Gun Owners of America spokesman Stephen Willeford explains why gun owners’ rights could be in jeopardy from the surveillance bill.
Private gun owners and various gun groups are keeping a close eye on the renewal of a bill that could go to the House of Representatives as soon as this week.
The bill would enable the right for the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA for short. The current act is set to expire in April, and while it does include notations about how the FBI can no longer misuse the tool, there’s other trouble afoot.
FISA contains a loophole – Section 702 – that would allow federal agencies (including the FBI) to purchase gun ownership data on American citizens. And mind you, that’s without a warrant.
As a result, the FBI could very well pick and choose whose history they wish to research, even though the idea of the initial bill was to keep an eye on foreigners.
If voted through, this could very well put private gun owners’ Second Amendment rights – along with their Fourth Amendment rights – in jeopardy.
Joining us now is Stephen Willeford, a spokesman for the Gun Owners of America. You may also recall him as the “hero with a gun” in the 2017 incident in Sutherland Springs, which he has since co-written a book about. Stephen’s knowledge in all things gun rights make him an ideal guest for the show.
Q&A:
- First off, what is probably the most disturbing thing about the FISA renewal that could be presented to the House of Representatives this week?
- Could the 702 loophole included with the renewal pose a threat to Americans, especially with the way that purchase data can be acquired?
- How does this affect the Second and Fourth Amendment rights to gun owners?
- You insist that the FISA bill needs to include Rep. Warren Davidson’s Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act. Tell us more about this and why it would make a significant difference.
- If this bill somehow fails, could Democrats and other anti-gun types come up with an even more restrictive bill? It seems to be Joe Biden’s way of thinking these days.
- 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.
- Where can people find your book?
- 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 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. You can read more about him at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin 919-437-0001 or geraldmcg@outlook.com.
