A spokesman for the Gun Owners of America discusses a new report suggesting how changes to the controversial agency could give private gun owners a sigh of relief.
For the past few years, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been a thorn in the side of private gun owners, with its many regulations and investigations. But it looks like the Trump Administration could finally be making vital changes to the agency.
A new report from NPR suggests that the Administration is looking at restricting the ATF, including loosening gun regulations and slashing its budget.
The bureau has already seen notable changes, including putting an end to the Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy that specifically targeted firearms dealers and allowing federal firearms licensees who had their licenses revoked or surrendered to reapply.
This contradicts previous reports that the ATF was somehow going to be merged with the Department of Justice, though it’s unknown what further extent the Trump Administration will make to the agency in this regard.
It’s a much needed change compared to how the bureau was run in the past by previous President Joe Biden, who urged a number of unnecessary gun restrictions and investigations into private gun owners and gun deals. But will they stick? And, for that matter, will they be met with any resistance from Democratic leaders who felt the previous rules worked better?
A spokesman for the group – either Mark Jones or Stephen Willeford – joins us now to discuss just how much of a threat MacDonough is to forward progress for private gun owners. We welcome them to the show!
Q&A:
- What are your thoughts on how the Trump Administration is changing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives?
- Is this a welcome sigh of relief compared to previous reports that the ATF could merge with the Department of Justice? Or is there a small chance that could still happen in the future?
- What are your thoughts on the Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy coming to an end with the Administration’s changes? Will this be a relief to firearms dealers?
- What about federal firearms licensees who will be able to retain their licenses? Is this great news for them as well?
- 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.
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