Gun Owners of America spokesman Stephen Willeford explains why the bill could do harm to private gun owners.
It’s been a whirlwind ordeal for the Maine Legislature so far this week, and it’s not over yet.
Earlier this week, a bill titled LD 168 was passed, which would call for licensed firearm dealers to facilitate the “sale, transfer and exchange” of a firearm, unless they were related. It also would have called for obtaining a criminal background check from a law enforcement agency as part of the sale.
But just as quickly as the House approved the bill, the Senate has rejected it; and now the House will attempt to see about passing it again, possibly with provisions.
In a statement, the National Rifle Association explained the harm that a bill like this could do for the rights of gun owners. “Universal background check measures target law-abiding citizens. Criminals will violate these laws,” they noted in a testimony. “According to federal studies done by the Department of Justice of how prison inmates acquired firearms, less than 1% reported acquiring them at gun shows, and the vast majority acquired firearms on the black market, by straw purchase, or by theft.”
That said, the Maine Gun Safety Coalition sees it a different way. “We support responsible gun ownership and many among us are gun owners ourselves. Our focus in on preventing injury and death; especially for our children. Our current laws allow domestic abusers to purchase guns without a background check. Unrestricted gun sales increase domestic violence deaths, homicides, and suicides.”
Joining us now to talk further about this victory is Stephen Willeford, the spokesman for Gun Owners of America. You may recall in 2017 how he stopped the Sutherland Springs, Texas mass shooting, acting as the “good guy with a gun.” His expertise is welcome in this matter.
Q&A:
- Yet another state appears to be trying to create difficulty for private gun owners. Why are some politicians still trying to dictate their rights?
- If you were in charge of putting together a similar legislature, how would you go about it?
- You’ve been a long-time supporter of Constitutional-Carry – or Concealed-Carry, as it’s known in some states. Why do you believe this is a more viable solution to “active shooter” events, compared to gun legislation or all-out weapon bans?
- Why do you think some states aren’t interested in accepting the Constitutional-Carry solution?
- Where do you see the battle for Maine’s gun legislation going next? Will the House find a reasonable solution when it comes to registration? Or will it just try to pass its current bill, but with modification?
- 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 you put it together.
- 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?
My official website is http://www.stephenwilleford.com. You can read more about 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 2nd Amendment issues, as well as the importance of Gun Owners of America. You can read more about him at http://www.stephenwilleford.com.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin at: geraldmcg@outlook.com or 919-437-0001.
