Eye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
In this episode of Eye on the Target Radio, Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell discuss Ruger’s reported production changes, Michigan’s firearm-storage law, and digital advertising challenges facing the firearms industry. Their guest, Brian Akin of Topple, also shares his personal experience with New Jersey firearms laws and explains how that experience led him to become an active Second Amendment supporter. The first major topic is Ruger’s decision to suspend production of certain firearm models. Amanda and Rob explain that gun owners have been reacting to reports that Ruger may...
info_outlineEye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
In this episode of Eye on the Target Radio, Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell catch up after a hectic month of travel that took them to Virginia, Washington, D.C., Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dallas, and Arizona. They talk about the launch of their updated website, EyeOnTheTargetRadio.com, which is being developed to support podcasting, blogging, and access to approximately 500 archived shows. With several speaking engagements still ahead, including a school-safety seminar in Columbus, Ohio, and a fundraising event in New Jersey, they are also beginning preparations for the next SHOT Show. The...
info_outlineEye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
In this episode of Eye on the Target Radio, Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell discuss competitive shotgun shooting, practical firearms equipment, fundraising events, machine guns, and the history of .22-caliber rifles. The episode combines news about shooting competitions with the hosts’ personal experiences and their broader reflections on firearms training, reliability, and the importance of finding equipment that works well for the individual. The show opens with a discussion of the IPSC Shotgun World Shoot taking place in Greece. Amanda has been following friends and teammates competing...
info_outlineEye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
In this episode of Eye on the Target Radio, Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell discuss their trip to Gunsite in Arizona for the school’s alumni shoot and 50th anniversary celebration. Gunsite, with its thousands of acres and 27 different ranges, offers training in a wide variety of firearms skills. The event brought together approximately 350–400 participants, including highly experienced shooters who demonstrated remarkable speed and accuracy. Amanda and Rob describe watching competitors move rapidly between targets while maintaining accuracy, and they reflect on how impressive the skill...
info_outlineEye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
The episode focuses on several current Second Amendment and firearms-policy issues, beginning with New York’s proposed restrictions on BB guns, pellet guns, and air rifles. The hosts Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell criticize Senate Bill 9215 for redefining these devices as “imitation weapons,” raising the purchase age, and requiring bright colors and barrel plugs, arguing that the requirements could effectively make many air guns unusable. They then discuss Benson v. United States in Washington, D.C., involving magazine restrictions and licensing and registration requirements. The...
info_outlineEye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
The episode of Eye on the Target Radio focuses heavily on developments surrounding the Second Amendment, the NRA annual meeting, firearms legislation, and the growing role of firearms-focused media. The host Amanda Suffecool discusses receiving the NRA’s Sybil Ludington Women’s Freedom Award for her dedication to the Second Amendment and explains the historical significance of Sybil Ludington. Cohost Rob Campbell highlights his discovery of newly manufactured Luger-style pistols, noting their much lower cost compared with original collectible Lugers and the potential usefulness of...
info_outlineEye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
The episode opens with Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell discussing several Supreme Court cases expected to have implications for the Second Amendment, including the Wolford case concerning so-called “sensitive places” and a marijuana-related case involving firearm restrictions for users of controlled substances. The hosts discuss the difficulty of determining impairment versus simply having evidence that marijuana was used at some point in the past, and they suggest that a ruling could have effects beyond firearms, potentially involving employment, driving, and other areas where drug...
info_outlineEye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
The episode of Eye on the Target Radio features Amanda Suffecool, Rob Campbell, and guest Charlie Cook of Riding Shotgun with Charlie, with much of the discussion centered on firearms training, shooting technique, and the personal experiences that shape people as shooters. The conversation begins with reflections on the recent New England firearms advocacy conference, which was designed specifically around issues facing the New England states while still drawing attendees from across the country. Amanda emphasizes the value of keeping the conference focused on regional issues and creating...
info_outlineEye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
The episode of Eye on the Target Radio opens with Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell discussing the Supreme Court’s June decision season and several cases they expect could have implications for Second Amendment rights. They focus particularly on the case they refer to as the “Wolford” or “vampire rule” case involving sensitive places, as well as a case concerning firearm possession by marijuana users. The hosts speculate about how a ruling involving marijuana and firearms could have effects beyond the Second Amendment, including employment, drug testing, driving, and workers’...
info_outlineEye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns
The episode of Eye on the Target Radio features Amanda Suffecool, Rob Campbell, and guest Charlie Cook of Riding Shotgun with Charlie, with much of the discussion centered on the New England firearms community and the importance of connecting people who are dealing with similar firearms-related issues. They talk about the recent New England firearms advocacy gathering in Massachusetts, which was deliberately focused on the six New England states even though people attended from across the country. Amanda appreciated that the event kept its attention on regional issues and encouraged...
info_outlineIn this episode of Eye on the Target Radio, Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell focus on the role of armed civilians in stopping violent attacks, using the active shooter incident in Twin Falls, Idaho, as their starting point. Rather than concentrating on the attacker's identity or equipment, they criticize the rush by news outlets and social media users to spread AI-generated images and speculative details before verified information is available. They argue that artificial intelligence and the race to be first often create misinformation, with inaccurate descriptions of suspects and firearms quickly becoming accepted as fact. Using publicly available information, they discuss how online speculation contrasted with what was later learned about one of the armed civilians who intervened, emphasizing the importance of waiting for confirmed facts before drawing conclusions.
The hosts then broaden the conversation to the topic of armed civilian intervention, arguing that defensive gun uses are more common than many people realize but are frequently underreported or omitted from national discussions. Amanda references research she says documents numerous cases where legally armed citizens stopped violent crimes, while noting that many incidents receive little media attention because no shots are fired or the event ends quickly. They highlight several well-known examples, including Stephen Willeford at the Sutherland Springs church shooting, Jack Wilson at the West Freeway Church of Christ shooting, Elijah Dicken's intervention in Indiana, and Jack Albarado's response during the Uvalde school shooting. The hosts contend that these individuals demonstrate how ordinary citizens can make a difference during violent emergencies and believe many additional stories never receive widespread recognition.
After the break, Amanda and Rob discuss the mindset and responsibilities of concealed carry holders, emphasizing that the ideal outcome is to carry a firearm for a lifetime without ever needing to use it. They describe the "day that nothing happened" as the ultimate success for responsible gun owners but acknowledge that increasing numbers of trained concealed carriers also increase the likelihood that someone capable of responding will be present during a violent incident. The hosts stress that intervening in an active shooter situation requires an honest assessment of one's skill, training, legal responsibilities, and the safety of family members or bystanders. They note that an armed citizen may become a target for both the attacker and responding police, making intervention a serious personal decision rather than an obligation. They conclude by expressing gratitude toward civilians who choose to intervene despite those risks.
The final portion of the program examines several recent shootings in Seattle and St. Louis, with the hosts arguing that gang violence and repeat offenders—not lawful gun owners—are the primary drivers of these incidents. They criticize officials for delaying public information following the Seattle shooting while awaiting a press conference with elected leaders and argue that public safety information should be released immediately rather than held for media events. Amanda and Rob also discuss a fatal St. Louis case involving a rideshare driver caught in crossfire, using it to illustrate the dangers posed by illegal firearm possession among teenagers and gang members. The conversation concludes with criticism of local zoning restrictions that they believe unfairly limit gun shops and shooting ranges, referencing both a Texas community that attempted to prohibit firearm retailers through unpublished zoning amendments and their own experiences challenging local zoning regulations. They argue that citizens should closely monitor local government actions and remain engaged when policies affect constitutional rights.