A spokesman for the Gun Owners of America explains why shutting out public opinion over a potential semi-automatic ban isn’t fair in the least.
It’s one thing for a local government to propose a gun ban. It’s another when they refuse to even hear a hint of opinion against it.
But that’s the case with the Hawaii state legislature, who are preparing to pass a ban on popular semi-automatic weapons this week. SB 401 would call for the ban of sale of .50-caliber rifles within the state, as well as all semi-automatic rifles with a detachable magazine and “assault shotguns” of any time.
What’s frustrating, however, is that the House added to this bill without going through the Senate – or giving local opposition a chance to provide their opinions against it.
The Hawaii Firearms Coalition, speaking against what they call “the broadest gun ban in state history,” noted, “The language banning these firearms was never given a single hearing in the Senate. It was added at the last minute by the House – without public testimony or full debate. This means the public was silenced on one of the biggest gun bans in Hawaii history.”
So what happens now? And, more importantly, what kind of protection can the Second Amendment provide?
Joining us now is a spokesman for the Gun Owners of America to discuss the potential effects of this bill.
Mark Jones, who serves as National Director for the Gun Owners of America, is available for interview. There is also Stephen Willeford, who currently serves as spokesman for the Gun Owners of America. Stephen is the “hero with a gun” from the Sutherland Springs incident in 2017, which he has since co-written a book about.
We welcome our guest to the show!
Q&A:
- Why do you believe that Hawaii legislate has been against guns of this type to begin with? Are they really that concerned with gun violence?
- How suspect is it for the House to add provisions to a bill without clearing them through Senate or, worse yet, giving the public a chance to respond?
- How dangerous a precedent is it to pass a bill of this nature without opposition being able to voice opinion against it?
- Does this go against the very nature of the Second Amendment? Could Hawaiian residents possibly raise lawsuits against the ban and essentially win because of their rights, as provided by the Constitution?
- Where do you see the battle for gun control going as 2025 continues on?
- 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?
- 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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