Brandon Herrera

Herrera launched his firearms-focused YouTube channel in 2014 or 2015. His videos examine how guns function, test antique and modern weapons, explore firearms history, and discuss gun laws and politics. Recurring formats include Cursed Gun Images, Gun Builder Reacts, Gun Meme Review, Whiteboard of Knowledge, and Will It AK? He has also recreated historical or widely known shootings involving Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr.

In December 2019, he created a second channel, Brandon Herrera - B Side, for behind-the-scenes material, vlogs, and other firearm-related content. Herrera collaborated with Kyle Rittenhouse on Rittenhouse's first YouTube video after Rittenhouse launched a channel focused on guns and Second Amendment rights. Herrera also co-hosts the Unsubscribe podcast with three military veterans.

Herrera founded and owns The AK Guy Inc., a firearms manufacturing company, and holds a Type 07 Federal Firearms License. He also founded and co-owns Stark Media Group. His business developed the AK-50, a .50 BMG rifle based on the AK-47 pattern and intended to combine the durability of an AK-style design with the power of the .50 BMG cartridge.

A 2022 video about recreating the improvised firearm used in the assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe resulted in a YouTube Community Guidelines strike after Herrera demonstrated the construction and testing of the weapon. The AK-50 later appeared in the video game Escape from Tarkov. In 2023, Herrera defeated James Sellers by third-round technical knockout in a boxing match.

Herrera is a Republican who describes himself as a constitutionalist with libertarian-leaning views. His political priorities include gun rights, limited federal power, free speech, opposition to digital censorship, and stricter immigration policies. He has worked with pro-freedom organizations including the National Association for Gun Rights, the Firearm Policy Coalition, Gun Owners of America, and Young Americans for Liberty.

Herrera spoke against a proposed assault-weapons ban at the Colorado State Capitol in March 2024. He is also a supporter of Donald Trump and worked on Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. His campaign platform has included border security, reducing federal regulation, balancing the federal budget, and expanding health-care access for veterans.

Herrera announced his campaign for Texas's 23rd congressional district in August 2023. He challenged incumbent Republican Tony Gonzales in the 2024 Republican primary, citing disagreements over Gonzales's votes, gun policy, and establishment leadership. Herrera received about 25 percent of the primary vote, while Gonzales received about 45 percent, sending the candidates to a runoff.

Gonzales defeated Herrera in the May 2024 runoff by 354 votes. The final result gave Gonzales 50.6 percent and Herrera 49.4 percent of the vote. Herrera requested a recount after the close contest and later became the Texas chair of U.S. Term Limits.

Herrera challenged Tony Gonzales again in the 2026 Republican primary for Texas's 23rd district. Herrera finished first with 43.3 percent of the vote, ahead of Gonzales at 41.7 percent, which initially sent the race to another runoff. Gonzales withdrew from the contest two days after the primary, making Herrera the Republican nominee for the district.

The 2026 campaign brought Herrera's online content and political positions under renewed scrutiny. His campaign continued to emphasize gun rights, opposition to federal overreach, border policy, and support for Donald Trump.

Herrera's videos and podcast appearances frequently use what he calls dark humor. Critics have objected to material involving veteran suicide, Nazi imagery and songs, Holocaust-related jokes, and historical symbols associated with white nationalism. Herrera has denied being a neo-Nazi and has presented his use of historical firearms and related imagery as part of his firearms and history content.

His 2023 video recreating the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. also drew criticism for combining a serious historical subject with graphic target-shooting footage and jokes. During his 2024 congressional campaign, advertising from AIPAC highlighted his remarks and imagery, making the controversy part of the primary contest.