Best SCOTUSblog Podcasts (2025)

1
SCOTUSblog's Zach Shemtob on the Court's New Gun Decisions 47:36

Play Pause

9d ago47:36

47:36

This week, the Supreme Court cleared its slate of gun cases. It made three substantial moves along the way. First, it finally revealed what it would do with long-languishing cases against Rhode Island's magazine ban and Maryland's AR-15 ban. Then, it decided, unanimously, whether Mexico could sue Smith and Wesson over cartel violence. To break it a…

1
Inside the Senate Silencer Deregulation Fight (ft. American Suppressor Association's Knox Williams) 43:43

1d ago43:43

43:43

This week, we're taking a deep dive into the fight over using reconciliation to delist silencers from the National Firearms Act (NFA). The House included a provision to eliminate the tax on firearm silencers/suppressors and one to completely remove them from the NFA's purview. But that wasn't without controversy, and the Senate is now taking up the…

1
Appeals Courts Uphold Gun Ban for Nonviolent Felons; ATF Explains Masked Agents 44:05

5d ago44:05

44:05

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about new rulings out of the Fifth Circuit upholding a lifetime gun ban for someone who committed a traffic crime and the Second Circuit against a white collar criminal. We also provide new reporting on the ATF's recent use of masked agents to conduct operations. Finally, we update everyone on a new conc…

1
Citigroup Reverses Gun Restrictions; DOJ Tells PA to Issue Non-Resident Gun Permits 48:59

11d ago48:59

48:59

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss the big news out of the Supreme Court this week before breaking down Citigroup's walk back of its post-Parkland gun business restrictions. We also talk about the Department of Justice's ongoing efforts to defend gun carry among the states, this time targeting Pennsylvania sheriffs who refuse to issue …

1
GOA's Sam Paredes on the ATF Changing Course of Background Check Bypass Permits 39:20

16d ago39:20

39:20

This week, we're talking about an under-discussed part of federal gun law and a significant recent update to it. While most gun owners know you need to pass a background check to buy a gun from a licensed dealer. And most also know you need to pass one to get a concealed carry license. But many don't know their concealed carry license can be used t…

1
The Tenth Circuit Oks Second Kind of Domestic Violence Restraining Order Gun Ban; ATF Announces Several Reforms 59:42

18d ago59:42

59:42

The Tenth Circuit rules on the other kind of domestic violence restraining order that triggers a gun ban. However, it comes to the same conclusion that the Supreme Court did in US v. Rahimi: the ban doesn't violate the Second Amendment. The ATF also announced two significant moves, one replacing their "zero tolerance" dealer inspection policy and a…

1
Mass Shootings Have Fallen Dramatically (ft. Criminologist James Alan Fox) 46:37

23d ago46:37

46:37

This week, we're talking about good news once again. On our last episode, we spoke with crime data analyst Jeff Asher about what it looks like murder might hit an all-time low this year. Now, we're talking with criminologist James Alan Fox about how we've yet to see a public mass shooting this year. Fox, a Northeastern University professor who's st…

1
House Republicans Pass Silencer Deregulation; SCOTUS Rejects Pending Gun Cases 52:01

25d ago52:01

52:01

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss the ins and outs of the silencer deregulation provisions included in the budget package just passed by the US House. We explain what they would mean for gun owners and what political hurdles still remain before they can become law. We also cover the Supreme Court's latest case decisions, including its…

1
Will Murder Hit Record Lows in 2025? (Ft. Crime Analyst Jeff Asher) 48:37

30d ago48:37

48:37

This week, we're talking about some good news. Some very good news, actually. The murder rate, which has been on the decline for a couple of years now, is on pace to hit a record low. That's what the early data collected by Jeff Asher's AH Datalytics indicates. Asher joins the show to break down the numbers he's seeing so far. He said the murder ra…

1
The Republican Silencer Tax Fight; ⁨Emily Stanley On Becoming a Gun Meme 56:49

1M ago56:49

56:49

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I unpack the latest in the growing political fight between gun-rights groups and the House GOP over how much National Firearms Act reform can be included in the President's "big beautiful bill" through budget reconciliation. We also cover recent rulings out of the federal courts, including an en banc Ninth Circ…

1
What Ammo Market Data Says About Tariff Impacts So Far (ft. Black Basin Outdoors) 52:02

1M ago52:02

52:02

This week, we're starting to see the effects of President Trump's tariffs on the ammo market. To discuss the real-world pricing data we have Nathaniel Boos of Black Basin Outdoors on the show. Black Basin is an online ammo dealer, but it also publishes the most comprehensive pricing data on the internet. From that data Boos said we can already seen…

1
Gun-Rights Groups Lead in Lobbying; Gun Sales Continue to Slump 55:01

1M ago55:01

55:01

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I unpack federal lobbying data from the first quarter of 2025, which show that gun-rights groups have been far outspending gun-control advocates on the Hill. We also cover new monthly gun sales data showing a continued slump for the industry. Finally, we discuss a new gun industry liability shield signed into l…

1
Have the NRA's Finances Turned a Corner? (ft. OSU Accounting Professor Brian Mittendorf) 50:15

1M ago50:15

50:15

This week, we're taking a deep dive into the National Rifle Association's latest financial report. That's why we have non-profit expert and Ohio State University accounting professor Brian Mittendorf back on the show. The NRA just had its annual meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, which I was able to attend and pick up copies of the group's latest annual …

1
DOJ Weighs in on 2A at SCOTUS; NRA Reformers Cement Control 54:13

2M ago54:13

54:13

Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss a series of legal filings from the Department of Justice urging the Supreme Court not to hear a case on the federal gun ban for non-violent felons. We also look at a brief it filed on the other side of a gun rights issue, urging the Court to overturn a ruling upholding Hawaii's "sensitive places" rest…

1
Venture Capital for Gun Companies? (ft. Open Source Defense) 45:33

2M ago45:33

45:33

This week, we're taking a look at a new approach to gun business investing. Kareem Shaya and Chuck R. from Open Source Defense have launched a new venture capital firm focused on the gun industry. They joined the show to explain why they decided to take the traditionally tech-focused approach and apply it to self-defense companies. The pair, who've…

1
SCOTUS Clears Path for Under-21 Gun Carry in Minnesota; Fox Poll Has Trump Underwater on Guns 37:00

2M ago37:00

37:00

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about the Supreme Court's decision to reject Minnesota's appeal of an Eighth Circuit decision striking down its age limit for carry permits, effectively clearing the way for young adults to carry guns in the state. We also talk about a new bill signed into law in Iowa this week that accomplishes the same…

1
The NRA After Its Latest Board Election and Trump's Snub (ft. John Petrolino) 44:29

2M ago44:29

44:29

This week, we're taking a close look at the state of the NRA. The nation's largest gun-rights group is not nearly as large as it was half a decade ago. President Donald Trump just bailed on its conference. However, its civil corruption suit is now over, and its latest board election is in the books. To give us a detailed view of where the NRA is at…

1
Trump Rejects Gun Control After FSU Shooting, Skips NRA Annual Meeting 39:18

2M ago39:18

39:18

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover the latest updates in the shooting at Florida State University, including the early response from President Donald Trump. We also talk about Trump's decision to skip the NRA's annual meeting for the first time since 2015 and what it says about the group's current influence. Finally, we discuss a new fed…

1
Tariffs and the Gun Industry (ft. National Shooting Sports Foundation's Larry Keane) 49:34

2M ago49:34

49:34

This week, we're taking a close look at the state of the gun industry and the potential impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs. That's why I'm interviewing the head of the gun industry's trade group. National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) general counsel Larry Keane is back on the show to detail where the industry is at today and where it's…

1
Colorado Governor Signs Semi-Auto Restrictions; ATF Announces Leadership Change 48:30

2M ago48:30

48:30

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss Colorado Governor Jared Polis signing the most sweeping and restrictive gun bill in the state's history into law and what that says about gun politics in the Democratic Party. We also talk about major new developments at the ATF, both in terms of potential gun policy changes, as well as the announced …

1
Could Americans Under 21 Buy Guns at the Founding? (Ft. Gun Lawyer Alan Beck) 50:53

2M ago50:53

50:53

This week, we're doing a deep dive into the history surrounding Americans under 21 buying guns. That's why we've got gun-rights lawyer Alan Beck on the show. He's currently representing a client who is fighting Hawaii's age restrictions. In the wake of the Eleventh Circuit upholding Florida's gun sales ban for those under 21 by pointing to how cont…

1
Trump Tariffs Pose Risk to Gun Industry; InRangeTV's Karl Talks Trick Shots 54:27

2M ago54:27

54:27

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss the potential fallout from President Trump's sweeping tariff announcement on the gun and ammunition market. We talk about why the potential cost increases come at a precarious time for an industry already facing some headwinds, including another month of declining gun sales based on newly released fig…

1
Firearms Policy Scholar David Kopel on Fallout from the SCOTUS 'Ghost Gun' Ruling 1:06:33

3M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

This week, we're taking a close look at the Supreme Court's ruling in Bondi v. VanDerStok. To do that, we have the Independence Institute's David Kopel on the show. Kopel has written extensively on gun policy and been cited repeatedly at the Supreme Court. So, there are few people better qualified to dissect what the VanDerStok ruling means. Kopel …

1
SCOTUS Upholds ‘Ghost Gun’ Rule; March for Our Lives Lays Off Staff 49:25

3M ago49:25

49:25

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about the Supreme Court's 7-2 decision to uphold the ATF's ability to treat unfinished firearms parts kits as completed guns and what that means moving forward. We also talk about the new financial troubles hitting the gun-control group March for Our Lives. Finally, we cover an outlier federal ruling on …

1
Bearing Arms' Cam Edwards on Trump's Latest Gun Moves 43:28

3M ago43:28

43:28

This week, we're looking at a few actions the Trump Administration just took on gun policy. To wade through those moves and navigate where the signs point, we've got Cam Edwards of Bearing Arms back on the show. We look at different stories from Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fi…

1
Federal Appeals Courts Uphold California Mag Ban, Florida Under-21 Gun Ban 59:43

3M ago59:43

59:43

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I recap the en banc Ninth Circuit's newest decision upholding California's ban on magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds and its much-discussed video dissent from Judge Lawrence VanDyke. We also talk about a separate Ninth Circuit panel's ruling striking down Hawaii's unique restrictions on handgun s…

1
New York Times Gun Culture Reporter Thomas Gibbons-Neff On His New Beat 44:37

3M ago44:37

44:37

We've been highlighting the fact that The New York Times, the largest paper in the country, has finally hired a gun-beat reporter. So, this week, we invited him on the show to talk about his approach and goals. Reporter Thomas Gibbons-Neff has started consistently doing gun stories for The Grey Lady, as The Times has long been known. It's not his f…

1
7th Circuit Upholds SBR Ban; Senator Crapo on Silencer Deregulation 1:00:52

3M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about a ruling out of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals that found short-barreled rifles aren't "arms" as considered by the Second Amendment. We also talk about a pair of state court rulings, one out of Oregon upholding the state's purchase permit requirements and magazine ban, and another out Massach…

1
Unpacking Smith & Wesson v. Mexico's Oral Arguments (ft. Professor Dru Stevenson) 1:04:21

3M ago1:04:21

1:04:21

This week, we've got a longer episode than usual. That's because we're doing a deep dive into oral arguments for the Supreme Court's latest gun case, Smith & Wesson v. Mexico. Most observers, including me, thought Mexico faired poorly in its attempt to move forward with liability claims against American gunmakers over cartel violence south of the b…

1
Firearms Sales Falter in February; Trump Skips Guns in Congressional Speech 48:18

3M ago48:18

48:18

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I break down the latest national gun sales data for February and discuss why they suggest trouble ahead for the gun industry. We also talk about Trump's latest omission of his gun policy priorities in a major public address, this time in his first joint address to Congress. Finally, we briefly recap this week's…

1
Reason Magazine's J.D. Tuccille on Kash Patel Leading the ATF and FBI 44:49

4M ago44:49

44:49

This week, we're looking at the first-of-its-kind move to make the FBI Director the Acting Director of the ATF. To do that, we've got Reason Magazine's J.D. Tuccille back on the show. He recently wrote about what Kash Patel's appointment might mean for the gun agency. He argued it could send a signal the administration plans to merge the two law en…

1
SCOTUS Ducks Felony Gun Rights Case; Daniel Defense Weighs in on NRA Reform 49:12

4M ago49:12

49:12

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover the Supreme Court's latest remand of a case concerning whether convicted felons have any Second Amendment rights. We also discuss major gun manufacturer Daniel Defense's decision to wade into the ongoing efforts to reform the NRA through board elections. We then briefly touch on the Trump administration…

1
Duke's Andrew Willinger on How Trump May Change DOJ's Gun Litigation Approach 42:03

4M ago42:03

42:03

This week, we're taking a closer look at how the Trump DOJ might change its approach to gun litigation. We've got Andrew Willinger of Duke University's Firearms Law Center on the show to give us a different perspective from the one we got last week. He argued the administration is likely to move to reverse a lot of the Biden-era ATF rules currently…

1
Trump Freezes New Gun Exports; Maine Waiting Period Blocked 51:59

4M ago51:59

51:59

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover the Trump administration's current freeze on processing new export licenses and how it is hitting the firearms industry particularly hard. We also talk about a federal judge issuing a preliminary injunction against Maine's 72-hour waiting period for gun sales, an Arizona state judge tossing a local gun …

1
What Will Trump's Executive Order on Guns Deliver? (Ft. David Kopel) 53:25

4M ago53:25

53:25

President Donald Trump issued an executive order that reviews federal gun policy with the aim of implementing some changes. However, it's unclear exactly what changes might come from the order. So, we've got Second Amendment scholar David Kopel on the show to try and give some clarity to what's possible. Kopel walks through each section of the orde…

1
10th Circuit Upholds Nonviolent Felon Gun Ban; Trump-appointee Upholds Under-21 Ban 45:30

4M ago45:30

45:30

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss a ruling out of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals where a panel once again decided that a single mother who wrote a bad check 17 years ago can be disarmed for life. We also discuss a Trump-appointed judge out of Hawaii who ruled that the Aloha state can continue to deny adults under the age of 21 acc…

1
Gun Industry Trends at SHOT Show 2025 (Ft. The Humble Marksman) 59:22

4M ago59:22

59:22

The gun industry just finished up its trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Even though I was in the Philippines with my fiance during the show this year, I wanted to make sure we all stayed updated on the big storylines of SHOT Show 2025. So, I invited one of the best gun reviewers out there to come on the show and give us his view from the floor. Davi…

1
David Hogg Elected DNC Vice Chair; Bondi Tells ATF to Focus on Guns 1:00:21

4M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss David Hogg's election for a Democratic Party leadership position and what it says about the party's approach to gun politics. We also talk about Trump's attorney general nominee Pam Bondi getting confirmed despite concerns raised by gun rights groups and unpack one of her first actions with regard to …

1
InRangeTV's Karl Kasarda on the Fight Over the Second Amendment for Everyone 48:06

4M ago48:06

48:06

This week, we've got one of the most prominent and longest-running Guntubers on the show. InRangeTV's Karl Kasarda joins the podcast to discuss his view of the Second Amendment and the backlash his advocacy has generates from other sections of the gun owning community. He argues gun rights belong to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, …

1
ATF Still Enforcing Zero Tolerance Policy; Court Strikes Federal Under-21 Handgun Ban 45:44

5M ago45:44

45:44

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I discuss new claims from the gun industry about the ATF continuing to enforce its controversial "zero tolerance" policy despite Trump's promises to reverse it. We talk about Trump's lack of gun policy action so far and why some gun-rights groups are starting to speak out. We also cover a significant new ruling…

1
The Dispatch's Kevin Williamson on Trump's First Week, ATF Reform 1:05:54

5M ago1:05:54

1:05:54

We are about one week into President Donald Trump's new term. So, we've got Kevin Williamson from The Dispatch back on the show to go over what happened. Or, perhaps more accurately, what didn't happen. Williamson said Trump's first week was relatively light on gun action, especially compared to other issues. He said that may not tell us where Trum…

1
Guns Largely Absent from Trump's First Week; Familiar Face Back Atop ATF 49:47

5M ago49:47

49:47

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I recap the Trump administration's first week back in power, including how gun policy was left out of his flurry of new executive actions. We also cover his pardoning of the January 6 rioters, many of whom will once again have access to firearms despite being convicted of violent offenses. Finally, we break dow…

1
The GOP's 2025 Gun Plans (Ft. Rep. Richard Hudson) 37:02

5M ago37:02

37:02

This week, we're looking ahead at what Republicans want to do on gun policy headed into their new trifecta. To do that, we have the man who has been at the center of their legislative efforts for years now. Representative Richard Hudson from North Carolina's Ninth District joins the show. He has sponsored most of the top-priority gun bills in recen…

1
Bondi Hearing a Bad Sign for Gun-Rights Movement; SCOTUS Rejects 2A Cases 44:55

5M ago44:55

44:55

Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I recap the first confirmation hearing for Donald Trump's Attorney General nominee, Pam Bondi. We talk about why it could spell trouble for the political influence of gun-rights advocates. We also cover the Supreme Court's latest rejection of multiple Second Amendment appeals and where things stand with a close…

1
NRA's Rocky Marshall on the Opportunity for a Fresh Start 42:12

5M ago42:12

42:12

The National Rifle Association appears to be at the end of a six-year ordeal. Last month, the final order in its New York civil corruption case was handed down, and the outside law firm responsible for handling it has left. To talk about the latest developments, we have NRA board member Rocky Marshall on the show this week. He joined us from the gr…

1
Gun Sales Slumped in 2024; 5th Circuit Reaffirms Weed Smoker's Gun Rights 50:47

5M ago50:47

50:47

Contributing writer Jake Fogleman and I cover what the latest NICS data show about how much gun sales dropped in 2024. We also discuss another federal appeals court delivering an unchanged verdict on a case remanded by the Supreme Court, this time dealing with the gun rights of a non-violent marijuana user. Plus, we cover House Republicans re-intro…

1
The Charity Hoping to Talk Down Mass Shooters 44:16

5M ago44:16

44:16

This week, we're talking to the director of a promising new program designed to prevent acts of mass violence. Jordan Estrada is the founder and director of Let's Talk to Them. His group takes the latest research on mass shooters, much of which we've talked about on the show before, and tries to put its lessons into practice. The innovative project…

1
FBI Active Shooter Research Pioneer on Potential UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer Copycats 48:18

6M ago48:18

48:18

This week, a Wisconsin school shooting provided a potential warning about what might come from the murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's not because the two shootings are directly connected but rather because the Wisconsin attack was influenced by the Columbine attack. And the CEO killing has many of the same hallmarks that could lead to it infl…

1
Appeals Court Upholds Non-Violent Felon's Gun Ban; Trump Pollster Claims Strong 2A Support 45:46

6M ago45:46

45:46

Contributing Writer Jake Fogleman and I talk about a new ruling out of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the lifetime felony gun ban against a defendant based on his history of violent misdemeanor convictions. We also cover new survey data from Donald Trump's top pollster indicating strong support for pro-gun judges and policies. We di…

1
The Fallout of the CEO Killer's 3D-Printed Gun (Ft. Maker's Match Founder Rob Pincus) 44:05

6M ago44:05

44:05

This week, we're discussing one of the highest-profile assassinations we've seen in a long time. One where the killer used a 3D-printed firearm, and video of the attack has been viewed countless times across the country. To figure out what effect all of that might have on the homebuilt gun community, we've got Rob Pincus back on the show. He's a pa…