The spokesman for the Gun Owners of America discusses a detailed letter sent to Speaker Mike Johnson about the importance of a new bill that supports Concealed Carry.
Representative Richard Hudson has put together bill H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025. However, it has been met with criticism, oddly enough, from the Fraternal Order of Police.
With that, the Gun Owners of America, one of the most notable gun groups out there, have written an open letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, explaining why the FOP’s complaints are invalid, and why the bill is important when it comes to the rights of Americans – even those that wouldn’t necessarily practice Concealed Carry.
In the letter, the group notes, “After decades of unconstitutional attacks, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act is necessary to restore the Second Amendment right to carry a firearm for self-defense nationwide and without fear of harassment by law enforcement in anti-gun states. The FOP supports nearly identical protections for law enforcement to carry firearms nationwide, yet it opposes those same protections for ordinary Americans here.”
It added, “Gun Owners of America has always supported Constitutional Carry. As we fought to expand permitless carry from Vermont to the present 29 Constitutional Carry states, we have consistently dealt with the same law enforcement ‘concerns’ as are being raised by the FOP now.
“Historically, anti-gun law enforcement organizations have almost always raised ‘public safety’ concerns with permitless concealed carry. In reality, those concerns have never panned out in states that have enacted GOA-backed Constitutional Carry legislation. Permitless carry did not make any of the 29 Constitutional Carry states any more dangerous, and neither will H.R. 38 decrease public safety nationwide.”
So how important is Concealed Carry in today’s world? And, for that matter, will H.R. 38 truly make a difference if passed?
Joining us now is Stephen Willeford, the “Hero With a Gun” who serves as spokesman for the Gun Owners of America. We welcome him to the show!
Q&A:
- Why is H.R. 38 such an important bill as far as the rights for Concealed Carry are concerned?
- Why is the Fraternal Order of Police arguing against the rights for people to Concealed Carry? Are they really that concerned about gun safety, or worried that those with Concealed Carry licenses will act violently?
- Do states sometimes go too far with their gun laws, even to the point that they infringe upon the Second Amendment?
- What argument would you have for someone that feels Concealed Carry isn’t a necessity? Especially considering the large number of active shooter events that have taken place over the years?
- Do you believe Speaker Johnson will consider this letter? And, for that matter, is it possible that it could make some movement upon Republicans who support a similar cause?
- For that matter, where do you see the discussion surrounding gun rights going with 2026 just around the corner?
- 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.
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