Eye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns Podcast By Radio@targething.com (Rob Campbell & Amanda Suffecool) cover art

Eye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns

Eye on the Target - TARGETHING - Talking Guns

By: Radio@targething.com (Rob Campbell & Amanda Suffecool)
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Live over the airwaves Salem Radio that is a Q&A related to personal protection, the 2nd amendment, guns, the shooting sports industry. Recorded live on SALEM at 5:00 pm est. Listen to the Podcasts, catch us live, or email in your questions to be covered on the next show. Radio@Targething.com. Our discussions include guns, pepper spray, defensive techniques, concealed carry, NRA, firearms, safety and a variety of others as the show is led by the originating topic and the questions asked by our listeners. Amanda Suffecool, Rob Campbell work to make the show lively and topical. Enjoy - Amanda2022
Episodes
  • 031526 hr2

    031526 hr2
    Mar 16 2026
    This episode of Eye on the Target Radio, hosted by Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell, features interviews recorded on the floor of the SHOT Show. The hosts speak with industry guests about new initiatives in the shooting sports community as well as hunting and outdoor television. The first segment features Paul and Brooke from The Range Network, a program designed to help gun range owners collaborate and improve their businesses. Paul explains that the idea grew out of earlier industry "roundtable" meetings he helped organize with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Those meetings allowed ranges, manufacturers, and retailers to discuss common problems and share solutions. When the program was halted during the COVID period, Paul and his partners created the Range Network as a way to continue helping ranges connect and share best practices. Their focus is on ensuring that gun ranges remain strong because ranges provide the places where people can learn, practice, and stay engaged with shooting sports. The Range Network organizes virtual and in-person "huddles," similar to a team huddle in sports, where range operators discuss issues such as hiring employees, insurance options, operational challenges, and successful business strategies. Members share what works and what fails so others can avoid costly mistakes. The organization now includes more than 120 ranges across 45 states and even some locations in Canada, and it is free for ranges to join. The goal is cooperation rather than competition, encouraging ranges to work together and create better experiences for customers while strengthening the overall firearms community. Paul also describes a related program called MyCaliberCard, which complements the Range Network. For an annual membership fee, shooters can receive discounts at participating ranges and on shooting-related products. The card encourages gun owners to visit different ranges when traveling and helps bring new customers into participating businesses. Some ranges even include the card as a benefit within their own membership programs. The hosts note that this model allows the Range Network to remain free for ranges while the Caliber Card program provides financial support for the broader effort. Later in the show, the hosts interview hunter and television personality Melissa Bachman, host of the outdoor series Winchester Deadly Passion on the Sportsman Channel. Bachman explains how she built a career in the hunting industry after studying television production. Unable to find work initially, she volunteered at the North American Hunting Club and gradually gained experience producing hunting content. Eventually she launched her own production company and television show, allowing her to combine her passion for hunting with media production. Bachman describes the challenges she faced entering a field that had relatively few women when she started more than two decades ago. She emphasizes that persistence, hard work, and willingness to take risks helped her succeed. To get her first season of airtime, she invested everything she had, including risking her home, while working to secure sponsorships. Over time the show grew, and she now hunts around the world while filming authentic experiences that show both the successes and challenges of real hunts. Much of Bachman's message focuses on introducing new people—especially families and women—to hunting. She believes hunting helps families bond and teaches people where their food comes from. She often involves her own children in hunting trips, letting them participate in age-appropriate ways so they feel connected to the experience. Bachman stresses that new hunters should learn gradually, find mentors, and avoid feeling pressured to harvest an animal before they are ready. The episode concludes with Bachman discussing some of the unique hunts featured on her show, including alligator hunting in states like Florida and Louisiana, as well as big-game hunts such as elk and whitetail deer. She explains how much of the harvested meat is processed for her family or donated to people in need when possible. Throughout the interview, she emphasizes that the most important aspect of hunting is not just the harvest but the experiences and relationships built along the way. Overall, the program highlights two key themes within the shooting and hunting community: strengthening the infrastructure of the sport through cooperation among gun ranges, and encouraging new participants to become involved in hunting and outdoor traditions through mentorship, family experiences, and education.
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    54 mins
  • 031526 hr1

    031526 hr1
    Mar 16 2026
    This episode of Eye on the Target Radio hosted by Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell opens with updates on their upcoming travel and speaking schedule as they continue covering firearms policy and industry events around the country. They announce plans to attend several major Second Amendment gatherings, including the New England Firearms Advocacy Conference organized by the Second Amendment Foundation in Chicopee, Massachusetts, as well as appearances in Texas and at other national gun-rights conferences later in the year. The hosts explain that attending these events allows them to connect with activists, industry professionals, and lawmakers while gathering information about how firearm laws and advocacy efforts differ from state to state. The conversation shifts briefly to international news when they discuss images of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting a shooting range with his daughter. The hosts speculate that the event may have been staged for propaganda purposes, possibly to present her as a strong future successor. They note the irony that while firearms are tightly controlled for ordinary citizens in North Korea, the ruling family is shown publicly handling weapons as symbols of authority and power. From there, the discussion turns toward firearms design and industry trends. The hosts talk about unusual firearm innovations, including a lightweight .380 pistol design from Kel-Tec that uses unconventional loading methods. They debate whether such designs are practical, noting that while some components may appear fragile or inexpensive, they can still perform well in terms of accuracy and function. The conversation highlights how firearm manufacturers often experiment with new approaches to address changing regulations or consumer preferences. A significant portion of the program focuses on the ongoing challenge of building and maintaining shooting ranges. The hosts describe a situation in Iowa where neighbors are opposing the construction of a private shooting range, demonstrating what they call a "not in my backyard" attitude. They argue that while many people support the right to own firearms, they often resist having shooting facilities nearby. This creates practical problems for gun owners, since regular practice and training are necessary for responsible firearm use but zoning laws frequently limit where ranges can be built. The hosts then review legislative developments in Wyoming, where Governor Mark Gordon signed a bill lowering the age for obtaining a concealed carry permit from 21 to 18. They view this change as a step toward expanding Second Amendment rights while still encouraging training and licensing for young adults who wish to carry concealed firearms. However, they also discuss Gordon's decision to veto a proposed Second Amendment Preservation Act because parts of the bill could have created conflicts between local law enforcement and federal agencies during certain investigations. The discussion expands to other states where gun legislation is being debated. In Minnesota, lawmakers are advancing proposals to ban certain semi-automatic rifles and standard-capacity magazines. The hosts criticize the legislative process after pro-gun groups were reportedly allowed to submit written testimony but not speak during hearings, while anti-gun organizations were given time slots to testify. They argue that this imbalance limits meaningful public debate about firearm policy. They also examine new legislation in Virginia that would classify many semi-automatic rifles as "assault weapons" based on features such as threaded barrels, pistol grips, or collapsible stocks. According to the hosts, these regulations focus on cosmetic characteristics rather than the functional operation of firearms. They suggest that many such proposals will ultimately face legal challenges under recent Supreme Court rulings that have reshaped the legal framework for gun regulation. Finally, the show touches on a federal lawsuit filed in Texas challenging restrictions on civilian ownership of newly manufactured machine guns. The plaintiffs argue that regulations enforced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives effectively prevent law-abiding citizens from registering or legally owning post-1986 automatic firearms. The hosts note that cases like this may eventually reach higher courts and could play a role in shaping future interpretations of the Second Amendment. Overall, the episode blends news commentary, firearms industry discussion, and legal analysis, emphasizing the hosts' belief that education, training, and continued legal challenges are key to protecting gun rights while navigating an increasingly complex patchwork of state and federal firearm regulations.
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    54 mins
  • 030826 hr2

    030826 hr2
    Mar 9 2026
    In this episode of Eye on the Target Radio, hosts Amanda Suffecool and Rob Campbell broadcast from the floor of the SHOT Show, interviewing guests about new ideas, businesses, and experiences within the firearms and outdoor industries. The first segment features Brooke and Paul from The Range Network, a growing collaboration of gun ranges designed to help range owners share ideas, solve business challenges, and strengthen the shooting industry. Paul explains that the concept grew out of a program he previously developed with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, where industry leaders gathered in roundtable discussions to talk openly about issues affecting ranges, retailers, and manufacturers. When the program ended during the COVID pandemic, Paul and his partners decided to rebuild the idea independently, focusing specifically on gun ranges. The goal is to create a supportive network where operators can exchange "pre-competitive" information—practical advice about staffing, insurance, operations, and best practices—without giving away competitive business strategies. The Range Network organizes regular "huddles," which are virtual meetings where range owners can discuss problems, ask questions, and learn from one another's experiences. In some areas with many participating ranges, the meetings are held in person. The network emphasizes cooperation rather than competition, encouraging ranges to work together and refer customers to one another when appropriate. Brooke explains that the network already includes more than 120 ranges across 45 states and even some in Canada, and it continues to expand as more operators discover the benefits of collaboration. Importantly, membership in the network is free for ranges, and the meetings are closed to outside vendors so participants can focus solely on operational issues rather than sales pitches. Paul also discusses how different types of customers tend to gravitate toward different types of ranges. Some shooters prefer tactical environments centered on defensive firearms and modern sporting rifles, while others treat shooting as a social or recreational activity similar to golf. Recognizing these different customer groups helps ranges tailor their offerings and even partner with nearby facilities that specialize in different shooting disciplines, such as sporting clays or long-distance rifle shooting. By encouraging cooperation rather than rivalry, the network aims to strengthen the entire shooting sports ecosystem. Connected to this effort is another initiative called MyCalibreCard, a membership program that provides discounts at participating ranges and firearms-related businesses. For an annual fee, cardholders receive reduced prices on range visits and certain products while also gaining access to a broader shooting community. The program encourages shooters to visit different ranges—especially while traveling—and helps drive new customers to participating businesses. Some ranges even include the card as part of their own membership packages, creating a nationwide benefit for their members. Later in the broadcast, the hosts interview outdoor television personality Melissa Bachman, host of the hunting show Winchester Deadly Passion. Bachman shares her personal story of turning a lifelong love of hunting into a career. After graduating with degrees in television production and Spanish, she struggled to find work in the industry and initially volunteered at the North American Hunting Club to gain experience. After years working behind the camera filming other hunters, she eventually launched her own production company and television show, building a career through persistence and a willingness to take financial risks. Bachman explains that the show focuses on authentic hunting experiences rather than scripted stories. She films real hunts as they happen—the successes, the failures, and the unexpected moments—because she believes audiences appreciate authenticity. Over the years she has traveled extensively, sometimes hunting more than 300 days a year, pursuing game such as whitetail deer, elk, mule deer, and even alligators. She also describes the unique experiences of different types of hunts, including nighttime alligator hunts where hunters can call gators by mimicking the sound of baby alligators. A major theme of Bachman's work is encouraging families and newcomers—especially women—to participate in hunting. She emphasizes that hunting is about far more than harvesting animals; it's about spending time outdoors, building family traditions, and understanding where food comes from. With five children in her own family, she often involves them in the entire process, from scouting and hunting to processing meat at home. She also donates excess meat to people in need, demonstrating how hunting can support local communities. Throughout the conversation, Bachman encourages new hunters to find mentors, ask questions, and take the first steps ...
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    54 mins
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