Gun Owners of America Address DOJ, FBI, & ATF on NICS Issues

Published on March 24, 2020
Duration: 36:13

This video details a letter sent by Gun Owners of America (GOA) to the Department of Justice, FBI, and ATF addressing critical issues with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) during the COVID-19 pandemic. GOA highlights how increased NICS volumes and state office closures are infringing upon Second Amendment rights by causing significant delays in firearm purchases. The letter also calls for the revocation of ATF letters targeting concealed carry permit exemptions in Michigan, Alabama, and Minnesota.

Quick Summary

Gun Owners of America (GOA) has sent a letter to the DOJ, FBI, and ATF highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic is causing critical delays in the NICS background check system due to increased volume and state office closures. GOA argues this infringes upon Second Amendment rights and challenges the FBI's interpretation of the Brady transfer date, while also demanding the revocation of ATF letters impacting concealed carry permit exemptions.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction and Live Broadcast Setup
  2. 00:27GOA Letter to DOJ, FBI, ATF Announced
  3. 01:48Focus on NICS Issues During Pandemic
  4. 03:16Reading of the GOA Letter to Agencies
  5. 03:19NICS Volume Increase and Delays Explained
  6. 04:31COVID-19 Exacerbating NICS Problems
  7. 05:28NICS Examiner Backlog and Brady Deadline Issues
  8. 06:15Past NICS Delays and Uncompleted Checks
  9. 07:09GOA's Stance on NICS System Changes
  10. 07:53FBI's New Interpretation of NICS Operations
  11. 08:12FBI Statement on State Office Closures and Brady Transfer Date
  12. 09:21NSSF's Suggested FBI Rationale for NICS Interpretation
  13. 10:33GOA's Argument Against FBI's Interpretation
  14. 11:18ATF Actions on Concealed Carry Permits in MI, AL, MN
  15. 13:52ATF Campaign to Eliminate Concealed Carry Permit Exemptions
  16. 14:45GOA's Request to Revoke ATF Letters
  17. 15:31GOA's Constitutional Argument Against NICS
  18. 16:36Eric Pratt's Role and GOA's Mission
  19. 17:41The Start of Something Big: GOA's Actions
  20. 18:12Call to Action: Join Gun Owners of America
  21. 18:47Push for Constitutional Carry
  22. 19:02Other Pro-Gun Organizations' Efforts
  23. 20:01Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste
  24. 20:55State-Specific Gun Rights Issues
  25. 21:31Impact of COVID-19 on Court Systems and Supreme Court Rulings
  26. 22:17GOA Letter's Impact and Appreciation
  27. 23:37Personal Life and Social Distancing
  28. 25:10Arizona Lockdown and Gun Shops
  29. 26:19Florida and New York City Situation
  30. 27:10Back Injury and Physical Therapy
  31. 27:13Call to Action: Contact Congress about HR 5717
  32. 28:11Challenges of Home Schooling During Pandemic
  33. 29:13Toilet Paper Availability and Shopping
  34. 30:40Commentary on Gun Ownership and Government
  35. 30:54Milford, MA as a Potential '2A Sanctuary'
  36. 31:20Militia and HR 5717 Status
  37. 31:41Impact of GOA Membership
  38. 32:09Appreciation for Family and Support
  39. 32:39Firearm Caliber Discussion (6.5 Creedmoor vs. 300 Blackout)
  40. 33:04Physical Therapy Update
  41. 33:32Video Release Schedule
  42. 33:56HR 5717 Discussion and Children's Voices
  43. 34:06Concluding Remarks and Family Time
  44. 34:48Gratitude to Viewers and Channel Growth
  45. 35:22Patriots Fan and Tom Brady Jersey Purchase
  46. 35:54Final Well Wishes and Safety Advice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gun Owners of America (GOA) demanding from the DOJ, FBI, and ATF?

Gun Owners of America (GOA) is demanding that the DOJ, FBI, and ATF address critical issues with the NICS system, particularly delays caused by increased volume and state office closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also want the ATF to revoke recent letters targeting concealed carry permit exemptions in Michigan, Alabama, and Minnesota.

How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the NICS background check system?

The pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in NICS background check volume. Combined with state offices closing, this creates significant delays, potentially infringing on Second Amendment rights by preventing timely firearm purchases. The FBI's interpretation of the Brady transfer date is also being challenged in this context.

What specific legal interpretation is Gun Owners of America challenging regarding NICS?

GOA is challenging the FBI's interpretation that the three-business-day Brady transfer period does not begin until state offices are open for business, especially when states close offices due to the pandemic. GOA argues this period should start when an FFL contacts the state POC and should only be extended by regular weekdays, not state-imposed closures.

What action has the ATF taken regarding concealed carry permits that GOA opposes?

The ATF has reportedly issued letters targeting the exemption for concealed carry permit holders from NICS checks in states like Michigan, Alabama, and Minnesota. GOA opposes this, viewing it as an unlawful elimination of a statutory waiver and is requesting these letters be revoked.

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