Taking Arms to Court!

Gun Owners of America is urging the Supreme Court to protect private gun owners’ rights.

Once again, gun rights are in the crosshairs of those seeking to ban certain firearms commonly described as “assault weapons.” And once again, Gun Owners of America is stepping up to challenge those restrictions, with group spokesman Stephen Willeford joining us to discuss the issue.

• Gun rights groups have filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to strike down laws restricting certain firearms.
• In Viramontes v. Cook County, the legal question centers on whether the Second Amendment protects the right to possess certain firearms that are subject to state and local “assault weapons” bans.
• Illinois and Connecticut have enacted such bans as part of efforts to address gun violence, while gun rights advocates argue that these restrictions violate the Second Amendment.

Gun Owners of America, alongside the Gun Owners Foundation and others, has filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to strike down laws enacted in states such as Illinois and Connecticut. The groups argue that the restrictions unfairly violate Second Amendment rights.

“Our brief argues that the government cannot ban commonly owned firearms simply because politicians or judges consider them too dangerous or akin to ‘military-style,’” the group noted in a statement, pointing out that an estimated 20 to 40 million AR-15-style rifles are owned by Americans.

“The Second Amendment does not draw a line between ‘civilian’ and ‘military’ weapons.”

Leaders in Connecticut and Illinois have defended their laws as measures intended to protect residents and reduce gun violence. Gun rights advocates, however, argue that such bans do not address the underlying causes of mass shootings and other acts of violence.

“The Supreme Court’s decision could have major consequences for Second Amendment rights nationwide,” said Erich Pratt, senior vice president of Gun Owners of America. “A favorable ruling would strike a major blow to some of the nation’s most extreme gun control laws, and states with ‘assault weapon’ bans will face a reckoning like never before.”

It remains to be seen what action the Supreme Court will take, but the groups hope their amicus brief will underscore what they believe are the constitutional rights of American citizens.

Willeford joins us now to discuss the situation further. We welcome him to the show!

Q&A:

1. Why have individual states attempted to enact “assault weapon” bans despite Second Amendment protections?
2. Why do you believe states enact these laws? Do lawmakers believe banning certain firearms will reduce violence associated with mass shootings or other “active shooter” events?
3. You’ve often said that the best defense against active shooters involves armed citizens who practice “open carry” or “constitutional carry.” How do you believe legally armed citizens can make a difference?
4. What are your hopes for the amicus brief that you and other gun rights groups have filed with the Supreme Court? How does it address the rights protected by the Second Amendment?
5. If the Supreme Court ultimately rules in favor of Illinois and Connecticut, what could happen next? What legal or practical consequences could the decision have? Could other states potentially follow suit?
6. Where do you see the national discussion surrounding gun rights going as 2026 continues?
7. You recently wrote a book called A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy, which discusses the 2017 shooting in Sutherland Springs and your role in helping stop the attacker. Tell us more about how the book came together and why you believe it is an important read right now.
8. Where can people find your book?
   1. You can purchase the book here on Amazon, both in paperback and Kindle format.
9. Where can we learn more about you and Gun Owners of America?
   1. 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 Willeford represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with a gun” for helping stop the gunman responsible for the 2017 shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas. He is available to discuss gun rights issues and the work of Gun Owners of America. He is also the author of A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy. Learn more about him at thebarefootdefender.com.

CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.