Forge of Freedom

01/02/2026

Waiting is a decision, and it’s often a deadly one.

Active shooter attacks aren’t stopped by plans, drills, slogans, policy manuals, or hope. They’re stopped by early resistance, sometimes by one person acting decisively.

This piece breaks down why the first 30 seconds matter more than anything else.

I've linked to the referenced book by Ed Monk in the comments.

👉 https://gundigest.com/handguns/concealed-carry/active-shooter-first-30-seconds

Gun Digest

When it comes to stopping an active shooter situation, the first 30 seconds are the most important. Here we look at why you need to act.

01/01/2026

Episode 199. City of Gary v. Smith & Wesson: Ending 26 Years of Lawfare

In this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley discusses the recent dismissal of the City of Gary versus Smith and Wesson lawsuit, a case that has lasted over 26 years. The conversation delves into the concept of lawfare, where the legal system is used as a weapon to impose costs and achieve policy outcomes without legislative action. Ooley explains the implications of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) and the Indiana General Assembly's recent legislation that limits the ability of cities to sue firearm manufacturers. The episode concludes with reflections on the broader implications of this case for the legal system and democratic accountability.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings
00:30 The Dismissal of City of Gary vs. Smith and Wesson
01:10 Understanding Lawfare and Its Implications
06:07 The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
08:55 The Role of Indiana's Legislation in the Case
10:32 Broader Implications of the Case on Law and Policy

Resources

Smith & Wesson Corp. v. City of Gary (Ind.App., 2025)
https://public.courts.in.gov/Decisions/api/Document/Opinion?Id=gGTF-6-ACU7XYO2CNCjB7ZhYnzf0SvNDQ4wFQBfGLJhtN15JdMI2r-U_SAoZIlYD0

Guy Relford
https://omny.fm/shows/the-gun-guy-podcast/gun-guy-full-show-12-27-2025
Facebook: .relford.2025
X:

AG Todd Rokita
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1289904319820449&set=a.230626505748241


The Reload
https://thereload.com/indiana-appeals-court-tosses-26-year-old-liability-lawsuit-against-smith-and-wesson/
X:



Morningstar
https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20251230dc54832/nssf-praises-indiana-court-decision-to-end-city-of-gary-lawsuit

Indy Star
https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/29/indiana-court-of-appeals-upholds-indiana-law-to-kill-garys-gun-lawsuit/87948004007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115150p116250c116250d00----v115150d--44--b--44--&gca-ft=165&gca-ds=sophi


Reason.com
https://reason.com/volokh/2025/12/29/26-year-old-case-against-smith-wesson-et-al-by-gary-indiana-finally-over/



The Indiana Lawyer
https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/in-court-of-appeals-rules-lower-court-must-dismiss-gary-lawsuit-against-gun-industry


PLCAA
prelim@title15/chapter105&edition=prelim" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title15/chapter105&edition=prelim

Duke Center for Fi****ms Law
https://fi****mslaw.duke.edu/2019/12/new-decision-in-a-very-old-case-city-of-gary-v-smith-wesson-corp
****msLaw

Keywords
lawfare, City of Gary, Smith and Wesson, fi****ms litigation, legal system, public nuisance, PLCAA, Indiana General Assembly, separation of powers, democratic accountability

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.

12/23/2025

Episode 198. Religious Freedom: History, Law, and the Spirit of Christmas

In this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley explores the foundational concept of religious freedom in America, tracing its historical roots, legal interpretations, and its significance today. He discusses the First Amendment's intent, the impact of the 1947 Supreme Court case Everson v. Board of Education, and how religious liberty is essential for a free society. The conversation culminates in a reflection on Christmas as a representation of voluntary faith and the importance of keeping government out of personal belief systems.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Religious Freedom
00:58 Understanding the First Amendment
05:12 Historical Context of Religious Liberty
09:01 The Impact of the 1947 Supreme Court Case
13:33 The Importance of Religious Liberty Today
16:26 Christmas as a Reflection of Religious Freedom

Resources

https://mises.org/mises-wire/how-religious-freedom-america-was-founded-privatization-and-decentralization

https://scholarship.law.missouri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1988&context=facpubs

https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/

https://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/conlaw/everson.html

https://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1955/330us1

https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/330/1/ -opinion-1939031

Keywords
religious freedom, First Amendment, church and state, Supreme Court, American liberty, historical context, Christmas, separation of church and state, Bill of Rights, freedom of conscience

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.

12/12/2025

Indiana could get an "F" as well if we got rid of our horrendous Red Flag law.

The "F" stands for "Freedom."

11/27/2025

Episode 197. Families Are the Key to Building Alternatives to the State

In this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley reflects on the significance of family during Thanksgiving, emphasizing its role as a foundational institution for civil society. He discusses how strong families can counteract state power and contribute to community engagement, civic participation, and religious involvement. The conversation highlights the decline of family structures and its implications for society, urging listeners to recognize the importance of familial bonds in preserving freedom and cultural strength.

Chapters
00:00 Thanksgiving Reflections on Family and Freedom
01:39 The Role of Families in Civil Society
04:45 The Impact of Family Structure on Community Engagement
07:49 Marriage, Religion, and Civic Participation
10:36 The State's Influence on Family Dynamics
13:26 Cultural Strength and Independence through Family

Resources

https://mises.org/mises-wire/families-are-key-building-alternatives-state

https://mises.org/mises-daily/what-has-government-done-our-families

https://mises.org/mises-wire/leftists-still-want-abolish-family

https://c4ss.org/content/16141

https://www.cato.org/policy-report/september/october-2015/hayekian-theory-parental-rights #

https://ifstudies.org/blog/is-limited-government-the-best-pro-family-policy

Mises Institute:
Facebook: Mises Institute
X:
YouTube:

Ryan McMaken on X:


Keywords
Thanksgiving, family, freedom, civil society, community engagement, marriage, religion, political implications, cultural strength

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.

11/26/2025

After spending four days at two academic conferences, Dr. David Yamane sold only one copy of Gun Curious — to a fellow liberal professor.

But rather than discouraging him, he’s still signing and sending books out to people who are listening. And we should be listening.

Dr. Yamane has done something rare:

He approaches America’s gun culture with humility, curiosity, and intellectual honesty even though he comes from a very different background than most gun owners. That makes his work important, bridge-building, and worth supporting.

👉 You can get a personally signed copy for just $25 — sealed and delivered. Support his work. Share it. Buy it. Talk about it.

But don’t just buy the book. Listen to his ideas.

I’ve had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Yamane multiple times, and each conversation was full of insight, research, and thoughtful reflection on what it means to be responsibly armed in America:

🎧 Our Conversations with Dr. Yamane

➡️ Episode 177 — Gun Culture & Executive Power
https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-177-exploring-gun-culture-and-executive-power-with-professor-david-yamane/

➡️ Episode 170 — Ethics, Training & Freedom https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-170-being-responsibly-armed-ethics-training-and-freedom-with-dr-david-yamane/

If we want to shape the future of gun ownership in America, we need more voices like Dr. Yamane — and more people willing to listen.

Let’s show that curiosity still exists.

4 days at 2 academic conferences and sold 1 copy of GUN CURIOUS to a fellow liberal professor. No traction in that community. Oh, well. I hand-sold several to gun people in AZ and am mailing out some personally signed copies today. $25 signed, sealed & delivered. Hit me up.

11/17/2025

🎧 NEW EPISODE 🎧
Ep 196: Tactical First Aid & System Collapse Medicine w/ Greg Ellifritz

My wife and I took Greg's class twice, and I invited him on to share some of the highlights.

- MARCH > ABCs for trauma
- Tourniquets: Types, misconceptions, best practices
- 90 % of Vietnam KIAs would live today with TCCC
- Chest seals, wound packing, Narcan
- Cleaning wounds
- Lawful ways to stockpile for when hospitals go dark

Greg’s site (free weekly content + 2026 classes soon):
https://activeresponsetraining.net

Full episode (YouTube/Facebook/Rumble/Apple/Spotify):
https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-196-tactical-first-aid-and-system-collapse-medicine-with-greg-ellifritz/

11/17/2025

Episode 196. Tactical First Aid and System Collapse Medicine with Greg Ellifritz

In this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley welcomes Greg Ellifritz, a retired police officer and founder of Active Response Training. They discuss the importance of tactical first aid and the MARCH protocol, which focuses on managing massive bleeding, airway, respiration, circulation, and head injuries. Greg shares his extensive background in law enforcement and training, emphasizing the need for practical skills in emergency situations. The conversation also covers system collapse medicine, preparedness, and the significance of having the right training and resources for various medical emergencies.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Tactical Medicine and Training Background
07:00 Understanding Tactical First Aid vs. Standard First Aid
16:13 The MARCH Protocol: A Tactical Approach to Trauma
26:48 Massive Bleeding and Tourniquet Application
33:42 Tourniquet Application and Wound Packing
38:26 Understanding Tourniquet Misconceptions
46:31 Tourniquet Placement Controversies
50:17 Airway and Respiration Essentials
58:39 Addressing Opioid Overdoses with Narcan
01:04:45 Circulation and Wound Care Protocols
01:06:00 Suturing Skills: A Fun Yet Questionable Necessity
01:08:34 Wound Cleaning: The Importance of Proper Techniques
01:12:17 Wound Closure: Risks and Best Practices
01:15:54 Hypothermia and Head Injuries: Essential First Aid
01:17:07 System Collapse Medicine: Preparing for Emergencies
01:23:30 Gear Lists: Training Over Equipment
01:26:34 Beyond Tactical Medicine: Greg's Broader Work

Resources

Active Response Training
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/instructors
Greg Ellifritz

Pat Rogers Memorial Revolver Round-Up at Gunsite
https://www.gunsite.com/classes/pat-rogers-memorial-revolver-round-up/
Gunsite Academy

Blackwing Shooting Center
https://blackwingsc.com/training/training-courses/tactical-first-aid-system-collapse-medicine-with-greg-ellifritz/
Black Wing Shooting Center

Forge of Freedom (Choose Adventure: Safe Travel In Dangerous Places by Greg Ellifritz)
https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-87-choose-adventure-safe-travel-in-dangerous-places-by-greg-ellifritz/
Choose Adventure

https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Adventure-Travel-Dangerous-Places-ebook/dp/B087BNB647/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=choose+adventure+greg+ellifritz&link_code=qs&qid=1603676124&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=actiresptrai-20&linkId=ad30689c10bd209db766d553546c306c&language=en_US

https://www.chooseadventurebook.com/

Forge of Freedom (Tactical First Aid and System Collapse Medicine After Action Report with Whitney Ooley)
https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-130-tactical-first-aid-and-system-collapse-medicine-rerun-of-episode-38/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URWAdmQ_dG4

Tourniquets mentioned
https://www.narescue.com/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t.html
North American Rescue

https://tacmedsolutions.com/products/sof-tourniquet?variant=40626596544711
TacMed Solutions

Keywords
tactical medicine, first aid, MARCH protocol, emergency preparedness, Greg Ellifritz, Active Response Training, system collapse medicine, wound care, airway management, CPR



DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.

11/10/2025

Episode 195. Rebuilding the NRA: Rob Beckman on Reform, Responsibility, and the Future of Armed Citizenship

In this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley speaks with Rob Beckman, a candidate for the NRA Board of Directors. They discuss Rob's background in fi****ms training, the importance of mental health awareness in the fi****ms community, and the ongoing reform efforts within the NRA, including the push for greater transparency and engagement with new demographics. Rob shares his motivations for running for the board, his vision for the future of the NRA, and the need for collaboration with other organizations in the gun rights movement. The conversation emphasizes the responsibility of gun owners and the importance of education and training in promoting safe firearm practices.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Rob Beckman and the NRA Board Election
02:40 Rob Beckman's Background and the Firearm Trainers Podcast
05:27 Addressing Mental Health in the Fi****ms Community
08:31 The Importance of Responsibility in Gun Ownership
11:03 The NRA's Reform Efforts and Rob's Motivation to Run
13:56 Rob's Vision for the NRA 2.0 and Key Priorities
16:46 Engaging the Membership and the Nomination Process
29:09 Engagement and Leadership in the NRA
35:30 Collaboration with Other Organizations
39:31 Reforming the NRA Board Structure
46:38 Awareness and Communication in NRA's Restructuring

Resources

Firearm Trainer’s Podcast
https://www.firearmtrainerpodcast.com/

Elect a New NRA
https://electanewnra.com/

NRA President’s Forum
https://nrapresident.com/member-login/

Members Take Back Our NRA
https://www.facebook.com/groups/309304408832668

Episode 167 of Forge of Freedom with Rob Beckman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSxfqcPyNSo

Organizational Changes at the NRA (John Richardson)
https://onlygunsandmoney.com/?p=35784

NRA Announces Major Reorganization (John Petrolino)
https://www.news2a.com/national/national-rifle-association-announces-major-reorganization/
The Pen Patriot
News2A

Doug Hamlin Interview with Cam Edwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=68LrNEURAyY
2nd Amendment

Previous Episodes of the Forge of Freedom re the NRA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6_liiJJ_k4NgoT5yNSe6subWqvVN9cgo
Theresa Inacker
John Richardson
Amanda Suffecool
Jeff Knox
Ronald Andring

Keywords
NRA, Rob Beckman, fi****ms training, mental health, NRA reform, gun rights, second amendment, fi****ms education, NRA board of directors, gun ownership responsibility

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.