The spokesman for the Gun Owners of America discusses a recent brief that feels like a blatant attack on the Second Amendment.
The Department of Justice finally responded to the Gun Owners of America’s “One Big Beautiful Lawsuit” surrounding the National Firearms Act. However, the response didn’t quite go as expected.
The Department filed a brief, which the GOA noted “treats Congress’ removal of the historic $200 tax as a pretext to rewrite the limits of congressional power, advancing an argument that would open the door to federal regulation far beyond anything the Framers intended.” It’s a bit of a surprise considering President Donald Trump’s stance for gun rights in the past, believing he, alongside Attorney General Pam Bondi, is “doubling down on enforcement of an archaic and unconstitutional law while simultaneously offering legal theories that would expand federal power to historic levels.”
It added, “If the brief’s logic is accepted, courts could bless a framework under which Congress and federal agencies regulate—or effectively ban—common firearms and accessories by treating formalistic features (like a $0 tax) as sufficient legal cover. That outcome would run contrary to recent Supreme Court statements that the Second Amendment protects private arms possession.”
Erich Pratt, who serves as Senior Vice President for the Gun Owners of America, noted, “This brief is federal overreach on steroids. If courts accept the government’s argument, Congress could claim the power to regulate virtually anything, including firearms, on the thinnest of statutory pretexts. That’s not conservative jurisprudence. This is authoritarianism cloaked in legalese. Make no mistake, this reads exactly like something the Biden administration would have produced.”
So what happens now? Joining us to discuss this further is Stephen Willeford, the 2017 “hero with a gun” who serves as spokesman for the group. We welcome him to the show.
Q&A:
- Considering Donald Trump’s stance for gun rights in the past, why do you believe the Department of Justice filed the brief in regards the “One Big Beautiful Lawsuit”?
- How much of a threat does this pose to private gun owners should the Department of Justice follow through on its brief?
- Does Trump have any decision-making surrounding the brief? And, for that matter, could he still respond to it in some way?
- What will happen to gun rights within the new year should this action continue to proceed? And, for that matter, what will the discussion surrounding gun rights be like once 2026 arrives?
- What’s the next step with Gun Owners of America’s fight against the National Firearms Act?
- 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?
- You can purchase the book here on Amazon, both in paperback and Kindle format.
- 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.
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.
If you’d like to learn more about booking or becoming a guest, CLICK HERE.
Click Here to get booked as an interview guest on Radio or Television talk shows – Special Guests.
