“When it comes to facilitating major change for our community, unity is our greatest weapon.”
Episode Summary
In this episode, I sat down with my good friend Frank Riess from Wallkill River Small Arms to chop it up on all things firearms, hunting, and the current rollercoaster of Second Amendment news. We dig into Frank’s upcoming big game hunt for ibex in Kyrgyzstan, discuss the recent Staccato dealer shakeup, debate the impact of the groundbreaking NFA registration case, and get down and dirty on New York’s unique gun law struggles. We also nerd out over the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s M14 and trench gun releases, plus have a little fun with modern sports controversies and the realities of America’s global alliances. If you’re looking for an honest, no-BS gun talk that covers big industry happenings and gives you collector insights, this episode is for you.
Call to Action
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Show Sponsors
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HSM Ammunition: Check out their extensive ammo lineup at hsmammunition.com. Look for the orange HSM logo at your local gun shop.
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Second Amendment Foundation: Support critical 2A litigation—become a member at saf.org.
Key Takeaways
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Frank is prepping for a major ibex hunt in Kyrgyzstan, and shares what goes into a big game adventure abroad—logistics, rifle choice, and the real costs versus American big game hunts 04:24.
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The Staccato controversy: what it means when a leading 2011 manufacturer pulls back dealer access, the role of branding vs. gun quality, and insider experiences with both Staccato and Nighthawk 12:14.
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A judge struck down NFA registration for suppressors and SBRs: what this means for the country, the possible ripple effect in states like New York, and why groups like SAF and GOA are crucial 19:39.
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The Supreme Court could soon weigh in on magazine bans and assault weapons restrictions as key federal circuits split—what gun owners should watch next 29:13.
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CMP’s release of M14 rifles and trench shotguns is a game-changer for collectors—Frank breaks down why this is historic and what it means for authenticity in the market 36:13.
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We detour into cultural debates, from pro-NBA male athletes trying to enter the WNBA to the enduring complexities of U.S.-Israel relations and “America First” thinking 57:00.
Guest Information
Frank Riess
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Owner and operator of Wallkill River Small Arms (Hudson Valley, NY)
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Historical firearms collector
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Experienced gunsmith and dealer
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Known for deep expertise on historical and modern rifles
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Be sure to stop in the shop if you are in the Hudson Valley Region
Keywords
gun podcast, Frank Riess, Walk Hill River Small Arms, The Gun Experiment, Staccato dealer controversy, NFA suppressor ruling, Second Amendment Foundation, CMP M14 release, trench gun, hunting Kyrgyzstan, ibex hunt, 2A news, magazine ban, Supreme Court and guns, New York gun law, pro-2A president, firearms history, gun collectors, FPC, GOA, SAF, HSM Ammunition, federal gun law, gun policy, suppressor ownership, SBR rules, civil rights, gun community, gun shop owner, modern rifle collecting, Second Amendment rights
