Gun Owners of America spokesman Stephen Willeford discusses the decision, which allows the state to unfairly impose rules on assault rifles.
Considering its prior decision against New York on its restrictive gun laws, one would think that the Supreme Court would do the same for Illinois’. Alas, that isn’t the case.
Just before the weekend, the Court decided in favor of an Illinois law that bans high-powered semiautomatic weapons, with penalties for an individual who “carries or possesses…manufactures, sells, delivers, imports or purchases any assault weapon or .50 caliber rifle.”
The rules go right against the Second Amendment, which should have made this an easy slam dunk for gun owners. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. That said, however, it continues to be litigated in the lower courts as it remains in place.
The National Association for Gun Rights, however, noted that the ruling won’t have much of an impact on the case.
“A right delayed is a right denied, and every day these gun bans are enforced is a travesty to freedom. We will be back to the Supreme Court as soon as our legal team finishes drafting our cert petition, and they will have to decide if they really meant what they said in Heller and Bruen,” said Dudley Brown, President of the National Association for Gun Rights.
Joining us now to discuss this further is Stephen Willeford, the spokesman for the Gun Owners of America. You may recall Willeford being the “hero with a gun” with the Sutherland Springs situation in 2017, in which he’s co-authored a book. His expertise on gun rights make him an ideal interviewee for this subject.
Q&A:
- What does the Supreme Court’s decision on the Illinois ban say about the rights of gun owners in this day and age?
- Are you surprised that the Second Amendment didn’t provide the protection needed in this particular case?
- Even with the Supreme Court’s decision, the case will still be litigated in smaller courts. What are your thoughts on this, and could it still be overturned?
- Do you see other states attempting bans like this in 2024, especially after seeing what the Supreme Court just gave to Illinois?
- 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.
