“Gun Sports Radio,” a weekly, Sunday afternoon radio show now in its fourth year of airing on KCBQ 1170-AM and 96.1-FM, is changing its name to “Gun Owners Radio,” beginning July 12.
According to Dave Stall, the show’s executive producer and co-host, the name change reflects a broader audience of listeners who are gun owners for a variety of reasons, not just sports-related, recreational hunting and shooting.
“The firearms industry is exploding in growth and our news-oriented show is connecting with a growing number of first-time gun owners, collectors and Second Amendment supporters, as well as hunters and target shooters,” said Stall, a local media personality widely known for a three-decade career of consumer reporting on the automotive industry.
“We see our show as a resource for the latest in firearms technology, defense and education,” Stall said. “We’re the one stop for the latest news, first-looks and information about guns, firearms safety, shooting sports, gun rights and hunting. Our guests are experts in various fields of the gun industry, including new laws and how to get involved to protect and preserve your rights.”
Also behind the name change is a closer alignment with San Diego County Gun Owners (SDCGO) and Orange County Gun Owners (OCGO), two local political action committees promoting Second Amendment rights. Michael Schwartz, executive director, SDCGO, joins Stall as co-host of the Gun Owners Radio.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to play a larger role on the radio show and educate more law-abiding San Diegans about the importance of the Second Amendment’s guarantee to keep and bear arms for self defense and the protection of you and your family,” said Schwartz.
Schwartz said gun sales locally and nationwide have surged in recent months because of Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns and local riots.
“Over 70,000 guns were sold during April in San Diego County, which is roughly a 500 percent increase from the previous month. And we believe the majority of local recent gun sales were to first-time buyers,” said Schwartz.
“People have seen the downtown areas in their own communities been burned and destroyed by rioters and looters. They’ve seen law enforcement become overwhelmed and not always available to respond quickly against violence and arson. That means private citizens are their own first responders. People are fearful as they are embracing their Second Amendment rights and realize their self defense and personal safety is their own responsibility. It’s up to them to self-defend.”
Launched in September 2016, “Gun Sports Radio” recently exceeded its 200th produced show. For its first three years, the show aired from 4 to 5 p.m. until last October, when it expanded from 4 to 6 p.m., with the approval of Salem Communications Corp., operator of KCBQ 1170-AM. Over the years, guests have included gun retail shop owners, law enforcement officials, legal experts, politicians and candidates.
“Gun Owners Radio” is expected to feature more in-depth interviews with weapon reviewers, accessory manufacturers and constitutional advocates, said Stall. It will also include an array of the same guests who appeared on “Gun Sports Radio” over the past four years. The change will also include more Orange County local industry and political content. The radio show also is available as a podcast and broadcast live over SDCGO’s Facebook and OCGO’s Facebook page.
Stall’s broadcasting company, called Worldwide Sports Media Partners, produces programming on KCBQ 1170-AM from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. Stall also hosts two, automotive-themed shows air prior to “Gun Owners Radio,” including “You Auto Know” from 1 to 3 p.m. and “Racer Radio” from 3 to 4 p.m. He also showcases new-car dealers and the latest models during weekly live segments on KUSI-TV’s “Good Morning San Diego” program.
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