a Second Amendment-friendly stance under the current administration, potentially setting a precedent for further challenges. Suffecool notes the broader implications, emphasizing the need for consistent national laws to avoid fragmented state regulations.

The episode also addresses Ohio’s consideration of a Second Amendment Preservation Act, modeled after Missouri’s, which aims to limit state assistance to federal law enforcement in firearms cases. Concerns arise about its constitutionality and timing, with Amanda suggesting revisions to strengthen its legal standing. Criticism is leveled at some advocacy groups that prioritize fundraising over effective legislation, underscoring the importance of strategic, collaborative efforts.

Throughout, the discussion emphasizes responsible gun ownership and education, spotlighting organizations like the Realize Firearms Awareness Coalition and the DC Project, which promote constitutional awareness and firearms training, particularly for women. The episode underscores the evolving landscape of gun rights, driven by legal victories and persistent advocacy.

Rob and Amanda dive into their recent GunCon experience in Cleveland.
The two-day event, held at a range and downtown, drew a lively crowd. Vendors showcased new products like the High Point AR with a lifetime warranty. Panels featured Second Amendment heavyweights like Adam Kraut and Eric Pratt.

Conversations with attendees, including NRA board candidates, offered rare access.
Ashley Hlebinsky from the Cody Firearms Museum added historical flair. The event’s organization, with meal tickets and food trucks, impressed the hosts. Amanda urges listeners to attend future GunCons for networking and insights.

Rob reflects on his NRA Gun Collectors Committee role. Judging collections involves assessing historical significance over aesthetics. Rare items, like a smashed Smith & Wesson or a Colt Python prototype, stand out. Collectors value unique pieces, such as Lewis and Clark’s knife, for their stories.

A debate rages over whether illegal immigrants have Second Amendment rights. The Fifth Circuit denies these rights, while the Seventh Circuit supports legal non-citizens. Heller’s focus on “citizens” fuels the argument, with a potential Supreme Court clash looming.

Range practice closes the hour. Rob shares his success with a replica 1860 Army black powder pistol. An AmmoLand article inspires discussion on beginner drills. Proper holster draw techniques and Kydex holsters’ speed advantages spark enthusiasm.

Fresh from Washington, D.C., Amanda recounts her multi-day advocacy trip, lobbying senators on the National Firearms Act and the “Big Beautiful Bill. This bill seeks to remove suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and shotguns from NFA restrictions.

Despite Senate pushback via the Byrd Rule, a compromise keeps paperwork but may eliminate the $200 tax stamp.

At GunCon, a Second Amendment panel with groups like the NRA views this as progress worth accepting. Advocates plan to push for more gains later. Amanda describes a powerful moment with Women for Gun Rights. Her group, representing all 50 states, met a White House aide to discuss Second Amendment policy.

A church attack in Wayne, Michigan, grabs attention. Armed parishioners stopped a gunman, highlighting the need to protect soft targets like churches.

Restoring gun rights for nonviolent felons sparks debate. Trump’s review opened a comment period, with 16 Democratic attorneys general supporting restoration, while senators like Patty Murray oppose it, despite their states’ backing.

The Fourth Circuit’s ban on handgun sales to those under 21, upheld despite Bruen, sets the stage for a Supreme Court showdown. Second Amendment Foundation champions this issue, eyeing a future ruling. History resonates as Amanda reflects on D.C.’s worn marble staircases. These enduring structures symbolize the weight of decisions shaping the nation’s future.

Hosts Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell welcome Phil Schreier, curator of the National Firearms Museum, to Eye on the Target Radio for an engaging exploration of firearms culture.

Suffecool kicks off discussing A Girl & A Gun’s national conference, where 750-800 women undergo gear checks, revealing top pistol choices like the Walther PDP (100 attendees) and SIG Sauer 365 (91). Data shows a surge in Walther’s popularity since 2022, with 55% using pistol-mounted optics, led by Holosun. Holsters favor Comp-Tac (16%), while 89% retain stock triggers. Shotguns, like Beretta (22%) and Mossberg (19%), shine in clay shooting classes.

Schreier, marking 36 years with the NRA, shares the museum’s 90-year history across Fairfax, Virginia, Whittington, and Springfield, Missouri. Housed in the NRA’s iconic Fairfax headquarters since 1998, the museum’s immersive galleries evoke eras from colonial Williamsburg to 1950s childhood bedrooms, featuring Hopalong Cassidy linoleum and Scarlett O’Hara’s green curtains.

Schreier recounts his journey from an eighth-grade visitor to curator, emphasizing the museum’s role in preserving firearms heritage. The discussion celebrates women’s growing influence in shooting sports and the museum’s appeal to Second Amendment enthusiasts. Visit NRAMuseum.org to explore this historic collection.

Join hosts Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell on Eye on the Target Radio as they explore critical Second Amendment issues with guest John Comerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director. Suffecool shares her plans to join Women for Gun Rights in Washington, D.C., where 50 women from states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa, and Ohio will advocate for pro-gun legislation. She reflects on past challenges, including a tense encounter with Senator Dick Durbin, who attributed Chicago’s gun violence to lax laws in neighboring states.

The discussion highlights Iowa Senator Joni Ernst’s Firearms Act, designed to prevent the ATF from targeting gun dealers over minor paperwork errors. Named Fighting Irrational Regulatory Enforcement to Avert Retailers’ Misfortune, the bill was announced at a woman-owned gun shop in Davenport, Iowa, featuring 15 shooting lanes and a training simulator. Comerford details a major congressional bill aiming to remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act, navigating the Senate’s Byrd rule and slim majorities. He urges listeners to contact senators and stay informed via NRA-ILA alerts at nraila.org.

Rob and Amanda also cover legal battles, including the NRA’s challenge to California’s magazine bans and the Firearms Policy Coalition’s case against machine gun restrictions, referencing the Bruen decision. Tune in for a compelling look at Second Amendment advocacy and grassroots efforts.