The Gun Owners of America applaud a recent decision by the Supreme Court that knocked out restrictive open-carry laws.
The Supreme Court just handed a huge victory in the name of the Second Amendment – and Gun Owners of America spokesman Stephen Willeford is quite happy with the results.
- The Supreme Court recently knocked down a Hawaii law that halts the carry of a firearm onto private property that is open to the public (unless the property owner says otherwise).
- The Court noted that such laws imposed “severe restrictions on the daily activities” of lawful gun owners.
- Similar laws in California, Maryland, New York and New Jersey will also likely be affected by the decision.
Right before the weekend, it has rescinded a restrictive Hawaiian law that halts the carry of a firearm onto private property that is open to the public unless consent was given by the property owner.
Jessica Samuel Alito noted that the law imposed “severe restrictions on the daily activities” of lawful gun owners and was a clear violation of the Second Amendment of the Constitution.
“Rather than allowing all to enter private property open to the public unless specifically prohibited, these new laws provided that no one carrying a firearm may enter without express authorization,” he noted. “The Hawaii law at issue here violates the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.”
And though no official statement was made on the matter, this ruling could likely affect similar laws put in place in states like California, Maryland, New York and New Jersey.
Hawaii attempted to argue the decision by noting there was no such thing as a right to armed entry onto private property without consent. But it was quickly knocked down, with Alito noting, “Overwhelming evidence shows an enduring American tradition permitting public carry.”
This is no doubt a huge win for gun owners and those that believe in the rights provided by the Second Amendment, and it will no doubt send anti-gun advocates back to the drawing board.
Willeford, who was the 2017 “hero with a gun” in an event taking place in Sutherland Springs, joins us now to discuss the situation further. We welcome him to the show!
Q&A:
- What are your thoughts on this recent decision made by the Supreme Court? Was it a long time coming?
- Why has Hawaii tried to impose such strict anti-gun laws in the first place?
- With this victory, will we possibly see even more states adopt Constitutional-Carry and Open-Carry approvals, like over half of the United States currently does?
- What will anti-gun advocates likely do now? Will they try to come up with new restrictions with this law being knocked down?
- Where do you see the discussion surrounding gun rights going as 2026 continues on?
- 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.
