Ashley Hlebinsky is the owner of The Gun Code, LLC – Firearms History & Industry Consulting. Ashley is an expert witness, a historian and former curator to the Cody Firearms Museum. Ashley testified at the 2021 Senate Judiciary’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, in a hearing titled: Stop Gun Violence: Ghost Guns.

Ashley is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on firearms history.  Recently, she served as  both Curator of the Cody Firearms Museum (CFM) and Project Director for the museum’s multimillion dollar renovation that reopened in July 2019. Due to her and her team’s efforts, the museum has received positive reviews from both gun and mainstream media and is seen as the premiere gun museum in the world that fosters dialogue for a range of diverse audiences

Additionally, Hlebinsky is a highly sought-after museum consultant, guest speaker, writer, expert witness in the US and Canada, and a television host and producer.

In 2018, she founded the first academic association in the United States for the study of firearms history. As a historian who remains apolitical, Hlebinsky holds a unique niche in the field of firearms, engaging with many communities, including industry, academic, and media. She actively works to increase the level of scholarship in the United States to help create a better understanding of guns for the public. This work directly impacts legislation as well as university curriculum.

In response to her public education, she was awarded the NSSF/POMA Shooting Sports Communicator of the Year award and recently accepted the position of Curator Emerita and Senior Firearms Scholar at the CFM – an honor typically reserved for the end of one’s career – as well as Adjunct Scholar of Firearms History, Technology and Culture for the Firearms Policy Coalition, so that she can continue to expand her advocacy beyond the walls of the museum.

Ashley also has many TV credits to her name, including in 2018, when she joined a panel of celebrity judges for the Discovery Channel competition series, “Master of Arms”.

The Not Your Average Gun Girls Podcast hosted by Emily Valentine of Style Me Tactical and Amy Robbins of Alexo Athletica :

“We aren’t your average gun girls and want to bring you a podcast that mirrors the way we live our lives. We are self-reliant, stylish, and eager to inspire women to feel confident in defending themselves with a gun while also staying true to their lifestyle. We will be talking all things concealed carry to our favorite lipstick and everything in between. This podcast is intended to support and empower women and arm them with the right tools and education to be self-reliant and prepared to act in their own self-defense.”

In the Kids S.A.F.E.program, children are taught the basic safety rules that empower them to make safe and responsible decisions if they ever come across a unsecured firearm. While the foundation primarily does focus on the accident prevention side, they do follow up classes at local ranges to reinforce the important safety principles that they teach with rimfire rifles. This gives kids the knowledge and confidence that they need to hopefully never have a accident. You can find out more information about their programs on their website kidssafefoundation.org .  ZERO Firearm Accidents is the only acceptable goal!!

Kids S.A.F.E. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, based out of Eugene, Oregon.

Drew Berquist is the Editor-in-Chief for OpsLens.com and the host of CRTV‘s Experience Matters with Drew Berquist. Previously, he served as a counterterrorism officer for the United States Intelligence Community, where he performed more than thirty deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Drew served as a counterterrorism officer and senior intelligence consultant for the United States Intelligence Community, where he performed more than thirty deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan to conduct operations.  He received specialized training from multiple intelligence agencies, including the CIA, DIA and NSA.

Berquist speaks to audiences and comments on national security and political matters.  He has been a guest on FOX and Friends, Lou Dobbs, Dennis Miller and a number of other shows throughout the country. Follow Drew and his staff of Veteran contributors on Facebook at Facebook.com/OpsLens or on Twitter at @OpsLens.

OpsLens.com provides daily print and video commentary on the world’s most trending and critical stories related to national security, public policy and other matters of state through the lens of experience.

The OpsLens staff of contributors is comprised of former intelligence, law enforcement and military operators that have more than 100 deployments to both conventional and hostile areas around the globe performing counterterrorism, counterdrug, counterintelligence, traditional espionage and other unique operations.  Our team brings experience from the CIA, DIA, FBI, NSA and the United States military, to include Army Rangers, Army Special Forces, Navy Seals and Marines to name a few. Additionally, the OpsLens staff includes former diplomats, politicians and industry leaders who understand the inner-workings of some of the world’s most difficult problems.

Karen Hunter, Freelance Writer/Senior Editor/Firearms Instructor, Senior Range Officer at Force Options Tactical Training and Security

Karen says of herself, “I am a contributor to several national magazine publications, both digital and print. I am a Firearms Instructor and strong 2A advocate with a passion to help people understand how and why they should carry. And, I am a lifelong student with a teachable spirit.”