State of the Second

State of the Second

The State of The Second, an interview style show focusing on the impact that legislation and activism is having on the firearms industry, and the Second Amendment community.

Episodes

August 27, 2025

In this episode, Kailey and John sit down with Trevon Barber from Right to Bear to talk all things training, competition, and responsible gun ownership. Trevon shares his journey from wrestling to firearms competition, how he built a career teaching others, and why proper education is just as important as owning a firearm.   Trevon […]

The post State of The Second 100 – Why Training Is an Investment in Your Life (f...

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  In this episode of State of the Second, John and Kailey sit down with Desk Pop for an unfiltered conversation about gun culture, navigating restrictive states, and why the firearms community is seeing a cultural shift toward fun, welcoming, and engaging content.   From working behind the gun counter to launching a thriving YouTube […]

The post State of The Second 99 – Gun Content Creator Exposes ATF Overreac...

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Join John and Kailey this week for a jam-packed episode as we sit down with Mark from Vortex Optics to talk gear, hunting, and the Second Amendment. From his favorite all-around rifle scope to wild warranty stories, including optics run over by trucks and dropped off cliffs—Mark shares insider knowledge and real-world tips for choosing […]

The post State of The Second 98 – The Military Chose THIS Scope (ft. Vortex Optic...

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Join John and Kailey this week for a jam-packed episode as we sit down with Mark from Vortex Optics to talk gear, hunting, and the Second Amendment. From his favorite all-around rifle scope to wild warranty stories, including optics run over by trucks and dropped off cliffs—Mark shares insider knowledge and real-world tips for choosing […]

The post State of The Second 98 – The Military Chose THIS Scope (ft. Vortex Optic...

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Join us this week as John and Kailey sit down with Alyssa (aka TheGunnyGal) and her husband Tanner for a conversation that blends guns, cars, CrossFit, and content creation into one unstoppable lifestyle. In this episode, Alyssa shares her journey from being intimidated by firearms to becoming a confident 2A educator on YouTube. She and […]

The post State of The Second 97 – Why the World Is Watching American Gun Culture...

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This week on State of the Second, Kailey and John sit down with Kurt from TCRT Targets to talk about the future of range training, self-healing rubber targets, and why fun, flexible home setups are changing the game. Kurt shares his journey from firearms marketing to launching one of the most durable target lines on […]

The post State of The Second 96 – Why Home Ranges Are the Future (ft. TCRT) appeared first on Firearm...

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Join us for a deep-dive conversation with Jarred from Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI) on the State of the Second podcast! From the future of gunsmithing to the importance of hands-on training, Jarred shares what it takes to succeed in the firearms industry today. We talk shop about AR platforms, and why trade education is more […]

The post State of The Second 95 – What It Takes to Become a Gunsmith in 2025 (ft. SDI) appe...

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In this episode of State of the Second, John and Kailey sit down with Grant from Mantis, the innovative minds behind some of the most advanced dry fire and training tools in the firearm world. From the Blackbeard AR trigger reset system to the upcoming Titan X training pistol and augmented reality environments, Mantis is […]

The post State of The Second 94 – But is it Actually as Good as Live Fire Training? (Ft. Mantis)...

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In this episode of State of the Second, Tracy Lee joins Kailey and John to share her wild origin story in the 2A space, why real training matters more than just posing with guns, and how to be taken seriously in this industry. She dives into the truth about censorship on social media, what it’s […]

The post State of The Second 93 – What the Firearms Industry Gets Wrong About Women. (ft. Tracy Lee) appeared first on Fire...

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In this episode of the State of the Second Podcast, John and Kailey are joined by Alexander from Arrowhead Tactical — the brand that’s changing how we think about concealed carry apparel. From gym shorts to joggers, fanny packs to full-size pistols, Alexander breaks down what makes carry actually discreet… and where most people are […]

The post State of The Second 92 – Meet the Founder who SOLVED Concealed Carry for Gym...

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  In this episode of the State of the Second John and Kailey are joined by Bill Cleftis, CEO of Otis Technology, to dive deep into the world of gun cleaning, CCW training, and what it’s really like to be a gun owner in post-Bruen New York. Whether you’re a seasoned 2A advocate or a […]

The post State of The Second 91 – How WD-40 Can Ruin Your Gun! (ft. Otis Technology) appeared first on Firearms Radio Network.

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Pete Brownell of Brownells joins State of the Second to talk gun culture, DIY building, and why the firearms industry must stay politically engaged. From suppressors and the HPA to the rise of gunsmithing and trade schools, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the right to build, repair, and protect.   […]

The post State of The Second 90 – What Building Your Own AR Says About You…(ft. Brownells)...

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What happens when your constitutional rights change the moment you cross a state line? In this episode of State of the Second, John and Kailey sit down with Eddie Loveday from ETS to talk about the wild reality of navigating America with a firearm. From literally rerouting his road trips through Memphis to avoid anti-gun […]

The post State of The Second 89 – Traveling Armed in America: Why is it so Complicated? (ft. Eli...

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This week on State of the Second, John and Kailey sit down with KCI USA for a raw and honest conversation about rebuilding trust, improving quality, and standing strong for the 2A community. They talk about brand redemption, product quality, and the fight to restore trust in the gun community—all while tackling big-picture 2A issues […]

The post State of The Second 88 – Would YOU Trust Your Life to This Mag? (ft. KCI US...

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In this episode John and Kailey sit down with Bob Faxon and Dustin Wallace of Faxon Firearms to dive deep into the roots, innovation, and unwavering mission behind Faxon Firearms. You’ll hear how a TV show ignited a furious spark that led to the creation of the legendary ARAC rifle, and how a legacy of […]

The post State of The Second 87 – How a Shot Show Rant Led to a Whole New Gun (ft. Faxon) appeared first on Firearm...

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In this episode, John and Kailey sit down with Elijah, founder of Infinite Defense, to talk about how his startup went from a garage concept to becoming a go-to solution for military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters alike. Whether you’re military, law enforcement, a trainer, or a weekend shooter—this is the episode that might just […]

The post State of The Second 86 – This Gen Z Entrepreneur Is Changing How...

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This week, Kailey and John sit down with Allen Forkner from GunBroker.com to talk movie guns, auction madness, and the current state of Second Amendment rights in America. From Harrison Ford’s iconic firearms to the myth-busting reality of buying guns online, this episode dives into the cultural power of pop culture weapons — and why […]

The post State of The Second 85 – Hollywood Guns That Changed Gun Culture (ft. Gun ...

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In this episode of the State of the Second Podcast, John and Kailey sit down with Chris from Krate Tactical to talk about defending your rights, one tool at a time. From out-the-front knives to the future of self-defense laws, Chris shares his journey from the USCCA to Krate Tactical, why quality matters, and how […]

The post State of The Second 84 – Disarming Americans One Law at a Time (ft. Krate Tactical) appeared fi...

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This week, John and Kailey sit down with Brian from Caliber Coffee to talk about how every cup supports American-made products and the Second Amendment. Caliber Coffee is more than great coffee, it’s about putting “Freedom in Every Cup.” Brian shares what makes the brand different, how your purchases help protect your rights, and what’s […]

The post State of The Second 83 – Would You Switch Your Coffee to Save Your Righ...

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This week on State of the Second, John is joined by Richard D. Hayes, ll, and Emily Taylor, Armed Attorneys, for a breakdown of what happens after a self-defense shooting. From what not to say on a 911 call to how your social media could be used in court, this episode is packed with real-world […]

The post State of The Second 82 – Self-Defense Myths That Will Get You Locked Up (ft. Armed Attorneys) appeared first on Fir...

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