Episode Summary In this episode of The Gun Experiment, we chop it up with Casey Betzold, Director of Global Solutions at Brownell's, and dive into everything from gun laws across the US and the globe, to what makes American gun culture unique. We share listener stories, talk about building AR-15s, explore rapid-fire advice for new gun owners, and dissect the shifting laws in New Mexico and Virginia. The roundtable covers the challenges facing Gen Z, Supreme Court dynamics, and Casey’s unique rocket-engine background as we celebrate NASA’s Artemis moon mission. We wrap up with thoughtful discussions on political accountability, government shutdowns, and the importance of civil discourse—even when you disagree.

Call to Action 1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com 2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify 3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Youtube 4. Grab some cool TGE merch 5. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com 6. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.

Show Sponsors

• HSM Ammunition – The official ammo sponsor of The The Gun Experiment. Get quality ammo for hunting or competition at hsmammunition.com or at your local gun store.

Key Takeaways

• Brownell's is expanding globally (now director of “Global Solutions”), offering government, LE, and international support with the Valor Program.

• Global gun culture is diverse—Switzerland and Saudi Arabia lead outside the US, but most countries don’t have America’s deep-rooted firearm rights.

• Building an AR-15 yourself helps demystify the platform, boosts confidence, and makes maintenance easier.

• US gun laws are always shifting—what starts in New York or California can ripple across the country. Stay engaged!

• Gen Z is the first generation experiencing gun violence as its leading cause of death, and digital connectivity may be impacting both academic and personal outcomes.

• Civil discourse is critical; we need to learn to “disagree without being disagreeable,” like Supreme Court justices do.

• NASA’s Artemis moon mission is bringing modern smartphones into space—future selfies from the moon could finally silence conspiracy theories and inspire a new generation.

• Political accountability matters: both sides in government shutdowns should feel the consequences, not just essential workers.

Guest Information

Casey Betzold is the Director of Global Solutions for Brownells and has a deep understanding of international arms sales, as well as government and law enforcement needs.

Keywords Gun Experiment podcast, Casey Betzold, Brownells, AR-15 build, gun culture, Second Amendment, Valor Program, international gun laws, HSM Ammunition, New Mexico gun law, Virginia gun law, Supreme Court, Gen Z gun violence, NASA Artemis mission, rocket engines, political accountability, government shutdown, firearms safety, gun parts, global firearms, American gun tradition, civil discourse, gun news, podcast episode.

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Episode Summary

In this episode of The Gun Experiment, we sit down with Erick Gelhaus, a highly experienced firearms instructor with a career spanning the U.S. Army, law enforcement, and the civilian sector. We dig into everything from the evolution of use-of-force thinking, the realities of law enforcement scrutiny, decision-making under stress, and the complexities of training with shotguns and pistol-mounted optics. We also discuss responsible off-body carry, the importance of de-escalation, and why judgment and restraint are core skills for both professionals and everyday gun owners.

I share my own dry fire journey, Keith gets fired up about shotguns, and together we pull out valuable, street-applicable wisdom from Erick's decades of experience. If you’re looking to refine your mindset, boost your training, and become a more responsible gun owner, this episode is for you.

Call to Action

1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com

2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify

3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Youtube

4. Grab some cool TGE merch

5. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com

6. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They’re a big part of making the show possible.

Show Sponsors

Big thanks to OnSight Firearms Training. If you want top-tier instruction, skill-building courses, and access to some of the best guest instructors in the country, check them out at OFTLLC.US

Key Takeaways

1. Use of Force is Nuanced: It's not just about skill—judgment, legal knowledge, and communication with the public are equally vital. Erick’s experience in the military, law enforcement, and as an instructor shaped his holistic approach.
2. Dry Fire and Regular Practice: Training consistently—even just 10 minutes a day—yields better reaction times and smoother draws.
3. Red Dots and Optics: Erick shares actionable tips for faster dot acquisition, including practicing the draw in reverse and learning to accept imperfection for practical shooting.
4. Decision-Making Drills: Incorporating judgment and visual processing into range training is challenging but essential. It’s not just about shooting fast, but making the right call under pressure.
5. Shotgun Wisdom: The shotgun is still a powerful home defense tool—if you know your pattern, ammo, and manipulations. It’s the thinking person’s weapon, and training matters more than the platform.

In this episode of The Gun Experiment, Big Keith and Mike kick things off chatting about mushroom coffee, new gear, and some funny family moments. We have a big announcement—HSM Ammunition is now our official ammo sponsor! Most importantly, we're chopping it up with one of our favorite people in the gun industry: Chris Blau.

Chris joins us to break down what's new at SHOT Show (hint: suppressors are everywhere and 3D-printed tech is getting wild). He shares his thoughts on industry trends, his decision to step back from 1911 Syndicate, and a sneak peek at his exciting new project that fuses gun reviews with on-the-range, long-form conversations with some of his friends from the military and law enforcement.

We dive deep into the "gun guy" culture—discussing the elitism, the myths, and why it’s time to drop the gatekeeping and welcome everyone. We play a couple of rapid-fire games, hit on some hot topics in the 2A world, including the recent Minnesota shooting and SCOTUS updates on Hawaii’s “vampire” law, before closing with some well-earned levity about hot tent camping and snowblowing robots.

1. Join our mailing list: Thegunexperiment.com

2. Subscribe and leave us a comment on Apple or Spotify

3. Follow us on all of our social media: Instagram Youtube

4. Grab some cool TGE merch

6. Ask us anything at AskMikeandKeith@gmail.com

5. Be sure to support the sponsors of the show. They are a big part of making the show possible.

A huge thanks to our new ammo sponsor: HSM Ammunition—check them out at hsmammunition.com. If you spot them at your local sporting goods store, grab a box and support those who support us!

1. SHOT Show Trends: Suppressors are the current hotness, with tons of innovation thanks to advances in 3D printing and muzzle device integration.
2. Innovations in Suppressors: Modern CNC and 3D printing allow for amazing geometric baffling, improving both performance and customization.
3. "Gun Guy" Stereotypes: Gatekeeping hurts the community. You don't need 20,000 rounds a year, night vision, or a revolver collection to be a "real" gun guy.
4. Chris’s New Project: Look for a hybrid format of live-on-range stories and long-form interviews with real-world experts—coming soon.
5. Big 2A News: We break down the Minnesota shooting, SCOTUS arguments about the Hawaii “vampire” law, and the wild hypocrisy in political circles from “The View” to Capitol...