A spokesman for the Gun Owners of America discusses why the assassination of Charlie Kirk has suddenly put a target on hunting rifles.
Even though they had their fair share of critics, hunting rifles had never really been targeted by anti-gun enthusiasts since they’ve mainly been used for sport. However, in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Democrats are now putting them in the crosshairs, believing banning them is the answer.
Authorities confirmed that the shot that killed Kirk came from a Mauser bolt-action rifle chambered in .30-06 caliber. That’s a rifle normally used for hunting. However, Democrats are now using any excuse they can to try and get them taken off the market.
This could create a gigantic problem within the hunting community, since there are more than 16 million that partake in the activity, using such rifles to hunt a variety of animals. “This move represents a direct threat to America’s oldest tradition and way of life,” said Mark Jones, who serves as National Director of Hunter Outreach.
Aidan Johnston, director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America, agreed. In an interview with the Washington Times, he noted, “As usual, the Democrats wasted no time before weaponizing the assassination of Second Amendment advocate Charlie Kirk to promote their unconstitutional gun-grabbing agenda. But the murder weapon is a sporterized, Mauser Gewehr 98 — a bolt-action rifle first manufactured in Germany over a hundred years ago in 1898. So, when Democrats call for ‘assault weapons’ bans, every gun owner must realize that means grandpa’s old hunting rifle too.”
What can hunters – as well as those that prioritize their Second Amendment rights – do in regards to this matter? Jones, or Gun Owners of America spokesman Stephen Willeford, joins us now to discuss it further. We welcome them to the show!
Q&A:
- Do you think Democrats are clearly using the weapon used in the Kirk assassination as an excuse to go after hunting rifles, after spending so many years saying they’re practically harmless?
- What made Democrats change their tune so quickly? Are they trying to use Kirk’s death as an excuse to get their own agenda moving?
- Do you believe they’ll make any forward movement in getting this particular hunting rifle banned from the market? Or will they face opposition within the House and Senate?
- What can hunters – and, for that matter, private gun owners and those that believe in the Second Amendment – do to voice their opinion against these Democrats?
- Where do you see the discussion surrounding gun rights going in the months ahead, especially following the assassination of Kirk?
- FOR STEPHEN: 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.
- FOR STEPHEN: Where can people find your book?
- You can purchase the book here on Amazon, both in paperback and Kindle format.
- FOR MARK: Tell us more about the Hunter Outreach program.
- 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 Mark Jones…
Mark Jones serves as a National Director and National Spokesperson for Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF).
Mark, a Certified Wildlife Biologist® for three decades, began working for Gun Owners of America over four years ago after retiring from government service where he had 30 years of experience performing wildlife research, publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers, managing wildlife resources, working with hunters and recreational shooters, supervising and mentoring other professionals, and engaging in legislative issues and governmental policy.
In 2021, Mark founded and currently leads Gun Owners of America’s National Hunter Outreach Program known as Second Amendment Hunters. The Program’s mission is to engage and involve America’s 16 million+ hunters in the political fight to protect the Second Amendment and the American hunting traditions.
Mark focuses on two primary areas: 1) GOA’s core mission of protecting and defending the Second Amendment through rigorous Legislative and Judicial actions, and 2) developing Second Amendment Hunters (SAH) into a national leader in protecting American hunting opportunities and traditions at the federal and state levels.
Mark’s responsibilities allow him to work to protect Second Amendment Rights and hunting traditions in Washington D.C., state capitals across the Country, and in the capital of his home state of Wyoming.
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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