The Weekly Reload Podcast

Hegseth Pushes On Base Gun Carry; USPS Moves to Allow Handguns in the Mail

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I break down the details of a new Pete Hegseth memo that seeks to expand how many off-duty military members can carry personal firearms for self-defense on military installations. We also cover a new US Postal Service proposed rule that would allow legal gun owners to ship handguns in the mail. Stories: -https://thereload.com/hegseth-moves-to-make-it-easier-to-carry-guns-on-military-bases/ -https://thereload.com/usps-moves-to-allow-mailing-of-handguns/ -https://thereload.com/trump-doj-doubles-down-on-claim-it-can-ban-all-knives-member-exclusive/ -https://thereload.com/canadian-ar-15-mandatory-buyback-program-concludes-without-a-bang/ -https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/03/31/did-the-case-against-charlie-kirks-alleged-killer-just-fall-apart-n1232065 -https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/27/colorado-3d-gun-bill-amended-jared-polis-veto/

Inside The Second Amendment Foundation's Fight Against Red Flag Laws

This week, we're taking a close look at the latest in the legal battle over "red flag" laws. To help understand the ins and outs of why gun-rights activists object to the temporary gun seizure orders, we have the director of legal operations for the group challenging Maryland's version of the law. The Second Amendment Foundation's Bill Sack joins the show to discuss the latest ruling in the case, which actually went against the group. Sack said their Maryland case centered around a dispute between a county zoning official and a resident that saw the man's guns taken from him over what he said were false claims of a threat. Sack said the incident is an example of the flaws in Maryland's system that allow for abuse of a fundamental right. He also said the case shows the difficulty of making a Second Amendment case against red flag laws in the wake of the Supreme Court's US v. Rahimi decision. Instead, Sack said the group is relying more heavily on Fourth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment claims against the lower evidentiary standards the laws use. He said the judge's point about similar procedures utilized in other contexts being blessed by the Supreme Court and others wasn't persuasive, and should be reversed--even in circumstances that don't involve firearm seizures. Sack said the Second Amendment Foundation hasn't yet decided what to do in the Maryland case, but they plan to keep fighting red flag policies that don't meet their constitutional standards.Special Guest: Bill Sack.

Federal Judge Upholds Post Office Gun Ban; Another Tosses Maryland 'Red Flag' Challenge

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about a new federal court ruling out of Connecticut where a judge upheld the ban on bringing guns into a post office, splitting with recent rulings on the same law out of Texas and Florida in the process. We also discuss my upcoming range day with the National Journalism Center internship program and the dismissal of a federal lawsuit challenging Maryland's red flag law. Stories: -https://thereload.com/federal-judge-upholds-post-office-gun-ban-creating-circuit-split/ -https://thereload.com/federal-judge-upholds-maryland-red-flag-law/ -https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/court-upholds-federal-gun-ban-for-misdemeanor-domestic-violence -https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/03/25/federal-judge-upholds-multiple-gun-free-zones-in-texas-n1231991

Gun Politics in the Era of Guntuber Candidates (Ft. the New York Times' Charles Homans)

This week, we're talking with a New York Times reporter about his latest story that examines guntuber Brandon Herrera's run for Congress. Charles Homans has been at The Times since 2014. Unlike his co-author Thomas Gibbons-Neff, who was on our podcast last year, Homans doesn't focus on gun stories. Nor does he cover all 435 congressional races in each cycle. So, he explained why Herrera's campaign in the 23rd Texas district deserves national attention. Homans said he thinks what Herrera, aka The AK Guy, is doing is emblematic of a new phase of American gun culture. He agreed that guntubers have built an audience, then a business, and are now seeking to translate all of that into political power. We discussed some parallels between Herrera's campaign and the Illinois primary campaign of Kat Abughazaleh, a prominent left-wing online activist. Both Herrera and Abughazaleh performed better than you might expect given their lack of political experience, but didn't blow their opponents out of the water as the online enthusiasm for them might suggest. Homans said the internet isn't real life, but it's also not not real life. Then we talked about some of the controversies Herrera's long history making online content has generated, and how that's a potential drawback in a congressional campaign. Homans also responded to some of the criticism his piece on Herrera has drawn from people like Cam Edwards of Bearing Arms. He acknowledged the skepticism that many gun-rights advocates have toward The Times, but said he works to be honest and straightforward in his reporting.Special Guest: Charles Homans.

New York Drops Social Media Screen from Carry Permit Application; Canada's AR-15 Confiscation Continues to Flounder

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about a new settlement agreement this week that saw New York agree to stop requiring gun carry permit applicants to disclose all of their social media accounts to the state. We also provide an update on Canada's attempt to confiscate hundreds of thousands of recently banned firearms, an effort that to this point has seen a lot of government spending with little to show for it. Stories covered: -https://thereload.com/new-york-agrees-to-stop-requiring-social-media-disclosures-for-gun-permits/ -https://thereload.com/canadian-mandatory-buyback-nets-few-turn-ins-despite-spending-tens-of-thousands-per-firearm/ -https://thereload.com/analysis-people-transporting-guns-have-long-enjoyed-broad-protection-under-the-law/ -https://www.courthousenews.com/eighth-circuit-presses-challenge-to-minnesota-gun-permit-law/ -https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/us/politics/brandon-hererra-guns-youtube.html?unlocked_article_code=1.TVA.zoAS.4JAqMFpS9nIL&smid=url-share https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/californias-unconstitutional-kids-gun-ad-law-is-fully-blocked