Gun Owners of America
Machineguns Are In, RINOs Are Out!
At GOA, we’ve been hard at work fighting for your Second Amendment rights, here’s what we did…
We at Gun Owners of America have been hard at work fighting for your rights this week.
From helping Ken Paxton defeat the anti-gun John Cornyn in the Texas Senate race, to introducing the first-ever Hughes Amendment repeal and legislation removing taxes on machineguns, to winning our lawsuit against the city of Winchester, Virginia — GOA has been busy.
You deserve an update.
Recently, GOA-endorsed Senate candidate Ken Paxton won his runoff election against RINO John Cornyn. Sen. Cornyn famously worked against gun owners to pass the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. This law has opened the door to some of the worst gun control abuses in recent history.
Two major pieces of GOA-backed legislation relating to machineguns were introduced to Congress: the “Firearm Freedom Act” by Rep. Patronis, and the “Freedom From Taxes Act of 2026” by Rep. Boebert.
And finally, GOA, GOF and VCDL won our lawsuit against the city of Winchester, Virginia. This lawsuit victory is just one of roughly 30 lawsuits that GOA is fighting across the country.
GOA-endorsed Ken Paxton defeated RINO John Cornyn in Texas Senate runoff election.
Cornyn, the four-term incumbent senior Senator from Texas famously worked to help pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, the largest package of gun control in 30 years.
Ken Paxton on the other hand is a truly No Compromise gun rights supporter. He recently spoke at GOA’s 2025 GOALS and worked with us to halt Biden’s “Engaged in the Business” ATF rule and is a part of our Big Beautiful Lawsuit against the National Firearms Act’s registration requirements.
Paxton now proceeds to the general election in November, where he’s up against James Talarico, a radical left-wing gun control advocate.
Meanwhile in Louisiana, another RINO who voted for the anti-gun Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — Senator Bill Cassidy — lost his primary as well.
This is a major blow to the gun control movement, who promised these Senators in 2022 that they wouldn’t see any retaliation at the polls.
That was wrong. Gun owners remember.
Those who work to undermine the Second Amendment, take note. If you vote against the right to keep and bear arms, gun owners will vote you out of office.
Next up, two pieces of GOA-backed legislation on machineguns were introduced to the House.
First, Rep. Jimmy Patronis’ bill; the “Firearm Freedom Act” is the first-ever bill introduced in Congress that would totally repeal the Hughes Amendment.
For those unfamiliar, the Hughes Amendment is part of the 1986 Firearm Owners Protection Act, added via voice vote, which made machineguns after 1986 illegal to sell to anyone other than the federal government.
Rep. Patronis’ bill rights the wrong that was perpetrated on gun owners 40 years ago.
And, Rep. Lauren Boebert introduced the “Freedom From Taxes Act,” which removes the taxes from machineguns and destructive devices, which are currently subject to $200 tax stamps under the National Firearms Act.
Rep. Boebert’s bill removes the remaining taxes on items regulated by the NFA after the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” last summer, where taxes on short barreled firearms and suppressors were reduced to $0.
This bill also helps our lawsuit against the NFA.
Our aptly named “One Big Beautiful Lawsuit” will remove the registration requirement on these items, as Congress’s original intent with the NFA was a registration of a tax, not the item itself.
The Department of Justice — furious that they could lose a registry of gun owners — has fought back against us tooth-and-nail.
That’s why it’s so important to remove the taxes on these items. Registries of gun owners are blatantly illegal under federal law.
Whether it’s Suppressors or Machineguns, no registry should exist for these items. They are protected by the Second Amendment.
Finally, last but not least, GOA, GOF and VCDL won our case against the city of Winchester, Virginia!
When Winchester, Virginia banned firearms in city parking garages, we sued.
When the city council realized they’d lose — they capitulated and repealed the law.
This week, the court affirmed our victory.
No infringement, no matter how “small,” is constitutional.
This case is just one of over 30 lawsuits that Gun Owners of America is fighting across the country, in both federal and state courts.
That’s all for this week, but just know that we’ll be working hard to protect and restore the Second Amendment.
Keep an eye out for more updates from GOA in your inbox, coming soon.
If you aren’t already, please consider becoming a GOA member so that we can fight on your behalf! And consider also making it a repeating yearly contribution so that you will always stay covered by our lawsuit injunctions.
VA: Some Attorneys are Refusing to Enforce Gun Bans — Others are Helping to Defend Them
Virginia’s new gun ban laws have exposed a clear divide across the Commonwealth.
Some prosecutors are choosing to stand with law-abiding gun owners and the Constitution, while others are helping anti-gun politicians defend one of the most sweeping attacks the Second Amendment Virginia has ever seen.
Attorney General Jay Jones is now attempting to consolidate multiple lawsuits challenging Virginia’s new firearm and magazine bans, a move designed to deprive each case from having its day in court.
Shockingly, two Republican Commonwealth’s Attorneys joined that effort.
Frederick County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ross Spicer and York County Commonwealth’s Attorney Krystyn Reid signed onto Jones’ filing, aligning themselves with the same political machine pushing bans on commonly owned firearms and standard-capacity magazines.
TAKE ACTION
If you are a resident of York or Fredrick Counties, contact your Commonwealth’s Attorney and tell them to to stop siding with Jay Jones!
Krystyn Reid
York County Commonwealth’s Attorney
- Email: reidk@yorkcounty.gov
- Phone: 757-890-3401
Ross Spicer
Fredrick County Commonwealth’s Attorney
- Phone: 540-665-6383
At the same time, several Commonwealth’s Attorneys across Virginia are taking the opposite approach by publicly signaling they will not participate in enforcing these unconstitutional restrictions.
Those prosecutors include:
Leslie M. Fleet — Appomattox County
John L. Lumpkins Jr. — Goochland County
Phillip Blevins — Smyth County
Rob Cerullo — Powhatan County
Justin L. Griffith — Pulaski County
Kyle Kilgore — Scott County
Ryan Mehaffey — Spotsylvania County
John S. Bell — Warren County
If this is your attorney, please reach out to them and thank them for their steadfast defense of what’s right!
If you don’t see your attorney on this list, reach out to them and urge them to publicly refuse to enforce Virginia’s unconstitutional firearm bans.
Together with our friends at the Virginia Citizens Defense League, we prepared this letter that Commonwealth’s Attorneys can sign and release publicly, and we encourage you to forward it to your local prosecutor by email.
Gun owners are tired of watching politicians and bureaucrats treat constitutional rights like temporary privileges.
Now is the time to ensure that every Commonwealth’s Attorney in Virginia publicly declares where they stand.
TELL PRESIDENT TRUMP: PARDON TATE ADAMIAK!
Joe Biden’s weaponized Department of Justice ruined Tate Adamiak’s life.
President Trump must pardon him.
Gun Owners of America is calling on our grassroots members to call the White House and tell President Trump to Pardon Tate Adamiak!
Tate Adamiak’s CaseFor those who may not know, in 2022, federal agents arrested Patrick “Tate” Adamiak, a U.S. Navy sailor with no violent history or criminal record.
Tate’s crime? He was a firearms enthusiast.
If that sounds like an exaggeration, it’s not.
Biden’s weaponized DOJ charged Tate with violations of the National Firearms Act for having collectible firearm parts at home.
Importantly, NONE of these items were an actual “firearm” under the NFA – at least, not until ATF agents tampered with evidence before trial, leading to one of the most unjust convictions we’ve ever seen.
And to make matters worse, the U.S. Supreme Court has just declined to hear Adamiak’s case.
That means if the DOJ doesn’t ask that Tate’s sentence be reduced at an upcoming hearing, then a presidential pardon is Tate’s last shot at freedom.
We’re calling on the Trump Administration to do the right thing and reverse this Biden-era miscarriage of justice.
We as a community, need to help Tate Adamiak.
Adamiak was following a legal process and did everything he needed to do, he didn’t try to “bend” the rules, he was following the law. The ATF put him in prison anyway.
Tate has now exhausted his appeals, and the Supreme Court apparently had no appetite to right this wrong.
But here’s where you come in.
Call the White House and demand that President Trump grant Tate Adamiak a Presidential Pardon.
After all, under this administration, ATF has entered a “new era of reform,” pledging to clarify regulations and end weaponization.
There is no better place to start than to set Tate free.
Call the White House at 202-456-1111.
PA: URGENT: Pass Constitutional Carry, Strengthen Preemption, and Stop Retaliatory Gun Control!
URGENT: Pass Constitutional Carry, Strengthen Preemption, and Stop Retaliatory Gun Control!
The battle lines are drawn in Harrisburg, and we have a historic opportunity to secure our liberties—but only if we act immediately!
Right now, we are fighting on multiple fronts to protect our God-given rights, and the gun grabbers are throwing an absolute temper tantrum because we are winning.
First, some incredible news. SB 357, the GOA-backed Constitutional Carry bill, has cleared a major hurdle! The Senate Judiciary Committee reported the bill out on a 9-5 party line vote earlier this month. It is now sitting on the Senate floor, positioned for a final vote, which may occur in early June.
For years, we’ve worked for Pennsylvania to join the 29 other states that respect your constitutionally protected right to carry a firearm without a government permission slip. We are closer than ever, but we need a massive push to get SB 357 passed through the full Senate.
Meanwhile, we have a golden opportunity in the House to protect law-abiding gun owners from rogue local politicians. SB 822, our bill to strengthen firearms preemption, passed the full Senate and is currently sitting in the House Judiciary Committee.
As you know, local anti-gun politicians love to pass illegal, unconstitutional local ordinances to harass law-abiding gun owners. SB 822 would finally put teeth into our preemption laws and hold these tyrannical local governments accountable. We need the House Judiciary Committee to report this bill immediately and send it to the floor for a full vote.
But make no mistake—the gun grabbers aren’t taking this lying down.
In a purely petty retaliatory move to punish gun owners for the Senate passage of SB 822, rabidly anti-gun State Representative Dan Frankel (D-23) has introduced two gun control bills: HB 2505 and HB 2506.
Frankel’s bills are nothing more than a revenge tactic designed to gut preemption and systematically strip away your rights. Frankel’s legislation would also allow anti-gun municipalities to engage in lawfare against the firearms industry by permitting lawsuits against gun manufacturers.
Frankel’s retaliatory bills have been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, and a critical vote on both bills may come as early as June.
That’s why I need you to take action now by sending a message to your state senator (by using the form above) to vote YES on SB 357 to finally bring Constitutional Carry to Pennsylvania.
And while you are at it, let your state representative know to vote YES on SB 822 to strengthen preemption, and demand they vote NO on Dan Frankel’s retaliatory bills, HB 2505 and HB 2506.
Our lawmakers need to know that we are watching, and we will not tolerate any compromise on our God-given rights.
Please send your messages today!
Repealing The Hughes Amendment With Your Help!
Representative Jimmy Patronis has just introduced a GOA-backed bill: the “Firearm Freedom Act”
This bill fully repeals the dreaded Hughes Amendment, which banned the sale of automatic firearms manufactured after 1986.
The Hughes Amendment was an unconstitutional “poison pill” in the Firearm Owners Protection Act that should have never passed.
We’re calling on our GOA grassroots members to tell their elected Representatives to co-sponsor this bill!
REP. PATRONIS’ BILL: THE “FIREARM FREEDOM ACT OF 2026”Rep. Patronis’ Bill, the Firearm Freedom Act— would repeal the worst part of the 1986 Firearm Owner Protection Act:
The Hughes Amendment.
During the passage of FOPA, Rep. William J. Hughes, a Democrat from New Jersey, offered up an amendment.
That amendment, passed by an unrecorded “voice vote” added a ban on machineguns made after the signing of the bill— May 19th,1986.
Ever since that day, Gun Owners of America has fought hard to overturn the Hughes Amendment because…
The Second Amendment includes automatic firearms.
Rep. Patronis’ GOA-backed legislation corrects this unconstitutional wrong that was perpetrated on gun owners.
That’s why we need GOA members to urge their Representatives to cosponsor Rep. Patronis’ bill.
Here’s what Rep. Jimmy Patronis had to say about his legislation:
“I’m proud to introduce the Firearm Freedom Act to defend the Second Amendment, and I’m grateful for the support of Gun Owners of America, as we fight to protect gun owners across this country.
“For too long, Washington bureaucrats have tried to chip away at the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution.
“The Firearm Freedom Act pushes back against that overreach and stands up for the rights afforded to all Americans.”
Let’s make machineguns great again!
Gun Owners of America Endorses Rep. Boebert’s Bill to Eliminate Tax on Automatic Weapons
Gun Owners of America Endorses Rep. Boebert’s Bill to Eliminate Tax on Automatic Weapons
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2026
Washington, D.C. – Gun Owners of America (GOA) is proud to endorse Representative Lauren Boebert’s bill introduced today on the week of the 40th anniversary of the Hughes Amendment becoming law. The Freedom from Taxes Act of 2026 would reduce the $200 NFA tax on machine guns (and destructive devices) to $0.
For the last 92 years, law-abiding Americans have had their Second Amendment rights infringed through a draconian and unconstitutional $200 “sin” tax on the transfer of each machine gun. Representative Boebert’s bill would finish what Congress started in the One Big Beautiful Bill last year: reducing National Firearms Act excise taxes.
Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement:
“From its inception, GOA opposed the Hughes Amendment when it was signed into law. Forty years later, GOA still opposes any infringements on the right of the people to keep and bear arms. That’s why Gun Owners of America is proud to endorse Representative Boebert’s bill that would reduce the $200 NFA tax on machine guns. Under this GOA-backed legislation, the right to own a machine gun without paying a ‘sin’ tax would be fully restored—just like the Founding Fathers intended.”
Representative Lauren Boebert, of Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, issued the following statement:
“Taxing our constitutional rights is unacceptable and unconstitutional. The Freedom from Taxes Act builds on the progress we made in the One Big Beautiful Bill by completely eliminating the final NFA taxes on machine guns and destructive devices. My bill also eliminates the burdensome Special Occupational Tax that’s been crushing our small businesses and manufacturers. The government should not be imposing penalties on law-abiding citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights.”
GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization representing over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.
-GOA-
Help GOA Make Machineguns Great Again!
Representative Lauren Boebert has just introduced her GOA-backed bill: the “Freedom From Taxes Act of 2026.”
This bill reduces the $200 tax stamp on Machineguns and Destructive Devices to $0.
This legislation helps to gut the National Firearms Act, and helps our lawsuit against the onerous and illegal registration requirements of the NFA.
We’re calling on our GOA grassroots members to tell their elected Representatives to co-sponsor this bill!
REP. BOEBERT’S BILL: THE “FREEDOM FROM TAXES ACT OF 2026”
Rep. Boebert’s bill works to cut the taxes from the remaining regulated items under the purview of the National Firearms Act.
We at GOA are currently working through the courts after the Senate Parliamentarian refused to remove the registration requirements on Short Barreled Firearms, AOWs and Suppressors during the legislation process on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Our aptly named “One Big Beautiful Lawsuit” will remove the registration requirement on these items, as Congress’s original intent with the NFA was a registration of a tax, not the item itself.
The Department of Justice, furious that they could lose a registry of gun owners— has fought back against us, tooth-and-nail.
That’s why it’s so important to remove the taxes on these items. Registries of gun owners are blatantly illegal under federal law.
Whether it’s Suppressors or Machineguns, no registry should exist for these items. They are protected by the Second Amendment.
That’s why we need GOA members to urge their Representatives to cosponsor Rep. Boebert’s bill—because removing the taxes on NFA items is an important first step to eliminating the registry.
Our vocal grassroots members can hold Congress accountable.
GOA members have been crucial to change and have been critical in moving the overton window on NFA items.
Even the most cynical media outlets had to admit that GOA and our members changed the conversation on the National Firearms Act during the “One Big Beautiful Bill” passage.
The Guardian wrote that GOA’s “push to gut the NFA changed from a fringe view into a broadly supported position.”
So now, we’re going to do the same for the rest of the National Firearms Act.
Let’s make machineguns great again!
If you aren’t already, please consider becoming a GOA member so that we can fight on your behalf! And consider also making it a repeating yearly contribution so that you will always stay covered by our lawsuit injunctions.
KY: Vote for Thomas Massie TODAY!
Today is the day. Polls are open right now—and Thomas Massie needs your vote.
For 14 years, Massie has been one of Washington, D.C.’s most reliable, most fearless defenders of your Second Amendment rights. As an A+ rated CHAMPION, he has never once flinched in the face of gun grabbers. Not once. While other Republicans cut deals and caved to pressure, Thomas Massie has stood firm—for you, for your family, and for the Constitution.
Today, the swamp is fighting back. Millions of dollars in outside money have flooded this race with one goal: to retire Thomas Massie and replace him with someone who abandoned us and President Trump the moment he won in 2016. They are counting on gun owners to stay home. They are counting on you to be too busy, too tired, or too distracted to make it to the polls.
Prove them wrong.
This is a primary. Turnout will be low. That means your vote—and every vote you can turn out among your family and friends—carries enormous weight today. We are not exaggerating when we say that a handful of votes could be the difference between keeping one of our greatest allies in Congress or handing the swamp a massive victory. Remember when Brandon Herrera lost his primary in 2024 by less than 400 votes? We cannot afford a repeat of that with Thomas.
So right now, today, we are asking you to do 3 things:
- Head to this link to find your polling location and go cast your ballot for Thomas Massie before polls close tonight.
- Pick up the phone and call your family and friends who have not yet voted. Tell them what is at stake. Tell them we need them at the polls today.
- Forward this email to every gun owner you know in Kentucky. Every. Single. One.
Thomas Massie has spent 14 years fighting for us. Today, it is our turn to fight for him.
KY: Vote for Thomas Massie Tomorrow!
For the past 14 years, Representative Thomas Massie has been one of the biggest fighters for the Second Amendment. He is the sponsor of the National Constitutional Carry Act, legislation that would allow you to carry a firearm nationwide without a permit.
Today and tomorrow, we need to encourage everyone we know who lives in his district to get out and vote for him on Tuesday!
Thomas Massie’s record goes far beyond one bill. As an A+ rated CHAMPION of the Second Amendment, he has voted against every unconstitutional gun control proposal that has appeared before Congress—every red flag scheme, every so-called “assault weapons” ban, every attempt to criminalize private gun sales and pass universal background checks. When other Republicans made deals and compromised, Massie held the line. Every. Single. Time.
His opponent? He could never come close to being the fighter that Kentucky, GOA, and America needs.
For over a decade, Thomas has fought for you and for me—defending our God-given liberties. His opponent, on the other hand, left the Republican Party when President Trump won the 2016 election—but now wants you to send him to Washington instead. Don’t let that happen.
The gun grabbers and the swamp know exactly what Thomas Massie means to the Second Amendment. That is precisely why they want him gone. Outside money and establishment forces are pouring millions into this race, hoping that freedom-loving Americans like you, your family, and your friends stay home tomorrow.
Don’t give them that satisfaction.
Head to this link to find your polling location and please make time to go and vote for Thomas Massie in the Republican primary for Congress. Polls will be open tomorrow—and your vote matters! Plus, in a primary, EVERY SINGLE ONE COUNTS.
Even if you do not live in Rep. Massie’s district, please tell your family and friends who live there to get out and vote for Thomas tomorrow.
If Representative Massie loses, it will be a win for the swamp—and a huge blow to the Second Amendment. Whether in Kentucky or across the country, we cannot afford to lose a pro-gun CHAMPION like Massie.
So please, make a plan to vote for Thomas Massie tomorrow and send this 2A champion back to Washington, D.C.—where he belongs, fighting for you and me instead of the special interests and dark money.
GOA Fights Back Against Gun Bans, ATF Surveillance, and False Denials
At GOA, we’ve been hard at work fighting for your Second Amendment rights, here’s what we did…
We at Gun Owners of America have been hard at work fighting for your rights this week.
Between filing a lawsuit in Virginia against the just-signed ban on commonly owned firearms, questioning the ATF Director on the Bureau’s past abuses, and passing the NICS Reporting Act— we’ve been busy.
You deserve an update.
Recently:
GOA filed suit in Virginia against Gov. Abigail Spanberger, for signing into law a sweeping ban on commonly owned semi-automatic firearms and magazines.
GOA lobbied for Congress to question the recently sworn in ATF Director, Robert Cekada on ATF’s past abuses— including Tiahrt violations of gun owners’ records and their Illegal Registry.
And last, but certainly not least— GOA backed legislation, the NICS Reporting Act, passed the House!
GOA filed a lawsuit against the State of Virginia for banning commonly owned semi-automatic firearms, magazines and the carry of those arms in public spaces.
Our lawsuit works to fight some of the worst excesses of Virginia’s tyrannical attempt to restrict law-abiding citizens from exercising their Second Amendment rights.
We filed in state court, and expect the lawsuit to move quickly. We’ll update you as the situation develops.
Thanks to the support of members like you, we can file lawsuits against tyrants like Gov. Spanberger and her administration.
Your grassroots support helps us to fight for your Second Amendment rights all across the nation!
Next up, GOA lobbied Congress to question recently sworn-in ATF Director, Rob Cekada, on the Bureau’s abuses of the Tiahrt Amendment.
Nearly every pro-gun Congressman mentioned Gun Owners of America, and their frustration with ATF for abuses of the Tiahrt Amendment, an Amendment meant to protect law-abiding gun owners.
There was also questioning about ATF’s Illegal Registry, and how under the Biden Administration, ATF agents were showing up at gun owners’ doors, listing off what firearms they had inside.
And thanks to Rep. Michael Cloud’s questioning, we now know that ATF has purchased software that allows them to track gun owners’ phones.
While Director Cekada claims ATF is yet to use the new technology, we at GOA oppose any mass surveillance of gun owners.
GOA & GOF opposed geofence warrants in Chatrie v. United States, and we’ll be watching ATF to ensure they don’t deploy mass surveillance tools against gun owners.
Finally, last but not least, The GOA-backed NICS Reporting Act passed the House!
Thanks to the hard work of Rep. Thomas Massie, the NICS Reporting Act is one step closer to becoming law.
This legislation requires the Attorney General to provide data on those who were denied their Second Amendment right to purchase a firearm.
There are strong indications already, because of data provided by the Crime Prevention Research Center, that a very high percentage of denials under the NICS system are illegitimate (that is, are false positives)
The NICS background check system is broken, and NICS should be abolished. This legislation puts GOA and our allies one step closer to that goal.
It has been a busy week in the fight for the Second Amendment. We’re here in Washington DC, and across the United States holding the line against tyranny.
Keep an eye out for more updates from GOA in your inbox, coming soon.
If you aren’t already, please consider becoming a GOA member, so that we can fight on your behalf!
GOA and GOF File Lawsuit in Direct Response to Virginia Ban On “Assault Weapons” and Public Carry
GOA and GOF File Lawsuit in Direct Response to Virginia Ban On “Assault Weapons” and Public Carry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2026
Springfield, VA — Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), alongside Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) and 2A journalist John Crump, have filed a lawsuit today in direct response to Virginia’s enactment of SB749 and SB727, the “assault weapons” ban and public carry ban. These two bills represent the most immediate threat to the rights of every law-abiding gun owner in Virginia.
By criminalizing the purchase and transfer of the most popular firearms in America and effectively banning self-defense in public spaces, these laws are a direct assault on the Second Amendment and stand in open defiance of Virginia’s own constitution and necessitate an immediate strike in court.
Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution guarantees that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Therefore, our lawsuit demands a declaratory judgment and an injunction to prevent these unconstitutional laws from taking effect on July 1st.
Erich Pratt, Senior Vice President of Gun Owners of America, issued the following statement:
“Governor Spanberger has declared war on the rights of all Virginians. By banning the most commonly-owned firearms and standard-capacity magazines in America, the state is disarming law-abiding citizens, while doing absolutely nothing to stop violent crime.”
Chris Stone, Director of State Affairs for Gun Owners of America, added:
“Governor Spanberger and the anti-gun Democrats in the General Assembly are proud to openly violate the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Virginians, and their glee is an affront to the motto and ethos of this commonwealth. Gun Owners of America and our friends at Virginia Citizens Defense League look forward to challenging them in court.”
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-
Comment Now To Stop the ATF’s Illegal Registry!
As part of ATF’s recent package of 34 new rules, they’ve proposed a change to their “out-of-business” records retention.
This record retention amounts to an unconstitutional, illegal registry of guns and gun owners.
The registry, compiled by ATF using Form 4473; the dealer sales form completed by gun owners during firearms transactions, must be destroyed.
Now, thanks to a proposed rule change, gun owners have the ability to make their voices heard.
GOA is providing a model comment, follow along to fight back against ATF.
Preview commentI join Gun Owners of America in strongly opposing ATF’s proposed rule, Firearm Records Retention Periods (RIN 1140–AA95), to the extent that it would continue requiring decades-long retention of firearm transaction records, and allow ATF to maintain out-of-business (“OOB”) dealer records for additional decades. While the proposal appears intended to partially roll back the Biden Administration’s “forever retention” policy adopted in 2022, merely returning to a 20- or 30-year standard is insufficient to protect gun owners’ privacy and constitutional rights.
The Firearms Owners’ Protection Act of 1986 (“FOPA”) prohibits post-1986 regulations that expand the transfer to or maintenance of firearm transaction records in government-controlled facilities. Any retention period exceeding the framework of 20 years that pre-existed FOPA would violate both the text and spirit of 18 U.S.C. § 926(a). Moreover, the Second Amendment does not tolerate the creation or preservation of a de facto federal registry of law-abiding gun owners much less one that exists for decades on end.
ATF’s own historical findings demonstrate that the law-enforcement utility of decades-old records is minimal. In its 1985 rulemaking, ATF acknowledged that trace usefulness sharply declines over time, especially after 10–15 years. Yet under the current framework, records may effectively be retained for generations—first by dealers, and then by ATF after a dealer goes out of business. Such a system transforms temporary business records into functionally permanent federal surveillance files of Americans’ firearm ownership.
ATF’s “new era of reform” should not merely be about returning to the pre-Biden status quo. Indeed, if ATF were to select 30 years as the retention, then this rulemaking would not even accomplish that. This would represent an utter failure in the eyes of gun owners by this Administration. ATF needs to make affirmative progress in the right direction—protecting gun owners by reducing record retention periods as much as possible.
Accordingly, I agree with GOA that ATF should adopt the shortest possible retention period permitted by law, ideally zero years. At a minimum, any retention period imposed on FFLs must also apply to ATF’s OOB records, with mandatory destruction upon expiration of that same period. ATF should use this rulemaking to dismantle—not preserve—the infrastructure of a national gun owner registry.
ATF’S NEW RULE: WORSE THAN OBAMA-ERA RETENTION
ATF’s new proposed rule change, “Firearms Records Retention Periods” continues to require decades-long retention of firearm transaction records.
Worse still, it also allows ATF to maintain their “out-of-business” dealer records for additional decades.
While the rule is a step in the right direction, (Biden required FFLs to keep records forever) it reverts to an Obama-era status-quo, that records should be kept 20 to 30 years after the firearms transaction.
ATF should adopt the shortest possible retention period permitted by law. Ideally, ZERO years.
That’s why we need GOA members to submit their comments to the federal register ASAP.
Our vocal grassroots members can hold ATF accountable.
GOA members have been crucial to change and have worked to stop bad policy in the past.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Copy our model comment, which is provided here.
Step 2: Then, with our model comment copied, paste it into the federal register’s comment section at the link below and submit your comment to the ATF.
Let them know that gun owners want real change, not a return to the status-quo.
ATF CANNOT RETURN TO THE STATUS-QUO. REAL CHANGE IS NEEDED.
ATF’s own historical findings demonstrate that the law-enforcement utility of decades-old records is minimal.
In its 1985 rulemaking, ATF acknowledged that trace usefulness sharply declines over time, especially after 10–15 years.
Yet under the current framework, records may effectively be retained for generations—first by dealers, and then by ATF after a dealer goes out of business.
A return to the status-quo is not good enough for gun owners.
ATF should use this rulemaking to dismantle—not preserve—the infrastructure of a national gun owner registry.
NH: Senators Must Deliver on Campus Carry TOMORROW
New Hampshire gun owners are hearing disturbing rumors that another so-called “gun rights advocacy” organization is preparing to hand out A+ endorsements to lawmakers regardless of whether or not they actually support Campus Carry.
That is unacceptable.
If politicians want the support of gun owners, they need to earn it by taking real votes to defend the Second Amendment, not by hiding behind empty ratings and election-year talking points.
Tomorrow, May 7, 2026, the New Hampshire Senate is expected to hear HB 1793, the Protecting College Students Act, on the floor.
This bill would prohibit public colleges and universities from banning the lawful possession, carry, storage, or use of firearms and non-lethal self-defense tools like pepper spray, tasers, and stun guns on campus.
It would also allow citizens to take legal action against public institutions that violate those protections.
New Hampshire already recognizes Constitutional Carry for law-abiding adults, yet anti-gun university bureaucrats continue treating college campuses like Constitution-free zones where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are stripped of their right to self-defense.
That leaves innocent people defenseless while doing absolutely nothing to stop violent criminals.
Gun owners are tired of excuses.
If lawmakers claim to support the Second Amendment, then they need to prove it with a YES vote on HB 1793.
PA: URGENT: Constitutional Carry VOTE Tomorrow! (05/06/2026)
TOMORROW, the Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to take up Senate Bill 357—the Constitutional Carry bill.
Sponsored by our longtime ally, Senator Chris Dush, SB 357 would finally recognize that your right to protect yourself and your family is not a privilege granted by the government. Rather, it is a GOD-GIVEN RIGHT enshrined in the Bill of Rights and protected by Article 1, Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
For too long, the anti-gun elite in Harrisburg have forced law-abiding gun owners to pay a “permission tax” just to exercise their right to defend themselves and is a clear infringement on our constitutionally protected rights.
Here is what SB 357 does:- Codifies the inherent right to carry without a license.
- Recognizes that law-abiding citizens shouldn’t be taxed or tracked to exercise a fundamental right.
- Maintains an optional License to Carry Firearms (LTCF) for those who want reciprocity when traveling to other states.
Currently, 29 states have already embraced permit-less carry and have seen their citizens become safer and freer. It is time for Pennsylvania to join their ranks by passing SB 357 without delay.
Friend, we have a massive opportunity to push this bill through the Senate Judiciary Committee and get it to the Senate floor. But with the committee meeting TOMORROW, we have zero time to waste.
So, please, send a message to you state senator IMMEDIATELY (by using the form above). Tell them report and pass SB 357, Constitutional Carry, right away.