Pro-gun rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 7, 2025) – Today, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) provided Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) with an important update regarding firearm regulations, stating that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and ATF would repeal and revisit several regulations and enforcement practices implemented by the anti-Second Amendment Biden Administration. Three important reforms were announced, including the repeal of the Biden Federal Firearms Administrative Action Policy and Procedure (also known as the “Zero Tolerance” policy) as well as review and revisiting of the Biden “Pistol Brace Ban” and "Engaged in the Business” rules. FPC secured key wins for gun owners against the Biden Administration in its Mock v. Garland lawsuit, a case currently on appeal at the Fifth Circuit following another FPC victory at the district court which vacated the “Pistol Brace Ban” rule nationwide.

DOJ and ATF Repeal Zero Tolerance Policy, Major Second Amendment Win for the Trump Administration 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 7, 2025 

Washington, D.C. – In a significant win for the Second Amendment, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today the repeal of the controversial Federal Firearms Administrative Action Policy, also known as the Zero Tolerance Policy. First introduced under the Biden administration, the policy aggressively targeted gun dealers for minor paperwork errors—creating fear and uncertainty across the firearms community. 

The decision to roll back this anti-gun policy comes under the direction of the Trump administration and marks a key step toward restoring Americans’ access to firearms. The DOJ and ATF, now led by Attorney General Pam Bondi and Acting ATF and FBI Director Kash Patel, will also begin formal reviews of the tyrannical stabilizing brace rule and the unlawful “engaged in the business” rule used to target private gun sellers. 

The stabilizing brace rule, which attempted to reclassify braced pistols as short-barreled rifles under the National Firearms Act, and the “engaged in the business” rule, which was a backdoor attempt to create Universal Background Checks, were both the subject of national backlash and multiple court challenges. 

Gun Owners of America has long sounded the alarm on the weaponization of the ATF under the Biden administration, where bureaucratic overreach was used to harass law-abiding gun dealers and crush small businesses. The so-called “Zero Tolerance” Policy wasn’t about safety—it was about control. GOA and Gun Owners Foundation responded with force, filing two major federal lawsuits: Kiloton Tactical v. ATF and Morehouse Enterprises, LLC v. ATF (II). Today’s repeal is a direct result of sustained legal and grassroots pressure—and a clear sign that this administration is serious about restoring constitutional order. 

Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement: 

“For years, the Zero Tolerance Policy has been a tool of political retribution—targeting gun stores and Americans who were simply trying to exercise their rights. We applaud President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, and Director Kash Patel for listening to gun owners and taking action to repeal this abusive policy. This is what pro-gun leadership looks like.” 

Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement: 

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re seeing a realignment toward the Constitution. This repeal and regulatory review of ATF’s “Zero Tolerance” Policy sends a clear message that the era of Biden gun control is over. GOA is grateful for the administration’s commitment to restoring Second Amendment rights and standing with law-abiding gun owners nationwide.” 

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center. 

-GOA- 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 7, 2025) – Today, the Firearms Policy Coalition announced priority policy reforms and urged the White House and Department of Justice to take immediate and meaningful action to safeguard and support the rights of peaceable gun owners across the country. 

PITTSBURGH (April 3, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced the filing of a reply brief in support of its motion for preliminary injunction or summary judgment in Young v. Ott, a federal lawsuit that challenges Pennsylvania’s laws banning 18- to 20-year-old adults from carrying firearms for lawful purposes outside the home.

DENVER (April 1, 2025) – The State of Colorado has followed California’s radically anti-rights example by enacting unconstitutional new taxes on firearms, parts, and ammunition. This abusive new strategy from these states is dangerous and must be stopped. That is why the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) has filed a new Second Amendment lawsuit challenging Colorado’s new tax that targets gun owners and their constitutionally protected rights. 

You don’t need a permit to freely speak, pray, or assemble, so why is there a permit to own a firearm?

GOA’s Erich Pratt (right) with Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC)

You shouldn’t need a piece of paper from the government to exercise your God-given rights.

But until GOA wins the battle to make gun permits a thing of the past, we’re fighting to ensure that a concealed-carry permit issued in one state is recognized by every state in the nation.

And we just scored a massive win in the fight to protect your rights.

The House Judiciary Committee led by Chairman Jim Jordan just voted to advance Richard Hudson’s Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act for a full floor vote in the House.

This GOA-backed nationwide carry bill also protects Constitutional Carry. If you’re a resident of a Constitutional Carry state, then you can continue to carry without a permit nationwide.

President Trump already declared that he would sign this bill into law if it reaches his desk.

With such a historic opportunity before us, we need your help turning up the pressure on Speaker Johnson to hold the full floor vote ASAP.

Please add your name to our pre-written letter to tell your Representative to VOTE YES on the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and to urge Speaker Johnson to hold the vote IMMEDIATELY.

Gun Owners of America has waged legal battles to force anti-gun states to recognize out-of-state permits.

We beat California into submission and forced them to recognize the rights of out-of-state permit holders.

And in New York, we filed a lawsuit on behalf of Newsmax’s Carl Higbie, which clearly struck a nerve, and encouraged NYC to start issuing permits to out-of-state residents, which are good throughout the entire state!

Of course, anti-gun states like New York still want you to jump through a million loopholes to exercise your right to concealed carry… That’s why it’s critical that Congress pass the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity and ensure that your rights are recognized nationwide – without burdensome hurdles and regulations.

Just as driver’s licenses are recognized nationwide, so too should your license to carry a firearm – especially since the Constitution explicitly protects gun rights, and doesn’t say a peep about driving a car!

Now that the House Judiciary Committee has advanced this critical 2A bill, we need all hands on deck to jump on this historic opportunity and ensure Speaker Johnson holds the vote ASAP!

So please, add your name to our pre-written letter to tell your Representative to VOTE YES on the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and to urge Speaker Johnson to hold the vote IMMEDIATELY.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 26, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court decision upholding the ATF’s “frame or receiver” rule:

Maine’s Judiciary Committee is meeting today to hear 8 different gun bills. Given our limited time frame, it’s crucial that we reach out to the Judiciary Committee immediately and push for the rejection of the following bills:

LD 677 (SP 292) – Expands the definition of a machine gun and makes it a crime to own a “rapid-fire device” which the bill defines as a device, part, or combination of parts that increases the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm beyond its standard rate of fire. This ban specifically references binary-triggers, trigger cranks, forced reset triggers, and bump-stocks.

​LD 953, (SP 409) – Expands the definition of machine gun by including frames, receivers, and parts.

​LD 1109, (HP 728) – Bans the possession of “high capacity” magazines
​
LD 1126, (HP 745) – Requires all firearms to be serialized, bans certain 3-D printed firearms and “undetectable firearms.”

The 4 pro-gun bills being heard at the Committee meeting on the 26th can be seen here:

​LD 424, (HP 278) – Lowers the constitutional carry age to 18.

LD 829, (SP 356) – Removes the requirement that a person have a valid permit in order to carry a concealed handgun in state parks, Baxter State Park, the Allagash Wilderness Waterway and Acadia National Park.

LD 998, (HP 645) – Prevents employers from prohibiting employees from storing firearms in their locked vehicles. This bill would remove the requirement that employees must have a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm.

LD 1049, (HP 678) – Eliminates the Duty to Inform a Law Enforcement Officer When Carrying a Concealed Handgun Without a Permit.

Because we have such little time before today’s meeting, GOA is asking that you pick up the phone and call your Legislators about these gun bills!

Phone calls carry far more weight than emails do, and we need to make sure these members hear your message before today’s meeting. When speaking to a Representative or their staff, you can say something like this:

“Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m from [TOWN/CITY]. I’m a member of Gun Owners of America and a Maine voter. In the upcoming Judiciary Committee meeting I encourage you to support pro-gun bills like LD 424, LD 829, LD 998, and LD 1049. I am also expecting that you oppose anti-gun bills like LD 677, LD 953, LD 1109, and LD 1126. Gun Owners of America will keep me informed of how you vote.”

The list of members on the Maine Judiciary Committee can be seen here:

Chair Anne Carney – (207) 287-1515
Senator David Haggan – (207) 287-1505
Senator Rachel Talbot Ross – (207) 287-1515
Rep. Amy D. Kuhn – (207) 939-690
Rep. Mark Michael Babin – (207) 227-0198
Rep. Elizabeth M. Caruso – (207) 399-9992
Rep. Aaron M. Dana – (207) 214-8345
Rep. Rachel A. Henderson – (207) 381-4237
Rep. Adam R. Lee – (207) 312-4057
Rep. Dani L. O’Halloran – (207) 745-4499
Rep. Jennifer L. Poirier – (207) 399-9784
Rep. Dylan R. Pugh – (509) 590-8505
Rep. Eleanor Y. Sato – (207) 370-2235
Rep. David A. Sinclair – (207) 807-1610

Again, these bills are being heard before the Judiciary Committee today. Send a message to your State Legislators immediately using the form above and tell them to vote PRO-GUN.

Yesterday, Senate Bill 25-003, a semi-auto ban which morphed into a permit-to-purchase FOID scheme passed through the Colorado House of Representatives. 

It advanced by a vote of 36-2. 

Because of the continuous markup throughout its journey in the House, it must go back to the Senate for a concurrence vote on the House amendments THIS WEEK.  

Some reports are that the Senate vote will happen by Friday, March 28th.  

As we have been alerting you, SB 25-003 is a nearly full-on semi-automatic firearms ban – legislation which destroys the Second Amendment rights of Coloradans.  

In a pathetic effort to “appease” their constituents, anti-gunners in the Colorado legislature provided a “loophole” for law-abiding gun owners to get their gun rights back. 

Their “solution” for owning banned guns? Pay fees, take state approved tests, and enter a registry and then you’ll get your rights back.  

This includes either taking Hunter Safety Education OR having a concealed handgun permit WHILE also taking an additional 4 hours of courses and entering the registry. If you have not done the above, then 12 hours of course work is required before entering the registry.  

So please call Governor Polis at: (303) 866-2471 

Tell the Governor that you oppose this firearm ban and registry of gun owners.  

Sadly, they’re pushing even further when it comes to eviscerating the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Coloradans. 

House Bill 25-1238 will heavily restrict gun shows and the participants of gun shows, while House Bill 25-1133 prohibits the sale of ammunition to those under the age of 21.  

Both bills are working their way through the Senate for a final vote.  

Governor Polis and State Senators in Colorado need to keep hearing from gun owners and voters in Colorado.  

Polis needs to know that NOT ONE WORD of gun control should be signed into law, and that these gun control bills directly spit in the face of the Second Amendment and the will of the people. 

So please call Governor Polis at: (303) 866-2471 and tell him to veto every single gun control bill. 

During the 2025 legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly, anti-gunners wasted no time in passing over 20 radical and unconstitutional gun control bills.  

Thankfully, with the power of his pen, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed every piece of gun control which made it to his desk. 

And for that, we are thankful.  

Without Gov. Youngkin’s vetoes we’d be facing new gun controls such as: 

• A so-called “assault weapons” ban.  

• Extended waiting periods to purchase and possess a firearm. 

• Adults between the ages 18-20 having their gun rights stripped away. 

• Dangerous expansion of “gun free” zones. 

• Bans on upgrading the trigger in your firearm(s). 

• A taxpayer funded state office to promote gun control. 

And much, much more.  

While our gun rights are safe for the remainer of 2025, our work in Virginia is far from over. 

That’s because Virginia is one of the few states which holds “off cycle” elections for our state offices. 

So, in the coming months the voters of Virginia will head to the polls in June and November to choose our elected officials.  

The entire House of Delegates is up for reelection with new candidates also running for election in 2025.  

Gov. Glenn Younkin and is termed out, so we will also bear the civic responsibility of electing a new Governor of Virginia and Lt. Governor of Virginia.  

The office of Attorney General will also be up for election.  

And anti-gunners are prepared to pour money, time, and resources into Virginia to make sure the House of Delegates stays in their control while also taking hold of the Governor’s Mansion.  

Just think about all the bills that Youngkin vetoed in 2024 and 2025.  

Without a pro-gun Virginia Governor, we’d be facing the stark reality of Virginia becoming one of the most anti-gun states in America. 

And that is the goal of the anti-gun Left in 2025 and 2026. 

They want to maintain control of the General Assembly, place one of their own in the Governorship, and ram through every single gun control which has been vetoed the last two years. 

Gun Owners of America will be working overtime during the next seven months to ensure that gun grabbers running for office in Virginia are exposed for their untenable beliefs and unconstitutional votes. 

Thank you for your membership and activism – and stay tuned for more election information concerning candidates running for office in Virginia in 2025.

Rhode Island’s House Judiciary Committee will hear a mix of gun related bills tomorrow, March 26th. It is extremely urgent that we contact the Judiciary Committee and urge them to strike down the following bills:

• HB 5443 – Allows individuals to voluntarily add themselves to a watchlist that would restrict their right to purchase or possess a firearm.
• HB 5651 – Allows access to juvenile criminal records in order to conduct firearm background checks.
• HB 5654 – Prevents local licensing authorities from granting concealed carry permits to out-of-state residents based on permits issued by other states.
• HB 5889 – Allows law enforcement agencies to consider expunged records when issuing a license or permit to carry a pistol or revolver.
• HB 5890 – Specifies that it is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) to possess a firearm.
• HB 5436 – Imposes an “assault weapons” ban which would prohibit the future possession, purchase, sale, control, and manufacture of commonly owned firearms.

As mentioned in our previous alerts, Governor McKee has orchestrated the push for an “assault weapons ban” to move forward since the introduction of his FY 2026 Budget proposal and State of the State address earlier this year in January. HB 5436 is currently the largest threat to the well-being of the Second Amendment in Rhode Island and must be stopped.

The Judiciary Committee will also hear a small number of pro-gun bills that can be seen here:

• HB 5653 – Prohibits Licensing authorities from imposing additional or stricter requirements than those set by the Department of Attorney General. They are also prohibited from charging any additional fees.
• HB 5935 – Expands firearm rights to recognize out of state carry permits, authorizes carrying of weapons during emergency evacuations, and establishes an appeal process for being denied a permit.
• HB 5936 – Establishes a process for individuals who are denied a permit to carry a handgun to request a review and appeal the decision.

Because there is such little time before tomorrow’s meeting, GOA is asking that you pick up the phone and call your Representatives about these gun bills!

Phone calls carry far more weight than emails do, and we need to make sure these members hear your message before tomorrow’s meeting. When speaking to a Representative or their staff, you can say something like this:

“Hello, my name is [NAME] and I’m from [TOWN/CITY]. I’m a member of Gun Owners of America and a Rhode Island voter and I encourage you to vote NO on HB 5436, and other gun control bills when they come up in Committee on March 26th. Gun Owners of America will keep me informed of how you vote.”

The list of members on the Rhode Island House Judiciary Committee can be seen here:

Chairman Robert Craven – (401) 294-2222
First Vice Chair Carol Hagan McEntee – (401) 222-4435
Second Vice Chair Jason Knight – (401) 903-9804
Representative Edith H. Ajello – (401) 222-2296
Representative José F. Batista – (401) 533-2226
Representative David A. Bennett – (401) 480-4647
Representative Justine A. Caldwell – (401) 212-7320
Representative Julie A. Casimiro – (401) 474-7961
Representative Arthur J. Corvese – (401) 353-8695
Representative Cherie L. Cruz – (401) 222-2447
Representative Matthew S. Dawson – (401) 258-3660
Representative Leonela Felix – (401) 369-5364
Representative Marie A. Hopkins – (401) 203-1517
Representative Thomas E. Noret – (401) 641-0813
Representative David J. Place – (401) 286-2088

Reach out to your legislators immediately using the form above and demand that they OPPOSE the anti-gun bills and SUPPORT the pro-gun bills!

NEW YORK CITY (March 24, 2025) – Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced the filing of its opening brief with the federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Christian v. James, an FPC Law case that challenges some of the State of New York’s post-Bruen bans on public carry. The opening brief, filed Friday, addressed the plaintiffs claims regarding carry in public parks and can be viewed at firearmspolicy.org/boron. The Second Circuit plans to hear arguments in June.

GOA Opens Registration for Second Annual GOALS Conference in August 2025 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 24, 2025 

Washington, D.C. – Gun Owners of America (GOA) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the second annual Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit (GOALS), taking place on August 9–10, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, which drew thousands of attendees and featured high-profile speakers, GOALS 2025 promises to be even bigger—bringing together gun rights advocates from across the country for a weekend of advocacy training, grassroots networking, and exclusive industry access. 

Attendees will have the ability to lawfully carry their personal firearms and enjoy hands-on access to firearms and outdoor industry exhibitors, including exclusive previews of upcoming products from GOA’s partners. 

Registration is now open at: www.gunowners.org/GOALS 

Don’t wait—space is limited. Register now and join the nation’s leading grassroots 2A advocates in Knoxville this August. 

Tim Macy, Chairman of GOA’s Board of Directors, added: 

“GOALS isn’t just a conference; it’s a movement. We’re training and empowering gun owners to be effective leaders, building a nationwide community of active, knowledgeable, and passionate law-abiding gun owners. We expect the government to respect the Second Amendment—and if they don’t, our members will take action in state capitols, D.C., and at the ballot box. We’re thrilled to open registration for what will be a landmark event in the fight to protect our constitutionally protected rights.” 

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement: 

“Our Second Amendment rights are under constant attack, and while recent political victories offer encouragement, the fight is far from over. GOALS is about energizing our grassroots, equipping activists with real tools for change, and uniting our community to push back harder than ever. Last year’s attendees left fired up—this year will be no different.” 

Kailey Neiman, Director of Development and Marketing for GOA, issued the following statement: 

“This isn’t just an event—it’s a rallying point for GOA members to connect, learn, and lead the charge on protecting and restoring the Second Amendment. With free admission for members and their families, a massive 120,000 square foot expo floor, and exclusive access to top-tier speakers and industry innovators, GOALS is our way of saying thank you to the backbone of our movement—our members—while equipping them to defend our rights like never before.” 

Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center or register at https://events.goa.org/goals/. 

-GOA- 

As we told you earlier this year, Gun Owners of America has been working with pro-gun Tennessee State Senators and Representatives to update an important law which protects firearms manufacturers.

The Tennessee bill, titled the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act — and sponsored by Rep. Monty Fritts — is on notice for a House Civil Justice Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, March 26th.

Our Tennessee Gun Owners Lobby Day is also on the 26th, so please consider attending that. Click here for more info!

Much like the federal law which was passed in 2005, Tennessee’s current PLCAA protects the firearm industry against the business-ending lawfare that anti-gun litigants had been waging against manufacturers and dealers alike.

This is a great law – but we believe it can be stronger, offering even better protections from anti-gun activists.

Here is what the update will do.

House Bill 873 would amend the Tennessee state version of the PLCAA by expanding protections to additional entities (like individuals who privately sell firearms) and add additional categories (like suppressors and firearm magazines) while also heavily restricting bad-faith “public nuisance” anti-gun litigants.

HB 873 will help not only protect the Second Amendment rights of manufacturers and citizens, but it will hold anti-gun lawfare activists accountable when they try to drag law-abiding companies and citizens through the court system in an effort to bankrupt them.

Again, this bill is on notice for a House Civil Justice Subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, March 26th.

So please use the form above to contact the House Civil Justice Subcommittee and urge them to move HB 873 forward!

Under federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 925(c), a person who has lost their firearms rights under federal law, can apply to the Attorney General for the restoration of their firearms rights. The Attorney General can grant that relief he/she is satisfied that the "circumstances regarding the disability, and the applicant's record and reputation, are such … Continue reading AG Publishes Interim Final Rule Reclaiming Authority to Restore Federal Firearms Rights →

NEW ORLEANS (March 20, 2025) – Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and FPC Action Foundation (FPCAF) issued the following statement regarding United States v. George Peterson, a criminal matter presenting an FPC-backed challenge to the U.S. Government’s regulation of suppressors through unconstitutional registration and taxation requirements. Key case documents in Peterson can be viewed at firearmspolicy.org/peterson.

DOJ Allows Federal Gun Rights Restoration for First Time Since 1992 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 19, 2025 

Washington, D.C. – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an Interim Final Rule removing the Attorney General’s delegation of authority to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to process applications for relief from federal firearms disabilities under 18 U.S.C. 925(c). This action follows more than three decades of Congressional funding restrictions that have rendered ATF unable to process individual applications. 

The rule removes outdated regulations and is part of a broader review of firearm-related policies under Executive Order 14206 (Protecting Second Amendment Rights). Upon the interim final rule’s expected publication tomorrow, the DOJ will begin allowing individuals who are not “dangerous to public safety” to use the statute and petition to have their gun rights restored. 

Key Points of the Rule Change: 

• Since 1992, Congress has prohibited ATF from using funds to process gun rights restoration applications, making the statute obsolete. 

• ATF will no longer handle individual firearm disability relief applications under 18 U.S.C. 925(c). DOJ will instead carry out the statute and process petitions for gun rights restoration. 

• The DOJ rule goes into effect immediately upon publication and will simultaneously accept public comments on the rule before issuing a final version. 

Gun Owners of America remains committed to monitoring this process and ensuring that any future policies respect the constitutional rights of all law-abiding citizens. 

Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement: 

“For decades, law-abiding Americans who have had their gun rights unfairly restricted have been left in legal limbo—creating an unconstitutional de facto lifetime gun ban. This bureaucratic failure has denied thousands of individuals their lawful opportunity to restore their rights. The DOJ’s decision to finally withdraw ATF’s authority in this matter is an encouraging sign that this administration is serious about protecting the Second Amendment for all Americans.” 

Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs for Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement: 

“Since its enactment in 1992, Gun Owners of America has fought against the ‘Schumer Amendment’ which defunded the federal gun rights restoration statute. GOA and thousands of would-be gun owners are grateful to President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for once again allowing gun owners to petition to have their gun rights restored by the Department of Justice. We hope to see many more infringements repealed as the federal government carries out President Trump’s executive order Protecting Second Amendment Rights.” 

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center. 

-GOA- 



WE HAVE SOME BAD NEWS TO REPORT – BUT FIRST LET’S REVIEW HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT.

In 2022, GOA fought to pass Wyoming Statute 9-14-203 which imposed a Criminal Penalty of imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, and a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), for state or local officials who infringe on your Second Amendment Rights.

Many Second Amendment experts believe this law is the nation’s strongest Criminal Second Amendment Protection Act (SAPA) because it is a serious deterrent for officials who would infringe on your Rights!

Since the passage of the 2022 law, GOA has worked in Cheyenne every year to add a process allowing citizens to take Civil Action against Agencies and Departments that infringes on our Second Amendment Rights.

Sadly, some dishonest groups and legislators have played political games with these facts and misrepresented these issues to the people of Wyoming for four years!

Click here for an article from the publication Ammoland that gives a national perspective on the truth about Wyoming SAPA over the last four Legislative cycles.

At the beginning of this 2025 Legislative Session, 8 Wyoming Legislators, with the backing of the dishonest group exposed in Ammoland, proposed SF0196.

As originally written, this bill would have destroyed the criminal penalty in Wyoming law for Wyoming officials who infringe on your Second Amendment Rights.

Without reason or evidence, the 8 Legislators falsely claimed this was “advancing Second Amendment Rights.”

Thanks to the hard work and emails of GOA’s members and supporters, we were able to heavily amend the bill with pro-Second Amendment improvements in both the Senate and House and get it to the Governor’s desk.

The legislation that passed protected the 2022 Criminal Penalties in Wyoming law and established a process allowing citizens to sue Agencies and Departments when Rights are violated!

NOW BACK TO THAT BAD NEWS!

On March 18, in what Cowboy State Daily described as a “Veto Party,” Governor Gordon vetoed this important legislation.

Before you TAKE ACTION, please let me explain how Senate deceit allowed the Governor to have the opportunity to veto this legislation without threat of a veto override by the Wyoming Legislature.

The prime bill sponsor, Senate Vice President Tim Salazar, the same man who proposed gutting Second Amendment Protections before we heavily amended his bill, is primarily to blame.

Salazar asked the House to delay Committee Hearings for several days. These delays ultimately gave the Governor free reign to issue a veto without threat of an override.

Any Wyoming law passed less than 3 days before Legislative adjournment can be vetoed by the Governor weeks after Legislators leave Cheyenne!

HERE IS HOW THAT WORKED FOR YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS IN THIS CASE.

A hearing was listed on the Wyoming Legislative website be be held on Friday, February 21, and citizens had already signed up on the Wyoming Legislative website to testify. This was almost two weeks before the Legislators were scheduled to leave town on March 6.

Salazar asked the House to delay the hearing until February 24, and later the hearing was delayed again to February 25.

The bill was finally heard on both February 25 and February 26 ultimately passing Committee 5 days after it could have passed.

The bill still had to go through House Floor readings and debate, and the delays Salazar requested in Committee meant that the bill did not finally pass the full House with 3 days or more left in the 2025 Wyoming Legislative Session.

The House Speaker did not sign the bill until March 5 – one day before the Legislature adjourned.

If SF0196 would have passed with 3 days or more left in the 2025 Session, the Legislature would have been in session and able to override a Governor’s veto!

The 4-5 days of delays in Committee Hearings were the reason the bill failed to make the cutoff!

This legislation received 82 yes votes and only 8 no votes (3 were excused) for a 91% approval! This means that the Legislature adjourned despite having a vast majority to override a veto.

The only way Gordon had unfettered ability to veto the Legislation without any fear of a Legislative override was by the Committee delays described above.

Fake Second Amendment supporters and politicians lacking integrity will try to blame all of this on the Wyoming Governor.

The Governor certainly deserves to be criticized for the veto, but everyone experienced in Wyoming Second Amendment issues knew a veto was likely.

The real story here is that Wyoming Senate leadership left the door open for the Governor to make this veto without threat of a Legislative Veto Override!

Fortunately, the original Criminal Protections we established in Wyoming law in 2022 remain in place despite this veto, but we have missed a great opportunity to add opportunities for Civil lawsuits.

Please click TAKE ACTION HERE, or in the graphic at the top, and contact the Governor and Senator Salazar and let them both know you understand how they worked together to undermine your Second Amendment Rights.

GOA will continue to fight for this legislation in the future, so please stay tuned for more information regarding how you can help strengthen Second Amendment Protections in Wyoming.

P.S. Tell the Wyoming Governor and Senate Vice President You Are Aware of Their Deceit to Undermine Your Second Amendment Rights!

The Colorado House Appropriations Committee passed SB 25-003, and now this rights-shredding legislation can be brought up for a vote on the House floor.

As we have been alerting you, SB 25-003 is a nearly full on semi-automatic firearms ban – legislation which completely destroys the Second Amendment rights of Coloradans. In a pathetic effort to “appease” their constituents, anti-gunners in the Colorado legislature have provided a “loophole” for law-abiding gun owners to get their gun rights back.

Their solution?

Take mandatory government training classes and pay the state for a permit to purchase, and they’ll grant you your rights back once you enter their registration scheme.

This is flat out tyrannical and should be opposed by every member of the Colorado House of Representatives.

Please take action above, and politely but firmly demand that your Representative vote NO on SB 25-003.

GOA Announces Second Annual GOALS Conference for 2025, Announces Brownells as Title Sponsor 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 19, 2025 

Washington, D.C. – Gun Owners of America (GOA) is excited to formally announce the second annual Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit (GOALS), which will take place on August 9th and 10th, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee. This year’s event will also mark the return of Brownells as the title sponsor, a longtime industry leader and staunch defender of Second Amendment rights. 

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, GOALS 2025 will once again bring together thousands of Second Amendment advocates, key industry leaders, and grassroots activists for a weekend of education, networking, and advocacy training.  Attendees will have the unique opportunity to explore a 120,000 sq. ft. exhibition hall filled with the top companies in the gun industry, with added opportunities to meet some of the top content creators from YouTube and Rumble. Attendees will be allowed to lawfully carry their personal firearms while attending the show. 

This year’s event will also feature expanded advocacy training sessions, policy briefings from pro-gun legislators and legal experts, and a special focus on grassroots activism. Additionally, GOA members who register early will gain access to exclusive workshops and VIP meet-and-greet events with key figures in the Second Amendment community. 

Pete Brownell, Chairman of the Board for Brownells, issued the following statement: 

“Brownells is proud to once again sponsor the GOA GOALS event in 2025. GOA continues to do important work defending every law-abiding American’s right to own and responsibly use firearms, ensuring future generations can enjoy the same freedoms we do today. At Brownells, we believe in supporting those who stand up for the rights of responsible gun owners. GOA has been a strong advocate for protecting the Second Amendment, and we’re honored to support their ongoing efforts at the 2025 GOALS event.” 

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement: 

“GOALS is about uniting the gun rights movement—educating, motivating, and activating Americans to stand firm against the relentless attacks on our Second Amendment rights. With the 2026 election cycle approaching, this year’s summit will be critical in preparing grassroots advocates to push back against anti-gun efforts at every level. Having Brownells join us as a partner in this fight only strengthens our mission, and we look forward to working together to equip gun owners with the tools they need to defend their rights.” 

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center. 

-GOA-