Gun Owners of America’s Stephen Willeford doesn’t believe the victims or their families received what they truly deserved.
While the Department of Justice is content with the resolution, some believe justice hasn’t truly been served when it comes to the victims of the 2017 Sutherland Springs church shooting.
Per this report from The Hill, the DOJ will provide a $144.5 million settlement with the victims, bringing its drawn-out legal battle with both them and their families to a close. This comes after a federal judge deemed the government responsible for the attack, failing to disclose the criminal history of the shooter, Devin Kelley, to the FBI.
Kelley opened fire in the church on November 5, 2017, killing 26 people and injuring 22 before being stopped by Stephen Willeford and later ending his life following a car crash.
Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta spoke on the settlement. “No words or amount of money can diminish the immense tragedy of the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs. Today’s announcement brings the litigation to a close, ending a painful chapter for the victims of this unthinkable crime.” It sounds as if the government is trying to put a smiley face on the whole matter.
But why does it feel like the government have to compound their suffering? Joining us now to discuss this further is Stephen Willeford, the “hero with a gun” that stopped the shooter back in Sutherland Springs. Willeford currently serves as spokesman for the Gun Owners of America, firmly believing in the rights of all citizens to bear arms. His expertise will prove useful in this matter.
Q&A:
- The Department of Justice believes this settlement will bring closure to this matter, but does it really feel like justice has truly been served here? Should the government have even bothered with the appeal it filed back in June 2022?
- Does it anger you that the government could’ve done something to stop the actions of Kelley, especially with failing to disclose his criminal records?
- We’ve seen a number of “active shooter” events since that time, with a record number of them stacking up in 2023. Why do you think the government isn’t acting on a proper solution to this?
- You’ve noted in the past how effective you believe “Constitutional-Carry” (or Concealed-Carry, as some call it) would be in situations like this. Tell us why you believe something like this would work in stopping shooters.
- President Biden proclaims that an “assault weapons ban” is the answer. But wouldn’t the criminals still be able to still get their hands on weapons, even with such a ban in place?
- You put on a heroic effort that day in Sutherland Springs. What resounds in your mind the most after what took place?
- Where can we learn more about you, as well as the Gun Owners of America?
My official website is http://www.stephenwilleford.com. You can read more about the Gun Owners of America at https://www.gunowners.org/.
About Stephen Willeford…
Stephen represents the 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 the 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.
