The Gun Owners of America are concerned about the federal government gathering info on private gun owners.
It appears that the federal government may have found a new way to keep tabs on private gun owners, according to Gun Owners of America spokesman Stephen Willeford.
The group recently reported that, fueled by former President Joe Biden’s thoughts that classified gun owners are “Milita Violent Extremists,” the government is hard at work purchasing large commercial databases that have all sorts of personal information. This includes location history, browsing habits and even breaking down personal interest and hobbies.
This in turn allows said agencies to build profile on Americans, and without any sort of warrant in place. They note, however, that it’s a “legal” process, mainly because they don’t require a court order to buy information. But the Fourth Amendment says otherwise.
Hang on, it gets worse. FISA Section 702 was initially introduced as a tool that keeps a close eye on foreign terrorists. However, whenever a foreign target gets in touch with a U.S. party, their information is gathered up and stored as well. Considering this can be paired with AI-powered data processing to analyze millions of records in no time at all, that’s cause for concern.
With that, the Gun Owners of America, who firmly believe in the right for everyone to bear arms (and without surveillance), are supporting Rep. Warren Davidson’s Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act, as well as Mike Lee’s Security and Freedom Enhancement. These two pieces of legislation are making the rounds, but they still have a ways to go.
Stephen Willeford, the “hero with a gun” who serves as spokesman for the GOA, joins us now to discuss this further. We welcome him to the show!
Q&A:
- Why is the federal government gathering information in this matter about private gun owners? Are they really that concerned about cataloging the information, and why would they need it?
- For that matter, tell us more about FISA Section 702, and how these government agencies are abusing it as well.
- What about President Donald Trump? Shouldn’t he be concerned about these agencies gathering information like this? Especially after he swore he would protect the rights of private gun owners?
- Tell us how the Gun Owners of America are fighting back, supporting two critical pieces of legislation that are making the rounds through Congress.
- What more can concerned private gun owners do to make themselves heard?
- You’ve got two events coming up in April. The GEAR event in Amarillo, Texas and the Church Safety Summit/Protecting His House event in Lynchburg, Virginia. Can you tell us more about those?
- 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.
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.
