A spokesman for the Gun Owners of America goes more in-depth about the problematic bill, and why they’re teaming up with others to battle it in court.
Just days after its controversial passing, Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” is seeing a number of objections. And, surprisingly enough, not just from politicians.
Several gun groups, including the Gun Owners of America, have opted to file a federal lawsuit, in the hopes of dismantling the provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA) that remain in place.
With that, many have been asking how the “Big Beautiful Bill” is being harmful to private gun owners. Really, it comes down to two things.
First, instead of seeing a repeal of the NFA and working alongside Congress to do so, they instead elected to keep it in place, reducing its $200 excise tax to $0 for suppressors and specific firearms. It’s essentially gutted and reduced to an unworkable state by Congress, as a result – and could be a thorn in the backside of gun owners.
What’s more, however, the Gun Owners of America also made it clear that the mandates actually violate the Second Amendment of the Constitution, with what’s deemed to be an “overreach of federal power.”
Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs, said it best in a statement. “GOA and our grassroots activists fought tooth and nail to fully gut the NFA and came closer than anyone else, in the 91 years this infringement has been on the books, to getting it repealed. Congress should never have shifted responsibility to the courts to strike down the archaic National Firearms Act of 1934. Now GOA will do what Republicans would not: continue the fight to repeal the NFA.”
A spokesman for the Gun Owners of America – Mark Jones or Stephen Willeford – joins us now to discuss this lawsuit further. We welcome them to the show!
Q&A:
- It appeared that the NFA was set for full repeal at one point in time. What happened?
- Why do you believe Congress changed its mind about simply excising the tax at hand instead of repealing the full NFA?
- It was mentioned that an “unelected bureaucrat” led the charge here. What exactly could they have done to convince congressional Republicans to change their mind?
- What will happen to private gun owners should the controversial tax remain in place? How badly will it hurt them with gun purchases?
- How is this against the Second Amendment, as the group has discussed with its lawsuit?
- Speaking of guns, where will the discussion surrounding gun control go as the year continues on?
- Gun Owners of America is hosting an event this year called GOALS 2025. Tell us more about it.
- 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 is National Director for the Gun Owners of America, and also directs the National Hunter Outreach Program across the United States. He also manages legislative responsibilities in Wyoming and is a Certified Wildlife Biologist.
Mark built GOA’s National Hunter Outreach Program almost four years ago after retiring from his first career as a Big Game and Small Game Biologist. Mark has nearly three decades of experience performing wildlife research, publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers, managing wildlife resources, working with hunters and recreational shooters, and engaging in legislative issues with governmental policy.
Mark has been very active in helping GOA take on a National role in protecting the American Hunting Traditions. He is also well known in the Legislature and political circles where he has worked to pass a variety of pro-Second Amendment and pro-hunting Legislation in recent years.
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.
If you’d like to learn more about booking or becoming a guest, CLICK HERE.
Click Here to get booked as an interview guest on Radio or Television talk shows – Special Guests.
