A spokesman for the Gun Owners of America discusses the latest legal challenge by the group.
For the longest time, the National Firearms Act (NFA) has been a thorn in the side of private gun owners, mainly due to its provisions have been unconstitutional. But the Gun Owners of America refuse to sit by quietly while these continue to be in effect.
The group recently filed a motion for summary judgement in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, challenging said provisions. For too long, they’ve had an enforcement in place for newly “untaxed” firearms, including short-barreled shotguns, rifles, silencers and other “any other weapons.”
With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier this year, these should have been scuttled away. But the fact that they remain has forced the group’s hand, and now hopes are high that the Trump Administration will step in to take an official position on untaxed firearm registration by early next month.
Erich Pratt, who serves as Senior Vice President for the group, noted, “The National Firearms Act’s onerous registration requirements for untaxed firearms are a relic of a taxing scheme that no longer exists. These provisions violate the Constitution by exceeding Congress’s authority and infringing on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. We urge the Court to strike down these unconstitutional restrictions and protect the rights of our members, supporters, and millions of gun owners nationwide.”
A spokesman for the group – either Stephen Willeford or Mark Jones – joins us now to discuss this legal action even further.
Q&A:
- So why does the NFA remain intact for certain taxations, despite the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill?
- What kind of a burden does this serve for new gun buyers? Why is it such a problem, for those who are unaware?
- Does the ATF enforce the NFA a little too tightly these days? Are they trying to hold on to what little power they have left, especially with Trump’s recent revisions?
- What is the best solution the Gun Owners of America are looking for when it comes to the NFA?
- Where do you see the fight for gun rights going as 2025 comes to a close? Will some states continue to try and create ridiculous gun laws?
- 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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