Firearms and Self-Defense: Expert Insights from Trigger Talk Tuesday - Sep 16th, 2025

The September 16, 2025 episode of Trigger Talk Tuesday, presented by Green Monstah Firearms on WEPM/WCST, offered an engaging mix of firearm news, education, and lighthearted conversation, featuring hosts Richie from Green Monstah and guests Randy and Lynn from Shadow Hawk Defense. The show began with playful banter about John being “chained to the desk” at the store while Richie prepared for a business trip to Lima, Ohio. This humorous exchange highlighted the dynamic between the hosts and their team, illustrating both the human side of running a firearms business and the friendly rapport that makes the show entertaining. Richie’s trip focused on training with Jen and Phil, the owners of Glitter Guns, a company also known as Hesseling & Sons, who specialize in advanced firearm customization techniques. These include glitterizing firearms in a way that the glitter does not rub off, intricate engraving, and hydro dipping, a process that transfers detailed graphics onto firearms or other objects by dipping them into a special patterned vat. The conversation explored the appeal of these customized firearms, noting that women often appreciate the aesthetic, while men may choose them for personalization or privacy. Richie emphasized her excitement about seeing good friends as well as the Hesseling & Sons setup, as well as the personal connections formed with Jen and Phil, whom she has known since meeting them at SHOT Show several years prior.

After Richie’s departure for Lima, the discussion shifted to Randy and Lynn’s perspective on operating a small business and running a firearms training facility. They stressed the dedication required to balance the responsibilities of business ownership with personal and professional goals, debunking the misconception that owning a business is an “easy street” or a path to quick wealth. They described the importance of taking care of employees, managing client expectations, and maintaining rigorous standards for safety and professionalism. A significant portion of the episode focused on firearm safety and education, particularly the role of Range Safety Officers (RSOs). Randy and Lynn explained that RSOs are trained and certified through programs such as the USCCA online course, supplemented by in-person coaching to ensure they can handle real-world range scenarios effectively. Their philosophy emphasizes creating a welcoming, respectful environment for shooters, especially beginners, while enforcing strict safety standards to protect everyone at the range.

The episode also highlighted Shadow Hawk Defense’s variety of training courses, designed to meet the needs of shooters at all skill levels. Beginner-friendly programs like Pistols 101 provide a low-pressure, step-by-step introduction to firearms, allowing participants to become comfortable handling and understanding weapons before advancing to live-fire exercises. More advanced courses, such as extreme close-quarters combat, defensive shotgun training, and shooting from a vehicle, require prior experience and focus on dynamic, scenario-based skills. Randy and Lynn emphasized the importance of ongoing practice, recommending that amateur firearm owners attend classes at least twice a year and maintain regular range time, ideally quarterly, to ensure their skills do not diminish. They advocate for purposeful training at the range, focusing on specific techniques such as one-hand shooting, support-hand shooting, and trigger reset, rather than simply “throwing rounds downrange.”

Throughout the episode, the hosts balanced technical discussion with lighthearted commentary and personal anecdotes, including stories of students who overcame apprehension to become confident shooters. The conversation reinforced the values of safety, responsibility, and continual learning in firearm ownership. The show concluded with reminders for listeners to explore Shadow Hawk Defense’s courses and shooting sport schedules at shadowhawkdefense.com, as well as Green Monstah Firearms’ products and updates at greenmonstahfirearms.com.