The spokesman for the Gun Owners of America explains how the ATF’s violations need to be punished, as they are a clear violation of gun owners’ rights.
Even with President Donald Trump in the White House, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) still can’t help but find a way to trample on the rights of private gun owners – even during the holiday season.
This week, the Gun Owners of America discussed how the bureau was violating the Tiahrt Amendment, which serves as a series of restrictions on ATF’s ability to publicly disclose private gun owners and gun store information. With this, information cannot be turned over to the likes of anti-gun zealots and anyone else who requests. Unfortunately, some people at the bureau have apparently violated these amendments – and more than once, for that matter.
As a result, civil lawsuits can emerge, wrongfully making note that a high number of trace requests implies that these businesses could carelessly transfer firearms to criminals. In other words, make them miserable.
In the past, the ATF, under previous President Joe Biden, sent the group unreacted FOIA documents, which clearly violates the amendment. But then it also helped gun control lobby groups by creating a map of gun shops from the “Demand Letter 2” program, which is also a clear violation. What’s dangerous is that it paints an inaccurate picture of law-abiding firearm dealers, and also compromises investigations and the safety of law enforcement officers.
So what can be done about this? Stephen Willeford, the 2017 “hero with a gun” who serves as spokesman for the group, joins us now to discuss this further. We welcome him to the show!
Q&A:
- Why are the Tiahrt Amendments so vital when it comes to private gun owners and gun selling shops?
- For that matter, why do you believe the ATF is violating these amendments, when they clearly state that this information should not be given away?
- What would be the worst fallout from the leak of this information? It would clearly do harm not only to gun shops, but also private gun owners and even police officers.
- What is the best resolution to stopping leaks like this? Is there anything President Trump can do in this situation?
- Where do you see the discussion surrounding gun rights going as 2026 approaches?
- 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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