The spokesman for the Gun Owners of America explains why the judge needs to let the challenge against the period continue on.
Maine had put a 72-hour waiting period on gun sales into effect just over a year ago, but it has left a bad taste in the mouth of potential owners looking to protect themselves. As such, several gun groups, including the Gun Owners of Maine, have challenged with a lawsuit – and now the state wants the judge to dismiss it.
According to this report from the Press Herald, the Office of the Maine Attorney General has filed a motion to request that the judge handling the case deny the attempt to block the state’s implementation of the waiting period.
The state notes that while the Second Amendment does protect the right to bear arms, it “does not apply to a law regulating the acquisition of arms unless the law is so burdensome that it effectively prohibits keeping and bearing arms.”
The big problem with that, however, is that it keeps guns out of the hands of those that need protection from the criminal element. So, in a way, it still does violate the right to bear arms – the Second Amendment.
Joining us now to discuss this further is Stephen Willeford, who currently serves as spokesman for the Gun Owners of America. Stephen is the “hero with a gun” from the Sutherland Springs incident in 2017, which he has since co-written a book about. We welcome him to the show!
Q&A:
- How much of a burden does a waiting period hold for someone that’s looking to acquire a firearm?
- Why do states try to implement this waiting rule, like what Maine is currently doing to its residents?
- Do you believe the law was put in place to begin with as a “panic move,” or was there other reasoning behind it?
- What do you believe the judge will do surrounding the case? Should the gun advocacy groups behind the lawsuit continue to hold their ground?
- Where do you see the argument surrounding gun rights going this year, especially as Donald Trump re-enters the Presidential office?
- You recently wrote a book called A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy, revolving around your 2017 “hero with a gun” situation. Tell us more about how this came together, and why it’s such an important read right now.
- Where can people find your book?
- Where can we learn more about you, as well as Gun Owners of America?
- You can learn more at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com. You can also read more about the Gun Owners of America at https://www.gunowners.org/.
About Stephen Willeford…
Stephen represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with the gun” for helping stop the largest Texas mass shooting in the history of the state in 2017. He is available to speak about all gun rights issues, as well as the importance of Gun Owners of America. He is the author of the book A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy. You can read more about him at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com.
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